Page 49 of 251

48
Operation, Safety – Your authorized Porsche dealer will be glad to
advise you about the installation possibility for
a Porsche child restraint system which allows
a key-operated airbag deactivation of the
passenger’s airbag.
– The key-operated airbag deactivation device
installation requires special programming
available only from your authorized Porsche
dealer.
fPlease see the chapter “KEY-OPERATED
AIRBAG DEACTIVATION DEVICE” on Page 46.
Direction of installation for child restraint
systemsGroup 0 and 0+: Children up to 29 lbs
(13 kg)
Children of this weight must be transported in a
restraint system which is installed facing rear-
ward.
Group I: Children in between 20 lbs (9 kg)
and 40 lbs (18 kg)
Children of this weight are held in child restraint
systems facing forward.
Group II: Children in between 33 lbs (15 kg)
and 55 lbs (25 kg)
Children of this weight are held in child restraint
systems facing forward.
Group III: Children in between 49 lbs (22 kg)
and 80 lbs (36 kg)
Children of this weight are held in child restraint
systems facing forward.
fThe vehicle seat must be adjusted so that it is
in its lower rear position.Note
If a child seat with top tether is adapted for use on
the front seat, the anchor point must be used for
anchoring the top tether.
fPlease see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT
ANCHORAGES” on Page 52.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 48 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
Page 50 of 251

Operation, Safety
49
Using child restraint systems in the
passenger seatfDo not install a child restraint system in
the Sports bucket seat.
Danger!
The use of a child restraint system in the
passenger seat can result in serious
personal injury or death to the child from an
airbag deployment.
To reduce risk of injury from an inflating
airbag in an accident, Porsche strongly
recommends:
fPlease see the chapter “PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF INDICATOR LAMP DOES NOT LIGHT UP”
on Page 44.
fPlease see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS” on Page 47.
fDo not install a child restraint system in
the Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be equipped with the LATCH system. Child restraint system for up to one-year old
children
– Make sure that the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp lights up.
– Adjust the passenger's seat as far away from
the airbag as possible.
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death due
to the passenger’s airbag triggering uninten-
tionally.
When the ignition is on and an up to one-year
old child is seated in the child restraint
system on the passenger’s seat the indicator
lamp „PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF“ must be on.
If the “PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF” indicator
lamp does not light up, it could indicate a
fault in the system.
In this case:
fOn vehicles with key-operated airbag deactiva-
tion device: Switch to position OFF.
fOn vehicles without key-operated airbag
deactivation device: Do not use a child
restraint system in the passenger’s seat.
fHave the fault remedied at your nearest autho-rized Porsche dealer.Child restraint system for children older than
one year
Your vehicle is equipped with a weight sensing
system for the passenger's seat in accordance
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
208. Depending on the weight acting on the
passenger's seat, the passenger's airbag will
automatically be switched on or off.
Small adult passengers
Make sure that the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp does not light up.
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death due
to the passenger’s airbag not triggering.
When the ignition key is inserted and the
small adult passenger is seated on the
passenger’s seat, the indicator lamp
“PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF” must be off.
If the “PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF” indicator
lamp lights up, it could indicate a fault in the
system.
In this case:
fDo not carry a passenger in the passenger’s
seat.
fHave the fault remedied at the nearest autho-rized Porsche dealer.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 49 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
Page 51 of 251

50
Operation, Safety
Automatic locking retractorfDo not install a child restraint system in
the Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be
equipped with the LATCH system.
The safety belt for the passenger is equipped with
an automatic locking retractor for securing the
child restraint system. When activated, this
retractor allows you to securely fasten the child
restraint system in place so that inadvertent
movements will not occur.
Before transporting a child on the passenger’s
seat:
fPlease see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS” on Page 47.
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death to the
child, when excessive force is acting on the
passenger's seat due to the seat belt.
In such cases, the passenger's airbag can be
switched on unintentionally.
fAfter fastening the child restraint system, do
not adjust the seat.
fCheck the condition of the passenger’s airbag
shown by the indicator lamp in the central console.Activating the automatic locking retractor
1. If a child restraint system must be fastened to
the passenger's seat, adjust the passenger's
seat as far away from the airbag as possible.
2. Fasten child seat.
3. Pull the safety belt retractor completely out. At
this point the locking mechanism is activated.
4. Insert the safety belt tongue into the buckle
and make certain that it is properly latched.
Make no more adjustments to the seat.
5. Allow the safety belt to retract until it is tight on
the child restraint system. You may further
tighten the belt by pulling on it to allow more of
it to retract.
Make sure that excessive seat belt forces do
not occur by moving the seat with the child
seat installed.
Releasing the safety belt
1. Unbuckle the safety belt latch.
2. Then make certain that the belt has fully
retracted. At this point the automatic locking
feature will be disengaged.
Seek appropriate advice from your authorized
Porsche dealer about the possible installation
of a Porsche child restraint system.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 50 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
Page 52 of 251

