Porsche 928 S4 – Owner’s Manual

 

Model Year

1987

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the “Porsche 928 S4 Owner’s Manual”, available from 928 Specialists.

 

928 S4 page

 

John Pirtle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise Extreme Caution when Working under the Engine Hood

 

The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially hazardous area.  If you are not fully familiar with proper repair procedures, do not attempt the adjustments described on the following pages.  This caution applies to the entire vehicle.

 

  • Only work on your vehicle outdoors or in a well ventilated area.

 

  • Ensure that there are no open flames in the area of your vehicle at any time when gasoline fumes might be present.  Be especially cautious of such devices such as hot water heaters which ignite a flame intermittently.

 

  • Before working on any part in the engine compartment, turn the engine off and let it cool down sufficiently.  Hot engine compartment components can burn skin on contact.

 

  • Even after the engine has stopped, the radiator fan may continue running until temperature of the coolant has dropped to a certain level.  Therefore, never touch the fan blades as they will rotate spontaneously when the thermostat turns the fan on, even with ignition off.

 

  • Be alert and cautious around engine at all times while the engine is running.

 

  • If work has to be done with the engine running, always set the parking brake, and make sure the shift lever is in either Neutral or Park.

 

  • Exercise extreme caution to prevent neckties, jewelry or long hair from getting caught in the fan blades, the drive belts, or any other moving engine parts.

 

  • Your Porsche is equipped with a transistorized ignition system with breakerless distributor.  When the ignition is on, high voltage is present in all wires connected with the ignition system; therefore, exercise extreme caution when working on any part of the engine while the ignition is on or the engine is running.

 

  • Always support your car with safety stands if it is necessary to work underneath the car.  The jack supplied with the car is not adequate for this purpose.

 

  • When working underneath the car without safety stands but with the wheels on the ground, make sure the car is on level ground, that the wheels are blocked, and that the engine cannot be started.  REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY.

 

  • Do not smoke or allow an open flame around the battery or gasoline.

 

  • Keep a fire extinguisher in close reach.

 

  • Incomplete or improper servicing may cause problems in the operation of the car.  If in doubt about any servicing, have it done by your authorized Porsche dealer or any other properly equipped and qualified workshop.

 

  • Improper maintenance during the warranty period may affect your warranty coverage.

 

 

 

 

 

Tool kit

 

The tool kit is a lift-out tray fitted into the rear cross wall of the car.  To remove or replace the tray, turn both holding knobs 90°.

 

The tool kit contains tools needed for minor emergency road side repairs or adjustments.

 

Regulations in some countries require additional tools.  Details should be obtained before leaving for a foreign country.

 

 

Car jack

 

The car jack is located underneath the luggage compartment, together with the collapsible spare tire.  The tire is covered by a lid with a quick release catch.

 

WARNING

  • Use the jack only for changing a wheel.  Never jack up other vehicles or other loads with it.

 

  • Follow all warnings and instructions found in this manual for changing a tire.

 

  • The jack must never by used as a support to work underneath the vehicle.  If the jack is accidentally dislodged, you or bystanders could be seriously injured.  When working under the vehicle, always use safety stands specifically designed for this purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

Engine oil

 

It is normal for your engine to consume oil.  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.

 

Because of these variables, no standard rate of oil consumption can be established, but drivers should expect an increased oil consumption at high speeds and when the engine is new.

 

  • The engine in your vehicle depends on oil to lubricate and cool all of its moving parts.  Therefore, the engine oil should be checked regularly and kept at the required level.

 

  • Make it a habit to have the engine oil level checked with every fuel filling.

 

  • Lack of sufficient engine oil may lead to severe engine damage.

 

  • The oil pressure warning light is not an oil level indicator.

 

 

Checking oil level

 

To get a true reading, the car should be on level ground.  After turning off the engine, wait a few minutes for the oil to return to the oil sump.

 

  1. Pull out dipstick and wipe it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.

 

  1. Reinsert dipstick; push it in all the way down for an accurate reading.

 

  1. Pull dipstick out again.  The oil level is correct if it is between the “max” and “min” marks on the dipstick.

 

  1. If oil level is below “min” mark, or not showing on dipstick, add oil immediately.

 

The difference between the two marks is about 1.6 U.S. qt. or 1.5 liter.

 

Should the engine oil level be too low, the central warning light and the engine oil level warning light will flash as soon as the ignition is turned on (see “Central warning light system”).  Do not start the engine but add oil immediately or contact your Porsche dealer.

 

See “Cautions”

 

 

Adding engine oil

 

Only add the amount of oil that is needed.  The correct oil grade and viscosity recommendation is given under “Engine Oils”.

 

  1. Remove oil filler cap.

 

  1. Top up with quality oil labeled “API Service SF or SE”.

 

  1. Check oil level with the dipstick – upper mark should not be exceeded.

 

  1. Replace cap and tighten.

 

WARNING

The oil filler cap and dipstick must be secure to avoid oil spills and resulting fire hazard.

 

 

Changing oil and filter

 

High quality multi-grade oils are suitable for all year round driving.  Seasonal oil changes are therefore not necessary.  Only if multi-grade oils are not readily available, a single-grade oil of the correct viscosity can be used.  Specifications of the various oils to be used are detailed under “Filling Capacities and Engine Oil”.  The use of oil additives is not recommended by Porsche.

 

WARNING

  • When removing oil drain plug with your fingers, keep your arms as high as possible.  This will prevent hot oil from running down your arm.  Wear eye protection.

 

  • Always use a new gasket when reinstalling the plug.  Do not overtighten the plug.

 

Before changing the engine oil yourself, make sure that the disposal of the engine oil and the oil filter as special wastes is carried out in the proper manner.  Do not dump it on the ground, into open streams or down sewage drains.  Your zoning regulations or environmental rules will tell you how you can dispose of it.  Should the disposal of old engine oil present a problem, we suggest that you have your oil changed at your dealer or at a service station.

 

Oil change intervals specified in the Warranty & Maintenance booklet accompanying the vehicle apply to normal operating conditions and must be adhered to, including intervals for oil filter change.

 

If you drive mostly short distances, or if you operate the vehicle in dusty areas, or under predominantly stop-an-go traffic conditions, or when temperatures remain below freezing for extended periods, the engine oil should be changed more frequently.

 

 

Changing engine oil

 

With the engine at operating temperature and ignition off.

 

Remove the engine guard before working at the bottom of the engine.

 

  1. Loosen and remove oil filler cap.
  2. Loosen oil drain plug on oil pan and allow oil to drain completely.
  3. Loosen oil filter element with appropriate wrench and remove.
  4. Lightly coat new filter seal with oil.
  5. Screw on new filter element until seal just contacts the crankcase.  Only handtighten according to filter manufacturer’s instructions on container or filter element.
  6. Clean oil drain plug and replace, using a new gasket.  Do not overtighten the plug.
  7. Fill the crankcase with the required amount of engine oil labeled “API Service SF or SE” (see “Filling Capacities”).  Do not overfill.
  8. Check the oil level dipstick.  Top up if necessary.  Reinstall oil filler cap and tighten securely.
  9. Run engine at various speeds for 3-5 minutes and check for leaks.

 

See “Cautions”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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