[Bill H]

I’m a 68 year old newbie, per se, and would like some of your opinions on questions about my new 718.

• If your car is nano coated is it ok to run it through a commercial car wash?
• Can you permanently disable auto start/stop function that shuts down the engine at traffic lights? What is the purpose of this alien feature in a sports car? I hardly think Porsche owners are concerned about gas prices or mpg for that matter.
• I have never owned an Apple anything (strictly DOS/Windows/Android) my car has Apple Play, would it be worth buying an Apple phone to utilize this feature?
• What is the best (easiest) way to clean the wheels including behind the spokes. I have 20" Carrera S wheels.

Thanks in advance y’all, any insight is appreciated.
Bill

 

[JazzCatGab]

I’m a 68 year old newbie, per se, and would like some of your opinions on questions about my new 718.

• If your car is nano coated is it ok to run it through a commercial car wash?
• Can you permanently disable auto start/stop function that shuts down the engine at traffic lights? What is the purpose of this alien feature in a sports car? I hardly think Porsche owners are concerned about gas prices or mpg for that matter.
• I have never owned an Apple anything (strictly DOS/Windows/Android) my car has Apple Play, would it be worth buying an Apple phone to utilize this feature?
• What is the best (easiest) way to clean the wheels including behind the spokes. I have 20" Carrera S wheels.

Thanks in advance y’all, any insight is appreciated.
Bill

Let me give you my opinions (because guys our age have plenty).

• I have Ceramic Pro coating (four layers) on my 718 Cayman. They say that touchless car washes are fine, but the waxing is unnecessary. I don't think the wax hurts and I don't see how to get the under car spay without it. But I haven't done it yet. I use the two-bucket method and ignore the heart attack.j
• There is apparently a device that can do this. I just put it in Sport mode and it is part of it. Otherwise, you are left with remembering to push the button on the center console.
• I have been an Apple Fanboy since 1985, but I'm also a bit chunky and getting the iPhone in/out of its holder is a bit of a pain. I have a newer iPhone, but I bought an old, scratched up iPhone 7 on eBay (about $225) that stays in the car most of the time (I do pull it for updates or longer periods of parking like over a week). My non-techy wife has a Consumer Cellular account, so I added storage and got a SIM from them. Adds about $30/month to her bill. I don't have the navigation on the car, so I use Google Maps on Carmen the Cayman's iPhone via CarPlay. So, yes, I think it is worth it.
• Wheels. I recently spent 2.5 hours washing Carmen, two of those hours on the wheels (which are nano coated also). The brake dust comes off easily with a wheel brush, but the inside of the wheels is a time-consuming challenge for me. Someone recently posted in the car care section of a device they made to get between the calipers and wheel.

 

[GTS18BGTS]

Another Bill here My guess is the nano coating will eventually need to be redone if the carwash uses more harsh soaps than some of the PH neutral soaps available for hand washing. I'm also sure some would frown upon running a Porsche of any sort thru a carwash, but that's obviously your choice. I hand wash my vehicles -Boxster, 350Z and Ram Limited. For me it's relaxing and not really a burden. I understand not everyone has the time or the place to do so.

As Jazz said, there's a memory module that can be purchased aftermarket to allow for any startup options you choose, but apparently it does not yet work with the selector wheel located on the steering wheel. I'm hope there's a fix for that since I'd like to have that device but also have the knob on the steering wheel.

I have always used an iPhone since they were introduced and do like how it integrates with the PCM/head unit. My Boxster doesn't have CarPlay as a separate option, but is equipped with Connect Plus, so it has the CarPlay features by default. Otherwise I think your android with interact via bluetooth for most functions but may not be a seamless as an iPhone. Can't confirm since I don't own one.

I have the Carrera S wheels and don't have much issue cleaning inside the rim with just a soapy rag. However Like Jazz I have mine coated, so brake dust releases readily. A strong jet of water helps.

 

[InTgr8r]

What is the purpose of this alien feature in a sports car? I hardly think Porsche owners are concerned about gas prices or mpg for that matter.

It is not a Porsche thing.
Its an issue with meeting corporate mileage targets for compliance.

 

[dreamer]

Please don’t ever take any relatively nice car through a commercial car wash. That’s just a bad idea on so many fronts.
As for cleaning the wheels, it’s a labor of love. Do as much as you can by hand and the rest can be done with soft, brushes with longer handles. I have one with lambs wool that’s pretty good. There’s tons of online detailing supply sites to get something decent.

 

[MikesGTS]

Hi Bill.. I would not advise you to take your car to a commercial car wash, unless you like the ice skating look!

