2009 PORSCHE 911 brake light

Mobile Roofs
189
Closing the convertible-top compartment lid
Warning!
Risk of pinching when closing the
convertible-top compartment lid.
fPlace your hands on the convertible-top compartment lid when pushing.
1. Stand behind the vehicle.
2. Grasp the convertible-top compartment lid
above the brake light and push forward against
resistance which can be felt until it is
completely closed.
Caution!
Risk of damage to the convertible top.
fAfter emergency operation, do not operate the
convertible top using the switch.
fDrive slowly to an authorized Porsche dealer in order to have the fault remedied.

212
Maintenance, Car Care
Brake Fluid LevelfPlease see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on Page 206.
fUse only new (unused) Original Porsche
brake fluid.
Warning!
Brake fluid is hazardous to your health, and
may be fatal if swallowed.
Brake fluid also attacks paintwork.
fKeep brake fluid out of children’s reach.
fTake care while topping off brake fluid not to
soil the luggage compartment or items of lug-gage.
Example: 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera SChecking the brake fluid levelThe reservoir for the hydraulic braking and clutch
systems is located in the luggage compartment.
1. Open and remove cover flap A.
2. Regularly check the brake-fluid level on the
transparent expansion tank through the
window B.
The fluid level should always lie between the
minimum and maximum marks.A slight decrease in the fluid level due to wear and
automatic readjustment of the disc brakes is
normal.
If, however, the fluid level falls markedly or below
the minimum mark, the braking system may have
developed a leak.
fHave the brake system checked without delay
at an authorized Porsche dealer.

Maintenance, Car Care
213
Changing the brake fluid Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over
time. This accumulation of water lowers the boil-
ing point and, under certain operating conditions,
can affect the braking performance.
Therefore have the brake fluid changed in accord-
ance with the change intervals stated in the
brochure “Maintenance”. – The warning lights on the instrument panel and
on the on-board computer indicate an insuffi-
cient brake fluid level.
– If the warning light lights up on the instrument
panel and the warning message appears on
the on-board computer in combination with a
larger pedal travel, a brake circuit may have
failed.
If the warning lights should light up when
driving:
fStop immediately in a suitable place.
fDo not continue driving.
Consult an authorized Porsche dealer.
Warning light USA
Warning light Canada

Maintenance, Car Care
225
Washing The best method of protecting your car from the
damaging effects of the environment is frequent
washing and the application of a preservative. The
underside of your vehicle should also be thorough-
ly washed for cinders, salt or sanding at winter’s
end.
The longer salt, road dust and industrial dust,
dead insects, bird droppings or substances from
trees (resin, pollen) are allowed to remain on the
bodywork, the more serious is their harmful ef-
fect.
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 surface
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 dry-
ing 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 brakes pull unevenly which could
increase the danger of an accident, causing
serious personal injuries or death.
fAfter washing the car, test the brakes and
steering and briefly brake the discs dry.
When doing this, take care not to hamper other
road users behind you (traffic conditions per-mitting).
Automatic car washes
fPlease see the chapter “WIPER BLADES” on
Page 223.
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:
– Convertible top (hot wax treatment cannot be
used, as the wax attacks the convertible top
material)
– Windshield wipers (always switch them off to
prevent them wiping unintentionally in intermit-
tent or sensor operation)
– External antennas (always unscrew)
– Roof Transport System (always remove com-
pletely)
– Rear spoiler
– Wheels (the wider the rim and the lower the tire
height, the greater the risk of damage)
– High-gloss wheels (to prevent these from get-
ting scratched, do not clean with the wheel-
cleaning brushes of the car wash).
fPlease consult the operator before using auto-
matic 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.

Maintenance, Car Care
229
fAlways apply a fresh coating of suitable pre-
servative to unprotected areas after cleaning
the underside of the body, the transmission,
the engine or carrying out repairs to under-
body, engine or transmission components.
Effective rust-proofing is particularly important
during the cold weather season. If your car is driv-
en frequently in areas where salt has been spread
on the roads, the whole engine compartment
should be cleaned thoroughly after the winter to
prevent salt from causing any lasting damage. A
full under-body wash should also be performed at
the same time.Stainless steel exhaust tailpipesStainless steel exhaust tailpipes can discolor due
to soiling, strong heat, and combustion residues.
The original polish can be achieved again using
commercially available metal polishing paste or
metal polish.Light alloy wheels fPlease see the chapter “WASHING” on
Page 225.
Warning!
Danger of accident resulting in serious per-
sonal injury or death if cleaning agents (e.g.
wheel cleaning agents) come into contact
with the brake discs.The resulting film on the brake discs can im-
pair braking performance.
fMake sure that no cleaning agent comes into
contact with the brake discs.
fIf cleaning agent has come into contact with
the brake discs, thoroughly clean the brake
discs with a strong jet of water.
fPaying attention to any road users behind you,
dry the brake discs by applying the brakes at
short intervals.
Metal particles (such as brass or copper in brake
dust) must not remain too long on alloy wheels.
Contact corrosion can cause pitting.
Cleaners with an oxide-removing effect or the
wrong pH value, as are commonly used for other
metals, as well as mechanical tools and products,
will damage the oxide layer and are therefore
unsuitable.
fUse only cleaners for alloy wheels
(pH value 9.5). Products with the wrong
pH value can destroy the protective layer
on the wheels.
We recommend Porsche cleaner for alloy rims.
fIf possible, wash the wheels every two weeks
with a sponge or washing brush. If the wheels
are exposed to road salt, grit or industrial dust,
weekly cleaning is necessary.
Door, roof, lid and window seals
Caution!
The lubricant coating on the inner door
seals, convertible top and hardtop seals may
be damaged by unsuitable cleaning and care
agents.
fDo not use any chemical cleaning agents or
solvents.
fDo not use any preservative agents.
fWash dirt (e.g. abrasion, dust, road salt and
grit) from all seals regularly using warm soapy
water.
fIf there is a risk of frost, protect the outer door
seals and lid seals against freezing into place
with a suitable care product.Headlights, lights, interior and exterior
plastic parts, adhesive filmsUse only clean water and a little dishwashing
detergent to clean light lenses, plastic headlight
lenses, 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.
An interior window cleaner can also be used to
clean plastic surfaces (always read the cleaning
instructions on the container). We recommend
Porsche interior window cleaner.

