12
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Dear Porsche OwnerA lot has gone into the manufacture of your
Porsche, including advanced engineering, rigid
quality control and demanding inspections. These
engineering and safety features will be enhanced
by you...the safe driver...– who knows his car and all controls,
– who maintains the vehicle properly,
– who uses driving skills wisely and always
drives within her/his own capabilities and the
level of familiarity with the vehicle.
You will find helpful hints in this manual on how to
perform most of the checks listed on the following
pages. If in doubt, have these checks performed
by your authorized Porsche dealer.
Before driving off...Check the following items firstfTurn the engine off before you attempt any
checks or repairs on the vehicle.
fBe sure the tires are inflated correctly.
Check tires for damage and tire wear.
fSee that wheel bolts are properly tightened
and not loose or missing.
fCheck engine oil level, add if necessary. Make
it a habit to have engine oil checked with every
fuel filling.
fCheck all fluid levels such as windshield wash-
er and brake fluid levels.
fBe sure the vehicle battery is well charged and
cranks the engine properly.
fCheck all doors and lids for proper operation
and latch them properly.
fCheck and if necessary replace worn or
cracked wiper blades.
fSee that all windows are clear and unobstruct-
ed.
fCheck air intake slots and area between en-
gine compartment lid and windshield are free
of snow and ice, so the heater and the wind-
shield wipers work properly.fIf a child will be riding in the vehicle, check
child seat/child seat restraint system to ensure
that restraints are properly adjusted.
fCheck all exterior and interior lights for opera-
tion and that the lenses are clean.
fCheck the headlights for proper aim, and if
necessary, have them adjusted.
fCheck under the vehicle for leaks.
fBe sure all luggage is stowed securely.
Emergency equipmentIt is good practice to carry emergency equipment
in your vehicle.
Some of the items you should have are: window
scraper, snow brush, container or bag of sand or
salt, emergency light, small shovel, first-aid kit,
etc.
86
Controls, Safety, Instruments
Level gaugeWhen the ignition is on the fuel level is displayed.
fPlease observe the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 371.
If the vehicle's inclination changes (e.g. going up-
hill/downhill), minor deviations in the indication
may occur.
Fuel reserve warningWhen the engine is running, the warning light on
the multi-purpose display of the instrument panel
lights up if less than 3 gallons (12 litres) of fuel re-
mains in the tank or the range on remaining fuel
falls below approx. 30 miles (50 km).
fFill up at the next opportunity.
Caution!
A shortage of fuel may cause damage to the
emission control system.
fNever drive the tank dry.
fIf the warning lights have come on, do not take turns at high speed.
fPlease observe the chapter “HOW EMISSION
CONTROL WORKS” on Page 272.
Fuel
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.
268
Maintenance, Car Care
Refuelling
Danger!
The RF energy from a cellphone can cause a
sparking on bare metal, much like aluminium
foil in a microwave oven. The spark could ig-
nite gasoline fumes present while refuling.
Static discharge from your body can ignite
gasoline fumes present when you get back
out of the vehicle and touch the fuel nozzle.
In either case, resulting fire can cause seri-
ous damage to the vehicle, serious injury or
death to persons in immediate vicinity.
fDo not use a cellphone while pumping gas.
fDo not re-enter the vehicle while pumping gas.Total capacity approx. 26.4 gallons
(100 liters), including approx. 3 gallons
(12 liters) reserve
1. Stop the engine and switch off the ignition.
2. Slowly unscw the tank cap.
Hang the tank cap on plastic strap A of the fill-
er flap.
3. Insert pump nozzle fully into the filler neck with
the handle of the pump nozzle facing down.
4. Do not add further fuel once the correctly op-
erated automatic pump nozzle has switched
off.
Fuel could spray or could run over when heat-
ed.
5. Replace the tank cap immediately after refuel-
ling and turn it until you hear it and feel it en-
gage.
Maintenance note
fIf you lose the tank filler cap, you must replace
it only with an original part.
270
Maintenance, Car Care
Fuels containing MMTSome North American fuels contain an octane en-
hancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
If such fuels are used, your emission control sys-
tem performance may be negatively affected.
The check engine warning light on your instrument
panel may turn on.
If this occurs, Porsche recommends you stop us-
ing fuels containing MMT.
Portable Fuel Containers
Danger!
Portable fuel containers, full or partially
empty, may leak causing an explosion, or re-
sult in fire in case of an accident.
fNever carry additional fuel in portable contain-ers in your vehicle.
Fuel Evaporation ControlFuel tank ventingThe evaporation chamber and the carbon canister
prevent fuel from escaping to the atmosphere at
extreme high outside temperatures, when driving
abruptly around curves and when the car is parked
at an incline or in any other nonlevel position.Vapor control system and storageWhen the fuel tank is filled, vapors are collected in
the evaporation chamber by a vent line leading the
vapors to the carbon canister where they are
stored as long as the engine does not run.Purge systemWhen the engine is running, the fuel vapors from
the canister will be mixed with fresh air from the
ambient air of the canister. This mixture will be di-
rected to the intake air housing by the tank vent
line, mixed with the intake air and burned during
normal combustion.
288
Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
Tire pressures
Danger!
Risk of accident.
Risk of serious personal injury or death.
