
10
Before driving off...
Break in hints for the first 
2,000 miles/3,000 kilometers The following tips will be helpful in obtaining opti-
mum performance from your new Porsche. 
Despite the most modern, high-precision manufac-
turing methods, the moving parts must still wear 
in with each other. This we aring-in occurs mainly in 
the first 2,000 miles/3,000 kilometers.Therefore: f Preferably take longer trips. 
f Avoid frequent cold starts with short-distance 
driving whenever possible. 
f Avoid full throttle starts and abrupt stops. 
f Do not exceed maximum engine speed of 
4,200 rpm (revolutions per minute).
f Do not run a cold engine at high rpm either in 
Neutral or in gear. 
f Do not let the engine labor, especially when 
driving uphill. Shift to  the next lower gear in 
time (use the most favorable rpm range). 
f Never lug the engine in high gear at low 
speeds. This rule applies at all times, not just 
during the break-in period. f
Do not participate in  motor racing events, 
sports driving schools, etc. during the first 
2,000 miles/3,000 kilometers.
There may be a slight stiffness in the steering, 
gear-shifting or other controls during the break-in 
period which will gradually disappear. 
Break in brake pads and brake discsNew brake pads and discs ha ve to be “broken in”, 
and therefore only attain  optimal friction when the 
car has covered several hundred miles or km.
The slightly reduced braking ability must be com-
pensated for by pressing the brake pedal harder. 
This also applies whenev er the brake pads and 
brake discs are replaced. New tires New tires do not have maximum traction. They 
tend to be slippery. 
f Break in new tires by driving at moderate 
speeds during the first 60 to 120 miles/100 to 
200 km. Longer braking distances must be an-
ticipated. 
Engine oil and fuel consumption During the break-in peri od oil and fuel consump-
tion may be higher than normal. 
As always, the rate of oil consumption depends on 
the quality and viscosity of oil, the speed at which 
the engine is operated, the climate and road con-
ditions, as well as the amount of dilution and oxi-
dation of the lubricant. 
f Make a habit of checking  engine oil with every 
refueling, add if necessary. 

Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
123
Tachometer The tachometer shows the engine speed in revolu-
tions per minute (rpm). 
The beginning of the red marks at the right end of 
the scale indicates the maximum permissible en-
gine rpm. 
A speed limiter prevents the engine from being 
overrevved during acceleration. Before reaching 
this area, the next  higher gear should be select-
ed. 
Shift to the next lower  gear when the engine rpm 
drops below 1,500 rpm. 
 Caution!
To avoid severe engine damage. 
f Always observe the engine rpm before down-
shifting to a lower gear, so you do not exceed the maximum engine rpm. 
Flashes in synchronism with the turn signals. 
Left arrow – left turn signals
Right arrow – right turn signals 
f If the frequency of the display becomes notice-
ably faster, check the operation of the turn sig-
nals.
Lights when high beam or headlight flasher is 
switched on.
The indicator light goes out when the high beams 
are switched off. 
The indicator light flashes in the event of cornering 
light failure.
Gear Shift Indicator(in vehicles with manual transmission)The consumption-orientated gear shift indicator  A 
on the display panel of the on-board computer 
assists a fuel-saving driving style. The gear shift 
indicator lights up as a  recommendation to shift 
up to the next-higher gear depending on the 
selected gear, engine rpm and accelerator pedal 
position.
f When the gear shift indicator A  lights up, 
change to the next higher gear to decrease 
fuel consumption.
Turn Signal Indicator Light 
High Beam Indicator Light 

Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
131
A- Digital speedometer
B -Central display
C - Bottom displayFunctions and display possibilitiesNote
The available items and displays in the on-board 
computer depend on the equipment of your vehi-
cle. For this reason it is possible that some of the 
items and displays shown here are not available in 
your on-board computer. Basic setting
– Central display: .... Radio station
The central line 
B of the on-board computer can 
be selected in the SET menu.
Calling on-board computer functions in 
display “C”
f Push operating lever up or down 
(selection field  D must be switched off).
The following displays can be called step by step:
– Average speed (ø mph),
– Average consumption (ø mpg),
– Range on remaining fuel (mls  ),
– Tire pressure
– Navigation information (if activated in the SET menu).
Note
The values “Average speed”, “Average consump-
tion” and “Daily trip mileag e” can be reset to zero 
in the SET menu. 

Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
159
SET
Basic setting on on-board computerSwitching on selection field “D”
fPush operating lever forward.
Changing the basic sett ing of the on-board 
computer
f Select “SET” with the operating lever.
f Push operating lever forward.
f Select the desired function with the operating 
lever: Reset
– Reset all,
Reset average consumption,
Reset average speed,
Reset trip counter
Units
– Speedometer: km - km/h, miles - mph
– Consumption: l/100 km, mls/gal (USA), mpg (UK), km/l
– Temperature: °Celsius, °Fahrenheit
– Tire pressure: bar, psi Display
(Select central line of the on-board 
computer)
– Change display
Audio information (set radio station)
Range on remaining fuel
Empty
– Te l e p h o n e  I n f o
When Telephone informat ion is active, incom-
ing telephone calls are displayed on the on-
board computer. 

160
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
Navigation
– Integrated in the BC
(Navigation instructions can be recalled on the 
on-board computer display)
– When turning off (Navigation instructions are only shown before 
changing direction)
Basic setting
– Restore the basic setting of the on-board com- puter
Language
– Select language version 12/24h mode
Select time mode:
– 12h (small squares on the right side of the time 
display for AM/PM),
–24h
Light
USA only:
Switch daytime driving lights on and off.  f
Please see the chapter “DAYTIME DRIVING 
LIGHTS” on Page 78.
f Please see the chapter “DAYTIME DRIVING 
LIGHTS” on Page 80.
General information regarding the 
on-board computer functionsRange on remaining fuel
The range on remaining fuel is continuously recal-
culated during the journey based on the fuel level, 
current consumption and average consumption.
The more the fuel level falls, the more spontan-
eously the display reacts. For this reason, the 
range on remaining fuel is not displayed if less 
than 9 miles (15 kilometers).
If the vehicle's inclination changes while driving or 
refueling, incorrect range information may tempo-
rarily be given.
Note
If the tank is nearly empty and you top up with only 
a small quantity of fuel,  an accurate range on re-
maining fuel is impossible.
Daytime driving lights 
(daytime driving lights switched off)
Daytime driving lights 
(daytime driving lights switched on) 

Maintenance, Car Care
199
Engine Oil It is important to perform oil changes regularly in 
accordance with the intervals specified in the 
“Maintenance” booklet.
Engine oil consumption 
It is normal for your engine to consume oil. 
The rate of oil consumption depends on the quality 
and viscosity of oil, the speed at which the engine 
is operated, the climate, road conditions as well 
as the amount of dilution and oxidation of the 
lubricant. 
If the vehicle is used for repeated short trips, and 
consumes a normal amount of oil, the engine oil 
measurement may not show any drop in the oil 
level at all, even after  600 miles (1,000 km) or 
more. This is because the oil is gradually becom-
ing diluted with fuel or mo isture, making it appear 
that the oil level has not changed. 
The diluting ingredients evaporate out when the 
vehicle is driven at high speeds, as on an express-
way, making it then appear that oil is excessively 
consumed after driving at high speeds. 
If the conditions you drive your vehicle in are 
dusty, humid, or hot, the frequency of the oil 
change intervals should be greater.  If the vehicle is driven at a high rate of speed, 
climatic conditions are warm, and the load is high, 
the oil should be checked more frequently, as 
driving conditions will determine the rate of oil 
consumption.
– The engine in your vehicle depends on oil to 
lubricate and cool all of its moving parts. 
Therefore, the engine oil should be checked 
regularly and kept at the required level. 
– Make it a habit to have the engine oil level  checked at every fuel filling. 
– The oil pressure warning light is not an oil level  indicator. 
The oil pressure warning light indicates serious 
engine damage may be occuring when lit, if en-
gine rpm is above idle speed.
Engine Oil Level f Please see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME 
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE” 
on Page 196.
f Regularly check the oil level using the on-board 
computer after the vehicle is refuelled.
Please see the chapter “OIL DISPLAY AND 
MEASUREMENT OF THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL” 
on Page 157.
The difference between the minimum and maxi-
mum marks on the segment display is approx. 
1.3 quarts (1.25 liters).
Each segment of the display corresponds to ap-
prox. 0.42 quart (0.4 liter). 

