
64
Operation, Safety
– The system compensates for undesired lateral 
vehicle reactions when the driver releases the 
accelerator pedal or brakes when cornering. 
This compensation functions up to the 
maximum lateral acceleration.
– PSM actively stabilizes the vehicle as required  during dynamic driving maneuvers (e.g. rapid 
steering movements, during lane changes or 
on alternating bends). 
– Improved braking stability on bends and on  different or varying road surfaces.
– It improves braking function and shortens  stopping distance in  the event of emergency 
braking.
Readiness for operationPSM is switched on automatically every time you 
start the engine.
PSM should always be switched on during 
“normal” driving.
However, it may be advantageous to switch off 
PSM temporarily in exceptional situations, for 
example:
– On a loose surface or in deep snow,
– When “rocking” the vehicle free and
– When using snow chains.
Switching off PSMf Press PSM OFF button. 
PSM is switched off after a short delay.
The light-emitting diode in the button is lit up.
When the PSM is switched off, the PSM multi-
functional light on the instrument panel is lit 
and  a message is shown on the on-board 
computer.
An acoustic signal also sounds.
Note
When PSM is switched off, the additional braking 
functions are deactivated.  Automatic reactivation 
in emergency situations is linked to the PSM 
control. The following functions stabilize the vehicle in 
emergency situations, even with PSM switched 
off:
– When PSM is off, the vehicle is stabilized as 
soon as one of the two  front wheels enters the 
ABS control range.
– When PSM is off and Sport mode is on, the  vehicle is stabilized  as soon as both front 
wheels enter the ABS control range.
One-sided spinning  of the wheels is prevented, 
even with PSM switched off.
Switching PSM back onf Press PSM OFF button. 
PSM is switched on after a short delay.
The light-emitting diode in the button and the 
PSM multifunctional li ght on the instrument 
panel go out.
The on-board computer shows a message. 

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
73
Switch position 2Start engine
fTurn ignition key to ignition lock position 2 .
f Please see the chapter “STARTING PROCEDU-
RES” on Page 75.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:
f Please see the chapter “EMERGENCY OPERA-
TION – PULLING OUT THE IGNITION KEY” on 
Page 74.
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, re sulting in serious per-
sonal injury or death.
The steering wheel will lock and will cause 
loss of steering. 
f Never remove key from the ignition lock or turn 
the key off while the vehicle is moving. 
f Always 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
f
To avoid discharging the battery, always re-
move the ignition key from the ignition lock.
Please see the chapter “BATTERY” on 
Page 249.
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. 

76
Operation, Safety
Stopping Engine fTurn key back to position  3. 
f Do 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. 
f To avoid discharging the battery, always re-
move the ignition key from the ignition lock. 
f When leaving the car, always remove the igniti-
on key, apply the parking brake and engage 
1st gear or reverse gear on vehicles with ma-
nual transmission or move the selector lever to 
position P on vehicles with PDK transmission.
f Engage the steering lock by moving the steer-
ing 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 your self when locking or 
unlocking the steering. 
 Warning!
Danger of injury. Hot engine compartment 
components can burn skin on contact. 
f Before working on any part in the engine 
compartment, turn the engine off and let it cool 
down sufficiently.  Risk of burn injury when standing near or 
coming into contact with the exhaust pipe.
The exhaust pipe is hot wh
en 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.
Engine-compartment blower,
radiator fan The radiator and radiator fans are in the front of 
the car.
The engine-compartment bl ower is mounted in the 
engine compartment. 
 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 tem-
perature, the engine-compartment blower 
may continue to run or start to run. 
f Carry out work in these areas only with the en-
gine off, the ignition off, and exercise extreme 
caution. Risk of injury. The radiator fans in the front 
end of the car may be operating or 
unexpectedly start operating when the 
engine is switched on.
f
Carry out work in these areas only with the en-
gine 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. 
f Run the engine at different speeds.
f If 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. 

Operation, Safety
81
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 head light flasher are select-
ed, the blue indicator light  in the tachometer is lit.  The turn signal lever turns off automatically when 
the steering wheel is st
raightened out after com-
pleting a turn. 
Lane changer f To 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. 
f If the frequency of the display becomes notice-
ably faster, check the operation of the turn sig-
nal bulbs. Headlight flasher (With ignition on or off) 
fTo flash the headlights to oncomming motor-
ists, 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.
Individual Light FunctionsFurther individual light functions are available in 
vehicles with Sport Chrono Plus package.
f Please refer to the chapter ”Individual Memory“ 
in the separate PCM operating instructions. 

