Porsche InnoDrive is one of the most advanced active assists you can get. It’s similar to versions produced by other manufacturers, yes, but that’s not to say it isn’t highly advanced or impressively responsive.
Many users have reported an unintuitive or confusing initial experience when turning the system on. It’s not immediately clear how everything works.
For putting your mind at ease and answering all your questions, this article will tell you – in simple terms – how to activate and use InnoDrive (PID) in a Porsche Taycan. For more information, consult the owner’s manual. You’ll find a screenshot at the end.
So, let’s begin.
Table of Contents
What is PID (Porsche InnoDrive)?
Porsche InnoDrive (PID) is a form of active cruise control. It’s most useful in highway and freeway journeys and for long, arduous traffic jams. You’ll find it in the newer Panameras, Cameras, and 911s, as well as the electric Taycan.
It works by scanning the road for corners, traffic conditions, elevation changes, and more. PID can accurately predict the conditions almost two miles ahead! The Taycan’s (in this case) ECU then translates the readings into how the electric motors should behave.
For example, if there’s a hill, it may need to increase the speed and/or power. Upcoming stand-still traffic? A gentle slow down towards an eventual stop. And so on.
Of course, while it’s a handy feature, remember that InnoDrive doesn’t replace you, the driver. It’s still essential to maintain full awareness and complete control of the vehicle at all times!
What are the different settings for InnoDrive?
Even after activating InnoDrive in the Taycan, the system isn’t necessarily operational. There are three PID modes:
- Active – in Active mode, Porsche InnoDrive is working. It scans the road ahead and brings you up to the speed you set or a self-limited speed based on traffic conditions or speed limits.
- Temporarily passive – PID is set to Temporarily Passive when you press the accelerator pedal while driving. It overrides PID, turning off all assists temporarily. When you lift your foot off, the system returns to an Active state.
- Passive – Finally, Passive mode is a little like your computer’s Sleep mode. It’s off, to all intents and purposes, but is still holding information such as speed and distance from the car in front.
How to turn PID on in the Porsche Taycan
Here’s how to turn on PID. Following the steps below will put the car into Passive mode. It’ll be on but won’t be doing anything.
- Find the control stalk for all the assistance systems. It’s behind the steering wheel and below the turn signal stalk.
- Press the button on the end of the control stalk (R).
- If you already have another driver assist active, press the button underneath the stalk (S).
- The options menu will appear on the dashboard.
- Use the rotary knob on the steering wheel to select PID.
How do I activate PID (Porsche InnoDrive)?
You aren’t alone if you’ve struggled to activate Porsche InnoDrive your first few attempts. It works slightly differently from other systems you might be used to. However, you shouldn’t have trouble once you’ve grasped the fundamentals.
- Turn Porsche InnoDrive on (see the above instructions).
- Reach your desired speed using the accelerator pedal, as usual.
- Once you’ve reached the speed you want, tap the control stalk forward quickly (“Position 1”).
- You can now release the pedal. PID is activated and Active. It’ll maintain your speed unless there’s a reason to slow down.
How to set the maximum speed in Taycan PID
Setting the maximum speed means PID won’t ever allow your Taycan to exceed this while it’s Active. The system will default to this reading if it doesn’t detect a speed limit. Likewise, the speed limit will overrule this when appropriate.
- Go to Assistance.
- Choose Assistance system settings.
- Select Porsche InnoDrive.
- Edit the Maximum speed.
This will remain the same, even after the car is restarted, until you change it.
How do I make the Taycan’s adaptive cruise control stick to the speed limit?
Ensure the adaptive cruise control (InnoDrive) in the Taycan doesn’t go over the speed limit by following these instructions.
If the Taycan can’t recognize a set speed limit, it’ll default to the maximum speed you set in the InnoDrive system.
First, you need to enable speed limit recognition.
- Go to Assistance.
- Assistance system settings.
- Porsche InnoDrive.
- Select Consider speed limits.
Now you can manually choose to abide by the speed limit signs you pass.
- Ensure InnoDrive is on.
- Push the control stalk upwards.
- Release the accelerator pedal.
- The system will now scan for and apply speed limits. PID is Active.
If you need to override the speed limit setting – for example, if the car has misread it – override the setting.
- Push the stalk upwards and hold it for a few moments.
- The system will default to the maximum speed setting.
How to change PID set speed in Taycan with the system already activated
Here’s where there have been a few reports of people struggling. Unlike some manufacturers, Porsche has shied away from allowing drivers to use the accelerator pedal to adjust the set speed.
Instead, pressing the pedal will temporarily override PID (it’ll go into a Temporarily Passive state). You’ll speed up while you need (for example, when overtaking another vehicle). The Taycan will take you back to the set speed as soon as you release it.
To alter the InnoDrive set speed, follow the instructions as below. PID should already be Active (see above).
- To increase the speed, push the stalk away from you.
- A quick tap will increase the reading by 1 mph.
- Holding the stalk back increases the speed in increments of 6 mph.
- To decrease the speed, pull the stalk towards you.
- A quick pull will decrease the speed by 1 mph.
- Pulling and holding the stalk reduces the maximum in increments of 6 mph.
How to change the desired distance in Porsche Taycan PID
To change how closely (or not) you want to follow the car in front, alter the settings.
- Flick the rocker switch upwards to increase the distance (move further away).
- Flick the rocker switch downwards to decrease the distance (move closer).
How to override PID
Touching either the accelerator or brake pedal will override the PID system. It’ll go into Passive mode. As soon as you release the pedal, it resets to Active.
Cancel Porsche InnoDrive by pressing the control stalk down. Again, this sets PID to Passive rather than switching it off.
Coming to a stop and restarting with PID
The adaptive cruise control should automatically slow you down when you need to come to a complete stop. As always, keep an eye out for the traffic conditions.
When setting off again, push the stalk upwards or tap the accelerator pedal to resume Active PID. You may have to drive off manually if a message tells you so.
Limitations of Porsche InnoDrive
Porsche InnoDrive is a fantastically advanced program, but it’s not without its limitations. Adverse weather conditions, for example, could drastically impede its safety.
Watch out for other vehicles merging into your lane and around tight corners. PID might miss a car or motorcycle or misinterpret trucks going around a corner as a sudden stop.
It should always warn you when your manual input is needed on the brake.
In short, remember that PID isn’t a self-driving system. You still need to be completely aware when driving. Keep yourself and everyone else safe, but don’t fear using the system when needed.
See the Porsche Taycan owner’s manual for yourself here:
