Changing PORSCHE BOXSTER 2006 2.G User Guide

136
Controls, Instruments
A - Continuous opening and closing
B - Setting vent direction Central and side ventsfRotate thumb wheel upward.
fRotate thumb wheel downward.
Changing air flow directionfSwivel the vent fins in the desired direction.
Outside air or conditioned air can be delivered
from all vents depending on the air-distribution
setting.
Opening vents
Closing vents
Fresh-air intakeIn order to ensure unhindered air intake:
fKeep the fresh-air intake between the
windshield and the luggage compartment lid
free from snow, ice and leaves.

Controls, Instruments
155
Car Audio Operation/Tips For radio operation see your radio manual
which is included with your on-board
literature.
fPlease observe the chapter “LOAD SWITCH-
OFF AFTER 2 HOURS OR 7 DAYS” on Page
246. FM reception A vehicle is not an ideal place to listen to a radio.
Because the vehicle moves, reception conditions
are constantly changing.
Buildings, terrain, signal distance and noise from
other vehicles are all working against good recep-
tion.
Some conditions affecting FM may appear to be
problems when they are not.
The following characteristics are completely nor-
mal for a given reception area, and they do not in-
dicate any problem with the radio itself.
Note
Electronic accessories should only be installed by
your authorized Porsche dealer.
Equipment which has not been tested and appro-
ved by Porsche may impair radio reception. Fading and drifting
FM range is limited to about 25 miles (40 km), ex-
cept for some high power stations.
If a vehicle is moving away from the desired stati-
on’s transmitter, the signal will tend to fade and/or
drift. This condition is more prevalent with FM than
AM, and is often accompanied by distortion.
Fading and drifting can be minimized to a certain
degree by careful attention to fine tuning or selec-
tion of a stronger signal.
Static and fluttering
When the line-of-sight link between a transmitter
and vehicle is blocked by large buildings or moun-
tains, the radio sound may be accompanied with
static or fluttering because of the characteristic of
FM.
In a similar effect, a fluttering noise is sometimes
heard when driving along a tree-lined road.
This static and fluttering can be reduced by adjus-
ting the tone control for greater bass response un-
til the disturbance has passed. Multipath
Because of the reflecting characteristics of FM, di-
rect and reflected signals may reach the antenna
at the same time (multipath) and cancel each other
out.
As a vehicle moves through these electronic dead
spots, the listener may hear a momentary flutter
or loss of reception.
Station swapping
When two FM stations are close to each other, and
an electronic dead spot, such as static or multi-
path area, interrupts the original signal, someti-
mes the stronger second signal will be selected
automatically until the original one returns.
This swapping can also occur as you drive away
from the selected station and approach another
station of a stronger signal.

162
Shifting Gear
Manual Transmission, ClutchThe positions of the gears are shown on the shift
diagram on the gearshift lever.
Warning!
Risk of accident.
fDo not obstruct the pedal travel with floor mats
or other objects.
Nonskid floor mats of the correct size are
available at your authorized Porsche dealer.
To avoid damage to the clutch and transmis-
sion:
fAlways depress the clutch pedal fully when
changing gears. Make sure that the gearshift
lever is completely engaged.
fOnly shift into reverse when the car has come to a complete stop.fWhen shifting gears, always ensure that the
clutch pedal is fully depressed and the gear
has fully engaged.
fSelect reverse only when vehicle is stationary.
fSelect an appropriately low gear on upward
and downward slopes.
This will ensure optimum use of engine power
and engine braking.
When reverse gear is selected and the ignition is
on, the backup lights are illuminated.
Permitted engine speedfYou should change into a higher gear before
the needle reaches the red mark on the ta-
chometer, or ease off the accelerator.
If the red zone is reached during acceleration, fuel
feed is interrupted.
Caution!
Risk of engine damage (overrevving) when
shifting down to a lower gear.
fTake care not to exceed the maximum permit-ted engine speed when shifting down.

Shifting Gear
163
Tiptronic SThe Porsche Tiptronic is a five-speed transmission
with an “automatic” and a “manual” selection
mode.
In automatic selection mode (selector lever po-
sition D), gear changing is automatic.
You can change temporarily from automatic to
manual mode using the rocker switches on the
steering wheel.
In manual selection mode (selector lever posi-
tion M), you change gear using the rocker switch-
es on the steering wheel.
You can change between selector lever position D
and M as you wish while driving.
Note
Take care not to operate the rocker switches on
the steering wheel inadvertently in either auto mat-
ic or manual mode, thereby triggering undesired
gear changes.Keylock positionThe ignition key can be withdrawn only in selec-
tor lever position P.
Changing the selector lever positionThe selector lever is locked with the ignition key
withdrawn.
The selector lever can be moved from position P
or N only with:
– the ignition switched on,
– the brake pedal pressed and
– the release button pressed.Release button
The release button (arrow) in the selector lever
prevents unintentional gear changes.
The release button must be pressed when shifting
to position R or P.
StartingThe engine can be started only if the brake pedal
is depressed and the selector lever is in position
P or N.Moving offfOnly select the desired position for moving off
(D, M or R) when the engine is idling and the
brake pedal is depressed.
fSince the vehicle creeps when in gear, do not
release the brake until you want to move off.
fAfter selecting a gear, do not accelerate until
you can feel that the gear is engaged.

