12
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Dear Porsche OwnerA lot has gone into the manufacture of your
Porsche, including advanced engineering, rigid
quality control and demanding inspections. These
engineering and safety features will be enhanced
by you...the safe driver...– who knows his car and all controls,
– who maintains the vehicle properly,
– who uses driving skills wisely and always
drives within her/his own capabilities and the
level of familiarity with the vehicle.
You will find helpful hints in this manual on how to
perform most of the checks listed on the following
pages. If in doubt, have these checks performed
by your authorized Porsche dealer.
Before driving off...Check the following items firstfTurn the engine off before you attempt any
checks or repairs on the vehicle.
fBe sure the tires are inflated correctly.
Check tires for damage and tire wear.
fSee that wheel bolts are properly tightened
and not loose or missing.
fCheck engine oil level, add if necessary. Make
it a habit to have engine oil checked with every
fuel filling.
fCheck all fluid levels such as windshield wash-
er and brake fluid levels.
fBe sure the vehicle battery is well charged and
cranks the engine properly.
fCheck all doors and lids for proper operation
and latch them properly.
fCheck and if necessary replace worn or
cracked wiper blades.
fSee that all windows are clear and unobstruct-
ed.
fCheck air intake slots and area between en-
gine compartment lid and windshield are free
of snow and ice, so the heater and the wind-
shield wipers work properly.fIf a child will be riding in the vehicle, check
child seat/child seat restraint system to ensure
that restraints are properly adjusted.
fCheck all exterior and interior lights for opera-
tion and that the lenses are clean.
fCheck the headlights for proper aim, and if
necessary, have them adjusted.
fCheck under the vehicle for leaks.
fBe sure all luggage is stowed securely.
Emergency equipmentIt is good practice to carry emergency equipment
in your vehicle.
Some of the items you should have are: window
scraper, snow brush, container or bag of sand or
salt, emergency light, small shovel, first-aid kit,
etc.
64
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Brake system functionYour Porsche is equipped with a power assisted
hydraulic dual circuit brake system with disc
brakes at the front and rear.
Both circuits function independently. One brake
circuit operates the front left and rear right wheel
and the other operates the front right and rear left
wheel.
If one brake circuit has failed, the other will still op-
erate. However, you will notice an increased pedal
travel when you apply the brakes.Failure of one
brake circuit will cause the stopping distance to in-
crease.
Warning!
Risk of an accident. In the unlikely event of
hydraulic failure of one brake circuit:
fPush the brake pedal down firmly and hold it in
that position. A mechanical linkage activates
the second circuit, and you will be able to bring
the vehicle to a stop.
fAfter bringing your vehicle to a complete stop,
avoid driving the vehicle and instead have it
towed to the nearest authorized Porsche deal-er for repair.The warning light in the instrument panel lights up.
A message will be displayed on the multi-purpose
display of the instrument panel if the brake fluid
level is too low, or (if the brake pedal travel has in-
creased) one of the two brake circuits has failed.
A greater braking pressure will be required, stop-
ping distances will be longer and the braking be-
havior will change, particularly in curves.
With correctly adjusted brakes and a correctly
working brake system, the pedal travel to the
point of brake application should be 1-3/16 in. to
1-9/16 in. or 30 to 40 mm. Whenever the brake
pedal travel exceeds this value, have the brake
system checked.
Brake pedal
Warning!
Risk of an accident.
Any obstruction of the brake pedal could in-
crease the stopping distance.
fAlways check the movement of the brake pedal
before driving and make sure that it is not ob-
structed by a floor mat or any other object.
fSecure the floor mat to prevent it from sliding
into positions that could interfere with the safe
operation of your vehicle.
Your Porsche dealer will be glad to offer you
floor mats of the correct size including a secur-ing possibility.
Note
In case one of the two brake circuits fails, in-
creased pedal travel is required to bring your vehi-
cle to a full stop.
Brake warning light USA
Brake warning light
Canada
Controls, Safety, Instruments
67
Safety notes!
fDo not obstruct the pedal travel with floor mats
or other objects.
The brake booster is ready for operation only
while the engine is running.
If the engine is switched off or there is a defect in
the brake booster, much greater force has to be
applied to the pedal when braking.
fPlease observe the chapter “TOWING” on
Page 340.
In heavy rain, while driving through water or after
leaving a car wash, the braking action may be de-
layed and increased pressure may be required.
fFor this reason, keep further back from the ve-
hicle in front and “dry” the brakes by applying
them at intervals. Make sure that following traf-
fic is not affected.
After a long drive over salted or gritted roads, a
coating may form on the brake discs and pads
that significantly reduces friction and thus braking
action.
fTherefore, clean the brake discs and pads ap-
prox. every 2 weeks with a strong jet of water.
The cleaning effect of automatic car washes is
insufficient.
To prevent corrosion of the brake discs, “brake
them dry” before parking the car.fEven though the brake discs consist of alloyed
grey cast iron, they will unavoidably start to
corrode if your car is parked for an extended
period. The brakes will tend to “rub” as a re-
sult.
The nature, extent and effects of corrosion de-
pend on the amount of time the vehicle was
parked, whether road salt or grit was spread
and whether grease-dissolving agents were
used in car washes.
If the braking comfort is noticeably impaired,
we recommend having the brake system
checked by experts at an authorized Porsche
dealer.
fTo relieve the braking system on downhill
stretches, change down to a lower gear in
good time to obtain engine braking.
