stop start PORSCHE 944 1987 1.G Owners Manual

Dear Porsche Owner Before going on a trip...
A lot has gone into the manufacture of your Porsche, including advanced engineering
techniques, rigid quality control and
demanding inspections. These engineering
and safety features will be enhanced by
you... the safe driver...
who knows his car and all controls who maintains his vehicle properly who uses his driving skills wisely, and who always drives within his own capabilities and
his level of familiarity with his vehicle.
You will find helpful hints in this manual on
how to perform most of the checks listed on
these pages. If in doubt, have these checks
performed by your Porsche dealer.
First things first
Turn the engine off before you attempt any
checks or repairs of the vehicle.
Be sure tires are inflated correctly. Check for
damage and tire wear.
See that wheel bolts are properly tightened
and not loose or missing.
Check engine oil level, add if necessary.
Make it a habit to have engine oil checked
with every fuel filling. Check coolant level to assure sufficient
engine cooling.
Be sure you have a well charged battery. Check brake fluid level. If too low, have
brake system checked.
Replenish windshield washer fluid. Check if engine hood is latched safely. Replace worn or cracked wiper blades. See that all windows are clear and
unobstructed.
Keep air intake slots and area between engine hood and windshield free of snow and ice, so that the heater and the windshield wipers work properly.
Check whether all light lenses are clean.
Be sure all lights are working and headlights
are aimed correctly.
Check under vehicle for leaks. Be sure all luggage is stowed securely.
Emergency equipment 3
It is good practice to carry emergency
equipment in your vehicle. Some of the things
you should have are: window scraper, snow
brush, container or bag of sand or salt,
emergency light, small shovel, first-
aid kit, etc.

8

In the driver's seat... On the road...
Check operation of horn.
Position seat for easy reach of controls. Adjust inside and outside rear view mirrors. Attach your safety belts. Check operation of foot and parking brakes. Check all warning and indicator lights when
starting the engine.
NEVER leave car idling unattended. Lock doors from inside, especially with
children in the car.
To prevent inadvertent opening of doors
from inside or outside, drive with locked
doors.

Never drive after you have consumed
alcohol.
Always have your safety belt attached. Always drive defensively. Expect the unexpected. Use signals to indicate turns and lane
changes.
Turn on headlights at dusk. Always keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, depending on traffic, road and weather conditions. Reduce speed at night and during inclement weather.
Driving in wet weather requires caution and
reduced speeds, particularly on roads with
standing water, as the handling characteristics of the vehicle may be impaired due to tire
aquaplaning.
Also, when crossing stretches of deeper water there is a danger that too high of a speed can
cause water to enter the engine combustion
chambers through the intake air system
and/or water may strike the cooling fan
causing cooling system damage. In order to
avoid possible en- gine or cooling system damage when driving
through deep water, the vehicle should be
driven at a walking speed in first gear.
Observe speed limits and obey road signs.
When tired, get well off the road, stop and
take a rest. Turn the engine off. Do not sit in
the vehicle with engine idling. See
WARNINGS on "Engine Exhaust".
When parked, always set the parking brake.
Move the selector lever to "P" (Automatic
transmission) or move the gearshift lever to
reverse or first gear (Manual transmission).
On hills also turn the wheels toward the curb.
When emergency repairs become necessary, move the vehicle well off the road. Turn on
emergency flasher and use other warning
devices to alert other motorists. Do not park
or operate the vehicle in areas where the hot
exhaust system may come in contact with dry grass, brush, fuel spill or other flammable
material.
Make it a habit to have the engine oil
checked with every fuel filling.
9

NEVER invite car theft! An unlocked car with the key in the ignition switch invites car theft. A steering wheel lock and a buzzer alarm are standard equipment in your Porsche. The
buzzer will sound if you open the driver's door
while the key is still in the ignition lock. It is your reminder to pull the key out of the ignition lock and to lock the doors.



Always remove the ignition key, especially
if children are left unattended in the
vehicle. Unsupervised use of any vehicle
key may cause serious personal injury.
NEVER leave your vehicle unattended with
the key in the ignition lock. Take the key
and lock the doors.

Keys
The vehicle is supplied with three keys fitting
all locks. All keys are symmetrical so that
there is no wrong way of inserting them in the
locks. Two keys (a) are fitted with a battery
light which is integrated in the plastic handle
and lights up upon pressing the contact
button. The third key (b) is flat and should be
kept as an "emergency key", for instance, in
your purse.
After pulling the plastic head off the flat key, you can snap on a luminous plastic handle
available from your Porsche dealer.
WARNING NEVER remove the key from the steering
lock while you are driving or as the car is
rolling to a stop. The steering column will
lock when you remove the key, and you
will not be able to steer the car.

