If you plan on doing your own maintenance projects, you need to know what tools you need for a Porsche Boxster. Doing your own Porsche maintenance will easily pay for the initial cost of all of these tools and more. Not to mention the satisfaction of doing the work yourself.
1.0 Hydraulic Jack
The most important tool that you will need for most Do It Yourself projects is an excellent hydraulic jack. Standard Hydraulic jacks will not work with your Porsche Boxster. They will not fit under your vehicle. As a result, we recommend that you use a low-profile hydraulic jack with a minimum of 3000 lb (3-ton) capacity.
Many standard jacks will have trouble getting under the vehicle sufficiently to jack up your Porsche. In some cases, low-profile hydraulic jacks are also referred to as racing floor jacks.
[amazon bestseller=”3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Floor Jack” template=widget-small grid=3 items=3] [amazon box=”B01LZYL94L” template=widget-small items=1 grid=3]Below is an excellent video that reviews the use of the floor jack and how to support your car.
2.0 Esco 10498 Jack Stands
A Porsche Club of America (PCA) member recommended ESCO 10498 Jack Stands (3 Ton Capacity). These stands come with flat tops and are perfect for use with your Boxster. These stands are a bit more expensive than conventional stands and are considered an upgraded pick for jack stands.
I wish I had purchased the ESCO stands as my original stands. I have done maintenance on many vehicles throughout the years and have always used jack stands with v-shaped tips or tops. The v-shape is for lifting parts of your car to not damage pinch welds that are generally in line with the jack stand mount points on the bottom of many vehicles, EXCEPT Boxsters.
One issue with the Boxster cars is that the jack support spots are very specific and do not have much room for error (if any.) Using the wrong location for jacking up your car or supporting the weight of your car can result in major damage to the bottom of your vehicle.
We cannot recommend these stands more.
[amazon bestseller=”Esco 10498 Jack Stands” items=1]3.0 Ramps
Portable car ramps are extremely convenient, especially for doing oil changes and quick inspections under your Porsche Boxster. Rhinogear and others make excellent ramps that are lightweight, easy to use, and carry.
The [amazon link=”B0117EESNC” title=RhinoGgear Ramps 16,000 lb capacity”] is made of lightweight plastic and specifically moulded to withstand 16,000 lbs.
The ramps come equipped with a rubber brake pad on the bottom front of the ramp to prevent any slippage when a car is using them. As the car enters the ramp, the weight of the car is used to compress the rubber brake pad onto the surface to prevent the ramp from sliding away. I have had both metal ramps and plastic ramps slide away as the car enters the ramp and this is not safe. The RhinoFear ramps stay in place.
Each Ramp is designed to withstand 4000 lbs, which is more than your Porsche Boxster by +25%. Please note that the primary use of these ramps is for oil changes, so when you are using the ramps with your Porsche Boxster you will be backing up onto the ramps.
The design of the ramps allows the ramps to stack onto each other which makes both storage and transport a breeze. RhinoGear Ramps are a very popular, quick, easy, and cost-effective solution.
Come oil change time I use them on all 3 of my cars. Keep in mind that car ramps are safer than using jack stands.
[amazon table=”5620″] [amazon box=”B0117EESNC,B07CZFWT6Y”]4.0 Wheel Chocks
Make sure to place wooden blocks or wheel chalks under your tire(s) to keep your Porsche in place when jacking up your car or using ramps. Wheel chocks are small ramps/wedges of sturdy material placed closely against your tires to prevent accidental movement. Chocks are placed for safety in addition to setting the brakes.
[amazon bestseller=”Wheel Chock” template=widget-small grid=3 items=3]5.0 Torque Wrench(es)
When you plan to do any major work on your engine or some major power-train components (including your tires and brakes), you absolutely need a torque wrench. Over-tightening cylinder-head bolts will cause expensive damage and catastrophic coolant loss. As a result, too-tight exhaust manifold bolts can cause the manifold to crack.
A Torque wrench is a mandatory tool for the tightening of all your tire bolts. It will even be used for doing a simple oil change.
1/2″ Drive Torque Wrench
[amazon bestseller=”1/2 Inch Drive Torque Wrench 10~150 Ft-Lb” template=widget-small grid=3 items=3]1/4″ Drive Torque Wrench
[amazon bestseller=”1/4 Inch Drive Torque Wrench 10~150 Ft-Lb” template=widget-small grid=3 items=3]6.0 Metric Socket Set
A good socket set is mandatory for use when doing any DIY projects on your Porsche Boxster. Every DIYer needs a socket set. An excellent socket set will provide a lifetime of service.
Buying a comprehensive set from DeWalt or your various private-label big-box store is the most affordable and sensible way to start. The carrying case and compactness of a complete set will save you for storage or if you need to carry your tools to do the work. The carrying case assures you that your tools will stay in one place.
