2003 SAAB 9-3 traction control

63 Instruments and controls
This symbol lights up when the system is
operative.
Operation of the TCS or ESP indicates
reduced cohesion between the tires and the
road, and that extra care should be taken by
the driver.
The car is equipped as standard with TCS
and ESP.This symbol lights up when the system is
disengaged using the TCS/ESP button.
If there is a malfunction, the symbol cannot
be turned off by pressing the TCS/ESP
button.The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
or
If so, have the system checked at a Saab
dealer.
See also Traction Control System (TCS) on
page 144 andElectronic Stability Program
(ESP) on page 146.
TCS or
ESP indicator
(certain variants only)
WARNING
The system improves ride comfort and
safety during normal driving. It must
however not be regarded as a system
to enable the driver to maintain higher
speeds. The same precautions as
normal for safe cornering and driving
on slippery roads must be adopted (see
pages 144/ 146).
TCS OFF or
ESP OFF indicator (certain
variants only)
WARNING
The system improves ride comfort and
safety during normal driving. It must
however not be regarded as a system
to enable the driver to maintain higher
speeds. The same precautions as
normal for safe cornering and driving
on slippery roads must be adopted (see
pages 144/ 146).
Traction control failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
Stability control failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
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110 Interior equipmentRearview mirrorsDoor mirrorsTo adjust
The door mirrors are electrically adjustable
and heated. The controls for adjusting the
mirrors are on the driver’s door:
1 Select a door mirror with the upper
button.
2 Adjust the mirror using the touch pad.
The mirror glass can also be adjusted man-
ually by gently pressing the glass in the
desired direction.
The mirror heating is turned on together with
the rear window heating.
If the car has an electrically adjustable
driver’s seat with memory, the mirror
settings are stored in the memory (see
page 18).Manual retraction
The door mirrors are designed to fold back
if knocked. The mirrors can also be
retracted manually. This can be useful when
parking in tight spaces, such as on the car
deck of a ferry. Remember to return the door
mirrors to their normal positions before
driving off.Reversing position
On certain model variants, the passenger-
side mirror glass can be angled down to
facilitate reversing. Press the button
shown in the illustration. This is located
under the touch pad. Return the mirror to its
normal position by pressing the button
again. The mirror will also return to its
normal position if you drive forward approx-
imately 22 yds. (20 meters).
1 Selection of mirror
2 Touch pad for adjustment
3 Reversing position (electric)
Retracting a door mirror
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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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144 Starting and drivingTraction Control
System (TCS)Anti-spin system
How the system worksThe Traction Control System (TCS) is
designed to prevent wheelspin. This
enables the car to achieve the best possible
grip and, hence, maximum tractive effort,
together with greater stability.
The TCS uses information from the ABS
wheel sensors to detect when the front (driv-
ing) wheels are rotating faster then the rear
wheels. It then monitors whether one driving
wheel is rotating faster than the other. If so,
the faster wheel is retarded until both
wheels are rotating at the same speed.If the two front wheels are rotating at the
same speed but are turning faster than the
rear wheels, the torque from the engine is
reduced to eliminate the difference.
The process continues until all the wheels
are rotating at the same speed.
The advantages of the TCS become most
apparent when the cohesion between the
front wheels and the road surface is so low
that one or both of the wheels would lose
their grip were the car not equipped with the
TCS, e.g.:
 When the car is pulling away or accelerat-
ing with the front wheels on different
surfaces (e.g. one slippery and one dry),
the TCS functions like an electronic differ-
ential lock, making sure that both wheels
rotate at the same speed.
 When the car is pulling away or accelerat-
ing on a slippery surface, in which case
the system eliminates wheelspin. The
system also functions when the car is
reversing.
 When cornering, if the inside front wheel
rotates faster than the other wheels.
TCS OFF
lights up under the speedometer if:
 a fault has been detected and the system
has therefore been switched off
 there is a fault in the ABS system
 the system has been switched off
manually.
