118
Controls, Safety, Instruments
A- Instrument lighting knobWhen the light is switched on, the brightness of
the instrument illumination can be adjusted by
turning thumb wheel A.
fPlease observe the chapter “A - BUTTON FOR
DIMMING THE COMFORT LIGHTING” on
Page 151.
Automatic Headlight Beam
AdjustmentVehicles with Bi-Xenon headlights feature
automatic headlight beam adjustment.
When the ignition is switched on, the level of the
headlight beam automatically changes in accor-
dance with the vehicle load. The level of the head-
light beam is automatically kept constant during
acceleration and braking.
Checking operation
1. Switch the low beam on.
2. Switch ignition on.
The light beam first dips all the way down and
is then adapted to the vehicle load. It this test
item is not met, the headlight beam adjustment
system must be checked by an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Instrument Illumination
122
Controls, Safety, Instruments The rain sensor remains switched off if the wiper
lever is already in position 1 when the ignition is
switched on.
To switch the rain sensor on again:
fMove wiper stalk to position 0 and then to
position1 – switching on is confirmed by one
wipe of the windscreen – or
fOperate windscreen washer system 5–
switching on is confirmed by three wipes of the
windscreen – or
fChange the sensitivity of the rain sensor with
four-stage switch A.Changing the sensitivity of the rain sensor
Sensitivity can be set with switch A in 4 stages:
fAdjust switch A upwards –
high sensitivity.
The setting is confirmed by one wipe of the
windshield.
fAdjust switch A downwards –
low sensitivity.
2 – Front windshield wiper – slow
fMove wiper stalk upwards to the second click.
3 – Front windshield wiper – fast
fMove wiper stalk upwards to the third click.
At speeds of less than approx. ca. 2.5 mph
(4 km/h), rain sensor operation mode is automat-
ically activated if the windshield wiper is switched
on. If you exceed a speed of approx. 5 mph
(8 km/h), the system switches to the pre-selected
wiper level.
4 – Front windshield wiper – one-touch oper-
ation
fMove wiper stalk downwards. The front wind-
shield wipers go through one wipe cycle.5 – Front windshield wipers and washer sys-
tem
fPull wiper stalk towards the steering wheel.
The washer system sprays and wipes while the
lever is pulled towards the steering wheel.
When the wiper lever is released, a few drying
wipes are executed.
Headlight washer (on vehicles with Bi-Xe-
non headlights):
The washer sprays only while low beam or high
beam is switched on.
To activate the headlight washer system, the
wiper lever must be pulled for a longer period
of time.
The spray duration is limited.
Maintenance note
fIf heavily soiled, repeat wash.
fPersistent dirt (e.g. insect remains) should be
regularly removed.
Please observe the chapter “CAR CARE IN-
STRUCTIONS” on Page 265.
Thefront windscreen washer nozzles are heat-
ed when the ignition is on, as a precaution against
freezing.
174
Controls, Safety, Instruments If aftermarket systems are installed by non-dealer-
ship technicians or outside the selling dealer,
problems may result. Installation of aftermarket
equipment is not covered under the New Car War-
ranty.
fConsult your authorized Porsche dealer about
the installation of non Porsche approved equip-
ment.
Reception quality
The reception quality of your car telephone will
change constantly when you are driving. Interfer-
ence caused by buildings, landscape and weather
is unavoidable. It may become particularly difficult
to hear when using the hands-free function due to
external noise such as engine and wind noise.
Automatic car-wash
fUnscrew external antennas before using an au-
tomatic car-wash.
Porsche Communication
Management (PCM)
Warning!
There is a danger of accident if you set or
operate the on-board computer, radio, navi-
gation system, telephone or other equipment
when driving.
This could distract you from the traffic and
cause you to lose control of the vehicle re-
sulting in serious personal injury or death.
fOperate the components while driving only if
the traffic situation allows you to do so safely.
fCarry out any complicated operating or setting
procedures only with the vehicle stationary
fIf it is necessary to operate these components
while the vehicle is in motion, use the function keys on the multi-functional steering wheel.
fRefer to the separate operating instructions
before putting the PCM into operation.
When put into operation for the first time, a dis-
tance of approx. 3 miles (5 km) must be driven in
order for the navigation system to complete the
process of fine calibration. The same applies
when the tires are changed (e.g. summer/winter
tires) or new tires fitted. Full location accuracy is
not yet achieved during the fine-calibration pro-
cess.If the vehicle has been transported (e.g. ferry, car
train), the system may take a few minutes after be-
ing switched on before it determines the current
location.
Serious tire slip (e.g. spinning wheels on snow)
may result in temporarily inaccurate navigation.
When the battery has been disconnected, it may
take up to 15 minutes before the navigation
system is operational once more.
