2005 PORSCHE BOXSTER engine

54
Controls, Instruments
Brake booster The brake booster assists braking only when
the engine is running.
When the car is moving while the engine is not run-
ning, or if the brake booster is defective, more
pressure on the brake pedal is required to bring
the car to a stop.
Moisture or road salt on brakes affects braking.
When the vehicle is driven on salted roads for ex-
tended periods, the brakes should be washed
down thoroughly about every 2 weeks. An auto-
matic carwash facility cannot do this job properly.
Brakes will dry after a few cautious brake applica-
tions.
Warning!
Driving through water may reduce traction.
Moisture on brakes from road water, car
wash, or coating of road salt may affect bra-
king efficiency.
fCautiously apply brakes to test brakes after being exposed.
Brake wear Your car has excellent brakes, but they are still
subject to wear. The rate at which they wear de-
pends on how the brakes are used.
fHave the brake system inspected at the inter-
vals recommended in your Maintenance Book-
let.
If the lights in the instrument panel and on-board
computer stay on when the engine is running or
come on while driving, the brake pads are worn,
excessively.
fDo not continue to operate the vehicle.
Have your authorized Porsche dealer inspect
or replace the brake pads.
Brake pads Wear on the brake pads and brake discs depends
to a great extent on the driving style and the con-
ditions of use and therefore cannot be expressed
in actual miles on the road.
The high-performance brake system is designed
for optimal braking effect at all speeds and tempe-
ratures.
Certain speeds, braking forces and ambient
conditions (such as temperature and humidity)
therefore might cause the brakes to squeal.
New brake pads or linings
New brake pads have to be “broken in”, and there-
fore only attain optimal friction when the car has
covered several hundred miles or km.
The slightly reduced braking ability must be com-
pensated for by pressing the brake pedal harder.
This also applies whenever the brake pads and
brake discs are replaced.
Warning light USA
Warning light Canada

56
Controls, Instruments
Operation of the ABS system A wheel speed sensor is mounted to each of the
four wheels. If wheel lock-up of either of the front
wheels or the rear wheels is sensed during bra-
king, the brake pressure is adjusted automatically
until the wheel no longer slips. The brake pressure
is regulated for each front wheel individually and
for both of the rear wheels together.
On a road surface which is slippery on only one si-
de, the rear wheel which is braking on the slippery
surface determines the brake pressure which will
be applied equally to both rear wheels. This ensu-
res that directional stability is maintained. Howe-
ver, if braking forces approach the wheel lock-up
point for all wheels (panic braking) the ABS system
will intervene to provide a rapid rythmic braking.
The proper operation of ABS is perceived by the
driver as a pulsating brake pedal in conjunction
with audible noise and perhaps some vibration.
fIf you experience these sensations while dri-
ving or a road surface with questionable trac-
tion, reduce vehicle speed appropriate for the
prevailing road conditions.
The functional readiness of all the main electrical
components of the ABS is checked by an electro-
nic monitoring system both before and while you
drive. When the ignition is switched on the ABS warning
light will light up while the system is electronically
interrogated and goes out when the engine is star-
ted if the check is not yet complete.
If the ABS warning lamp fails to go out, this indica-
tes that ABS has been deactivated due to a fault.
If the warning lights in the instrument panel and on-
board computer light up while you are driving, this
indicates that a fault has occurred. In both cases,
normal braking, as in vehicles without ABS, is still
retained.
The ABS system should, however, be examined at
an authorized Porsche dealer immediately to pre-
vent the occurrence of further faults.
fIf the ABS system becomes inoperative, take
your vehicle to your authorized Porsche dealer
immediately.
Warning!
The control unit of the ABS brake system is
set for standard tire size. If non-standard ti-
res are installed, the control unit may misin-
terpret the speed of the vehicle, because of
the variant data it receives from the sensors
on the axles.
fUse only tire makes and types tested by Porsche.
Warning light USA
Warning light Canada

