so i have had my C2S for about 5 months and, having read on the forum that oil needs to be carefully managed, i decided i needed to top off my oil. i could not find the right grade in any of the auto parts stores but hey you can find anything on the internet. so after checking with my dealer service rep (who for reasons not really clear to me, seems like he is genuinely interested in me enjojying my car) and researching oil on the forum, i ordered the oil and it arrived a few days later. i carefully added a couple of cups because i did not want to overfill it. next day, i drive the car to work (30 miles) and do the oil check thing when i arrive. wonderful... oil indicator shows i added almost perfect amount. going home, my check engine light comes on! EGAD!! fortunately, the dealer is on my way home so i stop in. my service rep plugs in the code reader and tells me that i have a vacuum problem. i tell him about me adding oil. he checks the oil cap.... and... yeah, i was about 1/5 of a turn from getting it on tightly which he believed was the cause of my problem. i leave the car there overnight and they checked it today ... that was indeed the problem! fellow newbees, put your caps on tight! the little oil icon will be perfectly level when you have it right. you may have guessed that i am mechnically challenged.

 

Thanks for the tip. Enjoy.

 

glad you're enjoying your new to you C2S. Surprised you couldn't find Mobil1 anywhere as it's typically available at most national auto part stores and even wallyworld should you choose to denigrate yourself and shop there

Nice job helping newbs and for that, allow me to be one of the first to give you a positive rep!

Anyhow, with regards to consumption... when you have one bar empty at the top, you are full. The difference between top and bottom mark is 1.2L (~ 1.2Q) and each bar is .4L (per the manual). Total max capacity w/ the S (assuming 997.1) is 9 quarts. You really shouldn't worry about adding any oil until you're down to the last bar and of course if it's flashing. Then you should only add .5L/.5Q at a time until it registers between the top and bottom bar. Glad your SA helped you out - most are very helpful.

Good luck

 

Thanks for the tip! I would have never guessed that beyond the gas cap, a semi-loose oil cap could cause a vacuum check engine error. Please continue to offer up your newbie experiences, and I'll do the same. I've got 4 less months in a new Porsche than you, so they are quite helpful to me. Sooooo, besides learning today that driving into a big pool of wet cement is a bad idea in a 911, this tip too has proven quite a useful day of learning about my car. Thanks again. D

 

Thanks for the tip. After reading the forums I also carefully watch the oil level. I'm 10 months in to ownership, and still learning a lot about these amazing cars.

 

Very helpful info... thanks much!

 

Ever hear how the engine note changes and sputters when you open the oil filler tube with the engine running? These modern cars need those caps (oil, gas, water, etc) properly closed.

 

Three people emailed me that article today.

 

Appreciate the the tip. I'm also a newbie here & just picked up my 2009 C2S last week.

 

I guess I haven't had my car long enough to find a reason to open the filler tube with the engine running.... but I can tell you that the RPM went a little squirrelly a right before the "check engine" light came on and, of course after the light came on, I was watching everything like a hawk so noticed the engine was running a bit rough and the PDK was shifting at odd times. Then my heart started pounding! Like I said, lesson learned!! Fortunately, this one did not cost me anything. So I broke one of the rules of Porsche ownership: Every mistake costs at least $1,000. (somewhat like the home repair rule = you will make at least two trips to home depot before you have verything you need, and at least one of the will cost you > $100!)

 

Nice to know, thanks for the info!

 

Congrats on the new 'baby!' Have you stopped smilin' yet?

 

Sometimes the simplest things are the most frustrating! Glad you are enjoying your new wheels