204
Maintenance, Car Care
Fuel Economy Fuel economy will vary depending on where, 
when and how you drive, optional equipment 
installed, and the general condition of your 
car. 
A car tuned to specifications and correctly 
maintained, will help you to achieve optimal 
fuel economy. 
fHave your vehicle tuned to specifications.
Air cleaner should be dirt free to allow proper 
engine “breathing”.
Battery should be fully charged.
Wheels should be properly aligned.
Tires should be inflated at correct pressure. 
f Always monitor your fuel consumption. 
f Drive smoothly, avoid abrupt changes in speed 
as much as possible. 
f Avoid jack rabbit starts and sudden stops. 
f Do not drive longer than necessary in the lower 
gears. Shifting into a higher gear early without 
lugging the engine will help save fuel. 
f Prolonged “warm up” idling wastes gas. Start 
the vehicle just before you are ready to drive. 
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. 
f Switch off the engine if  stationary for longer 
periods.  f
Any additional weight carried in the vehicle re-
duces fuel economy. Always keep cargo to a 
minimum and remove all unnecessary items. 
f Organize your trips to take in several errands 
in one trip. 
f All electrical accessories contribute to in-
creased fuel consumption. 
f Only switch on the air conditioning when neces-
sary. 
f Do not drive with the Ro of Transport System 
mounted unless you need it.
The EPA estimated mpg. is to be used for 
comparison purposes, actual mileage may 
be different from the estimated mpg., 
depending on your driving speed, weather 
conditions and trip length. Your actual 
highway mileage will probably be less than 
the estimated mpg. 
f Please observe all local and national speed 
limits. 
Operating your Porsche in other 
Countries Government regulations in  the United States and 
Canada require that automobiles meet specific 
emission regulations and safety standards. There-
fore, cars built for the U.S. and Canada differ from 
vehicles sold in other countries. 
If you plan to take your  Porsche outside the conti-
nental limits of the United  States or Canada, there 
is the possibility that 
– unleaded fuel may not be available; 
– unleaded fuel may have  a considerably lower 
octane rating. Excessive engine knock and se-
rious damage to both engine and catalytic con-
verters could result; 
– service ma y be inadequa te due to  lack of prop- er service facilities, tools or diagnostic equip-
ment; 
– replacement parts may not be available or very  difficult to get.
Porsche cannot be responsible for the 
mechanical damage that could result 
because of inadequate fuel, service or parts 
availability. 
If you purchased your Porsche abroad and want to 
bring it back home, be sure  to find out about ship-
ping and forwarding requirements, as well as cur-
rent import and customs regulations.  

Practical Tips, Emergency Service
249
Battery The battery is located in the front luggage 
compartment under a black plastic cover.
f Please see the chapter “EMERGENCY OPERA-
TION – PULLING OUT THE IGNITION KEY” on 
Page 74.
f Please see the chapter “EMERGENCY UNLO-
CKING OF THE FRONT LUGGAGE COMPART-
MENT LID” on Page 248.
 Warning!
Risk of short circuit, fire and damage to alternera-
tor and electronic control units, resulting in seri-
ous personal injury or death. 
f Observe all warning notes on the battery. 
f Disconnect the negative terminal on the bat-
tery during all work on  the electrical system.
f Do not lay tools or other metal objects on the 
battery as they could cause a short circuit 
across the battery terminal.
Hydrogen gas generated by the battery 
could cause an explosion, resulting in 
serious personal injury or death. 
f Do not expose the battery to an open flame, 
electrical spark or a lit cigarette.
f Do not wipe battery with a dry cloth.
Risk of serious personal injury or death and 
damage to the fabric, metal or paint.  f
Wear eye protection. 
f Do not allow battery acid to come in contact 
with your skin, eyes, fabric or painted 
surfaces. 
f If you get electrolyte, which is an acid, in your 
eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with 
cold water for several minutes and call a doc-
tor. 
f Spilled electrolyte must be rinsed off at once 
with a solution of baki ng soda and water to 
neutralize the acid.
Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds, 
chemicals known to the State of California to 
cause cancer and reproductive harm. 
f Always protect your skin by washing thorough-
ly with soap and water.
Risk of explosion as a result of static charge, 
resulting in serious personal injury or death.
f Do not wipe the battery with a dry cloth.
f Eliminate potential electrostatic charge by 
touching the vehicle before touching the bat-
tery.
Charge state A well-charged battery prevents starting problems 
and has a longer service life.
Traffic density, requirements regarding noise, ex-
haust gas and fuel consumption reduce the engine 
speed and, hence, the alternator output.
However, the large number of electrical loads has 
markedly increased the demand for electrical po-
wer.
In order to avoid discharging the battery 
unintentionally: 
f Switch off unnecessary electrical loads in city 
traffic, on short trips or in a line or traffic.
f Always remove the ignition key from the igni-
tion switch when leaving the car. 
f Avoid frequent operation of the convertible top 
and operation of the Porsche Communication 
Management system and audio system when 
the engine is not running.
f In the cold season in particular or if the vehicle 
is used primarily for short journeys, it may be 
necessary to recharge the battery from time to 
time.