2000 SAAB 9-3 ECO mode

100 Saab 9-3 Audio SystemFast track changes Touch SEEK (mid-segment) to switch
between the CD PLAY and CD TRACK
modes.
The CD PLAY and CD TRACK modes
change the function of << SEEK and
SEEK >>. The selected mode will also be
active the next time the system is switched
on. Choose the mode that you find most
convenient:
Random playback (RDM) (2) Press and hold the CD/RDM button to
select/deselect random playback of the cur-
rent disc. When this function is selected,
RDM will appear at the bottom of the dis-
play.
Touch SEEK >> to move from the current
track to the next during random playback.
Touch << SEEK to repeat the current track
during random playback.
Pressing and holding << SEEK or SEEK >>
will start Rapid play.
Eject (3) Touch to remove the disc.
If you press the eject button to open the tray
but fail to remove the disc, the CD player will
automatically close the tray again after
10 seconds to protect the disc, without
restarting playback. CD PLAY Pressing and holding
<< SEEK or SEEK >>
starts Rapid play.
CD TRACK Pressing and holding
<< SEEK or SEEK >> acti-
vates track changes.
IB1165
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103 Saab 9-3 Audio System
After two seconds, the status of the trays in
the magazine (i.e. loaded or empty) will be
shown on the display, e.g.:
If for some reason the CD selected by the
preset button cannot be played, playback of
the current CD will continue. Track change (2) Touch << SEEK or SEEK >> repeatedly to
move to preceding or following tracks.
Pressing << SEEK once will restart play-
back from the beginning of the current track.
Thus, to play the preceding track, touch
<< SEEK twice. Rapid play When << SEEK or SEEK >> is pressed and
held, rapid play will be initiated, with the time
and track showing on the display, e.g.:
If the button is depressed for more than
5 seconds, the rapid play will be even faster.
Rapid play stops when the button is
released.
Fast track changes Touch SEEK (mid-segment) to switch
between the CD PLAY and CD TRACK
modes.
The CD-PLAY and CD-TRACK modes
change the function of << SEEK and
SEEK >>. The selected mode will also be
active the next time the system is switched
on. Choose the mode that you find most
convenient.
Random playback (RDM) (3) Press and hold the CD/RDM button to
select/deselect random playback of the
CDs in the magazine. When this function is
selected, RDM will appear at the bottom of
the display.
Touch SEEK >> to move from the current
track to the next during random playback.
Touch << SEEK to repeat the current track
during random playback.
Pressing and holding << SEEK or SEEK >>
will start Rapid play.
To stop playback from the CD changer,
simply select another source (RADIO/CD).
The CD changer will now enter stand-by
mode.
CD PLAY Pressing and holding
<< SEEK or SEEK >>
starts Rapid play.
CD TRACK Pressing and holding
<< SEEK or SEEK >> acti-
vates track changes.
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104 Saab 9-3 Audio SystemGeneral functionsVolume-preset modeTo select the volume-preset mode, press
and hold the WB button at the same time as
you switch the Audio System on.
Use the << SEEK >> button to select the
required function.
The following volume settings can be prese-
lected:
STARTVOL - maximum volume level
when the Audio System is switched on.
 TEL VOL - preset volume level when an
in-car phone is activated.
 SP D VOL - speed-dependent volume.
The Audio System will automatically
adjust the volume level to suit the back-
ground noise, such as road noise, occur-
ring while the car is in motion.
 LOUDNESS ON/OFF - boosting of the
highest and lowest frequency ranges to
enhance the sound image when the
volume is set to a low level. Adjusting the volume The default setting for START VOL is
volume setting 9, and that for TEL VOL is
volume setting 14 (the highest volume set-
ting is 30).  Maximum START VOL
TELVOL
To change the volume setting:
– Press and hold the WB button at the
same time as you switch on the Audio
System.
– Adjust the volume.
