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Shifting Gears
183
Depending on driving speed and engine speed,
you can shift up or down at any time.
Gear changes which would exceed the upper or
lower engine speed limit are not executed by the
controller.
There is no automatic upshift at the upper engine
speed limit in selector lever position M. Upshift
suppression can be cancelled by kickdown opera-
tion. If, for example, the engine speed limit is
reached during overtaking and the automatic
upshift does not occur, the transmission in this
case shifts up as a result of kickdown operation.
f Select an appropriately low gear on upward
and downward slopes.
This will ensure optimum use of engine power
and engine braking.
In order to shift up au tomatically at the upper
engine speed limit:
f Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle point (kickdown). Failure of the selector lever display on the
instrument cluster
The warning “Transmission emergency run” is
displayed in red on the on-board computer.
–Effect:
No selector lever position is displayed on the
instrument cluster.
Vehicle can be driven only until it comes to a
stop.
Remedy:
It is not possible to continue driving. Immedi-
ately stop the vehicle in a suitable place. Have
the vehicle towed to an authorized Porsche
dealer.
Please see the chapter “TOWING” on
Page 259.
Stoppingf For a brief stop (e.g. at a traffic light), leave the
selector lever in drive position and hold the
vehicle with the brake pedal.
f Do not hold the car on a slope using the
accelerator. Use the brake pedal or the
handbrake instead.
f Before leaving the vehicle, always apply the
handbrake and move the selector lever to
position P.Parkingf Go easy on the accelerator!
f When parking or manoeuvring in a small
space, control the speed by careful use of the
footbrake.Driving in winterIn wintry road conditions it is advisable to take
steep inclines in manual mo de. This prevents gear
changes occurring that could cause wheelspin.Tow-starting, towingf Please see the chapter “TOWING” on
Page 259.
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Shifting Gears
Reduced driving programIf there is a fault in the transmission
– Depending on priority, the warning “Transmis-sion emergency run” in white or red lettering or
the warning “Transmission temperature too
high” is displayed on the on-board computer.
Warning “Transmission emergency run” white
– Effects: Restricted gearshift comfort,
Reverse gear may not function.
Remedy:
Have the fault repaired immediately at an
authorized Porsche dealer. Warning “Transmission emergency run”
red
– Effect: Vehicle can be driven only until it comes to a
stop.
Remedy:
It is not possible to continue driving. Immedi-
ately stop the vehicle in a suitable place. Have
the vehicle towed to an authorized Porsche
dealer.
Warning “Transmission temperature too high”
–Effects: “Warning jerks” can be felt when driving off and
the engine power may be restricted.
Remedy:
Do not hold the vehicle with the accelerator on
a hill, for example. Hold the vehicle with the
brake. Reduce engine load. If possible, stop
the vehicle in a suitable place. Allow the engine
to run in selector lever position P or N until the
warning disappears.
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Maintenance, Car Care
185
Maintenance, Car Care
Exercise Extreme Caution when Working
on your Vehicle ......
................................... 186
Coolant Level ......... ................................... 187
Engine Oil ............. ................................... 188
Engine Oil Level .... ................................... 189
Engine Oil Recommenda tion ....................... 190
Brake Fluid Level .... ................................... 192
Fuel Economy ............. .............................. 194
Operating your Porsche in other Countries .. 194
Fuel Recommendation s .............................. 196
Portable Fuel Containe rs ........................... 197
Fuel Evaporation Control ........................... 197
Emission Control Syst em ........................... 198
How Emission Control Works ..................... 199
Washer Fluid .......... ................................... 200
Power Steering ............ .............................. 201
Air Filter ................ ................................... 201
Combination Filter .. ................................... 201
Fluids/Oils for Manual Transmission
and Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) ............ 201
Wiper Blades ........ ................................... 202
Car Care Instructions ................................ 203
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Maintenance, Car Care
Exercise Extreme Caution when
Working on your Vehicle
Danger!