When the key bulb becomes weak, you
should install a new battery of the same
voltage. Acid leaking from a discharged
battery might damage your clothing.
1.
Use your finger nail or a small screw driver
to carefully lift the key handle cover.
2.
Insert a new commercial battery (1.5 V) in
the contact button.
3.
Assemble key top as shown in the above figure.
10

Key number
The key number is impressed on a plastic tag
(d) which comes with the keys. Detach this tag and keep it in a safe place. The key numbers
of the other keys are embossed on the key
heads.
For your protection against theft:
Record the key number and keep it in a safe
place, such as your wallet. Do not keep it in
the vehicle.
If you should lose a key, provide your Porsche dealer with the key number to obtain a duplicate key.
For the lockable wheel nuts, three identical
keys (c), plus four wheel nuts with lock slee
ve, are included. When taking the vehicle to your
Porsche dealer or to a workshop for wheel or
tire service, remember to leave one key with
the service attendant.
In case of loss, duplicate keys cannot be
furnished by your Porsche dealer. Do not
leave these keys in the vehicle. Keep them in
a safe place.
See "Lockable wheel nuts" for details.




Anti-theft alarm
If your Porsche is equipped with an antitheft
alarm system, you will be given an additional
set of duplicate keys. Keep one of these keys
in a safe place but not in the car.
The alarm system can be activated or
deactivated with this key only.
The lock for the anti-theft alarm system is
located behind the door lock on the driver's
side.
To activate the alarm system, insert the key
and turn the lock slot 90° to the right.
To deactivate the alarm system, insert the
key and turn the lock slot 90° to the left.
When the alarm system is activated, and an
attempt is made to open either door, or to lift
the engine hood or the rear hatch, the alarm
will be triggered and will produce an intermittent high-pitched noise for about 30
seconds.
Should an attempt be made to start the
engine, the alarm will also be set off.
However, when the alarm system is activated, it is impossible to start the engine.
11

Ignition/Starter Switch with Steering Lock
The steering is equipped with an anti-theft
ignition lock.
Switch positions
0
The steering is blocked by the steering lock: all circuits wired through the ignition
are switched off.
The ignition key can only be withdrawn in the
"0" position. The parking lights can be
operated in this position by pushing the turn
signal indicator lever up and down (also see
"Parking lights").
1 Position for radio. Steering unlocked. If it is difficult to turn the key, gently move the
steering wheel until the key turns freely.
Note: all circuits which are disconnected in
position "3" can be switched on.
To conserve battery power, switch off other
electrical consumers while playing radio in
position "1".
2
Ignition on. All electric circuits are
operational. With the engine stationary, the
central warning light and all individual
warning lights located in both combination
instruments will light up for a bulb check.
3
The starter is operated by turning the
ignition key to the right. As soon as the
engine starts, release the key. It will spring
back to position "2". With the engine
running, the central and individual warning
lights should go out (see "Central warning
light").
To conserve battery power, the electric
circuits for headlights, rear window de-
fogger/defroster, temperature control and
wiper/washer system are temporarily interrupted during the starting process.
The starter should not be operated for more
than 10 to 15 seconds at a time. If the engine
does not start the first time or stalls at any
time, the ignition key must be returned to the
"0" position. The non-repeat lock in the switch
prevents the
starter from being operated when the engine is running and guards against
starter damage.
To remove the key and to lock the steering
wheel
, turn the key back to position "0" and
pull out. Turn the steering wheel until it locks.

WARNING
Never remove key from ignition lock or
turn key off while vehicle is moving. The
steering wheel will lock, causing loss of
control.
Instrument panel lights
Warning lights for alternator, oil pressure, and
brake system will light up for a bulb check
when the ignition is turned on. They should go out after the engine is started. The brake
warning light will go out after the parking
brake has been fully released. See
"Warning lights" for more details.
Buzzer
If you leave the key in the ignition/steering
lock, the buzzer will sound when the driver's
door is opened. This is a reminder to remove
the key.
For further details see "Starting Procedures"
on the following page.

24

Starting Procedures

WARNING
Fasten safety belts before driving.
Never start or let the engine run in an enclosed, unventilated area. Exhaust
fumes from the engine contain carbon
monoxide, which is a colorless and
odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can be
fatal if inhaled.

