2003 SAAB 9-3 ESP

86 Instruments and controlsThe system uses four sensors:
 Outside air temperature sensor
 Cabin air temperature sensor
 Sun sensor
 Blended air temperature sensors (located
in the heater unit and the outer panel vent
duct).
The sun sensor is located centrally on the
top of the fascia.
Note:
If the sun sensor is covered, the ACC
system will not be able to regulate the cabin
climate as intended, especially in strong
sunshine.
Condensation waterWhen 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.
1 Sun sensor
2 Cabin temperature sensor
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99 Interior equipment
Electric windowsThe electric windows are operated by
means of switches in the door armrests.
For the electric windows to work, the remote
control must be in the ON position in the
ignition switch.
At the end of a journey and having removed
the remote control, you can still operate the
windows, so long as neither of the front
doors has been opened.
Windows having the automatic closing func-
tion (option) can be operated as long as the
car is unlocked and until 20 minutes has passed since the remote control was
removed from the ignition switch.
To openPress down the front edge of the button one
step.
The window will stop when it is fully open or
when the button is released.
Automatic opening: Press the button all
the way down and release it.Comfort opening (option)Comfort opening is the remote opening of
windows and the sunroof.
Press and hold the unlocking button on the
remote control until the windows and sun-
roof start to open (approx. 2 s).
WARNING
Bear in mind the pinch hazard when clos-
ing the side windows. Risk of serious or
fatal injuries!
•Always remove the remote control
from the ignition switch and open one
of the front doors when you leave the
car to prevent personal injury caused
by the activation of the electric
windows, for example, due to children
playing.
 The person operating the electric
window is responsible for ensuring
that no one, especially a child, has
their head, hands or fingers in the
window openings, before raising the
window.
Window switches
Window switch in rear door
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102 Interior equipmentSunroofThe sunroof is operated by the control in the
roof console. For the sunroof to work, the
remote control must be in the ON position in
the ignition switch.
At the end of a journey and having removed
the remote control, you can still operate the
sunroof, so long as neither of the front doors
has been opened.
If the car is equipped with windows having
the automatic closing function, the sunroof
can be opened and closed so long as the car
is unlocked until 20 minutes has passed
since the remote control was removed from
the ignition switch.
To openManually controlled opening
Slide the control rearward to its first position.
The sunroof will halt when you release the
control. If you do not release the control, the
sunroof will open to the comfort position. To
open the sunroof further, release the control
and then once again press it rearward.
Automatic opening
Slide the control rearward to the second
position and release it. The sunroof will
open to the comfort position. To open the
sunroof further, slide the control rearward a
second time.
WARNING
Bear in mind the pinch hazard when clos-
ing the electric sunroof. Risk of serious or
fatal injuries!
Always remove the remote control
from the ignition switch and open one
of the front doors when you leave the
car to prevent personal injury caused
by the activation of the electric
sunroof, for example, due to children
playing.
 The person operating the electric
sunroof is responsible for ensuring
that no one, especially a child, has
their head, hands or fingers in the
opening, before closing the sunroof.
Sunroof control1 Manually controlled opening
2 Automatic opening3 Manually controlled closing
4 Automatic closing
5 Ventilation position
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121 Starting and driving
Ignition switch ________ 122
Steering wheel lock ____ 123
Starting the engine ____ 123
Important considerations
for driving __________ 125
Refueling ____________ 128
Engine Break-in Period _ 132
Manual transmission___ 133
Automatic transmission 134
Cruise control ________ 140
Braking ______________ 141
Traction Control System
(TCS) ______________ 144
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP) ______ 146
Parking brake_________ 148
Parking ______________ 148 Economical driving _____ 153
Driving in cold weather__ 155
Driving in hot climates __ 156
Towing a trailer ________ 157
Driving with a roof rack
load ________________ 161
Driving with a load _____ 162
Driving with the trunk lid
open________________ 163
Driving in deep water ___ 163
Driving at night ________ 163
Towing the car _________ 164
Driving with the compact
spare wheel__________ 167
Jump starting _________ 168
For long trips __________ 170
Starting and driving
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126 Starting and drivingLimp-homeThe engine management system has a
diagnostic feature that checks a number of
internal functions. If a fault is detected in the
throttle valve, the engine management
system will set the throttle system to the
limp-home mode. This means:
 idling control will be poor (uneven idling
since regulated by ignition and fuel
supply)
 engine performance will be reduced
 the cruise control will not function
 the capacity of the A/C compressor will be
limited.If the diagnosis function detects a fault in the
engine management system, the light
"Engine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)" in
the instrument panel will come on (see page
55). Have the car checked at a Saab dealer
as soon as possible.
The following message is shown on the SID:
Important considarations with
catalytic convertersThe catalytic converter is an emission con-
trol device incorporated in the car’s exhaust
system. It consists of a metal canister with a
honeycomb insert, the cells of which have
walls coated in a catalytic layer (precious
metal alloy).
To ensure that the catalytic converter con-
tinues to function properly, and also to avoid
damage to the converter and its associated
components, the following points must be
observed:
NOTICE If the engine sounds strange there is a
malfunction. Contact a Saab dealer
immediately.
 The use of fuel with too low an octane
rating can cause serious engine
damage.
Reduced engine power.
