2002 SAAB 9-3 air conditioning

80 Instruments and controlsManual climate-control
systemThe 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.
The rate of air flow inside the car is con-
trolled by means of the fan switch. Temperature control The temperature of the incoming air can
be steplessly varied using the temperature
control.
Air distribution The air distribution control is used to direct
the flow of air to the defroster, dash and floor
vents.
The control permits settings intermediately
between the three main settings so that the
available air can be apportioned between
the floor and the windshield (defroster) or
between the floor and the panel.
To counter cold drafts from the front side
windows when the control has been set to
defroster or floor, a small flow of air issues
from the dash vents. The dash vents swivel universally, so that
the air can be directed as desired.
The flow of air through the dash vents can
be adjusted for each vent by means of the
adjacent control.
Air to the rear side windows is supplied by
the floor ducts. To demist these windows
you should therefore select a defroster/floor
combination.
If the windows are thoroughly cleaned it is
much easier to keep them free of mist.
Fan
IB755
Control panel: manual system 1 Temperature
2 Fan speed
3 Air distribution
4 Air conditioning (A/C)
5 Rear-window heating
6 Recirculation
IB032
Dash vent 1 Adjusting the direction of the air flow.
2 Adjusting the air flow
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82 Instruments and controls
The air conditioning is combined with the
conventional climate-control system and is
switched on by pressing the button,
provided that the fan control is in
position 1-4.
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 air conditioning can be used at outdoor
temperatures down to 32°F (0°C). Condensation water When the A/C compressor is on, the incom-
ing air is dehumidified. The resulting con-
densation water is drained away through an
outlet under the car.
It is therefore perfectly normal for water to
be seen dripping from this outlet when the
car is parked. The warmer the ambient air
and the higher the humidity, the more con-
densation will form. When the button is depressed the
regular air intake will be closed. In this posi-
tion, the air inside the cabin is recirculated.
Use recirculation when you want rapid cool-
ing, at extremely high air temperatures.
Switch the air conditioning (A/C) on first.
Recirculation can be useful to activate man-
ually to prevent unpleasant smells being
drawn into the car from outside.
Note that recirculation should not be
used when the outside temperature is
lower than 50°F (+10°C) except briefly,
e.g. to avoid unpleasant air from enter-
ing the car. Prolonged use of recircula-
tion could cause the windows to mist or
ice up.
Air conditioning (A/C)
Recirculation
IB794
Air vent at rear side window
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86 Instruments and controlsFunctions The function you have manually selected will be locked in, while
other functions remain automatic.
Temperature maintenance, except in positions HI and LO, is, there-
fore always automatic. The active function is shown in the display.
A manual selection is cancelled by pressing AUTO or by repeated
pressing of the button used to make the manual choice. For further
functions, see ”Programming II”, page 91.
Button Display
When the system is set to AUTO, the
temperature, air distribution, fan
speed and recirculation will be con-
trolled automatically.
The air conditioning is activated auto-
matically if the outside temperature is
above 32°F (0°C). When AUTO is
depressed again, all automatically
selected settings are shown on the
display.
Button Display
Setting the cabin temperature
1 Switch on the ignition.
2 Set the desired cabin tempera-
ture using the two buttons.
3 The temperature you have now
chosen will be stored, remaining
in the memory even when the
ignition is switched off, unless
ACC has been programmed with
a different "ON" setting. See pro-
gramming, page 90.
IB764
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185 Car care
IB944
Hood release handle ....... 186
Engine .............................. 188
Engine bay ....................... 187
Engine oil ......................... 190
Transmission fluid .......... 191
Coolant ............................. 192
Air filter ............................ 193
Brake- clutch fluid and
brake pads ..................... 194
Power steering ................ 195
Battery .............................. 195
Drive belt .......................... 197
Wipers and washers ....... 198
Wiper blades .................... 198
Changing bulbs ............... 200
Fuses ................................ 206
Wheels.............................. 211 Safety belts ....................... 218
Upholstery and trim ......... 219
Textile carpeting .............. 219
Engine bay ........................ 220
Washing ............................ 220
Waxing and polishing ...... 221
Touching up the paint ..... 221
Anti-corrosion treatment . 222
Recovery and/or recy-
cling of automotive mate-
rials .................................. 224
Air conditioning (A/C
system) ........................... 226 Car care
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219 Car care
Upholstery and trimTo remove fluff or hairs from the seat uphol-
stery or headlining, use a moist, lint-free
cloth or a special lint remover (brush or
roller). Remove any dirty marks using a
cloth moistened with lukewarm soapy
water.
When using a stain remover, always work
from the outside towards the center to avoid
leaving a ring. If a soiled ring or spot should
remain, it can usually be removed using
lukewarm soapy water or water alone.
Wet patches left by spilled soft drinks or thin
oil must be wiped off immediately using an
absorbent material, such as paper toweling,
and treated with stain remover.
Isopropyl alcohol is recommended for
removing grease or oil stains, and a
semi-stiff brush may also be used.
Cleaning and caring for leather
upholsteryThe principal reason for treating leather
upholstery is to maintain its elegant appear-
ance and to provide it with a protective film.
Discoloration caused by dust and wear
mainly affects the lighter shades, although
this is not detrimental to the leather –
indeed, the patina resulting from use is often
considered desirable in leather. But if the
leather is allowed to become too grubby, it
can start to look shabby.
The leather upholstery should be cleaned
and reconditioned twice a year in conjunc-
tion with spring and autumn inspections. In
very warm, dry climates the leather may
need more regular reconditioning. Recom-
mended conditioner - Saab Leather Care
Lotion.
Do not use unknown harsh polishing
agents, cleaning agents, sprays, coarse
soap or hot water.
The leather will be clean and attractive for
many years.
Textile carpetingVacuum clean the carpeting regularly. Car-
pets can also be cleaned using a brush, or
carpet shampoo applied with a sponge. Do
not use vacuum cleaners outdoors unless
they are properly grounded.
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226 Car careAir conditioning
(A/C system)
Fault diagnosis If a fault occurs in the A/C system, there are
a number of checks you can perform your-
self. If the fault persists, however, have the
system checked by an authorized Saab
dealer.Important!

