PORSCHE PANAMERA 2009 1.G Information Manual
Manufacturer: PORSCHE, Model Year: 2009, Model line: PANAMERA, Model: PORSCHE PANAMERA 2009 1.GPages: 343, PDF Size: 7.96 MB
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Driving and Driving Safety
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Auto Start Stop FunctionThe engine stops automatically when the vehicle is 
stopped, e.g. at traffic lights or in a traffic jam. 
The Auto Start Stop function thus helps to 
save fuel.
The ignition stays on even when the engine 
switches off automatically. All safety functions 
are still available.Stopping the engineThe Auto Start Stop function stops the engine 
as soon as the vehicle stops moving.
1. Use the footbrake to hold the vehicle in place.
2. Keep the footbrake pressed.or
Move PDK selector lever to position  P.
Preconditions for stopping the engine
– Engine compartment lid closed.
– Driver detected: driver’s seat belt fastened and  driver’s door closed.
– PDK selector lever in position D, N  or P or 
transmission range  1 or  2 selected manually.
– Engine, transmission and battery are at  operating temperature.
– Vehicle was driven at a speed of more than  approx. 1 mph (2 km/h) for at least 
1.5 seconds since the engine last stopped 
automatically.
Starting the engineThe Auto Start Stop func tion starts the engine:
f In PDK selector-lever position D,  N or manually 
selected transmission range  1 or  2:
Release the footbrake.
or
Press the accelerator.
or
f Move PDK selector lever to position  R.
You can drive off normally.
Note
The engine will start automatically in certain 
situations, e.g. if the vehicle starts rolling, if air 
conditioning causes reduced comfort, or if the 
brake booster vacuum is reduced.
Starting the engine manually after leaving 
the vehicle
If the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled or the driver’s 
door is opened after  the engine was stopped 
automatically, the engine will  not start 
automatically.
Furthermore, if the brake is released, the engine 
has to be started manually.
The message “Please start engine manually” 
will appear on the multi-function display in the 
instrument panel.
f Please see the chapter “OVERVIEW OF 
WARNING MESSAGES” on page 152.
Exceptions for the Auto Start Stop 
functionThe Auto Start Stop function is  not available in the 
following situations, for example:
– When Sport mode is activated.
– When PSM is off.
– In Maneuvering mode.
– When AC MAX mode is activated.
– When the “Windshield defrost” function is  active.
– While adjusting the chassis level.
– When the rear fog light is on.
The Auto Start Stop fu nction is available with 
limited functionality  in the following situations, 
for example:
– If the air conditioning or passenger  compartment heating is operated at a high 
setting or if the defrost function is run for long 
time periods.
– If the battery charging condition is low.
– On upward or downward slopes.
– During internal vehicle test procedures,  e.g. automatic engine checks.
Note
If one of these situations  arises after the engine 
has stopped automatically, the engine can be 
restarted automatically. 
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Switching Auto Start Stop function off
f
Press button  .
The indicator light on the button lights up.
The engine’s Auto Stop function is disabled.
Switching Auto Start Stop function on
f Press button  .
The indicator light on the button goes out.
The engine stops automatically when the 
vehicle stops.
Auto Start Stop function displayIf the engine was stoppe d automatically by the 
Auto Start Stop function  and if the driver is 
detected in the vehicle (driver’s seat belt fastened 
and driver’s door closed), the indicator light on the 
multi-function display in the instrument panel will 
light up green.
If the Auto Stop function is not available or if no 
driver is detected in the vehicle after the engine 
has stopped automatically (driver’s seat belt open 
or driver’s door open), the indicator light on the 
multi-function display in the instrument panel will 
light up yellow when the vehicle is stationary.
The Auto Start Stop system has detected that:
– At least one precondition for stopping the  engine automatically is not met.
or
– There is at least one exception for the  Auto Start Stop function.
For information on preconditions for stopping the 
engine automatically:
f Please see the chapter “PRECONDITIONS FOR 
STOPPING THE ENGINE” on page 169. For information on exceptions for the Auto Start 
Stop function:
f
Please see the chapter “EXCEPTIONS FOR 
THE AUTO START STOP FUNCTION” on 
page 169.
