
266
Maintenance, Car Care
High-pressure cleaning units
 Warning!
High-pressure cleaning units can damage 
the following components:
–Tires
– Logos, emblems
– Painted surfaces
– Widened fenders
– Lock and latch of the removable towing attach-
ment
– Alternator, valve covers
– ParkAssist sensors
fPlease observe the operating instructions from 
the unit manufacturer.
fAlways cover the lid over the brake fluid reser-
voir prior to cleaning. Never point the cleaning 
jet directly at the lid.
fWhen cleaning with a flat-jet nozzle or the like, 
maintain a minimum distance of 21 in. 
(50 cm).fNever use high-pressure cleaning units with a 
round-jet nozzle.
A high-pressure cleaning unit with round nozzle 
will damage your vehicle. The tires are particu-
larly susceptible to damage.
fDo not point the cleaning jet directly at any of 
the aforementioned components.
WashingThe best protection for the car from the damaging 
effects of the environment is frequent washing and 
preservation. The underside of the car should also 
be thoroughly washed for cinders, salt or sanding 
at winter‘s end.
The longer salt, road dust, industrial dust, insect 
remains, bird excrement, and tree exudations (res-
in, pollen), etc. are allowed to remain on the body-
work, the more serious is their harmful effect.
New cars should be washed carefully with plenty 
of clear water to protect the new paint work.
Dark paint finishes show up the smallest of sur-
face damage (e.g. scratches) more readily than 
lighter colors.
Dark colors are also more susceptible to scratch-
ing because of the composition of their pigments 
and require particularly careful paint care.fDo not wash your car in bright sunlight or while 
the bodywork is still hot.
fWhen washing by hand, use abundant water, a 
soft sponge or wash brush and Porsche car 
shampoo.
fBegin by spraying the body thoroughly with wa-
ter to rinse away loose dirt.
fAfter washing, rinse the car with plenty of wa-
ter and then dry with a chamois leather. 
Do not use the same chamois leather for 
drying as you use for cleaning the windshield 
and windows.
 Warning!
Moisture which gets on to the brakes during 
a car wash can reduce braking efficiency or 
make the brake pull unevenly which could in-
crease the danger of an accident, causing 
serious personal injuries or death.
fAlways apply the brakes a few times after 
washing the car to test braking efficiency and 
dry the brake discs.
When doing this, take care not to hamper other 
road users behind you (traffic conditions per-mitting). 

Maintenance, Car Care
267
Automatic car washes
Optional add-on parts or parts which project be-
yond the contours of the vehicle may be damaged 
by design features (e.g. brushes) of automatic car 
washes.
The following parts are particularly 
susceptible to damage:
– Windshield wipers (always switch them off to 
prevent them wiping unintentionally in intermit-
tent or sensor operation).
– Door mirrors (always fold in).
– Roof Transport System (always remove com-
pletely).
– Spoiler.
– Wheels (the wider the rim and the lower the tire 
height, the greater the risk of damage).
fPlease consult the operator before using 
automatic car washes.
fWash and dry by hand all points not reached by 
a car wash, such as door and lid seams or 
door sills.
Note
Automatic car washes spray water at odd angles 
and high pressures, which are not seen in normal 
driving. Therefore, water can sometimes find its 
way into the passengers compartment during or 
shortly after the car wash.
Door lockfTo prevent the door lock from freezing during 
the cold season, cover the lock barrel with a 
suitable adhesive tape during washing.
fShould the locks freeze, use an ordinary de-ic-
er. 
In many cases, a well warmed key can help. 
Never use excessive force. 

Maintenance, Car Care
269
Cleaning the engine compartment
 Caution!
Risk of damage, e.g. to the alternator, paint-
ed surfaces, and the valve covers.
fNever use high-pressure cleaning units with a 
round-jet nozzle.
fAlways maintain a minimum distance of 21 in. 
(50 cm).
fAlways cover the lid over the brake fluid reser-
voir prior to cleaning with a high-pressure 
cleaner. Never point the cleaning jet directly at 
the lid.
fDo not point the cleaning jet directly at any of the aforementioned components.
Note on operation
If the car is driven off-road frequently and after 
driving on salted or gritted roads:
fClean the engine compartment regularly.
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 en-
ters 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 pol-
ish and could smear the windows and thus im-
pair vision.
fRemove dead insects with insect remover.
Wiper bladesWiper blades that are in perfect condition are vital 
for a clear view.
fReplace the wiper blades twice per year (be-
fore and after the cold season) or whenever 
wiper performance deteriorates.
fPeriodically clean 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. 

