Oil & Break In

I think this got kind of lost when posted in the chat forum, thought I'd post it again here. I spoke with Adam Noderer, Porsche District Sales Manager, at the LA Auto Show. I had break in and oil questions he couldn’t answer so he asked Rick Perkins, a Field Technical Manager, to call me with answers. Rick’s answers and comments are summarized below under my questions. Question: [/quote]Can you tell me if a run in procedure is performed on engine assembly and approximately how many miles of testing is done prior to shipment assuming there is a track adjacent to the Porsche facility in Finland? Answer & comments:[/quote] All engines are assembled in Stuttgart (Zuefenhousen) Following assembly they are warmed to a steady state on a dyno then run hard but briefly to verify horsepower. No engine run in procedure is performed[/quote]. Random cars are selected for road testing following assembly and all other cars are trucked to shipping following assembly (this means no factory break in is performed, it’s all up to the owner). Only Carrera GT’s are 100% road tested. Question: [/quote]There is a fairly uniform consensus among engine tuners on the web that synthetic oil, which comes in new Porsches, should not be used for break in. Can you tell me if the oil used for testing at the completion of engine assembly and for any pre shipment track testing is petroleum based or synthetic? Answer & comments: [/quote]Since August, 1992 0/40 Mobile 1 synthetic oil has been put in the engines at assembly prior to the dyno run and stays in the car to final delivery to the customer. Petroleum oil is used by tuners to break engines in faster but doesn’t result in a better break in. The 4000 rpm limit break in recommendation in the owners manual is to avoid excessive heat[/quote]. In other words don’t run up a hill at high rpm’s during break in or otherwise over heat the engine. During break in the car may use a quart of oil in the first 1000 miles or so. The car isn’t really broken in, that is rings aren’t completely seated, until 8 – 10K miles. If he were buying the car he would change the oil and filter at 10,000 miles. After break in the car may burn as much as 1 quart every 3 – 4K miles. Question:[/quote] It would seem that only a mile or two of driving would be needed to accommodate movement between the transport modes used to get the car from the factory to the dealer. Is this a correct assumption? Answer & comments:[/quote] 4-6 miles is used to get the car from the factory to the dealer. Miles in addition to that, up to 40, are due to dealer prep and/or the car being one of the random units pulled from the assembly line for testing at the factory. At the factory a 20 mph speed limiter is included in the initial software load to prevent hard use during transport to the dealer. The “hand over” software load put in by the dealer eliminates this speed limitation.

This information jibes with what my sales person said last night, but I appreciate your documenting it here. The 10,000 mile oil change stands out as does the comment about using a quart of oil in the first 1K. I was given serious instruction on checking the oil level in the computer - no dip stick of course. On a somewhat related matter, my sales person mentioned having a 996. I asked about the rear main seal. The RMS was replaced three times and when it starting leaking again, the entire engine was replaced at no cost by Porsche . Apparently this is the rule for Porsche . They will fix something three times and if it fails after that it is replaced. CHECK YOUR OIL every time you get gas!

' on checking the oil level in the computer ' - How does one do that?

BJ...great post. I like 'hearing' information from those in the know.

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Thanks I guess I skipped over that. All that to replace a dipstick. I'm not certain that is progress but I'm old school.

Really!, but then do you want oil drips on your sand beige carpet?

I agree. I wouldn't mind having a dip stick back up. Am I correct that it can take up to 5 minutes to cycle through a full oil check with a warm engine? i gues that's when we chat with all the folks comming to look at it at the gas station.

Yep, I'd already wondered how to add oil and not drip it on the Cocoa carpet. Why carpet back there anyway? It is a storage area they say. Oh, I think I know, they want me to to buy a Porsche mat to protect the carpet/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/taunt.gif

If the display fails do you tow it to the dealer? I will say this one item of tech I could do without. Does any one know if the engine has a manual check type dip stick. One could at least unbolt the cover and manually check if the displa fails.

So there's no dipstick in the Cayman ? I could swear my Boxster had both the digital readout and a dipstick. Anyone know when Porsche changed that (do Boxsters still have a dipstick)? For what it's worth, I found the digital readout to be great and got used to checking it every time I filled up. It just became habit, something I wouldn't have done as much with the dipstick.