Satellite radioYou must have the satellite radio activated before
you can put it into operation. You will need a con-
tract with a provider in order to use this radio.
fRefer to the separate radio operating instruc-
tions before putting into operation.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
203
Tiptronic SThe Porsche Tiptronic is a six-speed transmission
and features an “automatic” and a “manual” gear-
shift mode.
Inautomatic selection mode (selector lever po-
sitionD), gear changing is automatic.
Depending on the driving program, you can
change temporarily from automatic to manual
mode using the rocker switches on the steering
wheel.
Inmanual selection mode (selector lever
positionM), you change gear using the rocker
switches on the steering wheel or by pushing the
selector lever forward or back.
You can change between selector lever positions
Dand M as you wish while driving.
Note on operation
Take care not to operate the rocker switches on
the steering wheel inadvertently, thereby trigger-
ing undesired gear changes.
Changing the selector lever positionThe selector lever is locked with the ignition key
withdrawn.
The selector lever can be moved from position P
or N only with:
– The ignition switched on
– The brake pedal pressed and
– The release button pressedRelease button
The release button (arrow) on the front side of the
selector lever prevents unintentional gear chang-
es.
The release button must be pressed when shifting
to position Ror P.
The selector lever cannot be operated in the event
of an electrical fault.
fPlease observe the chapter “SELECTOR LE-
VER EMERGENCY RELEASE” on Page 210.
StartingThe engine can be started only in selector lever
positionPor N with the brake pedal pressed.Moving offfSelect the desired position for moving off
(D, M or R) only when the engine is idling and
when depressing the brake pedal.
fSince the car creeps when in gear, do not re-
lease the brake until you want to move off.
fAfter selecting a gear, do not accelerate until
you can feel that the gear is engaged.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
205
D - Automatic selection mode (in the road
driving program)The functions of selector lever positions Dand M
differ in the on-road program, High Range, and in
the off-road program, Low Range.
fUse selector lever position D for “normal” driv-
ing.
The gears are shifted automatically according
to the accelerator position and speed.
Depending on the way the vehicle is driven and on
the resistance (e.g. uphill), the gear-changing
points are shifted towards higher or lower engine-
speed ranges. Movement of the accelerator,
driving speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration
and the road profile all have an influence on the
gear-changing characteristic.
When PSM is switched off, transmission gear
changes are done at higher engine speeds.
Unwanted upward shifts, e.g. before bends, are
prevented by swiftly releasing the accelerator ped-
al.
Depending on lateral acceleration, upward chang-
es on bends are not made until the engine-speed
limit is reached.
During braking, and depending on the amount of
deceleration, the Tiptronic changes down earlier.
For subsequent cornering, the right gear is en-
gaged when pressure is applied to the brakes be-
fore the bend.The bend is taken in the right gear, and when you
accelerate out of the bend you do not have to
change down.
Moving off
In 2nd gear, the vehicle moves off with the throttle
only slightly open. Move off in 1st gear with the
throttle open wider or when the engine is cold.
When PSM is switched off, the car generally
moves off in 1st gear.
Shifting gear on the steering wheel
By shifting gear with the rocker switches on the
steering wheel, you can temporarily change from
automatic selection mode D to manual selection
mode M.
Advantages
– Shifting down before bends and on entering
built-up areas.
– Shifting down on downward slopes (engine
braking).
– Shifting down for brief spurts of acceleration.
– Selecting 1st or 2nd gear for moving off.
The manual selection mode remains engaged:
– For cornering (depending on the lateral accel-
eration) and overrunning,
– When the vehicle is stationary (e.g. at a junc-
tion).The system leaves manual selection mode:
– automatically after around 8 seconds
(unless car is cornering, overrunning or
stationary),
– if you depress the accelerator to kickdown.
Temporary change-down
Precondition
– Speed is higher than approx. 33 mph
(54 km/h).
fDepress accelerator quickly.
The Tiptronic changes temporarily to the sport-
iest gear-changing map, i.e. to the highest pos-
sible gear-changing points. Correspondingly,
the transmission shifts down immediately by
one, two or three gears.
Ending the function
fRelease the accelerator markedly (by approx.
25%).
f f f
206
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems Kickdown
The kickdown function is active in selector lever
position D.
fFor optimum acceleration, e.g. when overtak-
ing, depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
full-throttle point (kickdown).
The transmission shifts down depending on the
speed of travel and engine speed.
Upward shifts occur at the highest possible engine
speeds.
These gear-changing speeds remain active until
the accelerator is released to approx. 80% of the
full-throttle position.
D - Automatic selection mode (in the off-
road driving program)The functions of selector lever positions Dand M
differ in the on-road program, High Range, and in
the off-road program, Low Range.
fUse selector lever position D for “normal” driv-
ing.
The gears are shifted automatically according
to the accelerator position and speed.
