1987 PORSCHE 944 warning light

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

Changing Engine Oil
and Filter
High quality-multi-
grade oils are suitable for all year round driving. Seasonal oil changes are
therefore not necessary. Only if multi-grade
oils are not readily available, a single-
grade oil of the correct viscosity can be used.
Specifications of the various oils to be used
are detailed under "Filling Capacities and
Engine Oil". The use of oil additives is not
recommended by Porsche.
WARNING

When removing oil drain plug with your fingers, keep your arms as high as
possible. This will prevent hot oil from
running down your arm. Wear eye
protection.
Always use a new gasket when reinstalling the plug. Do not overtighten
the plug.
Before changing the engine oil yourself,
make sure that the disposal of the engine
oil and the oil filter, as special wastes, can
be carried out in the proper manner. Under absolutely no circumstance should used
oil find its way into the sewage system,
soil, rivers, ponds, or other
environmentally damaging areas. If there is no possibility of disposing of used oil in the proper manner
(when in doubt, consult local authorities),
please have the oil changed by your dealer or a service station.

Oil change intervals specified in the Warranty
& Maintenance booklet accompanying the
vehicle apply to normal operating conditions
and must be adhered to, including intervals for oil filter change.
If you drive mostly short distances, or if you
operate the vehicle in dusty areas, or under
predominantly stop-and-go traffic conditions,
or when temperatures remain below freezing
for extended periods, the engine oil should be
changed more frequently.
When chang
ing the engine oil and the oil filter, the splash shield under the car has to be
removed first.
Drain the oil when the engine is still warm.
71

The oil filter should be changed at the inter-
vals listed in your Maintenance Schedule.
1. Unscrew the oil drain plug (arrow), remove the oil filler cap and allow oil to drain
completely.
2.
Loosen oil filter element with appropriate wrench and remove.
3. Lightly coat new filter seal with engine oil.
4. Screw on filter by hand until gasket
contacts, tighten by one further turn and
finally recheck tightness of filter with the oil
filter wrench.
Specified tightening torque:
20 Nm (14 ftlb).
5.
Clean oil drain plug. Always use a new
gasket when reinstalling the plug. Do not
overtighten the plug. Correct tightening
torque is 43 ft. Ib. or 60 Nm.
6.
Fill the crankcase with the required amount of engine oil labeled "API Service SE or SF" (see "Filling Capacities"). Do not overfill.
7. Check oil level with dipstick. Top up if necessary. Reinstall oil filler cap and tighten securely.
8. Run the engine at various speeds for 3-5
minutes and check for leaks.
See Exercise Extreme Caution


72

Power Assisted Steering
The hydraulic assistance system allows
effortless steering under all driving conditions.
Slight hissing or squeaking sounds during
sharp turns (turning steering wheel from lock
to lock) are normal and do not indicate a
defective steering mechanism.
If the engine is not running, po
wer assisted steering is no longer effective. You can
continue to steer the car but more effort
will be required to turn the steering wheel.

Checking the fluid level
The hydraulic fluid level should be checked at
regular intervals. The fluid reservoir is
mounted on the right wheel housing in the
engine compartment.
1.
Unscrew cap from reservoir and wipe
dipstick with a lint free cloth.
2.
Let engine run at idle speed. Reinstall cap
and unscrew again. The fluid level should
be between the upper and lower mark on
the dipstick.
If necessary, top up with ATF-Dextron®.
3. Reinstall cap and handtighten securely.
73

Cooling System
Only use additives recommended for
aluminium engines and radiators. Your
Porsche dealer will be able to advise you.
For year round driving, phosphate-free
antifreeze is added at the factory for
temperatures down to:
-31° F / -35° C
Because of its anti-corrosion properties,
antifreeze should also remain in the cooling
system for summer operation. Cooling system capacity and specified antifreeze and water
ratios are listed under "Filling capacities".
Use any quality phosphate-free anti-freeze
containing ethylene glycol, available at your
Porsche dealer. Anti-freeze other than
specified by Porsche for aluminium engi-
nes and radiators may cause corrosion of
the cooling system, leading to engine
overheating and damage.

Only
for topping up coolant, a small amount of anti-freeze containing ethylene glycol and
phosphates may be used if recommended
anti-freeze is not available.
The anti-corrosion properties and the
antifreeze consistency will diminish gradually.
We recommend renewing the coolant mixture
at least every 2 years.
WARNING
The radiator fan is electrically driven. It is
switched on automatically by a thermostat
when the coolant reaches 198°F / 92°C.
Even when the engine is turned off, the fan will continue running, until the coolant
temperature has dropped to 189°F / 87°C
and until the engine itself has cooled down sufficiently.
Checking coolant level in expansion tank
A correctly functioning cooling system requires only minor care. The coolant level
should be checked from time to time, and
always before going on a longer trip.
The
expansion tank with filler cap opening is
located in the engine compartment (see
illustration). Since the expansion tank is
transparent, the coolant level can be checked
visually without removing the filler cap.

