2009 PORSCHE BOXSTER brake light

Operation, Safety
85
Decelerating Option 1
fPull operating lever towards the steering wheel
(position 2) until the desired speed is reached.
The speed reached is maintained and stored
when the lever is released.
Option 2
f Briefly move lever towards the steering wheel
(position 2 ) (a maximum of 10 times).
The speed is reduced by 1 mph (1.6 km/h),
each time the lever is moved towards the
steering wheel.
Vehicles with PDK
Downshifts are carried o ut to improve decelera-
tion (especially when driving downhill).
Interrupting automatic speed control
operation f Pull operating lever downwards briefly
(position 3) or
f Operate brake or clutch pedal or
f Switch PDK to selector lever position N.
f Please see the chapter “PORSCHE DOPPEL-
KUPPLUNG (PDK)” on Page 174.
The speed driven before the interruption remains
stored in the memory.
Automatic speed control operation is
interrupted automatically:
– If the set vehicle speed is exceeded by more than approx. 16 mph (25 km/h) for longer than
20 seconds.
– If the actual vehicle sp eed falls to approx.
37 mph (60 km/h) below the set vehicle speed
for longer than 60 seconds (upward slopes).
– For PSM control operations.
Resuming the stored speed f Briefly push operating lever upwards
(position 4).
The speed control accelerates/decelerates
the vehicle to the stored speed.
The stored speed should only be recalled when
traffic conditions and the road surface so permit.Switching automatic speed control
readiness off f Press button A on the automatic speed control
lever.
The green readiness light in the speedometer
goes off.
Note
The stored speed value is cleared when the
vehicle is parked and the ignition is switched off.
Important note
On upward or downward slopes, the set speed
cannot always be maintained by the automatic
speed control.
f To obtain sufficient engine braking or a better
engine-speed range, a lo wer gear needs to be
selected.

116
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
Instrument Panel USA Models Also refer to the corresponding chapters in
the Owner’s Manual.1. Speedometer with analogue display
2. Automatic speed control indicator light
3. Tire pressure warning light
4. Turn signal indicator light, left/right
5. Tachometer
6. High beam indicator light
7. ABS warning light
8. Cooling system Temperature gage, warning light
9. Fuel Level gage, warning light
10.Adjustment button for instrument illumination and trip counter
11.Odometer and daily trip mileage display
12.Light sensor for instrument illumination
13.Airbag warning light 14.Check Engine warning light
(Emission control warning light)
15.Central warning light
16.On-board computer display
17.Porsche Stability Management PSM Multifunctional light
18.Brake warning light
19.Safety belt warning light
20.Gear display
21.PDK transmission, selector lever position
22.Clock and outside temperature display
23.Adjustment button for clock When the ignition is switched on, the warning
lights light up for a lamp check.
Note
Warnings that have been given are stored in the
appropriate control unit me
mory and can be read
out at an authorized Porsche dealer.
This information can help to warn you about situa-
tions which may be hazardous to you or your car.

118
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
Instrument Panel Canada Models Also refer to the corresponding chapters in
the Owner’s Manual.1. Speedometer with analogue display
2. Automatic speed control indicator light
3. Tire pressure warning light
4. Turn signal indicator light, left/right
5. Tachometer
6. High beam indicator light
7. ABS warning light
8. Cooling system Temperature gage, warning light
9. Fuel Level gage, warning light
10.Adjustment button for instrument illumination and trip counter
11.Odometer and daily trip mileage display
12.Light sensor for instrument illumination
13.Airbag warning light 14.Check Engine warning light
(Emission control warning light)
15.Central warning light
16.On-board computer display
17.Porsche Stability Management PSM Multifunctional light
18.Brake warning light
19.Safety belt warning light
20.Gear display
21.PDK transmission, selector lever position
22.Clock and outside temperature display
23.Adjustment button for clock When the ignition is switched on, the warning
lights light up for a lamp check.
Note
Warnings that have been given are stored in the
appropriate control unit me
mory and can be read
out at an authorized Porsche dealer.
This information can help to warn you about situa-
tions which may be hazardous to you or your car.

