Between the crowds, the traffic and the parking (not to mention having to dodge all people coughing and sneezing) I’m doing my best to get all my Christmas shopping done online this year. Unfortunately, when you’re shopping for Porsche fans (and I have quite a few on my Christmas list) it’s not always easy. Well, last week, in an effort to help, I published the post 30+ Gifts for the Porsche Lover on Your Christmas List along with this offer for a 25% Discount on Porsche Books. Today, as I was looking around for additional, unique gift ideas, I stumbled across these 911 GT3 magnets below:
This magnet set is from the 2008/2009 Porsche Driver’s Selection catalog. I don’t see them on the current Driver’s Selection web-site so they must not be available anymore. I found three sets for sale on eBay from one seller and another set available from this seller. These would make a very cool stocking stuffer if I don’t buy them all myself.
In addition to the magnets, today’s post is a reminder for those of you planning on participating in “Cyber Monday”, versus battling the crowds, that you do have options. Most of the items on my list from last week can be purchased on line. In addition, places like Amazon.com are having huge sales where you can find almost anything.
That’s it. Starting with the next article we’re done with the gift posts and back to our normal Porsche programming. Happy Shopping!!!
As I was editing today’s post about this year’s 944Fest and preparing to publish it, I suddenly remembered that it was the two year anniversary of PorschePurist and I was struck by how far the site has come since my first couple of posts (first post, second post). As of today, just shy of 1,000,000 unique visitors have found their way to PorschePurist.com and 1000s of you are now on the role as subscribers.
More importantly, and the reason I’m rambling on, is that I’ve had the opportunity to meet 100s of you, either in person or virtually via this site, email, facebook, linkedin, etc., and have made many wonderful new friends as a result. To all of you, I just wanted to say thank you! Thanks for sharing your passion for Porsche with me (and allowing me to share mine with You)! Thanks for contributing through your comments and guest posts, and last but definitely not least, thanks for reading!! For those of you who are new and recent subscribers, welcome to the family.
Today’s post is written by one of PorschePurist.com’s most frequent contributors, Andrew Granieri. Andrew is getting married this weekend to a wonderful woman and I wanted to take a moment to wish them both well and say Congratulations!
I wrote this post during the summer months earlier this year and, for the first time in years, the 944Fest was not on my mind. In past years the entire month of July has typically been reserved for my father and me to go over our cars; double-checking with our experienced mechanic buddy what we need to do to ensure both cars (my normally aspirated 944 and his 951) are track-ready. This ritual did not come to pass in July this year, because the Fest came to Nelson Ledges on June 5th!
This post is a long overdue recap for those of you who couldn’t make it or didn’t catch my first post on the 944Fest. Let’s start from the beginning.
The Granieri caravan of two got off to a late start, and the culprit was a single brake pad. My father, in his infinite wisdom, wanted to put racing brake pads on the front axle of his 944 Turbo to have optimum braking power on the track. However, the pads were brand new, and brand new pads won’t perform well when taken straight to the track – a seemingly simple solution to this seemed obvious: We’ll put the brake pads on before we leave! Four hours of driving should be enough to break them in. I refuse to post pictures of the madness that ensued.
All the other brake pads swapped in cleanly, save for the inside driver’s side pad, which refused to come out. We spent two hours pulling, praying, swearing and sweating over this stupid brake pad; it refused to budge. It was stuck in place so well the vice grips and pipe wrenches couldn’t pull it out – and that’s where the trouble really started. I won’t say who (it wasn’t me); I won’t say when (it happened after I went inside); but somehow, someone’s grip on this pad slipped. As a result of this, that same someone somehow fell backwards into the jack that was keeping the car elevated. Things were forcefully moved. Pistons were broken. Pneumatic systems were compromised. Passive voice was used extensively to avoid directly pointing fingers at my father, who fell backwards into our beloved aluminum jack’s arm, forcing it out of its hinge and bending the pneumatic pistons. By the grace of a dozen deities, the jack was locked up and didn’t fall, allowing us to successfully swap out that final, stubborn brake pad. A counter-clockwise twist on the busted jack’s handle and his S2/turbo hit the ground. We held a short service for the busted jack before unceremoniously dumping it into the trash.
We’re off to a great start!
We got in fairly late Thursday night – a little after midnight. The track gate was closed, but someone forgot to lock the paddock; in hindsight, it was probably left unlocked intentionally, but it made the act of entering the track feel that much more exciting!
