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Switching off PSMfPress PSM OFF button A.
PSM is switched off after a short delay.
The light-emitting diode in the button is lit up.
When the PSM is switched off, the multifunctio-
nal PSM light on the instrument panel is lit and
a message appears in the multi-purpose dis-
play of the instrument panel.During braking, the vehicle is stabilized even
when PSM is switched off.
One-sided spinning of the wheels is prevented,
even with PSM switched off.
PSM should always be switched on during
“normal” driving.
However, it can be of advantage to switch off PSM
temporarily in exceptional situations:
– On a loose surface or in deep snow
– When “rocking the vehicle free”
– When using snow chains.
Vehicles with Tiptronic: When the PSM is
switched off the slip monitoring function is also
deactivated.– The multifunctional light on the instrument pa-
nel lights up for a lamp check when the ignition
is switched on.
– The light indicates a control operation, inclu-
ding when PSM is switched off (brake control
in the event of one-sided wheel spin).
– In conjunction with the multi-purpose display on
the instrument panel, the light indicates that
PSM is switched off.
– Faults are displayed by the light in conjunction
with the multi-purpose display of the instru-
ment panel.
PSM is out of order.
fConsult your authorized Porsche dealer.
Multifunctional PSM light
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186
Driving and Driving Safety Collapsible spare wheel
fNever switch the PSM off when driving with a
collapsible spare wheel.
To w i n g
fFor information on towing:
Please see the chapter “TOWING” on
Page 342.
Tip on driving
When PSM is switched off, wheel-specific brake
interventions and the traction control system
(TCS) are also inactive.
The automatic brake differential (ABD) remains on.
Switching PSM back onfPress PSM OFF button A.
PSM is switched on after a short delay.
The light-emitting diode in the button and the
multi-functional PSM light on the instrument
panel go out. A message is shown on the multi-
purpose display of the instrument panel.
ABS
(Anti-lock Brake System)
Warning!
In spite of the advantages of ABS, it is still the
driver’s responsibility to adapt her/his driving style
and maneuvers in line with road and weather
conditions, as well as the traffic situation.
The increased safety that is provided should not
induce you to take greater risks with your safety.
The limits set by the physics of driving cannot be
overcome, even with ABS.
Risks of accident due to inappropriate speed can-
not be reduced by ABS.
ABS ensures:
–Full steering control
The vehicle remains steerable
–Good driving stability
No skidding due to locked wheels
–Optimum braking distance
Shorter stopping distances in most cases
–Lock prevention
No flat spots on the tiresFunction
The decisive advantage of ABS is in the driving
stability and maneuvrability of the vehicle in
hazardous situations.
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during full
braking, on almost all road surfaces, until shortly
before the vehicle stops.
The ABS begins to control the braking process as
soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock.
This controlled braking process is comparable to
extremely rapid cadence braking.
The pulsating brake pedal and a “rattling noise”
warn the driver to adapt her/his driving speed to
the road conditions.
fIf full braking should be necessary, press the
brake pedal all the way down throughout the
entire braking procedure, regardless of the
pulsating pedal. Do not ease up on pressure
applied to the pedal.
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Driving and Driving Safety
187
Warning light
If the ABS warning lights light up in the instrument
panel and on the multi-purpose display of the
instrument panel while the engine is running, the
ABS has switched off because of a fault.
In this event, the braking system will operate with-
out lock prevention,as in cars without ABS.
fAdapt your driving style to the changed
braking behavior.
fThe ABS must be checked immediately at an
authorized Porsche dealer. This is necessary
in order to prevent the occurrence of further
faults whose effects cannot be defined.
The ABS control unit is adjusted for the approved
tire dimensions.
The use of tires with non-approved dimensions can
lead to different wheel speeds, causing the ABS to
switch off.
Off-road ABS
(ABS in Low Range program)
When Low Range is active, an ABS specially
matched to off-road driving is activated automati-
cally.In the event of braking on loose ground, the per-
missible slip values for ABS braking are increased
so that the off-road braking distance is reduced
(wheels dig into the surface).
If the driver needs to steer, this off-road driving
program is automatically switched off to maintain
steerability.
Hillholder -
moving-off assistant on vehicles with
Tiptronic SIn Tiptronic selector lever positions D and M, the
hillholder function makes it easier to move off
from a standstill on an upward slope when the
engine is running. The driver does not have to
apply the brake.
The hillholder thus makes moving off on slopes
easier.
Danger!
Risk of accident, resulting in serious perso-
nal injury or death.
The vehicle can roll backwards if the Hillhol-
der is switched off.
fAlways apply the footbrake on slopes.Hillholder is not active:
– In Tiptronic selector lever positions N and R
– In the limp-home mode and
– If not all of the wheels are touching the ground
(on difficult terrain, for example).
Warning!
