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Controls, Safety, Instruments
Brake wearYour car has excellent brakes, but they are still
subject to wear. The rate at which they wear de-
pends on how the brakes are used.
fHave the brake system inspected at the inter-
vals recommended in your Maintenance Book-
let.
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 pads
are worn, excessively.
fDo not continue to operate the vehicle.
Have your authorized Porsche dealer inspect
or replace the brake pads.
fPlease observe the chapter “WARNING LIGHTS
AND WARNING MESSAGES” on Page 106.
Brake pads and brake discsWear on the brake pads and brake discs depends
to a great extent on the driving style and the con-
ditions of use and therefore cannot be expressed
in actual miles on the road.
The high-performance brake system is designed
for optimal braking effect at all speeds and tem-
peratures.
Certain speeds, braking forces and ambient con-
ditions (such as temperature and humidity) there-
fore might cause the brakes to squeal.New brake pads or linings
New brake pads have to be “broken in“, and there-
fore only attain optimal friction when the car has
covered several hundred miles or km.
The slightly reduced braking ability must be com-
pensated for by pressing the brake pedal harder.
This also applies whenever the brake pads and
brake discs are replaced.
Brake wear warning light
USA
Brake wear warning light
Canada
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68
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Instrument Panel USA ModelsWarning and indicator lights on the
tachometerWarning and indicator lights on the
speedometer
A Oil temperature gauge
BTachometer
C Clock reset button
D Cooling system temperature gauge
E Multi-purpose display
F Digital speedometer,
Outside temperature,
Clock,
Mileage displays
G Fuel gauge
H Reset button for trip counter display
I Speedometer
J Engine boost pressure display Emission Control warning light
(Check Engine)
Airbag warning light
Safety belt warning light
PSM warning light
ABS warning light
Turn signal pilot light, left
Cruise control readiness
Hydraullically engageable anti-roll bars
Rear fog light indicator light
Turn signal pilot light, right
Trailer turn signal Indicator light
Differential locking indicator light
Brake warning light
Fog light indicator light
Tire pressure warning light
High beam indicator light
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70
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Instrument Panel Canada ModelsWarning and indicator lights on the
tachometerWarning and indicator lights on the
speedometer
A Oil temperature gauge
BTachometer
C Clock reset button
D Cooling system temperature gauge
E Multi-purpose display
F Digital speedometer,
Outside temperature,
Clock,
Mileage displays
G Fuel gauge
H Reset button for trip counter display
I Speedometer
J Engine boost pressure display Emission Control warning light
(Check Engine)
Airbag warning light
Safety belt warning light
PSM warning light
ABS warning light
Turn signal pilot light, left
Cruise control readiness
Hydraullically engageable anti-roll bars
Rear fog light indicator light
Turn signal pilot light, right
Trailer turn signal Indicator light
Differential locking indicator light
Brake warning light
Fog light indicator light
Tire pressure warning light
High beam indicator light
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72
Controls, Safety, Instruments A warning message will appear on the multi-pur-
pose display of the instrument panel if the engine
oil temperature is too high.
fReduce speed and engine load immediately if
the red zone is reached.
Ta c h o m e t e rTachometerThe start of the red zone on the tachometer scale
is a visual warning of the maximum permissible en-
gine speed.
If the red zone is reached during acceleration, fuel
feed is interrupted in order to protect the engine.
SpeedometerSpeedometerThe digital speedometer is integrated into the
multi-purpose display in the instrument panel.
An analogue display is also located on the right be-
side the multi-purpose display in the instrument
panel.
Oil Temperature Gauge
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Controls, Safety, Instruments
73
Temperature gaugePointer below 176°F (80°C) – engine cold
fAvoid high engine speeds and heavy engine
loading.
Pointer between 176°F (80°C) and 212°F
(100°C) – normal operating temperature
Pointer may move up to the red area when engine
is heavily loaded and outside temperature is high.
Engine coolant temperature warningA warning message will appear on the multi-pur-
pose display of the instrument panel if the engine
coolant temperature is too high.
fSwitch engine off and let it cool.
fCheck radiator and air passages in front end of
car for obstructions.
fCheck coolant level.
Add coolant if necessary.
Please have the fault remedied at an autho-
rized Porsche dealer.
fPlease observe the chapter “COOLANT LEVEL”
on Page 240.
Note on operation
To prevent excessive temperatures, the cooling
air guides must not be restricted by covers
(e.g. films, “stone guards”).
Engine coolant level warningA warning message will appear on the multi-pur-
pose display of the instrument panel if the engine
coolant level is too low.
fSwitch engine off and let it cool.
fTop up coolant.
Please have the cause of the fault remedied at
an authorized Porsche dealer.
fPlease observe the chapter “COOLANT LEVEL”
on Page 240.
Caution!
Risk of engine damage.
fDo not continue driving if the warning persists
even when the engine coolant level is correct.
fHave the fault remedied at your nearest autho-rized Porsche dealer.
Cooling System
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74
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Level gaugeWhen the ignition is on the fuel level is displayed.
fPlease observe the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 351.
If the vehicle's inclination changes (e.g. going up-
hill/downhill), minor deviations in the indication
may occur.
Fuel reserve warningWhen the engine is running, the warning light on
the multi-purpose display of the instrument panel
lights up if less than 3 gallons (12 litres) of fuel re-
mains in the tank or the range on remaining fuel
falls below approx. 30 miles (50 km).
fFill up at the next opportunity.
Caution!
A shortage of fuel may cause damage to the
emission control system.
fNever drive the tank dry.
fIf the warning lights have come on, do not take turns at high speed.
fPlease observe the chapter “HOW EMISSION
CONTROL WORKS” on Page 255.
Fuel
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76
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Emission ControlThe emission control system detects malfunctions
early that could, for example, cause increased pol-
lutant emissions or consequential damage.
Faults are indicated by the warning light in the in-
strument panel by being continuously lit or flash-
ing.
The faults are recorded in the control unit's fault
memory.
The warning light in the instrument panel lights up
when the ignition is switched on as a lamp check
and goes out approx. 4 seconds after the engine
starts.The warning light in the instrument panel flashes to
indicate operating states (e.g. engine misfiring)
which might cause damage to certain parts of the
emission control system.
fIn this case, immediately reduce the engine
load by easing off the accelerator.
The warning light in the instrument panel is lit
continuously after the critical range is left.
fIn order to avoid consequential damage to the
engine or emission control system (e.g. cata-
lytic converter) go immediately to the nearest
authorized Porsche dealer to have the fault
diagnosed and rectified.
Caution!
Risk of damage. If the warning light in the in-
strument panel continues flashing even when
you have eased off the accelerator pedal,
the emission control system may overheat.
fStop as soon as possible in a safe place.
Make sure that combustible materials, such as
dry grass or leaves, cannot come into contact
with the hot exhaust system.
fSwitch off the engine.
fContact your nearest authorized Porsche deal-er to have the fault rectified.
Check engine warning light
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Controls, Safety, Instruments
77
Battery/generatorA 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.