2005 PORSCHE BOXSTER engine oil

2Dear Owner, we would like to thank you for your purchase of a
Porsche Sports car.
Judging by the car you have chosen, you are a mo-
torist of a special breed, and you are probably no
novice when it comes to automobiles.
Remember however, as with any vehicle, you
should take time to familiarize yourself with your
Porsche and its performance characteristics. Al-
ways drive within your own unique capabilities as
a driver and your level of experience with your
Porsche. Ensure that anyone else driving your
Porsche does the same. To prevent or minimize in-
jury, always use your safety belts. Never consume
alcohol or drugs before or during the operation of
your vehicle.
This Owner’s Manual contains a host of useful in-
formation. Please take the time to read this manu-
al before you drive your new Porsche. Become fa-
miliar with the operation of your Porsche car for
maximum safety and operating pleasure. The bet-
ter you know your Porsche, the more pleasure you
will experience driving your new car.
Always keep your Owner’s Manual in the car, and
give it to the new owner if you ever sell your
Porsche. A separate Maintenance Booklet explains how
you can keep your Porsche in top driving condition
by having it serviced regularly.
A separate Warranty and Customer Informa-
tion Booklet contains detailed information about
the warranties covering your Porsche.
For U.S. only:
If you believe that your vehicle has a fault which
could cause a crash, injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to
notifying Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
(Porsche Cars N.A.).
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open
an investigation, and if it finds that a safety pro-
blem exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a
recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA
cannot become involved in individual problems
between you and your dealer, or Porsche Cars
N.A..
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1(800)424-9393 (or
366-
0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NH-
TSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washing-
ton, D.C. 20590. You can also obtain other infor-
mation about motor vehicle safety from the Hot-
line. Your car has thousands of parts and components
which have been designed and manufactured in
accordance with Porsche’s high standards of engi-
neering quality and safety.
Any alteration of the vehicle may negate or
interfere with those safety features built into
the vehicle. Modifications may be carried out
on your vehicle only if approved by Porsche.
Your Porsche is intended to be used in a safe man-
ner obeying the local laws and in the light of dri-
ving conditions faced by you, and in accordance
with the instructions provided in this Owner’s Ma-
nual.
Do not misuse your Porsche by ignoring
those laws and driving conditions, or by
ignoring the instructions in this manual.
Any alteration or misuse of the vehicle can
lead to accidents and severe or fatal person
al injuries.
The fitting of racing tires (e.g. slicks) for sporting
events is not approved by Porsche. Very high cor-
nering speeds can be achieved with racing tires.
However, the resulting transverse acceleration va-
lues would jeopardize the adequate supply of oil to
the engine.
Porsche therefore will not accept any warranty or
accept any liability for damage occurring as a re-
sult of non-compliance with this provision.

3
Regularly check your vehicle for signs of da-
mage.
Damaged or missing aerodynamic compon-
ents such as spoilers or underside panels af-
fect the driving behavior and therefore must
be replaced immediately.
Your car may have all or some of the components
described in this manual.
Should you have difficulty understanding any of
the explanations of features or equipment installed
in your vehicle, contact your authorized Porsche
dealer. He/She will be glad to assist you. Also
check with your dealer on other available options
or equipment.
Throughout this booklet, left is designated as the
driver’s side of the vehicle, and right as the pas-
senger’s side of the vehicle.
Text, illustrations and specifications in this manual
are based on the information available at the time
of printing.
It has always been Porsche’s policy to continuous-
ly improve its products. Porsche, therefore, reser-
ves the right to make changes in design and spe-
cification, and to make additions or improvements
in its product without incurring any obligation to in-
stall them on products previously manufactured.
We wish you many miles of safe and pleasurable
driving in your Porsche.
Important
For your own protection and longer service life of
your car, please follow all operating instructions
and special warnings. These special warnings use
the safety alert symbol, followed by the words
Danger, Warning and Caution. These special
warnings contain important messages regarding
your safety and/or the potential for damage to
your Porsche. Ignoring them could result in se-
rious mechanical failure or even physical injury.
fDo not alter your Porsche. Any alteration could
create dangerous conditions or defeat safety
engineering features built into your car.
fDo not misuse your Porsche. Use it safely, and
consistently with the law, according to the dri-
ving conditions, and the instructions in this ma-
nual.
Alteration or misuse of your Porsche could
cause accidents and severe or fatal personal
injuries.
Note to owners In Canada, this manual is also available in French.
To obtain a copy contact your dealer or write to: Note aux proprietaires Au Canada, ce manuel est également disponible
en francais. Pour en obtenir un exemplaire, adres-
sez-vous à votre concessionnaire ou écrivez à
l’adresse ci-dessous.
Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd.
Automobiles Porsche Canada, LTEE
5045 Orbitor Drive
Building #8, Suite 200
Mississauga, Ontario
Canada L4W 4Y4
Telephone number for customer assistance:
1-800-PORSCHE / Option 3

