
Maintenance and Car Care
259
Power Steering
Warning!
Risk of accident resulting in serious personal
injury or death. When the engine is stationary
(e.g. when on tow) or the hydraulic system
fails, there is no assistance for steering.
Therefore, substantially more force will have
to be exerted.
fExercise great care when on tow.
fHave the fault remedied at your nearest authorized Porsche dealer.
The flow noise heard at full steering lock is design-
related and does not indicate a defect in the
steering system.
Further important information concerning “mainte-
nance” can be found in a separate chapter.
fPlease see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on Page 250.
Checking hydraulic fluidfUse only hydraulic fluid authorized by
Porsche.
fCheck the fluid level with the engine stopped
and cold (engine temperature approx. 68 °F or
20 °C).
1. Remove cover A.2. Open the reservoir cap.
3. The fluid level should lie between the MIN and
MAX marks on the dipstick.
Add hydraulic fluid if necessary.
4. Close cap carefully.
5. Put on cover A.
6. Close engine compartment lid.
Note on operation
fIf the fluid level drops significantly, please have
the cause remedied immediately by an
authorized Porsche dealer.
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Maintenance and Car Care
275
UndercoatingThe underside of your car is durably protected
against chemical and mechanical influences.
As it is not possible to exclude the risk of damage
to this protective coating in day to day driving, it
is advisable to have the underside of the car
inspected at certain intervals - preferably before
the start of winter and again in spring - and the
undercoating restored as necessary.
Your authorized Porsche dealer is familiar with the
bodyseal treatment procedures and has the ne-
cessary equipment for applying factory approved
materials. We recommend that you entrust them
with such work and inspections.
Unlike conventional spray oils, undercoating and
rust-proofing compounds based on bitumen or
wax do not attack the sound-proofing materials
applied at the factory.
Warning!
Danger of fire resulting in serious personal
injury or death.
fDo not apply additional undercoating or rust-
proofing on or near the exhaust manifold,
exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat
shields. During driving the substance used for undercoating could overheat and ignite.fBefore applying fresh underseal, carefully re-
move deposits or dirt and grease. Once it has
dried, the new undercoating compound forms
a tough protective coating which provides effi-
cient rust-proofing of the floor panels and com-
ponents.
fAlways apply a fresh coating of suitable pre-
servative to unprotect areas after cleaning the
underside of the body, the transmission, the
engine or carrying out repairs to underbody,
engine or transmission components.
Effective rust-proofing is particularly important
during the cold weather season. If your car is
driven frequently in areas where salt has been
spread on the roads, the whole engine compart-
ment should be cleaned thoroughly after the
winter to prevent salt from causing any lasting
damage. A full under-body wash should also be
performed at the same time.
Cleaning headlights, lights, interior and
exterior plastic parts, adhesive filmsObserve the following points:
fUse only clean water and a little dishwashing
detergent or interior window cleaner to clean
headlights, lights, plastic parts, adhesive films
and surfaces.
Use a soft sponge or a soft, lint-free cloth.
Note
An interior window cleaner can also be used to
clean plastic surfaces (observe cleaning instruc-
tions on the container!).
We recommend the Porsche interior window
cleaner.
fGently wipe the surface without applying too
much pressure.
fDo not clean when dry.
fNever use other chemical cleaners or
solvents.
Rinse cleaned surfaces with clear water.
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Maintenance and Car Care
277
Leather careThe natural surface markings of leather,
e.g. creases, healed scars, insect sting marks,
structural differences and slight variations in
shade and grain add to the attractiveness of the
high-quality natural leather product.
Observe the following care instructions:
Caution!
The leather will be damaged by the use of
unsuitable cleaning and care agents and by
inappropriate treatment.
fDo not use caustic cleaners or hard cleaning
objects!
fPerforated leather must under no circum-stances get wet on its reverse side.
fAll types of leather should be cleaned regularly
to remove fine dust using a soft, damp, white
woollen cloth or a commercially available
microfibre cloth.
fRemove heavy contamination with a leather
cleaner.
Please always follow the instructions for use
given on the containers.
We recommend the Porsche leather care
product.
fOnce cleaned, leather (particularly the heavily
stressed leather seats) must be treated only
with Porsche leather care product.
Carpets and matsfUse only a vacuum cleaner or a medium stiff
brush.
fRemove stains and spots with Porsche stain
remover.
The Porsche range of accessories includes floor-
mats to protect the carpets in summer and winter.
Warning!
Risk of an accident resulting in serious
personal injury or death.
fAlways check the movement of the pedals
before driving and make sure that they are not
obstructed by a floor mat or any other object.
fSecure the floor mat to prevent it from sliding
into positions that could interfere with the safe
operation of your vehicle – do not lay them
loosely in the vehicle.
Your Porsche dealer will be glad to offer you
floor mats of correct size including a securing possibility.
Cleaning airbags covers
Danger!