The 944Fest got track time Friday at Nelson Ledges Road Course, and with only one or two glaring exceptions, the DE went as smooth as can be! The last time I had driven on Nelson Ledges, it was my very first HPDE. Now that I had more experience under my belt, I found new insights with each turn and faster lap times to go with it! I don’t mean to toot my horn here, but in my run group the only people doing better than me on the track had dedicated racing rubber – something I’ll have to contemplate purchasing in the future.
Here I am, flying through the front straight as fast as my ~120-140RWHP can take me!
My instructor had a beautiful ’08 limited edition Boxster; painted the orange and black GT3 RS paint scheme, it handled as wonderfully as it looked! Below is a video of one lap around the track in my instructor’s Boxster. Not bad at all for street tires. I apologize for the shaking and the yelling.
A huge, carefully controlled and maintained bonfire capped off the evening. At some point during the night, a few individuals (who shall remain forever nameless!) decided to create an impromptu 944 dirt rally / autocross track near the campsites. All had good times; a fellow enthusiast was kind enough to let me take his 968 (Fun stuff!) on the faux track – thanks, John! Race tires and damp grass did not mix, so after three spins, I decided to park his car before something bad happened – just in time, too! Nelson Ledges staff members came by and reminded us that we’re not 5-year-olds. In spite of some great race lines, the dirt rally was disbanded without incident, and everyone continued socializing into the wee hours of the morning.
Saturday held a couple different options for Fest folks: PCA had the track for a HPDE event of their own, so some drivers planned ahead and registered to run Friday with the 944Fest and Saturday with Porsche Club America. Had I not run out of money, I would have registered with PCA to get on the track with a fresh crowd.
The rest of us had the Gimmally, a gimmick rally/scavenger hunt that took place within a 20-mile radius of the racetrack. Rennlist member and Cleveland native Dan P. orchestrated the seemingly-easy-yet-incredibly-and-deceptively-frustrating five-hour event. “You’ll be swearing my name up and down before you’re through,” he told the participants.
Participants paired up and were sent on their way in 5-minute intervals to keep us from cheating mingling with one another. Since my father had planned to leave a little early, I paired up with Nelson, my good friend and fellow Miami student. We were excited. We were confident. Dan had already made one of these for a 944Fest a couple years back, we thought. This one couldn’t be as good as that one, he already used up all the tough and obscure locations, we thought.
We were wrong. We were very, very wrong.
As it turned out, the Gimmally fit right in with the predominantly German theme of the weekend. It just needed a different name: schadenfreude. See the photos below for proof:
Copilot Nelson, just before we started on task #8: “Go to Dairy Queen. Order a large Arctic Chill. You may not continue on the Gimmally until it is completely consumed.”
Copilot Nelson, after completing task #8. Note the lack of hope and joy in his face.
Needless to say, we didn’t win.
Did I mention the car show? Running just prior/concurrently to the Gimmally, participants had the option to enter in the 944Fest car show! Due to time constraints, this event was not as big as it had been in years past, simply from people choosing to participate in PCA’s HPDE event or the Gimmally, as I said earlier. Though as you’ll see from my photos, there were still many contestants and some of them drove in fresh from the track, stains and all! My car cleaned up pretty well, but my father’s car looked even better, especially after applying these tips on washing and cleaning your Porsche.
Here’s my (sloppy) attempt at a panoramic photograph covering part of the car show.
The event officially drew to a close Saturday night with the award ceremony and raffle. There was a plethora of prizes from the 944Fest’s generous sponsors; Lindsey Racing, Pelican Parts, Paragon Products, 944-951parts.com, A Part Above, 944online.com, 944Cup.com, Rennlist, EagleDay.com and Rennbay were among a few others that donated their products to help make sure everyone was a winner at the raffle. While I didn’t win the grand prize $500 gift certificate to Lindsey Racing, I did win an all-important DME relay to keep in the glove box and a Mahle oil filter, so I can’t complain!
Officially, that’s the end of it. After the awards are distributed, you claim your prize, pack your bags and head for home. But many people prefer to stay Saturday night for a few beers by the fire with friends before heading home for another year. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay another night, as my summer classes needed some attention. I hope my coverage of the Fest has inspired some 944 owners to take their car out when the event rolls around next year. Of course, I didn’t cover everything that happened on this memorable weekend – sometimes, what happens at the 944Fest, stays at the 944Fest. I hope to see many new faces next year!
