engine 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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2Throughout this booklet, left is designated as the 
driver's side of the vehicle, and right as the 
passenger's side of the vehicle.
Text, illustrations and specifications in this manual 
are based on the information available at the time 
of printing.
It has always been Porsche’s policy to continu-
ously improve its products. Porsche, therefore, 
reserves the right to make changes in design and 
specification, and to make additions or improve-
ments in its product wi thout incurring any obliga-
tion to install them on products previously manu-
factured.
We wish you many miles of safe and pleasurable 
driving in your Porsche.
 Important!
For your own protection and longer service life of 
your car, please heed all operating instructions 
and special warnings. These special warnings use 
the safety alert symbol, followed by the words 
Danger, Warning and Caution . These special 
warnings contain important messages regarding 
your safety and/or the potential for damage to 
your Porsche. Ignoring them could result in 
serious mechanical failure, serious personal injury 
or death. f
Do not alter your Porsche. Any alteration could 
create dangerous conditions or defeat safety 
engineering features built into your car.
f Do not misuse your Porsche. Use it safely, and 
consistently with the law, according to the 
driving conditions, and the instructions in this 
manual.
Alteration or misuse of your Porsche could 
cause accidents and seri ous personal injury 
or death.
Note to ownersIn Canada, this manual is also available in French. 
To obtain a copy contact  your dealer or write to:Note aux proprietairesAu Canada on peut se procurer un exemplaire de 
ce Manuel en français auprès du concessionaire 
ou du:
Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd.
Automobiles Porsche Canada, LTEE
5925 Airport Road
Suite 420
Mississauga, Ontario
Canada, L4V 1W1
Telephone number for customer assistance:
1-800-PORSCHE / Option 3
Setting and operating vehicle compon-
ents when driving
 Warning!
There is a danger of accident if you set or 
operate the on-board computer, radio, 
navigation system, telep hone or other equip-
ment when driving.
This could distract you from the traffic and 
cause you to lose control of the vehicle 
resulting in serious personal injury or death.
f Operate the components while driving only if 
the traffic situation allows  you to do so safely.
f Carry out any complicated operating or setting procedures only with the vehicle stationary.
Engine Exhaust
 Danger!
Engine exhaust is dangerous if inhaled.
Engine exhaust fumes have many compo-
nents which you can smell. They also contain 
carbon monoxide (CO), which is a colorless 
and odorless gas.
Carbon monoxide can cause unconscious-
ness and even death if inhaled.
f Never start or let the engine run in an en-
closed, unventilated area.
It is not recommended to sit in your car for 
prolonged periods with the engine on and the car not moving. 
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3
California Proposition 65 Warning
 Warning!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and 
certain vehicle components contain or emit chemi-
cals known to the State of California to cause 
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive 
harm.
In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and 
certain products of component wear contain or 
emit chemicals known to the  State of California to 
cause cancer and birth defects or other reproduc-
tive harm.Hot Exhaust Pipes
 Warning!
Risk of burn injury when standing near or 
coming into contact wi th the exhaust pipe.
The exhaust pipe is hot when the vehicle is running 
and remains hot for some time after the vehicle is 
turned off.
f To prevent injury, make a point of noting where 
your vehicle’s exhaust pipe is, avoid placing 
your legs near the exhaust pipe when loading 
and unloading cargo in the rear, and closely 
supervise children around the vehicle during 
time when the exhaust pipe could be hot.A hot exhaust pipe can cause serious burns.
Portable Fuel Containers
 Danger!
Portable fuel containers may leak, whether 
they are full or partially empty. Fuel leaking 
from a portable container carried in your 
vehicle could, in case  of an accident, cause 
a fire or explosion, resulting in serious 
personal injury or death.
f Never carry additional fuel in portable contai-ners in your vehicle.
Ground Clearance
 Caution!
Risk of damage. The  vehicle may touch the 
ground as a result of reduced ground clear-
ance.
f Drive carefully and slowly on steep slopes 
(e. g. parking lots, curbs, uneven roads, lifting 
platforms etc.).
fAvoid steep ramps.
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake 
(PCCB)f Please see the chapter “BRAKES” on 
Page 172.
The high-performance brake system is designed 
for optimal braking effect at all speeds and 
temperatures.
Certain speeds, braking forces and ambient condi-
tions (such as temperature and humidity) therefore 
might cause brake noises.
Wear on the different components and braking 
system, such as brake pads and brake discs, 
depends to a great extent on the individual driving 
style and the conditions of use and therefore 
cannot be expressed in actual miles on the road.
The values communicated by Porsche are based 
on normal operation adapted to traffic. Wear 
increases considerably when the vehicle is driven 
on race tracks or through an aggressive driving 
style.
f Please consult an authorized Porsche dealer 
about the current guidelines in effect before 
such use of your vehicle. 
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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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5
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. 
Page 9 of 343
Contents
7
Contents
Overview Illustrations......................... 10Driver’s Cockpit ...............................
