check engine light PORSCHE PANAMERA 2009 1.G Information Manual
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1
Dear Owner,We would like to thank you for your purchase of a 
Porsche Panamera. Judging by the car you have 
chosen, you are a motorist of a special breed, and 
you are probably no novice when it comes to 
automobiles.
Remember however, as with any vehicle, you 
should take time to familiarize yourself with your 
Porsche and its performance characteristics. 
Always drive within your own unique capabilities as 
a driver and your level of experience with your 
Porsche. Ensure that anyone else driving your 
Porsche does the same. To prevent or minimize 
injury, always use your safety belts. Never 
consume alcohol or drugs before or during the 
operation of your vehicle.
This Owner’s Manual contains a host of useful 
information. Please take the time to read this 
manual before you drive your new Porsche. 
Become familiar with the operation of your 
Porsche car for maximum safety and operating 
pleasure. The better you know your Porsche, the 
more pleasure you will experience driving your 
new car.
Always keep your Owner’s Manual in the car, and 
give it to the new owner if you ever sell your 
Porsche. A separate Maintenance Booklet
 explains how 
you can keep your Porsche in top driving condition 
by having it serviced regularly. 
A separate Warranty and Customer Informa-
tion Booklet  contains detailed information about 
the warranties covering your Porsche.
For U.S. only:
If you believe that your vehicle has a fault which 
could cause a crash, injury or death, you should 
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to 
notifying Porsche Cars North America, Inc. 
(Porsche Cars N.A.).
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open 
an investigation, and if it finds that a safety 
problem exists in a group of vehicles, it may order 
a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA 
cannot become involved in individual problems 
between you and your dealer, or Porsche Cars 
N.A..
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety 
Hotline toll-free at 1–888–327–4236 (TTY:
1–800–424–9153); go to
http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: Adminis-
trator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590.
You can also obtain other information about motor 
vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.
Your car has thousands of parts and components 
which have been designed and manufactured in 
accordance with Porsche’s high standards of 
engineering quality and safety.
 Warning!
Any alteration or misuse of the vehicle can 
lead to accidents and serious or fatal 
personal injuries. 
Any alteration of the vehicle may negate or 
interfere with those safety features built into 
the vehicle. Modifications may be carried out 
on your vehicle only if approved by Porsche.
Your Porsche is intended to be used in a safe 
manner obeying the local laws and in the 
light of driving conditions faced by you, and 
in accordance with the instructions provided 
in this Owner’s Manual. 
f Do not misuse your Porsche by ignoring those 
laws and driving conditions, or by ignoring the instructions in this manual. 
Regularly check your vehicle for signs of 
damage. 
Damaged or missing aerodynamic compon-
ents such as spoilers or underside panels 
affect the driving behavior and therefore 
must be replaced immediately.
Your car may have all or some of the components 
described in this manual. 
Should you have difficulty understanding any of 
the explanations of features or equipment installed 
in your vehicle, contact  your authorized Porsche 
dealer. They will be glad to assist you. Also check 
with your dealer on other available options or 
equipment. 
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4Dear Porsche Owner,A lot has gone into the manufacture of your 
Porsche, including advanced engineering, rigid 
quality control and demanding inspections. These 
engineering and safety features will be enhanced 
by you…the safe driver…– who knows her/his car and all controls,
– who maintains the vehicle properly,
– who uses driving skills wisely and always drives within her/his own capabilities and the 
level of familiarity with the vehicle.
You will find helpful hints in this manual on how to 
perform most of the checks listed on the following 
pages. If in doubt, have these checks performed 
by your authorized Porsche dealer.
Before driving off…Check the following items firstf Turn the engine off before you attempt any 
checks or repairs on the vehicle.
f Be sure the tires are inflated correctly. 
Check tires for damage and tire wear.
f See that wheel bolts are properly tightened 
and not loose or missing.
f Check engine oil level, add if necessary. Make 
it a habit to have engine oil checked with every 
refueling.
f Check all fluid levels such as windshield 
washer and brake fluid levels.
f Be sure the vehicle battery is well charged and 
cranks the engine properly.
f Check all doors and lids for proper operation 
and latch them properly.
f Check and if necessary replace worn or 
cracked wiper blades.
f See that all windows are clear and unobst-
ructed.
f Check air intake slots and area between 
engine compartment lid and windshield. 