74

Brake Fluid Reservoir


The brake fluid reservoir is in the engine
compartment. The reservoir has two
chambers, the front chamber for one brake
circuit and the rear chamber for the second
brake circuit and the hydraulic clutch.
The fluid level should be checked regularly. If
the level drops below the "min" mark on the
transparent reservoir, the cause should be
located and corrected by your dealer.
To add brake fluid , unscrew the cap. The
vent bore in the cap should be kept clean and
open.


944 / 944 S WARNING

Every 2 years the brake fluid has to be replaced. See your Warranty &
Maintenance booklet.
If brake fluid must be added to the reservoir, use only new and unused DOT
3 or DOT 4 brake fluid, that meets SAE
specification J1703 and conforms to
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 116.
Do not use any other brake fluid or brake fluids that have absorbed moisture from
the open air, or brake fluid that is dirty. It
may cause premature wear or unreliable
braking action.


Do not add or mix DOT 5 silicone type brake fluid with the brake fluid in your
vehicle as severe component corrosion
may result. Such corrosion could lead to
brake system failure.
The brake warning light does not indicate brake fluid level. Check fluid level
between regular maintenance services.
Brake fluid is poisonous. Brake fluid is also harmful to the paint of your vehicle.
Checking Brake Pads
Brake pad wear will mainly depend upon the
degree of usage, and the type of driving you
do.
Thickness of the pads should be checked
during regular maintenance or whenever the
wheels are taken off (visual check). The brake pads must be thick enough between the brake pad plate and the cross spring to allow a
reserve for further wear (see illustration).
79

944 Turbo

944

944 Turbo
The permissible wear limit has been reached
once the brake pad plate comes to rest
against the cross spring (brake pad thickness
approx. 0.08 in or 2 mm).
We also suggest that the condition of the
brake pads be checked prior to going on long
trips. Air Filter
A dirty air cleaner not only reduces engine performance, but can lead to premature
engine wear. If driving is mostly done in areas
where the air is very dusty, the air cleaner must be checked and cleaned frequently,
perhaps daily.
The paper filter element must never be
cleaned or soaked with gasoline, cleaning
solvents or oil.
To clean or replace
the filter element
944 / 944 Turbo

1. Loosen hose clamp at filter housing cover (arrow) and pull off hose.
2.
Loosen mounting screws with screw driver
and lift up filter housing cover. On the 944
Turbo, also remove the air intake funnel.
3.
Remove filter element and clean inside of
housing with a slightly oiled, lint-free cloth.
4.
Replace filter element or shake out dirt to
clean.
80

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

may not always be due to improper wheel
alignment. It can be the result of individual
driving habits such as cornering at high
speeds. If the tire pressure is not checked and adjusted regularly, abnormal tire wear can
also occur.
Tire care
WARNING
Avoid damaging tires and wheel rims. If you must drive over a curb or other obstacle,
drive slowly and at an obtuse angle.
Frequently check tires for uneven wear and
damage.
Remove imbedded material. Replace worn or damaged tires immediately. Replace missing valve dust caps. Keep oil, fuel, brake fluid, etc. away from
tires.
Keep tires inflated correctly.

Tire replacement
In the interest of maximum safety and best
all-around car handling, always buy
replacement tires that have the same
specifications with regard to tire size,
design, load carrying capacity, tread
pattern, tread depth etc. This also applies
to Porsche recommended alternate
replacement tires. If you do not use a
Porsche recommended replacement tire,
make sure that you purchase your new
tires from a reputable

tire specially dealer and that the dealer complies with all manufacturers warnings
for those tires.
In case of tire damage where it is uncertain
whether there is a break in the ply with all its consequences or, tire damage caused by
thermal or mechanical overloading due to a
loss of pressure or any other prior damage,
we recommend that the tire be replaced for safety reasons.
If one faulty tire on an axle is replaced it
should be noted that the difference in tread
depth on one axle must not be more than
30%.
Tire specifications are imprinted on the
sidewall of the tires. If in doubt, check with
your Porsche dealer.
When replacing tubeless tires, always install
new valve stems. When replacing tires
requiring an inner tube, always install new
tubes.
New tires do not possess maximum
traction. They tend to be slippery. Break
new tires in by driving at moderate speed
for the first 60-120 miles or 100-200
kilometers.
Wheel balancing
A wheel should always be balanced after a tire repair. Even with regular use a wheel can
get out of balance, and should therefore be
balanced from time to time. Unbalanced
wheels may affect car handling and tire life.
When balancing light alloy wheels, use only
adhesive balancing weights supplied through
the Porsche parts service.

