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
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.
