2004 PORSCHE 911 GT3 warning light

Rearward facingchildrestraint system:

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Use only inthe passenger seat.

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Use inpassenger seatonlywiththePorsche
child restraint systemwithairbag deactivation
capability.
When usingthePorsche childrestraint system
you
must
ensure thatthepassenger airbags
are deactivated.

Forward facingchildrestraint system:

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Ifyou must place aforward facingchild
restraint systeminthe passenger seat,
the passenger airbagsmustbedeac-
tivated.

Example:Rearward facingchildrestraint system

In order todeactivate thepassenger's
airbags, thebelt tongue ofthe child's seat
must always beinserted inthe buckle
"AU
in
front ofthe passenger seat.

When theignition isswitched on,deactivation of
the airbags isindicated bythe airbag warning light
flashing for60seconds.
/!\

Danger!
If the light does notflash, theairbags arenot
deactivated andachild restraint system
must notbeinstalled.
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Have thefault remedied immediately byan
authorized Porschedealer.
Controls, Instruments

~Donot add anyadditional coverings orstickers
to the steering wheelorinthe area ofthe pas-
senger airbagandside airbags. Doingsomay
adversely affectthefunctioning ofthe airbag
system orcause harmtothe occupants ifthe
airbag system shoulddeploy.
~ Donot undertake anywiring forelectrical ac-
cessory equipment inthe vicinity ofthe airbag
wiring harnesses. Doingsomay disable the
airbag system orcause inflation.
~ Ifthe warning lightcomes on,the airbag sys-
tem should berepaired immediately byyour
authorized Porschedealer.

Note

Airbag components (e.g.steering wheel,door
trim) maybedisassembled onlybyanauthorized
Porsche dealer.
When disposing ofaused airbag unit,oursafety
instructions mustbefollowed. Theseinstructions
can beobtained atany authorized Porschedealer.
Q)

Warning light

The central triggering unitmonitors theoperation-
al readiness ofthe airbag system andthewarning
light.
Any malfunctions thatmay occur willbeindicated
by the warning lightsinthe instrument paneland
on-board computer.

~ Inthe following casesyoushould immedi-
ately consult anauthorized Porschedeal-
er inorder toassure theairbag system is
functioning properly:

- Illumination ofthe airbag warning lightduring
travel orrepeated illumination longerthan5
seconds aftertheignition circuitisturned on.
- Illumination failstolight upduring ignition
circuit activation.
If the airbags onthe passenger's sideare
switched offbythe
child restraint system,
orif
an installed childrestraint systemisdetected
when theignition isswitched on,the warning light

flashes
for60seconds whentheignition ison.

A
Danger!
If the light does notflash, theairbags arenot
deactivated andachild restraint system
must notbeinstalled.

~ Have thefault remedied immediately byan
authorized Porschedealer.
Airbag
maintenance

In order toensure long-term functioning, theair-
bag system mustbeinspected byan authorized
Porsche dealerafter4,8and 10years fromthe
date ofmanufacture shownonthe safety compli-
ance sticker, andevery 2years thereafter.

Important information

If you sellyour Porsche, notifythepurchaser that
the vehicle isequipped withairbags, andrefer
them tothe chapter, "AirbagSystems", inthe own-
er's manual (safetyanddisposal rules).
Further information onthe airbag system canbe
found onstickers atthe sun visors, aswell ason
all airbag components.
~ For special recommendations onthe use of
child restraints:
Please observe thechapter "CHILDRE-
STRAINT SYSTEMS" onPage 36.
Controls, Instruments

ClutchPedal

The clutch pedalmustbedepressed fully
before thestarter willengage.

A
Warning!
Risk ofan accident.

\>
Always checkthemovement ofthe clutch ped-
al before driving andmake surethatitis not
obstructed byafloor matorany other object.

\>
Secure thefloor mattoprevent itfrom sliding
into positions thatcould interfere withthesafe
operation ofyour vehicle.
Your Porsche dealerwillbeglad tooffer you
floor mats ofthe correct sizeincluding asecur-
ing possibility.

