2005 SAAB 9-3 light

79 Instruments and controls
This light will come on if the engine oil pres-
sure is too low. If the warning light flashes or
comes on while you are driving, stop imme-
diately in a safe place, switch off the engine
and check the oil level (see page 202).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):This light indicates a malfunction in the fuel
or ignition system. The car may still be
driven with care but the performance of the
engine will be somewhat diminished (see
page 150).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
Warning, oil pressure
(engine oil)
NOTICE
Never drive the car when the oil pressure
warning lamp is on. Low oil pressure can
cause serious engine damage.
Oil pressure low.
Make a safe stop.
Turn off engine.
Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)
WARNING
An illuminated “Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)” indicator light indi-
cates an engine-related problem. While
your car may be able to be driven with the
“Engine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)”
indicator light illuminated (limp-home
mode), you are advised to have your car
serviced at an authorized Saab dealer as
soon as possible.
Continued driving without this problem
being corrected might cause serious
further damage to your car and create
unsafe driving conditions. The operator
should be prepared to take action if such
unsafe conditions arise (e.g. brake
smoothly, engage neutral, stop in a suita-
ble place, switch off the engine, etc.)
Engine malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
NOTICEThe car should be checked immediately
at a Saab dealer to prevent more serious
faults from arising.
ProCarManuals.com

80 Instruments and controlsThis light shows when the high beam is on
(see page 97).
This light indicates when the front fog lights
are on (see page 98).
The front fog lights are switched off auto-
matically when the engine is switched off.
When the fog lights are next needed, they
will have to be switched on manually.This light should come on briefly when you
turn the ignition key to ON. If it doesn´t come
on, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem. This light indicates
when the brake fluid level is too low (see
page 206).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):For safety reasons, stop the car and check
the level of the brake fluid (see page 206).
If the level is normal, depress the brake
pedal firmly two or three times. Now check
the level again. If the level is still normal, you
may drive the car, with considerable cau-
tion, to the nearest Saab dealer to have the
brake system checked.
The brake system provides Electronic
Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). This distrib-
utes the brake pressure between the front
and rear wheels, in such a way as to achieve
optimum braking performance irrespective
of the car’s load.
If a fault arises in the EBD function, the ,
and lights will come on. Also, the fol-
lowing message will appear on the Saab
Information Display (SID):
If this is the case, drive carefully and contact
a Saab dealer as soon as possible. Refer to
Brake warning light on page 80, Antilock
braking warning on page 78 and TCS OFF
or ESP OFF indicator on page 86.
High beam Indicator
Front fog lights (option)
Brake warning lightBrake fluid level low.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
WARNING
 Never drive the car if these two lights
are on at the same time. Danger of
brake failure!
 If the level of brake fluid in the reser-
voir is below the MIN mark, the vehicle
should be transported on a recovery
vehicle.
 Have the brake system checked
immediately at a Saab dealer.
Brake malfunction.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
ProCarManuals.com

81 Instruments and controls
This light reminds the driver to buckle up.
This light comes on when the parking brake
is applied (see page 173).
The parking brake is mechanical and oper-
ates on the rear wheels.This light comes on if a potentially serious
fault has occurred in the airbag system.
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
This light will come on for about four sec-
onds when the ignition switch is turned to
the Start or Drive position.This light comes on when there is less than
about 2.5 gallons (10 litre) of fuel left in the
tank.
Safetybelt reminder
Parking brake warning
light
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when
parking, see page 173.
Always apply the parking brake
before removing the remote control.
Do not apply the parking brake while
the car is moving.
Airbag warning lightAirbag malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
WARNING
 If the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle, it means
the airbag system may not be working
properly. One or more of the following
conditions may occur:
- Non-deployment of the airbags in the
event of a crash.
- Deployment of the airbags without a
crash.
- Deployment of the airbags in crashes
less severe than intended.
 To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle serviced
right away if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
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.
ProCarManuals.com

82 Instruments and controlsThis light indicates that the headlights or
parking lights are on.
This light comes on when the system is
engaged.
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.
InstrumentsTachometerThe tachometer displays the engine speed
in thousands of revolutions per minute.
A protective function (interruption of the fuel
supply) limits the engine speed within the
red zone.
Headlight and parking
light indicator
Cruise control indicator
light
ProCarManuals.com

