2009 PORSCHE BOXSTER warning

172
Shifting Gears
Manual Transmission, ClutchThe positions of the gears are shown on the shift
diagram on the gearshift lever.
Warning!
Risk of accident, resulting in serious person-
al injury or death.
f Do not obstruct the pedal travel with floor mats
or other objects.
Nonskid floor mats of the correct size are
available at your authorized Porsche dealer. To avoid damage to the clutch and transmis-
sion:
f
Always depress the clutch pedal fully when
changing gears. Make sure that the gearshift
lever is completely engaged.
f Only shift into reverse when the car has come
to a complete stop.
f When shifting gears, always ensure that the
clutch pedal is fully depressed and the gear
has fully engaged.
f Select reverse only when vehicle is stationary.
Reverse gear can be enga ged after shifting the
gearshift lever as far as possible to the left.
f Select an appropriately low gear on upward
and downward slopes.
This will ensure optimum use of engine power
and engine braking.
When reverse gear is sele cted and the ignition is
on, the backup lights are illuminated.
Permitted engine speedf You should change into a higher gear before
the needle reaches the red mark on the
tachometer, or ease off the accelerator.
If the red zone is reached during acceleration, fuel
feed is interrupted.
Caution!
Risk of engine damage (overrevving) when
shifting down to a lower gear.
f Take care not to exceed the maximum permitted engine speed when shifting down.

Shifting Gears
175
Indicator for selector lever position and
engaged gearWhen the engine is running, the selector lever
position and engaged gear are indicated.
If the selector lever is between two positions
–Effects: The corresponding selector-lever position in
the instrument panel flashes and the warning
“Actuate brake” or “Selector lever not
engaged” appears on the on-board computer.
f Action required:
Operate the footbrake and engage the
selector lever properly. If the selector lever is inadvertently (due to
a defect or incorrect operation) moved out of P or
N into gear without pressing the brake, this gear
will start to “flash” and no power transmission is
built up. To drive off, press the brake and move
the selector lever from P
or N into the required
gear again.
Selector-lever position R or D is flashing in the
instrument cluster
f Effects:
There is no power transmission.
The selector lever was engaged without
pressing the footbrake or only the restricted
driving programme is available when the
“Transmission emergency run” message
is displayed.
Action required:
Press the footbrake and engage the required
selector-lever position again by moving the
selector lever from P or N.
If reverse gear fails:
Please see the chapter “REDUCED DRIVING
PROGRAM” on Page 180. If there is a fault in the transmission:
– The warning “Transmission emergency run” in
white or red lettering or the warning “Transmis-
sion temperature too high” is displayed on the
on-board computer.
Please see the chapter “REDUCED DRIVING
PROGRAM” on Page 180.
f Have the fault repaired immediately at an
authorized Porsche dealer.

Shifting Gears
177
“Sport Plus” mode activated:
In “Sport Plus” mode, the PDK transmission
changes to a shift program designed for driving
on race circuits. 7th gear is not selected.
The gear-changing performance is enhanced
significantly again compared with “Sport” mode.
fPlease see the chapter “SPORT MODE” on
Page 61.
Driving with Launch Control
Driving with Launch Control allows you to achieve
maximum acceleration from a standing start. It is
intended to provide you with a unique enjoyment of
your vehicle under controlled circumstances and
is not intended to be used in any location where it
could be a nuisance to other persons.
Warning!
There is a risk of endangering other road
users if you use this Control in an improper
location or in a situation where other persons
might need to take evas ive action due to the
rapid acceleration that this technology
permits.
f Launch Control is designed to be used in a
controlled environment on closed circuit
driving courses where no vehicle cross traffic
or pedestrian traffic is present.
f Use Launch Control only if conditions permit it
to be applied in a safe manner. f
Do not use Launch Control if there is a possibi-
lity it could endanger other persons. Such a
possibility exists if you cannot see that you
have a clear road with no possibility of cross
traffic in your intended direction of driving. Caution!
Stress on components increases dramatically
when starting with maximum acceleration in
comparison with normal driving off. Use of
Launch Control will inevitably reduce the life
of the engaged engine and transmission
components.
Preconditions:
– Launch Control should only be used when the engine has reached operating temperature.
– “Sport Plus” mode must be switched on (light- emitting diode in button is on and “SPORT
PLUS” is displayed on the on-board computer).
1. Press the brake with your left foot.
2. Quickly press down the accelerator fully (kickdown activated) and hold.
The engine speed will flatten out at around
6500 rpm.
“Launch Control active” is displayed on the
on-board computer. 3. Release the brake within a few seconds.
Remaining stationary for a long time with
“Launch Control active” can lead to overload-
ing of the transmission.
In order to protect the transmission, the engine
power is then reduced an d the “Launch Control
active” process is cancelled.
Shifting gears on the steering wheel
With the shift buttons on the steering wheel, you
can change temporarily fr om automatic selection
mode D to manual mode M.
For example:
– Shifting down before bends and on entering built-up areas.
– Shifting down on downward slopes (engine braking).
– Shifting down for brief spurts of acceleration.
Manual selection mode remains engaged:
– for cornering (depending on the lateral acceler- ation) and overrunning,
– when the vehicle is stationary (e.g. at a junction).
The system leaves manual selection mode:
– automatically after approx. 8 seconds (unless cornering or overrunning),
– after driving off.

