
2Dear Owner, We would like to thank you for your purchase of a 
Porsche Sports car. 
Judging by the car you have chosen, you are a mo-
torist of a special breed, and you are probably no 
novice when it comes to automobiles. 
Remember however, as with any vehicle, you 
should take time to familiarize yourself with your 
Porsche and its performance characteristics. Al-
ways drive within your own unique capabilities as 
a driver and your level of experience with your 
Porsche. Ensure that anyone else driving your 
Porsche does the same. To prevent or minimize in-
jury, always use your safety belts. Never consume 
alcohol or drugs before or during the operation of 
your vehicle. 
This Owner’s Manual contains a host of useful in-
formation. Please take the time to read this manu-
al before you drive your new Porsche. Become fa-
miliar with the operation of your Porsche car for 
maximum safety and operating pleasure. The bet-
ter you know your Porsche, the more pleasure you 
will experience driving your new car.
Always keep your Owner’s Manual in the car, and 
give it to the new owner if you ever sell your 
Porsche. A separate Maintenance Booklet explains how 
you can keep your Porsche in top driving condition 
by having it serviced regularly. 
A separate Warranty and Customer Informa-
tion Booklet contains detailed information about 
the warranties covering your Porsche. 
For U.S. only:
If you believe that your vehicle has a fault which 
could cause a crash, injury or death, you should 
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to noti-
fying Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche 
Cars N.A.). 
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open 
an investigation, and if it finds that a safety prob-
lem exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a re-
call and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA can-
not become involved in individual problems be-
tween you and your dealer, or Porsche Cars N.A.. 
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety 
Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-
424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov; or 
write to: Administrator, 
NHTSA, 400 Seventh 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. 
You can also obtain other information about motor 
vehicle safety from http://www.savercar.gov. 
Your car has thousands of parts and components 
which have been designed and manufactured in 
accordance with Porsche’s high standards of 
engineering quality and safety. 
 Warning!
Any alteration or misuse of the vehicle can 
lead to accidents and severe or fatal 
personal injuries.
Any alteration of the vehicle may negate or 
interfere with those safety features built into 
the vehicle. Modifications may be carried out 
on your vehicle only if approved by Porsche.
Your Porsche is intended to be used in a safe 
manner obeying the local laws and in the 
light of driving conditions faced by you, and 
in accordance with the instructions provided 
in this Owner’s Manual. 
fDo not misuse your Porsche by ignoring those 
laws and driving conditions, or by ignoring the instructions in this manual. Caution!
The fitting of racing tires (e.g. slicks) for 
sporting events is not approved by Porsche. 
Very high cornering speeds can be achieved 
with racing tires. However, the resulting 
transverse acceleration values would jeopar-
dize the adequate supply of oil to the engine. 
Porsche therefore will not accept any 
warranty or accept any liability for damage 
occurring as a result of non-compliance with 
this provision.
fDo not fit racing tires (e.g. slicks) for sporting events on your vehicle. 

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  

Table of Contents
7
Speedometer ............................................  118
Changing over between Miles / Kilometers ..  118
Tachometer ...............................................  119
Turn Signal Indicator Light ..........................  119
High Beam Indicator Light...........................  119
Gear Shift Indicator “A”
(in vehicles with manual transmission)..........  119
Cooling System .........................................  120
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) ...................  121
Fuel ..........................................................  122
Clock ........................................................ 123
Outside Temperature  .................................. 123
Engine Oil Pressure ....................................  124
Check Engine (Emission Control) ................. 125
On-Board Computer (BC) ............................ 126
Warnings on the instrument panel 
and the on-board computer.........................  158Shifting Gears.................................  167Manual Transmission, Clutch .......................  168
Drive-Off Assistant .....................................  169
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) ...................  170Mobile Roofs ..................................  177 Lifting/Sliding Roof ....................................  178
Convertible Top .........................................  181
Emergency operation of the convertible top .  183
Windstop...................................................  190
Hardtop ....................................................  194
Targa ........................................................  200
Roof Transport System...............................  204
Maintenance, Car Care ...................  205Exercise Extreme Caution when Working 
on your Vehicle .......................................... 206
Coolant Level............................................. 207
Engine Oil .................................................. 208
Engine Oil Level ......................................... 208
Engine Oil Recommendation........................ 210
Brake Fluid Level........................................ 212
Fuel Economy ............................................ 214
Operating your Porsche in other Countries ... 214
Fuel Recommendations .............................. 216
Portable Fuel Containers............................. 217
Fuel Evaporation Control ............................. 217
Emission Control System ............................ 218
How Emission Control Works ...................... 219
Washer Fluid .............................................. 220
Power Steering .......................................... 221
Air Filter .................................................... 222
Combination Filter ...................................... 222
Fluids/Oils for Manual Transmission 
and Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) ............. 222
Wiper Blades ............................................. 223
Car Care Instructions.................................. 224Practical Tips, Emergency Service ...  233Exercise Extreme Caution when Working 
on your Vehicle .......................................... 234
Tires/Wheels ............................................. 235
Loading Information ................................... 246
Wheel Bolts ............................................... 248
Changing a wheel....................................... 249
Flat Tire..................................................... 251Lifting the Vehicle with a Lifting Platform or 
Garage Lift ...............................................  254
Spacers 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera S .........  255
Electrical System ......................................  257
Battery .....................................................  261
Replacing the remote-control battery ..........  266
Emergency Starting with Jumper Cables .....  267
Bulb chart.................................................  269
Lights, Replacing Bulbs..............................  269
Headlights ................................................  270
Number Plate Light....................................  277
Changing Light-Emitting Diodes and 
Long-Life Bulbs .........................................  277
Adjusting Headlights ..................................  278
Towing .....................................................  280
Vehicle Identification, 
Technical Data ...............................  283Vehicle Identification..................................  284
Technical Data ..........................................  286
Diagrams .................................................  299 