Wheels
If you intend to use other than original
equipment wheels, be sure that they conform
to Porsche specifications for your model.
Check with your Porsche dealer regarding the
correct wheel specifications for type and
model year.
Removing and storing tires
The driving direction should be clearly marked on all tires before removing them for storage,
to make sure they are mounted and run in the
same direction as before. Store tires in a cool
and dry place. Tires without rims upright!
Avoid contact with oil, grease or gasoline. When remounting, put tires with the most
tread depth at the front.
Snow tires
For a better grip on snow and ice use radial M + S tires or snow tires with studs. Check with
your local Motor Vehicle Bureau for possible
restrictions.
Radial ply M+S tires should be inflated with
the same cold tire inflation pressures required
for the regular radial ply tires. However, do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pressure
listed on the tire sidewall.
Snow tires should have the same load
capacity as original equipment tires and
should be mounted on all four wheels. Snow
tires with studs should be run at moderate
speeds when new in order to give the studs
time to settle.

83

WARNING
Tires with badly worn treads and studs are
very dangerous. Make sure they are replaced
immediately.
Do not drive a vehicle equipped with snow
tires at prolonged high speed. Snow tires do
not have the same degree of traction on dry,
wet or snow free roads as a normal tire. Furthermore, snow tires wear rapidly under
these conditions.
Snow tires do not fulfill their purpose if the
tread depth is less than 5/32 in. / 4 mm.
Comply with all state and local laws
governing snow tire and tread depth
requirements.
Snow chains Should snow chains be necessary, they
must be mounted on the drive wheels
only.

Check with local authorities for possible
restrictions.
Use only Porsche-approved snow chains with
fine pitch links, so that enough
space remains between the chains and the inside of the wheel arches.
Drive wheels must rotate freely with chains
mounted to prevent damage to body, axle or
brake components. Follow instructions issued
by the supplier of the chains. Remove chains
as soon as roads are free of ice and snow.
New Tire Identifications
The European tire manufacturers have
changed their tire identification system for SR
and HR-tires pertaining to maximum
permissible speed and maximum load carrying capacity for belted tires. The following is an
example only.
During the transition period some tires might
show both old and new identification codes,
such as: 215/60 SR 15 M+S 80 Q. In this
instance, the new codes apply.
The identification codes for VR tires
remain unchanged; for example: 205/55 VR
16. (V = maximum permissible speed for radial tires, i.e. over 130 mph or 210 km/h).


84

Collapsible Spare Tire
The spare tire is stored underneath the
luggage compartment cover.
Due to tread and space saver design features
of the collapsible tire, car handling may be
affected.
Therefore, do not drive more than 50 mph
(80 km/h) when using the collapsible spare tire. It is for emergency use and short
distances only. Remount the original road
tire as soon as possible.
Inflating the collapsible tire WARNING

Do not overinflate your spare tire.
Inflate the collapsible tire with the electric air
compressor that comes with your Porsche. Do not use other equipment!
1. Mount spare wheel before inflating the tire.The wheel nuts for the light alloy wheels of the vehicle can be used to mount the spare wheel. This applies to emergency use and
short distances only.
2.
Attach hose to tire valve. Insert plug of electric cord into cigarette lighter socket.
3. The required tire pressure is 36 psi or 2.5 bar/atm (front or rear). Check
pressure with tire pressure gauge.
4.
Disconnect hose and electric cord and store air compressor.
5. Have flat road tire repaired and remounted
on car at next service stop. Remember, the collapsible tire is for emergency use and short distances only.
When the air is released from the collapsible
tire, it will return to its original shape after
cooling down for several hours. Store
collapsible tire in luggage compartment.
The collapsible spare tire cannot be
repaired or mounted on the rims with
standard workshop equipment. Repair and
remounting must only be done by the tire
manufacturer.

Tire tread depth As required by law, the tread depth of the collapsible tire is the same as that of the
original equipment tire. Replace a worn
collapsible spare tire in time.
If air compressor does not work
...
Check if tobacco or any other foreign matter is lodged in the cigarette lighter socket.
Remove carefully with a wooden pick. Do
not use metal object to prevent short circuit.
... Check if fuse is blown. Replace with new
equivalent fuse.

Maintenance of air compressor
The air compressor is maintenance-free. Do
not apply oil or any other lubricant.
The air filter should be cleaned periodically to
assure maximum efficiency of the unit.

85



Lockable Wheel Nuts You can guard against wheel theft by installing lockable wheel nuts on your wheels. Each kit
contains three keys and four wheel nuts with
lock sleeve. The locking mechanism is
identical for all four wheel nuts. When taking
the vehicle to your Porsche dealer or to a
workshop for wheel or tire service, remember to leave one key with the service attendant.
In case of loss, duplicate keys cannot be
furnished by your Porsche dealer. Do not
leave these keys in the vehicle. Keep them
in a safe place.
To unlock a wheel

1. Remove protective plastic cap from wheel
nut.
2.
Insert key all the way and turn left about
30°.
3.
Remove lock sleeve together with inserted
key.
To lock a wheel
1. Turn the key again approx 30° to the right and remove.
2.
Push the lock onto the wheel nut until you
can feel it latch.
3.
Check whether the sleeve (of the lock) is up against the collar of the wheel nut.
4. Generally it is not necessary to balance the wheels after installing the lockable wheel nuts.

86