Ignoring the following instructions may
cause serious personal injury or death.
f The engine compartment of any motor vehicle
is a potentially hazardou s area. If you are not
fully familiar with proper repair procedures, do
not attempt the adjustments described on the
following pages.
This caution also applies to the entire vehicle.
f O n l y w o r k o n y o u r v e h i c l e o u t d o o r s o r i n a w e l l
ventilated area.
f Ensure that there are no open flames in the
area of your vehicle at any time when fuel
fumes might be present. Be especially cau-
tious of such devices such as hot water heat-
ers which ignite a flame intermittently.
f Before working on any part in the engine com-
partment, turn the engine off and let it cool
down sufficiently. Hot engine compartment
components can burn skin on contact.
f Be alert and cautious around engine at all
times while the engine is running.
If work has to be performed with the engine
running, always set the parking brake, and
make sure the shift lever is in neutral position
or the PDK selector lever in position P or N . f
In particular, be very careful to ensure that
items of clothing (ties, shirt, sleeves etc.),
jewelry, long hair, hand or fingers cannot get
caught in the engine-compartment blower, fan,
belts or other moving parts.
The radiator and radiator fans are in the front
of the car.
The engine-compartment blower is mounted in
the engine-compartment.
The fans can start or continue running as a
function of temperature, even with the engine
switched off.
Carry out work in these areas only with the en-
gine off, the ignition switched off, and exercise
extreme caution.
f Your Porsche is equipped with an electronic ig-
nition system. When the ignition is on, high
voltage is present in all wires connected with
the ignition system; therefore, exercise ex-
treme caution when working on any part of the
engine while the ignition is on or the engine is
running.
f Always support your car with safety stands if it
is necessary to work under the car.
f When working under the car without safety
stands but with the wheels on the ground,
make sure the car is on level ground, the
wheels are blocked, and that the engine
cannot be started.
Remove the ignition key. f
Do not smoke or allow an open flame around
the battery or fuel.
Keep a fire extinguisher in close reach.
f Incomplete or improper servicing may cause
problems in the operation of the car. If in doubt
about any servicing, have it done by your
authorized Porsche dealer.
Improper maintenance during the warranty
period may affect your Porsche warranty cov-
erage.
f Supplies of fluids, e.g. engine oil, brake fluid or
coolant, are hazardous to your health.
Keep these fluids out of children’s reach and
dispose of them in accordance with the appro-
priate regulations.
f Some countries require additional tools and
special spare parts to be carried in your vehi-
cle.
Please make enquiries before driving abroad.
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Maintenance, Car Care
187
Coolant LevelfPlease see the chapter “EXERCISE EXTREME
CAUTION WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE”
on Page 186.
The cooling system is filled at the factory with a
permanent coolant.
It provides year-round protection from corrosion
and freezing down to –31 °F/–35 °C .
f Only use antifreeze authorized by Porsche. Checking coolant level The expansion tank with its filler orifice is located
in the rear luggage comp artment under the serv-
ice flap.
f Check the coolant level regularly.
When the engine is cold and the car is level the
fluid level must lie between the “MIN” and “MAX”
markings.
Topping off coolant
Warning!
Danger of serious personal injury or death
from scalding. Coolant is hazardous to your
health, and may be fatal if swallowed.
f Do not open the cap of the expansion tank
while the engine is hot.
f Allow the engine to cool down before opening
the cap and protect your hands, arms and face
from any possible escape of hot coolant.
f Keep coolant out of children’s reach.
f Also, keep coolant away from your pets.
They can be attracted to it should there be a
spill, or to used coolant left in an open contai-
ner. Coolant can be deadly to pets if consu-
med.
Risk of damage from overflowing coolant.
f Take care while topping off coolant not to soil the luggage compartment or items of luggage.
1. Switch engine off and let it cool. Please see the chapter “COOLING SYSTEM” on
Page 88. 2. Press catch button on the service flap and
open flap.
