1987 PORSCHE 944 ESP

Controls for Automatic Transmission
The selector lever has 6 positions:

Park
Rev erse

Neutral
Driv e
Low
Low




... If the selector lever is unintentionally mo ved
into Neutral (N) while driving, take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and wait until the engine
speed has dropped to idle before selecting a driving position.
Never shift into Reverse (R) or Park (P) when
the car is in motion.
... Never get out of the driver's seat when the
engine is running and the selector lever is not in the "P" position. Move the selector lever to
"P" and apply parking brake.
... Always make sure the selector lever is in the
"P" position when checking under the hood.
Otherwise, any increase in engine speed may
set the vehicle in motion, even with the
parking brake applied.
... A driving position must never be used for
holding the vehicle at rest uphill. Always use
your foot brakes when stopped on inclines.
Driving the Automatic Transmission
The Automatic Transmission has 3 forward
gears and one reverse. In driving positions D
and 2 the Automatic Transmission changes
gears automatically while driving.
Position D
is the driving position normally used for city and highway driving. It ranges from zero to top
speed, and all three gears shift automatically
depending on driving speed.

Start in Park
The selector lever has a push button in the
handle. The push button must be
depressed when selecting the following
positions:
From P to R
R to P depress push button
N to R in handle
2 to 1
The selector lever can be moved freely
between the other positions.
The respective position is illuminated in the tachometer as long as the ignition key is in
the ignition lock.
Remember the following basic rules:

... Apply the parking brake or foot brake before
selecting a driving position. When the selector
lever is in a driving position, the car may creep
even at idle speed. Therefore, do not release
the parking brake or foot brake until you are
ready to move.
... Do not accelerate while selecting a driving
position. Wait for positive engagement. At this
time the engine must run at idle speed so that
no undue stress will be placed on the automatic
clutches in the transmission.
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Position 2
is to be used for mountain driving or slow
driving, when towing a trailer and also when
you want to make use of the engine's braking
effect. In "2", only the first and second gears
will engage automatically. Therefore, only shift down into position "2" when the speed is below 63 mph or 100 km/h. It is not necessary to let up on the accelerator.
Position 1
is needed on rare occasions. It should only be
used up to 25 mph or 40 km/h. In "1" the
transmission will stay in first gear and not shift
into the second or third gear.
Only shift down into "1" when driving speed is below 25
mph or 40 km/h.
The reverse position R
Reverse should be selected only when the car has come to a full stop and the engine is
running at idle speed.
The back-up lights come on automatically
when you engage Reverse (with ignition on). Starting the engine
is only possible when the selector lever is in
Neutral or Park (N or P) . As long as one of
the driving positions is engaged a safety
switch prevents the engine from being started.

Emergency starting
Your Porsche with Automatic Transmission
cannot be started by pushing or towing.
Should the engine fail to start see "Emergency starting with jumper cables" or consult your
nearest authorized Porsche dealer.
DO NOT START OR TOW the car without
ATF in the transmission, as this will result
in serious damage to transmission and
torque converter.
Putting the car in gear
With the parking brake or foot brake set, shift
into the position you wish to use, usually
position D. To accelerate, release the brake
and depress the gas pedal.
WARNING
Do not release the brake before you are
prepared to move, because power is
transmitted to the wheels as soon as a
driving position is engaged.
Selecting a driving position while driving
is easy. Simply release the accelerator pedal
and move the selector lever from the position
you are in into the position you want. Then
step on the accelerator again.
WARNING
Do not shift to a lower driving position
until vehicle speed has dropped below the
specified limits. Engine speed will sudden-

ly increase and may cause engine damage and loss of vehicle control.
Stopping
When stopping temporarily, at traffic lights for
example, it is not necessary to move the
selector lever to Neutral. Simply apply the
brakes. To start again release the brake and
accelerate.
Parking
When parking your car, apply the parking
brake first, and then move the selector lever to position P. To do this, depress the button and
push the lever through R to P. The
transmission is then mechanically locked.
Park may only be engaged when the car is
stationary.
Do not remove the key from the ignition
steering lock until you have parked the car, because removal of the key locks the
steering wheel.
Shift out of the Park position, before releasing
the parking brake.
When the car is parked on a steep hill, shifting
out of Park may be a little harder. This is due
to the weight the car exerts on the
transmission.

