2002 SAAB 9-5 towing

175 Starting and driving
Use Normal mode when driving with a trailer
or trailer on hilly roads. The adaptive gear
change pattern function will prevent the
transmission from overheating.
Rises in coolant temperature are indicated
by the temperature gauge in the main instru-
ment panel.
The following can also occur:
 the A/C-compressor can be shut off
 the gear-change pattern is changed
 the CHECK message TRANSMISSION
OVERHEATING can appear on the SID
If TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING
appears on the SID, stop the car as soon as
it is safe to do so and wait until the warning
has been extinguished. When continuing
your journey, select a locked gear (1, 2 or 3)
that will allow you to drive at an engine
speed of about 3,000 rpm (see page 161). Do not drive continuously with the WINTER
mode selected in hilly country when you are
towing a trailer, as this will increase fuel con-
sumption and risk overheating the transmis-
sion.
Driving considerations Always take extra care when towing a
trailer, as the car’s handling will be different
and its braking effect reduced. The trailer’s
braking system and suspension also have a
considerable effect on these characteris-
tics, see also ”Driving with a load” page 178.
If the car is equipped with automatic trans-
mission, select position L when ascending
or descending steep hills.
Trailer hitch loadThe weight distribution on the trailer makes
a lot of difference to the handling properties
of the car and trailer combination. As
regards single-axle trailers, whenever pos-
sible, concentrate the load over the wheels
and keep it as low as possible.
The trailer should be loaded so that the
maximum load on the towbar ball is 5% to
7% of the trailer weight with a maximum per-
missible tongue weight of 165 lbs. (75 kg).
Note that this load must be added to the total
load for the car. If this now exceeds the
specified load capacity, the load in the lug-
gage compartment will have to be reduced
by a corresponding amount.
WARNING
Remember to use engine-braking (selec-
tor position L, 3, or 4) to spare the brakes
when you are driving on a long or steep
downhill slope.
Brake failure can result from overheated
brakes!
NOTEIf the ”Automatic transmission, fault indi-
cator” indicator comes on, cease
towing until the problem has been recti-
fied.
IB106
Distribution of load in trailer a Light
b Moderate
cHeavy
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180 Starting and drivingTowing the carTransporting the carFront towing eye
The front towing eye is stored with the spare
wheel.
The attachment point (tapped hole) for the
towing eye is midway along the engine sub-
frame at the front of the car.
Remove the plastic plug and screw in the
towing eye securely.
To ensure that the towing eye is in far
enough, insert the handle of the wheel
wrench through the eye for additional lever-
age.
WARNING
 Remember that the brake servo does
not operate when the engine is off.
Much greater pressure than normal
will therefore be required to operate
the brake pedal.
 Nor does the steering servo operate
when the engine is off. The steering
will therefore be much heavier than
usual.
 The towing vehicle should always be
heavier than the vehicle on tow.
 Never allow passengers to ride in the
car being towed.
 Always seek professional help if the
car needs to be towed.NOTEIf a car with a sport (lowered) chassis is
transported, for example on a flat bed
truck, take extra care not to damage the
spoiler and/or underbody.
WARNING
 Make sure that the towing eye at the
front is screwed in tightly.
 The towing eye is only designed for
use when the car is being towed on the
road. It must not be used to pull the
car out of a ditch, for example. If the
towing eye were to shear suddenly, it
could cause serious injury.
 Always seek professional help if the
car needs to be recovered.
NOTE Do not drive the car with the front
towing eye in position. If it catches the
curb, for example, the engine sub-
frame could be damaged.
 Refit the plastic plug in the hole when
the towing eye has been removed, to
keep dirt and moisture out of the
threads.
IB482
Front towing eye
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181 Starting and driving
Rear towing eyeThe car has a permanently mounted towing
eye at the back. If the car is equipped with a
trailer hitch, this can be used instead of the
towing eye. Considerations when towing the car
with manual transmission Gear lever in neutral and parking lights on.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles being towed.
Always try to keep the towrope taut by
gently applying the brake, as necessary.
This will avoid the towrope being jerked
violently.
