Taking a 720S to the track is exhilarating. It is also the fastest way to turn routine maintenance into emergency repairs if you do not prepare properly.
I have taken my car to the track several times. This guide is what I do before, during, and after — based on the SIS procedures, real experience, and a few mistakes I made the first time around.
Engine oil: Change it. Fresh oil, fresh filter. The M840T runs significantly hotter on track and you want maximum film strength from minute one. Do not skip this even if you changed it last week.
Coolant level: Top off to the maximum mark. Check for leaks around the radiator hoses and the water pump outlet. A coolant loss on track means game over — the 720S does not tolerate overheating well.
Brake fluid: If your last brake fluid change was more than a year ago, change it now. Track use pushes brake temperatures well beyond street driving, and old fluid with absorbed moisture will boil. Switch to a high-boiling-point fluid like Ate TWS or Castor RBF 600 if you plan to push hard.
Tires: Check tread depth. If you are on the original road tires and any corner is below 4/32, replace before track day. The 720S puts power down through all four corners and losing grip on one side at speed is not a fun experience.
Battery: Secure the battery terminals. Track vibration can loosen connections. Apply dielectric grease if you have not done it recently.
Fluid levels: Check everything — differential oil, SSG transmission fluid, power steering (if equipped). Top off to maximum.
Cold tire pressures for track use are lower than street pressures. McLaren specifies approximately 32 PSI front / 34 PSI rear for road use in Normal mode. For track:
Start at the higher end and adjust down based on how the tires heat up. If the inside of the tread is wearing more than the outside, add pressure. If the outside is wearing more, drop pressure.
Bring a good gauge. The track-side air hoses are usually calibrated for truck tires and will read 3-5 PSI high.
Pads: Street pads will glaze and fade on track. If you plan to do more than two or three gentle sessions, switch to track-oriented pads. McLaren offers sport brake pads through their parts department — they handle higher temperatures without fading.
Bleeding: Freshly bled brakes with high-boiling fluid are non-negotiable. Bleed the system the day before the event, not the morning of. Air bubbles have time to work their way in overnight if you bleed right before loading the car.
Bedding: New pads need to be bedded before hard use. The SIS procedure calls for 30-40 gradual stops from 60 mph down to 20 mph, with no complete stops and no riding the pedal between stops. Follow the procedure — skipping it means uneven pad deposition on the rotors and reduced braking performance when you need it.
The 720S PCC (Proactive Chassis Control) dampers have multiple modes. For track use:
Alignment: if you have the car aligned for track use, typical specs are slightly more negative camber front (-3.5 to -4.0 degrees) and increased toe-out for sharper turn-in. But get back to street alignment after the event — track alignment is uncomfortable and wears tires quickly on the road.
Between sessions: Check tire pressures hot. Note what they read — this tells you if your cold starting pressure was correct. Check brake pedal feel. If the pedal is going to the floor, your fluid is boiling and you need to cool down.
Warning lights: If the oil pressure warning comes on, stop immediately. If the coolant temperature enters the red, stop immediately. The 720S will tell you when something is wrong — listen to it.
Cool down: Drive gently for 10-15 minutes after your last session. This circulates oil and coolant through the system and brings temperatures down gradually. Shutting off a hot engine immediately traps heat in the turbochargers and can cause oil coking.
Inspect: Before putting the car away, check for fluid leaks underneath. Look at brake pad thickness — if you are down to 3mm or less, replace before driving home. Check tire condition for cuts, bulges, or uneven wear.
Change the oil: After a hard track day, change the oil within 48 hours. Track use shears oil additives faster than street driving, and you do not want degraded oil sitting in the engine over the weekend.
The SIS browser has detailed procedures for every item above — brake bleeding, pad replacement, fluid changes, suspension adjustments. Look them up before the event, not while you are sweating in the paddock.
Also see: fluid specifications, common problems.