194
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.
Maintenance, Car Care
203
Car Care Instructions fPlease see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on Page 186.
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 we ll as damage to your
vehicle. f
Keep cleaning agents out of reach from chil-
dren.
f Observe all caution labels.
f Always read directions on the container before
using any product. These directions may con-
tain 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, fend-
ers, wheel covers, etc., without protecting
your hands and arms as you may cut yourself
on sharp-edged metal parts.
Moisture and road salt on brakes may affect brak-
ing efficiency.
f Test the brakes after each vehicle washing.
Decorative film
Caution!
Risk of damage due to separation of the
decorative film when cleaning your vehicle
with high-pressure cleaning equipment or
steam cleaners.
f Do not use high-pressure cleaning equipment or steam cleaners for cl eaning decorative film.
High-pressure cleaning units, steam
cleaners
Warning!
High-pressure cleaning units or steam clean-
ers can damage the following components:
–tires,
– logos, emblems,
– painted surfaces,
– alternator,
– ParkAssist sensors.
f Please observe the operating instructions from
the unit manufacturer.
f When cleaning with a flat-jet nozzle or the like,
maintain a minimum distance of 20 inches (50
cm).
f Never use high-pressure cleaning units or
steam cleaners with a ro und-jet nozzle. A high-
pressure cleaning unit or steam cleaners with
round nozzle will damage your vehicle.
f The tires are particularly susceptible to dam-
age.
f Do not point the cleaning jet directly at any of the aforementioned components.
210
Maintenance, Car Care
Storing your Porsche If you intend to store your 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.
fClean 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 corrosion 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 239.
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
215
Each tire, including the spare (if provided) should
be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for
those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring (TPM)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-in-
flated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure tell-
tale illuminates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TP M is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s re-
sponsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even
if under-inflation has not reached the level to trig-
ger illumination of the TP M low tire pressure tell-
tale.
f On vehicles with tire pressure monitoring:
Please see the chapter “TPM TIRE PRESSURE
MONITORING” on Page 151.
When tires are warm, the tire pressure is
increased. f
Never let air out of hot tires.
This could cause the tire pressure to fall below
the prescribed value.
Insufficient tire filling pressure can cause tires to
overheat and thus be damaged – even invisibly.
Hidden tire damage is not eliminated by subse-
quently correcting the tire pressure.
Overloading
Danger!
Risk of damage to vehicle parts, loss of con-
trol and serious personal injury or death.
f Do not overload your vehicle. Be careful about
the roof load.
f If loading the vehicle also correct the tire pres-
sure. Tire pressure for loaded vehicle can be
found on the tire pressure plate and in the
chapter technical data.
f Never exceed the specified axle load.
Overloading can shorten the service life of the
tires and car, as well as lead to dangerous ve-
hicle reactions and long braking distances.
Damage due to overloading is not covered by the vehicle warranty.
f Please see the chapter “LOADING INFORMA-
TION” on Page 224.
f Please see the chapter “TIRE PRESSURE FOR
COLD TIRES (68 °F/ 20 °C)” on Page 267.
Example of a tire pressure plateTire pressure plateInformation on the tire pressure plate
A Seating capacity
Maximum number of vehicle occupants, inclu-
ding the driver.
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
217
Danger!
Driving on worn tires can result in loss of con-
trol of the vehicle an d could cause serious
personal injuries or death.
f Do not drive with worn tires or tires showing
cuts or bruises as they may lead to sudden
deflation and loss of control which could cause
severe personal injury.
f Specialized high performance tires on high
performance sports cars exhibit more wear
than those on a family sedan, or even a high
performance sedan.
Therefore, it is important to check your tire
pressure and condition at least every two weeks.
If you notice that tires are wearing unevenly, con-
sult your Porsche dealer.
Uneven wear may not always be due to improper
wheel alignment. It can be the result of individual
driving habits such as cornering at high speeds. If
the tire pressure is not checked and adjusted
regularly, abnormal tire wear can also occur.
Tire care f Avoid damaging tires and wheel rims.
f If you must drive over a curb or other obstacle,
drive slowly and at an obtuse angle.
f Check tires for uneven wear and damage
before driving off.
f Remove imbedded material.
f Replace worn or damaged tires immediately.
f Keep oil, fuel, brake fluid, etc. away from tires.
f Replace missing valve stem caps.
f Keep tires inflated correctly.
f Wash tires when washing the vehicle. Also
clean inner side of wheels.
f Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing
the wheels.
f Check wheel rims for corrosion.
f Remove road salt, if driving in winter.
Tire damage, puncture High-pressure cleaning units can damage the
tires.
f Please see the chapter “HIGH-PRESSURE
CLEANING UNITS, STEAM CLEANERS” on
Page 203.
f Check tires for imbedded material, cuts, punc-
tures, cracks and bulges (side wall) before driv-
ing off.
