911 Newbie driving questions: how to keep the motor happy?

[umfan866]

Ok have had the 911 for 3 days now. I am addicted!! Bought a well-maintained 3.2 / G50 with recent valve adjustment. Want to continue to keep this engine healthy.

But I have some questions.

1) What range should I keep the tachometer in while driving/gearing, so that I don't lug the motor, or over-rev it. I want to keep this engine happy and free of carbon buildup. Right now I am keeping it between about 2.5 and 3.5 typically.

2) How long should I warm up the car at startup (right now I am doing 4-5 minutes)?

3) Upon shutdown, how long should I be idling on a level surface (parked) before shutting the engine off?

4) Should I be trying to let the clutch out quickly and risk some jerkiness, or very slowly and carefully (but if I do the later I smell a little rubber burning- I doubt this is good).

5) Is 91 (premium) gas OK or do I need to supplement with something? I like 94 but 91 is the highest Octane I can get in California.

6) Why do I end up turning on the high-beams at least 50% of the time I am using the turn signal? The movements are very close - is this a design flaw?

Thanks in advance. Also - thanks to cbeers (on the left) - for selling me the car!!

[oh snap]

umfan, congrats on the purchase. If you recall we talked once in the market place forum. I also found my car recently. I need tires and then I will take some pictures, its an 85 Iris Blue turbo look

Some thoughts on your questions:

the manual recommends not warming up stationary, just keep the revs low (shifting around 3k or 3.5k if I recall) until warm. My car stumbles a little when its cold, so I let it run for 35-45 seconds until the high idle settles a bit. This may be a mixture problem... the car is sometimes jerky until temp gets higher.

Im not sure about letting it idle before it shuts off. I know there is a reason for this in turbo cars, but I've always thought it was better to just drive calmly for the last few blocks before you shut off. When the car is static it starts to build up heat quickly. My parking spot is underground so I let my car coast down the garage into my spot. That way it is not under load and has some cool air flowing over the coolers.

my car is from California and has been run on 91 for all of its life (AFAIK). it has a SW chip tuned for 91. Now in BC 94 is available so I may switch, but I'm not sure if it will do any good without being tuned for it...

My car doesn't turn on the high-beams with the turn signals, but the flash to pass pull and possibly the wiper sprayer pull dont work. In some searching the wiper/signal stalks commonly fail one way or another. Probably the case with yours as well. see this thread for more: turn signal switch quick fix pictures

[80-911SC]

1- shift at 6k ... you should feel the pull .... at 3.5 your lugging it ... not a chevy
2- drive at 3000 rpm or less till it warms ... never idle
3- turn key .... if checking oil leave running at isle to check
4- dont know on g50 .... i have 915
5-good to go ... may try mid grade my 3.0 likes it .....
6-just touchy ..... you'll get used to it

steve

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by 80-911SC

1- shift at 6k ... you should feel the pull .... at 3.5 your lugging it ... not a chevy
...
steve

Shifting at 6K!?? Are you serious? On an open road maybe, but imo traffic conditions won't allow you to drive like that all the time.
Shift according to traffic, engine load and common sense. It will not hurt your car.

[James Brown]

Read the owners manual and follow what Porsche recommends, it will last forever.

[stlrj]

Originally Posted by umfan866

1) What range should I keep the tachometer in while driving/gearing, so that I don't lug the motor, or over-rev it. I want to keep this engine happy and free of carbon buildup. Right now I am keeping it between about 2.5 and 3.5 typically.

Just do what your upshift indicator says, you can't go wrong. These engines are modern fuel injected marvels and do not build up carbon any more than a Honda Civic.

Originally Posted by umfan866

5) Is 91 (premium) gas OK or do I need to supplement with something? I like 94 but 91 is the highest Octane I can get in California.

Mine runs fine on regular even though it's been chipped and the book calls for premium. All engines are different as are the ways owners drive them and have different tolerances, so you do what works or feels comfortable to you.


Cheers,

Joe
74 911 w/86 3.2 chipped and on regular 250K original top end

[Geronimo '74]

upshift indicator on a 3.2???

[DRACO A5OG]

+1 read owner's manual.

But here is my 2 cents per $250 Post Purchase Inspection & Tutorial and Owner's Manual (PAG):

1. Shift up between 3-5KRPMs, per PAG keep her under 4K 1st 5 minutes. Once up to Proper Running Temps ( 1st mark of the oil temp gauge ) she will like it if once in awhile you give her an Italian Tune Up, in 2nd drag her to motion then when safe punch it to redline, you should see a cloud of grey smoke behind you, that is the carbon deposit being blown out.

2. Per PAG drive off immediately, do not sit and idle to warm her up.

3. No need.

4. Release the clutch quickly and smoothly but do not pop the clutch ever.

5. Welcome to People Republic of Kalifornia, 91 is the best we can get, stick with Chevron unless you want to pay for 100 Octane, they are out there.

