187 Starting and driving
Driving with a loadThe driving characteristics of the car are
affected by the way it is loaded.
Place heavy loads as far forward and as
low as possible in the trunk.
Secure the load to the tie downs, see
page 141.
The load should be such that the car´s
total weight or axle weight are not
exceeded, see page 258.
Heavy loads mean that the car’s center of
gravity is further back. As a result, the car
will sway more during evasive steering.
Never exceed the permissible load in the
roof box, even if there is room for more.
Ensure that the tire pressure is correct –
slight overinflation is preferable to under-
inflation.
The braking distance of a loaded car is
always greater. Keep your distance from
the vehicle in front.
Roof loads can negatively affect tele-
communication.
Tire pressure, see page 269 and back
cover.
Tires The tire pressure should match the current
load and speed of the car; see page 268 or
the tire pressure label on
page 269.
The tire pressures given apply to cold tires,
that is tires that are the same temperature
as the outside air temperature.
The tire pressure increases as the tires
become warm (e.g. during highway driving)
with approximately 0.3 bar (4 psi). When
the temperature of the tires changes by 50°
(10°C), the tire pressure will change 0.1 bar
(2 psi).Never reduce the pressure of a hot tire. If the
tires are hot when you check them, only
increase the pressure, if necessary.
Underinflated tires wear more quickly than
slightly overinflated tires.
If a valve is leaking, simply unscrew it and fit
a new one.
Important! Remember to adjust the tire
pressures if you change the load in the car
or intend to drive at substantially lower or
higher speeds than normal.
WARNING
Check the tire pressure at least once a
month and before long journeys. Under-
inflation can result in:
Punctures
Separation of the tire and tread
Damage to the sidewalls
Damage to the rims on poor roads
Poor handling characteristics
Premature tire wear
Increased fuel consumption.
ProCarManuals.com
201 Car care and technical information
Engine familiesSaab cars imported into the United States
and Canada meet all applicable emission
control standards. The engine family and
appropriate tune-up specifications are iden-
tified on a label affixed to the left front inner
fender.
These engine families meet applicable EPA
Federal Standards, California State Stan-
dards and Canadian Federal Standards and
are equipped with the following systems:
• Sequential multiport fuel injection system.
Three way catalytic converter.
Crankcase emissions control system.
Evaporative emission control system.
On-Board diagnostic (OBD II) system.
Emission control
systemsThe systems for controlling emissions to the
atmosphere require regular checking and
adjustment at the intervals specified in the
service program.
In addition to meeting the exhaust emission
regulations and thereby helping to keep the
environment clean, a correctly tuned engine
will also give maximum fuel economy.Saab Trionic engine management
systemThe Saab Trionic engine management
system is a unique Saab development that
combines sequential multiport fuel injection,
electronic distributorless ignition and turbo-
charger boost pressure control into one sys-
tem.
The Trionic engine control module (ECM)
monitors many different engine parameters
such as:
Intake manifold pressure.
Intake air temperature.
Crankshaft position.
Engine coolant temperature.
Throttle position and
The oxygen content of the exhaust gases.
The ECM receives information regarding
engine knocking from a sophisticated feed-
back function in the ignition discharge unit.
By processing all of this information, the Tri-
onic system can control fuel injector open-ing duration, ignition timing and turbo-
charger boost pressure to provide excellent
engine performance while maintaining low
emissions and fuel consumption.
NOTICEThe Trionic engine management systems
continuously monitors the operation of
these systems and have on-board diag-
nostic capabilities (OBD II).
If the ”Engine malfunction (CHECK
ENGINE)” lamp in the main instru-
ment illuminates, this indicates that the
Trionic ECM has detected a problem. The
car will continue to operate, but perfor-
mance may be diminished. You should
have your car checked by a Saab dealer
as soon as possible.
ProCarManuals.com
232 Car care and technical informationWheels Alternative wheels and tiresIf you wish to fit other tires or wheels than
those supplied with the car, consult your
Saab dealer first as to the possibilities avail-
able.
Wheels/tires combinations that are not
approved by Saab can negatively affect the
car´s directional stability, steering and brak-
ing in both wet and dry conditions.
Do not assume that a wheel/tire combina-
tion will function properly just because it will
bolt on.
The wheels and tires have been carefully
matched to the characteristics of the car and
play a key role in its outstanding roadhold-
ing and handling.
