2006 SAAB 9-2X trailer

Instruments and controls
3-11
3
– CONTINUED –

CHECK ENGINE warn-
ing light/Malfunction in-
dicator lampIf this light comes on steadily or blinks
while the engine is running, it may indicate
that there is a problem or potential prob-
lem somewhere in the emission control
system.

If the light comes on steadily:
If the light comes on steadily while driving
or does not go out after the engine starts,
an emission control system malfunction
has been detected.
You should have your vehicle checked by
an authorized Saab dealer immediately.NOTEThis light also comes on when the fuelfiller cap is not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle,
the cause of the CHECK ENGINE warning
light/malfunction indicator lamp coming on
could be a loose or missing fuel filler cap.
Remove the cap and retighten it until it
clicks. Make sure nothing is interfering
with the sealing of the cap. Tightening the
cap will not make the CHECK ENGINE
warning light turn off immediately. It may
take several driving trips. If the light does
not go out, take your vehicle to your au-
thorized Saab dealer immediately.

If the light is blinking:
If the light is blinking while driving, an en-
gine misfire condition has been detected
which may damage the emission control
system.
To prevent serious damage to the emis-
sion control system, you should do the fol-
lowing.

Reduce vehicle speed.

Avoid hard acceleration.

Avoid steep uphill grades.

Reduce the amount of cargo, if possi-
ble.

Stop towing a trailer as soon as pos-
sible.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may
stop blinking and come on steadily afterseveral driving trips. You should have
your vehicle checked by an authorized
Saab dealer immediately.

Charge warning light If this light comes on when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the charging
system is not working properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does
not go out after the engine starts, stop the
engine at the first safe opportunity and
check the alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken or if the belt is in good con-
dition but the light remains on, contact
your nearest Saab dealer immediately.
Oil pressure warning
lightIf this light comes on when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the engine oil
pressure is low and the lubricating system
is not working properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does
not go out after the engine starts, stop the
engine at the first safe opportunity and
check the engine oil level. If the oil level is
low, add oil immediately. If the engine oil
is at the proper level but the light remains
on, contact your nearest Saab dealer im-
mediately. If the CHECK ENGINE light comes
on while you are driving, have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your
Saab dealer as soon as possible.
Continued vehicle operation without
having the emission control system
checked and repaired as necessary
could cause serious damage, which
may not be covered by your vehi-
cle’s warranty.
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 11 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

8
Driving tips
New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000
miles (1,600 km) .............................................. 8-2
Fuel economy hints ............................................ 8-2
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .......... 8-2
Catalytic converter ............................................. 8-3
Periodic inspections .......................................... 8-4
Driving in foreign countries .............................. 8-4
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ........................... 8-5
Off road driving .................................................. 8-6
Winter driving ..................................................... 8-6
Operation during cold weather .............................. 8-6
Driving on snowy and icy roads ............................ 8-7
Corrosion protection .............................................. 8-8
Snow tires ................................................................ 8-9
Tire chains ............................................................... 8-9
Rocking the vehicle ................................................ 8-9
Loading your vehicle ......................................... 8-10
Vehicle capacity weight ......................................... 8-11
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........................... 8-11
Roof crossbar 3 ...................................................... 8-12
Trailer towing ...................................................... 8-13
Warranties and maintenance ................................. 8-13
Maximum load limits .............................................. 8-13
Trailer hitches ......................................................... 8-16
Connecting a trailer ................................................ 8-17
Trailer towing tips ................................................... 8-18 3 Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars (can depend
on model variant, engine variant, market specification, options
or accessories)
.
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 1 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

Driving tips
8-11
8
– CONTINUED –
NOTEFor better fuel economy, do not carry
unneeded cargo.
Vehicle capacity weight
The load capacity of your vehicle is deter-
mined by weight, not by available cargo
space. The maximum load you can carry
in your vehicle is shown on the vehicle la-
bel attached to the driver’s side door pillar.
It includes the total weight of driver and all
passengers and their belongings, any op-
tional equipment such as a trailer hitch,
roof rack or bike carrier, etc., and the
tongue load of a trailer.

GVWR and GAWR (Gross Ve-
hicle Weight Rating and
Gross Axle Weight Rating)The certification plate attached to the driv-
er’s side door jamb shows GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) and GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating).
The GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) must
never exceed the GVWR. GVW is the
combined total of weight of the vehicle, fu-
el, driver, all passengers, luggage, any
optional equipment and trailer tongue
load. Therefore, the GVW changes de-
pending on the situation. The GVWR
equals Curb Weight (actual weight of your
vehicle – including standard equipment,
fluids, emergency tools and spare tire as-
sembly) plus the vehicle capacity weight. Do not carry spray cans, containers
with flammable or corrosive liquids
or any other dangerous items inside
the vehicle.
800272
D00120
800261
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 11 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

