Maintenance, Car Care
245
Air CleanerfPlease observe the chapter “EXERCISE
EXTREME CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR
VEHICLE” on Page 234.
Regular replacement of the filter element is part of
servicing.
fIn dusty conditions, clean the filter element
more frequently and replace if necessary.
Particle FilterThe fresh air passing through the particle filter into
the passenger compartment is virtually free of
dust and pollen.
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 filter replaced by your authorized
Porsche dealer.
Regular replacement of the filter is part of servic-
ing.
Automatic Transmission Fluid The torque converter and the transmission are lu-
bricated with Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF).
fPlease observe the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 351.
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 fill-
ing equipment.
If you suspect an oil leak in the transmission, have
your authorized Porsche dealer check it out imme-
diately.
Maintenance, Car Care
249
Fuel EconomyFuel economy will vary depending on where,
when and how you drive, optional equipment
installed, and the general condition of your
car.
A car tuned to specifications and correctly
maintained, will help you to achieve optimal
fuel economy.
fHave your vehicle tuned to specifications. Air
cleaner should be dirt free to allow proper en-
gine “breathing“.
Battery should be fully charged.
Wheels should be properly aligned.
Tires should be inflated at correct pressure.
fAlways monitor your fuel consumption.
fDrive smoothly, avoid abrupt changes in speed
as much as possible.
fAvoid jack rabbit starts and sudden stops.
fDo not drive longer than necessary in the lower
gears. Shifting into a higher gear early without
lugging the engine will help save fuel.
fProlonged “warm up“ idling wastes gas. Start
the vehicle just before you are ready to drive.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly.fSwitch off the engine if stationary for longer
periods.
fAny additional weight carried in the vehicle re-
duces fuel economy. Always keep cargo to a
minimum and remove all unnecessary items.
fOrganize your trips to take in several errands
in one trip.
fAll electrical accessories contribute to in-
creased fuel consumption.
fOnly switch on the air conditioning when neces-
sary.
fDo not drive with the Roof Transport System
mounted unless you need it.
The EPA estimated m.p.g. is to be used for
comparison purposes, actual mileage may
be different from the estimated m.p.g., de-
pending on your driving speed, weather con-
ditions and trip length. Your actual highway
mileage will probably be less than the esti-
mated m.p.g.
fPlease observe all local and national speed lim-
its.
Operating Your Porsche in other
CountriesGovernment regulations in the United States and
Canada require that automobiles meet specific
emission regulations and safety standards. There-
fore, cars built for the U.S. and Canada differ from
vehicles sold in other countries.
If you plan to take your Porsche outside the conti-
nental limits of the United States or Canada, there
is the possibility that
– unleaded fuel may not be available;
– unleaded fuel may have a considerably lower
octane rating. Excessive engine knock and se-
rious damage to both engine and catalytic con-
verters could result;
– service may be inadequate due to lack of prop-
er service facilities, tools or diagnostic equip-
ment;
– replacement parts may not be available or very
difficult to get.
Porsche cannot be responsible for the me-
chanical damage that could result because
of inadequate fuel, service or parts availabil-
ity.
If you purchased your Porsche abroad and want to
bring it back home, be sure to find out about ship-
ping and forwarding requirements, as well as cur-
rent import and customs regulations.
250
Maintenance, Car Care
Fuel
Warning!
Fuel is highly flammable and harmful to
health.
fFire, open flame and smoking are prohibited
when handling fuel.
fAvoid contact with skin or clothing.
fDo not inhale fuel vapours.
To prevent damage to the emission control
system and engine:
fNever drive the tank completely out of fuel.
fAvoid high cornering speeds after the warning lights have come on.
fPlease observe the chapter “HOW EMISSION
CONTROL WORKS” on Page 255.
fPlease observe the chapter “LEVEL GAUGE”
on Page 74.
To avoid permanent damage to the functionality of
the catalytic converters and oxygen sensors, use
only unleaded fuel.
The engine is designed to provide optimum
performance and fuel consumption if unleaded
premium fuel with 98 RON/88 MON is used.
If unleaded premium fuels with octane numbers of
at least 95 RON/85 MON are used, the en-
gine's knock control automatically adapts the igni-
tion timing.
Filler flapThe filler flap is located in the rear right wing and
is electrically opened with pull-button A in the driv-
er's door.
The pull-button is also ready for operation when
the ignition is switched off.
Fuel quality labelOpening
fOperate pull-button A in the driver's door.
The filler flap pops open.
Closing
fClose the filler flap until it clicks shut.
Maintenance, Car Care
251
Emergency unlocking
If the electrical release is faulty:
1. Open rear lid.
2. Remove lid of the right storage compartment.
3. Pull emergency release Ain the direction of
the arrow.
The filler flap pops open.
Refuelling
Danger!
The RF energy from a cellphone can cause a
sparking on bare metal, much like aluminium
foil in a microwave oven. The spark could ig-
nite gasoline fumes present while refuling.
Static discharge from your body can ignite
gasoline fumes present when you get back
out of the vehicle and touch the fuel nozzle.
In either case, resulting fire can cause seri-
ous damage to the vehicle, serious injury or
death to persons in immediate vicinity.
fDo not use a cellphone while pumping gas.
fDo not re-enter the vehicle while pumping gas.Total capacity approx. 26.4 gallons or
100 liters, including approx. 3 gallons or
12 liters reserve
1. Stop the engine and switch off the ignition.
2. Slowly unscw the tank cap.
Hang the tank cap on plastic strap A of the fill-
er flap.