3. Cover the expansion tank cap with a thick rag. Open cap slowly and ca refully and allow over-
pressure to escape.
Then unscrew cap completely.
4. Only add a mixture of antifreeze and water in
equal parts, and do not exceed the ”Max.“
mark.
Antifreeze in coolant:
50% gives protection down to –31 °F/–35 °C
60% gives protection down to –58 °F/–50 °C
5. Screw cap firmly on.
6. Close service flap.
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Maintenance, Car Care
If in an emergency pure water has been added, the
mix ratio must be corrected at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Marked loss of coolant in
dicates leakage in the
cooling system.
The cause should immediately be remedied at an
authorized Porsche dealer.
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.
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 consumptio n 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 moisture, 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.
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Maintenance, Car Care
189
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 186.
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 161.
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).
Topping off engine oil
Warning!
Engine oil is hazardous to your health and
may be fatal if swallowed.
f Keep engine oil out of children’s reach.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have
caused cancer in laboratory animals.
f Always protect your skin by washing thorough-ly with soap and water. Caution!
Risk of damage from overflowing engine oil.
f Take care while checking and topping up
engine oil not to soil the luggage compartment or items of luggage.
Note
The Check Engine warning light may light up if the
cap of the oil filler opening is opened while the
engine is running.
The oil inlet opening is located in the rear luggage
compartment under the service flap.
1. Measure the oil level and read off the required top-up quantity on the on-board computer.
2. Switch off the engine. 3. Press catch button on the service flap and
open flap.
4. Unscrew the oil filler cap.
5. Add at most 0.5 quarts (0.5 liter) of engine oil at a time.
Never add more engine oil than required
to reach the max. mark.
6. Close oil filler cap until you feel it reach its end position.
7. Measure oil level again with the on-board computer. Switch off the engine.
8. If necessary, repeat the process and add more engine oil as required.
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Maintenance, Car Care
Engine Oil RecommendationPorsche recommends .
The right oil for your vehicle.1) Generally, you can find details of the
manufacturer approvals on the oil containers or as
a notice displayed by the retailer.
The current approval status is also available from
your Porsche partner.2) SAE viscosity class - Example: SAE 0W - 40
Specification 0W = Visc osity specification for
low temperatures (winter).
Specification 40 = Viscosity specification for
high temperatures.3) For all temperature ranges.4) For the temperature range over --13 °F (--25 °C).Always observe the following points:
– Use engine oils approved
by Porsche only. This
is a precondition for optimum and problem-free
operation of your vehicle.
– Regular oil changes are part of servicing. It is important that the service intervals,
particularly the oil change intervals, are
observed in accordance with the specifications
in the “Maintenance” booklet.
– Oils approved by Porsche can be mixed with each other.
– Porsche engines are designed so that no oil additives may be used.
– A label is located in the engine compartment, which provides you with information on suitable
oil for your engine.
Your Porsche partner will be pleased to
advise you.
Oil changeThe engine oil has to be changed regularly at the
intervals listed in your Maintenance Schedule .
f Please see the chapter “CAPACITIES” on
Page 271.
We recommend that you have the engine oil
changed at your Porsche dealer, who has the re-
quired oils and the necessary filling equipment.
If you suspect an oil leak in the engine have your
dealer check it out immediately.
All current engine oils are compatible with each
other, i.e. when making an oil change it is not nec-
essary to flush the engine if you wish to use a dif-
ferent brand or grade of oil.
Since, however, each brand of oil has a special
composition, you should, if possible, use the
same oil brand if it becomes necessary to top up
between oil changes.
Porsche engines have long intervals between oil
changes. You can make best use of these long oil
change intervals by usin g multigrade oils since
these are largely independent of seasonal fluctua-
tions in temperature.
Complies with
approval
1)
Viscosity class
2)
Porsche A40 SAE 0W - 40
3)
SAE 5W - 40
4)
SAE 5W - 50
4)