Two 997 recurring nightmares and a question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
Two 997 recurring nightmares and a question
As a 997 owner there are two things that keep me awake some nights. It amazes me that a marque that takes great pride competing in the 24 hours of LeMans creates angst in traveling to the local 7-Eleven concerning flat tires and dead batteries.
I have dealt with the flat tire threat by having a can of inflator and the phone number of AAA/Porsche road service in case the punture won't hold the inflator.
Recently I had to go through the perverse fuse block jump process to open the luggage lid to get to the battery. That took a pair of needlenose pliers, a jumper cable, a donor car, and a flashlight. (Why there isn't a simple mechanical release inside the passenger compartment is something only Porsche can explain.)
My question is: What do you guys carry as an emergency road kit and where do you store it in the limited space of the passenger compartment - remember - you can't always get into the "trunk"??
Sub question - will a 9 volt battery trip the lid release or must you use another auto battery??
I have dealt with the flat tire threat by having a can of inflator and the phone number of AAA/Porsche road service in case the punture won't hold the inflator.
Recently I had to go through the perverse fuse block jump process to open the luggage lid to get to the battery. That took a pair of needlenose pliers, a jumper cable, a donor car, and a flashlight. (Why there isn't a simple mechanical release inside the passenger compartment is something only Porsche can explain.)
My question is: What do you guys carry as an emergency road kit and where do you store it in the limited space of the passenger compartment - remember - you can't always get into the "trunk"??
Sub question - will a 9 volt battery trip the lid release or must you use another auto battery??
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,299
Likes: 19
From: Arlington Heights, IL
My emergency road kit consists of a fully charged cell phone (and prayers for a near by cell tower & service) and a tire plug kit, rubber gloves, large plastic bag, and needle noose pliers.
Why did your battery die? Do you use a battery maintainer?
Why did your battery die? Do you use a battery maintainer?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
I always use the battery maintainer because I only put about 5,000 miles on a year. Battery died due to a PSM motor malfunction (at 12500 miles) that drew down the battery with the ignition switched off. Covered by warranty.
Thanks for your input. My glove compartment will be better stocked in the future!
Thanks for your input. My glove compartment will be better stocked in the future!
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 114
From: Vancouver, BC
My solution, drive the car more! 
then you don't need to worry about a dead battery!
When mine died once (radar detector plugged in and ringing for 48hrs), I still could open the door and trunk, so if yours is dead to a point that you can't open trunk it must be either in a really bad shape (I suggest to change the battery), or you don't drive the car for weeks at a time!
then you don't need to worry about a dead battery! When mine died once (radar detector plugged in and ringing for 48hrs), I still could open the door and trunk, so if yours is dead to a point that you can't open trunk it must be either in a really bad shape (I suggest to change the battery), or you don't drive the car for weeks at a time!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 15
That's a good question about the volt battery. I'm "sure" a 12volt bank configured of a number of regular (not AA nor AAA) alkaline batteries would produce enough current to pop the hood latch.
Tire plug kit, NN piers, regular pliers, channel lock pliers, spare, jack, lightweight breakerbar, flares, Qt of oil, 5x7blue tarp, gloves, first aid kit, latex gloves, fuses, jumper cables, flashlight with Lithium batteries, bottled water, powerbars, multitool, screwdriver kit, big bag for flat and tother stuff I can't remember. Also, various plastic woodworking tools (here's a photo)
Tire plug kit, NN piers, regular pliers, channel lock pliers, spare, jack, lightweight breakerbar, flares, Qt of oil, 5x7blue tarp, gloves, first aid kit, latex gloves, fuses, jumper cables, flashlight with Lithium batteries, bottled water, powerbars, multitool, screwdriver kit, big bag for flat and tother stuff I can't remember. Also, various plastic woodworking tools (here's a photo)
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 601
Likes: 101
From: Earth
I recently had to call roadside assistance and while the service was as good as it could be, it was a nightmare in of itself. Flatbeds are not prepared to load cars like the 997.2 GT3.