Controls, Instruments
11 Controls, Instruments
Before driving off .......................................... 12
Break in hints for the first
2,000 miles/3,000 kilometers ...................... 14
Keys ........................................................... 17
Security Wheel Bolts .................................... 17
Central Locking in Cars
without Alarm System................................... 19
Doors ......................................................... 25
Alarm System,
Passenger Compartment Monitoring ............. 26
Power Windows ........................................... 28
Inside mirror ................................................ 30
Automatic Anti-Glare
Interior Mirror and Door Mirrors .................... 30
Door Mirrors................................................ 31
Seat Adjustment .......................................... 34
Seat Memory ............................................... 36
Heated Seats .............................................. 38
Steering Wheel Adjustment ........................... 39
Multi-functional steering wheel....................... 40
Sun Visors................................................... 41
Safety Belts................................................. 42
Child Restraint Systems................................ 45
Key-operated airbag deactivation device ........ 46
LATCH System
Child seat bracket on the passenger’s seat .... 47
Key-operated airbag deactivation device ........ 48
Airbag Systems ........................................... 49
Clutch Pedal ................................................ 51
Parking Brake .............................................. 51
Brakes ........................................................ 52ABS Brake System
(Antilock Brake System) ................................ 55
Sport Mode ................................................. 57
Porsche Stability Management (PSM)............. 58
Porsche Active Suspension Management
(PASM) ........................................................ 61
Retractable Spoiler ...................................... 62
Parking Aids ................................................ 64
Ignition/Starter Switch with anti-theft Steering
Lock ........................................................... 67
Starting Procedures ..................................... 69
Stopping engine........................................... 70
Instrument Panel USA Models ....................... 73
Automatic Speed Control Indicator light ......... 76
Instrument Illumination.................................. 76
Trip Odometer ............................................. 77
Speedometer .............................................. 78
Changing over between
Miles / Kilometers........................................ 78
Tachometer ................................................. 79
Turn Signal Indicator Light ............................ 79
High Beam .................................................. 79
Cooling System ........................................... 80
Tiptronic ...................................................... 81
Fuel ............................................................ 82
Clock .......................................................... 83
Outside temperature .................................... 83
Check Engine Warning Light.......................... 84
Central warning light .................................... 85
Brake warning light USA ............................... 85
Brake warning light Canada .......................... 85On-Board Computer (BC)............................... 86
Light Switch .............................................. 108
Welcome Home Lighting............................. 108
Automatic Headlight Beam Adjustment......... 109
Turn Signal/ Headlight Dimmer/Parking light /
Flasher Lever............................................. 109
Windshield Wiper / Washer Lever ................ 110
Automatic Speed Control ............................ 112
Air conditioning .......................................... 114
Automatic air conditioning system ............... 117
Central and side vents................................ 120
Fresh-air intake .......................................... 120
Emergency Flasher Switch .......................... 121
Ashtray ..................................................... 122
Cigarette Lighter ........................................ 123
Sockets .................................................... 124
Interior lights ............................................. 125
Storage in the passenger compartment ....... 126
Cupholder
(holder for drinks cans and cups) ................ 128
Luggage Storage on
Engine Compartment Lid ............................. 130
Fire extinguisher ........................................ 131
Trunk Entrapment ...................................... 132
Luggage compartment lids ......................... 134
Luggage Compartment.............................. 136
Rear luggage compartment ........................ 137
Porsche Communication Management
(PCM) ........................................................ 138
Car Audio Operation/Tips ........................... 139
HomeLink .................................................. 142