– Wait 10 seconds or touch one of the
buttons on the bottom row of the Audio
System, e.g. RADIO/BAND, to save the
new volume setting.
Speed-dependent volume
(SP D VOL) ON/OFF To change the volume setting:
The default setting for this function is ON.
– Press and hold the WB button at the same time as you switch on the Audio
System.
– Select SP D VOL using << SEEK >>.
– Select ON/OFF by turning the VOL
control.
– Wait 10 seconds or touch one of the but-
tons on the bottom row of the Audio Sys-
tem, e.g. RADIO/BAND, to save the new
volume setting.
Loudness ON/OFF To change the loudness setting:
The default setting for this function is ON.
– Press and hold the WB button at the
same time as you switch on the Audio
System.
– Select LOUDNESS using << SEEK >>
– Select ON/OFF by turning the VOL
control.
– Wait 10 seconds or touch one of the but-
tons on the bottom row of the Audio Sys-
tem, e.g. RADIO/BAND, to save the new
volume setting.
WARNING
These functions should only be carried
out when the car is stationary.
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121 Interior equipment, trunk
Interior lightingThe interior lighting consists of one dome
light in the front and one in the back. The
switch for the interior lighting is on the over-
head panel next to the rearview mirror.
When the switch is in the mid-position
(door-activated), the interior lighting will
come on:
 When the car is unlocked from outside.
 When any door is opened with the ignition
off.
 When the ignition key is withdrawn from
the switch.The lighting goes out about 12 seconds
after the doors are closed or when the igni-
tion is turned on, provided that the switch is
in the mid-position.
If the doors are left open and the switch is in
position 2 or 3 with the ignition off, the inte-
rior lighting is turned off automatically after
20 minutes to preserve battery life.
The sun visors are equipped with vanity mir-
rors. On certain model variants, the sun
visors are fitted with vanity lighting, which
turns on when the cover is lifted.
9-3 Convertible: see page 52.
Trunk lightingThe trunk lighting is switched on and off
when you open and close the trunk, if the
switching button is set to ON. The lighting
can also be switched on and off using the
button on the light.
IB832
1 Interior lighting is off
2 Lighting comes on when a door is opened
3 Interior lighting on continuously
IB951
Rear-seat lighting 1 Reading lights
2 Dome light
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141 Starting and driving
Gear changingManual transmissionTo start the engine the clutch pedal must
be fully depressed.
The gear positions are marked on the gear
lever. Before reverse (R) can be engaged,
you must lift the ring underneath the
gear-lever knob.
To change gear, fully depress the clutch
pedal and then release it smoothly. It is
inadvisable to drive with your hand resting
on the gear lever, as this can increase the
wear on the gearbox.
When shifting down from 5th to 4th gear,
ease the gear lever straight back, without
applying any lateral pressure. This will pre-
vent 2nd gear being engaged by mistake,
which can result in overreving and possible
damage to the engine.
Shift-up indicator for improved fuel
economy
(U.S. models only)Cars equipped with a manual transmission
have a "Shift-up" light on the instrument
panel. The light begins to work after the
vehicle is warmed up and provides you with
a good indication when to shift to a higher
gear.
It is not necessary or recommended to
follow the shift-up recommendations in all
driving conditions, for example, when driv-
ing in heavy urban traffic or steep downhill
grades.
However, shifting with the light should result
in improved fuel economy. Therefore, for
reduced fuel consumption and better
energy conservation, you should make a
habit of shifting before or when the shift-up
light comes on.
Automatic transmission

NOTEWhen the reverse gear is to be engaged
the car must be at a standstill with the
accelerator fully released. Lift the reverse
lock-out collar and push the gear lever
firmly to the right in neutral before easing
it into reverse.
WARNING
 Make it a habit to keep your foot on the
brake when selecting a drive position,
to prevent the car from creeping for-
ward (or backwards if reverse is
selected).
