15 Things You Might Not Have Known About Porsche 993

Quirky item number three about Porsche 993 can prevent you from developing expensive oil leaks.  This and the other fourteen items below you might not have known can be very helpful.  Aside from fun Porsche trivia, these items might help you get to know your car a little bit better and help you save money in preventable repairs.  Enjoying your vehicle to the fullest means keeping your Porsche in top condition.  Some of the items below are common knowledge while others may be known only to the most diehard Porsche aficionados.  Sit back and enjoy 15 things you may or may not know about Porsche 993.

1. 993 is the common term used for 911s built between 1995 and early 1998.
2. The 993s were the last of the Porsche air cooled engines. For some Porsche collectors, air cooled engines are a must.  Air cooled engines were often more reliable than their early water cooled counterparts.  In addition, air cooled engines tended to be more efficient and lightweight. Water cooled engines have pumps, pulleys and the weight of the actual water which all add to the overall weight of the car.
3. There are two oil filters in 993s, one large and one small. It is important to check and change them both.  Your oil is the lifeblood of your engine so make sure you keep it clean and serviced.  Talk to your Porsche technician about your engine and driving habits to determine the most optimum servicing schedule.  Depending on the type of engine and the frequency with which you drive will determine if you need to change your oil and filters more or less often.
4. The 993s were originally slated to have a completely redesigned dash but this was shelved late in the process due to cost concerns. Porsche experienced financial straits in the early 1990s and had to cut costs where possible.  There was a sharp financial slump in the United States in the early 1990s, impacting approximately 50 percent of potential Porsche buyers. During this financial hardship, Toyota tried to purchasee Porsche, but the family turned down their offer.
5. 993 was Porsche’s code name for the vehicles designed to replace the 964.
6. You need to drive your 993 about a mile in order for it to warm up, in part due to the air cooling system. Your brakes will need about a mile as well before being at full pressure.  (That being said, you don’t have to worry about warming a 993 up.  Just get in, drive, and enjoy).
7. A 993 has 3 oil gauges, one of which has to be read when you are stationary in idle. These gauges can actually be more accurate than your dipstick so use all the tools at your disposable when ascertaining your oil change needs.
8. Tire technicians will usually recommend 40 PSI for your Porsche tires. Beware, your Porsche manual will most likely recommend Front PSI of 36 and 44 Rear.
9. You can remove the windshield wiper delay control and your wipers will then rest on the passenger side.
10. Failure of the original manufacturers heat/AC controllers is not uncommon. It can cost around $1,000 to replace a control head.
11. You can easily test the remaining battery life in your key remote. The further away you can open the car, the more battery life you have.  If you have to get closer to your vehicle in order to get the remote to work, make a trip to purchase replacement batteries.  The weaker the battery, the closer you will have to be in order to make the signal work.
12. These cars weren’t built with cup holders. These cars were made for beauty and performance, not driving to work and sipping your morning coffee.
13. The 993 was the first 911 to have a standard six speed transmission.
14. The side mirrors are not symmetrically positioned. If you don’t believe us, examine a picture of a Porsche 993 head on closely.
15. The chassis isn’t symmetrical either. If you assumed that the chassis is positioned in the center, you’d be incorrect.  It is actually skewed slightly to the passenger side.

Whether you are a proud owner or simply an admirer of the Porsche 993, these are fifteen fun facts for you to enjoy.  Some, such as the code name and Porsche’s previous financial struggles are well-known, while others such as the lack of symmetrical side mirrors are chassis may be surprising.  One of the best things about Porsches is their storied history and quirks and little details that help make them so special.  The 993 era is one of incredible design and performance, with legendary vehicles to show for it.

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