warning light PORSCHE 944 1987 1.G Owner's Guide

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
WARNING
Avoid damaging tires and wheel rims. If you must drive over a curb or other obstacle,
drive slowly and at an obtuse angle.
Frequently check tires for uneven wear and
damage.
Remove imbedded material. Replace worn or damaged tires immediately. Replace missing valve dust caps. Keep oil, fuel, brake fluid, etc. away from
tires.
Keep tires inflated correctly.

Tire replacement
In the interest of maximum safety and best
all-around car handling, always buy
replacement tires that have the same
specifications with regard to tire size,
design, load carrying capacity, tread
pattern, tread depth etc. This also applies
to Porsche recommended alternate
replacement tires. If you do not use a
Porsche recommended replacement tire,
make sure that you purchase your new
tires from a reputable

tire specially dealer and that the dealer complies with all manufacturers warnings
for those tires.
In case of tire damage where it is uncertain
whether there is a break in the ply with all its consequences or, tire damage caused by
thermal or mechanical overloading due to a
loss of pressure or any other prior damage,
we recommend that the tire be replaced for safety reasons.
If one faulty tire on an axle is replaced it
should be noted that the difference in tread
depth on one axle must not be more than
30%.
Tire specifications are imprinted on the
sidewall of the tires. If in doubt, check with
your Porsche dealer.
When replacing tubeless tires, always install
new valve stems. When replacing tires
requiring an inner tube, always install new
tubes.
New tires do not possess maximum
traction. They tend to be slippery. Break
new tires in by driving at moderate speed
for the first 60-120 miles or 100-200
kilometers.
Wheel balancing
A wheel should always be balanced after a tire repair. Even with regular use a wheel can
get out of balance, and should therefore be
balanced from time to time. Unbalanced
wheels may affect car handling and tire life.
When balancing light alloy wheels, use only
adhesive balancing weights supplied through
the Porsche parts service.

Wheels
If you intend to use other than original
equipment wheels, be sure that they conform
to Porsche specifications for your model.
Check with your Porsche dealer regarding the
correct wheel specifications for type and
model year.
Removing and storing tires
The driving direction should be clearly marked on all tires before removing them for storage,
to make sure they are mounted and run in the
same direction as before. Store tires in a cool
and dry place. Tires without rims upright!
Avoid contact with oil, grease or gasoline. When remounting, put tires with the most
tread depth at the front.
Snow tires
For a better grip on snow and ice use radial M + S tires or snow tires with studs. Check with
your local Motor Vehicle Bureau for possible
restrictions.
Radial ply M+S tires should be inflated with
the same cold tire inflation pressures required
for the regular radial ply tires. However, do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pressure
listed on the tire sidewall.
Snow tires should have the same load
capacity as original equipment tires and
should be mounted on all four wheels. Snow
tires with studs should be run at moderate
speeds when new in order to give the studs
time to settle.

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WARNING
Tires with badly worn treads and studs are
very dangerous. Make sure they are replaced
immediately.
Do not drive a vehicle equipped with snow
tires at prolonged high speed. Snow tires do
not have the same degree of traction on dry,
wet or snow free roads as a normal tire. Furthermore, snow tires wear rapidly under
these conditions.
Snow tires do not fulfill their purpose if the
tread depth is less than 5/32 in. / 4 mm.
Comply with all state and local laws
governing snow tire and tread depth
requirements.
Snow chains Should snow chains be necessary, they
must be mounted on the drive wheels
only.

Check with local authorities for possible
restrictions.
Use only Porsche-approved snow chains with
fine pitch links, so that enough
space remains between the chains and the inside of the wheel arches.
Drive wheels must rotate freely with chains
mounted to prevent damage to body, axle or
brake components. Follow instructions issued
by the supplier of the chains. Remove chains
as soon as roads are free of ice and snow.
New Tire Identifications
The European tire manufacturers have
changed their tire identification system for SR
and HR-tires pertaining to maximum
permissible speed and maximum load carrying capacity for belted tires. The following is an
example only.
During the transition period some tires might
show both old and new identification codes,
such as: 215/60 SR 15 M+S 80 Q. In this
instance, the new codes apply.
The identification codes for VR tires
remain unchanged; for example: 205/55 VR
16. (V = maximum permissible speed for radial tires, i.e. over 130 mph or 210 km/h).


