Carrera T Heads for Oil Change

Just over two months after taking delivery of the Carrera T, the mileage finally hit 2,900km, marking the end of the break-in period. So, just before the Obon holidays in August, I took it to the dealer for an oil and filter change.

My husband had told me in advance,

Make sure to get the filter changed along with the oil. Even if the oil is clean, it’s pointless if the filter is dirty. You don’t have to change it every time, but after the break-in period, it’s better to replace the filter just in case.

That’s what he said.

However, I forgot about that and when I booked the appointment, I only told our contact, Mr. H, “Please do the oil change and so on.” He replied that it would be done in an hour and a half.

When I told my husband, “The oil change appointment is all set,” he asked,

Did you ask them to change the filter? For the 992, filter replacement usually takes more than a day, you know?

That’s right—when we replaced the filter on our 992 Cabriolet before, it was the same.

Apparently, the 992’s oil filter is accessed by removing the coolant reservoir cap, and the filter can’t be replaced until the coolant has cooled down.

I hurriedly contacted Mr. H, and as expected, filter replacement is a full-day job, so we had to leave the Carrera T at the dealer for a day.

Regarding oil changes after the break-in period, neither the 911’s manual nor the dealer recommended it as necessary (you can just change it at 10,000km), but somehow I felt better having it done at this timing, so I went ahead with it.

By the way, this time the cost was covered by the Porsche Scheduled Maintenance Plan (PSMP) that we signed up for at purchase. I was prepared to pay just for the oil change, but since the filter was also replaced, it was done free of charge.

We didn’t change the transmission or differential oil. (My husband said those can wait for inspections every few years.)

Actually, after the oil change, Mr. H drove the Carrera T back to our home and said,

Wow, this is amazing. It’s so nimble, the manual transmission is easy to operate, it’s fast, and the handling is super sharp and fun… If you had this as a demo car, everyone would want one, wouldn’t they!?

I was really happy to hear that (laughs).

Carrera T Is Simply the Best!

With the break-in period and oil & filter change done, the Carrera T felt somehow even more lively after the oil change… or maybe it was just my imagination (laughs).

In any case, the Carrera T is simply the best.

Above all, the “nimbleness,” “handling,” and “engine sound” are fantastic.

While the 992 has a solid feel, the lightweight Carrera T drives very nimbly. It glides along effortlessly with no heaviness at all. Plus, there’s almost no turbo lag, so acceleration and takeoff feel completely natural and very satisfying.

Regarding handling, adding the optional rear-axle steering might be a big factor, but even if it’s not quite GT3 level, it turns incredibly well.

It just keeps going, keeps going—how far can it turn!?—it’s that sharp (laughs).

Because of that, I find myself driving seriously… When I drive the 981 Boxster GTS, I smile because the engine sound is so pleasant, but with the Carrera T, I’m stone-faced, silent, and just focused on driving.

The engine sound has also gotten louder (it seems the current 992 doesn’t have a GPF), and above 4,000 rpm, the sound is clearer and richer, which feels really good.

Yesterday, I took it for a drive on the Royu Driveway after a long time, and it was truly exhilarating.

However… until now, I had the goal of “finish the break-in quickly! First reach 3,000km!” so I was consciously driving quite a bit, but now I’m not sure what goal to set next… I feel a bit lost.

When I told my husband this, he said,

No, you don’t have to think so seriously about goals. Just enjoy it. Drive various roads happily. It’s not that complicated, you know? lol

But I don’t really have the mindset to enjoy hobbies. Since becoming a working adult, I’ve been all about work, work, work, so purely enjoying something is quite difficult for me (Is that okay?).

So, as I mentioned briefly before, I’m thinking about aiming to debut the Carrera T on the circuit, practicing the Fuji Speedway course on a home simulation game, and driving the Royu Driveway with that in mind… I hope I can find some new goal for myself (serious, huh? lol).