PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 2010 5.G Owners Manual
Page 221 of 310
Maintenance, Car Care
219
How Emission Control Works When an automobile engine is running, it uses en-
ergy generated through the combustion of a mix-
ture of air and fuel. Depending on whether a car is
driven fast or slowly or whether the engine is cold
or hot, some of the fuel (hydrocarbons) may not
be burned completely, but may be discharged into
the engine crankcase or exhaust system. Additon-
al hydrocarbons may enter the atmosphere
through evaporation of fuel from the fuel tank.
These hydrocarbons (HC), when released into the
air, contribute to undesirable pollution.
In addition, carbon monoxide (CO) and oxides of
nitrogen (NOx) contribute to engine emissions.
They, too, are formed during the combustion proc-
ess and discharged into the exhaust system.
To reduce these pollutants, your Porsche is
equipped with a precisely calibrated fuel injection
system to assure a finely balanced air/fuel mixture
under all operating conditions.
Oxygen sensor The oxygen sensor, installed in the exhaust pipe
continuously senses the oxygen content of the
exhaust and signals the information to an electron-
ic control unit. The control unit corrects the air/
fuel ratio, so the engine always receives an accu-
rately metered air/fuel mixture. Crankcase ventilation Through crankcase ventilation, undesirable emis-
sions from the engine crankcase are not permit-
ted to reach the outside atmosphere. These emis-
sions are recirculated from the crankcase to the
air intake system. From here the emissions mix
with the intake air and are later burned in the en-
gine. Catalytic converters The catalytic converters are efficient “clean-up”
devices built into the exhaust system of the vehi-
cle. The catalytic converters burn the undesirable
pollutants in the exhaust gas before it is released
into the atmosphere.
The exclusive use of unleaded fuel is critical-
ly important for the life of the catalytic con-
verters. Therefore, only unleaded fuel must
be used.The catalytic converters will be damaged by:
– push or tow starting the vehicle
– misfiring of the engine
– turning off the ignition while the vehicle is mov-
ing or
– driving until the fuel tank is completely empty
– by other unusual operating conditions.
fDo not continue to operate your vehicle under
these conditions, since raw fuel might reach
the catalytic converters. This could result in
overheating of the converters. Federal law pro-
hibits use of leaded fuel in this car.
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220
Maintenance, Car Care
Washer FluidCapacity: Approximately 6.3 quarts (6.0 liters). Washer fluidThe reservoir, with a blue screw cap, is in the front
luggage compartment, to the rear left.Clean water is generally not enough to clean the
windshield and headlights. Depending on the
season, mix the water with the appropriate
additives. Follow the instructions for the mixture
ratio.
Only use window cleaner concentrate which meets
the following requirements.
– Dilutability 1:100
– Phosphate-free
– Suitable for plastic headlight lenses.
We recommend window cleaner concentrates
approved by Porsche. Your authorized Porsche
dealer will be pleased to advise you.
Summer filling
Water + window cleaner concentrate at the mixing
ratio indicated on the container.
Winter filling
Water + antifreeze protection + window cleaner
concentrate at the mixing ratio indicated on the
container.
fPlease note all the information on the contain-
ers of the window cleaner concentrate or the
antifreeze protection.Topping off washer fluid
1. Please note all the information on the refill con-
tainer of the cleaning agent.
2. Open cap of the washer-fluid reservoir (arrow).
3. Top up washer fluid and close cap properly.
fDo not use engine coolant anti-freeze or any
other solution that can damage the car’s paint,
in the washer reservoir.
If less than 0.53 quarts (0.5 liter) remains, a
warning message appears on the on-board
computer.
fAdd washer fluid.
Warning light
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Maintenance, Car Care
221
Power Steering Power steering is assisted by hydraulic auxiliary
forces.
The hydraulic fluid reservoir is located in the en-
gine compartment.
Note
The flow noise heard at full steering lock is design-
related and does not indicate a defect in the steer-
ing system.
Warning!
Risk of accident resulting 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.
fExercise great care when being towed.
fHave the fault remedied at your nearest author-ized Porsche dealer.
Checking hydraulic fluid fPlease see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on Page 206.
fOnly use hydraulic fluid authorized by Porsche.
Specification:
Please see the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 290.
Check the fluid level with the engine stopped and
cold (approximately 68 °F/20 °C).
1. Open the engine compartment lid.
2. Open the reservoir cap.
3. Wipe measuring rod.
Close cap and reopen. The fluid level should lie
between the “MIN” and “MAX” marks.
