Autocross megathread

[Victorofhavoc]

I use Amsoil or redline mostly. 5w40 is way heavier than stock both cold and hot. He's right that's it's overly aggressive for your needs. I use either 0w30 or 5w30 because in high speed and longer sessions the oil gets toasty. If you're just doing short runs like autox, the 0w20 is appropriate.

Srf is probably also overkill for autox. You're not putting crazy heat into your brakes, but it's a fine fluid.

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[Sinnelizer]

I use Amsoil or redline mostly. 5w40 is way heavier than stock both cold and hot. He's right that's it's overly aggressive for your needs. I use either 0w30 or 5w30 because in high speed and longer sessions the oil gets toasty. If you're just doing short runs like autox, the 0w20 is appropriate.

Srf is probably also overkill for autox. You're not putting crazy heat into your brakes, but it's a fine fluid.

Thank you! HPDE is scheduled for September, I am trying to understand if I can take a Friday off at work to travel 4 hours to the desert.

I used to track my Camaro. 7 tracks and 20 events, I guess, I am just slow coming back to this in Cali in this heat. All tracks are either in Death Valley (not there, but very close to temperature-wise) or back to NorCal, which is like 10 hours drive for me.

How often do you change oil? I thought it was 3k miles for an AX/track car, but the Honda employee said it should be max 10 AX events and one track weekend.

 

[Sinnelizer]

Sorry, double texting, but @Victorofhavoc you were so right! The Honda guy remembered my questions and just texted me a link to Motul 8100 Power 0W-20 high performance oil

 

[Victorofhavoc]

3k miles is aggressive.

From my oil sampling the higher spec oil hasn't degraded by 5k miles or even 6 events on track. The key is really getting the oil to temp properly and backing off when things start to get toasty. Amsoil, redline, and that motul fluid can all tolerate the super high heat the turbo puts into the oil well, so it shouldn't degrade after one event. You could certainly overcook it and have issues, and if you're running 35min+ sessions at 110F ambient without backing off you probably will.

In my street only cars the higher quality oils barely show wear by 10k miles... Usually the filter is the problem before the oil is.

Time is also another thing. I don't drive the Integra a ton except really when it's being driven on track or for fun, so 5k miles in a year is about all it gets. By then the detergents and sediment in the oil had started to settle so you want to change it anyway.

 

[Sinnelizer]

I hesitated to write this, but while sipping my morning coffee on the porch, it hit me—I would have really appreciated knowing this about my previous car. So, I figured I'd share.

Mybe it's a common knowledge, but the 2026 Acura Integra Type S does not come with a Telematics Control Unit (TCU).

A bit of backstory: A few years ago, when I worked at Microsoft, one of the perks was getting all my consumer privacy reports consolidated in one place. When I received my LexisNexis report, I was shocked to see just how much data GM had tracked on my Camaro—braking patterns, acceleration events, and location history. I called and canceled my OnStar subscription, but even after that, the TCU in the car would sporadically reactivate and transmit data.

Naturally, I had the same concerns when I picked up the Acura. I skipped creating an AcuraLink profile and never registered my VIN, thinking I'd be somewhat off the grid. I also checked the fuse box—and sure enough, fuse #26 (labeled for the TCU) was missing. However, I knew the infotainment system (fuses #15 and #16) could theoretically serve as a backup channel, so I decided to do my due diligence.

I called Acura Client Relations in Torrance at (800) 382-2238. The first rep confirmed that my trim level doesn't include a TCU, though they couldn't explain why. Still not fully convinced, I called back a few days later, provided my VIN, and asked them to double-check whether the hardware was physically installed but simply inactive. They verified again—no TCU present in this model year.

For context, my car has never touched a cellular network. I connect to a phone with a dead/burnt IMEI for music and download all my Spotify playlists via WiFi at home, so the car only uses Bluetooth. For navigation, I rely on a decade-old Garmin that I update by plugging it into my laptop. My active daily phone rides with me in a Faraday bag. Call it professional deformation—I'm a cloud and AI engineer in real life.

I thought it was worth sharing for two reasons: I don't want dealership techs snooping through my driving history during maintenance visits, and I definitely don't want my insurance premiums creeping up because I enjoy driving the car the way it was meant to be driven. Hope this helps someone out there!

 

[optronix]

I hesitated to write this, but while sipping my morning coffee on the porch, it hit me—I would have really appreciated knowing this about my previous car. So, I figured I'd share.

Mybe it's a common knowledge, but the 2026 Acura Integra Type S does not come with a Telematics Control Unit (TCU).

A bit of backstory: A few years ago, when I worked at Microsoft, one of the perks was getting all my consumer privacy reports consolidated in one place. When I received my LexisNexis report, I was shocked to see just how much data GM had tracked on my Camaro—braking patterns, acceleration events, and location history. I called and canceled my OnStar subscription, but even after that, the TCU in the car would sporadically reactivate and transmit data.