To some degree, there is only going to be so much that you can address on the side of the road without proper tools. As such, I took stock in what I felt I could safely address (flat tire, drive belt, blown fuse etc) and tried to prepare for those show stoppers. For piece of mind and to be an active participant getting me back on the road I carry a small tool bag with the following items:
small scissor jack (3.5" collapsed)
wheel chocks
tire plug kit
razor blades
gloves
fuses (all the common ones)
collapsible breaker-bar (for the center lock wheels)
bungee cord
ratchet strap
first aid kit
Blackstone oil sample container
Poncho
Quart of oil
Things I plan to add:
serpentine belt
24mm wrench (for servicing belt)
small ratchet and socket (removing chin spoiler)
Zip ties
flash light (shake powered)
needle nose pliers
To some degree, there is only going to be so much that you can address on the side of the road without proper tools. As such, I took stock in what I felt I could safely address (flat tire, drive belt, blown fuse etc) and tried to prepare for those show stoppers. For piece of mind and to be an active participant getting me back on the road I carry a small tool bag with the following items:
small scissor jack (3.5" collapsed)
wheel chocks
tire plug kit
razor blades
gloves
fuses (all the common ones)
collapsible breaker-bar (for the center lock wheels)
bungee cord
ratchet strap
first aid kit
Blackstone oil sample container
Poncho
Quart of oil
Things I plan to add:
serpentine belt
24mm wrench (for servicing belt)
small ratchet and socket (removing chin spoiler)
Zip ties
flash light (shake powered)
needle nose pliers
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Poseur
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
When you buy a Porsche they really do expect you to use the car. I'm not saying this to be mean spirited but to clue you in to the way Porsche designs these cars. They build them for people who will drive them and maintain them regularly. 5,000 miles a year doesn't event keep the battery in warranty according to Porsche. That's just over 400 miles a month on the average, or 55 miles a week.
I maintain a tool kit in my trunk for emergencies and will keep it there because I have no difficulty opening my front trunk--even if the battery is dead. Albeit a little convoluted to open, it is not that complex. Every modern Porsche owner should be familiar with that procedure. In light of that, if you area not, do not make the mistake of putting your owner's manual in the trunk, too, or you won't have the checklist handy to do that.
Here's my tool kit. Since then I have added the serpentine belt, along with a combination 24mm wrench to install it.
I maintain a tool kit in my trunk for emergencies and will keep it there because I have no difficulty opening my front trunk--even if the battery is dead. Albeit a little convoluted to open, it is not that complex. Every modern Porsche owner should be familiar with that procedure. In light of that, if you area not, do not make the mistake of putting your owner's manual in the trunk, too, or you won't have the checklist handy to do that.
Here's my tool kit. Since then I have added the serpentine belt, along with a combination 24mm wrench to install it.
Poseur
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
I have always considered it fairly useless in that sometimes (mostly of the time) you are going to have a lengthy wait for service. I like to be more proactive to get out of such a situation. For example, there are remote enough places in the United States that having a 1 800 number will do nothing for you.
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,299
Likes: 19
From: Arlington Heights, IL
[QUOTE=Edgy01;7885665there are remote enough places in the United States that having a 1 800 number will do nothing for you.[/QUOTE]
Correct. This is my bigger fear than an actual breakdown. During a good portion of my weekend drives in & around southwestern Wisconsin farm roads, there is NO cell service. Just me, lots of corn and cows, a few farmers, and some Amish.
Correct. This is my bigger fear than an actual breakdown. During a good portion of my weekend drives in & around southwestern Wisconsin farm roads, there is NO cell service. Just me, lots of corn and cows, a few farmers, and some Amish.
Addict
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Madison, WI
I have always considered it fairly useless in that sometimes (mostly of the time) you are going to have a lengthy wait for service. I like to be more proactive to get out of such a situation. For example, there are remote enough places in the United States that having a 1 800 number will do nothing for you.
Thought at first the reason for the comment might have been the Roadside service that PCNA sources (vs AAA or whatever).....rather than the phone.
On H2O's comment, I live 24/7 here in Southern WI so I'm used to the farmer and cheese-head references....but I'll admit we do have to get this new cellular thing figured out.
Poseur
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
That's the point that seems to be missed by the Germans. In many parts of this country (the 'wild west' comes to mind) you just are not going to have cell service. When that happens the best AAA or PORSCHE road service will never even know you're there.
In defense of Porsche's 1800 service, it is untiring at times at solving your problem. They absolutely do not want a relatively new Porsche seen sitting at the side of the road, or stuck in a parking lot somewhere because of an issue. A good friend of mine inadvertently locked his P-car keys inside the trunk of his 997S at a national park. They had to send for a real expert as the national park contract locksmith was unable to get in. They had to get one from the city--at a cost of over $300! Porsche paid for that 'Schlüsseldienst.'
In defense of Porsche's 1800 service, it is untiring at times at solving your problem. They absolutely do not want a relatively new Porsche seen sitting at the side of the road, or stuck in a parking lot somewhere because of an issue. A good friend of mine inadvertently locked his P-car keys inside the trunk of his 997S at a national park. They had to send for a real expert as the national park contract locksmith was unable to get in. They had to get one from the city--at a cost of over $300! Porsche paid for that 'Schlüsseldienst.'