2000 SAAB 9-3 ESP

72 Instruments and controlsCourtesy Headlamp Feature A delay function allows the headlights to
remain on low beam for about 30 seconds
after the driver’s door has been closed.
To activate this function, switch off the igni-
tion, remove the key, open the driver’s door
and pull the high/low beam control stalk
towards the steering wheel like you are
flashing the high beam, see page 71. The
low beam headlights will now come on
immediately after the driver’s door has been
closed and will remain on for about
30 seconds.
Turn signal & lane change indicatorsTo switch on the indicators, move the stalk
up or down.
The stalk has fixed positions for indicating a
right or left turn, and the indicators are can-
celled automatically (stalk returns to off
position) after most turns.
The stalk also has an intermediate,
spring-loaded position that is useful for sig-
nalling when changing lanes or passing.
The respective indicator lights on the instru-
ment panel flash at the same frequency as
the indicators
Hazard warning lightsWhen this button is pressed, all the turn
signal & lane change indicators and a
symbol in the button flash simultaneously. If
the ignition is on, both indicator lights on the
instrument panel will also flash.
If the hazard warning lights are left on for
some time, the flasher frequency will be
reduced to save the battery.
Hazard warning lights should only be used
if, because of an accident or breakdown, the
car constitutes a hazard to other road users.
IB748
Turn signal & lane change indicators 1 Right indicators
2 Left indicators
IB749
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80 Instruments and controlsAutomatic climate
control (ACC)The air is drawn in through an intake at the
bottom edge of the windshield. It passes
through an efficient filter before being
routed through the climate-control system
and into the cabin. The cabin discharge vent
is located on the right behind the rear
bumper. The air discharge vents should be
kept free of snow and ice in the winter.
ACC (Automatic Climate Control) automati-
cally maintains the desired cabin tempera-
ture, regardless of the weather outside.
The system will achieve the desired temper-
ature in the quickest possible way.
Note that heating or cooling is not
speeded up by setting the temperature
higher or lower than you really want.
For the ACC system to be most effective, all
windows, and the sunroof if there is one,
must be closed, and the panel vents must
be open.
The incoming air is treated in three stages:
first it passes through a filter; it is then dehu-
midified and cooled and, finally, if required,
heated. The temperature interval within which you
can make adjustments is 58-82°F
(15-27°C). Outside it, there is the HI position
(max. heat and high fan speed) and the LO
position (max. cooling and max. fan speed).
The displayed temperature is not the actual
temperature but corresponds to the comfort
level normally experienced at that tempera-
ture after allowance has been made for the
air flow, relative humidity, solar radiation,
etc., currently prevailing inside the car.
 The most usual temperature setting is
66-74°F (19-23°C), depending on per-
sonal preference and what clothing is
worn.  It is recommended that changes in the
temperature setting be made in steps of
2°F (1°C).
 Conversion between °C and °F is done in
the SID unit; see ”Units and language ver-
sions”, page 69.
 During the cooling phase in warm
weather the panel vents must be open.
 Do not manually select recirculation in
cold/wintery weather. The reduced air
flow can cause misting and ice on the
inside of the windows.
IB794
Air vent at rear side window
IB032
Dash vent 1 Adjusting the direction of the air flow.
2 Adjusting the air flow
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87 Instruments and controls
Programming II It is also possible to customize the ACC system to adapt to driving
and weather conditions. Programming and cancellation of programming is carried out by
holding the appropriate button down until the corresponding symbol
has flashed 4 times, an audible signal has sounded and the follow-
ing text for the desired function has appeared in the SID.
Make sure the ignition is ON.
Example:
If you want to control the switching on and off of the heating for the
rear window and the door mirrors manually, hold the button
depressed until the symbol has flashed 4 times, an audible signal
has sounded and the following text has appeared in the SID.

SID shows:
ACC: MANUAL
RDEFR CTRL
Once a function has been recorded under ”Programming II”, it will
remain in the system until you cancel the program.
AUTO will still show on the display after a function has been saved
in ”Programming II”.
Additional programming features, see page 231. Function Operation in AUTO mode
after Programming II Standard operation in
AUTO mode
The A/C compressor is not
switched on until the out-
side temperature goes
above +55°F (+13°C).
– This function can be used
to save fuel, since the A/C
compressor will not be in
action for so long a time.
In wet weather, however,
the A/C compressor should
be on at below 57
°F (14°C)
as well, since this reduces
the risk of misting on the
windows.
A/C compressor cuts in
when outside tempera-
ture is above 32°F
(0°C).
Rear-window heating can
only be switched on manu-
ally. The heating will come on
about five seconds after
the engine has started if
the outside temperature
is below +41°F (+5°C).–The activation time
depends on the outside
temperature.
