2009 PORSCHE BOXSTER check engine oil level

Maintenance, Car Care
199
Engine Oil It is important to perform oil changes regularly in
accordance with the intervals specified in the
“Maintenance” booklet.
Engine oil consumption
It is normal for your engine to consume oil.
The rate of oil consumption depends on the quality
and viscosity of oil, the speed at which the engine
is operated, the climate, road conditions as well
as the amount of dilution and oxidation of the
lubricant.
If the vehicle is used for repeated short trips, and
consumes a normal amount of oil, the engine oil
measurement may not show any drop in the oil
level at all, even after 600 miles (1,000 km) or
more. This is because the oil is gradually becom-
ing diluted with fuel or mo isture, making it appear
that the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the
vehicle is driven at high speeds, as on an express-
way, making it then appear that oil is excessively
consumed after driving at high speeds.
If the conditions you drive your vehicle in are
dusty, humid, or hot, the frequency of the oil
change intervals should be greater. If the vehicle is driven at a high rate of speed,
climatic conditions are warm, and the load is high,
the oil should be checked more frequently, as
driving conditions will determine the rate of oil
consumption.
– The engine in your vehicle depends on oil to
lubricate and cool all of its moving parts.
Therefore, the engine oil should be checked
regularly and kept at the required level.
– Make it a habit to have the engine oil level checked at every fuel filling.
– The oil pressure warning light is not an oil level indicator.
The oil pressure warning light indicates serious
engine damage may be occuring when lit, if en-
gine rpm is above idle speed.
Engine Oil Level f Please see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on Page 196.
f Regularly check the oil level using the on-board
computer after the vehicle is refuelled.
Please see the chapter “OIL DISPLAY AND
MEASUREMENT OF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL”
on Page 157.
The difference between the minimum and maxi-
mum marks on the segment display is approx.
1.3 quarts (1.25 liters).
Each segment of the display corresponds to ap-
prox. 0.42 quart (0.4 liter).

200
Maintenance, Car Care
Topping off engine oil
Warning!
Engine oil is hazardous to your health and
may be fatal if swallowed.
f Keep engine oil out of children’s reach.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have
caused cancer in laboratory animals.
f Always protect your skin by washing thorough-ly with soap and water. Caution!
Risk of damage from overflowing engine oil.
f Take care while checking and topping up
engine oil not to soil the luggage compartment or items of luggage.
Note
The Check Engine warning light may light up if the
cap of the oil filler open ing is opened while the
engine is running.
The oil inlet opening is lo cated in the rear luggage
compartment under the service flap.
1. Measure the oil level and read off the required top-up quantity on the on-board computer.
2. Switch off the engine. 3. Open the service flap by pulling the handhold.
4. Unscrew the oil filler cap.
5. Add at most 0.5 quar ts (0.5 liter) of engine oil
at a time.
Never add more engine oil than required
to reach the max. mark.
6. Close oil filler cap until you feel it reach its end
position.
7. Measure oil level again with the on-board computer. Switch off the engine.
8. If necessary, repeat the process and add more engine oil as required.
Engine Oil RecommendationPorsche recommends .
The right oil for your vehicle.
1) Generally, you can find details of the
manufacturer approvals on the oil containers or as
a notice displayed by the retailer.
The current approval status is also available from
your Porsche partner.
2) SAE viscosity class - Example: SAE 0W - 40
Specification 0W = Viscosity specification for
low temperatures (winter).
Specification 40 = Viscosity specification for
high temperatures.
3) For all temperature ranges.
4) For the temperature range over --13 °F (--
25 °C).Complies with
approval
1)
Viscosity class
2)
Porsche A40 SAE 0W - 40
3)
SAE 5W - 40
4)
SAE 5W - 50
4)

