Controls, Safety, Instruments
127
System not active – Brief disturbanceExternal interference (e.g., wireless headphones) or excessive
temperature (over 248 °F/120 °C) at the wheel transmitters.
Tire pressure monitoring will reactivate itself.
System not active –
Too many wheel transmittersTire pressure monitoring detects more than 4 wheel transmit-
ters (winter wheels in in the luggage compartment,
for example).
System will reactivate itself.
No monitoring – System learning After the tire type and size are selected in the tire pressure
menu, the system re-learns the tires.
Wheel change? Check settings Display after a wheel change without changed settings in the tire
pressure menu. Select tire type and size.
When vehicle stops: Hit selection Displayed after a flat tire if the system was not informed about
the work performed.
Make a selection on the multi-purpose display when the vehicle
is stationary.
Monitoring off Tire pressure monitoring was intentionally deactivated.
Tire pressure monitoring can be switched on or off on the
multi-purpose display.
Engine temperature too high Switch engine off and let it cool.
Check coolant level. Add coolant if necessary.
Check coolant level Switch engine off and let it cool.
Check coolant level. Add coolant if necessary.
Battery/generator warning Stop in a suitable place and switch engine off. Do not continue
driving.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Starting engine The battery discharges if the engine is not running and loads are
switched on.
Start the vehicle or switch the loads off.
Electrics – Loads – Switch-off Vehicle electrical system is overloaded. Certain loads (e.g.
heated rear window, seat heating) will be switched off.
Instrument
panelMulti-purpose
displayText display Meaning/measures
134
Controls, Safety, Instruments
A- Instrument lighting knobWhen the light is switched on, the brightness of
the instrument illumination can be adjusted by
turning thumb wheel A.
Automatic Headlight Beam
AdjustmentVehicles with Bi-Xenon headlights feature
automatic headlight beam adjustment.
When the ignition and the low beam are switched
on, the level of the headlight beam automatically
changes in accordance with the vehicle load. The
level of the headlight beam is automatically kept
constant during acceleration and braking.
Checking operation
1. Switch the low beam on.
2. Switch ignition on.
The light beam first dips all the way down and
is then adapted to the vehicle load. It this test
item is not met, the headlight beam adjustment
system must be checked by an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Instrument Illumination
138
Controls, Safety, Instruments The rain sensor remains switched off if the wiper
lever is already in position 1 when the ignition is
switched on.
To switch the rain sensor on again:
fMove wiper stalk to position 0 and then to
position 1 – switching on is confirmed by one
wipe of the windscreen – or
fOperate windscreen washer system 5 –
switching on is confirmed by three wipes of the
windscreen – or
fChange the sensitivity of the rain sensor with
four-stage switch A.Changing the sensitivity of the rain sensor
Sensitivity can be set with switch A in 4 stages:
fAdjust switch A upwards –
high sensitivity.
The setting is confirmed by one wipe of the
windshield.
fAdjust switch A downwards –
low sensitivity.
2 – Front windshield wiper – slow
fMove wiper stalk upwards to the second click.
3 – Front windshield wiper – fast
fMove wiper stalk upwards to the third click.
At speeds of less than approx. ca. 2.5 mph
(4 km/h), rain sensor operation mode is automat-
ically activated if the windshield wiper is switched
on. If you exceed a speed of approx. 5 mph
(8 km/h), the system switches to the pre-selected
wiper level.
4 – Front windshield wiper – one-touch oper-
ation
fMove wiper stalk downwards. The front wind-
shield wipers go through one wipe cycle.5 – Front windshield wipers and washer sys-
tem
fPull wiper stalk towards the steering wheel.
The washer system sprays and wipes while the
lever is pulled towards the steering wheel.
When the wiper lever is released, a few wipes
are executed.
Headlight washer (on vehicles with Bi-Xe-
non headlights):
T h e w a s h e r s p r a ys o n l y w h i l e l o w b e a m o r h i g h
beam is switched on.
To activate the headlight washer system, the
wiper lever must be pulled for a longer period
of time.
The headlight washer can be re-activated at
the earliest after five washing cycles.
The spray duration is limited.
Maintenance note
fIf heavily soiled, repeat wash.
fPersistent dirt (e.g. insect remains) should be
regularly removed.
Please observe the chapter “CAR CARE IN-
STRUCTIONS” on Page 284.
The front windscreen washer nozzles are heat-
ed when the ignition is on, as a precaution against
freezing. However, this does not replace the use
of antifreeze.
