Shifting Gears
181
“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.
218
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death.
Driving the vehicle with low tire pressure
increases risk of a tire failure and resulting
loss of control. Furthermore, low tire pres-
sure increases rate of wear of the affected
tires.
f Check tires – including sidewalls – regularly for
foreign bodies, nicks, cuts, cracks and bulges.
f After driving off road, examine tires for signs
of damage such as cuts, tears, bulges or for-
eign objects stuck in the tread. Replace a dam-
aged tire if necessary.
f Cross curb edges slowly and at right angles if
possible.
Avoid driving over steep or sharp curbs.
f In cases of doubt, have the wheel (particularly
the inner side) checked by an authorized Porsche dealer.
Tire replacements If in doubt, contact your Porsche dealer.
Use only tire makes and types approved by
Porsche.
If you do not use a Porsche recommended
replacement tire, make sure that you
purchase your new tires from a reputable tire
dealer and that the dealer complies with all
manufacturers warnings for those tires.
Only tires with the same make and with the
same specification code (e.g. “N0”, “N1”...)
can be mounted.
Before mounting new tires, check with your
Porsche dealer about the current release
status.
Use tires with “ZR” quality standards. There
are currently no standards concerning tire
strength at speeds above 150 mph (240 km/h).
Tires should be replaced no less than on one axle
at the time.
Only tires of the same make and type must be
used. Mixed tires are not permissible.
Initially, new tires do not have their full traction.
You should therefore drive at moderate speeds
during the first 60 - 120 miles (100 - 200 km). If new tires are installed only on one axle, a notice-
able change in handling occurs due to the different
tread depth of the other tires.
This happens especially if only rear tires are re-
placed. However, this condition disappears as the
new tires are broken in.
f
Please adjust your driving style accordingly.
Installation of new tires sh ould only be done by a
qualified tire technician.
Valves
Rubber valve stems must be replaced every time
a tire is replaced.
For metal valves, the installation and replacement
instructions must be observed.
f Use only genuine Porsche metal valves.
f Protect the valve inserts against soiling with
valve caps.
Soiled valve inserts can cause a gradual loss
of air.
f Use only plastic valve caps.
220
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Note
Under no circumstances sh
ould tires older than 6
years be used on your Porsche.
The age of the tire can be obtained from the “DOT”
code number. If, for example, the last four num-
bers read 1208, then the ti re was produced in the
12th week of 2008.
f Store tires in a cool and dry place.
Snow tires For a better grip on snow and ice, use radial M+S
tires with studs.
Check with your local Motor Vehicle Bureau for
possible restrictions.
Danger!
Risk of loss of control and damage to the
vehicle as well as seri ous personal injury or
death.
The standard tires prof ile and rubber mixture
are optimized for wet and dry driving condi-
tions, and may not prove favorable for snow
conditions.
f Therefore install M+S tires before driving in such conditions. Before mounting snow tires, consult with
your Porsche dealer. He has the technical
information necessary to advise you on
wheel and tire compatibility.
Snow tires should have the same load capacity as
original equipment tires and should be mounted on
all four wheels.
Snow tires with studs should be run at moderate
speeds when new in order to give the studs time
to settle.
Danger!
Tires with badly worn treads and studs are
very dangerous and could cause accidents
resulting in serious personal injuries or
death.
f Make sure they are replaced immediately.
f Do not drive a vehicle equipped with snow tires
at prolonged high speed.
Snow tires do not have the same degree of
traction on dry, wet or snowfree roads as a
normal tire.
Furthermore, snow tires wear rapidly under
these conditions.
Comply with all state and local laws
governing snow tire and tread depth
requirements.
Danger!
Risk of accident and se rious personal injury
or death due to excessive speed.
f Always check the maximum speed rating on
the tire sidewall on any tire on the vehicle.
f Never exceed the maximum speed rating of the tires.
f Fit winter tires to both axles well before the
cold season begins.
Your authorized Porsche dealer will be pleased
to advise you.
Maintenance note
We recommend fitting snow tires on the vehicle at
temperatures below 45 °F (7 °C) since the driving
performance of summer tires is reduced at low
temperatures. Summer tires may be permanently
damaged at extremely low temperatures.
