1987 PORSCHE 944 tow

Automatically Controlled
Air Conditioner
The air conditioning system works only when
the engine is running. Its refrigerating capacity depends on engine speed. If a high
refrigerating capacity is desired, it is
necessary to rev up the engine -
particularly in city or bumper-to-bumper traffic.
The air conditioning system can be turned on
at any air distribution position by pressing the
air conditioner switch. When the system is
turned on, the air conditioning compressor is
activated via a magnetic clutch.
Optimal cooling is achieved when the fan
control switch is at position 4, the windows are closed and the lateral as well as the
center dashboard vents are fully opened and
the temperature switch is set at maximum
cooling power.
When the air conditioning system is on,
additional cooled air enters the glove
compartment through a vent.
After prolonged exposure to sun, it is recommended that you ventilate the
passenger compartment with the windows
down and air conditioning on.
Should the air conditioning system fail, i. e.
uncooled air flows through the vents while the
system is switched on, have it checked in an
authorized workshop.


45

Functioning
The automatic system controls the passenger
compartment temperature in accordance with
the temperature preset by the temperature
knob.
The passenger compartment temperature is
kept constant under varying climatic
conditions.
Cold and warm air is automatically mixed by
means of air flaps operated by a servo motor.
The servo motor is controlled by a passenger
compartment temperature sensor, an ambient
temperature sensor and a temperature sensor located in the air conditioner.
There are several options to satisfy the
requirements of individual comfort with an
automatically controlled air-conditioning
system:
The upper level (2) is operated to direct the air flow towards the windshield (right position:
open; left position: closed).
The lower level (3) can be used to direct the
air flow to the footwell outlets (right position:
open; left position: closed). The positions of
these two levers are infinitely variable and can be set independently of one another. A higher or lower temperature range can be preselected by means of the temperature
control knob.

Air Conditioning System Maintenance The air conditioning system must be turned on for a short period of time at least once a
month. This instruction should be observed
particularly during the cold season to ensure
proper lubrication of the sealing rings and
compressor bearings.
For this purpose, set the temperature control
knob at maximum cooling temperature
(extreme counterclockwise position).
Check the compressor polyrib belt for proper
tension during regular maintenance.
Due to the loss of refrigerant, which is
technically inevitable, the refrigerant level in
the fluid reservoir should be checked at least
once a year.
If gas bubbles are visible over an extended
period of time in the inspection window of the
fluid reservoir while the air conditioner is
running, there is a deficit of refrigerant in the
air conditioning system. The brief appearance
of gas bubbles is due to technical reasons.
Should the air conditioning system fail, i. e.
uncooled air flows through the vents while the
system is switched on, have it checked by
your Porsche dealer.


46

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.

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Neutral
Shift to this position for standing with brakes
applied.
Never use Neutral for coasting downhill.
You may lose control over the car because of reduced braking and cause serious damage to the transmission when a driving range has to be selected. CAUTION: While driving with the automatic speed control set (at speeds above 25 mph or 40 km/h), do not bring shift lever into
the Neutral position as excessive engine
rpm and severe engine damage may result.
Maneuvering
When alternating between forward (D) and
reverse (R) (for instance, while maneuvering
the car into a tight parking space), only shift
into Reverse or Drive
when the car has come to a full stop and the engine is running at idle
speed.
Stuck in snow, mud or sand
When alternating between Drive and
Reverse in an effort to free the vehicle,
depress the accelerator pedal lightly while the
transmission is in gear, and release the
accelerator pedal while shifting. Do not race
the engine and avoid spinning the wheels.
Do not repeat "rocking" back and forth
with wheels spinning at high engine speed
and heavy throttle, as serious damage may be caused to the automatic transmission
and other critical parts.
If you cannot free the vehicle after a few
"rocking" attempts, call for help or a tow truck.
Accelerator Pedal

For good fuel economy we recommend
smooth and even acceleration. Very fast, racy
driving, alternating between full throttle and
hard braking, raises the fuel consumption
considerably. Also, tires and brake linings
wear faster. It is more economical to drive smoothly and at a fairly constant speed.
Accelerator "Kickdown"
When depressing the accelerator pedal you
will find resistance near the full throttle position. By applying greater pressure the
pedal can be pushed beyond this point to the
kick-down position. The transmission will now
shift automatically into the next lower gear to
give you maximum acceleration, and only shift up again after the engine has reached
maximum speed in that particular gear.
WARNING
Be careful when using the kickdown on
slippery roads. Rapid acceleration may
cause skidding.
Please observe the following when applying
the accelerator kickdown:
With the selector lever in D, you can apply the kickdown to make the transmission shift down into second gear when driving below 88 mph
or 140 km/h and down to first gear when
driving below 47 mph or 75 km/h.
With the selector lever in "2", you can apply
the kickdown to make the transmission shift
down into first gear when driving below 47
mph or 75 km/h.
As soon as you release the pedal from the kickdown position the next higher gear is
automatically engaged.
Please observe all local and national speed limits.

