3
Regularly check your vehicle for signs of
damage.
Damaged or missing aerodynamic compo-
nents such as spoilers or underside panels
affect the driving behavior and therefore
must be replaced immediately.
Your car may have all or some of the components
described in this manual.
Should you have difficulty understanding any of
the explanations of features or equipment installed
in your vehicle, contact your authorized Porsche
dealer. He/She will be glad to assist you. Also
check with your dealer on other available options
or equipment.
Throughout this booklet, left is designated as the
driver’s side of the vehicle, and right as the pas-
senger’s side of the vehicle.
Text, illustrations and specifications in this manual
are based on the information available at the time
of printing.
It has always been Porsche’s policy to continuous-
ly improve its products. Porsche, therefore, re-
serves the right to make changes in design and
specification, and to make additions or improve-
ments in its product without incurring any obliga-
tion to install them on products previously manu-
factured.
We wish you many miles of safe and pleasurable
driving in your Porsche.
Warning!
For your own protection and longer service life of
your car, please follow all operating instructions
and special warnings. These special warnings use
the safety alert symbol, followed by the words
Danger, Warning and Caution. These special
warnings contain important messages regarding
your safety and/or the potential for damage to
your Porsche. Ignoring them could result in seri-
ous mechanical failure, serious personal injury or
death.
fDo not alter your Porsche. Any alteration could
create dangerous conditions or defeat safety
engineering features built into your car.
fDo not misuse your Porsche. Use it safely, and
consistently with the law, according to the driv-
ing conditions, and the instructions in this man-
ual.
Alteration or misuse of your Porsche could
cause accidents and serious personal injury
or death.
Note to owners In Canada, this manual is also available in French.
To obtain a copy contact your dealer or write to: Note aux proprietaires Au Canada on peut se procurer un exemplaire de
ce Manuel en français auprès du concessionaire
ou du:
Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd.
Automobiles Porsche Canada, LTEE
5925 Airport Road
Suite 420
Mississauga, Ontario
Canada L4V 1W1
Telephone number for customer assistance:
1-800-PORSCHE / Option 3
Operation, Safety
19
Central Locking This device complies with:
Part 15 of the FCC Rules
RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two condi-
tions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
2. this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Note
The manufacturer is not responsible for any radio
or TV interference caused by unauthorized modifi-
cations to this equipment.
Such modification could void the user’s authority
to operate the equipment.
Warning!
Any changes or modifications not expressly ap-
proved by Porsche could void the user’s authority
to operate this equipment.
fPlease see the chapter “LOAD SWITCH-OFF AF-
TER 2 HOURS OR 7 DAYS” on Page 258.
fPlease see the chapter “SEAT MEMORY” on
Page 33.Both car doors and the filler flap can be centrally
unlocked or locked with the remote control.
The vehicle cannot be locked if the driver’s door is
not completely closed.
A short signal from the alarm horn will draw
your attention to the fact that the following
components are not completely closed when you
try to lock the vehicle:
– Driver’s door (the vehicle cannot be locked if
the driver’s door is not completely closed).
– Passenger’s door
– Luggage compartment lid
– Engine compartment lid
– Glass rear hatch (Targa)
– Glove compartment
Unlocking the vehicle by using the key in the door
lock and opening the door may activate the alarm
system within 10 seconds.
Note
fOn vehicles with the Sport Chrono Package
Plus, the PCM can be used to activate auto-
matic door locking.
Please observe the chapter “Individual Memo-
ry” in the separate PCM operating instructions.
Automatic relocking If the car is unlocked by remote control and none
of the car doors is opened within approx.
100 seconds, automatic relocking takes place.
This relocking time can be adapted to your individ-
ual requirements (10 - 100 seconds) by an author-
ized Porsche dealer.
44
Operation, Safety
Airbag SystemsThe airbags in combination with the safety belts
make up a safety system which offers the driver
and the passenger the greatest known protection
from injuries in case of accident.
