228
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Porsche Traction Management (PTM)Porsche Traction Management is a full-time all-
wheel control system designed to influence the
longitudinal and lateral dynamics. It is closely
linked with the Porsche Stability Management
(PSM) system:
PTM ensures the best possible power distribution
to the four driven wheels at the front and rear ax-
les. The system realises this optimal traction by in-
tervening in the lock control function of the trans-
fer case and rear differential. PTM is active at all
times and, unlike the PSM, cannot be switched off.Advantages of PTM
– Obvious improvement in traction, driving stabil-
ity and steering ability of the car.
– Vehicle is more manageable when driven at its
performance limits.
– Improved straight-ahead tracking and stability.
– The aforementioned features allow for a sport-
ier setup of the running gear.
– The TCS and ABD provide even better traction
for all wheels.
Warning!
In spite of the advantages of PTM, it is still the driv-
er’s responsibility to adapt his/her driving style
and maneuvres in line with road and weather con-
ditions, as well as the traffic situation.
The increased safety that is provided should not in-
duce you to take greater risks with your safety.
The limits set by the physics of driving cannot be
overcome, even with PTM.
Risks of accident due to inappropriate speed
cannot be reduced by PTM.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
229
Full-time all-wheel drive
With the four-wheel drive, the drive power is varia-
bly distributed to the front and rear wheels.
Power distribution and wheel speed compensation
between the front and rear axles is realised with a
transfer box.
Distribution of the drive power depends on the
wheel speed difference between the two axles.
The transfer box always controls power distribu-
tion in such a way that optimal propulsion is
achieved, even on an unfavorable road surface.
Full-time four-wheel drive ensures optimal handling
and great stability.
Warning!
In spite of the advantages of four-wheel drive, it is
still the driver’s responsibility to adapt his driving
style and maneuvers in line with road and weather
conditions, as well as the traffic situation.
The increased safety that is provided should not in-
duce you to take greater risks with your safety.
The limits set by the physics of driving cannot be
overcome, even with four-wheel drive.
Risks of accident due to inappropriate speed can-
not be reduced by four-wheel drive.Automatic brake differential (ABD)
The ABD system controls the front and rear axles
separately. If one wheel of an axle starts to spin,
it is braked so that the other wheel on the same
axle can be driven.
The ABD recognises different driving states, and it
features control strategies adapted to these
states. In situations in which little propulsive power
is required, such as when the car moves off on a
level gravel surface, traction control already be-
comes active at low engine speeds. If great
propulsive power is required, e.g. when moving off
on an uphill slope or for rapid acceleration, the
ABD is adapted accordingly.
A special off-road program is used in Low Range
mode.Traction control system (TCS)
The traction control system prevents the wheels
from spinning by adjusting the engine power,
thereby ensuring good lane-holding ability and a
stable driving behavior.
230
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Porsche Stability Management (PSM)PSM is an active control system for stabilisation of
the vehicle during extreme driving maneuvres. It
operates together with the Porsche Traction
Management (PTM) system.
PSM makes use of both the ABD and TCS sys-
tems, as well as the known functions of the anti-
lock brake system (ABS) and engine drag torque
control system (MSR).
Warning!
In spite of the advantages of PSM, it is still the driv-
er’s responsibility to adapt his driving style and
maneuvres in line with road and weather condi-
tions, as well as the traffic situation.
The increased safety that is provided should not in-
duce you to take greater risks with your safety.
The limits set by the physics of driving cannot be
overcome, even with PSM.
Risks of accident due to inappropriate speed
cannot be reduced by PSM.Advantages of PSM
– Best possible traction and lane-holding ability
in all driving situations – even on road surfaces
with varying friction.
– The system compensates for undesired vehi-
cle reactions (load-alteration effect) when the
driver releases the accelerator pedal or brakes
on corners. This compensation functions up to
the maximum lateral acceleration.
– PSM actively stabilises the vehicle in the event
of under and oversteering during dynamic
driving maneuvres (e.g. rapid steering move-
ments, during lane changes or on alternating
corners).
– Improved braking stability on corners and on
different or varying road surfaces.Readiness for operation
PSM is switched on automatically every time you
start the engine.
Function
Sensors at the wheels, brakes, steering system
and engine continuously measure:
–Driving speed
– Direction of travel
– Lateral acceleration
– Longitudinal 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 ac-
tual direction of motion deviates from the desired
course (steering-wheel position):
It brakes individual wheels as needed. If neces-
sary, PSM additionally influences the engine power
or the gear-changing characteristic of the Tiptron-
ic in order to stabilise the vehicle.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
233
ABS
(Anti-lock Brake System)
Warning!