54

Interior Glass

Use the same cleaning agents as for the
exterior and polish dry with a soft cloth or
paper towel.
Fabric
Use a vacuum cleaner or a soft bristle brush
to remove dust and loose dirt from carpeting,
upholstery, headliner and other trim. Dirt
stains can usually be removed with lukewarm
soap water or an all purpose cleaner solution,
or a dry foam cleaner. For greasy, oily and
other stubborn stains, use a spot remover. Do
not pour the liquid on the fabric. Dampen a
clean cloth and rub carefully, starting at the
edge and working inward.
Safety belts
Keep belts clean. Very dirty belts may not
retract properly. Do not remove belts from the
vehicle to be cleaned. Do not use chemical
cleaning agents, bleach or dyes. They
contain corrosive properties which will
weaken the webbing. Do not allow inertia
reel safety belts to retract before they are
completely dry.

For cleaning, use a mild soap water solution.
Let belts dry out thoroughly and away from
direct sun light.
Plastic, vinyl and leatherette
Use a clean, damp cloth or sponge to keep
this trim free from dust. For other spoilage,
use a lukewarm all purpose cleaning solution
or a mild saddle soap for vinyl and leather
trim. Remove water spots and soap traces
with a clean, damp cloth or sponge. Use a clean, soft cloth to rub dry.
Grease, tar or oil stains can be removed with
a clean cloth or sponge soaked with all
purpose cleaner or with a solvent type vinyl or
leather cleaning agent.
Occasionally apply a colorless vinyl or leather
preservative to retain the material's luster and
pliability.
Leather and leather trim
To keep leather seats and trim beautiful and
soft, they should be cleaned and cared for
regularly. Clean leather with a soft, white
woolen cloth and a mild soapwater solution. Do not use chemical or abrasive cleaning
agents. Do not let moisture seep through
perforated surfaces to safeguard against
corrosion and cracking from underneath. After cleaning, apply a leather preservative re-
commended by Porsche to all dry surfaces with a clean and soft woolen cloth. Let your
Porsche dealer advise you on the use of the
leather preservation product.
Corrosion protection
The engine compartment, as well as all
engine, transmission, front and rear axle
assembly surfaces have been treated with a
wax based coating at the factory for protection against corrosion.
WARNING
Do not apply additional undercoating or
rustproofing on or near the exhaust
manifold, exhaust pipes, catalytic
converter or heat shields. During driving,
the substance used for undercoating could overheat and cause a fire.
Engine Compartment
If it becomes necessary to steam clean or
otherwise wash the engine compartment, the
wax based protective coating is usually lost. It is therefore important to reapply this
protective coating to all engine compart-

65

ment panels, flanges, cavities, seams and
engine assembly surfaces.
When washing the engine compartment,
only use commercially available grease
cutting solvents made especially for this
purpose. Carefully fol
low directions printed on the container by the manufacturer.
Chassis
The lower body shell of your Porsche is
thoroughly protected against corrosion.
However, it is recommended to have the
underbody inspected twice a year. Any
detected damage to the undercoating, due to
road hazards, should be repaired promptly. Oil based protective sprays must not be applied. Only tar or wax based anti corrosion protectors are compatible with the factory applied undercoating. Before application, road dirt and oily substances must be removed.
Whenever the lower body shell, axle,
transmission or engine assemblies are
repaired, the lost anti-corrosion coating of
the affected surfaces should be renewed.
Let your Porsche dealer advise and assist you.



66

Exercise Extreme Caution when Working under the
Engine Hood


The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially hazardous area. If you are not
fully familiar with proper repair procedures, do
not attempt the adjustments described on the
following pages. This caution applies to the
entire vehicle.
Only work on your vehicle outdoors or in a well ventilated area. Ensure that there are no open flames in the
area of your vehicles at any time when
gasoline fumes might be present. Be
especially cautious of such devices such as
hot water heaters which ignite a flame
intermittently.
Before working on any part in the engine
compartment, turn the engine off and let it
cool down sufficiently. Hot engine
compartment components can burn skin on
contact.
Even after the engine has stopped the
radiator fan may continue running until the
temperature of the coolant has dropped to a
certain level. Therefore, never touch the fan
blades as they will rotate spontaneously
when the thermostat turns the fan on, even with ignition off. Be alert and cautious around engine at all
times while the engine is running.
If work has to be done with the engine
running, always set the parking brake, and
make sure the shift lever is in either Neutral
or Park.
Exercise extreme caution to prevent
neckties, jewelry or long hair from getting
caught in the fan blades, the drive belts, or
any other moving engine parts.
Your Porsche is equipped with a
transistorized ignition system with
breakerless distributor. When the ignition is
on, high voltage is present in all wires
connected with the ignition system; therefore
exercise extreme caution when working on
any part of the engine while the ignition is on
or the engine is running.
Always support your car with safety stands if it is necessary to work underneath the car.
The jack supplied with the car is not
adequate for this purpose.
When working underneath the car without
safety stands but with the wheels on the
ground, make sure the car is on level ground, that the wheels are blocked, and that the
engine cannot be started. REMOVE THE
IGNITION KEY.
Do not smoke or allow an open flame around the battery or gasoline. Keep a fire extinguisher in close reach.
Incomplete or improper servicing may cause
problems in the operation of the car. If in
doubt about any servicing, have it done by
your authorized Porsche dealer or any other
properly equipped and qualified workshop.
Improper maintenance during the warranty
period may affect your warranty coverage.
67