In case of tire damage, where it is uncertain wheth-
er there is a break in the ply with all its conse-
quences or tire damage caused by thermal or me-
chanical overloading due to loss of pressure or
any other prior damage, we recommend that the
tire be replaced for safety reasons.
If one faulty tire is replaced it should be noted that
the difference in tread depth on one axle must not
exceed 30%.
Handling inconsistencies may result.
f Perform a visual inspection if necessary.
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
257
Adjusting HeadlightsfPlease see the chapter “LIGHTS, REPLACING
BULBS” on Page 247.
Adjustment
The adjustment is made wi th the vehicle ready to
drive and the fuel tank completely filled.
The driver’s seat must be loaded by a person or a
165 lbs. (75 kg) weight and the tire pressures
must meet the prescribed values.
After being loaded, the car must be rolled a few
meters so that the suspension can settle.
For checking the headlight adjustment, the verti-
cal position of the cutoff of the lowbeam (see fig.)
has to be projected on a ve rtical screen (wall) in
distance of 24.6 ft. (7.5 m) from the front lens of
the headlamp.
The correct position of the cutoff is 2.0 in. (5 cm)
at 24.6 ft. or 7.5 m (0.4 °) below a horizontal line,
x cm from ground to the center of the headlamp
lens. Lateral adjustment of the
headlights should be
carried out at a specialist workshop with an optical
adjustment unit.
Distance
Visual aim shall be perf ormed at not less than
24.6 ft./7.5 m (this value is a rounded down con-
version from the 25-foot distance typical of field
aim using a screen). The 24.6 ft./7.5 m distance
is measured from the headlamp lens to the view-
ing screen.
Index
277
Stopping .............................................. 76
Engine compartment Blower ....................... .................. 76, 128
Blower fan .............. ............................ 128
Care .................................................. 205
Engine oil Change .............................................. 190
Consumption ............................... ......... 10
Performance class .. ............................ 191
Recommendation ........ ........................ 190
Topping off............. ............................ 189
Viscosity ................ ............................ 191
Exhaust Pipes ......................... ............................ 5
System ................................................ 55
Tailpipes, stainless st eel ...................... 207
External antenna ......... ................................ 104
FFiller flap .................................................... 195
Fire extinguisher ........................................... 85
Flat tire ...................... ................................ 229
Floor mats.................. ................................ 209
Fluids ......................................................... 201
FM reception .............................................. 101
Fog light ........................ .............................. 80
Fog light, rear................. ........................ 78, 80
Fog lights
Changing bulb......... ............................ 254
Footbrake ........................................... ......... 56
Footwell lights ............ .................................. 69
Fresh air intake ........... ................................ 116
Front lid ......................... ...................... 94, 100
Front luggage compartm ent .......................... 94 Fuel .....................
..............................130, 195
Containers ................ ......................4, 197
Economy .................. ..........................194
Evaporation control .............................197
Fuels containing etha nol.......................197
Level gage ............... ..........................130
Level warning light ..............................130
Recommendation ........................196, 197
Recommendations .... ..........................196
Tank ..................................................196
Function keys ........... ....................................40
Fuses, replacing ....... ..................................237
GGarage
Door ....................................................76
Door opener .......................................106
Lift ............... ......................... .............232
Gear display ................. ......................120, 122
Gear shift indicator ......................................127
Glove compartment... ....................................92
Gong.................... ..............14, 73, 78, 80, 137
Ground clearance...... ......................................4HHandbrake.................... ................................55
Hands-free microphone ...............................104
Head restraints ......... ....................................32
Headlights .................... ..............................248
Adjusting .................. ..................257, 258
Beam adjustment .. ................................79
Changing bulbs ......... ..................249, 251
Cleaning system ...................82, 200, 271 Flasher ................................................ 81
Removing ................
.......................... 248
Heated rear window ..................................... 31
Heated rear window/Door mirror heating ..... 117
Heater ......................... .............................. 113
Heating ........................................... .......... 110
High beam Indicator light ....... .............................. 127
Lever....................... ...................... 78, 80
High beam, additional Changing bulb ...... .............................. 251
High-pressure cleaning units........................ 203
Home mode..................... ...................... 79, 80
HomeLink .................... .............................. 106
Hoods ............................. .................... 94, 100
Horn ........................................... .......... 12, 21
Hot exhaust pipes ... ....................................... 5
IIgnition key ............. ..................................... 72
Emergency operation ........................... 74
Ignition lock ............ ..................................... 72
Withdrawing ignition key,
PDK transmission ..................... .......... 180
Immobilizer ...................................... ............ 15
Indicator lights ................. .................. 120, 122
INFO Warning message s ............................. 140
Instrument
Illumination........... .............................. 124
Lights ...................... ...................... 78, 80
Panel ........................... ...... 120, 122, 166
Interior ............................................ ............ 69
Interior lights .......... ..................................... 69
Interior mirror ......... ..................................... 30