
1
Dear Owner,We would like to thank you for your purchase of a 
Porsche Cayenne. Judging by the car you have 
chosen, you are a motorist of a special breed, and 
you are probably no novice when it comes to 
automobiles.
Remember however, as with any vehicle, you 
should take time to familiarize yourself with your 
Porsche and its performance characteristics. 
Always drive within your own unique capabilities as 
a driver and your level of experience with your 
Porsche. Ensure that anyone else driving your 
Porsche does the same. To prevent or minimize 
injury, always use your safety belts. Never 
consume alcohol or drugs before or during the 
operation of your vehicle.
This Owner's Manual contains a host of useful 
information. Please take the time to read this 
manual before you drive your new Porsche. 
Become familiar with the operation of your 
Porsche car for maximum safety and operating 
pleasure. The better you know your Porsche, the 
more pleasure you will experience driving your 
new car.
Always keep your Owner's Manual in the car, and 
give it to the new owner if you ever sell your 
Porsche.A separate Maintenance Booklet explains how 
you can keep your Porsche in top driving condition 
by having it serviced regularly. 
A separate Warranty and Customer Informa-
tion Booklet contains detailed information about 
the warranties covering your Porsche.
For U.S. only:
If you believe that your vehicle has a fault which 
could cause a crash, injury or death, you should 
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to 
notifying Porsche Cars North America, Inc. 
(Porsche Cars N.A.).
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open 
an investigation, and if it finds that a safety 
problem exists in a group of vehicles, it may order 
a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA 
cannot become involved in individual problems 
between you and your dealer, or Porsche Cars 
N.A.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety 
Hotline toll-free at 1–888–327–4236 (TTY:
1–800–424–9153); go to
http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: Administ-
rator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590.
You can also obtain other information about motor 
vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.
Your car has thousands of parts and components 
which have been designed and manufactured in 
accordance with Porsche's high standards of 
engineering quality and safety.
 Warning!
Any alteration or misuse of the vehicle can 
lead to accidents and serious or fatal 
personal injuries. 
Any alteration of the vehicle may negate or 
interfere with those safety features built into 
the vehicle. Modifications may be carried out 
on your vehicle only if approved by Porsche.
Your Porsche is intended to be used in a safe 
manner obeying the local laws and in the 
light of driving conditions faced by you, and 
in accordance with the instructions provided 
in this Owner's Manual. 
fDo not misuse your Porsche by ignoring those 
laws and driving conditions, or by ignoring the instructions in this manual. 
Regularly check your vehicle for signs of 
damage. 
Damaged or missing aerodynamic compon-
ents such as spoilers or underside panels 
affect the driving behavior and therefore 
must be replaced immediately.
Your car may have all or some of the components 
described in this manual. 
Should you have difficulty understanding any of 
the explanations of features or equipment installed 
in your vehicle, contact your authorized Porsche 
dealer. He/She will be glad to assist you. Also 
check with your dealer on other available options 
or equipment.
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4Dear Porsche OwnerA lot has gone into the manufacture of your 
Porsche, including advanced engineering, rigid 
quality control and demanding inspections. These 
engineering and safety features will be enhanced 
by you...the safe driver...– who knows her/his car and all controls,
– who maintains the vehicle properly,
– who uses driving skills wisely and always 
drives within her/his own capabilities and the 
level of familiarity with the vehicle.
You will find helpful hints in this manual on how to 
perform most of the checks listed on the following 
pages. If in doubt, have these checks performed 
by your authorized Porsche dealer.
Before driving off...Check the following items firstfTurn the engine off before you attempt any 
checks or repairs on the vehicle.
fBe sure the tires are inflated correctly. 
Check tires for damage and tire wear.
fSee that wheel bolts are properly tightened 
and not loose or missing.
fCheck engine oil level, add if necessary. Make 
it a habit to have engine oil checked with every 
refueling.
fCheck all fluid levels such as windshield 
washer and brake fluid levels.
fBe sure the vehicle battery is well charged and 
cranks the engine properly.
fCheck all doors and lids for proper operation 
and latch them properly.
fCheck and if necessary replace worn or 
cracked wiper blades.
fSee that all windows are clear and unobst-
ructed.
fCheck air intake slots and area between en-
gine compartment lid and windshield. Ensure 
that these areas are free of snow and ice, so 
the heater and the windshield wipers work 
properly.fIf a child will be riding in the vehicle, check 
child seat/child seat restraint system to ensure 
that restraints are properly adjusted.
fCheck all exterior and interior lights for opera-
tion and that the lenses are clean.
fCheck the headlights for proper aim, and if 
necessary, have them adjusted.
fCheck under the vehicle for leaks.
fBe sure all luggage is stowed securely.
Emergency equipmentIt is good practice to carry emergency equipment 
in your vehicle. 
