2005 PORSCHE BOXSTER display

Controls, Instruments
79
Tachometer The tachometer shows the engine speed in revolu-
tions per minute (rpm).
The beginning of the red marks at the right end of
the scale indicates the maximum permissible en-
gine rpm.
A speed limiter prevents the engine from being
overrevved during acceleration. Before reaching
this area, the next higher gear should be select-
ed.
Shift to the next lower gear when the engine rpm
drops below 1,500 rpm.
Caution!
To avoid severe engine damage.
fAlways observe the engine rpm before down-
shifting to a lower gear, so you do not exceed the maximum engine rpm. Flashes in synchronism with the turn signals.
Left arrow – left turn signals
Right arrow – right turn signals
fIf the frequency of the display becomes notice-
ably faster, check the operation of the turn sig-
nals.
Indicator light Lights when high beam or headlight flasher is
switched on.
The indicator light goes out when the high beams
are switched off.
Turn Signal Indicator Light
High Beam

80
Controls, Instruments
Temperature gauge (ignition on) USA: Display in °F
Canada: Display in °C
Pointer to the left – engine cold
fAvoid high engine speeds and heavy engine
loading. Pointer in the middle – normal operating tem-
perature
The pointer may move up to the red area when en-
gine is heavily loaded and outside temperature is
high, but should return to “normal” when engine
load is reduced.
Warning light “A” If the coolant temperature is too high, the warn-
ing light comes on.
Additionally, a warning is displayed in the on-board
computer.
fPull off the road, turn off the engine and allow
to cool.
fCheck radiator and air passages in front end of
car for obstructions.
fCheck coolant level.
If necessary, add coolant and have fault reme-
died at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Please observe the chapter “COOLANT LEVEL”
on Page 170.
Note
To prevent excessive temperatures, the cooling-
air passages must not be restricted by coverings
(e.g. films, “stone guards”). If the coolant level is too low, the warning light
flashes.
Additionally, a warning is displayed in the on-board
computer.
fSwitch engine off and allow to cool.
fAdd coolant.
fHave the cause of the fault remedied at an au-
thorized Porsche dealer.
Please observe the chapter “COOLANT LEVEL”
on Page 170.
Caution!
Risk of engine damage.
fIf the warning lights come on even though cool-
ant level is correct, do not continue driving.
fHave the fault remedied at the nearest authorized Porsche dealer.
Engine compartment blower fan In addition, this warning light flashes to indicate a
fault in the engine compartment blower fan.
fHave the cause of the fault remedied at an
authorized Porsche dealer.
Cooling System

Controls, Instruments
81
TiptronicIndicator for selector lever position and
engaged gearWhen the engine is running, the selector lever
position and engaged gear are indicated.If the selector lever is between two positions:
– The corresponding selector lever position in
the instrument cluster flashes and
– The warning “Selector lever not engaged”
appears on the display of the on-board
computer.
fEngage the selector lever correctly.
If there is a fault in the transmission:
–The 4th gear display flashes.
– The warning “Tiptronic emergency run”
appears on the on-board computer.
fPlease observe the chapter “EMERGENCY
PROGRAM” on Page 152.
fHave the fault repaired immediately at an
authorized Porsche dealer.
fPlease observe the chapter “TIPTRONIC S” on
Page 147.

82
Controls, Instruments
Level gauge

When the ignition is on the fuel level is displayed.
fPlease observe the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 266.
If the vehicle’s inclination changes (e.g. going up
or downhill), minor deviations in the indication may
occur. Note
If the tank is near empty and you top up with only
a small quantity of fuel, this cannot be registered
by the level gauge and calculation of the range re-
maining is impossible.
Warning light “A” When the engine is running, the warning light
of the level gauge lights up if less than approx.
2.6 U.S. gallons (10
liters) of fuel remains in the
tank or the range on remaining fuel falls below ap-
prox. 30 miles (50 km).
Additionally, a warning is displayed in the on-board
computer.
fFill up at the next opportunity.
Caution!
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.
fPlease observe the chapter “EMISSION CONT-
ROL SYSTEM” on Page 182.If the level gauge warning light flashes, there
has been a system fault.
Additionally, a warning is displayed in the on-board
computer.
There will then be no reserve warning.
fTo remedy the fault, go to an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Fuel