Note
If the indicator light in the multi-function display 
continuously lights up yellow when the vehicle is 
stopped and if the engine does not stop regularly 
when the vehicle is stoppe d despite the fact that 
the preconditions for stopping the engine 
automatically are met, this may be an indication 
that the battery is weak.
f Have the Auto Start Stop system checked the 
next time you visit an authorized Porsche 
dealer.
Fault reporting
If there is a fault, the warning message “Start/
Stop mode deactivated” will appear on the 
multi-function display  in the instrument panel.
f Have the fault corrected at an authorized 
Porsche dealer.
Switching Auto Start Stop function on 
and off
Stopping the engine automatically 
and restart readiness
Engine does not stop or is not ready 
to restart 
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Electric Parking BrakeThe electric parking brake acts on the rear wheels 
and serves to secure the vehicle while parked.Applying the parking brakefPress switch  .
The brake warning light on the instrument 
panel lights up.
For information on indi cator lights and warning 
lights on the instrument panel:
f Please see the chapter “INSTRUMENT PANEL 
USA MODELS” on page 107.
Releasing the parking brakeThe electric parking brake can only be released 
when the ignition is switched on.
1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Pull switch  .
The brake warning light on the instrument 
panel goes out.Automatic electric parking brake release 
when driver’s intention to drive off is 
detectedIf the engine is running, the driver’s door is closed 
and the driver’s seat belt is fastened, it is still 
possible to drive off even though the parking 
brake is on. The electric parking brake detects 
the driver’s intention to drive off and releases 
automatically. The warning light on the instrument 
panel goes out.
If the driver’s door is not closed or the driver’s 
seat belt is not fastened, the electric parking 
brake will not be released automatically when the 
driver attempts to drive off.
The message “Release electric parking brake” 
appears on the multi-function display in the 
instrument panel. The brake warning light on the 
instrument panel and the indicator light on the 
switch   start to flash.
For information on warning messages on the 
multi-function display:
fPlease see the chapter “OVERVIEW OF 
WARNING MESSAGES” on page 152.
Emergency braking functionIf the conventional brak e system has failed, the 
vehicle can be decelerated quickly and braked to 
a stop using the electric parking brake.
f Press switch   and keep it pressed.
The brake warning light on the instrument 
panel and the indicator light on the switch   
start to flash. The messa ge “Emergency brake 
function” appears on the multi-function display.
The emergency braking function is deactivated 
when you release the switch.
 Safety instruction!
Severe braking. Emergency braking takes 
place with very high braking power.
f Only use the emergency braking function in an 
emergency situation.
f Do not use the emergency braking function to stop the vehicle when driving normally. 
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If the electric parking brake could not be applied 
fully when the vehicle is stopped, the brake 
warning light on the instrument panel starts to 
flash.
For information on warning messages on the 
multi-function display:
f
Please see the chapter “OVERVIEW OF 
WARNING MESSAGES” on page 152.
BrakesfMake it a habit to chec k the operation of your 
brakes before driving.
Keep in mind that the braking distance increases 
very rapidly as the speed increases. At 60 mph 
(100 km/h), for example, it  is not twice but four 
times longer than 30 mph (50 km/h). Tire traction 
is also less effective when the roads are wet or 
slippery.
f Therefore, always maintain a safe distance 
from the car in front of you.Vehicles without Porsche Ceramic 
Composite Brake (PCCB)Even though the brake discs consist of alloyed 
grey cast iron, they will  unavoidably start to 
corrode if your car is parked for an extended 
period. The brakes will tend to “rub” as a result.
The nature, extent and effects of corrosion 
depend on the amount of  time the vehicle was 
parked, whether road salt or grit was spread and 
whether grease-dissolving agents were used in 
car washes.
If the braking comfort is noticeably impaired, we 
recommend having the brake system checked by 
experts at an authorized Porsche dealer.
