1987 PORSCHE 944 belt

Judging by the car you have chosen, you are a
motorist of a special breed, and you are
probably no novice when it comes to
automobiles. Remember however that, as with
any vehicle, you should take time to familiarize
yourself with your Porsche and its performance characteristics. Always drive within your own
unique capabilities as a driver and your level of
experience with your Porsche. Ensure that
anyone else driving your Porsche does the
same. To prevent or minimize injury, always
use your safety belts. Never drink alcohol
before or while driving.
This Owner's Manual contains a host of useful
information. Please read this manual before
you drive your new Porsche. Acquaint yourself
with your car's features and know how to operate your Porsche more safely. The better
you know your Porsche, the more pleasure you will experience driving your new car. A separate Warranty and Maintenance booklet explains how you can keep your Porsche in top driving condition by having it serviced regularly.
It also contains detailed information about the warranties covering your Porsche. These warranties are:
"Warranty for new Porsche vehicles",
"Warranty against corrosion for new Porsche
vehicles", "Warranty for new Porsche vehicle
emission control system", "Emissions
performance warranty" (USA only), and
"California emission control system warranty"
(California USA only). In order to keep your
warranty in effect, you must have the vehicle maintained and serviced as prescribed in the
Warranty and Maintenance booklet provided to
you at the time of sale.
Always carry your Warranty & Maintenance
booklet with you when you take your Porsche
to an authorized dealer for service. It provides
your Service Adviser with the information he
needs and enables him to record each service.
If you sell your Porsche the Owner's Manual
and the Warranty & Maintenance booklet
should be left in the vehicle to make all
operating safety and maintenance information available to the next
owner.
If you change your address or if you bought this Porsche used be sure to send in a "Notice of Address Change"/ "Notice of Used Car Purchase" post card. This card can be found in
the Warranty & Maintenance booklet or
obtained from your Porsche dealer.
It is in your own interest that we can contact
you, should the need arise. In case any
adjustments or modifications need to be made
to your Porsche to maintain its safety.
For your own protection and longer service life
of your car, please heed all operating
instructions and special warnings. Ignoring
them could result in serious mechanical failure
or even physical injury.
We wish you many miles of safe and
pleasurable driving in your


2


3

INDEX
A
ABS Acceleration diagram Accelerator pedal Air Bag System Air - cleaner
- conditioner
- filter
Alternator warning light Antifreeze Antilock, Brake system Anti-theft alarm Ashtray Automatic- garage door
- speed control
- transmission
- transmission fluid B
Battery
Boost pressure gauge
Brake - booster
- fluid
- fluid warning light
- pads
- parking
- pedal
- system
- warning light
Break-in hints
Bulb replacing
Buzzer 28,39
118-129
55
20, 21, 38, 3980, 8144-4680,81 39
74,75,11028, 39
11
42, 98
25
29
53-55
78,110,128
90-9234
27
39,79,11039
27,37,47,79,80 26
26, 27
26,27,11537
47
93-98
10,18,24,30
C/D
CASIS
Capacities
Car care instructions
Casis
Catalytic Converter
Cautions
Central locking
Central warning light
Cigarette lighter
Cleaning
Clock
Clutch pedal
Collapsible spare tire
Control warning light system
Coolant Temperature Gauge
Cooling system
Corrosion prevention
Dashboard
Defogging/defrosting
Dimensions
Doors
Driving hints
E/F
Electrical system
Emergency- flasher
- starting
Emission Control System
Engine - cooling
- exhaust
- hood
- number
- oil checking & changing
- oil
-speed, max 35
110
61-66
35
50,10267
13
37
41
61-66 40
27
85
36-39 36
74-77
65-66
24
44-46 114
12,138-9, 48, 49
89-92
41
92
100-103 74-77
48
586
69-72
69,110,111,128
34,47,52,106-
108
Fan control switch knob
Fan, radiator
Filling capacities
Fog lights
Fuel - economy
- evaporation control
- gauge
- recommendation
- tank
Fuses and relays
G/H
Gas Station Information
Gasohol
Gasoline
Gear ratio diagram
Gearshift lever
Glove compartment
Hatchback
Headlights
Headlight- dimmer
- flasher
- switch
- washing system
Heater/ventilation controls
Hood - front
- rear
Horn
I/J
Ignition/steering lock
Instrument illumination
Instruments
Interior ligh 44
36, 74 110
30, 96, 97
49
103 37
50, 51
50,110
89,126
126-129 51
50,51
122-125 52-55
42
56
30,95,99 30
30
30
31,32,81,11044-4658
56,57
21,24
24
30
33-40
43, 98
4