220
Maintenance, Car Care
f
Use mild detergent to clean soiled belts.
f When drying, avoid direct sunlight.
f Only use suitable cleaning agents.
f Do not tint or bleach the belts.
The belt fabric could be weakened, thus affec-
ting safety.
Storing your Porsche If you intend to store yo ur Porsche for a prolonged
period, please consult your authorized Porsche
dealer. The staff will be glad to advise you on the
most suitable and necessary methods.
f Clean your vehicle thoroughly inside and out-
side.
Clean the engine compartment.
The under carriage and chassis components
should be free of dirt and salt deposits.
f Fill up the fuel tank.
f Change the oil and oil filter, and run the engine
for several minutes.
f Increase the tire pressure to 50 psi (3.5 bar).
It is not recommended to lift the vehicle, due to
the possibility of corros ion on shock absorber
piston shafts.
The vehicle should be moved slightly, approxi-
mately every four weeks, to prevent flat spot
on the tires.
Climate control
The air conditioning system should be in good
working condition and fully charged.
Windshield/Headlight washer
f Check and correct antifr eeze/cleaning solution
level as necessary. Electrical system
f
Remove the battery from the vehicle and store
it in a cool dry place, not on a cement floor.
When the battery is disconnected, the
alarm system is deactivated.
f Recharge the battery every 3 months. If the
battery remains in the vehicle with the cables
connected, it is necessary to check, remove
and recharge the battery every 2-3 weeks.
Do not fast charge the battery.
f Please see the chapter “BATTERY” on
Page 249.
Vehicle interior
The interior must be dry, especially in the area of
the floor carpets. The use of drying agents (Silica-
Gel) is recommended in vehicles with leather inte-
rior and in areas with high humidity. The recom-
mended amount is 3 fabric bags of 1.1 lbs.
(500 grams) each placed on the floor carpets.
Windows, doors and lids must be closed. The air
vents should be opened.

286
Index
CCabriolet .................................................... 182
Capacities, overview ... ................................ 281
Car care ........................ ............................ 213
Car telephone ............. .................................. 99
Car washes .................... ............................ 214
Carpet ....................................................... 219
Catalytic converters .... ................................ 209
Cautions ........................ .................... 196, 222
Central locking ........... ................................ 246
Emergency operation ...................... 19, 22
In cars with alarm system ...................... 21
In cars without alar m system ................. 19
Overload protection ............................ 246
Central vents .............. ................................ 112
Central warning light ................................... 128
Changing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) ........... 266
Changing wheels ........ ................................ 237
Check engine Warning light .......... ............................ 128
Check engine warning li ght .......................... 129
Opening the oil filler cap ...................... 200
Checking pressure ...... ................................ 238
Child restraint system s.................................. 50
Chime ............... ......................... ............ 78, 80
CHRONO Stopwatch.... ................................ 140
Cigarette lighter.......... .................................. 88
Circulating-air button ... ........................ 106, 110
Clock ............................................. .... 127, 160
Clutch ............... ............................. ...... 60, 172
Clutch pedal ............... .................................. 60
Combination filter ....... ................................ 211
Comfort seat .............. .................................. 33
Coming home mode.... ............................ 79, 80 Communication manage
ment ......................... 97
Compact disc Player ...................... ............................ 98
Storage .................... ............................ 90
Compartment monitoring ................ ............... 25
Convertible top ......... .................................. 182
Care ........................ .......................... 215
Coolant ........... ........................... 124, 197, 281
Checking ............................................ 197
Level .................................................. 1

97
Temperature gage .... .......................... 124
Topping off ........... .............................. 197
Warning light......... .............................. 124
Cooling system ............. ...................... 124, 197
Warning light......... .............................. 124
Cornering light .......... .................................... 78
Indicator light ........ .............................. 123
Crankcase ventilation .................................. 209
Cruise control ................................. 84, 85, 128
Cupholder ......................................... ........... 86
DData bank................................................... 274
Daytime driving lights .................................... 78
Changing bulbs ..... .............................. 266
On-board computer ............................. 160
Defrosting windows ....... ................ 31, 106, 110
Diagnostic socket ..... .................................... 11
Dimensions ....................................... ......... 282
Direction indicator lig ht, front ....................... 266
Door ............................ ................................ 18
Handles ................................................ 18
Locks....................... .................... 18, 215
Mirror....................... ............................ 30 Mirror heating ..........
.............................31
Mirrors .................... .............................29
Windows ......................... 18, 27, 182, 216
Drive-Off Assistant ....... ................................173
Driving
Hints .............. ........................................8
Winter ......................... .......................179
Driving off
Drive-Off Assistant .... ...........................173
Launch Control......... ...........................177
Driving performance .... ................................280
Drop-center rim........... ................................233
EElectrical system..... ....................................245
Emergency flasher swit ch ..............................77
Emergency operation . ...................................22
Central locking ......... .......................19, 22
Convertible top ........ ...........................185
Ignition key ......... ..................................74
Lids................ ......................... ...........248
Tank flap ................. ...........................205
Emergency service ..... ................................222
Emergency starting with jumper cables.255, 256
Emission control system ..............129, 208, 209
Engine Checking the oil leve l ...........................157
Diagram ...................... .......................283
Exhaust ................... ...............................5
Number ..............................................275
Oil consumption ....... .....................10, 199
Oil level ................... ...........................199
Oil level indicator ...................... ...........157
Oils ............................................199, 281