Porsche removed the dipstick on the Boxster in 2005.

<div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I’ve only put 300 miles on my car – so clearly I’m still breaking it in.Thank you for the info you provided by the dealer. I’m probably too careful – as it’s my first new Porsche . I’m also getting used to the new car smells from the engine – especially when I shut off the engine after a leisurely drive.It’s a brief, but noticeable emission. I’m sure this is normal, but sometimes it’s quit strong.Also, last weekend, I noticed the dash became hot (not the seats, as some may have noted).I only drive the car on the weekends, so it will take longer to “break”; not sure if it’s bad b/c it sits for 5 days. Oil is fine, I do check each time I refuel.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Thank you and appreciate any feedback.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></div>

Icarr, If I had strange smells or heat in the dash I would get it into the shop for a look just to be sure there is not a problem. You don't want to wait till something burns up to have it checked. I have never felt any heat coming from the dash anywhere. Russ

Thanks Russ, Yup, I called my dealer...it's off to their servicedepartmenttomorrow morning! Like you said, I don't want to take any chances. Wish me luck! ~Lisa

My car is a basically a weekend warrior with an occasional drive during the week. I check the oil every time I start the car. I have been one bar down since day one. 1500 miles now. I am going to change the oil after I hit 2000 miles. Then probably 10K after that. My buddy has an 05 Boxster . He has been one bar down since the day he bought his car. He just hit 10K miles, no oil change, and added his first 1/2 qt this weekend.

I am at 3000 and have been at one bar down since day one. No change.

Icarr, Please let us know what's up with your car. I do hope it is a simple fix. Aloha Russ

<div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Aloha Russ![/quote]</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">My cousin lives in Oahu - it's beautiful there. Must be nice to drive around in your Porsche . I get the pleasure of all the potholes in NYC! [/quote]</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">So I just heard back from the dealership's service department - my car is fine; I can pick it up this evening. The burning smell was from the protective coating from shipment overseas (which I assumed correctly, thank goodness) and regarding the heat form the dash… bit of a mystery, but they checked the car thoroughly for any leaks orinstrumental issues – found nothing that would cause excessive heat. [/quote]</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Also I mentioned a rattle from the hatch - the panel on the hatch was mounted incorrectly.They took it apart, re-secured the clips, road tested, and it's ready to go home.Yes I’m relieved. [/quote]</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Thanks for your concern and, of course, advice.[/quote]</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Best regards,[/quote]</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Lisa[/quote]</div>

Lisa, That is great news. I hate to see a Cayman down, it is just too hard on the owner! This is a wonderful place to live and drive, especially in a Cayman . I know I am blessed. Aloha Russ

Lisa, from which dealership did you buy your Cayman from? I live in Long Island and I purchased my car from Legend Porsche , which is a dealership I would buy cars from, however I would not trust their service dept. given their poor facility. The people were great, however they have some development to do with respect to their showroom and service area.[/quote]

<div>Thanks Russ! I'll see how acts over the next few days. The hatch is better and I'll keep a close eye out for the heat issue and hopefully the protective coating smell will soon subside. There was a GT next to mine, and he had the same concern - so I felt better.What a car… as well as the DB9 in front. Nice line up! [/quote]</div> <div>[/quote]</div> <div>F1: (Gee, my favorite sport!) I actually bought my car in NJ at Ray Catena. I went to a variety of dealerships – this was where I got the best deal and service, henceI decided to build my car with them from scratch. They have an impressive/new service facility and, from what I've heard, are quite reputable.I also met the mechanic and he did go over the car w/me in detail, so do believe they know what they are doing. Let me know if you learn of anything different.I'm pretty cautious myself about dealership's service facilities after my experience atPrinceton BMW .My last car was an M5 – and I did not like or trust their service department. (Well, perhaps b/c my wheelswere stolen after I left it there for service - don't ask! Nightmare, but of course I got a new set of wheels.I can laugh about it now.) So I do my homework beforehand.[/quote]</div> <div>[/quote]</div> <div>Anyway, are you happy w/your Cayman ?[/quote]</div>

[/quote] I too bought My boxster from Legend, but NEVER had them service it. I've been more than Happy at Porsche of Roslyn. I bought my new Cayman there because of the service I got on my Box. Barry