Jack
- supports
K/L
Keys
Kickdown
Lane changer
Leather
License plate light
Light switch
Lights - ashtray
- fog
- interior
- license plate
- parking
- turn signal
Locks - doors, wheels
Loudspeakers
Lubricants
Luggage compartment
M/O
Manual transmission
- oil
Mirrors
Oil- change
- consumption
- filter changing
- pressure gauge
- pressure warning light
Octane rating
Oxygen Sensor
P/R
Paint code number 68
87, 88, 129
10-11,86 55
30
65
98
30
98
30, 96, 97
43, 9898
30, 37, 93, 94
30,93,94
10-13, 86 89
110,111 57
52,122-125 77,11022,43
71,72
47, 69
71, 72 38
38
50, 51,106-108 101,102
7
Parking- brake
- lights
Performance
Power assisted steering
Power train
Power windows
Prop-up roof
Radiator fan
Rear - hood
- view mirrors
- window defogger
- wiper
Recirculation Switch
Refrigerant
Relays
Rims
Roof racks
Roof, removable S
Safe driving hints
Safetybelts
Safety belt warning light
Safety compliance sticker
Seat heating System
Seats
Sekuriflex windshield
Shift indicator
Shift points
Side marker lights
Ski racks
Snow- chains
- tires
Spare tire, collapsible
Spark plugs
Specifications, engine
26, 3730,37,93,94116731091259, 6036, 7456,572241424446,11089,12664,112,11357,11459, 60
8-9
17-21,6518,3771514-1631, 63, 643552-559457,11483, 84,112,113
83,84, 111,113
85106-108106-109
Speedometer
Starting procedures
Sun visors
T/U
Tachometer
Technical data
Tirepressure
Tires
Tool kit
Trip odometer
Transmission oil
Trunk
Turn signal lights
Undercoating
Unleaded fuel
V/W
Vehicle identification
Ventilation
Voltmeter
Warning/indicator lights
Washer reservoir
Washing
Water temperature gauge
Weatherstrips
Weights
Wheel alignment
Wheel nuts, lockable
Wheels
Wheel changing
Windows
Windshield- washer reservoir
- wiper/washer lever 3324, 2543
34, 35105-12582,112,113,12947,82-87,112,113683377, 78,11056,5730, 37, 93, 9465, 66,10050, 51,106-108,110
6-744-463835-4081,11061-6636641141158647,64,82-87,11285-8812,63,6481,11031
5

Dear Porsche Owner Before going on a trip...
A lot has gone into the manufacture of your Porsche, including advanced engineering
techniques, rigid quality control and
demanding inspections. These engineering
and safety features will be enhanced by
you... the safe driver...
who knows his car and all controls who maintains his vehicle properly who uses his driving skills wisely, and who always drives within his own capabilities and
his level of familiarity with his vehicle.
You will find helpful hints in this manual on
how to perform most of the checks listed on
these pages. If in doubt, have these checks
performed by your Porsche dealer.
First things first
Turn the engine off before you attempt any
checks or repairs of the vehicle.
Be sure tires are inflated correctly. Check for
damage and tire wear.
See that wheel bolts are properly tightened
and not loose or missing.
Check engine oil level, add if necessary.
Make it a habit to have engine oil checked
with every fuel filling. Check coolant level to assure sufficient
engine cooling.
Be sure you have a well charged battery. Check brake fluid level. If too low, have
brake system checked.
Replenish windshield washer fluid. Check if engine hood is latched safely. Replace worn or cracked wiper blades. See that all windows are clear and
unobstructed.
Keep air intake slots and area between engine hood and windshield free of snow and ice, so that the heater and the windshield wipers work properly.
Check whether all light lenses are clean.
Be sure all lights are working and headlights
are aimed correctly.
Check under vehicle for leaks. Be sure all luggage is stowed securely.
Emergency equipment 3
It is good practice to carry emergency
equipment in your vehicle. Some of the things
you should have are: window scraper, snow
brush, container or bag of sand or salt,
emergency light, small shovel, first-
aid kit, etc.