In spite of the advantages of ABS, it is still the driv-
er’s responsibility to adapt his driving style and
maneuvres in line with road and weather condi-
tions, as well as the traffic situation.
The increased safety that is provided should not in-
duce you to take greater risks with your safety.
The limits set by the physics of driving cannot be
overcome, even with ABS.
Risks of accident due to inappropriate speed can-
not be reduced by ABS.
ABS ensures
–Full steering control
The vehicle remains steerable
–Good driving stability
No skidding due to locked wheels
–Optimum braking distance
Shorter stopping distances in most cases
–Lock prevention
No flat spots on the tiresFunction
The decisive advantage of ABS is in the driving
stability and maneuvrability of the vehicle in
hazardous situations, even during heavy braking
while cornering.
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during full
braking, on almost all road surfaces, until shortly
before the vehicle stops.
The ABS begins to control the braking process as
soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock.
This controlled braking process is comparable to
extremely rapid cadence braking.
The pulsating brake pedal and a “rattling noise”
warn the driver to adapt his driving speed to the
road conditions.Warning light
If the ABS warning lights light up in the instrument
panel and on the multi-purpose display of the in-
strument panel while the engine is running, the
ABS has switched off because of a fault.
In this event, the braking system will operate with-
out lock prevention,as in cars without ABS.
fAdapt your driving style to the changed brak-
ing behavior.
fThe ABS must be checked immediately at an
authorized Porsche dealer. This is necessary
in order to prevent the occurrence of further
faults whose effects cannot be defined.
The ABS control unit is adjusted for the approved
tire dimensions.
The use of tires with non-approved dimensions can
lead to different wheel speeds, causing the ABS to
switch off.
f f f
234
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems Off-road ABS
(ABS in Low Range program)
When Low Range is active, an ABS specially
matched to off-road driving is activated automati-
cally.
At speeds below 30 mph (50 km/h), the front
wheels can lock up in cycles during braking to
shorten the braking distance when the vehicle is
driven off-road (the wheels dig in to the surface).
If the driver needs to steer, this off-road driving
program is automatically switched off briefly to
maintain steerability.
HillholderIn selector lever positions D and M, the Hillholder
function makes it easier to move off from a stand-
still on an upward slope when the engine is
running. The driver does not have to apply the
brake.
The hillholder thus makes moving off on slopes
easier.
Danger!
Risk of accident.
The vehicle can roll backwards if the Hillhold-
er is switched off.
fAlways apply the footbrake on slopes.
Hillholder is not active:
– In selector lever positions N and R
– In the reduced driving program and
– If not all of the wheels are touching the ground
(on difficult terrain, for example).
Warning!
In spite of the advantages of the hillholder func-
tion, it is still the driver’s responsibility to adapt his
driving style and maneuvers in line with situational
conditions.
The increased safety that is provided should not in-
duce you to take greater risks with your safety.
The limits set by the physics of driving cannot be
overcome, even with the hillholder function.
Driving at the limits should be avoided, e.g., on icy
slopes or on slippery surfaces. In this and similar
cases, the support of the hillholder function is not
ensured.
236
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
Off-Road DrivingfPlease read this chapter carefully before driv-
ing off road with your Porsche.
The information provided will familiarise you with
the special advantages of your vehicle, allowing
you to arrive at your destination safely every time.
We recommend practicing on less rugged terrain.
Vehicles with SportDesign package
Caution!
Risk of damage. On vehicles with
SportDesign package, front, rear, and side
member trim are painted and pulled down
lower. Off-road driving can seriously damage
these trim parts.
fWhen driving off-road, make sure these parts
are not damaged.
fMake sure there is sufficient clearance
between obstacles and the underside of the
vehicle.
fAvoid driving through water.
fDo not use side member trim as a running board.Maintenance note
Please bear in mind that off-road driving subjects
all vehicle components to considerably more wear
than normal use, making professional inspection
and maintenance after each use a vital precondi-
tion for functioning and safety.
Grains of sand, dirt particles and other abrasive
materials entering the brakes can cause exces-
sive wear or unpredictable braking action.
Rules for off-road drivingfEnsure vehicle is equipped with approved all-
terrain tires.
fPlease observe the chapter “GROUND CLEA-
RANCE” on Page 375.
fActivate Low Range.
fStow or fasten luggage and loads securely.
