Porsche Service & MAINTENANCE
Porsche may be one of the most iconic European brands ever. To ensure your Porsche performs as it was designed to, proper Porsche service & maintenance must be completed on a regular basis.
Why Is routine Porsche service important?
Porsche vehicles – from the iconic 911 to the sport Macan SUV are high-performance machines. They are tuned to give you the most power and balance every time you sit behind the wheel. To maintain this unforgettable driving experience, you have to ensure you stick to routine Porsche service recommendations.
A Porsche is an investment, especially a 911. Even the one “cheaper” 996 models are skyrocketing in price, so it is important to protect your investment. This is one fact about Porsche 911s that other cars can’t compete with. -the design is timeless. It has remained largely unchanged over the last 50 years, and we suspect it will stay that way for decades longer!
Read on to learn more about the importance of routine maintenance, and what specifically you should be considering for your Porsche service routine!
An Ideal Porsche Service Schedule
Porsche vehicles are part of the larger VW group but do have a very different service routine and intervals when compared to their VW and Audi cousins. As with any make and model European vehicle, it is important that you get familiar with the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance. You can find this information in your manual, online, or simply stop by and ask us!
At Melbourne Motorsports, we’re Porsche experts! We will keep you informed about your particular vehicle’s health and needs before they become a massive repair bill!
Oil changes
Many manufacturers have increased the oil change intervals in recent years to save on overall maintenance costs to owners. Although these intervals are longer and technically save you money, they are not what is best for the vehicle. For long-term care of your Porsche we suggest performing an oil change at the following intervals:
- For Porsches under 70,000 miles, change the oil every 7500 miles.
- Porsches over 70,000 miles, change the oil every 5000 miles.
Performance Porsche models, we suggest an oil change every 5000 miles regardless of the mileage due to the rigorous demands of a performance engine.
Air and Cabin Filters
Porsche recommends changing the air and cabin filters every 15,000 to 30,000 miles.
At MMS, we suggest inspecting the status of these filters in every service to determine their health instead of replacing them solely upon mileage. There are a lot of variables that can impact the life of a filter, so it is better to inspect them than solely rely on mileage. We never suggest any part of the service you don’t need, so if your filters look good at 30,000 miles we’ll let you know!
Brake Fluid
You should flush your Porsche’s brake fluid every 30,000 miles or every 3 years, whichever comes first. If you have a performance Porsche or regularly used your car on the track, it should be changed more often.
Like all other fluids, brake fluid breaks down with time and use. Once it is too far gone, you’ll lose pressure on the system. This means you may go to press the brake expecting to stop, but your pedal goes right to the floor.
Trust us when we say you do not want to discover it is time to change your brake fluid on a track day!
Coolant/Antifreeze Replacement
Porsche recommends a coolant flush every 40,000 miles. The exception to this is if a part of your cooling system goes bad. For example, if you need a new radiator, we’d replace the fluid at that time as well.
The recommended antifreeze for our Porsche vehicles is the OAT type. Many of the famous, over-the-counter brands offer OAT coolant with an aluminum-protecting inhibitor package. This is what you should use with your Porsche.
Remember, never mix coolants! If you have to add coolant in a pinch, use water instead (preferably distilled water).
Transmission Service
Transmissions vary greatly on Porsche vehicles based on the year and model that you own. For this reason, it is very important to refer to your owner’s manual to determine when this service is due. Other than your oil, making sure your transmission is serviced properly is very important on your Porsche. Turbo models especially need to be cared for as there is just so much power being delivered to the wheels.
Tire Rotations
Extending the life of your Porsche’s tires as much by simply rotating your tires as possible will save you money in the long run. We suggest rotating your tires at every service.
By rotating your tires on this schedule, you’ll keep tread wear even and help maintain proper vehicle traction, handling, and safety.
Timing Belts and Chains
Timing belt replacement is one of the most critical services on a Porsche. Failure to adhere to a timing belt’s recommended replacement interval causes major engine damage if the belt breaks. Porsche recommends replacing the belts far before the end of their life. -typically between 50,o00 and 100,000 miles based on your model.
This replacement is one you should not attempt yourself. Make sure to work with a trusted repair shop as this is a critical service to the health of your vechicle.
Spark Plugs
Porsche recommends replacing your spark plugs every 30,000 miles. However, there are other reason that you may want to do so before that mileage mark.
While it is recommended that you replace your spark plugs every 30,000 miles, when to change a spark plug depends on other factors as well.
High-performance spark plugs sometimes have electrodes that wear down more quickly. If you have high-performance spark plugs, you may need to change them more often.
When oil leaks in your vehicle, the contamination from the oil will decrease the spark plugs’ lifespan and potentially cause misfires.
If you track your car (or just love revving your engine) it will increase the wear and tear on your spark plugs, which may mean you need to replace them more often.
Choosing Proper Fluids for your Porsche
Never, under any circumstances, use a fluid in your Porsche that claims to be universal. Your Porsche’s fluids are what keeps this high performance machine running. Buying cheap fluids for use in your Porsche is not the way to save money – in the long run it will cost you so much more.
The Right Oil for Your Porsche
As a high performance vehicle, fully synthetic oil should be used in your Porsche. Porsche actually partners with Mobile 1 which is what the factory recommends you use in your vehicle.
This is not to say that you can only use Mobile 1 oil – another brand is fine as long as the weight and chemical pack is correct, but we feel Mobile 1 is. agreat choice!
Coolant and Antifreeze Fluids
The Right Porsche Gasoline
Most vehicles have the minimum octane rating either on the gas cap or on a decal inside the fuel door. For Porsches or any European car, even if the label or cap states a particular octane rating, it is advised to use a higher octane or premium fuel (91 or 93).
Why do we recommend a higher octane fuel?
Higher octane fuels will burn cleaner, leaving less residual build up on your engine components. This way, you can get a little extra life out of your engine!
Transmission Fluid
The wrong fluid in the transmission can cause immediate failure. Porsche transmission services should only be performed by a professional technician and with the factory or OE+ fluid. Make sure to find a local repair shop to work with that is an expert on Porsche transmissions
Brake Fluid
Porsche brake fluid must be a DOT4 full synthetic brake fluid. The brake fluid brand is not as important as it is with other fluids in the vehicle, but it must be DOT4 full synthetic!
Power Steering Fluid
Porsche vehicles typically uses CHF-202 their power steering systems.
Non-scheduled Porsche Service
Just like any other manufacturer’s vehicle, you should expect and plan for other necessary maintenance. This includes wear items like tires, brakes, suspension bushings/components, and batteries.
It also includes services not based on a schedule, such as tire alignments. A lot of these no-scheduled service items are dependent how your drive and maintain your vehicle.
When you work with a trusted local shop, they should keep you informed about these items, and when you need to repair them. Left unchecked, they can cause significant repair bills down the road that could have potentially been avoided.
These non-scheduled maintenances are required of any vehicle, but the intent of following the above guidelines and keeping scheduled maintenance and proper fluids in your Porsche reduces the cost and likelihood of other more costly expenses and repairs over your Porsche’s life.
Porsche Service — Melbourne Motorsports
Melbourne Motorsports is your trusted resource for Porsche service on the Space Coast. Whether you need a major repair or a simple oil change, we’re here to help.The need for service and repairs happen with any make and model vehicle – not just Porsche. However, as a Porsche owner, it’s best to stay on top of your services and routine wear and tear items so you can avoid these unforeseen repairs and higher repair bills.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, for the latest in all things European cars!