Brake system functionYour Porsche is equipped with a power assisted 
hydraulic dual circuit brake system with disc 
brakes at the front and rear. 
Both circuits function independently. One brake 
circuit operates the front left and rear right wheel 
and the other operates the  front right and rear left 
wheel.
If one brake circuit has failed, the other will still 
operate. However, you will notice an increased 
pedal travel when you apply the brakes. Failure of 
one brake circuit will cause the stopping distance 
to increase.
 Warning!
Risk of an accident, resulting in serious 
personal injury or death.
In the unlikely event of hydraulic failure of 
one brake circuit:
f Push the brake pedal down  firmly and hold it in 
that position. A mechanical linkage activates 
the second circuit, and you will be able to bring 
the vehicle to a stop.
f After bringing your vehicle to a complete stop, 
avoid driving the vehicle and instead have it 
towed to the nearest authorized Porsche dealer for repair.
Brake warning light USA
Brake warning light Canada 
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Brake system warning light
You can check the functionality of the brake 
system warning light by switching the ignition to 
the “On” position (position 1) and verifying that the 
warning light illuminates.
The warning light in the instrument panel lights up.
A message will be displayed on the multi-function 
display of the instrument  panel if the brake fluid 
level is too low, or (if the brake pedal travel has 
increased) one of the two brake circuits has failed.
A greater braking pressure will be required, 
stopping distances will be longer and the braking 
behavior will change, particularly in curves.
With correctly adjusted brakes and a correctly 
working brake system, the pedal travel to the 
point of brake application should be 1-3/16 in. to 
1-9/16 in. (30 to 40 mm). Whenever the brake 
pedal travel exceeds this value, have the brake 
system checked.
Brake pedal
 Warning!
Risk of an accident,  resulting in serious 
personal injury or death.
Any obstruction of the brake pedal could 
increase the stopping distance.
f Always check the movement of the brake pedal 
before driving and make sure that it is not 
obstructed by a floor mat or any other object.
f Secure the floor mat to prevent it from sliding 
into positions that could interfere with the safe 
operation of your vehicle.
Your Porsche dealer will be glad to offer you 
floor mats of the correct size including a securing possibility.
Note
In case one of the two brake circuits fails, 
increased pedal travel is required to bring your 
vehicle to a full stop.
 Warning!
To avoid overheating and premature wear of 
the brakes:
f Before descending a steep grade, reduce 
speed and shift the tran smission into a lower 
gear to control speed. 
f Do not “ride the brakes” by resting your foot on 
the pedal when not intending to apply brake 
pressure.
f Do not hold the pedal down too long or too 
often. This could cause the brakes to overheat and not function properly.
Brake warning light USA
Brake warning light Canada 
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Brake boosterThe brake booster assists braking only when 
the engine is running.
When the car is moving while the engine is not 
running, or if the brake booster is defective, more 
pressure on the brake pedal is required to bring 
the car to a stop.
Moisture, road salt or grit on brakes affects 
braking. 
Brakes will dry after a few cautious brake 
applications.
 Warning!
Risk of an accident, resulting in serious 
personal injury or death.
Driving through water may reduce the 
traction. Moisture on brakes from road 
water, car wash, or a coating of road salt or 
grit may affect braking efficiency.
f Cautiously apply brakes to test brakes after exposure to road water, etc.
Brake wearYour car has excellent  brakes, but they are still 
subject to wear. The rate at which they wear 
depends on how the brakes are used.
f Have the brake system inspected at the 
intervals recommended  in your Maintenance 
Booklet.
Brake system warning light
You can check the functionality of the brake 
system warning light by switching the ignition to 
the “On” position (position  1) and verifying that the 
warning light illuminates.
A warning message will be displayed on the multi-
function display of the  instrument panel if the 
brake pads are worn, excessively.
f Do not continue to operate the vehicle.
Have your authorized Porsche dealer inspect 
or replace the brake pads.
For information on warning messages on the 
multi-function display:
f Please see the chapter “OVERVIEW OF 
WARNING MESSAGES” on page 152.
