PORSCHE CAYMAN 2009 1.G Owners Manual
Page 131 of 284
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
129
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)Indicator for PDK selector lever position 
and engaged gearWhen the engine is running, the selector lever 
position and the engaged forward gear are 
indicated in gates D or M.
Warning messagesIf the selector lever is between two positions
–Effects:
The corresponding selector lever position 
flashes on the instrument cluster  and the 
warning “Selector lever  not engaged” appears 
on the on-board computer.
Remedy:
Operate the footbrake and engage the 
selector lever properly.
If 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
f Effects: 
Restricted gearshift comfort,
Failure of reverse gear.
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 co ntinue 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 fe lt when driving off and 
the engine power may be restricted.
Remedies:
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.
f Please see the chapter “REDUCED DRIVING 
PROGRAM” on Page 184.
f Please see the chapter “PORSCHE DOPPEL-
KUPPLUNG (PDK)” on Page 178. 
Page 132 of 284
130
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
Level gage
 
When the ignition is on the fuel level is displayed.
f Please see the chapter “CAPACITIES” on 
Page 271.
If the vehicle’s inclination changes (e.g. going up 
or downhill), minor deviations in the indication may 
occur.  Note
If a small quantity of fuel
 is added to a nearly emp-
ty fuel tank, the fuel ga ge cannot measure the add-
ed fuel accurately. The „remaining range“ readout 
will also be incorrect.
Warning light “A” When the engine is running, the warning light  
of the level gage  lights up if less than approx. 
2.6 U.S. gallons (10 liters) of fuel remains in the 
tank.
Additionally, a warning is displayed in the on-board 
computer. 
f Fill up at the next opportunity. 
 Caution!
To prevent damage to the emission control 
system and engine. 
f Never drive the tank completely out of fuel. 
f Avoid high cornering speeds after the warning lights have come on. 
f Please see the chapter “EMISSION CONTROL 
SYSTEM” on Page 198. If the level gage warning light flashes
, there 
has been a system fault.
Additionally, a warning is displayed in the on-board 
computer.
There will then be no reserve warning. 
f To remedy the fault, go to an authorized 
Porsche dealer. 
Fuel 
Page 133 of 284
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
131
A- Adjustment button for clock
B - Clock 
C - Outside temperature displayClock The  clock  is blanked out approximately four min-
utes after the ignition is switched off or when the 
car is locked.
Setting the time 
 Warning!
Risk of loss of control  or accident, resulting 
in serious personal injury or death. 
f Do not reach through the steering-wheel spokes while driving. 
f Switch ignition on.
Setting hours 
f Press adjustment button  A for about one sec-
ond.
Hour display flashes. 
f Turn button in the appropriate direction:
to right – increase hours figure
to left – decrease hours figure.
Adjustment in hours – turn button briefly 
Fast adjustment (display cycles) – 
turn and hold button. 
Setting minutes 
f Press adjustment button again.
Minutes display flashes. 
f Set by rotating as in hours mode.  Leaving adjustment mode 
Automatically after one minute 
or: 
f Press adjustment button again.
When adjustment mode is deliberately left by 
pressing the button, the time begins precisely to 
the second. 
Note
The time mode can be  changed between 12h and 
24h in the on-board computer. 
Outside Temperature The outside temperature display  C does not indi-
cate, if ice is on the road. 
Even if a temperature above 32 °F (0 °C) is dis-
played, ice may still form  on the road, for instance 
on bridges or when the road passes through a 
heavily shaded area.  
Page 134 of 284
132
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
If the battery voltage drops abruptly, a warning 
m e s s a g e  w i l l  b e  d i s p l a y e d  b y  t h e  o n - b o a rd  c o m p u -
ter.
If the warning is displayed by the on-board 
computer while the engine is running or while 
driving: 
f
Stop the car in a safe place and stop the 
engine. 
Possible causes 
– Defect in the battery charging system. 
– Broken drive belt. 
 Warning!
Risk of engine damage with resultant loss of 
control and accident, leading to serious per-
sonal injury or death.
A broken drive belt means there is no power 
assistance to the steering (more effort is re-
quired to steer) and coolant pump function 
will stop. 
f Do not continue driving. 
f Have the fault remedied at the nearest author-ized Porsche dealer.  The central warning light on the instrument panel 
lights up if there are warning messages in the 
INFO menu.
The messages can be called in the on-board 
computer INFO menu:
f
Please see the chapter “INFO WARNING MES-
SAGES” on Page 140. The warning light on the instrument panel lights 
up:
– if the handbrake is on,
– if the brake fluid level is low,
– if the brake pads have 
reached the wear limit,
– if the brake circuit division is defective.
