GT86/BRZ Maintenance Guide

The GT86 and BRZ are reliable and fun to drive, but regular maintenance is essential to keep them running smoothly. This guide covers the recommended maintenance intervals and tips to help you get the best longevity and performance out of your car.

1. Oil and Filter Changes
Interval: Every 6,000 - 8,000 miles or 10-12 months, whichever comes first.
Tips: Use high-quality 0W-20 or 5W-30 synthetic oil for best results. Regular oil changes are vital for the health of the FA20 engine, which can be sensitive to oil quality. Always replace the filter with each oil change.

2. Spark Plugs
Interval: Every 60,000 miles.
Tips: The FA20 engine’s spark plugs are a bit tricky to reach, so this job may take some extra time or require professional service. Use OEM or high-quality aftermarket spark plugs for consistent performance.

3. Air Filter
Interval: Every 15,000 miles or annually.
Tips: Replacing the air filter helps maintain fuel efficiency and engine performance. Consider a high-quality reusable filter to save on replacements over time.

4. Cabin Air Filter
Interval: Every 15,000 miles or annually.
Tips: A fresh cabin air filter improves air quality inside the car and reduces strain on the HVAC system. It’s an easy DIY job located behind the glovebox.

5. Transmission Fluid
Interval: Every 60,000 miles.
Tips: Automatic and manual transmissions both benefit from fresh fluid to ensure smooth shifts and protect against wear. Use the recommended fluid for your specific transmission type.

6. Differential Fluid
Interval: Every 20,000 miles.
Tips: Fresh differential fluid helps reduce wear on the limited-slip differential. This service can be done at the same time as the transmission fluid change.

7. Coolant
Interval: Every 100,000 miles or every 10 years.
Tips: The GT86/BRZ uses long-life coolant, but it’s essential to keep an eye on levels and top up if needed. Ensure you’re using Toyota/Subaru-approved coolant to prevent corrosion.

8. Brake Fluid
Interval: Every 2 years.
Tips: Regularly flushing brake fluid prevents moisture build-up, which can lead to corrosion and reduced braking performance. Use DOT 4 or DOT 5.1 fluid for optimal results.

9. Tire Rotation and Alignment
Interval: Rotate tires every 6,000 - 10,000 miles; check alignment annually.
Tips: Regular rotations help ensure even tire wear, which improves handling and extends tire life. Annual alignment checks prevent uneven wear and keep handling precise.

10. Battery Check
Interval: Check annually or every oil change.
Tips: Clean battery terminals to prevent corrosion, and check voltage to ensure reliable starting. Most batteries last around 3-5 years, so keep an eye on performance as it ages. A failing battery will be more noticeable in colder weather.

11. Wiper Blades
Interval: Replace every 12 months or as needed.
Tips: Clear visibility is crucial, so swap out wiper blades if they start streaking or skipping. Use silicone blades for better durability and performance.

General Tips and Tricks for GT86/BRZ Owners

• Keep Track of Maintenance Records: Documenting all maintenance helps with resale value and ensures no service is missed.
• Inspect Belts and Hoses: At each oil change, visually inspect belts and hoses for signs of wear or cracking.
• Use OEM or High-Quality Parts: Genuine parts tend to last longer and maintain performance, particularly for components like filters and fluids.
• Regular Washes and Underbody Care: Rinse the underbody periodically to prevent rust, especially in regions with salted roads.

Following this regular maintenance schedule will help your GT86/BRZ stay reliable, efficient, and fun to drive. These preventative steps are easy to keep up with and help protect your investment for the long term. For professional advice or parts, reach out to ARG Performance—we’re here to help you keep your car in tiptop condition.

Maintenance for Turbocharged or Supercharged GT86/BRZ

If you’ve added forced induction to your GT86 or BRZ, maintaining your car becomes even more critical. Turbo and supercharger setups put extra stress on the engine and other components, so you’ll want to follow a more rigorous maintenance schedule to keep everything running smoothly and reliably.

1. Oil Changes
Interval: Every 4,000 - 6,000 miles or every 6-12 months, whichever comes first.
Tips: Forced induction setups generate more heat, which can break down oil faster. Stick to high-quality synthetic oil (consider 5W-30 or 5W-40 if you’re seeing high temps) and replace the oil filter with every oil change.

2. Spark Plugs
Interval: Every 30,000-60,000 miles or as recommended by your turbo/supercharger kit.
Tips: Forced induction often requires colder spark plugs to prevent pre-detonation under boost. Using iridium or high-performance plugs can improve reliability. If you notice any misfiring, check the plugs immediately.

3. Air Filter
Interval: Every 10,000 miles or sooner if you’re seeing debris build-up.
Tips: A clean air filter is essential for consistent airflow to the turbo/supercharger. Forced induction setups can draw in more air and contaminants, so check the filter regularly and replace it as needed.

4. Intercooler Maintenance
Interval: Check annually or as needed.
Tips: If your setup includes an intercooler, inspect it regularly for debris, especially if it’s front-mounted. Clean any build-up to ensure maximum cooling efficiency, which helps prevent heat soak under boost.

5. Cooling System
Interval: The stock coolant and interval should be sufficient at 100,000 miles or 10 years however it would not harm the system to do more regular intervals.
Tips: Forced induction setups add heat, so it’s crucial to maintain optimal coolant levels. Consider upgrading to high-performance coolant and keep an eye on temps during extended drives.

6. Transmission and Differential Fluid
Interval: Every 20,000 miles for the diff and consider less than 60,000 for the transmission depending on its performance and feel.
Tips: Boosted engines place more strain on the transmission and differential. Regular fluid changes help reduce wear, especially if you’re pushing the car hard. For manual transmissions, a higher-quality fluid may offer smoother shifts under load.

7. Boost System Inspection
Interval: Check every oil change.
Tips: Inspect all turbo or supercharger components, including hoses, clamps, and the bypass/blow-off valve. Look for signs of wear, loose connections, or leaks that could affect boost pressure or reliability.

8. Fuel System
Interval: Replace fuel filter when required if specified by uprated fuel components or inline fuel filter.
Tips: Forced induction setups often require upgraded fuel injectors and pumps. Make sure these components are running smoothly, and clean port injectors as needed to prevent lean conditions under boost.

9. Exhaust System
Interval: Inspect every oil change.
Tips: Check exhaust connections, particularly if you’re running a high-flow exhaust or downpipe. Boosted setups create higher exhaust temperatures, so ensure the system is secure and free from leaks.

Additional Tips for Turbocharged/Supercharged Owners

• Monitor Boost Levels: Regularly check your boost levels to ensure they’re within safe limits. Unintended over-boosting can put excessive strain on the engine.
• Invest in Gauges: Consider installing oil temperature, oil pressure, and boost gauges to monitor the engine’s health more closely.
• Avoid High RPMs When Cold: Forced induction setups add stress on a cold engine. Allow the car to warm up fully before pushing high RPMs or heavy throttle.
• Stay on Top of Tuning: Boosted engines benefit from regular tune adjustments, especially if you make additional modifications. Proper tuning helps ensure consistent performance and reliability.

Adding a turbo or supercharger brings big performance gains to the GT86/BRZ, but it also demands extra care. By following these maintenance tips, you can enjoy reliable boosted performance while extending the life of your engine and supporting components. For expert advice or high-quality parts for your setup, reach out to ARG Performance—we’re here to support your build.