
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
77
Starting Procedures fPlease see the chapter “IMMOBILIZER” on 
Page 15.
fPlease see the chapter “EMISSION CONTROL 
SYSTEM” on Page 218.
 Warning!
Serious injury or death may result if you are 
involved in a collision without having fas-
tened the safety belts. 
fFasten safety belts before driving away. Before starting the engine fApply the footbrake. 
fManual transmission:
Move the gearshift lever into neutral. 
The clutch pedal must be depressed fully 
before the starter will engage.
fIn vehicles with PDK transmission:
Move PDK selector lever to position P or N.
Temperature sensors on the engine automatically 
provide the correct fuel/air mixture required for 
starting.
Therefore, it is not necessary to depress the 
accelerator pedal while starting a cold or a 
warm engine. 
Starting the enginefTurn ignition key to ignition lock position 2.
fAs soon as the engine starts, release the igni-
tion key. 
The first operation of the starter is ended automat-
ically when the engine starts.
If the engine does not start, subsequent starter 
operations will not be ended automatically. 
If the engine fails to start after 10 or 15 seconds 
of cranking: 
fWait about 10 seconds before engaging the 
starter again. 
fWhen starting the engine, be ready to drive 
immediately. 
Drive vehicle at moderate speeds and avoid 
engine speeds above 4,200 rpm during the 
first 5 minutes.
fDo not let the engine idle to warm up.
 Danger!
Engine exhaust fumes have many compo-
nents which you can smell. They also contain 
carbon monoxide (CO), which is a colorless 
and odorless gas.
Carbon monoxide can cause unconscious-
ness and even death if inhaled. 
fNever start or let the engine run in an en-
closed, unventilated area.
It is not recommended to sit in your car for pro-longed periods with the engine on and the car 
not moving.
An unattended vehicle with a running engine 
is potentially hazardous.
If warning lights should come on to indicate 
improper operation, they would go unno-
ticed. 
fNever leave the engine idling unattended.
Danger of fire. 
fDo not park or operate the vehicle in areas 
where the hot exhaust system may come in 
contact with dry grass, brush, fuel spill or oth-
er flammable material. 
fIf your car catches on fire for any reason, call 
the fire department. 
Do not endanger your life by attempting to put 
out the fire.
Risk of burn injury when standing near or 
coming into contact with the exhaust pipe.
The exhaust pipe is hot when the vehicle is running 
and remains hot for some time after the vehicle is 
turned off.
fTo prevent injury, make a point of noting where 
your vehicle’s exhaust pipe is, avoid placing 
your legs near the exhaust pipe, and closely 
supervise children around the vehicle when the 
exhaust pipe could be hot. 
A hot exhaust pipe can cause serious burns. 

78
Operation, Safety
Stopping Engine fTurn key back to position 3. 
fDo not stop engine immediately after hard or 
extended driving. 
Keep engine running at increased idle for 
about two minutes to prevent excessive heat 
build-up before turning off engine. 
fTo avoid discharging the battery, always re-
move the ignition key from the ignition lock. 
fWhen leaving the car, always remove the igni-
tion key and apply the handbrake. Engage 1st 
gear or reverse gear on vehicles with manual 
transmission or move the selector lever to po-
sition P on vehicles with PDK transmission. 
fEngage the steering lock by moving the steer-
ing wheel to the left or right. 
Turn the steering wheel to the locking position 
before you switch off the engine so that you 
don’t have to exert yourself when locking or 
unlocking the steering. 
 Warning!
Danger of injury. Hot engine compartment 
components can burn skin on contact. 
fBefore working on any part in the engine com-
partment, turn the engine off and let it cool down sufficiently. 
Engine-compartment blower,
radiator fan The radiator and radiator fans are in the front of 
the car.
The engine-compartment blower is mounted on 
the engine compartment lid. 
 Warning!
Risk of injury.
After the engine is switched off, the engine-
compartment temperature is monitored for 
approx. 30 minutes.
During this period, and depending on tem-
perature, the engine-compartment blower 
may continue to run or start to run. 
fCarry out work in these areas only with the en-
gine off, the ignition off, and exercise extreme 
caution.
Risk of injury. The radiator fans in the front 
end of the car may be operating or 
unexpectedly start operating when the 
engine is switched on.
fCarry out work in these areas only with the en-gine switched off.
Automatic garage door The ignition system in your Porsche may interfere 
with your electronically operated garage door. 
fTo check this, drive your Porsche close to the 
garage door. Make sure not to interfere with 
the operating range of the door. 
fRun the engine at different speeds.
fIf the garage door opens or closes without you 
operating the garage door unit in your car, 
contact the dealer who installed the automatic 
garage door to have the frequency and/or 
coding of the garage door signal changed or 
modified. 

