Maintaining Your McLaren With Expert Service And Care

Unlike most brands, who start out as manufacturers and have gone into racing, McLaren started out as a renown Formula 1 team, who has then diversified into other disciplines such as Indy car and Formula E. The release of the V12 F1 in 1992 marked their first official entry into the production car market, with a hiatus in production until the release of the of 12C in 2011. McLarens are more than just supercars, they’re race cars with license plate holders, and require the same level of maintenance a full blown race car does.

Factory Scheduled Maintenance

Any reputable McLaren service center will follow the service schedule set out by McLaren, but a truly great service center will adjust the schedule to better suit the lifestyle the specific car leads. For example, a McLaren that sees alot of track days may need more frequent oil and brake fluid changes than one that is used for cruising the The Overseas Highway.

McLaren has broken their services into 3 planned services:

Service A – 10,000 Miles or 12 Months

A Service A includes

• Synthetic oil drain and replacement
• Replace oil filter
• Replace engine Air filter
• Visual inspection of all major components and fluids
• Diagnostic scan of ECU

Service B – 20,000 Miles or 24 Months

Service B includes all aspects of service A, but includes more detailed inspections of the steering system, suspension, radiators, brakes, wheels and aero systems. Wheels are also rotated and the owner’s discretion.

Service C – 30,000 Miles or 36 Months

All aspects of Service A and B are completed during a C service, as well as:

• Gearbox fluid flush and replacement
• Inspection of EVAP system and oxygen systems
• Test and inspection of injection, ignition and recirculation systems

While this schedule will keep your McLaren happy, be sure to talk to your service technician to make sure no preventable maintenance and repairs are creeping up on you.

Tire Health

While McLaren’s make use of all kinds of aerodynamic witchcraft to improve downforce and grip, and that engineering is for naught if your tires aren’t up to the task. While a visual inspection is sufficient to make sure your tire tread is healthy, its recommended that you have your whole tire setup professionally inspected every 10,000 miles.

Tire maintenance should include having the wheels rotated to ensure even wear, having the wheels balanced and a full alignment completed to make sure you are still tracking true. Making sure your tires are correctly set up will not only improve performance and safety, but will ensure that you get the maximum lifespan.

When it’s time for new wheels, remember that a McLaren needs some high quality rubber to ensure all that power can be put to the ground, so make sure to consider a specialist tire like Michelin’s Pilot Sport series.​​​​​​

Pay Attention To The Undercarriage

Unlike most cars, the undercarriage of your McLaren plays an important part in the aerodynamic stability, and helps ensure you have maximum control at high speeds. Having the undercarriage of your McLaren inspected during services will help you catch any damage before it has a chance to get worse or cause additional issues.

The undertray also acts as a catch tray and can hide any leaks that may have sprung. By removing the undertray, it gives a clear view of any other damage or service items that may be lurking under in the shadows.

Common Repair Items To Keep An Eye On

While your McLaren is in for its scheduled maintenance, its always wise to have your service advisor to inspect some common repair issues to ensure they are addressed before they become an issue. While this doesn’t apply to all McLaren Models, it does unfortunately apply to the majority of the Turbo-charged V8 cars.

Cam Phaser And Dual Linear Solenoids

The Cam phasers are responsible for adjusting the time of the engine valves, allowing for a more aggressive power curve higher in the RPM range while Dual Linear Solenoids (DLDs) control the hydraulic systems related to active suspension and aero.

McLaren engines are interference engines, and a failed cam phaser can cause an issue where the valves and the piston want to occupy the same space at the same time, and can completely ruin your engine, while failed DLDs can cause unexpected responses from the suspension or cause aero parts not to deploy when needed, both posing a severe safety risk.

Fast Wearing Clutches

McLarens suffer from the same fate as all high performance mid engine supercars, high clutch wear. Since McLarens are exclusively automatic it is difficult to judge how worn a clutch is without the right tools or physically inspecting the clutch.

Signs of a worn clutch include hesitation or inability to change gear, rapidly fluctuating RPMs under load and a distinct whining noise coming from the transmission. Should your McLaren experience any of these issues, have your service technician inspect your clutch as soon as possible.

McLaren Service Specialists in Pompano Beach

The team at Foreign Affairs Motorsport will give your McLaren the service it deserves. We have been South Florida’s premier European auto repair, performance, and race facility since 1978. Our experienced technicians are well-versed in all McLaren maintenance issues. We’ll advise you on the best-suited service schedule for your McLaren so that you never miss a service.

At Foreign Affairs Motorsport, we are here to help you with all your automotive needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us at 954-746-0488.

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