85 Instruments and controls
If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone
and the engine at the same time loses
power, because the monitoring system is
limiting the boost pressure, you should
contact a Saab dealer as soon as possible.
When the speed of the car exceeds
143 mph (230 km/h), acceleration is limited
by reducing the boost pressure. The pres-
sure gauge then moves towards the middle
of the white field, indicating a drop in engine
power and consequently the car’s speed.
Fuel gaugeWhen less than about 2.5 gallons (10 litre)
of fuel is left in the tank, a warning light on
the main instrument panel comes on.
Refueling, see page 153.
Information display,
main instrument panelUnder the speedometer is a display. The
information shown here varies depending
on whether the car has a manual transmis-
sion or automatic transmission.Cars with manual transmission: The odometer reading is shown on the
left-hand side of the display.
 Various information and faults are
displayed in the center of the display.
 The trip meter reading is shown on the
right-hand side of the display.
ProCarManuals.com

86 Instruments and controlsCars with automatic
transmission: The odometer and trip meter readings are
shown on the left-hand side of the display.
 Various information and faults are
displayed in the center of the display.
 The selected gear position is shown on
the right-hand side of the display.
This symbol comes on when a message or
warning is displayed on the Saab Informa-
tion Display (SID).
The current gear position is displayed on the
right-hand side of the information display.
When gears are selected manually, the
letter M (manual) and the selected gear are
displayed (see page 164).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.
TCS - standard equipment.
ESP - certain variants only.
This symbol lights up when the system is
disengaged using the ESP button.
If there is a malfunction, the symbol cannot
be turned off by pressing the ESP button.
Information symbol.
Read information on SID
Gear selector indicator
(cars with automatic trans-
mission)
TCS or
ESP indicator
TCS OFF or
ESP OFF indicator
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 169/ 171).
ProCarManuals.com

91 Instruments and controls
Calculating the requisite average speed
(What average speed do I need to maintain
to get to my destination in time?)
This function should be used before starting
out a journey.
To calculate the requisite average speed,
the distance must first be given.
First, set the distance under Dist.
1 Then use the INFO dial to select the
Arriv function.
2 Press and hold the INFO dial until given
audible confirmation.
3 Turn the INFO dial to set the estimated
time of arrival.
4 Press the INFO dial to finish setup.
The average speed (Speed Ø) will be
shown for 10 seconds.
This average speed will be updated during
the journey.Setting the date
1 Select the Date function using the
INFO dial.
2 Press and hold the INFO dial until given
audible confirmation.
3 Turn the INFO dial to set the year.
4 Press the INFO dial.
5 Turn the INFO dial to set the month.
6 Press the INFO dial.
7 Turn the INFO dial to set the day.
8 Confirm the setting by pressing the
INFO dial.
NIGHTPANELTo improve night-driving conditions inside
the car, the Night Panel mode can be
selected. In this mode, the amount of infor-
mation displayed is reduced, and only the
most important instruments and displays
will be illuminated.
When the NIGHTPANEL button is pressed,
only the speedometer will be illuminated.
All other instrument lighting will be switched
off and the needles drop to zero.
Note: All indicator and warning lights and
messages will operate normally if required.
Temp (when the outside temperature falls
or rises to between 26 and 38°F (–3 and
+3°C)) and D.T.E. (when the remaining fuel
is only sufficient for approx. 80 miles
(50 km) of driving) are even shown in Night
Panel model.
ProCarManuals.com

96 Instruments and controlsSwitchesThe parking lights and daytime running
lights come on automatically when the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
High beam can not be activated in this posi-
tion but headlight flasher can.
The parking lights can be turned on irre-
spective of the position of the ignition
switch. If the parking lights are on and the
driver’s door is opened, a reminder to turn
them off will sound.
Do not use the parking lights alone while
driving.
The parking lights may be used in combina-
tion with the front fog lights (see page 98).
Low beam headlights are turned on when
the ignition switch is turned to ON and
turned off when the switch is turned back to
LOCK.
Headlight levelling(cars with xenon headlights)
Cars with xenon headlights are equipped
with an automatic headlight levelling sys-
tem, which self-calibrates each time the
vehicle is started.
If a fault arises in the automatic headlight
levelling system, the headlights will be
angled down to avoid dazzling drivers in
oncoming traffic. Adjust your speed accord-
ingly as the range of the headlights will be
reduced. Check fuse 20 in the engine bay
fuse box (see page 232).
A fault in the system will produce the follow-
ing message on the Saab Information Dis-
play (SID):
Special equipment is required for adjusting
the basic headlight alignment.
Daytime Running Lights
Parking lights
Headlights
Headlight levelling
malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
Light switches
ProCarManuals.com