
Controls, Instruments
13 Controls, Instruments
Before driving off ......................................... 14
Break in hints for the first
2,000 miles/3,000 kilometers ...................... 16
Keys ........................................................... 19
Security Wheel Bolts.................................... 19
Doors ......................................................... 21
Central Locking ........................................... 22
Alarm System,
Passenger Compartment Monitoring ............. 26
Power Windows ........................................... 28
Inside mirror ................................................ 30
Door Mirrors................................................ 30
Rear Window Defogger,
Door Mirror Heating ..................................... 33
Seat Adjustment .......................................... 34
Seat Memory ............................................... 36
Heated Seats .............................................. 38
Rear Seat Backrests.................................... 39
Steering Wheel Adjustment ........................... 39
Multi-Functional Steering Wheel ..................... 40
Sun Visors................................................... 41
Safety Belts................................................. 42
Airbag Systems ........................................... 45
Child Restraint Systems ............................... 51
LATCH System
Child seat bracket on the passenger’s seat .... 55
Child Restraint Anchorages ........................... 56
Rollover Protection System........................... 57
Parking Aids ................................................ 58
Four-Wheel Drive .......................................... 61
Retractable Rear Spoiler............................... 63
Clutch Pedal ................................................ 65Parking Brake .............................................. 65
Brakes ........................................................ 66
ABS Brake System
(Antilock Brake System)................................ 69
Sport Mode ................................................. 71
Porsche Stability Management (PSM)............. 72
Porsche Active Suspension
Management (PASM) .................................... 75
Interior Lights .............................................. 76
Operation, Instruments ................................. 78
Ignition/Starter Switch with anti-theft
Steering Lock .............................................. 80
Starting Procedures ..................................... 82
Stopping Engine .......................................... 83
Instrument Panel USA Models ....................... 84
Instrument Panel Canada Models................... 86
Engine oil temperature ................................. 88
Automatic Speed Control Indicator light ......... 88
Instrument Illumination.................................. 88
Trip Odometer ............................................. 89
Speedometer .............................................. 90
Changing over between
Miles / Kilometers........................................ 90
Tachometer................................................. 91
Turn Signal Indicator Light ............................ 91
High Beam .................................................. 91
Cooling System ........................................... 92
Tiptronic ...................................................... 93
Fuel ............................................................ 94
Clock .......................................................... 95
Outside temperature .................................... 95
Engine Oil Pressure ...................................... 96Check Engine
Warning Light .............................................. 97
On-Board Computer (BC).............................. 98
Emergency Flasher Switch .......................... 130
Light Switch .............................................. 131
Welcome Home Lighting............................. 131
Automatic Headlight Beam Adjustment......... 132
Turn Signal / Headlight Dimmer /
Parking light / Flasher Lever ....................... 132
Windshield Wiper / Washer Lever ................ 133
Automatic Speed Control ............................ 136
Automatic Air Conditioning System .............. 138
Central and Side Vents ............................... 141
Fresh-air Intake .......................................... 141
Ashtray ..................................................... 142
Cigarette Lighter ........................................ 143
Cupholder ................................................. 144
Storage in the Passenger Compartment ...... 146
Luggage Compartment Lid and Engine
Compartment Lid ....................................... 148
Luggage Compartment
(911 Carrera, 911 Carrera S) ..................... 150
Luggage Compartment
(911 Carrera 4, 911 Carrera 4S) ................ 151
Trunk Entrapment ...................................... 152
Fire Extinguisher ........................................ 154
HomeLink .................................................. 155
Porsche Communication
Management (PCM) .................................... 158
Car Telephone and
Aftermarket Alarms .................................... 161

84
Controls, Instruments
Instrument Panel USA Models Also refer to the corresponding chapters in
the Owner’s Manual.
1. Engine oil temperature gauge
2. Speedometer with analogue display
3. Tire pressure warning light
4. Turn signal indicator light, left
5. Tachometer
6. High beam indicator light
7. Turn signal indicator light, right
8. ABS warning light
9. Cooling system
Temperature gauge, warning light
10.Fuel
Level gauge, warning light
11.Engine oil pressure gauge
12.Adjustment button for instrument illumination
and trip counter
13.Odometer and daily trip mileage display
14.Automatic speed control indicator light15.Light sensor for instrument illumination
16.Airbag warning light
17.Emission control warning light
(Check Engine)
18.Central warning light
19.On-board computer display
20.Porsche Stability Management
Multifunctional PSM light
21.Brake warning light
22.Safety belt warning light
23.Tiptronic indicator
24.Clock and outside temperature display
25 Adjustment button for clockWhen the ignition is switched on, the warning
lights light up for a lamp check.
Note
Warnings that have been given are stored in the
appropriate control unit memory and can be read
out at an authorized Porsche dealer.
This information can help to warn you about situa-
tions which may be hazardous to you or your car.