Shifting Gears
179
Depending on driving speed and engine speed,
you can shift up or down at any time.
Gear changes which would exceed the upper or
lower engine speed limit are not executed by the
controller.
There is no automatic upshift at the upper engine
speed limit in selector lever position M. Upshift
suppression can be cancelled by kickdown opera-
tion. If, for example, the engine speed limit is
reached during overtaking and the automatic
upshift does not occur, the transmission in this
case shifts up as a result of kickdown operation.
f Select an appropriately low gear on upward
and downward slopes.
This will ensure optimum use of engine power
and engine braking.
In order to shift up au tomatically at the upper
engine speed limit:
f Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle point (kickdown). Failure of the selector lever display on the
instrument cluster
The warning “Transmission emergency run” is
displayed in red on the on-board computer.
–Effect:
No selector lever position is displayed on the
instrument cluster.
Vehicle can be driven only until it comes to a
stop.
Remedy:
It is not possible to continue driving. Immedi-
ately stop the vehicle in a suitable place. Have
the vehicle towed to an authorized Porsche
dealer.
Please see the chapter “TOWING” on
Page 269.
Stoppingf For a brief stop (e.g. at a traffic light), leave the
selector lever in drive position and hold the
vehicle with the brake pedal.
f Do not hold the car on a slope using the
accelerator. Use the brake pedal or the
handbrake instead.
f Before leaving the vehicle, always apply the
handbrake and move the selector lever to
position P.Parkingf Go easy on the accelerator!
f When parking or manoeuvring in a small
space, control the speed by careful use of the
footbrake.Driving in winterIn wintry road conditions it is advisable to take
steep inclines in manual mo de. This prevents gear
changes occurring that could cause wheelspin.Tow-starting, towingf Please see the chapter “TOWING” on
Page 269.

180
Shifting Gears
Reduced driving programIf there is a fault in the transmission
– Depending on priority, the warning “Transmis-sion emergency run” in white or red lettering or
the warning “Transmission temperature too
high” is displayed on the on-board computer.
Warning “Transmission emergency run” white
– Effects: Restricted gearshift comfort,
Reverse gear may not function.
Remedy:
Have the fault repaired immediately at an
authorized Porsche dealer. Warning “Transmission emergency run”
red
– Effect: Vehicle can be driven only until it comes to a
stop.
Remedy:
It is not possible to continue driving. Immedi-
ately stop the vehicle in a suitable place. Have
the vehicle towed to an authorized Porsche
dealer.
Warning “Transmission temperature too high”
–Effects: “Warning jerks” can be felt when driving off and
the engine power may be restricted.
Remedy:
Do not hold the vehicle with the accelerator on
a hill, for example. Hold the vehicle with the
brake. Reduce engine load. If possible, stop
the vehicle in a suitable place. Allow the engine
to run in selector lever position P or N until the
warning disappears.

