1987 PORSCHE 944 recommended oil

Car Care Instructions

Regular and correct care helps to maintain the value of your car and is also a
precondition for the long-life guarantee.

The Porsche paint finish is of a high quality
baked synthetic enamel. The color and
enamel type designation are indicated on the
"paint number sticker". When buying touch-up
paint, always give the paint and the car's
identification numbers to your dealer.
A well-cared for Porsche can look like new 10
years later. It all depends on the amount of
care the owner is willing to give the car.
Your Porsche dealer has a number of car-
care products and can advise you which ones to
use for cleaning the interior and exterior of
your car. Whether you use Porsche
recommended products or other commercially available cleaning agents first make sure of
their correct application.
WARNING
Cleaning agents may be poisonous. Keep
them out of the reach of children.
Observe all caution labels. Always read directions on the container before using any product. Most chemical cleaners are concentrates which require dilution. Do not use gasoline, kerosene, naphtha, nail
polish remover or other volatile cleaning
fluids. They may be toxic, flammable or
hazardous in other ways. Only use spot
removing fluids in well ventilated areas.
Do not wash, wax or dry the vehicle with the
engine running.
Do not clean the underside of chassis,
fenders, wheel covers, etc., without
protecting your hands and arms you may cut
yourself on sharp-edged metal parts.
Moisture and road salt on brakes may affect braking efficiency. Test the brakes after each vehicle washing.
Washing and waxing
The paint on your Porsche is very durable but
must be protected from losing its luster due to
outside influences. Therefore, wash and wax
your Porsche often. The longer the dirt is left
on the paint, the greater the risk of damaging
the glossy finish, either by scratching if the dirt is rubbed into the paint, or simply by the
chemical effect dirt particles have on the paint
surface. Do not wash or wax in direct
sunlight. Do not use hot water. Lukewarm
to cool water is kinder to the paint.
Pamper your Porsche! Wash it by hand! The
mechanical brushes in an Automatic Car
Wash may not reach every angle of the
vehicle, and some tracks may cause
damage to the underbody.
Use plenty of water, a car-wash and wax
solution and a soft sponge or hose brush.
Begin by spaying water over the dry surface to remove all loose dirt before applying the car-wash and wax solution. Use plenty of water to
rinse the vehicle off. Wipe everything dry with
a chamois to avoid water spots.
61

To guard against corrosion from the inside
out, clean drain holes on the bottom of doors,
tail gates, hatches etc., after each washing.
Then wipe dry thoroughly. Also inspect all
weatherstrips to make sure they do not allow water to enter the body panels. Do not aim the water jet directly at door, hatch or rear lid locks. Tape the key holes to prevent water from seeping into the lock cylinders.
Water in lock cylinders should be removed
with compressed air. To prevent locks from freezing in the winter, squirt glycerin or lock
deicer into the lock cylinders.
Do not use any solution that can damage
the body paint.
The underside of the vehicle picks up dirt and
road salts used to keep streets and highways
free of snow and ice. To guard against
corrosion, it is important to remove mud,
debris and road salt from the underside with a
powerful jet of water. Be sure to include the
wheel housings, bumpers, muffler, tailpipe
and brackets. This should be done twice a
year and is best accomplished after the
vehicle has been driven through a heavy rain.
Let engine and exhaust system cool down
before washing.

Waxing is not really needed when you have
used a car-wash and wax solution. If you do
not use a car-wash liquid with wax, apply wax
to preserve the natural shine of the body
paint. To obtain a long lasting finish, apply
hard wax. Wax again if water remains on the
surface in large patches instead of forming
beads and rolling off.
Exterior
Care of the finish
Oils contained in the paint are the most
important ingredients contributing to the
elasticity of the finish. Because these oils
diminish gradually due to weather and similar
causes, they must be replenished through
regular and proper care of the finish. Given
proper care, the original finish will retain its
luster for many years. Ask your dealer for
approved cleaning agents and preservatives.
The use of polishes is recommended only
after it becomes evident that the normal
preservatives no longer accomplish the job.

Dull finishes and plastics
Plastic parts, such as light bulb lenses,
decorative strips, panels, etc., will come clean
during car washing. Should additional
cleaning or spot removal be necessary, use a
soft brush or cloth soaked with a mild
detergent solution. Then rinse thoroughly and
immediately with clear water. Do not use
anything which could mar the plastic or dull
finished surface, such as wax or polish,
abrasive detergents or chemical cleaning
solvents.
Metal trim
Bright or black anodized trim will come clean
when you wash the vehicle. To protect the trim, use car wax.
Touch-up paint
Your dealer has touch-up paint for minor
scratches and stone chips. Scratches should
be touched up soon after they occur, to
prevent corrosion. If corrosion formation
becomes visible, however, a simple touch-up
job will not suffice. The affected surface must
be smoothed with sand paper and covered
with an anti-rust primer, before restoring the
painted finish.


