ESP PORSCHE BOXSTER 2006 2.G User Guide

46
Controls, Instruments
Function of the airbag systemThe front airbags are triggered during a frontal col-
lision of sufficient force and direction.
In the event of a side impact of corresponding
force, the side airbag on the impact side is
triggered.
The inflation process generates the amount of gas
required to fill the airbags at the necessary pres-
sure in fractions of a second.
Airbags protect the head and upper body, while si-
multaneously damping the motion of the driver
and passenger in the impact direction in the event
of a frontal impact or side impact.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module. This module will record the
use of the seat belt restraint system by the driver
and passenger when the airbags and/or belt ten-
sioner work.Advanced Airbag
Your vehicle is equipped with a weight sensing sys-
tem for the passenger's seat in accordance with
U.S. Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dard 208.
Depending on the weight acting on the passen-
ger's seat, the passenger's airbag will automati-
cally be switched on and off.
Depending on the angle and force of impact, the
passenger's airbag which is activated will be trig-
gered during a collision.
Precondition for switching the passenger's airbag
on and off, depending on weight:
– Vehicles equipped with key-operated airbag de-
activation device:
Switch position AUTO.
– Ignition key is inserted.

Controls, Instruments
61
ABS Brake System
(Antilock Brake System) The ABS system represents a major contribution
to the enhancement of active safety in your vehic-
le. This system prevents the wheels from locking
in a panic stop on almost all road surfaces. With the ABS system in your vehicle, the fol-
lowing areas are enhanced:
Steering, vehicle remains steerable under all bra-
king forces when ABS is engaged.
Good directional control, no swerving caused
by locking of wheels under braking conditions.
Shorter stopping distance, stopping distances
are usually reduced because controlled braking is
maximized.
Prevention of wheel lock up, no brake- induced
sliding and thus no localized tire wear from emer-
gency braking.
The crucial advantage of the ABS system over a
conventional brake system is in the area of
maintaining directional control and maneuverabili-
ty of the car in emergency situations during nor-
mal driving, including panic braking in turns.
Warning!
The increased control that is provided should
not induce you to take greater risks with your
safety. The limits dictated by the laws of phy-
sics cannot be overcome, even with ABS.
The risk of accidents due to inappropriate
speed cannot be reduced, even by the ABS.
The driver bears the responsibility for all dri-
ving maneuvers.
fAdapt your driving style to the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
fObey all traffic laws.
Other vehicles not equipped with the ABS
system may not be able to maintain control,
especially on wet or poor road surfaces and
thus may be more likely to impact you from
behind.
fTo minimize that risk, use your ABS system to
increase your ability to maneuver to avoid dan-
gerous situations and not merely to try to stop in the shortest distance possible.

Controls, Instruments
63
Sport ModeA sportier car set-up is obtained when Sport mode
is switched on. Interventions by the Porsche
control systems are intentionally shifted towards
greater agility and driving performance.
– PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Manage-
ment) is automatically changed to Sport mode,
resulting in a stiffer suspension setup.
– The Tiptronic S switches to a sporty gear-
changing map and shortens the gear shifting
periods. Gear changes take place faster.
– PSM (Porsche Stability Management) control is
sporty. PSM interventions take place later than
in Normal model. The driver can manoeuvre
the vehicle with greater agility at its perform-
ance limits, without having to dispense with the
assistance of PSM in emergency situations.
– The electronic accelerator pedal reacts
sooner, and the engine is more responsive to
throttle inputs. When Sport mode is switched
on, this function is activated only after the
driver has floored the accelerator pedal or
released it briefly.
– The rpm limiter characteristic is “harder”, i.e.
the engine is immediately throttled when the
performance limits are reached.
fPlease observe the appropriate chapters of
this Manual.
Switching Sport mode on and offfPress SPORT button in the center console.
When Sport mode is switched on, the light-
emitting diode in the SPORT button is lit.When Sport mode is switched on, the logo SPORT
appears next to the digital speedometer.
Switching Sport mode on and off simultaneously
activates and deactivates the Sport mode of the
PA S M .
If PASM Sport mode was activated with the PASM
button, PASM remains active.
After the ignition is switched off, Sport mode and
PSAM Sport mode are automatically reset to Nor-
mal mode.