Contact Saab dealer.
NOTICEIf "Engine malfunction (CHECK
ENGINE)" warning light starts to flash
(indicating that the engine is misfiring and
the catalytic converter can be damaged),
ease off the accelerator slightly. The light
should go out or start to shine constantly.
If the light continues to flash despite
easing off the accelerator, you may
continue to drive the car but at the mini-
mum throttle permitted by the current traf-
fic situation. Have the car checked as
soon as possible at a Saab dealer.
NOTICEUse only unleaded gasoline. Leaded
gasoline is detrimental to the catalyst and
oxygen sensor and will seriously impair
the function of the catalytic converter.
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129 Starting and driving
Refueling1 Switch off the engine.
2 Open the filler cap, located in the right-
hand rear fender.
3 Insert the fuel pump nozzle beyond the
flange on the filler pipe and let the first
mark (a ring, a pimple or the first spring-
coil) rest on the flange. Do not withdraw
the nozzle while filling is in progress.
4 Cease refueling the first time the pump
stops.Filler cap
The filler cap has a bayonet fitting. Turn the
cap approximately 1/4 of a turn until you
hear one click.
If the fuel filler cap is not on correctly, the fol-
lowing message is displayed on the SID:
Manually opening the fuel filler door, see
page 52.
The most effective way to prevent conden-
sation forming in the tank (and thus avoid
possible running problems) is to keep the
tank full.
Refer to page 155 for information regarding
gasoline anti-freeze.NOTICEDo not overfill. Fuel should not come right
up the filler pipe as expansion room is
needed when the temperature rises.
Tighten fuel filler cap.
NOTICE Fill to maximum filling capacity.
 Stop filling after the first time that the
nozzle trips to shut off the flow of fuel.
 Filling capacity can differ between
different fuel stations and outside
temperature. Fuel tank volume when
nozzle trips to shut off, may vary by
0.5 gal. (2 liters).
 Do not fill fuel all the way up the filler
pipe. The gasoline must be allowed
room for expansion especially during
hot weather.
Filler cap
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131 Starting and driving
Fuel (Gasoline Engine)Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87
octane or higher. Use of gasoline with an
octane rating lower than 87 can result in
severe engine damage. Damage caused by
incorrect fuel being used is not covered
under the terms of the New Car Warranty
and will be the responsibility of the owner. It
is recommended that the gasoline meet
specifications which were developed by the
American Automobile Manufacturers Asso-
ciation (AAMA) and endorsed by the Cana-
dian Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Associa-
tion for better vehicle performance and
engine protection. Gasolines meeting the
AAMA specification could provide improved
driveability and emission control system
performance compared to other gasolines.
Be sure the posted octane is at least 87. If
the octane is less than 87, you may get a
heavy knocking noise when you drive. If it’s
bad enough, it can damage your engine. If
you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, your
engine needs service. But don’t worry if you
hear a little pinging noise when you’re accel-
erating or driving up a hill. That’s normal,
and you don’t have to buy a higher octane
fuel to get rid of pinging. It’s the heavy, con-
stant knock that means you have a problem.
NOTICEHigher concentrations of methanol than
listed above, or the use of methanol-
blended gasoline without suitable co-
solvents and corrosion inhibitors, can
damage your car’s fuel system, leading to
the need for repairs which are not
covered by Saab’s product warranty.
NOTICEThe engine control module (ECM) moni-
toring the engine parameters also stores
fault codes.
Under certain circumstances, this may
cause constant illumination of the Engine
malfunction (CHECK ENGINE) lamp
, thus indicating a fault that must be
checked by your Saab dealer, see page
55.
NOTE: always observe the following two
measures:
 Make sure that the fuel filler cap is
screwed on correctly before the
engine is started. Screw on the fuel
filler cap until you hear a distinct click.
Avoid driving with the fuel low level indi-
cator illuminated. The symbol illuminates
when less than approximately 2.5 gallons
(10 litres) of fuel remains in the tank.
In Canada, look for the
"Auto Makers’ Choice" label on
the fuel pump
.
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136 Starting and drivingLock-upThe transmission’s torque converter has a
lock-up function. This can lock the torque
converter in 3rd, 4th and 5th gears, thus
reducing the engine speed and fuel con-
sumption.Kick-downWhen the accelerator is pressed down fully,
a down change is made to optimize acceler-
ation, e.g. for overtaking.
Following this, the next higher gear will be
selected at the optimum engine speed,
unless you ease off the accelerator before
reaching this. Kick-down works in manual
mode in 4th and 5th gears if the engine
speed is lower than 2,000 rpm.
Driving in hilly country with a heavy
loadThe transmission fluid can overheat when
the gearbox is strained, for example, when
driving with a trailer on hilly roads. To avoid
the transmission fluid overheating, always
drive with the selector lever in the D posi-
tion. 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.TowingTowing of cars with automatic transmission,
see page 164.
Descending hillsIf the speed of the car increases while
descending a steep hill, despite the acceler-
ator being released, the control module will
change down to 4th gear. If you desire more
powerful engine braking, manually select a
lower gear (see page 139).
WARNING
Remember to use the braking effect of the
engine (1st, 2nd or 3rd gear) when you
are descending long or steep hills to
spare the brakes.
Overheating can cause the brakes to
fade!
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