light PORSCHE 911 2009 5.G Owners Manual

Maintenance, Car Care
209
Topping off engine oil
Warning!
Risk of burning from hot parts in engine com-
partment. Risk of injury by rotating parts.
The engine compartment blower on the en-
gine compartment lid can start up even with
engine off.
fExercise extrem caution when working in the
engine compartment.
fTop off engine oil only with the engine off.
Engine oil is hazardous to your health and
may be fatal if swallowed.
fKeep engine oil out of children’s reach.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have
caused cancer in laboratory animals.
fAlways protect your skin by washing thorough-ly with soap and water.
Note
The Check Engine warning light may light up if the
cap of the oil filler opening is opened while the
engine is running.1. Measure the oil level and read off the required
top-up quantity on the on-board computer.
2. Switch off the engine.
3. Turn the oil filler cap counter-clockwise by
approx. 90 ° and fully pull out the oil filler tube
by means of the cap.4. Fold down the oil filler cap.
5. Add at most 0.5 quarts (0.5 liter) of engine oil
at a time.
Never add more engine oil than required
to reach the max. mark.
6. Fold up oil filler cap.
7. Push in oil filler tube fully and turn cap clock-
wise until you feel it reach its end position.
8. Measure oil level again with the on-board
computer. Switch off the engine.
9. If necessary, repeat the process and add more
engine oil as required.

212
Maintenance, Car Care
Brake Fluid LevelfPlease see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on Page 206.
fUse only new (unused) Original Porsche
brake fluid.
Warning!
Brake fluid is hazardous to your health, and
may be fatal if swallowed.
Brake fluid also attacks paintwork.
fKeep brake fluid out of children’s reach.
fTake care while topping off brake fluid not to
soil the luggage compartment or items of lug-gage.
Example: 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera SChecking the brake fluid levelThe reservoir for the hydraulic braking and clutch
systems is located in the luggage compartment.
1. Open and remove cover flap A.
2. Regularly check the brake-fluid level on the
transparent expansion tank through the
window B.
The fluid level should always lie between the
minimum and maximum marks.A slight decrease in the fluid level due to wear and
automatic readjustment of the disc brakes is
normal.
If, however, the fluid level falls markedly or below
the minimum mark, the braking system may have
developed a leak.
fHave the brake system checked without delay
at an authorized Porsche dealer.

Maintenance, Car Care
213
Changing the brake fluid Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over
time. This accumulation of water lowers the boil-
ing point and, under certain operating conditions,
can affect the braking performance.
Therefore have the brake fluid changed in accord-
ance with the change intervals stated in the
brochure “Maintenance”. – The warning lights on the instrument panel and
on the on-board computer indicate an insuffi-
cient brake fluid level.
– If the warning light lights up on the instrument
panel and the warning message appears on
the on-board computer in combination with a
larger pedal travel, a brake circuit may have
failed.
If the warning lights should light up when
driving:
fStop immediately in a suitable place.
fDo not continue driving.
Consult an authorized Porsche dealer.
Warning light USA
Warning light Canada

Maintenance, Car Care
215
Fuel
Warning!
Fuel is highly flammable and harmful to
health.
fFire, open flame and smoking are prohibited
when handling fuel.
fAvoid contact with skin or clothing.
fDo not inhale fuel vapors.
To prevent damage to the emission control
system and engine:
fNever drive the tank completely out of fuel.
fAvoid high cornering speeds after the warning lights have come on.
fPlease see the chapter “FUEL ECONOMY” on
Page 214.
Please see the chapter “EMISSION CONTROL
SYSTEM” on Page 218.
Please see the chapter “LEVEL GAGE” on
Page 122.
Check engine warning light
If the warning lights in the instrument panel and on-
board computer come on and remain on while
driving, it suggests:
– a potential engine control problem and the
need for system service or
– an improperly fastened tank cap or – refueling with engine running.
Opening the filler flapThe filler opening is under the filler flap in the front
right fender.
fWith the vehicle unlocked, press on the front
part of the filler flap (arrow) to open the flap.
The filler flap is centrally locked along with the oth-
er locks. If there is a defect in the automatic unlocking
system:
fOpen the passenger door.
fPull the ring in the right-hand door aperture
(arrow).

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

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.

228
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.

