12
Controls, Instruments
Dear Porsche Owner A 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 first fTurn 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 front
lid and windshield are free of snow and ice, so
the heater and the windshield 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 equipment It 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.
Controls, Instruments
91
The central warning light on the instrument panel
lights up if there are warning messages in the
INFO menu.
The messages can be called in the on-board
computer INFO menu:
fPlease observe the chapter “INFO WARNING
MESSAGES” on Page 96.
The warning light on the instrument panel lights
up:
– if the handbrake is on,
– if the brake fluid level is low,
– if the brake pads have reached the wear limit,
– if the brake circuit division is defective.
Additionally, a warning is displayed by the on-
board computer.
fPlease observe the chapter “WARNINGS ON
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ON-
BOARD COMPUTER” on Page 114.
Central warning light
Brake warning light USA
Brake warning light Canada
114
Controls, Instruments
Warnings on the instrument panel and the on-board computerIf a warning message appears, always refer to the corresponding chapters in the 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 refueling.
Instrument
panelOn-board
computerText display on on-board
computerMeaning/measure
Seat belt Driver and passengers must fasten their seat
belts.
Handbrake Handbrake is still on.
Ignition key
not removed
Replace battery
in ignition keyReplace the remote-control battery.
Ignition lock faulty,
please go to workshopHave the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Ignition lock faulty,
visit workshop nowHave the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Relieve steering Relieve the steering l o c k b y m o v i n g t h e s t e e r i n g
wheel to the left or right.
Steering locked The steering wheel lock remains engaged.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Lights on Dipped beam/side light on.
Parking light on Left/right parking light on.
Controls, Instruments
115
Check left/right dipped beam (low
beam)
also applies to:
front side lights, direction indicator,
high beam, fog lights, side indicator
light, brake light, tail light, rear fog
light, reversing light, raised brake
light, side markerThe reported light is faulty. Check bulb.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Daytime
driving lights offDaytime driving lights switch off when the engi-
ne is shut off. Switch on lights if necessary.
Headlight beam
adjustment faultyHave the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Front lid not closed Close luggage compartment lid properly.
Rear lid not closed Close engine compartment lid properly.
Rain sensor faulty Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Refill washer fluid
LIMIT
Cannot be accepted
with vehicle stoppedThe current speed can only be accepted for the
acoustic warning signal when the vehicle is in
motion.
LIMIT
30Selected speed limit (e.g. 30 mph) for the
acoustic warning signal has been exceeded.
Adjust your speed if necessary.
Fuel gauge war-
ning lightConsider remaining range Refuel at next opportunity.
Instrument
panelOn-board
computerText display on on-board
computerMeaning/measure
Controls, Instruments
117
Indicator faulty Coolant indicator failed.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Brake pad wear Have the brake pads changed immediately at an
authorized Porsche dealer.
Warning – Brake fluid level Stop immediately in a suitable place.
Do not continue driving. Have the fault remedied
at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Warning – Brake circuit division Stop immediately in a suitable place.
Do not continue driving. Have the fault remedied
at an authorized Porsche dealer.
ABS failure Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
PSM off Porsche Stability Management has been swit-
ched off.
PSM on Porsche Stability Management has been swit-
ched on.
PSM failure Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
PASM Normal/Sport Indicator for selected PASM mode
PASM failure Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
PASM indicator faulty Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Sport mode failure Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Instrument
panelOn-board
computerText display on on-board
computerMeaning/measure
Maintenance, Car Care
171 Maintenance, Car Care
Exercise Extreme Caution when Working on your
Vehicle ..................................................... 172
Wiper Blades ............................................ 173
Coolant Level ............................................ 176
Engine Oil ................................................. 178
Engine Oil Level ........................................ 178
Engine Oil Recommendation ....................... 180
Brake Fluid Level ....................................... 182
Fuel Economy ........................................... 184
Operating Your Porsche in other Countries .. 185
Fuel .......................................................... 186
Fuel Recommendations .............................. 188
Portable Fuel Containers ............................ 189
Emission Control System ........................... 190
How Emission Control Works ...................... 191
Fuel Evaporation Control ............................ 191
Washer Fluid ............................................. 192
Power Steering ......................................... 193
Air Filter ................................................... 194
Combination filter ...................................... 194
Automatic Transmission Fluid ..................... 194
Manual Transmission Oil ............................. 194
Car Care Instructions ................................. 195
172
Maintenance, Car Care
Exercise Extreme Caution when
Working on your Vehicle
Danger!