To ensure that the speedometer is as accu-
rate as possible it should be reprogrammed
if wheels of a different dimension are fitted.
Contact an authorized Saab workshop.
Tire pressureTires need to be inflated to suit the load car-
ried and the maximum speed the car will be
driven (see the recommended tire pres-
sures page 268). Note that all values apply
to cold tires. For tires with an aspect ratio
less than /60, increase the tire pressure by
3 psi (20 kPa) for rough roads with potholes
to minimize the risk of rim damage.
Never reduce the pressure of a hot tire. If the
tires are hot when you check them, only
increase the pressure, if necessary.
Soft tires will cause faster wear than
over-pressurized tires. They also increase
fuel consumption.
If a valve is leaking, simply unscrew it and fit
a new one.
NOTICEAlways consult your Saab dealer before
changing the wheels and tires on your
Saab.
Wide wheels and tyres with sidewalls that
are too low can:
be damaged in potholes etc.
cause springs, shock absorbers and
wheel bearings and body mountings
can be overloaded.
cause that the wheels can come into
contact with chassis and body compo-
nents.
can affect the function of the Elec-
tronic Stability Program (ESP).
The speed and load limits for the tires
must not be exceeded; see page 233.
Wheels larger than 17” must not be fitted.
The maximum permissible offset is
49 mm.
WARNING
Check the tire pressure at least once a
month and before long journeys. Under-
inflation can result in:
Punctures
Separation of the tire and tread
Damage to the sidewalls
Damage to the rims on poor roads
Poor handling characteristics
Premature tire wear
Increased fuel consumption.
ProCarManuals.com
274 IndexDoor handles
____________________ 42
Door mirrors ___________________ 125
Doors, locks & luggage compartment
_41
Drive belt
______________________ 263
Drive belt, alternator
_____________ 211
Drive belts, length
_______________ 263
Driver’s seat, programmable
________ 14
Driving at night
_________________ 186
Driving in hot weather
____________ 181
Driving with a load
_______________ 187
EESP
__________________________ 176
Electric heating seat
______________ 15
Electric heating, front seats
_________ 15
Electric windows
________________ 131
Electrical system, technical data
____ 263
Electrically heated rear seat
________ 15
Electronic Stability Program, ESP
___ 176
Electronic starting interlock
_________ 43
Emergency operation of sunroof
____ 133
Emission control systems
_________ 201
Engine bay, 3.0t V6
______________ 200
Engine bay, 4-cyl
_______________ 199
Engine bay, cleaning _____________ 245
Engine number
_________________ 269
Engine oil, grade ________________ 261
Engine, description _________ 202
, 203
Engine, technical data
____________ 260
Engine, temperature gauge
________ 63
Engine-oil level, checking
_________ 203
Expansion tank, coolant
__________ 206
FFault codes, Audio System
________109
Flat spot, tire
___________________241
Fluid level, automatic transmission
__205
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Sedan
____139
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Wagon ___142
Frequently asked questions on airbag
39
Front fog lights
__________________74
Frost warning
___________________66
Fuel
__________________________158
Fuel consumption
________________65
Fuel filler door
__________________150
Fuel gauge
_____________________63
Fuel grade _____________________260
Fuse box under hood
____________230
Fuse panel
____________________226
Fuses
________________________226
GGarage door opener
_____________126
Gearbox number
________________269
Gearbox oil, checking
____________205
Gearbox, technical data, __________264
Glove compartment
______________136
HHandbrake
_____________________195
Hazard warning lights
_____________74
Head restraint
___________________16
Headlight flasher _________________71Headlights
_____________________ 71
Holidaying abroad
______________ 248
Hood
________________________ 198
Horn _________________________ 124
IIgnition switch
_________________ 152
Immobilizer
____________________ 43
Indicator and warning lights
________ 56
Indicator lights
__________________ 56
Instrument illumination
___________ 73
Instruments and controls __________ 55
Integral child seat
_______________ 31
Interior equipment ______________ 123
Interior lighting
_________________ 134
Interior rearview mirror
__________ 125
JJack
_________________________ 239
KKey
__________________________ 42
Key to chassis number
__________ 270
Key, remove
__________________ 152
LLATCH (child safety)
_____________ 24
Labels
_________________________ 8
Leather upholstery, care of
_______ 243
Light horn
_____________________ 71
ProCarManuals.com