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Wheel alignment, wheel balancingAs a precaution, have wheels with summer tires
balanced in the spring, and those with mud and
snow tires before winter. Unbalanced wheels may
affect car handling and tire life.
Only the specified weights may be used for wheel
balancing.
Self-adhesive weights must not come into contact
with cleaning agents, since they could drop off.
Uneven tread wear indicates wheel imbalance. In
this event, the vehicle should be checked at an
authorized Porsche dealer.
Danger!
If, during a journey, uneven running or vibra-
tions occur that could be caused by damage
to tires or the car, the speed must be
reduced immediately, but without braking
sharply. If you continue your trip without hav-
ing the cause of the fault remedied, you
might lose control of your vehicle which
could cause severe personal injury.
fStop the vehicle and check the tires.
fIf no cause for the fault can be found, drive
carefully to the nearest authorized Porsche dealer.
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Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
Removing and storing tiresfAfter changing, adjust tire pressure and torque
wheel bolts diagonally.
Please observe the chapter “CHANGING
WHEELS” on Page 294.
Tires must always remain on the same side of
the vehicle.
When wheels are removed, the direction of rota-
tion and position of each wheel should be marked.
Example
FR (front right), FL, RR and RL.
Wheels must always be fitted in accordance with
their marking.
The perception that tire durability and perfor-
mance are not affected by storage and age is
unfounded.
Chemical additives, which make the rubber elas-
tic, lose their effectiveness over the course of
time and the rubber becomes brittle and cracks.
Therefore, the tires, especially the spare tire,
should be inspected from time to time.Note
Under no circumstances should tires older than
6 years be used on your Porsche.
The age of the tire can be obtained from the “DOT“
code number. If, for example, the last three num-
bers read 1204, then the tire was produced in the
12th week of 2004.
fStore tires in a cool and dry place.
fRotate periodically to avoid flat spots.
Snow tiresThe installation of Porsche approved winter tires is
recommended.
Use Porsche approved winter tires for grip on
snow and ice. For optimum performance, stud-
ding can be considered.
Check with your local Motor Vehicle Bureau for
possible restrictions.
Danger!
Risk of loss of control and damage to the
vehicle as well as serious personal injury or
death.
The standard tires profile and rubber mixture
are optimized for wet and dry driving condi-
tions, and may not prove favorable for snow
conditions.
fInstall winter tires before driving in such condi-tions.
Before mounting winter tires, consult with your
Porsche dealer. He has the technical information
necessary to advise you on wheel and tire compat-
ibility.
S n o w t i re s s h o u l d h a v e t h e s a m e l o a d c a p a c i t y a s
original equipment tires and should be mounted on
all four wheels.
Winter tires with studs should be run at moderate
speeds when new in order to give the studs time
to settle.
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Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death.
Driving the vehicle with low tire pressure
increases increases risk of a tire failure and
resulting loss of control. Furthermore, low
tire pressure increases rate of wear of the
affected tires and cause damage.
Tires with badly worn treads and studs are
very dangerous and could cause accidents
resulting in serious personal injuries or
death.
fMake sure they are replaced immediately.
fDo not exceed the winter tire speed rating.
Snow tires do not have the same degree of trac-
tion on dry, wet or snowfree roads as normal tires.
Furthermore, snow tires wear rapidly under these
conditions.
Winter tires do not fulfill their purpose if the tread
depth is less than 5/32 in. (4 mm).
Comply with all state and local laws govern-
ing snow tire and tread depth requirements.
Danger!
Risk of accident and serious personal injury
or death due to excessive speed.
fAlways check the maximum speed rating on
the tire sidewall on any tire on the vehicle.
fNever exceed the maximum speed rating of the tires.
Wheel change
fWhen wheels are removed, mark the direction
of rotation and position of each wheel.
Example: FR (front right), FL, RR and RL.
fAlways fit the wheels in accordance with the
markings.
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Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
Snow chains
Caution!
Risk of damage to body, axle or brake com-
ponents.
fUse only the fine-link snow chains recom-
mended and authorized by Porsche so that
sufficient clearance between the wheel well
and the chain is assured.
fFollow instructions issued by the supplier of the chains.
The best possible handling characteristics are
achieved when snow chains are fitted on all four
wheels of the vehicle. However, it is also possible
to fit snow chains on only one axle (preferably the
rear axle).fBefore fitting chains, remove accumulated ice
and snow from the wheel well.
fVehicles with snow chains must not be driven
faster than 30 mph (50 km/h).
Different states and countries have varying statu-
tory requirements regarding maximum speed.
fCheck with local authorities for possible
restrictions.
fRemove chains as soon as the roads are free
of ice and snow.
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Speed code letterThe speed code letter indicates the maximum per-
missible speed for the tire.
