2006 PORSCHE CAYENNE S light

250
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Water crossingfPlease observe the chapter “GROUND CLEA-
RANCE” on Page 390.
Danger!
Danger of drowning if water enters the vehi-
cle. Risk of damage to the engine and acces-
sories if water penetrates.
fBefore driving through water, check the water
depth A, water speed and the condition of the
surface beneath it.
The water must not be deeper than 20 in.
(50 cm).
The water must not be deeper than 22 in.
(55.5 cm) for vehicles with level control and
height adjustment.
fCheck the door sills and rubber seals before
starting to drive.
fDo not drive through deep or rapidly flowing
water.
Deep or rapidly flowing water, e.g. mountain
streams, can cause the car to deviate from the
desired path.
fAvoid a "bow wave" by driving at an appropriate
speed.
fNever open the doors when driving through wa-
ter.Soiling can impair the braking action.
fCheck and clean the brakes if they have been
soiled.
Danger of steering assistance failing during
a long journey in the water if the drive belt
slips.
fIf the steering assistance fails, more effort will
be required to steer.
Danger of damaging electrical systems
fAvoid driving through salt water.
Notes on operation
fActivate Low Range.
fSwitch the air conditioner off.
fSwitch the headlights off.

Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
251
Tips on driving
fAvoid high engine speeds (max. 2,500 rpm).
fDo not perform manual gear changes when
driving, and try to avoid stopping.
Moving off in the water can be difficult due to
the high resistance and the loose surface in-
volved.
fStart the water crossing at a shallow place at
walking speed.
fAfter checking the body of water, take the
shortest path through it.
fNever drive into the water at high speed. The
resulting “bow wave” could damage the engine
and its accessories.
fAdjust your driving style to the unfamiliar sur-
roundings.
fCross the body of water slowly and at a con-
stant speed.
fNever turn around when crossing a body of wa-
ter.
fIf it is not possible to cross the body of water,
the car must be backed out of it in reverse
gear.
The servo pump and alternator can fail if the car is
driven through water for an extended period.
fIf the servo pump fails, substantially more
force will have to be exerted in order to steer. Maintenance note
The car requires a special check after the water
crossing.
fRemove mud from the tire tread.
fBriefly apply the brakes in order to dry them af-
ter driving through the water.
ObstaclesfPlease observe the chapter “GROUND CLEA-
RANCE” on Page 390.
Note on operation
fActivate Low Range and engage differential
locks if necessary.
Tips on driving
fJust before reaching the obstacle, ease off the
accelerator slightly and use the car's momen-
tum to cross the obstacle. This will prevent the
car from jumping over the obstacle and landing
on the following downward slope at an exces-
sive speed.
fAvoid high engine speeds (max. 2,500 rpm).

254
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Air Suspension with Level Control
and Height AdjustmentOn vehicles with air suspension, the driver can set
five different level steps manually.
The preselected level is automatically adjusted to
suit the vehicle speed.
The height of the car is automatically kept
constant when the car is loaded.
Tip on driving
It is not permissible to drive on public roads with
the car in the terrain or special terrain setting.Note on operation
Frequent level changes can cause the compressor
to overheat. In this case, the compressor must
cool for several minutes before the level adjust-
ment is fully functional again.
Normal levelThe ground clearance at normal level is around
8.5 in. (217 mm).Terrain levelThis setting is intended for off-road driving, field
paths and forest paths, etc.
The vehicle is raised by around 1 in. (26 mm) com-
pared to normal level.
Terrain level can be selected only manually at
speeds below around 50 mph (80 km/h).
The car is automatically lowered to normal level at
speeds exeeding around 50 mph (80 km/h).
The car is automatically raised to terrain level
when Low Range is activated.This setting is intended only for extremely chal-
lenging terrain requiring maximum ground clear-
ance. The vehicle is raised by 2.2 in. (56 mm)
compared to normal level.
The warning light in the instrument panel comes
on when the special terrain level has been
reached.
Special terrain level can be selected only at
speeds below around 19 mph (30 km/h).
The car is automatically lowered to terrain level at
speeds exeeding around 19 mph (30 km/h).
Low levelThis level is intended for high-speed driving. Above
speeds of around 78 mph (125 km/h), the car is
lowered by around 1 in. (27 mm) compared to nor-
mal level.
When the speed drops to below around 25 mph
(40 km/h), the car is automatically raised to nor-
mal level.Special low levelAt extremely high speeds, for example when oper-
ated on a race track, the car is lowered 0.4 in.
(11 mm) compared to the low level.
Special terrain level

Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
255
Loading level
Caution!
Risk of damage to running-gear parts, units
and the vehicle underbody.
If the car is driven off a curb when at loading level,
for example, insufficent ground clearance can
cause it to bottom out.
fAlways switch to normal level before moving off.
This setting makes it easier for you to load the lug-
gage compartment.
The vehicle is lowered by around 2.4 in. (60 mm)
compared to normal level.
The car is automatically raised to normal level at
speeds exceeding around 3 mph (5 km/h).
Setting level manuallyPreconditions
–Ignition on.
– Doors are closed.
Setting
fMove rocker switch in the appropriate direc-
tion.
This sets the next possible height.
Indication of selected level
The corresponding light-emitting diode beside the
rocker switch flashes during the control process.
The light-emitting diode is continuously lit after the
control process.
The level change is also indicated on the multi-pur-
pose display of the instrument panel.
Exceptions
Automatic changes from normal level to low level
and back are not indicated on the multi-purpose
display of the instrument panel.
Note on operation
The level selected last is stored in memory after
the ignition is switched off.Raising the vehicle
1st actuation: Terrain level
2nd actuation: Special terrain level
f f f