12
Controls, Instruments
Dear Porsche Owner A lot has gone into the manufacture of your
Porsche, including advanced engineering, rigid
quality control and demanding inspections.
These engineering and safety features will be
enhanced by you... the safe driver... – who knows his car and all controls,
– who maintains the vehicle properly,
– who uses driving skills wisely, and always
drives within her/his own capabilities and the
level of familiarity with the vehicle.
You will find helpful hints in this manual on how to
perform most of the checks listed on the following
pages.
If in doubt, have these checks performed by your
authorized Porsche dealer.
Before driving off... Check the following items first fTurn the engine off before you attempt any
checks or repairs on the vehicle.
fBe sure the tires are inflated correctly.
Check tires for damage and tire wear.
fSee that wheel bolts are properly tightened
and not loose or missing.
fCheck engine oil level, add if necessary.
Make it a habit to have engine oil checked with
every fuel filling.
fCheck all fluid levels such as windshield was-
her and brake fluid levels.
fBe sure the vehicle battery is well charged and
cranks the engine properly.
fCheck all doors and lids for proper operation
and latch them properly.
fCheck and if necessary replace worn or cra-
cked wiper blades.
fSee that all windows are clear and unobstruc-
ted.
fCheck air intake slots and area between front
lid and windshield are free of snow and ice, so
the heater and the windshield wipers work pro-
perly. fIf a child will be riding in the vehicle, check
child seat/child seat restraint system to ensure
that restraints are properly adjusted.
fCheck all exterior and interior lights for opera-
tion and that the lenses are clean.
fCheck the headlights for proper aim, and if ne-
cessary, have them adjusted.
fCheck under the vehicle for leaks.
fBe sure all luggage is stowed securely.
Emergency equipment It is good practice to carry emergency equipment
in your vehicle.
Some of the items you should have are:
window scraper, snow brush, container or bag of
sand or salt, emergency light, small shovel, first-
aid kit, etc.

Controls, Instruments
13
In the driver’s seat... fCheck operation of the horn.
fPosition seat for easy reach of foot pedals and
controls.
To reduce the possibility of injury from the air-
bag deployment, you should always sit back as
far from the steering wheel as is practical,
while still maintaining full vehicle control.
fAdjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
fBuckle your safety belts.
fCheck operation of the foot and parking brake.
fCheck all warning and indicator lights with
ignition on and engine not running.
fStart engine and check all warning displays for
warning symbols.
fNever leave an idling car unattended.
fLock doors from inside, especially with child-
ren in the car to prevent inadvertent opening of
doors from inside or outside.
Drive with doors locked.
On the road... fNever drive after you have consumed alcohol
or drugs.
fAlways have your safety belt fastened.
fAlways drive defensively.
Expect the unexpected.
fUse signals to indicate turns and lane changes.
fTurn on headlights at dusk or when the driving
conditions warrant it.
fAlways keep a safe distance from the vehicle in
front of you, depending on traffic, road and
weather conditions.
fReduce speed at night and during inclement
weather.
Driving in wet weather requires caution and re-
duced speeds, particularly on roads with stan-
ding water, as the handling characteristics of
the vehicle may be impaired due to hydropla-
ning of the tires.
fAlways observe speed limits and obey road
signs and traffic laws.
fWhen tired, get well off the road, stop and take
a rest. Turn the engine off. Do not sit in the ve-
hicle with engine idling.
fPlease observe the chapter “ENGINE EX-
HAUST” on Page 8.fWhen parked, always set the parking brake.
Move the Tiptronic selector lever to ”P“ or the
gearshift lever to reverse or first gear.
On hills also turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
fWhen emergency repairs become necessary,
move the vehicle well off the road. Turn on the
emergency flasher and use other warning de-
vices to alert other motorists. Do not park or
operate the vehicle in areas where the hot ex-
haust system may come in contact with dry
grass, brush, fuel spill or other flammable ma-
terial.
fMake it a habit to have the engine oil checked
with every fuel filling.
Danger!
Danger of fire in engine compartment due to
burning cigars or cigarettes.
fDo not throw any lit cigars or cigarettes out of
the vehicle.
They can be blown into the air inlets by the air
flow and cause a fire in the engine compart-
ment.
fPlease observe the chapter “ASHTRAY” on Page 122.

