2009 PORSCHE BOXSTER ECU

52
Operation, Safety
Child restraint system for up to one-year old
children
– Make sure that the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp lights up.
– Adjust the passenger's seat as far away from the airbag as possible. Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death due
to the passenger airbag triggering uninten-
tionally.
When the ignition is on and the up to one-
year old child is seated in the child restraint
system on the passenger seat the indicator
lamp ”PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF“ must be on.
If the ”PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF“ indicator
lamp does not light up, it could indicate a
fault in the system.
In this case:
f Do not use a child restraint system on the pas-
senger’s seat.
f On vehicles with key-operated airbag deactiva-
tion device: Switch to position OFF.
f On vehicles without key-operated airbag deac-
tivation device: Do not drive.
f Have the fault remedied at your nearest autho-rized Porsche dealer. Child restraint system fo
r children older than
one year
Your vehicle is equipped with a weight sensing sys-
tem for the passenger's seat in accordance with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicl e Safety Standard 208.
Depending on the weight acting on the passen-
ger's seat, the passenger's airbag will automati-
cally be switched on or off.
Small adult passengers
Make sure that the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indi-
cator lamp does not light up.
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death due
to the passenger airbag not triggering.
When the ignition key is inserted on and the
small adult passenger is seated on the pas-
senger’s seat, the indicator lamp ”PASSEN-
GER AIRBAG OFF“ must be off.
If the ”PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF“ indicator
lamp lights up, it could indicate a fault in the
system.
In this case:
f Do not carry a passenger in the passenger’s
seat.
f Have the fault remedied at the nearest authori-zed Porsche dealer.
Automatic locking retractorfDo not install a child restraint system in
the Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be equipped
with the LATCH system.
The safety belt for the passenger is equipped with
an automatic locking retr actor for securing the
child restraint system. When activated, this retrac-
tor allows you to securely fasten the child restraint
system in place so that inadvertent movements
will not occur.
Before transporting a child on the passenger seat:
f Please see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS” on Page 50.
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death to the
child, when excessive force is acting on the
passenger's seat due to the seat belt.
In such cases, the pass enger's airbag can be
switched on unintentionally.
f After fastening the child restraint system, do
not adjust the seat.
f Check the condition of the passenger’s airbag
shown by the indicator la mp in the central con-sole.

54
Operation, Safety
LATCH SystemChild seat bracket on the passenger’s
seatfDo not install a child restraint system in
the Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be equipped
with the LATCH system.
The key switch for switching off the passenger’s
airbag and the LATCH attachment bracket are not
installed at the factory. Th ey can be retrofitted (not
on vehicles with Sports bucket seats).
f Please see your authorized Porsche dealer.
Porsche recommends the use of a Porsche Child
Seat with Lower Anchorage and Tether for Child-
ren system (LATCH).
These systems have been tested and adjusted to
the interior of your Po rsche and the appropriate
child weight groups. Other systems have not been
tested and could entail an increased risk of injury.
You can obtain child seats that are LATCH compa-
tible at your authorized Porsche dealer.
f Always see the separate installation instruc-
tions for your child seat.
f Please see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS” on Page 50.
Installing a LATCH child seat system1. Secure the child seat to retaining lugs A as out-
lined in the instruction manual for the child
seat.
2. Pull the child seat to check that both fastening points are engaged correctly.
Note
f Make sure that the key switch is switched to
AUTO once the child se at has been removed,
in order to provide protection to the adult
occupants.

