
40
Operation, Safety
Multi-Functional Steering Wheel
 Warning!
There is a danger of accident if you set or 
operate the on-board computer, radio, 
navigation system, telephone or other 
equipment when driving.
Operating these devices while driving could 
distract you from traffic and cause you to 
lose control of the vehicle.
f Operate these components while driving only if 
the traffic situation allows  you to do so safely.
f Carry out any complicated operating or setting procedures only while the vehicle is stationary.
Depending on the equipment in your vehicle, you 
can use the function keys of the multi-functional 
steering wheel to operate the following Porsche 
communication systems:
–PCM
– Telephone
– Radio with CD-Drive
–CD-Audio
Readiness for operation of multi-
functional steering wheelThe multi-functional steering wheel is ready for 
operation when the ignition  and PCM are switched 
on.
Operating the function keysf Please read the separate PCM operating 
instructions before operating the function 
keys.
The rotary knobs at the top left and right of the 
steering wheel can also be pressed.
Turn volume control
Upwards – increase volume.
Downwards – decrease volume.
Press volume control
To switch volume/mute on and off.
Turn rotary knob
To select/mark function in the PCM within 
a menu. To do this, turn the rotary knob 
upward or downward.
Press rotary knob
To activate selected function.
Press screen button
To call the stored PCM function. 
The button can be assigned the desired 
function in the PCM.
Press Back button
To move back in the PCM menu.
Press Handset Pickup button
To accept a telphone call.
Press Handset Hangup button
To end or refuse a telephone call. 

42
Operation, Safety
Safety Belts 
 Warning!
Always make sure your and your passenger’s 
safety belts are properly fastened while the 
vehicle is in motion.
Failure to follow safety  belt warnings may re-
sult in serious personal injury or death. 
f For your and your passenger’s protection, use 
safety belts at all times  while the vehicle is in 
motion. 
f Use appropriate child restraint systems for all 
small children. 
Proper wearing of safety belts 
f S a f e t y  b e l t s  m u s t  b e  p o s i t i o n e d  o n  t h e  b o d y  a s  
to restrain the upper body and lap from sliding 
forward. Improperly positioned safety belts 
can cause serious personal injury or death in 
case of an accident. 
f The shoulder belt should  always rest on your 
upper body. The shoulder belt should never be 
worn behind your back or under your arm. 
f For maximum effectiveness, the lap belt 
should be worn low across the hips. 
f Pregnant women should position the belt as 
low as possible across the pelvis. Make sure it 
is not pressing against the abdomen.  f
Belts should not be worn twisted. 
f Do not wear belts over rigid or breakable ob-
jects in or on your clothing, such as eye glass-
es, pens, keys, etc. as these may cause injury. 
f Several layers of heavy  clothing may interfere 
with proper positioning of belts. 
f Belts must not rub against sharp objects or 
damage may occur to the belt. 
f Two occupants should never share the same 
belt at the same time. 
Care and maintenance 
f Keep belt buckles free  of any obstruction that 
may prevent a secure locking. 
f Belts that have been subjected to excessive 
stretch forces in an accident must be inspect-
ed or replaced to ensure their continued effec-
tiveness in restraining you.
The same applies to belt tensioner systems 
which have been triggered.
In addition, the anchor points of the belts 
should be checked. 
f If safety belts do not work properly, see your 
authorized Porsche dealer immediately. 
f I f  t h e  b e l t s  s h o w  d a m a g e  t o  w e b b i n g ,  b i n d i n g s ,  
buckles or retractors, they should be replaced 
to ensure safe operation. 
f Do not modify or disasse mble the safety belts 
in your vehicle.  f
The belts must be kept clean or the retractors 
may not work properly.
Please see the chapter “CAR CARE INSTRUC-
TIONS” on Page 213.
f Never bleach or dye safety belts. 
f Do not allow safety belts to retract until they 
are completely dry after cleaning or this may 
cause damage to the belt. 
Belt tensioner Depending on the force of an impact, fastened 
safety belts are tightened in an accident. 
The belt tensioners are triggered in: 
– Front, side and rear impacts of sufficient 
severity.
– In cases of vehicle rollover.
Note
The belt-tensioner system can be triggered only 
once; the system must be replaced afterward.
If there is a fault in the belt-tensioner system, the 
airbag warning light lights up.
Work may be performed on the belt-tensioner sys-
tem only by an authorized Porsche dealer.
Smoke is released when the belt tensioners are 
triggered. This does not indicate a fire in the 
vehicle.  