Never leave engine idling unattended. An unattended vehicle with a running engine
is potentially hazardous.
Do not park or operate the vehicle in areas where the hot exhaust system may
come in contact with dry grass, brush,
fuel spill or other flammable material.
Never leave engine idling. When starting engine, be ready to drive immediately.
Maintain moderate speed until engine is
warm.

Automatic Transmission - Start with selec-
tor lever in Park.
Manual Transmission - Start with gearshift
lever in Neutral.
Temperature sensors on the engine auto- matically provide the correct fuel/air mixture
required for starting.
Therefore, do not depress the accelerator
pedal while starting a cold or a warm engine.
When starting at very low outside
temperatures , fully depress the clutch pedal,
so that the starter only has to crank the
engine.
As soon as the engine starts, release the ignition key.
If the engine fails to start after 10 to 15
seconds of cranking, wait about 10
seconds before engaging starter again.
Do not let engine idle to warm it up. After
starting, drive vehicle at moderate speeds and with gradual accelerations. Avoid high rpm
and full throttle operation until the engine has
reached normal operating temperature.
Stopping engine
Turn key back to position 0.
Do not stop engine immediately after hard
or extended driving. Keep engine running
at increased idle for about two minutes to
prevent excessive heat buildup before
turning off engine.
WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment, let the engine cool down.
Hot components can burn skin on
contact.

The radiator fan switches on automatically when the coolant reaches a
certain temperature and continues to run
(even with ignition off) until the coolant
temperature drops. Therefore, never
touch the fan blades as they will rotate
spontaneously when the thermoswitch
turns the fan on.

If you have an automatic garage door...
The transistorized ignition system in your
Porsche may interfere with your electronically
operated garage door. To check this: drive
your Porsche close to the garage door and
run the engine at different speeds.
If the garage door opens or closes without
your operating the garage door unit in your
car, contact the dealer who installed the
automatic garage door to have the frequency
and/or coding of the garage door signal
modified.
25

The brake warning light on the dashboard will go out after the engine is started and the
parking brake is fully released.
WARNING
Release the parking brake fully. A partially engaged brake will overheat the rear
brakes, reduce their effectiveness and
cause excessive wear.
Always set the parking brake when parking your car. Move the selector lever
to "P" (Automatic transmission) or move
the gearshift lever to reverse or first gear
(Manual transmission). On hills also turn
the wheels toward the curb.

WARNING Failure of one brake circuit will impair the
braking capability resulting in an
increased stopping distance.
If one brake circuit has failed, the other will
still operate. However, you will notice an
increased pedal travel when you step on the
brake. Should you encounter such
experience, bring your vehicle safely to a full
stop.
Avoid driving the vehicle and instead have it towed to the nearest authorized Porsche
dealer.

Brake Pedal

Parking Brake Lever
Parking brake force is mechanically trans-
ferred to the rear wheels by means of cables.
Use the parking brake only after the vehicle
has come to a full stop.
To set parking brake,
pull the lever all the way up (arrow). With the ignition on, the brake warning light will come
on.
To release the parking brake,
pull the lever slightly up as you depress the
release button, and then push the lever all
the way down.

Brakes

Functioning of brake system
Your Porsche is equipped with a power
assisted hydraulic dual circuit brake system
with disc brakes at the front and at the rear. Both circuits function independently. One
brake circuit operates the front and the other
the rear axle.
In the unlikely event of hydraulic failure of
one circuit, push the brake pedal down
firmly and hold it in that position. A
mechanical linkage activates the second
circuit, and you will be able to bring the
vehicle to a stop.
WARNING
The movement of the brake pedal must never be obstructed by a floor mat or any
other object. In case one of the two brake
circuits fails, increased pedal travel is
required to bring your vehicle to a full
stop.

Make sure that the size of your floor mat does not hamper the movements of either brake, clutch or accelerator pedals in any
way.
Secure the floor mat against sliding into positions that could interfere with the
safe operation of your vehicle.
Do not "ride the brakes" by resting your foot on the pedal when not intending to
brake. Overheating and premature wear
of the brakes will result.
26

Before descending a steep grade, reduce
speed and shift transmission into a lower
gear or driving position to control speed. Do
not ride the brakes or hold pedal down too
long or too often. This could cause the
brakes to get hot and not function properly.