Brake pads and brake discsWear on the brake pads and brake discs depends 
to a great extent on the driving style and the 
conditions of use and therefore cannot be 
expressed in actual miles on the road.
The high-performance brake system is designed 
for optimal braking effect at all speeds and 
temperatures.
Certain speeds, braking forces and ambient 
conditions (e.g. temperature and humidity) can 
therefore cause the brakes to “squeal”.
New brake pads or linings
New brake pads have 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 applies whenever the brake pads 
and/or brake discs are replaced.
Brake wear warning message 
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 Warning!
f Do not obstruct the pedal travel with floor mats 
or other objects.
The brake booster is ready for operation only 
while the engine is running. 
If the engine is switched off or there is a defect in 
the brake booster, much greater force has to be 
applied to the pedal when braking. 
f Vehicles with defective brakes must not 
be towed and must be transported on a flat 
bed.
For information on towing and tow-starting:
f Please see the chapter “TOWING” on 
page 316.
In heavy rain, while driving through water or after 
leaving a car wash, the braking action may be 
delayed and increased pressure may be required.
f For this reason, keep further back from the 
vehicle in front and “dry” the brakes by 
applying them at interval s. Make sure that the 
traffic behind you is not affected. After a long drive over salted or gritted roads, 
a coating may form on the brake discs and pads 
that significantly reduces 
friction and therefore 
also braking effect.
f Even though the brake discs consist of alloyed 
grey cast iron, they will unavoidably start to 
corrode if your vehicle is parked for an 
extended period. The brakes will tend to “rub” 
as a result.
The nature, extent and effects of corrosion 
depend on the amount of time the vehicle was 
parked, whether road salt  or grit was spread 
and whether grease-dissolving agents were 
used in car washes (not on vehicles with 
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake).
To prevent corrosion of the brake discs, 
“brake them dry” before parking the vehicle 
(not on vehicles with Porsche Ceramic 
Composite Brake).
If braking comfort is no ticeably impaired, we 
recommend that you have the brake system 
checked by an authorized Porsche dealer. f
To relieve the brake system on downhill 
stretches, change down to a lower gear in 
good time (engine braking).
If engine braking is insufficient on steep 
stretches, operate the footbrake at intervals. 
Avoid continuous braking as it overheats the 
brakes and reduces the braking effect.
For information on brake fluid and checking the 
brake fluid level:
f Please see the chapter “BRAKE FLUID” on 
page 258. 
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A- Switch cruise control on/off
1 - Set/increase desired speed
2 - Reduce desired speed
3 - Interrupt (OFF)
4 - Return to set speed (RESUME)Cruise ControlCruise control maintains any selected speed 
between approx. 20–150 mph (30–240 km/h) 
without you having to use the accelerator.
Cruise control is operated using the control stalk 
at the bottom left of the steering wheel. Vehicles with PDK
Downshifts are carried out to help maintain the 
pre-selected speed (especially when driving 
downhill).
 Warning!
Risk of accident while using cruise control in 
heavy traffic and consequent personal injury 
or death, on twisting roads or under 
unfavorable road conditions (e.g. wintry or 
wet conditions, varying road surfaces).
f Do not use the cruise control under such 
conditions.
f Observe all local and national speed limits.
Risk of an accident, personal injury and loss 
of control.
f Do not reach through  the steering-wheel spokes while driving.
Switching cruise control readiness onfPress button  A on the control stalk.Maintaining and storing speed1. Accelerate or decelera te to the desired speed 
using the accelerator pedal.
2. Push the control stalk on the steering wheel  forward (position  1).
The current driving speed is now stored as 
the desired speed, which will be maintained 
automatically.
Cruise control readiness
The grey symbol on the multi-function 
display in the instrument panel indicates 
readiness.
Desired speed
The desired speed that was stored is 
displayed under the cruise control 
symbol, which has now turned orange. 
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Accelerating (e.g. to overtake)Variant 1
fIncrease the speed as usual with the 
accelerator pedal.