Winter tires lose their traction capability when their
tread depth falls below 5/32 in. (4 mm).
236
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Alarm system, central lockingThe status of the central locking and alarm system
is not changed by disconnecting the battery.
When the battery is di sconnected, the alarm
system ceases to function.Central locking overload protectionIf the central locking sy stem is operated more
than ten times within a minut e, further operation is
blocked for 30 seconds.
Load switch-off after 2 hours or 7 daysIf the ignition key is removed, loads which are
switched on or are in standby mode (such as the
luggage compartment light and interior light) are
automatically switched off after approx. 2hours.
The Radio/PCM is automatically switched off after
approx. 10 minutes.
If the vehicle is not started or unlocked with the
remote control within 7days , the remote control
standby function is switched off (to save the
vehicle battery).
1. In this case, unlock the driver’s door with the key at the door lock.
Leave the door closed in order to prevent the
alarm system from being triggered.
2. Press button 1 on the remote control.
The remote control is now activated again.
Index
277
Stopping .............................................. 76
Engine compartment Blower ....................... .................. 76, 128
Blower fan .............. ............................ 128
Care .................................................. 205
Engine oil Change .............................................. 190
Consumption ............................... ......... 10
Performance class .. ............................ 191
Recommendation ........ ........................ 190
Topping off............. ............................ 189
Viscosity ................ ............................ 191
Exhaust Pipes ......................... ............................ 5
System ................................................ 55
Tailpipes, stainless st eel ...................... 207
External antenna ......... ................................ 104
FFiller flap .................................................... 195
Fire extinguisher ........................................... 85
Flat tire ...................... ................................ 229
Floor mats.................. ................................ 209
Fluids ......................................................... 201
FM reception .............................................. 101
Fog light ........................ .............................. 80
Fog light, rear................. ........................ 78, 80
Fog lights
Changing bulb......... ............................ 254
Footbrake ........................................... ......... 56
Footwell lights ............ .................................. 69
Fresh air intake ........... ................................ 116
Front lid ......................... ...................... 94, 100
Front luggage compartm ent .......................... 94 Fuel .....................
..............................130, 195
Containers ................ ......................4, 197
Economy .................. ..........................194
Evaporation control .............................197
Fuels containing etha nol.......................197
Level gage ............... ..........................130
Level warning light ..............................130
Recommendation ........................196, 197
Recommendations .... ..........................196
Tank ..................................................196
Function keys ........... ....................................40
Fuses, replacing ....... ..................................237
GGarage
Door ....................................................76
Door opener .......................................106
Lift ............... ......................... .............232
Gear display ................. ......................120, 122
Gear shift indicator ......................................127
Glove compartment... ....................................92
Gong.................... ..............14, 73, 78, 80, 137
Ground clearance...... ......................................4HHandbrake.................... ................................55
Hands-free microphone ...............................104
Head restraints ......... ....................................32
Headlights .................... ..............................248
Adjusting .................. ..................257, 258
Beam adjustment .. ................................79
Changing bulbs ......... ..................249, 251
Cleaning system ...................82, 200, 271 Flasher ................................................ 81
Removing ................
.......................... 248
Heated rear window ..................................... 31
Heated rear window/Door mirror heating ..... 117
Heater ......................... .............................. 113
Heating ........................................... .......... 110
High beam Indicator light ....... .............................. 127
Lever....................... ...................... 78, 80
High beam, additional Changing bulb ...... .............................. 251
High-pressure cleaning units........................ 203
Home mode..................... ...................... 79, 80
HomeLink .................... .............................. 106
Hoods ............................. .................... 94, 100
Horn ........................................... .......... 12, 21
Hot exhaust pipes ... ....................................... 5
IIgnition key ............. ..................................... 72
Emergency operation ........................... 74
Ignition lock ............ ..................................... 72
Withdrawing ignition key,
PDK transmission ..................... .......... 180
Immobilizer ...................................... ............ 15
Indicator lights ................. .................. 120, 122
INFO Warning message s ............................. 140
Instrument
Illumination........... .............................. 124
Lights ...................... ...................... 78, 80
Panel ........................... ...... 120, 122, 166
Interior ............................................ ............ 69
Interior lights .......... ..................................... 69
Interior mirror ......... ..................................... 30