Practical Tips, Emergency Service
249
Changing a wheel
Warning!
Risk of serious personal injury or death. The
car may slip off the jack.
fMake sure that no one is in the vehicle when
jacking up and changing a wheel.
fAlways place the car on stable supports if work
has to be carried out under the car.
Risk of damage to the brake discs of the
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB).
fAlways screw in both assembly aids when changing a wheel.
Note
The tools required for changing a wheel (e.g. jack,
wheel bolt wrench, assembly aids) are not sup-
plied with the car.
Your authorized Porsche dealer will be pleased to
advise you.1. Apply the handbrake fully and engage 1st gear
or PDK selector-lever position P and remove
the ignition key.
2. Switch on the hazard warning lights if neces-
sary.
3. Secure the car against rolling away, e.g. by
means of wedges under the wheels on the op-
posite side.
This is particularly important on slopes.
4. Slightly slacken the wheel bolts of the wheel to
be changed.
5. Lift the car only at the specified jacking points.
6. Raise the car until the wheel lifts off the
ground.
Please see the chapter “LIFTING THE VEHICLE
WITH A LIFTING PLATFORM OR GARAGE LIFT”
on Page 254.
7. Remove 1 or 2 wheel bolts (see respective
illustration).
8. Screw in assembly aids instead of the wheel
bolts.
Screw in assembly aid for vehicles without Porsche
Ceramic Composite Brake9. Remove the remaining wheel bolts.
Note on operation
fTo remove or mount the spacers:
Please see the chapter “SPACERS 911
CARRERA, 911 CARRERA S” on Page 255.

250
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Screw in two assembly aids for vehicles with Porsche
Ceramic Composite Brake10.Take the wheel off and put a new wheel on.
Please see the chapter “WHEEL BOLTS” on
Page 248.
11.Insert wheel bolts and tighten by hand.
12.Remove assembly aids, screw in remaining
wheel bolts.
Initially tighten bolts only slightly in diagonally
opposite sequence so that the wheel
is centred.13.Inflate the tire if necessary.
Please see the chapter “TIRE PRESSURES FOR
COLD TIRES (68 °F / 20 °C)” on Page 289.
14.Lower the car fully and remove the jack.
15.Tighten wheel bolts in diagonally opposite
sequence.
fImmediately after changing a wheel, use
a torque wrench to check the prescribed
tightening torque (96 ftlb./130 Nm).
Note on operation for vehicles with
Tire Pressure Monitoring
fOn vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitoring, the
settings on the on-board computer must be
updated after the wheel change.
fPlease see the chapter “TPM TIRE PRESSURE
MONITORING” on Page 143.
Checking tire pressure with a
pressure gage1. Remove the valve stem cap from the tire.
2. Press the pressure gage onto the valve stem.
Note on operation
fDo not press too hard or force the valve stem
sideways, or air will escape.
If the sound of air escaping from the tire is
heard, reposition the pressure gage.
3. Read the tire pressure on the gage stem and
compare it to the permissble tire pressure.
This information can be found on the tire pres-
sure plate or in the chapter Technical Data.
Please see the chapter “TIRE PRESSURES FOR
COLD TIRES (68 °F / 20 °C)” on Page 289.
4. Remove the pressure gage.
fPlease see the chapter “TPM TIRE PRESSURE
MONITORING” on Page 143.

Practical Tips, Emergency Service
277
Number Plate LightChanging bulb1. Unscrew both screws A and take off the light
lens.
2. Remove defective bulb from between the
contact springs and replace.
3. Reassemble in reverse order.
Check operation of the light.
Changing Light-Emitting Diodes
and Long-Life BulbsThe following lights are equipped with light-
emitting diodes (LEDs) or long-life bulbs and
cannot be replaced individually. Replacement also
involves a greater amount of installation work.
– Side light, front,
– Daytime driving lights,
– Tail lights and
– Additional brake lights
fHave the defective light replaced at an autho-
rized Porsche dealer.