86
Controls, Instruments
Instrument Panel Canada Models Also refer to the corresponding chapters in
the Owner’s Manual.
1. Engine oil temperature gauge
2. Speedometer with analogue display
3. Tire pressure warning light
4. Turn signal indicator light, left
5. Tachometer
6. High beam indicator light
7. Turn signal indicator light, right
8. ABS warning light
9. Cooling system
Temperature gauge, warning light
10.Fuel
Level gauge, warning light
11.Engine oil pressure gauge
12.Adjustment button for instrument illumination
and trip counter
13.Odometer and daily trip mileage display
14.Automatic speed control indicator light15.Light sensor for instrument illumination
16.Airbag warning light
17.Emission control warning light
(Check Engine)
18.Central warning light
19.On-board computer display
20.Porsche Stability Management
Multifunctional PSM light
21.Brake warning light
22.Safety belt warning light
23.Tiptronic indicator
24.Clock and outside temperature display
25 Adjustment button for clockWhen the ignition is switched on, the warning
lights light up for a lamp check.
Note
Warnings that have been given are stored in the
appropriate control unit memory and can be read
out at an authorized Porsche dealer.
This information can help to warn you about situa-
tions which may be hazardous to you or your car.

96
Controls, Instruments With the engine warmed up and running at a speed
of 5000 rpm, the engine oil pressure should be
approx. 3.5 bar.If oil pressure drops abruptly and a message
is displayed on the on-board computer when
the engine is running on or when driving:
fStop immediately in a suitable place.
fSwitch off the engine.
fCheck oil level.
Please observe the chapter “OIL DISPLAY AND
MEASUREMENT OF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL”
on Page 118.
Please observe the chapter “ENGINE OIL
LEVEL” on Page 201.
fAdd engine oil if necessary.
Caution!
Risk of engine damage.
fDo not continue driving if there is an obvious oil
leak.
fDo not continue driving if the warning lights
come on even though oil level is correct.
fHave the fault remedied at the nearest authorized Porsche dealer.If the battery voltage drops abruptly, a warning
message will be displayed by the on-board compu-
ter.
If the warning is displayed by the on-board
computer while the engine is running or while
driving:
fStop the car in a safe place and stop the
engine.
Possible causes
– Defect in the battery charging system.
– Broken drive belt.
Warning!
Risk of an accident and risk of engine dam-
age.
A broken drive belt means there is no power
assistance to the steering (more effort is re-
quired to steer) and coolant pump function
will stop.
fDo not continue driving.
fHave the fault remedied at the nearest author-ized Porsche dealer.
Engine Oil Pressure
Battery

124
Controls, Instruments
Fuel gauge war-
ning lightConsider remaining range Refuel at next opportunity.
Check engine oil level Start engine oil level measurement in the
on-board computer.
The vehicle must be horizontal and the ignition
must be switched on.
Engine oil pressure too low Stop immediately at a suitable place, measure
oil level with the on-board computer and, if ne-
cessary, add engine oil.
Warning light
Temperature gau-
geEngine temperature too high Switch engine off and let it cool.
Check coolant level and, if necessary,
add coolant.
Temperature gau-
ge warning light
flashesCheck coolant level Switch engine off and let it cool.
Check coolant level and, if necessary, add
coolant.
Engine diagnostics – workshop Consult your authorized Porsche dealer.
Reduced engine power Consult your authorized Porsche dealer.
Temperature gau-
ge warning light
flashesFailure of
engine compartment blowerConsult your authorized Porsche dealer.
Warning Battery/generator Stop at a safe place and switch the engine off.
Do not continue driving.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Oil pressure gauge faulty Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Oil level display faulty Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.Instrument
panelOn-board
computerText display on on-board
computerMeaning/measure