To avoid damage tothe clutch andtransmis-
sion:

\>
Always depress theclutch pedalfullywhen
changing gears.

\>
Donot hold thecar onasteep grade withthe
clutch pedalpartially depressed.
Should thefree travel ofthe clutch pedalsuddenly
become bigger,itcould mean amalfunction ofthe
clutch.

\>
See your Porsche dealerforcorrection.

40
Controls, Instruments
Parking
Brake

Parking brakeforceismechanically transferredto
the rear wheels bymeans ofcables.

\>
Use theparking brakeonlyafter thevehicle
has come toafull stop.
Setting
theparking brake

\>
Pull thelever
allthe way up(arrow).

With theignition on,the parking brakewarning
lights inthe instrument panelandon-board
computer willcome onifthe lever iseven
slightly raised.Afirm pullupward isrequired to
properly engagetheparking brake.
If the brake isnot fully set,thevehicle mayroll
without control.

\>
Move thegearshift levertoreverse orfirst
gear.

\>
Before exitingthevehicle, makesurethatthe
parking brakeisfully setand thevehicle isnot
moving atall.

Releasing theparking brake

\>
Pull thelever slightly upasyou depress there-
lease button
A,
and then push thelever allthe
way down.

Parkingbrakewarning lightUSA
Parking brakewarning light
Canada

The warning lightsinthe instrument panelandon-
board computer willgoout after theparking brake
is fully released.
The warning lightsarenotanindicator thatthe
parking brakeisfully set;itis only intended tobe
a warning torelease theparking brakebefore
driving thecar.

A
Caution!
A partially engaged brakewilloverheat the
rear brakes, reducetheireffectiveness and
cause excessive wear.

~ Release theparking brakefully.
t> When parking yourcar,always setthe parking
brake bypulling allthe way uponthe lever.

t>
Move thegearshift levertoreverse orfirst
gear.

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Onhills also turnthefront wheels towards the
curb.
Brakes

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Please observe thechapter "AERODYNAMIC
COMPONENTS" onPage 9.

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Make itahabit tocheck theoperation ofyour
brakes beforedriving.
Keep inmind thatthebraking distance increases
very rapidly asthe speed increases. At60 mph or
100 km/h, forexample, itis not twice butfour
times longer than30mph or50 km/h. Tiretrac-
tion isalso lesseffective whentheroads arewet
or slippery.

t>
Therefore, alwaysmaintain asafe distance
from thecarinfront ofyou.

Vehicles withoutPorsche Ceramic Compos-
ite Brake (PCCB)

Even though thebrake discsconsist ofalloyed
grey castiron,theywillunavoidably starttocor-
rode ifyour carisparked foranextended period.
The brakes willtend to"rub" asthe result.
The nature, extentandeffects ofcorrosion de-
pend onthe amount oftime thevehicle was
parked, whether granular orliquid roadsaltwas
spread andwhether grease. were usedincar washes.
If the braking comfort isnoticeably impaired,we
recommend havingthebrake system checked by
experts atan authorized Porschedealer.
Brake
system function

Your Porsche isequipped withapower assisted
hydraulic dualcircuit brakesystem withdisc
brakes atthe front andrear.
Both circuits function independently. Onebrake
circuit operates thefront andtheother operates
the rear.
If one brake circuit hasfailed, theother willstill op-
erate. However, youwillnotice anincreased pedal
travel whenyouapply thebrakes.
Failure ofone brake circuit willcause thestopping
distance toincrease.