Maintenance, Car Care
229
fAlways apply a fresh coating of suitable pre-
servative to unprotected areas after cleaning
the underside of the body, the transmission,
the engine or carrying out repairs to under-
body, engine or transmission components.
Effective rust-proofing is particularly important
during the cold weather season. If your car is driv-
en frequently in areas where salt has been spread
on the roads, the whole engine compartment
should be cleaned thoroughly after the winter to
prevent salt from causing any lasting damage. A
full under-body wash should also be performed at
the same time.Stainless steel exhaust tailpipesStainless steel exhaust tailpipes can discolor due
to soiling, strong heat, and combustion residues.
The original polish can be achieved again using
commercially available metal polishing paste or
metal polish.Light alloy wheels fPlease see the chapter “WASHING” on
Page 225.
Warning!
Danger of accident resulting in serious per-
sonal injury or death if cleaning agents (e.g.
wheel cleaning agents) come into contact
with the brake discs.The resulting film on the brake discs can im-
pair braking performance.
fMake sure that no cleaning agent comes into
contact with the brake discs.
fIf cleaning agent has come into contact with
the brake discs, thoroughly clean the brake
discs with a strong jet of water.
fPaying attention to any road users behind you,
dry the brake discs by applying the brakes at
short intervals.
Metal particles (such as brass or copper in brake
dust) must not remain too long on alloy wheels.
Contact corrosion can cause pitting.
Cleaners with an oxide-removing effect or the
wrong pH value, as are commonly used for other
metals, as well as mechanical tools and products,
will damage the oxide layer and are therefore
unsuitable.
fUse only cleaners for alloy wheels
(pH value 9.5). Products with the wrong
pH value can destroy the protective layer
on the wheels.
We recommend Porsche cleaner for alloy rims.
fIf possible, wash the wheels every two weeks
with a sponge or washing brush. If the wheels
are exposed to road salt, grit or industrial dust,
weekly cleaning is necessary.
Door, roof, lid and window seals
Caution!
The lubricant coating on the inner door
seals, convertible top and hardtop seals may
be damaged by unsuitable cleaning and care
agents.
fDo not use any chemical cleaning agents or
solvents.
fDo not use any preservative agents.
fWash dirt (e.g. abrasion, dust, road salt and
grit) from all seals regularly using warm soapy
water.
fIf there is a risk of frost, protect the outer door
seals and lid seals against freezing into place
with a suitable care product.Headlights, lights, interior and exterior
plastic parts, adhesive filmsUse only clean water and a little dishwashing
detergent to clean light lenses, plastic headlight
lenses, plastic parts and surfaces.
Do not clean when dry.
Use a soft sponge or a soft, lint-free cloth. Gently
wipe the surface without applying too much
pressure.
An interior window cleaner can also be used to
clean plastic surfaces (always read the cleaning
instructions on the container). We recommend
Porsche interior window cleaner.

230
Maintenance, Car Care fGently wipe the surface without applying too
much pressure.
fDo not clean when dry.
fNever use other chemical cleaners or
solvents.
fRinse cleaned surfaces with clear water.
Leather Characteristics and special features
The natural surface markings of leather, e.g.
creases, healed scars, insect sting marks, struc-
tural differences and slight variations in shade and
grain add to the attractiveness of the natural leath-
er product.
Observe the following care instructions:
Caution!
The leather will be damaged by the use of
unsuitable cleaning and care agents and by
incorrect treatment.
fDo not use caustic cleaners or hard cleaning
aids.
fPerforated leather must under no circumstances get wet on its reverse side.
fClean all types of leather regularly to remove
fine dust using a soft, damp, white woollen
cloth or a commercially available microfibre
cloth.fRemove heavy contamination with a leather
cleaner.
Always read the instructions for use given on
the containers.
We recommend Porsche leather cleaner.
Treat cleaned leather only with a leather care pro-
duct.
We recommend the Porsche leather care product.
Cleaning airbags covers
Danger!
There is a danger of serious personal injury
or death if the airbag system is impaired by
improper cleaning work.
fDo not make any modifications whatsoever on
individual components such as the padded
covers of the steering wheel, passenger side
instrument panel, the front seats and the door
linings.
fLet your authorized Porsche dealer clean these components.
Carpets and floor-mats fUse only a vacuum cleaner or a medium stiff
brush.
fRemove stains and spots with Porsche stain
remover.
To protect carpets, the Porsche range of accesso-
ries includes mats of the correct size and with the
appropriate fastening.
Warning!
Risk of an accident resulting in serious per-
sonal injury or death.
fAlways check the movement of the pedals be-
fore driving and make sure that they are not ob-
structed by a floor-mat or any other object.
fSecure the floor-mat to prevent it from sliding
into positions that could interfere with the safe
operation of your vehicle - do not install them
loosely in the vehicle.
Your Porsche dealer will be glad to offer you nonskid floor-mats of the correct size.
Cleaning fabric liningsfFabric linings on pillars, convertible top liner
and sun blinds, etc. must be cleaned only
using suitable cleaning agents or a suitable dry
foam and a soft brush.

Maintenance, Car Care
231
Alcantara fDo not use a leather care product to clean
Alcantara.
For regular care it is sufficient to clean the cover
with a soft brush.
Heavy abrasion or rubbing when cleaning causes
a lasting change in the surface.
Cleaning when lightly soiled
fWet a soft cloth with water or a neutral soap
solution and wipe off the dirt.
Cleaning when heavily soiled
fWet a soft cloth with lukewarm water or
thinned white spirit and dab the dirt from the
outside in. Cleaning Safety belts fUse mild detergent to clean soiled belts.
fWhen drying, avoid direct sunlight.
fOnly use suitable cleaning agents.
fDo not tint or bleach the belts.
The belt fabric could be weakened, thus affec-
ting safety.
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.
fFill up the fuel tank.
fChange the oil and oil filter, and run the engine
for several minutes.
fIncrease 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
fCheck and correct antifreeze/cleaning solution
level as necessary.
Electrical system
fRemove 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.
fRecharge 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.
fPlease see the chapter “BATTERY” on
Page 261.
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.