Tool Kit and Car Jack
The tool kit and jack are stored in the luggage
compartment under the floor mat.
The car jack must be screwed open a little
before it can be removed from the holder.
The tool kit contains tools needed for minor
emergency roadside repairs, adjustments and
wheel changing.
Regulations in some countries require
additional tools. Details should be obtained
prior to leaving for a foreign country.
WARNING

Use the jack only for changing a tire. Never jack up other vehicles or other loads with it. Follow all warnings and instructions found in this manual for changing a tire. The jack must never be used as a support to work underneath the vehicle. If the jack is accidently dislodged, you or bystanders could be seriously injured. When working
under the vehicle, always use safety
stands specifically designed for this
purpose.



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944


5. Press together the housing cover with the air intake funnel (944 Turbo) and carefully
place in position. Tighten fastening screws,
connect hose and screw down hose clamp.

944 S
1. Unscrew the retaining screws and remove
the filter cover.
2.
Remove the filter element.
3. Clean the inside of the filter housing with a
lightly oiled lint-free cloth.
4.
Fit a replacement filter element. Carefully
place the housing cover in position and
tighten the retaining screws.

Reservoir for Windshield and Headlight
Washer System
The transparent reservoir is in the engine
compartment. As clear water is usually
inadequate for cleaning windshield or
headlights, add a cleaning solution, such as
windshield washer solvent and antifreeze offered by your dealer. To assure that the
system also functions at freezing
temperatures, antifreeze must be added to the water beforehand. Follow the instructions on the can for the right amount to be used (also
see "Filling Capacities"). Do not use engine
coolant anti-freeze or any other solution
that can damage the car paint.
81

Tires/Wheels
The original equipment tires and wheel rims
on your Porsche comply with all applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
For your driving safety remember the
following:
Wheel rims and wheel bolts are matched to
fit your Porsche.
If you intend to use other than original equipment wheels, be sure that they conform to Porsche specifications for your model. The use of wheel rims and wheel bolts that
do not meet specifications of the original
factory installed equipment will affect the safe operation of your vehicle. Before you plan on exchanging wheels, or winter tires already mounted on wheel rims, consult your Porsche dealer. He has the
technical information necessary to advise
you which wheel rims and wheel bolts are
compatible with the original factory
installations.
Tire pressures
WARNING
Incorrect tire pressures cause increased
tire wear and adversely affect road holding of the vehicle, leading to loss of control.
Always use an accurate tire pressure
gauge when checking inflation pressures.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation
pressure listed on the tire sidewall. (Also
refer to "Technical data"). Cold tire infla-

tion pressure means: when a car has not been driven for at least 3 hours or less
than 1 mile. Never let any air out of warm
tires to meet cold tire pressure
specifications.
Tire traction
WARNING
When driving on wet or slushy roads, a
wedge of water may build up between the
tires and the road. This phenomenon is
known as aquaplaning and may cause
partial or com
plete loss of traction, vehicle control or stopping ability. Reduce speed
on wet surface.
Tire Life
Tire life depends on various factors, i.e.,
roads, traffic and weather conditions, driving
habits, type of tires and tire care.
Inspect your tires at least
every 2.000 miles or 3.000 km for wear and damage. If you notice
uneven or substantial wear, wheels might
need alignment or tires should be balanced or
replaced.
Tires must always remain on same side of
vehicle.
After changing, adjust tire pressure and torque wheel nuts diagonally to 94 ft Ibs (130 Nm) (see "Changing wheels").
The supposition that tire durability and
performance are immune to the effects of
storage and age is unfounded. Chemical
additives, which make the rubber elastic, lose
their effectiveness in the course of time and
the rubber becomes brittle and cracks.