Today’s post is compliments of frequent contributor Andrew Granieri. Andrew is a graduate from Miami University with a degree in Technical & Scientific Communications and a minor in Entrepreneurship. He has a strong passion for cars and is working hard as a private contractor and freelance writer so he can continue to support his (pseudo) extravagant enthusiast lifestyle. He currently drives a worn but strong 1986 Porsche 944 that his future wife has come to appreciate and adore.
Now matter how hard we try, it’s not always possible to cover everything happening in the world of Porsche. There are times when the the PR machine at Porsche is working over time to fill the airways with news and information and then there are times when the silence emanating from Stuttgart is deafening. For those weeks when there’s simply more than we can cover (or quite frankly, want to cover) we wanted to give you a way to stay up to date with all the latest news and information about your favorite brand and at the same time introduce you to other Porsche resources available on the web. So, without further ado, here’s what you might have missed:
Volkswagen CEO to Become New Porsche CEO
As part of the plan to constantly and continuously confuse us assimilate and integrate Porsche into Volkswagen, an announcement was made today stating that VW CEO Martin Winterkorn would take on the additional responsibility of Porsche CEO as of Nov. 25. You can read the full story here at WJS.com
Lighten up your Porsche with a Lithium Ion Battery for Just $77/1b.
Earlier in the week, Porsche announced that beginning in January 2010 a new lithium ion battery, providing power for both starting and lighting, will be available as on option on the 911 GT3, GT3 RS and new Boxster Spyder. At the time of announcement, US pricing had not been released. That changed today when I received an email from Porsche with the pricing info. At just over $1700 US, you can shave 22 lbs of weight from a conventional lead battery and have the greenest race car in town to boot! See more details at Porchebahn (Hat tip to TTAC.com for the title)
Schwarzenegger Parks Porsche in Red Zone
According to the Associated Press, just weeks after California first lady Maria Shriver apologized for parking in a red zone, her husband appears to have violated the same law. The Web site TMZ.com, on Monday, posted photographs of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger getting into a silver convertible Porsche in a red zone, where no stopping, standing or parking is allowed. The celebrity site says the violation occurred Saturday in Beverly Hills. I like the fact that the Governator drives a Turbo Cab. For pics you can take a look at TMZ.com
Free Luggage With a Panamera Purchase
Earlier in the day Autoweek exposed that the delivery of newly arrived Panameras will be delayed due to electrical problems related to their keys and the software that controls them. In order to compensate inconvenienced customers, Porsche is offering free luggage from their Porsche Design Driver’s Selection to those affected.
Autoweek’s post goes on to state that the problematic cars are reserved for “the first nearly 200 buyers of the Porsche Panamera in the United States”. When I read that I was a bit confused. I know I’ve seen many Panameras on the road, haven’t you? In order to clear the air I spoke with Porsche of Hilton Head and confirmed that they indeed had delivered Panameras to customers and had done so with no issues. So, while there may indeed be problems with recent Panamera arrivals, they are most definitely not the first 200. More interesting was the news that the demand for the Panamera remains high and this most recent delay is making it difficult for consumers to find Panameras for sale as not all dealers have them immediately available. If you’re in the market for a new Panamera here’s a nice Turbo you might like.
