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Controls, Safety, Instruments
Brake pedal
Warning!
Risk of an accident.
Any obstruction of the brake pedal could in-
crease the stopping distance.
fAlways check the movement of the brake pedal
before driving and make sure that it is not ob-
structed by a floor mat or any other object.
fSecure the floor mat to prevent it from sliding
into positions that could interfere with the safe
operation of your vehicle.
Your Porsche dealer will be glad to offer you
floor mats of the correct size including a secur-ing possibility.
Note
In case one of the two brake circuits fails, in-
creased pedal travel is required to bring your vehi-
cle to a full stop.
Warning!
To avoid overheating and premature wear of
the brakes:
fBefore descending a steep grade, reduce
speed and shift the transmission into a lower
driving position to control speed.
fDo not “ride the brakes“ by resting your foot on
the pedal when not intending to apply brake
pressure.
fDo not hold the pedal down too long or too of-
ten. This could cause the brakes to get hot and not function properly.
Brake boosterThe brake booster assists braking only when
the engine is running.
When the car is moving while the engine is not run-
ning, or if the brake booster is defective, more
pressure on the brake pedal is required to bring
the car to a stop.
Moisture, road salt or grit on brakes affects brak-
ing. When the vehicle is driven on salted or gritted
roads for extended periods, the brakes should be
washed down thoroughly about every 2 weeks. An
automatic carwash facility cannot do this job prop-
erly. Brakes will dry after a few cautious brake ap-
plications.
Warning!
Driving through water may reduce the trac-
tion. Moisture on brakes from road water, car
wash, or a coating of road salt or grit may af-
fect braking efficiency.
fCautiously apply brakes to test brakes after being exposed.
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Controls, Safety, Instruments
79
Brake wearYour car has excellent brakes, but they are still
subject to wear. The rate at which they wear de-
pends on how the brakes are used.
fHave the brake system inspected at the inter-
vals recommended in your Maintenance Book-
let.
A warning message will be displayed on the multi-
purpose display of the instrument panel if the
brake pads are worn, excessively.
fDo not continue to operate the vehicle.
Have your authorized Porsche dealer inspect
or replace the brake pads.
fPlease observe the chapter “WARNING LIGHTS
AND WARNING MESSAGES” on Page 124.
Brake pads and brake discsWear on the brake pads and brake discs depends
to a great extent on the driving style and the con-
ditions of use and therefore cannot be expressed
in actual miles on the road.
The high-performance brake system is designed
for optimal braking effect at all speeds and tem-
peratures.
Certain speeds, braking forces and ambient con-
ditions (such as temperature and humidity) there-
fore might cause the brakes to squeal.New brake pads or linings
New brake pads have to be “broken in“, and there-
fore only attain optimal friction when the car has
covered several hundred miles or km.
The slightly reduced braking ability must be com-
pensated for by pressing the brake pedal harder.
This also applies whenever the brake pads and
brake discs are replaced.
Brake wear warning message
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Controls, Safety, Instruments Warning!
fDo not obstruct the pedal travel with floor mats
or other objects.
The brake booster is ready for operation only
while the engine is running.
If the engine is switched off or there is a defect in
the brake booster, much greater force has to be
applied to the pedal when braking.
fPlease observe the chapter “TOWING” on
Page 374.
In heavy rain, while driving through water or after
leaving a car wash, the braking action may be de-
layed and increased pressure may be required.
fFor this reason, keep further back from the ve-
hicle in front and “dry” the brakes by applying
them at intervals. Make sure that following traf-
fic is not affected.
After a long drive over salted or gritted roads, a
coating may form on the brake discs and pads
that significantly reduces friction and thus braking
action.
fTherefore, clean the brake discs and pads ap-
prox. every 2 weeks with a strong jet of water.
The cleaning effect of automatic car washes is
insufficient.
To prevent corrosion of the brake discs, “brake
them dry” before parking the car.fEven though the brake discs consist of alloyed
grey cast iron, they will unavoidably start to
corrode if your car is parked for an extended
period. The brakes will tend to “rub” as a re-
sult.
The nature, extent and effects of corrosion de-
pend on the amount of time the vehicle was
parked, whether road salt or grit was spread
and whether grease-dissolving agents were
used in car washes.
If the braking comfort is noticeably impaired,
we recommend having the brake system
checked by experts at an authorized Porsche
dealer.
fTo relieve the braking system on downhill
stretches, change down to a lower gear in
good time to obtain engine braking.
If engine braking is insufficient on steep
stretches, operate the footbrake at intervals.
Continuous braking overheats the brakes and
reduces the braking effect.
fPlease observe the chapter “BRAKE-FLUID LE-
VEL” on Page 269.