64
Controls, Instruments
Porsche Stability Management
(PSM)PSM is an active control system for stabilisation of
the vehicle during extreme driving manoeuvres.
Warning!
The increased control that is provided should
not induce you to take greater risks with your
safety. The limits dictated by the laws of phy-
sics cannot be overcome, even with PSM.
The risk of accidents due to inappropriate
speed cannot be reduced, even by PSM.
The driver bears the responsibility for all dri-
ving maneuvers.
fAdapt your driving style to the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
fObey all traffic laws. Advantages of PSM – Superior traction and lane-holding ability in all
driving situations – even on road surfaces with
varying friction.
– PSM actively stabilizes the vehicle during dyna-
mic driving maneuvres (e.g. rapid steering mo-
vements, during lane changes or on alterna-
ting curves).
– Improved braking stability in curves and on dif-
ferent or varying road surfaces.
Readiness for operationPSM is switched on automatically every time you
start the engine. FunctionSensors at the wheels, brakes, steering system
and engine continuously measure:
– Speed
– Direction of travel (steering angle)
– Lateral acceleration
– Rate of turn about the vertical axis
PSM uses these values to determine the direction
of travel desired by the driver.
PSM intervenes and corrects the course if the
actual direction of motion deviates from the
desired course (steering-wheel position):
It brakes individual wheels as needed. In addition,
the engine power may be manipulated in order to
stabilise the vehicle. The events below inform the driver of PSM control
operations and warn him to adapt his driving style
to the road conditions:
– The multi-functional information light on the
instrument panel flashes.
– Hydraulic noises can be heard.
– The vehicle decelerates and steering-wheel
forces are altered as the PSM controls the
brakes.
– Reduced engine power.
– The brake pedal pulsates and its position is
changed during braking.
In order to achieve full vehicle deceleration,
foot pressure must be increased after the
brake pedal has begun pulsating.

68
Controls, Instruments
Retractable Spoiler The rear spoiler improves driving stability,
especially at higher speeds.Automatic controlThe spoiler extends at approx. 75 mph
(120 km/h) and retracts at approx. 50 mph
(80 km/h).
If automatic control fails, the warning light lights
up and the spoiler must be extended manually
before driving.
Warning!
Risk of accident. If the spoiler cannot be
extended, driving stability will be adversely
affected by increased rear axle lift.
fAdapt your driving style and speed to the
changed driving conditions.
fHave the fault remedied at an authorized
Porsche dealer.
Risk of injury during manual retraction or ex-
tension of the spoiler with the vehicle statio-
nary.
fMake sure that no persons or objects are
within the range of movement of the spoiler.
Risk of damage, if the vehicle is pushed
using the spoiler.
fDo not push the vehicle at the spoiler.The warning light lights up for a lamp check when
the ignition is switched on.
The warning lights in the instrument panel and in
the on-board computer come on if the spoiler
does not extend or does not reach its final position
at more than 75 mph (120 km/h).
Warning light

70
Controls, Instruments
Parking Aids Parking Assistant (ParkAssistant) When the driver backs up, the parking assistant
system indicates the distance between the car
and a large obstacle behind it, by means of signal
tones.
Danger!
Risk of serious personal injury or death.
ParkAssistant cannot detect small objects
such as children and pets.
Despite use of the parking assistant system,
the driver is still responsible for taking due
care and assessing obstacles when backing
up.
fMake sure that no persons, especially small
children, animals or obstacles are within the maneuvring area.
The parking assistant system is activated auto-
matically when reverse gear is selected and the ig-
nition is on.
Note
Be aware that the parking assistant system is not
switched on if the car rolls backward without re-
verse gear being engaged.
Ultrasound sensors Sensors
Four ultrasound sensors in the rear bumper
measure the distance to the closest obstacle.
– Range middle sensors around 60 in./150 cm
– Range outer sensors around 24 in./60 cm
Obstacles cannot be detected in the “blind” sen-
sor area (e.g. near the ground).
Note
The sensors must always be kept free of dust, ice
and snow in order to ensure that they are fully
functional.
Caution!
To avoid damaging the sensors:
fMaintain sufficient distance when cleaning with steam-jet units.
Signal tones/function
When reverse gear is selected, the parking assis-
tant confirms that it is switched on by issuing a
short signal tone.
A detected obstacle is signalled by an intermit-
tent tone. The intervals decrease as the obstacle
is approached.
A continuous tone sounds when the distance be-
comes less than one foot. This continuous tone
c a n s t o p i f t h e o b s t a c l e i s a p p ro a c h e d c l o s e r t h a n
one foot.
The radio volume should not be so loud as to
drown out the signal tones.