Porsche Panamera | speedART PS9 – 650
Tuners continue to jump into the fray offering more and more options for the Panamera. The latest entry comes from speedART. The PS9 offers power kits that increase output to 520-hp, 550-hp, 600-hp and 650-hp with up to 656 lb-ft of torque. With 650-hp, the speedART PS9 – 650 Panamera goes from 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of over 200 mph. Stopping power comes from a sportier braking system with modular 380 mm discs and 6 piston brake calipers. For more technical details, pictures and information check out the post at egmCarTech
Not Yet A Great Racer? New Porsche GT3 R Can Help
The new GT3 R is the latest Cup car model from Porsche. Just shy of 2700 lbs with nearlhy 500 hp it’s easy to understand why this race car could easily get “stuffed” by even the most competent drivers. Helping you to avoid any off track excursions Porsche offers an anti-lock brake system (ABS), traction control and an e-gas with “throttle-blip” function that makes it much easier to get used to this new GT3 racing car than its predecessor, meaning [in Porsche's words] that the new model is also more appropriate for the ambitious amateur racing driver. More details on Autoblog
Porsche Artwork
Most Porsche owners will agree that their cars are as nice to look at as they are fun to drive. Gil Dezer of Miami, Florida shows his feelings by hanging a Porsche 550 spyder (replica I presume) as artwork on the wall of his new condo. For pictures and more details check out the post on PorschePerfect.com
For the past few years I’ve been compiling gift ideas for the Porsche owners and enthusiasts. With each new list, I find new products of interest and realize there is just so much good stuff available it’s tough to cover it all. This year is no different. In order to make things easier I decided to break things into categories for you, including: Porsche Books, Porsche Magazines, Porsche Club Memberships, Porsche Maintenance and Repair Items, Porsche Gifts Just for Her, Porsche Electronics and Toys, Porsche Watches and Jewelery, Porsche Artwork and lastly, Porsche Stocking Stuffers.
In most instance I’ve provided you with a link so the gift can be easily found and purchased with a click of a button. For those items not available for sale online I provided you with the best contact details I had available. Lastly, over the past two years we’ve had the opportunity to review a lot of these items first hand. In those instance I provided you with a link to the review for further information.
Gifts for the Porsche Owner
Porsche Motorsports
The more I become involved with Porsche the more I like all aspects of the brand. Over the last year I really started to dive deep into the land of Porsche Motorsport. I’ve had the great good fortune to meet and drive with a number of the Porsche factory drivers including Patrick Long of the Flying Lizard Motorsport team. This year, PorschePurist is working hand in hand with the Flying Lizard team to offer their gear directly to the readers of PorschePurist. Not only is this a great way to support your favorite Porsche team, the Flying Lizard Gear makes a great gift too.
Books about Porsche
The list below is just a small sampling of books about Porsche that we have reviewed here on PorschePurist.com. Posted in our Amazon Store is a much more comprehensive listing of Porsche related Books. The first link for each item will bring you directly to Amazon.com while the second link will bring you to PorschePurist.com’s review of the book.
There’s nothing I like better than walking down to the mailbox and coming back with a new issue of my favorite Porsche Magazines. While there are currently five (5) Porsche magazines available to the general public (six if you include the PCA’s members only Panorama) my two favorites are:
Total911 isn’t inexpensive (as it’s shipping from the UK), but in my opinion it’s still worth the premium. Each month is packed with over sized pictures and articles on your favorite topics.
Porsche Club Memberships
If you’re a Porsche owner and you don’t below to your local owner’s club, you don’t really know what you are missing. Here in the US, the Porsche Club of America (PCA) is king. With more than 100,000 members nationwide, there is bound to be a local and active group in your community. I personally participate in three different regions and enjoy interacting with other Porsche owners immensely. If you’re not yet a member of the PCA or similar type club, you should really think about joining up. If you’re the husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc of a Porsche owner and they are not yet a PCA member, this is a fantastic gift (the cost of membership includes 2 people). Not only will they meet other people with similar obsessions interests, a membership to the PCA includes a monthly subscription to Panorama Magazine.
Porsche Maintenance and Repair Items
Admitedly, I don’t do a lot any of my own service work on my Porches. However, over the years, I have come to enjoy and appreciate a few small items that make Porsche ownership a little easier, especially if your Porsche doesn’t happen to be your daily driver.
Porsche Dual Mode Battery Maintainer / Charger This is perfect for those that store their Porsche over the winter and don’t want to bother with the hassle of removing and reinstalling the battery.
Unfortunately, the Porsche Tire Guage and Case below appears to be sold out. However, the Moroso 89560 Tire Pressure Gauge are the air pressure gauge of choice for racers worldwide (and the gauge I believe the Porsche branded one was designed after). Each Moroso tire pressure gauge is individually calibrated for accuracy within 2%. The dial face is easy to read, while the hardened swivel chuck rotates 360° for positive valve stem attachment. And the finger operated air-bleed valve allows you to release pressure quickly for precise settings to get you back on road or track staged for your next spirited drive or lap.
Porsche Tire Gauge with Case My cars come out mostly on the weekends, so with all that time sitting between drives, I’m constantly checking the tire pressure. My wife bought this gauge for me two years ago and it’s the only one I’ve used since.