A
Warning!
Risk ofan accident.
In the unlikely eventofhydraulic failureof
one brake circuit:

t> Push thebrake pedaldownfirmly andhold itin
that position.
A mechanical linkageactivates thesecond cir-
cuit, andyou willbeable tobring thevehicle to
a stop.
t> After bringing yourvehicle toacomplete stop,
avoid driving thevehicle andinstead haveit
towed tothe nearest authorized Porschedeal-
er for repair.
Controls,Instruments

•Brakewarning lightUSA
~ Brakewarning lightCanada

If the warning lightsinthe instrument panelandon-
board computer goonwhile driving, thebrake flu-
id level maybetoo low, or(ifthe brake pedaltrav-
el has increased) oneofthe two brake circuits
may have failed.
A greater braking pressure willberequired, stop-
ping distances willbelonger andthebraking be-
havior willchange, particularly incurves.
With correctly adjustedbrakes,andacorrectly
working brakesystem, thepedal travel tothe
point ofbrake actuation shouldbe1-3/16 in.to
1-9/16 in.or30 to40 mm.
Whenever thebrake pedaltravel exceeds thisdis-
tance, havethebrake system checked.

42
Controls, Instruments
Brake
pedal

A
Warning!
Risk ofan accident.
Any obstruction ofthe brake pedalcould
increase thestopping distance.

~ Always checkthemovement ofthe brake ped-
al before driving andmake surethatitis not
obstructed byafloor matorany other object.
~ Secure thefloor mattoprevent itfrom sliding
into positions thatcould interfere withthesafe
operation ofyour vehicle.
Your Porsche dealerwillbeglad tooffer you
floor mats ofthe correct sizeincluding asecur-
ing possibility.

Note

In case oneofthe two brake circuits fails,in-
creased pedaltravel isrequired tobring your
vehicle toafull stop.
A

Warning!
To avoid overheating andpremature wearof
the brakes:

~ Before descending asteep grade, reduce
speed andshift thetransmission intoalower
gear ordriving position tocontrol speed.
~ Donot "ride thebrakes" byresting yourfooton
the pedal whennotintending toapply brake
pressure.
~ Donot hold thepedal downtoolong ortoo
often.
This could cause thebrakes toget hotand not
function properly.

Brakebooster

The brake booster assistsbraking onlywhen
the engine isrunning.

When thecar ismoving whiletheengine isnot run-
ning, orifthe brake booster isdefective, more
pressure onthe brake pedalisrequired tobring
the car toastop.
Moisture orroad saltonbrakes affects braking.
When thevehicle isdriven onsalted roadsforex-
tended periods, thebrakes shouldbewashed
down thoroughly aboutevery2weeks. Anauto-
matic carwash facilitycannot dothis jobproperly.
Brakes willdry after afew cautious brakeapplica-
tions.

/!\.
Warning!
Driving through watermayreduce thetrac-
tion. Moisture onbrakes fromroadwater, car
wash, orcoating ofroad saltmay affect
braking efficiency.

c>
Cautiously applybrakes totest brakes after
being exposed.
Brake
wear

Your carhas excellent brakes,butthey arestill
subject towear. Therate atwhich theywear de-
pends onhow thebrakes areused.

c>
Have thebrake system inspected atthe
intervals recommended inyour Maintenance
Booklet.

•• Warning lightUSA
• Warning lightCanada

If the warning lightsinthe instrument panelandon-
board computer stayonwhen theengine isrun-
ning orcome onwhile driving, thebrake padsare
worn, excessively.

c>
Donot continue tooperate thevehicle.
Have yourauthorized Porschedealerinspect
or replace thebrake pads.
Brake
pads

Wear onthe brake padsandbrake discsdepends
to agreat extent onthe driving styleandthecon-
ditions ofuse and therefore cannotbeexpressed
in actual milesonthe road.
The high-performance brakesystem isdesigned
for optimal braking effectatall speeds andtem-
peratures.
Certain speeds, brakingforcesandambient
conditions (suchastemperature andhumidity)
therefore mightcause "brake noises".

New brake padsorlinings

New brake padsandbrake discshavetobe "bro-
ken i",and therefore onlyattain optimal friction
when thecar has covered severalhundred miles

or km.