Controls, Instruments
79
Instrument Panel USA Models Also refer to the corresponding chapter in
the Owner’s Manual.
1 Speedometer with analogue display
2 Tire pressure warning light
3 Turn signal indicator light left/right
4 Tachometer
5 High beam indicator light
6 ABS warning light
7 Cooling system
Temperature gauge, warning light
8Fuel
Level gauge, warning light
9 Adjusting button for instrument illumination
and trip counter
10 Odometer and daily trip mileage display
11 Automatic speed control indicator light
12 Light sensor for instrument illumination13 Airbag warning light
14 Emission control warning light (Check Engine)
15 Central warning light
16 On-board computer display
17 Porsche Stability Management
Multifunctional PSM light
18 Brake warning light
19 Safety belt warning light
20 Tiptronic indicator
21 Clock and outside temperature display
22 Adjustment button for clockWhen the ignition is switched on, the warning
lights light up for a lamp check.
Note
Warnings that have been given are stored in the
appropriate control unit memory and can be read
out at an authorized Porsche dealer.
This information can help to warn you about situa-
tions which may be hazardous to you or your car.

Controls, Instruments
81
Instrument Panel Canada Models Also refer to the corresponding chapter in
the Owner’s Manual.
1 Speedometer with analogue display
2 Tire pressure warning light
3 Turn signal indicator light left/right
4 Tachometer
5 High beam indicator light
6 ABS warning light
7 Cooling system
Temperature gauge, warning light
8Fuel
Level gauge, warning light
9 Adjusting button for instrument illumination
and trip counter
10 Odometer and daily trip mileage display
11 Automatic speed control indicator light
12 Light sensor for instrument illumination13 Airbag warning light
14 Emission control warning light (Check Engine)
15 Central warning light
16 On-board computer display
17 Porsche Stability Management
Multifunctional PSM light
18 Brake warning light
19 Safety belt warning light
20 Tiptronic indicator
21 Clock and outside temperature display
22 Adjustment button for clockWhen the ignition is switched on, the warning
lights light up for a lamp check.
Note
Warnings that have been given are stored in the
appropriate control unit memory and can be read
out at an authorized Porsche dealer.
This information can help to warn you about situa-
tions which may be hazardous to you or your car.

Controls, Instruments
87
TiptronicIndicator for selector lever position and
engaged gearWhen the engine is running, the selector lever
position and engaged gear are indicated.If the selector lever is between two positions:
– The corresponding selector lever position in
the instrument cluster flashes and
– The warning “Selector lever not engaged”
appears on the display of the on-board
computer.
fEngage the selector lever correctly.
If there is a fault in the transmission:
–The 4th gear display flashes.
– The warning “Tiptronic emergency run”
appears on the on-board computer.
fPlease observe the chapter “EMERGENCY
PROGRAM” on Page 168.
fHave the fault repaired immediately at an
authorized Porsche dealer.
fPlease observe the chapter “TIPTRONIC S” on
Page 163.

Controls, Instruments
103
TPC
Tire pressure monitoringfPlease observe the chapter “TIRES, RIMS,
TRACKS” on Page 282.
The tire pressure monitoring continuously
monitors tire pressure and tire temperature on all
four wheels and warns the driver when the tire
pressure is too low.
The display as well as the settings for the tire
pressure monitoring take place on the on-board
computer.
However, you must still adjust the tire pressure on
the wheel.
fThe driver is responsible for filling the tires
correctly and making the correct settings on
the on-board computer.
The tire pressure monitoring offers the following
functions:
– Display of the actual tire pressure while the
vehicle is in motion
– Display of the deviation from the required
pressure (refilling pressure)
– Display of currently set tire size and type
– Tire pressure warnings in two stages
Safety notes!
Despite the advantages offered by the tire
pressure monitoring, it is still the driver’s
responsibility to update the corresponding
settings in the on-board computer and
maintain the pressure in the tires. Low tire
pressure reduces the road safety of the
vehicle and destroys the tire and wheel.
fWhen a flat tire has been displayed, immedi-
ately stop in a suitable place and check the
tires for damage. If necessary, remedy the
damage with a tire sealant.
fDo not by any means continue to drive with
defective tires.
fSealing the tire with tire sealant is only an
emergency repair, so you can drive to the next
authorized Porsche dealer. The maximum per-
mitted speed is 50 mph (80 km/h).
fDo not drive with tires whose tire pressure
drops again in a short period of time. In cases
of doubt, have tires checked by an authorized
Porsche dealer.
fDefective tires must be immediately replaced
by an authorized Porsche dealer.
Tire repairs are not permissible under any
circumstances.fIf the tire pressure monitoring is defective (e.g.
defective wheel transmitter), contact an
authorized Porsche dealer immediately and
have the damage repaired.
The tire pressure will not be monitored by a
defective tire pressure monitoring.
fTires lose air over time without a tire defect
being present. A tire pressure warning will then
appear in the on-board computer display.
Correct the tire pressure at the next oppor-
tunity.
fThe tire pressure monitoring gives a warning
about tire damage due to natural pressure loss
as well as about a gradual loss of pressure due
to foreign objects.
The tire pressure monitoring cannot warn you
about tire damage that occurs suddenly (e.g.
flat tire due to abrupt external effects).