114
Instrument Panel and Multi-Function Display
Warning!
Risk of accidents and ri sk of engine damage.
A broken drive belt means there is no power
assistance to the steering (more effort is
required to steer) and engine cooling fails.
f Do not continue driving.
f Have the fault corrected.
f 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.
Danger of steering assistance failing during
a long journey in water if the drive belt slips.
f If steering assistance fails, more effort will be required to steer.
Check Engine
(Emission Control)The emission control system detects malfunctions
that could cause increased pollutant emissions or
consequential damage etc. well in advance.
Faults are indicated by the warning light on the
instrument panel which then either lights up
continuously or flashes.
The faults are recorded in the control unit’s
fault memory.
The warning light on the instrument panel lights up
when the ignition is switched on as a lamp check
and goes out approx. 1 second after the engine
starts.
The warning light on the instrument panel flashes
to indicate operating states (e.g. engine misfiring)
which may cause damage to certain parts of the
emission control system.
f In this case, immediately reduce the engine
load by easing off the accelerator pedal.
In order to avoid consequential damage to the
engine or the exhaust-gas cleaning system
(e.g. catalytic converter):
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.
Caution!
Risk of damage. If the warning light on the
instrument panel continues flashing even
when you have eased off the accelerator
pedal, the emission control system may
overheat.
f Stop as soon as possible in a safe place.
Make sure that combustible materials, such as
dry grass or leaves, cannot come into contact
with the hot exhaust system.
f Switch off the engine.
fHave the fault corrected.Acoustic SignalsA speaker in the instrument panel generates
acoustic signals.
If the speaker is faulty, a warning will appear and
the speaker will no longer make an acoustic signal
(i. e. sound).
f Please see the chapter “OVERVIEW OF
WARNING MESSAGES” on page 152.
Warning light
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.
262
Maintenance and Car Care
Emission Control SystemIn the interest of clean airPollution of our environment has become a
problem that is of increasing concern to all of us.
We urge you to join us in our efforts for cleaner air
in controlling the pollutants emitted from the
automobile.
Porsche has developed an emission control
system that controls or reduces those parts of the
emission that can be harmful to our environment.
Your Porsche is equipped with such a system.
Porsche warrants the Emission Control System in
your new car under the terms and conditions set
forth in the Warranty Booklet.
You, as the owner of the vehicle, have the
responsibility to provide regular maintenance
service for the vehicle and to keep a record of all
maintenance work performed. To facilitate record
keeping, have the service performed by
authorized Porsche dealers. They have Porsche
trained technicians and special tools to provide
fast and efficient service.To assure efficient operation of the Emission
Control System:
f
Have your vehicle maintained properly and in
accordance with the recommendations
described in your Mai ntenance Booklet. Lack
of proper maintenance, as well as improper
use of the vehicle, will impair the function of
the emission control system and could lead to
damage.
f Do not alter or remove any component of the
emission control system.
f Do not alter or remove any device, such as
heat shields, switches, ignition wires, valves,
etc., which are designed to protect your
vehicle's emission control system. In addition
to serious engine damage, this can result in a
fire if excess raw fuel reaches the exhaust
system.
f Do not continue to operat e your vehicle if you
detect engine misfire or other unusual
operating conditions.
Parking
Danger!
Danger of fire resulting in serious personal
injury or death.
f Do not park or operate the vehicle in areas
where the hot exhaust system may come in
contact with dry grass, brush, fuel spill or
other flammable materials.
f If your car catches on fire for any reason, call
the fire department. Do not endanger your life by attempting to put out the fire.
Undercoating
Danger!
Danger of fire resulting in serious personal
injury or death.
f Do not apply additional undercoating or rust-
proofing on or near the exhaust manifold,
exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat
shields. During driving the substance used for undercoating could overheat and ignite.
Maintenance and Car Care
263
How Emission Control WorksWhen an automobile engine is running, it uses
energy generated through the combustion of a
mixture of air and fuel. Depending on whether a
car is driven fast or slowly or whether the engine
is cold or hot, some of the fuel (hydrocarbons)
may not be burned completely, but may be
discharged into the engine crankcase or exhaust
system. Additonal hydrocarbons may enter the
atmosphere through evaporation of fuel from the
fuel tank. These hydrocarbons (HC), when
released into the air, co ntribute to undesirable
pollution.