Some of the items you should have are: window 
scraper, snow brush, container or bag of sand or 
salt, emergency light, small shovel, first-aid kit, 
etc.
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5
In the driver's seat...fCheck operation of the horn.
fPosition seat for easy reach of foot pedals and 
controls.To reduce the possibility of injury from 
the airbag deployment, you should always sit 
back as far from the steering wheel as is 
practical, while still maintaining full vehicle 
control.
fAdjust the headrest so that the upper edge of 
the headrest is brought to eye level or higher.
fAdjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
fBuckle your safety belts.
fCheck operation of the foot and parking brake.
fCheck all warning and indicator lights with 
ignition on and engine not running.
fStart engine and check all warning displays for 
warning symbols.
fNever leave an idling car unattended.
fLock doors from inside, especially with 
children in the car to prevent inadvertent 
opening of doors from inside or outside. Drive 
with doors locked.
On the road...fNever drive after you have consumed alcohol 
or drugs.
fAlways have your safety belt fastened.
fAlways drive defensively. 
Expect the unexpected.
fUse signals to indicate turns and lane changes.
fTurn on headlights at dusk or when the driving 
conditions warrant it.
fAlways keep a safe distance from the vehicle in 
front of you, depending on traffic, road and 
weather conditions.
fReduce speed at night and during inclement 
weather.
Driving in wet weather requires caution and 
reduced speeds, particularly on roads with 
standing water, as the handling characteristics 
of the vehicle may be impaired due to hydropla-
ning of the tires.
fAlways observe speed limits and obey road 
signs and traffic laws.
fWhen tired, get well off the road, stop and take 
a rest. Turn the engine off. Do not sit in the 
vehicle with engine idling. 
Please see the chapter “ENGINE EXHAUST” on 
Page 2.fWhen parked, always put the parking brake on 
and put the gearshift lever in neutral or the 
Tiptronic selector lever in position P. 
On hills also turn the front wheels toward the 
curb.
fWhen emergency repairs become necessary, 
move the vehicle well off the road. Turn on the 
emergency flasher and use other warning 
devices to alert other motorists. Do not park 
or operate the vehicle in areas where the hot 
exhaust system may come in contact with dry 
grass, brush, spilled fuel or other flammable 
material.
fMake it a habit to have the engine oil checked 
with every refueling.
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6Break in hints for the first 
2,000 miles (3,000 kilometers)The following tips will be helpful in obtaining 
optimum performance from your new Porsche.
Despite the most modern, high-precision manufac-
turing methods, the moving parts must still wear 
in with each other. This wearing-in occurs mainly in 
the first 2,000 miles (3,000 km).Therefore:fPreferably take longer trips.
fAvoid frequent cold starts with short-distance 
driving whenever possible.
fAvoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops.
fDo not exceed maximum engine speed of 
4,200 rpm (revolutions per minute).
fDo not run a cold engine at high rpm either in 
Neutral or in gear.
fDo not let the engine labor, especially when 
driving uphill. Shift to the next lower gear in 
time (use the most favorable rpm range).
fNever lug the engine in high gear at low 
speeds. This rule applies at all times, not just 
during the break-in period.fDo not participate in motor racing events, 
sports driving schools, etc. during the first 
2,000 miles (3,000 kilometers).
There may be a slight stiffness in the steering, 
gear-shifting or other controls during the break-in 
period which will gradually disappear.
Break in brake pads and brake discsNew brake pads and discs have to be “broken in”, 
and therefore only attain optimal friction when the 
car has covered several hundred miles or km.
The slightly reduced braking ability must be 
compensated for by pressing the brake pedal 
harder. This also applies whenever the brake pads 
and brake discs are replaced.New tiresNew tires do not have maximum traction. They 
tend to be slippery.
fBreak in new tires by driving at moderate 
speeds during the first 60 to 120 miles (100 
to 200 km). Longer braking distances must be 
anticipated.
Engine oil and fuel consumptionDuring the break-in period oil and fuel consump-
tion may be higher than normal.
fPlease see the chapter “ENGINE DATA” on 
Page 349.
As always, the rate of oil consumption depends on 
the quality and viscosity of oil, the speed at which 
the engine is operated, the climate and road 
conditions, as well as the amount of dilution and 
oxidation of the lubricant.
fMake a habit of checking engine oil with every 
refueling, add if necessary.
