Page 201 of 380
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
201 Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Manual transmission, clutch ........................ 202
Tiptronic S ................................................. 203
Selector Lever Positions ............................. 204
Driving Programs for On-Road and
Off-Road Driving ......................................... 211
Power-Transmission and Running-Gear
Control Systems ........................................ 217
Off-Road Driving ......................................... 227
Air Suspension with Level Control
and Height Adjustment................................ 236
Porsche Active Suspension
Management (PASM) .................................. 239
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Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
217
Power-Transmission and Running-Gear Control SystemsA complex interconnection of all control systems acting in power transmission and in the running gear has been realised in your Porsche.
All control systems have been linked with the aim of combining the best possible driving performance with maximum safety.
The following systems are involved:
System/designation Scope
PTM
Porsche Traction Management– Full-time all-wheel drive
– Electronically controlled center differential lock
– Automatic brake differential (ABD)
– Traction control system (TCS)
– Reduction gear/Low Range
PTM Plus
Porsche Traction ManagementIn addition to the PTM features, PTM Plus also includes:
– Electronically controlled rear differential lock
– Hydraulically disengageable anti-roll bars
PSM
Porsche Stability Management– Stability management system
– Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
– Traction control system (TCS)
– Automatic brake differential (ABD)
– Engine drag torque control (MSR)
Air suspension
with level control and height adjustment– Fully load bearing air spring struts with integral shock absorbers
– Air supply system with pressure accumulator
PAS M
Porsche Active Suspension Management– Shock absorber system with adaptive, continuous shock absorber control
Page 232 of 380

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.
Page 236 of 380

236
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Air Suspension with Level Control
and Height AdjustmentOn vehicles with air suspension, the driver can set
five different level steps manually.
The preselected level is automatically adjusted to
suit the vehicle speed.
The height of the car is automatically kept
constant when the car is loaded.
Tip on driving
It is not permissible to drive on public roads with
the car in the terrain or special terrain setting.Note on operation
Frequent level changes can cause the compressor
to overheat. In this case, the compressor must
cool for several minutes before the level adjust-
ment is fully functional again.
Normal levelThe ground clearance at normal level is around
8.5 in. (217 mm).Terrain levelThis setting is intended for off-road driving, field
paths and forest paths, etc.
The vehicle is raised by around 1 in. (26 mm) com-
pared to normal level.
Terrain level can be selected only manually at
speeds below around 50 mph (80 km/h).
The car is automatically lowered to normal level at
speeds exeeding around 50 mph (80 km/h).
The car is automatically raised to terrain level
when Low Range is activated.
Special terrain levelThis setting is intended only for extremely chal-
lenging terrain requiring maximum ground clear-
ance. The vehicle is raised by 2.2 in. (56 mm)
compared to normal level.
Special terrain level can be selected only at
speeds below around 19 mph (30 km/h).
The car is automatically lowered to terrain level at
speeds exeeding around 9 mph (30 km/h).Low levelThis level is intended for high-speed driving. Above
speeds of around 78 mph (125 km/h), the car is
lowered by around 1 in. (27 mm) compared to nor-
mal level.
When the speed drops to below around 25 mph
(40 km/h), the car is automatically raised to nor-
mal level.Special low levelAt extremely high speeds, for example when oper-
ated on a race track, the car is lowered 0.4 in.
(11 mm) compared to the low level.
Page 237 of 380

Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
237
Loading level
Caution!
Risk of damage to running-gear parts, units
and the vehicle underbody.
If the car is driven off a curb when at loading level,
for example, insufficent ground clearance can
cause it to bottom out.
fAlways switch to normal level before moving off.
This setting makes it easier for you to load the lug-
gage compartment.
The vehicle is lowered by around 2.4 in. (60 mm)
compared to normal level.
The car is automatically raised to normal level at
speeds exceeding around 3 mph (5 km/h).
Setting level manuallyPreconditions
–Ignition on.
– Doors are closed.
Setting
fMove rocker switch in the appropriate direc-
tion.
This sets the next possible height.
Indication of selected level
The corresponding light-emitting diode beside the
rocker switch flashes during the control process.
The light-emitting diode is continuously lit after the
control process.
The level change is also indicated on the multi-pur-
pose display of the instrument panel.
Exceptions
Automatic changes from normal level to low level
and back are not indicated on the multi-purpose
display of the instrument panel.
Note on operation
The level selected last is stored in memory after
the ignition is switched off.Raising the vehicle
1st actuation: Terrain level
2nd actuation: Special terrain level
f f f
Page 267 of 380