Operation, Safety
51
LATCH SystemChild seat bracket on the passenger’s
seatfDo not install a child restraint system in
the Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be
equipped with the LATCH system.
The key switch for switching off the passenger’s
airbag and the LATCH attachment bracket are not
installed at the factory. They can be retrofitted (not
on vehicles with Sports bucket seats).
fPlease see your authorized Porsche dealer.
Porsche recommends the use of a Porsche Child
Seat with Lower Anchorage and Tether for
Children system (LATCH).
These systems have been tested and adjusted to
the interior of your Porsche and the appropriate
child weight groups. Other systems have not been
tested and could entail an increased risk of injury.You can obtain child seats that are LATCH compa-
tible at your authorized Porsche dealer.
fAlways observe the separate installation
instructions for your child seat.
fPlease see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS” on Page 47.
Installing a LATCH child seat system1. Secure the child seat to retaining lugs A as
outlined in the instruction manual for the child
seat.
2. Pull the child seat to check that both fastening
points are engaged correctly.
Note
Make sure that the key switch is switched to AUTO
once the child sea t has be en rem ove d, in order to
provide protection to the adult occupants.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 51 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
Page 53 of 251

52
Operation, Safety
Child Restraint Anchorages fPlease see the chapter “AUTOMATIC LOCKING
RETRACTOR” on Page 50.
fDo not install a child restraint system in
the Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be
equipped with the LATCH system.
If your child restraint seat requires the use of a
tether strap, you will want to use the anchor point
behind the passenger’s seat under the carpet.
To ensure proper installation, see your authorized
Porsche dealer.
Note
If a child seat with top tether is adapted for use on
the passenger’s seat, the anchor point must be
used for anchoring the top tether.
Warning!
The child restraint anchorage is designed to
withstand only the load imposed by a
correctly fitted child restraint. Under no
circumstances is the anchorage to be used
for adult safety belt or harness. Such use
could result in serious personal injury or
death.
fDo not misuse the child restraint anchorage.
This is not designed to withstand a load imposed by an adult.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 52 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
Page 54 of 251

Operation, Safety
53
Clutch Pedal The clutch pedal must be depressed fully
before the starter will engage.
Warning!
Risk of an accident, resulting in serious
personal injury or death.
fAlways check the movement of the clutch
pedal before driving and make sure that it is
not obstructed by a floor mat or any other
object.
fSecure the floor mat to prevent it from sliding
into positions that could interfere with the safe
operation of your vehicle.
Your Porsche dealer will be glad to offer you
nonskid floor mats of the correct size.
To avoid damage to the clutch and transmis-
sion:
fAlways depress the clutch pedal fully when
changing gears.
fDo not hold the car on a steep grade with the clutch pedal partially depressed.
Should the free travel of the clutch pedal suddenly
become larger, it could mean a malfunction of the
clutch.
fSee your Porsche dealer for correction.
Parking Brake Parking brake force is mechanically transferred to
the rear wheels by means of cables.
fUse the parking brake only after the vehicle
has come to a full stop.
Setting the parking brake fPull the lever all the way up (arrow).
With the ignition on, the parking brake warning
lights in the instrument panel and on-board
computer will come on if the lever is even
slightly raised. A firm pull upward is required to
properly engage the parking brake.
If the brake is not fully set, the vehicle may roll
without control.
fMove the gearshift lever to reverse or first
gear.
fBefore exiting the vehicle, make sure that the
parking brake is fully set and the vehicle is not
moving at all.
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death. A
partially engaged parking brake may allow
the vehicle to roll, causing serious personal
injury or death to any person in its path.
fEngage the parking brake fully.Releasing the parking brakefPull the lever slightly up as you depress the
release button, and then push the lever all the
way down.
10_GT3_21.book Seite 53 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
Page 55 of 251

