Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
283
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.
Tire damage, puncturefPlease observe the chapter “HIGH-PRESSURE
CLEANING UNITS” on Page 266.
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death.
Driving the vehicle with low tire pressure
increases increases risk of a tire failure and
resulting loss of control. Furthermore, low
tire pressure 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 for-
eign objects stuck in the tread. Replace a dam-
aged 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 Por-sche 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.
If one faulty tire is replaced it should be noted that
the difference in tread depth on one axle must not
exceed 30%. Handling inconsistencies may result.
fPerform a visual inspection if necessary.
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Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
Removing and storing tiresfAfter changing, adjust tire pressure and torque
wheel bolts diagonally.
Please observe the chapter “CHANGING
WHEELS” on Page 294.
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.
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.Note
Under no circumstances should tires older than
6 years be used on your Porsche.
The age of the tire can be obtained from the “DOT“
code number. If, for example, the last three num-
bers read 1204, then the tire was produced in the
12th week of 2004.
fStore tires in a cool and dry place.
fRotate periodically to avoid flat spots.
Snow tiresThe installation of Porsche approved winter tires is
recommended.
Use Porsche approved winter tires for grip on
snow and ice. For optimum performance, stud-
ding can be considered.
Check with your local Motor Vehicle Bureau for
possible restrictions.
Danger!
Risk of loss of control and damage to the
vehicle as well as serious personal injury or
death.
The standard tires profile and rubber mixture
are optimized for wet and dry driving condi-
tions, and may not prove favorable for snow
conditions.
fInstall winter tires before driving in such condi-tions.
Before mounting winter tires, consult with your
Porsche dealer. He has the technical information
necessary to advise you on wheel and tire compat-
ibility.
S n o w t i re s s h o u l d h a v e t h e s a m e l o a d c a p a c i t y a s
original equipment tires and should be mounted on
all four wheels.
Winter tires with studs should be run at moderate
speeds when new in order to give the studs time
to settle.
Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
287
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death.
Driving the vehicle with low tire pressure
increases increases risk of a tire failure and
resulting loss of control. Furthermore, low
tire pressure increases rate of wear of the
affected tires and cause damage.
Tires with badly worn treads and studs are
very dangerous and could cause accidents
resulting in serious personal injuries or
death.
fMake sure they are replaced immediately.
fDo not exceed the winter tire speed rating.
Snow tires do not have the same degree of trac-
tion on dry, wet or snowfree roads as normal tires.
Furthermore, snow tires wear rapidly under these
conditions.
Winter tires do not fulfill their purpose if the tread
depth is less than 5/32 in. (4 mm).
Comply with all state and local laws govern-
ing snow tire and tread depth requirements.
Danger!
Risk of accident and serious personal injury
or death due to excessive speed.
fAlways check the maximum speed rating on
the tire sidewall on any tire on the vehicle.
fNever exceed the maximum speed rating of the tires.
Wheel change
fWhen wheels are removed, mark the direction
of rotation and position of each wheel.
Example: FR (front right), FL, RR and RL.
fAlways fit the wheels in accordance with the
markings.
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289
Example of InscriptionInscription on radial tireATire size
Example: P 255/55R18 109 Y
–P - The tire is designed for Passenger vehicle.
This information is not included on all tires.
–255 - Indication of tire width in mm
–55- Indication of tire height to tire width ratio
in percent
–R- Belt type code letter for radial–18 - Indication of rim diameter in inches
–109 - Load capacity coefficient
–Y - Speed code letter
B TIN (Tire Identification Number)
Example: DOT xx xx xxxx xxxx
–DOT
The DOT symbol indicates that the tires com-
ply with the requirements of the US Depart-
ment of Transportation and provides informa-
tion about:
– first two-digit code means manufacture’s iden-
tification mark.
– second two-digit code means tire size.
– third four-digit code means tire type code.
– fourth four-digit code means date of manufac-
ture.
If, for example, the last four numbers read
1204, the tire was produced in the 12th week
of 2004.
C Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers in the tread and sidewalls
and their material composition.
D Maximum permissible inflation pressure
The maximum permissible cold inflation pressure
to which a tire can be inflated.
fDo not exceed the permissible inflation pres-
sure.
E Maximum Load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and pounds can
be carried by the tire. If you replace tires always
use a tire that has the same maximum load rating
as the factory installed tire.
F Term of tubeless or tube tire
Identification for tubeless tires.
GRadial
The identification indicates if the tire has radial
structure.
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291
JackThe jack is located in tool box A under the load-
space floor.
fPlease observe the chapter “OPENING LOAD-
SPACE FLOOR” on Page 186.
Warning!
The jack must be used only to raise the car
for wheel changing.
The jack must never be used as a support to
work underneath the vehicle. If the jack is
accidentally dislodged, you or bystanders
could suffer severe personal injury.
fNever jack up other vehicle or other loads with
the jack.
fAlways place the car on stable supports if you
have to work under the car.
