Programming the 981 instrument panel

[Brian Halling]

My 2012 981 had its two year service recently (£630!) and the instrument software was upgraded, causing all my options to be reset to factory settings. I discovered this when I queried why the current speed limit was no longer displayed. My PC offered to lead me through the steps to switch it back on, but I was busy at the time and postponed their advice. Apparently it involves selecting options with the gear selector. This raises several questions for me:

1. Are these instructions online?
2. Is it safe to use them without fear of making an inappropriate change?
3. As a software engineer with over half a century's experience of IT development I know that user options should be separated from software so that they are preserved after a software upgrade. I wonder if Porsche know this!

 

[ronwood]

The Driver's Manual starting on page 90 gives instructions on how to set the various options including current speed limit on page 93. It's safe to use them but change one option at a time so if you don't like the resulting display you know where to reset it!
I will be having my first two year service soon and would be interested to know how the £630 was made up.

 

[PaulP]

My 981 is a September 2012 model and it's just started displaying that a service is due in 20 days or 4200 miles. Which as it sat in an OPC for 6 months before I bought it seems a bit soon.

However, like Ron I'd be interested in how the cost was arrived at.

Brian, you can download a Porsche App, Good to Know, which has all the information from the manual on it.

Paul

 

[dereksharpuk]

My 981 Boxster required a service at 500 miles. Took it back and they said it was a known fault and reset it.

 

[Tracy_Wilkins]

Derek is correct.
My car is 16 months old and the service light came on a couple of weeks ago.
On Friday Porsche did a recall reset on the instrument cluster and now it's back to normal.
Tracy

 

[Peter_Bull]

I had the same on my new Cayman after a week! A software reset was all that was needed.

 

[Brian Halling]

Thanks Ron for your detailed reference to the Driver's Manual. When all else fails, read the manual!
Thanks Paul for the heads up on the iPad app 'Good to Know'. I have now downloaded it and accessed the 981 information - all 271mb of it. However, some messages are in German.
Despite studying both these documents I still had to call my PC for instructions.
The problem is that the documentation does not match the latest software, so you carefully follow the instructions until it refers to an option that is not there - and then you're stuffed.

The result is that my problem of the missing speed limits is now solved (thank you all), but the arcane nature of the documentation remains.

For those who expressed an interest in the breakdown of my recent two year service, here are the details:

Carry out minor service and report £201.95
Parts-
sump washer £0.89
screen wash £4.27
oil filter £18.72
8 litres oil @ £13.20 = £105.60
pollen filter £49.82
sealing ring £5.68
air intake pre-filter £13.07
Total parts and labour £400.00

Change brake fluid £108 + 2 litres fluid @ £8.50 = £125.00

Total invoice £525 + 20% VAT = £630

Wash and vacuum FOC []

 

[martin lyne]

8 litres of oil for £105.60 + Vat =£126.72. The same oil costs about £80 in Halfords. In the past I have said I will supply my own oil when my Boxster was serviced and the OPC has never objected.

 

[ronwood]

That's quite a saving, what oil did you get for the 981?

 

[martin lyne]

The 981 has Mobil 1 New Life 0W-40 which is £39.99 at Halfords at the moment. I only got my 981 in May so no oil changes yet but I had similar savings on my previous 986

 

[kitchens]

I believe it is even cheaper at a Costco if there is one near you .A hunt around will get you a cheaper price I am sure .On a note one of my local OPC refuses point blank to use customers own oil [:'(]

 

[ronwood]

Thanks for the info. Given "kitchens" note about not all OPCs accept owner-bought oil can you confirm that for me living in Sussex (Guildford OPC) I should be OK.

 

[PaulP]

I presume the pollen filter is made from the woven mane of a unicorn!

 

[ronwood]

To answer my own question-Guildford are OK with this.

 

[PaulP]

Sheffield OPC will also let you bring your own 'Porsche approved' oil and at Halfords if you search for the oil in another store and find it cheaper, (not on line purchases) they will match the price.

 

[Glyn]

2 litres of brake fluid (3.5 pints) - not a chance in hell, have you ever seen how they do the change?
They bleed what really is a small amount through each calliper, If they use more than a pint in total I would be surprised. £108 to do the job ought to include the fluid as well - it only takes them 10 minutes in total - what a rip off. Test them out at the next change - ask them to return your old fluid to you. what a panic they would have trying to find 2 ltrs of old brake fluid.

You cant save much even if you take your own oil because they imposed an additional charge for using your oil and disposal of the old oil - which they say is included if they supply the oil.

The OPC are specialists at ramming it up you.