3
Instrument panelRear fog light ____________ 74
Front fog lights___________ 74
High/low beam __________ 72
Changing bulbs __________ 188
Headlight levelling ________ 73
Parking lights____________ 72Direction indicators _______ 75
High/low beam control stalk 72
Cruise Control ___________ 140
Fuel gauge __________________ 61
Speedometer ________________ 60
Turbo gauge _________________ 61
Temperature gauge ____________ 60
Warning and indicator lights _____ 54
Tachometer __________________ 59
Odometer and trip meter ________ 59Ashtray _____________________ 108
Cigarette lighter _______________ 108
Saab Information display (SID) ___ 64
Profiler ______________________ 64
Clock _______________________ 69
Replacing wiper blades ___ 186
Washers and wipers ______ 76
Washer fluid ____________ 186Automatic climate control __ 84
Manual climate control ____ 79
Car care and maintenance _ 224
Seat heating ____________ 83
Seat heating, ACC _______ 92
Hazard warning lights_____ 75
ProCarManuals.com
58 Instruments and controlsThis light comes on when there is less than
about 2.5 gallons (10 litre) of fuel left in the
tank.
This light indicates that the headlights or
parking lights are on.This light comes on when the system is
engaged.
This symbol can be found in cars with
manual transmission. The symbol is not
activated until the engine is warm.
It is not always necessary or even recom-
mended to shift up to a higher gear when
this symbol lights up, such as when driving
in heavy traffic or down a steep hill.
Changing up a gear when the symbol
comes on does however improve fuel econ-
omy. Make it a habit to shift up when the
symbol lights up.
Autochecking of lights, main
instrument panelThe warning and indicator lights shown
above should come on when the ignition
switch is turned to ON. They should go out
after about 4 seconds once the engine has
started or after the fault-free self-diagnosis
of each system or function.
Indicator, fuel
NOTICE
If the car runs out of fuel, air can be drawn
in with the fuel, which, in turn, can cause
the catalytic converter to be damaged by
overheating.
Headlight and parking
light indicator
Cruise control indicator
light
Shift-up
(US-spec. cars only)
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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
ProCarManuals.com
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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140 Starting and drivingCruise control(Cruise control system)For safety reasons (brake system func-
tion), the brakes must be applied once
when the engine has started, before the
cruise control system can be activated.
The following message is shown on the SID:
The system has the following functions:
1 ON: engaged
2 OFF: disengaged
3 SET/+: sets the speed and increases
the set speed
4 SET/ –: sets the speed and decreases
the set speed
5 RESUME: re-engages the system at the
set speed
The CRUISE indicator light in the main
instrument panel comes on when the switch
is slid to ON. If you switch off the engine
while the cruise control is ON, the system
will be ON the next time the engine is
started.
To set the desired speed1 Slide the switch to ON.
2 Move the thumbwheel up to SET/+ or
SET/– when the car has reached the
desired speed (above 15 mph (25 km/
h)).To increase the preset speedYou can increase the speed in any of
the following ways:
Accelerate to the desired speed. Jog the
control to SET/+ or SET/–.
Jog the control to SET/+ to increase the
speed by 1 mph (1.6 mph) (when cruise
control already engaged).
Hold the control in the SET/+ position until
the desired speed is reached (when
cruise control already engaged).
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control system in
wet or icy conditions, in dense traffic or on
winding roads.
Tap brakes lightly before
using cruise control.
Cruise control switches
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141 Starting and driving
To reduce the preset speedYou can reduce speed in any of the follow-
ing ways:
Brake to the desired speed. Jog the
control to SET/+ or SET/–.
Jog the control to SET/– to reduce the
speed by 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
Hold the control in the SET/– position until
the desired speed is reached.Temporary increase in speedAccelerate, without shifting down (manual
transmission), to exceed the set speed such
as for overtaking. When you release the
accelerator, the car will return to the set
speed.To disengage the system
temporarilySlide the switch to the left towards OFF, but
only as far as to disengage the cruise con-
trol. Allow the switch to spring back.
To re-engage the systemSlide the switch to RESUME. The car will
return to the previously set speed. Vehicle
speed must exceed 15 mph (25 km/h).To disengage the systemThe system will be disengaged:
As soon as the brake or clutch pedal is
depressed (cars with manual transmis-
sion).
When the switch is slid to To disengage
the system temporarily.
When the switch is slid to OFF.
When the TCS/ESP system is operative.
When position N is selected (cars with
automatic transmission).
BrakingIt is good practice to try your brakes period-
ically while driving. This is particularly
important when driving in heavy rain, on
roads with a lot of surface water, in snow or
in salty slush. In such conditions a slight
delay in the braking effect may be noticed.
To minimize this delay, dry the brakes by
applying them lightly now and again. This
should also be done after the car has been
washed, and in extremely damp weather.
To avoid the brakes becoming overheated,
such as when negotiating long descents
with a drop of several hundred yards (hun-
dred metres), select a low gear to utilize the
braking effect of the engine. If the car has
automatic transmission, select 1st or 2nd
gear.
You can help to prolong the life of the brakes
by thinking ahead and braking harder over
short periods, rather than braking more
moderately over long stretches.
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145 Starting and driving
TCS indicatorWhen the remote control is turned to the ON
position, the lamp is lit for about 4 seconds
while the system performs self-diagnosis.
The light under the speedometer
comes on when the TCS is operative, that is
when one of the wheels has lost its grip.
The fact that the TCS is operative indicates
that the limit for grip has been exceeded and
that the driver must exercise greater care.
Turning the TCS offThe TCS is switched on automatically when
the engine is started.
You can switch the system off manually with
the TCS button, whereupon the light
under the speedometer will come on. The
TCS cannot be switched off if the car is trav-
elling faster than 35 mph (60 km/h).
It may be necessary to switch off the system
if the car has become bogged down, for
instance. Press TCS to switch it on again.
If a fault is detected in the ABS, the TCS will
be switched off automatically.
The following message is shown on the SID:
The cruise control system (if active) will
automatically be disengaged if the TCS is
operative.
Traction control failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
TCS button
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147 Starting and driving
ESP OFF
lights up under the speedometer if:
a fault has been detected and the system
has therefore been switched off
the system has been switched off
manually
when the remote control is turned to the
ON position, the lamp is lit for about
4 seconds while the system performs
self-diagnosis.
ESP indicator lightThe light under the speedometer
comes on for a short period of time when the
ESP system is operative.
Operation of the ESP indicates reduced
cohesion between the tires and the road,
and that extra care should be taken by the
driver.Turning ESP system offThe system can be turned off manually with
the ESP button, whereupon the light
under the speedometer will come on. The
car must be travelling slower than 35 mph
(60 km/h). The TCS is also disengaged.
The ESP is always engaged during braking,
even if it has been switched off manually
with the ESP button.If a fault is detected in the system, the
following message will be displayed on
the SID:
The cruise control system (if active) will
automatically be disengaged if the ESP is
operative.
Stability control failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
NOTICEChanges to the chassis, such as a
change of wheels, shock absorbers or
springs, could affect the function of the
ESP system.
Always consult your Saab dealer before
changing any chassis components.
ESP button
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