When working under the vehicle, always use
safety stands specifically designed for this pur-pose.
Tool KitTool box A and compressor B with pressure tester
on non-air suspension vehicles are located under
the cargo area.
Notes on operation
The screwdriver is located in the handle of the
wheel bolt wrench.
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293
CompressorOn vehicles without level-control systems, there is
an additional compressor with pressure tester
under the loadspace floor.
On vehicles with level control, you can use the
compressor of the level-control system to fill the
tires.
The filler hose required for this purpose can be
found under the left rear seat.
fPlease observe the chapter “FOLDING REAR
SEATS FORWARD” on Page 37.
fPlease observe the chapter “INFLATING TIRES
ON VEHICLES WITHOUT AIR SUSPENSION” on
Page 303.
Wheel BoltsfAlways clean the wheel bolts before installing.
Maintenance note
fWheel bolts must not be greased.
fReplace damaged wheel bolts.
Only use the original Porsche wheel bolts spe-
cially designed for this vehicle type.Tightening torque
Tightening torque of the wheel bolts 118 ftlb.
(160 Nm).
Security wheel boltsThe adapter (wrench socket) for the security
wheel bolts is located in the tool box.
To loosen or tighten the wheel bolt with anti-theft
protection, the adapter must be used between the
wheel bolt and the wheel bolt wrench.
fWhen positioning the wrench socket, ensure
that it engages fully in the teeth of the wheel
bolt.
Note on operation
If the wheels have to be removed at the workshop,
please do not forget to hand over the socket for
the security wheel bolts along with the car key.
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Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
A- Filler bottle
B- Filler hoseTire sealantThe tire sealant can be used to seal small cuts,
especially in the tire tread.
Sealing the tire with the tire sealant is only an
emergency repair, so you can drive to the next
workshop. Even with the tire air-tight, it may be
used only for short journeys in an emergency.On vehicles without level control, the tire sealant
and a compressor with pressure tester can be
found under the cargo floor in the luggage com-
partment.
The tire sealant comprises:
– A filler bottle
– A filler hose
– A valve turner and
– A spare valve insert.
Danger!
Risk of accident.
fUse the tire sealant only in the case of cuts or
punctures no larger than 0.15 in. (4 mm).
fNever use the tire sealant if the rim is dam-aged.
Warning!
The sealant is highly flammable and harmful
to health.
fFire, naked flame and smoking are prohibited
when handling tire sealant.
fAvoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
fKeep tire sealant away from children.
fDo not inhale vapours.
In case of contact with the sealant:
fIf sealant gets on the skin or in the eyes,
thoroughly rinse the affected part of the body
off without delay.
fChange soiled clothing immediately.
fVisit a doctor immediately in the event of an
allergic reaction.
fIf sealant was swallowed, thoroughly rinse out
the mouth without delay and drink plenty of
water.
Do not induce vomiting.
See a doctor immediately.
Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
297
A- Filler bottle
B- Filler hose
C- Plug of the filler hose
D-Valve turner
E-Valve insert
F- Tire valveInserting sealant
1. Leave the object that caused the puncture in
the tire.
2. Remove sealant and the enclosed sticker from
the luggage compartment.
3. Adhere the sticker in the driver's field of vision.
4. Shake filler bottle A.5. Screw filler hose B onto the filler bottle.
The filler bottle is now open.
6. Unscrew valve cap from tire valve F.
7. Remove valve insert E from the tire valve with
valve turner D.
Keep the valve insert in a clean and dry place.
8. Remove plug C of the filler hose B.
9. Push filler hose onto the tire valve.
10.Hold filler bottle higher than the level of the tire
valve and press it together forcefully until the
bottle is completely emptied into the tire.
11.Pull filler hose off the tire valve.
12.Twist the valve insert firmly into the tire valve
using the valve turner.
13.Inflate the tire.
Set the prescribed tire pressure.
Please observe the chapter “TIRE PRES-
SURES, COLD” on Page 361.
Please observe the chapter “TIRE SEALANT/
SEALING SET” on Page 92.
14.Screw valve cap onto the tire valve.
15.Check the tire pressure after driving for around
10 minutes.
If the tire pressure is less than 22 psi (1.5 bar),
do not continue driving.
If a value of more than 22 psi (1.5 bar) is indi-
cated, correct the pressure to the prescribed
value.16.Please consult your authorized Porsche
dealer.
Care Instructions
After drying, any sealant that emerges can be
peeled off like a film.
Warning!
Risk of accident.
fHave the tire replaced by a specialist work-
shop as soon as possible.
fAvoid hard acceleration and high cornering
speeds.
fDo not exceed maximum speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
fPlease always observe the safety and operat-
ing instructions, which can be found in the sep-
arate operating instructions for the sealant and on the compressor.