232
Storage, Luggage Compartment and Roof Transport System
Roof Transport SystemA roof transport system can be fitted on the
vehicle for transporting awkward objects.
Various objects can be transported safely and
securely using the roof transport system and
additional attachments, e.g. ski rack, bicycle rack,
surfboard rack, roof box or snowboard holder.
fOnly use roof transport systems that have
been tested and approved by Porsche. It is not
possible to fit commercially available roof rack
systems.
Danger!
Risk of accidents if th e vehicle loses its roof
transport system due to excessive speed or
improper loading.
f Check the roof transport system and
attachments before every journey and at
regular intervals during a long journey to
ensure that they are fitted correctly and
securely. Tighten all fa stening screws again.
f Adjust your driving style accordingly by
maintaining a reasonable speed and slowing
hour vehicle turns.
f Do not drive at a speed of more than
80 mph (130 km/h) when the roof transport
system is fitted and loaded.
f Do not drive at a speed of more than
110 mph (180 km/h) when the roof transport
system is fitted but not loaded. Obey all traffic
laws.
f Load the roof transport system so that the
load does not protrude over the sides of the
roof transport system.
Never load the roof transport system wider
than the width of the vehicle.
f Position the center of gravity of the load as low
as possible with respect to the roof transport
system and distribute the load evenly over the
load area.
f Secure the load so that it will not move during
the journey.Do not use elastic rubber tensioners.
Caution!
Washing the vehicle in a car wash or failure
to observe the overall vehicle height or the
maximum permitted gross weight can
damage the vehicle or roof transport system.
f Remove the complete roof transport system
before washing the vehicle in a car wash.
f Check the overall vehicl e height with the roof
transport system fitted before driving into
multi-storey car parks, garages, underground
garages and tunnels.
f Do not exceed the maximum roof load,
maximum vehicle weight and maximum
axle loads.
For information on maxi mum permitted loads and
weights:
f Please see the chapter “WEIGHTS” on
page 328.
f Do not exceed the maximum permitted roof
transport system load of 70 kg.
f If you are not using the roof transport system,
remove it completely from the vehicle in order to save fuel and reduce noise.
236
Storage, Luggage Compartment and Roof Transport System
Loading InformationDefinitionsThe rear-axle load is the vehicle weight on the
rear axle plus the weight of the transported load.
The Curb weight - actual weight of your vehicle -
vehicle weight including standard and optional
equipment, fluids, and emergency tools. This
weight does not include passengers and cargo.
The Gross Vehicle Weight is the sum of the curb
weight and the weight of passengers and cargo
combined.
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the
maximum total weight of vehicle, passengers,
luggage, hitch, trailer tongue load and optional
equipment.
The Gross Axle Weight Rating is the maximum
load limit for the front or the rear axle. This
information is located on the safety comliance
sticker located in the dr iver’s side door jamb.
For determining the compat ibility of the tire and
vehicle load capabilities:
f Please see the chapter “TIRES AND WHEELS”
on page 280. The load capacity coefficient (e.g. “106”) is a
minimum requirement. For more information:
f
Please see the chapter “INSCRIPTION ON
RADIAL TIRE” on page 288.
The Gross Combined Weight Rating is the
maximum total weight rating of vehicle,
passengers and cargo.
The Vehicle Capacity Weight - Load Limit - is
the maximum total weight limit specified of the
load (passengers and cargo) for the vehicle. This
is the maximum weight of passengers and cargo
that can be loaded into the vehicle. This infor-
mation can be found on the tire pressure plate.
The maximum loaded vehicle weight is the
sum of curb weight, acce ssory weight, vehicle
capacity weight and production options weight.
The load rating is the maximum load that a tire
is rated to carry for a given inflation pressure.
The maximum load rating is the load rating for
a tire at the maximum permissible inflation
pressure.
The cargo capacity is the permissible weight of
cargo, the subtracted weight of passengers from
the load limit.
f Never exceed the permissible limits.
Danger!
Risk of personal injury or death.
Injuries are much more likely in an accident
if persons ride in the cargo area.
f Persons must ride only on the seats provided
for this purpose.
f Make sure that everybody fastens their safety
belts.
Risk of loss of control, damage to the vehicle
and serious personal injury or death.
f Never exceed the specified axle loads.
Overloading can shorten the service life of the
tires and car, as well as lead to dangerous
vehicle reactions and long braking distances.
Damage due to overloading is not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Storage, Luggage Compartment and Roof Transport System
237
Example for determining the combined weight of
occupants and cargoVehicle Load CapacityfThe combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed the weight shown on the
tire plate in the vehicle.
Please see the chapter “TIRE PRESSURE
PLATE” on page 323.
f Never exceed the number of passengers
shown on the tire pressure plate in the vehicle. Determining the combined weight of
occupants and cargo:
f
Add the weight of all occupants and then add
the total luggage weight ( figure).
Steps for determining correct load limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX
pounds” on your vehicle’s placard (depending
on the date of manufacture).