Brake operation and brake warning light
Make it a habit to check the operation of your
brakes before driving. The failure of a brake
circuit is indicated by the lighting up of the
dual-circuit brake indicator lamp. See also
brake fluid warning lamp.
With correctly adjusted brakes the pedal travel to the point of brake actuation should be
13/16" to 19/16" (30 to 40 mm). Whenever the brake pedal travel is greater, have the brake
system checked.
Keep in mind that the braking distance
increases very rapidly as the speed increases. At 60 mph/100 km/h, for example, it is not twice but four times longer than at 30 mph/ 50
km/h. Tire traction is also less effective when
the roads are wet and slippery. Therefore,
keep a safe distance from the car in front of
you.

Brake Booster The brake booster assists braking only
when the engine is running. When the car is moving while the engine is not running, or if
the brake booster is defective, more pressure
on the brake pedal is required to bring the car
to a halt.
Moisture or road salt on brakes affects
braking
WARNING
Driving through water may reduce tire
traction. Moisture on brakes from road
water, car wash, or coating of road salt
may affect braking efficiency. Cautiously
apply brakes to test them after being
exposed to such conditions. When the
vehicle is driven on salted roads for
extended periods, the brakes should be
hosed down thoroughly about every 2
weeks. An automatic car-wash facility
cannot do this job properly. Brakes will dry after a few cautious brake applications.
Brake wear
Our automobiles have excellent brakes, but
they are still subject to wear, depending on
how the brakes are used. Have the brake
system inspected at the intervals
recommended in your Warranty &
Maintenance booklet.

New brake pads or linings Brake pads or
linings may not have the highest possible
braking efficiency when new. Therefore allow
for longer braking distance during the initial
100 to 150 miles or 150 to 250 kilometers of
normal city driving; longer if fewer stops are
realized.
Clutch Pedal
Due to the hydraulic operation of the clutch,
pedal play should be 0.1" or 2.5 mm.
To check the play, depress the clutch pedal.
Excessive play or tightness indicate a
malfunction of the clutch. Both conditions can
lead to severe damage. Contact your Po
rsche dealer promptly to have the cause located and corrected. Always depress the clutch pedal fully when changing gears. Do not hold the car on a
steep hill with the clutch pedal partially
depressed. This will cause premature wear or
damage.

27

Left Instrument Cluster
The left instrument cluster includes the
coolant temperature and fuel gauges as well
as warning lights for coolant temperature, fuel
reserve, brake-
lining wear, safety belt, parking light and parking brake. The two arrows at the
top are turn signal indicators for vehicles with
trailer coupling.
Coolant temperature

Indicator
Needle in lower field - engine is cold
Avoid high speeds and high engine rpm. During cold engine operation, engine
response and power levels will vary from that
of a warm engine. Due caution and notice of
these engine characteristics will ensure safe
operation of the vehicle.
Needle in center field - normal

Under normal driving conditions, needle
should remain in center field. The needle may
reach the upper field, especially at high
engine loads, but should return to "normal"
when engine load is reduced.

Needle in upper field - warning
If needle enters the upper field the engine is
overheating the warning light comes on.
Reduce speed and engine rpm. The needle
should return to the center field and the
indicator light goes out.
If the needle does not return to the center
field, and the indicator light does not go out,
the radiator fan may not be working to
provide sufficient engine cooling. Pull off the
road and turn off the engine. The fan should
still be running for a while. Failure to do so
may result in severe damage to the engine.
WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment, let the engine cool down.
Hot components can burn skin on
contact. The radiator fan switches on automatically when the coolant reaches a
certain temperature and continues to run
(even with ignition off), until the coolant
temperature drops. Therefore, never

touch the fan blades as they will rotate spontaneously when the termoswitch
turns the fan on.
Be careful if you have to remove the cap from a hot coolant fluid reservoir. Protect
your hands, arms and face against
scalding. Use a thick rag and open the
cap carefully one turn to allow excess
pressure to escape before removing the
cap.

If the fan is not working, the fuse for the fan
may be burned out, or the relay may be
defective. See "Fuses and Relays".
After the engine has cooled down, check the coolant level (see "Cooling System"). If the
coolant level is low, top it up with water.
Check for possible leaks.
If the coolant level is normal, proceed to the
nearest workshop. Avoid idle speed and stop-
and-go driving. But with an inoperative fan,
the coolant will heat up again. When the
needle enters the upper field, stop again and
let the engine cool down before you continue
driving.
Coolant system malfunctions should be
remedied by the nearest Porsche dealer, as
severe engine damage may occur.

