2004 PORSCHE CAYENNE warning light

Maintenance and Car Care
251
Radiator fansThe radiator and radiator fans are in the front of
the car.
Warning!
Danger of injury. The fans can start running
as a function of temperature, even with the
engine switched off.
fExercise extreme caution when working in the area of the radiator fans.
Engine OilIt is important to perform oil changes regularly in
accordance with the intervals specified in your
Maintenance Schedule.Engine oil consumptionIt is normal for your engine to consume oil.
The rate of oil consumption depends on the quality
and viscosity of oil, the speed at which the engine
is operated, the climate, road conditions as well
as the amount of dilution and oxidation of the
lubricant.
If the vehicle is used for repeated short trips, and
consumes a normal amount of oil, the engine oil
measurement may not show any drop in the oil le-
vel at all, even after 600 miles (1000 km) or more.
This is because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it appear that
the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the
vehicle is driven at high speeds, as on an express-
way, making it then appear that oil is excessively
consumed after driving at high speeds.
If the conditions you drive your vehicle in are
dusty, humid, or hot, the frequency of the oil
change intervals should be greater.If the vehicle is driven at a high rate of speed,
climatic conditions are warm, and the load is high,
the oil should be checked more frequently, as
driving conditions will determine the rate of oil
consumption.
– The engine in your vehicle depends on oil to lu-
bricate and cool all of its moving parts. There-
fore, the engine oil should be checked regular-
ly and kept at the required level.
– Make it a habit to have the engine oil level
checked with every refueling.
– The oil pressure warning light is not an oil level
indicator.
The oil pressure warning light indicates serious
engine damage may be occuring when lit, if
engine rpm is above idle speed.
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252
Maintenance and Car Care
Checking Engine Oil LevelfCheck the oil level regularly. I t i s b e s t t o d o t h i s
when refueling and before extended journeys.
Further important information concerning “mainte-
nance” can be found in a separate chapter.
fPlease see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on Page 250.
fPlease see the chapter “OVERVIEW OF
WARNING MESSAGES” on Page 149.
Warning!
Engine oil is hazardous to your health and
may be fatal if swallowed.
fKeep engine oil out of children's reach.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have
caused cancer in laboratory animals.
fAlways protect your skin by washing thoroughly with soap and water.
fIf you suspect an oil leak in the engine have
your authorized Porsche dealer check it out
immediately.If the oil level is too low, this is indicated by the oil-
level warning light lighting up on the multi-purpose
display.
fCheck the oil level using the oil dipstick as
soon as possible and add engine oil if neces-
sary.
Note on operation
fIf the engine compartment lid is opened and oil
is not added, the warning message appears
again after approximately 100 km.
Checking the oil level
Warning!
Danger of injury. The radiator fans can start
running as a function of temperature, even
with the engine switched off.
Risk of burning from hot parts in engine com-
partment.
fExercise extreme caution when working on the engine compartment.Conditions for measuring the oil level
correctly
– Vehicle must be level.
– Engine must be switched off and at operating
temperature.
– Before the oil-level measurement, allow the
engine oil to flow back into the oil pan for
around 3 minutes.
Checking oil level with the oil dipstick
1. Withdraw oil dipstick and wipe it with a clean,
lint-free cloth.
2. Push oil dipstick fully home, withdraw again
and read off the oil level.
The oil level must never fall below or
exceed the “Min.” and “Max.” marks on
the dipstick.
The difference between the marks is approx.
1.6 qt. (1.5 liters).
3. Push oil dipstick in as far as the stop.
Oil-level warning
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Maintenance and Car Care
257
Brake-Fluid LevelfUse only new (unused) Original Porsche brake
fluid.
Further important information concerning “mainte-
nance” can be found in a separate chapter.
fPlease see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on Page 250.
Warning!
Brake fluid is hazardous to your health, and
may be fatal if swallowed.
Brake fluid also attacks paintwork.
fKeep brake fluid out of children's reach.
fImmediately rinse off spilled brake fluid with
clean water.
fIf brake fluid gets into your eye, immediately
rinse with clean water for a few minutes. Then
see a doctor immediately.
fPlease note all the information on the refill container of the brake fluid.
Checking the brake-fluid levelThe reservoir for the hydraulic braking system is
located in the engine compartment.
1. Rotate the turn-locks 90° anti-clockwise
(arrow) with a screwdriver and remove the
cover.
2. Check brake-fluid level at the transparent
reservoir.
The fluid level should always lie between the
MIN and MAX marks.A slight decrease in the fluid level due to wear and
automatic readjustment of the disc brakes is
normal.
If, however, the fluid level falls markedly or below
the MIN mark, the braking system may have
developed a leak.
fPlease have the braking system checked
immediately at an authorized Porsche dealer.
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258
Maintenance and Car Care
Changing the brake fluidBrake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over
time. This accumulation of water lowers the boi-
ling point and, under certain operating conditions,
can affect the braking performance.
fTherefore, have the brake fluid changed in
accordance with the change intervals stated in
the “Maintenance” booklet.