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your
vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX
pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400
lbs. and there will be five - 150 lb passengers
in your vehicle, the am ount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. [1400 -
750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.].
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load ca pacity calculated in
Step 4.
264
Maintenance and Car Care
Fuel EconomyFuel economy will vary depending on where,
when and how you drive, optional equipment
installed, and the general condition of your
car.
A car tuned to specifications and correctly
maintained, will help you to achieve optimal
fuel economy.
fHave your vehicle tuned to specifications. Air
cleaner should be dirt free to allow proper
engine “breathing”.
Battery should be fully charged.
Wheels should be properly aligned.
Tires should be inflated to the correct
pressure.
f Always monitor your fuel consumption.
f Drive smoothly, avoid abrupt changes in speed
as much as possible.
f Avoid jack rabbit starts and sudden stops.
f Do not drive longer than necessary in the lower
gears. Shifting into a higher gear early without
lugging the engine will help save fuel.
f Prolonged “warm up” idling wastes gas. Start
the vehicle just before you are ready to drive.
Accelerate slowly and smoothly.
f Switch off the engine if stationary for longer
periods.
f Any additional weight carried in the vehicle
reduces fuel economy. Always keep cargo to
a minimum and remove all unnecessary items. f
Organize your trips to take in several errands
in one trip.
f All electrical accessories contribute to
increased fuel consumption.
f Only switch on the air conditioning when
necessary.
f Do not drive with the Ro of Transport System
mounted unless you need it.
The EPA estimated miles per gallon (mpg) is
to be used for comparison purposes, actual
mileage may be different from the estimated
mpg, depending on your driving speed,
weather conditions and trip length. Your
actual highway mileage may be less than the
estimated mpg.
f Please observe all local and national speed
limits.
Operating Your Porsche in other
CountriesGovernment regulations in the United States and
Canada require that automobiles meet specific
emission regulations and safety standards.
Therefore, cars built for the U.S. and Canada differ
from vehicles sold in other countries.
If you plan to take your Porsche outside the
continental limits of the United States or Canada,
there is the possibility that
– unleaded fuel may not be available;
– unleaded fuel may have a considerably lower
octane rating. Excessi ve engine knock and
serious damage to both engine and catalytic
converters could result;
– service may be inadequate due to lack of proper service facilities, tools or diagnostic
equipment;
– replacement parts may not be available or very difficult to get.
Porsche cannot be responsible for the
mechanical damage that could result
because of inadequate fuel, service or parts
availability.
If you purchased your Porsche abroad and want to
bring it back home, be sure to find out about
shipping and forwarding requirements, as well as
current import and customs regulations.
Minor Repairs
283
Example of a tire pressure plateTire Pressure plateInformation on the tire pressure plate
A Seating capacityMaximum number of vehicle occupants,
including the driver.
B Vehicle load limit Is the maximum total weight limit specified of
the load (passengers and cargo) for the
vehicle. This is the maximum weight of
passengers and cargo that can be loaded into
the vehicle.
Please see the chapter “LOADING
INFORMATION” on page 236. C Original tire size
Size of tires mounted at the factory.
D Recommended cold tire inflation pressure These values are for cold tires (68 °F/20 °C).
Tire traction
Warning!
When driving on wet or slushy roads, a
wedge of water may bu ild up between the
tires and the road. This phenomenon is
known as “hydroplane” and may cause
partial or complete loss of traction, vehicle
control or stopping ability.
f Reduce speed on wet surfaces to prevent this.
Tire lifeTire life depends on various factors, i.e., road
surfaces, traffic and weather conditions, driving
habits, type of tires and tire care.
f Inspect your tires for wear and damage before
driving off. If you notice uneven or substantial
wear, wheels might need alignment or tires
should be balanced or replaced.Tire wearThe original equipment tires on your Porsche have
built-in tire wear indicators. They are molded into
the bottom of the tread grooves and will appear as
approximately 1/2 in. (12 mm) bands when the
tire tread depth is down to 1/16 of an in (1.6 mm).
When the indicators appear in two or more
adjacent grooves, it is time to replace the tires.
We recommend, however, that you do not let the
tires wear down to this extent.
Worn tires cannot grip the road surface properly
and are even less effective on wet roads.
In the United States, state laws may govern the
minimum tread depth permissible. Follow all such
laws.
Minor Repairs
285
In case of tire damage, where it is uncertain
whether there is a break in the ply with all its
consequences or tire damage caused by thermal
or mechanical overloading due to loss of pressure
or any other prior damage, we recommend that
the tire be replaced for safety reasons.
If one faulty tire is replac ed it should be noted that
the difference in tread depth on one axle must not
exceed 30%. Handling inconsistencies may result.
f Perform a visual inspection if necessary.Tire replacementsfUse only tire makes and types tested 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 manufacturer and
with the same specific ation code (e.g. “N0”,
“N1”…) should be mounted on the vehicle.
