2003 SAAB 9-5 towing

183 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, switch off the engine and
open the hood. Wait several minutes and
then turn on the ignition to check that the
message has been extinguished. When
continuing your journey, select manual
mode (M) and a gear in which the engine
speed is about 3,000 rpm (see page 168). 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 187.
If the car has automatic transmission, select
position D when ascending steep hills. This
ensures that the adaptive gear change pat-
terns are operational, see page 169. Use
position D or L for steep descents.
WARNING
Remember to use engine-braking (selec-
tor position D or L) to spare the brakes
when you are driving on a long or steep
downhill slope.
Brake failure can result from overheated
brakes!
NOTICEIf the ”Automatic transmission, fault indi-
cator” indicator comes on, cease
towing until the problem has been recti-
fied.
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189 Starting and driving
Towing the carTransporting the car Front 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 pump 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.NOTICEIf 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.
 Make sure that all bystanders keep a
suitable distance, in case the towing
eye or tow rope should break. The
towing eye or tow rope could catapult
off and cause seriously injury.
NOTICE 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.
IB2427
Front towing eye
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190 Starting and drivingRear 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 Gear lever in neutral (in cars with automatic
transmission: selector lever at N (neutral))
Turn on the parking lights.
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.
. 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 dis-
tance is 30 miles (50 km). If the car has to
be transported farther than that, summon a
tow truck. A flat bed tow truck is the pre-
ferred 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 pos-
sible to start the engine using jump leads
(see the section, ”Jump starting” on page
191). NOTICECars with automatic transmission:
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.
Never use the towing eyes to pull the
car unstuck.
IB483
Rear towing eye
Never use the towing eyes to pull the car
unstuck
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259 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)
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 __________ 110–165 lbs
(50–75 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 181).
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275 Index
Light switches
___________________ 71
Luggage-compartment lighting
_____ 134
MMain instrument panel
_____________ 56
Main/dipped beam
_______________ 71
Maintenance schedule ___________ 254
Manual gearbox, technical data
____ 264
Maxi fuses
_____________________ 227
Milometer ______________________ 62
Motoring abroad
________________ 248
NNight Panel
_____________________ 69
OOil capacity, engine
______________ 260
Oil change, engine ______________ 204
Oil specification
_________________ 260
OnStar
________________________ 111
Outdoor temperature
______________ 65
Owner assistance
_______________ 255
PPaintwork, touching-in
____________ 245
Parking Assistance
______________ 193
Parking lights
___________________ 71
Plates and labels ________________ 269
Poly-V-belt
____________________ 211
Power steering _________________ 208Power-steering fluid
_____________208
Pressure gauge
__________________64
Programming I, ACC
______________83
Programming II, ACC _____________84
Programming the ACC ____________83
QQuestions on function of airbag
_____39
Quick guide, Audio System
_________91
RRadiator fan
____________________211
Radio
__________________________94
Rain sensor
_____________________75
Rear fog light ____________________72
Rear seat, 9-5 Sedan, folding
______139
Rear seat, 9-5 Wagon, folding _____142
Rear-seat head restraints
__________16
Rear-view mirror, antidazzle _______129
Rearview mirrors
________________125
Reclamation
___________________248
Recommendations for cars with
automatic transmission,
towing a caravan or trailer
________182
Refuelling
_____________________158
Relay panel ____________________229
Remote control __________________42
Remote-control battery, changing
____45
Remove the key
________________152
Reporting safety defects
__________256
Reprogramming of systems _______271Reservoir, power-steering fluid
____ 208
Rev counter
____________________ 62
Reversing lights
_________________ 74
Roof load
_____________________ 185
Running-in ____________________ 178
SSID
__________________________ 65
Saab 9-5 Audio System
___________ 89
Saab Information Display (SID)
_____ 65
Saab Parking Assistance
________ 193
Safety belts
____________________ 17
Safety belts, care of
_____________ 243
Safety-belt pretensioners
_________ 18
Safety-belt reminder
_____________ 17
Seats
_________________________ 12
Securing a load
_________________ 46
Selector lever indication,
automatic transmission
__________ 65
Sentronic, manual mode _________ 167
Service costs
__________________ 255
Service information
_____________ 256
Service intervals
_______________ 254
Service record retention
_________ 255
Settings, seats
__________________ 12
Side airbags
___________________ 36
Signalling, horn ________________ 124
Sliding floor, 9-5 Wagon
_________ 147
Snow chains
__________________ 179
Spare wheel __________________ 236
Spare wheel and tools
___________ 149
Spark plugs
___________________ 263
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276 IndexSpeed rating
___________________ 232
Speedometer _______________ 62
, 63
Starting in cold weather, ACC
_______ 83
Starting in hot weather, ACC _______ 83
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 124
Steering, technical data
__________ 265
Stone-chip damage, repairing
______ 245
Storage compartments
___________ 136
Sun visors
_____________________ 135
Sunroof
_______________________ 132
Suspension
____________________ 265
Suspension, technical data
________ 265
Switches
_______________________ 71
Symbols _______________________ 10
Systems, adjustment
_____________ 271
TTCS OFF
_______________________ 61
Table of fuses
__________________ 228
Tachometer
_____________________ 62
Tailgate, opening
________________ 46
Tank gauge
_____________________ 63
Technical data __________________ 257
Telematics
_____________________ 111
Temperature control, ACC
_________ 79
Temperature gauge, engine ________ 63
Temperature zones, ACC
__________ 79
Textile carpeting
________________ 243
Through-load hatch ______________ 141
Tie Downs
_____________________ 141
Tightening torque, wheel studs
_____ 237
Tip, driving at night
______________ 186Tip, to avoid theft
________________195
Tire markings
_____________ 232
, 233
Tire pressure
______________ 187
, 232
Tires
____________________ 232
, 267
Tires, winter
____________________266
Tools
_________________________149
Touching-in the paintwork
_________245
Towbar attachment
______________181
Towbar load
___________________184
Towing the car __________________189
Towing, automatics
______________189
Traction
_______________________175
Trailer weights
__________________259
Trionic
________________________201
Trip computer
___________________65
Trip meter
______________________62
Trunk
_________________________139
Trunk lid, opening
________________46
Turbo gauge
____________________64
Turbo, points to note
_____________155
UUnder the hood, 3.0t V6
__________200
Under the hood, 4-cyl
____________199
Upholstery and trim
______________243
Upholstery and trim, care of
_______243
Useful tips, ACC
_________________85
VVanity mirrors
__________________135
Ventilated front seats
_____________15
Viscosity, engine oil
______________260
WWarning labels
___________________ 8
Warning light, AIR BAG
___________ 38
Warning lights
__________________ 56
Washers
_____________________ 212
Washers, windshield
____________ 213
Washing the car
_______________ 244
Waxing and polishing
___________ 245
Wear indicators, tires ____________ 234
Wheel, change
________________ 237
Wheels and tires ___________ 232
, 267
Wheels and tires, sizes
__________ 266
Window glass sensor, car alarm
____ 49
Windshield washers
_____________ 75
Windshield wipers
_______________ 75
Winter tires
___________________ 266
Wiper blades, replacing
__________ 212
Wipers and washers
_________ 75
, 212
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