
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
117
Dimming instrument illumination 
fTurn adjustment button A in the appropriate di-
rection and hold it until the desired brightness 
has been reached.
The chosen level of brightness is indicated by a 
bar display in the display field of the on-board 
computer. 
Trip Odometer 
 Warning!
Risk of loss of control or accident, resulting 
in serious personal injury or death. 
fDo not reach through the steering-wheel spokes while driving. 
Resetting to zero fPress adjustment button A for approximately 
one second or 
fReset the distance in the “SET” menu of the on-
board computer.
Please see the chapter “SET BASIC SETTING 
ON ON-BOARD COMPUTER” on Page 155.
After exceeding 6,213 miles or 9,999 kilometers, 
the counter returns to “0”.  

Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
123
A- Adjustment button for clock
B- Clock 
C- Outside temperature displayClock The clock is blanked out approximately four min-
utes after the ignition is switched off or when the 
car is locked.
Setting the time 
 Warning!
Risk of loss of control or accident, resulting 
in serious personal injury or death. 
fDo not reach through the steering-wheel spokes while driving. 
fSwitch ignition on.
Setting hours 
fPress adjustment button A for about one sec-
ond.
Hour display flashes. 
fTurn button in the appropriate direction:
to right – increase hours figure
to left – decrease hours figure.
Adjustment in hours – turn button briefly 
Fast adjustment (display cycles) – 
turn and hold button. 
Setting minutes 
fPress adjustment button again.
Minutes display flashes. 
fSet by rotating as in hours mode. Leaving adjustment mode 
Automatically after one minute or: 
fPress adjustment button again.
When adjustment mode is deliberately left by 
pressing the button, the time begins precisely to 
the second. 
Note
The time mode can be changed between 12h and 
24h in the on-board computer. 
Outside Temperature The outside temperature display C does not indi-
cate, if ice is on the road. 
Even if a temperature above 32 °F (0 °C) is dis-
played, ice may still form on the road, for instance 
on bridges or when the road passes through a 
heavily shaded area.  

158
Warnings
Warnings on the instrument panel and the on-board computerIf a warning message appears, always refer to the corresponding chapters in the Owner’s Manual.
Warning messages are issued only if all measurement preconditions are met. Therefore, check all fluid levels regularly – 
in particular, always check the engine oil level before refuelling.
Instrument 
panelOn-board 
computerText display on on-board 
computerMeaning/measure
Seat belt Driver and passengers must fasten their seat 
belts.
Handbrake Handbrake is still on.
Ignition key 
not removed
Replace battery 
in ignition keyReplace the remote-control battery.
Ignition lock faulty, 
please go to workshopHave the fault remedied at an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Ignition lock faulty, 
visit workshop nowHave the fault remedied at an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Relieve  steering Relieve the steering  l o c k  b y  m o v i n g  t h e  s t e e r i n g  
wheel to the left or right.
Steering locked The steering wheel lock remains engaged. 
Have the fault remedied at an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Lights on Low beam/side marker lamps on
Parking light on Left/right parking light on 

Warnings
159
Check left/right dipped beam (low 
beam)
also applies to: 
direction indicator, high beam, side in-
dicator light, reversing light, side 
markerThe reported light is faulty. Check bulb.
Have the fault remedied at an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Daytime 
driving lights offDaytime driving lights switch off when the en-
gine is shut off. Switch on lights if necessary.
Headlight beam 
adjustment faultyHave the fault remedied at an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Front lid not closed Close luggage compartment lid properly.
Rear lid not closed Close engine compartment lid properly.
Targa flap not closed Close glass rear hatch
Rain sensor faulty Have the fault remedied at an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Steering wheel heating
ONSteering wheel heating was switched on.
Steering wheel heating
OFFSteering wheel heating was switched off.
Launch
control
active
Drive Off Assistant
failureHave the fault remedied at an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Refill washer fluid
Instrument 
panelOn-board 
computerText display on on-board 
computerMeaning/measure 

