winter tires PORSCHE 911 2009 5.G Owners Manual

Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
145
The tire pressure to be corrected (refill pressure)
is indicated on the displayed wheel.
Example: If “ –1.5 psi (–0.1 bar)” is displayed,
1.5 psi (0.1 bar) must be added to this tire.
Note
The tire pressure menu can only be called up when
the vehicle is stationary.
Calling up the “Info pressure” display
fPush operating lever forward in order to switch
on the selection field.
fSelect “TPM” with the operating lever.
fPush operating lever forward.
The display changes to the tire pressure menu.
fSelect “Info pressure” with the operating lever.
fPush operating lever forward.
Note
After the ignition is switched on, it can take up to
approx. 1 minute before all tire pressures are
displayed. Dashes (“-.-”) appear instead of the tire
pressures. Tire type info in Tire pressure menu
Information about the currently set tires:
– Tire type: Summer tires, winter tires
– Tire size: 18, 19 inch
“Info tires” shows the current tire settings.
Calling up the “Info tires” display
fPush operating lever forward in order to switch
on the selection field.
fSelect “TPM” with the operating lever.
fPush operating lever forward.
The display changes to the tire pressure menu.fSelect “Info tires” with the operating lever.
fPush operating lever forward.
Tire selection in the “Set” menu
fPush operating lever forward in order to switch
on the selection field.
fSelect “TPM” with the operating lever.

Practical Tips, Emergency Service
239
Danger!
Driving on worn tires can result in loss of con-
trol of the vehicle and could cause serious
personal injuries or death.
fDo not drive with worn tires or tires showing
cuts or bruises as they may lead to sudden
deflation and loss of control which could cause
severe personal injury.
fSpecialized high performance tires on high
performance sports cars exhibit more wear
than those on a family sedan, or even a high
performance sedan.
Therefore, it is important to check your tire
pressure and condition at least every two weeks.
If you notice that tires are wearing unevenly, con-
sult your Porsche dealer.
Uneven wear may not always be due to improper
wheel alignment. It can be the result of individual
driving habits such as cornering at high speeds. If
the tire pressure is not checked and adjusted
regularly, abnormal tire wear can also occur.
Tire care fAvoid damaging tires and wheel rims.
fIf you must drive over a curb or other obstacle,
drive slowly and at an obtuse angle.
fCheck tires for uneven wear and damage
before driving off.
fRemove imbedded material.
fReplace worn or damaged tires immediately.
fKeep oil, fuel, brake fluid, etc. away from tires.
fReplace missing valve stem caps.
fKeep tires inflated correctly.
fWash tires when washing the vehicle. Also
clean inner side of wheels.
fDo not use abrasive cleaners when washing
the wheels.
fCheck wheel rims for corrosion.
fRemove road salt, if driving in winter.
Tire damage, puncture High-pressure cleaning units can damage the
tires.
fPlease see the chapter “HIGH-PRESSURE
CLEANING UNITS, STEAM CLEANERS” on
Page 224.
fCheck tires for imbedded material, cuts, punc-
tures, cracks and bulges (side wall) before driv-
ing off.
In case of tire damage, where it is uncertain wheth-
er there is a break in the ply with all its conse-
quences or tire damage caused by thermal or me-
chanical overloading due to loss of pressure or
any other prior damage, we recommend that the
tire be replaced for safety reasons.
If one faulty tire is replaced it should be noted that
the difference in tread depth on one axle must not
exceed 30%.
Handling inconsistencies may result.
fPerform a visual inspection if necessary.

Practical Tips, Emergency Service
241
Parking at the curb
Warning!
Hard impacts against curbs (or traffic
islands) are dangerous and may cause hid-
den tire damage which is not noticeable until
later. Such damage can result in accidents at
high speeds causing serious personal injury
or death.
Depending on the force of impact, the edge
of the rim can also be damaged.
fIf you are in doubt, have the wheel checked by
an expert, particularly if you suspect damage
on the inside.
fIf you must drive over a curb or other obstacle,
drive slowly and at an obtuse angle. Exercise care when parking along curbs.
Wheel alignment, wheel balancing As a precaution, have wheels with summer tires
balanced in the spring, and those with mud and
snow tires before winter.
Unbalanced wheels may affect car handling and
tire life.
Only the specified weights may be used for wheel
balancing.
Self-adhesive weights must not come into contact
with cleaning agents, since they could drop off.
Uneven tread wear indicates wheel imbalance. In
this event, the vehicle should be checked at an au-
thorized Porsche dealer.
Warning!
If, during a trip, uneven running or vibrations
occur that could be caused by damage to
tires or the car, the speed must be reduced
immediately, but without braking sharply.
If you continue your trip without having the
cause of the fault remedied, you might lose
control of your vehicle which could cause se-
rious personal injury or death.
fStop the vehicle and check the tires.
fIf no cause for the fault can be found, drive
carefully to the nearest authorized Porsche dealer.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitoring
(TPM) sensorsBefore changing wheels, make sure that the
wheels are compatible with your vehicle's TPM.
fCheck this with your authorized Porsche
dealer.Removing and storing tires fAfter changing, adjust tire pressure and torque
wheel bolts diagonally to 94 ftlb (130 Nm).
Tires must always remain on the same side of
the vehicle.
When wheels are removed, the direction of
rotation and position of each wheel should be
marked.
Example
FR (front right), FL, RR and RL.
Wheels must always be fitted in accordance with
their marking.
The perception that tire durability and perform-
ance are immune to the effects of storage and
age is unfounded.
Chemical additives, which make the rubber elas-
tic, lose their effectiveness in the course of time
and the rubber becomes brittle and cracks.
Therefore, the tires should be inspected from
time to time.