128
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
If the battery voltage drops abruptly, a warning
m e s s a g e w i l l b e d i s p l a y e d b y t h e o n - b o a rd c o m p u -
ter.
If the warning is displayed by the on-board
computer while the engine is running or while
driving:
f
Stop the car in a safe place and stop the
engine.
Possible causes
– Defect in the battery charging system.
– Broken drive belt.
Warning!
Risk of engine damage with resultant loss of
control and accident, leading to serious per-
sonal injury or death.
A broken drive belt means there is no power
assistance to the steering (more effort is re-
quired to steer) and coolant pump function
will stop.
f Do not continue driving.
f Have the fault remedied at the nearest author-ized Porsche dealer. 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:
f
Please see the chapter “INFO WARNING MES-
SAGES” on Page 136. 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.
f Please see the chapter “WARNINGS ON THE
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ON-BOARD
COMPUTER” on Page 162.
Battery
Central Warning Light
Brake Warning Light USA
Brake Warning Light Canada

162
Warnings
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 preconditi ons are met. Therefore, check all fluid levels regularly –
in particular, always check the en gine oil level before refuelling.
Instrument
panel On-board
computerText display on on-board
computer Meaning/measure
Seat belt
Driver and passengers must fasten their seat
belts.
Handbrake Handbrake is still on.
Ignition key
not removed
Replace battery
in ignition key Replace the remote-control battery.
Ignition lock faulty,
please go to workshop Have the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Ignition lock faulty,
visit workshop now Have 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 Low beam/side marker lamps on
Parking light on Left/right parking light on

176
Shifting Gears
Selector lever positionsP – Parking lockfEngage parking lock only when vehicle is
stationary.
If selector-lever position P is flashing in the
instrument cluster, the parking brake is not
engaged. The vehicle can roll away.
Engage selector-lever position P again by
moving the selector lever out of R.
f Engage parking lock after applying the
handbrake and release it before releasing the
handbrake.
The ignition key can be withdrawn only in
selector lever position P.R – Reverse gearf Select only if car is stationary and the brake is
applied.N – NeutralSelector lever position N must be selected for
towing or in car washes, for example.
f Only select the desired position for driving off
(D, M or R) when the engine is idling and the
brake pedal is depressed.
D - Automatic selection modeSelect position D for “normal” driving. The gears
are shifted automatically according to the acceler-
ator position and speed.
Depending on the way the vehicle is driven
(economical, comfortable or sporty driving style)
and on the resistance (e.g. uphill), the gear-
changing points are shifted towards higher or
lower engine-speed ranges.
The accelerator position, driving speed, engine
speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration and
the road profile all have an influence on the gear-
changing characteristic.
Unwanted upward shifts, e.g. before bends, are
prevented by swiftly releasing the accelerator
pedal.
Depending on lateral acceleration, upward
changes on bends are not made until the engine-
speed limit is reached.
Under braking, and depending on the amount of
deceleration, the PDK transmission changes down
earlier.
For subsequent cornering, the right gear is
engaged when pressure is applied to the brakes
before the bend. The bend is taken in the right
gear, and when you accelera te out of the bend you
do not have to change down. With a sporty driving style, downshifts are already
initiated when the brake pedal is touched lightly.
This further enhances
a dynamic driving style.
The PDK transmission temporarily changes to the
sportiest gear-changing map, i.e. to the highest
possible gear-changing poin ts, if the accelerator
pedal is pressed quickly. The transmission accord-
ingly shifts down immediately by one or two gears
(temporary change-down).
The transmission no longer selects 7th gear at
high driving speeds.
Sport mode
(“Sport” and “Sport Plus” modes)
“Sport” mode activated:
The PDK transmission switches to a sporty gear-
changing map and shortens the gear shifting
times.
A sporty driving style is recognised more quickly
and the gear-changing speeds are adapted to
driving performance.
Deceleration downshifts are commenced earlier.
Downshifts are already carried out in the case of
slight decelerations, even at higher engine
speeds.

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.