
Controls, Safety, Instruments
111
When vehicle stops: Hit selection Displayed after a flat tire if the system was not informed about
the work performed.
Make a selection on the multi-purpose display when the vehicle
is stationary.
Monitoring off Tire pressure monitoring was intentionally deactivated.
Tire pressure monitoring can be switched on or off on the
multi-purpose display.
Engine temperature too high Switch engine off and let it cool.
Check coolant level. Add coolant if necessary.
Check coolant level Switch engine off and let it cool.
Check coolant level. Add coolant if necessary.
Battery/generator warning Stop in a suitable place and switch engine off. Do not continue
driving.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Starting engine The battery discharges if the engine is not running and loads are
switched on.
Start the vehicle or switch the loads off.
Electrics – Loads – Switch-off Vehicle electrical system is overloaded. Certain loads (e.g.
heated rear window, seat heating) will be switched off.
Please refuel
Topping up washer fluid
Oil level monitoring – Failure – Workshop Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Checking the oil level
Instrument
panelMulti-purpose
displayText display Meaning/measures

112
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Oil pressure too low Immediately stop in a suitable place and switch engine off.
Do not continue driving.
Check engine oil level. Add oil if necessary.
Do not continue driving if the warning light comes on even when
the oil level is correct. Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Service in 1864 mls (3000 km)Service indicator
Bring the vehicle in for service no later than after the distance
shown has been covered.
Service nowService indicator
Have your vehicle serviced at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Brake pads – Workshop Have the brake pads replaced at an authorized Porsche dealer
without delay.
Warning – Brake circuit division Stop immediately in a suitable place. Do not continue driving.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
ABS failure – WorkshopDrive carefully. Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
PSM failure – WorkshopDrive carefully. Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Warning – Brake fluid level Stop immediately in a suitable place. Do not continue driving.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Parking brake Parking brake not released.
PSM onPorsche Stability Management was switched on.
PSM offPorsche Stability Management was switched off.
PHC failureThe Porsche Drive-Off Assistant (manual transmission) and the
Engine Braking Support (downhill assistance) are not available.
Brake booster faulty Greater braking pedal force necessary. Drive carefully to the
nearest authorized Porsche dealer.
Instrument
panelMulti-purpose
displayText display Meaning/measures

232
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Water crossingfPlease observe the chapter “GROUND CLEA-
RANCE” on Page 366.
Danger!
Danger of drowning if water enters the vehi-
cle. Risk of damage to the engine and acces-
sories if water penetrates.
fBefore driving through water, check the water
depthA, water speed and the condition of the
surface beneath it.
The water must not be deeper than 20 in./
50 cm (22 in./55.5 cm for vehicles with level
control and height adjustment).
fCheck the door sills and rubber seals before
starting to drive.
fDo not drive through deep or rapidly flowing
water.
Deep or rapidly flowing water, e.g. mountain
streams, can cause the car to deviate from the
desired path.
fAvoid a "bow wave" by driving at an appropriate
speed.
fNever open the doors when driving through wa-
ter.Soiling can impair the braking action.
fCheck and clean the brakes if they have been
soiled.
Danger of steering assistance failing during
a long journey in the water if the drive belt
slips.
fIf the steering assistance fails, more effort will
be required to steer.
Danger of damaging electrical systems
fAvoid driving through salt water.
Notes on operation
fActivate Low Range.
fSwitch the air conditioner off.
fSwitch the headlights off.

Maintenance, Car Care
241 Maintenance, Car Care
Exercise Extreme Caution when Working
on your Vehicle .......................................... 242
Engine Oil Level ......................................... 244
Engine Oil Recommendation ........................ 247
Coolant Level ............................................. 249
Brake-Fluid Level ........................................ 251
Washer Fluid .............................................. 252
Power Steering .......................................... 253
Air Cleaner ................................................ 254
Particle Filter ............................................. 254
Automatic Transmission Fluid ...................... 254
Manual Transmission Oil ............................. 254
Wiper Blades ............................................. 255
Fuel Economy ............................................ 258
Operating Your Porsche
in other Countries....................................... 258
Fuel........................................................... 259
Fuel Recommendations............................... 261
Portable Fuel Containers ............................. 262
Fuel Evaporation Control ............................. 262
Emission Control System ............................ 263
Car Care Instructions.................................. 265