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Collapsible Spare Tire
The spare tire is stored underneath the
luggage compartment cover.
Due to tread and space saver design features
of the collapsible tire, car handling may be
affected.
Therefore, do not drive more than 50 mph
(80 km/h) when using the collapsible spare tire. It is for emergency use and short
distances only. Remount the original road
tire as soon as possible.
Inflating the collapsible tire WARNING

Do not overinflate your spare tire.
Inflate the collapsible tire with the electric air
compressor that comes with your Porsche. Do not use other equipment!
1. Mount spare wheel before inflating the tire.The wheel nuts for the light alloy wheels of the vehicle can be used to mount the spare wheel. This applies to emergency use and
short distances only.
2.
Attach hose to tire valve. Insert plug of electric cord into cigarette lighter socket.
3. The required tire pressure is 36 psi or 2.5 bar/atm (front or rear). Check
pressure with tire pressure gauge.
4.
Disconnect hose and electric cord and store air compressor.
5. Have flat road tire repaired and remounted
on car at next service stop. Remember, the collapsible tire is for emergency use and short distances only.
When the air is released from the collapsible
tire, it will return to its original shape after
cooling down for several hours. Store
collapsible tire in luggage compartment.
The collapsible spare tire cannot be
repaired or mounted on the rims with
standard workshop equipment. Repair and
remounting must only be done by the tire
manufacturer.

Tire tread depth As required by law, the tread depth of the collapsible tire is the same as that of the
original equipment tire. Replace a worn
collapsible spare tire in time.
If air compressor does not work
...
Check if tobacco or any other foreign matter is lodged in the cigarette lighter socket.
Remove carefully with a wooden pick. Do
not use metal object to prevent short circuit.
... Check if fuse is blown. Replace with new
equivalent fuse.

Maintenance of air compressor
The air compressor is maintenance-free. Do
not apply oil or any other lubricant.
The air filter should be cleaned periodically to
assure maximum efficiency of the unit.

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Lockable Wheel Nuts You can guard against wheel theft by installing lockable wheel nuts on your wheels. Each kit
contains three keys and four wheel nuts with
lock sleeve. The locking mechanism is
identical for all four wheel nuts. 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.
To unlock a wheel

1. Remove protective plastic cap from wheel
nut.
2.
Insert key all the way and turn left about
30°.
3.
Remove lock sleeve together with inserted
key.
To lock a wheel
1. Turn the key again approx 30° to the right and remove.
2.
Push the lock onto the wheel nut until you
can feel it latch.
3.
Check whether the sleeve (of the lock) is up against the collar of the wheel nut.
4. Generally it is not necessary to balance the wheels after installing the lockable wheel nuts.

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If it fails to light up, the fuse is defective and
must be replaced. Replace black plastic
cover.
The central electrical system contains plug in
relays for various electrical switching
functions.
Defective relays should be tested and
replaced by an authorized Porsche dealer.
To prevent damage to the electrical system
we recommend having all work - including the
installation of electrical accessories -carried
out by your authorized Porsche dealer. . ,

Fuses and Relays
The individual circuits are protected by fuses
to prevent damage to electrical leads and
components due to short-circuits and
overload.
The fuse box with a black plastic cover is
located on the left side in the engine
compartment directly in front of pivot point for
left windshield washer arm.
The use of the fuses and relays is shown
in a list on the inside of the cover of the
fuses and relays.
Replacing a Fuse
Before replacing a fuse, turn off all
electrical components and the ignition;
remove the key. Replacing a fuse or relay with the
engine running or the ignition on could
cause electrical shock.

