Shifting Gear
163
Tiptronic SThe Porsche Tiptronic is a five-speed transmission
with an “automatic” and a “manual” selection
mode.
In automatic selection mode (selector lever po-
sition D), gear changing is automatic.
You can change temporarily from automatic to
manual mode using the rocker switches on the
steering wheel.
In manual selection mode (selector lever posi-
tion M), you change gear using the rocker switch-
es on the steering wheel.
You can change between selector lever position D
and M as you wish while driving.
Note
Take care not to operate the rocker switches on
the steering wheel inadvertently in either auto mat-
ic or manual mode, thereby triggering undesired
gear changes.Keylock positionThe ignition key can be withdrawn only in selec-
tor lever position P.
Changing the selector lever positionThe selector lever is locked with the ignition key
withdrawn.
The selector lever can be moved from position P
or N only with:
– the ignition switched on,
– the brake pedal pressed and
– the release button pressed.Release button
The release button (arrow) in the selector lever
prevents unintentional gear changes.
The release button must be pressed when shifting
to position R or P.
StartingThe engine can be started only if the brake pedal
is depressed and the selector lever is in position
P or N.Moving offfOnly select the desired position for moving off
(D, M or R) when the engine is idling and the
brake pedal is depressed.
fSince the vehicle creeps when in gear, do not
release the brake until you want to move off.
fAfter selecting a gear, do not accelerate until
you can feel that the gear is engaged.
166
Shifting Gear Shifting gear on the steering wheel
With the toggle switches on the steering wheel,
you can change temporarily from automatic
selection mode D to manual mode M.
Advantages:
– Shifting down before bends and on entering bu-
ilt-up areas.
– Shifting down on downward slopes (engine bra-
king).
– Shifting down for brief spurts of acceleration.
– Selecting 1st gear for moving off.
The 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 to kickdown,
– after moving off. Temporary change-down
Conditions:
Speed is higher than approx. 33 mph (54 km/h).
fDepress accelerator quickly.
The Tiptronic changes temporarily to the spor-
tiest gear-changing map, i.e. to the highest
possible gear-changing points. Correspondin-
gly, the transmission shifts down immediately
by one or two gears.
Ending the function:
fRelease the accelerator markedly. Kickdown
The kickdown function is active in selector lever
position D, even if you temporarily change to ma-
nual mode M using the toggle switches on the
steering wheel.
fFor optimum acceleration, e.g. when overta-
king, 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
wide open throttle position.
Shifting Gear
167
M - Manual Selection Mode The currently selected gear is retained if you
change from D to M.
If you shift from M to D, the gear-changing map
suitable for your current driving style is selected
and the appropriate gear is selected.
Warning!
The kickdown function is not active in manual
selection mode “M”.
fTherefore shift down manually when accelera-ting (e.g. to overtake). Two toggle switches in the upper steering-wheel
spokes let you comfortably and reliably select the
five forward gears.
Shifting up
fPress upper part (+) of a toggle switch.
Shifting down
fPress lower part (–) of a toggle switch.
Depending on driving speed and engine speed,
you can shift up or down at any time.
Gear changes which would exceed the upper or lo-
wer engine-speed limit are not executed by the
controller.
You can shift down two gears at once by quickly
pressing the toggle switches twice.
If the engine-speed limit is reached, an auto matic
upward shift is performed or, just before idling
speed is reached, a downward shift is performed.
fSelect an appropriately low gear on upward
and downward slopes.
This will ensure optimum use of engine power
and engine braking. If manual mode fails, the control electronics
switch to automatic mode. In this event, the
instrument cluster will display selector lever posi-
tion D.
fTo remedy the fault, please consult an authori-
zed Porsche dealer.
PSM switched off and/or Sport mode
switched on
fPlease observe the chapter “SWITCHING OFF
PSM” on Page 65.
fPlease observe the chapter “SPORT MODE” on
Page 63.
If the PSM is switched off and/or Sport mode is
switched on, an automatic upshift does not occur
when the engine speed limit is reached.
Cancelling upshift suppression
The restriction can be cancelled for one gear
change by depressing the accelerator to
kickdown. If, for example, the engine speed limit
is reached during overtaking and the automatic
upshift does not occur, the transmission in this
case shifts up by accelerating to kickdown.
fDepress the accelerator pedal beyond the
full-throttle point (kickdown).
168
Shifting Gear Manual mode failure
If manual mode fails, the control electronics
switch to automatic mode. In this event, the
instrument cluster will display selector lever
position D.
fHave the fault remedied.
Consult an authorized Porsche dealer.
Stopping fFor 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,
select position N (neutral).
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
position P.
Parking fGo easy on the accelerator.
fWhen parking or maneuvring in a small space,
control the speed by careful use of the footbra-
ke. Driving in winter In wintery 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, towing fPlease observe the chapter “TOWING” on Page
274.
Emergency program
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-
w a r d f a s t e n o u g h t o c a u s e r e a r w h e e l l o c k u p .
fDo not shift into R while the vehicle is moving forward.