Porsche Gifts for Her
I wrote a post last year titled “Father’s Day Gift Ideas for the Porsche Lover“. Shortly after publishing it, I received a few emails from some of our female readers wanting to know where my list of Mother’s Day gift ideas was. I responded that any of the items on that list would work for a woman, but I got the hint. So, here are a few gift ideas with the female Porsche owner/lover in mind.
Chroma Type 301 Porsche Designed Knives Before I start getting hate mail, I don’t think it’s only women that do the cooking, but outside of me and a few others, I don’t know a lot of men that get excited at the idea of new kitchen knives. Personally, I love these Chroma knives and use them pretty much exclusively. A word of warning, they are not inexpensive! However, properly cared for they should last you a lifetime. If you’re interested, Mrs. 993C4S wrote a review of the Chroma Porsche Designed knives last year after using them for a little while.
Heritage Mini Bag / Purse
Porsche Sport’s Driving School: Women Only. Described as being designed for the woman who enjoys driving and wants to experience the essence of Porsche automobiles as well as enhance her current driving skills. The Women’s Only Performance course will not only allow you to pursue your passion for excitement; it will also cater to your need to escape.
Porsche Electronics, Toys and Models
Valentine One Radar Detector I’ve used a Valentine for years in two of my cars and have been saved many times. They might be expensive, but the first ticket you get saved from will more than cover the purchase price!!
GoPro HD Motorsports HERO On-Board High-Definition Digital Camera for MotorsportsI currently have and use the GoPro Hero Wide Camera for Motorsport and have become a very big fan. It’s easy to set-up, easy to mount and takes great videos. I’ve used mine to do everything from making videos at DE events to attaching to my dog’s collar and letting her run around for an hour. I’ll be posting a review in the next month or so on my experiences with it (and Lucy’s).
Fanatec Racing wheels. If you’re looking to improve your DE skills, these “force feedback” Porsche designed wheels can be an immense help. (Our Review)
Kindle Wireless Reading Device Ok, so this isn’t directly related to Porsche, but I have yet to meet a Porsche owner who doesn’t also like gadgets. The Kindle is the must have, most wished for item on everyone’s Christmas list. This thing rocks!!!
Porsche 917LH Lemans 1970 I recently started collecting Porsche die cast models. Right now my collection ranges from 1/10th scale to 1/43. I understand from talking with others that I might eventually settle on one size, but for right now I like my eclectic collection. This 1/18th scale 917 is one I don’t currently have, but would love to own. (Santa, are you reading?).
Porsche Watches, Jewelery and Other Accessories
Porsche Design Watches. It seems like a lot of us who drive and collect Porsches collect other items as well. I’m no different. After Porsche, my next biggest obssesion is most definitely watches. Porsche Design Watches lets me combine my two loves. They are not inexpensive, but they are almost as nice to look at as the cars.
Porsche Artwork
Given all the time I’m spend in my garage (that’s where my computer is too) I figured I might as well make it a nicer place to hang out in. One of the easiest ways to do this is by hanging up some posters and other original art.
If you’re looking for Porsche related artwork (and I’m sure you are) then you might want to take a look at theses affordable and extremely well executed limited edition prints by Stéphane Dufour. If you live in the US, Stéphane’s work can be purchased through his distributor in California or you can contact him directly if you are interested in the original art that the limited editions are derived from. My favorite piece, without a doubt, is the homage to the 1970 Porsche 917 Martini n°3 and its psychedelic decoration created in wood and aluminum. That’s a picture of it up above.
Shopping for Christmas is already expensive enough. Add Porsche anything to the mix and the price just went up. The following deas make great stocking stuffers and won’t break the bank.
While the list above is long, it is hardly comprehensive. If there are other items you can suggest that I add to the list for next year, I would greatly appreciate your feedback. Where possible, I did try to point you in the right direction and provide a link for each item to make your shopping easier. I have no plans to battle the crowds come “Black Friday”. I’m all about shopping online and “Cyber Monday”.
The new Porsche Panamera has been unjustly likened to a tank by some. Well now there might be just cause. Porsche is known for offering a myriad of options on all their new cars. However, when I recently used the Porsche car configurator to option out a new Panamera, I thought I had all there was on offer including a refrigerator in the back seat and a list price just north of $200k. Boy, was I wrong. For another $250k (for a total cost of $450,000) I could have a Panamera worthy of 3rd world dictator (or at least today’s Wall Street CEOs).
