
72
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Starting and Stopping the EnginefPlease observe the chapter “IMMOBILIZER” on 
Page 21.
fPlease observe the chapter “EMISSION 
CONTROL SYSTEM” on Page 282.
 Danger!
Risk of poisoning. Exhaust gas contains 
colorless and odorless carbon monoxide 
(CO), which is toxic even in low concentra-
tion. Carbon monoxide can cause uncon-
sciousness and even death if inhaled.
fNever start or let the engine run in an en-
closed, unventilated area. It is not recommend-
ed to sit in your car for prolonged periods with 
the engine on and the car not moving.
An unattended vehicle with a running engine 
is potentially hazardous. If warning lights 
should come on to indicate improper opera-
tion, they would go unnoticed.
fNever leave the engine idling unattended.
Danger of fire.
fDo not drive or park your car where combusti-
ble materials, such as dry grass or leaves, 
can come into contact with the hot exhaust 
system.
fIf your car catches on fire for any reason, call 
the fire department. Do not endanger your life by attempting to put out the fire.
Starting vehicles with manual 
transmissionfOperate footbrake.
fFully depress and hold the clutch pedal.
fPut the gearshift lever in neutral.
fDo not press the accelerator pedal. The engine 
control module will provide the correct starting 
mixture.
fTurn ignition key to ignition lock position 2.
fDo not operate the starter longer than approx. 
10 seconds. If necessary, repeat the starting 
procedure after a pause of approx. 
10 seconds. Turn the ignition key back to 
ignition lock position 3 first.
The first operation of the starter is ended automat-
ically when the engine starts.
If the engine does not start, subsequent starter 
operations will not be ended automatically.fDo not warm up the engine when stationary. 
Drive off immediately. 
Avoid high revolutions and full throttle until the 
engine has reached operating temperature.
fIf battery output is insufficient, jump leads can 
be used to start the engine.
fPlease observe the chapter “EMERGENCY 
STARTING WITH JUMPER CABLES” on 
Page 355.
Note on operation
To ensure a good charge condition for the battery 
and thus its ability to start the engine, all electrical 
accessories which are not required should be 
switched off when the ignition is switched on and 
when engine revolutions are low (in stop and go 
traffic). 

Controls, Safety, Instruments
73
Starting vehicles with Tiptronic SfOperate footbrake.
fMove selector lever to position P or N.
fDo not press the accelerator pedal. 
The engine control module will provide the 
correct starting mixture.
fTurn ignition key to ignition lock position 2.
fDo not operate the starter longer than 
approx. 10 seconds.
If necessary, repeat the starting procedure 
after a pause of approx. 10 seconds. Turn the 
ignition key back to ignition lock position 3 
first.
The first operation of the starter is ended 
automatically when the engine starts.
If the engine does not start, subsequent starter 
operations will not be ended automatically.fDo not warm up the engine when stationary. 
Drive off immediately.
Avoid high revolutions and full throttle until the 
engine has reached operating temperature.
fIf battery output is insufficient, jump leads can 
be used to start the engine.
Please observe the chapter “EMERGENCY 
STARTING WITH JUMPER CABLES” on 
Page 355.
Note on operation
To ensure a good charge condition for the battery 
and thus its ability to start the engine, all electrical 
accessories which are not required should be 
switched off when the ignition is switched on and 
when engine revolutions are low (in stop and go 
traffic).
Starting with auxiliary batteryIf your vehicle is fitted with an additional battery 
in the luggage compartment, you have the possi-
bility of starting the engine with the ignition key, 
even if the main battery fails. 
In vehicles with Porsche Entry & Drive: 
1. Remove the Porsche Entry & Drive control unit 
from the ignition lock.
Please observe the chapter “REMOVING THE 
CONTROL UNIT FROM THE IGNITION LOCK” on 
Page 70.
2. Insert the ignition key into the ignition lock and 
start the engine as described. 
fPlease have the cause of the fault remedied at 
an authorized Porsche dealer. 

74
Controls, Safety, Instruments
StoppingfWithdraw the ignition key only when the vehicle 
is stationary, otherwise the steering lock en-
gages and the vehicle cannot be steered.
fOnly switch the ignition off when the vehicle 
comes to a stop, as there is no steering assist-
ance and brake boost when the engine is 
switched off.
fAlways withdraw the ignition key and engage 
the parking brake when leaving the vehicle.
The control unit always remains in the ignition 
lock in vehicles that have Porsche Entry & 
Drive.
Note on operation
The vehicle battery discharges if the ignition key is 
left inserted.
 Warning!
Danger of injury. Hot engine compartment 
components can burn skin on contact.
fBefore working on any part in the engine com-
partment, turn the engine off and let it cool down sufficiently.Radiator fans
The radiator and radiator fans are in the front of 
the car.
 Warning!
Danger of injury. After the ignition is 
switched off, the engine compartment and 
coolant temperatures are monitored for ap-
prox. 30 minutes. During this period, and de-
pending on temperature, the radiator fan 
may continue to run or start to run.
fCarry out work in these areas only with the en-gine off and exercise extreme caution. 

78
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. 

80
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. 

82
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 

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 

86
Controls, Safety, Instruments A warning message will appear on the multi-pur-
pose display of the instrument panel if the engine 
oil temperature is too high.
fReduce speed and engine load immediately if 
the red zone is reached.
TachometerThe start of the red zone on the tachometer scale 
is a visual warning of the maximum permissible en-
gine speed.
If the red zone is reached during acceleration, fuel 
feed is interrupted in order to protect the engine.
Oil Temperature Gauge