Add hydraulic fluid if necessary.
4. Close cap carefully.
Close engine compartment lid.
Noticeable loss of fluid indicates leakage in the
system.
The cause should be remedied immediately at an
authorized Porsche dealer.
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222
Maintenance, Car Care
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.
fIn 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 compartment is virtually
free of dust, pollen, and unpleasant odors.
fIf the outside air is polluted by exhaust fumes,
press the circulating-air button.
A dirty filter can be the cause of reduced air flow:
fHave 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.
fPlease see the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 290.
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.
fIf you suspect an oil leak in the transmission,
have your authorized Porsche dealer check it
out immediately.
Page 225 of 310
Maintenance, Car Care
223
Wiper Blades Wiper blades that are in perfect condition are vital
for a clear view.
fReplace the wiper blades twice per year (be-
fore and after the cold season) or whenever
wiper performance deteriorates.
Caution!
Risk of damage if the wiper arm accidentally
falls back on to the window.
fAlways hold the wiper arm securely when re-
placing the wiper blade.
Risk of damage if wiper blades that are fro-
zen in place are loosened improperly.
fThaw the wiper blades before loosening them.
Maintenance note
fPeriodically clean the wiper blades with win-
dow cleaner, especially after the vehicle has
been washed in a car wash.
We recommend the Porsche window cleaner. If
they are very dirty (e.g. with insect remains),
they can be cleaned with a sponge or cloth.If the wiper blades rub or squeak, this can be as a
result of the following:
– If the vehicle is washed in an automatic car
wash, wax residues may adhere to the wind-
shield. These wax residues can be removed
only by using window cleaner concentrate.
– The wiper blades may be damaged or worn.
fReplace damaged or worn wiper blades as
soon as possible.
fPlease see the chapter “WASHER FLUID” on
Page 220.
fPlease contact your authorized Porsche dealer
for further information.
Changing windshield wiper bladesfPlease read the separate instructions for fitting
wiper blades as supplied by the manufacturer.
fWe recommend that you get your authorized
Porsche dealer to replace the wiper blades.
Caution!
Risk of damage.
If the wiper blades are not changed properly,
they can come loose when the car is moving.
fCheck that the wiper blades are seated
securely. The wiper blades must engage properly in the wiper arm.
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224
Maintenance, Car Care
Car Care Instructions fPlease see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on Page 206.
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. fKeep cleaning agents out of reach from chil-
dren.
fObserve all caution labels.
fAlways read directions on the container before
using any product. These directions may con-
tain information necessary to avoid personal
injury.
fDo 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.
fDo 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.
fTest 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.
fDo not use high-pressure cleaning equipment or steam cleaners for cleaning 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.
fPlease observe the operating instructions from
the unit manufacturer.
fWhen cleaning with a flat-jet nozzle or the like,
maintain a minimum distance of 20 inches (50
cm).
fNever use high-pressure cleaning units or
steam cleaners with a round-jet nozzle. A high-
pressure cleaning unit or steam cleaner with
round nozzle will damage your vehicle.
fThe tires are particularly susceptible to dam-
age.
fDo not point the cleaning jet directly at any of the aforementioned components.
Page 227 of 310
Maintenance, Car Care
225
Washing The best method of protecting your car from the
damaging effects of the environment is frequent
washing and the application of a preservative. The
underside of your vehicle should also be thorough-
ly washed for cinders, salt or sanding at winter’s
end.
The longer salt, road dust and industrial dust,
dead insects, bird droppings or substances from
trees (resin, pollen) are allowed to remain on the
bodywork, the more serious is their harmful ef-
fect.
New cars should be washed carefully with plenty
of clear water to protect the new paint work. Dark
paint finishes show up the smallest of surface
damage (e.g., scratches) more readily than lighter
colors.
Dark colors are also more susceptible to scratch-
ing because of the composition of their pigments
and require particularly careful paint care.
fDo not wash your car in bright sunlight or while
the bodywork is still hot.
fWhen washing by hand, use abundant water, a
soft sponge or wash brush, and Porsche car
shampoo.
fBegin by spraying the body thoroughly with wa-
ter to rinse away loose dirt.fAfter washing, rinse the car with plenty of wa-
ter and then dry with a chamois leather.
Do not use the same chamois leather for dry-
ing as you use for cleaning the windshield and
windows.
Warning!
