2010 PORSCHE BOXSTER S brakes

Operation, Safety
71
Limits of ultrasonic measurement
The parking assistant system cannot detect:
– sound-absorbing obstacles (e.g. powder snow),
– sound-reflecting obstacles (e.g. glass surfac- es, flat painted surfaces)
– and very thin obstacles.
– Other ultrasound sources (e.g. pneumatic brakes of other vehicles, jackhammers) can
interfere with detection of obstacles.
Fault indication
The parking assistant system indicates a fault in
two ways:
– After reverse gear has been selected, the short signal tone is followed by a continuous
tone of the same pitch:
This indicates that sensors are soiled or cov-
ered with ice.
– After reverse gear has been selected, the short signal tone is followed by a continuous
tone with a much lower pitch:
This indicates a general system fault.
Please have the fault remedied at an author-
ized Porsche dealer. A
- Control switch for door mirror adjustment Swivelling down mirror glass as a parking
aidf
Please see the chapter “SEAT MEMORY” on
Page 35.
– When reverse gear is engaged, the mirror glass on the passenger’s side swivels down
slightly to show the curb area. Preconditions
– Vehicle must be equipped with seat memory.
– Set the control switch
A to “passenger’s side”.
– Reverse gear must be engaged.
Returning mirror glass to its original position
f Drive forwards with a speed of over 4 mph
(6 km/h) or
f Set the control switch A to “driver’s side”.

176
Shifting Gears
Selector lever positionsP – Parking lockfEngage parking lock only when vehicle is
stationary.
If selector-lever position P is flashing in the
instrument cluster, the parking brake is not
engaged. The vehicle can roll away.
Engage selector-lever position P again by
moving the selector lever out of R.
f Engage parking lock after applying the
handbrake and release it before releasing the
handbrake.
The ignition key can be withdrawn only in
selector lever position P.R – Reverse gearf Select only if car is stationary and the brake is
applied.N – NeutralSelector lever position N must be selected for
towing or in car washes, for example.
f Only select the desired position for driving off
(D, M or R) when the engine is idling and the
brake pedal is depressed.
D - Automatic selection modeSelect position D for “normal” driving. The gears
are shifted automatically according to the acceler-
ator position and speed.
Depending on the way the vehicle is driven
(economical, comfortable or sporty driving style)
and on the resistance (e.g. uphill), the gear-
changing points are shifted towards higher or
lower engine-speed ranges.
The accelerator position, driving speed, engine
speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration and
the road profile all have an influence on the gear-
changing characteristic.
Unwanted upward shifts, e.g. before bends, are
prevented by swiftly releasing the accelerator
pedal.
Depending on lateral acceleration, upward
changes on bends are not made until the engine-
speed limit is reached.
Under braking, and depending on the amount of
deceleration, the PDK transmission changes down
earlier.
For subsequent cornering, the right gear is
engaged when pressure is applied to the brakes
before the bend. The bend is taken in the right
gear, and when you accelera te out of the bend you
do not have to change down. With a sporty driving style, downshifts are already
initiated when the brake pedal is touched lightly.
This further enhances
a dynamic driving style.
The PDK transmission temporarily changes to the
sportiest gear-changing map, i.e. to the highest
possible gear-changing poin ts, if the accelerator
pedal is pressed quickly. The transmission accord-
ingly shifts down immediately by one or two gears
(temporary change-down).
The transmission no longer selects 7th gear at
high driving speeds.
Sport mode
(“Sport” and “Sport Plus” modes)
“Sport” mode activated:
The PDK transmission switches to a sporty gear-
changing map and shortens the gear shifting
times.
A sporty driving style is recognised more quickly
and the gear-changing speeds are adapted to
driving performance.
Deceleration downshifts are commenced earlier.
Downshifts are already carried out in the case of
slight decelerations, even at higher engine
speeds.

202
Maintenance, Car Care
Brake Fluid LevelfPlease see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on Page 196.
f Use only new (unused) Original Porsche
brake fluid.
Warning!
Brake fluid is hazardous to your health, and
may be fatal if swallowed.
Brake fluid also attacks paintwork.
f Keep brake fluid out of children’s reach.
f Take care while topping off brake fluid not to
soil the luggage compartment or items of lug-gage.
Checking the brake fluid levelThe reservoir for the hydraulic braking and clutch
systems is located in the luggage compartment.
1. Open and remove cover flap A.
2. Regularly check the brake-fluid level on the transparent expansion tank through the
window B.
The fluid level should always lie between the
minimum and maximum marks. A slight decrease in the fluid level due to wear and
automatic readjustment of
the disc brakes is
normal.
If, however, the fluid level falls markedly or below
the minimum mark, the br aking system may have
developed a leak.
f Have the brake system checked without delay
at an authorized Porsche dealer.