A blown fuse indicates an overload in the circuit. When a fuse is blown it is not sufficient
to merely replace it. The cause of the short
circuit or overload must be located. Fuses
should never be patched up with tin foil or
wire as this may cause serious damage
elsewhere in the electrical circuit.
Open snap-on latches and remove plastic
cover.
To find out whether a fuse is serviceable, pull
it out with the plastic pliers specifically
provided for this purpose. Insert the fuse at
the test point on relay (G 3). If the fuse is in
proper condition, the green indicator light will
come on.
Loudspeakers


When installing a radio or booster amplifier,
check that the output is compatible with the
capacity of the loudspeakers supplied with the vehicle.
Rated capacity in Watt (Sinus)
Front Rear
2x10 2x10
HiFi Audio Package 2 x 25 2 x 25
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Battery-12 Volt
The battery is located under the front hood in
the cowl area.
A replacement battery should always have the same rating as the original equipment battery.
Specifications are printed on the battery
housing.
Before work is done on the electrical
system, the battery must be disconnected
to prevent short circuiting. First
disconnect the negative ground wire and
then the positive cable. To reconnect
battery, reverse the procedure.
Disconnecting the battery while the engine is running will damage the alternator. This
also applies to cars equipped with a
battery main switch.
Never drive the car with a disconnected battery as this will damage the alternator. WARNING

Do not lay tools or other metal objects on the battery as they could cause a short
circuit across the battery terminals.
Do not expose the battery to an open flame or electric spark. Hydrogen gas
generated by the battery is explosive.
Do not let battery acid come in contact with skin, eyes, fabric or painted
surfaces.
If you get electrolyte, which is an acid, in your eyes or on skin, immediately rinse
with cold water several minutes and call a doctor. Spilled electrolyte must be rinsed off at once with a solution of water and baking
soda to neutralize the acid and prevent
damage to fabric and metal.
Checking the electrolyte fluid level
The electrolyte fluid level in your battery can
be checked by unscrewing and opening the
filler vent caps of each cell. The fluid level
should meet the indicator mark in each cell. If
necessary, top off with distilled water.
How often water must be added depends on
operating conditions and on the time of year.
Generally, the electrolyte level must be
checked more often in the summer than in the winter, and more often when driving long distances.
Only fill up to mark, otherwise the electrolyte will overflow when the battery is being charged and cause damage.
Battery care
Battery should be securely mounted
Terminals and connections should be kept
clean and properly tightened. Corrosion can
be prevented by coating terminals and
connections with petroleum jelly or silicone
spray
Vent caps must be securely tightened to
prevent spillage
Winter operation
During the winter months, battery capacity
tends to decrease as temperatures drop.
Additionally, more power is consumed while starting, and the headlights, heater, rear window defogger, etc., are used more
frequently. Curtail unnecessary power
consumption, particularly in city traffic or when travelling short distances only. Let your
Porsche dealer test the battery's capacity
before winter sets in. A well charged battery
will not only prevent starting problems but will
also live longer.
Battery charging
Automotive batteries lose their efficiency when not in use. The charge available in your
battery can be measured with a hydrometer.
We recommend that battery voltage be tested
by your Porsche dealer who has the
appropriate equipment. If the car is not driven
for prolonged periods, the battery


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must be charged at least every 6 weeks. A
discharged battery allows rapid formation of
sulfates, leading to premature deterioration of
the plates.
WARNING
Charge battery in a well ventilated area.
Keep away from open flame or electrical
spark. Do not smoke. Hydrogen gas
generated by the battery is explosive.
Electrolyte fluid that may spill during charging should be washed off with a solution of warm water and baking soda to neutralize the acid. If you get electrolyte in your eyes or on your
skin, immediately rinse with cold water for
several minutes and call a doctor.
Never charge a frozen battery. It may
explode because of gas trapped in the ice.
Allow a frozen battery to thaw out first. Never use a fast charger as a booster to start the engine. This may seriously damage the
vehicle's electrical system and the charger.
Fast charging a battery is dangerous and
should only be attempted by a competent
mechanic with the proper equipment.
Slow battery charging
WARNING
Heed all warnings and follow instructions
that come with your battery charger.


