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Even the best of cars are not entirely immune to damage and regular wear and tear. Every vehicle, especially an exclusive, luxury ride like a Porsche, is an investment. Therefore, it is essential that you carry out regular maintenance and checkups to maintain its overall value. Luckily, taking good care of your vehicle is straightforward; you just have to look out for some telltale signs. Here are a few maintenance tips and tricks that will help you keep your Porsche in top-notch condition for a very long time. 

Car Battery 

The battery of your vehicle plays an integral role in its operations. Powering all the electrical components, especially the starter, is an integral part of the engine. A weak battery can leave you unable to use your Porsche; if this happens during winter, it could pose a real danger to your health as well. This is why you should always watch out for certain warning signs that can tell your vehicle’s battery is nearing its end. 

The following are some of the signs you should watch out for:

Dim headlights 

A weak battery will not provide the necessary power to your car’s headlights. This causes headlights to shine less brightly than usual, which is dangerous for people driving during the night. 

Slow start/clicking noise

Any well-functioning battery will start the vehicle in an instant. However, if you hear any clicking sounds or experience other delays during the starting process, it can indicate faulty batteries in your Porsche. 

Heavily coated/corroded battery 

Battery acid can seep out of connection points, leading to a build-up on the battery’s top. Wiping away the corrosion is a temporary solution but will cause disruptions in your car’s battery life. Its optimal voltage will weaken eventually, which is why it is crucial to replace the coated car battery to ensure the efficient working of your vehicle. 

Car does not start 

Your car is designed to start by just engaging the ignition. If your car takes several tries to start, there may be an issue with its starter. Inability to start your vehicle indicates the need for a battery change. 

Engine Backfire 

When nearing its end, your car’s battery may create sparks that can cause fuel to be collected in the cylinders of your engine. The ignition of this fuel can cause your vehicle to backfire. It is essential that you get this problem diagnosed and fixed as soon as possible. 

Low Brake Fluid 

As you drive your vehicle, you must be aware of the way it moves. Brake fluid is one of the most integral aspects of vehicular movement. It helps brakes function smoothly when used. When the driver steps foot on the brake pedals, fluid is released into the lines, clamping the brake pads  onto the motor and causing the car to stop. Here are a few signs that your vehicle is low on brake fluid and is not stopping right. 

Check reservoir 

You should start by checking your brake pad reservoirs present in the engine bay. You should review the overall level of the brake fluid to ensure it is between maximum and minimum. You should also check the color of the fluid. The color should be translucent and not cloudy or dark. 

Worn or lower brake pads 

Brake pads that are lower than usual and look worn out take in more air than they should in their hydraulic system. This causes them to apply less pressure, meaning more fluid is necessary to supply appropriate pressure to the brake pads. With less pressure, more brake fluid can be released than needed, which brings the car to stop. This means that your car brake pads need replacement. 

Brake fluid leaking

The most integral part of your brake system is the master cylinder, which boosts your brake performance to release the brake fluid further. Leakage can be caused by  part of your Porsche being damaged, namely the bleeder valve, master cylinder, wheel cylinder, or piston seal. 

Brown/Black brake fluid 

The color of your brake fluid should be clear and not cloudy, brown, or black. If it appears black/brown, it means it is contaminated and has a lot of moisture. With moisture or contamination, the system will lack pressure and use more brake fluid than it usually would. This can be caused by natural aging, weakened rubber lines, or just normal heating. 

Metal Shavings In Your Porsche's Oil

It is not uncommon to find metal shavings in your Porsche's oil. This can happen over time and damage your vehicle. Metal shavings, if not removed, can potentially damage your vehicle’s engine and its overall performance. 

The damage metal shavings can do 

The engine in your vehicle plays an integral role in ensuring the performance of your Porsche. However, if there are metal shavings in your Porsche’s oil, your car’s engine will be compromised. Engine oil goes through the engine as it runs, causing the metal shavings to move as well. This will lead to metal shearing off of your vehicle’s parts, further damaging your car’s engine. 

The more metal shavings in your Porsche’s engine, the more poorly the oil will be circulated around your car, which leads to poor lubrication of the engine. In a worst case scenario, your car’s engine gets to a point where the oil cannot circulate, causing excessive friction. In such a case, the engine will overheat. 

It goes without saying, overheating is extremely dangerous and can easily degenerate into engine breakdown and complete failure. This can also pose a safety hazard to you and your Porsche. 

Causes of metal shavings in your Porsche’s oil 

There are several reasons why your Porsche’s oil might contain metal shavings - 

Dirty oil 

If your vehicle’s oil is contaminated, it could damage many of its high-grade parts and cause problems in the long run. The particles in dirty oil can cause friction instead of lubricating the car’s engine. This friction can produce metal shavings that can find their way into your Porsche’s oil. If left unaddressed, the damage that accumulates over time can lead to significant repairs, which will end up costing you a lot more.