The warning light in the instrument panel and the
warning message on the multi-purpose display of
the instrument panel indicate
– indicate the brake level fluid is too low or,
– in conjunction with large pedal travel could
indicate a braking-circuit failure.
Note on operation
If the warning lights should light up while driving:
fStop immediately in a suitable place.
fDo not continue driving.
Please have the fault remedied at your nearest
authorized Porsche dealer.
Washer FluidWarning message on the multi-purpose
displayA message is shown on the multi-purpose display
of the instrument panel if the washer-fluid level is
too low.
In this case, the residual quantity is only around
0.85 quarts (0.8 liter).
fAdd washer fluid at the next opportunity.
The capacity is approx. 7.9 quarts (7.5 liters).
The washer-fluid reservoir for windshield, rear
window and headlights is located in the engine
compartment.fSummer filling with water + window cleaner
concentrate in the mixture ratio specified on
the container.
Winter filling with water + antifreeze +
window cleaner concentrate in the mixture
ratio specified on the container.
Always follow all the instructions on the
containers of the additives used.
fOnly use window cleaner concentrate which
meets the following requirements:
– Dilutability 1:100,
– phosphate-free,
– suitable for plastic headlights.
We recommend window cleaner concentrates
approved by Porsche. Your authorized Porsche
dealer will be pleased to advise you.
fDo not use engine coolant anti-freeze or any
other solution that can damage the car’s paint,
in the washer reservoir.
The washer fluid reservoir for windshield, rear
window and headlights is located in the engine
compartment.
1. Open cap of washer fluid reservoir.
2. Add washer fluid.
3. Close cap carefully.
Brake fluid warning light
USA
Brake fluid warning light
Canada
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266
Maintenance and Car Care
Operating Your Porsche in other
CountriesGovernment regulations in the United States and
Canada require that automobiles meet specific
emission regulations and safety standards. There-
fore, cars built for the U.S. and Canada differ from
vehicles sold in other countries.
If you plan to take your Porsche outside the conti-
nental limits of the United States or Canada, there
is the possibility that
– unleaded fuel may not be available;
– unleaded fuel may have a considerably lower
octane rating. Excessive engine knock and
serious damage to both engine and catalytic
converters could result;
– service may be inadequate due to lack of
proper service facilities, tools or diagnostic
equipment;
– replacement parts may not be available or very
difficult to get.
Porsche cannot be responsible for the me-
chanical damage that could result because
of inadequate fuel, service or parts availabi-
lity.
If you purchased your Porsche abroad and want to
bring it back home, be sure to find out about ship-
ping and forwarding requirements, as well as
current import and customs regulations.
Fuel
Warning!
Fuel is highly flammable and harmful to
health.
fFire, open flame and smoking are prohibited
when handling fuel.
fAvoid contact with skin or clothing.
fDo not inhale fuel vapours.
To prevent damage to the emission control
system and engine:
fNever drive the tank completely out of fuel.
fAvoid high cornering speeds after the warning lights have come on.
To avoid permanent damage to the functionality of
the catalytic converters and oxygen sensors, use
only unleaded fuel.
The engine is designed to provide optimum
performance and fuel consumption if unleaded
premium fuel with 98 RON/88 MON is used.
If unleaded premium fuels with octane numbers of
at least 95 RON/85 MON are used, the
engine's knock control automatically adapts the
ignition timing.The emission control system can be damaged in
various ways (e.g. fueling incorrectly, shortage of
fuel, tow-starting).
fPlease see the chapter “HOW EMISSION
CONTROL WORKS” on Page 264.
fPlease see the chapter “DISPLAYING STATUS
OF LEVEL CONTROL” on Page 131.
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Maintenance and Car Care
271
High-pressure cleaning equipment, steam
cleaners
Warning!
High-pressure cleaning equipment, steam
cleaners or similar can damage the following
components:
–Tires
– Logos, emblems
– Painted surfaces
– Widened fenders
– Lock and latch of the removable towing attach-
ment
– Seals of the electrically retractable ball hitch
– Alternator, valve covers
– ParkAssist sensors
fPlease see the operating instructions from the
unit manufacturer.
fAlways cover the lid over the brake fluid reser-
voir prior to cleaning. Never point the cleaning
jet directly at the lid.
fWhen cleaning with a flat-jet nozzle or the like,
maintain a minimum distance of 21 in.
(50 cm).fNever use high-pressure cleaning equipment,
steam cleaners, etc. with a round-jet nozzle.
High-pressure cleaning equipment with a round
nozzle will damage your vehicle. The tires are
particularly susceptible to damage.
fDo not point the cleaning jet directly at any of
the aforementioned components.
Decorative foils Caution!
Risk of damage due to separation of the de-
corative foils when using high-pressure clea-
ning equipment, steam cleaners or similar
cleaning equipment.
fDo not use high-pressure cleaning equipment, steam cleaners, etc. to clean decorative foils.