14
Controls, Instruments
Break in hints for the first
2,000 miles/3,000 kilometers The following tips will be helpful in obtaining opti-
mum performance from your new Porsche.
Despite the most modern, high-precision manufac-
turing methods, it cannot be completely avoided
that the moving parts have to wear in with each
other. This wearing-in occurs mainly in the first
2,000 miles/3,000 km. Therefore: fPreferably take longer trips.
fAvoid frequent cold starts with short-distance
driving whenever possible.
fAvoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops.
fDo not exceed maximum engine speed of
4,200 rpm (revolutions per minute).
fDo not run a cold engine at high rpm either in
Neutral or in gear.
fDo not let the engine labor, especially when dri-
ving uphill. Shift to the next lower gear in time
(use the most favorable rpm range).
fNever lug the engine in high gear at low
speeds. This rule applies at all times, not just
during the break-in period. fDo not participate in motor racing events,
sports driving schools, etc. during the first
2,000 miles/3,000 kilometers.
There may be a slight stiffness in the steering,
gear-shifting or other controls during the break-in
period which will gradually disappear.
Break in brake pads and break discsNew brake pads and discs have to be “broken in”,
and therefore only attain optimal friction when the
car has covered several hundred miles or km.
The slightly reduced braking ability must be com-
pensated for by pressing the brake pedal harder.
This also applies whenever the brake pads and
brake discs are replaced. New tires New tires do not have maximum traction. They
tend to be slippery.
fBreak in new tires by driving at moderate
speeds during the first 60 to 120 miles/100 to
200 km. Longer braking distances must be an-
ticipated.
Engine oil consumption During the break-in period oil consumption may be
higher than normal.
As always, the rate of oil consumption depends on
the quality and viscosity of oil, the speed at which
the engine is operated, the climate and road con-
ditions, as well as the amount of dilution and oxi-
dation of the lubricant.
fMake a habit of checking engine oil with every
fuel filling, add if necessary.

Controls, Instruments
97
OIL
Display and measurement of the engine
oil level
Caution!
Risk of engine damage.
fRegularly check the oil level after refuelling.
fDo not allow the oil level to fall below the mini-mum mark.
Conditions for measuring the oil level
1. It is important to ensure that the vehicle is
horizontal for correct oil level measurement
to occur.
2. Engine is off.
3. Ignition on.Oil return time
Before the oil level is measured, the engine oil has
to have flowed back into the oil pan.
The time taken for the engine oil to flow back de-
pends on the engine temperature and how long
the engine has been stopped.
This waiting time is counted down in the on-board
computer display when the ignition is switched on.
The oil level display segments start to “cycle”.
fIt is best to measure the engine oil level before
embarking on a journey (if the vehicle has not
been driven for an extended period) or with the
engine at operating temperature. Shorter wait-
ing times are achieved in this way.Initiating oil level measurement
fSwitch ignition on (do not start the engine).
The engine-oil level measurement display ap-
pears in the on-board computer.
fAllow waiting time to elapse.
fOnce the measurement has been completed,
you can read off the engine oil level on the seg-
ment display.
– If the segments are filled in up to the top line,
the oil level has reached the maximum mark.
fUnder no circumstances add engine oil.

98
Controls, Instruments – If the bottom segment is filled in, the oil level
has reached the minimum mark.
fAdd engine oil immediately.
– If the segment flashes, the oil level has
dropped to below the minimum mark.
fAdd engine oil immediately.
The difference between the minimum and maxi-
mum marks on the segment display is approx.
1.2 liters.
Each segment of the display corresponds to ap-
prox. 0.4 liter.
fAdd engine oil if necessary.
Please observe the chapter “ENGINE OIL LE-
VEL” on Page 173.
Before adding oil, switch ignition off.
fNever add more engine oil than required
to reach the maximum mark.Oil level measurement during refuelling
The oil level is automatically measured during re-
fuelling.
Preconditions
1. Ignition is switched off.
2. If the engine is at operating temperature, at
least 5 minutes must elapse between parking
the vehicle and starting the engine.
3. Refuelling completed within 15 minutes.
When the ignition is switched on, the engine oil lev-
el is shown on the segment display.
Measurement will be stopped if the above require-
ments are not met.
fStart oil level measurement in the “OIL“ menu
or
fStart oil level measurement by switching on
the ignition.
Failure
A failure of the oil level display is indicated by a
warning message in the on-board computer.The oil level measurement can also be
initiated in the “OIL” menu:
Switching on selection field “D”
fPush operating lever forward.
Initiating measurement
fSelect “OIL” with the operating lever.
fPush operating lever forward.
fSelect “Start” and push the operating lever for-
ward.
Measurement is started.