Before mounting new tires, check with your
Porsche dealer about the current release
status.
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 tire s are not permissible and
will affect vehicle performance, safety, and can
affect vehicle warranty. Porsche dealers can recommend the most current
replacement tire options for your vehicle.
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).
Tires must always remain
on the same side of
the vehicle.
When wheels are removed, the direction of
rotation and position of each wheel should be
marked.
If new tires are installed only on one axle, a
noticeable change in hand ling occurs due to the
different tread depth of the other tires. This
happens especially if only rear tires are replaced.
However, this condition disappears as the new
tires are broken in.
f Please adjust your driving style accordingly.
Installation of new tires should only be done by a
qualified tire technician.
Valves
f Use only plastic valve caps.
f The rubber valves must be replaced whenever
the tires are changed.
f The fitting and replacement specifications
must be observed for metal valves.
f Only use Original Porsche metal valves.
f Protect the valve inserts against soiling with
valve caps. Soiled valve inserts can cause a
gradual loss of air.
Parking at the curb
Danger!
Hard impacts against curbs (or traffic
islands) are dangerous and may cause
hidden tire damage which is not noticeable
until later. Such damage can result in
accidents at high speeds causing serious
personal injury or death. Depending on the
force of impact, the edge of the rim can also
be damaged.
f After such an impact, have the wheel checked
by an expert.
f If you must drive over a curb or other obstacle,
drive slowly and at an obtuse angle. Exercise care when parking along curbs.
Maintenance note
Tire repairs are not permissible under any
circumstances.
Wheel alignment, wheel balancingAs a precaution, have wheels with summer tires
balanced in the spring, and those with mud and
snow tires before winter. Unbalanced wheels may
affect car handling and tire life.
Only the specified weights may be used for wheel
balancing.
286
Minor Repairs
Self-adhesive weights must not come into contact
with cleaning agents, since they could drop off.
Uneven tread wear indica
tes wheel imbalance. In
this event, the vehicle should be checked at an
authorized Porsche dealer.
Danger!
If, during a trip, uneven running or vibrations
occur that could be caused by damage to
tires or the car, the speed must be reduced
immediately, but without braking sharply. If
you continue your trip without having the
cause of the fault reme died, you might lose
control of your vehicle which could cause
serious personal injury or death.
f Stop the vehicle and check the tires.
f If no cause for the fault can be found, drive
carefully to the nearest authorized Porsche dealer.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitoring
(TPM) sensorsBefore changing wheels, make sure that the
wheels are compatible with your vehicle’s TPM.
fCheck this with your authorized Porsche
dealer.Removing and storing tiresfAfter changing, adjust tire pressure and torque
wheel bolts diagonally.
Please see the chapter “CHANGING A WHEEL”
on page 291.
f Store tires in a co ol and dry place. Rotate
periodically to avoid flat spots.
f Avoid contact with fuel, oil and grease.
Tires must always remain on the same side of
the vehicle.
When wheels are removed, the direction of
rotation and position of each wheel should be
marked. Example
FR (front right), FL, RR and RL.
Wheels must always be fitted in accordance with
their marking.
The perception that tire durability and
performance are not affected by storage and age
is unfounded.
Chemical additives, which make the rubber
elastic, lose their effectiveness over the course of
time and the rubber becomes brittle and cracks.
Therefore, the tires should be inspected from
time to time.
Note
Under no circumstances should 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 three
numbers read 1208, then the tire was produced in
the 12th week of 2008.
Minor Repairs
315
Adjustment
The adjustment is made with the vehicle ready to
drive and the fuel tank completely filled.
The driver's seat must be loaded by a person or a
165 lbs. (75 kg) weight and the tire pressures
must meet the prescribed values. After being
loaded, the car must be rolled a few meters so
that the suspension can settle.
For checking the headlight adjustment, the
vertical position of the cutoff of the lowbeam (see
fig.) has to be projected on a vertical screen (wall)
in distance of 24.6 ft. (7.5 m) from the front lens
of the headlamp.The correc t position of the cutoff
is 3.0 in. (7.5 cm) at 24.6 ft. or 7.5 m (0.4°)
below a horizontal line, x cm from ground to the
center of the headlamp lens. Lateral adjustment of the headlights should be
carried out at a specialist workshop with an optical
adjustment unit.
Distance
Visual aim shall be performed at not less than
24.6 ft. (7.5 m) (this value is a rounded down
conversion from the 25-f
oot distance typical of
field aim using a screen). The 24.6 ft. (7.5 m)
distance is measured from the headlamp lens to
the viewing screen.
Floor
The surface upon which the vehicle rests is flat
and approximately level.
Screen
The screen upon which headlamp beams are
projected is perpendicular to the floor and the
vehicle's longitudinal axis, flat, uniformly light in
color, unobstructed, and wide and high enough to
accommodate the vehicle beam patterns to be
aimed.
The screen should be wide enough to provide at
least 3.3 ft. (1 m) of space outboard of the
vehicle's headlamp spacing.