2005 SAAB 9-7X towing

Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle.
You cannot see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness or death. SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-30. To maximize your safety
when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle. Do not use
the climate control setting for maximum air
because it only recirculates the air inside
your vehicle. SeeDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 3-20.Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get to
know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling
and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And
always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly as responsive as
your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connection, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the
brakes are working. This lets you check your electrical
connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that
the load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good
deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
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Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged.
Avoid making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not.
It’s important to check occasionally to be sure the
trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or a lower gear, under heavy
loads or hilly conditions.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine off. If you do
get the overheat warning, seeEngine Overheating
on page 5-25.
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Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet. When parking uphill, turn your wheels
away from the curb. When parking downhill, turn
your wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks under the
trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake, and then shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission uid (don’t overll),
engine oil, axle lubricant, belt(s), cooling system and
brake system. Each of these is covered in this manual,
and the Index will help you nd them quickly. If you’re
trailering, it’s a good idea to review these sections before
you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle is equipped with a seven-wire trailer towing
harness. This harness has a seven-pin universal
heavy-duty trailer connector that is attached to a bracket
on the hitch platform.The seven-wire harness contains the following
trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Running Lamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Dark Blue: Electric Brakes
Red: Battery Feed (The chassis wiring ring terminal
must be fastened to a stud on the underhood
electrical center before the trailer feed will
become active.)
If you need to tow a light-duty trailer with a standard
four-way round pin connector, an adapter connector is
available from your dealer.
Your vehicle is also equipped with wiring for an electric
trailer brake controller. These wires are located
inside the vehicle on the driver’s side under the
instrument panel. These wires should be connected to
an electric trailer brake controller by your dealer or
a qualied service center.
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6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
ller neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
through the ller neck until the level reaches
the base of the ller neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to ow out of the
ller neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure
the pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When the
clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide more air
to cool the engine. In most everyday driving conditions
the clutch is not engaged. This improves fuel economy
and reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading,
trailer towing, and/or high outside temperatures, the fan
speed increases when the clutch engages so you may
hear an increase in fan noise. This is normal and should
not be mistaken as the transmission slipping or making
extra shifts. It is merely the cooling system functioning
properly. The fan will slow down when additional cooling
is not required and the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away as the fan clutch disengages.
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(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken airbag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, hood latch
assembly, secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor,
release pawl, rear compartment hinges, outer liftgate
handle pivot points, rear door detent link, roller
mechanism, liftgate handle pivot points, latch bolt, fuel
door hinge, cargo door hinge, locks, and folding
seat hardware. More frequent lubrication may be
required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer, seal better and not stick
or squeak.
(g)Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation.(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-22 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(k)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
(l)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
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Canada — Customer Assistance
General Motors of Canada, Limited
Customer Assistance Centre
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
1-800-263-1999 (English and French)
1-800-263-3830 (For Text Telephone devices (TTYs))
Roadside Assistance: 1-800-268-6800
Roadside Assistance Program
Roadside Assistance
Saab has a strong commitment to customer satisfaction
and has established the Saab Roadside Assistance
Program. As the owner of a new Saab vehicle, you
are automatically enrolled in the Program. This service
is intended to provide you with peace of mind as
you drive in the city or coast-to-coast throughout
the 4 year/50,000 mile term of your New Car Limited
Warranty.
24 Hour Roadside Assistance Number
Roadside Assistance is available 24 hours a day,
365 days a year. Our advisors have access to a
nationwide network of recommended service providers.
The following services are available to handle related
emergencies.
Towing
Locksmith Service
Flat tire change
Gas delivery
Battery jump starting
If it is necessary to tow your disabled Saab, it will be
taken to the nearest authorized Saab dealer, whenever
possible. The cost of towing will be covered by Roadside
Assistance if necessitated by a mechanical breakdown
covered under the New Car Limited Warranty.
If your 2005 Saab is disabled due to a failure covered
by the New Car Limited Warranty “Bumper-to-Bumper
Coverage” and you are more than 100 miles from home,
Saab will reimburse you for certain expenses in
conjunction with the trip interruption. These expenses
include only reasonable and customary daily cost
for emergency lodging, meals, care rental or other
transportation to your destination incurred within
three days of the disablement, NOT to exceed $1000.
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Rear Climate Control System............................3-24
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-12
Rear Floor Storage Lid....................................2-43
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-22
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)....................................3-92
Rear Seat Entertainment System.......................3-81
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-5
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-19
Rearview Mirror with Compass..........................2-31
Reclining Seatbacks, Power............................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-34
Reduced Engine Power Light............................3-40
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-5
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-6
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire.............................................5-74
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-72
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-51
Replacement, Windshield.................................5-51
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government................................... 7-7
Saab........................................................... 7-7
United States Government.............................. 7-6
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-59
Replacing Restraint System
Parts After a Crash..................................1-60
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-20
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-19Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-4
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-28
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-30
S
Safety Belt
Passenger Reminder Light............................3-28
Pretensioners..............................................1-24
Reminder Light............................................3-28
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-88
Driver Position............................................1-12
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-12
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-11
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides...................1-22
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-19
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-19
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-24
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-18
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-7
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Head Restraints............................................ 1-5
Heated Seats............................................... 1-3
Memory.....................................................2-45
Power Lumbar.............................................. 1-2
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