274
Maintenance and Car Care
WindowsThe road dust which settles on the windshield and
windows contains particles of tire rubber and oil
residue. The interior trim and upholstery release
particles, particularly in strong sunlight, which col-
lect on the insides of the windows. These deposits
are augmented by impurities in the air which
enters the car through the fresh air vents.
fClean all windows regularly, inside and outside,
with Porsche window cleaner.
fMake sure not to damage the TV antenna in the
side window when cleaning.
fIf you use a chamois leather for the windows,
do not use it for paintwork as it will otherwise
pick up a certain amount of preservative or
polish and could smear the windows and thus
impair vision.
fRemove dead insects with insect remover.
Care of wiper bladesWiper blades that are in perfect condition are vital
for a clear view.
fReplace the wiper blades twice per year
(before and after the cold season) or if wiper
performance deteriorates or the blades are
damaged.
fFor information on replacing the wiper blades:
Please see the chapter “WIPER BLADES” on
Page 261.
fPeriodically clean the wiper blades with
window cleaner, especially after the vehicle
has been washed in a car wash.
We recommend the Porsche window cleaner.
In the event of heavy soiling (e.g. insect
residue), the blades can be cleaned with a
sponge or a cloth.If the wiper blades rub or squeak, this may have
the following causes:
– If the vehicle is washed in an automatic car
wash, wax residues may adhere to the wind-
shield. These wax residues can be removed
only by using window cleaner concentrate.
fPlease see the chapter “WASHER FLUID” on
Page 258.
Please contact your authorized Porsche dealer for
further information.
– The wiper blades may be damaged or worn.
fReplace damaged or worn wiper blades as
soon as possible.
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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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276
Maintenance and Car Care
Light alloy wheelsfPlease see the chapter “AUTOMATIC CAR
WASHES” on Page 272.
Danger!
Danger of accident resulting in serious
personal injury or death if cleaning agents
(e.g. wheel cleaning agents) come into
contact with the brake discs. The resulting
film on the brake discs can impair braking
performance.
fMake sure that no cleaning agent comes into
contact with the brake discs.
fIf cleaning agent has come into contact with
the brake discs, thoroughly clean the brake
discs with a strong jet of water.
fPaying attention to any road users behind you, dry the brake discs by applying the brakes.
Pitting may occur if metallic particles which cause
contact corrosion (e.g. brass or copper in brake
dust) are allowed to remain on the aluminum too
long.
fIf possible, wash the wheels with a sponge or
wash brush about every two weeks. In areas
where road salt or grit is spread on winter
roads or there is a lot of airborne industrial
dust, it is best to clean the wheels weekly.
The Porsche Light Alloy Wheel Cleaner
(ph-value 9.5) can be used for this
purpose.If the ph-value of the detergent is
incorrect, the protective coating on the
wheels will be destroyed.
Polishes which dissolve oxides, such as those
frequently used for other metals, or abrasive
tools or agents are unsuitable because they
break down the oxide film of the protective
coating and will cause discoloration of the
wheel.
fEvery three months, after cleaning, coat the
wheels with a car wax or non-corrosive grease
(e.g. vaseline).
Using a clean cloth thoroughly rub the grease
into the surface.
Stainless steel exhaust tailpipesStainless steel exhaust tailpipes can discolor due
to soiling, strong heat, and combustion residues.
The original polish can be achieved again using
commercially available metal polishing paste or
metal polish.
Cleaning door, roof, lid and window seals
Caution!
The lubricant coating on the inner door seals
may be damaged by unsuitable cleaning and
care agents.
fDo not use any chemical cleaning agents or
solvents.
fDo not use any care agents.
fWash dirt (e.g. abrasion, dust, road salt or grit)
from all seals regularly using warm soapy
water. Do not use any chemical cleaning
agents or solvents.
fWhen there is a frost hazard, the outer door
seals and the lid seals can be protected
against freezing into place by a suitable care
product.
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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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280
Minor Repairs
Exercise Extreme Caution when
Working on your Vehicle
Danger!
Ignoring the following instructions may cau-
se serious personal injury or death.
fThe engine compartment of any motor vehicle
is a potentially hazardous area. If you are not
fully familiar with proper repair procedures, do
not attempt the adjustments described on the
following pages.
This caution applies to the entire vehicle.
fO n l y w o r k o n y o u r v e h i c l e o u t d o o r s o r i n a w e l l
ventilated area.
fEnsure that there are no open flames in the
area of your vehicle at any time when fuel
fumes might be present. Be especially
cautious of such devices such as hot water
heaters which ignite a flame intermittently.
fBefore working on any part in the engine com-
partment, turn the engine off and let it cool
down sufficiently. Hot engine compartment
components can burn skin on contact.
fBe alert and cautious around engine at all
times while the engine is running.
If you have to work on the engine while it is run-
ning, always put the parking brake on and put
the gearshift lever in neutral or the Tiptronic
selector lever in position P or N.fIn particular, be very careful to ensure that
items of clothing (ties, shirt, sleeves etc.),
jewelry, long hair, hand or fingers cannot get
caught in the engine-compartment blower, fan,
belts or other moving parts.
The radiator and radiator fans are in the front
of the car.
The fans can start or continue running as a
function of temperature, even with the engine
switched off.