............. 11
Steering Wheel and Inst rument Panel .............. 12
Dashboard .......................................... ......... 13
Front Center Console . ................................... 14
Overhead Operating Co nsole ......................... 15
Rear ............................................................ 16Opening and Locking ......................... 17Never invite car theft! . ................................... 18
Notes on the Key and Central Locking
System ......................... .............................. 19
Central Locking System ................................ 20
Brief Overview  – Opening and Locking
From Outside................................... ............. 21
Opening and Locking From  Outside ................ 22
Opening and Locking From  Inside................... 31
Opening and Closing the Engine
Compartment Lid ........ .................................. 33
Malfunctions When Open ing and Closing ......... 35Seats, Mirrors and Steering Wheel ..... 37Seat Adjustment and Head  Restraints ............. 38
Adjusting Front Seats . ................................... 39
Storing Vehicle Settin gs ................................ 40
Easy Entry Function .... .................................. 42
Adjusting Rear Seats ..................................... 42
Adjusting Passenger Seat  From Rear.............. 43
Front and Rear Heated  Seats ......................... 43
Front and Rear Seat Ventilation ...................... 44 Safety Belts..............
.................................... 44
Air bag Systems ....... .................................... 47
Child Restraint System s................................. 52
LATCH Child Seat Syst em.............................. 56
Exterior Mirrors ........ .................................... 58
Steering Wheel ......... .................................... 61
Heated steering whee l ................................... 61
Steering Wheel Adjust ment ............................ 62
Multi-Function Steering  Wheel......................... 63
Sun Visors .................... ................................ 64
Vanity Mirror ............. .................................... 64
Roll-Up Sunblinds, Rear Side Windows ............ 65
Roll-Up Sunblind, Rear Window ....................... 66
Air Conditioning .... ............................ 67Brief Overview – Front Control Panel ........ 68
Brief Overview – Rear Control Panel
(4-Zone Air-Conditioning) ................................ 69
Overview of Air Conditioning .......................... 70
General Functions ..... .................................... 71
Automatically Controlled Air Conditioning ........ 76
Air Vents ........................................... ........... 82
Heated Rear Window/Exterior Mirror
Heating ............................................. ........... 84Windows and Slide/Tilt Roof............... 85Power Windows ............................................ 86
Slide/Tilt Roof........... .................................... 88
Lights, Turn Signals and
Windshield Wipers. ............................ 91Automatic Driving Light Assistant/
Adaptive Light System ................................... 92
Instrument lighting ....... ................................. 95
Turn Signal/High Beam/Headlight
Flasher Stalk........... ...................................... 96
Emergency Flasher ...... ................................. 97
Interior Lighting............................ ................. 98
Brief Overview  – Windshield Wipers ............ 101
Windshield Wiper/Washer Stalk .................... 102Instrument Panel and
Multi-Function Display ..................... 105Instrument Panel USA Mo dels ...................... 107
Instrument Panel Canada Models.................. 109
Tachometer ..................... ........................... 110
Speedometer .................. ........................... 110
Multi-Function Display .................................. 110
Engine Oil Temperature  Gauge ..................... 110
Coolant Temperature Gauge ........................ 110
Engine Oil Pressure Ga uge .......................... 111
Fuel Gauge .................. ............................... 111
Digital Speedometer .... ............................... 112
Upshift Prompt Indicato r .............................. 112
Odometer........................ ........................... 112
Reset Button for Trip Counter Display/
Brightness Setting for In strument Lighting....  112
PDK Display for Selector-Lever Position/
Engaged Gear ................. ........................... 112
Battery/Alternator ........ ............................... 113 
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8
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 
Page 11 of 343
Contents
9
Battery....................................................... 303
External Power Supply, Jump-Lead
Starting...................... ................................ 306
Changing the Remote Control Battery ........... 307
Replacing Bulbs .......... ................................ 308
Headlights ...................... ............................ 308
Side Turn Signal Ligh t ................................. 312
Licence Plate Lights .... ................................ 313
Side Marker Light ... .................................... 313
Changing Light-Emitting Diodes and
Long-Life Bulbs ........... ...............................  314
Headlight Adjustment .. ................................ 314
Towing ....................................................... 316
Fire Extinguisher ......... ................................ 321Tire Pressure and Technical Data ..... 322Vehicle Identification Data ............................ 323
Engine Data................................................ 324
Wheels, Tires.............. ................................ 325
Tire Pressure for Cold Tires (68 °F/20 °C) .... 326
Weights...................................................... 328
Filling Capacities ......... ................................ 329
Driving Performance ... ................................ 329
Dimensions .................... ............................ 330Index .............................................. 331 
Page 13 of 343
Overview Illustrations
11
Driver’s Cockpit1. Door openerSee page 32.
2. Vehicle setting memory buttons See page 40.
3. Electric parking brake See page 171.
4. Steering wheel adjustment See page 62.
5. Overhead operating console See page 15.
6. Power windows See page 86.
7. Exterior-mirror setting See page 58.
8. Engine compartment lid release See page 33.
9. Diagnostic socket (OBD)
10.Light switch See page 92.
11.Ignition lock, steering lock See page 164.
12.Dimming of instrument lighting See page 95.
13.Seat adjustment See page 39.