This code letter is shown on the tire sidewall.
T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H = up to 131 mph (210 km/h)
V = up to 150 mph (240 km/h)
W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y = up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
Tip on driving
Tires with a maximum speed rating that is lower
than the specified maximum vehicle speed may be
mounted only if they bear an M+S identification on
the tire sidewall.
fPlease note that in addition to the winter tires,
all-season and all-terrain tires are also subject
to speed limits and bear this identification.
fPlease observe the chapter “SPEED LIMITS
FOR TIRES” on Page 91.
Inscription on light alloy wheelsMaintenance note
fProtect the valve inserts against soiling with
valve caps.
Soiled valve inserts can cause a gradual loss
of air.
Note on operation
fThe rim width in inches G and the rim offset L
are visible from the outside. This information
can be found near the tire valve.
G-Rim width in inches
H- Rim-flange contour code letter
I- Symbol for drop-center rim
J- Rim diameter in inches
K-Double hump
L- Rim offset in mm
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Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
291
JackThe jack is located in tool box A under the load-
space floor.
fPlease observe the chapter “OPENING LOAD-
SPACE FLOOR” on Page 186.
Warning!
The jack must be used only to raise the car
for wheel changing.
The jack must never be used as a support to
work underneath the vehicle. If the jack is
accidentally dislodged, you or bystanders
could suffer severe personal injury.
fNever jack up other vehicle or other loads with
the jack.
fAlways place the car on stable supports if you
have to work under the car.
When working under the vehicle, always use
safety stands specifically designed for this pur-pose.
Tool KitTool box A and compressor B with pressure tester
on non-air suspension vehicles are located under
the cargo area.
Notes on operation
The screwdriver is located in the handle of the
wheel bolt wrench.
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CompressorOn vehicles without level-control systems, there is
an additional compressor with pressure tester
under the loadspace floor.
On vehicles with level control, you can use the
compressor of the level-control system to fill the
tires.
The filler hose required for this purpose can be
found under the left rear seat.
fPlease observe the chapter “FOLDING REAR
SEATS FORWARD” on Page 37.
fPlease observe the chapter “INFLATING TIRES
ON VEHICLES WITHOUT AIR SUSPENSION” on
Page 303.
Wheel BoltsfAlways clean the wheel bolts before installing.
Maintenance note
fWheel bolts must not be greased.
fReplace damaged wheel bolts.
Only use the original Porsche wheel bolts spe-
cially designed for this vehicle type.Tightening torque
Tightening torque of the wheel bolts 118 ftlb.
(160 Nm).
Security wheel boltsThe adapter (wrench socket) for the security
wheel bolts is located in the tool box.
To loosen or tighten the wheel bolt with anti-theft
protection, the adapter must be used between the
wheel bolt and the wheel bolt wrench.
fWhen positioning the wrench socket, ensure
that it engages fully in the teeth of the wheel
bolt.
Note on operation
If the wheels have to be removed at the workshop,
please do not forget to hand over the socket for
the security wheel bolts along with the car key.
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Changing Wheels
Warning!
Failure to follow these instructions may result
in serious personal injuries to you or to
bystanders.
Before changing the wheel
fIf you have a flat tire, move a safe distance off
the road. Turn the emergency flasher on and
use other warning devices to alert other motor-
ists.
fDo not park your vehicle where it may contact
dry grass, brush or other flammable materials.
The hot parts of the exhaust system could set
such materials on fire, thereby causing both
property damage and severe or fatal physical
injury.
fPassengers must not be in the vehicle when it
is jacked up.
fBefore you change a wheel, be sure the ground
is level and firm. If necessary, use a board
under the jack to ensure that the jack does not
sink into the ground.
fSet the parking brake and block the wheels
opposite the flat tire on the other side of the
vehicle.While operating the jack
fThe jack is only to be used for changing a
wheel. Do not use it as a support to work under
the car.
fThe car must be jacked up only at the illus-
trated jacking points.Lifting at any other place
may damage the vehicle or may result in per-
sonal injury. Never jack the car up by the body
or the bumpers.
fFor safety reasons do not use tire inflating bot-
tles. Do not use commercially available sealant
bottles. Use only the tire inflating bottle
located in the luggage compartment.
Sequence of operation
Warning!
The jack must be used only to raise the car
for wheel changing.The jack must never be
used as a support to work underneath the
vehicle. If the jack is accidentally dislodged,
you or bystanders could suffer severe per-
sonal injury.
fNever jack up other vehicles or other loads
with the jack.
fAlways place the car on stable supports if you
have to work under it. When working under the
vehicle, always use safety stands specifically designed for this purpose.
fPlease use a suitable knee rest to protect your
clothing against soiling.