2009 PORSCHE PANAMERA brake

258
Maintenance and Car Care
1. If the engine is hot, cover the reservoir cap
with a cloth.
Open cap carefully and allow any overpressure
to escape.
Then unscrew cap completely.
2. Read off the engine coolant level. Top up with coolant if necessary.
Only add a mixture of antifreeze and water
in equal parts.
Antifreeze in coolant:
50 % provides antifreeze protection
down to –31 °F (–35 °C).
Do not top up over the plus marking.
3. Screw the cap on the reservoir closed until it locks securely.
4. Have the cooling system checked. Please contact a qualif ied specialist workshop.
We recommend that you have an authorized
Porsche dealer to do this work as they have
trained workshop personnel and the necessary
parts and tools. Maintenance notes
If pure water is added in an emergency, the mixing
ratio will have to be corrected.
A significant loss of coolan
t indicates a leak in the
cooling system.
f The cause must be eliminated without delay.
Please contact a qualified specialist workshop.
We recommend that you have an authorized
Porsche dealer to do this work as they have
trained workshop personnel and the necessary
parts and tools.
Radiator fansThe radiators and radiator fans are in the front
of the vehicle.
Warning!
Risk of injury.
The fans can start running when a certain
temperature is reached, even with the
engine switched off.
f Exercise extreme care when working close to
the radiator fans and make sure the engine is switched off.
Brake FluidRegular checking of the brake fluid is part of
servicing.
The fluid level should always be between the
MIN and MAX markings.
A slight decrease in the fluid level due to wear
and automatic readjustment of the disc brakes
is normal.
However, if the fluid level falls significantly or
goes below the MIN marking, the brake system
may have developed a leak.
fHave the brake system checked immediately.
Please contact a qualified specialist workshop.
We recommend that you have an authorized

Maintenance and Car Care
259
Porsche dealer to do this work as they have
trained workshop personnel and the necessary
parts and tools. Warning!
Brake fluid is hazardous to your health, and
may be fatal if swallowed.
Brake fluid also attacks paintwork.
f Keep brake fluid out of children's reach.
f Immediately rinse off spilled brake fluid with
clean water.
f If brake fluid gets into your eye, immediately
rinse with clean water for a few minutes. Then
see a doctor immediately.
f Please note all the info rmation on the refill container of the brake fluid.
Changing brake fluidBrake fluid absorbs moisture from the air
over time. The absorbed water can impair
braking efficiency.
fIt is important therefore to have the brake fluid
changed in accordance with the change
intervals specified in the “Maintenance”
booklet.
The warning light on the instrument panel and the
warning message on the multi-function display
alert you to the fact that the brake fluid level is
too low and could indicate brake circuit failure
if the pedal travel is greater than normal.
Note on operation
If the warning light and warning message appear
when driving:
f Stop immediately in a suitable place.
f Do not continue driving.
Please contact a qualified specialist workshop.
We recommend that you have an authorized
Porsche dealer to do this work as they have
trained workshop personnel and the necessary
parts and tools.
Washer Fluid We recommend window cleaner concentrates
approved by Porsche for either summer or winter,
depending on the season. Your authorized
Porsche dealer will be pleased to advise you.
The washer fluid reservoir for windshield, rear
window and headlights is located at the rear left in
the engine compartment (blue screw cap).
Brake warning light USA
Brake warning light Canada

270
Maintenance and Car Care
High-pressure cleaning equipment
Warning!
High-pressure cleaning equipment can
damage the following components:
–Tires
– Logos, emblems, decorative foils
– Painted surfaces
– Alternator, valve covers
– ParkAssist sensors
– Radar sensor for adaptive cruise control
– Rearview camera
f Always read the operating instructions
provided by the equipment manufacturer.
f Always cover the lid of the brake fluid reservoir
prior to cleaning. Never point the cleaning jet
directly at the lid.
f When cleaning with a flat-jet nozzle or
a so-called “dirt blaster”. maintain a minimum
distance of 20 in. (50 cm).
f Never use high-pressure cleaning equipment
with a round-jet nozzle.
A high-pressure cleaning device fitted with
a round nozzle will damage your vehicle. The
tires are particularly susceptible to damage.
f Do not point the cleaning jet directly at any of the aforementioned components.
Decorative film
Caution!
Risk of damage due to separation of the
decorative film when using high-pressure
cleaning equipment.
f When cleaning components, the water must
not be hotter than 140 °F (60 °C) and the
pressure no greater than 580 psi (40 bar).
Always observe a minimum distance of 20 in. (50 cm).
Care of door lockfTo prevent the door lock from freezing
during the cold season, cover the lock barrel
with suitable adhesive tape while washing
the vehicle.
If the lock still freezes, use an ordinary de-icer.
In many cases, a well warmed key can help.
Never use excessive force.
Car washingThe best protection for the vehicle from the
damaging effects of the environment is frequent
washing and preservation.
The longer road salt, road dust, industrial dust,
insect remains, bird excrement, and tree sap,
resin, pollen, etc. are allowed to remain on the
bodywork, the more harmful their effect.
Observe the following poi nts in order to ensure
that the vehicle is washed thoroughly without
damaging the paintwork:
f The underside of the vehicle should also be
thoroughly washed at the end of the winter
season at the latest.
f Wash your vehicle only at sites provided for
this purpose to prevent soot, grease, oil and
heavy metals from entering the environment.
f Dark colors are slightly more susceptible
to scratching and require particularly careful
paint care.
Dark paints make even the smallest surface
blemishes (scratches) more conspicuous than
lighter colors.
f Do not wash your Porsche in direct sunlight
or when its body is hot.
f When washing by hand, use a car shampoo,
plenty of water, and a soft sponge or washing
brush.
We recommend Porsche car shampoo.