There is a danger of serious personal injury
or death if the airbag system is impaired by
improper cleaning work.
fDo not make any modifications whatsoever on
individual components such as the padded
covers of the steering wheel, the passenger
side of the dashboard, the front seats, the roof
pillars and the rooflinings.
fLet your authorized Porsche dealer clean these components.
Cleaning fabric liningsFabric linings on pillars, headliner and sun visors,
etc., must be treated only using suitable cleaning
agents or a suitable dry foam and a soft brush.
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278
Maintenance and Car Care
Cleaning AlcantarafDo not use a leather care product to clean
Alcantara.
For regular care it is sufficient to clean the cover
with a soft brush. Heavy abrasion or rubbing when
cleaning causes a permanent change in the
surface.
Cleaning when lightly soiled
fWet a soft cloth with water or a neutral soap
solution and wipe off the dirt.
Cleaning when heavily soiled
fWet a soft cloth with lukewarm water or
thinned white spirit and dab the dirt from the
outside in.Cleaning safety beltsfUse mild detergent to clean soiled belts.
fWhen drying, avoid direct sunlight.
fOnly use suitable cleaning agents.
fDo not tint or bleach the belts.
The belt fabric could be weakened, thus affec-
ting safety.
Storing your PorscheIf you intend to store your Porsche for a prolonged
period, please consult your authorized Porsche
dealer. The staff will be glad to advise you on the
most suitable and necessary methods.
fClean your vehicle thoroughly inside and out-
side. Clean the engine compartment. The
under carriage and chassis components
should be free of dirt and salt deposits.
fFill up the fuel tank.
fChange the oil and oil filter, and run the engine
for several minutes.
fIncrease the tire pressure to 58 psi (4 bar). It
is not recommended to lift the vehicle, due to
the possibility of corrosion on shock absorber
piston shafts.The vehicle should be moved
slightly, approximately every four weeks, to
prevent flat spot on the tires.
Climate control
The air conditioning system should be in good
working condition and fully charged.
Windshield/Headlight washer
fCheck and correct antifreeze/cleaning solution
level as necessary.Electrical system
fRemove the battery from the vehicle and store
it in a cool dry place, not on a cement floor.
When the battery is disconnected, the alarm
system is deactivated.
fRecharge the battery every 3 months. If the
battery remains in the vehicle with the cables
connected, it is necessary to check, remove
and recharge the battery every 2-3 weeks.
Do not fast charge the battery.
fPlease see the chapter “CHARGE STATE” on
Page 320.
Vehicle interior
The interior must be dry, especially in the area of
the floor carpets. The use of drying agents (Silica-
Gel) is recommended in vehicles with leather inte-
rior and in areas with high humidity. The recom-
mended amount is 3 fabric bags of 1.1 lbs.
(500 grams) each placed on the floor carpets.
fWindows, doors, lids and roof must be closed.
The air vents should be opened.
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Minor Repairs
283
Tire pressures
Danger!
Risk of accident.
Risk of serious personal injury or death.
Driving the vehicle with low tire pressure
increases risk of a tire failure and resulting
loss of control. Furthermore, low tire pres-
sure increases rate of wear of the affected
tires and cause damage.
fAlways use an accurate tire pressure gage
when checking inflation pressures.
fDo not exceed the maximum tire pressure
listed on the tire sidewall. (Also refer to “Tech-
nical data”).
fPlease see the chapter “TIRE PRESSURE
PLATE” on Page 284.
fCold tire inflation pressure means: all tires
must be cold, ambient temperature maximum
68°F (20°C), when adjusting the inflation pres-
sure. Avoid sunlight striking the tires before
measuring cold pressures, since the pressures
would rise from temperature influence.
fValve caps protect the valve from dust and dirt,
and thus from leakage. Always screw caps
tightly down. Replace missing caps immedi-
ately.
fUse only plastic valve caps.
fFor safety reasons, don't use tire inflating bottles.fPlease see the chapter “TIRE PRESSURES,
COLD (68 °F/20 °C)” on Page 354.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should
be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for
those tires).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring (TPM)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-in-
flated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure tell-
tale illuminates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPM is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s re-
sponsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even
if under-inflation has not reached the level to trig-
ger illumination of the TPM low tire pressure tell-ta-
le.For further information on the tire pressure moni-
toring:
fPlease see the chapter “SETTING TIRE PRES-
SURE MONITORING” on Page 132.
When tires are warm, the tire pressure is increa-
sed.
fNever let air out of hot tires. This could cause
the tire pressure to fall below the prescribed
value.
Insufficient tire pressure can cause tires to over-
heat and thus be damaged – even invisibly. Hidden
tire damage is not eliminated by subsequently cor-
recting the tire pressure.
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286
Minor Repairs
Tire damage, puncturefPlease see the chapter “HIGH-PRESSURE
CLEANING EQUIPMENT, STEAM CLEANERS”
on Page 271.
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death.
