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55 Instruments and controls
This light together with will come on if
a potentially serious fault has occurred in
the airbag system. The light will come on for about three
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the Start or Drive position. It should go out
after the engine has started.This light indicates a malfunction in the
fuel-injection or ignition system. The car
may still be driven with care and with
somewhat diminished performance (see
page 136).This light comes on when there is less than
about 2.5 gallons (10 liters) of fuel left in the
tank.
This light indicates that there is a message
in the Saab Information Display (SID). A
chime will also sound (see page 64).
Airbag warning light
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.
Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)
WARNING
An illuminated ”Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)” indicator light indica-
tes 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 driver
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.).
NOTICEThe car should be checked immediately
at an authorized Saab dealer to prevent
more serious faults from arising.
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.
CHECK message indicator
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56 Instruments and controlsThis light shows when the cruise-control
system is active (see page 151).
This light shows when the headlights are on
high beam (see page 67).
This light shows when the rear fog light is on
(see page 68).
The rear fog light is switched off automat-
ically when the engine is switched off. When
the fog light is next needed, it will have to be
switched on manually again.
The rear fog light consists of one light so it
should not be mistaken for brake lights.This light indicates that there is a fault in the
Xenon headlight system, which consists of
xenon headlights and an automatic levelling
system.
If a fault arises in the Xenon headlight sys-
tem, the headlights will be angled down to
avoid impairing the vision of drivers in onco-
ming traffic. Adjust your speed accordingly
as visibility will be reduced.If a door has not been closed properly, the
pictogram will indicate the door concerned
(or tailgate).
This light will come on in cars with automatic
transmission when the S (SPORT) button
on the selector lever has been pressed
(position N or D) see page 150.
In this mode, the gear changes occur later,
at higher engine revs, giving the engine and
transmission a sportier feel.
To cancel the SPORT mode, press the S
button on the selector lever again. The
mode is also deselected automatically
w h e n t h e s e l e c t o r l e v e r i s m o v e d t o P , R , M
or L, or when the ignition is switched off.
Indicator, cruise control
Indicator, high beam
Indicator, rear fog light
Xenon headlight fault
indicator
(if equipped)
NOTICE
If the Xenon headlight fault indicator lights
up, have your car checked as soon as
possible at an authorized Saab dealer.
If you do not rectify the problem, nighttime
visibility will be poor since the range of the
headlights is reduced.
Indicator, open door
Indicator, SPORT-mode
automatic transmission
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57 Instruments and controls
On a car with an automatic transmission,
this warning symbol is illuminated if a fault
has been detected in the transmission.
Switch the ignition off and on again to check
if the fault persists.
Even if the fault persists, it is still possible in
most cases to drive the car (see page 146).
Have the automatic transmission checked
by an authorized Saab dealer as soon as
possible.
The indicator light goes on when the Elec-
tronic Stability Program is switched off with
the ESP-button.
IMPORTANT: the system is automatically
engaged every time the engine is started
(see page 155).
The indicator light also goes on when there
is a fault in the system. In this case the light
cannot be turned off by means of the ESP
button. If a fault is indicated, have the
system checked by an authorized Saab
dealer.
See also “Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) on page 155.The ESP indicator light is located in the
tachometer and will be illuminated when
ESP regulation is occurring, i.e. when there
is insufficient traction between the tires and
the road surface to provide the grip required
for the acceleration called for. The driver
can also sense that the engine is not
responding normally to the accelerator.
Operation of the ESP indicates reduced
traction between the tires and the road, and
that extra care should be taken by the driver.
In normal driving, the ESP will help to
improve both ride comfort and safety, but
must not be regarded as a system to enable
the driver to drive at or maintain a higher
rate of speed. The same precautions for
safe cornering and driving on slippery roads
must still be applied (see page 155).
Automatic transmission,
fault indicator
NOTICE
If the control module has actuated the
Limp-home function for the automatic
transmission, the car will remain in 5th
gear when D is selected, making it very
sluggish. To overcome this, select posi-
tion L to prevent unnecessary wear on the
transmission. The transmission then
starts in 2nd gear. When the car is moving
you can select position D.
When the indicator light is on, the car
must not be driven with a trailer attached.
Indicator ESP OFF
Indicator ESP
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58 Instruments and controlsAutochecking of lights,
main instrument panel The above warning and indicator lights
should come on when the ignition is swit-
ched on prior to starting. They should go out
after about 3 seconds.
The following lights light up until the engine
is started, presuming that no fault exists:
Central warning light .
Oil pressure warning light .
Warning, charging .
InstrumentsTachometerThe tachometer indicates the engine speed
in thousands of revolutions per minute. The
needle may be allowed to enter the broken
red zone on the dial only for an instant.
A safety cut-out function (in the fuel system)
prevents the engine speed from exceeding
approximately 6,000 rpm.
Odometer and trip meter The odometer records the distance traveled
in miles on U.S. vehicles and on Canadian
vehicles the distance indicated is in kilome-
tres, and the trip meter in miles and tenths
(kilometres and tenths of kilometres on
Canadian vehicles). Reset button The reset button has two functions, determi-
ned by whether the ignition is ON or OFF.
When the ignition is ON, pressing the
button will reset the trip meter.
When the ignition is OFF, the display
lights up for 20 seconds enabling you to
read the odometer and trip meter. Pres-
sing the button a second time within these
20 seconds will reset the trip meter.
