Roof and Associated Components: Service and Repair

WM 6X00IN Information on water management and Ballooning effect

Information

General information on the Boxster Spyder

NOTICE

Not suitable for washing in a car wash

- Risk of water leaking into passenger compartment

-> Cannot be washed in a car wash

In the illustrations of the Boxster Spyder convertible top (order type 987720, 987721) shown below, the following permitted driving conditions are defined and state-of-the-art.
- Ballooning effect
- Water management effect

An important feature of a classic roadster is a closely cut, lightweight fabric top.

The current Boxster models (2nd generation 987/987) maintain this tradition with a technically perfected roof system.

The design of the manual top used on the Boxster Spyder was intended not only to perfect the silhouette, but also to meet the basic needs of the passengers in bad weather. The two-piece top, consisting of a sun shield and weather protector with a plastic rear window, closes off the passenger compartment to the rear and at the rear sides and together with the raised door windows, provides protection against difficult weather conditions and rain.





Overview of Spyder top

Ballooning effect of convertible top while driving:

- This effect is caused by a difference in air pressure between the inside and outside.
- When driving at 80 km/h (50 mph) or faster, the convertible-top seal along the side window lifts off.





If you drive at high speed for a long time, the fabric top will balloon out (Ballooning effect). This will cause folds or creases => see figure in direction of travel in the fabric top, which will disappear again after about 30 - 60 minutes. Hood tension is considerably reduced during this time.





Hood tension on Boxster Spyder

If you drive at high speed with the windows down and/or without the weather deflector, the resultant differences in pressure will press the fabric top in. The fabric top can touch against the head of tall drivers. Hood tension is also reduced temporarily in this situation.

Water management while driving

When driving at a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) or faster (depending on how heavy it is raining), drips can form along the side window. At higher speeds and when it is raining very heavily, more drips will accumulate until - in extreme cases - a flowing jet of water can form.





Water management while driving

The water flowing back onto the side windows can leak into the passenger compartment at the point where the convertible top and top of the side window meet. Water management is designed so that the water on the inside of the hood cover and B-pillar seal flows down onto the B-pillar trim and runs off between the seat belt and B-pillar trim into the water drip tray.





Water management while driving

Water management on stationary or parked vehicles

Do not park the vehicle on upward or downward slopes greater than 12° (longitudinal position) or with lateral inclination greater than 9°.