Additionally, a warning is displayed by the on-
board computer.
f Please see the chapter “WARNINGS ON THE 
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ON-BOARD 
COMPUTER” on Page 166.
Battery
Central Warning Light
Brake Warning Light USA
Brake Warning Light Canada 
Page 135 of 284
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
133
Check Engine
(Emission Control)The emission control system detects malfunctions 
early that could, for example, cause increased 
pollutant emissions or consequential damage.
Faults are indicated by a continuously lit or 
flashing instrument panel warning light.
The faults are recorded in the control unit's fault 
memory.
The warning light in the instrument panel lights up 
when the ignition is switched on as a bulb check 
and goes out approx. 4 seconds after the engine 
starts. If the warning light does not light up, have 
the bulb replaced promptly.
The warning light in the instrument panel flashes to 
indicate operating states (e.g. engine misfiring) 
which might cause damage to certain parts of the 
emission control system.
fIn this case, immediately reduce the engine 
load by easing off the accelerator.
f In order to avoid consequential damage to the 
engine or emission control system (e.g. cata-
lytic converter), have the fault diagnosed and 
rectified immediately at the nearest authorized 
Porsche dealer. If the warning light in the 
instrument panel lights up 
permanently without flashing before and remains 
on while driving, it suggests:
– a potential engine control problem and the  need for system service  or
– an improperly fastened tank cap  or
– the vehicle was refueled while the engine was  running.
f Stop immediately at a suitable and secure 
place and check tank cap for proper fastening. 
If tank cap was fastened correctly, see your au-
thorized Porsche dealer for service as soon as 
possible.
 Caution!
If the check engine warning light in the in-
strument panel is flashing, serious catalytic 
converter damage and power loss will soon 
occur.
Prolonged driving with the check engine war-
ning light on could cause damage to the 
emission control system. It also could affect 
fuel economy and driveability.
f Have the fault remedied at the nearest authorized Porsche dealer immediately.
Warning Light  
Page 136 of 284
134
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
On-Board Computer (BC)Display fieldThe display field is beneath the tachometer.Readiness for operation– With ignition switched on,
– with engine running.
Operation, controlsIt is not possible to describe all details of the on-
board computer functions in this Owner’s Manual.
However, the examples will quickly familiarize you 
with the operational principle and help you to 
navigate through the menu structure.
You can restore the factory default settings at any 
time by using the “SET” menu.
Operating leverThe on-board computer is operated with the lower 
left lever on the steering column.
Selecting functions of the on-board 
computer
f Push lever up 3  or down 4.
Confirming selection (Enter)
f Push the lever forward 1 .
Moving back one or several selection levels
f Pull the lever back  2 once or several times  or
f  Select the arrow on the on-board compu-
ter display with the operating lever and push 
the operating lever forward  1.
Note
You can always return to the basic menu by pulling 
the operating lever several times.
5 - Button for voice control
f Please refer to the separate operating 
instructions for Porsche Communication 
Management (PCM). 
Page 137 of 284
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
135
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. 
Page 138 of 284
136
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
D - Switching selection field “D” on or off
f
Push operating lever forward or back. E - Arrow symbol for continuation
Arrow symbol: 
f
Push operating lever down in order to page 
through the menu.
Arrow symbol: 
f Push operating lever up in order to page 
through the menu. The following menus are available, depending on 
vehicle equipment:
1. LIMIT
2. INFO
3. TEL
4. CHRONO
5. AUDIO
6. NAVI
7. OIL
8. TPM
9. SET 
Page 139 of 284
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
137
LIMIT
Acoustic warning signal for speed limitThe acoustic warning signal can be activated for 
speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).
The signal sounds when the preset speed is ex-
ceeded.
For the signal to sound again, the driving speed 
must fall below the preset speed by at least 
3 mph (5 km/h).
Switching on selection field “D”
f Push operating lever forward.
Setting the speed
fSelect LIMIT with the operating lever. f
Push operating lever forward. 
Page 140 of 284
138
Instruments, On-Board Computer, Warnings
Option 1:
Accepting current speed
f
Push operating lever forward.
The acoustic warning signal is activated for the 
current speed.
If the vehicle is stationary, the message “Cannot 
be accepted with car stopped” is displayed. Option 2:
Presetting speed
f
Select “LIMIT active” with the operating lever:
f If “not active”, push the operating lever for-
ward. f
Select “xx mph” with the operating lever.
f Push operating lever forward.
Display:
not active
active