2009 PORSCHE PANAMERA brake fluid

3
California Proposition 65 Warning
Warning!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemi-
cals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive
harm.
In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and
certain products of component wear contain or
emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other reproduc-
tive harm.Hot Exhaust Pipes
Warning!
Risk of burn injury when standing near or
coming into contact wi th the exhaust pipe.
The exhaust pipe is hot when the vehicle is running
and remains hot for some time after the vehicle is
turned off.
f To prevent injury, make a point of noting where
your vehicle’s exhaust pipe is, avoid placing
your legs near the exhaust pipe when loading
and unloading cargo in the rear, and closely
supervise children around the vehicle during
time when the exhaust pipe could be hot.A hot exhaust pipe can cause serious burns.
Portable Fuel Containers
Danger!
Portable fuel containers may leak, whether
they are full or partially empty. Fuel leaking
from a portable container carried in your
vehicle could, in case of an accident, cause
a fire or explosion, resulting in serious
personal injury or death.
f Never carry additional fuel in portable contai-ners in your vehicle.
Ground Clearance
Caution!
Risk of damage. The vehicle may touch the
ground as a result of reduced ground clear-
ance.
f Drive carefully and slowly on steep slopes
(e. g. parking lots, curbs, uneven roads, lifting
platforms etc.).
fAvoid steep ramps.
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake
(PCCB)f Please see the chapter “BRAKES” on
Page 172.
The high-performance brake system is designed
for optimal braking effect at all speeds and
temperatures.
Certain speeds, braking forces and ambient condi-
tions (such as temperature and humidity) therefore
might cause brake noises.
Wear on the different components and braking
system, such as brake pads and brake discs,
depends to a great extent on the individual driving
style and the conditions of use and therefore
cannot be expressed in actual miles on the road.
The values communicated by Porsche are based
on normal operation adapted to traffic. Wear
increases considerably when the vehicle is driven
on race tracks or through an aggressive driving
style.
f Please consult an authorized Porsche dealer
about the current guidelines in effect before
such use of your vehicle.

4Dear Porsche Owner,A lot has gone into the manufacture of your
Porsche, including advanced engineering, rigid
quality control and demanding inspections. These
engineering and safety features will be enhanced
by you…the safe driver…– who knows her/his car and all controls,
– who maintains the vehicle properly,
– who uses driving skills wisely and always drives within her/his own capabilities and the
level of familiarity with the vehicle.
You will find helpful hints in this manual on how to
perform most of the checks listed on the following
pages. If in doubt, have these checks performed
by your authorized Porsche dealer.
Before driving off…Check the following items firstf Turn the engine off before you attempt any
checks or repairs on the vehicle.
f Be sure the tires are inflated correctly.
Check tires for damage and tire wear.
f See that wheel bolts are properly tightened
and not loose or missing.
f Check engine oil level, add if necessary. Make
it a habit to have engine oil checked with every
refueling.
f Check all fluid levels such as windshield
washer and brake fluid levels.
f Be sure the vehicle battery is well charged and
cranks the engine properly.
f Check all doors and lids for proper operation
and latch them properly.
f Check and if necessary replace worn or
cracked wiper blades.
f See that all windows are clear and unobst-
ructed.
f Check air intake slots and area between
engine compartment lid and windshield.
Ensure that these areas are free of snow and
ice, so the heater and the windshield wipers
work properly. f
If a child will be riding in the vehicle, check
child seat/child seat restraint system to ensure
that restraints are properly adjusted.
f Check all exterior and interior lights for opera-
tion and that the lenses are clean.
f Check the headlights for proper aim, and if
necessary, have them adjusted.
f Check under the vehicle for leaks.
f Be sure all luggage is stowed securely.
Emergency equipmentIt is good practice to carry emergency equipment
in your vehicle.
Some of the items you should have are: window
scraper, snow brush, container or bag of sand or
salt, emergency light, small shovel, first-aid kit,
etc.