Maintenance, Car Care
201
Engine Oil Engine 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
lubricant.
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
level at all, even after 600 miles (1,000 km) or
more. This is because the oil is gradually becom-
ing diluted 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,
climatic conditions are warm, and the load is high,
the oil should be checked more frequently, as
driving conditions will determine the rate of oil
consumption.
– The engine in your vehicle depends on oil to
lubricate and cool all of its moving parts.
Therefore, the engine oil should be checked
regularly and kept at the required level.
– Make it a habit to have the engine oil level
checked at 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.
Engine Oil Level fPlease observe the chapter “EXERCISE EXTRE-
ME CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VE-
HICLE” on Page 198.
fRegularly check the oil level using the on-board
computer after the vehicle is refuelled.
Please observe the chapter “OIL DISPLAY AND
MEASUREMENT OF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL”
on Page 118.
The difference between the minimum and maxi-
mum marks on the segment display is approx.
1.2 liters.
Each segment of the display corresponds to ap-
prox. 0.4 liter.
f f f

Maintenance, Car Care
221
Automatic car washes
Optional add-on parts or parts which project
beyond the contours of the vehicle may be
damaged by design features (e.g. brushes) of au-
tomatic car washes.
The following parts are particularly
susceptible to damage:
– Convertible top (hot wax treatment cannot be
used, as the wax attacks the convertible top
material)
– Windshield wipers (always switch them off to
prevent them wiping unintentionally in intermit-
tent or sensor operation)
– External antennas (always unscrew)
– Roof Transport System (always remove com-
pletely)
–Rear spoiler
– Wheels (the wider the rim and the lower the tire
height, the greater the risk of damage)
– High-gloss wheels (to prevent these from get-
ting scratched, do not clean with the wheel-
cleaning brushes of the car wash).
fPlease consult the operator before using auto-
matic car washes.
fWash and dry by hand all points not reached by
a car wash, such as door and lid seams or
door sills. Note
Automatic car washes spray water at odd angles
and high pressures, which are not seen in normal
driving. Therefore, water can sometimes find its
way into the passengers compartment during or
shortly after the car wash.
Door lock fTo prevent the door lock from freezing during
the cold season, the lock cylinder should be
covered during a wash.
fShould the lock freeze, use an ordinary de-icer.
In many cases, a well warmed key can help.
Never use excessive force.

226
Maintenance, Car Care
Alcantara fDo not use a leather care product to clean
Alcantara.
For regular care it is sufficient to clean the cover
with a soft brush.
Heavy abrasion or rubbing when cleaning causes
a lasting change in the surface.
Cleaning when lightly soiled
fWet a soft cloth with water or a neutral soap
solution and wipe off the dirt.
Cleaning when heavily soiled
fWet a soft cloth with lukewarm water or
thinned white spirit and dab the dirt from the
outside in. Safety belts If it becomes necessary to clean the belts, you
can use any mild washing agent.
Allow the belts to dry prior to retracting, but avoid
direct sunlight.
fOnly use suitable cleaners.
If unsuitable cleaners are used or any attempt
is made to dye or bleach the belts, the web-
bing may be weakened and thus constitute a
safety risk.
Storing your Porsche If you intend to store your Porsche for a prolonged
period, please consult your authorized Porsche
dealer. The staff will be glad to advise you on the
most suitable and necessary methods.
fClean your vehicle thoroughly inside and out-
side.
Clean the engine compartment.
The under carriage and chassis components
should be free of dirt and salt deposits.
fFill up the fuel tank.
fChange the oil and oil filter, and run the engine
for several minutes.
fIncrease the tire pressure to 58 psi (4 bar).
It is not recommended to lift the vehicle, due to
the possibility of corrosion on shock absorber
piston shafts.
The vehicle should be moved slightly, approxi-
mately every four weeks, to prevent flat spot
on the tires. Climate control
The air conditioning system should be in good
working condition and fully charged.
Windshield/Headlight washer
fCheck and correct antifreeze/cleaning solution
level as necessary.
Electrical system
fRemove the battery from the vehicle and store
it in a cool dry place, not on a cement floor.
When the battery is disconnected, the
alarm system is deactivated.
fRecharge the battery every 3 months. If the
battery remains in the vehicle with the cables
connected, it is necessary to check, remove
and recharge the battery every 2-3 weeks.
Do not fast charge the battery.
fPlease observe the chapter “BATTERY” on
Page 258.
Vehicle interior
The interior must be dry, especially in the area of
the floor carpets. The use of drying agents (Silica-
Gel) is recommended in vehicles with leather inte-
rior and in areas with high humidity. The recom-
mended amount is 3 fabric bags of 1.1 lbs.
(500 grams) each placed on the floor carpets.
Windows, doors and lids must be closed. The air
vents should be opened.