Operation, Safety
63
The previously selected PASM mode is always
activated after the engine is started.
There is no automatic return to Normal mode after
the ignition is switched off.
PASM makes two running-gear setups available to
the driver: “Normal” and “Sport”.
The selection is made via a button on the center
console.
When in Normal mode the running gear is in a
basic setup for roads and circuits with “irregular”
surfaces.
Sport mode provides a shock-absorber setting
for particularly high driving dynamics (e.g. on level
circuits).
The variable suspension system selects the appro-
priate damping level for each wheel according to
the situation and conditions of driving.
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.
Dynamic Engine Mounting (PADM)The dynamic engine mounting with variable
damping is a system for improving driving
dynamics and enhancing driving comfort.
Depending on the driving situation, the ideal
mounting stiffness and damping is automatically
selected in a range between an almost rigid
connection of the engine to the body (improved
driving dynamics) and a decoupling of the engine
from the body (improved driving comfort).Warning messageDynamic engine mounting faults are indicated by
a warning message on the on-board computer.
fPlease see the chapter “WARNINGS ON THE
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ON-BOARD
COMPUTER” on Page 148.
Porsche Active Suspension
Management (PASM)
10_GT3_21.book Seite 63 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
64
Operation, Safety
Front Axle Lift SystemThe front axle lift system enables the body to be
electropneumatically raised at the front by about
1.18 in. (30 mm) (front edge of front spoiler).
This in turn enables damage to the body to be
prevented, which e. g. may occur when driving
into multi-level parking garages with steep ramps
or over speed bumps.Readiness for operationThe front axle lift system is operational when the
engine is running and the vehicle is at a standstill
or up to a speed of approx. 30 mph (50 km/h).
The vehicle is automatically lowered to the basic
level again when a speed of approx. 30 mph
(50 km/h) is exceeded.
Raising front axle fPress button in the center console.
The vehicle is raised at the front axle within
approx. 3 seconds.
When the lift function is activated, the light-
emitting diode in the button is lit.The logo “LIFT” also appears next to the digital
speedometer when the front axle is fully raised.
Caution!
Risk of damage through uncontrolled
lowering of the front axle at engine standstill.
In this particular system, the retaining
position cannot be maintained in the upper
position over an extended period without
active replenishing of the pressure accumu-
lator or engine operation.
fAlways park the vehicle in the lowered position.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 64 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
Operation, Safety
67
O - Initial position
1 - Ignition on
2 - Start engine
3 - Ignition offIgnition/Starter Switch with
anti-theft Steering Lock
Caution!
Risk of damage. If extra weight has been
added to the inserted ignition key such as,
e. g. a heavy bunch of keys and/or a key
fob, the ignition lock may be damaged.
fDo not attach any extra weight to the inserted ignition key.The ignition lock has a total of four ignition lock
positions.
The ignition key rebounds to the initial position
from every ignition lock position.
fFor your safety, fasten safety belts.
fPlease see the chapter “IMMOBILIZER” on
Page 18.
fPlease see the chapter “KEY WITH RADIO
REMOTE CONTROL” on Page 19.
Before starting the enginefApply the footbrake.
fMove the gearshift lever into neutral.
The clutch pedal must be depressed fully
before the starter will engage.Switch position 0 Initial position
The ignition key cannot be withdrawn when the
ignition is switched on or when the engine has
been started.
To withdraw the ignition key:
fStop the vehicle.
fSwitch ignition off.
fRemove ignition key.
Switch position 1 Ignition on
fTurn ignition key to position 1.
Ignition is switched on.
Note on operation
All electrical equipment can be switched on.
fPlease see the chapter “WARNINGS ON THE
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ON-BOARD
COMPUTER” on Page 148.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 67 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
68
Operation, Safety
Switch position 2Start engine
fTurn ignition key to ignition lock position 2.
fPlease see the chapter “STARTING PROCE-
DURES” on Page 70.Switch position 3Ignition off
fTurn ignition key to ignition lock position 3.
Note on operation
The vehicle battery discharges if the ignition key is
left inserted.
If the vehicle battery is dead, the key can only be
pulled out of the ignition lock if the emergency
operation is performed:
fPlease see the chapter “EMERGENCY OPERA-
TION – PULLING OUT THE IGNITION KEY” on
Page 69.