According to an article on Luxist.com, JS Armored of Frankfurt Germany is offering a Porsche Panamera Turbo for sale on Jameslist (a global online luxury marketplace). Armored to B4 levels the protective Panamera will stop anything from 9mm rounds to a full metal jacket of a carbine rifle. B4 Armoring specifications include:
1/8″ armored steel (3mm AR500 ballistic steel) in the doors, posts, overlaps and walls.
Bullet resistant glass 39/40mm.
5 Run Flats including Spare.
Armored Fuel Tank.
Armored Battery and Radiator Protection.
3mm AR500 ballistics steel in the roof and floor.
Tailpipe Protection.
Power window driver side.
Suspension Upgrade.
Upraded door hinges.
Some times a good offense is better than an armored defense. While B4 armoring is better than nothing, it won’t stop most automatic rifle fire and can’t withstand a hit from a RPG or IED. Knowing that, it’s nice to have the 500 hp of the Porsche Panamera turbo to rely on in case you need to get out of a bad situation in a hurry. If you need something with a little more protection to it, but want to stick with the Porsche badge, you could always opt for the Porsche Designed AMPV below.
It’s that time of year again, at least for those of us who don’t drive our Porsches year round. It’s time to start thinking about putting your Porsche away for a long winter nap. This post won’t be relative for those of you who are fortunate enough to live in a climate that allows you to drive your Porsche year round, brave enough to put winter tires on and and drive your Porsche through the winter, or for those of you that own a Cayenne. For the rest of you read on.
Each year I put together a list of the steps taken to winterize my Porsche(s). As my cars are all oil air cooled, I thought I would make it a point this year to include steps for those of you with water pumpers (why discriminate). It seems that I keep adding a new step every year, so if I missed something below that you include in your winterization process, please let me know by commenting at the end of this post.
The longer version is below with a detailed explanation of each step. However, for those of you in a hurry, here’s the short version:
Set the date.
Wash and clean, inside and out.
Gas it up and include a fuel additive like STA-BIL.
Fill your tires to the maximum pressure allowed by your tire; or, use a set of tire cradles that are shaped to the tire and help to prevent flat spots without the need to over inflate.
For those of you pumping more water than oil through the pipes, be sure the check and top off your anti-freeze.
Put the car in gear or park and don’t apply the parking brake.
You might consider placing some type of reusable desiccant in the car, like this Peli Desiccant Silica Gel if your garage is not climate controlled. Remember, you will need a number of these as the interior of your Porsche is a large space. You can easily check them once a month or so and reactivate them per the instructions
Cover it.
Call your insurance company and reduce all your coverages to minimum and remove the liability insurance (in some states this can save you as much as $100 per month.
Play racing games, drive simulators and wait for the snow to melt and the salt to get washed away so you can prepare to drive your Porsche again in the Spring.
Preparing your Porsche for Winter Storage
1. Set the date: Living in New England, I’m never sure what the weather is going to be from one minute to the next. As fall gets closer to winter I pay closer and closer attention to the weather. I’m obsessed with keeping my cars clean and rust free and that’s hard to do with the amount of salt placed on the road during a typical New England winter. So, rather than taking any chances, I watch the weather and make sure to have my car prepped and ready before the first snow flies.
2. Clean it inside and out: The cleaner the car is when you put it away, the better it will look every time you check in on it. I usually do a complete wash and a put a quick coat of wax on just for that added protection. Don’t forget the wheels. The last thing you want to do is leave brake dust on your rims to sit and eat at the finish for the winter.
3. Gas it up: Make sure you have as full a tank as possible. I make it a point to gas up at the station closest to my garage right before I put away my car. With a full tank you help to keep out any unwanted condensation or water build up that can happen when a car sits all winter long.
3a. Use a fuel additive: I like Gold Eagle 22214 STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer. 32 oz.. Read the directions and use the proper amount for your tank size. The key with any fuel additive is to put it in prior to filling the tank and then to make sure you drive for a few miles to get the additive throughout the entire fuel system.