Your vehicle is equipped with a weight sensing sys-
tem for the front passenger's seat in accordance
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
208.
Even if your vehicle is equipped with airbags, the
safety belts must be worn at all times,
because the front airbag system is only deployed
by frontal collisions with an impact of sufficient se-
verity.
Below the deployment threshold of the airbag sys-
tem, and during types of collisions which do not
cause the actuation of the system, the safety belts
provide the primary protection to the occupants
when correctly worn.
Therefore, all persons within the vehicle
must wear safety belts at all times (in many
states, state law requires the use of safety belts).
fPlease see the chapter “SAFETY BELTS” on
Page 41.
The front airbags are located under the padded
steering wheel panel on the driver’s side and, on
the passenger's side, in the dashboard.
The side airbags for the front seats are installed
on the side in the seat backrests.
The head airbags are installed in the door linings.
Danger!
To provide optimal occupant protection, air-
bags must inflate at very high speed. If you
are not wearing your safety belt or are too
close to the airbag when it is deployed, inflat-
ing airbags can result in serious personal in-
jury or death.
fMake sure there are no people, animals or ob-
jects between the driver or passenger and the
area into which the airbag inflates.
fSit back as far from the dashboard or steering
wheel as is practical, while still maintaining full
vehicle control.
fAlways hold the steering wheel by the outer
rim. Never rest your hands on the airbag panel.
fAlways fasten seat belts because triggering
of the airbag system depends on the force and
angle of impact.
fDo not transport heavy objects on or in front of
the passenger’s seat. These could impair the
function of the airbag, the seat belts, and
weight sensing.
fDo not hang objects (e.g. jackets, coats, coat
hangers) over the backrest.fAlways keep the lid of the door storage com-
partment closed. Objects must not protrude
out of the door storage compartment.
fNo changes may be made to the wiring or
components of the airbag system.
fDo not add any additional coverings or stickers
to the steering wheel or in the area of the pas-
senger’s airbag, side airbags and head air-
bags. Doing so may adversely affect the func-
tioning of the airbag system or cause harm to
the occupants if the airbag system should de-
ploy.
Do not use protective seat covers.
fDo not modify the seat coverings. Do not at-
tach additional cushions, protective coverings,
or pillows to the passenger's seat. Do not affix
things to the passenger's seat or cover it with
other materials. Do not cover the back of the
backrest. Do not make changes to the passen-
ger's seat and to the seat base frame.
fDo not undertake any wiring for electrical ac-
cessory equipment in the vicinity of the airbag
wiring harnesses. Doing so may disable the air-
bag system or cause inadvertent inflation.
fIf the warning light comes on, the airbag sys-
tem should be repaired immediately by your
authorized Porsche dealer.
fAlways keep feet in the footwell while driving.
Do not put feet on the dashboard or the seat
area. Do not lean against the inside of the door
or outside the window while the vehicle is mov-
ing.
64
Operation, Safety
Sport ModeA sportier car set-up is obtained when Sport mode
is switched on. Interventions by the Porsche
control systems are intentionally shifted towards
greater agility and driving performance:
– PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Manage-
ment) is automatically changed to Sport mode,
resulting in a stiffer suspension setup.
– When Sport mode is active, the PDK transmis-
sion switches to a sporty gear-changing map
and shortens the gear shifting times. Gear
changes take place faster, but fuel consump-
tion is also increased.
PSM (Porsche Stability Management) control
gives a sportier road-feel to the vehicle. PSM
interventions take place later than in Normal
mode. The driver can maneuver the vehicle
with greater agility at its performance limits,
without having to dispense with the assistance
of PSM in emergency situations. This helps to
achieve optimal lap times, particularly on race
circuits with a dry road surface.
– The electronic accelerator pedal reacts
sooner, and the engine is more responsive to
throttle inputs. When Sport mode is switched
on, this function is activated only after the
driver has floored the accelerator pedal or
released it briefly.– The rpm limiter characteristic is “harder”, i.e.
the engine is immediately throttled when the
performance limits are reached (only in manual
selection mode for vehicles with PDK transmis-
sion).
fPlease observe the chapters on PSM, PASM
and PDK.