36


Fuel Gauge and FuelReserve Indicator
When the ignition is turned on, the amount of
fuel in the tank is indicated by the fuel gauge
in the right part of the dial.
If the needle enters the area in the bottom and the fuel reserve indicator lights up, there is
only a reserve of about. 2.1 U.S. gal/8 liters
left in the tank. Time to refuel at the next gas
station.
Brake Pad
Warning Light
The brake pad warning light comes on when the ignition is turned on and goes out after the engine has started.
If the light stays on when the engine is
running or comes on while driving, the brake
pads are worn, excessively.
Do not continue to operate the vehicle but
have your Porsche dealer check and
replace the brake pads.

Safety Belt
Warning Light
When the ignition is turned on the light will
come on for about 6 seconds to remind driver
and passenger to buckle up. See "Safety
Belts" for more details.


Parking Brake Light
The parking brake light will light up when the
ignition is turned on and the parking brake is
set.
The light goes out when the parking brake is fully released.
Parking Light
The parking light indicator at the bottom in the
left instrument cluster lights up when the
parking lights are switched on.

Turn Signal
Indicator Light
The turn signal indicator light, which is located below the central warning light, will flash at the same frequency as the turn signals. If a turn
signal fails, the control light flashes at about
twice the normal frequency. Have your dealer
check and repair it for you.
High Beam Indicator
Light

The high-beam indicator light, which is located at the top between the tachometer and the
right instrument cluster, will light up when you
switch on the high beams or when you flash
signal. The indicator goes out when you
switch to low beam.

Central Warning Light
The central warning light comes on after
turning on the ignition. This light monitors all
functions displayed by the instruments. If one
of these functions fails, the central warning
light and the pertinent indicator light come on
until the malfunction has been corrected. The
vehicle should immediately be taken to the
nearest authorized workshop.

37

Right Instrument Cluster
The right instrument cluster combines the oil
pressure gauge with the oil pressure warning
light, the voltmeter with the alternator warning
light as well as the brake fluid warning light.

Oil Pressure Gauge
Engine oil pressure is shown in bars. At 5.000 rpm, with the engine at normal operating temperature (approx. 90°C / 194°F), the pressure should be approx. 4 bar. A slight
drop in oil pressure is normal under certain
operating conditions such as prolonged
highway driving in hot weather.
At idle speed, with the engine oil hot, the oil pressure can sink to 0.5 bar - this does not
indicate any loss of engine performance.
However, if the oil pressure drops suddenly
while you are driving, or if the warning light comes on, pull off the road,
stop the engine
and wait for it to cool down. Check the
engine oil level. If the oil level is normal,
contact the nearest dealer.

Oil Pressure
Warning Light
The oil pressure warning light comes on when the ignition is turned on. It should go out when the engine is started and has reached the
correct oil pressure.
If the oil pressure warning light
does not light up when turning the ignition on, or if it does
not go out after starting the engine, contact
your Porsche dealer immediately.
If the oil pressure warning light comes on
while you are driving, pull off the road and stop the engine .
Check the oil level to make sure you have
enough oil. If oil level is correct and the oil pressure warning light is still on, do not driv
e
the vehicle as severe engine damage may
result. Contact your nearest Porsche dealer
for assistance.
An occasional brief flickering of the oil pressure warning light at idle speed and
normal engine temperature is no cause for
concern if the light goes out upon
acceleration.
The oil pressure warning light is not an
indicator for low engine oil level. To check the
oil level, always use the dipstick.
Make it a habit to have the oil level checked
with every fuel filling.
Voltmeter
The voltmeter shows the overall condition of
the charging system. The needle should
normally stay in the 12-
14 volt range when the engine is running. A temporary drop below 12
volts when starting the engine is normal.
38

Alternator Warning Light
The alternator warning light comes on when
the ignition is turned on. It should go out after
the engine is started.
If the alternator warning light does not light
up when turning the ignition on, or if it does
not go out
after starting the engine, there is a malfunction in the electrical system. If this is
the case, contact your Porsche dealer.
WARNING
If the alternator warning light comes on
while you are driving, pull off the road and
stop the engine.
Check whether the Polyrib-belt is slipping or
broken. The Polyrib-belt not only drives the
alternator for battery charging, but also the air
conditioner compressor.
If the light just flickers lightly, the Polyrib bel t
may be loose and is slipping.
The belt should be tightened or replaced
before you continue driving.


