2009 PORSCHE PANAMERA page 42

Maintenance and Car Care
253
Technical ModificationsfModifications may be carried out on your
vehicle only if approved by Porsche.
This ensures that your Porsche will remain
reliable and safe to drive, and that it will not be
damaged as a result of the modifications.
Your authorized Porsche dealer will be pleased
to advise you.
Safety notes!
f Only use genuine Porsche spare parts for your
vehicle or spare parts of similar quality which
have been manufactured according to the
specifications and production requirements of
Porsche. These parts are available from your
authorized Porsche dealer or a qualified
specialist workshop. Safety-related
accessories should only be used if they are
from the Porsche Tequipment range or are
tested and approved by Porsche. Your
authorized Porsche dealer will be pleased to
advise you and answer any questions you may
have.
However, the use of other parts or
accessories may adversel y affect the safety
of your vehicle, and Porsche can take no
responsibility for any loss or damage caused
by their use.
Even if the supplier of other accessories or
parts is a recognized supplier, the safety of
your vehicle may still be affected if such items
are installed.
Due to the large variety of products offered in the accessory market, it is not possible for
Porsche to inspect and approve every one.
f In addition, please note that the use of
replacement parts that are not genuine
Porsche parts or approved parts, or the use of
accessories not approved by Porsche may
also detrimentally affect your vehicle warranty.
f Check your vehicle regularly for signs of
damage. Damaged or missing aerodynamic
components, such as spoilers or underbody
panels, impair vehicle handling and must
therefore be replaced immediately.
Radiator fanFor information on radiator fans:
fPlease see the chapter “RADIATOR FANS” on
page 258.
Warning!
Danger of injury. After the ignition is
switched off, the engine compartment and
coolant temperatures are monitored for
approx. 30 minutes. During this period, and
depending on temperature, the radiator fan
may continue to run or start to run.
f Carry out work in these areas only with the engine off and exercise extreme caution.
Measurements on test standsPerformance test
Performance tests on roller-type test stands are
not approved by Porsche.
Brake tests
Brake tests must be performed only on roller-type
test stands.
The following limit values must not be exceeded
on roller-type test stands:
– Test speed 4.7 mph (7.5 km/h)
– Test duration 20 seconds
Testing the electric parking brake
Electric parking brake tests on the brake test
stand must only be performed with the ignition
switched on and with the manual gearshift lever in
neutral or the Porsche Doppelkupplung selector
lever in position N.
The vehicle switches auto matically to brake test
stand mode, in which the electric parking brake
can be tested.
The message “Electric parking brake in service
mode” appears on the multi-function display in the
instrument panel.
Balancing wheels on the vehicle
During finish balancing of the wheels, the entire
vehicle must be lifted and the wheels must be free
to turn.

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Maintenance and Car Care
Engine OilIt is important to perform oil changes regularly in
accordance with the intervals specified in your
Maintenance Schedule.Engine oil consumptionIt 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 afte r 600 miles (1000 km) or
more. This is because the oil is gradually
becoming diluted with fuel or moisture, 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
expressway, 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 de
termine 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 with every refueling.
– 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
engine rpm is above idle speed.
Checking Engine-Oil Levelf Check the oil level on the multi-function display
at regular intervals before refuelling.
f Please see the chapter “OIL LEVEL DISPLAY
AND MEASUREMENT OF THE ENGINE OIL
LEVEL” on page 121.
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 thoroughly with soap and water.
Top-up quantity
The difference between the minimum and
maximum marks on the segment display is
approx. 1.06 US quearts (1 liter).
One segment of the display corresponds to
a top-up quantity of approx. 0.26 US quarts
(0.25 liters).
f Never add more engine oil than required to
reach the maximum mark.

Maintenance and Car Care
255
If the oil level is too low, this is indicated by the
oil-warning light on the multi-function display.
f Correct the oil level as soon as possible.
f Please see the chapter “OVERVIEW OF
WARNING MESSAGES” on page 152.
Note on operation
If the engine compartment lid is opened and no
oil is added, the warning message appears again
after at least 6 miles (10 km).
Warning!
Risk of injury. The radiator fans can start
running when a certain temperature is
reached, even with the engine switched off.
Risk of burns from hot parts in the engine
compartment.
f Exercise extreme caution when working in the engine compartment.
Topping Up Engine OilPorsche recommends .1) Generally, you can find details on the
manufacturer approvals on the oil containers or as
a notice displayed by the retailer.
The current approval status is also available from
your authorized Porsche dealer.2) SAE viscosity class - Example: SAE 0W - 40
Specification 0W = Viscos ity 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).
Always observe the following points:
– Use engine oils approved by Porsche only. This is a precondition for optimum and
problem-free driving.
– 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 Pors
che 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 information on suitable
oil for your engine.
Your authorized Porsche dealer will be pleased to
advise you.
Caution!
Fire hazard if engine oil comes into contact
with hot engine parts.
Risk of damage if engine oil comes into
contact with the drive belt.
f Exercise extreme caution when topping up
engine oil.
f Top up engine oil only with the engine stopped and ignition switched off.
f Please see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on page 252.
Oil-level warning
Complies with
approval
1)
Viscosity class
2)
Porsche A40 SAE 0W - 40
3)
SAE 5W - 40
4)
SAE 5W - 50
4)

