Spoiler extend & retract speeds

[geraintthomas]

So after lots of searching and finding different results, I finally know the exact speeds the spoiler comes up and goes back down.

Some people said 75mph, 77mph, or over 77mph due to speedo's being inaccurate, etc. So I decided to find out myself by having my Dad drive the Porsche with me sitting high up in the passenger seat.

Up: 75mph digital readout (when sustained for more than 0.5 seconds)
Down: 50mph digital readout (when sustained for more than 0.5 seconds)

Turns out it's exactly 75mph when it pops up, and exactly 50mph when it retracts, but the car has to stay at 75mph for more than half a second for it to engage, and same for 50mph retracting. If it just touches 75mph and instantly goes back to 74mph, or touches 50mph and instantly goes back up to 51mph, the spoiler won't operate.

I know it's been covered before but like I mentioned, there's been lots of different opinions. So there we have it, some nice confirmation if anyone needed it. Though this was a 2003 Facelift Boxster S, so I'm not sure if it's different to any other model.

[Luv2Box]

Is this from a GPS read or speedo read, because the digital readout, on Boxsters, is around 4 mph faster than you are actually traveling. I've confirmed this on my '99 by comparing a GPS to digital readout.

[geraintthomas]

Digital readout on the Boxster.

[Luv2Box]

If you're using the digital read out on the Boxster then 75 mph is actually 70-71 mph and 45-46 mph in true speed.

[particlewave]

I think the point was nailing down when it raises and lowers on the speedo.
The whole "4-5mph over" thing doesn't necessarily apply to all 986's.

Mine is 2mph over. My spoiler raises at 75 on the speedo (as all 986's do), which is 73 actual.
In other words, the actual speed is irrelevant as the speedo readout difference will vary slightly from car to car.

They all always go up at 75 on the digital speedometer.

[911monty]

Originally Posted by particlewave

They all always go up at 75 on the digital speedometer.

Yeah cause that's the set point!:dance:

[rick3000]

Yep, up at 75mph, down at 50mph, based on the speedo reading, not the 'true' speed.
My 986 is off by about 3mph.

[geraintthomas]

That's what I was trying to say cheers lol!

[Luv2Box]

Interesting they're not all off the same. Mine's 4 mph and I understood his point but it is only indicated speed and not real speed.

[Smallblock454]

Could be caused by different wheel combinations - difference in rolling circumference front to rear wheels.

Regards, Markus

[hazardc]

I have heard that all boxsters (at least 986) read 2mph faster on the digital gauge --- i know for a fact that mine does, no matter speed.

I've always wondered about the spoiler. One time I had a fairly .... spirited... highway run that was 50+ miles back home. When I got home, my spoiler was still up. It has never happened again since that time, but I have had passengers assure me that it "is up" at ~72-75 mph

[JayG]

Ok, so ???????

[jpl2407]

In other words, if a cop sees your spoiler up he is going to pull you for speeding :-), I can't believe my own car can narc me out to the police :-)

[rick3000]

Originally Posted by jpl2407

In other words, if a cop sees your spoiler up he is going to pull you for speeding :-), I can't believe my own car can narc me out to the police :-)

Porsche specifically added the switch by the fuse box, so that that could not happen.

[JayG]

Yea, but of you are driving over 75, you want the spoiler up, it makes the car more stable

[grc0456]

If you are driving at 75 on an interstate, most LEO's will not bother you - spoiler up or not. On local roads, me thinks they are going to notice you, again spoiler or no. I agree with Jay, you want it up at speed.


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[Joe B]

Out here in the west (WY, ID, UT, MT) we have 80 mph speed limits on the interstates, so no worries .