56
Operation, Safety
Rollover Protection System The Rollover Protection System on the Cabriolet 
consists of two supplemental safety bars that to-
gether with the front windshield frame help to cre-
ate occupant survival space in case of rollover. Be-
cause of the extreme and unpredictable forces 
which can be encountered in a rollover, it is not 
possible to guarantee that occupants will be pro-
tected from all contact with exterior objects or the 
ground. However, the Rollover Protection System 
is designed to maintain the occupant survival 
space.
The Rollover Protection System is activated auto-
matically in the event of an accident or extreme 
driving situation. 
The protective devices are located behind each 
rear seat and rapidly deploy within a fraction of a 
second. If necessary, the seat-belt tensioners will 
be activated.
fPlease see the chapter “BELT TENSIONER” on 
Page 41.
They can deploy under: 
– Extreme tilting of the vehicle. 
– Loss of ground contact (e.g. Going over the 
crest of a hill at high speed).
 Danger!
Risk of death or serious injury. 
fDo not block area of supplemental safety bars 
with objects.
In the event of a deployment event, such 
objects could potentially prevent such deploy-
ment from occuring, or such objects could 
impact the car occupants at high speed. 
fDo not tamper with or work on wiring and or 
components of Rollover Protection System. 
fAll work regarding this system must be carried 
out by your authorized Porsche dealer. 
fCheck functions and periodic service intervals 
according to maintenance schedule (see your 
authorized Porsche dealer).
To avoid damage to the convertible top: 
fIf the supplemental safety bars are extended 
for any reason, do not open or close converti-ble top.Faults in the Rollover Protection System are indi-
cated by the airbag warning light in the instrument 
panel.
Extension of the supplemental safety bars is no 
longer ensured.
fSee your authorized Porsche dealer immedi-
ately and have the fault remedied.
Lowering the supplemental safety bars 
after deployment fHave this work performed by an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Warning light 

Operation, Safety
99
Fading and drifting 
FM range is limited to about 25 miles (40 km), 
except for some high power stations. 
If a vehicle is moving away from the desired sta-
tion’s transmitter, the signal will tend to fade and/
or drift. This condition is more prevalent with FM 
than AM, and is often accompanied by distortion. 
Fading and drifting can be minimized to a certain 
degree by careful attention to fine tuning or selec-
tion of a stronger signal. 
Static and fluttering 
When the line-of-sight link between a transmitter 
and vehicle is blocked by large buildings or moun-
tains, the radio sound may be accompanied with 
static or fluttering because of the characteristic of 
FM. 
In a similar effect, a fluttering noise is sometimes 
heard when driving along a tree-lined road. 
This static and fluttering can be reduced by adjust-
ing the tone control for greater bass response un-
til the disturbance has passed. 
Multipath 
Because of the reflecting characteristics of FM, 
direct and reflected signals may reach the antenna 
at the same time (multipath) and cancel each other 
out. 
As a vehicle moves through these electronic dead 
spots, the listener may hear a momentary flutter 
or loss of reception. Station swapping 
When two FM stations are close to each other, and 
an electronic dead spot, such as static or multi-
path area, interrupts the original signal, some-
times the stronger second signal will be selected 
automatically until the original one returns. 
This swapping can also occur as you drive away 
from the selected station and approach another 
station of a stronger signal. 
Compact disc player 
 Caution!
To avoid damage to compact disc player and 
discs. 
fUse only compact discs labeled as shown, hav-
ing no dirt, damage or warpage. 
fNever attempt to disassemble or oil any part 
of the player unit. 
Do not insert any object other than a disc into 
the slot.
Remember there are no user-serviceable parts 
inside the compact disc player. 
fDo not allow the disc to sustain any finger-
prints, scrapes or stickers on the surfaces. 
This may cause poor sound quality.
Hold the disc only on the edge or center hole. fWhen not in use, take the disc out of the player, 
put the disc back into its case and store it 
away from dust, heat, damp and direct 
sunlight.
Leaving the disc on the dashboard in the sun 
can damage the disc. 
fIf the disc gets dirty, clean the disc by wiping 
the surfaces from the center to the outside in 
a radial direction with a soft cloth. 
Do not use a conventional record cleaner or 
anti-static record preservative. 
Disc cleaners are available in audio stores.  

Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
125
Check Engine
(Emission Control)The emission control system detects malfunctions 
early that could, for example, cause increased 
pollutant emissions or consequential damage.
Faults are indicated by a continuously lit or 
flashing instrument panel warning light.
The faults are recorded in the control unit's fault 
memory.
The warning light in the instrument panel lights up 
when the ignition is switched on as a bulb check 
and goes out approx. 4 seconds after the engine 
starts. If the warning light does not light up, have 
the bulb replaced promptly.
The warning light in the instrument panel flashes to 
indicate operating states (e.g. engine misfiring) 
which might cause damage to certain parts of the 
emission control system.
fIn this case, immediately reduce the engine 
load by easing off the accelerator.
fIn order to avoid consequential damage to the 
engine or emission control system (e.g. cata-
lytic converter), have the fault diagnosed and 
rectified immediately at the nearest authorized 
Porsche dealer.If the warning light in the instrument panel lights up 
permanently without flashing before and remains 
on while driving, it suggests:
– a potential engine control problem and the 
need for system service or
– an improperly fastened tank cap or
– the vehicle was refueled while the engine was 
running.
fStop immediately at a suitable and secure 
place and check tank cap for proper fastening. 
If tank cap was fastened correctly, see your au-
thorized Porsche dealer for service as soon as 
possible.
 Caution!
If the check engine warning light in the in-
strument panel is flashing, serious catalytic 
converter damage and power loss will soon 
occur.
Prolonged driving with the check engine war-
ning light on could cause damage to the 
emission control system. It also could affect 
fuel economy and driveability.
fHave the fault remedied at the nearest authorized Porsche dealer immediately.The central warning light on the instrument panel 
lights up if there are warning messages in the 
INFO menu.
The messages can be called in the on-board 
computer INFO menu:
fPlease see the chapter “INFO WARNING MES-
SAGES” on Page 132.
The warning light on the instrument panel lights 
up:
– if the handbrake is on,
– if the brake fluid level is low,
– if the brake pads have reached the wear limit,
– if the brake circuit division is defective.
Additionally, a warning is displayed by the on-
board computer.
fPlease see the chapter “WARNINGS ON THE 
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ON-BOARD 
COMPUTER” on Page 158.
Warning Light 
Central Warning Light
Brake Warning Light USA
Brake Warning Light Canada 

Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
133
ServiceSwitching on selection field “D”
fPush operating lever forward.
Recalling service information
fSelect INFO with the operating lever.
fPush operating lever forward.
fSelect “Service” with the operating lever.
fPush operating lever forward.
fThe time until the next service is displayed in 
miles and days.
TEL
Telephone informationSwitching on selection field “D”
fPush operating lever forward.
Recalling telephone information
fSelect TEL with the operating lever.fPush operating lever forward. 

164
Warnings
Transmission
temperature
too highJerking can be felt when driving off, and the 
engine power may be restricted.
Do not hold the vehicle with the accelerator on 
a hill, for example. Hold the vehicle with the 
brake. Reduce engine load. If possible, stop the 
vehicle in a suitable place. Allow the engine to 
run in selector lever position P or N until the 
warning disappears.
System fault
Go to workshopSeveral systems may have failed. Adjust your 
driving style. Reduce speed.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Failure of fuel level indicator
WorkshopHave the fault remedied at an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Service in mls/days Service indicator
Bring the vehicle in for service no later than af-
ter the distance/time shown has elapsed.
Please observe the additional information in the 
“Maintenance” booklet.
Service now Service indicator
Have your vehicle serviced at an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Failure
Convertible-top controlActivate convertible top in opposite direction.
If there is a failure:
Consult an authorized Porsche dealer.
Convertible top not in limit positionFully open or close convertible top
Opening convertible top Message goes out in final position
Closing convertible top Message goes out in final position
Instrument 
panelOn-board 
computerText display on on-board 
computerMeaning/measure