Driving the vehicle with low tire pressure
increases risk of a tire failure and resulting
loss of control. Furthermore, low tire pres-
sure increases rate of wear of the affected
tires and cause damage. Always use an
accurate tire pressure gauge when checking
inflation pressures.
fDo not exceed the maximum tire pressure
listed on the tire sidewall. (Also refer to “Tech-
nical data“).
fCold tire inflation pressure means: all tires
must be cold, ambient temperature maximum
68°F (20°C), when adjusting the inflation pres-
sure. Avoid sunlight striking the tires before
measuring cold pressures, since the pressures
would rise from temperature influence.
fValve caps protect the valve from dust and dirt,
and thus from leakage. Always screw caps
tightly down. Replace missing caps immedi-
ately.
fFor safety reasons, don't use tire inflating bot-tles.
fPlease observe the chapter “TIRE PRESSU-
RES, COLD” on Page 370.Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should
be checked every 2 weeks when cold (68°F/20°C)
and inflated to the inflation pressure recommend-
ed in this Owner's Manual or on the tire-pressure
plate.
If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the
size indicated in this Owner's Manual or on the tire-
pressure plate, you should determine the proper
tire inflation pressure for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring that illu-
minates a low tire pressure message when one or
more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure message
illuminates, you should stop and check your tires
as soon as possible, and inflate them to the prop-
er pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflat-
ed tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to
tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel effi-
ciency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the tire pressure monitoring is not
a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached
the level to trigger illumination of the tire pressure
monitoring low tire pressure message.
For further information on the tire pressure moni-
toring:
fPlease observe the chapter “TIRE PRESSURE”
on Page 100.When tires are warm, the tire pressure is in-
creased.
fNever let air out of hot tires. This could cause
the tire pressure to fall below the prescribed
value.
Insufficient tire pressure can cause tires to
overheat and thus be damaged – even invisibly.
Hidden tire damage is not eliminated by subse-
quently correcting the tire pressure.
Overloading
Danger!
Risk of personal injury, loss of control and
damage to vehicle parts.
fDo not overload your vehicle. Be careful about
the roof load.
fIf loading the vehicle also correct the tire pres-
sure. Tire pressure for loaded vehicle can be
found on the tire pressure plate and in the
chapter technical data.
fNever exceed the specified axle load.
Overloading can shorten the service life of the
tires and car, as well as lead to dangerous vehi-
cle reactions and long braking distances.
Damage due to overloading is not covered by the vehicle warranty.
fPlease observe the chapter “LOADING INFOR-
MATION” on Page 207.
Practical Tips, Minor Repairs
291
Tire carefAvoid damaging tires and wheel rims.
fIf you must drive over a curb or other obstacle,
drive slowly and at an obtuse angle.
fCheck tires for uneven wear and damage be-
fore driving off.
fRemove imbedded material.
fReplace worn or damaged tires immediately.
fKeep oil, fuel, brake fluid, etc. away from tires.
fReplace missing valve stem caps.
fKeep tires inflated correctly.
fWash tires when washing the vehicle. Also
clean inner side of wheels.
fDo not use abrasive cleaners when washing
the wheels.
fCheck wheel rims for corrosion.
fRemove road salt, if driving in winter.
Tire damage, puncturefPlease observe the chapter “HIGH-PRESSURE
CLEANING UNITS” on Page 274.
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death. Driv-
ing the vehicle with low tire pressure increas-
es risk of a tire failure and resulting loss of
control. Furthermore, low tire pressure in-
creases rate of wear of the affected tires.
fCheck tires – including sidewalls – regularly for
foreign bodies, nicks, cuts, cracks and bulges.
fAfter driving off road, examine tires for signs
of damage such as cuts, tears, bulges or for-
eign objects stuck in the tread. Replace a dam-
aged tire if necessary.
fCross curb edges slowly and at right angles if
possible.
Avoid driving over steep or sharp curbs.
fIn cases of doubt, have the wheel (particularly
the inner side) checked by an authorized Por-sche dealer.In case of tire damage, where it is uncertain wheth-
er there is a break in the ply with all its conse-
quences or tire damage caused by thermal or me-
chanical overloading due to loss of pressure or
any other prior damage, we recommend that the
tire be replaced for safety reasons.
If one faulty tire is replaced it should be noted that
the difference in tread depth on one axle must not
exceed 30%. Handling inconsistencies may result.
fPerform a visual inspection if necessary.
Vehicle Identification, Technical Data
371
CapacitiesUse only fluids and fuels authorized by Porsche. Your authorized Porsche dealer will be pleased to advise you.
Your Porsche has been designed so that it is not necessary to mix any additives with oils or fuels.1 Depending on equipment levelEngine oil change quantity without oil filter
approx. 8.5 quarts (8.0 liters)
Engine oil change quantity with oil filter approx. 9.0 quarts (8.5 litres)
Reference indication is the level on the oil dipstick.
Please observe the chapter “ENGINE OIL LEVEL” on Page 252.
Coolant
1)
approx. 4.8 – 5.5 U.S. gallons (18 - 21 liters)
Automatic transmission with torque converter approx. 10.6 quarts (10.0 liters)
Tr a n s f e r b o x
approx. 0.9 quarts (0.85 liter)
Front-axle differential approx. 1.1 quarts (1.0 liter)
Rear-axle differential
approx. 1.5 quarts (1.4 liters)
Locking rear differential approx. 1.7 quarts (1.6 liters)
Fuel tank
approx. 26.4 U.S. gallons (100 liters),
including approx. 3 U.S. gallons (12 liters) reserve
Fuel quality The engine is designed to provide optimum performance and fuel consumption if unleaded premi-
um fuel with 98 RON/88 MON is used.
If unleaded premium fuels with octane numbers of at least 95 RON/85 MON are used, the engine's
“Electronic Oktane™ knock control“ automatically adapts the ignition timing.
Power steering
approx. 1.6 quarts (1.5 liters) Pentosin CHF 11 S
®
Brake fluid approx. 1.0 quart (0.95 liter)
Use only Original Porsche brake fluid.Window/headlight washer system
approx. 7.9 quarts (7.5 liters)