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Maintenance and Car Care
1. Unscrew cap on oil filler opening.
2. Top up engine oil according to the display on
the multi-function display.
One segment of the display corresponds to a
top-up quantity of approx. 0.26 US quarts
(0.25 liters).
3. Carefully close cap of the oil filler opening.
After opening the hood, the oil level can only
be measured after driving for at least 6 miles
(10 km).
Oil changeThe engine oil has to be changed regularly at the
intervals listed in your Maintenance Schedule .
f Please see the chapter “FILLING CAPACITIES”
on page 329.
We recommend that you have the engine oil
changed at your Porsche dealer, who has the
required 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
necessary to flush the engi ne if you wish to use a
different 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 beco mes 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
fluctuations 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 frequently 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
contaminants which penetrates into the engine
through combustion 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
temperature given in the engine oil
recommendation table.

Maintenance and Car Care
257
Checking Coolant Level and
Adding CoolantThe coolant provides year-round protection
from corrosion and freezing down to –31 °F
(–35 °C) (–40 °F (–40 °C) in Nordic countries).
Observe the following points:
fUse only antifreeze authorised by Porsche.
f Check the coolant level regularly.Coolant levelWhen the engine is cold and the vehicle is level,
the red display must be under the arrow between
the minus and plus markings.
f Add coolant if necessary.
The maximum fill level is reached when the red
display is under the plus marking.
f Please see the chapter “OVERVIEW OF
WARNING MESSAGES” on page 152.
f Please see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on page 252. Checking when engine is cold
1. Open cap on the reservoir carefully and
allow any overpressure to escape.
Then unscrew cap completely.
2. Read off the engine coolant level.
3. Top up with coolant if necessary. Do not top up over the plus marking.
Only add a mixture of antifreeze and water
in equal parts.
Antifreeze in coolant:
50 % provides antifreeze protection
down to –31 °F (–35 °C).
4. Screw the cap on the reservoir closed until it locks securely. Checking the coolant level when a warning
message appears on the multi-function
display in the instrument panel
Warning!
Danger of serious personal injury or death
from scalding. Coolant is hazardous to your
health, and may be fatal if swallowed.
f Do not open the cap of the expansion tank
while the engine is hot.
f Allow the engine to cool down before opening
the cap and protect your hands, arms and face
from any possible escape of hot coolant.
f Keep coolant out of children's reach.
f Also, keep coolant away from your pets. They
can be attracted to it should there be a spill, or
to used coolant left in an open container. Coolant can be deadly to pets if consumed.

Maintenance and Car Care
261
Changing Air CleanerRegular replacement of the filter element is part
of servicing.
fIn dusty conditions, cl ean the filter element
more frequently and re place it if necessary.
f Please see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on page 252.Changing Particle FilterRegular replacement of the filter is part of
servicing.
A dirty filter can be the cause of reduced
air throughput in your air conditioning system.
fHave the filter replaced.
Please contact a qualified specialist workshop.
We recommend that you have an authorized
Porsche dealer to do this work as they have
trained workshop personnel and the necessary
parts and tools.
Note on operation
The particle filter en sures that the fresh air
entering the passenger compartment is virtually
free of dust and pollen.
f If the outside air is polluted by exhaust fumes,
press the recirculated-air button.
Wiper BladesMaintenance notes
Wiper blades that are in perfect condition are vital
for a clear view.
fHave the wiper blades replaced twice per
year (before and after the cold season) or
if wiper performance deteriorates or the
blades are damaged.
f Please see the chapter “CAR CARE
INSTRUCTIONS” on page 269.
Caution!
Risk of damage if the wiper arm accidentally
falls back onto the windshield.
f Always hold the wiper arm securely when
replacing the wiper blade.
Risk of damage if wi per blades that are
frozen in place are loosened improperly.
f Thaw the wiper blades before loosening them.
f Clean the wiper blades with window cleaner at
regular intervals, especially after washing the
vehicle in a car wash.
We recommend Porsche window cleaner. If the
wiper blades are very dirty (e.g. soiled with
insect remains), they can be cleaned with
a sponge or cloth. If the wiper blades rub or
squeak, this may be due
to the following:
– If the vehicle is washed in an automatic car wash, wax residues may adhere to
the windshield. These wax residues can
be removed only by using window
cleaner concentrate.
– The wiper blades may be damaged or worn.
f Have damaged wiper blades replaced
immediately.
f Please see the chapter “WASHER FLUID” on
page 259.
Contact your authorize d Porsche dealer for
more information.
Replacing wiper bladesf Please read the separate instructions provided
by the wiper blade manufacturer.
f We recommend that you have your authorized
Porsche dealer to replace the wiper blades.
Caution!
Risk of damage. If a wiper blade is not
changed properly, it can come loose when
the car is moving.
f Check whether the wiper blade is seated
securely.
The wiper blade must engage the wiper arm properly.