Maintenance, Car Care
213
Car Care Instructions fPlease see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on Page 196.
Regular and correct care helps to maintain
the value of your car and is also a
precondition for the New Vehicle Warranty
and the Anti Corrosion Warranty.
Your authorized Porsche dealer has specially
developed car-care products from the
Porsche program available either singly or
as complete car-care sets. They will be
pleased to help you select suitable products.
Whether you use Porsche products or other
commercially available cleaning agents first
make sure of their correct application.
A Porsche that is well-cared for can look like new
for years. It all depends on the amount of care the
owner is willing to give the car.
Warning!
Risk of serious personal injury or damage to
the vehicle or property.
Cleaning agents may be hazardous to your
health.
Most chemical cleaners are concentrates
which require dilution. High concentrations
might cause problems ranging from irritation
to serious injury as we ll as damage to your
vehicle. f
Keep cleaning agents out of reach from chil-
dren.
f Observe all caution labels.
f Always read directions on the container before
using any product. These directions may con-
tain information necessary to avoid personal
injury.
f Do not use fuel, kerosene, naphtha, nail polish
remover or other volatile cleaning fluids. They
may be toxic, flammable or hazardous in other
ways. Only use spot removing fluids in a well
vented area.
f Do not clean the underside of chassis, fend-
ers, wheel covers, etc., without protecting
your hands and arms as you may cut yourself
on sharp-edged metal parts.
Moisture and road salt on brakes may affect brak-
ing efficiency.
f Test the brakes after each vehicle washing.
Decorative film Caution!
Risk of damage due to separation of the
decorative film when cleaning your vehicle with
high-pressure cleaning equipment or steam
cleaners.
f Do not use high-pressure cleaning equipment or steam cleaners for cl eaning decorative film.
High-pressure cleaning units,
steam
cleaners
Warning!
High-pressure cleaning units or steam clea-
ners can damage the following components:
–tires,
– logos, emblems,
– painted surfaces,
– alternator,
– ParkAssist sensors,
– convertible top.
f Please observe the operating instructions from
the unit manufacturer.
f When cleaning with a flat-jet nozzle or the like,
maintain a minimum distance of 20 inches (50
cm).
f Never use high-pressure cleaning units or
steam cleaners with a ro und-jet nozzle. A high-
pressure cleaning unit or steam cleaners with
round nozzle will damage your vehicle.
f The tires are particularly susceptible to dam-
age.
f Do not point the cleaning jet directly at any of the aforementioned components.

214
Maintenance, Car Care
Washing The best method of protecting your car from the
damaging effects of the environment is frequent
washing and the application of a preservative. The
underside of your vehicle should also be thorough-
ly washed for cinders, salt or sanding at winter’s
end.
The longer salt, road du st and industrial dust,
dead insects, bird droppi ngs or substances from
trees (resin, pollen) are allowed to remain on the
bodywork, the more serious is their harmful ef-
fect.
New cars should be washed carefully with plenty
of clear water to protect the new paint work. Dark
paint finishes show up the smallest of surface
damage (e.g., scratches) more readily than lighter
colors.
Dark colors are also more susceptible to scratch-
ing because of the compos ition of their pigments
and require particularly careful paint care.
f Do not wash your car in bright sunlight or while
the bodywork is still hot.
f When washing by hand, use abundant water, a
soft sponge or wash brush, and Porsche car
shampoo.
f Begin by spraying the body thoroughly with wa-
ter to rinse away loose dirt. f
After washing, rinse the car with plenty of wa-
ter and then dry with a chamois leather.
Do not use the same chamois leather for dry-
ing as you use for cleaning the windshield and
windows.
Warning!
Moisture which gets on to the brakes during
a car wash can reduce braking efficiency or
make the brakes pull unevenly which could
increase the danger of an accident, causing
serious personal injuries or death.
f After washing the car, test the brakes and
steering and briefly brake the discs dry.
When doing this, take care not to hamper other
road users behind you (traffic conditions permitting).
Automatic car washes
f Please see the chapter “WIPER BLADES” on
Page 212.
Optional add-on parts or parts which project
beyond the contours of the vehicle may be
damaged by design features (e.g. brushes) of au-
tomatic car washes. The following parts are particularly
susceptible to damage:
– Convertible top (hot wax treatment cannot be
used, as the wax attacks the convertible top
material)
– Windshield wipers (alw ays switch them off to
prevent them wiping unintentionally in intermit-
tent or sensor operation)
– External antennas (always unscrew)
– Rear spoiler
– Wheels (the wider the rim and the lower the tire height, the greater the risk of damage)
– High-gloss wheels (to prevent these from get- ting scratched, do not clean with the wheel-
cleaning brushes of the car wash).
f Please consult the operator before using auto-
matic car washes.
f Wash and dry by hand all points not reached by
a car wash, such as door and lid seams or
door sills.
Note
Automatic car washes spray water at odd angles
and high pressures, which are not seen in normal
driving. Therefore, water can sometimes find its
way into the passengers compartment during or
shortly after the car wash.