Disconnect battery cables and remove the
battery.
All vent caps should be open. If fluid level is low, it should be topped up to the full mark in
each cell.
Connect charger cables.
Charger cables must be connected
POSITIVE (+) to POSITIVE (+) and
NEGATIVE (-) to NEGATIVE (-).
Do not connect or disconnect charger cables while charger is operating. Switch on charger. Normally, a battery should be charged at no
more than 10 percent of its rated capacity.
Rated capacity of the battery in your vehicle
is listed on the battery housing.
After charging, turn off charger and disconnect charger cables. Tighten the vent caps and reinstall battery.



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Emergency Starting with Jumper Cables
WARNING
Improper use of booster battery to start a
vehicle may cause an explosion.
Lead-acid batteries generate explosive
gases. Keep sparks, flame and lighted
cigarettes away from batteries.
Do not charge a frozen battery, thaw it out
first. Gas trapped in the ice may cause an
explosion.
No attempt should be made to jump start any vehicle with a low electrolyte level in the
battery.
Check electrolyte level of each cell. If
necessary, fill with distilled water to just
above plates.
Make sure the voltage of both batteries is the same. The capacity (Ah) of the booster battery
should not be lower than that of the
discharged battery.
Vehicle with discharged battery: turn off
lights and accessories, remove key, move
lever to N or P and set parking brake.
Vehicle with booster battery should not be
running. Disconnect ground cable.
Remove vent caps from booster battery and
discharged battery. Preferably lay a cloth
over open vents to reduce explosion hazard.

How to use jumper cables WARNING
To avoid serious personal injury and damage to the vehicle, heed all warnings
and instructions of the jumper cable
manufacturer. The jumper cables must be long enough so that neither vehicles nor cables touch
another.
Improper hook-up of jumper cables can
ruin the alternator.
Always connect POSITIVE (+) to POSITIVE
(+), and NEGATIVE (-) to ground on engine
block.
1. Connect clamp of plus-cable to positive (+) terminal of discharged battery (1).
2.
Connect clamp on opposite end of cable to
positive (+) terminal of booster battery (2).
3.
Connect clamp of minus-cable to negative
(-) terminal of booster battery (3).
4.
Connect clamp on opposite end of cable to
a bare metal part bolted directly to the
engine block or to the engine block itself (x)
of car with discharged battery. Connect
clamp as far away from battery as possible.
5. Start engine in the usual manner. If engine
fails to start, do not continue to crank but
contact nearest workshop.
6.
With engine running, remove jumper cables from both cars in exact reverse order: Steps 4 through 1.


7. Reconnect ground cable of booster battery.
A - Discharged Battery
B - Booster Battery
Do not try to start car by pushing or towing.
Damage to the catalytic converter, the
transmission, and/or other components of the
car may result.

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Manual Operation of
Retractable Headlights
If the retractable headlights do not open, they
can be operated manually by turning the knob
on the end of the motor drive shaft located in
the front of the engine compartment. The
connecting rod assembly is designed in such
a way that it need only be turned to the left to
either close or open the headlights.
WARNING

Do not turn the knob on the drive shaft as
long as the automatic mechanism is
operating.
The motor may turn suddenly and cause
injury. Before turning the knob, check first
whether the motor will work by turning on the ignition and by depressing the light switch to
the second stop.
99