When the A/C system is in operation, mois-
ture from the air will condense on the evap-
orator. When the car is then parked, this
condensation will drip off the evaporator
and form a small pool of water on the
ground. This is normal. The warmer the
ambient air and the higher the humidity, the
greater the amount of condensation formed.Inadequate cooling:
a Make sure that the temperature and
air-distribution controls are in the
appropriate settings, see page 81.
b Check that the condenser (forward of
the radiator) has not become clogged
with dirt and insects.
c Make sure that the drive belt for the com-
pressor is not slipping, see page 197.
d Check the fuses for the ventilation fans
and compressor, see page 208.
NOTE The A/C system is designed for use
with R134a refrigerant.
 Refrigerant handling requires special
equipment and special procedures for
charging and draining the system.
 All repairs and adjustments on the A/C
system must be carried out by a Saab
dealer authorized for this kind of work.
 Never mix R134a and R12 refriger-
ants.
WARNING
 The A/C system is pressurized. Do not
break any connections or undo A/C
system components.
 Escaping refrigerant gas can cause
visual impairment or other injury.
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247 Index
IndexAA/C system, fault diagnosis
________ 226
A/C system, maintenance _________ 226
ACC
__________________________ 84
ACC, useful tips
_________________ 92
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 131
Air conditioning (A/C), fault diagnosis
and maintenance
______________ 226
Airbag
_________________________ 28
Alarm __________________________ 41
Alarm functions
__________________ 44
Alarm signals
___________________ 44
Anti-corrosion treatment
__________ 222
Anti-theft system
_________________ 41
Ashtray
_______________________ 135
Audio System
___________________ 93
Automatic climate control (ACC)
_____ 84
Automatic transmission
___________ 156
BBattery
________________________ 195
Boost starting from donor battery
___ 181
Brake fluid, check
_______________ 194
Brake fluid, grade _______________ 241
Brake pad wear indicators
___ 164
, 194
Brakes
________________________ 164Braking
_______________________164
Bulb table _____________________205
CCD changer
____________________102
CD player
_____________________100
CHECK messages
_______________72
CHECKING
_____________________72
Cabin lighting __________________133
Calibration, ACC _________________90
Car alarm
______________________41
Care of safety belts
______________218
Central locking
__________________36
Change of address notification
_____232
Changing a wheel
_______________215
Changing bulbs
_________________200
Changing the engine oil
__________190
Changing the key battery __________39
Changing the wheels round _______212
Changing wiper blades
___________198
Chassis number
________________243
Child car seats
__________________19
Child safety
_____________________19
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______39
Child seats
_____________________19
Cigar lighter ____________________135
Cleaning the soft top, Convertible
____57
Climate-control system, manual
_____80
Compact spare wheel
____________214
Condensation water, A/C __________82Condensation water, ACC
_________ 85
Convertible
____________________ 47
Coolant
______________________ 192
Courtesy Headlight Feature
_______ 76
Cruise Control
_________________ 163
Cup holder
____________________ 134
DDICE/TWICE
__________________ 207
Date code, tires ________________ 214
Dim low beam
__________________ 75
Dimmer
_______________________ 78
Direction indicators
______________ 76
Direction-indicator stalk
___________ 76
Dome lighting
_________________ 133
Door mirrors
__________________ 137
Drive belt
_____________________ 197
Driving in deep water
____________ 179
Driving in hot weather ___________ 173
Driving technique
_______________ 170
Driving with a compact spare wheel

184
Driving with a load
______________ 178
Driving with a roof load
__________ 176
Driving with the trunk lid open
_____ 179
EEconomical motoring
____________ 170
Electrical system, technical data
___ 240
Electrical window
_______________ 130
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