The gears are shifted automatically according to
the accelerator position and speed. The gear-
changing points have been adjusted to achieve the
best possible vehicle control on difficult terrain.Depending on the route profile, the gear-changing
points are shifted towards higher or lower engine-
speed ranges. On steep downhill stretches, up-
ward shifts are prevented until medium engine
speeds are reached (at least 2,500 rpm).
When the car is overrunning, an automatic upshift
does not occur when the engine speed limit is
reached.
Moving off
The car moves off in 1st gear.
Shifting gear on the steering wheel
By shifting gear with the rocker switches on the
steering wheel, you can temporarily change from
automatic selection mode D to manual selection
mode M.
Advantages
– Shifting down on downward slopes (engine
braking).
– Shifting down for brief spurts of acceleration.
– Selecting 1st/2nd or 3rd gear for moving off.
The manual selection mode remains engaged:
– For overrunning
– Depending on lateral acceleration
– When the vehicle is stationary (e.g. at a junc-
tion).The system leaves manual selection mode:
– Automatically after around 8 seconds
(unless car is subject to high lateral accelera-
tion, is overrunning or stationary),
– if you depress the accelerator to kickdown.
Kickdown
The kickdown function is active in selector lever
position D.
fFor optimum acceleration, e.g. when overtak-
ing, depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
full-throttle point (kickdown).
The transmission shifts down depending on the
speed of travel and engine speed.
Upward shifts occur at the highest possible engine
speeds.
These gear-changing speeds remain active until
the accelerator is released to approx. 80% of the
full-throttle position.
Tip on driving
Unlike in the on-road driving program, an automat-
ic upshift is not performed in manual selection
modeM when the engine-speed limit is reached.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
209
StoppingfFor a brief stop (e.g. at a traffic light), leave the
selector lever in drive position and hold the ve-
hicle with the brake pedal.
fDo not hold the car on a slope using the accel-
erator. Use the brake pedal or the parking
brake instead.
fBefore leaving the vehicle, always apply the
handbrake and move the selector lever to
positionP.
Tip on driving
In selector lever positions D and M, the Hillholder
prevents the car from rolling backward when it has
been stopped on an upward slope with the engine
running.
fPlease observe the chapter “HILLHOLDER” on
Page 224.
ParkingfGo easy on the accelerator.
fWhen parking or maneuvring in a small space,
control the speed by careful use of the foot-
brake.Driving in winterIn wintry road conditions it is advisable to take
steep inclines in manual mode M. This prevents
the occurrence of gear changes that could cause
wheelspin.
Reduced driving programIf there is a fault in the transmission:
–An X appears instead of the current gear
indicator on the multi-purpose display of the in-
strument panel.
The transmission no longer shifts.
fTo remedy the fault, immediately consult an au-
thorized Porsche dealer.
Warning!
Reverse gear lock monitoring is disabled in
the emergency running program.
Damage to the vehicle may result as well as
loss of control, if the vehicle is moving for-
ward fast enough to cause rear wheel lockup.
fDo not shift into R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Tip on driving
3rd or 5th gear in selector position D and reverse
gearR are now available and will allow you to
reach the nearest authorized Porsche dealer.
fPlease go to your authorized Porsche dealer
as soon as possible.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
213
Vehicles with Tiptronic S
fReduce speed to below 9.3 mph (15 km / h) or
stop vehicle.
fMove selector lever to position N.
fPush rocker switch A forward until activation of
the off-road driving program is indicated on the
multi-purpose display of the instrument panel
and by illumination of light-emitting diodeB.
The Low Range indicator light on the instru-
ment panel and light-emitting diode B beside
the rocker switch flash several times during
the shifting process.
Low Range is now engaged.
Danger!
Serious risk of injury or death. Risk of
accident due to uncontrolled vehicle
movement. The selector lever is blocked
during the shifting procedure. Shifting when
driving uphill can cause the vehicle to stand
still or even roll backwards, if the shifting
procedure has not yet been completed.
When driving downhill, the vehicle can accel-
erate unintentionally while shifting.
fIncreased brake readiness is required.
fPlease observe the chapter “POWER-TRANS-
MISSION AND RUNNING-GEAR CONTROL SYS-
TEMS” on Page 217.
A- Rocker switch
B- Low Range is engaged
C- Center differential lock is fully engagedFully engaging the center differential lock
in Low RangeTip on driving
When the center differential lock is fully engaged,
there is no longer any speed difference between
the front and rear axles. If, for example, both
wheels at the front axle lose traction on an icy
road or soft surface, the rigidly linked drive wheels
will permit the vehicle to continue moving never-
theless.fPush rocker switch A forwards in stages until
engagement of the center differential lock is in-
dicated on the multi-purpose display of the in-
strument panel and by the illumination of the
two light-emitting diodes Band C.
The center differential lock is changed over to
fully engaged state by the automatic control
system.