Naturally, I had the same concerns when I picked up the Acura. I skipped creating an AcuraLink profile and never registered my VIN, thinking I'd be somewhat off the grid. I also checked the fuse box—and sure enough, fuse #26 (labeled for the TCU) was missing. However, I knew the infotainment system (fuses #15 and #16) could theoretically serve as a backup channel, so I decided to do my due diligence.

I called Acura Client Relations in Torrance at (800) 382-2238. The first rep confirmed that my trim level doesn't include a TCU, though they couldn't explain why. Still not fully convinced, I called back a few days later, provided my VIN, and asked them to double-check whether the hardware was physically installed but simply inactive. They verified again—no TCU present in this model year.

For context, my car has never touched a cellular network. I connect to a phone with a dead/burnt IMEI for music and download all my Spotify playlists via WiFi at home, so the car only uses Bluetooth. For navigation, I rely on a decade-old Garmin that I update by plugging it into my laptop. My active daily phone rides with me in a Faraday bag. Call it professional deformation—I'm a cloud and AI engineer in real life.

I thought it was worth sharing for two reasons: I don't want dealership techs snooping through my driving history during maintenance visits, and I definitely don't want my insurance premiums creeping up because I enjoy driving the car the way it was meant to be driven. Hope this helps someone out there!

Probably deserves its own thread, or at least pile on to an existing thread on this topic.

I identified the missing TCU issue when this topic started popping up on the Civic forums. Missing Acuralink features were one tell; not being able to actually source a TCU from Acura for this car was another (i.e., the part number doesn't exist). I landed on the conclusion it just doesn't have one, but the Type R does.

The faraday bag while driving is an interesting take. I concede I push the "I believe" button myself; all it takes is driving past a Flock camera and you lose all hope of privacy. Let's not even broach the topic of drones. I think I'm ok with using CarPlay.

I too have a bit of data/AI engineer on my resume although I wouldn't necessarily label myself as such. I also have some familiarity with digital forensics to include mobile devices which share a lot with car infotainment systems. If you use these devices at all your privacy won't survive a subpoena. I won't even touch the possibilities around evading due process.

There's enough of us tech bros on here it might be worth starting an off-topic thread... this telematics discussion is absolutely on-topic for the cars themselves but not necessarily for autocross. Unless you want to start talking about Racebox or Aim Solo telemetry... different story.

 

[Sinnelizer]

Probably deserves its own thread, or at least pile on to an existing thread on this topic.

I identified the missing TCU issue when this topic started popping up on the Civic forums. Missing Acuralink features were one tell; not being able to actually source a TCU from Acura for this car was another (i.e., the part number doesn't exist). I landed on the conclusion it just doesn't have one, but the Type R does.

The faraday bag while driving is an interesting take. I concede I push the "I believe" button myself; all it takes is driving past a Flock camera and you lose all hope of privacy. Let's not even broach the topic of drones. I think I'm ok with using CarPlay.

I too have a bit of data/AI engineer on my resume although I wouldn't necessarily label myself as such. I also have some familiarity with digital forensics to include mobile devices which share a lot with car infotainment systems. If you use these devices at all your privacy won't survive a subpoena. I won't even touch the possibilities around evading due process.

There's enough of us tech bros on here it might be worth starting an off-topic thread... this telematics discussion is absolutely on-topic for the cars themselves but not necessarily for autocross. Unless you want to start talking about Racebox or Aim Solo telemetry... different story.

Actually, that's why I went with a RaceBox Mini S, I avoided to connect my phone to the GPS while AX-ing. The original intent to get an S was for motocross, where phones are prohibited and there is no way to safely mount them, but it worked perfectly for AX, too. But then many drivers started to use a SoloStorm app and share logs there. Bummer that this app supports RaceBox only with constant cell phone connection. I am still torn between privacy and being able to compare myself to others and learn from them.

 

[optronix]

Actually, that's why I went with a RaceBox Mini S, I avoided to connect my phone to the GPS while AX-ing. The original intent to get an S was for motocross, where phones are prohibited and there is no way to safely mount them, but it worked perfectly for AX, too. But then many drivers started to use a SoloStorm app and share logs there. Bummer that this app supports RaceBox only with constant cell phone connection. I am still torn between privacy and being able to compare myself to others and learn from them.

I'm not here to tell you how to live your life. But just evaluate what you're missing out on, and what you ACTUALLY seek to gain...

Heavy is the head that wears the tinfoil hat.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

I'm not here to tell you how to live your life. But just evaluate what you're missing out on, and what you ACTUALLY seek to gain...

Heavy is the head that wears the tinfoil hat.

Definitely never rent a car and connect carplay or android auto without your tinfoil hat on

 

[Sinnelizer]

I’ve been accused of wearing a tinfoil hat before—especially during past OnStar discussions on Chevy forums. But here’s the thing: GM just settled a lawsuit agreeing not to sell personal driving data for five years. So between buying into the FOMO and rocking the foil, I’ll pick the foil every single time.