Maintenance, Car Care
271
Headlights, lights, interior and exterior 
plastic partsfUseonlyclean water and a little dishwashing 
detergent to clean headlights, lights, plastic 
parts and surfaces.
Do not clean when dry.
Use a soft sponge or a soft, lint-free cloth. 
Gently wipe the surface without applying too 
much pressure.
The Porsche inside window cleaner is also 
suitable for cleaning plastic surfaces. 
Follow the cleaning instructions on the 
container.
Never use other chemical cleaners or 
solvents.
fRinse cleaned surfaces with clear water.
Door, roof, lid and window sealsfWash dirt (e.g. abrasion, dust, road salt or grit) 
from all seals regularly using warm soapy wa-
ter. Do not use any chemical cleaning agents 
or solvents.
When 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.
In order to prevent damage to the anti-fric-
tion coating, the inner door seals must not be 
treated with care products.
Light alloy wheelsfPlease observe the chapter “AUTOMATIC CAR 
WASHES” on Page 267.
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 pur-
pose.
If the ph-value of the detergent is in-
corect, 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. 

274
Maintenance, Car Care
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 un-
der 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 pis-
ton shafts.The vehicle should be moved slight-
ly, 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 observe 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.
Windows, doors, lids and roof must be closed. 
The air vents should be opened. 

280
Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
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. Always use an 
accurate tire pressure gauge when checking 
inflation pressures.
fDo not exceed the maximum tire pressure 
listed on the tire sidewall. (Also refer to “Tech-
nical data“).
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.
fFor safety reasons, don't use tire inflating bot-tles.The tire pressure must match the prescribed 
value.
You can find information on the tire pressure:
– In the front left door aperture.
– Please observe the chapter “TIRE 
PRESSURES, COLD” on Page 361.
These values are for cold tires (68°F/20 °C).
fCheck the tire pressure at least every 
2 weeks. Always check when tires are cold.
fOn vehicles with tire pressure monitoring 
system:
Please observe the chapter “TIRE PRESSURE 
MENU” on Page 89.
When tires are warm, the tire pressure is 
increased.
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 
overheat and thus be damaged – even invisibly. 
Hidden tire damage is not eliminated by subse-
quently correcting the tire pressure.Overloading
 Danger!
Risk of personal injury, loss of control and 
damage to vehicle parts.
fDo not overload your vehicle. Be careful about 
the roof load. 
fIf loading the vehicle also correct the tire pres-
sure. Tire pressure for loaded vehicle can be 
found on the tire pressure plate and in the 
chapter technical data.
fNever exceed the specified axle load.
Overloading can shorten the service life of the 
tires and car, as well as lead to dangerous vehi-
cle reactions and long braking distances.
Damage due to overloading is not covered by the vehicle warranty.
fPlease observe the chapter “LOADING INFOR-
MATION” on Page 195.
fPlease observe the chapter “TIRE PRES-
SURES, COLD” on Page 361. 

Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
281
Example of a tire pressure plate ATire Pressure plateDepending on when your vehicle was manufac-
tured, the tire pressure plate on the driver's door 
will contain different data.
Information on the tire pressure plate A
A Seating capacity
Maximum number of vehicle occupants, includ-
ing the driver.B Vehicle load limit 
Is the maximum total weight limit specified of 
the load (passengers and cargo) for the vehi-
cle. This is the maximum weight of passengers 
and cargo that can be loaded into the vehicle. 
If a trailer is being towed, the trailer tongue 
weight must be included as part of the cargo 
load.Please observe the chapter “LOADING 
INFORMATION” on Page 195. 
C Original tire size
Size of tires mounted at the factory.
D Recommended cold tire inflation pressure
These values are for cold tires (68°F/20 °C).
E Approved tire sizes
F Size and tire pressure for the collapsible spare 
wheel
Example of a tire pressure plate BInformation on the tire pressure plate B
A Approved tire size 
B Permissible tire pressure for the front axle
C Tire pressure for fully loaded or partially 
loaded vehicle
D Permissible tire pressure for the rear axle
E Size and tire pressure for the collapsible spare 
wheel 

282
Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
Tire traction
 Warning!
When driving on wet or slushy roads, a 
wedge of water may build up between the 
tires and the road. This phenomenon is 
known as “hydroplane“ and may cause par-
tial or complete loss of traction, vehicle con-
trol or stopping ability.
fReduce speed on wet surfaces to prevent this.Tire lifeTire life depends on various factors, i.e., road sur-
faces, traffic and weather conditions, driving hab-
its, 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 reg-
ularly, abnormal tire wear can also occur.