200
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
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%).
206
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Driving Programs for On-Road and
Off-Road DrivingTwo different driving programs with special power-
transmission and running-gear control systems
(such as ABS, off-road ABS and PSM, etc.) are pro-
vided in your Porsche, with the aim of realising the
best possible driving dynamics combined with
maximum safety.
All control systems meet these requirements for
both off-road and normal driving.With rocker switch A, you can easily select the ap-
propriate driving program to suit the special re-
quirements for the respective terrain.
Off-road program Low Range
(with reduction)
When Low Range is active, the power transmis-
sion and running-gear control systems are
automatically adapted to the requirements for
off-road driving.
On-road driving program High Range
(without reduction)
When High Range is active, the power-transmis-
sion and running-gear control systems are auto-
matically adapted to the requirements for on-road
driving.
UseRocker switch A is located in the center console
of the vehicle. It features a multi-step function and
can be operated in both directions. Each time the rocker switch is pushed forward,
the vehicle becomes one step more suitable for
off-road driving. This is realised by changing from
the on-road to the off-road driving program or by
engaging the differential locks in stages.
The number of differential locks that can be en-
gaged in Low Range depends on the equipment of
your vehicle.
Each time the rocker switch is pushed back, the
vehicle becomes one step more suitable for on-
road driving.
Once the driving program has been selected, the
rocker switch springs back to home position.
fPlease observe the chapter “POWER-TRANS-
MISSION AND RUNNING-GEAR CONTROL SYS-
TEMS” on Page 211.
Notes on operation
If the Low Range indicator light beside the rocker
switch flashes rapidly after the ignition is
switched on, there is a fault in the shifting
system.
fPlease have the vehicle checked immediately
at an authorized Porsche dealer.
212
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Porsche Traction Management (PTM)Porsche Traction Management is a full-time all-
wheel control system designed to influence the
longitudinal and lateral dynamics. It is closely
linked with the Porsche Stability Management
(PSM) system:
PTM ensures the best possible power distribution
to the four driven wheels at the front and rear ax-
les. The system realises this optimal traction by in-
tervening in the lock control function of the trans-
fer case and rear differential. PTM is active at all
times and, unlike the PSM, cannot be switched off.Advantages of PTM
– Obvious improvement in traction, driving stabil-
ity and steering ability of the car.
– Vehicle is more manageable when driven at its
performance limits.
– Improved straight-ahead tracking and stability.
– The aforementioned features allow for a sport-
ier setup of the running gear.
– The TCS and ABD provide even better traction
for all wheels.
Caution!
In spite of the advantages of PTM, it is still the driv-
er’s responsibility to adapt his driving style and
maneuvres in line with road and weather condi-
tions, as well as the traffic situation.
The increased safety that is provided should not in-
duce you to take greater risks with your safety.
The limits set by the physics of driving cannot be
overcome, even with PTM.
Risks of accident due to inappropriate speed
cannot be reduced by PTM.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
213
Full-time all-wheel drive
With the four-wheel drive, the drive power is vari-
ably distributed to the front and rear wheels.
Power distribution and wheel speed compensation
between the front and rear axles is realised with a
transfer box.
Distribution of the drive power depends on the
wheel speed difference between the two axles.
The transfer box always controls power distribu-
tion in such a way that optimal propulsion is
achieved, even on an unfavorable road surface.
Full-time four-wheel drive ensures optimal handling
and great stability.
Caution!
In spite of the advantages of four-wheel drive, it is
still the driver’s responsibility to adapt his driving
style and maneuvers in line with road and weather
conditions, as well as the traffic situation.
The increased safety that is provided should not in-
duce you to take greater risks with your safety.
The limits set by the physics of driving cannot be
overcome, even with four-wheel drive.
Risks of accident due to inappropriate speed can-
not be reduced by four-wheel drive.Automatic brake differential (ABD)
The ABD system controls the front and rear axles
separately. If one wheel of an axle starts to spin,
it is braked so that the other wheel on the same
axle can be driven.
The ABD recognises different driving states, and it
features control strategies adapted to these
states. In situations in which little propulsive power
is required, such as when the car moves off on a
level gravel surface, traction control already be-
comes active at low engine speeds. If great
propulsive power is required, e.g. when moving off
on an uphill slope or for rapid acceleration, the
ABD is adapted accordingly.
A special off-road program is used in Low Range
mode.Traction control system (TCS)
The traction control system prevents the wheels
from spinning by adjusting the engine power,
thereby ensuring good lane-holding ability and a
stable driving behavior.
214
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Porsche Stability Management (PSM)PSM is an active control system for stabilisation of
the vehicle during extreme driving maneuvres. It
operates together with the Porsche Traction
Management (PTM) system.
PSM makes use of both the ABD and TCS sys-
tems, as well as the known functions of the anti-
lock brake system (ABS) and engine drag torque
control system (MSR).
