Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
227
Off-Road DrivingPlease read this chapter carefully before driving
off road with your Porsche.
The information provided will familiarise you with
the special advantages of your vehicle, allowing
you to arrive at your destination safely every time.
We recommend practicing on less rugged terrain.
Vehicles with SportDesign package
Warning!
Risk of damage. On vehicles with Sport-
Design package, front, rear, and side
member trim are painted and pulled down
lower. Off-road driving can seriously damage
these trim parts.
fWhen driving off-road, make sure these parts
are not damaged.
fMake sure there is sufficient clearance
between obstacles and the underside of the
vehicle.
fAvoid driving through water.
fDo not use side member trim as a running board.Maintenance note
Please bear in mind that off-road driving subjects
all vehicle components to considerably more wear
than normal use, making professional inspection
and maintenance after each use a vital precondi-
tion for functioning and safety.
Grains of sand, dirt particles and other abrasive
materials entering the brakes can cause exces-
sive wear or unpredictable braking action.
Rules for off-road drivingfEnsure vehicle is equipped with approved all-
terrain tires.
fPlease observe the chapter “GROUND CLEA-
RANCE” on Page 366.
fActivate Low Range.
fStow or fasten luggage and loads securely.
Please observe the chapter “LOADING INFOR-
MATION” on Page 195.
fIf unknown terrain is obscured from view, ex-
amine it on foot first and traverse it with ex-
treme caution.
This way, obstacles are easier to recognise
and damage to the vehicle is avoided.
fAlways drive with the engine running.
Steering assistance is provided only with the
engine running.
fDrive slowly and uniformly.fAlways make sure that the wheels touch the
ground.
fBefore driving through water, check the water
depth, the condition of the surface beneath it
and the speed of the water.
fLook out for obstacles such as boulders,
holes, tree stumps or ruts.
fAlways keep the sliding/lifting roof or
Panorama roof system and the side windows
closed while driving.
fDo not depart from marked routes or paths.
fRespect Nature.
Always obey off-limits signs.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
229
Recommended procedure
fDeactivate Low Range.
fClean headlights and tail lights and check them
for signs of damage.
fClean the front and rear lincence plates.
fClean the tire tread with a jet of water and re-
move any foreign objects.
fClean wheels, wheel housings and the under-
body with a jet of water.
fCheck whether the car has picked up plant
parts or branches.
These materials increase the risk of fire and
can damage fuel lines, brake hoses, boots of
the axle joints and drive shafts.
fAfter off-road driving, always check the entire
floor assembly, tires, body structure, steering
system, running gear and exhaust system for
signs of damage.fAfter driving for an extended period through
mud, sand, water or substances with a similar
soiling effect, check the brake discs, brake
pads, wheels and axle joints and have them
cleaned.
fIf you experience severe vibrations after
driving off road, check the wheels for foreign
substances.
These substances can produce an imbalance
which might be responsible for the vibrations.
Removing these deposits may remedy the
problem.
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Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Crossing obstacles
Caution!
Risk of damage to the underbody and chas-
sis components if obstacles are traversed
improperly.
fAlways bear in mind the ground clearance of
your vehicle.
fSlowly drive over the middle of tree trunks,
boulders or other obstacles with one of the
front wheels.
fCross the obstacle with the rear wheel in the same way.
Note on operation
fActivate Low Range.
Tips on driving
fHave your passenger direct you if necessary.
fAvoid high engine speeds (max. 2,500 rpm).
fDrive slowly.
Driving on sandNote on operation
fActivate Low Range and engage differential
locks if necessary.
Tips on driving
Loose sand is an especially tricky surface for off-
road driving.
You can often become stuck in sand within
minutes if you do not drive correctly in such
situations.
fDrive at brisk pace and do not stop under any
circumstances. This will reduce the chance of
the car becoming bogged down.
fFollow existing tracks – provided that they
have not been covered by blown sand, are not
too deep and the car's ground clearance is
sufficient.
Please observe the chapter “GROUND CLEA-
RANCE” on Page 366.
fAvoid high engine speeds (max. 2,500 rpm).
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
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.
258
Maintenance, Car Care
Fuel EconomyFuel economy will vary depending on where,
when and how you drive, optional equipment
installed, and the general condition of your
car.
A car tuned to specifications and correctly
maintained, will help you to achieve optimal
fuel economy.
fHave your vehicle tuned to specifications. Air
cleaner should be dirt free to allow proper en-
gine “breathing“.
Battery should be fully charged.
Wheels should be properly aligned.
Tires should be inflated at correct pressure.
fAlways monitor your fuel consumption.
fDrive smoothly, avoid abrupt changes in speed
as much as possible.
fAvoid jack rabbit starts and sudden stops.
fDo not drive longer than necessary in the lower
gears. Shifting into a higher gear early without
lugging the engine will help save fuel.
fProlonged “warm up“ idling wastes gas. Start
the vehicle just before you are ready to drive.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly.fSwitch off the engine if stationary for longer
periods.
fAny additional weight carried in the vehicle re-
duces fuel economy. Always keep cargo to a
minimum and remove all unnecessary items.
fOrganize your trips to take in several errands
in one trip.
fAll electrical accessories contribute to in-
creased fuel consumption.
fOnly switch on the air conditioning when neces-
sary.
fDo not drive with the Roof Transport System
mounted unless you need it.
The EPA estimated m.p.g. is to be used for
comparison purposes, actual mileage may
be different from the estimated m.p.g., de-
pending on your driving speed, weather con-
ditions and trip length. Your actual highway
mileage will probably be less than the esti-
mated m.p.g.
fPlease observe all local and national speed lim-
its.
