Should I replace the lower A-arms on my 944 before attending a high speed driver's education event?

Is it recommended to use "Never-Seize" when replacing spark plugs?

How can rock chips best be touched up on my silver metallic 911?

Can I get an Eddie Bauer interior on a new 996 so that it matches my pick-up truck?

Any of the above questions might be heard at a "Tech Session". In brief, a Tech Session is a get-together of a bunch of enthusiasts to try to discuss or learn about some aspect of their Porsche. This can run the gamut of general mechanical repair or maintenance, performance modifications for the street or track, body repair or painting, interior care or repair, concours detailing, or the nitty-gritty on new Porsche models.

Tech sessions generally are (and have been) held at any of the dealers or service shops which you see advertised in the Rundschau. These are informal, no charge get-togethers largely organized by these places of business. The typical format is to have one of the shop's supervisors give a presentation on the topic to be covered, with actual demonstrations for added emphasis.

For example, new car presentations have been done in the service bays of The Car Store (aka Sewickley Porsche-Audi), with cars raised up on lifts to give participants a rare chance to see the undersides of a new model. Imports by Day has had free car tech inspections, where mechanics would raise your own car up on a lift, and go over it in detail with you, pointing out and discussing any problem areas seen. The Car Store has also put on track preparation discussions for those members who want to get their cars ready for our race track driver's educations events; these have been to walk around both a representative 911 and 944 to describe what should be done on these cars before coming out to the track. The Greater Pittsburgh Auto Center has put on an interesting demonstration on body repair and painting, including changing color shades while painting a panel just by adjusting the air pressure and distance of the air gun from the panel.

So, if you are interested in any aspect of your Porsche, you can get a significant amount of useful information at a Tech Session. Keep your eye open to the "Upcoming Events" section of the Rundschau or keep checking this Web site for future notices of upcoming tech sessions.