170
Shifting Gears
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)The Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) is a seven-
speed transmission with an “automatic” and a 
“manual” selection mode.
In automatic selection mode (selector lever 
position D), gear changing is automatic.
You can change temporarily from automatic to 
manual mode using the shift buttons on the 
steering wheel.
In manual selection mode (selector lever 
position M), you change gear using the shift 
buttons on the steering wheel or with the PDK 
selector lever.
You can change between selector lever position D 
and M as you wish while driving.
Note
fTake care not to operate the shift buttons on 
the steering wheel inadvertently in either 
automatic or manual mode, thereby triggering 
undesired gear changes.
Changing the selector lever positionThe selector lever is locked when the ignition is 
switched off.
When the ignition is switched on, the selector lever 
can be moved from position P and N only when 
the release button is pressed, and when the brake 
pedal is pressed.
Release button
The release button (arrow) in the selector lever 
prevents the gear from being changed unintention-
ally.
The release button must be pressed when shifting 
to position R or P.
StartingThe engine can be started only if the brake 
pedal is depressed and the selector lever is in 
position P or N.Driving offfOnly select the desired position for driving off 
(D, M or R) when the engine is idling and the 
brake pedal is depressed.
fSince the vehicle creeps when in gear, do not 
release the brake until you want to move off. 
fAfter selecting a gear, do not accelerate until 
you can feel that the gear is engaged.
Driving off on hills
The Drive-Off Assistant assists the driver when 
moving off on hills. The vehicle is held on the slope 
for a short time during the change from the brake 
pedal to the accelerator in order to allow driving 
off directly after the brake is released.
fPlease see the chapter “DRIVE-OFF ASSIS-
TANT” on Page 169. 

Shifting Gears
173
“Sport Plus” mode activated:
In “Sport Plus” mode, the PDK transmission 
changes to a shift program designed for driving 
on race circuits. 7th gear is not selected.
The gear-changing performance is enhanced 
significantly again compared with “Sport” mode.
fPlease see the chapter “SPORT MODE” on 
Page 64.
Driving with Launch Control
Driving with Launch Control allows you to achieve 
maximum acceleration from a standing start. It is 
intended to provide you with a unique enjoyment of 
your vehicle under controlled circumstances and 
is not intended to be used in any location where it 
could be a nuisance to other persons.
 Warning!
There is a risk of endangering other road 
users if you use this Control in an improper 
location or in a situation where other persons 
might need to take evasive action due to the 
rapid acceleration that this technology 
permits. 
fLaunch Control is designed to be used in a 
controlled environment on closed circuit 
driving courses where no vehicle cross traffic 
or pedestrian traffic is present.
fUse Launch Control only if conditions permit it 
to be applied in a safe manner. fDo not use Launch Control if there is a possibi-
lity it could endanger other persons. Such a 
possibility exists if you cannot see that you 
have a clear road with no possibility of cross 
traffic in your intended direction of driving. Caution!
Stress on components increases dramatically 
when starting with maximum acceleration in 
comparison with normal driving off. Use of 
Launch Control will inevitably reduce the life 
of the engaged engine and transmission 
components.
Preconditions:
– Launch Control should only be used when the 
engine has reached operating temperature.
– “Sport Plus” mode must be switched on (light-
emitting diode in button is on and “SPORT 
PLUS” is displayed on the on-board computer).
1. Press the brake with your left foot.
2. Quickly press down the accelerator fully 
(kickdown activated) and hold.
The engine speed will flatten out at around 
6500 rpm.
“Launch Control active” is displayed on the 
on-board computer.3. Release the brake within a few seconds.
Remaining stationary for a long time with 
“Launch Control active” can lead to overload-
ing of the transmission.
In order to protect the transmission, the engine 
power is then reduced and the “Launch Control 
active” process is cancelled.
Shifting gears on the steering wheel
With the shift buttons on the steering wheel, you 
can change temporarily from automatic selection 
mode D to manual mode M.
For example:
– Shifting down before bends and on entering 
built-up areas.
– Shifting down on downward slopes 
(engine braking).
– Shifting down for brief spurts of acceleration.
Manual selection mode remains engaged:
– for cornering (depending on the lateral acceler-
ation) and overrunning,
– when the vehicle is stationary (e.g. at a 
junction).
The system leaves manual selection mode:
– automatically after approx. 8 seconds (unless 
cornering or overrunning),
– after driving off. 

