2005 PORSCHE BOXSTER air condition

182
Maintenance, Car Care
Emission Control System In the interest of clean air Pollution of our environment has become a pro-
blem that is of increasing concern to all of us. We
urge you to join us in our efforts for cleaner air in
controlling the pollutants emitted from the auto-
mobile.
Porsche has developed an emission control sys-
tem that controls or reduces those parts of the
emission that can be harmful to our environment.
Your Porsche is equipped with such a system.
Porsche warrants the Emission Control System in
your new car under the terms and conditions set
forth in the Warranty Booklet.
You, as the owner of the vehicle, have the
responsibility to provide regular maintenance ser-
vice for the vehicle and to keep a record of all
maintenance work performed. To facilitate record
keeping, have the service performed by authori-
zed Porsche dealers. They have Porsche trained
technicians and special tools to provide fast and
efficient service.
To assure efficient operation of the
Emission Control System fHave your vehicle maintained properly and in
accordance with the recommendations descri-
bed in your Maintenance Booklet.
Lack of proper maintenance, as well as impro-
per use of the vehicle, will impair the function
of the emission control system and could lead
to damage.
fDo not alter or remove any component of the
emission control system.
fDo not alter or remove any device, such as
heat shields, switches, ignition wires, valves,
etc., which are designed to protect your vehic-
le’s emission control system.
In addition to serious engine damage, this can
result in a fire if excess raw fuel reaches the ex-
haust system.
fDo not continue to operate your vehicle if you
detect engine misfire or other unusual opera-
ting conditions.
Parking
Warning!
Danger of fire.
fDo 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.
fIf your car catches on fire for any reason, call
the fire department.
Do not endanger your life by attempting to put out the fire.
Undercoating
Danger!
Danger of fire and serious personal injuries
or death.
fDo not apply additional undercoating or rust-
proofing on or near the exhaust manifold, ex-
haust pipes, catalytic converters or heat
shields. During driving the substance used for undercoating could overheat and ignite.

Maintenance, Car Care
183
How Emission Control Works When an automobile engine is running, it uses en-
ergy generated through the combustion of a mix-
ture of air and fuel. Depending on whether a car is
driven fast or slowly or whether the engine is cold
or hot, some of the fuel (hydrocarbons) may not
be burned completely, but may be discharged into
the engine crankcase or exhaust system. Addito-
nal hydrocarbons may enter the atmosphere th-
rough evaporation of fuel from the fuel tank. These
hydrocarbons (HC), when released into the air,
contribute to undesirable pollution.
In addition, carbon monoxide (CO) and oxides of
nitrogen (NOx) contribute to engine emissions.
They, too, are formed during the combustion pro-
cess and discharged into the exhaust system.
To reduce these pollutants, your Porsche is equip-
ped with a precisely calibrated fuel injection sys-
tem to assure a finely balanced air/fuel mixture un-
der all operating conditions.
Oxygen sensor The oxygen sensor, installed in the exhaust pipe
continuously senses the oxygen content of the ex-
haust and signals the information to an electronic
control unit. The control unit corrects the air/fuel
ratio, so the engine always receives an accurately
metered air/fuel mixture. Crankcase ventilation Through crankcase ventilation, undesirable emis-
sions from the engine crankcase are not permit-
ted to reach the outside atmosphere. These emis-
sions are recirculated from the crankcase to the
air intake system. From here the emissions mix
with the intake air and are later burned in the engi-
ne. Catalytic converters The catalytic converters are efficient ”clean-up“
devices built into the exhaust system of the vehic-
le. The catalytic converters burn the undesirable
pollutants in the exhaust gas before it is released
into the atmosphere.
The exclusive use of unleaded fuel is critical-
ly important for the life of the catalytic con-
verters. Therefore, only unleaded fuel must
be used. The catalytic converters will be damaged by:
– push or tow starting the vehicle,
– misfiring of the engine,
– turning off the ignition while the vehicle is mo-
ving or
– driving until the fuel tank is completely empty,
– by other unusual operating conditions.
fDo not continue to operate your vehicle under
these conditions, since raw fuel might reach
the catalytic converters. This could result in
overheating of the converters. Federal law pro-
hibits use of leaded fuel in this car.