6. Search for Hi-Lo Beam fix, I just did it. Very easy mod/fix. The stalk is going on 25+ years so it is tired and the switch needs a bit of a butt lift

Oh yeah CONGRATS to the Addiction!!!

Jim

Regular OIL CHANGE, remember she should consume 1qt every 1K Miles, so keep some oil ready.

[stlrj]

Originally Posted by Geronimo '74

upshift indicator on a 3.2???

Yes, US cars are equipped with them.

[Geronimo '74]

Didn't know that.

[DRACO A5OG]

your 86 does

[Geronimo '74]

It does? (my car's not US, but ROW)
I can honestly say I have explored the entire rev range, numerous times; and never have I seen such a light...

[DRACO A5OG]

Your tach should have an up arrow in addition to the right/left turn signal indicators, that is your Up Shift Idiot Light

[Geronimo '74]

You calling me an idiot??


Don't think my tach has one, if it does, it's broken...

[Gerry van]

l haven't noticed it on my 89 3.2 (US) l'll have a good look it might have a blown bulb as well, good, l thought it would be cool to have a shift light

[wildcat077]

I have the little arrow on my tach... it's a Canadian model 89 Carrera !
After a while you don't even notice it anymore ...

Tried to follow the light a few times and shift when requested but i have to admit my car deserves a little more action ... lol

Cheers !
Phil

[JeremyD]

Originally Posted by umfan866

1) What range should I keep the tachometer in while driving/gearing, so that I don't lug the motor, or over-rev it. I want to keep this engine happy and free of carbon buildup. Right now I am keeping it between about 2.5 and 3.5 typically

When cruising - 2500-3500 rpm's are fine - on acceleration you need to be north of 3500 rpms - to 6000 rpms. To keep carbon build up to a minimum - I'd keep in the higher rpms and run some techron through every third tank

Originally Posted by umfan866

2) How long should I warm up the car at startup (right now I am doing 4-5 minutes)?

Start the car - and drive off - just keep rev's below 3500 until the oil reaches the first bottom mark

Originally Posted by umfan866

3) Upon shutdown, how long should I be idling on a level surface (parked) before shutting the engine off?

Turn it off - no need to let it idle - only car you need to do that with is a turbo. (now if you are checking the oil - let it idle for 60 seconds on a flat surface - keep the engine on - then check the oil. make sure it's in the middle of the two hash marks (and the car is at operating temp) - no need to fill to the top hash mark.

Originally Posted by umfan866

4) Should I be trying to let the clutch out quickly and risk some jerkiness, or very slowly and carefully (but if I do the later I smell a little rubber burning- I doubt this is good).

Just focus on being smooth. burned rubber? has the clutch ever been changed? may have the original rubber centered clutch??

Originally Posted by umfan866

5) Is 91 (premium) gas OK or do I need to supplement with something? I like 94 but 91 is the highest Octane I can get in California.

91 is fine

Originally Posted by umfan866

6) Why do I end up turning on the high-beams at least 50% of the time I am using the turn signal? The movements are very close - is this a design flaw?

The switch may be partially melted if the high beams come on that easily. yes - electrical is not Porsche's proudest moments. Do you have a headlight relay kit installed? If no - then all the juice for the headlights goes through that turn signal switch. Not ideal. Do a search on Daniel Stern or marcus suco relay. Pelican sells a relay kit - plenty of info on those that have been there, done that.

Congrats on the car - the G-50 carreras are excellent cars.

[foxpaws]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Your tach should have an up arrow in addition to the right/left turn signal indicators, that is your Up Shift Idiot Light

I have an '87 and have never seen this light - and Welpe gets to red line (it is just too much fun not to).

I guess I'll get out the flashlight and check.

He was picked up in Germany when new - would that make a difference?

Drive'em umfan!

[kidrock]

the "up shift idiot light", IIRC, is called the "CASIS" light. It is a yellow arrow that is located below the center of the speedo needle. I don't remember why it is called CASIS, but I could look it up on my Owner's Manual if anybody really gives a rat's arse.

The CASIS light is used to use the shifter in the most "efficient" manner. What that means is, if used as recommended, your shifts will be most FUEL efficient. However, you will find that you will be shifting in the 1.5K-2.5K range with this light.

Personally, I hate it. Maybe not bogging it, but it sure seems like it. Many people put a piece of black tape (or something else) over the light so they won't have to look at it.

I like to shift in the 3.5K-4.5K range after she's good and warm. When I first purchased her, I used to putt around on the freeway in 5th gear. I no longer do this, unless I get to a speed where laws will be broken. A respected P-car tech in my area says that the cars just run "cleaner" running around in the 4K range. I have found this to be true, at least for me and my personal ride.

+1 on Draco A50G, Italian tune-up's are a must.

And the sound at 4K is like music.

BTW, welcome to the board umfan.

[sobamaflyer]

if Porsche's shift lights were as annoying as the others I've encountered (seemed like manufacturers of the 80's/90's caught this craze) I'd venture to guess most of them have had their bulb ceremoniously smashed to bits by now