How Metal Shavings in Your Oil Affects Your Porsche’s Performance

Porsche. The name alone elicits the idea of high-class, status, performance, power, and luxury. A premium car such as a Porsche demands premium care. It is, after all, still a product of mechanical systems and devices, and its status among the automotive greats does not exempt it from routine maintenance.

Something as seemingly mundane as regular oil changes are crucial to ensuring you get the most out of your Porsche, both in terms of performance and reliability. These oil changes also serve as a great diagnostic tool for overall engine health, as metal shavings can sometimes be found in drained oil and must be addressed to prevent damage.

Metal shavings are often minuscule, undetected fragments during an oil change; usually, nothing to worry about. However, if a technician sees the shavings in the oil, this is indicative of a bigger problem.

Oil provides lubrication to the engine’s moving parts, so metal shavings indicate friction has been introduced where it shouldn’t be, and the shavings are the result of engine parts rubbing together to the point that fragments of metal are sheared off.

If the oil remains in the engine, those shavings will collide with other portions of the engine and potentially cause further damage than has already occurred.

Reasons for Metal Shavings in Your Porsche’s Oil

Common reasons metal shavings are found during an oil change include using improper oil or simply ignoring regular maintenance. Always use the recommended oil specifications and quality. This recommendation can typically be found in your owner’s manual, or in a quick Google search if you cannot find the original manual. Be sure the technician changing your oil is aware of and using the proper oil for your model.

Neglecting regular oil changes can lead to contamination as dirt and debris build up in the oil. The dirt and/or debris adds friction which can end up shaving off metal. It will show up when your oil is drained.

It’s imperative to keep up with maintenance schedules. Follow Porsche recommendations in your owner’s manual, and be sure to do oil changes early if you’ve driven your car especially hard, such as at a racetrack or through very dirty conditions that likely introduced more debris to your car than normal.

Some common signs of accumulated metal shavings in oil include:

• Loss of power: Your Porsche might feel less powerful than it used to. It might struggle to accelerate and/or do so more slowly.
• Rough idle: Your car might idle more loudly than usual or with an unusual sound. This may also be accompanied by harsh vibrations.
• Knocking or ticking sounds: The engine might knock if the metal shavings have already begun to cause engine damage. It also might make a ticking noise as the shavings travel throughout the engine.

If you notice any of these issues, have your car examined by a reputable service center as soon as possible. Even if your Porsche seems fine and you don’t see any of these symptoms, be sure to schedule oil changes within the recommended intervals to prevent these signs from emerging. It is much more cost effective to avoid severe damage with preventative maintenance than to face the cost of an engine overhaul.

Hayes European for Your Porsche’s Oil Maintenance

At Hayes European in Santa Cruz, California, we treat every customer as an individual. Everyone and their vehicle is given the time and personalized attention they deserve. Our certified mechanics have years of experience working on Porsche vehicles, and we provide everything from advanced diagnostics using modern technology to routine maintenance such as oil changes, tire balances, and wheel alignments.

We serve customers not only in Santa Cruz but also the surrounding areas including Aptos, Soquel, and Capitola, CA. It is possible to have your car picked up for service and returned to you upon completion. Additionally, a free shuttle service with a 10 mile radius is offered along with after hours key drop offs.

Our hours are 8:00AM to 5:30PM, Monday through Friday. We are located at 1010 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. To schedule an appointment to have your Porsche inspected by a qualified mechanic, call us at 831-269-5858 or use our online form.

* Porsche Cayman image credit goes to: SusanaValera.