Brake Fluid Warning
Light
The brake warning light monitors the hydraulic dual-circuit brake system. It lights up when the ignition is turned on and should go out after
the engine has been started.
If the brake warning light fails to light up when
the ignition is turned on, or if it fails to go out
after the engine is started, there may be a
malfunction in the electrical system. Let your
Porsche dealer locate and correct the
condition promptly.
Should the light come on while driving, the
brake fluid level in the reservoir could be too
low, or one of the dual brake circuits may
have failed. In either case, the brakes will
function but a much longer distance and a far
greater pedal pressure are required to bring
the car to a halt. See "Brakes" for more
details.
Carefully pull off the road and stop. Have
your car towed to the nearest dealer for
repair. Continued operation of a car with
defective brakes is dangerous.
Antilock
The warning light goes on in the event of a
malfunction in the ABS system. The system is
switched off; the normal brake system
remains fully operational. If the light comes
on, take your vehicle to your authorized dealer for service immediately.
Air Bag
See "Air Bag System" for details.

39

Clock Time setting
A. 12 AM, PM or 24.00 h
With the clock in the time readout mode, keep butto n (2) depressed for 4 seconds -12 AM, PM or 24.00 flashin g. After pushing button (1), either a 12-hour (AM + PM) or
a 24-hour setting program can be selected. If you o nly
want to change the display mode, push button (3). The
clock then returns to its normal timekeeping functi on.
B. Hours
Push button (2) a second time - hour display flashe s.
Set hour by pushing button (1). After pushing butto n
(3)*, the clock returns to the time readout mode wi th
new hour setting.
C. Minutes
Push button (2) once more -
minute display flashes. Set minute by pushing button (1). Upon pushing button ( 3)*, the clock is started - accurate to within 1 second.
Button (1)
Start/Stop Set
12h/24h prog.

Button (2) Reset
Stop watch
Hour/min select

Button (3)
Selector button Time readout Stop watch

If button (3) is pushed during operation A and B, t he
setting procedure must be restarted (push button (2 )).
Stop watch function

The stop watch can only be set in motion if the clo ck is in its
normal timekeeping mode and not during setting
operations .
A. Push button (3) - 00:00 display appears;
B. Push button (1) - stop watch is on;
C. Push button (1) a second time - watch stops. (Addit ional
times can be added by pushing button (1) again - st op
watch keeps running. Push button (1) once more to s top timing.)
D. Push button (2) - 00:00 display appears;
E. Push button (3) - normal timekeeping mode.

40


Cigarette Lighter
Push knob on console in. When ready for use, the lighter will snap back. With the lighter
removed, the socket may be used for small
appliances, such as shaver, hand vacuum
cleaner or air compressor to inflate the
collapsible spare tire. Maximum rating of such
equipment should not exceed 120 W/12 Volt.
Do not damage the socket by trying to
insert plugs of the wrong design.



Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger works only with the
ignition key in positions 1 and 2.
The rear window defogger, together with the
flow through ventilation, will help to keep the
inside of the rear window clear of
condensation and frost in the winter.
Depress the switch to turn on the rear window
defogger.
The control light in the switch will light up to
remind you that the defogger is switched on.
After the rear window has been cleared, switch off the rear window defogger to avoid
unnecessary drain on the battery.
Emergency Flasher
If your car is disabled or parked under
emergency conditions, depress the HAZARD
switch to make all four turn signals flash
simultaneously. The light in the switch flashes
at the same frequency.
The emergency flasher works
independently of the ignition switch
position.
WARNING

Whenever stalled or stopped for emergency repair, move the car well off
the road. Turn on the emergency flasher
and mark the car with road flares or other
warning devices. Do not remain in the car.


Do not park or operate the car where the hot exhaust system may come in contact
with dry grass, brush, fuel spill or other
flammable material.
Before working on any part in the engine compartment, turn the engine off and let it cool down sufficiently. Hot components
can burn skin on contact.
Remember the coolant fan is thermostatically controlled and may come on at anytime, regardless of ignition
switch position.
41

Break-in Hints for the first 1.000 miles /
1.600 kilometers
There are no specific break-in rules for your
Porsche. However, by observing a few
precautions you can help extend the service
life and performance of your engine.
During the first 1.000 miles / 1.600 km, all
working components of the engine adjust to
each other to a certain degree. Therefore:
Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops. Change speeds frequently. Vary the throttle
load.
Do not exceed maximum engine speed of
5.000 rpm (revolutions per minute).
Do not run a cold engine at high rpm or in
Neutral.
Do not let the engine labor, especially when
driving uphill. Shift to the next proper gear in
time (use the most favorable rpm range).
There may be a slight stiffness in the steering, gearshifting or other controls during the break-
in period, which will gradually disappear.
Never lug the engine in high gear at low
speeds. This rule applies all the time, not
just during the break-in period.