8
Contents
Check Engine (Emission
Control) .................. 114
Acoustic Signals ......... ................................ 114
Operating the Multi-Function Display in the
Instrument Panel ......... ................................ 115
Vehicle Settings on the Multi-Function
Display........................................... ............ 138
Overview of Warning Messages.................... 152
Driving and Driving Safety ................ 163Ignition Lock, Steering Lock ........................ 164
Starting and Stopping the Engine ................. 167
Auto Start Stop Functi on ............................. 169
Electric Parking Brak e ................................. 171
Brakes .............. ......................... ................ 172
Cruise Control ................................ ............ 176
Adaptive Cruise Contr ol ............................... 178
Car Audio Operation/Ti ps ............................ 189
Porsche Communication Management
(PCM) ............................ ............................ 191
iPod
®, USB and AUX ....... ............................ 192
Voice Control.............. ................................ 192
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) .................... 193
Selector-Lever Positions .................. ............ 195
Porsche Traction Management (PTM) ........... 202
Porsche Stability Management (PSM)............ 202
ABS Brake System (Anti-Lock Brake
System) ......................... ............................ 207
Porsche Active Suspension Management
(PASM)....................................................... 208
Porsche Active Suspension Management
(PASM) with Air Suspension and Level
Control ............. ......................... ................ 209
Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) .... 211
“Sport” and “Sport Plus ” Mode .................... 212 Sports Exhaust System
............................... 214
Retractable Rear Spoi ler .............................. 214
Storage, Luggage Compartment
and Roof Transport System .............. 217Storage........................ .............................. 218
Drinks Holder/Cuphold er ............................. 221
Front Ashtray ................ .............................. 224
Rear Ashtray...................................... ......... 224
Cigarette Lighter....... .................................. 225
Refrigerated box in the re ar of the vehicle..... 226
Folding Rear Seats Forward and Returning
to Upright Position ......................... ............. 226
Luggage Compartment. ............................... 227
Stowing Loads .............. .............................. 228
Luggage Compartment Cover ...................... 229
Fixed Luggage Compartm ent Cover ............. 231
Ski Bag ........................ .............................. 231
Roof Transport System ............................... 232
Loading Information .. .................................. 236Parking .................... ....................... 238ParkAssist ......................................... ......... 239
Rearview Camera ...... .................................. 241
Swivelling Down Mirror Glass as
Parking Aid ............... .................................. 242
Garage Door Opener . .................................. 243Alarm System and Theft
Protection ....................................... 246Alarm System and Passenger
Compartment Monitori ng ............................. 247
Immobilizer............... .................................. 250 Locking the Steering Column .......................250
Theft Protection ..........
................................250
Maintenance and Car Care ............... 251Exercise Extreme Caution when Working
on your vehicle ....... ....................................252
Engine Oil ........................................ ...........254
Checking Engine-Oil Le vel ............................254
Topping Up Engine Oi l ................................ 255
Checking Coolant Level and Adding
Coolant ........................... ...........................257
Brake Fluid ................. ................................258
Washer Fluid .............. ................................259
Power Steering .......... ................................260
Changing Air Cleaner ...................................261
Changing Particle Filt er ................................261
Wiper Blades .............. ................................261
Emission Control Syst em .............................262
How Emission Control Works .......................263
Fuel Economy ............. ................................264
Operating Your Porsche in other Countries ....264
Fuel ............................................ ...............265
Fuel Can ..................... ................................267
Fuel Recommendations ................................268
Fuel Evaporation Control .................. ...........269
Car Care Instructions ...................................269Minor Repairs .................................. 277Exercise Extreme Caution when Working
on your Vehicle ....... ....................................278
Tires and Wheels......... ................................280
Wheel Bolts ............... ................................293
Flat Tire...................... ................................293
Electrical System ........ ................................296