Maintenance and Car Care
271
fStart washing the vehicle by thoroughly
wetting the paintwork and rinsing the heavy
dirt off.
f After washing the vehicle, rinse it thoroughly
with water and rub it dry with chamois-leather.
Do not use the same chamois for rubbing
dry as you use for cleaning the windshield
and windows.
Warning!
Risk of accidents! Reduced or uneven
braking action may be caused by wet
brakes.
f After washing the vehicle, test the brakes
and steering and briefly brake the discs dry.
When doing so, make sure that vehicles travelling behind you are not affected. Cleaning in car washes
Optional add-on parts or parts that project beyond
the contours of the vehi
cle may be damaged by
design features of car washes.
The following parts are particularly at risk:
– Windshield wipers and rear wiper (always switch them off – wiper stalk in
position 0 – to prevent them wiping
unintentionally in intermittent or sensor
operation).
– Exterior mirrors (always fold in).
– External antenna (always unscrew).
– Roof transport system (always remove completely).
– Spoiler.
– Wheels (the wider the rim and the lower the tire height, the greater the risk of damage).
f Please consult the operator before using
automatic car washes.
f All parts not reached by a car wash, such
as door and lid seams or door sills, must
be washed and polished by hand.
Paint careIn order to protect the pa int on your vehicle in
the best possible way against mechanical and
chemical damage, you should
– preserve it regularly,
– polish it if necessary,
– remove spots and stains, and
– repair damaged paintwork.
General Notes
f Never rub a dusty vehicle with a dry cloth,
because the grains of dirt will damage
the paintwork.
f Do not treat matt-painted components with
preservatives or polishes as these remove
the matt effect.
Preservation
The paint surface becomes dull over time due
to weathering.
f Preserve paint regularly.
f Apply paint preservative after washing the
vehicle and polish it smooth to preserve
the paintwork.
This keeps the paint shin y and elastic. Dirt is
prevented from adhering to the paint surface and
industrial dust is prevented from penetrating
the paint.

272
Maintenance and Car Care
Polishing
Only when the original
shine can no longer be
obtained using preservatives should paint polish
be used to clean the paint.
We recommend Porsche paint polish.
Removing spots and stains
f Remove tar spatters, traces of oil, insects etc.
as soon as possible using an insect remover,
as they discolor the paint if left to work on it
over time.
f Wash the treated areas carefully afterwards.
Repairing minor paint damage
f Have minor paint damage (cracks, scratches
or stone damage) repaired immediately
before corrosion begins.
Please contact a qualif ied specialist workshop.
We recommend that you have an authorized
Porsche dealer to do this work as they have
trained workshop personnel and the necessary
parts and tools.
If traces of corrosion have already formed, these
must be thoroughly removed. An anti-corrosion
primer must then be applied to these spots,
followed by top-coat paint. Paint data can be found on the vehicle data
carrier.
f
Please see the chapter “VEHICLE DATA BANK”
on page 323.
Cleaning the engine compartment
Caution!
Risk of damage, e.g. to the alternator,
painted surfaces, and the valve covers.
f Never use high-pressure cleaners with
a round-jet nozzle.
f Always observe a minimum distance of 20 in.
(50 cm).
f Always cover the lid of the brake fluid reservoir
prior to cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner.
Never point the cleaning jet directly at the lid.
f Do not point the cleaning jet directly at any of the aforementioned components.
Note on operation
If the vehicle is driven frequently on salted
or gritted roads:
f Have the engine compartment cleaned
regularly.
Cleaning windowsfClean all windows regularly, inside and out,
with window cleaner.
We recommend Porsche window cleaner.
f Do not use the same chamois for painted
surfaces and for drying the windows.
Preservative residues could reduce
transparency.
f Remove insect residues with insect remover.
Note
The front side windows have a water-repellent
(hydrophobic) coating, which prevents soiling
of the windows.
This coating is subject to natural wear and can
be renewed.
f Please contact a qualified specialist workshop.
We recommend that you have an authorized
Porsche dealer to do this work as they have
trained workshop personnel and the necessary
parts and tools.