As for sop start , you soon get use to just pressing the button when starting the car up.

As for Alloy wheels ... highly recommended are “ wheel Wollies” they come in a set of 3 .. or the “ Microfiber Madness incrediebrush....

Enjoy you car?

 

[alf_17]

As for start stop I use the T-Design memory module which remembers last setting of start/stop, PSE and sport mode (unless you have sport chrono).
In my opinion it is worth every penny.

Sensors, mods, accessoriess for your Porsche - Memory Module, Phone Mounts, Sunglass Holster, PDK displacement distance gear position sensor, speed sensor

Sensors, accessories, mods, parts for your Porsche. Memory Module remembers sport, a/s/s and pse settings. Find a place for your phone and sunglasses. PDK distance sensor and speed sensor for repairing 7DT45 7DT70 7DT75 transmissions. Fit Boxster, Cayman, 911, 981, 718, Cayenne, Panamera, Macan

t-design9.com

 

[GTS18BGTS]

As for start stop I use the T-Design memory module which remembers last setting of start/stop, PSE and sport mode (unless you have sport chrono).
In my opinion it is worth every penny.

Sensors, mods, accessoriess for your Porsche - Memory Module, Phone Mounts, Sunglass Holster, PDK displacement distance gear position sensor, speed sensor

Sensors, accessories, mods, parts for your Porsche. Memory Module remembers sport, a/s/s and pse settings. Find a place for your phone and sunglasses. PDK distance sensor and speed sensor for repairing 7DT45 7DT70 7DT75 transmissions. Fit Boxster, Cayman, 911, 981, 718, Cayenne, Panamera, Macan

t-design9.com

Yeah the Sport Chrono part is my issue. Hopefully there's a workaround.

 

[alf_17]

Yeah the Sport Chrono part is my issue. Hopefully there's a workaround.

As far as I know the module will still work when you have sport chrono, but it will only remember settings for the start/stop and the sports exhaust.
The only thing it won't remember is to go to sport/sport+/individual, but if what you really want/need is that it turns of start stop it will still be a worthwhile solution.
For me start/stop was the primary reason that I bought the module, the fact that the module is capable to remember to turn on sport (I don't have sport chrono) and sport exhaust is just a bonus.

 

[jimmuller]

I’m a 68 year old newbie, per se, and would like some of your opinions on questions about my new 718.

• I have never owned an Apple anything (strictly DOS/Windows/Android) my car has Apple Play, would it be worth buying an Apple phone to utilize this feature?

I can speak only to this, and not necessarily as a great authority. I was told that Porsche's navigation wasn't as good as the on-line version by Apple or Google. I'm an Android-phone guy but I'm using a de-commisioned iPhone in the car and it works great. You could run the iPhone as its own number or you could set your Android for Mobile Hotspot (if your provider and your data plan allow it), then connect the iPhone by wi-fi. It doesn't have to be a new iPhone. However this will disconnect your bluetooth connection to your Android so you can't do hands-free answering. Anyway, this will give you Siri and Apple's navigation. One final note, it requires Porsche Connect in the PCM as far as I know, not as a stand-alone CarPlay feature.

 

[GregW]

Washing with nano coating--commercial washes, touchless only. The coating is HARD but sand and dust is HARDER. I do a two bucket wash and rinse with pure rain water. BTW, I was told that wax wouldn't stick to my version of nano, and that to remove it would require power tools and abrasives.

Wheels--get them nano coated if they aren't already. Then it's just a matter of finding (or making) a microfibre brush that fits. If you have 36 spoke wheels it's still a long job. (I have 5 spokes.)

 

[Bill H]

Thank y'all for the replies, they were very helpful. As a result of your suggestions:

I won't take it to a carwash, already have the 2 bucket setup. (for my wife's car)
I will buy a module to disable that asinine start/stop switch.
And I will buy an iPhone and just get another phone number in addition to my beloved Android.
As for the wheels, just gonna do it by hand, it's a pain but the results are rewarding.

Lastly, I'm a "bubba", lived in Fl for 63 (I'm 69) years and consider myself a "cracker" and would rather eat smoked mullet than caviar and "Don Perrong". ?

 

[MLJJ]

Lastly, I'm a "bubba", lived in Fl for 63 (I'm 69) years and consider myself a "cracker" and would rather eat smoked mullet than caviar and "Don Perrong". ?