3. Insert pump nozzle fully into the filler neck with
the handle of the pump nozzle facing down.
4. Do not add further fuel once the correctly op-
erated automatic pump nozzle has switched
off.
Fuel could spray or could run over when heat-
ed.
5. Replace the tank cap immediately after refuel-
ling and turn it until you hear it and feel it en-
gage.
Maintenance note
If you lose the tank filler cap, you must replace it
only with an original part.
252
Maintenance, Car Care
Fuel RecommendationsYour Porsche is equipped with catalytic convert-
ers and must use UNLEADED FUEL ONLY.
Your engine is designed to provide optimum per-
formance and fuel economy using unleaded premi-
um fuel with an octane rating of 98 RON
(93 CLC or AKI). Porsche therefore recom-
mends the use of these fuels in your vehicle.
Porsche also recognizes that these fuels may not
always be available. Be assured that your vehicle
will operate properly on unleaded premium fuels
with octane numbers of at least 95 RON
(90 CLC or AKI), since the engine's “Electronic
Oktane™ knock control“ will adapt the ignition tim-
ing, if necessary.
T h e u s e o f U N L E A D E D F U E L O N LY i s c r i t i c a l l y
important to the life of the catalytic convert-
ers. Deposits from leaded fuels will ruin the
converters and make it ineffective as an
emission control device.
Cars with catalytic converters have a smaller fuel
tank opening, and gas station pumps have smaller
nozzles. This will prevent accidental pumping of
leaded fuel into cars with catalytic converters.
Unleaded fuels may not be available outside the
continental U.S. and Canada. Therefore, we rec-
ommend you do not take your car to areas or
countries where unleaded fuel may not be avail-
able.
Octane ratingsOctane rating indicates a fuel's ability to resist det-
onation. Therefore, buying the correct octane gas
is important to prevent engine “damage“.
The RON octane rating is based on the research
method. The CLC (U.S. Cost of Living Council oc-
tane rating) or AKI (antiknockindex) octane rating
usually displayed on U.S. fuel pumps is calculated
as research octane number plus motor octane
number, divided by 2, that is written as:
The CLC or AKI octane rating is usually lower than
the RON rating:
For example: 95 RON equals 90 CLC or AKI
Fuels containing alcohol and etherSome areas of the U.S. require oxygenated fuels
during certain portions of the year. Oxygenated fu-
els are fuels which contain alcohols (such as meth-
anol or ethanol) or ether (such as MTBE).
Under normal conditions, the amount of these
compounds in the fuel will not affect driveability.
You may use oxygenated fuels in your Porsche,
provided the octane requirements for your vehicle
are met. We recommend, however, to change to a
different fuel or station if any of the following prob-
lems occur with your vehicle:
– Deterioration of driveability and performance.
– Substantially reduced fuel economy.
– Vapor lock and non-start problems, especially
at high altitude or at high temperature.
– Engine malfunction or stalling.
RON MON+
2 ----------------------------------
orRM+
2 ---------------
Maintenance, Car Care
253
Fuels containing MMTSome North American fuels contain an octane en-
hancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
If such fuels are used, your emission control sys-
tem performance may be negatively affected.
The check engine warning light on your instrument
panel may turn on.
If this occurs, Porsche recommends you stop us-
ing fuels containing MMT.
Portable Fuel Containers
Danger!
Portable fuel containers, full or partially
empty, may leak causing an explosion, or re-
sult in fire in case of an accident.
fNever carry additional fuel in portable contain-ers in your vehicle.
Fuel Evaporation ControlFuel tank ventingThe evaporation chamber and the carbon canister
prevent fuel from escaping to the atmosphere at
extreme high outside temperatures, when driving
abruptly around curves and when the car is parked
at an incline or in any other nonlevel position.Vapor control system and storageWhen the fuel tank is filled, vapors are collected in
the evaporation chamber by a vent line leading the
vapors to the carbon canister where they are
stored as long as the engine does not run.Purge systemWhen the engine is running, the fuel vapors from
the canister will be mixed with fresh air from the
ambient air of the canister. This mixture will be di-
rected to the intake air housing by the tank vent
line, mixed with the intake air and burned during
normal combustion.
254
Maintenance, Car Care
Emission Control SystemIn the interest of clean airPollution of our environment has become a prob-
lem 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 respon-
sibility to provide regular maintenance service for
the vehicle and to keep a record of all mainte-
nance work performed. To facilitate record keep-
ing, have the service performed by authorized
Porsche dealers. They have Porsche trained tech-
nicians and special tools to provide fast and effi-
cient service.To assure efficient operation of the Emission
Control System:
fHave your vehicle maintained properly and in
accordance with the recommendations de-
scribed in your Maintenance Booklet. Lack of
proper maintenance, as well as improper 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 vehi-
cle's emission control system. In addition to
serious engine damage, this can result in a fire
if excess raw fuel reaches the exhaust system.
fDo not continue to operate your vehicle if you
detect engine misfire or other unusual operat-
ing 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 oth-
er 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
255
How Emission Control WorksWhen 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. Additon-
al hydrocarbons may enter the atmosphere
through 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
equipped with a precisely calibrated fuel injection
system to assure a finely balanced air/fuel mixture
under all operating conditions.
Oxygen sensorThe 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 ventilationThrough 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 en-
gine.Catalytic convertersThe catalytic converters are efficient “clean-up“
devices built into the exhaust system of the vehi-
cle. 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 mov-
ing 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.