A transmission fault is indicated by the following
symptoms:
–The 4th-gear display flashes.
– The warning “Tiptronic emergency run”
appears in the on-board computer.
– The transmission no longer shifts.
Regardless of selector lever position, 4th is
the only forward gear still available.
fAdapt your driving style to the changed hand-
ling.
fTo remedy the fault, please consult an authori-
zed Porsche dealer.
Maintenance, Car Care
183 Maintenance, Car Care
Exercise Extreme Caution when
Working on your Vehicle ............................. 184
Wiper Blades ............................................ 185
Coolant Level ............................................ 186
Engine Oil ................................................. 188
Engine Oil Level ........................................ 189
Engine Oil Recommendation ....................... 190
Brake Fluid Level ....................................... 192
Fuel Economy ........................................... 194
Operating Your Porsche
in other Countries ...................................... 195
Fuel .......................................................... 196
Fuel Recommendations .............................. 198
Portable Fuel Containers ............................ 199
Emission Control System ........................... 200
How Emission Control Works...................... 201
Fuel Evaporation Control ............................ 202
Washer Fluid ............................................. 202
Opening Engine Compartment Lid .............. 203
Power Steering ......................................... 207
Air Filter ................................................... 208
Combination filter ...................................... 208
Automatic Transmission Fluid ..................... 208
Manual Transmission Oil ............................. 208
Car Care Instructions ................................. 209
208
Maintenance, Car Care
Air Filter The air filter is on the left-hand side of the engine
compartment.
A dirty air filter not only reduces engine perfor-
mance, but can lead to premature engine wear.
Regular filter replacement is part of the routine
maintenance service.
fIn dusty conditions, check the filter element
more frequently and replace if necessary. Combination filterThe fresh air passing through the combination
filter into the passenger compartment is virtually
free of dust, pollen, and unpleasant odours.
fIf the outside air is polluted by exhaust fumes,
press the circulating-air button.
A dirty filter can be the cause of reduced air
throughput:
fHave the filter replaced by an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Regular filter replacement is part of servicing.
Automatic Transmission Fluid The torque converter and the transmission are lu-
bricated with Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF).
The final drive requires transmission oil.
fPlease observe the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 286.
Do not tow the car or run the engine without ATF
in the transmission. The automatic transmission
may be damaged by even a tiny speck of dirt, only
a clean funnel or spout must be used when adding
AT F.
The ATF and transmission oil has to be checked
and changed at the intervals listed in your Mainte-
nance Schedule.
We recommend that you have the ATF and trans-
mission oil changed at your Porsche dealer, who
has the required lubricants and the necessary fil-
ling equipment.
If you suspect an oil leak in the transmission, have
your authorized Porsche dealer check it out imme-
diately.
Manual Transmission Oil The transmission oil has to be checked and chan-
ged at the intervals listed in your Maintenance
Schedule.
fPlease observe the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 286.
We recommend that you have the transmission oil
changed at your Porsche dealer, who has the re-
quired lubricants and the necessary filling equip-
ment.
If you suspect an oil leak in the transmission, have
your authorized Porsche dealer check it out imme-
diately.
Vehicle Identification, Technical Data
281
Transmission Boxster
Boxster S Gear ratios5-speed
manual transmission6-speed
manual transmissionTiptronic S
1st gear 3.50 : 1 3.67 : 1 3.66 : 1
2nd gear 2.12 : 1 2.05 : 1 2.00 : 1
3rd gear 1.43 : 1 1.41 : 1 1.41 : 1
4th gear 1.09 : 1 1.13 : 1 1.00 : 1
5th gear 0.84 : 1 0.97 : 1 0.74 : 1
6th gear0.82 : 1
Reverse 3.44 : 1 3.33 : 1 4.10 : 1
Final drive ratio 3.75 : 1 3.875 : 1 4.379 : 1
Gear ratios6-speed
manual transmissionTiptronic S
1st gear 3.67 : 1 3.66 : 1
2nd gear 2.05 : 1 2.00 : 1
3rd gear 1.41 : 1 1.41 : 1
4th gear 1.13 : 1 1.00 : 1
5th gear 0.97 : 1 0.74 : 1
6th gear 0.82 : 1
Reverse 3.33 : 1 4.10 : 1
Final drive ratio 3.875 : 1 3.908 : 1
Vehicle Identification, Technical Data
285
Driving Performance* * At DIN empty weight and half load, without performance-inhibiting extra equipment. Boxster Manual transmission Tiptronic S
Maximum speed
5-speed transmission
6-speed transmission159 mph/256 km/h
160 mph/258 km/h155 mph/250 km/h
Acceleration 0 – 60 mph 5.9 seconds 6.8 seconds
Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) 6.2 seconds 7.1 seconds
Boxster S Manual transmission Tiptronic S
Maximum speed 167 mph/268 km/h 162 mph/260 km/h
Acceleration 0 – 60 mph 5.2 seconds 6.0 seconds
Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) 5.5 seconds 6.3 seconds