8

In the driver's seat... On the road...
Check operation of horn.
Position seat for easy reach of controls. Adjust inside and outside rear view mirrors. Attach your safety belts. Check operation of foot and parking brakes. Check all warning and indicator lights when
starting the engine.
NEVER leave car idling unattended. Lock doors from inside, especially with
children in the car.
To prevent inadvertent opening of doors
from inside or outside, drive with locked
doors.

Never drive after you have consumed
alcohol.
Always have your safety belt attached. Always drive defensively. Expect the unexpected. Use signals to indicate turns and lane
changes.
Turn on headlights at dusk. Always keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, depending on traffic, road and weather conditions. Reduce speed at night and during inclement weather.
Driving in wet weather requires caution and
reduced speeds, particularly on roads with
standing water, as the handling characteristics of the vehicle may be impaired due to tire
aquaplaning.
Also, when crossing stretches of deeper water there is a danger that too high of a speed can
cause water to enter the engine combustion
chambers through the intake air system
and/or water may strike the cooling fan
causing cooling system damage. In order to
avoid possible en- gine or cooling system damage when driving
through deep water, the vehicle should be
driven at a walking speed in first gear.
Observe speed limits and obey road signs.
When tired, get well off the road, stop and
take a rest. Turn the engine off. Do not sit in
the vehicle with engine idling. See
WARNINGS on "Engine Exhaust".
When parked, always set the parking brake.
Move the selector lever to "P" (Automatic
transmission) or move the gearshift lever to
reverse or first gear (Manual transmission).
On hills also turn the wheels toward the curb.
When emergency repairs become necessary, move the vehicle well off the road. Turn on
emergency flasher and use other warning
devices to alert other motorists. Do not park
or operate the vehicle in areas where the hot
exhaust system may come in contact with dry grass, brush, fuel spill or other flammable
material.
Make it a habit to have the engine oil
checked with every fuel filling.
9

Front seats
The correct seating position is all-
important for safe and fatigue-free driving.
In order to satisfy individual requirements, the
seat has infinitely variable adjustment.
The rocker switches for the height adjustment
are located at the outboard side of the seat.
We recommend the following procedure for
finding the correct position for the driver's
seat:
1. Operate longitudinal adjustment until your leg is fully stretched with the clutch pedal
depressed while your foot is bent.
2.
Adjust desired fore/aft height.
3. Clasp upper portion of steering wheel. Then adjust backrest inclination so that both
shoulders remain in contact with the
backrest even with your arms fully
stretched.
4.
If necessary, correct the longitudinal
adjustment.



Seat Adjustment

The seats permit individual longitudinal
adjustment. After pulling up the locking lever
on the outboard side of the seat, the seat can
be repositioned forward or rearward.
WARNING
Do not adjust seats while the vehicle is in
motion. The seat may move unexpectedly
which could cause sudden loss of vehicle
control or personal injury. Backrest Adjustment


The backrests can be adjusted forward or
rea
rward by pulling up the locking lever on the inboard side of the seat.
WARNING
Front seat passengers should not ride in a
moving vehicle with the backrest reclined.
Safety belts only offer protection when the
backrest is upright and the belts are
properly positioned on the body.
Improperly positioned safety belts can
cause serious personal injury in an
accident.
14





Electric Seat Adjustment

The lifting controls are designed for front and
rear vertical adjustment by pressing a rocker
switch.
A Front end up
B Front end down
C Rear end up
D Rear end down
Vehicles with electric backrests and fore-and-
aft adjustment are equipped with rocker
switches with two additional functions.
A Move seat forward
B Move seat rearward
C Move backrest forward
D Move backrest rearward
Seat Heating System
The seat heating system is turned on by
means of the switch (a); it heats the seat pan
and backrest. After appr. 15 minutes, a time
relay shuts off the heating automatically. You
can also turn it off earlier by pushing the
switch downward.

