towing PORSCHE BOXSTER 2009 2.G Owners Manual

Table of Contents
7
Trip Odometer ........................................... 121
Speedometer ................ ............................ 122
Changing over between Miles / Kilometers .. 122
Tachometer ............... ................................ 123
Turn Signal Indicator Light .......................... 123
High Beam Indicator Li ght ........................... 123
Gear Shift Indicator
(in vehicles with manual transmission) .......... 123
Cooling System ......... ................................ 124
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) ................... 125
Fuel .......................... ................................ 126
Clock ............................ ............................ 127
Outside Temperature ................................. 127
Check Engine (Emission Control) ................. 129
On-Board Computer (B C) ............................ 130
Warnings on the instrument panel and the on-
board computer ............. ............................ 162Shifting Gears.................................. 171Manual Transmission, Cl utch ....................... 172
Drive-Off Assistant ..... ................................ 173
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) ................... 174Mobile Roofs ................................... 181Convertible Top ......... ................................ 182
Windstop ................... ................................ 189
Hardtop ........................ ............................ 190Maintenance, Car Care .................... 195Exercise Extreme Caution when Working
on your Vehicle .......................................... 196
Coolant Level ............ ................................ 197
Engine Oil ................. ................................ 199 Engine Oil Level ..
......................................199
Engine Oil Recommendat ion ........................200
Brake Fluid Level ...... ..................................202
Fuel Economy .......... ..................................204
Operating your Porsche in other Countries ...204
Fuel Recommendation s ..............................206
Portable Fuel Containers ............................207
Fuel Evaporation Control ............................207
Emission Control Syst em ............................208
How Emission Control Works ......................209
Washer Fluid ............ ..................................210
Power Steering ........ ..................................211
Air Filter .................. ..................................211
Combination Filter .... ..................................211
Fluids/Oils for Manual Transmission
and Porsche Doppelkuppl ung (PDK) .............211
Wiper Blades .......... ..................................212
Car Care Instructions ................................213
Practical Tips, Emergency Service .... 221Exercise Extreme Caution when Working
on your Vehicle ............................ .............222
Tires/Wheels ............... ............................. 223
Loading Information ...................... .............234
Wheel Bolts ................................. .............236
Changing a wheel .......................... .............237
Flat Tire........................ ............................. 239
Lifting the Vehicle with a Lifting Platform
or Garage Lift ...... ......................................242
Spacers ...................... ..............................243
Electrical System ......................................245
Battery ................... ..................................249
Replacing the remote-control battery ..........254
Emergency Starting with Jumper Cables ......255 Bulb chart ..............
................................... 257
Lights, Replacing Bulb s ............................. 257
Headlights ............. ................................... 258
Number Plate Light . ................................... 266
Changing Light-Emitting Diodes and Long-Life
Bulbs ......................... .............................. 266
Adjusting Headlights .................................. 267
Towing ....................... .............................. 269
Vehicle Identification,
Technical Data ......... ....................... 273Vehicle Identification .................................. 274
Technical Data ....... ................................... 276
Tire Pressure for Cold Tires ....................... 277
Tires, Rims, Tracks .................................. 278
Driving Performance* ................. .............. 280
Capacities ............. ................................... 281
Weights ..................... .............................. 282
Dimensions ........... ................................... 282
Diagrams ................... .............................. 283