Function Text displayed on SID
during programming Text displayed on SID
when cancelling
program
ACC: LO TEMP
A/C CTRL ACC: NORMAL
A/C CTRL
ACC: MANUAL
RDEFR CTRL ACC: AUTO
RDEFR CTRL
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102 Saab 9-3 Audio SystemIf the CD changer is activated immediately
after a magazine has been loaded, the fol-
lowing will appear on the display:
The CD number will change as each CD is
played.
After a magazine has been loaded, play-
back will start with the first track on the first
CD when the CD changer is selected, and
the following will appear on the display:
Selecting CDs (1) When the CD changer is operating, the
radio preset buttons work for the six CDs in
the magazine. Press the button for the cor-
responding CD.
If the selected CD is already being played,
playback will restart from the first track. If the selected CD-tray, e.g. 3, is empty, the
following will appear on the display:
IB1164
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137 Starting and driving
Saab 9-3 Viggen: The Saab 9-3 Viggen has
a high-performance engine which means
that a certain amount of care should be
exercised, in particular when accelerating in
the lower gears. This is especially important
when the road surface is slippery to avoid
the driving wheels losing their grip
Important considerations with cata-
lytic convertersThe catalytic converter is an emission-con-
trol device incorporated in the car’s exhaust
system. It consists of a metal canister with a
honeycomb insert, the cells of which have
walls coated in a catalytic layer (mixture of
precious metals).
To ensure that the catalytic converter con-
tinues to function properly, and also to avoid
damage to the converter and its associated
components, the following points must be
observed:
 Have the car serviced regularly in accor-
dance with the service program. The fuel
and ignition systems are particularly
important in this context.
 Always be alert to any misfiring of the
engine (not running on all cylinders) and
any loss of power or performance. At the
first sign of a malfunction, reduce speed
and take the car to an authorized Saab
dealer as soon as possible.
 If the engine fails to start (in very cold
weather or if the battery is dead), the car
can be push started (manual gearbox
only) or started using jumper cables to a
donor battery. However, as soon as you have started the engine, it is important
that it runs on all cylinders. If it is misfiring,
allow it to idle for up to five minutes to give
it time to settle and run smoothly. If, after
this time, the engine still fails to run prop-
erly, turn off the engine and get in touch
with an authorized Saab dealer for advice.
 Never park the car on dry grass or other
combustible material. The catalytic con-
verter gets very hot and could therefore
start a fire.
 Never drive off if the engine is misfiring.
 If you jump start the car when the engine
is already up to normal temperature, the
engine must start to run on all cylinders.
NOTEIf constant knocking occurs every time a
load is put on the engine, this indicates a
malfunction in the system.
Have the car checked without delay by an
authorized Saab dealer. NOTEIf the engine is being run with the car on a
rolling road or dynamometer, longer than
for a standard state emission inspection,
to ensure adequate cooling, air must be
blown into the engine compartment and
under the car at a rate equivalent to the
ram-air effect that would be obtained at
the corresponding road speed.
NOTEUse only unleaded gasoline. Leaded gas-
oline is detrimental to the catalyst and
oxygen sensor and will seriously impair
the function of the catalytic converter.
IB1315
Engine-management system with catalytic
converter 1 Engine control module
2 Oxygen sensor (lambda probe)
3 Catalytic converter
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139 Starting and driving
Recommended fuel:The engine in your Saab 9-3 is designed to
operate on unleaded gasoline that has an
octane rating of:
 AON 90 (minimum 87) for 185 hp
engines.
 AON 93 (minimum 87) for 205 hp engines
and Viggen.
Octane rating is determined according to
the formula:
where MON is the Motor Octane Number,
and RON is the Research Octane Number.
The average of these two values is the
octane rating of the gasoline as it appears
on the pump at a retail gas station. This
value is sometimes referred to as the
"Anti-Knock Index" (AKI) or the "Average
Octane Number" (AON).
To avoid deposit formation on the fuel injec-
tors which can cause poor driveability, use
only quality gasolines that contain deter-
gents and corrosion inhibitors. Because
gasolines sold at retail gas stations vary in
their composition and quality, you should
switch to a different brand if you begin expe-
riencing driveability and/or hard starting
problems shortly after refueling your car. In
recent years, a variety of fuel additives and
alcohols or oxygenates have been blended
with gasoline. These types of gasolines may be found in all parts of the United States and
Canada, but particularly in geographic
areas and cities that have high carbon mon-
oxide levels. Saab approves the use of such
"reformulated" gasolines in its products,
which help in reducing pollution from all
motor vehicles, provided that the following
blending percentages are met by such
fuels:
 Up to 10% ethanol by volume, with corro-
sion inhibitors.
 Up to 15% MTBE by volume (methyl ter-
tiary butyl ether).
 Up to 5% methanol by volume, with an
equal amount of a suitable co-solvent and
added corrosion inhibitors.
Other, less common, fuel additives used by
some gasoline dealers are also acceptable,
provided that the resultant gasoline is not
more than 2.7% oxygen by weight. In many
cases, you may not be able to determine the
exact type or percentage by volume of fuel
additive in the gasoline you purchase for
your car.
