
7
Technical modificationsModifications may be carried out on your vehicle
only if approved by Porsche. This ensures that
your Porsche will remain reliable and safe to drive,
and that it will not be damaged as a result of the
modifications.
Your authorized Porsche dealer will be pleased to
advise you.CoveringsfDo not affix any coverings (e.g. films or „stone
guards“) in the area of the headlights and air
intakes.
Damage due to excessive temperatures and
abrasion could result.
The headlights can mist up depending on the tem-
perature and humidity.
fTo ensure optimum ventilation, do not cover
the gap between headlight and body.
Setting and operating vehicle
components when driving
Warning!
There is a danger of accident if you set or
operate the on-board computer, radio,
navigation system, telephone or other equip-
ment while driving.
This could distract you from the traffic and
cause you to lose control of the vehicle resul-
ting 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.
Portable Fuel Containers
Danger!
Portable fuel containers may leak, whether
they are full or partially empty. Fuel leaking
from a portable container carried in your
vehicle could, in case of an accident, cause
a fire or explosion, resulting in serious
personal injury or death.
fNever carry additional fuel in portable contai-ners in your vehicle.
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10
Table of Contents Exercise Extreme Caution when Working
on your Vehicle ........................................... 157
Coolant Level ............................................. 158
Engine Oil................................................... 159
Engine Oil Level .......................................... 160
Brake Fluid Level ........................................ 162
Fuel Economy ............................................. 164
Operating your Porsche in other Countries .... 164
Fuel ........................................................... 165
Fuel Recommendations............................... 166
Portable Fuel Containers ............................. 167
Fuel Evaporation Control ............................. 167
Emission Control System............................. 168
How Emission Control Works ....................... 169
Washer Fluid............................................... 170
Power Steering ........................................... 171
Air Filter ..................................................... 172
Combination Filter ....................................... 172
Manual Transmission Oil .............................. 172
Wiper Blades .............................................. 173
Car Care Instructions.................................. 174
Exercise Extreme Caution when Working
on your Vehicle ........................................... 183
Tires/Wheels .............................................. 184
Loading Information .................................... 195
Wheels with Central Locking ........................ 197
Central Bolts .............................................. 197
Changing a Wheel ....................................... 198
Checking Tire Pressure with a
Pressure Gauge .......................................... 203
Flat Tire ..................................................... 203
Lifting the Vehicle with a Lifting Platform or
Garage Lift ................................................. 206
Electrical System ........................................ 207
Battery....................................................... 211Replacing the remote-control battery ............216
Emergency Starting with Jumper Cables .......217
Bulb chart ..................................................219
Lights, Replacing Bulbs ...............................219
Headlights ..................................................220
License Plate Light ......................................227
Front Side Lights, Front Turn Signal Lights,
Daytime Running Lights, Tail Lights and
Additional Brake Light..................................227
Adjusting Headlights ....................................228
Towing .......................................................230
Vehicle Identification....................................234
Technical Data ............................................236
Engine Diagram at full Power .......................242
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Before driving off...
11
Dear Porsche Owner A lot has gone into the manufacture of your
Porsche, including advanced engineering, rigid
quality control and demanding inspections.
These engineering and safety features will be
enhanced by you... the safe driver... – who knows his/her car and all controls,
– who maintains the vehicle properly,
– who uses driving skills wisely and always
drives within her/his own capabilities and the
level of familiarity with the vehicle.
You will find helpful hints in this manual on how to
perform most of the checks listed on the following
pages.
If in doubt, have these checks performed by your
authorized Porsche dealer.
Before driving off... Check the following items first fTurn the engine off before you attempt any
checks or repairs on the vehicle.
fBe sure the tires are inflated correctly.
Check tires for damage and tire wear.
fSee that wheel bolts are properly tightened
and not loose or missing.
fCheck engine oil level, add if necessary.
Make it a habit to have engine oil checked with
every refueling.
fCheck all fluid levels such as windshield
washer and brake fluid levels.
fBe sure the vehicle battery is well charged and
cranks the engine properly.
fCheck all doors and lids for proper operation
and latch them properly.
fCheck, and if necessary replace worn or
cracked wiper blades.
fSee that all windows are clear and
unobstructed.
fCheck air intake slots and area between
luggage compartment lid and windshield.
Ensure that these areas are free of snow and
ice, so the heater and the windshield wipers
work properly. fIf a child will be riding in the vehicle, check
child seat/child seat restraint system to ensure
that restraints are properly adjusted.
fChild restraint systems will not fit into the
Sports bucket seat.
Do not install a child restraint system in the
Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be equipped
with the LATCH system and thus the airbag
system cannot be manually deactivated.
fCheck all exterior and interior lights for opera-
tion and that the lenses are clean.
fCheck the headlights for proper aim, and if
necessary, have them adjusted.
fCheck under the vehicle for leaks.
fBe sure all luggage is stowed securely.