256
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems Lowering the vehicle
1st actuation: Low level
2nd actuation: Loading level
Warning messageVarious messages are indicated on the multi-pur-
pose display of the instrument panel if there is a
system fault or if the compressor switches off due
to overload.fPlease observe the chapter “WARNING LIGHTS
AND WARNING MESSAGES” on Page 124.
fAdapt your driving style to the changed condi-
tions.
fConsult an authorized Porsche dealer in order
to remedy a system fault.
fIf the overload-protection function causes the
compressor to switch off, wait for a time until
it has cooled down. The system will function
again as soon as it has cooled sufficiently.
The warning message appears when the control
system is switched off and when the collapsible
spare wheel is being filled. This does not indicate
a fault.
The warning message will go out once these pro-
cedures have been completed.
Raising vehicle with the jackWhenever it is necessary to jack up the vehicle:
fManually set normal level and then switch off
level control.
Switching off level control
1. Switch ignition on.
2. Push rocker switch forward for 5 to
10 seconds.
A message is shown on the multi-purpose
display of the instrument panel.
The vehicle can now be raised.
Switching level control back on
1. Switch ignition on.
2. Push rocker switch forward for 5 to
10 seconds or
3. Drive forward with the vehicle.
Level control switches on automatically.Transporting the vehicles on car trains,
ferries and car transportersfTie the vehicle down only at its wheels.

Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
257
Porsche Active Suspension
Management (PASM)Various messages are shown on the multi-purpose
display of the instrument panel.
fPlease observe the chapter “WARNING LIGHTS
AND WARNING MESSAGES” on Page 124.
Three different running-gear setups can be select-
ed with the push of a button:
–Comfort
–Normal
–Sport
If the running-gear setups “comfort” or “normal”
have been selected, the system automatically
changes the setup to “sport” when the car is driv-
en in a sporty manner.
Indication of the selected running-gear
setupThe light-emitting diode in the button of the select-
ed running-gear setup is lit.
In addition, the selected running-gear setup is indi-
cated on the multi-purpose display of the instru-
ment panel for around 12 seconds.
The warning light in the instrument panel comes
on if there is a system fault. A warning message is
shown on the multi-purpose display of the instru-
ment panel.
fAdapt your driving style to the changed condi-
tions.
fTo remedy the fault, consult an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Selecting the running-gear setup1. Switch ignition on.
2. Press the appropriate button.
Note on operation
The running-gear setup selected last is stored in
memory after the ignition is switched off.
Warning lights and warning
messages

Maintenance, Car Care
261
Radiator fansThe radiator and radiator fans are in the front of
the car.
Warning!
Danger of injury. The fans can start running
as a function of temperature, even with the
engine switched off.
fExercise extreme caution when working in the area of the radiator fans.
Engine OilEngine 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 lubri-
cant.
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 lev-
el at all, even after 600 miles (1000 km) or more.
This is because the oil is gradually becoming dilut-
ed 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, cli-
matic conditions are warm, and the load is high,
the oil should be checked more frequently, as driv-
ing conditions will determine the rate of oil con-
sumption.
– The engine in your vehicle depends on oil to lu-
bricate and cool all of its moving parts. There-
fore, the engine oil should be checked regular-
ly and kept at the required level.
– Make it a habit to have the engine oil level
checked with 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.

262
Maintenance, Car Care
Engine Oil LevelfCheck the oil level regularly. I t i s b e s t t o d o t h i s
when refuelling and before extended journeys.
Further important information concerning “mainte-
nance” can be found in a separate chapter.
fPlease observe the chapter “EXERCISE
EXTREME CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR
VEHICLE” on Page 260.
fPlease observe the chapter “WARNING LIGHTS
AND WARNING MESSAGES” on Page 124.
Warning!
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.If the oil level is too low, this is indicated by the oil-
level warning light lighting up on the multi-purpose
display.
fCheck the oil level using the oil dipstick as
soon as possible and add engine oil if neces-
sary.
Note on operation
fIf the engine compartment lid is opened and oil
is not added, the warning message appears
again after approximately 100 km.
Checking the oil level
Warning!
Danger of injury. The radiator fans can start
running as a function of temperature, even
with the engine switched off.
Risk of burning from hot parts in engine com-
partment.
fExercise extreme caution when working on the engine compartment.Conditions for measuring the oil level
correctly
– Vehicle must be level.
– Engine must be switched off and at operating
temperature.
– Before the oil-level measurement, allow the en-
gine oil to flow back into the oil pan for around
3 minutes.
Checking oil level with the oil dipstick
1. Withdraw oil dipstick and wipe it with a clean,
lint-free cloth.
2. Push oil dipstick fully home, withdraw again
and read off the oil level.
The oil level must never fall below or ex-
ceed the “Min.” and “Max.” marks on the
dipstick.
The difference between the marks is approx.
1.6 qt. (1.5 liters).
3. Push oil dipstick in as far as the stop.
Oil-level warning