Controls, Safety, Instruments
13
In the driver's seat...fCheck operation of the horn.
fPosition seat for easy reach of foot pedals and
controls.To reduce the possibility of injury from
the airbag deployment, you should always sit
back as far from the steering wheel as is prac-
tical, while still maintaining full vehicle control.
fAdjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
fBuckle your safety belts.
fCheck operation of the foot and parking brake.
fCheck all warning and indicator lights with igni-
tion on and engine not running.
fStart engine and check all warning displays for
warning symbols.
fNever leave an idling car unattended.
fLock doors from inside, especially with chil-
dren in the car to prevent inadvertent opening
of doors from inside or outside. Drive with
doors locked.
On the road...fNever drive after you have consumed alcohol
or drugs.
fAlways have your safety belt fastened.
fAlways drive defensively.
Expect the unexpected.
fUse signals to indicate turns and lane changes.
fTurn on headlights at dusk or when the driving
conditions warrant it.
fAlways keep a safe distance from the vehicle in
front of you, depending on traffic, road and
weather conditions.
fReduce speed at night and during inclement
weather.
Driving in wet weather requires caution and re-
duced speeds, particularly on roads with
standing water, as the handling characteristics
of the vehicle may be impaired due to hydro-
planing of the tires.
fAlways observe speed limits and obey road
signs and traffic laws.
fWhen tired, get well off the road, stop and take
a rest. Turn the engine off. Do not sit in the ve-
hicle with engine idling.
Please observe the chapter “ENGINE EX-
HAUST” on Page 6.fWhen parked, always set the parking brake.
Move the Tiptronic selector lever to “P“.
On hills also turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
fWhen emergency repairs become necessary,
move the vehicle well off the road. Turn on the
emergency flasher and use other warning de-
vices to alert other motorists. Do not park or
operate the vehicle in areas where the hot ex-
haust system may come in contact with dry
grass, brush, fuel spill or other flammable ma-
terial.
fMake it a habit to have the engine oil checked
with every fuel filling.
34
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Storing driver’s seat settingsStoring settings on a person button and a car
key
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Switch ignition on.
3. Close doors.
4. Make the required adjustments to the seat,
mirror, steering wheel and safety belt.
5. Briefly press the SET memory button and,
within 10 seconds, hold down one of the per-
son buttons (1, 2 or 3) until an acknowledge
tone is obtained.
The settings are now stored on the desired
person button.
6. Withdraw car key or switch ignition off in vehi-
cles that have Porsche Entry & Drive.
7. Press the SET memory button within
10 seconds and keep the button depressed
until an acknowledge tone is obtained.
The settings are now assigned to the car key.
A- Mirror adjustmentStoring passenger mirror setting as a
parking aidIf the passenger’s mirror is supposed to swivel
downwards when reversing, this can also be
stored in the driver’s seat setting.
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Switch ignition on.
3. Press the relevant person button.
4. Engage reverse gear.5. Set the control switch Afor the mirror setting
to the passenger’s side.
The passenger’s mirror swivels downwards.
6. Adjust the passenger’s mirror to the required
setting.
7. Briefly press the SET memory button and,
within 10 seconds, hold down the person but-
ton on which the setting is to be stored until an
acknowledge tone is obtained.
Storing passenger seat settings1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Switch ignition on.
3. Adjust seat position and belt height.
4. Briefly press the SET memory button and,
within 10 seconds, hold down one of the per-
son buttons (1, 2 or 3) until an acknowledge
tone is obtained.Automatic storage – driver’s seatIf settings were changed after the driver’s door
was opened, these new settings are automatically
stored when the vehicle is locked. This storage is
deleted if the vehicle is unlocked with a programed
key and the driver’s door is opened.
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 best 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 trig-
gered.
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.
Danger!
To provide optimal occupant protection, air-
bags must inflate at very high speed. If you
are not wearing your safety belt or are too
close to the airbag when its deployed, inflat-
ing airbags can result in serious personal in-
jury or death.
fMake sure there are no people, animals or ob-
jects between the driver or passenger and the
area into which the airbag inflates.
fSit back as far from the dashboard or steering
wheel as is practical, while still maintaining full
vehicle control.
fDo not lean against the inside of the doors.
fAlways hold the steering wheel by the outer
rim. Never rest your hands on the airbag panel.
fNever transport heavy or sharp objects on or
in front of the passenger seat.
fAlways keep the lid of the door storage com-
partment closed. Objects must not protrude
out of the door storage compartment.
fGive your passenger all of the information in
this chapter.
fNo changes must be made to the wiring or
components of the airbag system.
f f f
Controls, Safety, Instruments
51
Steering WheelTiptronic rocker switchesThe Porsche Tiptronic is a six-speed transmission
and features an “automatic” and a “manual” gear-
shift mode.
You can change temporarily to manual mode using
rocker switches A on the steering wheel.
fPlease observe the chapter “TIPTRONIC S” on
Page 198.
