2009 PORSCHE BOXSTER check engine

Maintenance, Car Care
201
Always observe the following points:
– Use engine oils approved by Porsche only. This is a precondition for optimum and problem-free
operation of your vehicle.
– Regular oil changes are part of servicing. It is important that the service intervals,
particularly the oil change intervals, are
observed in accordance with the specifications
in the “Maintenance” booklet.
– Oils approved by Porsche can be mixed with each other.
– Porsche engines are designed so that no oil additives may be used.
– A label is located in the engine compartment, which provides you with in formation on suitable
oil for your engine.
Your Porsche partner will be pleased to
advise you.Oil changeThe engine oil has to be changed regularly at the
intervals listed in your Maintenance Schedule .
f Please see the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 281.
We recommend that you have the engine oil
changed at your Porsche dealer, who has the re-
quired oils and the necessary filling equipment.
If you suspect an oil leak in the engine have your
dealer check it out immediately. All current engine oils are compatible with each
other, i.e. when making an oil change it is not nec-
essary to flush the engine if you wish to use a dif-
ferent brand or grade of oil.
Since, however, each brand of oil has a special
composition, you should, if possible, use the
same oil brand if it becomes necessary to top up
between oil changes.
Porsche engines have long intervals between oil
changes. You can make best use of these long oil
change intervals by usin
g multigrade oils since
these are largely independent of seasonal fluctua-
tions in temperature.
If your vehicle is used frequently in stop-and-go
traffic in cold weather, the engine will not always
be properly warmed up.
Condensation from products of combustion may
accumulate in the oil. In this case, it is advisable
to change the oil more fr equently so that your
engine once again has 100% efficient engine oil.
Engine oil performance class Engine oil is not only a lubricant, but also serves
to keep the engine clean, to neutralize the dirt
which penetrates into the engine through combus-
tion and to protect the engine against corrosion.
To perform these functions, the oil is provided with
additives which have been specially developed for
these functions.
The efficiency of an oil is expressed, for example,
by the API, ILSAC or ACEA classifications.
Viscosity Like all liquids, engine oil is viscous when cold,
and thin-bodied when warm. The viscosity of an oil
is expressed by its SAE class. For cold viscosity
(measured at temperatures below 32 °
F/0 °
C) the
SAE class is given as a number and the letter “W”
(as in winter), for hot viscosity (measured at
212 °
F/100 °
C) the SAE class is given only as a
number.
The viscosity of an oil is, therefore, always the
same if it has the same number of an SAE class.
Oils with two viscosities are called multigrade oils;
oils with only one viscosity are termed single-
grade oils.
Single-grade oils can not be used in your engine.
The viscosity of the engine oil for your Porsche
has to be chosen according to the ambient tem-
perature given in the engine oil recommendation
table.

Maintenance, Car Care
205
Fuel
Warning!
Fuel is highly flammable and harmful to
health.
f Fire, open flame and smoking are prohibited
when handling fuel.
f Avoid contact with skin or clothing.
f Do not inhale fuel vapors.
To prevent damage to the emission control
system and engine:
f Never drive the tank completely out of fuel.
f Avoid high cornering speeds after the warning lights have come on.
f Please see the chapter “FUEL ECONOMY” on
Page 204.
Please see the chapter “EMISSION CONTROL
SYSTEM” on Page 208.
Please see the chapter “LEVEL GAGE” on
Page 126.
Check engine warning light
If the warning lights in the instrument panel and on-
board computer come on and remain on while
driving, it suggests:
– a potential engine control problem and the need for system service or
– an improperly fastened tank cap or – refueling with engine running.
Opening the filler flapThe filler opening is under th
e filler flap in the front
right fender.
f With the vehicle unlocked, press on the front
part of the filler flap ( arrow) to open the flap.
The filler flap is centrally locked along with the oth-
er locks. If there is a defect in
the automatic unlocking
system:
f Open the passenger door.
f Pull the ring in the right-hand door aperture
(arrow ).

Maintenance, Car Care
211
Power Steering
Warning!
Risk of accident resulti ng in serious personal
injury or death.
When the engine is stopped (e.g. when being
towed) or the hydraulic system fails, there is
no assistance for steering.
Therefore, substantially more force will have
to be exerted in order to steer.
f Exercise great care when being towed.
f Have the fault remedied at your nearest autho-rized Porsche dealer.
Note
The flow noise heard at full steering lock is system
related and does not indi cate a defect in the
steering system.
Checking hydraulic fluid f Please see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on Page 196.
The hydraulic fluid reservoir is located in the engi-
ne compartment.
Regular checking of hydraulic fluid is part of
servicing.
Air Filter A dirty air filter not only reduces engine perform-
ance, but can lead to premature engine wear.
Regular filter replacement is part of the routine
maintenance service.
f In dusty conditions, check the filter element
more frequently and replace if necessary.Combination Filter The fresh air passing through the combination fil-
ter into the passenger co mpartment is virtually
free of dust, pollen, and unpleasant odors.
f If the outside air is polluted by exhaust fumes,
press the circulating-air button.
A dirty filter can be the cause of reduced air flow:
f Have filter replaced by your authorized
Porsche dealer.
Regular filter replacement is part of the routine
maintenance service.
Fluids/Oils for Manual
Transmission and Porsche
Doppelkupplung (PDK)The transmission fluids/oils have to be checked
and changed at the intervals listed in your Mainte-
nance Schedule.
f Please see the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 281.
Do not tow the car or run the engine without fluid/
oil in the transmission. The transmission may be
damaged by even a tiny speck of dirt, only a clean
funnel or spout must be used when adding fluid/
oil.
We recommend that you have the fluids/oils
changed at your Porsche dealer, who has the re-
quired lubricants and the necessary filling equip-
ment.
f If you suspect an oil leak in the transmission,
have your authorized Porsche dealer check it
out immediately.

