
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 passenger's seat in accordance with 
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicl e 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 
severity. 
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). 
f Please see the chapter “SAFETY BELTS” on 
Page 42.
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  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, infla-
ting airbags can result in  serious personal in-
jury or death.
f Make sure there are no people, animals or ob-
jects between the driver or passenger and the 
area into which the airbag inflates.
f Sit back as far from the dashboard or steering 
wheel as is practical, while still maintaining full 
vehicle control.
f Always hold the steering wheel by the outer 
rim. Never rest your hands on the airbag panel.
f Always fasten seat belts  because triggering 
of the airbag system depends on the force and 
angle of impact.
f Do 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.
f Do not hang objects (e.g . jackets, coats, coat 
hangers) over the backrest. f
Always keep the lid of the door storage com-
partment closed. Objects must not protrude 
out of the door storage compartment.
f No changes may be made to the wiring or 
components of the airbag system.
f Do not add any additional coverings or stickers 
to the steering wheel or  in the area of the pas-
senger airbag, side airbags and head airbags. 
Doing so may adversely affect the functioning 
of the airbag system or cause harm to the oc-
cupants if the airbag system should deploy.
Do not use protective seat covers.
f Do 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.
f Do not undertake any wiri ng 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.
f If the warning light co mes on, the airbag sys-
tem should be repaired immediately by your 
authorized Porsche dealer.
f Always 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. 

Operation, Safety
45
fUsing accessories not approved by Porsche 
can cause the weight sensing system to be im-
paired. 
f Do not squeeze objects, such as the fire extin-
guisher, or first aid kit under the seat.
f Only have seats removed and installed by an 
authorized Porsche dealer so that weight sens-
ing components will not be damaged.
f Give 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 
collision 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 gene rates 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 damp ing 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 an d arm abrasions, bruising 
and broken bones. You can  help minimize such in-
juries by always wear ing your safety belts.
There are many types of  accidents in which air-
bags are not expected to deploy. These include 
accidents where the airbags would provide no be-
nefit, such as a rear impact against your vehicle. 
Other accidents where the airbags are designed 
not to deploy are those where the risk of injury 
from the airbag deployment could exceed any pro-
tective benefits, such as in low speed accidents or  higher speed accidents where the vehicle decele-
rates over a long time. Since airbag deployment 
does not occur in all accidents, this further em-
phasizes the need for yo
u and your passenger 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 passenger when the airbags and/or belt ten-
sioner 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 passen-
ger's seat, the passenger's airbag will automati-
cally be switched on and off.
Depending on the angle and force of impact, the 
passenger's airbag which is activated will be trig-
gered during a collision.
Precondition for switching the 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. 

46
Operation, Safety
Seat adjustment for the passenger's seat Danger!
Safety belts only offer protection when the 
backrest is upright and the belts are properly 
positioned on the body. Improperly positio-
ned safety belts can cause serious personal 
injury or death in an accident.
f Do not operate the car with the driver or pas-
senger backrest excessively reclined.
f Porsche recommends the use of L.A.T.C.H. 
(L ower  Ancorage and  Tether for Ch ildren) 
equipped Porsche child seat.
Do not install a child restraint system in 
the Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be equipped with the LATCH system.
If the seat is in an extreme position (e.g., the back-
rest is in contact with the engine compartment 
wall), the backrest can warp. Warping of the back-
rest can lead to malfunctions.
f Correct the seat adjustment. 
Ensure that the seat is not jammed and is self-
supporting. 
Ensure that the backrest is in the upright posi-
tion. f
Do not transport a load and objects behind and 
under the passenger's seat. 
If the load or objects ar e under the seat, it can 
cause malfunctions.
If the weight on the passenger's seat is reduced 
significantly, e.g., by supporting weight on the 
armrest, the passenger's airbag can be switched 
off.
f Select an upright seat position, and do not sup-
port weight on the armrests or lean out of the 
window. 
Always 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 mo-
ving.
If the passenger's seat is warped significantly, a 
message is displayed on the on-board computer:
f Correct the seat adjustment.
f Please see the chapter “WARNINGS ON THE 
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ON-BOARD 
COMPUTER” on Page 162.
Vehicle modifications to accommodate 
persons with disabilities
Because modifications to your vehicle could com-
promise your advanced airbag system, please call 
1-800-PORSCHE prior to ha ving your vehicle modi-
fied. Automatic deactivation of the passenger’s 
airbags
 Danger!
The use of a child restraint system in the pas-
senger seat can result in serious personal 
injury or death to the child from an airbag 
deployment.
f Please see the chapter “PASSENGER AIRBAG 
OFF INDICATOR LAMP DOES NOT LIGHT UP” 
on Page 47.
f Before transporting a child on the passenger’s 
seat:
Please see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT 
SYSTEMS” on Page 50.
f Do not install a child restraint system in the Sports bucket seat.  
– When an  up to one-year old child  is seated 
in the child restraint system, the front airbag is 
automatically deactivated on the passenger 
side.
– When an adult is seated in the front seat the  front airbag remains active on the passenger‘s 
side. 