62

Tar or oil
Do not allow tar or oil to remain on the paint.
Remove as soon as possible with a cloth
soaked with a special paint cleaner. If you do
not have a tar or oil remover, you may
substitute with turpentine. After applying a
cleaning fluid, always wash with a lukewarm
soap water solution and apply a new wax
coat.
Insects
Remove as soon as possible with a lukewarm
soap/water solution or apply insect remover.
Tree sap Remove with a lukewarm soap/water solution. Do not allow tree sap or bird droppings to
harden on the paint.
Windows
Keep silicone sprays off the windshield to
avoid wiper smear in rain.
Generally, highway dust that settles on the
outside of the windshield contains material
worn from tires and oil residues. On the inside surfaces of the windshields, particularly in
strong sunlight, there are build-ups of dust
from the interior decor. These buildups are
reinforced by pollution in the air

brought in with the fresh air supply. Use a
lukewarm soap/water solution or an alcohol
based commercial window cleaning agent for t
he inside and outside. If a chamois is used for polishing the glass, it should exclusively be
used for that purpose.
To assure that windshield washers also
function at freezing temperatures, antifreeze
must be added to the washer fluids reservoirs
beforehand. It is advisable to use window
washer solvent with anti-freeze all year round. Follow directions on the can for the right
amounts to be used. Do not use engine
coolant anti-freeze or any other solution
that can damage the paint.
In vehicles with Sekurif
lex windshields, the plastic coating on the inside of the
windshield must not have gummed labels
put on it or be cleaned using abrasive
agents or dry methods. If very dirty, it can
be cleaned with benzine. The use of
benzine in a confined environment may be
dangerous to your health. Make certain
that the plastic coating is not damaged in
cleaning by hard objects such as jewelry
or wristwatches.
Do not remove ice on the inside of the
windshield by any means except warm air
from the defroster nozzles. Do not use any
deicer sprays, scratching tools, or
scrapers!

A foil base must be applied to the windshield prior to application of any labels or stickers
such as those used for state registration or
inspections. Failure to utilize foil base
between sticker or label and the Sekuriflex
coating will result in damage to the Sekuriflex
coating. Three foil bases were included with
the vehicle and additional foil bases may be
ordered from any Porsche dealer.
Instructions:
1. Clean the windshield in the area for
application.
2.
Cut the base of the foil to the required size.
Round off the edges.
3.
Pull off the protective film.
4. Spray the gummed side of the foil base and the windshield with a soap solution (distilled water and liquid soap or grease-free
detergent in a mixing ratio 10:1).
5.
Apply the foil base to the windshield and spray it once again.
6. Any liquid and bubbles under the foil base must be brushed out using a flexible plastic
scraper.
7.
Dry the windshield using a soft cloth.
8. Install label/sticker on the foil base.
63

When removing the label/sticker or the
backing foil, first spray the foil with a soapy
solution (see point 4).
Wiper blades
Always loosen frozen wiper blades from glass as they may tear otherwise.
Remove all wiper blades periodically and
clean them thoroughly with an alcohol base
cleaning solution. Use a sponge or soft cloth
and wipe lengthwise.
Weatherstrips
To seal properly, weatherstrips around hood,
hatch, windows, doors, etc., must be pliable.
Spray with silicone or coat with talcum powder or glycerin to retain flexibility of the rubber and to protect against freezing in the winter.
Light alloy wheels
To preserve the decorative appearance of the
light aluminium castings, some special care is
necessary. Aside from road dirt and salt
sprays, brake metal dust will exert corrosive
effects.
If left on too long, brake metal dust can cause
pitting. Wash the wheels with a sponge or
hose brush every other week.

Roads salts should be removed weekly with
an acid free cleaning solution.
The acid free cleaning solution must not have
a pH value greater than 10 (see explanation),
in case of doubt, it is recommended to check
with the manufacturer of that particular cleaner.
Every three months (after regular cleaning)
the wheels should be coated with petroleum
jelly. Rub it in firmly with a soft cloth. Never use abrasive or metal polishing cleaning
agents.
Explanation of pH value
The pH value is a measurement for the
hydrogen-ion concentration in a liquid. This
value tells if the liquid reaction is sour (acid) o r alkaline (lye solution). At a pH value of 7, the reaction of the liquid is
neutral (that is, chemically clean water), it is
not an acid or alkaline. Acids have a pH value
under 7, the strength of the acid increases
with a lower pH value. Alkaline lies between a pH value of 7 and 14, the strength of the
alkaline increases with higher pH values.

