Controls, Safety, Instruments
49
Airbag SystemsThe Airbags in combination with the safety belts
makes up a safety system which offers the driver
and the passenger the greatest known protection
from injuries in case of accident.
Even if your vehicle is equipped with airbags, the
safety belts must be worn at all times,
because the front airbag system is only actuated
by frontal collisions with an impact of sufficient se-
verity. Below the actuation threshold of the airbag sys-
tem, and during types of collisions which do not
cause the actuation of the system, the safety belts
provide the primary protection to the occupants
when correctly worn.
Therefore, all persons within the vehicle
must wear safety belts at all times (in many
states, state law requires the use of safety belts).
fPlease observe the chapter “SAFETY BELTS”
on Page 42.
Thefront airbags are located under the padded
steering wheel panel on the driver’s side and, on
the passenger's side, in the dashboard.
Theside airbags for the front seats are installed
on the side in the seat backrests.
Thehead airbags are installed above the doors
in the roof area.
FunctionThe front airbags are triggered during a frontal col-
lision of sufficient force.
In the event of a side impact of corresponding
force, the side airbag on the impact side is
triggered.
The inflation process generates the amount of gas
required to fill the airbags at the necessary pres-
sure in fractions of a second.
Airbags protect the face and upper body, while si-
multaneously damping the motion of the driver
and passenger in the impact direction in the event
of a frontal impact or side impact.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module. This module will record the
use of the seat belt restraint system by the driver
and front passenger when the side airbags and
head airbags are inflated.
f f f
226
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Engine Braking Support
(Assistance when heading downhill)The Porsche Down-Hill Assistant is an assistance
system which helps the driver at slower downhill
driving up to approx. 12 mph (20 km/h), e.g., on
steep slopes or on wintry mountain roads.
As long as the gas pedal is not used when trav-
eling downhill, the Porsche Down-Hill Assistant is
active and brakes the vehicle.
The braking ability of the Engine Braking Support
is affected by slippery surfaces (e.g., on icy or
loose surfaces), like all brakes.
If road grip is lost on one or more wheels, the
system brakes the wheels which have good road
contact.
Conditions:
– The gas pedal must not be used when
travelling downhill.
– The speed must not exceed 12 mph
(20 km/h).
– The selector lever position D or Mmust be
engaged.
Warning!
Risk of accident. Reduced braking ability on
a slippery surface.
fAlways adjust your driving style to the driving situation.
Tip on driving
The Porsche Down-Hill Assistant is active when
driving downhill either forwards or backwards.
Checks on test standsPower measurement
Power measurements on roller test stands are not
approved by Porsche.
Brake tests
Brake tests must be carried out only in High Range
and on plate-type test stands or roller test stands.
The following limit values must not be exceeded
on roller test stands:
– Testing speed 4.7 mph (7.5 km/h)
– Test duration 20 seconds
Parking brake test
Parking brake tests on the brake tester must be
performed only with the ignition switched off and
the selector lever in position N.
Balancing wheels on the vehicle
During finish balancing of the wheels, the entire ve-
hicle must be lifted and the wheels must be free to
turn.