If engine braking is insufficient on steep
stretches, operate the footbrake at intervals.
Continuous braking overheats the brakes and
reduces the braking effect.
fPlease observe the chapter “BRAKE-FLUID LE-
VEL” on Page 242.
110
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Brake pads – Workshop Have the brake pads replaced at an authorized Porsche dealer
without delay.
Warning – Brake circuit division Stop immediately in a suitable place. Do not continue driving.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
ABS failure – WorkshopDrive carefully. Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
PSM failure – WorkshopDrive carefully. Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Warning – Brake fluid level Stop immediately in a suitable place. Do not continue driving.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Parking brake Parking brake not released.
PSM onPorsche Stability Management was switched on.
PSM offPorsche Stability Management was switched off.
PHC failure The Hillholder and the Porsche Down-Hill Assistant are not avail-
able.
Brake booster faulty Greater braking pedal force necessary. Drive carefully to the
nearest authorized Porsche dealer.
Sport shock absorber Current setting of Porsche Active Suspension Management.
Normal shock absorber Current setting of Porsche Active Suspension Management.
Comfort shock absorber Current setting of Porsche Active Suspension Management.
Warning – Air suspension Stop in a suitable place. Do not continue driving.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Air suspension faulty – Workshop Drive carefully to the nearest authorized Porsche dealer.
Instrument
panelMulti-purpose
displayText display Meaning/measures
Maintenance, Car Care
233 Maintenance, Car Care
Exercise Extreme Caution when Working
on your Vehicle .......................................... 234
Engine Oil Level ......................................... 236
Engine Oil Recommendation ........................ 238
Coolant Level ............................................. 240
Brake-Fluid Level ........................................ 242
Washer Fluid .............................................. 243
Power Steering .......................................... 244
Air Cleaner ................................................ 245
Particle Filter ............................................. 245
Automatic Transmission Fluid ...................... 245
Wiper Blades ............................................. 246
Fuel Economy ............................................ 249
Operating Your Porsche in other Countries ... 249
Fuel........................................................... 250
Fuel Recommendations............................... 252
Portable Fuel Containers ............................. 253
Fuel Evaporation Control ............................. 253
Emission Control System ............................ 254
Car Care Instructions.................................. 256
234
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 work has to be performed with the engine
running, always set the parking brake, and
make sure the selector lever is in position “P“
or “N“.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.
242
Maintenance, Car Care
Brake-Fluid LevelfPlease observe the chapter “EXERCISE
EXTREME CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR
VEHICLE” on Page 234.
fUse only new (unused) Original Porsche brake
fluid.
Warning!
Brake fluid is hazardous to your health, and
may be fatal if swallowed.
Brake fluid also attacks paintwork.
fKeep brake fluid out of children's reach.
fImmediately rinse off spilled brake fluid with
clean water.
fIf brake fluid gets into your eye, immediately
rinse with clean water for a few minutes. Then
see a doctor immediately.
fPlease note all the information on the refill container of the brake fluid.
Checking the brake-fluid levelThe reservoir for the hydraulic braking system is
located in the engine compartment.
1. Rotate the turn-locks 90° counterclockwise
(arrow) with a screwdriver and remove the
cover.
2. Check brake-fluid level at the transparent res-
ervoir.
The fluid level should always lie between the
MIN and MAX marks.A slight decrease in the fluid level due to wear and
automatic readjustment of the disc brakes is
normal.
If, however, the fluid level falls markedly or below
the MIN mark, the braking system may have devel-
oped a leak.
fPlease have the braking system checked im-
mediately at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Maintenance, Car Care
243
Changing the brake fluidBrake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over
time. This accumulation of water lowers the boil-
ing point and, under certain operating conditions,
can affect the braking action.
fTherefore, have the brake fluid changed in ac-
cordance with the change intervals stated in
the booklet “Maintenance”.
The warning light in the instrument panel and the
warning message on the multi-purpose display of
the instrument panel
– indicate the brake level fluid is too low or,
– in conjunction with large pedal travel could
indicate a braking-circuit failure.
Note on operation
fStop immediately in a suitable place.
fDo not continue driving.
Please have the fault remedied at your nearest
authorized Porsche dealer.
Washer FluidThe washer-fluid reservoir for windshield, rear win-
dow and headlights is located in the engine com-
partment.Warning message on the multi-purpose
displayA message is shown on the multi-purpose display
of the instrument panel if the washer-fluid level is
too low.
In this case, the residual quantity is only around
0.85 quarts or 0.8 liters.
fAdd washer fluid at the next opportunity.
Topping off washer fluidThe capacity is approx. 7.9 quarts or 7.5 liters.
Clean water is generally not enough to clean the
windows and headlights.
It is advantageous to add a winter cleaner giving
antifreeze protection or a suitable summer clean-
er, depending on the season. Follow the instruc-
tions for the mixture ratio.
fUse only cleaner authorized by Porsche.
1. Please note all the information on the refill
container of the cleaning agent.
2. Open cap of the washer-fluid reservoir.
3. Top up washer fluid and close cap properly.
fDo not use engine coolant anti-freeze or any
other solution that can damage the car’s paint,
in the washer reservoir.
Brake fluid warning light
USA
Brake fluid warning light
Canada