168
Shifting Gears Shifting gears on the steering wheel
With the rocker switches on the steering wheel,
you can change temporarily from automatic
selection mode D to manual mode M.
Example:
– 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 gear for starting off.
Manual selection mode remains engaged:
– for cornering (depending on the lateral
acceleration) and overrunning,
– when the vehicle is stationary
(e.g. at a junction).
The system leaves manual selection mode:
– automatically after approx. 8 seconds
(unless cornering or overrunning),
– if you depress the accelerator for kickdown,
– after moving off.Temporary change-down
Conditions:
Speed is higher than approx. 33 mph (54 km/h).
fRapid acceleration.
The Tiptronic temporarily changes to the
sportiest gear-changing map, i.e. to the high-
est possible gear-changing points.
Correspondingly, the transmission shifts down
immediately by one or two gears.
Ending the function:
fRelease the accelerator markedly
(by approx. 25%).
Kickdown
The kickdown function is active in selector lever
position D, even if you temporarily change to man-
ual mode M using the rocker switches on the
steering wheel.
fFor optimum acceleration, e.g. when overtak-
ing, depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
full-throttle point (kickdown).
The transmission shifts down depending on the
speed of travel and engine speed.
Upward shifts occur at the highest possible engine
speeds.
These gear-changing speeds remain active until
the accelerator is released to approx. 80% of the
full-throttle position.
M - Manual selection modeThe currently selected gear is retained when you
change from D to M.
If you change from M to D, the gear-changing map
suitable for your current driving style is selected
and the appropriate gear is chosen.
Warning!
The kickdown function is not active in manual
selection mode “M”.
fTherefore shift down manually when accelerat-ing (e.g. to overtake).
170
Shifting Gears
StoppingfFor a brief stop (e.g. at a traffic light), leave the
selector lever in drive position and hold the ve-
hicle with the brake pedal.
fFor a longer stop with the engine running, se-
lect position N (neutral) and hold vehicle in po-
sition with the foot brake.
Select lever position D only when the foot
brake pedal is depressed.
fDo not hold the car on a slope using the
accelerator. Use the brake pedal or the hand-
brake instead.
fBefore leaving the vehicle, always apply the
handbrake and move the selector lever to po-
sition P.
ParkingfGo easy on the accelerator!
fWhen parking or maneuvering in a small
space, control the speed by careful use of the
footbrake.Driving in winterIn wintry road conditions it is advisable to take
steep inclines in manual mode. This prevents the
occurrence of gear changes that could cause
wheelspin.Tow-starting, towingfPlease observe the chapter “TOWING” on
Page 281.Reduced driving programA transmission fault is indicated by the following
symptoms:
–The 4th gear display on the instrument clus-
ter flashes.
– The warning “Tiptronic emergency run” ap-
pears on the on-board computer.
– The transmission no longer shifts.
Warning!
Reverse gear lock monitoring is disabled in
the emergency running program.
Damage to the vehicle may result as well as
loss of control, if the vehicle is moving for-
ward fast enough to cause rear wheel lockup.
fDo not shift into R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Proceed as follows in the event of a transmission
fault:
1. Stop in a safe place.
2. Move selector lever to position P, switch the ig-
nition off and wait for 10 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
2nd gear in selector position D and reverse
gear R are now available.
4. Have the fault seen to immediately at an au-
thorized Porsche dealer.
178
Mobile Roofs If the convertible top does not lock in the
windshield frame
fOpen convertible top again, start the engine
and close the convertible top again using the
rocker switch.
Assist with the closing process by grasping the
convertible top at the handhold and pulling it
toward the windshield frame (arrow).
Messages in on-board computerIf the engine compartment lid is open when acti-
vating the convertible top, a message appears in
the on-board computer. The convertible top can-
not be opened.
fClose engine compartment lid.
fPlease observe the chapter “WARNINGS ON
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ON-
BOARD COMPUTER” on Page 122.
Emergency operation
of the convertible top fBefore performing emergency operation,
please check:
Was the ignition switched on and was the en-
gine compartment lid closed during operation
of the convertible top with the rocker switch?
Are electrical fuses defective?
Please observe the chapter “ELECTRICAL SYS-
TEM” on Page 254.
Warning!
There is danger of injury during emergency
operation.
There is danger of crushing or trapping body
parts at all movable convertible top parts
which could cause serious personal injury.
fTake great care when performing emergency
operation.
fDo not operate the convertible top during and after emergency operation.
Before emergency operation
fRemove the ignition key so that the convertible
top is not operated unintentionally.
fTake screwdriver out of the tool kit.
fFold the rear seat backrests forward.
Rear lid
Convertible top status
198
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 also 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 shift lever is in neutral position
or the selector lever in position P.fIn particular, be very careful to ensure that
items of clothing (ties, shirt, sleeves etc.),
jewelry, long hair, hand or fingers cannot get
caught in the engine-compartment blower, fan,
belts or other moving parts.
The radiator and radiator fans are in the front
of the car.
The engine-compartment blower is mounted
on the engine-compartment lid.
The engine-compartment blower 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, the ignition switched off, and exercise
extreme caution.
fYour Porsche is equipped with an electronic ig-
nition system. When the ignition is on, high
voltage is present in all wires connected with
the ignition system; therefore, exercise ex-
treme 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.
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
cannot be started.
Remove the ignition key. 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
authorized Porsche dealer.
Improper maintenance during the warranty
period may affect your Porsche warranty cov-
erage.
fSupplies of fluids, e.g. engine oil, 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 measurements Power measurements on dynamometers are not
approved by Porsche.
200
Maintenance, Car Care
Engine-compartment blower,
radiator fan The radiator and radiator fans are in the front of
the car.
