Porsche's Recommended Maintenance Schedule
Change Engine Oil Every 10,000 miles. **Do it every 3000-5000 miles. The harder you drive, the sooner you need change it.
Change Manual Transmission Oil every 90,000 miles. SAE 75 W 90, 2.4 quarts (2.25 liters)
15,000 mile service: Inspection for operation of everything. Fluids Check. Oil change and air filter replacement if needed.
30,000 mile service: Inspection for operation of everything. Fluids Check. Oil change and air filter replacement if needed. Check airbag system every 4 years starting from this service. Check engine mounts and other rubber mounts.
45,000 mile service: Same as 15,000 mile service.
60,000 mile service: Same as 30,000 mile service + replacing the serpentine polyrib belt.
75,000 mile service: Same as 15,000 mile and 45,000 mile service.
Change brake fluid every 2 years.
Change Manual Transmission Oil every 90,000 miles. SAE 75 W 90, 2.4 quarts (2.25 liters)
15,000 mile service: Inspection for operation of everything. Fluids Check. Oil change and air filter replacement if needed.
30,000 mile service: Inspection for operation of everything. Fluids Check. Oil change and air filter replacement if needed. Check airbag system every 4 years starting from this service. Check engine mounts and other rubber mounts.
45,000 mile service: Same as 15,000 mile service.
60,000 mile service: Same as 30,000 mile service + replacing the serpentine polyrib belt.
75,000 mile service: Same as 15,000 mile and 45,000 mile service.
Change brake fluid every 2 years.
Known issues associated with the Boxster
IMS (Intermediate Shaft Bearing) - Symptoms: Metal Flakes in Oil Filter.
RMS (Rear Main Seal) - Symptoms: Oil Leak, clear flakes in oil filter.
AOS (Air-Oil Separator) - Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust even after engine has warmed up and weather is warm. Lots of oil in the plenum.
MAF Sensor (Mixed Air Fuel Ratio) - Causes Rough Idle. Poor performance.
Water Pump - Symptoms: Overheating
Motor Mount - Symptoms: Vibrations felt when accelerating or decelerating.
RMS (Rear Main Seal) - Symptoms: Oil Leak, clear flakes in oil filter.
AOS (Air-Oil Separator) - Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust even after engine has warmed up and weather is warm. Lots of oil in the plenum.
MAF Sensor (Mixed Air Fuel Ratio) - Causes Rough Idle. Poor performance.
Water Pump - Symptoms: Overheating
Motor Mount - Symptoms: Vibrations felt when accelerating or decelerating.
Porsche Dealership Mechanic Estimates
Hourly Rate = $120-135 per hour.
Oil Change = $175-185 for 9.2 quarts of oil. 30 minutes or less.
Alignment = $145
Estimate for the Estimate = $130-300
Water Pump Replacement = $800-950. 4 hours
Replacement Wheel Locks = $36
New Convertible Top = $2000 for top and $500 labor. 4 hours
Key Programming = $250-380 depending on dealer.
IMS Retrofit = $1500-2000 if the engine is not damaged beyond repair.
IMS Upgrade or Replacement = $2000-3000 if the engine is not damaged beyond repair.
Lower Control Arm Replacement = $1600 for TWO Front Control Arms. 2-3 hours
RMS = 11 hours of labor for Tiptronic, 7 hours of labor for manual. RMS itself only costs $20-50.
Oil Change = $175-185 for 9.2 quarts of oil. 30 minutes or less.
Alignment = $145
Estimate for the Estimate = $130-300
Water Pump Replacement = $800-950. 4 hours
Replacement Wheel Locks = $36
New Convertible Top = $2000 for top and $500 labor. 4 hours
Key Programming = $250-380 depending on dealer.
IMS Retrofit = $1500-2000 if the engine is not damaged beyond repair.
IMS Upgrade or Replacement = $2000-3000 if the engine is not damaged beyond repair.
Lower Control Arm Replacement = $1600 for TWO Front Control Arms. 2-3 hours
RMS = 11 hours of labor for Tiptronic, 7 hours of labor for manual. RMS itself only costs $20-50.
Regular Mechanic Rates
Hourly Rate = $60-100 per hour.
Oil Change = $87-120 for 9.2 quarts of oil
Alignment = $80-100
Estimate for the Estimate = $0-70
Water Pump Replacement = $560-850, 4 hours
New Plastic Window Replacement for Top = $300-500, 4 hours
Lower Control Arm Replacement = $350-700 with aftermaket parts, $1000-1300 with OEM parts. 2-3 hours.
Inner or Outer Tie Rod Replacement = $100-140, 30 minutes. Per Tie Rod.
