
Operation, Safety
45
fUsing accessories not approved by Porsche 
can cause the weight sensing system to be im-
paired. 
fDo not squeeze objects, such as the fire extin-
guisher, or first aid kit under the seat.
fOnly have seats removed and installed by an 
authorized Porsche dealer so that weight sens-
ing components will not be damaged.
fGive your passenger all of the information in 
this chapter.
Note
Airbag components (e.g. steering wheel, door lin-
ing, seats) may be disassembled only by an autho-
rized Porsche dealer.
When disposing of a used airbag unit, our safety 
instructions must be followed. These instructions 
can be obtained at any authorized Porsche dealer.
Function of the airbag systemAirbags are a supplemental safety system. Your 
primary protection comes from your safety belts.
The front airbags are triggered during a frontal col-
lision of sufficient force and direction.
In the event of a side impact of corresponding 
force, the side airbag on the impact side is 
triggered.
The inflation process generates the amount of gas 
required to fill the airbags at the necessary pres-
sure in fractions of a second.Airbags help to protect the head and upper body, 
while simultaneously damping the motion of the 
driver and passenger in the impact direction in the 
event of a frontal impact or side impact.
In order to help provide protection in severe colli-
sions which can cause death and serious injury, 
airbags must inflate extremely rapidly. Such high 
speed inflation has a negative but unavoidable 
side effect, which is that it can and does cause in-
juries, including facial and arm abrasions, bruising 
and broken bones. You can help minimize such in-
juries by always wearing your safety belts.
There are many types of accidents in which 
airbags are not expected to deploy. These include 
accidents where the airbags whould provide no 
benefit, such as a rear impact against your vehi-
cle. Other accidents where the airbags are de-
signed not to deploy are those where the risk of 
injury from the airbag deployment could exeed any 
protective benefits, such as in low speed acci-
dents or higher speed accidents where the vehicle 
decelerates over a longer time. Since airbag de-
ployment does not occur in all accidents, this fur-
ther emphasizes the need for you and your pas-
sengers to always wear safety belts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and 
diagnostic module. This module will record the 
use of the seat belt restraint system by the driver 
and front passenger when the airbags and/or belt 
tensioner work.
Advanced AirbagYour vehicle is equipped with a weight sensing sys-
tem for the passenger's seat in accordance with 
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208. 
Depending on the weight acting on the front pas-
senger's seat, the front passenger's airbag will au-
tomatically be switched on and off.
Depending on the angle and force of impact, the 
front passenger's airbag which is activated will be 
triggered during a collision.
Precondition for switching the front passenger's 
airbag on and off, depending on weight:
– Vehicles equipped with key-operated airbag 
deactivation device:
Switch position AUTO.
– Ignition key is inserted.
Improper handling of the weight sensing 
system can unintentionally impair switching 
the passenger's airbag off and on. 

262
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Battery care fEnsure that battery is securely mounted. 
fKeep terminals and connections clean and 
properly tightened. 
Corrosion can be prevented by coating the ter-
minals and connections with petroleum jelly or 
silicone spray. 
fEnsure that vent caps are securely tightened to 
prevent spillage. Checking the electrolyte fluid level 
The acid level should be checked more frequently 
by a qualified specialist workshop during the sum-
mer months and in predominantly warm countries.
Battery charging 
Automotive batteries loose their efficiency when 
not in use. 
The charge available in your battery can be meas-
ured with a battery hydrometer. 
We recommend that the battery voltage be tested 
by your authorized Porsche dealer who has the ap-
propriate equipment. 
If the car is not driven for prolonged periods, the 
battery must be charged at least every 6 weeks. 
A discharged battery allows rapid formation of sul-
fates, leading to premature deterioration of the 
plates. 
 Warning!
Hydrogen gas generated by the battery 
could cause an explosion, resulting in 
serious personal injury or death. 
fCharge battery in a well ventilated area. 
fNever charge a frozen battery. It may explode 
because of gas trapped in the ice. Allow a fro-
zen battery to thaw out first. 
fIf you get electrolyte, which is an acid, in your 
eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with 
cold water for several minutes and call a doc-tor. Slow battery charging 
Your authorized Porsche dealer will be pleased to 
advise you about a suitable charger.
1. Always observe the instructions of the charger 
manufacturer. 
Depending on the type of charger, the battery 
may have to be disconnected. 
In this case, always disconnect the negative 
lead first, and then the positive lead – risk of 
short circuit! 
Reconnect the leads in reverse order.
2. Before charging, cold batteries must be 
warmed up indoors.
3. Frozen batteries must be thawed out first 
before being charged.
4. When charging, ensure that there is adequate 
ventilation.
5. Connect the charger to the battery.
Only plug into the mains and switch the 
charger on when it is connected up correctly.
6. Switch on the charger.
7. After charging, switch off the charger first and 
then disconnect it.
fPlease see the chapter “PUTTING VEHICLE 
INTO OPERATION” on Page 263. 

Practical Tips, Emergency Service
267
Emergency Starting with Jumper 
Cables If the battery is discharged, e.g. in winter or after 
the car has been parked for a long time, the bat-
tery of another car can be used for starting with 
the help of jumper cables.
Make sure the voltage of both batteries is the 
same. Both batteries must be 12 volt types. 
The capacity (Ampere hours, Ah) of the booster 
battery must not be substantially less than that of 
the discharged battery.
The discharged battery must be correctly con-
nected to the vehicle’s electrical system. 
fPlease see the chapter “BATTERY” on 
Page 261.
fPlease see the chapter “EMERGENCY UNLO-
CKING OF THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT LID” 
on Page 260.
Note
fDo not try to start the car by pushing or tow-
ing. Damage to the catalytic converters and 
other components of the car may result. 
 Warning!
Risk of short circuit, damage and explosion, 
resulting in serious personal injury or death. 
fUse only jumper cables of adequate diameter 
cross-section and fitted with completely insu-
lated alligator clips. 
fFollow all warnings and instructions of the 
jumper cable manufacturer. 
fWhen connecting jumper cables, make sure 
that they cannot get caught in any moving 
parts in the engine compartment.
The jumper cables must be long enough so 
that neither vehicles nor cables touch another. 
fThe vehicles must not be in contact, otherwise 
current might flow as soon as the positive ter-
minals are connected. 
fThe cable clamps must not be allowed to con-
tact each other when one end of the jumper ca-
bles are connected to a battery. 
fEnsure that tools or conductive jewelery (rings, 
chains, watch straps) do not come into contact 
with the positive jumper cable or the positive 
battery post. 
fImproper hook-up of jumper cables can ruin 
the alternator. Danger of caustic burns from escaping acid. 
fDo not lean over the battery.
Danger of gas explosion. 
fImproper use of booster battery to start a 
vehicle may cause an explosion, resulting in 
serious personal injury or death. 
fKeep sources of ignition away from the bat-
tery, e.g. open flame, burning cigarettes or 
sparking due to cable contact or welding work.
fA discharged battery can freeze even at 23 °F/
–5 °C. 
Before connecting jumper cables, a frozen 
battery must be thawed out.