2009 PORSCHE BOXSTER fuel consumption

10
Before driving off...
Break in hints for the first
2,000 miles/3,000 kilometers The following tips will be helpful in obtaining opti-
mum performance from your new Porsche.
Despite the most modern, high-precision manufac-
turing methods, the moving parts must still wear
in with each other. This we aring-in occurs mainly in
the first 2,000 miles/3,000 kilometers.Therefore: f Preferably take longer trips.
f Avoid frequent cold starts with short-distance
driving whenever possible.
f Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops.
f Do not exceed maximum engine speed of
4,200 rpm (revolutions per minute).
f Do not run a cold engine at high rpm either in
Neutral or in gear.
f Do not let the engine labor, especially when
driving uphill. Shift to the next lower gear in
time (use the most favorable rpm range).
f Never lug the engine in high gear at low
speeds. This rule applies at all times, not just
during the break-in period. f
Do not participate in motor racing events,
sports driving schools, etc. during the first
2,000 miles/3,000 kilometers.
There may be a slight stiffness in the steering,
gear-shifting or other controls during the break-in
period which will gradually disappear.
Break in brake pads and brake discsNew brake pads and discs ha ve to be “broken in”,
and therefore only attain optimal friction when the
car has covered several hundred miles or km.
The slightly reduced braking ability must be com-
pensated for by pressing the brake pedal harder.
This also applies whenev er the brake pads and
brake discs are replaced. New tires New tires do not have maximum traction. They
tend to be slippery.
f Break in new tires by driving at moderate
speeds during the first 60 to 120 miles/100 to
200 km. Longer braking distances must be an-
ticipated.
Engine oil and fuel consumption During the break-in peri od oil and fuel consump-
tion may be higher than normal.
As always, the rate of oil consumption depends on
the quality and viscosity of oil, the speed at which
the engine is operated, the climate and road con-
ditions, as well as the amount of dilution and oxi-
dation of the lubricant.
f Make a habit of checking engine oil with every
refueling, add if necessary.

Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
123
Tachometer The tachometer shows the engine speed in revolu-
tions per minute (rpm).
The beginning of the red marks at the right end of
the scale indicates the maximum permissible en-
gine rpm.
A speed limiter prevents the engine from being
overrevved during acceleration. Before reaching
this area, the next higher gear should be select-
ed.
Shift to the next lower gear when the engine rpm
drops below 1,500 rpm.
Caution!
To avoid severe engine damage.
f Always observe the engine rpm before down-
shifting to a lower gear, so you do not exceed the maximum engine rpm.
Flashes in synchronism with the turn signals.
Left arrow – left turn signals
Right arrow – right turn signals
f If the frequency of the display becomes notice-
ably faster, check the operation of the turn sig-
nals.
Lights when high beam or headlight flasher is
switched on.
The indicator light goes out when the high beams
are switched off.
The indicator light flashes in the event of cornering
light failure.
Gear Shift Indicator(in vehicles with manual transmission)The consumption-orientated gear shift indicator A
on the display panel of the on-board computer
assists a fuel-saving driving style. The gear shift
indicator lights up as a recommendation to shift
up to the next-higher gear depending on the
selected gear, engine rpm and accelerator pedal
position.
f When the gear shift indicator A lights up,
change to the next higher gear to decrease
fuel consumption.
Turn Signal Indicator Light
High Beam Indicator Light

Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
131
A- Digital speedometer
B -Central display
C - Bottom displayFunctions and display possibilitiesNote
The available items and displays in the on-board
computer depend on the equipment of your vehi-
cle. For this reason it is possible that some of the
items and displays shown here are not available in
your on-board computer. Basic setting
– Central display: .... Radio station
The central line
B of the on-board computer can
be selected in the SET menu.
Calling on-board computer functions in
display “C”
f Push operating lever up or down
(selection field D must be switched off).
The following displays can be called step by step:
– Average speed (ø mph),
– Average consumption (ø mpg),
– Range on remaining fuel (mls ),
– Tire pressure
– Navigation information (if activated in the SET menu).
Note
The values “Average speed”, “Average consump-
tion” and “Daily trip mileag e” can be reset to zero
in the SET menu.

Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
159
SET
Basic setting on on-board computerSwitching on selection field “D”
fPush operating lever forward.
Changing the basic sett ing of the on-board
computer
f Select “SET” with the operating lever.
f Push operating lever forward.
f Select the desired function with the operating
lever: Reset
– Reset all,
Reset average consumption,
Reset average speed,
Reset trip counter
Units
– Speedometer: km - km/h, miles - mph
– Consumption: l/100 km, mls/gal (USA), mpg (UK), km/l
– Temperature: °Celsius, °Fahrenheit
– Tire pressure: bar, psi Display
(Select central line of the on-board
computer)
– Change display
Audio information (set radio station)
Range on remaining fuel
Empty
– Te l e p h o n e I n f o
When Telephone informat ion is active, incom-
ing telephone calls are displayed on the on-
board computer.