Instrument Panel and Multi-Function Display
155
Fault TransmissionHave the fault corrected at a qualified specialist workshop.*Gearbox
temperature too high “Warning jerks” can be felt when driving off and the engine
power may be restricted.
Do not hold the vehicle with the accelerator on a hill, for
example. Hold the vehicle with
the brake. Reduce engine load.
Stop the vehicle in a suitable plac e if possible. Allow the engine
to run in selector-lever posi tion P or N until the warning
disappears.Press clutch Manual transmission:
Depress clutch pedal when starting.Warning Brake fluid level Stop immediately in a suitable place. Do not continue driving.
Have the fault corrected at a q ualified specialist workshop.*Warning Brake force distribution Stop immediately in a suitable place. Do not continue driving.
Have the fault corrected at a q ualified specialist workshop.*ABS failure Have the fault corrected at a qualified specialist workshop.*Brake pad worn Have brake pads replaced immediately.
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.*
flashesRelease electric parking brake Pull the electric parking brake switchPress brake pedal.Press the brake pedal before releasing the electric parking
brake.Fault Electric parking brake Have the fault co rrected at a qualified specialist workshop.*
Light in
instrument
panel
Warning message on multi-function
display Meaning/Action required

Driving and Driving Safety
173
Brake system warning light
You can check the functionality of the brake
system warning light by switching the ignition to
the “On” position (position 1) and verifying that the
warning light illuminates.
The warning light in the instrument panel lights up.
A message will be displayed on the multi-function
display of the instrument panel if the brake fluid
level is too low, or (if the brake pedal travel has
increased) one of the two brake circuits has failed.
A greater braking pressure will be required,
stopping distances will be longer and the braking
behavior will change, particularly in curves.
With correctly adjusted brakes and a correctly
working brake system, the pedal travel to the
point of brake application should be 1-3/16 in. to
1-9/16 in. (30 to 40 mm). Whenever the brake
pedal travel exceeds this value, have the brake
system checked.
Brake pedal
Warning!
Risk of an accident, resulting in serious
personal 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
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
floor mats of the correct size including a securing possibility.
Note
In case one of the two brake circuits fails,
increased 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 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 overheat and not function properly.
Brake warning light USA
Brake warning light Canada

Driving and Driving Safety
175
Warning!
f Do not obstruct the pedal travel with floor mats
or other objects.
The brake booster is ready for operation only
while the engine is running.
If the engine is switched off or there is a defect in
the brake booster, much greater force has to be
applied to the pedal when braking.
f Vehicles with defective brakes must not
be towed and must be transported on a flat
bed.
For information on towing and tow-starting:
f Please see the chapter “TOWING” on
page 316.
In heavy rain, while driving through water or after
leaving a car wash, the braking action may be
delayed and increased pressure may be required.
f For this reason, keep further back from the
vehicle in front and “dry” the brakes by
applying them at interval s. Make sure that the
traffic behind you is not affected. After a long drive over salted or gritted roads,
a coating may form on the brake discs and pads
that significantly reduces
friction and therefore
also braking effect.
f Even though the brake discs consist of alloyed
grey cast iron, they will unavoidably start to
corrode if your vehicle is parked for an
extended period. The brakes will tend to “rub”
as a result.
The nature, extent and effects of corrosion
depend on the amount of time the vehicle was
parked, whether road salt or grit was spread
and whether grease-dissolving agents were
used in car washes (not on vehicles with
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake).
To prevent corrosion of the brake discs,
“brake them dry” before parking the vehicle
(not on vehicles with Porsche Ceramic
Composite Brake).
If braking comfort is no ticeably impaired, we
recommend that you have the brake system
checked by an authorized Porsche dealer. f
To relieve the brake system on downhill
stretches, change down to a lower gear in
good time (engine braking).
If engine braking is insufficient on steep
stretches, operate the footbrake at intervals.
Avoid continuous braking as it overheats the
brakes and reduces the braking effect.
For information on brake fluid and checking the
brake fluid level:
f Please see the chapter “BRAKE FLUID” on
page 258.