Some Canadian and U.S. gasolines contain
an octane enhancing additive called meth-
lycyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). If such fuel is used, your emission
control system performance may deterio-
rate and the malfunction indicator lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on. If this
occurs, return to your authorized Saab
dealer for service.
However, these blended gasolines are reg-
ulated and should never exceed these rec-
NOTE Fill to maximum filling capacity
 Stop filling after the first time that the
nozzle trips to shut off the flow of fuel
 Filling capacity can differ between
different fuel stations and outside
temperature. Fuel tank volume when
nozzle trips to shut off, may vary by
0.5 gal. (2 liters).
 Do not fill fuel all the way up the filler
pipe. The gasoline must be allowed
room for expansion especially during
hot weather.
MON + RON
2
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144 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission
fault indicator
If the symbol appears on the main instru-
ment panel, the system has detected a fault
in the automatic transmission or its control
module (see page 58).
This also means that the Limp-home mode
has been selected, to guard against further
damage being done to the transmission. In
this mode, the automatic transmission
starts in 4th gear, and gear changes (if nec-
essary) will have to be made manually.
It is not possible to select the SPORT or
WINTER mode when the Limp-home mode
is active.
You should have the automatic transmis-
sion checked as soon as possible by an
authorized Saab dealer.
The following gears will be engaged in the
respective selector positions when the auto-
matic transmission is in the Limp-home
mode:
Overheated transmission oilIf the transmission oil becomes overheated
while driving, the following message
appears on the SID: TRANSMISSION
OVERHEATING. In this event, stop the car
in a suitable place, switch off the engine,
open the hood and wait until the message
goes out. When driving subsequent to the
transmission oil overheating, select a
locked gear position in which the engine
speed is about 3,000 rpm.
The transmission oil can become very hot
when the car is driven with a heavy load; for
example, driving with a trailer on hilly roads
when the wrong gear has been selected,
resulting in many extra gear changes.
Select one of the positions 1, 2 or 3. A high
outside temperature or a defective oil cooler
can also cause the oil temperature to
increase. Contact an authorized Saab work-
shop, see also page 156.
Driving in hilly country with a heavy
loadOverheating of the automatic-transmission
fluid can occur when the car is towing a
heavy load, such as a trailer in hilly country,
with the wrong gear selected, resulting in
abnormally frequent gear changing. Try
selecting position 1, 2 or 3. High ambient
temperatures can also increase the temper-
ature of the transmission fluid or the oil
cooler may be faulty. As the transmission
fluid temperature increases, its useful ser-
vice life is reduced. Contact an authorized
Saab dealer (see also page 156).TowingTowing a car with automatic transmission,
see page 162. Position R D 3 2 1
Gear Reverse 4th 4th 3rd 3rd
NOTEIf the control module has actuated the
Limp-home function for the automatic
transmission, the car will remain in 4th
gear when D is selected, making it very
sluggish. To overcome this, move the
selector lever to position 2.
WARNING
Remember to use engine-braking (selec-
tor position 1, 2, or 3) to spare the brakes
when you are driving on a long or steep
downhill slope. Select the same gear as
you would on the corresponding uphill
slope.
Brake failure can result from overheated
brakes!
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149 Starting and driving
Disengaging the system The system will be disengaged:
 When the brake or clutch pedal is
depressed.
 When the switch is moved to CANCEL.
 When the switch is moved to OFF.
 When the engine is switched off.
 When the selector lever is moved to posi-
tion N (cars with automatic transmission).
BrakingTo avoid overheating the brakes, (e.g. when
negotiating long descents with a drop of
several hundred feet), select a low gear to
use the braking effect of the engine. If the
car has automatic transmission, move the
selector lever to position 1 or 2.
When driving fast, you can help to prolong
the life of the brakes by thinking ahead and
braking harder for short periods, rather than
braking more moderately over long
stretches. Brake pad wear indicatorsThe outboard brake pads on the front
wheels incorporate pad-wear indicators.
When the lining is down to 3 mm, the pad
will produce a screeching, squealing or
scraping noise when the brakes are applied.
New pads should be installed without delay.
Brake pads should only be replaced by
an authorized Saab dealer.
To ensure optimum brake performance,
it is recommended that you use only
Saab original brake pads.

WARNING
 It is prudent to try your brakes from
time to time, especially when driving in
heavy rain, on roads with a lot of sur-
face water, or in snow or slush. In such
conditions, the brakes may take
longer than normal to take effect. To
rectify this, touch the brake pedal peri-
odically to dry the brakes out.
 The same applies after the car has
been washed or when the weather is
very humid.
 The brakes are power assisted and it
should be kept in mind that the servo
unit only provides the power assis-
tance when the engine is running.
 The brake pressure required when the
engine is off,( e.g. when the car is
being towed) is roughly four times the
normal pedal force required. The
pedal also feels hard and unrespon-
sive.
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