Page 7 of 292

5
InteriorAirbag _________________ 29
Steering wheel adjustment _ 122
Steering _______________ 273
Interior rearview mirror _________ 135
Vanity mirror _________________ 130
Door mirrors__________________ 134
Airbag_________________ 29
Child safety locks ________ 46
Child seats _____________ 22
Safety belt care _________ 251
Safety belts ____________ 12Glove box ______________ 132
Storage compartments____ 132Automatic transmission ___ 159
Changing gears _________ 158
Manual transmission _____ 158
Child seats ________________ 22
Folding down the rear seat ____ 140
Rear seat__________________ 140
Safety belts ________________ 12
Seat adjustment ____________ 17
Seat heating _______________ 107,
116
Upholstery care _____________ 251
Interior lighting: changing bulbs ___ 225
Interior light switches ___________ 129
Sunroof _____________________ 126
Ashtray and cigarette lighter _____ 132
Break-In Period _______________ 157
Driving in hot/cold climates ______ 181
Ignition switch ________________ 146
Parking brake_________________ 173
Parking _____________________ 173
Starting the engine ____________ 148
Fuses _________________ 227Electric windows _________ 123
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8
Changing wheels:Use only on specified vehicle. Safe working load
2425 lbs. (1100 kg). Use on level firm ground only. Do
not get under a vehicle that is supported only by a jack,
use vehicle support stands. No persons are to remain in
the vehicle.
Contact a Saab dealer if a
xenon headlight requires
replacement.
This label is only found on
cars with xenon headlights.
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur Children 12 and under can be killed by the airbag
The BACK SEAT is the SAFEST place for children
NEVER put a rear-facing child seat in the front
Sit as far back as possible from the airbag
ALWAYS use SEAT BELTS and CHILD RESTRAINTSUSA
CANADA
Jack Jack is designed only for changing a tire or mounting
tire snow chains.
Vehicle must be level and jack must be placed on firm
and level ground.
Never crawl underneath vehicle when it is jacked up.
JACKING INSTRUCTION
1 Set parking brake and shift transmission to park.
2 Fit top of jack into jacking point next to wheel to be
changed.
3 Crank jack so that vehicle begins to lift.
4 Using socket wrench in tool kit, loosen wheel bolts
one-half turn.
5 Raise vehicle so that tire clears ground. Loosen
wheel bolts completely and remove wheel.
6 Mount spare wheel and tighten bolts enough so
wheel is not loose.
7 Lower vehicle. Tighten wheel bolts in a crisscross
sequence.
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Page 11 of 292
9
No sparks,
flames or
smokingBuckle up
Refer to
the Owner’s
ManualAirbag
Shield eyesNever place a
rear-facing
child seat in
this seat
Keep out of
reach of
childrenElectric
windows
Battery acid
contains sul-
phuric acidDeactivating
of rear window
switches
Risk of
explosive gasCentral
locking, lock
Central
locking,
unlock
Trunk lid,
opening
HeadlightsWindshield
wipers
Direction
indicatorsWindshield
washers
Parking lights Defroster
Hazard warn-
ing lightsRear window
heating
Front fog
lightsCabin fan
Rear fog light
Coolant tem-
peratureRadiator fan
No charge to
batteryFuel
Foot brake
Coolant level
Engine oil
pressure
ABS brakes
Electronic
Stability
Program
Example of symbols that can be found in your car
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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.
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142 Interior equipmentLoad-through hatch, Sport SedanConvertible: There is no load-through hatch.
A load-through hatch is incorporated in the rear seat backrest to
enable long, narrow items to be carried inside the car.
Before loading or unloading long items, switch off the engine and
apply the parking brake. This avoids the danger of the car moving
off if a long item were to knock the gear or selector lever into gear.
Fold down the armrest and open the hatch by lifting the handle.
There is a lock on the rear side of the hatch. Use this to lock or unlock
the hatch. The position of the lock is designed to prevent unautho-
rized persons from accessing the trunk from inside the cabin.
To lock: Open the hatch and lock the lock. Close the hatch. The
hatch is now locked.
To unlock: Fold down the wide section of the backrest and unlock
the lock. Alternatively, you can unlock the hatch from the trunk.
WARNING
Always secure the load firmly, for example using the middle
safety belt. This reduces the danger of personal injury result-
ing from the displacement of the load on hard braking or in the
event of a crash.
Do not exceed the load capacity of the car, as this will alter its
handling characteristics (see page 268).
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Page 147 of 292

145 Starting and driving
Ignition switch ________ 146
Steering wheel lock ____ 148
Starting the engine ____ 148
Important considerations
for driving __________ 150
Refueling ____________ 153
Engine Break-in Period _ 157
Manual transmission___ 158
Automatic transmission 159
Cruise control ________ 165
Braking ______________ 166
Traction Control System
(TCS) ______________ 169
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP) ______ 171
Parking brake_________ 173
Parking ______________ 173
Saab Parking Assistance 176 Economical driving _____ 179
Driving in cold weather__ 181
Driving in hot climates __ 183
Towing a trailer ________ 184
Driving with a roof rack
load ________________ 188
Driving with a load _____ 189
Driving with the trunk lid
open________________ 189
Driving in deep water ___ 189
Driving at night ________ 190
Towing the car _________ 190
Driving with the compact
spare tire ____________ 193
Jump starting _________ 193
For long trips __________ 196
Starting and driving
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Page 148 of 292
146 Starting and drivingIgnition switchThe ignition switch is located on the center
console between the front seats. In cars
with automatic transmission, the remote
control can only be removed when the
selector lever is in position P.NOTICETake care not to spill drinks or to drop
crumbs over the ignition switch. If dirt or
liquid gets into it, the switch may not
operate properly.
If snow from clothing falls into the ignition
switch and melts, the ignition switch can
seize (freeze). Brush snow off clothing
before getting into the car.
WARNING
Always remove the remote control
before leaving children unattended in
the car.
Apply the parking brake before remov-
ing the remote control.
Never remove the remote control
while the car is moving. This will acti-
vate the steering wheel lock and make
it impossible to steer the car.
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Page 151 of 292

149 Starting and driving
Starting the engineAvoid racing the engine or loading it heavily
before it has warmed up. Do not drive away
before the warning and indicator lights have
gone out.
The engine has an automatic choke and
should be started as follows:
Cars with manual transmission
To start the engine the clutch pedal must
be fully depressed.
1 Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2 Depress the clutch pedal but do not
touch the accelerator.
3 Start the engine. Let the remote control
spring back as soon as the engine has
started and is running smoothly.
Allow the engine to idle for about
10 seconds. Do not apply full throttle for at
least 3 minutes after starting.Cars with automatic transmission
The selector lever must be in the P or N
position.
1 The selector lever must be in the P or N
position.
2 Keep your foot on the brake pedal.
Note! Once the engine has started, the
brake pedal will sink. This is perfectly
normal.
3 Start the engine. Let the remote control
spring back as soon as the engine has
started and is running smoothly.
Allow the engine to idle for about
10 seconds. Do not apply full throttle for at
least 3 minutes after starting.
Useful tips on starting the engineIf the engine has failed to start after several
attempts in very cold weather, proceed as
follows:
1 Turn the ignition switch to ON (it is
essential that you turn the ignition to
ON before depressing the accelerator).
2 Press the accelerator to the floor and run
the starter motor for 5-10 seconds. This
will prevent the engine being flooded
(fully depressed accelerator cuts off the
fuel supply).
3 Now start the engine in the normal way
- do not touch the accelerator.
If the engine stalls immediately after starting
(e.g. if the clutch was released too quickly),
do not touch the accelerator when restarting
the engine.
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