2006 PORSCHE BOXSTER light

Controls, Instruments
63
Sport ModeA sportier car set-up is obtained when Sport mode
is switched on. Interventions by the Porsche
control systems are intentionally shifted towards
greater agility and driving performance.
– PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Manage-
ment) is automatically changed to Sport mode,
resulting in a stiffer suspension setup.
– The Tiptronic S switches to a sporty gear-
changing map and shortens the gear shifting
periods. Gear changes take place faster.
– PSM (Porsche Stability Management) control is
sporty. PSM interventions take place later than
in Normal model. The driver can manoeuvre
the vehicle with greater agility at its perform-
ance limits, without having to dispense with the
assistance of PSM in emergency situations.
– The electronic accelerator pedal reacts
sooner, and the engine is more responsive to
throttle inputs. When Sport mode is switched
on, this function is activated only after the
driver has floored the accelerator pedal or
released it briefly.
– The rpm limiter characteristic is “harder”, i.e.
the engine is immediately throttled when the
performance limits are reached.
fPlease observe the appropriate chapters of
this Manual.
Switching Sport mode on and offfPress SPORT button in the center console.
When Sport mode is switched on, the light-
emitting diode in the SPORT button is lit.When Sport mode is switched on, the logo SPORT
appears next to the digital speedometer.
Switching Sport mode on and off simultaneously
activates and deactivates the Sport mode of the
PA S M .
If PASM Sport mode was activated with the PASM
button, PASM remains active.
After the ignition is switched off, Sport mode and
PSAM Sport mode are automatically reset to Nor-
mal mode.

64
Controls, Instruments
Porsche Stability Management
(PSM)PSM is an active control system for stabilisation of
the vehicle during extreme driving manoeuvres.
Warning!
The increased control that is provided should
not induce you to take greater risks with your
safety. The limits dictated by the laws of phy-
sics cannot be overcome, even with PSM.
The risk of accidents due to inappropriate
speed cannot be reduced, even by PSM.
The driver bears the responsibility for all dri-
ving maneuvers.
fAdapt your driving style to the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
fObey all traffic laws. Advantages of PSM – Superior traction and lane-holding ability in all
driving situations – even on road surfaces with
varying friction.
– PSM actively stabilizes the vehicle during dyna-
mic driving maneuvres (e.g. rapid steering mo-
vements, during lane changes or on alterna-
ting curves).
– Improved braking stability in curves and on dif-
ferent or varying road surfaces.
Readiness for operationPSM is switched on automatically every time you
start the engine. FunctionSensors at the wheels, brakes, steering system
and engine continuously measure:
– Speed
– Direction of travel (steering angle)
– Lateral acceleration
– Rate of turn about the vertical axis
PSM uses these values to determine the direction
of travel desired by the driver.
PSM intervenes and corrects the course if the
actual direction of motion deviates from the
desired course (steering-wheel position):
It brakes individual wheels as needed. In addition,
the engine power may be manipulated in order to
stabilise the vehicle. The events below inform the driver of PSM control
operations and warn him to adapt his driving style
to the road conditions:
– The multi-functional information light on the
instrument panel flashes.
– Hydraulic noises can be heard.
– The vehicle decelerates and steering-wheel
forces are altered as the PSM controls the
brakes.
– Reduced engine power.
– The brake pedal pulsates and its position is
changed during braking.
In order to achieve full vehicle deceleration,
foot pressure must be increased after the
brake pedal has begun pulsating.

Controls, Instruments
65
Examples of PSM control operations
– If the “front wheels of the vehicle drift” on a
bend, the rear wheel on the inside of the bend
is braked and the engine power is reduced if
necessary.
– If the rear of the vehicle swings out on a bend,
the front wheel on the outside of the bend is
braked.
PSM should always be switched on during
“normal” driving.
However, it may be advantageous to switch off
PSM temporarily in exceptional situations, for
example:
– On a loose surface or in deep snow,
– When “rocking the vehicle free”, or
– When using snow chains.
Switching off PSMfPress the PSM OFF button.
PSM is switched off after a short delay.
The light-emitting diode in the button is illumi-
nated.
When the PSM is switched off, the multifunc-
tional PSM light on the instrument panel is lit
and a message is shown by the on-board
computer.
An acoustic signal also sounds.The following functions stabilise the vehicle in
emergency situations, even with PSM switched
off:
– When PSM is off, the vehicle is stabilised as
soon as one of the two front wheels enters the
ABS control range.
– When PSM is off and Sport mode is on, the
vehicle is stabilised as soon as both front
wheels enter the ABS control range.
One-sided spinning of the wheels is prevented,
even with PSM switched off.
Switching PSM back onfPress PSM OFF button.
PSM is switched on after a short delay.
The light-emitting diode in the button and the
multifunctional PSM light go out.
The on-board computer shows a message.