Moisture which gets on to the brakes during
a car wash can reduce braking efficiency or
make the brakes pull unevenly which could
increase the danger of an accident, causing
serious personal injuries or death.
fAfter washing the car, test the brakes and
steering and briefly brake the discs dry.
When doing this, take care not to hamper other
road users behind you (traffic conditions per-mitting).
Automatic car washes
fPlease see the chapter “WIPER BLADES” on
Page 223.
Optional add-on parts or parts which project be-
yond the contours of the vehicle may be damaged
by design features (e.g. brushes) of automatic car
washes.The following parts are particularly
susceptible to damage:
– Convertible top (hot wax treatment cannot be
used, as the wax attacks the convertible top
material)
– Windshield wipers (always switch them off to
prevent them wiping unintentionally in intermit-
tent or sensor operation)
– External antennas (always unscrew)
– Roof Transport System (always remove com-
pletely)
– Rear spoiler
– Wheels (the wider the rim and the lower the tire
height, the greater the risk of damage)
– High-gloss wheels (to prevent these from get-
ting scratched, do not clean with the wheel-
cleaning brushes of the car wash).
fPlease consult the operator before using auto-
matic car washes.
fWash and dry by hand all points not reached by
a car wash, such as door and lid seams or
door sills.
Note
Automatic car washes spray water at odd angles
and high pressures, which are not seen in normal
driving. Therefore, water can sometimes find its
way into the passengers compartment during or
shortly after the car wash.
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226
Maintenance, Car Care Convertible top
fNever remove snow and ice using a sharp
edged object.
Incorrect care and treatment can damage the con-
vertible top and cause leaks. Any repair work can
be done by your authorized Porsche dealer.
Important note
No folding top is 100% leak proof.
Due to the constant changing of loads and strains
to which a car is subject to when driving on roads,
minor wind noise and seepage at joints between
the top, body and doors on convertible tops can-
not be completely sealed in certain areas. There-
fore small leaks are considered normal for these
models. In addition, your convertible top should
not be washed in a car wash. The top may experi-
ence damage by the brushes or may experience
leaks due to the high pressure water streams di-
rected in areas which would not encounter water
in normal driving conditions. Cleaning
Caution!
Risk of damage due to the cleaning jet of the
high-pressure cleaning equipment or hot wax
treatment.
fDo not clean the convertible top with high-
pressure cleaning equipment.
fDo not use the hot wax treatment.
Do not wash the convertible top each time the car
is washed.
It is usually sufficient to spray or wash it with clean
water.
fBrush dust off the convertible top in the direc-
tion of the weave using a soft brush.
fOnly if there is heavy dirt, wet the convertible
top with lukewarm water and the Porsche
Wash-Shampoo & convertible-top cleaner, us-
ing a sponge or soft brush, and rub gently.
Rinse Wash-Shampoo & convertible-top clean-
er thoroughly off the convertible top with clean
water.
fAfter washing it, treat the convertible-top cover
at least once a year with the special Porsche
convertible-top care product.
Do not allow the convertible-top care product
to come into contact with paint or windows. If
it does, remove immediately. fIf there is leakage in the convertible-top cover
or at its seams or folds, the special Porsche
convertible-top care product can be used.
fPlease note the information on the container.
fRemove bird droppings immediately since the
acid in them will make the rubber swell and the
convertible top will become leaky.
fOpen convertible top only when it is completely
dry, otherwise damp stains and scrub marks
may occur which cannot be removed.
fTry to remove spots from the convertible-top
cover by rubbing carefully with a soft rubber
sponge.
Door lock fTo prevent the door lock from freezing during
the cold season, the lock cylinder should be
covered during a wash.
fShould the lock freeze, use an ordinary de-icer.
In many cases, a well warmed key can help.
Never use excessive force.
Page 229 of 310
Maintenance, Car Care
227
Paint To protect the paint on your vehicle in the best
possible way against mechanical and chemical
damage, you should
– preserve it regularly,
– polish it if necessary,
– remove spots and stains, and
– repair damaged paintwork.
fDo not apply care products containing silicone
to the convertible top and windows.
General information
fNever rub a dusty vehicle with a dry cloth,
because the grains of dirt will damage the
paintwork.
fDo not treat matt-painted components with
preservatives or polishes, otherwise the matt
effect will be lost.
Preservation
The paint surface becomes dull over time due to
weathering.
fPreserve paint regularly.
fApply paint preservative after washing the
vehicle and polish it smooth to preserve the
paintwork.This keeps the paint shiny and elastic. Dirt is
prevented from adhering to the paint surface and
industrial dust is prevented from penetrating the
paint.