Operation, Safety
65
Sport modeA sportier car set-up is obtained when Sport or
Sport Plus mode is switched on.
PSM interventions are later than in Normal mode;
the vehicle can be maneuverd with greater agility
at its performance limits, without dispensing with
the assistance of PSM in emergency situations.
This helps to achieve optimal lap times, particu-
larly on race circuits and a dry road surface.
– The multifunctional light on the instrument panel lights up for a lamp check when the
ignition is switched on.
– The light indicates a control operation by flashing, including when PSM is switched off
(brake control in the ev ent of one-sided wheel
spin).
– In conjunction with a message on the on-board computer, the light indicates that PSM is
switched off.
An acoustic signal also sounds.
– The light indicates a faul t in conjunction with a
message on the on-board computer.
PSM is out of order. f
Please have the fault remedied at an author-
ized Porsche dealer.
f Please see the chapter “PUTTING VEHICLE
INTO OPERATION” on Page 251.
Towingf Please see the chapter “TOWING” on
Page 269.Checks on test standsBrake tests
Brake tests must be performed only on plate-type
test stands or roller test stands.
The ignition must be switched off.
The following limit values must not be exceeded
on roller test stands:
– Testing speed 5 mph (8 km/h)
– Test duration 20 seconds
Handbrake tests
Handbrake tests on the roller test stand must be
performed only with the ignition switched off .
PSM multifunctional light

94
Operation, Safety
Luggage Compartment Access covers A and B
Caution!
Risk of injury or damage.
f Do not store any objects behind the access covers A and B.
Tool boxOpening
f Unlock turn-locks C.
E- Adapter for security wheel bolts
F - Tire filling compressor
G -Towing hook
H -Tool kit
I - Lever for convertible top emergency operation
(under the tool kit)
J -Tire sealantf Open tool box and place it on the floor of the
luggage compartment.
Closing
f Insert tool box into the guide pegs in the lugga-
ge compartment floor.
f Close tool box and lock the turn-locks C.
A-To p p i n g u p e n g i n e o i l
B -Check coolant level, top up if necessaryRear luggage compartmentThe refilling points for engine oil and coolant are
located behind the service flap in the rear luggage
compartment.Opening the service flapf Open the flap by pulling the handhold.
f Please see the chapter “ENGINE OIL LEVEL”
on Page 199.
f Please see the chapter “COOLANT LEVEL” on
Page 197.

176
Shifting Gears
Selector lever positionsP – Parking lockfEngage parking lock only when vehicle is
stationary.
If selector-lever position P is flashing in the
instrument cluster, the parking brake is not
engaged. The vehicle can roll away.
Engage selector-lever position P again by
moving the selector lever out of R.
f Engage parking lock after applying the
handbrake and release it before releasing the
handbrake.
The ignition key can be withdrawn only in
selector lever position P.R – Reverse gearf Select only if car is stationary and the brake is
applied.N – NeutralSelector lever position N must be selected for
towing or in car washes, for example.
f Only select the desired position for driving off
(D, M or R) when the engine is idling and the
brake pedal is depressed.
D - Automatic selection modeSelect position D for “normal” driving. The gears
are shifted automatically according to the acceler-
ator position and speed.
Depending on the way the vehicle is driven
(economical, comfortable or sporty driving style)
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
pedal.
Depending on lateral acceleration, upward
changes on bends are not made until the engine-
speed limit is reached.
Under braking, and depending on the amount of
deceleration, the PDK transmission changes down
earlier.
For subsequent cornering, the right gear is
engaged when pressure is applied to the brakes
before the bend. The bend is taken in the right
gear, and when you accelera te out of the bend you
do not have to change down. With a sporty driving style, downshifts are already
initiated when the brake pedal is touched lightly.
This further enhances
a dynamic driving style.
The PDK transmission temporarily changes to the
sportiest gear-changing map, i.e. to the highest
possible gear-changing poin ts, if the accelerator
pedal is pressed quickly. The transmission accord-
ingly shifts down immediately by one or two gears
(temporary change-down).
The transmission no longer selects 7th gear at
high driving speeds.
Sport mode
(“Sport” and “Sport Plus” modes)
“Sport” mode activated:
The PDK transmission switches to a sporty gear-
changing map and shortens the gear shifting
times.
A sporty driving style is recognised more quickly
and the gear-changing speeds are adapted to
driving performance.
Deceleration downshifts are commenced earlier.
Downshifts are already carried out in the case of
slight decelerations, even at higher engine
speeds.