Considerations when towing the car
with automatic transmission Selector lever at N (neutral) and parking
lights on.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles being towed.
Always try to keep the towrope taut by
gently applying the brake, as necessary.
This will avoid the towrope being jerked
violently. 1 Selector lever in position N.
2 The local regulations on towing speeds
must be followed.
The highest permissible towing speed is
30 mph (50 km/h), unless the legal limit
is lower. The longest permissible towing
distance is 25-30 miles (40-50 km). If the
car has to be transported farther than
that, summon a tow truck. A flat bed tow
truck is the preferred method to tow.
Failure to follow these guidelines can result
in damage.
Cars with automatic transmission cannot be
bump started. In an emergency, it is possi-
ble to start the engine using jump leads (see
the section, ”Jump starting” on page 182). NOTE The car must be towed front first.
 If the car is to be towed with the front
wheels off the ground, make sure the
parking brake is off, as this acts on the
rear wheels.
IB483
Rear towing eye
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249 Specifications
Trailer:
Luggage compartment
Volume (SAE):
9-5 Sedan _______________________ 15.9 cu.ft.
(450 litres)
9-5 Wagon, rear seat upright ________ 31.4 cu. ft.
(890 litres)
9-5 Wagon, rear seat folded _________ 73.0 cu. ft.
(2067 litres)
Maximum permissible luggage-compart-
ment load:
At curb weight + 4 passengers at 154 lbs.
(70 kg) _________________________ 176 lbs (80 kg)
or each passenger fewer in the rear seat, the load may be
increased by 110 lbs (50 kg).
With entire rear seat lowered ________ 594 lbs (270 kg)
Luggage compartment, length, 9-5 Sedan:
Rear seat upright _________________ 43.0 in (1092 mm)
Rear seat folded down _____________ 67.5 in (1714 mm)
Luggage compartment, length, 9-5 Wagon:
Rear seat upright _________________ 42.8 in (1087 mm)
Rear seat folded __________________ 61.2 in (1732 mm)
WARNING
The GVW and maximum axle loads must not be exceeded. Note
that if some accessories (e.g. towbar, CD changer) are fitted, the
available load capacity is reduced by the weight of these.
When carrying a load in the luggage compartment, make sure that
it is tied down securely, particularly when part or all of the rear seat
is folded down.
Maximum towing speed, trailer with brakes 60 mph (100 km/h)
Trailer with brakes _________________ Maximum weight:
3500 lbs (1588 kg)
Trailer without brakes ______________ Maximum weight:
1000 lbs (450 kg)
Maximum load on ball hitch __________ 165 lbs (75 kg)
The above speed and weight restrictions are those specified by
Saab Automobile AB.
Note that local restrictions may apply to trailer speeds and
weights (see page 173).
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263 Index
Light switches
___________________ 65
Luggage-compartment lighting
______ 69
MMain instrument panel
_____________ 50
Main/dipped beam
_______________ 65
Maintenance schedule ___________ 244
Manual gearbox, technical data
____ 254
Maxi fuses
_____________________ 217
Milometer ______________________ 56
Motoring abroad
________________ 237
NNight Panel
_____________________ 63
OOil capacity, engine
______________ 250
Oil change, engine ______________ 194
Oil specification
_________________ 250
OnStar
________________________ 105
Outdoor temperature
______________ 59
Owner assistance
_______________ 245
PPaintwork, touching-in
____________ 234
Parking Assistance
______________ 184
Parking lights
___________________ 65
Plates and labels ________________ 257
Poly-V-belt
____________________ 201Power steering
_________________198
Power-steering fluid
_____________198
Pressure gauge
__________________58
Programming I, ACC
______________78
Programming II, ACC _____________79
Programming the ACC ____________78
QQuestions on function of airbag
_____35
Quick guide, Audio System
_________85
RRadio
__________________________88
Rain sensor
_____________________70
Rear fog light ____________________66
Rear seat, 9-5 Sedan, folding
______132
Rear seat, 9-5 Wagon, folding _____135
Rear-seat head restraints
__________18
Rear-view mirror, antidazzle _______124
Rearview mirrors
________________123
Reclamation