4. Tire Pressure: If you’re not going to put your car up on jack-stand (which I don’t recommend), the next best thing is to get a good amount of tire pressure in each tire. Make sure you don’t over inflate past the manufacturers recommend capacity, but you should go over the recommend driving pressure. In general, tires can lose 1 psi per month under normal conditions and an addition 1 psi per ever 10 degree (Fahrenheit) drop in temp. As a general rule of thumb, I put 50lbs of pressure in each tire. You have to remember to do this when the tires are cold or you won’t get an accurate reading and you may end up with flat spots. There is nothing worse then taking your Porsche out for the first time in the spring and having damaged tires due to flat spots from storage. Properly inflated tires will avoid this.
Another option to consider is to use some type of tire cradle. Basically, this is a shaped piece of plastic or hard foam that “cradles” your tire and will keep them from developing those dreaded flat spots. One such product to consider are Flat Stoppers from Brute Industries. (the makers of RaceRamps.)
5. Check and top off the anti-freeze: With the introduction of the Porsche 996, Porsche gave us the first production, water cooled motor in a 911. Each new Porsche model since has continued this water pumping tradition. Regardless if your Porsche is stored indoors or out (you never know if your indoor space may loose power) it is a good idea to to check and top off all your fluids, paying special attention to your engine coolant/anti-freeze. Once topped off, be sure to run the car for a few minutes to ensure that fluids are properly circulated throughout the engine block. The last thing you want is to come back in the spring and find your beloved Porsche weeping green tears into a puddle around the tires.
6. Battery Maintenance: Some people like to take the battery out of their cars or at least disconnect them. Not me. I like to use some form of SuperSmart Battery Tender to make sure my battery is always fresh and I’m ready to go. It would be a shame to get a nice Spring day, go to start the car and find you have a dead battery (not to mention, it can get expensive replacing your battery every year). Let’s face it, the electronics in a modern Porsche tend to eat up a battery pretty easily if the car isn’t used frequently. So, either disconnect it or put on some type of SuperSmart Battery Tender. What you definitely want to avoid is starting your Porsche and letting it “warm-up” or run to charge the battery. This simply allows condensation to develop or collect in your motor (you won’t get it hot enough to burn it off) and can possibly cause long-term damage. Look in your manual, you will see this is not recommended. A few additional things to remember if you do decide to disconnect the battery: 1. you will need to have your radio code handy in the spring to get your system functioning again. 2. If your Porsche is equipped with an electronic hood latch, be sure not to close the hood all the way. If you do, you will need to jump the switch through the fuse box which is entirely all to annoying when you simply want to drive your baby again. A simple way to avoid this is to place a small piece of foam padding under the latch preventing it from engaging.
7. No Parking Brake: I’ve always just left my car(s) in gear of in park and left the parking brake off. Different people say different things about this step, but I’ve always felt, why risk it? Why risk having the parking brake freeze or bind over months of storage. I’ve heard others say that long term use of the brake system can stretch the cable and weaken the system. If you are worried about your Porsche going for a drive without you behind the wheel, a simple and inexpensive Wheel Chock works very well. If you don’t want to spend the money on something application specific, grab a piece of wood from the pile and snug it under a tire. This will work just as well.
8. Keep it dry: Moisture is your enemy during long term storage. The best way to win over the wet is with the use of simple dessicant packs. Personally, I like these Desiccant Silica Gel Packs from Pelican because they are inexpensive, self contained and more importantly, reusable. Five or six of these should be sufficient for most Porsche applications. At the end of the season (if you have a lot of moisture you may want to check more frequently) simply place it in the oven until the color changes back indicating dry and you’re ready for the next season. 9. Cover it: Even if your car is in a nice heated garage, securely tucked away with the key hidden, I’ve always thought it a good idea to keep my cars covered. This way, you don’t have to worry about anyone or anything bumping into or crawling on or over you nice paint. I use a thick, padded, custom fitted cover from California Car Covers. If you do use a cover make sure it covers your exhaust pipes. If you don’t use a cover (or yours doesn’t cover the pipes), you might want to think of covering your pipes with something (those big 16 oz keg cups work great). The idea behind this is to keep out any rodents that might want to try and build a nest for the winter. You laugh, but I’ve seen it happen to friends cars and it can be very frustrating and expensive. If you’re looking for a cover and don’t want to spend the money on a custom one, Empire Covers offers Car Covers starting at $24.99!