When you ease off the accelerator, the 
previously stored value is set again.
Variant 2
f Push the control stalk on the steering wheel 
forward (position 1).
The desired speed is increased in steps of 
1mph (1km/h).
or
Press the control stalk on the steering wheel 
forward and keep it pressed (position 1).
The desired speed is increased in steps of 
5 mph (10 km/h).
The new desired speed  is displayed on the 
multi-function display in the instrument panel.
Deceleratingf Briefly pull the control stalk on the steering 
wheel towards the steering wheel (position 2).
The desired speed is decreased in steps of 
1 mph (1 km/h).
or
Pull the control stalk on the steering wheel 
towards the steering whee l and keep it pulled 
(position 2).
The desired speed is decreased in steps of 
5 mph (10 km/h).
The new desired speed is displayed on the 
multi-function display in the instrument panel.
Vehicles with PDK
Downshifts are carried out to help maintain the 
pre-selected speed (especially when driving 
downhill).
Interrupting cruise control 
operation–OFFThe speed driven before  the interruption remains 
stored in the memory and can be reactivated by 
pressing the control stalk.
f Please see the chapter “RESUMING THE 
STORED SPEED – RESUME” on page 178.
f Press the control stalk down (position 3).
or
Press the brake or clutch pedal  or move 
the PDK selector lever to position  N.
For more information on driving with Porsche 
Doppelkupplung:
f Please see the chapter “PORSCHE 
DOPPELKUPPLUNG (PDK)” on page 193.
Cruise control operation is interrupted 
automatically:
– If the set vehicle speed is exceeded by more  than approx. 16 mph (25 km/h) for longer 
than 20 seconds.
– If the actual vehicle speed falls below the set  vehicle speed by approx. 37 mph (60 km/h) 
for longer than 60 seconds (e.g. gradients).
– If Porsche Stability Management (PSM)  intervenes for longer than 0.5 seconds. 
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Resuming the stored speed – RESUMEfPress the control stalk up (position 4).
Cruise control accelerates/decelerates the 
vehicle to the stored speed.
Note on operation
The stored speed should on ly be recalled if traffic 
and road conditions are conducive to driving at 
that speed.Switching cruise control readiness offf Press button  A on the control stalk.
The memory is cleared and the readiness 
symbol disappears.
The stored desired speed is cleared when the 
ignition is switched off when the vehicle is parked.
Tip on driving
On upward or downward slopes, the set speed 
cannot always be maintained by cruise control.
f To obtain sufficient engine braking or a better 
rev range, you therefore  have to change down 
to a lower gear.
Adaptive Cruise ControlAdaptive cruise control maintains any selected 
speed between approx. 20–100 mph
(30–160 km/h) when driving on open roads 
without you having to use the accelerator.
If a vehicle travelling ahead of you in the same lane 
is detected as driving slower than the selected 
speed, adaptive cruise control will automatically 
maintain a set distance fr om the vehicle in front.
Adaptive cruise control slows your vehicle down if 
the distance to the vehicle ahead becomes too 
short and accelerates your vehicle if the distance 
increases.
 Warning!
Risk of accidents in heavy traffic, in city 
traffic, on twisting roads or in unfavorable 
road conditions (e.g. wintry or wet conditions 
or varying road surfaces, etc.).
f Do not use adaptive cruise control under these 
conditions.
Adaptive cruise control will not detect 
stationary or slowly moving vehicles, 
pedestrians, objects on the road, oncoming 
vehicles in the same lane or cross traffic.
f You must pay attention to your vehicle’s 
position in relation to other objects and 
intervene as needed to ensure safe driving.
f Always keep the direction of travel in your field of view.
Radar sensorAdaptive cruise control uses a radar sensor 
located in the middle of the front apron.
Maintenance note
fAlways keep the radar sensor clean and free of 
ice and snow to ensure tha t it is fully functional.
For car care instructions:
f Please see the chapter “CAR CARE 
INSTRUCTIONS” on page 269.