Top 5 Maintenance Tips Every McLaren Owner Should Know

Your McLaren is a serious investment. These British-manufactured luxury sports cars boast the latest in technology and performance, and they make for magnificent eye candy. To ensure its residual value remains intact, you’ll need to keep up a tight McLaren maintenance plan. If you’re lucky enough to be a McLaren owner, you’ll find these top 5 maintenance tips handy to keep your McLaren at the top of its game.

1. Follow Your Manufacturer’s Maintenance Schedule

Regular maintenance and servicing will keep your McLaren in mint condition. Understanding and following the required service intervals for your model is paramount to ensure ongoing preventative maintenance. A reputable McLaren service facility will follow McLaren USA’s recommended service schedule. These are the main McLaren service intervals that you should be aware of:

10,000 miles/12 months

• Synthetic oil change and filter replacement
• Complete inspection of all major components and fluids.

20,000 miles/24 months

• Synthetic McLaren oil change and filter replacement
• Inspection of steering, suspension, radiators, filters, brakes, fluid levels, wheels, and electrical systems.

30,000 miles/ 36 months

• Synthetic oil change and filter replacement
• Inspection of steering, suspension, radiators, filters, brakes, fluid levels, wheels, and electrical systems.
• Gearbox fluid replacement
• Inspection of EVAP system, oxygen sensors, recirculation system, injection, and ignition systems

Keep in mind that service schedules differ according to the model of McLaren you have. It’s best to speak to your trusted mechanic to be advised on the service schedule that’s right for your McLaren.

2. Keep An Eye On Your Undercarriage

Most South Florida roads fall short in comparison to the perfection of a racetrack. This is because roads are designed for the average car. When driving around town, your McLaren needs to negotiate speed humps, ramps, cracks, and occasional holes in the road. While most cars are designed for all of these road imperfections, remember that your McLaren sits lower than most cars. This makes it more susceptible to undercarriage damage. Your McLaren’s undercarriage contributes to the aerodynamic properties of the car as a whole. Any undercarriage dents, cracks, or chips can affect the high-speed handling of your car. We recommend that you let your trusted service facility deal with undercarriage inspections for two reasons. Firstly, because your car sits so low, you won’t be able to get underneath it. Secondly, even if you can get underneath, you may not have the trained eye of a McLaren specialist mechanic.

3. Watch For Leaks And Loose Hose Clamps

A common McLaren issue has to do with leaks that result from loose hose clamps. Leaks can occur in various areas of your engine bay. A heater matrix hose leak at the front of your engine is one to look out for. Leaks that aren’t dealt with can lead to coolant system damage and possible engine overheating. Other hoses on your McLaren include your fuel hose, power steering hose, and your heater hose. Regular hose checks and tightening procedures will help prevent leaks. During a hose inspection, your mechanic will look for any hose splits or areas of corrosion that may be present. Consistent hose maintenance will prevent more serious damage and save you on further expenses.

Although rare, be aware of any McLaren recalls that may be issued. In 2022, McLaren recalled the 600LT Coupe and the 600LT Spider because of a leaky radiator joint. Although it wasn’t a big issue, the challenge was that coolant was leaking onto hot components, so there was a remote risk of a fire. The good news is that your manufacturer should notify you of a recall. Correcting any design flaw that results in the recall is also the manufacturer’s prerogative.

4. Transmission And Engine Issues

McLarens aren’t known to suffer from significant gearbox and engine issues, but keeping them maintained will prevent any unforeseen breakdowns. Your mechanic will check for top-end issues such as broken finger followers. These are mostly due to late oil changes, so ensure you follow your oil change intervals. It’s paramount to change your transmission fluid at recommended intervals, and delaying this will put your transmission at risk. You can put your mind at ease knowing that your trusted service facility will perform all of these checks for you. Be aware of any transmission warning signs, including a grinding noise on your transmission, difficulty changing gears, or a complete inability to change gears.

5. Never Miss An Oil Or Filter Change

Oil performs two key roles in your engine. It lubricates your engine components, and it traps debris within the engine cavity. Your oil keeps your McLaren’s engine running smoothly and prolongs its life. Over time, engine oil degrades due to it running at a hot temperature. As it degrades, it loses effectiveness, which puts your engine at risk. This is why it’s important to prioritize oil changes, and an experienced mechanic will assess your engine’s overall condition when performing an oil change. If deposits are found in the used oil, this should be a warning sign for a potential engine issue.

Similarly, your McLaren contains several filters, each performing a different task. The three main filters are your oil, air, and fuel filter. These three filters prevent impurities from entering your engine cavity and prevent carbon build-up in your engine. Your McLaren also has a cabin filter, which protects your cabin from harmful contaminants in the air. Over time, filters get clogged with carbon deposits and lose their effectiveness. Getting these changed regularly will keep your engine breathing cleanly.

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