Switching Sport mode on and offSwitching Sport mode on and off simultaneously
activates and deactivates the Sport mode in
PA S M .
If PASM Sport mode was activated with the PASM
button, PASM remains active.
After the ignition is switched off, Sport mode is
automatically reset to Normal mode.
SPORT button
fPress SPORT button A in the center console.
When Sport mode is switched on, the light-
emitting diode in the SPORT button is lit.
A sporty gear-changing map is enabled and the
gear shifting times are shortened for the PDK
transmission.
A sporty driving style is recognized more quickly
and the gear-changing speeds are adapted to
driving performance.
Deceleration downshifts are commenced earlier.
Downshifts are made during slight decelerations,
even at higher engine speeds.
fPlease see the chapter “SPORT MODE
(“SPORT” AND “SPORT PLUS” MODES)” on
Page 172.
Operation, Safety
67
– The system compensates for undesired lateral
vehicle reactions when the driver releases the
accelerator pedal or brakes when cornering.
This compensation functions up to the
maximum lateral acceleration.
– PSM actively stabilizes the vehicle as required
during dynamic driving maneuvers (e.g. rapid
steering movements, during lane changes or
on alternating bends).
– Improved braking stability on bends and on
different or varying road surfaces.
– It improves braking function and shortens
stopping distance in the event of emergency
braking.Readiness for operationPSM is switched on automatically every time you
start the engine.
PSM should always be switched on during
“normal” driving.
However, it may be advantageous to switch off
PSM temporarily in exceptional situations, for
example:
– On a loose surface or in deep snow,
– When “rocking” the vehicle free and
– When using snow chains.
Switching off PSMfPress PSM OFF button.
PSM is switched off after a short delay.
The light-emitting diode in the button is lit up.
When the PSM is switched off, the PSM multi-
functional light on the instrument panel is lit
and a message is shown on the on-board
computer.
An acoustic signal also sounds.
Note
When PSM is switched off, the additional braking
functions are deactivated. Automatic reactivation
in emergency situations is linked to the PSM
control.The following functions stabilize the vehicle in
emergency situations, even with PSM switched
off:
– When PSM is off, the vehicle is stabilized as
soon as one of the two front wheels enters the
ABS control range.
– When PSM is off and Sport mode is on, the
vehicle is stabilized as soon as both front
wheels enter the ABS control range.
One-sided spinning of the wheels is prevented,
even with PSM switched off.
Switching PSM back onfPress PSM OFF button.
PSM is switched on after a short delay.
The light-emitting diode in the button and the
PSM multifunctional light on the instrument
panel go out.
The on-board computer shows a message.
Operation, Safety
81
Welcome Home LightingSwitching onfMove light switch to the HOME position.
For improved visibility and security when you get
in and out of the car, the daytime driving lights and
the tail lights remain on for a certain period of
time:
–When you get out of the car, the lights are
turned on for approx. 30 seconds after the
door is opened. The off-delay time resumes
when the vehicle is locked.
On vehicles with the Sport Chrono Package
Plus, the PCM can be used to set the off-delay
time. This setting also changes the lighting
period for unlocking the vehicle.
Please observe the chapter “Individual
Memory” in the separate PCM operating
instructions.
– The lights are turned on for approx.
30 seconds when the vehicle is unlocked.
The lights go out if the ignition is switched on
or when leaving the Welcome Home lighting.
Automatic Headlight Beam
Adjustment Vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlights feature
dynamic headlight beam adjustment.
When the ignition is switched on, the level of the
headlight beam automatically changes in accord-
ance with the vehicle load.
The level of the headlight beam is automatically
kept constant during acceleration and braking. Checking operation 1. Switch the low beam on.