WARNING
When driving normally, the TCS system
helps to improve the car’s directional
stability. The TCS must not be regarded
as a system to enable the driver to main-
tain higher speeds. The same precau-
tions must be adopted as normal for safe
cornering and driving on slippery roads.
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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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146 Starting and drivingElectronic Stability
Program (ESP)Anti-skid systemThe Electronic Stability Program employs
both the antilock braking system (ABS) and
the traction control system (TCS). It is a
safety system that helps the driver to stabi-
lize the car in unusual circumstances that
can otherwise be difficult to handle.
How the ESP system worksThe Electronic Stability Program can help to
prevent the car from skidding by braking
one or several wheels independently of the
driver. The engine output is then also
reduced to prevent the driving wheels from
spinning. The car has sensors that measure
wheel speed, yaw rate, lateral acceleration,
steering wheel position and braking pres-
sure. The values provided by these sensors
are used to calculate the actual direction of
the car, the intentions of the driver and
whether the ESP should be engaged.
If this direction does not agree with that
intended by the driver, calculated from the
steering wheel position, the ESP is
engaged.
The ESP improves the driver’s chances
of retaining control over the car in critical
situations.
WARNING
When driving normally, the ESP system
helps to improve the car’s directional
stability. The ESP must not be regarded
as a system to enable the driver to main-
tain higher speeds. The same precau-
tions must be adopted as normal for safe
cornering and driving on slippery roads
must be adopted.
Illustration of how the system applies the
brakes on one or several wheels to avoid
a skid
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210 Car careWinter tiresWinter (snow) tires are recommended for
winter climates where the majority of your
driving will be done on snow and ice. Winter
tires should be fitted to all four wheels to
maintain a proper balance. Your Saab
dealer can advise you of to the correct size
tire for your car (if different from the original
size) and also supply Saab approved winter
tires pre-mounted on steel or alloy rims.Tire quality grading (cars sold in
U.S.)New tires must be graded and labeled in
accordance with new Federal regulations.
Standard tests are conducted to measure
performance in the areas of traction and
temperature resistance. Refer to the tire
sidewall for the specific quality grades of the
tires provided on your new Saab. Compact
spare tires are exempt.
DOT QUALITY GRADES
 Treadwear.
 Traction AA, A, B, C.
 Temperature A, B, C.
All passenger car tires must conform to Fed-
eral safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (US)Quality grades can be found where applica-
ble on the tire sidewall between tread shoul-
der and maximum section width. For exam-
ple:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature ATreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one half (1 1/2) times as well on the gov-
ernment course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires depends upon
the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road character-
istics and climate.
TractionThe traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B and C. These grades represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to a tire is
based on straight-ahead braking, traction
test and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction
characteristics.
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249 Technical data
Warning and indications that can be
shown on the SIDSymbol Text
Antilock brake malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
Brake malfunction.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
Brake fluid level low.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
Release park brake.
Oil pressure low.
Make a safe stop.
Turn off engine.
Low engine oil level.
Fill oil now.
Engine malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
Reduced engine power.
Contact Saab dealer.
Coolant level low.
Refill.
Hot engine.
Make a safe stop.
Run engine on idle.
Airbag malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
Use your seatbelt.
Gearbox malfunction.
Limited performance.
Contact Saab dealer.
Gearbox too hot.
Make a safe stop.
Open hood to cool down.
Battery not charging.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
A/C off due to high engine
temperature.
Headlight levelling
malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
Tap brakes lightly before
using cruise control.
Traction control failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
Stability control failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
Washer fluid level low.
Refill.
Key not accepted.
Contact Saab dealer.
Remote control battery low.
Replace battery.
X: standard key
Y: va l e t key
Key No: Z
Lock system failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
Steering lock malfunc.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
Steering wheel locked.
Pull out key, turn steering
wheel. Try again.
Immobilizer failure.
Try starting again.
Contact Saab dealer.
Theft protection failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
Alarm has been triggered
since being armed.
Tighten fuel filler cap.
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