Emergency equipment It is good practice to carry emergency equipment
in your vehicle.
Some of the items you should have are:
window scraper, snow brush, container or bag of
sand or salt, emergency light, small shovel, first-
aid kit, etc.
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12
Before driving off...
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
children 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
reduced speeds, particularly on roads with
standing water, as the handling characteristics
of the vehicle may be impaired due to hydropla-
ning 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
vehicle with engine idling.
Please see the chapter “ENGINE EXHAUST” on
Page 8.fWhen parked, always set the parking brake.
Move the gearshift 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
devices to alert other motorists. Do 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.
fMake it a habit to have the engine oil checked
after every refueling.
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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.
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74
Operation, Safety
Dynamic Cornering LightAbove a speed of 6 mph (10 km/h) the low beam
is swivelled into the direction of the bend for better
illumination of the road.
If the dynamic cornering light malfunctions, the
blue high beam indicator light in the tachometer
starts to flash.Individual Light FunctionsFurther individual light functions are available in
vehicles equipped with the Sport Chrono Package
Plus.
fPlease see the chapter “Individual Memory” in
the separate PCM Owner’s Manual.
Welcome Home LightingSwitching onfMove light switch to the HOME position.
For improved visibility and security when you get
in and out of the car, the daytime running lights
and the tail lights remain on for a certain period of
time:
–When you get out of the car, the lights are
turned on for approx. 30 seconds after the
door is opened. The off-delay time resumes
when the vehicle is locked.
On vehicles with the Sport Chrono Package
Plus, the PCM can be used to set the off-delay
time. This setting also changes the lighting
period for unlocking the vehicle.
Please see the chapter “Individual Memory” in
the separate PCM Owner’s Manual.
– The lights are turned on for approx.
30 seconds when the vehicle is unlocked.
The lights go out if the ignition is switched on
or when leaving the Welcome Home lighting.
Automatic Headlight Beam
Adjustment Vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlights feature
dynamic headlight beam adjustment.
When the ignition is switched on, the level of the
headlight beam automatically changes in accor-
dance with the vehicle load.
The level of the headlight beam is automatically
kept constant during acceleration and braking. Checking operation 1. Switch the low beam on.
2. Insert ignition key and switch ignition on.
The light beam first dips all the way down and
is then adapted to the vehicle load.
If this test item is not met, the headlight beam
adjustment system must be checked by an autho-
rized Porsche dealer.
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Operation, Safety
75
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
selected, the blue indicator light in the tachometer
is lit. The turn signal lever turns off automatically when
the steering wheel is straightened out after
completing 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
signal bulbs. Headlight flasher (With ignition on or off)
fTo flash the headlights to oncomming
motorists, 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.
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76
Operation, Safety
Windshield Wiper / Washer Lever
Warning!
Danger of injury when the windshield wipers
operate unintentionally, e.g. in rain sensor
operation.
Risk of damage to the windshield and wiper
system.
fAvoid running the wiper blades over a dry
windshield to prevent scratching the glass.
Spray washer fluid on the windshield first.
A scratched windshield will reduce visibility.
fAlways loosen wiper blades from frozen glass
before operating wipers to prevent damage to
the wiper motor or blades. fAlways switch off windshield wipers in car
wash to prevent them wiping unintentionally
(sensor operation).
fAlways switch off windshield wipers before
cleaning the windshield to avoid unintentional
operation (sensor operation).
fDo not operate the headlight washer in car
washes.
fDo not operate headlight washer when it is
frozen.
Front wiper and headlight washer system0 – Windshield wipers off
1 – Rain sensor operation for front
windshield wipers
fMove wiper lever upwards to the first click.
Please see the chapter “RAIN SENSOR” on
Page 77.
2 – Windshield wipers slow
fMove wiper lever upwards to the second click.
3 – Windshield wipers fast
fMove wiper lever upwards to the third click.
4 – Front windshield wiper – one-touch
operation:
fMove wiper lever downwards. The front
windshield wipers wipe once.5 – Windshield wipers and washer system:
fPull wiper lever towards the steering wheel.
The washer system sprays and wipes while the
lever is pulled towards the steering wheel.
When the wiper lever is released, a few drying
wipes are executed.
A – Headlight washer (Vehicles with Bi-
Xenon headlights):
The washer sprays only while low beam or high
beam is switched on.
fBriefly push button A to operate headlight
washer system.
fIf heavily soiled, repeat wash.
The headlight washer system automatically sprays
once for every ten times the front windshield
washer system is operated.
Note
The windshield washer nozzles are heated
when the ignition is on, as a precaution against
freezing.
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