288
Index
Interior
....................... .................................. 69
Interior lights ......... ....................................... 69
Interior mirror ............. .................................. 30
JJumper cables ............................................ 255KKey codes ...................... .............................. 15
Keys ................. ......................... ............ 15, 16LLATCH System ............... .............................. 54
Launch Control ........................................... 177
Leather care .............. ................................ 218
License plate light................................... 78, 80
Lids ........................................... ............ 93, 95
Emergency unlocking .......................... 248
Lifting vehicle ............. ................................ 242
Light
Daytime driving ....... .............................. 78
Flasher....................... ...... 78, 80, 81, 123
Low beam .................. .............. 78, 80, 81
Sensor for instrument illumination 116, 118
Switch........................ .............. 78, 80, 81
Light alloy wheels
Inscription .............. ............................ 233
Light functions, indivi dual............................... 81
Lights ................................................. ......... 69
Care .................................................. 218
Headlight beam adju stment ................... 79
LIMIT Acoustic warning signal for speed limit 133
Load switch-off ........... ................................ 246 Loading information ..
.................................. 234
Locking ........................ .......................... 20, 23
Low beam .................... ................................ 81
Luggage Net .......................... ............................ 91
Luggage compartment . ................................. 94
Lid ........................... ............................ 92
Lid warning light.... ................................ 92
Unlocking lid ......... ................................ 16
Luggage compartment/
engine compartment lid, warning lights ........... 92
MMaintenance ................. .............................. 196
Make-up mirror ............. ................................ 41
Maximum permitted engi ne speeds ................ 10
Manual transmission ............................ 172
Mirror Folding in.............. ................................ 30
Heating .................... .................... 31, 113
Inside ................................................... 29
Mirrors ............................. ...................... 29, 71
Anti-glare ................................... ........... 30
Multi-functional steeri ng wheel ........................ 40NNavigation .................... ................................ 97
Selection field, on-board computer ....... 146
Notes on
Car care ................... .......................... 213
Maintenance ............. .......................... 196
Number plate light ........ .......................... 78, 80
Changing bulb ....... .............................. 266
OOctane rating ...................................... 206, 207
Odometer ........................ ...........................121
Off delay .................... ............................79, 80
Oil...................... ............................. ...199, 281
Change........................ .......................201
Checking level.......... ...........................157
Consumption............ .............................10
Level checks............ ...........................199
Level indicator ......... ...........................157
Recommendation ......... .......................200
Topping off engine oi l ..........................200
OIL Display and measurement
of the engine oil leve l...................................157
On-board computer ..... ................................130
Basic settings .......... ...................131, 159
Calling on-board computer functions .....131
Functions and display possibilities ........131
General information . ............................160
Language versions ... ...........................159
Operation, controls... ...........................130
Selecting a radio station ......................146
Setting the clock ...... ...........................160
Switching daytime driving lights on/off ..160
Switching on navigation .......................146
Tire pressure warnings ........................152
Warnings and messag es ......................162
On-board literature ..........................................2
Operating voice contro l ...............................130
Operating your Porsche in other Countries ....204
Orientation light ...... ......................................69
Outside temperatur indicator........................127
Oxygen sensor............ ................................209