
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 

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 

Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
221
The events below inform the driver of PSM control 
operations and warn him to adapt his driving style 
to the road conditions:
– The information light in the instrument panel 
lights up.
– Hydraulic noises can be heard.
– The vehicle decelerates and steering-wheel 
forces are altered as the PSM controls the 
brakes.
– Reduced engine power.
– The brake pedal pulsates and its position is 
changed during braking.
However, it is possible at any time to achieve 
full vehicle deceleration by increasing the foot 
pressure slightly.
Examples of PSM control operations
–Vehicle understeers:
If the front wheels of the vehicle drift on a 
bend, engine power is reduced and the rear 
wheel on the inside of the bend is braked if 
necessary.
–Vehicle oversteers:
If the rear of the vehicle swings out on a bend, 
the front wheel on the outside of the bend is 
braked.Combined use of PSM and PTM/PTM Plus
In order to ensure optimal stabilisation of the 
vehicle, the center differential lock (PTM) and 
possibly the rear differential lock (PTM Plus) are 
also opened when PSM interventions occur.
Tip on driving
When PSM is switched off, wheel-specific brake 
interventions and the traction control system 
(TCS) are also inactive. 
The automatic brake differential (ABD) remains on.Off-road PSM
(PSM in Low Range program)
When Low Range is active, an off-road PSM 
specially matched to off-road driving is activated 
to enhance traction.
At a speed below 22 mph (35 km/h), the terrain 
PSM intervenes later if the vehicle should under-
steer and thereby improves steerability in Low 
Range.
If the brakes are highly stressed, the automatic 
brake differential (ABD) switches itself off to 
protect the brakes. It remains deactivated until the 
brake system has cooled sufficiently.
Engine drag torque control
In conditions of excessive slip, the engine drag 
torque control system prevents all driven wheels 
from locking up when the car is overrunning. This 
is also the case for downshifts on a slippery road. 

228
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Driving systems for off-road drivingSpecially adapted driving programs or power-
transmission and running-gear control systems 
are available for off-road driving:
– Off-road program Low Range
–Off-road PSM
–Off-road ABS
– Center differential lock
– Rear differential lock
fPlease observe the chapter “POWER-TRANS-
MISSION AND RUNNING-GEAR CONTROL SYS-
TEMS” on Page 217.
Before driving offTires
fCheck tread depth and tire pressure.
fCheck for damage and remove any foreign ob-
jects (e.g. stones) from the tread. 
fReplace missing valve caps.
Rims
fReplace dented or damaged rims before 
driving off road.
After driving off roadOff-road driving places a greater burden on the ve-
hicle than does normal driving on roads.
We recommend inspecting the vehicle after off-
road driving. Potential damage poses an accident 
risk and impairs driving comfort. Damage on the 
car is recognised in good time if the car is 
checked.
 Warning!
Car damage poses an accident risk for the 
vehicle occupants and other road users.
fIn cases of doubt, have your vehicle checked 
by your authorized Porsche dealer.
fExamine tires for signs of damage such as 
cuts, tears, bulges or foreign objects stuck in 
the tread. Replace a damaged tire if neces-
sary.
fHave any damage to your vehicle repaired by an authorized Porsche dealer without delay. 

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. 

Maintenance, Car Care
249
Coolant LevelfPlease observe the chapter “EXERCISE 
EXTREME CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR 
VEHICLE” on Page 242.
The coolant provides year-round protection from 
corrosion and freezing down to -31°F (-35°C)
(Nordic countries -40°F (-40°C)).
fUse only anti-freeze authorized by Porsche.
fCheck the coolant level regularly.Checking coolant level/adding coolantThe expansion tank for the coolant is located un-
der the engine-compartment cover in the engine 
compartment. 
When the engine is cold and the car is level, the 
coolant level must lie between the minimum and 
maximum marks.Checking when engine is cold
1. Remove cover.2. Open cap of the expansion tank carefully and 
allow any overpressure to escape.
Then unscrew cap completely.
3. Read the coolant level.
4. Top up with coolant if necessary.
Do not exceed the max. mark.
Only add a mixture of anti-freeze and water in 
equal parts.
Antifreeze in coolant:
50% provides anti-freeze protection down to 
-31°F (-35°C).
5. Screw the cap closed firmly and put on the 
cover.
f   f   f 

250
Maintenance, Car Care Checking the coolant level when a warning 
messages is shown on the multi-purpose 
display of the instrument panel
 Warning!
Danger of serious personal injury from scald-
ing. Coolant is hazardous to your health, and 
may be fatal if swallowed.
fDo not open the cap of the expansion tank 
while the engine is hot.
fAllow the engine to cool down before opening 
the cap and protect your hands, arms and face 
from any possible escape of hot coolant.
fKeep coolant out of children's reach.
fAlso, keep coolant away from your pets.They 
can be attracted to it should there be a spill, or 
to used coolant left in an open container. Cool-ant can be deadly to pets if consumed.1. Remove cover.
2. If the engine is hot, cover the the expansion 
tank cap with a cloth.
Open cap carefully and allow any overpressure 
to escape.
Then unscrew cap completely.
3. Read the coolant level.
Top up with coolant if necessary.
Only add a mixture of anti-freeze and water in 
equal parts.
Antifreeze in coolant:
50% provides anti-freeze protection down to 
-31°F (-35°C).
Do not exceed the max. mark.
Note on operation
fIf the coolant level exceeds the max. mark 
when the engine is hot, check the coolant level 
again when the engine is cold.
4. Screw the cap closed firmly and put on the 
cover.
5. Have the cooling system checked by an autho-
rized Porsche dealer.Maintenance note
If in an emergency pure water has been added, the 
mixture ratio must be corrected at an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Marked loss of coolant indicates leakage in the 
cooling system.
The cause should be remedied at an authoized 
Porsche dealer immediately. 

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.