50
Operation, Safety
Child Restraint SystemsfDo not install a child restraint system in the 
Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be equipped 
with the LATCH system.
Porsche recommends that  all infants and children 
be restrained in child restraint systems at all times 
while the vehicle is in motion in accordance with 
applicable laws.
Use only child restraint systems with the LATCH-
system recommended by Porsche. These sys-
tems 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 or death. 
You can obtain child seats that are LATCH compa-
tible at your authorized Porsche dealer.
f Always see the separate installation 
instructions for your child seat.
The use of infant or child restraints is required by 
law in all 50 states of the U.S. and all Canadian 
provinces. The child restraint system should be 
one that complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle 
Safety Standards and should be secured by a lap 
belt or lap belt portion of  a lapshoulder belt or for 
child seats equipped with the LATCH sytem ( Lo-
wer  Anchorage and  Tether for  Children, also 
known as ISOFIX) to the LATCH anchorages. 
A statement by the seat manufacturer of compli-
ance with this standard can be found on the in-
struction label on the restraint and in the instruc- tion manual provided with the restraint.
 Danger!
The use of a child restraint system in the pas-
senger seat can result in serious personal in-
jury or death to the  child from an airbag 
deployment.
To reduce risk of injury from an inflating air-
bag in an accident, Po rsche strongly recom-
mends:
f Please see the chapter “PASSENGER AIRBAG 
OFF INDICATOR LAMP DOES NOT LIGHT UP” 
on Page 47.
f Please see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT 
SYSTEMS” on Page 50.
f Do not install a child restraint system in 
the Sports bucket seat.
The Sports bucket seat cannot be equipped with the LATCH system. 
Note
The key switch for switching off the passenger’s 
airbag and the LATCH attachment bracket are not 
installed at the factory. Th ey can be retrofitted (not 
on vehicles with Sports bucket seats).
f Please see your authorized Porsche dealer.
 Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death to the 
child.
f Follow all child restraint instructions and warnings in this manual.
– When using an infant or child restraint system,  be sure to follow all manufacturer's instruc-
tions on installation and use.
– Infants and small children should never be held  on the lap, nor should th ey share a safety belt 
with another occupant while the vehicle is in 
motion.
– Children too big for child restraint systems  should use regular safety  belts. A shoulder belt 
can be used providing it does not cross the 
face or the neck of the child.
– Choose a child restraint system according to  the weight of the child.
– Child restraint systems that are damaged or  h a v e  b e e n  h e a v i l y  s t r e s s e d  i n  a n  a c c i d e n t  m u s t  
be replaced immediately.
– Children could be endangered in a crash if their  child restrains are not properly secured in the 
vehicle.
– Do not affix things to child restraint systems or  cover it with  other materials. 