242
Maintenance, Car Care
Exercise Extreme Caution when
Working on your Vehicle
Danger!
Ignoring the following instructions may
cause serious personal injury or death.
fThe engine compartment of any motor vehicle
is a potentially hazardous area. If you are not
fully familiar with proper repair procedures, do
not attempt the adjustments described on the
following pages.
This caution applies to the entire vehicle.
fO n l y w o r k o n y o u r v e h i c l e o u t d o o r s o r i n a w e l l
ventilated area.
fEnsure that there are no open flames in the
area of your vehicle at any time when fuel
fumes might be present. Be especially cau-
tious of such devices such as hot water heat-
ers which ignite a flame intermittently.
fBefore working on any part in the engine com-
partment, turn the engine off and let it cool
down sufficiently. Hot engine compartment
components can burn skin on contact.
fBe alert and cautious around engine at all
times while the engine is running.
If you have to work on the engine while it is run-
ning, always put the handbrake on and put the
gearshift lever in neutral or the selector lever
in position P.fIn particular, be very careful to ensure that
items of clothing (ties, shirt, sleeves etc.), jew-
elry, long hair, hand or fingers cannot get
caught in the fan, belts or other moving parts.
The radiator and radiator fans are in the front
of the car.
The fans can start or continue running as a
function of temperature, even with the engine
switched off.
Carry out work in these areas only with the en-
gine off and exercise extreme caution.
fYour Porsche is equipped with an electronic ig-
nition system. When the ignition is on, high volt-
age is present in all wires connected with the
ignition system; therefore, exercise extreme
caution when working on any part of the engine
while the ignition is on or the engine is running.
fAlways support your car with safety stands if it
is necessary to work under the car. The jack
supplied with the car is not adequate for this
purpose.
fWhen working under the car without safety
stands but with the wheels on the ground,
make sure the car is on level ground, the
wheels are blocked, and that the engine can-
not be started.
Withdraw ignition keys (switch ignition off in ve-
hicles that have Porsche Entry & Drive).
fDo not smoke or allow an open flame around
the battery or fuel.
Keep a fire extinguisher in close reach.fIncomplete or improper servicing may cause
problems in the operation of the car. If in doubt
about any servicing, have it done by your au-
thorized Porsche dealer.
Improper maintenance during the warranty pe-
riod may affect your Porsche warranty cove-
rage.
fSupplies of fluids, e.g. engine oil, washer fluid,
brake fluid or coolant, are hazardous to your
health.
Keep these fluids out of children's reach and
dispose of them in accordance with the appro-
priate regulations.
fSome countries require additional tools and
special spare parts to be carried.
Please make enquiries before driving abroad.
Power measurementsPower measurements on dynamometers are not
approved by Porsche.

Maintenance, Car Care
243
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 OilEngine oil consumption
It 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 lubri-
cant.
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 lev-
el at all, even after 600 miles (1000 km) or more.
This is because the oil is gradually becoming dilut-
ed 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, cli-
matic conditions are warm, and the load is high,
the oil should be checked more frequently, as driv-
ing conditions will determine the rate of oil con-
sumption.
– 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 fuel filling.
– 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 en-
gine rpm is above idle speed.

244
Maintenance, Car Care
Engine Oil LevelfPlease observe the chapter “EXERCISE
EXTREME CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR
VEHICLE” on Page 242.
fPlease observe the chapter “WARNING LIGHTS
AND WARNING MESSAGES” on Page 108.
fCheck the oil level regularly. It is best to do this
when refuelling and before extended journeys.
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 thorough-ly with soap and water.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 en-
gine 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 ex-
ceed 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

Maintenance, Car Care
245
Cayenne S oil dipstick
MAX - marking
fDo not top up engine oil.
MIN - marking
Top up engine oil immediately.Cayenne oil dipstick
MAX - marking
fDo not top up engine oil.
A - Normal marking
fEngine oil can be topped up.
MIN - marking
Top up engine oil immediately.