274
Maintenance and Car Care
Cleaning headlights, lights, interior and
exterior plastic components, adhesive
foils, radar sensor for adaptive cruise
control and rearview cameraObserve the following points:
fUse only clean water and a little dishwashing
liquid or interior window cleaner to clean
headlights, lights, plastic components
and surfaces.
Use a soft sponge or a soft, lint-free cloth.
Note
An interior window cleane r can also be used to
clean plastic surfaces (always read the cleaning
instructions on the container!).
We recommend Porsche interior window cleaner.
f Gently wipe the surface without applying
too much pressure.
f Do not clean when dry.
f Never use other chemical cleaners
or solvents.
f Rinse cleaned surfaces with clear water.
Alloy wheelsMetal particles (e.g. brass or copper in brake
dust) must not remain too long on alloy wheels.
Contact corrosion can cause pitting.
Note
Cleaners with an oxide-removing effect or
wrong pH value, as are commonly used for
other metals, as well as mechanical tools and
products, will damage the oxide layer and are
therefore unsuitable.
fUse only cleaners for alloy wheels
(pH value 9.5). Products with the wrong
pH value can destroy the protective layer
on the wheels.
We recommend Porsche cleaner for light
alloy rims.
f If possible, wash the wheels every two weeks
with a sponge or washing brush. If the wheels
are exposed to road salt, grit or industrial dust,
weekly cleaning is necessary.
f Every three months, after cleaning, treat the
wheels with car wax or an acid-free grease
(e.g. Vaseline).
Rub the grease in well with a soft cloth.
f Please see the chapter “CLEANING IN CAR
WASHES” on page 271.
Danger!
Danger of accident resulting in serious
personal injury or death if cleaning agents
(e.g. wheel cleaning agents) come into
contact with the brake discs. The resulting
film on the brake discs can impair braking
performance.
f Make sure that no clea ning agent comes into
contact with the brake discs.
f If cleaning agent has come into contact with
the brake discs, clean the brake discs
thoroughly with a strong jet of water.
f Paying attention to any road users behind you, dry the brake discs by applying the brakes.
Stainless steel tailpipesStainless steel tailpipes can discolor due to
soiling, strong heat and combustion residues.
The original shine can be achieved again using
commercially available metal lustre paste or metal
polish.

278
Minor Repairs
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.
Note
The tools required for changing a wheel (e.g. jack,
wheel bolt wrench, assembly aids) are not
supplied as standard with the vehicle. Your
authorized Porsche dealer will be pleased to
advise you.

280
Minor Repairs
Tires and WheelsThe original equipment tires and wheel rims on
your Porsche comply with all applicable Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
For your safety remember the following:
– Wheel rims and wheel bolts are matched to fit your Porsche.
– If you intend to use other than original equipment wheels, be su re that they conform
to Porsche specifications for your model. Only
tires with the same make and with the same
specification code (e.g . ”N0“, ”N1“...) can be
mounted.
– The use of wheel rims and wheel bolts that do not meet specifications of the original factory
installed equipment will affect the safe
operation of your vehicle and affect warranty
coverage.
– Before you plan on exchanging wheels, or snow tires already mounted on the wheel rims,
consult your authorized Porsche dealer.
Your dealer has the technical information
necessary to advise you which wheel rims and
wheel bolts are compatible with the original
factory installations.
Danger!
Risk of loss of control and serious personal
injury or death.
f If while driving, your vehicle experiences a
sudden vibration or ride disturbance, and/or
you suspect that possible damage to your tires
or vehicle has occurred, you should
immediately reduce your speed without
excessive use of the brakes.
f Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, and
inspect the tires.
If you cannot determine the cause for the
disturbance, have your vehicle towed to the
nearest Porsche or tire dealer to have your
vehicle or tire(s) inspected.
f Continuing to operate the vehicle without
correction could result in a loss of control and serious personal injury.
ExampleUniform Tire Quality GradingQuality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.