Care with electrics
► We were graced with the presence of a 2010 Porsche Cayenne hybrid for service. While some of the vehicle systems are completely different from the standard petrol version, the engine is pretty much the same.
Although the main battery pack does not need to be isolated when carrying out routine servicing, it is good practice to ensure that the key is removed from the vehicle, to prevent any error. The high voltage system does not need to be touched or altered during the service but it’s important to remember that the orange cables at the back of the engine bay and under the vehicle will be carrying a voltage of around 600V DC and a jolt of this size will almost certainly be fatal.
The hybrid batteries should always be disconnected before work associated with the drive systems is carried out, and we would not recommend this is done without placing the vehicle in an exclusion zone and using the full safety kit including the protective gloves and mat. The future will see many more hybrids and electric vehicles on the road and independent garages looking to the future may be well advised to be equipped to work on them, giving them a head start on the competition.