Controls, Safety, Instruments
51
Airbag maintenanceIn order to ensure long-term functioning, the air-
bag system must be inspected by an authorized
Porsche dealer at the intervals recommended in
your Maintenance Booklet.
Important information
If you sell your Porsche, notify the purchaser that
the vehicle is equipped with airbags, and refer
them to the chapter, “Airbag Systems“, in the
owner's manual (safety and disposal rules).
Further information on the airbag system can be
found on stickers attached to the sun visors, as
well as on all airbag components.
For special recommendations on the use of child
restraints:
fPlease observe the chapter “CHILD RES-
TRAINT SYSTEMS” on Page 47.
DisposalfNon-ignited gas alternators, or whole vehicles
or subassemblies with airbag units, must not
be disposed of as “normal” scrap or waste or
put into any other form of end storage.
Your authorized Porsche dealer will be able to
give you details about disposal.
78
Controls, Safety, Instruments The voltmeter indicates the battery voltage.
Normal range: 12 to 16 volts.
The voltage may drop considerably when the
vehicle is being started.
If the indicator is continually below 12 volts
when the engine is running:
fPlease have the battery charging system
checked at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Battery/alternatorA warning message will appear on the multi-pur-
pose display of the instrument panel if the voltage
drops significantly.
fStop in a safe place and switch off the engine.
Possible causes
– Defect in the battery charging system
– Broken drive belt
Warning!
Risk of accident and risk of engine damage.
A broken drive belt means there is no power
assistance to the steering (more effort is re-
quired to steer) and engine cooling fails.
fDo not continue driving.
fHave the fault remedied at your nearest autho-
rized Porsche dealer.
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.
Voltmeter
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
233
Tips on driving
fAvoid high engine speeds (max. 2,500 rpm).
fDo not perform manual gear changes when
driving, and try to avoid stopping.
Moving off in the water can be difficult due to
the high resistance and the loose surface in-
volved.
fStart the water crossing at a shallow place at
walking speed.
fAfter checking the body of water, take the
shortest path through it.
fNever drive into the water at high speed. The
resulting “bow wave” could damage the engine
and its accessories.
fAdjust your driving style to the unfamiliar sur-
roundings.
fCross the body of water slowly and at a con-
stant speed.
fNever turn around when crossing a body of wa-
ter.
fIf it is not possible to cross the body of water,
the car must be backed out of it in reverse
gear.
The servo pump and alternator can fail if the car is
driven through water for an extended period.
fIf the servo pump fails, substantially more
force will have to be exerted in order to steer. Maintenance note
The car requires a special check after the water
crossing.
fRemove mud from the tire tread.
fBriefly brake the brakes dry after driving
through the water.
HumpsfPlease observe the chapter “GROUND CLEA-
RANCE” on Page 366.
Note on operation
fActivate Low Range and engage differential
locks if necessary.
Tips on driving
fJust before reaching the hump, ease off the ac-
celerator slightly and use the car's momentum
to cross the hump. This will prevent the car
from jumping over the hump and landing on the
following downward slope at an excessive
speed.
fAvoid high engine speeds (max. 2,500 rpm).
266
Maintenance, Car Care
High-pressure cleaning units
Warning!
High-pressure cleaning units can damage
the following components:
–Tires
– Logos, emblems
– Painted surfaces
– Widened fenders
– Lock and latch of the removable towing attach-
ment
– Alternator, valve covers
– ParkAssist sensors
fPlease observe the operating instructions from
the unit manufacturer.
fAlways cover the lid over the brake fluid reser-
voir prior to cleaning. Never point the cleaning
jet directly at the lid.
fWhen cleaning with a flat-jet nozzle or the like,
maintain a minimum distance of 21 in.
(50 cm).fNever use high-pressure cleaning units with a
round-jet nozzle.
A high-pressure cleaning unit with round nozzle
will damage your vehicle. The tires are particu-
larly susceptible to damage.
fDo not point the cleaning jet directly at any of
the aforementioned components.
WashingThe best protection for the car from the damaging
effects of the environment is frequent washing and
preservation. The underside of the car should also
be thoroughly washed for cinders, salt or sanding
at winter‘s end.
The longer salt, road dust, industrial dust, insect
remains, bird excrement, and tree exudations (res-
in, pollen), etc. are allowed to remain on the body-
work, the more serious is their harmful effect.
New cars should be washed carefully with plenty
of clear water to protect the new paint work.
Dark paint finishes show up the smallest of sur-
face damage (e.g. scratches) more readily than
lighter colors.
Dark colors are also more susceptible to scratch-
ing because of the composition of their pigments
and require particularly careful paint care.fDo not wash your car in bright sunlight or while
the bodywork is still hot.
fWhen washing by hand, use abundant water, a
soft sponge or wash brush and Porsche car
shampoo.
fBegin by spraying the body thoroughly with wa-
ter to rinse away loose dirt.
fAfter washing, rinse the car with plenty of wa-
ter and then dry with a chamois leather.
Do not use the same chamois leather for
drying as you use for cleaning the windshield
and windows.