52
Operation, Safety
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 airbag  triggering uninten-
tionally.
When the ignition is on and the up to one-
year old child is seated  in the child restraint 
system on the passenger 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:
f Do not use a child restraint system on the pas-
senger’s seat.
f On vehicles with key-operated airbag deactiva-
tion device: Switch to position OFF.
f On vehicles without key-operated airbag deac-
tivation device: Do not drive.
f Have the fault remedied at your nearest autho-rized Porsche dealer. Child restraint system fo
r children older than 
one year
Your vehicle is equipped with a weight sensing sys-
tem for the passenger's seat in accordance with 
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicl e Safety Standard 208. 
Depending on the weight acting on the passen-
ger's seat, the passenger's airbag will automati-
cally be switched on or off.
Small adult passengers
Make sure that the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indi-
cator lamp does not light up. 
 Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death due 
to the passenger airbag not triggering. 
When the  ignition key is inserted  on and the 
small adult passenger is  seated on the pas-
senger’s seat, the indicator lamp ”PASSEN-
GER 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:
f Do not carry a passenger in the passenger’s 
seat.
f Have the fault remedied at the nearest authori-zed Porsche dealer.
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 retr actor for securing the 
child restraint system. When activated, this retrac-
tor 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 seat:
f Please see the chapter “CHILD RESTRAINT 
SYSTEMS” on Page 50.
 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 pass enger's airbag can be 
switched on unintentionally. 
f After fastening the child restraint system, do 
not adjust the seat.
f Check the condition of the passenger’s airbag 
shown by the indicator la mp in the central con-sole. 

Operation, Safety
53
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 tigh-
ten 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 retrac-
ted. 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. 

72
Operation, Safety
O - Initial position
1 - Ignition on
2 - Start engine
3 - Ignition offIgnition/Starter Switch with 
anti-theft Steering LockThe ignition lock has a total of four ignition lock po-
sitions.
The ignition key rebounds  to the initial position 
from every ignition lock position.
f For your safety, fasten safety belts. 
f Please see the chapter “IMMOBILIZER” on 
Page 15. f
Please see the chapter “KEY WITH RADIO RE-
MOTE CONTROL” on Page 16.
Before starting the enginefApply the footbrake.
f Manual transmission:
Fully depress the clutch pedal and put the gear-
shift lever into neutral.
The clutch pedal must be depressed fully 
before the starte r will engage.
f In vehicles with PDK transmission:
Move PDK selector lever to position  P or  N.
f Do not press the accelerator pedal.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:
f Stop the vehicle.
f In vehicles with PDK transmission:
Move PDK selector lever to position  P.
f Switch ignition off.
f Remove ignition key. 
Switch position 1 Ignition on
fTurn ignition key to position  1.
Ignition is switched on.
Note on operation
All electrical equipme nt can be switched on.
f Please see the chapter “WARNINGS ON THE 
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ON-BOARD 
COMPUTER” on Page 162. 

Operation, Safety
75
Starting Procedures fPlease see the chapter “IMMOBILIZER” on 
Page 15.
f Please see the chapter “EMISSION CONTROL 
SYSTEM” on Page 208.
 Warning!
Serious injury or death may result if you are 
involved in a collision without having fas-
tened the safety belts. 
f Fasten safety belts before driving away. Before starting the engine fApply the footbrake. 
f Manual transmission:
Fully depress the clutch pedal and put the gear-
shift lever into neutral.
The clutch pedal must be depressed fully 
before the starter will engage.
f In vehicles with PDK transmission:
Move PDK selector lever to position  P or  N.
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 enginef Turn ignition key to ignition lock position  2.
f As soon as the engine st arts, release the igni-
tion key. 
The first operation of the starter is ended automat-
ically 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: 
f Wait about 10 seconds before engaging the 
starter again. 
f When 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.
f Do not let the engine idle to warm up.
 Danger!
Engine exhaust fumes have many compo-
nents 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. 
f Never 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 shoul d come on to indicate 
improper operation, they would go unno-
ticed. 
f Never leave the engine idling unattended.
Danger of fire. 
f 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 oth-
er flammable material. 
f If your car catches on fire for any reason, call 
the fire department. 
Do not endanger your life by attempting to put 
out the fire. 
Risk of burn injury when  standing near or coming 
into contact with the exhaust pipe.
The exhaust pipe is hot when the vehicle is running 
and remains hot for some time after the vehicle is 
turned off.
f To prevent injury, make a point of noting where 
your vehicle’s exhaust pipe is, avoid placing 
your legs near the exhaust pipe, and closely 
supervise children around the vehicle when the 
exhaust pipe could be hot. 
A hot exhaust pipe can cause serious burns.