54
Operation, Safety The warning lights in the instrument panel and on-
board computer will go out after the parking brake
is fully released.
The warning lights are not an indicator that the
parking brake is fully set; it is only intended to be
a warning to release the parking brake before
driving the car. Caution!
A partially engaged brake will overheat the
rear brakes, reduce their effectiveness and
cause excessive wear.
fRelease the parking brake fully.
fWhen parking your car, always set the parking
brake by pulling all the way up on the lever.
fMove the gearshift lever to reverse or first
gear.
fOn hills also turn the front wheels towards the
curb.
Brakes fMake it a habit to check the operation of your
brakes before driving.
Keep in mind that the braking distance increases
very rapidly as the speed increases. At 60 mph or
100 km/h, for example, it is not twice but four
times longer than 30 mph or 50 km/h. Tire
traction is also less effective when the roads are
wet or slippery.
fTherefore, always maintain a safe distance
from the car in front of you.
Vehicles without Porsche Ceramic Compo-
site Brake (PCCB)
Even though the brake discs consist of alloyed
grey cast iron, they will unavoidably start to
corrode if your car is parked for an extended
period. The brakes will tend to “rub” as a result.
The nature, extent and effects of corrosion
depend on the amount of time the vehicle was
parked, whether granular or liquid road salt was
spread and whether grease-dissolving agents
were used in car washes.
If the braking comfort is noticeably impaired, we
recommend having the brake system checked by
experts at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Brake system function Your Porsche is equipped with a power assisted
hydraulic dual circuit brake system with disc
brakes at the front and rear.
Both circuits function independently. One brake
circuit operates the front and the other operates
the rear.
If one brake circuit has failed, the other will still
operate. However, you will notice an increased
pedal travel when you apply the brakes.
Failure of one brake circuit will cause the stopping
distance to increase.
Warning!
Risk of an accident, resulting in serious
personal injury or death.
In the unlikely event of hydraulic failure of
one brake circuit:
fPush the brake pedal down firmly and hold it in
that position.
A mechanical linkage activates the second
circuit, and you will be able to bring the vehicle
to a stop.
fAfter bringing your vehicle to a complete stop,
avoid driving the vehicle and instead have it
towed to the nearest authorized Porsche dealer for repair.
Parking brake warning light USA
Parking brake warning light
Canada
10_GT3_21.book Seite 54 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12
Page 56 of 251

Operation, Safety
55
Brake system warning light
You can check the functionality of the brake
system warning light by switching the ignition to
the “On” position and verifying that the warning
light illuminates.
If the warning lights in the instrument panel and on-
board computer go on while driving, the brake
fluid level may be too low, or (if the brake pedal
travel has increased) one of the two brake circuits
may have failed.
A greater braking pressure will be required,
stopping distances will be longer and the braking
behavior will change, particularly in curves.
With correctly adjusted brakes, and a correctly
working brake system, the pedal travel to the
point of brake actuation should be 1-3/16 in. to
1-9/16 in. or 30 to 40 mm.
Whenever the brake pedal travel exceeds this
distance, have the brake system checked.
Brake pedal
Warning!
Risk of an accident, resulting in serious
personal injury or death.
Any obstruction of the brake pedal could
increase the stopping distance.
fAlways check the movement of the brake pedal
before driving and make sure that it is not
obstructed by a floor mat or any other object.
fSecure the floor mat to prevent it from sliding
into positions that could interfere with the safe
operation of your vehicle.
Your Porsche dealer will be glad to offer you nonskid floor mats of the correct size.
Note
In case one of the two brake circuits fails, incre-
ased pedal travel is required to bring your vehicle
to a full stop.
Warning!
To avoid overheating and premature wear of
the brakes:
fBefore descending a steep grade, reduce
speed and shift the transmission into a lower
gear to control speed.
fDo not “ride the brakes” by resting your foot on
the pedal when not intending to apply brake
pressure.
fDo not hold the pedal down too long or too
often.
This could cause the brakes to get hot and not function properly.
Brake warning light USA
Brake warning light Canada
10_GT3_21.book Seite 55 Donnerstag, 4. Juni 2009 12:48 12