2005 PORSCHE BOXSTER engine oil

102
Controls, Instruments
Warnings on the instrument panel and the on-board computerIf a warning message appears, always refer to the corresponding chapters in the Owner’s Manual.
Warning messages are issued only if all measurement preconditions are met. Therefore, check all fluid levels regularly –
in particular, always check the engine oil level after refuelling.
Instrument
panelOn-board
computerText display on on-board
computerMeaning/measure
Seat belt Driver and passengers must fasten their seat
belts.
Handbrake Handbrake is still on.
Ignition key
not removed
Replace battery
in the ignition keyReplace the remote-control battery.
Ignition lock faulty,
please go to workshopHave the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Ignition lock faulty,
go to workshop immediatelyHave the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Relieve steering Relieve the steering l o c k b y m o v i n g t h e s t e e r i n g
wheel to the left or right.
Steering locked The steering wheel lock remains engaged.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Lights on

104
Controls, Instruments
Check the oil level Start engine oil level measurement in the
on-board computer.
The vehicle must be horizontal and the ignition
must be switched on.
Oil pressure too low Stop immediately at a suitable place, measure
oil level with the on-board computer and, if ne-
cessary, add engine oil.
Warning light
Temperature gau-
geEngine temperature too high Switch engine off and let it cool.
Check coolant level and, if necessary,
add coolant.
Temperature gau-
ge warning light
flashesCheck coolant level Switch engine off and let it cool.
Check coolant level and, if necessary, add
coolant.
Engine diagnostics – workshop Consult your authorized Porsche dealer.
Reduced engine performance Consult your authorized Porsche dealer.
Temperature gau-
ge warning light
flashesFailure of
engine-compartment blowerConsult your authorized Porsche dealer.
Battery/generator warning Stop at a safe place and switch the engine off.
Do not continue driving.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Oil pressure gauge faulty Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Oil level display faulty Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Oil temperature gauge faulty Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Instrument
panelOn-board
computerText display on on-board
computerMeaning/measure

Controls, Instruments
137
Rear luggage compartmentA Topping up engine oil
B Topping up coolant
C Coolant level

Maintenance, Car Care
167 Maintenance, Car Care
Exercise Extreme Caution
when Working on your Vehicle .................... 168
Wiper Blades ............................................ 169
Coolant Level ............................................ 170
Engine Oil ................................................. 172
Engine Oil Level ........................................ 173
Engine Oil Recommendation ....................... 174
Brake Fluid Level ....................................... 175
Fuel Economy ........................................... 177
Operating Your Porsche in other Countries .. 177
Fuel.......................................................... 178
Fuel Recommendations.............................. 180
Portable Fuel Containers ............................ 181
Emission Control System ........................... 182
How Emission Control Works ..................... 183
Fuel Evaporation Control ............................ 184
Washer Fluid ............................................. 184
Opening Engine Compartment Lid............... 185
Power Steering ......................................... 189
Air Filter ................................................... 190
Combination filter ...................................... 190
Automatic Transmission Fluid ..................... 190
Manual Transmission Oil ............................ 190
Car Care Instructions................................. 191

168
Maintenance, Car Care
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 fu-
mes 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 ti-
mes while the engine is running.
If work has to be performed with the engine
running, always set the parking brake, and
make sure the shift lever is in neutral or the se-
lector lever is in position P or N. fIn particular, be very careful to ensure that
items of clothing (ties, shirt, sleeves etc.), je-
welry, 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 en-
gine off and exercise extreme caution.
fYour Porsche is equipped with an electronic ig-
nition system. When the ignition is on, high vol-
tage 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.
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 in close reach.
fIncomplete or improper servicing may cause
problems in the operation of the car. If in doubt
about any servicing, have it done by your au-
thorized Porsche dealer.
Improper maintenance during the warranty pe-
riod may affect your Porsche warranty cove-
rage.
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 appro-
priate regulations.
fSome countries require additional tools and
special spare parts to be carried.
Please make enquiries before driving abroad.
Power measurements Power measurements on dynamometers are not
approved by Porsche.