Ensure that these areas are free of snow and 
ice, so the heater and the windshield wipers 
work properly. f
If a child will be riding  in the vehicle, check 
child seat/child seat restraint system to ensure 
that restraints are properly adjusted.
f Check all exterior and interior lights for opera-
tion and that the lenses are clean.
f Check the headlights for proper aim, and if 
necessary, have them adjusted.
f Check under the vehicle for leaks.
f Be sure all luggage is stowed securely.
Emergency equipmentIt is good practice to  carry emergency equipment 
in your vehicle. 
Some of the items you should have are: window 
scraper, snow brush, container or bag of sand or 
salt, emergency light, small shovel, first-aid kit, 
etc. 
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In the driver’s seat…fCheck operation of the horn.
f Position seat for easy reach of foot pedals and 
controls.To reduce the po ssibility of injury from 
the air bag deployment, you should always sit 
back as far from the steering wheel as is 
practical, while still maintaining full vehicle 
control.
f Adjust the inside and outside rear view mirrors.
f Buckle your safety belts.
f Check operation of the foot and electric 
parking brake.
f Check all warning and indicator lights with 
ignition on and engine not running.
f Start engine and check all warning displays for 
warning symbols.
f Never leave an idling car unattended.
f Lock doors from inside, especially with 
children in the car to prevent inadvertent 
opening of doors from inside or outside. Drive 
with doors locked.
On the road…fNever drive after you have consumed alcohol 
or drugs.
f Always have your safety belt fastened.
f Always drive defensively. 
Expect the unexpected.
f Use signals to indicate turns and lane changes.
f Turn on headlights at dusk or when the driving 
conditions warrant it.
f Always keep a safe distance from the vehicle in 
front of you, depending on traffic, road and 
weather conditions.
f Reduce speed at night and during inclement 
weather.
Driving in wet weather requires caution and 
reduced speeds, particularly on roads with 
standing water, as the handling characteristics 
of the vehicle may be impaired due to hydro-
planing of the tires.
f Always observe speed limits and obey road 
signs and traffic laws.
f When tired, get well off the road, stop and take 
a rest. Turn the engine  off. Do not sit in the 
vehicle with engine idling. 
Please see the chapter “ENGINE EXHAUST” on 
Page 2. f
When parked, always put the electric parking 
brake on  and put the PDK selector lever in 
position P.
On hills also turn the front wheels toward the 
curb.
f When emergency repairs become necessary, 
move the vehicle well off the road. Turn on the 
emergency flasher and use other warning 
devices to alert other motorists. Do not park 
or operate the vehicle in areas where the hot 
exhaust system may come in contact with dry 
grass, brush, spilled fuel or other flammable 
material.
f Make it a habit to have the engine oil checked 
with every refueling. 
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6Break in hints for the first 
2,000 miles (3,000 kilometers)The following tips will be helpful in obtaining 
optimum 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 km).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 or 
other controls during the br eak-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 
compensated for by pressing the brake pedal 
harder. This also applies whenever the brake pads 
and brake discs are replaced.New tiresNew 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 
anticipated.
Engine oil and fuel consumptionDuring the break-in peri od oil and fuel consump-
tion may be higher than normal.
f Please see the chapter “ENGINE DATA” on 
Page 324.
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 
conditions, as well as the  amount of dilution and 
oxidation of the lubricant.
f Make a habit of checking  engine oil with every 
refueling, add if necessary. 
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Contents
Check Engine (Emission 
Control) .................. 114
Acoustic Signals ......... ................................ 114
Operating the Multi-Function Display in the
Instrument Panel ......... ................................ 115
Vehicle Settings on the Multi-Function
Display........................................... ............ 138
Overview of Warning Messages.................... 152
Driving and Driving Safety ................ 163Ignition Lock, Steering  Lock ........................ 164
Starting and Stopping the Engine ................. 167
Auto Start Stop Functi on ............................. 169
Electric Parking Brak e ................................. 171
Brakes .............. ......................... ................ 172
Cruise Control ................................ ............ 176
Adaptive Cruise Contr ol ............................... 178
Car Audio Operation/Ti ps ............................ 189
Porsche Communication Management
(PCM) ............................ ............................ 191
iPod
®, USB and AUX ....... ............................ 192
Voice Control.............. ................................ 192
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) .................... 193
Selector-Lever Positions .................. ............ 195
Porsche Traction Management (PTM) ........... 202
Porsche Stability Management (PSM)............ 202
ABS Brake System (Anti-Lock Brake
System) ......................... ............................ 207
Porsche Active Suspension Management
(PASM)....................................................... 208
Porsche Active Suspension Management
(PASM) with Air Suspension and Level
Control ............. ......................... ................ 209
Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) .... 211
“Sport” and “Sport Plus ” Mode  .................... 212 Sports Exhaust System
............................... 214
Retractable Rear Spoi ler .............................. 214
Storage, Luggage Compartment
and Roof Transport System .............. 217Storage........................ .............................. 218
Drinks Holder/Cuphold er ............................. 221
Front Ashtray ................ .............................. 224
Rear Ashtray...................................... ......... 224
Cigarette Lighter....... .................................. 225
Refrigerated box in the re ar of the vehicle..... 226
Folding Rear Seats Forward and Returning
to Upright Position ......................... ............. 226
Luggage Compartment. ............................... 227
Stowing Loads .............. .............................. 228
Luggage Compartment  Cover ...................... 229
Fixed Luggage Compartm ent Cover ............. 231
Ski Bag ........................ .............................. 231
Roof Transport System ............................... 232
Loading Information .. .................................. 236Parking .................... ....................... 238ParkAssist ......................................... ......... 239
Rearview Camera ...... .................................. 241
Swivelling Down Mirror Glass as
Parking Aid ............... .................................. 242
Garage Door Opener . .................................. 243Alarm System and Theft
Protection ....................................... 246Alarm System and Passenger
Compartment Monitori ng ............................. 247
Immobilizer............... .................................. 250 Locking the Steering Column .......................250
Theft Protection ..........