Locking the steering columnAutomatic locking
The steering column is automatically locked when
the ignition key is withdrawn from the ignition lock.
Warning!
Risk of an accident, resulting in serious
personal injury or death.
The steering wheel will lock and will cause
loss of steering.
fNever remove key from the ignition lock or turn
the key off while the vehicle is moving.
fAlways withdraw the ignition key when leaving the vehicle.Automatic unlocking
The steering column is unlocked when the vehicle
is unlocked with the radio remote control.
Note
fTo avoid discharging the battery, always
remove the ignition key from the ignition lock.
Please see the chapter “BATTERY” on
Page 211.
Gong If you leave the key in the ignition/steering lock, a
gong will sound when the driver’s door is opened.
This is a reminder to remove the key.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 68 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
70
Operation, Safety
Starting Procedures fPlease see the chapter “IMMOBILIZER” on
Page 18.
fPlease see the chapter “EMISSION CONTROL
SYSTEM” on Page 168.
Warning!
Serious injury or death may result if you are
involved in a collision without having
fastened the safety belts.
fFasten safety belts before driving away. Before starting the engine fApply the footbrake.
fMove the gearshift lever into neutral.
The clutch pedal must be depressed fully
before the starter will engage.
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
ignition key.
The first operation of the starter is ended
automatically 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 compon-
ents 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
enclosed, unventilated area.
It is not recommended to sit in your car for
prolonged 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
unnoticed.
fNever leave the engine idling unattended.
Risk of fire due to hot exhaust system.
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
other 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.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 70 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
Operation, Safety
71
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
remove the ignition key from the ignition lock.
fWhen leaving the vehicle always remove the
ignition key, apply the parking brake and
engage the 1st gear or reverse gear.
fEngage the steering lock by moving the
steering 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
compartment, turn the engine off and let it cool down sufficiently.
Engine-compartment blower,
radiator fan The radiator and radiator fan 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 tempe-
rature, the engine-compartment blower may
continue to run or start to run.
fCarry out work in these areas only with the
engine off, the ignition off, and exercise
extreme caution.
Risk of injury. The radiator fan in the front
end of the car may be operating or unexpec-
tedly start operating when the engine is
switched on.
fCarry out work in these areas only with the engine 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.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 71 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
72
Operation, Safety Operational readiness of the emergency flasher
does not depend on the ignition lock and turn
signal lever position.
fIf your car is disabled or parked under
emergency conditions switch on the
emergency flasher in the dashboard.
All turn signals and the indicator light in the
switch flash with the same frequency.
Warning!
Risk of an accident, resulting in serious
personal injury or death.
fWhenever stalled or stopped for emergency
repairs, move the car well off the road. Switch
on the emergency flasher and mark the car
with road flares or other warning devices.
fDo not remain in the car. Someone approa-
ching from the rear may not realize your
vehicle is stopped and cause a collision.
Risk of fire due to hot exhaust system.
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
other flammable material.
Hot engine compartment components can
burn skin on contact.
fBefore working on any part in the engine
compartment, turn the engine off and let it cool down sufficiently.
Emergency Flasher Switch
10_GT3_21.book Seite 72 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
Operation, Safety
73
Warning chime
If the ignition key is withdrawn and the door is
opened while the lights (not the parking light or
Welcome Home lighting) are on, a chime warns of
possible battery discharge.
In some countries, differences are possible
due to provisions of law.
Daytime running lightsThe daytime running lights are integrated in the
front auxiliary headlights. These lights are
switched on only when the engine is running and
with the light switch in the positions OFF or HOME.
Operation of the daytime running lights may vary
depending on country-specific regulations.
Canada only:
In addition to the auxiliary headlights the parking
lights are switched on.
USA only:
The daytime running lights can be deactivated in
the on-board computer.
fPlease see the chapter “LIGHT” on Page 146.
Light SwitchLights switched off
Daytime running lights are switched on
when the engine is running.
Welcome Home Function
Daytime running lights are switched on
when the engine is running.
Parking lights, side marker lights,
license plate light, instrument illumination
switched on, daytime running lights
switched off
Low beam, high beam
Only with ignition on,
daytime running lights switched off
Rear fog light
Pull switch.
Indicator light on.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 73 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12