Driving the vehicle with low tire pressure
increases risk of a tire failure and resulting
loss of control. Furthermore, low tire pres-
sure increases rate of wear of the affected
tires.
fCheck tires – including sidewalls – regularly for
foreign bodies, nicks, cuts, cracks and bulges.
fAfter driving off road, examine tires for signs
of damage such as cuts, tears, bulges or
foreign objects stuck in the tread. Replace a
damaged tire if necessary.
fCross curb edges slowly and at right angles if
possible.
Avoid driving over steep or sharp curbs.
fIn cases of doubt, have the wheel (particularly
the inner side) checked by an authorized Porsche dealer.In case of tire damage, where it is uncertain
whether there is a break in the ply with all its con-
sequences or tire damage caused by thermal or
mechanical overloading due to loss of pressure or
any other prior damage, we recommend that the
tire be replaced for safety reasons.
I f o n e f a u l t y t i re i s re p l a c e d i t s h o u l d b e n o t e d t h a t
the difference in tread depth on one axle must not
exceed 30%. Handling inconsistencies may result.
fPerform a visual inspection if necessary.
Tire replacementsfUse only tire makes and types tested by
Porsche.
If you do not use a Porsche recommended
replacement tire, make sure that you
purchase your new tires from a reputable tire
dealer and that the dealer complies with all
manufacturers warnings for those tires.
Only tires with the same manufacturer and
with the same specification code (e.g. “N0”,
“N1”...) should be mounted on the vehicle.
Before mounting new tires, check with your
Porsche dealer about the current release
status.
Tires should be replaced no less than on one axle
at the time. Only tires of the same make and type
must be used. Mixed tires are not permissible and
will affect vehicle performance, safety, and can
affect vehicle warranty.Porsche dealers can recommend the most current
replacement tire options for your vehicle.
Initially, new tires do not have their full traction.
You should therefore drive at moderate speeds
during the first 60 - 120 miles (100 - 200 km).
Tires must always remain on the same side of
the vehicle.
When wheels are removed, the direction of rota-
tion and position of each wheel should be marked.
If new tires are installed only on one axle, a notice-
able change in handling occurs due to the different
tread depth of the other tires. This happens espe-
cially if only rear tires are replaced. However, this
condition disappears as the new tires are broken
in.
fPlease adjust your driving style accordingly.
Installation of new tires should only be done by a
qualified tire technician.
Valves
fUse only plastic valve caps.
fThe rubber valves must be replaced whenever
the tires are changed.
fThe fitting and replacement specifications
must be observed for metal valves.
fOnly use Original Porsche metal valves.
fProtect the valve inserts against soiling with
valve caps.
Soiled valve inserts can cause a gradual loss
of air.
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Minor Repairs
289
Snow chains
Warning!
Risk of damage to body, axle or brake com-
ponents.
fUse only the fine-link snow chains recommen-
ded and authorized by Porsche so that
sufficient clearance between the wheel well
and the chain is assured.
fPlease see the chapter “TIRES, RIMS, TRACKS”
on Page 350.
fFollow instructions issued by the supplier of the chains.
The best possible handling characteristics are
achieved when snow chains are fitted on all four
wheels of the vehicle. However, it is also possible
to fit snow chains on only one axle (preferably the
rear axle).
fRemove spacers if 18 inch tires, snow chains
or a collapsible spare wheel are mounted.
Caution!
Risk of damage to wheel housings if the
spacers on the rear axle are not removed
before fitting the snow chains.
f17 mm spacers must always be removed from the rear axle when snow chains are to be fitted.
fFor information on the spacers:
Please see the chapter “SPACERS” on
Page 293.
Please see the chapter “CHANGING A WHEEL
WITH REMOVAL OF 17 MM SPACER” on
Page 303.
fBefore fitting chains, remove accumulated ice
and snow from the wheel well.
fVehicles with snow chains must not be driven
faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).
Different states and countries have varying statu-
tory requirements regarding maximum speed.
fCheck with local authorities for possible
restrictions.
fRemove chains as soon as the roads are free
of ice and snow.
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Minor Repairs
293
SpacersfUse the spacers only together with wheels
approved by Porsche.
Before having spacers fitted, find out about the
current approval status.
fRemove spacers if 18 inch tires, snow chains
or a collapsible spare wheel are mounted.
Danger!
Risk of accident if the spacers are not
removed before mounting 18 inch tires or
collapsible spare wheel.
f17 mm spacers are always to be removed
before mounting 18 inch tires or a collapsible
spare wheel, because the wheel cannot be fit-ted correctly. Caution!
Risk of damage to wheel housings if the
spacers on the rear axle are not removed
before fitting the snow chains.
f17 mm spacers must always be removed from the rear axle when snow chains are to be fitted.Note on operation
fTo remove or mount the spacers:
Please see the chapter “CHANGING A WHEEL
WITH REMOVAL OF 17 MM SPACER” on
Page 303.
Please see the chapter “FITTING THE 17 MM
SPACER” on Page 305.
Wheel BoltsfAlways clean the wheel bolts before installing.
Maintenance Notes
fWheel bolts must not be greased.
fReplace damaged wheel bolts.
Only use the original Porsche wheel bolts
specially designed for this vehicle type.
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