IB1922
IB340
IB341
1 Cars with automatic transmission
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59 Instruments and controls
Speedometer(U.S. speedometer shown)
The speedometer receives signals from the
wheel sensors in the ABS system.
If the NIGHT PANEL mode has been selec-
ted, the scale will be illuminated up to 87
mph (140 km/h). The remainder of the scale
will be illuminated if the speed of the car
exceeds 84 mph (135 km/h).
Fuel gauge Fuel-tank capacity, 18.5 US gal. (70 liters).
The fuel gauge shows the amount of fuel left
in the tank. When this is down to about
2.5 gal. (10 liters), a warning light on the
main instrument panel will come on (see
page 55).
Use the Saab Information display (SID) to
check the approximate distance that can be
traveled on the remaining fuel
(see page 61).
Temperature gauge The temperature gauge shows the tempe-
rature of the coolant. The needle should be
in the middle of the scale when the engine
is at normal operating temperature.
If the needle approaches the red zone,
which can occur in very hot weather or when
the engine is under a heavy load, drive in the
highest gear possible, keep the engine revs
low and avoid shifting down.
If the needle enters the red zone, the
warning light will come on and an alarm
chime will sound.
2030405060
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
240
260220200180160
140 120 100
80
60
40
20
10
IB1851
IB345
IB343
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60 Instruments and controls Check fuse 1 (radiator fan) in the fuse panel
under the hood, see page 215.
If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone,
stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and
check the coolant level by looking at the
level visible through the plastic tank – do not
remove the cap.
If the coolant level falls below the MIN mark,
the Saab Information Display (SID) will dis-
play the message
”Coolant level low.
Refill.”.
Pressure gaugeThe turbo gauge indicates the air volume for
combustion, which is equivalent to the
engine load.
At low loads, the needle will move within the
white zone. At higher loads and during
heavy acceleration, the needle will enter the
yellow area. At very high loads or under cer-
tain barometric conditions, the needle may
enter the first part of the red zone without
indicating that there is a fault.If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone
and the engine at the same time loses
power, because the monitoring system is
holding the charging pressure down, you
should contact an authorized Saab dealer.
If the speed exceeds 149 mph/240 km/h
(155 mph/250 km/h, 9-5 Aero) the increase
in speed will be limited by the lowering of the
boost pressure. The pressure gauge then
moves towards the middle of the orange
zone, indicating reduced engine output and
thus reduces the speed of the car as well.
NOTICEIf the needle, despite the above action,
enters the red zone, stop the car immedi-
ately, let the engine idle.
If the needle stays in the red zone, stop
the engine.
WARNING
Never open the cap of the expansion tank
completely when the engine is hot, open
with care. The pressure in the coo-
ling-system can cause hot coolant and
steam to be released. Failure to heed this
warning may result in personal injury.
IB344
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61 Instruments and controls
Selector lever indication(Automatic transmission)
The position of the selector lever is indica-
ted on the main instrument panel. If manual
mode is selected, the current gear is also
displayed.
Saab Information
Display (SID) The Saab Information Display (SID) shows
CHECK messages and incorporates eight
trip-computer functions.
The SID is also used by the Audio System.
Trip computerSelecting the function
Use the button to scroll down through
the following functions and use the
button to scroll back up through the func-
tions: Use the button to scroll through the
following functions:
WARNING
It is strongly recommended that the SID
settings be changed only when the car is
stationary. The driver’s attention can oth-
erwise easily be distracted from the road.
Dist Distance to destination / Trip
meter.
Arriv Estimated time of arrival.
Alarm Alarm function.
Speed W Speed warning (chime).
Date Date, month and year
Temp. Outdoor temperature and Date.
D.T.E. Estimated range (distance to
empty fuel tank).
Fuel∅ Average fuel consumption
since function last reset.
Speed∅ Average speed since function
last reset.
CLEARSET
NIGHT PANEL
IB3084
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62 Instruments and controlsOutdoor temperature(Frost warning)
Regardless of which function has been
selected, except Night Panel Mode, SID will
automatically display the outdoor tempera-
ture when it is between 26° and 38°F (–3°
and +3°C). This also applies if the
temperature has moved outside the range
of 21° to 43°F (–6° to +6°C) but is again bet-
ween 26° and 38°F (–3° and +3°C).
Entering values for the functions Values can be entered for the following
functions: Speed∅, Dist, Arriv, Alarm and
Speed W.
1 Select the desired function using
or .
2 Press the SET button for at least one
second (figures start to flash and a
chime sounds).
3 Use or to increase or
decrease the value (press CLEAR to
reset).
4 Press SET to record the value.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated
using the values for fuel consumed and dis-
tance driven since last reset. This value is
stored in the car’s trip computer even when
the engine is switched off.
Select Fuel Ø with .
To reset the value, press the CLEAR button
for 4 seconds. A chime will be heard and
CLEARED will be displayed.
Setting the date1 Use to select Date.
2 Press the SET button for at least one
second (year starts to flash and a chime
sounds).
3 Set the year using or .
4 Touch SET.
5 Set the month in the same way.
6 Touch SET.
7 Set the day in the same way.
8 Press SET to save the date setting.
WARNING
Remember that roads can be icy even at
temperatures of above 38°F (+3°C),
especially on bridges and stretches of
road that are sheltered from the sun.
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