The slightly reduced brakingabilitymustbecom-
pensated forbypressing thebrake pedalharder.
This alsoapplies whenever thebrake padsand
brake discsarereplaced.
Controls, Instruments
43

Operation ofthe ABS system
A wheel speed sensor ismounted toeach ofthe
four wheels. Ifwheel lock-up ofeither ofthe front
wheels orthe rear wheels issensed duringbrak-
ing, thebrake pressure isadjusted automatically
until thewheel nolonger slips.Thebrake pressure
is regulated foreach frontwheel individually and
for both ofthe rear wheels together.
On aroad surface whichisslippery ononly one
side, therear wheel whichisbraking onthe slip-
pery surface determines thebrake pressure which
will beapplied equallytoboth rearwheels. Thisen-
sures thatdirectional stabilityismaintained. How-
ever, ifbraking forcesapproach thewheel lock-up
point forallwheels (panicbraking) theABS system
will intervene toprovide arapid rythmic braking.
The proper operation ofABS isperceived bythe
driver asapulsating brakepedalinconjunction
with audible noiseandperhaps somevibration.

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Ifyou experience thesesensations whiledriv-
ing oraroad surface withquestionable trac-
tion, reduce vehicle speedappropriate forthe
prevailing roadconditions.
The functional readinessofall the main electrical
components ofthe ABS ischecked byan
electronic monitoring systembothbefore and
while youdrive. •
Warning lightUSA
• Warning lightCanada
When theignition isswitched onthe ABS warning
light willlight upwhile thesystem iselectronically
interrogated andgoes outwhen theengine is
started ifthe check isnot yetcomplete.
If the ABS warning lampfailstogo out, thisindi-
cates thatABS hasbeen deactivated duetoa
fault. Ifthe warning lightsinthe instrument panel
and on-board computer lightupwhile youaredriv-
ing, this indicates thatafault hasoccurred. Inboth
cases, normal braking, asinvehicles withoutABS,
is still retained.
The ABS system should,however, beexamined at
an authorized Porschedealerimmediately topre-
vent theoccurrence offurther faults.

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Ifthe ABS system becomes inoperative, take
your vehicle toyour authorized Porschedealer
immediately.
A

Warning!
The control unitofthe ABS brake system is
set forstandard tiresize. Ifnon-standard
tires areinstalled, thecontrol unitmay mis-
interpret thespeed ofthe vehicle, because of
the variant dataitreceives fromthesensors
on the axles.

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Use only tiremakes andtypes tested by
Porsche.
Controls,Instruments

Switchposition 1

Ignition ison.
All electrical equipment canbeswitched on.
The warning lightslightupfor alamp check.
Please notethedescription ofthe individual warn-
ing lights.

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When turning thekey toposition 1,relieve the
steering lockwith aslight steering movement.

Note

To conserve batterypoweratlow rpm (traffic
jams, towndriving etc.),switch offallelectrical
consumers whicharenotneeded atthat moment.
Switch
position 2

Starting theengine

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Turn thekey from position 1to position 2.

The clutch pedalmustbedepressed fully
before thestarter willengage.

The first operation ofthe starter isended automat-
ically when theengine starts.
If the engine doesnotstart, subsequent starter
operations willnotbeended automatically.
If the engine doesnotstart atthe first time or
stalls atany time, thekey must bereturned to
position O.
When theengine isrunning, thewarning lights
should gooff. Ifa light does notgooff, take
appropriate actionasindicated inthis manual.
Switching
engineoff

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Turn theignition keyfrom position 1to
position O.

/!\
Warning!
Risk ofan accident.
The steering wheel
willlock
andwillcause
loss ofsteering.

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Never remove keyfrom theignition lockorturn
the key offwhile thevehicle ismoving.

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Toavoid battery run-down, alwaysremove the
ignition keyfrom theignition lock.
Please observe thechapter "SATTERY" on
Page 155.

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Turn thesteering wheeluntilthesteering lock
is engaged.

Gong
If you leave thekey inthe ignition/steering lock,a
gong willsound whenthedriver's doorisopened.
This isareminder toremove thekey.
Controls, Instruments
51