___________________237
Recommendations for cars with
automatic transmission,
towing a caravan or trailer
________174
Refuelling
_____________________152
Relay panel ____________________219
Remote control __________________38
Remote-control battery, changing
____40
Remove the key
________________146
Reporting safety defects
__________246Reprogramming of systems
______ 259
Reservoir, power-steering fluid ____ 198
Rev counter
____________________ 56
Reversing lights
_________________ 68
Roof load
_____________________ 176
Running-in ____________________ 170
SSID
__________________________ 59
SRS (airbag)
___________________ 29
SRS, supplementary restraint system
29
Saab 9-5 Audio System
___________ 83
Saab Information Display (SID)
_____ 59
Saab Parking Assistance
________ 184
Safety belts
____________________ 12
Safety belts, care of
_____________ 232
Safety-belt pretensioners
_________ 13
Safety-belt reminder
_____________ 12
Seats
________________________ 118
Securing a load
_________________ 41
Selector lever indication,
automatic transmission
__________ 59
Service costs
__________________ 245
Service information
_____________ 246
Service intervals
_______________ 244
Service record retention
_________ 245
Settings, seats
_________________ 118
Side airbags
___________________ 32
Signalling, horn ________________ 122
Sliding floor, 9-5 Wagon
_________ 140
Snow chains
__________________ 171
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264 IndexSpare wheel
___________________ 226
Spare wheel and tools
___________ 142
Spark plugs
____________________ 253
Speed rating ___________________ 222
Speedometer _______________ 56
, 57
Starting in cold weather, ACC
_______ 78
Starting in hot weather, ACC _______ 78
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 122
Steering, technical data
__________ 255
Stone-chip damage, repairing
______ 234
Storage compartments
___________ 129
Sun visors
_____________________ 128
Sunroof
_______________________ 126
Suspension
____________________ 255
Suspension, technical data
________ 255
Switches
_______________________ 65
Systems, adjustment
_____________ 259
TTCS OFF
_______________________ 55
Table of fuses
__________________ 218
Tachometer
_____________________ 56
Tailgate, opening
________________ 41
Tank gauge
_____________________ 57
Technical data __________________ 247
Telematics
_____________________ 105
Temperature control, ACC
_________ 74
Temperature gauge, engine ________ 57
Temperature zones, ACC
__________ 74
Textile carpeting
________________ 232
Through-load hatch ______________ 134Tie Downs
_____________________134
Tightening torque, wheel studs
_____227
Tire markings
_____________ 222
, 223
Tire pressure
______________ 178
, 222
Tires
____________________ 222
, 256
Tools
_________________________142
Touching-in the paintwork
_________234
Towbar attachment
______________173
Towbar load
___________________175
Towing the car __________________180
Towing, automatics
______________180
Traction
_______________________167
Trailer weights
__________________249
Trionic
________________________191
Trip computer
___________________59
Trip meter
______________________56
Trunk
_________________________132
Trunk lid, opening
________________41
Turbo gauge
____________________58
Turbo, points to note
_____________149
UUnder the hood, 3.0t V6
__________190
Under the hood, 4-cyl
____________189
Upholstery and trim
______________232
Upholstery and trim, care of
_______232
Useful tips, ACC
_________________80
VVanity mirrors
__________________128Ventilated front seats
____________ 121
Viscosity, engine oil _____________ 250
WWarning labels
___________________ 8
Warning light, AIR BAG
___________ 34
Warning lights
__________________ 50
Washers
_____________________ 202
Washers, windshield
____________ 203
Washing the car
_______________ 233
Waxing and polishing
___________ 233
Wear indicators, tires ____________ 224
Wheel, change
________________ 227
Wheels and tires ___________ 222
, 256
Wheels and tires, sizes
__________ 256
Window glass sensor, car alarm
____ 44
Windshield washers
_____________ 70
Windshield wipers
_______________ 70
Wiper blades, replacing
__________ 202
Wipers and washers
_________ 70
, 202
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