82
Operation, Safety
Windshield Wiper/ Washer Lever 
 Warning!
Danger of injury when  the windshield wipers 
operate unintentionally, e.g. in intermittent 
or rain sensor operation. 
Risk of damage to the windshield, wiper sys-
tem and headlight washer. 
f Avoid 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. 
f Always loosen wiper blades from frozen glass 
before operating wipers to prevent damage to 
the wiper motor or blades. 
f Always switch off windshield wipers in car 
wash to prevent them wiping unintentionally 
(intermittent or sensor operation). 
f Always switch off windshield wipers before 
cleaning the windshield to avoid unintentional 
operation (intermittent or sensor operation). 
f Do not operate the headlight washer in car 
washes. 
f Do not operate headlight washer when it is frozen. 
Wiper and headlight washer system0  –  Windshield wipers off
1  –  Intermittent/rain sensor operation for 
front windshield wipers
f Move wiper lever upwards to the first click.
Please see the chapter “RAIN SENSOR” on 
Page 83.
2  –  Windshield wipers slow
f Move wiper lever upwards to the second click.
3  –  Windshield wipers fast 
f Move wiper lever upwards to the third click. 4  –  Windshield wiper – one-touch operation:
f
Move wiper lever downwards. The windshield 
wipers wipe once.
5  –  Windshield wipers and washer system:
f Pull 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.
f Briefly push button  A to operate headlight 
washer system.
f If 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. 

84
Operation, Safety
A- Automatic speed control readiness off/on
1 -+SPEED/SET (accelerate/store)
2 -–SPEED (decelerate)
3 - OFF (interrupt)
4 -RESUMEAutomatic Speed Control The automatic speed control maintains any 
selected speed between 15 mph and 145 mph 
(30 km/h and 240 km/h) without you having to 
use the accelerator pedal.
The automatic speed control is operated with the 
lever on the steering wheel.  Vehicles with PDK
Downshifts are carried out to help maintain the 
pre-selected speed (especially when driving down-
hill).
 Warning!
Risk of an accident resulting in serious per-
sonal injury or death. A constant speed may 
not be safe in heavy traf fic, or on winding or 
slippery roads. 
With the speed control system engaged, the 
engine speed will not return to idle when re-
moving the foot from  the accelerator pedal. 
f Do not use the speed co ntrol when it may be 
unsafe to keep the car at a constant speed. 
f Observe all local and national speed limits. Switch automatic speed control 
readiness onfPress button  A on the automatic speed control 
lever.
Hold and store speed f Bring the car to the desired speed with the 
accelerator. 
f Then briefly push the operating lever forward 
(position  1).Accelerating (e.g. to overtake) Option 1
f Increase the speed as usual with the 
accelerator.
When you ease off the accelerator, the 
previously saved value is set again.
Option 2
f Push operating lever forward (position  1) until 
the desired speed is reached.
The speed reached is maintained and stored 
when the lever is released.
Option 3
f Push lever slightly forwards (position 1 ) 
(a maximum of 10 times).
The speed is increased by 1 mph (1.6 km/h), 
each time the lever is pushed forwards.
Note on operation
Speed control operation is automatically interrupt-
ed if the speed is increased by more than approx. 
16 mph (25 km/h ) for lo nger than 20 seconds.
This green indicator light in the 
speedometer now indicates readiness  

Operation, Safety
85
Decelerating Option 1
fPull operating lever towards the steering wheel 
(position  2) until the desired speed is reached.
The speed reached is maintained and stored 
when the lever is released.
Option 2
f Briefly move lever towards the steering wheel 
(position 2 ) (a maximum of 10 times).
The speed is reduced by 1 mph (1.6 km/h), 
each time the lever is moved towards the 
steering wheel.
Vehicles with PDK
Downshifts are carried o ut to improve decelera-
tion (especially when driving downhill). 
Interrupting automatic speed control 
operation f Pull operating lever downwards briefly 
(position  3) or
f Operate brake or clutch pedal  or
f Switch PDK to selector lever position  N.
f Please see the chapter “PORSCHE DOPPEL-
KUPPLUNG (PDK)” on Page 174.
The speed driven before the interruption remains 
stored in the memory.
Automatic speed control operation is 
interrupted automatically: 
– If the set vehicle speed is exceeded by more  than approx. 16 mph (25 km/h) for longer than 
20 seconds.
– If the actual vehicle sp eed falls to approx. 
37 mph (60 km/h) below the set vehicle speed 
for longer than 60 seconds (upward slopes).
– For PSM control operations.
Resuming the stored speed f Briefly push operating lever upwards 
(position 4).
The speed control accelerates/decelerates 
the vehicle to the stored speed.
The stored speed should only be recalled when 
traffic conditions and the road surface so permit.Switching automatic speed control 
readiness off f Press button  A on the automatic speed control 
lever.
The green readiness light in the speedometer 
goes off.
Note
The stored speed value is cleared when the 
vehicle is parked and the ignition is switched off.
Important note 
On upward or downward slopes, the set speed 
cannot always be maintained by the automatic 
speed control. 
f To obtain sufficient engine braking or a better 
engine-speed range, a lo wer gear needs to be 
selected.