Lumbar Support


The lumbar support is controlled by the rear
rocker switch (b) and can be
extended/retracted or raised/lowered to any
position to support the spine.

Horizontal adjustment

Height adjustment
15

Emergency Adjustment

In the event of a failure of the electrically
operated seat adjuster, fore-and-aft
adjustment of the seat can be obtained using
the Allan key contained in the tool kit. The seat is adjusted by turning the servo motor located
at the front on the seat using the Allan key.
Backrest Lock


The backrest is locked to prevent it from tilting forward when you are forced to brake hard.
For unlocking, pull up the knob on the left or
right side of the backrest.
WARNING
For driver and passenger protection, back-
rest locks must be engaged at all times
while the vehicle is in motion.

16

Safety Belts

WARNING
For your and your passengers' protection, use safety belts at all times
while the vehicle is in motion. Use child
safety seats for all small children. Safety belts must be properly positioned on the body. Improperly positioned safety belts may cause serious personal injury
in case of an accident. Therefore heed all
of the following warnings and
instructions.
A combination lap-shoulder belt should not be worn by a person less than 4'11"
or 1.5 m in height, because it would not
be in its most protective position and
therefore may increase the possibility of
injury in an accident.
Persons smaller than 4'11" or 1.5 m in height, and children who are able to sit
upright by themselves, should use one of the rear seating positions and the lap belt provided. For maximum safety and protection, we recommend that small children travel in
the rear seats. Regardless of where small
children sit, remember that every state in
the US now requires small children to
ride in child safety seats. When driving in some states and many foreign countries, remember that they
require the wearing of safety belts by law.

Do not strap in more than one person with each belt. For maximum effectiveness, the lap belt should be worn low across the pelvic
crest.
Do not wear shoulder part of belt under your arm or otherwise out of position. This would increase the possibility of serious
injury in case of an accident.
Belts should not be worn twisted. Do not wear belts over rigid or breakable objects in or on your clothing, such as eye glasses, pens, keys, etc. as these may
cause injury.
Several layers of heavy clothing may interfere with proper positioning of belts. Belts must not rub against sharp objects. Keep belt buckles free of any obstruction that may prevent secure locking. Make sure that belt of the unoccupied passenger seat is fully wound up on its
retractor so that the belt tongue is in its
stowed position. This reduces the
possibility of the tongue hitting a vehicle
occupant in case of sudden stop.
Belts that have been subjected to excessive stretch forces in an accident
must be replaced.
If belts show damage to webbing, bindings, buckles or retractors, they
should be replaced.


If belts do not work properly, see your authorized Porsche dealer. Do not modify or disassemble the safety belts in your vehicle. The belts must be kept clean as otherwise the retractors may not work properly (see
also "Car care instructions").
Never bleach or dye safety belts. Do not allow safety belts to retract until they are completely dry.
17

Safety belt warning system

An audio-visual warning system is
interconnected with the driver's safety belt.
Every time the ignition is turned on, the seat
belt warning light in the left instrument cluster
comes on for about 6 seconds to remind driver and passenger to buckle up. If the driver does
not fasten the safety belt, the buzzer will
continue for the duration of this six second
period. The buzzer will go off as soon as the
driver has buckled up.
Inertia reel retractor


The combination lap/shoulder belt with inertia
reel locking mechanism adjusts automatically
to your size and movements as long as the
pull on the belt is slow.
Rapid deceleration during hard braking or a
collision locks the belt. The belt will also lock
when you drive up or down a steep hill or in a sharp curve. Otherwise the shoulder belt will
not inhibit your upper body movement.

To fasten, grasp belt and pull belt in
continuous slow motion across your chest
and lap.
Insert belt tongue into buckle on inboard side of seat. Push down until it securely locks with an audible click. Pull belt to check. Pull shoulder section to make sure belt fits
snugly across the hips.
Belts should fit snugly across the pelvis and
chest. Make sure any slack is wound on the
retractor.

18






To unfasten belt, push in release button on
buckle. Belt tongue will spring out of buckle.
To release a locked belt, lean back to take
the body pressure off the belt.
To store lap/shoulder belt, allow belt to wind
up on retractor as you guide belt to its
stowed position on doorpost.