The CarPlay conversation actually landed on a project I used to work on (took me a second to confirm I could talk about it). Here’s the real kicker—it’s not just about plugging your phone in. Before, rental agencies only had your credit card transaction; they were notoriously bad at tracking which specific car you actually drove. Once you connect to the infotainment system and that data gets shipped to GCP or AWS (not sure if Azure is in this mix yet), your consumer profile gets updated with a specific ride—say, a Cadillac Escalade. A luxury vehicle. Fast-forward to a retailer using dynamic digital price tags: send your friend—who rented a mid-size sedan and definitely wasn't on a business trip with corporate policy to hide behind—ahead of you into the milk aisle. I guarantee when you catch up, your gallon of milk is priced a dollar higher. What I am missing? Probably nothing in stores like Sprouts that still use paper tags (not an ad for Sprouts). Let me go adjust my tinfoil now.

Anyway, shifting gears completely—back to AX questions. In my previous heavy car, I honestly couldn't feel a difference running on a full tank versus empty. Strangely, it seemed to run quicker with a passenger than without—whether that was due to better weight balance or just my imagination, I have no clue. Now I’m curious about the lighter DE5: do you all run on empty and refuel between runs? I also wonder—if a fuel canister sits outside in summer heat, does that make the gas hotter and less effective, or is that negligible? And what about passengers for weight distribution? I almost always run with friends or coaches, except during competition runs—and predictably, I'm slower in the latter. By now, though, I'm pretty convinced it's all psychological; I just perform better when there's another "head" in the car. Would love to hear your actual experiences. Thanks!

 

[Victorofhavoc]

I’ve been accused of wearing a tinfoil hat before—especially during past OnStar discussions on Chevy forums. But here’s the thing: GM just settled a lawsuit agreeing not to sell personal driving data for five years. So between buying into the FOMO and rocking the foil, I’ll pick the foil every single time.

The CarPlay conversation actually landed on a project I used to work on (took me a second to confirm I could talk about it). Here’s the real kicker—it’s not just about plugging your phone in. Before, rental agencies only had your credit card transaction; they were notoriously bad at tracking which specific car you actually drove. Once you connect to the infotainment system and that data gets shipped to GCP or AWS (not sure if Azure is in this mix yet), your consumer profile gets updated with a specific ride—say, a Cadillac Escalade. A luxury vehicle. Fast-forward to a retailer using dynamic digital price tags: send your friend—who rented a mid-size sedan and definitely wasn't on a business trip with corporate policy to hide behind—ahead of you into the milk aisle. I guarantee when you catch up, your gallon of milk is priced a dollar higher. What I am missing? Probably nothing in stores like Sprouts that still use paper tags (not an ad for Sprouts). Let me go adjust my tinfoil now.

Anyway, shifting gears completely—back to AX questions. In my previous heavy car, I honestly couldn't feel a difference running on a full tank versus empty. Strangely, it seemed to run quicker with a passenger than without—whether that was due to better weight balance or just my imagination, I have no clue. Now I’m curious about the lighter DE5: do you all run on empty and refuel between runs? I also wonder—if a fuel canister sits outside in summer heat, does that make the gas hotter and less effective, or is that negligible? And what about passengers for weight distribution? I almost always run with friends or coaches, except during competition runs—and predictably, I'm slower in the latter. By now, though, I'm pretty convinced it's all psychological; I just perform better when there's another "head" in the car. Would love to hear your actual experiences. Thanks!

I can't speak to autox on the fuel thing, but on high speed tracks, you absolutely never want to be below half a tank because the slosh will run your pump dry.

Weight distribution is a real thing as well, but it depends on the majority direction you're turning. Mostly turning right? Having weight in the passenger seat helps (unless you're corner balanced, but even then most factory cars come well corner balanced from factory for a 180lb driver). Just make sure when you get alignments you weigh yourself and bring that much weight with you for the alignment person to toss in the driver seat or confirm with them you can sit in it.

Psychological is also a thing, you're right. Remember that slow is smooth and smooth is fast. You go slower when someone else is watching and adding weight, but you're also probably not over driving at that point.

 

[Sinnelizer]

I can't speak to autox on the fuel thing, but on high speed tracks, you absolutely never want to be below half a tank because the slosh will run your pump dry.

Weight distribution is a real thing as well, but it depends on the majority direction you're turning. Mostly turning right? Having weight in the passenger seat helps (unless you're corner balanced, but even then most factory cars come well corner balanced from factory for a 180lb driver). Just make sure when you get alignments you weigh yourself and bring that much weight with you for the alignment person to toss in the driver seat or confirm with them you can sit in it.

Psychological is also a thing, you're right. Remember that slow is smooth and smooth is fast. You go slower when someone else is watching and adding weight, but you're also probably not over driving at that point.

Thank you! Looks like a have a lot to talk to my mechanic about - from oil to alignment.
Thanks for the reminder about a half tank, I compeltely forgot about it.

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