Controls, Instruments
83
A- Adjustment button for clock
B- Clock
C- Outside temperature displayClock The clock is blanked out approximately four min-
utes after the ignition is switched off or when the
car is locked.
Setting the time
Warning!
Risk of an accident and loss of control.
fDo not reach through the steering-wheel spokes while driving.
Setting hours
fPress adjustment button A for about one sec-
ond.
Hour display flashes.
fTurn button in the appropriate direction:
to right – increase hours figure
to left – decrease hours figure.
Adjustment in hours – turn button briefly.
Fast adjustment (display cycles) –
turn and hold button.
Setting minutes
fPress adjustment button again.
Minutes display flashes.
fSet by rotating as in hours mode. Leaving adjustment mode
Automatically after one minute or:
fPress adjustment button again.
When adjustment mode is deliberately left by
pressing the button, the time begins precisely to
the second.
Note
The time mode can be changed between 12h and
24h in the on-board computer.
Outside temperature The outside temperature display C does not indi-
cate, if ice is on the road.
Even if a temperature above 32°F (0°C) is dis-
played, ice may still form on the road, for instance
on bridges or when the road passes through a
heavily shaded area.

84
Controls, Instruments If the battery voltage drops abruptly, a warning
m e s s a g e w i l l b e d i s p l a y e d b y t h e o n - b o a rd c o m p u -
ter.
If the warning is displayed by the on-board
computer while the engine is running or while
driving:
fStop the car in a safe place and stop the
engine.
Possible causes
– Defect in the battery charging system.
– Broken drive belt. Warning!
Risk of an accident and risk of engine dam-
age.
A broken drive belt means there is no power
assistance to the steering (more effort is re-
quired to steer) and coolant pump function
will stop.
fDo not continue driving.
fHave the fault remedied at the nearest author-ized Porsche dealer. The warning light in the instrument panel comes
on when the ignition is first turned on and remains
on briefly as a bulb check. If the light does not
come on, have the bulb replaced promptly.
If the warning lights in the instrument panel and on-
board computer come on and remain on while
driving, it suggests:
– a potential engine control problem and the
need for system service or
– an improperly fastened tank cap or
– refuelling with engine running.
Although the vehicle is usually driveable and will
not require towing, see your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
Caution!
If the Check engine light in the instrument
panel is flashing, severe catalytic converter
damage and power loss will soon occur.
Prolonged driving with the Check engine light
on could cause damage to the emission con-
trol system. It also could affect fuel economy
and driveability.
fHave the fault remedied at the nearest author-ized Porsche dealer immediately.
Battery
Check Engine
Warning Light

Controls, Instruments
85
The central warning light on the instrument panel
lights up if there are warning messages in the
INFO menu.
The messages can be called in the on-board
computer INFO menu:
fPlease observe the chapter “INFO WARNING
MESSAGES” on Page 90.
The warning light on the instrument panel lights
up:
– if the handbrake is on,
– if the brake fluid level is low,
– if the brake pads have reached the wear limit,
– if the brake circuit division is defective.
Additionally, a warning is displayed by the on-
board computer.
fPlease observe the chapter “WARNINGS ON
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ON-
BOARD COMPUTER” on Page 102.
Central warning light
Brake warning light USA
Brake warning light Canada

86
Controls, Instruments
On-Board Computer (BC)Display fieldThe display field is beneath the tachometer.Readiness for operation– With ignition switched on,
– with engine running.
Operation, controlsIt is not possible to describe all details of the on-
board computer functions in this Owner’s Manual.
However, the examples will quickly familiarize you
with the operational principle and help you to
navigate through the menu structure.
You can restore the factory default settings at any
time by using the “SET” menu.
Operating leverThe on-board computer is operated with the lower
left lever on the steering column.
Selecting functions of the on-board
computer
fPush lever up 3 or down 4.
Confirming selection (Enter)
fPush the lever forward 1.
Moving back one or several selection levels
fPull the lever back 2 once or several times or
fSelect the arrow on the on-board computer
display with the operating lever and push the
operating lever forward 1.
Note
You can always return to the basic menu by pulling
the operating lever several times.