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Controls, Instruments
Sport modeA sportier car set-up is obtained when Sport mode
is switched on.
PSM interventions are later than in Normal mode;
the vehicle can be manoeuvred with greater agility
at its performance limits, without the need to
dispense with the assistance of PSM in
emergency situations. This helps to achieve
optimal lap times, particularly on race circuits and
a dry road surface.
– The multifunctional light on the instrument
panel lights up for a lamp check when the
ignition is switched on.
– The light indicates a control operation by
flashing, including when PSM is switched off
(brake control in the event of one-sided wheel
spin).
– In conjunction with a message on the on-board
computer, the light indicates that PSM is
switched off.
An acoustic signal also sounds.– Faults are displayed by the light in conjunction
with a message on the on-board computer.
PSM is out of order.
fPlease go to a qualified specialist workshop.
We recommend a Porsche partner for this
work as they have trained workshop personnel
and the necessary parts and tools.
fPlease observe the chapter “STORING YOUR
PORSCHE” on Page 218.
TowingfPlease observe the chapter “TOWING” on Page
274.Checks on test standsWhen carrying out brake tests on roller test
stands a maximum testing speed of 5 mph
(8 km/h) must not be exceeded.
Handbrake checks on the roller brake tester
must be performed only with the ignition switched
off.
Multifunctional PSM light

Controls, Instruments
67
PASM makes two running-gear setups available to
the driver: “Normal” and “Sport”.
The selection is made via a button on the centre
console.
In Normal mode the running gear is in a sporty and
comfortable setup.
Sport mode offers a markedly sporty shock
absorber tuning (e.g. for driving on the race
circuit).
The variable suspension system selects the
appropriate damping level for each wheel
according to the situation and conditions of
driving.
Example:
If the vehicle is driven in a markedly sporty manner
in Normal mode, PASM automatically adapts the
shock-absorber behavior to the driving situation in
this case as well.
Switching on PASM Sport modefPress PASM button in the center console.
When PASM Sport mode is switched on, the
light-emitting diode in the button is illuminated
and a message is shown by the on-board
computer.
Switching off PASM Sport modePress PASM button in the center console.
The light-emitting diode in the button goes out and
the on-board computer displays a message for a
limited amount of time.
After the ignition is switched off, PASM is
automatically reset to Normal mode.
Porsche Active Suspension
Management (PASM)

68
Controls, Instruments
Retractable Spoiler The rear spoiler improves driving stability,
especially at higher speeds.Automatic controlThe spoiler extends at approx. 75 mph
(120 km/h) and retracts at approx. 50 mph
(80 km/h).
If automatic control fails, the warning light lights
up and the spoiler must be extended manually
before driving.
Warning!
Risk of accident. If the spoiler cannot be
extended, driving stability will be adversely
affected by increased rear axle lift.
fAdapt your driving style and speed to the
changed driving conditions.
fHave the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Risk of injury during manual retraction or ex-
tension of the spoiler with the vehicle statio-
nary.
fMake sure that no persons or objects are
within the range of movement of the spoiler.
Risk of damage, if the vehicle is pushed
using the spoiler.
fDo not push the vehicle at the spoiler.The warning light lights up for a lamp check when
the ignition is switched on.
The warning lights in the instrument panel and in
the on-board computer come on if the spoiler
does not extend or does not reach its final position
at more than 75 mph (120 km/h).
Warning light

Controls, Instruments
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Manual controlWhen the ignition is on, the spoiler can be
extended and retracted manually using the button.
Extending
fPress button briefly.
The spoiler extends to its final position.
The light-emitting diode in the button lights up.
Running in
fPress and hold button until the spoiler has rea-
ched its final position.
The light-emitting diode in the button goes out.
Fixed rear spoiler
Caution!
Risk of damage to rear spoiler.
fPlease consult the operator before using auto-
matic car washes.
fDo not push the vehicle by the spoiler.

Controls, Instruments
71
Limits of ultrasonic measurement
The parking assistant system cannot detect:
– sound-absorbing obstacles (e.g. powder
snow),
– sound-reflecting obstacles (e.g. glass sur-
faces, flat painted surfaces)
– and very thin obstacles.
Other ultrasound sources (e.g. pneumatic brakes
of other vehicles, jackhammers) can interfere with
detection of obstacles.
Fault indication
The parking assistant system indicates a fault in
two ways:
– After reverse gear has been selected, the
short signal tone is followed by a continuous
tone of the same pitch:
This indicates that sensors are soiled or cove-
red with ice.
– After reverse gear has been selected, the
short signal tone is followed by a continuous
tone with a much lower pitch:
This indicates a general system fault. Please
have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
A - Control switch for door mirror adjustment Swivelling down mirror glass on the
passenger’s side On vehicles with seat memory you can activate an
additional parking aid.
fPlease observe the chapter “SEAT MEMORY”
on Page 36.
– When reverse gear is engaged, the mirror
glass on the passenger’s side swivels down
slightly to show the curb area. Preconditions
– Vehicle must be equipped with seat memory.
– Set the control switch A to “passenger’s side”.
– Reverse gear must be engaged.
Returning mirror glass to its original position
fDrive forwards with a speed of over 4 mph
(6 km/h) or
– Set the control switch A to “driver’s side”.