Operation, Safety
45
fUsing accessories not approved by Porsche 
can cause the weight sensing system to be im-
paired. 
f Do not squeeze objects, such as the fire extin-
guisher, or first aid kit under the seat.
f Only have seats removed and installed by an 
authorized Porsche dealer so that weight sens-
ing components will not be damaged.
f Give your passenger all of the information in 
this chapter.
Note
Airbag components (e.g. steering wheel, door lin-
ing, seats) may be disassembled only by an autho-
rized Porsche dealer.
When disposing of a used airbag unit, our safety 
instructions must be followed. These instructions 
can be obtained at any authorized Porsche dealer.
Function of the airbag systemAirbags are a supplemental safety system. Your 
primary protection comes from your safety belts.
The front airbags are triggered during a frontal 
collision of sufficient force and direction.
In the event of a side impact of corresponding 
force, the side airbag on the impact side is 
triggered.
The inflation process gene rates the amount of gas 
required to fill the airbags at the necessary pres-
sure in fractions of a second.
Airbags help to protect the head and upper body, 
while simultaneously damp ing the motion of the 
driver and passenger in the impact direction in the 
event of a frontal impact or side impact.
In order to help provide protection in severe colli-
sions which can cause death and serious injury, 
airbags must inflate extremely rapidly. Such high 
speed inflation has a negative but unavoidable 
side effect, which is that it can and does cause in-
juries, including facial an d arm abrasions, bruising 
and broken bones. You can  help minimize such in-
juries by always wear ing your safety belts.
There are many types of  accidents in which air-
bags are not expected to deploy. These include 
accidents where the airbags would provide no be-
nefit, such as a rear impact against your vehicle. 
Other accidents where the airbags are designed 
not to deploy are those where the risk of injury 
from the airbag deployment could exceed any pro-
tective benefits, such as in low speed accidents or  higher speed accidents where the vehicle decele-
rates over a long time. Since airbag deployment 
does not occur in all accidents, this further em-
phasizes the need for yo
u and your passenger to 
always wear safety belts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and 
diagnostic module. This module will record the 
use of the seat belt restraint system by the driver 
and passenger when the airbags and/or belt ten-
sioner work.
Advanced AirbagYour vehicle is equipped with a weight sensing sys-
tem for the passenger's seat in accordance with 
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208. 
Depending on the weight acting on the passen-
ger's seat, the passenger's airbag will automati-
cally be switched on and off.
Depending on the angle and force of impact, the 
passenger's airbag which is activated will be trig-
gered during a collision.
Precondition for switching the passenger's airbag 
on and off, depending on weight:
– Vehicles equipped with key-operated airbag  deactivation device:
Switch position AUTO.
– Ignition key is inserted.
Improper handling of the weight sensing system 
can unintentionally impair switching the 
passenger's airbag off and on. 

Operation, Safety
47
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lampNote on operation
Although not desired, it can occur in the case of 
heavier children that the passenger’s airbag 
remains active or, in the case of very light adults 
or young persons, that the passenger airbag is 
deactivated.The condition of the passenger’s front airbag is 
shown by the indicator lamp.
If in doubt:
f
Please see the chapter “PASSENGER AIRBAG 
OFF INDICATOR LAMP DOES NOT LIGHT UP” 
on Page 47.
f Please see the chapter “KEY-OPERATED AIR-
BAG DEACTIVATION DEVICE” on Page 49.
f Please see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT 
SYSTEMS” on Page 50.
f Please see the chapter “LATCH SYSTEM 
CHILD SEAT BRACKET ON THE PASSENGER’S 
SEAT” on Page 54.
Note
f After inserting the ignition key, the PASSEN-
GER AIRBAG OFF warning light lights up for a 
few seconds as a bulb check. 
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 
lights up
– The passenger's airbag is switched off. PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 
does not light up
– The passenger's airbag is active and ready for 
operation. 
– If the passenger's seat is not occupied, the  PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp will 
also not light up, even though the passenger's 
airbag is switched off.
 Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death due 
to the passenger airbag triggering unintenti-
onally.
When the ignition key is  insterted and the up 
to one-year old child is seated in the child re-
straint system on the passenger’s 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 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. 

