2006 PORSCHE BOXSTER Owners Manual

Maintenance, Car Care
201
How Emission Control Works When 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. Addito-
nal hydrocarbons may enter the atmosphere th-
rough 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 equip-
ped with a precisely calibrated fuel injection sys-
tem to assure a finely balanced air/fuel mixture un-
der all operating conditions.
Oxygen sensor The 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 ventilation Through 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 engi-
ne. Catalytic converters The catalytic converters are efficient ”clean-up“
devices built into the exhaust system of the vehic-
le. 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 mo-
ving 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.

202
Maintenance, Car Care
Fuel Evaporation Control Fuel tank venting The 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 storage When 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 system When 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.
Washer Fluid The reservoir, with a blue screw cap, is in the front
luggage compartment, to the rear left. Capacity – Without headlight cleaning system:
approximately 2.5 liters.
– With headlight cleaning system:
approximately 6 liters. Adding washer fluid
Clean water is generally not enough to clean the
windshield and headlights.
It is advantageous to add a winter cleaner giving
antifreeze protection or a suitable summer clea-
ner, depending on the season. Follow the instruc-
tions for the mixing ratio.
fDo not use engine coolant anti-freeze or any
other solution that can damage the car’s paint,
in the washer reservervoir.
1. Please follow all the information on the contai-
ner of the cleaning agent.
2. Undo the cap (arrow).
3. Top up the washer fluid and carrefully replace
the cap.
If less than 0.5 liter remains, a warning message
appears on the on-board computer.
fAdd washer fluid.
Warning light

Maintenance, Car Care
203
Opening Engine Compartment Lid Moving convertible top to service position 1. Open or close the convertible top far enough
so that it is approximately 60 cm away from
the windshield frame.
Please observe the chapter “CONVERTIBLE
TOP” on Page 170.
2.Withdraw the ignition key so that the con-
vertible top cannot be operated unintenti-
onally. 3. Pull off the two upper ball heads of the tension
ropes (arrow).4. Unclip fabric covering from the two holders (ar-
row) downwards.

204
Maintenance, Car Care 5. Fold rear part of the convertible top forward
(arrow). Press upper part of the rear window
down when doing this. 6. Undo Velcro fastening strip of the restraining
strap. 7. Engage restraining strap in the convertible top
guide.

Maintenance, Car Care
205
Disengaging luggage net fOn vehicles with luggage net, unhook the
hooks on both sides of the roll-over bar (ar-
row).
Removing storage box fOn vehicles with BOSE High End sound pa-
ckage, disconnect the electrical plug connec-
tion of the loudspeakers.
To do this, press the securing levers (small ar-
rows) at the sides.
The plug connection is fastened on the outer
right side of the roll-over bar. fOpen turn-locks A of the storage box and pull
out by approx. 1.5 cm until they engage.
Take out storage box to the rear.
Removing carpet covering fOpen turn-locks B of the carpet covering.
Remove carpet covering.
On vehicles with luggage net, the two front turn-
locks also have to be opened.

206
Maintenance, Car Care
Removing engine compartment lid 1. Withdraw the ignition key so that the convertib-
le top cannot be operated unintentionally.
fOpen all 5 catches of the engine compartment
lid with an Allen key.
fRemove engine compartment lid.
Warning!
Risk of intoxication. Exhaust or fumes from
the engine compartment could enter the
passenger compartment.
fDo not drive with the engine compartment lid open.
Closing Engine Compartment Lid 1. Withdraw the ignition key so that the convertib-
le top cannot be operated unintentionally.
Warning!
Risk of intoxication. Exhaust or fumes from
the engine compartment could enter the
passenger compartment.
fMake sure that the engine compartment lid clo-ses tightly and all catches are fully locked.
2. Put on engine compartment lid.
Fully lock all 5 catches of the engine compart-
ment lid with an Allen key.
3. Put on carpet covering.
Lock turn-locks of the carpet covering.
Vehicles with luggage net: 4 turn-locks.
Vehicles with storage box: 2 turn-locks.
4. Push storage box under the supplemental safe-
ty bar from behind.
Press down and lock turn-locks of the storage
box.
5. On vehicles with BOSE High End sound pa-
ckage, connect the electrical plug connection
of the loudspeakers. 6. Disengage the retaining strap and fasten it at
t h e re a r p a r t o f th e c onvertible top with the Vel-
cro fastening strip.
7. Fold down rear part of the convertible top.
8. Clip fabric covering into both holders.
9. Engage both lower ball heads of the tension ro-
pes.
10.Open or close convertible top.
Please observe the chapter “CONVERTIBLE
TOP” on Page 170.
Engine compartment lid behind the seats An additional lid for assembly and servicing work
is located under the carpet behind the seats.

Maintenance, Car Care
207
Power Steering
Warning!
Risk of accident.
When the engine is stopped (e.g. when on
tow) or the power steering has failed there is
no steering assistance.
Therefore, substantially more force will have
to be exerted in order to steer.
fExercise great care when being towed.
fHave the fault remedied at your nearest autho-rized Porsche dealer. Note
The flow noise heard at full steering lock is design-
related and does not indicate a defect in the stee-
ring system.
Checking hydraulic fluid fPlease observe the chapter “EXERCISE EXTRE-
ME CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VE-
HICLE” on Page 184.
The hydraulic fluid reservoir is located in the engi-
ne compartment.
fOnly use hydraulic fluid authorized by Porsche.
fPlease observe the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 286.
fCheck the fluid level with the engine stopped
and cold (approximately 68°F/20°C).
1. Open the engine compartment lid.
Please observe the chapter “OPENING ENGINE
COMPARTMENT LID” on Page 203.
2. Open the reservoir cap.
3. Wipe measuring rod.
Close lid and reopen. The fluid level should lie
in the area below the ”Cold“ marking.
Add hydraulic fluid if necessary.
4. Close cap carefully.
Close engine compartment lid.
Noticeable loss of fluid indicates leakage in the
system.
The cause should be remedied immediately at an
authorized Porsche dealer.

208
Maintenance, Car Care
Air Filter The air filter is on the left-hand side of the engine
compartment.
A dirty air filter not only reduces engine perfor-
mance, but can lead to premature engine wear.
Regular filter replacement is part of the routine
maintenance service.
fIn dusty conditions, check the filter element
more frequently and replace if necessary. Combination filterThe fresh air passing through the combination
filter into the passenger compartment is virtually
free of dust, pollen, and unpleasant odours.
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 the filter replaced by an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Regular filter replacement is part of servicing.
Automatic Transmission Fluid The torque converter and the transmission are lu-
bricated with Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF).
The final drive requires transmission oil.
fPlease observe the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 286.
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 fil-
ling equipment.
If you suspect an oil leak in the transmission, have
your authorized Porsche dealer check it out imme-
diately.
Manual Transmission Oil The transmission oil has to be checked and chan-
ged at the intervals listed in your Maintenance
Schedule.
fPlease observe the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 286.
We recommend that you have the transmission oil
changed at your Porsche dealer, who has the re-
quired lubricants and the necessary filling equip-
ment.
If you suspect an oil leak in the transmission, have
your authorized Porsche dealer check it out imme-
diately.