2001 SAAB 9-5 trailer

4Exterior
IB580
Roof-rack load _______________ 176
Mounting holes for roof rack ____ 176
Maximum loads ______________ 250
Rearview mirrors _____________ 125
Hood ______________________ 188
Engine compartment: washing __ 233
Central lock ____________ 34
Interior locking buttons ____ 36
Child safety lock catch ____ 37
Trunk/tailgate lid lock _____ 38
Car alarm (anti-theft alarm) 41Front lights _____________ 63
Headlight switch _________ 63
High/low beam
control stalk ____________ 63
Turn signal &
lane change indicators ___ 65
Headlight wipers _________ 68
Changing bulbs ________ 205
Fuel gauge __________________ 55
Fuel filler flap ________________ 154
Refueling ___________________ 154
Fuel economy _______________ 170
Fuel grade __________________ 252
Economical motoring __________ 170
Tire pressure ___________ back cover
Wheel and tire specifications ____ 257
Brakes and braking ___________ 167
Winter driving ________________ 172
Wheels and tires _____________ 221
Wheel changing ______________ 226
Spare wheel _________________ 180
Luggage compartment _________ 134
Folding down the rear seat,
9-5 Sedan ___________________ 134
Folding down the rear seat,
9-5 Wagon __________________ 137
Trunk _______________________ 134
Tool kit ______________________ 144
Spare wheel _____________ 144, 180
Jack ________________________ 226Driving with a trailer ______ 174
Towing ________________ 181
Towrope attachment eyes _ 181Light switches ___________ 63
Changing bulbs _________ 205
 Tail lights ____________ 208
 Stop lights ___________ 208Sunroof _______________ 128
Washing the car ________ 232
Waxing and polishing ____ 233
Touching-up of paintwork _ 234
Anticorrosion treatment ___ 234
Service program_________ 245
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53 Instruments and controls
Automatic transmission,
fault indicator
On a car with an automatic transmission,
this warning symbol is illuminated if a fault
has been detected in the transmission.
Switch the ignition off and on again to check
if the fault persists.
Even if the fault persists, it is still possible in
most cases to drive the car (see page 161).
Have the automatic transmission checked
by an authorized Saab dealer as soon as
possible.
Traction-control-system:
OFF
The indicator light goes on when the Trac-
tion Control System is switched off with the
TCS OFF button.
IMPORTANT: the Traction Control System
is automatically engaged every time the
engine is started (see page 169).
The indicator light also goes on when there
is a fault in the Traction Control System. In
this case the light cannot be turned off by
means of the TCS button. If a fault is indi-
cated, have the system checked by an
authorized Saab dealer.
See also ”Traction Control System”, on
page 169.
TCS modulation in
progress
The TCS indicator light is located in the
lower half of the tachometer and will be illu-
minated when TCS regulation is occurring,
i.e. when there is insufficient traction
between the tires and the road surface to
provide the grip required for the accelera-
tion called for. The driver can also sense
that the engine is not responding normally to
the accelerator.
Operation of the TCS indicates reduced
traction between the tires and the road, and
that extra care should be taken by the driver.
In normal driving, the TCS will improve both
ride comfort and safety, but must not be
regarded as a system to enable the driver to
drive at or maintain a higher rate of speed.
The same precautions for safe cornering
and driving on slippery roads must still be
applied (see page 169).
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, select posi-
tion 2 to prevent unnecessary wear on the
transmission. The transmission then
starts in 3rd gear. When the car is moving
you can select position D or 3.
When the indicator light is on, the car
must not be driven with a trailer attached.
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126 Interior equipment and trunkCars equipped with a programmable
driver’s seat also have a facility for angling
the passenger’s mirror down on reversing,
e.g. for a better view of the curb.
After selecting reverse, press the tiny button
adjacent to the door-mirror switch to tilt the
mirror. The mirror will be reset automatically
when reverse gear is deselected.
Rear-view mirror with auto dimming
functionThe interior rear-view mirror has two sen-
sors, one forward-facing and one rear-fac-
ing.
The system is activated when the for-
ward-facing sensor detects that it is dark
outside and the rear-facing sensor detects,
for example, if the car following has not
dimmed its headlights. The rear-view mirror
is then darkened to prevent the strong light
source from dazzling the driver. This dark-
ening is stepless.
The mirror returns to its normal state when
the strong light source diminishes.
The auto dimming function can be turned
OFF with the switch on the lower edge of the
rear-view mirror.
The system is turned off when reverse gear
is engaged or selected.
Towing a trailer can cause the system to
malfunction, as the rear-facing sensor may
sense light from the trailer.
IB568
Button for angling passenger’s mirror
down on reversing
IB1284
1
23
1 Forward-facing sensor
2 ON/OFF switch, auto dimming function
3 Rear-facing sensor
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147 Starting and driving
Starting and driving
IB597
Ignition switch ................. 148
Starting the engine .......... 149
Important considerations
for driving ....................... 151
Refueling .......................... 154
Engine Break-In Period ... 157
Gear changing ................. 158
Cruise control .................. 166
Braking ............................. 167
Traction Control System . 169
Economical motoring ...... 170
Driving in cold weather ... 172 Driving in hot weather .... 173
Towing a trailer ................ 174
Driving with a roof rack
load ................................. 176
Driving with a load .......... 179
Driving considerations
with compact spare
wheel/tire fitted .............. 180
Driving with the trunk
lid/tailgate open ............. 180
Driving in deep water ...... 180
Towing the car ................. 181 Jump starting ................... 183
Parking brake ................... 185
Parking .............................. 185
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162 Starting and driving
Overheated transmission fluid If the automatic-transmission fluid should
overheat, the following message will appear
on the SID:
”TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING”. If this
happens, stop the car and wait for the mes-
sage to be extinguished. Continue driving in
a locked gear that produces an engine
speed of about 3,000 rpm.