[amazon box=”B01BHJE0J4″]6.1 Magnetic Spark Plug Socket 16mm (5/8″)
This is a great investment tool for dealing with deep spark plug wells.
[amazon box=”B07MDL88FD,B07MH5ZDMD” template=table]
7.0 When Working on Your Coolant System:
7.1 Coolant Hydrometer
A coolant hydrometer tests ethylene glycol on a temperature scale from -51°C to 0°C (-60°F to 32°F), indicating whether the solution is properly mixed to prevent freezing. This tool provides an easy visual inspection that identifies if the acids or solutions are in the proper state.
[amazon bestseller=”coolant hydrometer” template=widget-small grid=3 items=3]7.2 Optional Cooling System Tools
Optional items that you can also consider are the [amazon link=”B0002SRH5G” title=”UView 550000 Airlift Cooling System Tool Kit”] and a good Hose Clamp Tool.
8.0 Porsche Brake Fluid Bleeding Kit
Your Porsche Boxster requires a complete brake fluid (DOT Type 4) flush every 2 years. With the [amazon link=”B0002KM5L0″ title=”Motive Porsche Brake Fluid Bleeding Kit”] it is an absolute breeze. Motive Products is an excellent company and has a huge following on all Boxster Forums.
[amazon table=”3354″]I picked up a Motive Power Bleeder with the Porsche adapter for about $40 from Amazon. This (tool) makes a fluid change or bleeding a brake system goat stupid! And takes out the buddy that you need to buy beer for afterward.
SSearchVT from planet-9.com
9.0 Fender Protectors
Fender protectors (or covers) are something you can’t forego. If you often find yourself working on your engine. It is very easy to chip or scratch the paint of the exterior of your car unless you are paying absolute attention. Here is a huge list of fender protectors on Amazon.
10.0 Assorted Other Porsche-Specific Tools to Consider
- 5mm Allen
- 8mm Allen
- 17mm Allen
- 16mm Triple Square Hex (transmission drain bolt)
- 24mm Socket
- Security T20 (MAF)
- 27mm Deep Socket + Tape (for spin-on oil adapter)
- 18mm-19mm Sockets
- 8mm-17mm Sockets
- E12 Torx Socket (or 3/8”)
- 74/76mm 14 Flute Oil Wrench
11.0 Battery Charger
Please take the time to review this excellent article on the best battery charger for your Porsche Boxster. This is not an optional tool.
[amazon table=”2894″] [amazon box=”B00ADIHUVG,B009K2QX0U,B0722GXNJR” template=widget-small grid=3 items=3]12.0 Diagnostic OBD II Tool
It is just a matter of time before you will need the use of a good OBD II Diagnostic Scanner Tool.
You will need the use of a Porsche-specific OBD II tool to reset any OBD “check engine light” CEL warnings. An OBD scanner will identify any fault codes and clear them. You also require this tool to reset the Oil Change light when it occurs and to reset OBD oil mileage each time you do an oil change.
If you are a Porsche Club member, and we highly recommend it, you can make use of the club for advice. Porsche Club members can be asked for local advice on getting their CEL codes read and cleared. Other Porsche Club members are often happy to help and are ready with advice.
12.1 Porsche PIWIS
The primary diagnostic scanner tool for Porsche Boxster is the Porsche PIWIS often referred to as the “Porsche Hammer”. The Porsche PIWIS is the most powerful diagnostic tool for all Porsche vehicles.
The Porsche PIWIS is used at Porsche dealerships for diagnosis, troubleshooting, and programming. It is not a practical purchase, it is very expensive and has a very steep learning curve.
12.2 Durametric Diagnostic Tool for Porsche
A possible tool is the Durametric Diagnostic Tool for Porsche. It is a great tool for Porsche mechanics. The Durametric Diagnostic Software is an alternative to the Porsche dealer scanner.
The Durametric Diagnostic Tool for Porsche provides in-depth troubleshooting and has great model coverage. There are multiple license options including a single car license that is locked to the VIN.
Unfortunately, the Durametric Diagnostic Tool for Porsche costs several hundred dollars and requires a laptop to run.
12.3 iCarsoft POR-II Porsche OBD-II Scanner Tool Multi-systems ABS SRS
The [amazon link=”B011DKBXBK” title=”iCarsoft POR-II Porsche OBD-II Scanner Tool”] has an excellent following on multiple Porsche forums. Please take the time to do your research.
The iCarsoft POR-II Porsche OBD-II Scanner Tool is an excellent low-cost tool (for what it does) and it will read all of your codes and even reset the oil change warning.
[amazon box=”B07F2WF96Y”] [amazon box=”B07QZ2DV8P”]
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