Operating Your Porsche in other
CountriesGovernment regulations in the United States and
Canada require that automobiles meet specific
emission regulations and safety standards. There-
fore, cars built for the U.S. and Canada differ from
vehicles sold in other countries.
If you plan to take your Porsche outside the conti-
nental limits of the United States or Canada, there
is the possibility that
– unleaded fuel may not be available;
– unleaded fuel may have a considerably lower
octane rating. Excessive engine knock and se-
rious damage to both engine and catalytic con-
verters could result;
– service may be inadequate due to lack of prop-
er service facilities, tools or diagnostic equip-
ment;
– replacement parts may not be available or very
difficult to get.
Porsche cannot be responsible for the me-
chanical damage that could result because
of inadequate fuel, service or parts availabil-
ity.
If you purchased your Porsche abroad and want to
bring it back home, be sure to find out about ship-
ping and forwarding requirements, as well as cur-
rent import and customs regulations.
Maintenance, Car Care
261
Fuel RecommendationsYour Porsche is equipped with catalytic convert-
ers and must use UNLEADED FUEL ONLY.
Your engine is designed to provide optimum per-
formance and fuel economy using unleaded premi-
um fuel with an octane rating of 98 RON
(93 CLC or AKI). Porsche therefore recom-
mends the use of these fuels in your vehicle.
Porsche also recognizes that these fuels may not
always be available. Be assured that your vehicle
will operate properly on unleaded premium fuels
with octane numbers of at least 95 RON
(90 CLC or AKI), since the engine's “Electronic
Oktane™ knock control“ will adapt the ignition tim-
ing, if necessary.
The use of UNLEADED FUEL ONLY is critically
important to the life of the catalytic convert-
ers. Deposits from leaded fuels will ruin the
converters and make it ineffective as an
emission control device.
Cars with catalytic converters have a smaller fuel
tank opening, and gas station pumps have smaller
nozzles. This will prevent accidental pumping of
leaded fuel into cars with catalytic converters.
Unleaded fuels may not be available outside the
continental U.S. and Canada. Therefore, we rec-
ommend you do not take your car to areas or
countries where unleaded fuel may not be avail-
able.
Octane ratingsOctane rating indicates a fuel's ability to resist det-
onation. Therefore, buying the correct octane gas
is important to prevent engine “damage“.
The RON octane rating is based on the research
method. The CLC (U.S. Cost of Living Council oc-
tane rating) or AKI (antiknockindex) octane rating
usually displayed on U.S. fuel pumps is calculated
as research octane number plus motor octane
number, divided by 2, that is written as:
The CLC or AKI octane rating is usually lower than
the RON rating:
For example: 95 RON equals 90 CLC or AKI
Fuels containing alcohol and etherSome areas of the U.S. require oxygenated fuels
during certain portions of the year. Oxygenated fu-
els are fuels which contain alcohols (such as meth-
anol or ethanol) or ether (such as MTBE).
Under normal conditions, the amount of these
compounds in the fuel will not affect driveability.
You may use oxygenated fuels in your Porsche,
provided the octane requirements for your vehicle
are met. We recommend, however, to change to a
different fuel or station if any of the following prob-
lems occur with your vehicle:
– Deterioration of driveability and performance.
– Substantially reduced fuel economy.
– Vapor lock and non-start problems, especially
at high altitude or at high temperature.
– Engine malfunction or stalling.
RON MON+
2 ---------------------------------- o rRM+
2 ---------------
Maintenance, Car Care
263
Emission Control SystemIn the interest of clean airPollution of our environment has become a prob-
lem that is of increasing concern to all of us. We
urge you to join us in our efforts for cleaner air in
controlling the pollutants emitted from the auto-
mobile.
Porsche has developed an emission control sys-
tem that controls or reduces those parts of the
emission that can be harmful to our environment.
Your Porsche is equipped with such a system.
Porsche warrants the Emission Control System in
your new car under the terms and conditions set
forth in the Warranty Booklet.
You, as the owner of the vehicle, have the respon-
sibility to provide regular maintenance service for
the vehicle and to keep a record of all mainte-
nance work performed. To facilitate record keep-
ing, have the service performed by authorized
Porsche dealers. They have Porsche trained tech-
nicians and special tools to provide fast and effi-
cient service.To assure efficient operation of the Emission
Control System:
fHave your vehicle maintained properly and in
accordance with the recommendations de-
scribed in your Maintenance Booklet. Lack of
proper maintenance, as well as improper use
of the vehicle, will impair the function of the
emission control system and could lead to
damage.
fDo not alter or remove any component of the
emission control system.
fDo not alter or remove any device, such as
heat shields, switches, ignition wires, valves,
etc., which are designed to protect your vehi-
cle's emission control system. In addition to
serious engine damage, this can result in a fire
if excess raw fuel reaches the exhaust system.
fDo not continue to operate your vehicle if you
detect engine misfire or other unusual operat-
ing conditions.
Parking
Warning!
Danger of fire.
fDo not park or operate the vehicle in areas
where the hot exhaust system may come in
contact with dry grass, brush, fuel spill or oth-
er flammable material.
fIf your car catches on fire for any reason, call
the fire department. Do not endanger your life by attempting to put out the fire.
Undercoating
Danger!
Danger of fire and serious personal injuries
or death.
fDo not apply additional undercoating or rust-
proofing on or near the exhaust manifold, ex-
haust pipes, catalytic converters or heat
shields. During driving the substance used for undercoating could overheat and ignite.