Normal wear and tear 

Metal shavings can also be found in your car’s oil  because of natural wear and tear. Over time, mechanical stress on your car’s engine and the motor parts can cause metal shavings to accumulate. This can also cause similarly negative effects on the performance of your Porsche’s engine and its health. A regular oil change is therefore extremely important. 

Poor maintenance 

Oil changes should be part of your Porsche maintenance cycle. If not done regularly, your car might not deliver the great performance it is meant to. If you neglect your car’s oil change schedule, its performance can suffer, potentially causing metal shaving build up. If left unmanaged, these issues will compound and potentially lead to more damaging effects on your Porsche. 

Engine Heating 

The inner workings of your automobile depend on the overall health of your engine. The engine is the most important component of your vehicle. When something goes wrong, it can be  alarming and can bring your life to a full stop. 

Often, we only discover that there is something wrong with our car’s engine when situations are extremely dire. In a case where your Porsche’s engine is overheating, you might even see smoke coming out from under the hood. 

Your Porsche is too valuable to let your engine be destroyed this way. It is essential that you know what you can do to try and mitigate all the effects of an overheated engine before it is too late.. 

How can you tell if your Porsche engine is overheating?

There are usually a few telltale signs that can hint your Porsche engine is overheating. The driver usually notices the first sign when the temperature of the vehicle becomes almost unbearable. The first thing you should check is the coolant level of your vehicle. Proper coolant levels must be maintained at all times to increase the overall lifespan of your car. If it gets really low, your car’s engine is in trouble. 

You should also check the belts and hoses connected to the engine to ensure there are no punctures and cracks in them. The intense high temperatures these parts endure is incredible, and they are prone to breaking down and stressing your Porsche’s engine.  

The water pump also plays an integral role in your car’s engine performance. Without it, your engine would be far more prone to leakage and overheating. All these parts require maintenance on a regular basis. While it can be a little annoying to have to pay for repair of these parts, it’s a small price to pay compared to replacing your Porsche engine entirely. 

Preventing your engine from overheating

Usually, if you are able to keep up with the regular maintenance of your Porsche, you do not have a lot to worry about when it comes to your engine. Regular maintenance and checkups go a long way to ensure no long-term problems occur under your Porsche’s hood. 

However, there are a few more things you can do to help prepare yourself in the event of your engine overheating. Ensure you equip yourself with a stash of antifreeze or coolant in case there is engine trouble on the road. If you have a habit of running your air conditioning regularly, you probably want to give it a rest every once in a while since it can easily stress your engine.  

If you notice that your car’s temperature gauge is warning you about a possible overheating issue, it is advisable to pull over and turn your vehicle off as soon as it is safe. When your car engine has cooled down, proceed to check your coolant tank and ensure that there is no leakage underneath the Porsche. 

Wheel alignment 

Wheel alignment service is an adjustment for your vehicle’s suspension. When a technician aligns the tires on your Porsche, they are trying to adjust the overall angles of your wheels so they can be fully perpendicular to the ground and completely parallel to each other. This ensures that the tires provide maximum traction. Wheel alignment services will also check for any ball joints or any worn bearings in your vehicle before you get back on the road. 

When you bring in your vehicle for a wheel alignment service, your Porsche repair and service technician will ensure that your vehicle’s front wheel’s caster, camber, and toe angles are all matching your model’s specifications. The specification-matching is essential to achieve optimal straight-line durability, steering wheel returnability, minimal tire wear, and cornering performance.

Do you need a wheel alignment?

Here are some warning signs that your Porsche needs a wheel alignment as soon as possible:

Your vehicle is pulling to one side 

Underinflated tires can cause your Porsche to pull to one side. If the tire pressure is correct and you still have issues, you might need to get your wheels realigned. 

Uneven tire wearing 

This is one of the biggest signs of your wheels not being aligned properly. They are not able to put uniform pressure on the tire surface. In such cases, wheel alignment services may be necessary. 

Wobbling at higher speeds 

Your vehicle might be struggling to stay the course since your wheels are pulling your vehicle in entirely opposite directions. If this is happening to you at higher speeds, your wheels are misaligned. 

Adjusting your steering to drive straighter

If you find yourself constantly adjusting your steering wheel to drive in a straight line, your Porsche might need a realignment service. 

How often is tire alignment necessary?

You should go in for a Porsche’s wheel alignment service every 6,000 miles. If you frequently go across rough pavements or unpaved roads, you want to schedule your appointment with Porsche Motor Car Services even more regularly. 

If you notice any of the aforementioned signs, you should definitely go for a wheel alignment service. 

Maintain your Porsche to avoid any issues 

Maintenance is vital if you want to avoid dealing with future damages, high repair costs, and the headache that goes into getting your luxurious ride prepped for your next trip. 

Schedule a regular maintenance service for your Porsche and bring it in for an expert to inspect it instead of doing all the guesswork yourself. Bring it to the best guys you know - Porsche Motor Car Services.