Operation, Safety
57
Brake system warning light
You can check the functionality of the brake
system warning light by switching the ignition to
the "On" position and verifying that the warning
light illuminates.
If the warning lights in the instrument panel and on-
board computer go on while driving, the brake flu-
id level may be too low, or (if the brake pedal travel
has increased) one of the two brake circuits may
have failed.
A greater braking pressure will be required, stop-
ping distances will be longer and the braking be-
havior will change, particularly in curves.
With correctly adjusted brakes, and a correctly
working brake system, the pedal travel to the
point of brake actuation should be 1-3/16 in. to
1-9/16 in. or 30 to 40 mm.
Whenever the brake pedal travel exceeds this dis-
tance, have the brake system checked.
Brake pedal
Warning!
Risk of an accident, re sulting in serious per-
sonal injury or death.
Any obstruction of the brake pedal could
increase the stopping distance.
f Always check the movement of the brake pedal
before driving and make sure that it is not ob-
structed by a floor ma t or any other object.
f Secure 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 nonskid floor mats of the correct size.
Note
In case one of the two brake circuits fails, in-
creased pedal travel is required to bring your
vehicle to a full stop.
Warning!
To avoid overheating and premature wear of
the brakes:
f Before descending a steep grade, reduce
speed and shift the tran smission into a lower
gear or driving position to control speed.
f Do not “ride the brakes” by resting your foot on
the pedal when not intending to apply brake
pressure.
f Do not hold the pedal down too long or too
often.
This could cause the brakes to get hot and not function properly.
f Please see the chapter “DRIVE-OFF ASSIS-
TANT” on Page 173.
Brake warning light USA
Brake warning light Canada

60
Operation, Safety
When the ignition is switched on the ABS warning
light will light up while the system is electronically
interrogated and goes o
ut when the engine is
started if the check is not yet complete.
If the ABS warning lamp fails to go out, this indi-
cates that ABS has been deactivated due to a
fault. If the warning lights in the instrument panel
and on-board computer light up while you are driv-
ing, this indicates that a fault has occurred. In both
cases, normal braking, as in vehicles without ABS,
is still retained.
The ABS system should, however, be examined at
an authorized Porsche dealer immediately to pre-
vent the occurrence of further faults.
f If the ABS system becomes inoperative, take
your vehicle to your authorized Porsche dealer
immediately.
Warning!
Risk of an accident, resulting in serious per-
sonal injury or death.
The control unit of the ABS brake system is
set for standard tire size. If non-standard
tires are installed, the control unit may mis-
interpret the speed of th e vehicle, because of
the variant data it rece ives from the sensors
on the axles.
f Use only tire makes and types tested by Porsche.
Clutch Pedal The clutch pedal must be depressed fully
before the starter will engage.
Warning!
Risk of an accident, resulting in serious per-
sonal injury or death.
f Always check the movement of the clutch ped-
al before driving and make sure that it is not
obstructed by a floor mat or any other object.
f Secure 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
nonskid floor mats of the correct size.
To avoid damage to the clutch and transmis-
sion:
f Always depress the clutch pedal fully when
changing gears.
f Do not hold the car on a steep grade with the clutch pedal partially depressed.
Should the free travel of the clutch pedal suddenly
become larger, it could me an a malfunction of the
clutch.
f See your Porsche dealer for correction.
Warning light USA
Warning light Canada

Operation, Safety
79
Automatic Headlight Beam Adjustment Vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlights feature
dynamic headlight beam adjustment.
When the ignition is switched on, the level of the
headlight beam automatica lly changes in accord-
ance with the vehicle load.
The level of the headlight beam is automatically
kept constant during acceleration and braking.
Checking operation
1. Switch the low beam on.
2. Insert ignition key and switch ignition on. The light beam first dips all the way down and
is then adapted to the vehicle load.
If this test item is not met, the headlight beam
adjustment system must be checked by an author-
ized Porsche dealer.
Welcome Home LightingSwitching on
f Move light switch to the HOME position.
For improved visibility and security when you get
in and out of the car, the daytime driving lights and
the tail lights remain on for a certain period of
time:
– When you get out of the car , the lights are
turned on for approx. 30 seconds after the
door is opened. The off-delay time resumes
when the vehicle is locked.
On vehicles with the Sport Chrono Package
Plus, the PCM can be used to set the off-delay
time. This setting also changes the lighting
period for unlocking the vehicle.
Please observe the chapter “Individual
Memory” in the separate PCM operating
instructions.
– The lights are turned on for approx. 30 seconds when the vehicle is unlocked.
The lights go out if the ig nition is switched on
or when leaving the Welcome Home lighting.