55





Hatchback
(If vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft alarm
see "Anti-theft alarm".)
Release switch
To unlock the hatchback, operate the control
switch on the left side underneath the
dashboard.
If the hatchback does not open of its own
accord, it must be raised by hand.
Never operate the switch while the vehicle
is in motion. Lock

The hatchback can also be opened with the
ignition/door lock key. Turn key
counterclockwise and lift hatchback up.
To close, push hatchback down firmly until
both locks snap shut. Pull up on hatchback to
make sure it is securely locked.
Keep the hatchback locked at all times to
prevent unauthorized access to the
vehicle.
Be careful when removing large objects
through th
e rear. Sharp edged objects may damage the defogger wires in the rear
window.
WARNING
Because of inherent hazards, we do not
recommend transporting objects larger
than those fitting safely into the luggage
compartment. Keep the hatchback closed
while dr
iving to prevent poisonous exhaust gas from being drawn into the vehicle.

56

Electric / removable
prop-up roof
With the ignition on , you can raise (a) or
lower (b) the roof at the rear by depressing the front or rear half of the rocker switch in the
center console.
Removing roof

Clean the roof prior to removal to avoid
scratches and soiling your clothes.
1. Turn the ignition switch to position 1 (see
ignition/starter switch section). Depress rear half of rocker switch (a) until the prop-up
linkage mechanism unlocks the roof.
2.
Loosen front holding clamps.
3. Lift up and remove roof.
4. Store roof in the pouch provided in luggage
compartment.
Installing roof
1. From above hold roof at a slight angle and
insert in wind deflector grooves and front
guides.
2.
Lower roof toward rear.
3. Turn the ignition switch to position 1.
Depress front half of rocker switch (b) until
the prop-up linkage mechanisms has
locked the roof.
4.
Secure the front holding clamps.
59





Manual Operation
If the electrical drive mechanism should fail,
the roof can be closed manually. The motor for electrical operation is located at the left
sidewall of the luggage compartment, behind
the carpeting.
1. Remove the clips from the carpet and fold
back the carpet.
2.
Take off the cover from the adjusting screw. 3. With the spark plug spanner turn the now
visible hexagon nut clockwise until the roof
is closed.
4. Replace cover for screw.
Do not operate the rocker switch. Let your
Porsche dealer take care of the necessary
repair.

60

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

944

944 S

944 Turbo Engine Oil Level
Engine oil consumption
It is normal for your engine to consume oil.
The rate of oil consumption depends on the
quality and viscosity of oil, the speed at which
the engine is operated, the climate, road
conditions as well as the amount of dilution
and oxidation of the lubricant.
Because of these variables, no standard rate
of oil consumption can be established, but
drivers should expect an increased oil
consumption at high speeds and when the
engine is new.
The engine in your vehicle depends on oil to lubricate and cool all of its moving
parts. Therefore, the engine oil should be
checked regularly and kept at the required level.
Make it a habit to have the engine oil level checked with every fuel filling. Lack of sufficient engine oil may lead to severe engine damage. The oil pressure warning light is not an oil level indicator.
Checking oil level
To get a true reading, the car should be on
level ground. After turning off the engine, wait
a few minutes for the oil to return to the oil
sump.
1. Pull out dipstick and wip
e it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.
2. Reinsert dipstick: push it in all the way
down for an accurate reading.
3.
Pull dipstick out again. The oil level is
correct if it is between the "max" and "min"
marks on the dipstick.
4.
If oil level is below "min" mark, or not
showing on dipstick, add oil immediately.
The difference between the "max" and "min",
marks is about 1 U.S. quart or 1 liter. 69



Adding engine oil Only add the amount of oil that is needed. The correct oil grade and viscosity
recommendation is given under "Engine Oils". 1. Remove oil filler cap and remove dipstick.
2. Top up with quality oil labeled "API Service
SE or SF".
3.
Check oil level with the dipstick. The "max"
mark should not be exceeded.
4.
Replace cap and tighten securely.
WARNING
The oil filler cap and dipstick must be
secure to avoid oil spills and resulting fire
hazard.

944-Turbo
Engine Guard
Before working on the underside of the engine for the 944 Turbo, remove the two-part engine guard.

70

944 S

944 Turbo

9. When air bubbles at vent plug disappear, tighten the plug (required torque is 15-18
Nm or 11-13 ft lb).
10.
Check coolant level in tank and top up to
"max" mark, if necessary.
11.
Reinstall the expansion tank filler cap. After a test drive recheck the coolant level. See "filling capacities" for amount
required.