................................250
Maintenance and Car Care ............... 251Exercise Extreme Caution when Working
on your vehicle ....... ....................................252
Engine Oil ........................................ ...........254
Checking Engine-Oil Le vel ............................254
Topping Up Engine Oi l ................................ 255
Checking Coolant Level and Adding
Coolant ........................... ...........................257
Brake Fluid ................. ................................258
Washer Fluid  .............. ................................259
Power Steering  .......... ................................260
Changing Air Cleaner ...................................261
Changing Particle Filt er ................................261
Wiper Blades .............. ................................261
Emission Control Syst em .............................262
How Emission Control Works .......................263
Fuel Economy ............. ................................264
Operating Your Porsche in other Countries ....264
Fuel ............................................ ...............265
Fuel Can ..................... ................................267
Fuel Recommendations ................................268
Fuel Evaporation Control .................. ...........269
Car Care Instructions ...................................269Minor Repairs .................................. 277Exercise Extreme Caution when Working
on your Vehicle ....... ....................................278
Tires and Wheels......... ................................280
Wheel Bolts  ............... ................................293
Flat Tire...................... ................................293
Electrical System ........ ................................296 
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Seats, Mirrors and Steering Wheel
51
Note
fAfter switching on the ignition, the 
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF warning light lights 
up for a few seconds as a check.
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp 
lights up
The passenger’s air bags are switched off.
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp 
does not light up
The passenger’s air bags are active and ready for 
operation.
 Danger!
Risk of serious personal  injury or death due 
to the passenger air bag triggering 
unintentionally.
When the ignition is on and the up to one-
year old child is seated  in the child restraint 
system on the passenger seat the indicator 
lamp “PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF“ must be 
on. 
If the “PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” indicator 
lamp does not light up, it could indicate a 
fault in the system, and the air bag could 
inflate in a collision, placing the child at risk 
of death or severe injury from the inflating air 
bag.
In this case:
f Fasten the child restraint system on one of the 
rear seats immediately.
f Have the fault remedied at your nearest authorized Porsche dealer. Faults are indicated by a warning light in the 
instrument panel.
The air bag warning light illuminates when the 
electronic monitoring of the air bag system 
detects a malfunction of the
 sensors, safety belt 
system, occupant detection system, PASSENGER 
AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp, related wiring, air bag 
modules and control units.
f In the following cases you should 
immediately consult an authorized 
Porsche dealer in order to assure the air 
bag system is functioning properly:
– If the warning light does not light up when the  ignition is switched on  or
– If the warning light does not go out once the  engine is running or  
– If the warning light appears while driving.