Controls, Safety, Instruments
191
If aftermarket systems are installed by non-dealer-
ship technicians or outside the selling dealer,
problems may result. Installation of aftermarket
equipment is not covered under the New Car War-
ranty.
fConsult your authorized Porsche dealer about
the installation of non Porsche approved equip-
ment.
Reception quality
The reception quality of your car telephone will
change constantly when you are driving. Interfer-
ence caused by buildings, landscape and weather
is unavoidable. It may become particularly difficult
to hear when using the hands-free function due to
external noise such as engine and wind noise.
Automatic car-wash
fUnscrew external antennas before using an au-
tomatic car-wash.
Porsche Communication
Management (PCM)
Warning!
There is a danger of accident if you set or
operate the on-board computer, radio, navi-
gation system, telephone or other equipment
when driving.
This could distract you from the traffic and
cause you to lose control of the vehicle re-
sulting in serious personal injury or death.
fOperate the components while driving only if
the traffic situation allows you to do so safely.
fCarry out any complicated operating or setting
procedures only with the vehicle stationary.
fIf it is necessary to operate these components
while the vehicle is in motion, use the function keys on the multi-functional steering wheel.
fRefer to the separate operating instructions
before putting the PCM into operation.
When put into operation for the first time, a dis-
tance of approx. 3 miles (5 km) must be driven in
order for the navigation system to complete the
process of fine calibration. The same applies
when the tires are changed (e.g. summer/winter
tires) or new tires fitted. Full location accuracy is
not yet achieved during the fine-calibration proc-
ess.If the vehicle has been transported (e.g. ferry, car
train), the system may take a few minutes after be-
ing switched on before it determines the current
location.
Serious tire slip (e.g. spinning wheels on snow)
may result in temporarily inaccurate navigation.
When the battery has been disconnected, it may
take up to 15 minutes before the navigation
system is operational once more.
Satellite radioYou must have the satellite radio activated before
you can put it into operation. You will need a con-
tract with a provider in order to use this radio.
fRefer to the separate radio operating instruc-
tions before putting into operation.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
221
Tiptronic SThe Porsche Tiptronic is a six-speed transmission
and features an “automatic” and a “manual” gear-
shift mode.
In automatic selection mode (selector lever po-
sition D), gear changing is automatic.
Depending on the driving program, you can
change temporarily from automatic to manual
mode using the rocker switches on the steering
wheel.
In manual selection mode (selector lever
position M), you change gear using the rocker
switches on the steering wheel or by pushing the
selector lever forward or back.
You can change between selector lever positions
D and M as you wish while driving.
Note on operation
Take care not to operate the rocker switches on
the steering wheel inadvertently, thereby trigger-
ing undesired gear changes.
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 pressedRelease button
The release button (arrow) on the front side of the
selector lever prevents unintentional gear chang-
es.
The release button must be pressed when shifting
to position R or P.
The selector lever cannot be operated in the event
of an electrical fault.
fPlease observe the chapter “SELECTOR LE-
VER EMERGENCY RELEASE” on Page 228.
StartingThe engine can be started only in selector lever
position P or N with the brake pedal pressed.Moving offfSelect the desired position for moving off
(D, M or R) only when the engine is idling and
when depressing the brake pedal.
fSince the car creeps when in gear, do not re-
lease the brake until you want to move off.
fAfter selecting a gear, do not accelerate until
you can feel that the gear is engaged.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
223
D - Automatic selection mode (in the road
driving program)The functions of selector lever positions D and M
differ in the on-road program, High Range, and in
the off-road program, Low Range.
fUse selector lever position D for “normal” driv-
ing.
The gears are shifted automatically according
to the accelerator position and speed.
Depending on the way the vehicle is driven and on
the resistance (e.g. uphill), the gear-changing
points are shifted towards higher or lower engine-
speed ranges. Movement of the accelerator,
driving speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration
and the road profile all have an influence on the
gear-changing characteristic.
When PSM is switched off, transmission gear
changes are done at higher engine speeds.
Unwanted upward shifts, e.g. before corners, are
prevented by swiftly releasing the accelerator ped-
al.
Depending on lateral acceleration, upward chang-
es on corners are not made until the engine-speed
limit is reached.
During braking, and depending on the amount of
deceleration, the Tiptronic changes down earlier.
For subsequent cornering, the right gear is en-
gaged when pressure is applied to the brakes be-
fore the corner.The corner is taken in the right gear, and when you
accelerate out of the corner you do not have to
change down.