100
Operation, Safety
AntennafAlways unscrew the external antenna before 
using an automatic car-wash.
On the Cabriolet and Targa the external antenna is 
mounted on the right front fender.
Car Telephone and
Aftermarket Alarms Important legal and safety information 
regarding the use of cellular telephones 
Some states may prohibit the use of cellular tele-
phones while driving a vehicle. Check the laws and 
regulations on the use of cellular telephones in the 
areas where you drive. 
 Danger!
Risk of an accident.
Severe personal injury or death can result in 
the event of an accident.
Looking away from the road or turning your 
attention away from your driving can cause 
an accident and serious or fatal injury. 
When using your cellular telephone, you should al-
ways: 
fGive full attention to your driving - pull off the 
road and park before making or answering a 
call if traffic conditions so require; and 
fKeep both hands on the steering wheel - use 
hands-free operation (if available) - pull off the 
road and park before using a hand-held tele-phone. It is essential to observe the telephone 
manufacturer's instructions before operating 
the telephone. 
Any portable telephone or radio transmitter which 
is used in a Porsche must be properly installed in 
accordance with the technical requirements of 
Porsche. 
The transmission power must not exceed 
10 W.
The devices must possess a type approval for 
your vehicle and have an “e” symbol. 
If you should require equipment with transmission 
power values greater than 10 W, please consult 
your authorized Porsche dealer for this purpose. 
The dealer is familiar with the technical require-
ments for installing devices of this kind. 
The antennas for all radios and telephones with a 
transmitting antenna must be externally mounted. 
The improper installation of radios or telephones 
or use of a radio or telephone with a transmitting 
antenna inside the car may cause the warning 
lights to come on. 
Improper installation of such equipment can cre-
ate a discharged battery or excessive current 
draw from added equipment. 

Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
111 Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
Instrument Panel USA Models.....................  112
Instrument Panel Canada Models ................  114
Engine Oil Temperature ..............................  116
Automatic Speed Control Indicator light ......  116
Instrument Illumination...............................  116
Trip Odometer...........................................  117
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 ........................  158 

112
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
Instrument Panel USA Models Also refer to the corresponding chapters in 
the Owner’s Manual.
1. Engine oil temperature gage 
2. Speedometer with analogue display
3. Tire pressure warning light
4. Turn signal indicator light, left
5. Tachometer
6. High beam indicator light
7. Turn signal indicator light, right
8. ABS warning light
9. Cooling system
Temperature gage, warning light
10.Fuel
Level gage, warning light
11.Engine oil pressure gage
12.Adjustment button for instrument illumination 
and trip counter
13.Odometer and daily trip mileage display
14.Automatic speed control indicator light15.Light sensor for instrument illumination
16.Airbag warning light
17.Check Engine warning light 
(Emission control warning light)
18.Central warning light
19.On-board computer display
20.Porsche Stability Management
PSM Multifunctional light
21.Brake warning light
22.Safety belt warning light
23.PDK transmission, gear display
24.PDK transmission, selector lever position
25.Clock and outside temperature display
26.Adjustment button for clockWhen the ignition is switched on, the warning 
lights light up for a lamp check. 
Note
Warnings that have been given are stored in the 
appropriate control unit memory and can be read 
out at an authorized Porsche dealer. 
This information can help to warn you about situa-
tions which may be hazardous to you or your car.  

114
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
Instrument Panel Canada Models Also refer to the corresponding chapters in 
the Owner’s Manual.
1. Engine oil temperature gage 
2. Speedometer with analogue display
3. Tire pressure warning light
4. Turn signal indicator light, left
5. Tachometer
6. High beam indicator light
7. Turn signal indicator light, right
8. ABS warning light
9. Cooling system
Temperature gage, warning light
10.Fuel
Level gage, warning light
11.Engine oil pressure gage
12.Adjustment button for instrument illumination 
and trip counter
13.Odometer and daily trip mileage display
14.Automatic speed control indicator light15.Light sensor for instrument illumination
16.Airbag warning light
17.Check Engine warning light 
(Emission control warning light)
18.Central warning light
19.On-board computer display
20.Porsche Stability Management
PSM Multifunctional light
21.Brake warning light
22.Safety belt warning light
23.PDK transmission, gear display
24.PDK transmission, selector lever position
25.Clock and outside temperature display
26.Adjustment button for clockWhen the ignition is switched on, the warning 
lights light up for a lamp check. 
Note
Warnings that have been given are stored in the 
appropriate control unit memory and can be read 
out at an authorized Porsche dealer. 
This information can help to warn you about situa-
tions which may be hazardous to you or your car.  

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.