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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.
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314
Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
Replacing the batteryThe service life of the battery is subject to normal
wear; it depends greatly on care, climatic condi-
tions, and driving conditions (distances, loads).
fOnly use an original Porsche battery, with the
correct part number, as a replacement. Only
this battery meets the specific requirements of
the vehicle.
fPlease observe the disposal instructions for
batteries.
Battery chargingAutomotive batteries loose their efficiency when
not in use. The charge available in your battery can
be measured with a battery hydrometer. We rec-
ommend that the battery voltage be tested by
your Porsche dealer who has the appropriate
equipment.
If the car is not driven for prolonged periods, the
battery must be charged at least every 6 weeks.
A discharged battery allows rapid formation of sul-
fates, leading to premature deterioration of the
plates.
Danger!
Hydrogen gas generated by the battery
could cause an explosion, resulting in severe
personal injuries.
fCharge battery in a well ventilated area.
fNever charge a frozen battery. It may explode
because of gas trapped in the ice. Allow a fro-
zen battery to thaw out first.
fIf you get electrolyte, which is an acid, in your
eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with
cold water for several minutes and call a doc-tor.
Note
Your authorized Porsche dealer will be pleased to
advise you about a suitable charger.Slow battery charging
1. Pay attention to all warnings and follow instruc-
tions that come with your battery charger.
2. When charging, ensure adequate ventilation.
3. Remove battery.
Please observe the chapter “REMOVING AND
INSTALLING BATTERY” on Page 315.
4. All vent caps should be open.The fluid level
should meet the indicator mark in each cell.
5. Ensure that charger is switched off – danger of
short circuit!
6. Connect charger cables.Charger cables must
be connected POSITIVE (+) to POSITIVE (+)
and NEGATIVE (–) to NEGATIVE (–).
7. Switch on charger. Normally, a battery should
be charged at no more than 10 percent of its
rated capacity. Rated capacity of the battery in
your vehicle is listed on the battery housing.
8. After charging, turn off charger and disconnect
charger cables.
9. Tighten the vent caps and reinstall battery.
Please observe the chapter “REMOVING AND
INSTALLING BATTERY” on Page 315.
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326
Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
Replacing the remote control
batteryNote
fPlease dispose batteries in compliance with
any and all government regulations.
If the battery in the remote control becomes too
weak, a warning will appear on the multi-purpose
display in the instrument panel.
The battery should be changed if this should be
the case.Changing the battery
1. Carefully pry out the lid on the back of the key
housing with a small screwdriver.
2. Replace battery (observe polarity).
A replacement battery is available from your
authorized Porsche dealer.
3. Replace cover and press together firmly.