I've read several post on how our 911 consume oil at a pretty good clip. While inhale only put on seveal hundred miles on my Porsche , how willni known when I need to add some? Will a light come on or is this something I need to check myself ? Thanks.

 

You need to read the owners manual and the section on how to check the oil level. I can't tell you cause I'm not familar with the 997 oil level checking procedure.

You want to check the oil level 'frequently'. I have two cars and both have a different oil level check procedure.

In one I check the oil level cold wtih the engine off and I check the oil level at the start of each day. After the engine is up to temp I can check the oil and I do so almost upon every trip start unless the time between trips was short... minutes or so. On long trips I check before starting out in the AM and after every fillup.

My other car the engine has to be warm and the engine running so I check the oil level at the first opportunity after starting the engine at the start of the day. I then check the oil level once in a while at a stop light mainly to pass the time. Also, on long trips I check the oil level at every gas stop. In this car I check the oil level last thing at night before shutting off the engine.

(In both cars I can sometimes cover enough distance to fill up the gas tank 2 or even 3 times.)

In your car's case, the engine is new. New engines can use oil, 'lots' of it. This is normal and almost always drops off, diminishes as the engine gains miles.

But you want to monitor the oil level regularly and add oil when the level gets low, but not too low. If the oil light comes on that's too low. But you do not want to overfill the engine with oil either.

Don't worry. It is not rocket science. All you need to know is in the manual.

Also, a new car has a higher chance (not much higher but some) the engine or car can develop a vital fluid leak of any of its vital fluids. Thus you want to keep up on the fluid levels at least during the break in period and as time goes by and the engine/car goes longer without any signs of fluid loss you can taper this back some.

Again a recommended frequency of checking fluids is in the owners manual.

Sincerely,

Macster.

 

gellie--I think your car is a 997.2 car (MY09 or newer). Thus, the engine should be running and then you simply monitor the oil level with the lower left stalk--flip through it to find the one that will measure the oil level. Keep the car level, and then just let it idle. Look to see where it places the oil level. Shoot for something at least half way up the measuring 'stick.' When it gets way down to the bottom it takes roughly one quart to refill it--to top it off.

 

What Dan said is correct, but it also has to be up to temp, so this won't work with a cold engine.

 

Dan and ralt12 are correct. Furthermore, if you browse your manual, you'll see it noted that your consumptions might not drop with frequent short trips as you may have moisture within your oil and you would need to check after a longer drive (paraphrased). This occured to me after 3000 miles and a "full" oil tank level. Drove 800 miles from Illinois to New Orleans and behold... my tank was at the minimum level. I gues you need to run the car long from time to time...

 

Yes, read the manual. The .1 automatically monitors the oil when you stop for gas (as stated car must be level, most pumps are pretty good that way). Do not wait for the idiot light to tell you what you should have done.

 

On my 997.1 (05C2S) I check it with the key on the on position before engine start. I'm not sure I've ever had to add, maybe one time, just a little.
Jim

 

Thanks . Very informative. I know this is in the Manual, it recomends mobil 1 SAE OW-40, 5W-40 or 5W-50 which should i use ? 09 997.2. Im in the Northeast. Also im not sure what Type my Porsche dealer used @ my 20k maintance. would it be harmful if i mixed? Thanks

 

Most often you will get M1 0-40 from a NY dealer. You can use other viscosity between changes to top off in a pinch but if by mixing you mean 4 qts 0-40 and 4 qts 5-40 I doubt you will get a big smile from your sevice tech. Just find out what they are using and buy a qt to hold on to. Btw, add oil if necessary 1/3 qt (or so) at a time and check as you go. The gauge is not that accurate. NB: On the .1 the first large increment down is 2/10 (.4) qt not 1 qt as you might think. You have been warned

 

I have a half quart of oil that is left over from when I bought my car 6 years ago. Is it still good to use? Serious question. I don't want to waste it and it's a hassle to dispose of it properly so I would like to use it if I can.

 

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'05 997
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Once open oil's shelf life is limited. Does degrade over time. I don't remember exactly what I have read but 6 years is a very long time. Many shops will take used oil here in NY (tho it might end up in s.o elses car..jka) Splurge and buy a qt is my advise.

 

Yes, oil must be refrigerated after opening.

...

Seriously? Why would it degrade in 6 years once opened? It is oil, not milk.

I just read an article the other day that said 30-40 years shelf life. And that was only limited because no one actually knows the shelf life, or if there is a shelf life at all. Just use your half quart of oil. Or send it to me and I will use it.

 

Thanks.

 

... I like milk!!!