2009 PORSCHE BOXSTER warning

Operation, Safety
43
An audio-visual warning system is interconnect-
ed with the driver ’s safety belt.
Every time the ignition is turned on, the gong will
sound for about 6 seconds to remind driver and
passenger to buckle up.
In addition, the gong will sound for approx. 90 sec-
onds if vehicle speed exceeds 15 mph/24 km/h.
The safety belt warning lights in the instrument
panel and on-board computer will go off as soon
as the driver has buckled up.
Inertia reel retractor The combination lap/shoulder belt with inertia reel
locking mechanism adjusts automatically to your
size and movements as long as the pull on the belt
is slow.
Rapid deceleration during hard braking or a colli-
sion locks the belt. The belt will also lock when you
drive up or down a steep hill or in a sharp curve,
otherwise, the shoulder belt will not inhibit your
upper body movement.Fastening the safety beltf Assume a comfortable sitting position.
f Please see the chapter “SEAT POSITION” on
Page 32.
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 Grasp belt and pull the belt in a continuous
slow motion across your chest and lap.
f Insert belt tongue into buckle on inboard side
of seat. Push down until it securely locks with
an audible click. Pull the belt to check.
f Pull shoulder section to make sure belt fits
snugly across the pelvis.
f Belts should fit snugly across the pelvis and
chest. Make sure there is no slack in the belt.
Releasing the safety beltf Push in release button (arrow ) on buckle. Belt
tongue will spring out of buckle.
f To release a latched belt, lean back to take the
body pressure off the belt.
f To store lap/shoulder belt, allow the belt to re-
tract as you guide the latch to its stowed posi-
tion.
f Please see the chapter “AUTOMATIC LOCKING
RETRACTOR” on Page 52.Cleaning the safety beltsIf it becomes necessary to clean the belts, you
can use any mild washing agent. Allow the belts to
dry prior to retracting, but avoid direct sunlight.
f Only use suitable cleaners. If unsuitable
cleaners are used or any attempt is made to
dye or bleach the belt s, the webbing may be
weakened and thus constitute a safety risk.
Safety Belt Warning System

44
Operation, Safety
Airbag SystemsThe airbags in combination with the safety belts
make up a safety system which offers the driver
and the passenger the greatest known protection
from injuries in case of accident.
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.
Even if your vehicle is equipped with airbags, the
safety belts must be worn at all times ,
because the front airbag system is only deployed
by frontal collisions with an impact of sufficient
severity.
Below the deployment threshold of the airbag sys-
tem, and during types of collisions which do not
cause the actuation of the system, the safety belts
provide the primary protection to the occupants
when correctly worn.
Therefore, all persons within the vehicle
must wear safety belts at all times (in many
states, state law requires the use of safety belts).
f Please see the chapter “SAFETY BELTS” on
Page 42.
The front airbags are located under the padded
steering wheel panel on the driver’s side and, on
the passenger's side, in the dashboard.
The side airbags are installed on the side in the
seat backrests.
The head airbags are installed in the door linings.
Danger!
To provide optimal occupant protection, air-
bags must inflate at very high speed. If you
are not wearing your safety belt or are too
close to the airbag when it is deployed, infla-
ting airbags can result in serious personal in-
jury or death.
f Make sure there are no people, animals or ob-
jects between the driver or passenger and the
area into which the airbag inflates.
f Sit back as far from the dashboard or steering
wheel as is practical, while still maintaining full
vehicle control.
f Always hold the steering wheel by the outer
rim. Never rest your hands on the airbag panel.
f Always fasten seat belts because triggering
of the airbag system depends on the force and
angle of impact.
f Do not transport heavy objects on or in front of
the passenger’s seat. These could impair the
function of the airbag , the seat belts, and
weight sensing.
f Do not hang objects (e.g . jackets, coats, coat
hangers) over the backrest. f
Always keep the lid of the door storage com-
partment closed. Objects must not protrude
out of the door storage compartment.
f No changes may be made to the wiring or
components of the airbag system.
f Do not add any additional coverings or stickers
to the steering wheel or in the area of the pas-
senger airbag, side airbags and head airbags.
Doing so may adversely affect the functioning
of the airbag system or cause harm to the oc-
cupants if the airbag system should deploy.
Do not use protective seat covers.
f Do not modify the seat coverings. Do not at-
tach additional cushions, protective coverings,
or pillows to the passenger's seat. Do not affix
things to the passenger's seat or cover it with
other materials. Do not cover the back of the
backrest. Do not make changes to the passen-
ger's seat and to the seat base frame.
f Do not undertake any wiri ng for electrical ac-
cessory equipment in the vicinity of the airbag
wiring harnesses. Doing so may disable the air-
bag system or cause inadvertent inflation.
f If the warning light co mes on, the airbag sys-
tem should be repaired immediately by your
authorized Porsche dealer.
f Always keep feet in the footwell while driving.
Do not put feet on the dashboard or the seat
area. Do not lean against the inside of the door
or outside the window while the vehicle is mov-
ing.

