212
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Battery care fEnsure that battery is securely mounted.
fKeep terminals and connections clean and
properly tightened.
Corrosion can be prevented by coating the
terminals and connections with petroleum jelly
or silicone spray.
fEnsure that vent caps are securely tightened to
prevent spillage.
Checking the electrolyte fluid level
Generally, the electrolyte level must be checked
more often in summer than in the winter, and more
often when driving long distances.
fWhen adding water, use only clean containers.
In no case may alcohol (e.g. window cleaner
residues) be permitted to enter the battery.
fUnscrew and open the filler vent caps of each
cell.
With the car on a level surface, the fluid level
should meet the indicator mark in each cell.
fIf necessary, top up with distilled water.
Do not use acid.
Only fill up to the mark, otherwise the electro-
lyte will overflow when the battery is being
charged and cause damage. Battery charging
Automotive batteries loose their efficiency when
not in use.
The charge available in your battery can be
measured with a battery hydrometer.
We recommend that the battery voltage be tested
by your authorized Porsche dealer who has the
appropriate equipment.
If the car is not driven for prolonged periods, the
battery must be charged at least every 6 weeks.
A discharged battery allows rapid formation of
sulfates, leading to premature deterioration of the
plates.
Warning!
Hydrogen gas generated by the battery
could cause an explosion, resulting in
serious personal injury or death.
fCharge battery in a well ventilated area.
fNever charge a frozen battery. It may explode
because of gas trapped in the ice. Allow a
frozen battery to thaw out first.
fIf 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 doctor. Slow battery charging
1. Pay attention to all warnings and follow instruc-
tions that come with your battery charger.
2. When charging, ensure adequate ventilation.
3. Remove battery.
Please see the chapter “REMOVING THE
BATTERY” on Page 214.
4. All vent caps should be open.
The fluid level should meet the indicator mark
in each cell.
5. Ensure that charger is switched off – danger of
short circuit!
6. Connect charger cables.
Charger cables must be connected
POSITIVE (+) to POSITIVE (+) and
NEGATIVE (–) to NEGATIVE (–).
7. Switch on charger.
Normally, a battery should be charged at no
more than 10 percent of its rated capacity.
Rated capacity of the battery in your vehicle is
listed on the battery housing.
8. After charging, turn off charger and disconnect
charger cables.
9. Tighten the vent caps and reinstall battery.
Please see the chapter “INSTALLING THE
BATTERY” on Page 215.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 212 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
213
Winter operation The capacity and ability of the battery to store
power decreases at low outside temperatures.
Additionally, more power is consumed while
starting, and the headlights, heater, rear window
defogger, etc., are used more frequently.
fLet your Porsche dealer test the battery’s
capacity before winter sets in.
The battery will discharge more quickly if your
vehicle is not driven on a daily basis over a
distance of several miles. The more often you
drive your vehicle, and the longer the distance
driven on each trip, the more opportunity the
vehicle’s charging system will have to recharge the
batteries.
Replacing battery The service life of the battery is subject to normal
wear; it depends greatly on care, climatic condi-
tions, and driving conditions (distances, loads).
fOnly use an original Porsche battery, with the
correct part number, as a replacement.
fPlease observe the disposal instructions for
batteries.
Putting vehicle into operationAfter the battery is connected or after an comple-
tely 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.
fPerform adaptation of the power windows:
Please see the chapter “STORING END
POSITION OF THE WINDOWS” on Page 29.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 213 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
217
Emergency Starting with Jumper
Cables If the battery is discharged, e.g. in winter or after
the car has been parked for a long time, the
battery of another car can be used for starting
with the help of jumper cables.
Make sure the voltage of both batteries is the
same. Both batteries must be 12 volt types.
The capacity (Ampere hours, Ah) of the booster
battery must not be substantially less than that of
the discharged battery.
The discharged battery must be correctly
connected to the vehicle’s electrical system.
fPlease see the chapter “BATTERY” on
Page 211.
fPlease see the chapter “EMERGENCY
UNLOCKING OF THE LUGGAGE COMPART-
MENT LID” on Page 210.
Note
fDo not try to start the car by pushing or
towing. Damage to the catalytic converters
and other components of the car may result.
Warning!
Risk of short circuit, damage and explosion,
resulting in serious personal injury or death.
fUse only jumper cables of adequate diameter
cross-section and fitted with completely
insulated alligator clips.
fFollow all warnings and instructions of the
jumper cable manufacturer.
fWhen connecting jumper cables, make sure
that they cannot get caught in any moving
parts in the engine compartment.
The jumper cables must be long enough so
that neither vehicles nor cables touch another.
fThe vehicles must not be in contact, otherwise
current might flow as soon as the positive
terminals are connected.
fThe cable clamps must not be allowed to
contact each other when one end of the
jumper cables are connected to a battery.
fEnsure that tools or conductive jewelery (rings,
chains, watch straps) do not come into contact
with the positive jumper cable or the positive
battery post.
fImproper hook-up of jumper cables can ruin
the alternator. Danger of caustic burns.
fDo not lean over the battery.
Danger of gas explosion.
fImproper use of booster battery to start a
vehicle may cause an explosion, resulting in
serious personal injury or death.
fKeep sources of ignition away from the
battery, e.g. open flame, burning cigarettes or
sparking due to cable contact or welding work.
fA discharged battery can freeze even at 23 °F/
–5 °C.
Before connecting jumper cables, a frozen
battery must be thawed out.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 217 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12