four wheel drive PORSCHE 944 1987 1.G Owners Manual

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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ABS Brake System (Antilock brake system)
The ABS system represents a major
contribution to the enhancement of active
safety in your vehicle. This system prevents
the wheels from locking in a panic stop on
almost all road surfaces.
With ABS system in your vehicle, the
following areas are enhanced:
Full steerability , vehicle remains steerable
under all braking forces.
Good directional control , no swerving
caused by locking of wheels under braking
conditions.
Excellent stopping distance , stopping
distances are usually reduced because
controlled braking is maximized.
Prevention of wheel lock up , no brake-
induced sliding and thus no localized tire wear from emergency braking.
The crucial advantage of ABS system over a
conventional brake system is in the area of
maintaining directional control and
maneuverability of the car in emergency
situations, including panic braking in turns.
WARNING:
In spite of the improved handling afforded
by the ABS system, it still remains the
responsibility of the driver to adapt the
driving style to the prevailing road and
weather conditions, as well as, obeying
traffic laws. In no case, should the higher
degree of safety offered by ABS be
regarded as a

justification for taking greater risks. Other vehicles not equipped with the ABS
system may not be able to maintain
control, especially on wet or poor road
surfaces and thus may be more likely to
impact you in the rear. To minimize that r
isk, use your ABS system to increase your ability to maneuver to avoid dangerous
situations and not merely to try to stop in
the shortest distance possible.
Driving with the ABS System
A wheel speed sensor is fitted to each of the four wheels. If wheel slippage of either of the
front wheels or the rear wheels is sensed
during braking, the brake pressure is adjusted
automatically until the wheel no longer slips.
The brake pressure is regulated for each front
wheel individually and for both rear wheels together.
On a road surface which is slippery on only
one side, the rear wheel which is braking on
the slippery surface determines the brake
pressure which will be applied equally to both
rear wheels. This ensures that directional
stability is maintained. However, if braking
force approaches the wheel locking-up point
for all wheels (panic braking) the ABS system
will intervene in a way comparable with rapid rhythmic braking. The proper operation of ABS is perceived by the driver as a pulsating brake pedal in conjunction with audible noise
and perhaps some vibration. The driver is
thereby warned to reduce vehicle speed
appropriate for the prevailing road conditions.

If your ABS system should ever malfunction,
the ABS system is automatically switched off,
but the normal brake system, without ABS,
would remain fully operational. Such a malfunction would be indicated by the illumination of the central warning light, as well as the "ANTILOCK" light on the right hand
side of the instrument cluster.
If the ABS system becomes inoperative,
take your vehicle to your authorized dealer immediately.
Note
The control unit of the ABS brake system is
set for standard tire sizes. If non-standard
tires are fitted, the control unit may
misinterpret the speed of the vehicle, because of the variant data it receives from the sensors on the axles.
If the difference in rolling radius exceeds
approx. 17%, the control unit deactivates the
ABS system and the ABS warning lamp lights up.
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1 Set accelerate
2 Reset
3 Cancel

Automatic Speed Control
The automatic speed control allows you to
maintain a constant cruising speed of 25 mph
(40 km/h) or higher, without actuating the
accelerator pedal. Any manual operation,
such as accelerating, gearshifting or braking
can be done independent of the automatic
speed control. The spring loaded control lever
operating the automatic speed control is
located just below the wiper/ washer lever.
While driving with the automatic speed
control set at speeds above 25 mph (40
km/ h), do not bring shift lever into the
Neutral position as excessive engine rpm
will result.
To operate the automatic speed control Accelerate to the desired cruising speed, push lever toward instrument cluster (arrow 1) and
release. This sets the cruising speed and
stores it in a memory.
After a second or two, automatic speed control will take over and you can remove
your foot from the accelerator pedal. The set
cruising speed will be maintained
automatically.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when it may
be unsafe to keep the car at a constant
speed. For example, a constant speed may not be safe in heavy traffic, or on winding
or slippery roads. With the cruise control
system engaged, the engine speed will not
return to idle when removing the foot from
the accelerator pedal.
Please observe all local and national speed limits.

Passing: If you want to drive faster for a brief
moment, for example when passing another
vehicle, actuate the accelerator. When you
take your foot off the accelerator pedal, the
preset speed will automatically be resumed.
Gearshifting: When shifting gears, the
automatic speed control is only disengag
ed as long as the clutch pedal is depressed. The
preset speed will be resumed as soon as you
take your foot off the clutch pedal.
Braking and stopping: Whenever you apply
the brake or come to a stop, the automatic
speed control is disengaged. Move the lever
down (arrow 2), and the preset speed will be
resumed.

Switching system off: To switch off the
automatic speed control, move the lever
toward you (arrow 3). To resume the preset
speed, move the lever down (arrow 2).
To change the preset cruising speed
Increase preset speed:
Accelerate by depressing the accelerator pedal. When the desired speed is reached push lever toward instrument cluster (arrow 1) and take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Now the new cruising speed is set and stored
in the memory. As an alternative, you can hold the lever in the front position (arrow 1), without depressing the accelerator pedal. The car will
accelerate on its own. When the desired
speed is reached, release the lever.
Decrease preset speed:
Apply the brake, which will disengage the automatic speed control. When the vehicle
has slowed down to the desired speed, push
lever toward instrument cluster (arrow 1) to
set the new cruising speed.
As an alternative, disengage the automatic
speed control by moving the lever toward you
(arrow 3). When the vehicle has slowed down
to the desired speed, push lever toward
instrument cluster (arrow 1) to register the
new cruising speed in the memory.
Note: When driving up a hill, if the engine
power is insufficient in a particular gear, the
speed control will be disengaged
automatically. Shift to a lower gear to avoid
stalling the engine.

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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.

85



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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