46
Operation, Safety
Seat adjustment for the passenger's seat Danger!
Safety belts only offer protection when the
backrest is upright and the belts are properly
positioned on the body. Improperly positio-
ned safety belts can cause serious personal
injury or death in an accident.
f Do not operate the car with the driver or pas-
senger backrest excessively reclined.
f Porsche recommends the use of L.A.T.C.H.
(L ower Ancorage and Tether for Ch ildren)
equipped Porsche child seat.
Do not install a child restraint system in
the Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be equipped with the LATCH system.
If the seat is in an extreme position (e.g., the back-
rest is in contact with the engine compartment
wall), the backrest can warp. Warping of the back-
rest can lead to malfunctions.
f Correct the seat adjustment.
Ensure that the seat is not jammed and is self-
supporting.
Ensure that the backrest is in the upright posi-
tion. f
Do not transport a load and objects behind and
under the passenger's seat.
If the load or objects ar e under the seat, it can
cause malfunctions.
If the weight on the passenger's seat is reduced
significantly, e.g., by supporting weight on the
armrest, the passenger's airbag can be switched
off.
f Select an upright seat position, and do not sup-
port weight on the armrests or lean out of the
window.
Always keep feet in the footwell while driving.
Do not put feet on the dashboard or the seat
area. Do not lean against the inside of the door
or outside the window while the vehicle is mo-
ving.
If the passenger's seat is warped significantly, a
message is displayed on the on-board computer:
f Correct the seat adjustment.
f Please see the chapter “WARNINGS ON THE
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ON-BOARD
COMPUTER” on Page 162.
Vehicle modifications to accommodate
persons with disabilities
Because modifications to your vehicle could com-
promise your advanced airbag system, please call
1-800-PORSCHE prior to ha ving your vehicle modi-
fied. Automatic deactivation of the passenger’s
airbags
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.
f Please see the chapter “PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR LAMP DOES NOT LIGHT UP”
on Page 47.
f Before transporting a child on the passenger’s
seat:
Please see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS” on Page 50.
f Do not install a child restraint system in the Sports bucket seat.
– When an up to one-year old child is seated
in the child restraint system, the front airbag is
automatically deactivated on the passenger
side.
– When an adult is seated in the front seat the front airbag remains active on the passenger‘s
side.

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
55
Sports Exhaust SystemSwitching on and offThe sports exhaust system can be switched on
and off when the ignition is switched on using
button A .
When the sports exhaust system is switched on,
the light-emitting diode in the button lights up.
Parking Brake Parking brake force is mechanically transferred to
the rear wheels by means of cables.
f Use the parking brake only after the vehicle
has come to a full stop.
Setting the parking brake f Pull the lever all the way up (arrow ).
With the ignition on, the parking brake warning
lights in the instrume nt panel and on-board
computer will come on if the lever is even
slightly raised. A firm pull upward is required to
properly engage the parking brake.
If the brake is not fully set, the vehicle may roll
without control.
f Move the selector lever to “P” (PDK) or move
the gearshift lever to reverse or first gear
(Manual transmission).
f Before exiting the vehicle, make sure that the
parking brake is fully se t and the vehicle is not
moving at all.
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death. A
partially engaged parking brake may allow
the vehicle to roll, ca using serious personal
injury or death to any person in its path.
f Engage the parking brake fully.Releasing the parking brakefPull the lever slightly up as you depress the re-
lease button, and then push the lever all the
way down.