10. Save some money: I know that many of you may not have access to winter storage and as a result, need to rent storage space from a local garage or self-storage area. A great way to help offset the cost of this storage area is to reduce your insurance coverages. Specifically, remove all the liability coverage (as you won’t be driving) and reduce your other coverages to the state required minimums. Depending no where you live and the type of coverage you have on your Porsche this could save you anywhere from $50 to $500 a year in insurance costs.
That’s it, youre Porsche is now ready for a rest and you can begin planning your drives for next spring. Remember, your Porsche will get lonely so be sure to visit often. One of the main reasons I purchased my Porsches was the look of the 911. It’s a work of art that gives me enjoyment every time I see. So, when I don’t get to drive over the winter, I sneak a peek into the garage at least once a week, just to check in.
Is there anything I missed? Do you have other steps in your winterization process that other readers may benefit from? If so, let us all know by commenting below.
Talk about buried treasure! The picture below was snapped by Asylum blogger Elizabeth Brady. Ms. Brady was fortunate unfortunate enough to be in Cape Hatteras, N.C. last week during Hurricane Ida. When I first saw the picture below I thought it was Jeremy Clarkson bashing on Porsche again, but it seems this Cayman was just an unfortunate victim of Mother Nature.
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This is perfect for those that store their Porsche over the winter and don’t want to bother with the hassle of removing and reinstalling the battery.
are the air pressure gauge of choice for racers worldwide (and the gauge I believe the Porsche branded one was designed after). Each Moroso tire pressure gauge is individually calibrated for accuracy within 2%. The dial face is easy to read, while the hardened swivel chuck rotates 360° for positive valve stem attachment. And the finger operated air-bleed valve allows you to release pressure quickly for precise settings to get you back on road or track staged for your next spirited drive or lap.
My cars come out mostly on the weekends, so with all that time sitting between drives, I’m constantly checking the tire pressure. My wife bought this gauge for me two years ago and it’s the only one I’ve used since.
I’ve used a Valentine for years in two of my cars and have been saved many times. They might be expensive, but the first ticket you get saved from will more than cover the purchase price!!
I currently have and use the GoPro Hero Wide Camera for Motorsport and have become a very big fan. It’s easy to set-up, easy to mount and takes great videos. I’ve used mine to do everything from making videos at DE events to attaching to my dog’s collar and letting her run around for an hour. 
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. If you can’t afford the real thing (and quite frankly, who can?) this is the next best thing. (
I recently started collecting Porsche die cast models. Right now my collection ranges from 1/10th scale to 1/43. I understand from talking with others that I might eventually settle on one size, but for right now I like my eclectic collection. This 1/18th scale 917 is one I don’t currently have, but would love to own. (Santa, are you reading?).
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Now these are simply fun. Click on the link to see how they will look on your side mirrors.
that are shaped to the tire and help to prevent flat spots without the need to over inflate.
if your garage is not climate controlled. Remember, you will need a number of these as the interior of your Porsche is a large space. You can easily check them once a month or so and reactivate them per the instructions
. Read the directions and use the proper amount for your tank size. The key with any fuel additive is to put it in prior to filling the tank and then to make sure you drive for a few miles to get the additive throughout the entire fuel system.
4. Tire Pressure: If you’re not going to put your car up on jack-stand (which I don’t recommend), the next best thing is to get a good amount of tire pressure in each tire. Make sure you don’t over inflate past the manufacturers recommend capacity, but you should go over the recommend driving pressure. In general, tires can lose 1 psi per month under normal conditions and an addition 1 psi per ever 10 degree (Fahrenheit) drop in temp. As a general rule of thumb, I put 50lbs of pressure in each tire. You have to remember to do this when the tires are cold or you won’t get an accurate reading and you may end up with flat spots. There is nothing worse then taking your Porsche out for the first time in the spring and having damaged tires due to flat spots from storage. Properly inflated tires will avoid this.
to make sure my battery is always fresh and I’m ready to go. It would be a shame to get a nice Spring day, go to start the car and find you have a dead battery (not to mention, it can get expensive replacing your battery every year). Let’s face it, the electronics in a modern 
works very well. If you don’t want to spend the money on something application specific, grab a piece of wood from the pile and snug it under a tire. This will work just as well.
because they are inexpensive, self contained and more importantly, reusable. Five or six of these should be sufficient for most Porsche applications. At the end of the season (if you have a lot of moisture you may want to check more frequently) simply place it in the oven until the color changes back indicating dry and you’re ready for the next season.
