2001 SAAB 9-3 ECO mode

108 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 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 .
– 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 .
– 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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114 Saab 9-3 Audio System Requires accessory module for use with
OnStar system, standard on all Saab
models.
 "TELEPHONE" appears on the SID when
phone is in use.
 Volume level for ongoing conversation
can be adjusted by volume controls on
steering wheel or on audio-system mod-
ule. See also ”Volume-preset mode”,
page 108.
 If the sound is a bit fuzzy, adjust by means
of the volume control on the
phone set
.
 Phone battery is charging when ignition is
ON and phone in its cradle.
Please refer to the instructions supplied with
the phone for details of how to make and
receive calls.
OnStar System (US/Canada feature)
Your car may be equipped with OnStar, a
vehicle telematics system for communica-
tion and navigation. Please consult the sep-
arate chapter in this owner’s manual.
Mobile phones and
communications radios Mobile phones and communications radios
that do not have a separate external
antenna radiate an electromagnetic field
inside the car.Saab therefore recommends that a car
phone/radio transmitter should always be
connected to an external antenna.
An external antenna also provides
improved transmission/reception and a
greater range.
Mobile phones and communications radios
that are not supplied as standard equipment
by Saab can interfere with the car’s electri-
cal system and cause misleading fault
codes to be generated.
WARNING
The electromagnetic field produced, for
example, by a mobile telephone in the
passenger compartment may be detri-
mental to health. We therefore recom-
mend the use of an external antenna.
Do not use the phone when refueling with
gasoline. Gasoline fuels are highly explo-
sive.NOTEThe electromagnetic field can cause
interference with other electrical systems
in the car, such as the Audio System.
WARNING
Always consult an authorized Saab
dealer for installation guidance.
If you feel that any of the warnings or fault
indications are unclear, have the equip-
ment checked by an authorized Saab
dealer.
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118 OnStar - TelematicsYour new vehicle comes equipped with
advanced telematics hardware and a full
year of Onstar premium service. Saab
Telematics is a sophisticated in-vehicle
system allowing convergence of wireless
communications, GPS (Global Positioning
System) satellites and advanced vehicle
electronics.
You must activate immediately to ensure
you receive your full year of service, as your
prepaid subscription begins at the time of
delivery.
Here’s how to activate your OnStar ser-
vice:
1 Push the blue OnStar button located in
your Saab. You will be greeted by a live
OnStar Advisor. The Advisor will acti-
vate your OnStar service.
2 Provide the information requested by
the Advisor to activate your account and
set up your personal profile. This will
take approximately 10-15 minutes.
Using OnStarWelcome to OnStar. This section gives you
all the information you need to get started
using OnStar, including descriptions of all
OnStar services. It also introduces the
added services of Personal Calling, Virtual
Advisor, and the Onstar Subscriber Web-
site. For a complete explanation of these
additional services, please see pages 122,
126 and 127.OnStar is EasyIt’s easy to start using your OnStar system.
In fact, pressing the OnStar button is usually
all you need to do. Once you are connected,
an OnStar Advisor will help you with the ser-
vices in your plan.Your onboard OnStar System consists of
three buttons:
OnStar Services Button
Press this button, and you are
connected to an OnStar Advi-
sor. You will hear a chime, fol-
lowed by the words
”Connecting to OnStar.” Allow
20-30 seconds for initial con-
nection to the OnStar Call Cen-
ter. The Advisor will then help
you with any of the services
included in your OnStar plan.
If cellular service is unavail-
able, OnStar will generate a
fast busy tone. The OnStar sys-
tem will retry calls a number of
times before returning to the
ready mode. To cancel the
automatic dialing, press the
Call Answer/End button.
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139 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 58.
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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161 Starting and driving
Engine Break-in PeriodPistons, cylinder bores and bearings need
time to obtain uniform, wear-resistant sur-
faces.
If a new engine is driven too hard, this grad-
ual process of bedding-in will not be possi-
ble and the life of the engine will be short-
ened.
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km), do
not exceed 5,000 rpm.
In addition, refrain from driving the car at full
throttle, other than for brief instances,
during the first 1,800 miles (3,000 km).Wearing in new brake padsNew brake pads take time to bed in, about
90 miles (150 km) if the car is driven largely
under stop-and-go conditions or about
300 miles (500 km) of highway driving.
To extend the useful life of the pads, avoid
hard braking as much as possible.
Manual 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.
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.
IB864
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163 Starting and driving
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 168). 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
provide better grip, and the WINTER indica-
tor appears on the main instrument panel.
When the ignition is turned to OFF, the auto-
matic transmission will automatically revert
to Normal mode (see page 168).Adaptive gear change pattern is a func-
tion of the Normal and Sport modes. It
allows gear changing to be suited to the pre-
vailing driving conditions. The transmission
control module senses the engine load and
temperature of the transmission and selects
one of the four available gear change pat-
terns. Unnecessary gear changes and
undesired temperature increases in the
transmission are avoided.
The automatic transmission has a special
shift pattern during the first minute after a
cold engine is started so that the catalytic
converter will reach its correct working tem-
perature more rapidly
IB1280
Indication of gear position on the main
instrument panel
PRND
3
2
1
IB866
Detent positions for selector movement
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165 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 64).
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 either
3rd gear or Drive, whichever will allow the
engine to run at 3,000 rpm and maintain the
speed of traffic or a safe speed.
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 179.
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. To
avoid the transmission oil from overheating
always drive in Normal mode, then the
adaptive gear change pattern is active.
High ambient temperatures can also
increase the temperature of the transmis-
sion fluid or the oil cooler may be faulty. As
the transmission fluid temperature
increases, its useful service life is reduced.
Contact an authorized Saab dealer (see
also page 179).TowingTowing a car with automatic transmission,
see page 187. 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. The transmis-
sion then starts in 3rd gear. When the car
is moving you can select position D or 3.
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.
Brake failure can result from overheated
brakes!
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167 Starting and driving
If 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.
If one of the drive wheels spins excessively, the engine torque will
be reduced to avoid damaging the transmission
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 damage, and lowers 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 165.
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