Lap belts for rear seats


The lap belt with inertia reel locking
mechanism adjusts automatically to your size
and movements as long as the pull on the belt is slow.
Rapid deceleration during hard braking or a
collision locks the belt. The belt will also lock
when you drive up or down a steep hill or in a
sharp curve.
To fasten lap belt, grasp belt on outboard
side of seat and slowly pull across the pelvis.
Insert belt tongue into buckle on inboard side
of seat and push down until it securely locks
with an audible click. Pull belt to check.

To unfasten belt, push in release button on
the buckle.
To store belt, allow belt to wind up as you
guide belt to retractor.
19

Air Bag System

The "Air Bag" in combination with the safety
belt makes up a passive safety system which
offers the driver and front seat passenger the
greatest known protection from injuries in
case of accident.
The air bag system is composed of the
following 3 major groups:
Air bag with gas generator and ignition unit Control electronics Collision sensors
In case of frontal collision greater than a
certain severity, the collision sensors send a
signal via the control electronics to the igni- tion mechanism. In the ignition process, a
solid propellant in the gas generator is
combusted in a fraction of a second. This
combustion generates the gas quantity and
pressure necessary to fill the air bag.
The air bag is located behind the steering
wheel center pad on the driver's side, and on the passenger side behind the padding above
the glove compartment. Due to the rapid
deflation of the air bag after use, there is little
danger of obstructed vision. Likewise, the
noise of the inflation of the air bag generally
goes unnoticed because of the collision noise. The air bag protects the face and upper body,
and at the same time dampens the forward
motion of the driver and passenger.

Range of Effectiveness Even if your vehicle is equipped with an air bag, the safety belt must be worn, since the air bag system is only actuated by frontal collisions and at speeds of more than 13 to 19 mph (depending on collision angle). See
figure for range of effectiveness.
Below the actuation threshold of the air bag
system, and during types of collisions which
do not cause the actuation of the system, the
seat belts provide the primary protection to the occupants when correctly worn. Therefore, all persons within the vehicle should always
wear safety belts (in many states, state law
requires the use of safety belts). See also the
chapter "Safety Belts".
20

Maintenance / Monitor Lights
The air bag system monitors the operational
readiness of the igniter, sensors, warning
lamp, and control electronics itself.
Any malfunctions which may arise are announced by the monitor lights in the right
instrument cluster. Upon activation of the
vehicle ignition circuit, the "Air Bag" notation in
the instrument cluster lights up for
approximately 5 seconds and then goes out
again, indicating system readiness.
In the following cases you should immediately
consult an authorized Porsche dealer in order
to assure the air bag system is functioning
properly:
Illumination of the "Air Bag" light during travel
or repeated illumination longer than 5
seconds after the ignition circuit is turned on.
Illumination fails to light up during ignition
circuit activation.
In order to ensure long-
term functioning, the air bag system must be inspected by an
authorized Porsche dealer after 4, 8 and 10
years from the date of manufacture shown on
the safety compliance sticker, and then every 2 years.
WARNING
No changes must be made to the wiring or components of the air bag system. Do not
add any additional coverings or stickers to the steering wheel or in the area of the
passenger side air bag. Doing so may
adversely affect the functioning of the air
bag system.

Do not undertake any wiring for electrical accessory equipment in the vicinity of the air bag wiring harness. Doing so may
disable the air bag system.
The actuation of the air bag requires the immediate inspection of the system and
replacement of some parts of the system.
See your authorized Porsche dealer.
Defects should be repaired immediately. See your authorized Porsche dealer. When disposing of a used air bag unit, our safety instructions must be followed. These instructions can be obtained at any authorized Porsche dealer.

Important:
If you sell your Porsche, notify the
purchaser that the vehicle is equipped
with an air bag, and refer him or her to the
chapter, "Air Bag System", in the owner's
manual (safety and disposal rules).
Further information on the air bag system can
be found on stickers in the glove
compartment, at the interior light, as well as
on all air bag components.