174
Shifting Gears Kickdown
The kickdown function is active in selector lever 
positions D and M.
fFor optimum acceleration, e.g. when 
overtaking, depress the accelerator pedal 
beyond the full-throttle point (kickdown).
The transmission shifts down depending on the 
speed of travel and engine speed.
Upward shifts occur at the highest possible engine 
speeds.
M – Manual selection modeThe currently selected gear is retained when you 
change from D to M.
If you change from M to D, the gear-changing map 
suitable for your current driving style is selected 
and the appropriate gear is selected.
The selector lever and the two shift buttons in the 
top steering wheel spokes allow you to comfort-
ably and reliably select the seven forward gears.Shifting up +
fPress the PDK selector lever or shift button on 
the steering wheel forward.
Shifting down –
fPull the PDK selector lever or shift button on 
the steering wheel back.
You can shift up or down by the corresponding 
number of gears by quickly pressing or pulling the 
shift buttons or selector lever several times in 
succession.
The transmission can be shifted up or down by 
several gears in succession by continuously 
operating the selector lever or shift buttons. 

Maintenance, Car Care
225
Washing The best method of protecting your car from the 
damaging effects of the environment is frequent 
washing and the application of a preservative. The 
underside of your vehicle should also be thorough-
ly washed for cinders, salt or sanding at winter’s 
end. 
The longer salt, road dust and industrial dust, 
dead insects, bird droppings or substances from 
trees (resin, pollen) are allowed to remain on the 
bodywork, the more serious is their harmful ef-
fect. 
New cars should be washed carefully with plenty 
of clear water to protect the new paint work. Dark 
paint finishes show up the smallest of surface 
damage (e.g., scratches) more readily than lighter 
colors. 
Dark colors are also more susceptible to scratch-
ing because of the composition of their pigments 
and require particularly careful paint care. 
fDo not wash your car in bright sunlight or while 
the bodywork is still hot. 
fWhen washing by hand, use abundant water, a 
soft sponge or wash brush, and Porsche car 
shampoo. 
fBegin by spraying the body thoroughly with wa-
ter to rinse away loose dirt.fAfter washing, rinse the car with plenty of wa-
ter and then dry with a chamois leather.
Do not use the same chamois leather for dry-
ing as you use for cleaning the windshield and 
windows. 
 Warning!
Moisture which gets on to the brakes during 
a car wash can reduce braking efficiency or 
make the brakes pull unevenly which could 
increase the danger of an accident, causing 
serious personal injuries or death. 
fAfter washing the car, test the brakes and 
steering and briefly brake the discs dry.
When doing this, take care not to hamper other 
road users behind you (traffic conditions per-mitting). 
Automatic car washes 
fPlease see the chapter “WIPER BLADES” on 
Page 223.
Optional add-on parts or parts which project be-
yond the contours of the vehicle may be damaged 
by design features (e.g. brushes) of automatic car 
washes.The following parts are particularly 
susceptible to damage: 
– Convertible top (hot wax treatment cannot be 
used, as the wax attacks the convertible top 
material)
– Windshield wipers (always switch them off to 
prevent them wiping unintentionally in intermit-
tent or sensor operation) 
– External antennas (always unscrew)
– Roof Transport System (always remove com-
pletely) 
– Rear spoiler
– Wheels (the wider the rim and the lower the tire 
height, the greater the risk of damage) 
– High-gloss wheels (to prevent these from get-
ting scratched, do not clean with the wheel-
cleaning brushes of the car wash). 
fPlease consult the operator before using auto-
matic car washes. 
fWash and dry by hand all points not reached by 
a car wash, such as door and lid seams or 
door sills. 
Note
Automatic car washes spray water at odd angles 
and high pressures, which are not seen in normal 
driving. Therefore, water can sometimes find its 
way into the passengers compartment during or 
shortly after the car wash.