HornfPress button B to operate the horn.Airbag unitAirbag unit C is located behind the padded steer-
ing wheel boss.
In conjunction with the safety belts, the “airbag” is
a safety system designed to provide the driver and
passengers with maximum protection from injury
in an accident.
fPlease observe the chapter “AIRBAG SYS-
TEMS” on Page 49.
Steering Wheel HeatingIf the interior temperature in the vehicle is lower
than +54°F (12°C) when the ignition is switched
on, the steering wheel heating is switched on au-
tomatically.
When this happens, the steering wheel adjusts to
a temperature of +73°F (23°C).
If the interior temperature rises above +71°F
(22°C) when the vehicle is operational, the steer-
ing wheel heating switches off again.
Controls, Safety, Instruments
53
Multi-Functional Steering Wheel
Warning!
There is a danger of accident if you set or
operate the on-board computer, radio, navi-
gation system, telephone or other equipment
when driving.
This could distract you from the traffic and
cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
fOperate the components while driving only if
the traffic situation allows you to do so safely.
fCarry out any complicated operating or setting procedures only with the vehicle stationary.
Depending on the equipment in your vehicle, you
can use these function keys to operate the follow-
ing Porsche communication systems:
– Radio with CD drive
–CD changer
– Satelite radio
Readiness for operation of multi-
functional steering wheel– With ignition switched on and
– With Porsche communication systems
switched on.
fPlease observe the operating instructions sup-
plied for the Porsche communication systems
before operating the function keys.
Note on operation
The Porsche communication systems cannot be
switched on and off using the multi-functional
steering wheel.
Operating the function keysThe function keys on the steering wheel (arrows)
can be operated by pressing and by pulling.
Various functions may require you to press or pull
the buttons several times in order to achieve the
desired setting.
54
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Function keysfPlease read the operating instructions sup-
plied for the Porsche communication systems
before operating the function keys.
Steering wheel buttons – lightingWhen the light switch is operated, the light switch-
es on automatically.
Using the buttons on the back of the steering
wheel (arrow), the lighting for the function keys
and the rocker switches can be switched on and
off.
Switching lighting off
fPress button.
Switching lighting on
fPress button again.
Manual tuning
– Set radio station manually.
Scan titles, radio stations
– Scan titles, radio stations briefly.
Increase the volume of the relevant
communication system
Decrease the volume of the relevant
communication system
Next radio station/title
– Select the next radio station or title.
Last radio station/title
– Select the previous radio station or tit-
le.
Switch off the sound
Source selection
– Select available audio source.
Depending on the equipment in your
vehicle, the following sources are avai-
lable:
radio, CDS (single CD player), CDC
(CD changer).
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
85
Tire PressureThe tire pressure monitoring system continuously
monitors tire pressure and tire temperature on all
four wheels and warns the driver when the tire
pressure is too low.
The display as well as the settings for tire
pressure monitoring are done on the multi-
purpose display in the TYRE PRESSURE menu.
However the tire pressure must be set manually
on the wheel.
The tire pressures to be monitored for tire type
are permanently set in the tire pressure
monitoring system and cannot be changed.
The driver is solely responsible for filling the tires
correctly and for selecting in the multi-purpose dis-
play.
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death.
Driving the vehicle with low tire pressure in-
creases increases risk of a tire failure and re-
sulting loss of control. Furthermore, low tire
pressure increases rate of wear of the affect-
ed tires.
fWhen a flat tire has been displayed, immediate-
ly stop in a suitable place and check the tires
for damage. If necessary remedy the damages
with a tire sealant.
fDo not by any means continue to drive with
leaking tires.
fDefective tires must be immediately replaced
by a specialist workshop.
Tyre repairs are not permissible under
any circumstances.
fSealing the tyre with the tyre sealant is only an
emergency repair, so you can drive to the next
workshop. The maximum permitted speed is
50 mph (80 km/h).
fDo not drive with tires whose tyre pressure
drops again in a short period of time. In cases
of doubt, have tires checked by a specialist
workshop.
fIf the tire pressure monitoring system is defec-
tive (e.g., defective wheel transmitter), contact
a specialist workshop immediately and have
the damages repaired.
The tire pressure will not be monitored by a
defective tire pressure monitoring system.fUse only the pressure differences shown in the
TYRE PRESSURE menu or from tyre pressure
messages or warnings when correcting the
tyre pressure.
fTires lose air over time without a tire defect be-
ing present. A tire pressure warning will then
appear in the multi-purpose display
Correct the tire pressure.
fThe tire pressure monitoring system gives a
warning about tyre damages due to insufficient
tyre pressure as well as about a gradual loss
of pressure due to foreign objects.
The tyre pressure monitoring system cannot
warn you about tyre damages occurring sud-
denly (e.g., flat tyre due to sudden external ef-
fects).
fIf a message is displayed, check the tire
pressure at the next opportunity.
fBefore fitting tires approved by Porsche which
are not stored in the on-board computer, the
missing information should be supplemented
in the on-board computer.