Caution!
In spite of the advantages of PSM, it is still the driv-
er’s responsibility to adapt his driving style and
maneuvres in line with road and weather condi-
tions, as well as the traffic situation.
The increased safety that is provided should not in-
duce you to take greater risks with your safety.
The limits set by the physics of driving cannot be
overcome, even with PSM.
Risks of accident due to inappropriate speed
cannot be reduced by PSM.Advantages of PSM
– Best possible traction and lane-holding ability
in all driving situations – even on road surfaces
with varying friction.
– The system compensates for undesired vehi-
cle reactions (Ferraria effect) when the driver
releases the accelerator pedal or brakes on
bends. This compensation functions up to the
maximum lateral acceleration.
– PSM actively stabilises the vehicle in the event
of under and oversteering during dynamic
driving maneuvres (e.g. rapid steering move-
ments, during lane changes or on alternating
bends).
– Improved braking stability on bends and on dif-
ferent or varying road surfaces.Readiness for operation
PSM is switched on automatically every time you
start the engine.
Function
Sensors at the wheels, brakes, steering system
and engine continuously measure:
–Driving speed
– Direction of travel
– Lateral acceleration
– Longitudinal acceleration
– Rate of turn about the vertical axis
PSM uses these values to determine the direction
of travel desired by the driver.
PSM intervenes and corrects the course if the ac-
tual direction of motion deviates from the desired
course (steering-wheel position):
It brakes individual wheels as needed. If neces-
sary, PSM additionally influences the engine power
or the gear-changing characteristic of the Tiptron-
ic in order to stabilise the vehicle.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
217
ABS
(Anti-lock Brake System)
Caution!
In spite of the advantages of ABS, it is still the driv-
er’s responsibility to adapt his driving style and
maneuvres in line with road and weather condi-
tions, as well as the traffic situation.
The increased safety that is provided should not in-
duce you to take greater risks with your safety.
The limits set by the physics of driving cannot be
overcome, even with ABS.
Risks of accident due to inappropriate speed can-
not be reduced by ABS.
ABS ensures
–Full steering control
The vehicle remains steerable
–Good driving stability
No skidding due to locked wheels
–Optimum braking distance
Shorter stopping distances in most cases
–Lock prevention
No flat spots on the tiresFunction
The decisive advantage of ABS is in the driving
stability and maneuvrability of the vehicle in
hazardous situations, even during heavy braking
while cornering.
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during full
braking, on almost all road surfaces, until shortly
before the vehicle stops.
The ABS begins to control the braking process as
soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock.
This controlled braking process is comparable to
extremely rapid cadence braking.
The pulsating brake pedal and a “rattling noise”
warn the driver to adapt his driving speed to the
road conditions.Warning light
If the ABS warning lights light up in the instrument
panel and on the multi-purpose display of the in-
strument panel while the engine is running, the
ABS has switched off because of a fault.
In this event, the braking system will operate with-
out lock prevention,as in cars without ABS.
fAdapt your driving style to the changed brak-
ing behavior.
The ABS must be checked immediately at an
authorized Porsche dealer in order to prevent
the occurrence of further faults the effects of
which cannot be defined.
The ABS control unit is adjusted for the approved
tire dimensions.
The use of tires with non-approved dimensions can
lead to different wheel speeds, causing the ABS to
switch off.
f f f
218
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems Off-road ABS
(ABS in Low Range program)
When Low Range is active, an ABS specially
matched to off-road driving is activated automati-
cally.
At speeds below 30 mph (50 km/h), the front
wheels can lock up in cycles during braking to
shorten the braking distance when the vehicle is
driven off-road (the wheels dig in to the surface).
If the driver needs to steer, this off-road driving
program is automatically switched off briefly to
maintain steerability.
HillholderIn selector lever positions D and M, the Hillholder
function makes it easier to move off from a stand-
still on an upward slope when the engine is
running. The driver does not have to apply the
brake.
The hillholder thus makes moving off on slopes
easier.
Warning!
Risk of accident.
The vehicle can roll backwards if the Hillhold-
er is switched off.
fAlways apply the footbrake on slopes.
Hillholder is not active:
– In selector lever positions N and R
– In the reduced driving program and
– If not all of the wheels are touching the ground
(on difficult terrain, for example).
Safety notes!
In spite of the advantages of the hillholder func-
tion, it is still the driver’s responsibility to adapt his
driving style and maneuvers in line with situational
conditions.
The increased safety that is provided should not in-
duce you to take greater risks with your safety.
The limits set by the physics of driving cannot be
overcome, even with the hillholder function.
Driving at the limits should be avoided, e.g., on icy
slopes or on slippery surfaces. In this and similar
cases, the support of the hillholder function is not
ensured.
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.