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.

Practical Tips, Emergency Service
251
Winter operation The capacity and ability of the battery to store
power decreases at low outside temperatures.
Moreover, the battery is more heavily loaded in
winter months, e.g. by the heated rear window,
more frequent use of additional lights, the fans
and the windshield wipers, etc.
f Have the battery checked before the start
of winter.
Maintenance note
Keep the battery well charged to prevent it
from freezing.
A discharged battery can freeze at 23 °F (--5 °C),
but a fully charged battery only freezes at -- 40 °F
(--40 °C).
A frozen battery must always be thawed before
connecting jump leads.
Replacing battery The service life of the batt ery is subject to normal
wear; it depends greatly on care, climatic conditi-
ons, and driving conditions (distances, loads).
f Only use an original Porsche battery, with the
correct part number, as a replacement.
f Please observe the disposal instructions for
batteries.
Putting vehicle into operationAfter the battery is co nnected or after an exhaus-
tively discharged battery is charged, the multi-
functional PSM light lights up on the instrument
panel and a message appears on the on-board
computer to indicate a fault.
This fault can be remedied with a few simple
steps:
1. Start the engine.
2. With the vehicle stationary, perform a few steering movements to the left and right and
then drive a short distance in a straight line
until the multifunctinal PSM light goes out and
the message on the on-board computer
disappears.
3. If the warnings do not disappear, then:
Drive carefully to the nearest authorized
Porsche dealer.
Have the fault remedied.
4. After the warnings disappear: Stop the vehicle in a suitable place.
f Perform adaptation of the power windows:
Please see the chapter “STORING END
POSITION OF THE WINDOWS” on Page 28.

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

290
Index
Sports bucket seat
................. ..............3
4
Sports seat ............ .............................. 33
Standard seat ......... .............................. 33
Ventilation .............. .............................. 38
Seat memory
Operating with the remote control .......... 36
Operation with person buttons ............... 35
Selector lever position ........................ 116, 118
Selector lever position indicator,
PDK transmission ....... ................................ 175
Service ...................................................... 137
SET Basic setting on on-board computer ...... 159
Shift indicator ............. ................................ 123
Shifting gears
Drive-Off Assistant... ............................ 173
Manual transmission............................ 172
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) ............ 174
Side light, front ........... ................................ 266
Side marker light ........ ............................ 78, 80
Changing bulb......... ............................ 265
Side vents .................. ................................ 112
Snow chains ................... ............ 231, 277, 279
Snow tires.......................................... 230, 278
Socket ....................................................... 245
Spacers ......................... ............................ 243
Spare key ...................... .............................. 15
Spare wheel ............................................... 277
Speed code letter ....... ................................ 232
Speed control....................................... 85, 106
Automatic............... .............................. 84
Indicator light.......... ............................ 120
Speed limit ......................................... 133, 232
Speedometer ................. ............................ 122
Spoiler ......................................................... 67 Fixed ........................
............................ 68
Retractable ................................ ........... 67
Sport Chrono Plus package
CHRONO stopwatch . ........................... 140
Sport mode .............. ............................ 61
Sport mode .................. ................................ 65
PDK transmission .. .............................. 176
Switching on/off.... ................................ 61
Switching PASM on/o ff .......................... 66
Sport plus mode ....... .................................... 61
Sports bucket seat ... .................................... 34
Sports exhaust system ..................................55
Sports seat
................................... ............... 33
Stability management system ........................ 63
Standard seat ........... .................................... 33
Starter switch ........... .................................... 72
Starting ........................ ................................ 73
Starting engine ......... .................................... 75
Steering column Locking .................... ............................ 73
Steering lock ............ .................................... 72
Steering wheel Adjustment ........................................... 38
Function keys........ ................................ 40
Heating .................... ............................ 39
Lock ........................ ............................ 73
Multi functional ........................... ........... 40
PDK shift buttons .. .............................. 174
Stopping engine........ .................................... 76
Stopwatch .................... .............................. 140
Storage options ........ .................................... 89
Storage possibilities .. .................................... 89
Storing your Porsche .................................. 220
Sun visors .................... ................................ 41Suspension management ..............
.................66
TTachometer ................................................123
Tail light .......................... ...........................266
Tank .................. ............................. ...205, 206
Ventilation system .... ...........................207
Technical data ................................. ...........276
TEL Telephone informat ion...........................137
Telephone ....................................... .............99
Temperature setting ......... ...........106, 109, 110
Temperature, outside in dicator.....................127
Test stand, measure ments ............................65
Theft protection ...... ......................................14
Tire Care...................................................227
Damage .............................................227
Designations ............ ...........................231
Pressure plate ......... ...........................225
Replacements .............. .......................228
Traction................... ...........................226
Wear ..................................................226
Tire pressure monitoring Warning light ............ ...........................155
Wheels ........................ .......................229
Tire pressure monitoring (TPM) ....................147
Tires ...................... ..............10, 223, 278, 279
Care...................................................223
Checking pressure ... ...........................238
Inscription................ ...........................232
Loading information . ............................234
New tires ................. .............................10
Pressure...................... ...............224, 280
Pressure monitoring ............................147