182
Mobile Roofs
Convertible TopBrief operating instructions can be found on the
back side of the driver’s sun visor.
fPlease see the chapter “CAR CARE INSTRUC-
TIONS” on Page 213.
Warning!
When opening or closing the convertible top,
serious personal injury may occur if a per-
son’s body parts are near or in the way of the
convertible top mechanism’s moving parts.
f Make absolutely sure that nobody can be
injured by the convertible-top mechanism or the convertible-top compartment lid.
Do not operate convertible top:
– At temperatures below 32 °F/0 °C.
– When one side of the ca r is on a curb, a hoist
or a jack.
– When items of luggage or other objects hinder the convertible top movement.
f Drive only with the convertible top fully open or
closed (end positions). f
Items of luggage or objects on the luggage
tray above the engine compartment lid must
be put in the storage box or be secured to
prevent their sliding out. These items must not
be in abrasive contact with the convertible top
or rear window. Keep s hutters of the storage
box closed while driving.
f Avoid frequent operation of the convertible top
with the engine off; the vehicle battery would
be unintentionally discharged rapidly.
f When opening or closing the convertible top,
ensure there is sufficient clearance above the
convertible top (e.g. in the garage).
f To prevent damp stains and abrasions, only
open the convertible top in a dry, clean state.
f Park your car in the shade whenever possible,
as the fabric, rubber ma terial and color can be
harmed by long exposure to sunlight.
f The convertible top may only be actuated
during driving on even surfaces.
f The convertible top must not be used with
strong counter wind (over approx. 50 mph/
80 km/h).
Conditions for operating the convertible
top – The ignition must be switched on
(engine running or off).
– Maximum speed 30 mph (50 km/h) The opening/closing process of the convertib-
le top will be interrupted if the maximum speed
is exceeded.
f Reduce speed.
Press button again.
The opening/closing process is ended.

Mobile Roofs
183
Opening convertible topReleasing the latching lever
fPress on the release plate A.
Latching lever B pops into engaging position. Releasing convertible top
Caution!
Risk of damage by the locking hooks on the
roof frame when the latching lever is not
engaged correctly.
f Make sure that the latching lever is felt to engage when opening.
f Swivel latching lever B to the rear until it is felt
to engage.
Opening the convertible top with the button Warning!
Risk of injury.
f When opening the convertible top, make sure
that nobody can be injured by the convertible-
top mechanism or the convertible-top com-
partment lid.
f In order to abort convertible top operation in
the event of danger:
up to 6 mph (10 km/h), release the button im-
mediately,
over 6 mph (10 km/h), activate the button briefly. f
Up to 6 mph (10 km/h):
Pull the button and hold without interruption un-
til the convertible top is in the final position and
the message on the on-board computer goes
out.
In case of danger, release the button.
Convertible top operation stops.
f From 6 mph (10 km/h) to 30 mph
(50 km/h):
Pull button briefly, the convertible top opens
automatically. The message in on-board com-
puter goes out.
In case of danger, pu ll the button back again,
the convertible top operation stops.

184
Mobile Roofs
Closing the convertible top
Warning!
Danger of injury and damage.
f When closing the conver tible top, make sure
that nobody can be injured by the convertible-
top mechanism or the convertible-top com-
partment lid.
f In order to abort convertible top operation in
the event of danger:
up to 6 mph (10 km/h), release the button im-
mediately,
over 6 mph (10 km/h), activate the button
briefly.
f Keep the lids of the ma ke-up mirrors in the sun
visors closed when closing the convertible top.
f Lock the convertible top with the latching lever after automatic closing. Closing convertible top with the button
f
Up to 6 mph (10 km/h):
Pull the button and hold without interruption un-
til the convertible top is in the final position and
the message on the on-board computer goes
out.
In case of danger, release the button.
Convertible top operation stops.
f From 6 mph (10 km/h) to 30 mph
(50 km/h):
Pull the button briefly, the convertible top clo-
ses automatically. The message in on-board
computer goes out.
In case of danger, pu sh the button forward
again, the convertible top operation stops. f
Lock convertible top wi th the latching lever.