170
Maintenance, Car Care
A - Coolant expansion tank cap
B - Coolant level Coolant Level fPlease observe the chapter “EXERCISE EXTRE-
ME CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VE-
HICLE” on Page 168.
The cooling system is filled at the factory with a
permanent coolant.
It provides year-round protection from corrosion
and freezing down to –31°F/–35°C.
Only use antifreeze authorized by Porsche.
Checking coolant level The expansion tank with its filler orifice is in the
rear luggage compartment.
fCheck the coolant level regularly at the trans-
parent window of the expansion tank.
When the engine is cold and the car is level the flu-
id level must lie between the “Min.” and “Max.”
markings.
Topping off coolant
Warning!
Danger of serious personal injury from scal-
ding. Coolant is hazardous to your health,
and may be fatal if swallowed.
fDo not open the cap of the expansion tank
while the engine is hot.
fAllow the engine to cool down before opening
the cap and protect your hands, arms and face
from any possible escape of hot coolant.
fKeep coolant out of children’s reach.
fAlso, keep coolant away from your pets.
They can be attracted to it should there be a
spill, or to used coolant left in an open contai-
ner. Coolant can be deadly to pets if consu-
med.
Risk of damage from overflowing coolant.
fTake care while topping off coolant not to soil the luggage compartment or items of luggage.

172
Maintenance, Car Care
Engine Oil Engine oil consumption
It is normal for your engine to consume oil.
The rate of oil consumption depends on the quality
and viscosity of oil, the speed at which the engine
is operated, the climate, road conditions as well
as the amount of dilution and oxidation of the lub-
ricant.
If the vehicle is used for repeated short trips, and
consumes a normal amount of oil, the engine oil
measurement may not show any drop in the oil le-
vel at all, even after 600 miles (1000 km) or more.
This is because the oil is gradually becoming dilut-
ed with fuel or moisture, making it appear that the
oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the
vehicle is driven at high speeds, as on an express-
way, making it then appear that oil is excessively
consumed after driving at high speeds.
If the conditions you drive your vehicle in are dus-
ty, humid, or hot, the frequency of the oil change
intervals should be greater. If the vehicle is driven at a high rate of speed, cli-
matic conditions are warm, and the load is high,
the oil should be checked more frequently, as dri-
ving conditions will determine the rate of oil con-
sumption.
– The engine in your vehicle depends on oil to lu-
bricate and cool all of its moving parts.
Therefore, the engine oil should be checked re-
gularly and kept at the required level.
– Make it a habit to have the engine oil level che-
cked with every fuel filling.
– The oil pressure warning light is not an oil level
indicator.
The oil pressure warning light indicates serious
engine damage may be occuring when lit, if en-
gine rpm is above idle speed.

Maintenance, Car Care
173
Engine Oil Level fPlease observe the chapter “EXERCISE EXTRE-
ME CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VE-
HICLE” on Page 168.
fRegularly check the oil level using the on-board
computer after the vehicle is refuelled.
Please observe the chapter “OIL DISPLAY AND
MEASUREMENT OF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL”
on Page 97.
fThe oil inlet opening is in the rear luggage com-
partment.
Topping off engine oil
Warning!
Engine oil is hazardous to your health and
may be fatal if swallowed.
fKeep engine oil out of children’s reach.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have
caused cancer in laboratory animals.
fAlways protect your skin by washing thorough-ly with soap and water. Caution!
Risk of damage from overflowing engine oil.
fTake care while checking and topping up en-
gine oil not to soil the luggage compartment or items of luggage. 1. The on-board computer indicates how much oil
must be added.
2. Unscrew cap of the oil filler opening and pull
out filling aid.
3. Add at most half a liter of engine oil at a time.
4. Measure oil level again with the on-board
computer.
5. Add more engine oil if necessary. Never add
more engine oil than required to reach the
max. mark.
6. Push filling aid in with the cap and close cap
carefully.