Oil Change Question! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

jeff740 · 03-19-2006, 09:37 AM

In addition to changing the oil, is there any other maintenance items that I should be doing while I have my garage clothes on?? Just wondering if there are some parts of the chasis that have to be lubed or greased or other small matters like that? I called my local dealer here in Toronto and asked the service gent there what I get for my $250 canadian....he simply said that they change the oil and do a "once over" on the vehicle.

Additionally does anyone use Mobil 1 5W 50 in their cars and is this safe for a once a month strart up in sub-zero temps during the canadian winters???? The local dealer here is recommending 0W 40 right across the board for all their oil changes but im finding it a bit of a scavenger hunt to locate the stuff outside the dealer.

Thanks.

Jeff.

03-19-2006, 09:48 AM

The oil viscosities approvad by Porsche are as following:

-Generally above -13 degrees F (-25C) SAE 0W-40, 5W-40 and 5W-50

-Generally below -13 degrees F (-25C) SAE 0W-40

Single grade oils are not approved for the Boxster (987).

deliriousga · 03-20-2006, 09:33 AM

Wal-Mart (are there Wally Worlds in Canada?) carries 0W40 and NAPA (plus most auto stores I'm sure) can order it by the case for you and have it in a couple of days.

jeff740 · 03-20-2006, 02:51 PM

We definitely have Wally-Worlds here, they seem to be popping up on every corner! I will check with them as they are usually the cheapest here for oil change supplies.

In addition to the oil change, there is no other routine work that I should be doing such as lubing the chasis or something??

Thanks

Jeff.

Adam · 03-20-2006, 06:38 PM

Check your maintence manual. Mostly just do a check of the boots, and underside of the carriage to make you nothing is damaged. It is all covered in the manual.

jeff740 · 03-22-2006, 03:13 AM

Good call on the maintenacne manual.....I guess Im always thinking that the dealer must be doing some other kind of vodoo considering the labor charge on the oil change.

Again, thanks for the input!

Jeff.

Adam · 03-22-2006, 06:04 AM

I hear you Jeff. For what they charge for a 15k and 30k maintence you'd think they took the whole car apart and put it back together but basically it's just alot of visual checks and oil/filter changes.

UroTrash · 11-30-2006, 06:27 AM

Gentlemen:

Am I missing something?

My manual says synthetic oil for the Box is ~10W40 etc, no mention of 0-W anything:

Brucelee · 11-30-2006, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UroTrash

Gentlemen:

Am I missing something?

My manual says synthetic oil for the Box is ~10W40 etc, no mention of 0-W anything:

The Box has been shipped with M1 0W-40 for some years now. What year Box do you have?

11-30-2006, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UroTrash

Gentlemen:

Am I missing something?

My manual says synthetic oil for the Box is ~10W40 etc, no mention of 0-W anything:

Yes, Porsche changed from the 10W40 to the 0W40 a few years ago.

MNBoxster · 11-30-2006, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff740

In addition to changing the oil, is there any other maintenance items that I should be doing while I have my garage clothes on?? Just wondering if there are some parts of the chasis that have to be lubed or greased or other small matters like that? I called my local dealer here in Toronto and asked the service gent there what I get for my $250 canadian....he simply said that they change the oil and do a "once over" on the vehicle.

Additionally does anyone use Mobil 1 5W 50 in their cars and is this safe for a once a month strart up in sub-zero temps during the canadian winters???? The local dealer here is recommending 0W 40 right across the board for all their oil changes but im finding it a bit of a scavenger hunt to locate the stuff outside the dealer.

Thanks.

Jeff.

Hi,

You don't want 5W-50. Stay with the Porsche recommendation of 0W-40. Also, you don't want to start the car once a month either. Set it and forget it 'til spring...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Adam · 11-30-2006, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

You don't want 5W-50. Stay with the Porsche recommendation of 0W-40. Also, you don't want to start the car once a month either. Set it and forget it 'til spring...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I like the infomercial "set and forget it" referrence. I found that amusing

UroTrash · 11-30-2006, 08:43 AM

I have a new (to me) 2001 Box S. So should I use the zero stuff despite what the manual says or does the "zero" recommendation only apply to newer cars?

Thanks, I'm really confused.

MNBoxster · 11-30-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UroTrash

I have a new (to me) 2001 Box S. So should I use the zero stuff despite what the manual says or does the "zero" recommendation only apply to newer cars?

Thanks, I'm really confused.

Hi,

Use the 0W-40. Porsche changed it's recommendation for all cars based upon Mobil's reformulation....

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

UroTrash · 11-30-2006, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

Use the 0W-40. Porsche changed it's recommendation for all cars based upon Mobil's reformulation....

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Thanks Jim.

I'll tell you, a forum like this is remarkable in that a novice can be helped from commiting costly or time comsuming mistakes! You folks are very kind.

bringer666 · 11-30-2006, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff740

Additionally does anyone use Mobil 1 5W 50 in their cars and is this safe for a once a month strart up in sub-zero temps during the canadian winters???? The local dealer here is recommending 0W 40 right across the board for all their oil changes but im finding it a bit of a scavenger hunt to locate the stuff outside the dealer.

Thanks.

Jeff.

The Lordco here in Chilliwack, BC has M1 0W-40 now. Not sure where you are located but if you have a Lordco, check it out. Not cheap, though.

UroTrash · 12-08-2006, 09:29 AM

OK guys...I'm ready for the first Boxy oil change.....

I have my 10 qts of M-1 0-W40.

I have a wrench.

I have a filter/gasket/crush washer.

I have a BIG pan.

I have a 8mm allen.

I have ramps.

Just one question.

Don't laugh.

Is it better to back up the ramps or drive the Box on front ways?

In other words, if the car is not level, does the pan drain better with a front or rear tilted up?

Signed: Dumb@ss noob.

BobMarley1 · 12-08-2006, 09:40 AM

Put he ramps on the driver's side.

Adam · 12-08-2006, 12:56 PM

The best bet is to not use ramps at all imo because the car is not level when you use them and some oil stays in the pan. I think the best method is to jack up one side with a standard floor jack and undo the plug. Then let her down so she's level. Very simple and easy and all the oil gets drained.

UroTrash · 12-08-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam

The best bet is to not use ramps at all imo because the car is not level when you use them and some oil stays in the pan. I think the best method is to jack up one side with a standard floor jack and undo the plug. Then let her down so she's level. Very simple and easy and all the oil gets drained.

thank you.