Boxster noob questions

[blue2000s]

Originally Posted by sasha055

Hi,

I have a couble of kinda silly questions, I tried searching the forum (and bing (yes I use bing) and didn't find any answers.) I don't have owners manual (it should be here soon)

1. I have a button for rear glass/mirror defrost... what it does? I have a plastic window on my 2k boxster
2. Clutch.. it's really stiff and takes very high.. if I'm at the stop light and I put in 1st gear, and keep the clutch pressed... my foot get's tired in 60 sec... is it normal?
3. Is there any way to adjust the clutch to make it lower/easier to press?

I know that first answer about clutch... "change it!" unfortunately I had a hard time convincing my wife to get a boxster (I won because it was so damn cheap) so spending 20% of car cost for clutch replacement is not an option unless clutch sompletly brakes..

Thanks
Sasha

1-The car is wired for the glass window in the optional hard top.
2-Typical sign of a clutch wearing out.
3-The force is not adjustable.

A Porsche is an expensive car, whether it was cheap to buy or not. Often the cheaper it is to buy, the more it will cost to get it in tip-top shape.

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

A Porsche is an expensive car, whether it was cheap to buy or not. Often the cheaper it is to buy, the more it will cost to get it in tip-top shape.

+1 on this. Sasha, you need to prepare your wife for the couple of grand you may need to spend on your Boxster every year for the first two or three years.

Pity you didn't find this forum and my web site (link below) before you plunked down your cash on that Boxster. It just might have saved you a pile of "I told you so" from the wife.

I take it you didn't get a pre-purchase inspection on the car from a seasoned Porsche tech. I didn't either. Live and learn I guess.

[sasha055]

I usually don't keep it in clutch on traffic lights.. I learned from this forum that..
I gave an example to show how hard the clutch is...

As for inspection.. I did an inspection at Porsche dealership.. and all they found was:
1. Broken ignition switch (it was my first DIY)
2. Worn brakes and disks
But I have no history of car... and I didn't even dream of porsche before buying it..

I was looking for cheap daily commuter.. and I went out to buy a Chevy Aveo... and ended up with my baby Boxster for same price

Thanks
Sasha

[rick3000]

1 - There are heaters in the side mirrors that that switch activates for a few minutes, it will also activate the defroster on the optional hardtop and optional glass soft top upgrade.
2 - Don't leave it in gear at stop lights.
3 - No, get used to it. Give it a few weeks and you won't even notice. (Unless you are switching between cars a lot)


Congrats on the car, but like others said be prepared to spend some cash. It may have cost the same as an Aveo but it doesn't cost the same to keep running. For instance, yesterday I spent $350 on two new rear tires, thanks to a 10¢ nail in my sidewall. On a regular sedan I would spent around $200. (BTW it actually cost $500 since my alignment was off, plus tax.)

The Boxster is a great car, but they cost more than an Aveo to keep running (so brace yourself)!

[sasha055]

Since we are on noob questions... can you guys give me a few driving tips?

I usually let go of clutch slowly (suck if you want to make traffic light race )
If let go of clutch faster car struggles a bit and dies..

I try to keep it at 2500-4500 RPM (I slide closer to 2k in 2nd gear in stop and go traffic). There are times when I keep it at 4000RPM for 10-15 min.. is it ok? or should I upshift?

Any other good tips?


Also.. I noticed that today my car heated more then usually while staying in traffic.
How do I check if cooling fans are running or not? I read it might be a cause for that.

Thanks
Sasha

[rick3000]

You need to work on your shifting if the car is dying when you let of the clutch quickly, compensate with more gas.

I normally cruise at around 2500-3500 RPM. Cruising at 2k or 4k RPM is okay, but I personally wouldn't do it for too long. Also, you can safely take it to just below redline when you accelerate (as long as the car is heated up the 180 mark) but don't cruise for long periods at a high or low RPM's if you want your engine to last.

The car will heat up in stop and go traffic. When you are driving air is getting pushed into the radiators and intakes, when you are sitting the air has to be sucked in, so the car will run hotter. If you want to see what I mean idle for twenty minutes and you will hear the fans come on. It is really nothing to worry about, unless you start getting past the third mark toward 250. It should stay around 180 or just above it.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by sasha055

Since we are on noob questions... can you guys give me a few driving tips?

I usually let go of clutch slowly (suck if you want to make traffic light race )
If let go of clutch faster car struggles a bit and dies..

I try to keep it at 2500-4500 RPM (I slide closer to 2k in 2nd gear in stop and go traffic). There are times when I keep it at 4000RPM for 10-15 min.. is it ok? or should I upshift?

Any other good tips?


Also.. I noticed that today my car heated more then usually while staying in traffic.
How do I check if cooling fans are running or not? I read it might be a cause for that.

Thanks
Sasha

There's nothing wrong with sustained high rpms but your gas mileage will suck. Make sure engine is warm first too. Why are you driving at 4,000 rpm for 10-15 minutes....are you cruising at 100 mph? Back to the clutch thing, I would try another Boxster and compare it to yours. I don't know your previous experience with cars so I'm just going to throw this out there. The clutch is supposed to be stiffer than say the clutch in your typical 4 cylinder econo car so it's hard to say if it's just you or if the clutch is overly stiff. Have you driven many other performance sports cars with sticks? They don't have soft clutch pedals typically. On the temp and fans, if the temp isn't getting hotter than say 200 degrees then they are working. You should be able to hear the aux fan kick on in traffic on a hot day. Oh and welcome to the board.

[sasha055]

Thanks for the tips,

4kRPM is in 3rd gear at 50-55mph..
Car is usually at 190 degrees.. and in traffic it heats up to 200-210...

I tried my firends 2009 solstice, his clutch is much softer and smoother (he told me something about hidraulic clutch?)...
btw 10 year old base boxster feels soooooo much better on the road that a brand new Solstice his clutch and shifting though is much nicer and more responsive

Thanks again for tips!

Sasha

PS: I'm getting around 18mpg (but previous owner changed stock 16 wheels to 18's and I'm not sure he updated speedometer)