 The car must be at a standstill before
P, R or N is selected. You have to have
your foot on the brake pedal to move
the lever out of park. If the car is still
moving when a drive position is subse-
quently selected, this could cause an
accident or damage the automatic
transmission.
 Never park the car with the selector
lever in a drive position, even if the
parking brake is on.
 If you want to leave the car with the
engine running, move the selector
lever to P or N and apply the parking
brake.
IB864
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142 Starting and drivingThe electronic control module for the auto-
matic transmission receives information on
engine torque and road speed. It also con-
trols the hydraulic pressure in the transmis-
sion to ensure that gear changing is as
smooth as possible.
The position of the selector lever is shown
by the symbols adjacent to the lever and
also by an indicator on the main instrument
panel.
The ignition key can only be removed when
the selector lever is in the P position.When the car is stationary, the engine must
be idling when the selector lever is moved.
You must have your foot on the brake
pedal to move the lever out of park. If the
accelerator is depressed while the lever is
moved, this will result in abnormal wear in
the transmission. The detent button on the selector lever has
to be pressed before the selector can be
moved between certain positions.
Three modes for the automatic transmis-
sion can be selected: Normal, Sport and
Winter.
The Normal mode, which provides the best
fuel economy, is the default setting when
the engine is started.
Sport mode alters the angle of the throttle
valve for increased power compared to the
same accelerator position in Normal mode.
This means gear changes are made to opti-
mize the car’s performance. The SPORT
indicator light is shown on the main instru-
ment panel; see page 147).
The Winter mode is intended for use when
pulling away and driving on icy roads. In this
mode, the transmission starts in 3rd gear, to
NOTEAfter selecting a drive position, pause
briefly to allow the gear to engage (the car
starts to pull a little) before you acceler-
ate.
IB1280
Indication of gear position on the main
instrument panel
IB865
Selector lever 1 Catch
2 Button for SPORT position
3 Button for WINTER position
PRND
3
2
1
IB866
Detent positions for selector movement
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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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146 Starting and drivingIf the gear selector lever is moved from position D to 1, a
change-down to 3rd gear will occur at about 110 mph (180 km/h).
A change-down to 2nd gear will occur at about 75 mph (120 km/h)
and to 1st gear at about 40 mph (65 km/h).
When position 1 is selected, all the other gears will be locked out.
Manual gear-changing is not recommended on slippery roads.
2.0 Turbo 185 hp and 205 hp: If one of the drive wheels spins
excessively, the engine torque will be reduced to avoid damaging
the transmissionKick-downWhen the accelerator is pressed down hard, a downshift to the next
lower gear will occur to provide maximum acceleration, e.g. for over-
taking.
The change-up to the next gear again will take place either when the
accelerator is released or when maximum engine speed for that
gear is reached.
Adaptive gear-change patternsAdaptive gear-change patterns are selected automatically depend-
ing on the engine load. This function applies in the Normal and Sport
modes.
The change occurs at a higher rotation speed and the gear remains
engaged for a longer period, if the control module senses that the
load does not drop. These change patterns avoid unnecessary gear
changes when, for example, driving on long inclines with a trailer,
and to prevent overheating of the transmission oil. This function cuts
in automatically if the oil becomes too hot, to protect the transmis-
sion from serious damage, and lower the oil temperature.
The adaptive change pattern function is not activated at speeds over
93 mph (150 km/h). If a pattern is in operation when this speed is
exceeded, it will be maintained until the control module senses that
a more suitable one can be activated.
The adaptive gear-change pattern function is deselected when:
 Winter mode is selected.
 The engine is switched off.
 The load is reduced by so much that this function is no longer
required.
 “Automatic transmission fault indicator” appears on the
main instrument panel, see page 144. 1
Position 1 should be used when maximum
engine-braking is required on steep downhill
slopes and to avoid frequent gear-changing on
steep climbs.
Do not move the selector to position 1 at speeds
in excess of 30 mph (50 km/h).
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