In spite of the advantages of the hillholder func-
tion, it is still the driver’s responsibility to adapt
her/his driving style and maneuvers in line with
situational conditions.
The increased safety that is provided should not
induce you to take greater risks with your safety.
The limits set by the physics of driving cannot be
overcome, even with the hillholder function.
Driving at the limits should be avoided, e.g., on icy
slopes or on slippery surfaces. In this and similar
cases, the support of the hillholder function is not
guaranteed.
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188
Driving and Driving Safety
Porsche Drive-Off Assistant –
Moving-off assistant on vehicles with
manual transmissionThe Porsche Drive-Off Assistant enables the driver
to move off on upward slopes. The vehicle must
have sufficient road contact to use this feature.
The Porsche Drive-Off Assistant is available for
slopes starting at approximately 5%.
fPlease see the chapter “TRAILER COUPLING”
on Page 230.
Danger!
Risk of accident, resulting in serious perso-
nal injury or death.
When moving off on a slippery surface (e.g.,
on icy or loose surfaces), assistance by the
Porsche Drive-Off Assistant is no longer
assured. In this case, the vehicle could slip.
The limits set by the physics of driving cannot
be overcome, even with the Porsche Drive-
Off Assistant. The responsibility for moving
off on upward slopes is still the driver's,
despite the Porsche Drive-Off Assistant.
fAlways adjust your driving style to the driving
conditions and vehicle load, use the footbrake if necessary.Moving off with Porsche Drive-Off Assistant
1. Hold the vehicle securely with footbrake or
parking brake on the slope.
The engine must be running.
2. Fully depress the clutch pedal.
3. Engage one of the gears used to ascend in the
direction of travel (1st gear or reverse).
4. While keeping the clutch pedal depressed,
release the footbrake or foot-operated parking
brake.
The vehicle is held on the slope.
5. Move off as usual.Note on operation
The Porsche Drive-Off Assistant ceases to func-
tion:
– By shifting to neutral.
– When changing gears.
– If the engine is not running.
Danger!
Risk of accident, resulting in serious perso-
nal injury or death.
If the Porsche Drive-Off Assistant ceases to
function, the vehicle will no longer be held on
a slope.
fHold the vehicle with the footbrake.
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Driving and Driving Safety
189
Engine Braking Support
(Assistance when heading downhill)The Porsche Down-Hill Assistant is an assistance
system which helps the driver at slower downhill
driving up to approx. 12 mph (20 km/h), e.g., on
steep slopes or on wintry mountain roads.
As long as the gas pedal is not used when
traveling downhill, the Porsche Down-Hill Assistant
is active and brakes the vehicle.
If road grip is lost on one or more wheels, the
system brakes the wheels which have good road
contact.
The braking ability of the Engine Braking Support
is affected by slippery surfaces (e.g., on icy or
loose surfaces), like all brakes.
Warning!
Risk of accident, resulting in serious perso-
nal injury or death. Reduced braking ability
on a slippery surface.
fAlways adjust your driving style to the driving situation.
Conditions:
– The gas pedal must not be used when
travelling downhill.
– The speed must not exceed 12 mph
(20 km/h).–Vehicles with Tiptronic S:
The Tiptronic selector lever position D, M or R
must be engaged.
–Vehicles with manual transmission:
The reverse gear or any other gear (1. - 6. )
must be engaged. The clutch pedal must not
be used when travelling downhill.
Tip on driving
The Porsche Down-Hill Assistant is active when
driving downhill either forwards or backwards.
Checks on test standsBrake tests
Brake tests must be carried out only in High Range
and on plate-type test stands or roller test stands.
The following limit values must not be exceeded
on roller test stands:
– Testing speed 4.7 mph (7.5 km/h)
– Test duration 20 seconds
Parking brake test
Parking brake tests on the brake tester must be
performed only with the ignition switched off and
the Tiptronic selector lever in position N or the
gearshift lever in neutral.Balancing wheels on the vehicle
During finish balancing of the wheels, the entire
vehicle must be lifted and the wheels must be free
to turn.
Dynamometer testing procedure Some U.S. states and Canadian provinces con-
duct emissions inspection/maintenance testing
involving the use of two-wheel dynamometer.
A two-wheeled dynamometer is a treadmill type
device upon which a single axle of the car, the dri-
ving axle of the vehicle, rotates to simulate vehicle
operation on the road while the vehicle remains
stationary.
Your Porsche Cayenne has a full-time four-wheel
drive system which cannot be disabled. Severe
d a m a g e t o t h e p o w e r t r a i n c a n re s u l t i f t e s t e d o n a
two-wheel dynamometer.
Warning!
To avoid severe powertrain damage and a
possible unexpected movement of the vehic-
le.
fYour Porsche Cayenne vehicle must never be
tested on a two-wheel dynamometer.
fAdvise the emission station of this warning before testing the vehicle.
