PADM, Dynamic Engine Mounts, or Dynamic Transmission Mounts? What Porsche Calls the Active Mount System
Same active drivetrain mount, three different names — and why the term you search changes which Porsche owners actually find the fix.
If your Porsche has thrown a PADM warning light — or you've been hunting forums for "dynamic engine mounts fault" and coming up empty — you've run into Porsche's naming habit. The same active drivetrain mount system goes by three names across Porsche's own literature: PADM (short for Porsche Active Drivetrain Mounts), dynamic engine mounts on the 911, and dynamic transmission mounts on the 718. Which term you see depends on the model. This guide maps the terminology so you can find the right information — and the right repair. To understand what the PADM active mount system actually is, start with our dedicated overview.
One system, three names
PADM stands for Porsche Active Drivetrain Mounts — the umbrella term you'll see in service manuals, aftermarket catalogs, and owner communities. But in Porsche's own model pages, the company rarely writes "PADM." Instead it describes the active mount by where it sits:
- 718 Boxster / Cayman / GT4 / Spyder: Porsche calls it Dynamic transmission mounts — the transaxle-side mounts. On the 718 T, the same idea appears as a dynamic gearbox mount.
- 911 Carrera / S / 4S / GTS / GT3 / RS: Porsche calls it dynamic engine mounts — the engine-side mounts. On the 911 Carrera S/4S press page, the word "PADM" appears zero times; the system is listed only as a component of the Sport Chrono package. The 911 Speedster press material goes further, giving dynamic engine mounts its own dedicated technical section.
The difference is packaging, not technology. The mid-engine 718 places the active mounts at the transaxle; the rear-engine 911 places them at the engine. Same active control, same job.
Porsche PADM terminology by model
| Model family | What Porsche calls it | Says "PADM"? | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 718 Boxster / Cayman / GT4 / Spyder | Dynamic transmission mounts | Yes | Transaxle |
| 718 T | Dynamic gearbox mount | Yes | Transaxle |
| 911 Carrera / S / 4S / GTS / GT3 / RS | Dynamic engine mounts | No (0) | Engine |
| 911 Speedster | Dynamic engine mounts (dedicated technical section) | No | Engine |
| All of the above | PADM (umbrella term) | — | Community / service / aftermarket |
Why Porsche uses different names
The name reflects where the mount is mounted, not how it works. On a mid-engine car like the 718, the drivetrain's active mounts sit at the gearbox/transaxle; on a rear-engine 911, they sit at the engine. Porsche's 718 chassis page describes the system as combining the benefits of hard and soft mounts, and the 911 Speedster technical section describes the very same thing — electronic control blending hard and soft mounting for comfort and stability under load changes and fast bends. Different word, identical system.
Does the name change the part or the repair?
No. Whatever Porsche labels it in a given model's brochure, the underlying active mount does the same job: it suppresses drivetrain movement and combines the benefits of hard and soft mounts. It also fails the same way — most often at the internal pressure sensor and electronics, which is why fault codes 001013 and 001023 (sensor signal short to ground) appear across every application. Our guide on what PADM fault codes 001013 and 001023 mean covers the failure mechanism and the fix.
So the repair routes are identical regardless of the label. See our four PADM repair options compared — full mount replacement, sensor-level repair, coding out, and static mounts — to choose what fits your situation. If you want the principle background first, our guide to how the PADM system works covers the magnetorheological fluid, calibration, and failure modes. To compare the four PADM repair options before you commit, see our side-by-side breakdown.
Why the term matters when you search
Here's the practical catch: if you drive a 911 and search "PADM failure," you'll find far less than if you search "dynamic engine mounts fault," because Porsche's own 911 pages never use the word PADM. Same system, two search vocabularies. Covering both is how 911 owners actually reach the fix — and why we publish under both terms.
Frequently asked questions
Is PADM the same as dynamic engine mounts?
Yes. PADM (Porsche Active Drivetrain Mounts) is the general term; "dynamic engine mounts" is what Porsche calls it on 911 models. They refer to the same active mount system.
What is a Porsche Active Drivetrain Mount?
It's an electronically controlled engine or transmission mount that blends hard and soft mounting characteristics to improve both comfort and handling. On the 718 it's described as a transmission mount; on the 911, as an engine mount. Our PADM system explainer covers the internals.
Do the 718 and 911 use the same PADM system?
Functionally yes — both are active mounts that combine hard and soft behavior. The only difference is placement (transaxle on the 718, engine on the 911), which is why Porsche names them differently. See Porsche's own 911 terminology and 718 chassis description for the source wording.
Find your fix
If your car is showing a PADM / dynamic mount warning or throwing 001013 / 001023, a sensor-level repair restores the active mount for a fraction of a full replacement. Check our PADM sensor model overview for the right part, or confirm your exact model with a free VIN check. For what the warning means for driving, see PADM fault light: can you still drive? You can also find your PADM sensor by model in our catalog.