Tires = $550-900 with balancing for set of 4 tires. Cost varies widely between the good brands and the cheap brands. 30 minutes-1 hour
Oil Change = $87-120 for 9.2 quarts of oil
Alignment = $80-100
Estimate for the Estimate = $0-70
Water Pump Replacement = $560-850, 4 hours
New Plastic Window Replacement for Top = $300-500, 4 hours
Lower Control Arm Replacement = $350-700 with aftermaket parts, $1000-1300 with OEM parts. 2-3 hours.
Inner or Outer Tie Rod Replacement = $100-140, 30 minutes. Per Tie Rod.
Tires = $550-900 with balancing for set of 4 tires. Cost varies widely between the good brands and the cheap brands. 30 minutes-1 hour
Do It Yourself
Change Light Bulbs = $6-40 depending on bulb.
For head light, use the provided headlight removal tool located with your other Porsche wheel jack tools. Remove Front trunk Carpet next to head light. Stick the tool in the hole and turn. The headlight will slide out. 5 minutes.
For the tail light, remove the small piece of carpet in the rear trunk. Tools Needed: Screw Driver. 5 minutes.
Replace Engine Air Filter = Access the engine through the top opening. There you will see a black rectangle on the left side of the car. (Driver side for North America). Loosen the two metal pieces holding the filter in and pull it out like a tray. Then replace filter.
Replace Cabin Air Filter = Open Front Trunk. Remove Plastic Trim on Right side of car. (Passenger side for North America). You will see the air filter right in front you. Just lift it and replace it with a new one. $20-30.
Oil Change = Jack up all 4 points of the car on jack stands on a level surface. Open the oil filler cap from the rear trunk compartment. Have a large oil drain pan that can take 9.2 quarts of oil ready. Locate the bottom or the engine known as the oil pan and find the hexagonal bolt facing down. Remove it and the oil will flow out of the engine. Located clearly in plain site next to the oil pan is the cylindrical oil filter. Once the oil drains, replace the oil filter with a new one. Rub some old oil around the new oil filters rubber seal before installing the new filter. Then close the oil drain plug and put 9.2 quarts of 0w-40 Synthetic Oil. Mobile One is recommended by Porsche, but Castrol Syntec and Pennzoil also works fine as long as it is 0w-40 for summer or 5w-40 for winter. Check oil level. Tighten cap. Start the car for a minute. Turn it off. Check the oil level again to make sure it is at the right level.
More to come in text and video form!
For head light, use the provided headlight removal tool located with your other Porsche wheel jack tools. Remove Front trunk Carpet next to head light. Stick the tool in the hole and turn. The headlight will slide out. 5 minutes.
For the tail light, remove the small piece of carpet in the rear trunk. Tools Needed: Screw Driver. 5 minutes.
Replace Engine Air Filter = Access the engine through the top opening. There you will see a black rectangle on the left side of the car. (Driver side for North America). Loosen the two metal pieces holding the filter in and pull it out like a tray. Then replace filter.
Replace Cabin Air Filter = Open Front Trunk. Remove Plastic Trim on Right side of car. (Passenger side for North America). You will see the air filter right in front you. Just lift it and replace it with a new one. $20-30.
Oil Change = Jack up all 4 points of the car on jack stands on a level surface. Open the oil filler cap from the rear trunk compartment. Have a large oil drain pan that can take 9.2 quarts of oil ready. Locate the bottom or the engine known as the oil pan and find the hexagonal bolt facing down. Remove it and the oil will flow out of the engine. Located clearly in plain site next to the oil pan is the cylindrical oil filter. Once the oil drains, replace the oil filter with a new one. Rub some old oil around the new oil filters rubber seal before installing the new filter. Then close the oil drain plug and put 9.2 quarts of 0w-40 Synthetic Oil. Mobile One is recommended by Porsche, but Castrol Syntec and Pennzoil also works fine as long as it is 0w-40 for summer or 5w-40 for winter. Check oil level. Tighten cap. Start the car for a minute. Turn it off. Check the oil level again to make sure it is at the right level.
More to come in text and video form!
Warnings
Use Premium Fuel Only. Accepts a minimum of 91 octane. 93 octane is recommended for optimum performance.
The radio will require a radio code when disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. Make sure you have the code beforehand. It could be located in Owners Manual if it was written in there originally by the dealership who sold it. It can also be obtained by calling any Porsche dealership.
The radio will require a radio code when disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. Make sure you have the code beforehand. It could be located in Owners Manual if it was written in there originally by the dealership who sold it. It can also be obtained by calling any Porsche dealership.