Controls, Instruments
57
Sport ModeA sportier car set-up is obtained when Sport mode
is switched on. Interventions by the Porsche
control systems are intentionally shifted towards
greater agility and driving performance.
– PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Manage-
ment) is automatically changed to Sport mode,
resulting in a stiffer suspension setup.
– PSM (Porsche Stability Management) control is
sporty. PSM interventions take place later than
in Normal model. The driver can manoeuvre
the vehicle with greater agility at its perform-
ance limits, without having to dispense with the
assistance of PSM in emergency situations.
– The electronic accelerator pedal reacts
sooner, and the engine is more responsive to
throttle inputs. When Sport mode is switched
on, this function is activated only after the
driver has floored the accelerator pedal or
released it briefly.
– The rpm limiter characteristic is “harder”, i.e.
the engine is immediately throttled when the
performance limits are reached.
fPlease observe the appropriate chapters of
this Manual.
Switching Sport mode on and offfPress SPORT button in the center console.
When Sport mode is switched on, the light-
emitting diode in the SPORT button is lit.When Sport mode is switched on, the logo SPORT
appears next to the digital speedometer.
Switching Sport mode on and off simultaneously
activates and deactivates the Sport mode of the
PA S M .
If PASM Sport mode was activated with the PASM
button, PASM remains active.
After the ignition is switched off, Sport mode is au-
tomatically reset to Normal mode.

58
Controls, Instruments
Porsche Stability Management
(PSM)PSM is an active control system for stabilisation of
the vehicle during extreme driving manoeuvres.
Warning!
The increased control that is provided should
not induce you to take greater risks with your
safety. The limits dictated by the laws of phy-
sics cannot be overcome, even with PSM.
The risk of accidents due to inappropriate
speed cannot be reduced, even by PSM.
The driver bears the responsibility for all dri-
ving maneuvers.
fAdapt your driving style to the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
fObey all traffic laws. Advantages of PSM – Superior traction and lane-holding ability in all
driving situations – even on road surfaces with
varying friction.
– PSM actively stabilizes the vehicle during dyna-
mic driving maneuvres (e.g. rapid steering mo-
vements, during lane changes or on alterna-
ting curves).
– Improved braking stability in curves and on dif-
ferent or varying road surfaces.
Readiness for operationPSM is switched on automatically every time you
start the engine. FunctionSensors at the wheels, brakes, steering system
and engine continuously measure:
– Speed
– Direction of travel (steering angle)
– Lateral acceleration
– Rate of turn about the vertical axis
PSM uses these values to determine the direction
of travel desired by the driver.
PSM intervenes and corrects the course if the
actual direction of motion deviates from the
desired course (steering-wheel position):
It brakes individual wheels as needed. In addition,
the engine power may be manipulated in order to
stabilise the vehicle. The events below inform the driver of PSM control
operations and warn him to adapt his driving style
to the road conditions:
– The multi-functional information light on the
instrument panel flashes.
– Hydraulic noises can be heard.
– The vehicle decelerates and steering-wheel
forces are altered as the PSM controls the
brakes.
– Reduced engine power.
– The brake pedal pulsates and its position is
changed during braking.
However, it is possible at any time to achieve
full vehicle deceleration by increasing the foot
pressure slightly.

Controls, Instruments
59
Examples of PSM control operations
– If the “front wheels of the vehicle drift” on a
bend, the rear wheel on the inside of the bend
is braked and the engine power is reduced if
necessary.
– If the rear of the vehicle swings out on a bend,
the front wheel on the outside of the bend is
braked.
PSM should always be switched on during
“normal” driving.
However, it may be advantageous to switch off
PSM temporarily in exceptional situations, for
example:
– On a loose surface or in deep snow,
– When “rocking the vehicle free”, or
– When using snow chains.
Tiptronic vehicles
When the PSM is switched off the slip monitoring
function of the Tiptronic is also deactivated.
Switching off PSMfPress the PSM OFF button.
PSM is switched off after a short delay.
The light-emitting diode in the button is illumi-
nated.
When the PSM is switched off, the multifunc-
tional PSM light on the instrument panel is lit
and a message is shown by the on-board
computer.
A gong also sounds.The following functions stabilise the vehicle in
emergency situations, even with PSM switched
off:
– When PSM is off, the vehicle is stabilised as
soon as one of the two front wheels enters the
ABS control range.
– When PSM is off and Sport mode is on, the
vehicle is stabilised as soon as both front
wheels enter the ABS control range.
One-sided spinning of the wheels is prevented,
even with PSM switched off.
Switching PSM back onfPress PSM OFF button.
PSM is switched on after a short delay.
The light-emitting diode in the button and the
multifunctional PSM light go out.
The on-board computer shows a message.