Maintenance and Car Care
251
Maintenance and Car Care
Exercise Extreme Caution when Working
on your vehicle........
................................... 252
Engine Oil ............... ................................... 254
Checking Engine-Oil Le vel ........................... 254
Topping Up Engine Oil . .............................. 255
Checking Coolant Level and Adding
Coolant ........................................... .......... 257
Brake Fluid .................. .............................. 258
Washer Fluid .......... ................................... 259
Power Steering ...... ................................... 260
Changing Air Cleaner .................................. 261
Changing Particle Filt er ............................... 261
Wiper Blades ............... .............................. 261
Emission Control Syst em ............................ 262
How Emission Control Works ...................... 263
Fuel Economy .............. .............................. 264
Operating Your Porsche in other Countries ... 264
Fuel............................. .............................. 265
Fuel Can ...................... .............................. 267
Fuel Recommendation s............................... 268
Fuel Evaporation Contr ol ............................ 269
Car Care Instructions .................................. 269

252
Maintenance and Car Care
Exercise Extreme Caution when
Working on your vehicle
Danger!
Ignoring the following instructions may
cause serious personal injury or death.
f The engine compartment of any motor vehicle
is a potentially hazardou s area. If you are not
fully familiar with proper repair procedures, do
not attempt the adjustments described on the
following pages.
f O n l y w o r k o n y o u r v e h i c l e o u t d o o r s o r i n a w e l l
ventilated area.
f Ensure that there are no open flames in the
area of your vehicle at any time when fuel
fumes might be present. Be especially
cautious of devices such as hot water heaters
which ignite a flame intermittently.
f Before working on any part in the engine
compartment, turn the engine off and let it cool
down sufficiently. Hot engine compartment
components can burn skin on contact.
f Be alert and cautious around the engine at all
times while it is running. If you have to work on
the engine while it is running, always put the
parking brake on and put the PDK selector
lever in position P or N.
f In particular, be very careful to ensure that
items of clothing (ties, shirt, sleeves etc.),
jewelry, long hair, hand or fingers cannot get caught in the fan, belts or other moving parts.
The radiator and radiator fans are in the front
of the car.
The fans can start or continue running as a
function of temperature,
even with the engine
switched off.
Carry out work in these areas only with the
engine off and exercise extreme caution.
f Your Porsche is equipped with an electronic
ignition system. When the ignition is on, high
voltage is present in all wires connected with
the ignition system; therefore, exercise
extreme caution when working on any part of
the engine while the ignition is on or the engine
is running.
f Always support your car with safety stands if it
is necessary to work under the car. The jack
supplied with the car is not adequate for this
purpose.
Switch off level control of air suspension and
height adjustment.
Please see the chapter “RAISING THE VEHICLE
WITH A LIFTING PLATFORM, TROLLEY JACK
OR STANDARD JACK” on page 290.
f When working under the car without safety
stands but with the wheels on the ground,
make sure the car is on level ground, the
wheels are blocked, and that the engine
cannot be started.
Withdraw ignition keys (switch ignition off in
vehicles that have Porsche Entry & Drive). f
Do not smoke or allow an open flame around
the battery or fuel.
Keep a fire extinguisher close at hand.
f Incomplete or improper servicing may cause
problems in the operation of the car. If in doubt
about any servicing, have it done by your
authorized Porsche dealer.
Improper maintenance during the warranty
period may affect your Porsche warranty
coverage.
f Supplies of fluids, e.g. engine oil, washer fluid,
brake fluid or coolant, are hazardous to your
health.
Keep these fluids out of children's reach and
dispose of them in accordance with the
appropriate regulations.
f Some countries require additional tools and
special spare parts to be carried in your
vehicle. Please make enquiries before driving
abroad.