190
Maintenance, Car Care
Air Filter The air filter is on the left-hand side of the engine
compartment.
A dirty air filter not only reduces engine perfor-
mance, but can lead to premature engine wear.
Regular filter replacement is part of the routine
maintenance service.
fIn dusty conditions, check the filter element
more frequently and replace if necessary. Combination filterThe fresh air passing through the combination
filter into the passenger compartment is virtually
free of dust, pollen, and unpleasant odours.
fIf the outside air is polluted by exhaust fumes,
press the circulating-air button.
A dirty filter can be the cause of reduced air
throughput:
fHave the filter replaced by an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Regular filter replacement is part of servicing.
Automatic Transmission Fluid The torque converter and the transmission are lu-
bricated with Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF).
The final drive requires transmission oil.
fPlease observe the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 266.
Do not tow the car or run the engine without ATF
in the transmission. The automatic transmission
may be damaged by even a tiny speck of dirt, only
a clean funnel or spout must be used when adding
AT F.
The ATF and transmission oil has to be checked
and changed at the intervals listed in your Mainte-
nance Schedule.
We recommend that you have the ATF and trans-
mission oil changed at your Porsche dealer, who
has the required lubricants and the necessary fil-
ling equipment.
If you suspect an oil leak in the transmission, have
your authorized Porsche dealer check it out imme-
diately.
Manual Transmission Oil The transmission oil has to be checked and chan-
ged at the intervals listed in your Maintenance
Schedule.
fPlease observe the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 266.
We recommend that you have the transmission oil
changed at your Porsche dealer, who has the re-
quired lubricants and the necessary filling equip-
ment.
If you suspect an oil leak in the transmission, have
your authorized Porsche dealer check it out imme-
diately.

Maintenance, Car Care
193
Convertible top
fNever remove snow and ice using a sharp
edged object.
Incorrect care and treatment can damage the con-
vertible top and cause leaks. Any repair work can
be done by your authorized Porsche dealer.
Important note
No folding top is 100% leak proof.
Due to the constant changing of loads and strains
to which a car is subject to when driving on roads,
minor wind noise and seepage at joints between
the top, body and doors on convertible tops can-
not be completely sealed in certain areas. There-
fore small leaks are considered normal for these
models. In addition, your convertible top should
not be washed in a car wash. The top may experi-
ence damage by the brushes or may experience
leaks due to the high pressure water streams di-
rected in areas which would not encounter water
in normal driving conditions. Cleaning
Caution!
Risk of damage due to the cleaning jet of the
high-pressure cleaning equipment or hot wax
treatment.
fDo not clean the convertible top with high-
pressure cleaning equipment.
fDo not use the hot wax treatment.
Do not wash the convertible top each time the car
is washed.
It is usually sufficient to spray or wash it with clean
water.
fBrush dust off the convertible top in the direc-
tion of the weave using a soft brush.
fOnly if there is heavy dirt, wet the convertible
top with lukewarm water and the Porsche
Wash-Shampoo & convertible-top cleaner,
using a sponge or soft brush, and rub gently.
Rinse Wash-Shampoo & convertible-top clea-
ner thoroughly off the convertible top with
clean water.
fAfter washing it, treat the convertible-top cover
at least once a year with the special Porsche
convertible-top care product.
Do not allow the convertible-top care product
to come into contact with paint or windows. If
it does, remove immediately. fIf there is leakage in the convertible-top cover
or at its seams or folds, the special Porsche
convertible-top care product can be used.
fPlease note the information on the container.
fRemove bird droppings immediately since the
acid in them will make the rubber swell and the
convertible top will become leaky.
fOpen convertible top only when it is completely
dry, otherwise damp stains and scrub marks
may occur which cannot be removed.
fTry to remove spots from the convertible-top
cover by rubbing carefully with a soft rubber
sponge.