For example: a mineral water mixed with
carbon dioxide has a pH value of 6-6.5,
reaction is also light sour. Battery acid in
comparison has a pH value of 1.
or
the pH value for normal soap solution is 8-9,
but the soap solution for a dishwasher is
approximately 12.5, this would not be suitable
for wheel cleaning.
Your Porsche dealer can advise you which
product to use.
Remember that moisture and road salt on
brakes may affect braking efficiency. Test
the brakes after each car or wheel wash.


64

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

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

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

Engine Design Specifications
Design
Operating cycle
Lubrication
Cylinder block
Cylinder head
Valve operation
Camshaft drive
Crankshaft
Fuel injection 4-cylinder, in-line engine, front mount with two ba
lance-shafts
4-stroke
Pressure oil circulation from oil sump,
full flow filter
Light metal
Light metal
Overhead camshaft
(944 S: 2 overhead camshafts)
Spur belt drive
Forged, 5 main bearings
AFC (Air Flow Control) Power Train
Manual transmission
Gear ratio
1st gear
2nd gear
3rd gear
4th gear
5th gear
Axle ratio Gear ratio 944
3.600:1
2.125:1
1.458:1
1.071:1
0.730:1
3.500:1
3.889:1 Gear ratio 944 S
3.500:1
2.059:1
1.400:1
1.034:1
0.829:1
3.500:1
3.889:1 Gear ratio 944 Turbo
3.500:1
2.059:1
1.400:1
1.034:1
0.829:1
3.500:1
3.375:1
Clutch
Power transmission Single plate dry disc, hydraulically operated
Double constant velocity joints and drive shaft
Automatic transmission 944
Gear ratio 1st gear
2nd gear
3rd gear
Reverse gear
Axle ratio
Clutch 2.714:1
1.500:1
1.000:1
2.429:1
3.455:1
Hydrodynamic torque converter
109

Filling Capacities
Engine oil With filter change approx. 6.34 (Turbo: approx. 6.87) U.S. qts. or 6 (Turbo: approx. 6.5) liters.
Check oil level with dipstick a few minutes after e ngine has stopped. The difference between
the max. and min. marks on the dipstick is approx. 1 U.S. qt. or 1 liter.
Only use brand name oil which has been tested and a pproved by Porsche.
Your authorized Porsche dealer will be glad to advi se you.
Porsche does not recommend the use of oil additives . See also "Engine Oils".
Cooling system with heating
Approx. 8,2 U.S. qts. or 7,8 liters. Factory filled to -31°F (-35°C). Only use phosphate-free
anti-freeze containing ethylene glycol recommended for aluminum engines and radiators.
Manual transmission
Approx. 0.53 U.S. gal. or 2.0 liters. Use hypoid oi l SAE 80 labeled "For Service API/GL4 or
Mil-L 2105".
Automatic transmission with
torque converter Approx. 1.72 U.S. gal. or 6.5 liters ATF Dexron®. At oil c hanges 3 U.S. qts. or 2.8 liters are
required.
Differential of automatic transmission
Approx. 1 U.S. qts. or 1 liter hypoid oil SAE 90 ac cording to API classification GL 5 or
Mil-L 2105 B.
Power steering
Approx. 0.63 U.S. qts. or 0.6 liter ATF Dexron®
Fuel tank Approx. 21.1 U.S. gals, or 80 liters including a re serve of 2.1 U.S. gals, or 8 liters.
Unleaded fuel only! Minimum octane rating 944 91 RO N (87 CLC or AKI ((R+M)/2) rating on fuel
pumps in U.S.A.), 944 S / 944 Turbo 95 RON (90 CLC or AKI ((R+M)/2) rating on fuel pumps in U.S.A.)
Brake fluid Approx. 0.42 U.S. pint or 0.2 liter. Only use brake fluid conforming to specifications
SAE J 1703, DOT 3 or DOT 4.
Windshield and headlight washer system
Approx. 1.59 U.S. gals, or 6.0 liters.
Refrigerant for air conditioning Approx. 33.5 oz or 950 g. Refrigerant R 12 (CCI2F2)
Cooling system mixing chart
(Approximate values)
Anti-freeze-Water
Consult your authorized dealer about
the approved anti-freeze mixtures. Temp, down to
-13° F (-25°C) -23° F (-30° C) -31° F (-35° C)
Anti-freeze
40%
45%
50% Water
60% 55% 50%
Anti-freeze

3.1 liters / 3.3 U.S. qts.3.5 liters / 3.7 U.S. qts.3.9 liters / 4.1 U.S. qts.
Water
4.7 liters / 5.0 U.S. qts.
4.3 liters / 4.5 U.S. qts. 3.9 liters / 4.1 U.S. qts.
110