Warning!
Moisture which gets on to the brakes during
a car wash can reduce braking efficiency or
make the brake pull unevenly which could in-
crease the danger of an accident, causing
serious personal injuries or death.
fAlways apply the brakes a few times after
washing the car to test braking efficiency and
dry the brake discs.
When doing this, take care not to hamper other
road users behind you (traffic conditions per-mitting).
Maintenance, Car Care
269
Cleaning the engine compartment
Caution!
Risk of damage, e.g. to the alternator, paint-
ed surfaces, and the valve covers.
fNever use high-pressure cleaning units with a
round-jet nozzle.
fAlways maintain a minimum distance of 21 in.
(50 cm).
fAlways cover the lid over the brake fluid reser-
voir prior to cleaning with a high-pressure
cleaner. Never point the cleaning jet directly at
the lid.
fDo not point the cleaning jet directly at any of the aforementioned components.
Note on operation
If the car is driven off-road frequently and after
driving on salted or gritted roads:
fClean the engine compartment regularly.
WindowsThe road dust which settles on the windshield and
windows contains particles of tire rubber and oil
residue. The interior trim and upholstery release
particles, particularly in strong sunlight, which col-
lect on the insides of the windows. These deposits
are augmented by impurities in the air which en-
ters the car through the fresh air vents.
fClean all windows regularly, inside and outside,
with Porsche window cleaner.
fMake sure not to damage the TV antenna in the
side window when cleaning.
fIf you use a chamois leather for the windows,
do not use it for paintwork as it will otherwise
pick up a certain amount of preservative or pol-
ish and could smear the windows and thus im-
pair vision.
fRemove dead insects with insect remover.
Wiper bladesWiper blades that are in perfect condition are vital
for a clear view.
fReplace the wiper blades twice per year (be-
fore and after the cold season) or whenever
wiper performance deteriorates.
fPeriodically clean wiper blades with Porsche
window cleaner, especially after the vehicle
has been washed in a car wash.
If they are very dirty (e.g. with insect remains),
they can be cleaned with a sponge or cloth.
Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
323
Removing and installing battery
Danger!
Danger of explosion and injury and risk of
short circuit and damage to the alternator
and electronic control units.
fHave the battery removed and installed only by
a qualified professional.
fDo not disconnect battery while the engine is
running.
fDisconnect and connect the battery only with
the greatest care. Danger of short circuit and
explosion.
fDo not tilt the battery when removing it.Risk of caustic burns from escaping acid.
The battery is located in the battery box under the
left front seat.
If the battery is completely discharged, the vehicle
must be provided with external power at the jump-
lead starting points so that you can move the seat.
fPlease observe the chapter “EMERGENCY
STARTING WITH JUMPER CABLES” on
Page 331.Maintenance note
The seat mounting bolts must be replaced each
time they are loosened.
The bolts are micro-encapuslated and keep dust
and water out.
If this is not observed, it might not be possible to
attain the prescribed tightening torque of 37 ftlb
(50 Nm).
Removing battery
1. Switch off all electrical loads and withdraw the
ignition key.
2. Move the left front seat all the way back and
up.
Move the backrest fully upright.
3. Unclip front seat trim A.
f f f
324
Practical Tips, Minor Repairs 4. Fold sections of floor carpet forward.
Unscrew both screws B of the seat mounting.5. Tilt the seat all the way back.
With the seat tilted back, use the fore-and-aft
adjustment to move the seat forward again.6. Open the 4 clamps C of the battery-box lid with
a screwdriver.
7. Remove the battery-box cover with ventilation
duct.
Danger!
Danger of explosion and injury and risk of
short circuit and damage to the alternator
and electronic control units.
fDisconnect the negative cable first, and then the positive cable.
8. Disconnect the negative cable.
9. Disconnect the positive cable.
326
Practical Tips, Minor Repairs fAlways tighten all screws to the
prescribed torque.
3. Fasten the battery fastening plate with screw
E. Tightening torque 15 ftlb. (20 Nm).
4. Fasten the bracket with screw F. Tightening
torque 6.5 ftlb. (9 Nm).
5.Important: Do not forget to connect vent
hoseD to the battery.
Make sure that both ends of the vent hose are
properly connected.
Danger!
Danger of explosion and injury and risk of
short circuit and damage to the alternator
and electronic control units.
fConnect the positive cable first, and then the negative cable.
6. Connect the positive cable.
7. Connect the negative cable.
8. Put on the battery-box cover carefully.
Ensure that the ventilation duct is properly in-
serted.
9. Engage the 4 clamps C on the battery-box lid
and close them with a screwdriver.10.With the seat tilted back, use the fore-and-aft
adjustment to move the seat back.
Tilt the seat forward.
11.Clean threaded holes on the seat mounting.
12.Use only new bolts B(the bolts are micro-en-
capsulated).
Insert bolts Band screw them in a few turns by
hand.
Tighten bolts.
Tightening torque 37 ftlb. (50 Nm).
13.Clip in front seat trim.
14.Move seat to normal position.