Shifting Gear
165
Selector Lever Positions P – Parking lock fSelect only when car has been stopped.
fEngage parking lock after applying the hand-
brake and release it before releasing the hand-
brake.
The ignition key can be withdrawn only in
selector lever position P. R – Reverse fSelect only when car has been stopped and
the brake is applied. N – Neutral Selector lever position N must be selected for to-
wing or in car washes, for example.
fSelect the desired position for moving off (D,
M or R) only when the engine is idling and while
depressing the brake pedal.
D – Automatic selection mode fSelect position D for “normal” driving. The ge-
ars are shifted automatically according to the
accelerator position and speed.
Depending on the way the vehicle is driven and on
the resistance (e.g. uphill), the gear-changing
points are shifted towards higher or lower engine-
speed ranges.
The accelerator position, driving speed, engine
speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration and
the road profile all have an influence on the gear-
changing characteristic.
Unwanted upward shifts, e.g. before bends, are
prevented by swiftly releasing the accelerator pe-
dal.
Depending on lateral acceleration, upward shifts
on bends are not made until the engine-speed limit
is reached.
Under braking, and depending on the amount of
deceleration, the Tiptronic shifts down earlier.
For subsequent cornering, the right gear is enga-
ged when pressure is applied to the brakes before
the bend.
The bend is taken in the right gear, and when you
accelerate out of the bend you do not have to shift
down. Sport mode switched on
fPlease observe the chapter “SPORT MODE” on
Page 63.
If the Sport mode programme is switched on,
Tiptronic switches to a sporty gear-changing map
and shortens the shifting periods.
Deceleration downshifts are commenced earlier.
Downshifts are already carried out in the case of
slight decelerations, even at higher engine
speeds.
Driving off
In 2nd gear, the vehicle drives off with the throttle
only slightly open.
Drive off in 1st gear with the throttle open wider
or when the engine is cold.

166
Shifting Gear Shifting gear on the steering wheel
With the toggle switches on the steering wheel,
you can change temporarily from automatic
selection mode D to manual mode M.
Advantages:
– Shifting down before bends and on entering bu-
ilt-up areas.
– Shifting down on downward slopes (engine bra-
king).
– Shifting down for brief spurts of acceleration.
– Selecting 1st gear for moving off.
The manual selection mode remains engaged:
– for cornering (depending on the lateral
acceleration) and overrunning,
– when the vehicle is stationary
(e.g. at a junction).
The system leaves manual selection mode:
– automatically after approx. 8 seconds
(unless cornering or overrunning),
– if you depress the accelerator to kickdown,
– after moving off. Temporary change-down
Conditions:
Speed is higher than approx. 33 mph (54 km/h).
fDepress accelerator quickly.
The Tiptronic changes temporarily to the spor-
tiest gear-changing map, i.e. to the highest
possible gear-changing points. Correspondin-
gly, the transmission shifts down immediately
by one or two gears.
Ending the function:
fRelease the accelerator markedly. Kickdown
The kickdown function is active in selector lever
position D, even if you temporarily change to ma-
nual mode M using the toggle switches on the
steering wheel.
fFor optimum acceleration, e.g. when overta-
king, depress the accelerator pedal beyond
the full-throttle point (kickdown).
The transmission shifts down depending on the
speed of travel and engine speed.
Upward shifts occur at the highest possible engine
speeds.
These gear-changing speeds remain active until
the accelerator is released to approx. 80% of the
wide open throttle position.

Shifting Gear
167
M - Manual Selection Mode The currently selected gear is retained if you
change from D to M.
If you shift from M to D, the gear-changing map
suitable for your current driving style is selected
and the appropriate gear is selected.
Warning!
The kickdown function is not active in manual
selection mode “M”.
fTherefore shift down manually when accelera-ting (e.g. to overtake). Two toggle switches in the upper steering-wheel
spokes let you comfortably and reliably select the
five forward gears.
Shifting up
fPress upper part (+) of a toggle switch.
Shifting down
fPress lower part (–) of a toggle switch.
Depending on driving speed and engine speed,
you can shift up or down at any time.
Gear changes which would exceed the upper or lo-
wer engine-speed limit are not executed by the
controller.
You can shift down two gears at once by quickly
pressing the toggle switches twice.
If the engine-speed limit is reached, an auto matic
upward shift is performed or, just before idling
speed is reached, a downward shift is performed.
fSelect an appropriately low gear on upward
and downward slopes.
This will ensure optimum use of engine power
and engine braking. If manual mode fails, the control electronics
switch to automatic mode. In this event, the
instrument cluster will display selector lever posi-
tion D.
fTo remedy the fault, please consult an authori-
zed Porsche dealer.
PSM switched off and/or Sport mode
switched on
fPlease observe the chapter “SWITCHING OFF
PSM” on Page 65.
fPlease observe the chapter “SPORT MODE” on
Page 63.
If the PSM is switched off and/or Sport mode is
switched on, an automatic upshift does not occur
when the engine speed limit is reached.
Cancelling upshift suppression
The restriction can be cancelled for one gear
change by depressing the accelerator to
kickdown. 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 by accelerating to kickdown.
fDepress the accelerator pedal beyond the
full-throttle point (kickdown).