Controls, Instruments
61
The previously selected PASM mode is always
activated after the engine is started.
There is no automatic return to Normal mode after
the ignition is switched off.
PASM makes two running-gear setups available to
the driver: “Normal” and “Sport”.
The selection is made via a button on the center
console.
In Normal mode the running gear is in a sporty and
comfortable setup.
Sport mode offers a markedly sporty shock
absorber tuning (e.g. for driving on the race
circuit).
The variable suspension system selects the appro-
priate damping level for each wheel according to
the situation and conditions of driving.
Example:
If the vehicle is driven in a markedly sporty manner
in Normal mode, PASM automatically adapts the
shock-absorber behavior to the driving situation in
this case as well.
Switching on PASM Sport modefPress PASM button in the center console.
When PASM Sport mode is switched on, the
light-emitting diode in the button is illuminated
and a message is shown by the on-board
computer.
Switching off PASM Sport modePress PASM button in the center console.
The light-emitting diode in the button goes out and
the on-board computer displays a message for a
limited amount of time.
Porsche Active Suspension
Management (PASM)

68
Controls, Instruments
Ignition/Starter Switch with anti-
theft Steering Lock The ignition lock has a total of four ignition lock po-
sitions.
The vehicle key rebounds to the initial position
from every ignition lock position.
For your safety, fasten safety belts.
fPlease observe the chapter “IMMOBILIZER” on
Page 17.
fPlease observe the chapter “KEY WITH RADIO
REMOTE CONTROL” on Page 18.
Before starting the engine fApply the footbrake.
fManual transmission:
Move the gearshift lever into neutral.
The clutch pedal must be depressed fully
before the starter will engage.
fTiptronic:
Move the selector lever to P or N. Switch position 0 Initial position
The ignition key cannot be withdrawn when the
ignition is switched on or when the engine has
been started.
To withdraw the ignition key:
fStop the vehicle.
fOn vehicles with Tiptronic S:
Move selector lever to position P.
fSwitch ignition off.
fRemove ignition key.
Switch position 1 Ignition on
fTurn ignition key to position 1.
Ignition is switched on.
Note on operation
All electrical equipment can be switched on.
fPlease observe the chapter “WARNINGS ON
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ON-
BOARD COMPUTER” on Page 102.

Controls, Instruments
69
Switch position 2Start engine
fTurn ignition key to ignition lock position 2.
fPlease observe the chapter “STARTING PRO-
CEDURES” on Page 70.Switch position 3Ignition off
fTurn ignition key to ignition lock position 3.
Locking the steering columnAutomatic locking
The steering column is automatically locked when
the ignition key is withdrawn from the ignition lock.
Warning!
Risk of an accident.
The steering wheel will lock and will cause
loss of steering.
fNever remove key from the ignition lock or turn
the key off while the vehicle is moving.
fAlways withdraw the ignition key when leav-ing the vehicle.Automatic unlocking
The steering column is automatically unlocked
when the ignition key is inserted into the ignition
lock.
Note
To avoid battery run-down, always remove the igni-
tion key from the ignition lock.
Please observe the chapter “BULB CHART” on
Page 239.
Gong If you leave the key in the ignition/steering lock, a
gong will sound when the driver’s door is opened.
This is a reminder to remove the key.