218
Maintenance, Car Care
Light alloy wheels fPlease see the chapter “WASHING” on
Page 214.
Warning!
Danger of accident re sulting in serious per-
sonal injury or death if cleaning agents (e.g.
wheel cleaning agents) come into contact
with the brake discs.
The resulting film on the brake discs can im-
pair braking performance.
f Make sure that no cleaning agent comes into
contact with the brake discs.
f If cleaning agent has come into contact with
the brake discs, thoroughly clean the brake
discs with a strong jet of water.
f Paying attention to any road users behind you,
dry the brake discs by applying the brakes at short intervals.
Metal particles (such as brass or copper in brake
dust) must not remain too long on alloy wheels.
Contact corrosion can cause pitting.
Cleaners with an oxide-removing effect or the
wrong pH value, as are commonly used for other
metals, as well as mechanical tools and products,
will damage the oxide layer and are therefore
unsuitable.
f Use only cleaners for alloy wheels (pH value
9.5). Products with the wrong pH value can destroy the protective layer on the wheels.
We recommend Porsche cleaner for alloy rims.
f If possible, wash the wheels every two weeks
with a sponge or washing brush. If the wheels
are exposed to road salt, grit or industrial dust,
weekly cleaning is necessary.
Door, roof, lid and window seals
Caution!
The lubricant coating on the inner door seals,
convertible top and hardtop seals may be
damaged by unsuitable cleaning and care agents.
f Do not use any chemic al cleaning agents
or solvents.
f Do not use any preservative agents.
f Wash dirt (e.g. abrasion, dust, road salt and
grit) from all seals regularly using warm
soapy water.
f If there is a risk of frost, protect the outer door
seals and lid seals against freezing into place
with a suitable care product.
Headlights, lights, interior and exterior
plastic parts, adhesive filmsfUse only clean water and a little dishwashing
detergent to clean light lenses, plastic head-
light lenses, plastic parts, adhesive films and
surfaces.
Do not clean when dry.
Use a soft sponge or a so ft, lint-free cloth. Gen-
tly wipe the surface without applying too much
pressure.
An interior window cleaner can also be used to
clean plastic surfaces (always read the cleaning
instructions on the container). We recommend
Porsche interior window cleaner.
f Gently wipe the surfac e without applying too
much pressure.
f Do not clean when dry.
f Never use other chemical cleaners or
solvents.
f Rinse cleaned surfaces with clear water.Leather Characteristics and special features
The natural surface markings of leather, e.g.
creases, healed scars, in sect sting marks, struc-
tural differences and slight variations in shade and
grain add to the attractiveness of the natural leath-
er product.