Maintenance, Car Care
185
Wiper BladesfWhen wiper performance deteriorates, replace
the wipers.
fPlease observe the chapter “CAR CARE IN-
STRUCTIONS” on Page 209.
Caution!
Risk of damage if the wiper arm accidentally
falls back on to the window.
fAlways hold the wiper arm securely when re-
placing the wiper blade.
Risk of damage if wiper blades that are fro-
zen in place are loosened improperly.
fThaw the wiper blades before loosening them.
Maintenance note
If the wiper blades rub or squeak, this can be as a
result of the following:
– If the vehicle is washed in an automatic car
wash, residues may adhere to the windshield.
These residues can only be removed using a
special cleaning solution.
Please contact your authorized Porsche dealer
for further information.
– The wiper blades may be damaged.
fReplace damaged wiper blades as soon as
possible.
Changing windshield wiper blades
Caution!
Risk of damage.
If a wiper blade is not changed properly, it
can come loose when the car is moving.
fCheck whether the wiper blade is seated
securely.
The wiper blade must engage the wiper arm properly.
1. Apply the handbrake.
2. Switch the wipers off (position 0) and remove
the ignition key.
3. Fold windshield wiper arm away from the
windshield.
A- Passenger’s side, curved wiper blade
B- Driver’s side, wiper blade with spoiler4. Press together the plastic spring of the wiper
blade (right arrow).
Pull wiper blade out of wiper arm.
5. Insert new wiper blade until you feel it engage.
Ensure that the new wiper blade is inserted
into the wiper arm in the same position:
– direction of the spoiler on the driver side,
– curvature on the passenger side.
6. Carefully fold wiper arm back onto the wind-
shield.

Maintenance, Car Care
193
Changing the brake fluid Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air over ti-
me. This accumulation of water lowers the boiling
point and, under certain operating con ditions,
can affect the braking action.
Therefore have the brake fluid changed in accor-
dance with the change intervals stated in the bro-
chure “Maintenance”. The brake-fluid warning lights in the instrument pa-
nel and on-board computer indicate:
– brake-fluid level too low,
– in conjunction with large pedal travel, braking-
circuit failure.
If the warning lights should light up while
driving:
fStop immediately in a suitable place.
fDo not continue driving.
Please have the fault remedied at your nearest
authorized Porsche dealer.
Warning light USA
Warning light Canada

Maintenance, Car Care
211
Convertible top
fNever remove snow and ice using a sharp
edged object.
Incorrect care and treatment can damage the con-
vertible top and cause leaks. Any repair work can
be done by your authorized Porsche dealer.
Important note
No folding top is 100% leak proof.
Due to the constant changing of loads and strains
to which a car is subject to when driving on roads,
minor wind noise and seepage at joints between
the top, body and doors on convertible tops can-
not be completely sealed in certain areas. There-
fore small leaks are considered normal for these
models. In addition, your convertible top should
not be washed in a car wash. The top may experi-
ence damage by the brushes or may experience
leaks due to the high pressure water streams di-
rected in areas which would not encounter water
in normal driving conditions. Cleaning
Caution!
Risk of damage due to the cleaning jet of the
high-pressure cleaning equipment or hot wax
treatment.
fDo not clean the convertible top with high-
pressure cleaning equipment.
fDo not use the hot wax treatment.
Do not wash the convertible top each time the car
is washed.
It is usually sufficient to spray or wash it with clean
water.
fBrush dust off the convertible top in the direc-
tion of the weave using a soft brush.
fOnly if there is heavy dirt, wet the convertible
top with lukewarm water and the Porsche
Wash-Shampoo & convertible-top cleaner,
using a sponge or soft brush, and rub gently.
Rinse Wash-Shampoo & convertible-top clea-
ner thoroughly off the convertible top with
clean water.
fAfter washing it, treat the convertible-top cover
at least once a year with the special Porsche
convertible-top care product.
Do not allow the convertible-top care product
to come into contact with paint or windows. If
it does, remove immediately. fIf there is leakage in the convertible-top cover
or at its seams or folds, the special Porsche
convertible-top care product can be used.
fPlease note the information on the container.
fRemove bird droppings immediately since the
acid in them will make the rubber swell and the
convertible top will become leaky.
fOpen convertible top only when it is completely
dry, otherwise damp stains and scrub marks
may occur which cannot be removed.
fTry to remove spots from the convertible-top
cover by rubbing carefully with a soft rubber
sponge.