Horn Button


In vehicles equipped with an AIR BAG, the
horn buttons are mounted in the two upper
spokes of the steering wheel (arrow).
21

Ignition/Starter Switch with Steering Lock
The steering is equipped with an anti-theft
ignition lock.
Switch positions
0
The steering is blocked by the steering lock: all circuits wired through the ignition
are switched off.
The ignition key can only be withdrawn in the
"0" position. The parking lights can be
operated in this position by pushing the turn
signal indicator lever up and down (also see
"Parking lights").
1 Position for radio. Steering unlocked. If it is difficult to turn the key, gently move the
steering wheel until the key turns freely.
Note: all circuits which are disconnected in
position "3" can be switched on.
To conserve battery power, switch off other
electrical consumers while playing radio in
position "1".
2
Ignition on. All electric circuits are
operational. With the engine stationary, the
central warning light and all individual
warning lights located in both combination
instruments will light up for a bulb check.
3
The starter is operated by turning the
ignition key to the right. As soon as the
engine starts, release the key. It will spring
back to position "2". With the engine
running, the central and individual warning
lights should go out (see "Central warning
light").
To conserve battery power, the electric
circuits for headlights, rear window de-
fogger/defroster, temperature control and
wiper/washer system are temporarily interrupted during the starting process.
The starter should not be operated for more
than 10 to 15 seconds at a time. If the engine
does not start the first time or stalls at any
time, the ignition key must be returned to the
"0" position. The non-repeat lock in the switch
prevents the
starter from being operated when the engine is running and guards against
starter damage.
To remove the key and to lock the steering
wheel
, turn the key back to position "0" and
pull out. Turn the steering wheel until it locks.

WARNING
Never remove key from ignition lock or
turn key off while vehicle is moving. The
steering wheel will lock, causing loss of
control.
Instrument panel lights
Warning lights for alternator, oil pressure, and
brake system will light up for a bulb check
when the ignition is turned on. They should go out after the engine is started. The brake
warning light will go out after the parking
brake has been fully released. See
"Warning lights" for more details.
Buzzer
If you leave the key in the ignition/steering
lock, the buzzer will sound when the driver's
door is opened. This is a reminder to remove
the key.
For further details see "Starting Procedures"
on the following page.

24

Starting Procedures

WARNING
Fasten safety belts before driving.
Never start or let the engine run in an enclosed, unventilated area. Exhaust
fumes from the engine contain carbon
monoxide, which is a colorless and
odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can be
fatal if inhaled.

Never leave engine idling unattended. An unattended vehicle with a running engine
is potentially hazardous.
Do not park or operate the vehicle in areas where the hot exhaust system may
come in contact with dry grass, brush,
fuel spill or other flammable material.
Never leave engine idling. When starting engine, be ready to drive immediately.
Maintain moderate speed until engine is
warm.

Automatic Transmission - Start with selec-
tor lever in Park.
Manual Transmission - Start with gearshift
lever in Neutral.
Temperature sensors on the engine auto- matically provide the correct fuel/air mixture
required for starting.
Therefore, do not depress the accelerator
pedal while starting a cold or a warm engine.
When starting at very low outside
temperatures , fully depress the clutch pedal,
so that the starter only has to crank the
engine.
As soon as the engine starts, release the ignition key.
If the engine fails to start after 10 to 15
seconds of cranking, wait about 10
seconds before engaging starter again.
Do not let engine idle to warm it up. After
starting, drive vehicle at moderate speeds and with gradual accelerations. Avoid high rpm
and full throttle operation until the engine has
reached normal operating temperature.
Stopping engine
Turn key back to position 0.
Do not stop engine immediately after hard
or extended driving. Keep engine running
at increased idle for about two minutes to
prevent excessive heat buildup before
turning off engine.
WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment, let the engine cool down.
Hot components can burn skin on
contact.

The radiator fan switches on automatically when the coolant reaches a
certain temperature and continues to run
(even with ignition off) until the coolant
temperature drops. Therefore, never
touch the fan blades as they will rotate
spontaneously when the thermoswitch
turns the fan on.

If you have an automatic garage door...
The transistorized ignition system in your
Porsche may interfere with your electronically
operated garage door. To check this: drive
your Porsche close to the garage door and
run the engine at different speeds.
If the garage door opens or closes without
your operating the garage door unit in your
car, contact the dealer who installed the
automatic garage door to have the frequency
and/or coding of the garage door signal
modified.
25