Maintenance, Car Care
267
Automatic car washes
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 (always switch them off to
prevent them wiping unintentionally in intermit-
tent or sensor operation).
– Door mirrors (always fold in).
– Roof Transport System (always remove com-
pletely).
– 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.
Door lockfTo prevent the door lock from freezing during
the cold season, cover the lock barrel with a
suitable adhesive tape during washing.
fShould the locks freeze, use an ordinary de-ic-
er.
In many cases, a well warmed key can help.
Never use excessive force.
Page 289 of 380

Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
289
Example of InscriptionInscription on radial tireATire size
Example: P 255/55R18 109 Y
–P - The tire is designed for Passenger vehicle.
This information is not included on all tires.
–255 - Indication of tire width in mm
–55- Indication of tire height to tire width ratio
in percent
–R- Belt type code letter for radial–18 - Indication of rim diameter in inches
–109 - Load capacity coefficient
–Y - Speed code letter
B TIN (Tire Identification Number)
Example: DOT xx xx xxxx xxxx
–DOT
The DOT symbol indicates that the tires com-
ply with the requirements of the US Depart-
ment of Transportation and provides informa-
tion about:
– first two-digit code means manufacture’s iden-
tification mark.
– second two-digit code means tire size.
– third four-digit code means tire type code.
– fourth four-digit code means date of manufac-
ture.
If, for example, the last four numbers read
1204, the tire was produced in the 12th week
of 2004.
C Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers in the tread and sidewalls
and their material composition.
D Maximum permissible inflation pressure
The maximum permissible cold inflation pressure
to which a tire can be inflated.
fDo not exceed the permissible inflation pres-
sure.
E Maximum Load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and pounds can
be carried by the tire. If you replace tires always
use a tire that has the same maximum load rating
as the factory installed tire.
F Term of tubeless or tube tire
Identification for tubeless tires.
GRadial
The identification indicates if the tire has radial
structure.
Page 298 of 380

298
Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
Lifting the vehicle with a jack
Warning!
Danger of injury. The car may slip off the
jack.
fMake sure that no one is in the vehicle when
jacking up and changing a wheel.
fNever jack up the vehicle when it is parked on
a surface that slopes up, down or to the side.
fUse the jack only to raise the car for wheel
changing.
fAlways place the car on stable supports if work
has to be carried out under the car.
The car jack is not suitable for this.
Danger of injury if the level-control system
operates during the wheel change.
fSet the car to jacking mode before raising the
car.
Please observe the chapter “AIR SUSPENSION
WITH LEVEL CONTROL AND HEIGHT ADJUST-
MENT” on Page 236.
Risk of injury and damage if the vehicle is not
secured.
fSecure the vehicle against rolling.
fPlease observe the chapter “SECURING THE VEHICLE AGAINST ROLLING” on Page 295.Maintenance note
The jacking point on the vehicle must be free of
dirt.
1. Slightly loosen the wheel bolts of the wheel to
be changed.
2. Only set up the jack at the rear jacking point
designed for the purpose. The jack foot must
be in contact over its whole area and must be
positioned directly below the head piece.
Use a suitable support if necessary.
3. Hold jack still and wind it up until its head
enters the jacking point on the vehicle.
Only jack vehicle up until the wheel to be
changed is completely off the ground.
4. After lowering the vehicle, remove the jack.
Front jacking pointJacking point base
fSet up jack only at the points provided A or B.