Warning light 
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Instrument Panel and Multi-Function Display
105
Instrument Panel and Multi-Function Display
Instrument Panel USA 
Models...................... 107
Instrument Panel Canada Models ................. 109
Tachometer ................. .............................. 110
Speedometer ............... .............................. 110
Multi-Function Displa y ................................. 110
Engine Oil Temperatur e Gauge .................... 110
Coolant Temperature  Gauge ....................... 110
Engine Oil Pressure  Gauge.......................... 111
Fuel Gauge .................. .............................. 111
Digital Speedometer ................................... 112
Upshift Prompt Indica tor ............................. 112
Odometer .................... .............................. 112
Reset Button for Trip Counter Display/
Brightness Setting for Instrument Lighting ...  112
PDK Display for Selector-Lever Position/
Engaged Gear.............. .............................. 112
Battery/Alternator ... ................................... 113
Check Engine (Emission Control) ................. 114
Acoustic Signals ..... ................................... 114
Operating the Multi-Function Display in the
Instrument Panel .......... .............................. 115
Vehicle Settings on the Multi-Function
Display ............................................ .......... 138
Overview of Warning Messages ................... 152 
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Instrument Panel and Multi-Function Display
107
ATa c h o m e t e r
B Speedometer
C Multi-function display
D Engine oil temperature gauge
E Coolant temperature gauge
F Engine oil pressure gauge
G Fuel gauge
H Digital speedometer
I Upshift prompt indicator
J Odometer
K Reset button for trip counter display/
Brightness setting for instrument panel
L PDK indicator for selector-lever position/
engaged gear
Instrument Panel USA ModelsWarning and indicator lights on the 
tachometer Warning and indicator lights on the 
speedometer
Emission control warning light
(Check Engine)
Air bag warning light
Seat belt warning light
PSM warning light
PSM OFF warning light
ABS warning light
Turn signal, left
Turn signal, right
Brake warning light
High beam indicator light
Electric parking brake warning light
Rear fog light indicator light
HOLD function indicator light
Low beam indicator light
Adaptive light system warning light
Tire pressure warning light 
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Instrument Panel and Multi-Function Display
109
ATa c h o m e t e r
B Speedometer
C Multi-function display
D Engine oil temperature gauge
E Coolant temperature gauge
F Engine oil pressure gauge
G Fuel gauge
H Digital speedometer
I Upshift prompt indicator
J Odometer
K Reset button for trip counter display/
Brightness setting for instrument panel
L PDK indicator for selector-lever position/
engaged gear
Instrument Panel Canada ModelsWarning and indicator lights on the 
tachometer Warning and indicator lights on the 
speedometer
Emission control warning light
(Check Engine)
Air bag warning light
Seat belt warning light
PSM warning light
PSM OFF warning light
ABS warning light
Turn signal, left
Turn signal, right
Brake warning light
High beam indicator light
Electric parking brake warning light
Rear fog light indicator light
HOLD function indicator light
Low beam indicator light
Adaptive light system warning light
Tire pressure warning light 
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110
Instrument Panel and Multi-Function Display
A – TachometerThe start of the red zone on the tachometer or 
rev-counter scale is a visual warning of the 
maximum permissible engine speed.
If the red zone is reached  during acceleration, fuel 
feed is interrupted in order to protect the engine.B – SpeedometerThe analogue display  B is located on the left next 
to the tachometer in the instrument panel.C – Multi-Function DisplayFor information on the multi-function display:
f Please see the chapter “OPERATING THE 
MULTI-FUNCTION DISPLAY IN THE 
INSTRUMENT PANEL” on page 115.
D – Engine Oil Temperature GaugeA warning message will appear on the multi-
function display in the  instrument panel if the 
engine oil temperature is too high.
f Reduce engine speed and engine load 
immediately if the red zone is reached.
For information on warning messages on the 
multi-function display:
f Please see the chapter “OVERVIEW OF 
WARNING MESSAGES” on page 152.E – Coolant Temperature GaugeIf the cooling system is in any way faulty, consult 
a qualified specialist workshop. We recommend 
that you have an authorized Porsche dealer to do 
this work, as they have the trained workshop 
personnel and the necessa ry parts and tools for 
this type of work.
Pointer in the lower area – engine cold
f Avoid high engine speeds and heavy 
engine loading.
Pointer in the middle – normal operating 
temperature
Pointer may move up to the red area when engine 
is heavily loaded and outside temperature is high.
Coolant temperature warningThe temperature gauge warning light will 
illuminate if the coolant  temperature is too high.
The warning message “Engine temperature too 
high” will also appear on the multi-function display 
in the instrument panel.
f Switch off engine and allow to cool. 
f Check radiators and air guides in front end of 
vehicle for obstructions.
f Check the coolant level.
Top up with coolant if necessary.
f Have the fault corrected.
f Please see the chapte r “CHECKING COOLANT 
LEVEL AND ADDING COOLANT” on page 257.
f Please see the chapter “OVERVIEW OF 
WARNING MESSAGES” on page 152.
Note on operation
To prevent excessive temperatures, the cooling 
air ducts must not be obstructed by covering 
them (e.g. with film, “stone guards”, etc.).