Overheating of the automatic-transmission
fluid can occur when the car is towing a
heavy load, such as a camping 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 temperature of the transmis-
sion fluid or the oil cooler may be faulty.
Contact an authorized Saab dealer (see
also page 174).
Driving on hilly roads with a heavy
loadThe transmission fluid can overheat when
the gearbox is strained, for example, when
driving with a trailer on hilly roads with the
wrong gear is selected, resulting in many
extra gear changes. To avoid the transmis-
sion fluid overheating, always drive in
Normal mode. The adaptive gear change
patterns are then active.
High air temperatures or a faulty oil cooler
can also cause the transmission fluid to
overheat. Overheating reduces the service
life of the fluid. Contact an authorized Saab
dealer (see also page 174. Towing Towing of cars with automatic transmission,
see page 181.
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.
Brake failure can result from overheated
brakes!
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164 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.
Adaptive gear-change patternsAdaptive gear-change patterns are selected automatically depend-
ing on the engine load and the present temperature of the transmis-
sion. The function is available in Normal and Sport modes.
The changes occur at a higher engine speed and the car remains in
the same gear for longer, if the transmission control module senses
that the load has not decreased. These gear-change patterns pre-
vent unnecessary changing up and down, when for example driving
up long slopes with a trailer or caravan, and to prevent overheating
the transmission oil. The adaptive gear-change function is also
selected automatically when the transmission oil becomes too hot,
to protect the transmission itself from damage and to lower the oil
temperature.
The adaptive gear-change pattern function is deselected when:
 Winter mode is selected.
 The engine is switched off.
 The load is reduced so much that the function is no longer
required.
 ”Automatic transmission, fault indicator” appears on main
instrument panel, see page 161. 1
Position 1 should be used when maximum
engine-braking is required on steep downhill
slopes.
Do not move the selector to position 1 at speeds
in excess of 37 mph (60 km/h).
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171 Starting and driving
a major impact on fuel consumption after
the engine has started from cold. Thus, if the
car is mainly used for short journeys of
3–5 miles (5–8 km), the fuel consumption
will be 60–80 % higher than normal.Driving technique To obtain the best running economy, not
only regarding fuel consumption but gen-
eral wear also, regular service is required.
 High speed, unnecessary acceleration,
heavy braking and much low gear work all
gives rise to higher fuel consumption.
 Frequent gear changing in traffic, starting
in cold weather, the use of studded tires
and roof racks, and towing a trailer all
increase fuel consumption.
 Do not run the engine when the car is sta-
tionary.
If idling, it will take much longer before the
engine becomes hot. Engine wear is
greatest during this warming-up phase.
Therefore drive away as soon as possible
after the engine is started and avoid high
revving. Driving in a low gear results in higher fuel
consumption than in a high gear because
of the higher engine speed for a given
road speed. Always change up to a higher
gear as soon as traffic conditions allow
and use the highest gear as much as pos-
sible.
 Check the air pressure in the tires once a
month. Incorrect pressures increase tire
wear. It is better to have slightly higher
pressure than lower.
 Check fuel consumption regularly.
Increased consumption can indicate that
something is wrong and that the car
needs to be checked by an authorized
Saab dealer.
Practical trials on the roads have demon-
strated that substantial savings in fuel con-
sumption can be made if the above advice
is heeded.
Road conditions Wet roads increase fuel consumption, as do
unpaved roads and driving in hilly country
(the amount of fuel saved driving downhill is
less than the additional amount required to
climb the hill).
Engine block heater (standard
equipment in Canada, accessory in
U.S.)The following are just some of the benefits
to the car and the environment of using an
engine block heater:
 Lower fuel consumption.
 Reduced wear on the engine.
 Inside of car warms up faster.
 Exhaust emissions substantially reduced
over short runs.
The engine heater is effective at outside
temperatures up to +15-20°C. The warmer
it is outside, the shorter the time the engine
heater needs to be connected. Longer than
1.5 hours is unnecessary.
If the car is equipped with a removable,
electrical cabin heater that is not in use, this
should be stored in the luggage compart-
ment.
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174 Starting and drivingTowing a trailerTrailer hitch attachmentTrailer hitch attachments are available as
accessories. These are designed for a max-
imum trailer weight of 3500 lbs. (1588 kg),
see also page 251.
Use only the electrical trailer hitch socket
provided in the trailer hitch kit.
Saab recommends:
 Use a Saab original hitch kit attachment
which is designed and tested by Saab.
 Consult your Saab dealer as regards the
right hitch kit for your car.
Trailer weightMaximum recommended trailer weights for
different gradients, with a view to comfort
and drivability for manual and automatic
cars, are shown on the drawing.
Make sure you are familiar with the law
regarding speed limits for towing, maxi-
mum trailer weights, trailer-braking
requirements, and also any special
driving-licence provisions
(see also page 251).
The specified trailer weights and gradients
assume that the journey starts at the hill and
therefore apply only to short periods.
NOTEUse only a genuine Saab trailer hitch and
wiring, since other wiring methods can
cause expensive damage to the car’s
body and electrical system.
Consult an authorized Saab dealer for
guidance on how to connect the trailer
hitch electrical system.
WARNING
When towing a trailer, do not attempt to
negotiate a hill having a gradient in
excess of 15%. The weight distribution
over the front wheels of the car will be
insufficient to prevent wheelspin, making
further progress impossible.
In addition, the parking brake may not
always be able to hold the car and trailer
securely, with the result that the wheels
can start to slide downhill.
IB1692
Maximum recommended trailer weights
for different gradients
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