48
Operation, Safety
Note
The key switch for switching off the passenger’s 
airbag in combination with the LATCH attachment 
bracket are not installed at the factory. They can 
be retrofitted.
f
Please see your authorized Porsche dealer.
Faults are indicated by a warning light in the instru-
ment panel and a message  on the on-board com-
puter.
f Please see the chapter “WARNINGS ON THE 
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ON-BOARD 
COMPUTER” on Page 162.
f In the following cases you should immedi-
ately consult an authorized Porsche 
dealer in order to assure the airbag sys-
tem is functioning properly:
– If the warning light does not light up when the  ignition key is inserted  or
– If the warning light does not go out once the  engine is running or  
– If the warning light appears while driving.
Airbag maintenanceIn order to ensure long-t erm functioning, the air-
bag system must be inspected by an authorized 
Porsche dealer at the i ntervals recommended in 
your Maintenance Booklet.
Important information
If you sell your Porsche, notify the purchaser that 
the vehicle is equipped with airbags, and refer 
them to the chapter, “Airbag Systems“, in the 
Owner's Manual (safety and disposal rules).
Further information on the airbag system can be 
found on stickers attach ed to the sun visors.
For special recommendations on the use of child 
restraints:
f Please see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT 
SYSTEMS” on Page 50.
Warning light and warning
message 

Operation, Safety
49
Key-operated airbag deactivation deviceIn case your vehicle is equipped with LATCH, you 
can switch off (OFF) the passenger’s front airbag 
manually. In the automatic mode (AUTO), the air-
bag will be switched on or off automatically de-
pending on the weight on the passenger seat.
fSwitch off the passenger’s airbag on the key 
switch using the vehicle key.
A Switch position AUTO – passenger’s front  airbag is active
B Switch position OFF – passenger’s front airbag  is switched off
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
 Danger!
Risk of serious personal  injury or death for 
passenger if passenger’s airbag remains 
switched off after the child restraint system 
is removed.
f Make sure that the key switch is switched to 
AUTO once the child seat has been removed, 
in order to provide protection to the adult occupants. Warning light ”PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF“
If the airbag on the pass
enger’s side is switched 
off:
– Warning light “PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF” is  continuously lit when  the ignition key is 
inserted.
 Danger!
Risk of serious personal  injury or death from 
the passenger’s airbag. 
If the ”PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF“ warning 
light is not lit when the ignition key is inserted 
and the Airbag OFF switch  is switched to the 
OFF-Position, this could indicate a fault in the 
system.
f Do not install a child restraint system on the 
passenger’s seat.
f Have the fault remedied immediately. Please see your authorized Porsche dealer.
Note
f Do not install a child restraint system in the 
Sports bucket seat.
The key switch for switch ing off the passenger’s 
airbag in combination with the LATCH attachment 
bracket are not installed at the factory. They can 
be retrofitted (not on vehicles with Sports bucket 
seats).
f Please see your authorized Porsche dealer. 