Polishing
Do not resort to using Porsche polish until it be-
comes evident that the normal preservatives no
longer produce the desired finish.
Spots and stains
fRemove tar stains, grease, oil spots and dead
insects as soon as possible with Insect Remov-
er. They can cause discoloration if allowed to
remain on the paintwork.
fWash the affected area immediately after treat-
ing it.
Minor paint damage
fHave minor paint damage, such as scratches,
scores or chips caused by flying stones, re-
paired immediately by your authorized
Porsche dealer before corrosion sets in.
However, if there are already traces of corrosion,
they must first be removed carefully and thorough-
ly. Coat the area with a rust-proofing primer and
finish off with a top coat. The paint code and color
number are found on the data bank in the Mainte-
nance booklet.
fPlease see the chapter “VEHICLE DATA BANK”
on Page 284.
Engine compartment The engine compartment and the surface of the
engine are treated with a corrosion-inhibitor at the
factory.
If degreasing solvents are used to clean the en-
gine compartment or the engine is washed down,
the process almost invariably removes the corro-
sion-inhibiting coating. It is then absolutely neces-
sary to have a durable preservative applied to all
surfaces, body seams, joints and assemblies in
the engine compartment. This also applies when
corrosion-inhibitor parts are replaced.
Caution!
Risk of damage to the alternator.
fDo not point the cleaning jet directly at the al-ternator, or cover the alternator.
Effective rust-proofing is particularly important
during the cold weather season. If the vehicle is
driven frequently in areas where salt has been
spread on the roads, the engine compartment
should be cleaned thoroughly and subsequently
sealed after the cold weather season to prevent
salt from causing any lasting damage.
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Maintenance, Car Care
Windows The road dust which settles on the windshield and
windows contains particles of tire rubber and oil
residue. The interior trim and upholstery release
particles, particularly in strong sunlight, which col-
lect on the insides of the windows. These deposits
are augmented by impurities in the air which en-
ters the car through the fresh air vents.
fClean all windows regularly, inside and outside,
with Porsche window cleaner.
fIf you use a chamois leather for the windows,
do not use it for paintwork as it will otherwise
pick up a certain amount of preservative or
polish and could smear the windows and thus
impair vision.
fRemove dead insects with Porsche insect re-
mover.
Note
Door windows feature a water-repellent (hydro-
phobic) coating which prevents soiling of the
windows.
This coating is subject to natural wear and can be
renewed.
fConsult an authorized Porsche dealer.
Wiper blades Wiper blades that are in perfect condition are vital
for a clear view.
fPlease see the chapter “WIPER BLADES” on
Page 223.
fReplace the wiper blades twice per year (be-
fore and after the cold season) or whenever
wiper performance deteriorates or the blades
are damaged.
fPeriodically clean the wiper blades with
Porsche window cleaner, especially after the
vehicle has been washed in a car wash.
If they are very dirty (e.g. with insect remains),
they can be cleaned with a sponge or cloth.
If the wiper blades rub or squeak, this can be as a
result of the following:
– If the vehicle is washed in an automatic car
wash, 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.
– Replace damaged or worn wiper blades imme-
diately.
fPlease see the chapter “WASHER FLUID” on
Page 220.
fPlease contact your authorized Porsche dealer
for further information.
Undercoating As it is not possible to exclude the risk of damage
to this protective coating in day to day driving, it
is advisable to have the underside of the car in-
spected at certain intervals – preferably before
the start of winter and again in spring – and the un-
dercoating restored as necessary.
Your authorized Porsche dealer is familiar with the
bodyseal treatment procedures and has the nec-
essary equipment for applying factory approved
materials. We recommend that you entrust them
with such work and inspections.
Unlike conventional spray oils, undercoating and
rust-proofing compounds based on bitumen or
wax do not attack the sound-proofing materials ap-
plied at the factory.
Warning!
Danger of fire resulting in serious personal
injury or death.
fDo not apply additional undercoating or rust-
proofing on or near the exhaust manifold, ex-
haust pipes, catalytic converters or heat
shields. During driving the substance used for undercoating could overheat and ignite.
fBefore applying fresh underseal, carefully re-
move any deposits of dirt and grease. Once it
has dried, the new undercoating compound
forms a tough protective coating which pro-
vides efficient rust-proofing of the floor panels
and components.