Practical Tips, Emergency Service
223
Tires/Wheels The original equipment tires and wheel rims on
your Porsche comply with all applicable Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
For your safety remember the following:
– Wheel rims and wheel bolts are matched to fit
your Porsche.
– If you intend to use other than original equip- ment wheels, be sure that they conform to
Porsche specifications for your model.
Only tires with the same make and with the
same specification code (e.g. “N0”, “N1”...)
can be mounted.
– The use of wheel rims and wheel bolts that do not meet specifications of the original factory
installed equipment will affect the safe opera-
tion of your vehicle.
– Before you plan on exchanging wheels, or snow tires already mounted on the wheel rims,
consult your authorized Porsche dealer. Your
dealer has the technical information necessary
to advise you which wheel rims and wheel bolts
are compatible with the original factory instal-
lations.
Danger!
Risk of loss of contro l and serious personal
injury or death.
f If while driving, your vehicle experiences a sud-
den vibration or ride disturbance, and/or you
suspect that possible damage to your tires or
vehicle has occurred, you should immediately
reduce your speed without excessive use of
the brakes.
f Stop the vehicle as soon as possible, and in-
spect the tires.
If you cannot determine the cause for the dis-
turbance, have your vehi cle towed to the near-
est Porsche or tire dealer to have your vehicle
or tire(s) inspected.
f Continuing to operate the vehicle without cor-
rection could result in a loss of control and serious personal injury.
ExampleUniform Tire Quality GradingQuality grades can be fo und where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and max-
imum section width.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in a ddition to these grades.
Tr e a d w e a r
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specific govern-
ment test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one

Index
285
AABS (antilock brake system) .......................... 59
Warning light .......... .............................. 60
Adaptive sports seat ..................................... 33
Adjusting Headlights.... ................................ 267
Advanced Airbag......... .................................. 45
Air conditioning ........... ................................ 106
Air conditioning compressor ................ 109, 111
Air conditioning system .................... ........... 109
Air distribution ................ ............ 106, 109, 111
Air filter ...................... ................................ 211
Air intake.................... ................................ 112
Airbag ............................ .............................. 44
Cleaning covers ...... ............................ 219
Function ..................... .......................... 45
Warning light .......... .............................. 48
Air-conditioning compressor ........................ 108
Alarm system ................. ........................ 25, 99
Deactivating passenger compartment
monitoring .............. .............................. 26
Fault indication........ .............................. 26
Function indication ................................ 25
Not active .............. ............................ 246
Alcantara, cleaning . .................................... 219
Antenna ................. ...................... 99, 100, 214
Antifreeze .................................................. 197
Antilock brake system (ABS) .......................... 59
Warning light .......... .............................. 60
Ashtray .......................... .............................. 87
Assembly aids for wheel changes................. 237
Audio operation ...................................... 97, 98
Auto-button, air conditioning ........................ 109
Automatic Air conditioning system ....................... 109 Anti-glare mirrors .......................
...........30
Car washes .............. ..........................214
Door locking ............. ......................18, 24
Garage door ......... ................................76
Headlight adjustment .............................79
Speed control .........................84, 85, 120
Transmission ............ ..........................174
Automatic speed contro l..............................120
Indicator light ........ ..............................120
Average consumption .... ......................131, 161
Average speed ............. ......................131, 161
BBackrest
Adjustment ............... ............................32
Release .................... ............................32
Battery ......................... ..............................249
Care......................... ..........................250
Charge state......... ..............................249
Charging .................. ..........................250
Putting vehicle into operation ...............251
Remote control ..... ..............................254
Removing ................. ..........................252
Replacing ................. ..........................251
Warning light......... ..............................128
Winter operation.... ..............................251
Before driving off ...... ..................................8, 9
Belts ................ ............................................42
Cleaning ................... ..........................219
Tensioner ................. ............................42
Warning light......... ................................43
Blower adjustment ........ ......................106, 112
Blower speed adjustme nt ............................110
Brake Break in ...................
............................ 10
Pads ....................... ............................ 58
Pedal....................... ............................ 57
Wear ....................... ............................ 58
Brake fluid
Changing ................. .......................... 203
Checking level ...... .............................. 202
Level ....................... .......................... 202
Warning light ............ .......................... 203
Brake light .............. ................................... 266
Brake light, addition al ................................. 266
Brakes ........................ .............................. 202
Brake circuit division warning light ....... 203
Brake warning light ............................. 128
Fluid ............................ .............. 202, 281
Fluid warning light. .............................. 203
Function .................. ............................ 56
New brake pads or linings ..................... 58
Pads ....................... ............................ 10
Parking brake....... ................................ 55
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake
(PCCB) .................................... .............. 4
Test stand ........... ................................ 65
Break in brakes ....... ..................................... 10
Break in hints .......... ..................................... 10
Bulbs
Chart ....................... .......................... 257
Replacing ................ ..........................2

57