158
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Front ultrasound sensorsSensors
Six ultrasound sensors in the front and rear
bumpers measure the distance to the closest ob-
stacle.
– Range of outer sensors
(front and rear):
approx. 24 in. or 60 cm
– Range of front middle sensors (arrow):
approx. 48 in. or 120 cm
Rear ultrasound sensors– Range of rear middle sensors (arrow)
(only in vehicles without spare wheel bracket):
approx. 59 in. or 150 cm
– Range of rear middle sensors
(only in vehicles with spare wheel bracket):
approx. 48 in. or 120 cm
Obstacles cannot be detected in the "blind" sensor
area (above and below the sensors).Maintenance note
fThe sensors must always be kept free of dust,
ice and snow in order to ensure that they are
fully functional.
fDo not damage sensors by abrasion or
scratching.
fMaintain sufficient distance when cleaning with
steam-jet units.
The sensors will be damaged if the pressure is
too high.
Note on operation
The rear ultrasound sensors may not function
correctly if tires that have not been recommended
by Porsche are fitted on the spare wheel bracket.
If the spare wheel bracket is open, this may impair
the function of the rear ultrasound sensors.
In vehicles that have air suspension with level
control and height adjustment, the system may
not recognise obstacles near the ground at terrain
level or special terrain level.
Controls, Safety, Instruments
195
Driving with a trailer
When towing a trailer you must under all
circumstances adapt your speed to prevailing
road and driving conditions.
In no event should you exeed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h). Towing in excessive speed can result
in loss of control.
fCarefully and gradually familiarize yourself with
the handling and braking behavior of the car-
trailer combination.
fDo not drive with the towing vehicle empty and
the trailer loaded.
If this unfavorable combination is unavoidable,
please drive especially slowly.
fBear in mind the different vehicle handling and
size in situations such as braking, parking,
cornering and overtaking, etc.
fThe driving stability of the car-trailer combina-
tion worsens as the speed increases. There-
fore, drive especially slowly on downhill
stretches and in the case of unfavorable road
and weather conditions (such as wind).
fDrive in an appropriately low gear on downhill
stretches in order to make use of the engine
braking effect.fSlow down immediately if the trailer starts to
sway. Do not countersteer; brake if necessary.
Never attempt to straighten out the car-trailer
combination by accelerating.
fActivate Low Range when moving off on steep
slopes.
fUnder no circumstances may people, animals
or objects be in the space between the trailer
and the towing vehicle when the vehicle is
moving.
fWhen reversing, bear in mind that ParkAssist is
not active.
Maintenance note
fPlease take into consideration that driving with
a trailer places markedly greater stress on all
vehicle components. Expert inspection and
maintenance after every use are indispensable
prerequisites for proper functioning and safety.
220
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Off-Road DrivingfPlease read this chapter carefully before dri-
ving 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
SportDesign 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 355.
fActivate Low Range.
fStow or fasten luggage and loads securely.
Please observe the chapter “LOADING INFOR-
MATION” on Page 191.
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
225
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 355.
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).
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.
Maintenance, Car Care
235
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.
236
Maintenance, Car Care
Engine Oil LevelfPlease observe the chapter “EXERCISE
EXTREME CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR
VEHICLE” on Page 234.
fPlease observe the chapter “WARNING LIGHTS
AND WARNING MESSAGES” on Page 106.
fCheck the oil level regularly. It is best to do this
when refuelling and before extended journeys.
Warning!
Engine oil is hazardous to your health and
may be fatal if swallowed.
fKeep engine oil out of children's reach.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have
caused cancer in laboratory animals.
fAlways protect your skin by washing thorough-ly with soap and water.If the oil level is too low, this is indicated by the oil-
level warning light lighting up on the multi-purpose
display.
fCheck the oil level using the oil dipstick as
soon as possible and add engine oil if neces-
sary.
Note on operation
fIf the engine compartment lid is opened and oil
is not added, the warning message appears
again after approximately 62 miles (100 km).
Checking the oil level
Warning!
Danger of injury. The radiator fans can start
running as a function of temperature, even
with the engine switched off.
Risk of burning from hot parts in engine com-
partment.
fExercise extreme caution when working on the engine compartment.
Conditions for measuring the oil level
correctly
– Vehicle must be level.
– Engine must be switched off and at operating
temperature.
– Before the oil-level measurement, allow the en-
gine oil to flow back into the oil pan for around
3 minutes.
Oil-level warning