Carry out work in these areas only with the
engine off and exercise extreme caution.
fYour Porsche is equipped with an electronic
ignition system. When the ignition is on, high
voltage is present in all wires connected with
the ignition system; therefore, exercise
extreme caution when working on any part of
the engine while the ignition is on or the engine
is running.
fAlways support your car with safety stands if it
is necessary to work under the car. The jack
supplied with the car is not adequate for this
purpose.
For vehicles with air suspension with level
control and height adjustment:
Please see the chapter “RAISING VEHICLE
WITH THE JACK” on Page 192.fWhen working under the car without safety
stands but with the wheels on the ground,
make sure the car is on level ground, the
wheels are blocked, and that the engine can-
not be started.
Remove the ignition key.
fDo not smoke or allow an open flame around
the battery or fuel.
Keep a fire extinguisher close at hand.
fIncomplete or improper servicing may cause
problems in the operation of the car. If in doubt
about any servicing, have it done by your
authorized Porsche dealer.
Improper maintenance during the warranty
period may affect your Porsche warranty
coverage.
fSupplies of fluids, e.g. engine oil, brake fluid or
coolant, are hazardous to your health. Keep
these fluids out of children's reach and dispose
of them in accordance with the appropriate
regulations.
fSome countries require additional tools and
special spare parts to be carried in your vehi-
cle.
Please make enquiries before driving abroad.
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Minor Repairs
285
Tire lifeTire life depends on various factors, i.e., road sur-
faces, traffic and weather conditions, driving
habits, type of tires and tire care.
fInspect your tires for wear and damage before
driving off. If you notice uneven or substantial
wear, wheels might need alignment or tires
should be balanced or replaced.Tire wearThe original equipment tires on your Porsche have
built-in tire 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 1/16 of an in (1.6 mm).
When the indicators appear in two or more adja-
cent 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.
Danger!
Driving on worn tires can result in loss of con-
trol of the vehicle and could cause serious
personal injuries or death.
fDo not drive with worn tires or tires showing
cuts or bruises as they may lead to sudden
deflation and loss of control which could cause
severe personal injury.
fSpecialized high performance tires on high
performance sport utility vehicles exhibit more
wear than those on a family sedan, or even a
high performance sedan.
Therefore, it is important to check your tire
pressure and condition at least every two weeks.
fIf you notice that tires are wearing unevenly,
consult your Porsche dealer.
Uneven wear 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 carefAvoid damaging tires and wheel rims.
fIf you must drive over a curb or other obstacle,
drive slowly and at an obtuse angle.
fCheck tires for uneven wear and damage
before driving off.
fRemove imbedded material.
fReplace worn or damaged tires immediately.
fKeep oil, fuel, brake fluid, etc. away from tires.
fReplace missing valve stem caps.
fKeep tires inflated correctly.
fWash tires when washing the vehicle. Also
clean inner side of wheels.
fDo not use abrasive cleaners when washing
the wheels.
fCheck wheel rims for corrosion.
fRemove road salt, if driving in winter.
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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
287
Parking at the curb
Danger!
Hard impacts against curbs (or traffic
islands) are dangerous and may cause hid-
den tire damage which is not noticeable until
later. Such damage can result in accidents at
high speeds causing serious personal injury
or death. Depending on the force of impact,
the edge of the rim can also be damaged.
fIf you are in doubt, have the wheel checked by
an expert, particularly if you suspect damage
on the inside.
fIf you must drive over a curb or other obstacle,
drive slowly and at an obtuse angle. Exercise care when parking along curbs.
Maintenance Note
Tire repairs are not permissible under any circum-
stances.
Wheel alignment, wheel balancingAs a precaution, have wheels with summer tires
balanced in the spring, and those with mud and
snow tires before winter. Unbalanced wheels may
affect car handling and tire life.
Only the specified weights may be used for wheel
balancing. Self-adhesive weights must not come into contact
with cleaning agents, since they could drop off.
Uneven tread wear indicates wheel imbalance. In
this event, the vehicle should be checked at an
authorized Porsche dealer.
Danger!
If, during a trip, uneven running or vibrations
occur that could be caused by damage to
tires or the car, the speed must be reduced
immediately, but without braking sharply. If
you continue your trip without having the
cause of the fault remedied, you might lose
control of your vehicle which could cause
serious personal injury or death.
fStop the vehicle and check the tires.
fIf no cause for the fault can be found, drive ca-
refully to the nearest authorized Porsche dea-ler.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitoring
(TPM) sensorsBefore changing wheels, make sure that the
wheels are compatible with your vehicle’s TPM.
fCheck this with your authorized Porsche dea-
ler.
Removing and storing tiresfAfter changing, adjust tire pressure and torque
wheel bolts diagonally.
Please see the chapter “CHANGING WHEELS”
on Page 294.
fStore tires in a cool and dry place. Rotate peri-
odically to avoid flat spots.
fAvoid contact with petrol, oil and grease.
Tires must always remain on the same side of
the vehicle.
When wheels are removed, the direction of
rotation and position of each wheel should be
marked.
Example
FR (front right), FL, RR and RL.
Wheels must always be fitted in accordance with
their marking.
The perception that tire durability and perfor-
mance are not affected by storage and age is
unfounded.
Chemical additives, which make the rubber elas-
tic, lose their effectiveness over the course of
time and the rubber becomes brittle and cracks.
Therefore, the tires, especially the spare tire,
should be inspected from time to time.
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