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Controls, Safety, Instruments
Instrument Panel USA ModelsWarning and indicator lights on the
tachometer
Indicator lights in central instrument
panelWarning and indicator lights on the
speedometer
A Oil temperature gauge
BTachometer
CClock
D Clock reset button
E Cooling system temperature gauge
F Multi-purpose display
G Fuel gauge
H Reset button for trip counter display
I Speedometer
J Mileage displays
KVoltmeter Emission Control warning light
(Check Engine)
Airbag warning light
Safety belt warning light
PSM warning light
ABS warning light
Cruise control readiness
Hydraulically disengageable anti-roll bars
Turn signal indicator light, left
Turn signal indicator light, right
Trailer turn signal
Indicator light
Rear fog light indicator light
Tire pressure warning light
Differential locking indicator light
Brake warning light
Fog light indicator light
General warning
Observe warning message on the multi-
purpose display!
High beam indicator light
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84
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Instrument Panel Canada ModelsWarning and indicator lights on the
tachometer
Indicator lights in central instrument
panelWarning and indicator lights on the
speedometer
A Oil temperature gauge
BTachometer
CClock
D Clock reset button
E Cooling system temperature gauge
F Multi-purpose display
G Fuel gauge
H Reset button for trip counter display
I Speedometer
J Mileage displays
KVoltmeter Emission Control warning light
(Check Engine)
Airbag warning light
Safety belt warning light
PSM warning light
ABS warning light
Cruise control readiness
Hydraulically disengageable anti-roll bars
Turn signal indicator light, left
Turn signal indicator light, right
Trailer turn signal
Indicator light
Rear fog light indicator light
Tire pressure warning light
Differential locking indicator light
Brake warning light
Fog light indicator light
General warning
Observe warning message on the multi-
purpose display!
High beam indicator light
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Controls, Safety, Instruments
Example: Brake pad warning messageWarningsMAIN MENU > VEHICLE INFO > WARNINGS
NO WARNING is displayed if the vehicle is in
perfect condition.
Any warning messages are displayed.
fSelect warnings one after the other with the
rocker switch.
Example: Front side light warning messageReturning to the VEHICLE INFO menu
fPress RESET switch.
Caution!
Warning messages indicate possible faults.
fGo to an authorized Porsche dealer immediately.
LevelMAIN MENU > VEHICLE INFO > LEVEL
The ground clearance of vehicles equipped with
level control is shown in the LEVEL menu.
Note on operation
fThe level is set using the rocker switch behind
the selector lever in the center console.
fPlease observe the chapter “AIR SUSPENSION
WITH LEVEL CONTROL AND HEIGHT ADJUST-
MENT” on Page 254.
Returning to the VEHICLE INFO menu
fPress RESET switch.
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Controls, Safety, Instruments
Warning Lights and Warning MessagesIf a warning message appears, always refer to the corresponding chapters in this Owner's Manual.
Warning messages are issued only if all measurement preconditions are met.
Therefore, check all fluid levels regularly – in particular, always check the engine oil level after refuelling.
Instrument
panelMulti-purpose
displayText display Meaning/measures
Steering faulty Steering lock engaged.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Ignition lock faulty Do not continue driving.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
System fault – Workshop Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Key not recognised in vehicle Make sure that you have the remote control with you.
Turn ignition key to left for
2 secondsEngage the steering lock.
Key: replace battery Replace the remote-control battery.
Move the steering wheel Turn the steering wheel so that the steering wheel lock can
engage/disengage.
Key not found Make sure that you have the remote control with you.
Switch selector lever to position “P”.Tiptronic S: The vehicle could roll away.
The ignition key can be withdrawn only in selector lever
positionP.
Apply the brake Apply the brake when starting.
Move selector lever to position
“P” or “N”Tiptronic S: The vehicle can be started only in position P or N.
Applying the clutch Manual transmission: Apply the clutch when starting.
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Controls, Safety, Instruments
125
Immobiliser active Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Check left cornering light Check bulb.
Check right cornering light Check bulb.
Check dipped beam Check bulb.
Check trailer lights Check bulb.
Check direction indicatorsCheck turn signal bulb.
Check brake lights Check bulb.
Check high beam Check bulb.
Check number plate light Check bulb.
Check fog lights Check bulb.
Check reversing lights Check bulb.
Check tail lights Check bulb.
Check front side lights Check bulb.
Check headlight beam adjustment Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Daytime driving lights off Daytime driving lights switch off when the engine is shut off.
Switch on lights if necessary.
Airbag faulty Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Instrument
panelMulti-purpose
displayText display Meaning/measures