160
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
Navigation
– Integrated in the BC
(Navigation instructions can be recalled on the
on-board computer display)
– When turning off (Navigation instructions are only shown before
changing direction)
Basic setting
– Restore the basic setting of the on-board com- puter
Language
– Select language version 12/24h mode
Select time mode:
– 12h (small squares on the right side of the time
display for AM/PM),
–24h
Light
USA only:
Switch daytime driving lights on and off. f
Please see the chapter “DAYTIME DRIVING
LIGHTS” on Page 78.
f Please see the chapter “DAYTIME DRIVING
LIGHTS” on Page 80.
General information regarding the
on-board computer functionsRange on remaining fuel
The range on remaining fuel is continuously recal-
culated during the journey based on the fuel level,
current consumption and average consumption.
The more the fuel level falls, the more spontan-
eously the display reacts. For this reason, the
range on remaining fuel is not displayed if less
than 9 miles (15 kilometers).
If the vehicle's inclination changes while driving or
refueling, incorrect range information may tempo-
rarily be given.
Note
If the tank is nearly empty and you top up with only
a small quantity of fuel, an accurate range on re-
maining fuel is impossible.
Daytime driving lights
(daytime driving lights switched off)
Daytime driving lights
(daytime driving lights switched on)

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).

204
Maintenance, Car Care
Fuel Economy Fuel 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
engine “breathing”.
Battery should be fully charged.
Wheels should be properly aligned.
Tires should be inflated at correct pressure.
f Always monitor your fuel consumption.
f Drive smoothly, avoid abrupt changes in speed
as much as possible.
f Avoid jack rabbit starts and sudden stops.
f Do not drive longer than necessary in the lower
gears. Shifting into a higher gear early without
lugging the engine will help save fuel.
f Prolonged “warm up” idling wastes gas. Start
the vehicle just before you are ready to drive.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly.
f Switch off the engine if stationary for longer
periods. f
Any additional weight carried in the vehicle re-
duces fuel economy. Always keep cargo to a
minimum and remove all unnecessary items.
f Organize your trips to take in several errands
in one trip.
f All electrical accessories contribute to in-
creased fuel consumption.
f Only switch on the air conditioning when neces-
sary.
f Do not drive with the Ro of Transport System
mounted unless you need it.
The EPA estimated mpg. is to be used for
comparison purposes, actual mileage may
be different from the estimated mpg.,
depending on your driving speed, weather
conditions and trip length. Your actual
highway mileage will probably be less than
the estimated mpg.
f Please observe all local and national speed
limits.
Operating your Porsche in other
Countries Government 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 ma y be inadequa te 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
mechanical damage that could result
because of inadequate fuel, service or parts
availability.
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.

Practical Tips, Emergency Service
249
Battery The battery is located in the front luggage
compartment under a black plastic cover.
f Please see the chapter “EMERGENCY OPERA-
TION – PULLING OUT THE IGNITION KEY” on
Page 74.
f Please see the chapter “EMERGENCY UNLO-
CKING OF THE FRONT LUGGAGE COMPART-
MENT LID” on Page 248.
Warning!
Risk of short circuit, fire and damage to alternera-
tor and electronic control units, resulting in seri-
ous personal injury or death.
f Observe all warning notes on the battery.
f Disconnect the negative terminal on the bat-
tery during all work on the electrical system.
f Do not lay tools or other metal objects on the
battery as they could cause a short circuit
across the battery terminal.
Hydrogen gas generated by the battery
could cause an explosion, resulting in
serious personal injury or death.
f Do not expose the battery to an open flame,
electrical spark or a lit cigarette.
f Do not wipe battery with a dry cloth.
Risk of serious personal injury or death and
damage to the fabric, metal or paint. f
Wear eye protection.
f Do not allow battery acid to come in contact
with your skin, eyes, fabric or painted
surfaces.
f If 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.
f Spilled electrolyte must be rinsed off at once
with a solution of baki ng soda and water to
neutralize the acid.
Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive harm.
f Always protect your skin by washing thorough-
ly with soap and water.
Risk of explosion as a result of static charge,
resulting in serious personal injury or death.
f Do not wipe the battery with a dry cloth.
f Eliminate potential electrostatic charge by
touching the vehicle before touching the bat-
tery.
Charge state A well-charged battery prevents starting problems
and has a longer service life.
Traffic density, requirements regarding noise, ex-
haust gas and fuel consumption reduce the engine
speed and, hence, the alternator output.
However, the large number of electrical loads has
markedly increased the demand for electrical po-
wer.
In order to avoid discharging the battery
unintentionally:
f Switch off unnecessary electrical loads in city
traffic, on short trips or in a line or traffic.
f Always remove the ignition key from the igni-
tion switch when leaving the car.
f Avoid frequent operation of the convertible top
and operation of the Porsche Communication
Management system and audio system when
the engine is not running.
f In the cold season in particular or if the vehicle
is used primarily for short journeys, it may be
necessary to recharge the battery from time to
time.