Manual Transmission oil
Both transmission and final drive are
combined in one housing. The lubricant used
is hypoid oil.
The manual transmission oil should be
checked and changed by your Porsche dealer
and at the intervals specified in your
Maintenance Schedule.
77



Automatic Transmission Fluid The torque converter and the transmission are lubricated with Automatic Transmission Fluid
(ATF). The final drive requires hypoid oil SAE
90 only.
Do not tow the car or run the engine
without ATF in the transmission.
Checking the ATF level
The ATF has to be checked at frequent
intervals, for instance, when the engine oil is
being checked or at least at the specified
intervals (see Maintenance schedule). A
correct ATF level is very important for the
proper functioning of the transmission. The
reading should be done when the ATF is warm, with the engine idling, the selector lever in Neutral and the parking brake applied.
The level of the ATF fluid can be checked
visually through the transparent reservoir. This reservoir is located at the rear end of the
transmission housing. You have enough ATF
if the fluid level is between the Min. and Max.
marks. It should never be above or below
these marks.
The difference between the two marks is 1
U.S. pint or 0.4 liter.
If level is too high or too low do not just add or
drain ATF. Have your dealer check and
correct the cause as soon as possible.
For correct ATF specifications, see "Filling
Capacities".
Changing the ATF

The ATF and the hypoidoil in the final drive
has to be changed at specified intervals (see
Maintenance schedule).
78

must be charged at least every 6 weeks. A
discharged battery allows rapid formation of
sulfates, leading to premature deterioration of
the plates.
WARNING
Charge battery in a well ventilated area.
Keep away from open flame or electrical
spark. Do not smoke. Hydrogen gas
generated by the battery is explosive.
Electrolyte fluid that may spill during charging should be washed off with a solution of warm water and baking soda to neutralize the acid. If you get electrolyte in your eyes or on your
skin, immediately rinse with cold water for
several minutes and call a doctor.
Never charge a frozen battery. It may
explode because of gas trapped in the ice.
Allow a frozen battery to thaw out first. Never use a fast charger as a booster to start the engine. This may seriously damage the
vehicle's electrical system and the charger.
Fast charging a battery is dangerous and
should only be attempted by a competent
mechanic with the proper equipment.
Slow battery charging
WARNING
Heed all warnings and follow instructions
that come with your battery charger.


Disconnect battery cables and remove the
battery.
All vent caps should be open. If fluid level is low, it should be topped up to the full mark in
each cell.
Connect charger cables.
Charger cables must be connected
POSITIVE (+) to POSITIVE (+) and
NEGATIVE (-) to NEGATIVE (-).
Do not connect or disconnect charger cables while charger is operating. Switch on charger. Normally, a battery should be charged at no
more than 10 percent of its rated capacity.
Rated capacity of the battery in your vehicle
is listed on the battery housing.
After charging, turn off charger and disconnect charger cables. Tighten the vent caps and reinstall battery.



91

Emergency Starting with Jumper Cables
WARNING
Improper use of booster battery to start a
vehicle may cause an explosion.
Lead-acid batteries generate explosive
gases. Keep sparks, flame and lighted
cigarettes away from batteries.
Do not charge a frozen battery, thaw it out
first. Gas trapped in the ice may cause an
explosion.
No attempt should be made to jump start any vehicle with a low electrolyte level in the
battery.
Check electrolyte level of each cell. If
necessary, fill with distilled water to just
above plates.
Make sure the voltage of both batteries is the same. The capacity (Ah) of the booster battery
should not be lower than that of the
discharged battery.
Vehicle with discharged battery: turn off
lights and accessories, remove key, move
lever to N or P and set parking brake.
Vehicle with booster battery should not be
running. Disconnect ground cable.
Remove vent caps from booster battery and
discharged battery. Preferably lay a cloth
over open vents to reduce explosion hazard.

How to use jumper cables WARNING
To avoid serious personal injury and damage to the vehicle, heed all warnings
and instructions of the jumper cable
manufacturer. The jumper cables must be long enough so that neither vehicles nor cables touch
another.
Improper hook-up of jumper cables can
ruin the alternator.
Always connect POSITIVE (+) to POSITIVE
(+), and NEGATIVE (-) to ground on engine
block.
1. Connect clamp of plus-cable to positive (+) terminal of discharged battery (1).
2.
Connect clamp on opposite end of cable to
positive (+) terminal of booster battery (2).
3.
Connect clamp of minus-cable to negative
(-) terminal of booster battery (3).
4.
Connect clamp on opposite end of cable to
a bare metal part bolted directly to the
engine block or to the engine block itself (x)
of car with discharged battery. Connect
clamp as far away from battery as possible.
5. Start engine in the usual manner. If engine
fails to start, do not continue to crank but
contact nearest workshop.
6.
With engine running, remove jumper cables from both cars in exact reverse order: Steps 4 through 1.


7. Reconnect ground cable of booster battery.
A - Discharged Battery
B - Booster Battery
Do not try to start car by pushing or towing.
Damage to the catalytic converter, the
transmission, and/or other components of the
car may result.

92