Breaking in brake pads
Brake pads do not possess maximum braking
efficiency when the car is new. Therefore
more pedal force is necessary during the first
100 to 150 miles (150 to 250 km). This also
applies to replacement brake pads.

New tires
New tires do not possess maximum traction.
They tend to
be slippery. Break in new tires by driving at moderate speeds during the first 60
to 120 miles (100 to 200 km), and longer
braking distances must be anticipated.
Engine Oil Consumption
During the break-in period oil consumption
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, road conditions as well as the amount of dilution and oxidation of the lubricant.
Check engine oil level, add if necessary. Make it a habit to have engine oil checked with
every fuel filling.


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Engine Exhaust WARNING
Engine exhaust is dangerous if inhaled.
Never start or let the engine run in a closed garage. Never sit in your car for
prolonged periods with the engine on and
the car not moving.
Although exhaust fumes from the engine have many components which you can smell, they also contain carbon monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless gas.
Carbon monoxide can be fatal if inhaled.
If you smell gas fumes in the vehicle, drive with the windows open but keep the
hatchback closed. Have the cause
immediately located and corrected.
Because of inherent hazards, we do not recommend transporting objects larger
than those fitting safely into the luggage
compartment. Keep the hatchback closed
while driving to prevent poisonous
exhaust gas from being drawn into the
vehicle.
Never carry additional fuel containers in your vehicle. Such containers, full or
partially empty, may leak, cause an
explosion, or result in fire in case of a
collision.


Operating Your Porsche in other Countries Government regulations in the United States
and Canada require that automobiles meet
specific emission regulations and safety
standards.
Therefore cars built for the U.S. and Canada
differ from vehicles sold in other countries.
If you plan to take your Porsche outside the
continental 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
serious damage to both engine and catalytic
converter could result;
service may be inadequate due to lack of
proper service facilities, tools or diagnostic
equipment;
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 bought your car abroad and want to
bring it back home, be sure to find out about
shipping and forwarding requirements, as well as current import and customs regulations.

48

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 get maximum fuel
economy.
Have your vehicle tuned to specifications.
Fuel injection should be adjusted to
specifications.
Spark plugs should be clean, properly
gapped and fire efficiently.
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 pressures. Keep a light foot on the accelerator pedal. Drive smoothly, avoid abrupt changes in
speed as much as possible.
Avoid jack rabbit starts and sudden stops. Do not drive longer than necessary in the
lower gears. Shifting up early helps to save
fuel.
Avoid unnecessary idling. Turn the engine
off.
Prolonged "warm up" idling wastes gas. Start the vehicle just before you are ready to drive. Accelerate slowly and smoothly.


Any additional weight carried in the vehicle reduces fuel economy. Always keep cargo to
a minimum and remove all unnecessary
items.
Organize your trips to take in several
errands.
Use air conditioner only when needed. All electrical equipment contribute to increased fuel consumption.
The EPA estimated m.p.g. is to be used for
comparison purposes, actual mileage may be
different from the estimated m.p.g., depending on your driving speed, weather conditions and trip length. Your actual highway mileage will
probably be less than the estimated m.p.g.
Please observe all local and national speed
limits.


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Fuel Filler Cap
The lockable fuel filler cap is on the right side
panel of the car. When putting the cap back
on, twist it clockwise until it stops with an
audible click.
We recommend you turn off the engine
when filling the fuel tank.
Fuel tank capacity is listed under "Filling
Capacities".
If you lose your fuel filler cap, replace it
immediately with a cap of the same design to
reduce the possibility of a fire in a collision.
Fuel Recommendation
Your Porsche is equipped with a catalytic
converter and must use UNLEADED FUEL
ONLY.
944:
Minimum octane rating is 91 RON (87
CLC or AKI rating on US fuel pumps).
944 S / 944 Turbo: Minimum octane rating is
95 RON (90 CLC or AKI rating on US fuel
pumps).
Federal law prohibits use of leaded fuel in
this vehicle.
The use of UNLEADED FUEL ONLY is
critically important to the life of the catalytic
converter. Deposits from leaded gasolines will ruin the converter and make it ineffective as
an emission control device.
Cars with a catalytic converter have a smaller
fuel tank opening, and gas station pumps
have smaller nozzles. This will prevent
accidental pumping of leaded fuel into cars
with a catalytic converter.
Unleaded fuels may not be available outside
the continental U.S. and Canada. Therefore,
we recommend you do not take your car to areas or countries where unleaded fuel may
not be available.
Octane ratings
Octane rating indicates a gasoline's ability to
resist detonation. Therefore, buying the
correct octane gas is important to prevent
engine "knock" and possible engine damage.
The 91 RON (95 RON) octane rating of your
car is based on the research method. The CLC (U.S. Cost of Living Council octane
rating) or AKI (antiknock index) usually
displayed on U.S. gasoline pumps is
calculated as research octane number plus
motor octane number, divided by 2, that is
written as:


The CLC or AKI octane rating is usually lower
than the RON rating:
91 RON equals ............ 87 CLC or AKI
95 RON equals ............ 90 CLC or AKI

50

WARNING
Never carry additional fuel in portable containers in your car. Such containers,
full or partially empty, may leak, cause an
explosion, or result in fire in case of a
collision.
Porsche does not recommend the use of
fuel additives.
Do not use any fuel with octane ratings
lower than 91 RON or 87 CLC or AKI,
944S/944 Turbo 95 RON or 90 CLC or AKI.
Gasolines containing alcohol
Gasoline containing alcohol is available at gas
stations in some areas. The gas pump may not
be labeled to identify that alcohol is present in
the gasoline. If it is labeled, it may not identify
what amount and type(s) of alcohol
are used. We recommend you DO NOT use
fuels where the alcohol content cannot be
identified.
Gasolines containing methanol
DO NOT
use fuels containing methanol (methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). The use of fuel
containing this type of alcohol can result in
vehicle drivability and performance problems
and may damage critical parts of your vehicle's
fuel and emission control systems.
Gasolines containing ethanol
A mixture of unleaded gasoline and ethanol (ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol) is sold in some
areas. This mixture is sometimes called
"Gasohol".
You may use gasohol in your

Porsche, provided it contains no more than
10% ethanol, and the octane requirements for
your vehicle are met. However, we strongly
recommend to switch back to gasoline without
ethanol, if you experience any of the following
problems with your vehicle:
Deterioration of drivability and performance.
Substantially reduced fuel economy. Vapor lock and non-start problems, especially
at high altitude or at high temperatures.
Engine malfunction or stalling.
Continued use of gasohol under these
conditions may cause costly damage to the fuel system and the emission control system of your vehicle.

51

Gearshifting Manual Transmission


Maximum downshift points
5th to 4th gear
944 115 mph/1 80 km/h or 4300 rpm
944 S 123 mph/1 98 km/h or 5400 rpm
Turbo 130 mph/210 km/h or 5000 rpm
4th to 3rd gear
944 85 mph/1 36 km/h or 4750 rpm
944 S 91 mph/1 46 km/h or 5000 rpm
Turbo 96 mph/1 55 km/h or 4500 rpm
3rd to 2nd gear
944 58 mph/ 94 km/h or 4500 rpm
944 S 61 mph/ 98 km/h or 4600 rpm
Turbo 65 mph/1 05 km/h or 4250 rpm
2nd to 1st gear
944 34 mph/ 55 km/h or 3850 rpm
944 S 36 mph/ 58 km/h or 4000 rpm
Turbo 38 mph/ 62 km/h or 3700 rpm
Minimum upshifting points
1st to 2nd gear at 15 mph/24 km/h or
944 2850 rpm
944 S 2800 rpm
Turbo 2850 rpm
2nd to 3rd gear at 25 mph/40 km/h or
944 2800 rpm
944 S 2750 rpm
Turbo 2400 rpm
3rd to 4th gear at 40 mph/64 km/h or
944 3050 rpm
944 S 3000 rpm
Turbo 2750 rpm
4th to 5th gear at 48 mph/77 km/h or
944 2700 rpm
944 S 2650 rpm
Turbo 2300 rpm
The Porsche transmission with servo-lock
synchronization permits rapid and precise
shifting of gears. But be sure when changing
gears that the clutch pedal is fully depressed
to the floor, and that the gearshift lever is
completely engaged. The engine speeds for
the individual gears are listed on this page.
Reverse
Only shift into reverse when the car has
come to a complete stop.

The clutch pedal must be depressed and the
vehicle must be stationary before shifting into
reverse; only then move the gearshift lever to
the right (overcoming the spring resistance)
and then to the rear. Both back-up lights come on when the
transmission is put into reverse (with ignition
on).
For smooth shifting, observe the following shift points:
The specified maximum rpm figures should
not be exceeded when shifting down, as
otherwise the engine speed would be too
high. This applies to standard gear ratios only.

Please observe all local and national speed limits!
52