50
Operation, Safety
Child Restraint SystemsfDo not install a child restraint system in the 
Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be equipped 
with the LATCH system.
Porsche recommends that  all infants and children 
be restrained in child restraint systems at all times 
while the vehicle is in motion in accordance with 
applicable laws.
Use only child restraint systems with the LATCH-
system recommended by Porsche. These sys-
tems have been tested and  adjusted to the interior 
of your Porsche and the  appropriate child weight 
groups. Other systems have not been tested and 
could entail an increased risk of injury or death. 
You can obtain child seats that are LATCH compa-
tible at your authorized Porsche dealer.
f Always see the separate installation 
instructions for your child seat.
The use of infant or child restraints is required by 
law in all 50 states of the U.S. and all Canadian 
provinces. The child restraint system should be 
one that complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle 
Safety Standards and should be secured by a lap 
belt or lap belt portion of  a lapshoulder belt or for 
child seats equipped with the LATCH sytem ( Lo-
wer  Anchorage and  Tether for  Children, also 
known as ISOFIX) to the LATCH anchorages. 
A statement by the seat manufacturer of compli-
ance with this standard can be found on the in-
struction label on the restraint and in the instruc- tion manual provided with the restraint.
 Danger!
The use of a child restraint system in the pas-
senger seat can result in serious personal in-
jury or death to the  child from an airbag 
deployment.
To reduce risk of injury from an inflating air-
bag in an accident, Po rsche strongly recom-
mends:
f Please see the chapter “PASSENGER AIRBAG 
OFF INDICATOR LAMP DOES NOT LIGHT UP” 
on Page 47.
f Please see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT 
SYSTEMS” on Page 50.
f Do not install a child restraint system in 
the Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be equipped with the LATCH system. 
Note
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.
 Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death to the 
child.
f Follow all child restraint instructions and warnings in this manual.
– When using an infant or child restraint system,  be sure to follow all manufacturer's instruc-
tions on installation and use.
– Infants and small children should never be held  on the lap, nor should th ey share a safety belt 
with another occupant while the vehicle is in 
motion.
– Children too big for child restraint systems  should use regular safety  belts. A shoulder belt 
can be used providing it does not cross the 
face or the neck of the child.
– Choose a child restraint system according to  the weight of the child.
– Child restraint systems that are damaged or  h a v e  b e e n  h e a v i l y  s t r e s s e d  i n  a n  a c c i d e n t  m u s t  
be replaced immediately.
– Children could be endangered in a crash if their  child restrains are not properly secured in the 
vehicle.
– Do not affix things to child restraint systems or  cover it with  other materials. 

Operation, Safety
51
– Your authorized Porsche dealer will be glad to advise you about the inst allation possibility for 
a Porsche child restraint system which allows 
a key-operated airbag de activation of the pas-
senger’s airbag.
– The key-operated airbag deactivation device  installation requires special programming 
available only from your authorized Porsche 
dealer.
f Please see the chapter “KEY-OPERATED AIR-
BAG DEACTIVATION DEVICE” on Page 49.
Direction of installation for child restraint 
systemsGroup 0 and 0+: Children  up to 29 lbs (13 kg)
Children of this weight must be transported in a 
restraint system which is installed on the passen-
ger’s seat  facing rearward .
Group I: Children between 20 lbs (9 kg) and 40 lbs 
Children of this weight are held in child restraint 
systems  facing forward . 
Group II: Children in betw een 33 lbs (15 kg) and 
55 lbs (25 kg)
Children of this weight are held in child restraint 
systems  facing forward . 
Group III: Children in between 49 lbs (22 kg) and 
80 lbs (36 kg)
Children of this weight are held in child restraint 
systems  facing forward . 
f The vehicle seat must be adjusted so that it is 
in its lower rear position.
Using child restraint systems in the 
passenger seatf Do not install a child restraint system in the 
Sports bucket seat.
 Danger!
The use of a child restraint system in the pas-
senger seat can result in serious personal 
injury or death to the child from an airbag 
deployment.
To reduce risk of injury from an inflating air-
bag in an accident, Porsche strongly recom-
mends:
f Please see the chapter “PASSENGER AIRBAG 
OFF INDICATOR LAMP DOES NOT LIGHT UP” 
on Page 47.
f Please see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT 
SYSTEMS” on Page 50.
f Do not install a child restraint system in 
the Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be equipped with the LATCH system.