986 – Major 30/60/90/120k
Porsche sports cars are designed and manufactured by the best and should be inspected and maintained to a similar standard. The Porsche major service on the 986 generation Boxster is detailed below.
Major Maintenance Checklist
911 Carrera (996), 911 Turbo (996), Boxster (986)
Yearly maintenance intended for vehicles driven less than 9,000 miles per year.
No oil change is required for this service. However, an oil and filter change is required every two years for vehicles not receiving a scheduled major service. Yearly maintenance for vehicles driven more than 9,000 miles per year, wait and perform the 15,000 mile maintenance at the scheduled mileage interval.
- Diagnosis system: Read fault memory
- Vehicle underside and engine compartment: Visual inspection for leaks (oils and fluids) & chafing (wires, lines & hoses). Check that the underbody paneling is securely fastened – replace any damaged and/or missing parts
- Radiators and air intakes: Visual inspection for external debris and blockage
- Power-assisted steering: Check fluid level
- Engine: Check engine oil level
- Brake hoses and lines: Visual inspection for damage, routing and corrosion
- Brake fluid: Check level
- Steering gear: Visual inspection of the bellows for signs of damage
- Tie rod ends: Check play and dust boots
- Axle joints: Check play, visual inspection of the dust boots for signs of damage
- Drive shafts: Visual inspection of the boots for leaks and signs of damage
- Tires and spare wheel: Check condition and tire pressure
- Check firewall and cabriolet section body drains for debris
- Vehicle lights: Check operation. All headlights: check alignment
- Horn: Check operation
- All other electrical equipment as well as indicator and warning lights: Check operation
Major Maintenance At 30/60/90/120k Miles
- Change oil and oil filter
- Replace spark plugs: Only on 911 (996) and Boxster up to MY2000 and 911 Turbo 2001 (for 2001 911 (996) and Boxster, see the 60,000 mile schedule
- Air filter: Replace filter element
During Road Or Dynamometer Test
- Remote control, front seats, foot brake & parking brake (also operating travel), engine, clutch, steering, transmission, ParkAssist, automatic speed control, TC/PSM switches, heater, air-conditioning system & instruments: Check operation
- Oils, fluids: Visual inspection for leaks
Minor Maintenance At 15/45/75/105k Miles (where different from above)
- Coolant hoses: Check condition.
- Coolant: Check level and antifreeze protection level
- Pollen filter: Replace filter element
- Windshield washer, headlight washer: Check fluid level, nozzle settings, and antifreeze protection level
- Polyrib belt: Check condition
- Fuel system: Visual inspection for damage, correct routing and firm seating of the line connections
- Parking brake: Check free play of the parking brake lever
- Brake system: Visual inspection of the brake pads and brake discs for signs of wear
- Brake hoses and lines: Visual inspection for damage, correct routing and corrosion
- Brake fluid: Check level
- Clutch: Check play or final position of pedal
Throttle actuation: check smoothness of operation, full-throttle position with the tester
- Steering gear: Visual inspection of the bellows for signs of damage
- Tie rod ends: Check play and dust boots
- Check tightness on the front and rear suspension adjustment points
- Door locks, lid locks & safety hook of the front lid: Check to ensure that they are adjusted and functioning properly
Additional Maintenance Every 60,000 Miles
- Replace spark plugs: 2001 911 (996) and Boxster (earlier 911 (996), Boxster and Turbo see 30,000 mile schedule)
- Replace polyrib belt
- Fuel filter: Replace filter
Additional Maintenance Every 90,000 Miles
- Change manual transmission oil.
- Automatic transmission: Change ATF and ATF filter
- Differential: Change oil (includes front differential if equipped)
Maintenance Every 2 Years
- Change brake fluid
- Change engine oil and filter
Every 4, 8, 10 Thereafter Every 2 Years
- Inspect airbag system
- Check rollover protection system (if equipped)