Maintenance, Car Care
195
Paint fNever rub a dusty car with a dry cloth since
dust particles are abrasive and could dull and
damage the surface finish.
The paintwork of your car is exposed to all types
of mechanical and chemical conditions, particular-
ly climatic ones such as bright sunlight, rain, frost
and snow. Ultraviolet light, rapid changes in tem-
perature, rain, snow, industrial dust and chemical
deposits constantly attack the paint which is only
able to withstand such exposure in the long term
if it is given regular care and attention.
fDo not apply silicone polishes to the winds-
hield, windows or convertible top.
fDo not treat matt-painted components with
preservatives or polishes as this will spoil the
matte effect. Preservation
The paint surface becomes dull over time due to
weathering. It is therefore necessary to preserve
the paint regularly.
This keeps the paint shiny and elastic. Dirt is pre-
vented from adhering to the paint surface and in-
dustrial dust is prevented from penetrating the
paint.
Provided it is washed and treated with preservati-
ve regularly, the brand new finish of your car will
be retained for years to come.
fApply the Porsche paint preservative after the
car wash and polish it dry to obtain a bright fi-
nish or simply add a liquid preservative regular-
ly to the final rinse water and rub down with a
leather chamois.
Polishing
Do not resort to using Porsche polish until it beco-
mes evident that the normal preservatives no lon-
ger produce the desired finish.
Spots and stains
fRemove tar stains, grease, oil spots and dead
insects as soon as possible with Insect Remo-
ver. They can cause discoloration if allowed to
remain on the paintwork.
fWash the affected area immediately after trea-
ting it. Minor paint damage
fHave minor paint damage, such as scratches,
scores or chips caused by flying stones, re-
paired immediately by your authorized
Porsche dealer before corrosion sets in.
However, if there are already traces of corrosion,
they must first be removed carefully and tho-
roughly. Coat the area with a rust-proofing primer
and finish off with a top coat. The paint code and
color number are found on the vehicle’s tire pres-
sure plate.

196
Maintenance, Car Care
Cleaning and preserving engine
compartment The engine compartment and the surface of the
engine are treated with a corrosion-inhibitor at the
factory.
If degreasing solvents are used to clean the engi-
ne compartment or the engine is washed down,
the process almost invariably removes the corro-
sion-inhibiting coating. It is then absolutely neces-
sary to have a durable preservative applied to all
surfaces, body seams, joints and assemblies in
the engine compartment. This also applies when
corrosion-inhibitor parts are replaced.
Caution!
Risk of damage to the alternator.
fDo not point the cleaning jet directly at the al-ternator, or cover the alternator.
Effective corrosion-proofing is particularly impor-
tant 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 win-
ter to prevent salt from causing any lasting dama-
ge. A full under-body wash should also be perfor-
med at the same time.
Windows The 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 en-
ters the car through the fresh air vents.
fClean all windows regularly, inside and outside,
with Porsche window cleaner.
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 po-
lish and could smear the windows and thus im-
pair vision.
fRemove dead insects with the Porsche insect
remover.
Note
Door windows feature a water-repellent (hydropho-
bic) coating which prevents soiling of the windows.
This coating is subject to natural wear and can be
renewed.
fConsult an authorized Porsche dealer.
Wiper blades Wiper blades that are in perfekt condition are vital
for a clear view.
fReplace the wiper blades twice per year (be-
fore and after the cold season) or whenever wi-
per performance deteriorates.
fPeriodically clean the wiper blades with
Porsche window cleaner, especially after the
vehicle has been washed in a car wash.
If they are very dirty (e.g. with insect remains),
they can be cleaned with a sponge or cloth. Undercoating The 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 in-
spected at certain intervals - preferably before the
start of winter and again in spring - and the under-
coating 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 ap-
plied at the factory.

200
Maintenance, Car Care
Storing your Porsche If 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, approxi-
mately every four weeks, to prevent flat spot
on the tires. Climate control
The air conditioning system should be in good wor-
king 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 observe the chapter “BULB CHART” on
Page 239. 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.
Windows, doors, lids and top must be closed. The
air vents should be opened.

210
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Tire replacements If in doubt, contact your Porsche dealer.
Use only tire makes and types approved 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 make and with the
same specification code (e.g. “N0”, “N1”...)
can be mounted.
Before mounting new tires, check with your
Porsche dealer about the current release
status.
Use tires with “ZR” quality standards. There
are currently no standards concerning tire
strength at speeds above 150 mph (240 km/h).
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.
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). 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 especially if only rear tires are re-
placed. 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
Rubber valve stems must be replaced every time
a tire is replaced.
For metal valves, the installation and replacement
instructions must be observed.
fUse only genuine Porsche metal valves.
fProtect the valve inserts against soiling with
valve caps.
Soiled valve inserts can cause a gradual loss
of air.
fUse only plastic valve caps.
Parking at the curb
Warning!
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 severe personal injury.
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.