242
Practical Tips, Emergency Service Note
Under no circumstances should tires older than 6
years be used on your Porsche.
The age of the tire can be obtained from the “DOT”
code number. If, for example, the last four num-
bers read 1208, then the tire was produced in the
12th week of 2008.
fStore tires in a cool and dry place.
Snow tires For a better grip on snow and ice, use radial M+S
tires with studs.
Check with your local Motor Vehicle Bureau for
possible restrictions.
Danger!
Risk of loss of control and damage to the
vehicle as well as serious personal injury or
death.
The standard tires profile and rubber mixture
are optimized for wet and dry driving condi-
tions, and may not prove favorable for snow
conditions.
fTherefore install M+S tires before driving in such conditions. Before mounting snow tires, consult with
your Porsche dealer. He has the technical
information necessary to advise you on
wheel and tire compatibility.
Snow tires should have the same load capacity as
original equipment tires and should be mounted on
all four wheels.
Snow tires with studs should be run at moderate
speeds when new in order to give the studs time
to settle.
Danger!
Tires with badly worn treads and studs are
very dangerous and could cause accidents
resulting in serious personal injuries or
death.
fMake sure they are replaced immediately.
fDo not drive a vehicle equipped with snow tires
at prolonged high speed.
Snow tires do not have the same degree of
traction on dry, wet or snowfree roads as a
normal tire.
Furthermore, snow tires wear rapidly under
these conditions.
Comply with all state and local laws
governing snow tire and tread depth
requirements.
Danger!
Risk of accident and serious personal injury
or death due to excessive speed.
fAlways check the maximum speed rating on
the tire sidewall on any tire on the vehicle.
fNever exceed the maximum speed rating of the tires.
fFit winter tires to both axles well before the
cold season begins.
Your authorized Porsche dealer will be pleased
to advise you.
Maintenance note
We recommend fitting snow tires on the vehicle at
temperatures below 45 °F (7 °C) since the driving
performance of summer tires is reduced at low
temperatures. Summer tires may be permanently
damaged at extremely low temperatures.
Winter tires lose their traction capability when their
tread depth falls below 5/32 in. (4 mm).

Practical Tips, Emergency Service
245
E Maximum Load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and pounds can
be carried by the tire. If you replace tires always
use a tire that has the same maximum load rating
as the factory installed tire.
FRadial
The identification indicates if the tire has radial
structure.
G Term of tubeless or tube tire
Identification for tubeless tires.Speed code letterThe speed code letter indicates the maximum per-
missible speed for the tire.
This code letter is shown on the tire sidewall.Tip on driving
Tires with a maximum speed rating that is lower
than the specified maximum vehicle speed may be
mounted only if they bear an M+S identification on
the tire sidewall.
fPlease note that in addition to the winter tires,
all-season and all-terrain tires are also subject
to speed limits and bear this identification.
Inscription on light alloy wheelsMaintenance note
fProtect the valve inserts against soiling with
valve caps.
Use only plastic valve caps.
Soiled valve inserts can cause a gradual loss
of air.
Note on operation
fThe rim width in inches A and the rim offset F
are visible from the outside.
The information is inscribed on the back of the
spokes near the tire valve.
A- Rim width in inches
B- Rim-flange contour code letter
C- Symbol for drop-center rim
D- Rim diameter in inches
E-Double hump
F- Rim offset in mm
T= up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H= up to 131 mph (210 km/h)
V= up to 150 mph (240 km/h)
W= up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y= up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
(Y)= up to 186 mph (300 km/h) as for
Y tires. Speeds of more than
300 km/h (186 mph) are also
possible at a maximum tire load
capacity of 85 % (confirmation from
tire manufacturer required for
speeds of more than 186 mph (300
km/h)).

308
Index Welcome Home Function............................... 81
Wheel .................................. 10, 235, 287, 288
Alignment ........................................... 241
Balancing ........................................... 241
Bolts .................................................. 248
Care .................................................. 235
Changing............................................ 251
Checking pressure .............................. 250
Inscription .......................................... 244
Loading information............................ 246
Securing bolts .................................... 248
Security wheel bolts ........................ 15, 96
Sidewall ............................................. 244
Size ................................................... 244
Tire pressure .............................. 236, 289
Tire pressure plate.............................. 285
Tire sealant ................................ 251, 252
Wheels
Assembly aids for wheel changes ......... 249
Care .................................................. 229
TPM sensors ...................................... 241
Windows ............................................ 181, 228
Anti-crushing protection ......................... 26
Care .................................................. 228
Opening/Closing ................................... 26
Washer nozzles .................................... 83
Washer system ..................... 83, 220, 290
Windshield
Washer nozzles .................................... 83
Wiper blades, changing ....................... 223
Wiper/washer lever ............................... 83
Windshield wipers ................................. 83, 223
Replacing ........................................... 223Windstop .................................................... 190
Installing ............................................. 190
Removing ........................................... 193
Winter operation
Battery ............................................... 263
Coolant .............................................. 207
Engine oil ........................................... 208
Jumper cables ............................ 267, 268
Locks................................................. 226
Seals ................................................. 229
Snow chains ....................................... 243
Tires .................................. 242, 287, 288
Washer fluid........................................ 220
Wiper blades....................................... 223
Wiper
Blades................................................ 223
Lever ................................................... 83
Rear..................................................... 84
Wiper blades
Care .................................................. 228
Changing ............................................ 223