Shifting Gears
179
Depending on driving speed and engine speed,
you can shift up or down at any time.
Gear changes which would exceed the upper or
lower engine speed limit are not executed by the
controller.
There is no automatic upshift at the upper engine
speed limit in selector lever position M. Upshift
suppression can be cancelled by kickdown opera-
tion. 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 as a result of kickdown operation.
f Select an appropriately low gear on upward
and downward slopes.
This will ensure optimum use of engine power
and engine braking.
In order to shift up au tomatically at the upper
engine speed limit:
f Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle point (kickdown). Failure of the selector lever display on the
instrument cluster
The warning “Transmission emergency run” is
displayed in red on the on-board computer.
–Effect:
No selector lever position is displayed on the
instrument cluster.
Vehicle can be driven only until it comes to a
stop.
Remedy:
It is not possible to continue driving. Immedi-
ately stop the vehicle in a suitable place. Have
the vehicle towed to an authorized Porsche
dealer.
Please see the chapter “TOWING” on
Page 269.
Stoppingf For a brief stop (e.g. at a traffic light), leave the
selector lever in drive position and hold the
vehicle with the brake pedal.
f Do not hold the car on a slope using the
accelerator. Use the brake pedal or the
handbrake instead.
f Before leaving the vehicle, always apply the
handbrake and move the selector lever to
position P.Parkingf Go easy on the accelerator!
f When parking or manoeuvring in a small
space, control the speed by careful use of the
footbrake.Driving in winterIn wintry road conditions it is advisable to take
steep inclines in manual mo de. This prevents gear
changes occurring that could cause wheelspin.Tow-starting, towingf Please see the chapter “TOWING” on
Page 269.

Practical Tips, Emergency Service
221
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Exercise Extreme Caution when Working
on your Vehicle .
....................................... 222
Tires/Wheels .............. ............................. 223
Loading Information ................................... 234
Wheel Bolts .......... ................................... 236
Changing a wheel ... ................................... 237
Flat Tire ....................... ............................. 239
Lifting the Vehicle with a Lifting Platform
or Garage Lift ........ ................................... 242
Spacers ..................... .............................. 243
Electrical System ..................................... 245
Battery ................. ................................... 249
Replacing the remote-con trol battery ......... 254
Emergency Starting with Jumper Cables ..... 255
Bulb chart .............. ................................... 257
Lights, Replacing Bulb s ............................. 257
Headlights ............. ................................... 258
Number Plate Light . ................................... 266
Changing Light-Emitting Diodes and Long-Life
Bulbs ......................... .............................. 266
Adjusting Headlights .................................. 267
Towing ....................... .............................. 269

Practical Tips, Emergency Service
269
TowingCertain state statutes and local ordinances prohib-
it towing with a chain, rope or even a tow bar.
In addition, damage to your vehicle may result
from improper procedures.
Consult your authorized Porsche dealer for de-
tails. Vehicle towing Flat bed towing is the preferred type of towing to
be used on Porsche vehicles.
Under certain circumstances, wheel lifts may be
used when the vehicle will not roll.
The vehicle must be towed with all four
wheels off the ground, otherwise damage to
the vehicle may result.
PDK selector lever emergency releaseIn the event of an electronics failure, the selector
lever must be released for towing.
1. Lift up the rubber mat in the oddments tray.
2. Insert a screwdriver in the opening and press down until you feel it reach the limit position.
The selector lever ca n now be moved to
position N .
Towing hook The towing hook A is contained in the tool box in
the luggage compartment.
Caution!
Risk of damage to the vehicle.
f Use the towing hook only for an emergency to
remove the vehicle off the road. The towing
hook is to be used only to pull the vehicle onto
the flat bed, tractor or towing aparatus if the
vehicle will roll freely. Under no circumstances
is the vehicle to be secured using the towing
hook.
f Never use the towing hook to tow this or any
other vehicle.
f Bear in mind the limited ground clearance of your car on uneven surfaces.