Therefore, the tires, especially the collapsible
spare tire, should from time to time undergo a
visual check. To accomplish this,
pump up the collapsible spare tire.
Under no circumstances should tires older
than 6 years be used on your Porsche. The
age of the tire can be obtained from the "DOT" code number. If, for example, the last three
numbers read 125, then the tire was produced in the 12th week of 1985.
Tire wear
The original equipment tires on your Porsche
have built-
in wear indicators. They are molded into the bottom of the tread grooves and will
appear as approximately 1/2 in (12 mm)
bands when the tire tread depth is down to
1/2 of an in (1.6 mm).
When the indicators appear in two or more
adjacent grooves, it is time to replace the
tires. We recommend, however, that you do
not let the tires wear down to this extent. Worn tires cannot grip the road surface properly,
and are even less effective on wet roads.
In the United States, state laws may govern
the minimum tread depth permissible. Follow
all such laws.
WARNING
Do not drive with worn tires or tires
showing cuts or bruises as they may lead
to sudden deflation.
If you notice that tires are wearing unevenly,
consult your Porsche dealer. Uneven wear

82

Jack support points
Black arrow: Jackport for car jack
White arrows: Lift points for workshop hoist or flo or jack
front on the inboard side members
rear on the side reinforcement brackets
Jacking at any other place may damage the vehicle o r may
result in personal injuries.
Changing a Tire
WARNING - Failure to follow these
instructions may result in serious personal injuries to you or to bystanders.
If you have a flat tire, move a safe distance off the road. Turn the emergency flasher on and use other warning devices
to alert other motorists.
Passengers must not remain in the vehicle when it is jacked up. Before you change a tire, be sure the ground is level and firm. If necessary, use a board under the jack to ensure that the jack does not sink into the ground. Set the parking brake and block the wheels opposite the flat tire on the other
side of the vehicle.
The jack is only to be used for changing
a tire. Do not use it as a support to work
under the car.
Never jack the car up by the body or the bumpers.
Sequence of operations:
1.
Loosen all wheel nuts. Do not yet remove
nuts.
2.
Securely place the jack in the jack support
at the indicated point. Place the jack at an
angle so that the jack base rests firmly on
the ground. If the ground is not firm under
the jack, use a board.
Do not raise the vehicle until you are sure
the jack is securely engaged.
3.
Raise the car by turning the handle
clockwise. Only raise the car as much as is
needed to change a wheel.
4.
Fully unscrew wheel nuts and remove wheel.

5. After you have mounted the spare wheel, insert the wheel nuts and hand tighten them crosswise. Snug wheel nuts with socket wrench and breaker bar.
6. To lower the car, turn the handle
counterclockwise till tire touches ground.
7.
Then go crosswise from one nut to another
tightening them firmly with the socket
wrench and breaker bar.
8. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack.
9. Correct the air pressure of the tire you have just put on. Have flat tire repaired at next service stop.
Correct tightness of the wheel nuts is
important. The torque of 94 ft Ib (130 Nm) can
be obtained with a socket wrenc
h and breaker bar by any person of average strength. If in
doubt about the correct tightness of the wheel
nuts, have it checked with a torque wrench by
your dealer or a service station.
87





Lifting Vehicle

The jack ports are located below the middle of the door underneath the left and right rocker
panels, hidden from view.
Lifting with car jack
The car jack must never be used as a
support to work underneath the vehicle. If
the jack is accidentally dislodged, you
could be seriously injured. When working
under the vehicle always use safety stands specifically designed for this purpose.
WARNING
Jacking at any other place may damage the vehicle or may result in personal injuries.
The vehicle should never be lifted or jacked up from underneath the engine oil pan, the transmission housing, or the front or rear axle. This could lead to serious
damage.
Lifting with workshop hoist
Make sure there is sufficient clearance
between pads and vehicle before driving
vehicle onto hoist, especially if the vehicle
has a large front panel or spoiler. The vehicle must be lifted only at the lift points illustrated.
The front lift points are located on the inboard
side members of the underbody.
The rear lift points are located on the side
reinforcement brackets of the underbody.
Take care to avoid damaging critical
components which are close to the lift
points.
WARNING
When removing components such as
engine block, transmission housing, fuel
tank, wheels, front or rear axle, anchor
vehicle to hoist or add corresponding
weights to maintain the center of gravity.
Otherwise the vehicle might tilt or slip off
the hoist, causing serious damage or
personal injury.
Lifting with floor jack