The engine-compartment blower is mounted on
the engine compartment lid.
Warning!
Risk of injury.
After the engine is switched off, the engine-
compartment temperature is monitored for
approx. 30 minutes.
During this period, and depending on tem-
perature, the engine-compartment blower
may continue to run or start to run.
fCarry out work in these areas only with the en-
gine off, the ignition off, and exercise extreme
caution.
Risk of injury. The radiator fans in the front
end of the car may be operating or
unexpectedly start operating when the
engine is switched on.
fCarry out work in these areas only with the en-gine switched off.
202
Maintenance, Car Care
Topping off engine oil
Warning!
Risk of burning from hot parts in engine com-
partment. Risk of injury by rotating parts.
The engine compartment blower on the en-
gine compartment lid can start up even with
engine off.
fExercise extrem caution when working in the
engine compartment.
fTop off engine oil only with the engine off.
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. 1. The on-board computer indicates how much oil
must be added.
2. Pull oil filler tube upwards out of its holder. 3. Unscrew cap of the oil filler opening.
4. Add at most 0,5 quarts (0,5 liter) of engine oil
at a time.
5. Measure oil level again with the on-board
computer.
6. Add more engine oil if necessary.
Never add more engine oil than required
to reach the max. mark.
7. Carefully close cap of the oil filler opening.
8. Push oil filler tube into its holder until it snaps
into place.
Maintenance, Car Care
207
Fuel Economy Fuel economy will vary depending on where,
when and how you drive, optional equipment
installed, and the general condition of your
car.
A car tuned to specifications and correctly
maintained, will help you to achieve optimal
fuel economy.
fHave your vehicle tuned to specifications.
Air cleaner should be dirt free to allow proper
engine “breathing”.
Battery should be fully charged.
Wheels should be properly aligned.
Tires should be inflated at correct pressure.
fAlways monitor your fuel consumption.
fDrive smoothly, avoid abrupt changes in speed
as much as possible.
fAvoid jack rabbit starts and sudden stops.
fDo not drive longer than necessary in the lower
gears. Shifting into a higher gear early without
lugging the engine will help save fuel.
fProlonged “warm up” idling wastes gas. Start
the vehicle just before you are ready to drive.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly.
fSwitch off the engine if stationary for longer
periods. fAny additional weight carried in the vehicle re-
duces fuel economy. Always keep cargo to a
minimum and remove all unnecessary items.
fOrganize your trips to take in several errands
in one trip.
fAll electrical accessories contribute to in-
creased fuel consumption.
fOnly switch on the air conditioning when neces-
sary.
fDo not drive with the Roof Transport System
mounted unless you need it.
The EPA estimated m.p.g. is to be used for
comparison purposes, actual mileage may
be different from the estimated m.p.g.,
depending on your driving speed, weather
conditions and trip length. Your actual
highway mileage will probably be less than
the estimated m.p.g.
fPlease observe all local and national speed
limits.
Operating Your Porsche in other
Countries Government regulations in the United States and
Canada require that automobiles meet specific
emission regulations and safety standards. There-
fore, cars built for the U.S. and Canada differ from
vehicles sold in other countries.
If you plan to take your Porsche outside the conti-
nental limits of the United States or Canada, there
is the possibility that
– unleaded fuel may not be available;
– unleaded fuel may have a considerably lower
octane rating. Excessive engine knock and se-
rious damage to both engine and catalytic con-
verters could result;
– service may be inadequate due to lack of prop-
er service facilities, tools or diagnostic equip-
ment;
– replacement parts may not be available or very
difficult to get.
Porsche cannot be responsible for the
mechanical damage that could result
because of inadequate fuel, service or parts
availability.
If you purchased your Porsche abroad and want to
bring it back home, be sure to find out about ship-
ping and forwarding requirements, as well as cur-
rent import and customs regulations.
210
Maintenance, Car Care Unleaded fuels may not be available outside the
continental U.S. and Canada. Therefore, we rec-
ommend you do not take your car to areas or
countries where unleaded fuel may not be availa-
ble.
Octane ratings Octane rating indicates a fuel’s ability to resist det-
onation. Therefore, buying the correct octane gas
is important to prevent engine “damage”.
The RON octane rating is based on the research
method. The CLC (U.S. Cost of Living Council oc-
tane rating) or AKI (antiknock index) octane rating
usually displayed on U.S. fuel pumps is calculated
as research octane number plus motor octane
number, divided by 2, that is written as:
The CLC or AKI octane rating is usually lower than
the RON rating:
For example: 95 RON equals 90 CLC or AKI
Fuels containing alcohol and ether Some areas of the U.S. require oxygenated fuels
during certain portions of the year. Oxygenated fu-
els are fuels which contain alcohols (such as meth-
anol or ethanol) or ether (such as MTBE).
Under normal conditions, the amount of these
compounds in the fuel will not affect driveability.
You may use oxygenated fuels in your Porsche,
provided the octane requirements for your vehicle
are met. We recommend, however, to change to a
different fuel or station if any of the following prob-
lems occur with your vehicle:
– Deterioration of driveability and performance.
– Substantially reduced fuel economy.
– Vapor lock and non-start problems, especially
at high altitude or at high temperature.
– Engine malfunction or stalling.
Fuels containing MMT Some North American fuels contain an octane en-
hancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
If such fuels are used, your emission control sys-
tem performance may be negatively affected.
The check engine warning light on your instrument
panel may turn on.
If this occurs, Porsche recommends you stop us-
ing fuels containing MMT.Portable Fuel Containers
Danger!
Portable fuel containers, full or partially
empty, may leak causing an explosion, or re-
sult in fire in case of an accident.
fNever carry additional fuel in portable contain-ers in your vehicle. RON+MON
2R+M
2 or