80
Operation, SafetyWarning chime
If the ignition key is withdrawn and the door is
opened while the lights (not the Welcome Home
lighting) are on, a
chime warns of possible bat-
tery discharge.
In some countries, differences are possible
due to provisions of law.
Vehicles with the Sport Chrono Package Plus
Further individual light functions are available in ve-
hicles with the Sport Chrono Package Plus.
f Please observe the chapter “Individual
Memory” in the separate PCM operating
instructions.
Daytime driving lightsUSA only:
The daytime driving lights can be activated/deacti-
vated in the on-board computer.
fPlease see the chapter “ON-BOARD
COMPUTER (BC)” on Page 130.Welcome Home LightingSwitching on
fMove light switch to the HOME position.
For improved visibility and security when you get
in and out of the car, the fog lights and the tail
lights remain on for a certain period of time:
– When you get out of the car , the lights are
turned on for approx. 30 seconds after the
door is opened. The off-delay time resumes
when the vehicle is locked.
On vehicles with the Sport Chrono Package
Plus, the PCM can be used to set the off-delay
time. This setting also changes the lighting
period for unlocking the vehicle.
Please observe the chapter “Individual
Memory” in the separate PCM operating
instructions.
– The lights are turned on for approx. 30 seconds when the vehicle is unlocked .
The lights go out if the ignition is switched on
or when leaving the Welcome Home lighting.
Light Switch on Vehicles with
Halogen HeadlightsLights switched off
Welcome Home Function
Parking lights , side marker lights,
license plate light, instrument illumination
Low beam, high beam
Only with ignition on
Fog light in addition to parking lights or
low beam
Pull switch to first click.
Indicator light on.
Rear fog light in addition to fog lights
Pull switch to second click.
Indicator light on.

82
Operation, Safety
Windshield Wiper/ Washer Lever
Warning!
Danger of injury when the windshield wipers
operate unintentionally, e.g. in intermittent
or rain sensor operation.
Risk of damage to the windshield, wiper sys-
tem and headlight washer.
f Avoid running the wiper blades over a dry
windshield to prevent scratching the glass.
Spray washer fluid on the windshield first.
A scratched windshield will reduce visibility.
f Always loosen wiper blades from frozen glass
before operating wipers to prevent damage to
the wiper motor or blades.
f Always switch off windshield wipers in car
wash to prevent them wiping unintentionally
(intermittent or sensor operation).
f Always switch off windshield wipers before
cleaning the windshield to avoid unintentional
operation (intermittent or sensor operation).
f Do not operate the headlight washer in car
washes.
f Do not operate headlight washer when it is frozen.
Wiper and headlight washer system0 – Windshield wipers off
1 – Intermittent/rain sensor operation for
front windshield wipers
f Move wiper lever upwards to the first click.
Please see the chapter “RAIN SENSOR” on
Page 83.
2 – Windshield wipers slow
f Move wiper lever upwards to the second click.
3 – Windshield wipers fast
f Move wiper lever upwards to the third click. 4 – Windshield wiper – one-touch operation:
f
Move wiper lever downwards. The windshield
wipers wipe once.
5 – Windshield wipers and washer system:
f Pull wiper lever towards the steering wheel.
The washer system sprays and wipes while the
lever is pulled towards the steering wheel.
When the wiper lever is released, a few drying
wipes are executed.
A - Headlight washer (Vehicles with Bi-Xenon
headlights):
The washer sprays only while low beam or high
beam is switched on.
f Briefly push button A to operate headlight
washer system.
f If heavily soiled, repeat wash.
The headlight washer system automatically sprays
once for every ten times the front windshield
washer system is operated.
Note
The windshield washer nozzles are heated
when the ignition is on, as a precaution against
freezing.

Operation, Safety
89
Storage in the Passenger
Compartment
Warning!
Unsecured luggage and heavy objects may
come loose during brak ing, rapid directional
changes or in an accident and cause serious
personal injury or death.
f Do not transport any heavy objects in the
storage trays.
f Do not carry unsecured luggage or objects in the passenger compartment.
Additional storage possibilities – in the doors,
– in the door sill next to the passenger’s seat,
– in the center console,
– storage tray with coin holder between seats,
– glove compartment with CD and pen holder,
– clothes hook on back of seat backrests (depending on vehicle equipment),
– on engine compartment lid.
Storage tray between the seatsOpening
f Press release button and lift the lid.
There is a coin holder in the forward part of the
storage tray.
f Please see the chapter “SOCKETS” on
Page 245.