Please observe the chapter “LOADING INFOR-
MATION” on Page 207.
fIf unknown terrain is obscured from view, ex-
amine it on foot first and traverse it with ex-
treme caution.
This way, obstacles are easier to recognise
and damage to the vehicle is avoided.fAlways drive with the engine running.
Steering assistance is provided only with the
engine running.
fDrive slowly and uniformly.
fAlways make sure that the wheels touch the
ground.
fBefore driving through water, check the water
depth, the condition of the surface beneath it
and the speed of the water.
fLook out for obstacles such as boulders,
holes, tree stumps or ruts.
fAlways keep the sliding/lifting roof or
Panorama roof system and the side windows
closed while driving.
fDo not depart from marked routes or paths.
fRespect nature.
Always obey off-limits signs.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
237
Driving systems for off-road drivingSpecially adapted driving programs or power-
transmission and running-gear control systems
are available for off-road driving:
– Off-road program Low Range
–Off-road PSM
–Off-road ABS
– Center differential lock
– Rear differential lock
fPlease observe the chapter “POWER-TRANS-
MISSION AND RUNNING-GEAR CONTROL SYS-
TEMS” on Page 227.Before driving offTires
fCheck tread depth and tire pressure.
fCheck for damage and remove any foreign ob-
jects (e.g. stones) from the tread.
fReplace missing valve caps.
Rims
fReplace dented or damaged rims before
driving off road.
After driving off roadOff-road driving places a greater burden on the ve-
hicle than does normal driving on roads.
We recommend inspecting the vehicle after off-
road driving. Potential damage poses an accident
risk and impairs driving comfort. Damage on the
car is recognised in good time if the car is
checked.
Warning!
Car damage poses an accident risk for the
vehicle occupants and other road users.
fIn cases of doubt, have your vehicle checked
by your authorized Porsche dealer.
fExamine tires for signs of damage such as
cuts, tears, bulges or foreign objects stuck in
the tread. Replace a damaged tire if neces-
sary.
fHave any damage to your vehicle repaired by an authorized Porsche dealer without delay.
Recommended procedure
fDeactivate Low Range.
fClean headlights and tail lights and check them
for signs of damage.
fClean the front and rear license plates.fClean the tire tread with a jet of water and re-
move any foreign objects.
fClean wheels, wheel housings and the under-
body with a jet of water.
fCheck whether the car has picked up plant
parts or branches.
These materials increase the risk of fire and
can damage fuel lines, brake hoses, boots of
the axle joints and drive shafts.
fAfter off-road driving, always check the entire
floor assembly, tires, body structure, steering
system, running gear and exhaust system for
signs of damage.
fAfter driving for an extended period through
mud, sand, water or substances with a similar
soiling effect, check the brake discs, brake
pads, wheels and axle joints and have them
cleaned.
fIf you experience severe vibrations after
driving off road, check the wheels for foreign
substances.
These substances can produce an imbalance
which might be responsible for the vibrations.
Removing these deposits may remedy the
problem.
Shifting Gear, Traction Systems
243
Driving on sandNote on operation
fActivate Low Range and engage differential
locks if necessary.
Tips on driving
Loose sand is an especially tricky surface for off-
road driving.
You can often become stuck in sand within
minutes if you do not drive correctly in such
situations.
fDrive at brisk pace and do not stop under any
circumstances. This will reduce the chance of
the car becoming bogged down.
fFollow existing tracks – provided that they
have not been covered by blown sand, are not
too deep and the car's ground clearance is
sufficient.
Please observe the chapter “GROUND CLEA-
RANCE” on Page 375.
fAvoid high engine speeds (may. 2,500 rpm).When driving on slopes with soft sand:
fUse the manual select mode M in addition to
the Low Range program.
If your vehicle becomes stuck nevertheless:
fDo not spin the wheels. Instead, use branches,
mats or similar items to provide adequate trac-
tion so that you can drive out of the critical ar-
ea.
Track rutsOther vehicles leave ruts in many off-road courses
or gravel roads.
fPlease observe the chapter “GROUND CLEA-
RANCE” on Page 375.
Caution!
Risk of damage to the vehicle floor when
driving through ruts that are too deep.
fAlways bear in mind the car's ground clear-
ance.
fDo not drive over ruts that are too deep.
Note on operation
fActivate Low Range and engage differential
locks if necessary.
Tips on driving
fIn cases of doubt, drive with one wheel on the
strip of grass between the ruts.
fAvoid high engine speeds (max. 2,500 rpm).
fDrive slowly.