Maintenance and Car Care
265
FuelWhen the ignition is on, the fuel level is displayed
on the instrument panel.
fPlease see the chapter “FUEL GAUGE” on
page 111.
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, since injury
to your skin may occur.
f Do not inhale fuel vapors, since they may make
you ill and possibly cause death if inhalation is
prolonged and occurs in a closed space.
To prevent damage to the emission control
system and engine:
f Never drive the tank dry.
f Avoid high cornering speeds after the warning lights have come on.
f Please see the chapter “FUEL ECONOMY” on
page 264. To avoid permanent damage
to the functionality of
the catalytic converters and oxygen sensors, use
unleaded fuel only.
The engine is designed to provide optimum
performance and fuel consumption if unleaded
premium fuel with 98 RON/88 MON is used.
If unleaded fuels with octane ratings of less than
98 RON/88 MON are used, the engine’s knock
control automatically adapts the ignition timing.
Porsche recommends that you use fuel with
at least 95 RON/85 MON in your vehicle.
The emission control system can be damaged in
various ways (e.g. fueling incorrectly, shortage of
fuel, tow-starting).
f Please see the chapter “HOW EMISSION
CONTROL WORKS” on page 263. Note on operation
Information on the fuel quality can normally
be found on the pump.
If this is not the case, ask a fuel station attendant.
If the recommended fuel
is not available, you
can also use unleaded regular fuel (91 RON/
82.5 MON) in an emergency.
However, this could reduce performance and
increase fuel consumption.
f Avoiding driving at full throttle.
In some countries the available fuel quality may
not meet requirements and can result in coking
around the inlet valve.
In this case, the fuel may be mixed with the
additive sold and recommended by Porsche after
consulting a authorized Porsche dealer.
Porsche part number 000 043 206 89.
f Observe the instructions and mixture ratios
stated on the container.
It is important that the service intervals,
particularly the oil change intervals, are
observed in accordance with the specifications
in the “Maintenance” booklet.

Maintenance and Car Care
269
Fuel Evaporation Control Fuel tank venting The evaporation chamber and the carbon canister
prevent fuel vapors 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
directed to the intake air housing by the tank vent
line, mixed with the intake air and burned during
normal combustion.
Car Care Instructionsf Please see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on page 252.
Regular and correct care helps to maintain
the value of your car and is also a
precondition for the New Vehicle Warranty
and the Anti Corrosion Warranty.
Your authorized Porsche dealer has specially
developed car-care products from the
Porsche program available either singly or
as complete car-care sets. They will be
pleased to help you select suitable products.
Whether you use Porsche products or other
commercially available cleaning agents first
make sure of their correct application.
A Porsche that is well-cared for can look like new
for years. It all depends on the amount of care the
owner is willing to give the car.
Warning!
Risk of serious personal injury or damage to
the vehicle or property.
Cleaning agents may be hazardous to your
health.
Most chemical cleaners are concentrates
which require dilution. High concentrations
might cause problems ranging from irritation
to serious injury as well as damage to your
vehicle.
f Keep cleaning agents out of reach from
children.
f Observe all caution labels.
f Always read directions on the container before
using any product. These directions may
contain information necessary to avoid
personal injury.
f Do not use fuel, kerosene, naphtha, nail polish
remover or other volatile cleaning fluids. They
may be toxic, flammable or hazardous in other
ways. Only use spot removing fluids in a well
vented area.
f Do not clean the underside of chassis,
fenders, wheel covers, etc., without protecting
your hands and arms as you may cut yourself on sharp-edged metal parts.