Emission Control System

In the Interest of Clean Air
Pollution of our environment has become a
problem that is of increasing concern to all of
us. We urge you to join us in our efforts for
cleaner air in controlling the pollutants emitted from the automobile.
Porsche has developed an emission control
system that controls or reduces those parts of
the emission that can be harmful to our
environment. Your Porsche is equipped with
such a system.
Porsche warrants the Emission Control
System in your new car under the terms and
conditions set forth in the Warranty &
Maintenance booklet.
You, as the owner of the vehicle, have the
responsibility to provide regular maintenance
service for the vehicle and to keep a record of
all maintenance work performed. To facilitate
record keeping, have the service performed
by authorized Porsche dealers. They have
Porsche trained mechanics and special tools
to provide fast, efficient service.
WARNING To assure efficient operation of the
Emission Control System:

Have your vehicle maintained properly and in accordance with the
recommendations described in your
Warranty & Maintenance booklet. Lack of
proper maintenance, as well as improper
use of the vehicle, will impair the function
of the emission control system and could
lead to damage.
Do not alter or remove any component of the emission control system unless
approved by the manufacturer.
Do not alter or remove any device, such as heat shields, switches, ignition wires, valves, etc., which are designed to protect your vehicle's emission control system. Do not continue to operate your vehicle if you detect engine misfire or other
unusual operating conditions.
Starting
Do not leave vehicle engine idling unattended after starting. If warning lights should come on to indicate improper
operation, they would go unheeded.
Extended idling also produces heat,
which could result in overheating or other damage to the vehicle or other property.

Parking
As with any vehicle, do not park or operate your vehicle in areas where
combustible materials, such as dry grass
or leaves, can come into contact with a
hot exhaust system.

Undercoating
Do not apply additional undercoating or rust proofing on or near the exhaust
manifold, exhaust pipes, catalytic
converter or heat shields. During driving
the substance used for undercoating
could overheat and cause a fire.

100

Engine hood release
Pull lever on left underneath
dashboard. Disengage safety
catch and lift engine hood up.
Battery
In cowl area in engine
compartment. Check each cell.
Top up with distilled water.
Never disconnect battery while
engine is running. It can ruin
the alternator.
Before connecting quick-charger,
battery must be disconnected. Brake fluid reservoir
Level should be between MIN and MAX marks.
Only use new brake fluid
according to SAE
recommendation J 1703, DOT 3
or DOT 4 and conforming to Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 116.
Do not use silicone base brake
fluid (DOT 5). Even the smallest
traces may cause severe
corrosion in the brake system.
Coolant reservoir
Antifreeze must remain in cooling
system all year round.
Coolant level should be between
minimum and maximum mark
when engine is cold. Always add antifreeze and water in ratio specified under "Filling
Capacities".
Use quality antifreeze containing
ethylene glycol.
Windshield and headlight
washer reservoir

1.6 U.S. gal. or 6.0 liters
127


Rear Lid
Unlock by turning door/ignition
key counter-clockwise or
operating the control switch.


Engine oil dipstick

Check oil level a few minutes after engine has stopped. Level should
be between upper and lower
marks on dipstick. Difference
between marks is approx. 1 U.S.
qt. or 1 liter.
WARNING
Before checking anything in
the engine compartment, let the
engine cool down. The fan
blades will rotate
spontaneously (even with
ignition off) until coolant
temperature drops.
Engine oil Always use quality oil labeled "API" Service "SE or SF". Details
under "Engine Oils" .
With filter change approx. 6.34 U.S. qts. (6.0 lite rs)
944 Turbo: approx. 6.87 U.S. qts. (6.5 liters)
Check oil level as described on "Engine oil level".

Manual transmission oil with differential
Hypoid oil SAE 80 according to API classification G L 4 or Mil-L 2105.

Automatic transmission
ATF lubricates torque converter and transmission. U se ATF "Dex-
ron®" only. Quantity at oil change: approx. 3 U.S. qts. or 2.8 liters.
Check ATF level visually through transparent reserv oir at rear end of
transmission housing.
Difference between marks approx. 1 U.S. pint or 0.4 liter. Check ATF
level when ATF is warm, with engine idling, selecto r lever in Neutral
and car on level ground.
For differential use oils API/GI 5 (or Mil-L 2105 B ), viscosity SAE 90.


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