The same lift points as illustrated for the hoist
also apply when using a floor jack. To avoid
damage to the underbody or chassis frame, it
is necessary to insert a rubber pad between
the floor jack and the lift points.
88

Replacing Bulbs
944 / 944 S

944 Turbo To avoid short circuits, turn off the respective
electrical components when changing light
bulbs.
Keep bulbs free of grease and dirt. Hold
them only with a clean cloth or soft paper.
Do not use chemical cleaning agents on
the plastic lenses. Plastic lenses should
only be cleaned with water or a mild soap/
water solution.
We recommend that you have an assortment
of spare bulbs in the car.
When traveling abroad don't forget that some
countries require spare bulbs as part of the
safety equipment.
Front - Turn Signal Lights /
Parking Lights

1. Remove the Phillips screws from lamp lens
and remove lens.
2.
Push bulb into holder and twist to the left
(bayonet mount).
3.
Remove bulb.
4. Insert new bulb and turn to the right so that
it snaps into position.
5. Install lamp lens and tighten the retaining screws evenly, alternating from one to the
other.
Do not overtighten screws as this may
crack the lens.
6. Check lights.
93



Front

Rear Rear - Turn Signal Lights /
Stop Lights / Parking Lights /
Back-up Lights
1. Open hatchback and unsnap carpeting.
2.
Remove knurled nut and take off bulb
holder
3.
Press defective bulb into socket and turn to
left (bayonet mount). Discard bulb.
4.
Press new bulb into socket, turn to right
until it snaps into position.
5.
Install bulb holder and tighten knurled nut.
6. Snap carpeting back in place.

Side Marker Lights

To change the bulb, open the flap at the front
of the plastic shell beneath the fender. The
rear housing is in the stowage well beneath
the mat.
1.
Unscrew knurled nut and remove the plastic cover.
2. Unclip lamp socket (arrow), remove
defective bulb and fit replacement (bayonet
mount).
3.
Clip socket into place and refit plastic cover. 4. Check that light is functioning correctly.

94

Manual Operation of
Retractable Headlights
If the retractable headlights do not open, they
can be operated manually by turning the knob
on the end of the motor drive shaft located in
the front of the engine compartment. The
connecting rod assembly is designed in such
a way that it need only be turned to the left to
either close or open the headlights.
WARNING

Do not turn the knob on the drive shaft as
long as the automatic mechanism is
operating.
The motor may turn suddenly and cause
injury. Before turning the knob, check first
whether the motor will work by turning on the ignition and by depressing the light switch to
the second stop.
99

Emission Control System

In the Interest of Clean Air
Pollution of our environment has become a
problem that is of increasing concern to all of
us. We urge you to join us in our efforts for
cleaner air in controlling the pollutants emitted from the automobile.
Porsche has developed an emission control
system that controls or reduces those parts of
the emission that can be harmful to our
environment. Your Porsche is equipped with
such a system.
Porsche warrants the Emission Control
System in your new car under the terms and
conditions set forth in the Warranty &
Maintenance booklet.
You, as the owner of the vehicle, have the
responsibility to provide regular maintenance
service for the vehicle and to keep a record of
all maintenance work performed. To facilitate
record keeping, have the service performed
by authorized Porsche dealers. They have
Porsche trained mechanics and special tools
to provide fast, efficient service.
WARNING To assure efficient operation of the
Emission Control System:

Have your vehicle maintained properly and in accordance with the
recommendations described in your
Warranty & Maintenance booklet. Lack of
proper maintenance, as well as improper
use of the vehicle, will impair the function
of the emission control system and could
lead to damage.
Do not alter or remove any component of the emission control system unless
approved by the manufacturer.
Do not alter or remove any device, such as heat shields, switches, ignition wires, valves, etc., which are designed to protect your vehicle's emission control system. Do not continue to operate your vehicle if you detect engine misfire or other
unusual operating conditions.
Starting
Do not leave vehicle engine idling unattended after starting. If warning lights should come on to indicate improper
operation, they would go unheeded.
Extended idling also produces heat,
which could result in overheating or other damage to the vehicle or other property.

Parking
As with any vehicle, do not park or operate your vehicle in areas where
combustible materials, such as dry grass
or leaves, can come into contact with a
hot exhaust system.

Undercoating
Do not apply additional undercoating or rust proofing on or near the exhaust
manifold, exhaust pipes, catalytic
converter or heat shields. During driving
the substance used for undercoating
could overheat and cause a fire.

100