Door lockfTo prevent the door lock from freezing during
the cold season, cover the lock barrel with a
suitable adhesive tape during washing.
Should the locks freeze, use an ordinary de-icer.
In many cases, a well warmed key can help.
Never use excessive force.
WashingThe best protection for the car from the damaging
effects of the environment is frequent washing and
preservation. The underside of the car should also
be thoroughly washed for cinders, salt or sanding
at winter‘s end.
The longer salt, road dust, industrial dust, insect
remains, bird excrement, and tree exudations
(resin, pollen), etc. are allowed to remain on the
bodywork, the more serious is their harmful
effect.
New cars should be washed carefully with plenty
of clear water to protect the new paint work.
Dark paint finishes show up the smallest of sur-
face damage (e.g. scratches) more readily than
lighter colors.
Dark colors are also more susceptible to scrat-
ching because of the composition of their pig-
ments and require particularly careful paint care.
fDo not wash your car in bright sunlight or while
the bodywork is still hot.
fWhen washing by hand, use abundant water, a
soft sponge or wash brush and Porsche car
shampoo.
fBegin by spraying the body thoroughly with
water to rinse away loose dirt.
fAfter washing, rinse the car with plenty of
water and then dry with a chamois leather.
Do not use the same chamois leather for
drying as you use for cleaning the windshield
and windows.
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272
Maintenance and Car Care
Warning!
Moisture which gets on the brakes during a
car wash can reduce braking efficiency or
make the brake pull unevenly which could
increase the danger of an accident, causing
serious personal injuries or death.
fAfter washing the vehicle, test the brakes and
steering and briefly brake the discs dry.
When doing so, make sure that vehicles travel-ling behind you are not affected.
Automatic car washes
fPlease see the chapter “WIPER BLADES” on
Page 261.
Optional add-on parts or parts which project be-
yond the contours of the vehicle may be damaged
by design features (e.g. brushes) of automatic car
washes.The following parts are particularly
susceptible to damage:
– Windshield wipers and rear wiper (always
switch them off – wiper stalk in position0 – to
prevent them wiping unintentionally in intermit-
tent or sensor operation).
– Door mirrors (always fold in).
– External antennas (always unscrew).
– Roof Transport System (always remove com-
pletely).
– Off-road roof-mounted headlights (always
remove completely).
– Spoiler.
– Wheels (the wider the rim and the lower the tire
height, the greater the risk of damage).
fPlease consult the operator before using
automatic car washes.
fWash and dry by hand all points not reached by
a car wash, such as door and lid seams or
door sills.
Note
Automatic car washes spray water at odd angles
and high pressures, which are not seen in normal
driving. Therefore, water can sometimes find its
way into the passengers compartment during or
shortly after the car wash.
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Maintenance and Car Care
275
UndercoatingThe underside of your car is durably protected
against chemical and mechanical influences.
As it is not possible to exclude the risk of damage
to this protective coating in day to day driving, it
is advisable to have the underside of the car
inspected at certain intervals - preferably before
the start of winter and again in spring - and the
undercoating restored as necessary.
Your authorized Porsche dealer is familiar with the
bodyseal treatment procedures and has the ne-
cessary equipment for applying factory approved
materials. We recommend that you entrust them
with such work and inspections.
Unlike conventional spray oils, undercoating and
rust-proofing compounds based on bitumen or
wax do not attack the sound-proofing materials
applied at the factory.
Warning!
Danger of fire resulting in serious personal
injury or death.
fDo not apply additional undercoating or rust-
proofing on or near the exhaust manifold,
exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat
shields. During driving the substance used for undercoating could overheat and ignite.fBefore applying fresh underseal, carefully re-
move deposits or dirt and grease. Once it has
dried, the new undercoating compound forms
a tough protective coating which provides effi-
cient rust-proofing of the floor panels and com-
ponents.
fAlways apply a fresh coating of suitable pre-
servative to unprotect areas after cleaning the
underside of the body, the transmission, the
engine or carrying out repairs to underbody,
engine or transmission components.
Effective rust-proofing is particularly important
during the cold weather season. If your car is
driven frequently in areas where salt has been
spread on the roads, the whole engine compart-
ment should be cleaned thoroughly after the
winter to prevent salt from causing any lasting
damage. A full under-body wash should also be
performed at the same time.
Cleaning headlights, lights, interior and
exterior plastic parts, adhesive filmsObserve the following points:
fUse only clean water and a little dishwashing
detergent or interior window cleaner to clean
headlights, lights, plastic parts, adhesive films
and surfaces.
Use a soft sponge or a soft, lint-free cloth.
Note
An interior window cleaner can also be used to
clean plastic surfaces (observe cleaning instruc-
tions on the container!).
We recommend the Porsche interior window
cleaner.
fGently wipe the surface without applying too
much pressure.
fDo not clean when dry.
fNever use other chemical cleaners or
solvents.
Rinse cleaned surfaces with clear water.
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