In addition, carbon monoxide (CO) and oxides of
nitrogen (NOx) contribute to engine emissions.
They, too, are formed during the combustion
process and discharged into the exhaust system.
To reduce these pollutants, your Porsche is
equipped with a precisely calibrated fuel injection
system to assure a finely balanced air/fuel mixture
under all operating conditions.
Oxygen sensorThe oxygen sensor, installed in the exhaust pipe
continuously senses the oxygen content of the
exhaust and signals the information to an
electronic control unit. The control unit corrects
the air/fuel ratio, so the engine always receives an
accurately metered air/fuel mixture.Crankcase ventilationThrough crankcase ventilation, undesirable
emissions from the engine crankcase are not
permitted to reach the outside atmosphere. These
emissions are recirculated from the crankcase to
the air intake system. From here the emissions
mix with the intake air an d are later burned in the
engine.Catalytic convertersThe catalytic converters are efficient “clean-up”
devices built into the exhaust system of the
vehicle. The catalytic converters burn the
undesirable pollutants in the exhaust gas before it
is released into the atmosphere.
The exclusive use of unleaded fuel is
critically important for the life of the
catalytic converters. Therefore, only
unleaded fuel must be used. The catalytic converters will be damaged by:
– push or tow starting the vehicle
– misfiring of the engine
– turning off the ignition while the vehicle is
moving or
– driving until the fuel tank is completely empty
– by other unusual operating conditions.
f Do not continue to operate your vehicle under
these conditions, since raw fuel might reach
the catalytic converters. This could result in
overheating of the converters. Federal law
prohibits use of leaded fuel in this car.
Maintenance and Car Care
273
Care of windshield wiper bladesWindshield wiper blades that are in perfect
condition are vital for a clear view.
fPlease see the chapter “WIPER BLADES” on
page 261.
f Have the wiper blades replaced twice per year
(before and after the cold season) or if wiper
performance deteriorates or the blades are
damaged.
f Clean the wiper blades with window cleaner at
regular intervals, especially after washing the
vehicle in a car wash.
We recommend Porsche window cleaner.
If wiper blades are very dirty (e.g. covered with
insect remains), they can be cleaned with
a sponge or cloth.
If the wiper blades rub or squeak, this may be due
to the following:
– If the vehicle is washed in an automatic car wash, wax residues may adhere to
the windshield. These wax residues can
be removed only by using window
cleaner concentrate.
f Please see the chapter “WASHER FLUID” on
page 259. Contact your authorized Porsche dealer for more
information.
– The wiper blades may be damaged or worn.
f
Have damaged wiper blades replaced
immediately.
UndercoatingThe underside of your car is durably protected
against chemical and mechanical influences.
As it is not possible to ex clude the risk of damage
to this protective coating in day to day driving, it
is advisable to have the underside of the car
inspected at certain intervals - preferably before
the start of winter and again in spring - and the
undercoating restored as necessary.
Your authorized Porsche dealer is familiar with the
bodyseal treatment procedures and has the
necessary equipment for applying factory
approved materials. We recommend that you
entrust them with such work and inspections.
Unlike conventional spray oils, undercoating and
rust-proofing compounds based on bitumen or
wax do not attack the sound-proofing materials
applied at the factory.
Warning!
Danger of fire resulting in serious personal
injury or death.
f Do not apply additional undercoating or rust-
proofing on or near the exhaust manifold,
exhaust pipes, catalytic converters or heat
shields. During driving the substance used for undercoating could overheat and ignite.
f Before applying fresh underseal, carefully
remove deposits or dirt and grease. Once it
has dried, the new undercoating compound
forms a tough protective coating which
provides efficient rust-proofing of the floor
panels and components.
f Always apply a fresh coating of suitable preser-
vative to unprotect areas after cleaning the
underside of the body, the transmission, the
engine or carrying out repairs to under-body,
engine or transmission components.
Effective rust-proofing is particularly important
during the cold weather season. If your car is
driven frequently in areas where salt has been
spread on the roads, the whole engine compart-
ment should be cleane d thoroughly after the
winter to prevent salt from causing any lasting
damage. A full under-body wash should also be
performed at the same time.