Smoked mullet dip, bay scallops, smoke pig (wild), banana moon pie, RC cola, etc... A man of my cloth! Welcome

 

[Dan.B-Cayman]

Wheel woolies are a must in my opinion to reach all areas behind the spokes. And the medium sized one will grab a microfiber cloth sprayed with you favorite cleaner (Wash Wax All) when you do not want to bring out the water hose etc.

 

[JazzCatGab]

Lastly, I'm a "bubba", lived in Fl for 63 (I'm 69) years and consider myself a "cracker" and would rather eat smoked mullet than caviar and "Don Perrong". ?

One of my early jobs in Florida (being a Kentucky boy) was in Port Richey on the Gulf coast. I could barely stomach smoked mullet (being more a grouper fan). I once told my cracker boss that most fish were too "fishy" for me and it about blew his mind. Something along the lines of "Fish! are supposed to taste fishy!!" Anyway, he went on to say he grew up eating broiled mullet, baked mullet, mullet soup and stew, etc. Thank goodness that was before the sushi revolution! Gaaaaah!

 

[Bill H]

@JazzCatGab

I hate "fishy" strong taste also. If you catch a mess of mullet in the surf with a net while they are in the ocean spawning, and you filet and fry them properly they actually taste good. Smoked mullet has a light fish taste and is delicious when smoked with orange wood. Don't eat it in your 718, it's kind of crumbly.
Nassau grouper and red snapper (about extinct in Florida) are my favorite fried fish.

 

[SonicSid]

• I have never owned an Apple anything (strictly DOS/Windows/Android) my car has Apple Play, would it be worth buying an Apple phone to utilize this feature?

Same for me, just insert linux into that mix. The Google Play store has an Android Auto app that can run standalone on your phone's display. Simply add a proper phone mount and you have Android Auto in your car. I fabricated my own phone mount, but sensible sane folks would look at the ones offered by T-Design and Rennline.

FWIW, I'd avoid just about any car wash place unless you like swirl mark scratches or worse on your car. Either find a good quality detailer or enjoy the zen of car washing yourself.
For wheel washing, I've been using these brushes and I'm pleased with their performance: https://www.autogeek.net/daytona-speed-master-brushes.html

 

[ritchieg]

I’m a 68 year old newbie, per se, and would like some of your opinions on questions about my new 718.

• If your car is nano coated is it ok to run it through a commercial car wash?
• Can you permanently disable auto start/stop function that shuts down the engine at traffic lights? What is the purpose of this alien feature in a sports car? I hardly think Porsche owners are concerned about gas prices or mpg for that matter.
• I have never owned an Apple anything (strictly DOS/Windows/Android) my car has Apple Play, would it be worth buying an Apple phone to utilize this feature?
• What is the best (easiest) way to clean the wheels including behind the spokes. I have 20" Carrera S wheels.

Thanks in advance y’all, any insight is appreciated.
Bill

Ceramic nano coatings are much harder than clear coat, but if you take it to any commercial car wash you are asking for trouble and in time will have many swirl or scratches in the paint. As said above the touchless may be OK but the people that dry it after it comes out are not using the best towels and may have sand or dirt in them e goes your beautiful car. I have Sapphire V1 on my 718 and Macan. The Macan is 4 years old and still looks like new. You never have to polish or wax the car. If slightly dirty just spray with water and dry. If very dirty spray with high pressure and then lightly wash with a microfiber cloth. Be sure you continually clean anything that touches the car or you can get swirls. I have Smart Top on my Boxster and open the top as I am approaching and instead of crawling into it, just step in. When getting out hit the close switch, shut off the car and get out. Again step out instead of crawling. I installed the T-Mobile module in the console and the Sport mode and Engine shutoff switch stay in the position they were in when you shut off the car. In 3 years on the Boxster with 18,000 miles the engine has never shut off at a stop.

 

[718Niko]

I guess Im the only Porsche owner actually liking the stop-start and apreciating good mpg then.
I use her to comute every days so in the long run it does save some $$... and since the car is stopped anyway it doesnt bother me the engine shut, and I actually like that vrooom noise and shake when she start up again.

Out of curiosity, why would anyone want to turn that feature off for normal driving?

 

[johan]

I guess Im the only Porsche owner actually liking the stop-start and apreciating good mpg then.
I use her to comute every days so in the long run it does save some $$... and since the car is stopped anyway it doesnt bother me the engine shut, and I actually like that vrooom noise and shake when she start up again.

Out of curiosity, why would anyone want to turn that feature off for normal driving?

My 718 BGTS is my DD and i say the same.
And it does not bother me at all.

For spirited driving i am always in sport/sport+ anyway....