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190
Driving and Driving Safety
Air Suspension with Level Control
and Height AdjustmentOn vehicles with air suspension, the driver can set
five different level steps manually.
The preselected level is automatically adjusted to
suit the vehicle speed.
The height of the car is automatically kept
constant when the vehicle is loaded.
Tip on driving
It is not permissible to drive on public roads with
the car in the terrain or special terrain setting.Note on operation
Frequent level changes can cause the compressor
to overheat. In this case, the compressor must
cool for several minutes before level adjustment is
fully functional again.
Normal levelThe ground clearance at normal level is around
8.5 in. (215 mm) (Cayenne, Cayenne S,
Cayenne S Transsyberia) or 7.68 in (195 mm)
(Cayenne GTS).Terrain levelThis setting is intended for off-road driving, field
paths and forest paths, etc.
The vehicle is raised by around 1 in. (26 mm)
compared to normal level.
Terrain level can be selected only manually at
speeds below around 50 mph (80 km/h).
The car is automatically lowered to normal level at
speeds exceeding around 50 mph (80 km/h).
The car is automatically raised to terrain level
when Low Range is activated.
Special terrain levelThis setting is intended only for extremely
challenging terrain requiring maximum ground
clearance. The vehicle is raised by around 2.2 in.
(56 mm) compared to normal level.
The warning light in the instrument panel
comes up when the special terrain level has been
reached.
Special terrain level can be selected only at
speeds below around 19 mph (30 km/h).
The car is automatically lowered to terrain level at
speeds exceeding approx. 19 mph (30 km/h).Low levelThis level is intended for high-speed driving. Above
speeds of around 78 mph (125 km/h), the car is
automatically lowered by around 1 in. (24 mm)
(Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne S Transsyberia) or
0.4 in. (9 mm) (Cayenne GTS) compared to
normal level.
When the speed drops to below around 25 mph
(40 km/h), the car is automatically raised to
normal level.
Note
If low level was set manually with the rocker switch
in the center console, low level also remains
active at speeds below around 25 mph (40 km/h).
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Loading level
Caution!
Risk of damage to running-gear parts, units
and the vehicle underbody.
If the car is driven off a curb when at loading level,
for example, insufficient ground clearance can
cause it to bottom out.
fAlways switch to normal level before moving off.
This setting makes it easier for you to load the
luggage compartment.
The car is lowered by around 2.1 in. (54 mm)
(Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne S Transsyberia) or
1.3 in. (34 mm) (Cayenne GTS) compared to
normal level.
The car is automatically raised to normal level at
speeds exceeding around 3 mph (5 km/h).
Setting level manuallyPreconditions
–Ignition on.
– Doors are closed.
Note on operation
The level last selected is stored in the memory
after the ignition is switched off.
A- Special terrain level
B- Terrain level
C- Normal level
D-Low level
E-Loading levelRaising the vehicle
fBriefly press rocker switch forward .
The car is raised one level.
Lowering the vehicle
fBriefly pull rocker switch to the rear .
The car is lowered one level.
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192
Driving and Driving Safety Indication of selected level
The selected level is displayed by light-emitting
diodes beside the rocker switch (illustration).
The corresponding light-emitting diode beside the
rocker switch flashes during the control process.
The light-emitting diode is continuously lit after the
control process.
The level change is also indicated on the multi-
purpose display of the instrument panel.
Exceptions
Automatic changes from normal level to low level
and back are not indicated on the multi-purpose
display of the instrument panel.
Warning messageVarious messages are indicated on the multi-pur-
pose display of the instrument panel if there is a
system fault or if the compressor switches off due
to overload.
fFor further information on warning messages
on the multi-purpose display:
Please see the chapter “OVERVIEW OF
WARNING MESSAGES” on Page 149.
fAdapt your driving style to the changed condi-
tions.
fConsult an authorized Porsche dealer in order
to remedy a system fault.
fIf the overload-protection function causes the
compressor to switch off, wait for a time until
it has cooled down. The system will function
again as soon as it has cooled sufficiently.
The warning message appears when the control
system is switched off and when the collapsible
spare wheel is being filled. This does not indicate
a fault.
The warning message will go out once these
procedures have been completed.
Raising vehicle with the jackWhenever it is necessary to jack up the vehicle:
fManually set normal level and then switch off
level control.
Switching off level control
1. Switch ignition on.
2. Push rocker switch forward for 5 to
10 seconds.
A message is shown on the multi-purpose
display of the instrument panel.
The vehicle can now be raised.
Switching level control back on
1. Switch ignition on.
2. Push rocker switch forward for 5 to
10 seconds or
3. Drive forward with the vehicle.
Level control switches on automatically.Transporting the vehicles on car trains,
ferries and car transportersfTie the vehicle down only at its wheels.
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