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Table of Contents
9
Alarm System and Theft Protection .. 244Alarm System and 
Passenger Compartment Monitoring ............ 245Maintenance and Car Care ............... 249Exercise Extreme Caution when Working 
on your Vehicle ........................................... 250
Engine Oil................................................... 251
Checking Engine Oil Level............................ 252
Topping up Engine Oil ................................. 253
Coolant Level ............................................. 255
Brake-Fluid Level ......................................... 257
Washer Fluid............................................... 258
Power Steering ........................................... 259
Changing Air Cleaner................................... 260
Changing Particle Filter ............................... 260
Automatic Transmission Fluid....................... 260
Manual Transmission Oil .............................. 260
Wiper Blades .............................................. 261
Emission Control System............................. 263
How Emission Control Works ....................... 264
Fuel Economy ............................................. 265
Operating Your Porsche in other Countries ... 266
Fuel ........................................................... 266
Portable Fuel Containers ............................. 268
Fuel Recommendations............................... 269
Fuel Evaporation Control ............................. 270
Car Care Instructions.................................. 270
Minor Repairs.................................. 279Exercise Extreme Caution 
when Working on your Vehicle ......................280
Tires/Wheels ..............................................281
Jack...........................................................291
Tool Kit ......................................................292
Compressor ...............................................292
Spacers .....................................................293
Wheel Bolts ................................................293
Changing Wheels ........................................294
Flat Tire......................................................295
Lifting the Vehicle 
with a Lifting Platform or Garage lift..............298
Electrical System ........................................312
Battery .......................................................320
Replacing the remote control battery ............322
Emergency Starting with Jumper Cables .......323
Replacing Bulbs ..........................................326
Headlights ..................................................327
Tail light .....................................................336
License Plate Lights ....................................338
Headlight Adjustment ..................................339
Changing headlights 
from left to right-hand traffic ........................340
Bulb Chart ..................................................342
Towing .......................................................342
Tire Pressure and Technical Data ..... 346Vehicle Identification................................... 347
Engine Data ............................................... 349
Tires, Rims, Tracks .................................... 350
Tire Pressures, Cold (68 °F/20 °C) .............. 354
Weights ..................................................... 356
Ground Clearance ...................................... 357
Capacities ................................................. 359
Dimensions ................................................ 360
Driving Performance................................... 361Index .............................................. 362
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30
Opening and Locking 1. Pull the release lever (arrow).
The engine compartment lid is now unlocked.2. Unlatch safety catch A .
3. Open the lid completely.
Closing
 Danger!
Risk of loss of control or an accident, resul-
ting in serious personal injury or death.
fShould you notice at any time while driving that 
one of the lids is not secured properly, please 
stop immediately in a suitable place and close 
it.The front lid may fly up impairing vision.
1. Lower lid and let it fall into the lock. If neces-
sary, push the lid closed with the palm of your 
hand in the area of the lock.
2. Check that the lid has correctly engaged in the 
lock.
When the vehicle is in motion, a message will be 
displayed on the multi-purpose display of the 
instrument panel if the lid is not closed properly.
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40
Seats, Mirrors and Steering Wheel
Fire ExtinguisherIf the vehicle is equipped with a fire extinguisher, it 
is mounted underneath the left or right front seat, 
depending on equipment level.Fire extinguisher under the left front seatfTo remove the fire extinguisher in case of an 
emergency, hold the fire extinguisher with one 
hand, and press the PRESS button on the fire 
extinguisher holder with the other hand 
(arrow).
Fire extinguisher under the right front 
seatfTake the fire extinguisher out of the drawer 
under the seat. 
Note
fPay attention to the final control date on the 
fire extinguisher. If the fire extinguisher is used 
after its testing interval has elapsed, it may not 
function properly.
fFollow the operating instructions on the fire 
extinguisher.
fThe functional ability of the fire extinguisher 
should be checked by a specialist workshop 
every 1 to 2 years.
fAfter use, have the fire extinguisher refilled.
A-Front seat, left
B-Front seat, rightHeated Seats – Front and RearThe seat heating is ready for operation when the 
engine is running. The heating power can be infini-
tely adjusted with the thumb wheel.
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Air Conditioning, Parking Heater and Heated Rear Window
85
Parking heater faultsInitial start-up following period of non-
utilization
If you have not used the parking heater for several 
weeks, the system may require the parking heater 
to be switched on several times before it actually 
“starts up”.
fPlease take a break of approximately 
5 minutes between each individual switch-on 
attempt.
Requirement for initial start-up of the 
parking heater:
–Cold engine.Have the parking heater checked by an authorized 
Porsche dealer in the following cases:
– If the parking heater fails to “start-up” after the 
3rd switch-on attempt.
– In the event of faults in the parking heater, no 
function symbol appears on the display – only 
the remaining running time is shown.
The display flashes on briefly and then goes 
completely dark.
– In the event of a serious accident, the parking 
heater switches off automatically for safety 
reasons.
The parking heater is not ready for operation.
– If the temperature rises, the overheating 
protection switches the parking heater off 
automatically. The parking heater is not ready 
for operation.
– The parking heater is switched off automati-
cally if the voltage is too low. The parking 
heater is temporarily unavailable.
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