porsche | petermcmillan.com

New HRE FF01 Wheels

Submitted by peterm on Tue, 03/08/2022 - 13:56

Lynda bought me a set of new wheels for my 60th. After an exhaustive search, I ended up deciding to move the car to a 19" wheel from its default 20". This allows for more variety in options for tires.

Here you can see them brand new with a set of Pirelli P Zero's on them.

Don’t Panic - Porsche Error Messages

Submitted by peterm on Thu, 12/16/2021 - 12:54

For the third time in two months, my 2013 Porsche Carerra S threw error messages at me.

This time it was "Sport Mode Not Available" and "PASM Not Available".

The previous error messages were a check engine light and when I ran the ODBII code there was also a Mass Air Flow error (P0068). After a little panic and a call to Bruce @ BR Performance, I settled down. I let the car sit for a while and then went for a drive. The errors cleared.

AutoX 080418 Videos

Submitted by peterm on Mon, 08/20/2018 - 11:42

Here are some notes on driving at the last AutoX.

Here are the other runs from that day:

AutoX Driving Notes - 052618

Submitted by peterm on Sun, 05/27/2018 - 16:36

Very cold and windy all day at Marina

What Worked

Drove with PSM off on all runs
Found a sweet spot for tires at 40/42
Pretty good course read; didn't get lost
Better starts overall
Dropped times both morning and afternoon
Used the width of the course
Slalom was pretty good with concious "turn early"
Down jacket and ski hat

What Didn't Work

AutoX Driving Notes - 042118

Submitted by peterm on Tue, 05/01/2018 - 17:03

What Worked

In reviewing a few of the runs from video:

technique was better; turning earlier, braking hard like I mean it
only a couple of hiccups with over or understeer
slalom seemed pretty good

LPR PCA AutoX 042118 Slideshow

Submitted by peterm on Sun, 04/29/2018 - 09:27

I got some shots while on grid at the LPR PCA AutoX #2 April 21, 2018. Here's a slide show.

The Starting Line Autocross Class

Submitted by peterm on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 17:16

The Starting Line is a class held by the Sports Car Club of America (https://www.scca.com). After taking the Evolution School class back in October, I had been quite impressed with the level of instruction from the SCCA instructors. SCCA had a deal for $325 that included a year of membership and discounts on events. So I joined up.

I'm Famous (almost)

Submitted by peterm on Mon, 11/06/2017 - 17:11

I'm not sure that I want to be the poster guy for cone killing in AutoX. Oh, well.

AutoX Notes - Evolution School

Submitted by peterm on Fri, 10/27/2017 - 17:09

I was very impressed with this class the wealth of great driving instructors in our region.

Wored with Shelly Monfort and Mary Pozzi

The Story of 2 Alternators in my Porsche 996

Submitted by peterm on Thu, 06/30/2016 - 19:23

In Feb 2016 the alternator failed in my Porshce 2001 996. My mechanic was on vacation. I used Mobile German Auto Works here in Santa Cruz. They replaced the alternator and evidently replaced the coolant bypass coupler. The repair cost over double what it cost to replace it the second time.

When Did I Become a Car Guy?

Submitted by peterm on Sat, 06/20/2015 - 15:58

Having driven a 1966 VW bug, 1969 van, 1972 bug, dasher, 72 van, in my early years, then Lynda and I drove the van and Penelope till we got Goldie. Then Goldie died and we got snowball. Later we bought shadow our most expensive car to date. Shadow and Goldie served us for years till we got hit heading to La Verne. That lead us to Lexie. Lexie served is well until a furlough Friday when her transmission failed.