270
Practical Tips, Emergency Service
Fitting towing hook
When fitting on the rear of the vehicle, the license
plate must be removed.
1. Press the lower edge of the appropriate
plastic cover into the bumper until the cover
disengages.
2. Pull cover out of the bumper and let it hang by its thread.
3. Completely screw in the towing hook A. Removing towing hook
1. Unscrew the towing hook
A.
2. Insert plastic cover at the lower edge of the opening.
3. Fold the cover up and press on its upper edge to engage it in the bumper.
When removing on the rear of the vehicle, the
license plate must be mouted.

Practical Tips, Emergency Service
271
Pulling vehicle onto flat bed 1. Position wooden ramps at the base of the flat bed to reduce the angle of the pull.
2. Reel in the hoist cable and check the underside of the vehicle for any interference.
Tieing down vehicle on flat bed 1. Carefully feed towing straps through the open-ing in the rear wheels .
Make sure metal parts of straps do not dam-
age rim.
Make sure the strap is flat over the rim bead.
Make sure brake backing plate is not dam-
aged.
2. Secure straps to rear of flat bed.
3. Reel in hoist cable only far enough to tension
tie-down straps. 4. Carefully feed towing
straps through the open-
ing in the front wheels .
Make sure metal parts of straps do not dam-
age rim.
Make sure the strap is flat over the rim bead.
Make sure brake backing plate is not dam-
aged.
5. Secure straps to front of flat bed.
6. Release tension on hoist cable, but do not dis- connect.
Use hoist cable as a safety cable.

Index
291
Pressure plate .................................... 275
Removing and storing.......................... 229
Sealant ...................... ................ 239, 240
Sidewall ..................... ........................ 232
Size ................................................... 232
Snow tires .............. ............................ 230
Tools ................ ........................................... 94
Towing ........................... .................... 269, 271
Towing hook............... ................................ 269
TPM Tire pressure moni toring ...................... 147
Track ............................. ............................ 278
Transmission Drive-Off Assistant... ............................ 172
Fluid........................... ................ 211, 281
Manual transmission ............................ 172
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) .... 172, 174
Trip Odometer ............ ................................ 121
Trunk entrapment ....... .................................. 95
Turn signal Indicator light.......... ............................ 123
Turn signal light, front Changing bulb......... ............................ 263
Turn signals ......................................... 81, 123
UUndercoating ................ ......................208, 217VValves ........................................................228
Vanity mirror............. ....................................41
Vehicle Care......................... ..........................213
Engine number....................................275
Identification ......... ..............................274
Identification labe l ...............................274
Identification numbe r ...........................274
Lifting................... ..............................242
Load capacity ....... ..............................235
Putting into operat ion ..........................251
Safety compliance st icker ....................274
Washing ................... ..........................214
Vehicle identification number ........................274
Ventilation .................... ..............................109
Vents ................... ......................106, 109, 112
Viscosity, engine oil .....................................201
Voice control, button . ..................................130
Voice control, PCM ... ..................................130
WWarning lights and me ssages ...................... 162
Washer
Fluid ........................ .......................... 210
Fluid warning light. .............................. 210
Washer fluid ................................. .............. 281
Washer lever................................ ................ 82
Washing ...................... .............................. 214
Weights ........................................... .......... 282
Welcome Home Function ........................ 79, 80
Wheel ................. ................. 10, 223, 278, 279
Alignment ................ .......................... 229
Balancing........................................... 229
Bolts ....................... .......................... 236
Care ........................ .......................... 223
Changing ................. .......................... 239
Checking pressure ............................. 238
Inscription ............ .............................. 232
Loading information . ........................... 234
Securing bolts...... .............................. 236
Security wheel bolts ............................. 15
Sidewall ................... .......................... 232
Size .................................................. 232
Tire pressure ....... .............................. 224
Tire pressure plate ............... .............. 275
Tire sealant .............. .................. 239, 240
Wheels
Assembly aids for wheel changes ........ 237
Care ........................ .......................... 218
TPM sensors............ .......................... 229
Windows.......................... .................. 182, 216
Anti-crushing protection ........................ 28
Care ........................ .......................... 216
Opening/Closing ...................... ............ 27