Ignoring the following instructions may
cause serious personal injury or death.
fThe engine compartment of any motor vehicle
is a potentially hazardous area. If you are not
fully familiar with proper repair procedures, do
not attempt the adjustments described on the
following pages.
This caution applies to the entire vehicle.
fO n l y w o r k o n y o u r v e h i c l e o u t d o o r s o r i n a w e l l
ventilated area.
fEnsure that there are no open flames in the
area of your vehicle at any time when fuel
fumes might be present. Be especially cau-
tious of such devices such as hot water heat-
ers which ignite a flame intermittently.
fBefore working on any part in the engine com-
partment, turn the engine off and let it cool
down sufficiently. Hot engine compartment
components can burn skin on contact.
fBe alert and cautious around engine at all
times while the engine is running.
If work has to be performed with the engine
running, always set the parking brake, and
make sure the shift lever is in neutral or the se-
lector lever is in position P or N. fIn particular, be very careful to ensure that
items of clothing (ties, shirt, sleeves etc.), jew-
elry, long hair, hand or fingers cannot get
caught in the engine-compartment blower, fan,
belts or other moving parts.
The radiator and radiator fans are in the front
of the car.
The fans can start or continue running as a
function of temperature, even with the engine
switched off.
Carry out work in these areas only with the en-
gine off and exercise extreme caution.
fYour Porsche is equipped with an electronic ig-
nition system. When the ignition is on, high volt-
age is present in all wires connected with the
ignition system; therefore, exercise extreme
caution when working on any part of the engine
while the ignition is on or the engine is running.
fAlways place the vehicle on stable supports if
work has to be carried out under the vehicle.
Jacks are not suitable for this kind of work.
fWhen working under the car without safety
stands but with the wheels on the ground,
make sure the car is on level ground, the
wheels are blocked, and that the engine can-
not be started.
Remove the ignition key. fDo not smoke or allow an open flame around
the battery or fuel.
Keep a fire extinguisher close at hand.
fIncomplete or improper servicing may cause
problems in the operation of the car. If in doubt
about any servicing, have it done by your au-
thorized Porsche dealer.
Improper maintenance during the warranty pe-
riod may affect your Porsche warranty cover-
age.
fSupplies of fluids, e.g. engine oil, brake fluid or
coolant, are hazardous to your health.
Keep these fluids out of children’s reach and
dispose of them in accordance with the appro-
priate regulations.
fSome countries require additional tools and
special spare parts to be carried in your vehi-
cle.
Please make enquiries before driving abroad.
Power measurements Power measurements on dynamometers are not
approved by Porsche. Working in the engine compartmentHave the necessary work in the engine compart-
ment done by a qualified specialist workshop.
We recommend that you use your authorized
Porsche dealer for carrying out this work.
182
Maintenance, Car Care
Brake Fluid Level fPlease observe the chapter “EXERCISE EXTRE-
ME CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VE-
HICLE” on Page 172.
fUse only new (unused) Original Porsche
brake fluid.
Warning!
Brake fluid is hazardous to your health, and
may be fatal if swallowed.
Brake fluid also attacks paintwork.
fKeep brake fluid out of children’s reach.
fTake care while topping off brake fluid not to
soil the luggage compartment or items of lug-gage.
Checking the brake fluid level The reservoir for the hydraulic braking and clutch
systems is in the front luggage compartment.
1. Open and remove cover flap A.
2. Regularly check the brake-fluid level on the
transparent expansion tank through the win-
dow B.
The fluid level should always lie between the
“Min” and “Max” marks. A slight decrease in the fluid level due to wear and
automatic readjustment of the disc brakes is nor-
mal.
If, however, the fluid level falls markedly or below
the “Min” mark, the braking system may have de-
veloped a leak.
fHave the braking system checked immediately
at an authorized Porsche dealer.