
Before driving off...
9
In the driver’s seat... fCheck operation of the horn. 
fPosition seat for easy reach of foot pedals and 
controls.
To reduce the possibility of injury from the 
airbag deployment, you should always sit back 
as far from the steering wheel as is practical, 
while still maintaining full vehicle control. 
fAdjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors. 
fBuckle your safety belts. 
fCheck operation of the foot and parking brake. 
fCheck all warning and indicator lights with 
ignition on and engine not running. 
fStart engine and check all warning displays for 
warning symbols. 
fNever leave an idling car unattended. 
fLock doors from inside, especially with chil-
dren in the car to prevent inadvertent opening 
of doors from inside or outside.
Drive with doors locked. 
On the road... fNever drive after you have consumed alcohol 
or drugs. 
fAlways have your safety belt fastened. 
fAlways drive defensively. 
Expect the unexpected. 
fUse signals to indicate turns and lane changes. 
fTurn on headlights at dusk or when the driving 
conditions warrant it. 
fAlways keep a safe distance from the vehicle in 
front of you, depending on traffic, road and 
weather conditions. 
fReduce speed at night and during inclement 
weather.
Driving in wet weather requires caution and re-
duced speeds, particularly on roads with 
standing water, as the handling characteristics 
of the vehicle may be impaired due to hydro-
planing of the tires. 
fAlways observe speed limits and obey road 
signs and traffic laws. 
fWhen tired, get well off the road, stop and take 
a rest. Turn the engine off. Do not sit in the ve-
hicle with engine idling. 
Please see the chapter “ENGINE EXHAUST” on 
Page 5.fWhen parked, always set the parking brake. 
Move the PDK selector lever to ”P“ or the gear-
shift lever to reverse or first gear. 
On hills also turn the front wheels toward the 
curb. 
fWhen emergency repairs become necessary, 
move the vehicle well off the road. Turn on the 
emergency flasher and use other warning de-
vices to alert other motorists. Do not park or 
operate the vehicle in areas where the hot ex-
haust system may come in contact with dry 
grass, brush, fuel spill or other flammable ma-
terial. 
fMake it a habit to have the engine oil checked 
with every refueling.  

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. 

66
Operation, Safety
Porsche Stability Management 
(PSM)PSM is an active control system for stabilization of 
the vehicle approaching the performance limits of 
driving maneuvers.
 Warning!
Risk of an accident, resulting in serious per-
sonal injury or death.
The increased control that is provided should 
not induce you to take greater risks with your 
safety. The limits dictated by the laws of 
physics cannot be overcome, even with PSM.
The risk of accidents due to inappropriate 
speed cannot be reduced, even by PSM.
The driver bears the responsibility for all 
driving maneuvers. 
fAdapt your driving style to the prevailing road 
and weather conditions. 
fObey all traffic laws. 
Sensors at the wheels, brakes, steering system 
and engine continuously measure:
–Speed
– Direction of travel (steering angle)
– Lateral acceleration
– Rate of turn about the vertical axis
– Longitudinal accelerationPSM uses these values to determine the direction 
of travel indicated by the driver.
PSM intervenes and helps to correct the course if 
the actual direction of motion deviates from the 
chosen course (steering-wheel position):
It brakes individual wheels as needed. In addition, 
the engine power may be manipulated in order to 
stabilize the vehicle.
The events below inform the driver of PSM control 
operations and warn him/her to adapt his/her 
driving style to the road conditions:
– The multifunctional information light on the 
instrument panel flashes.
– Hydraulic noises can be heard.
– The vehicle decelerates and steering-wheel 
forces are altered as the PSM controls the 
brakes.
– Reduced engine power.
– The brake pedal pulsates and its position is 
changed during braking.
In order to achieve full vehicle deceleration, 
foot pressure must be increased after the 
brake pedal has begun vibrating.
Examples of PSM control operations– If the front wheels of the vehicle drift on a 
bend, the rear wheel on the inside of the bend 
is braked and the engine power is reduced if 
necessary.
– If the rear of the vehicle swings out on a bend, 
the front wheel on the outside of the bend is 
braked.Additional braking functions– Pre-filling the brake system:
The brake system is prepared for possible 
subsequent emergency braking if the acceler-
ator pedal is released suddenly and quickly. 
The brake system is prefilled and the brake 
pads are already applied gently to the brake 
discs.
– Brake booster:
In the event of an emergency braking operation 
where the pedal force is insufficient, a brake 
booster provides the braking pressure neces-
sary for maximum deceleration at all 4 wheels.Advantages of PSM– Best possible traction and lane-holding ability 
in all driving situations – even on road surfaces 
with varying friction. 

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
69
PASM makes two running-gear setups available to 
the driver: “Normal” and “Sport”.
The selection is made via a button on the center 
console.
In Normal mode the running gear is in a comfort-
able setup.
Sport mode offers very sporty shock absorber 
tuning.
The variable suspension system selects the appro-
priate damping level for each wheel according to 
the situation and driving conditions.
Example:
If the vehicle is driven in a very sporty manner in 
Normal mode, PASM automatically adapts the 
shock-absorber behavior to the driving situation 
accordingly.
Switching on PASM Sport modefPress PASM button in the center console.
When PASM Sport mode is switched on, the 
light-emitting diode in the button is lit up and a 
message is shown on the on-board computer.Switching off PASM Sport modefPress PASM button in the center console.
The light-emitting diode in the button goes out 
and the on-board computer displays a 
message.
After the ignition is switched off, PASM is 
automatically reset to Normal mode.
Retractable Rear SpoilerThe rear spoiler improves driving stability, 
especially at higher speeds.
 Warning!
Risk of accident. If the rear spoiler cannot be 
extended, driving stability will be adversely 
affected by increased rear axle lift, which 
could lead to loss of control.
fAdapt your driving style and speed to the 
changed driving behavior.
fHave the fault remedied at an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Risk of injury during manual retraction or 
extension of the rear spoiler with the vehicle 
stationary.
fMake sure that no persons or objects are 
within the range of movement of the rear 
spoiler.
Risk of damage from pushing the vehicle by 
the spoiler.
fDo not push the vehicle at the spoiler.
Porsche Active Suspension 
Management (PASM) 

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. 

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.