Moving off
In 2nd gear, the vehicle moves off with the throttle
only slightly open. Move off in 1st gear with the
throttle open wider or when the engine is cold.
When PSM is switched off, the car generally
moves off in 1st gear.
Shifting gear on the steering wheel
By shifting gear with the rocker switches on the
steering wheel, you can temporarily change from
automatic selection mode D to manual selection
mode M.
Advantages
– Shifting down before corners and on entering
built-up areas.
– Shifting down on downward slopes (engine
braking).
– Shifting down for brief spurts of acceleration.
– Selecting 1st or 2nd gear for moving off.
The manual selection mode remains engaged:
– For cornering (depending on the lateral accel-
eration) and overrunning,
– When the vehicle is stationary (e.g. at a junc-
tion).The system leaves manual selection mode:
– automatically after around 8 seconds
(unless car is cornering, overrunning or
stationary),
– if you depress the accelerator to kickdown.
Temporary change-down
Precondition
– Speed is higher than approx. 33 mph
(54 km/h).
fDepress accelerator quickly.
The Tiptronic changes temporarily to the sport-
iest gear-changing map, i.e. to the highest pos-
sible gear-changing points. Correspondingly,
the transmission shifts down immediately by
one, two or three gears.
Ending the function
fRelease the accelerator markedly (by approx.
25%).
f f f
224
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems Kickdown
The kickdown function is active in selector lever
position D.
fFor optimum acceleration, e.g. when overtak-
ing, 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
full-throttle position.
D - Automatic selection mode (in the off-
road driving program)The functions of selector lever positions D and M
differ in the on-road program, High Range, and in
the off-road program, Low Range.
fUse selector lever position D for “normal” driv-
ing.
The gears are shifted automatically according
to the accelerator position and speed.
The gears are shifted automatically according to
the accelerator position and speed. The gear-
changing points have been adjusted to achieve the
best possible vehicle control on difficult terrain.Depending on the route profile, the gear-changing
points are shifted towards higher or lower engine-
speed ranges. On steep downhill stretches, up-
ward shifts are prevented until medium engine
speeds are reached (at least 2,500 rpm).
When the car is overrunning, an automatic upshift
does not occur when the engine speed limit is
reached.
Moving off
The car moves off in 1st gear.
Shifting gear on the steering wheel
By shifting gear with the rocker switches on the
steering wheel, you can temporarily change from
automatic selection mode D to manual selection
mode M.
Advantages
– Shifting down on downward slopes (engine
braking).
– Shifting down for brief spurts of acceleration.
– Selecting 1st/2nd or 3rd gear for moving off.
The manual selection mode remains engaged:
– For overrunning
– Depending on lateral acceleration
– When the vehicle is stationary (e.g. at a junc-
tion).The system leaves manual selection mode:
– Automatically after around 8 seconds
(unless car is subject to high lateral accelera-
tion, is overrunning or stationary),
– if you depress the accelerator to kickdown.
Kickdown
The kickdown function is active in selector lever
position D.
fFor optimum acceleration, e.g. when overtak-
ing, 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
full-throttle position.
Tip on driving
Unlike in the on-road driving program, an automat-
ic upshift is not performed in manual selection
mode M when the engine-speed limit is reached.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
227
StoppingfFor 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.
fDo not hold the car on a slope using the accel-
erator. Use the brake pedal or the parking
brake instead.
fBefore leaving the vehicle, always apply the
handbrake and move the selector lever to
position P.
Tip on driving
In selector lever positions D and M, the Hillholder
prevents the car from rolling backward when it has
been stopped on an upward slope with the engine
running.
fPlease observe the chapter “HILLHOLDER” on
Page 242.
ParkingfGo easy on the accelerator.
fWhen parking or maneuvring in a small space,
control the speed by careful use of the foot-
brake.Driving in winterIn wintry road conditions it is advisable to take
steep inclines in manual mode M. This prevents
the occurrence of gear changes that could cause
wheelspin.
Reduced driving programIf there is a fault in the transmission:
–An X appears instead of the current gear
indicator on the multi-purpose display of the in-
strument panel.
The transmission no longer shifts.
fTo remedy the fault, immediately consult an au-
thorized Porsche dealer.
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-
ward fast enough to cause rear wheel lockup.
fDo not shift into R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Tip on driving
3rd or 5th gear in selector position D and reverse
gear R are now available and will allow you to
reach the nearest authorized Porsche dealer.
fPlease go to your authorized Porsche dealer
as soon as possible.