2. Insert ignition key and switch ignition on.
The light beam first dips all the way down and
is then adapted to the vehicle load.
If this test item is not met, the headlight beam
adjustment system must be checked by an author-
ized Porsche dealer.
82
Operation, Safety
Turn Signal / Headlight Dimmer /
Parking light / Flasher Lever Turn signals, low beam and high beam are ready
for operation when the ignition is on.
1 – Turn signal left
2 – Turn signal right
Push the lever to the upper or lower pressure
point – turn signals flash three times
3 – High beam
4 – Headlight flasher
Lever in center position – Low beam
When high beam and headlight flasher are select-
ed, the blue indicator light in the tachometer is lit.The turn signal lever turns off automatically when
the steering wheel is straightened out after com-
pleting a turn.
Lane changer fTo indicate your intention when changing lanes
on the freeway, slightly lift or depress the lever
to the resistance point.
The lever will return to the OFF position when
released.
fIf the frequency of the display becomes notice-
ably faster, check the operation of the turn sig-
nal bulbs. Headlight flasher (With ignition on or off)
fTo flash the headlights to oncomming motor-
ists, slightly pull the lever toward the steering
wheel and then release it.
The blue indicator light in the tachometer will
go on/off as you pull/release the lever.Parking lightThe parking light can only be switched on when
the ignition is switched off.
fMove the lever up or down to switch on the
right or left parking light.
Individual Light FunctionsFurther individual light functions are available in
vehicles with the Sport Chrono Plus package.
fPlease refer to the chapter “Individual Memory”
in the separate PCM operating instructions.
98
Operation, Safety
Porsche Communication
Management (PCM) fRefer to the separate operating instructions
before putting the PCM into operation.
fPlease see the chapter “LOAD SWITCH-OFF
AFTER 2 HOURS OR 7 DAYS” on Page 258.
Warning!
There is a danger of accident if you set or
operate the on-board computer, radio, navi-
gation system, telephone or other equipment
when driving.
This could distract you from the traffic and
cause you to lose control of the vehicle re-
sulting in serious personal injury or death.
fOperate the components while driving only if
the traffic situation allows you to do so safely.
fCarry out any complicated operating or setting procedures only with the vehicle stationary.
The reception conditions for the radio module
integrated in the PCM change continuously as you
drive. Interference from buildings, terrain and the
weather is unavoidable.
FM stereo reception is particularly susceptible to
varying reception conditions.
Electronic accessories should only be retrofitted
by your authorized Porsche dealer.Accessories which have not been tested and
approved by Porsche may impair radio function
and reception.
NavigationWhen put into operation for the first time, a
distance of approx. 30 miles (50 km) must be
driven in order for the navigation system to
complete the process of fine calibration.
The same applies when the tires are changed (e.g.
summer/snow tires) or new tires fitted.
Full location accuracy is not yet achieved during
the fine-calibration process.
If the vehicle has been transported (e.g. ferry, car
train), the system may take a few minutes to deter-
mine the current location after it has been
switched on.
Serious tire slip (e.g. spinning wheels on snow)
may result in temporarily inaccurate navigation.
When the battery has been disconnected, it may
take up to 15 minutes before the navigation
system is operational again.
Car Audio Operation/Tips For radio operation see your radio manual
which is included with your on-board litera-
ture.
fPlease see the chapter “LOAD SWITCH-OFF AF-
TER 2 HOURS OR 7 DAYS” on Page 258.
FM reception
A vehicle is not an ideal place to listen to a radio.
Because the vehicle moves, reception conditions
are constantly changing.
Buildings, terrain, signal distance and noise from
other vehicles are all working against good recep-
tion.
Some conditions affecting FM may appear to be
problems when they are not.
The following characteristics are completely nor-
mal for a given reception area, and they do not in-
dicate any problem with the radio itself.
Note
Electronic accessories should only be installed by
your authorized Porsche dealer.
Equipment which has not been tested and ap-
proved by Porsche may impair radio reception.