Driving tips
8-13
8
– CONTINUED –
Trailer towingYour vehicle is designed and intended to
be used primarily as a passenger-carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer puts additional
loads on your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain,
brakes, tires and suspension and has an
adverse effect on fuel economy.
If you do decide to tow a trailer, your safe-
ty and satisfaction depend upon proper
use of correct equipment and cautious op-
eration of your vehicle. Seek the advice of
your Saab dealer to assist you in purchas-
ing a hitch and other necessary towing
equipment appropriate for your vehicle. In
addition, be sure to follow the instructions
on correct installation and use provided by
the trailer and other towing equipment
manufacturers.
Saab assumes no responsibility for inju-
ries or vehicle damage that result from
trailer towing equipment, or from any er-
rors or omissions in the instructions ac-
companying such equipment or for your
failure to follow the proper instructions.
Warranties and maintenanceFor details of application of warranties to
vehicle damage or malfunctions related
with trailer towing, please refer to the
“Saab Warranty and Service RecordBooklet”. If you use your vehicle to tow a
trailer, more frequent maintenance will be
required due to the additional load. (Refer
to “Maintenance schedule under severe
driving conditions” in the “Saab Warranty
and Service Record Booklet”.)
Under no circumstances should a trailer
be towed with a new vehicle or a vehicle
with any new powertrain component (en-
gine, transmission, differential, wheel
bearings, etc.) for the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) of driving.

Maximum load limits

Total trailer weightTotal trailer weightThe total trailer weight (trailer weight plus
its cargo load) must never exceed the
maximum weight shown in the following
table. Never exceed the maximum load
limits explained in the following. Ex-
ceeding the maximum load limits
could cause personal injury and/or
vehicle damage.

Adequate size trailer brakes are
required when the trailer and its
cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg)
total weight.
Before towing a trailer, check the
trailer total weight, GVW, GAWs
and tongue load. Make sure the
load and its distribution in your
vehicle and trailer are acceptable.
800211
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 13 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

8-14
Driving tips

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)Gross Vehicle WeightThe Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) must
never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR).
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the com-
bined total of the weight of the vehicle,
driver, passengers, luggage, trailer hitch,
trailer tongue load and any other optional
equipment installed on your vehicle.
Therefore, the GVW changes depending
on the situation. Determine the GVW each
time before going on a trip by putting your
vehicle and trailer on a vehicle scale.
Certification labelGVWR is shown on the certification plate
located on the driver’s side door jamb of
your vehicle.
Model Conditions Maximum
total trailer
weight
MT models When towing a
trailer without
brakes.1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
When towing a
trailer with
brakes.2,000 lbs
(906 kg)
AT models When towing a
trailer without
brakes.1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
When towing a
trailer with
brakes.2,000 lbs
(906 kg)
When towing a
trailer on a long
uphill grade con-
tinuously for over
5 miles (8 km)
with an outside
temperature of
104
F (40
C) or
above.1,000 lbs
(453 kg)
800273
800261
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 14 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

Driving tips
8-15
8
– CONTINUED –

Gross Axle Weight (GAW) and
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)Gross Axle WeightThe total weight applied to each axle
(GAW) must never exceed the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). The front and
rear GAWs can be adjusted by relocating
passengers and luggage inside the vehi-
cle. The front and rear GAWR are also
shown on the certification plate.
Certification labelTo check both GVWR and GAWR and to
confirm that the total weight and weight
distribution are within safe driving limits,
you should have your vehicle and trailer
weighed at a commercial weighing sta-
tion.
Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to
prevent a change in weight distribution
while driving.
Tongue load
Tongue loadEnsure that the trailer tongue load is from
8 to 11 percent of the total trailer weight
and does not exceed the maximum value
of 200 lbs (90 kg).
800274
800261
800214
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 15 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

8-16
Driving tips
1) Jack
2) Bathroom scaleThe tongue load can be weighed with a
bathroom scale as shown in the following
illustration. When weighing the tongue
load, be sure to position the towing cou-
pler at the height at which it would be dur-
ing actual towing, using a jack as shown.
F: Front of vehicleThe tongue load can be adjusted by prop-
er distribution of the load in the trailer.
Never load the trailer with more weight in
the back than in the front; approximately
60 percent of the trailer load should be in
the front and approximately 40 percent in
the rear. Also, distribute the load as even-
ly as possible on both the left and right
sides.
Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to
prevent a change in weight distribution
while driving.

Trailer hitchesChoose a proper hitch for your vehicle and
trailer.
12
800270
F
60%
40%50%50%
800216
If the trailer is loaded with more
weight in the back of trailer’s axle
than in the front, the load is taken off
the rear axle of the towing vehicle.
This may cause the rear wheels to
skid, especially during braking or
when vehicle speed is reduced dur-
ing cornering, resulting in over-
steer, spin out and/or jackknifing.
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 16 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

Driving tips
8-17
8
– CONTINUED –
The use of a genuine Saab trailer hitch is
recommended. A genuine Saab hitch is
available from your Saab dealer.If use of a non-genuine hitch is unavoid-
able, be sure the hitch is suited to your ve-
hicle and trailer. Consult with a profes-
sional hitch supplier to assist you in
choosing an appropriate hitch for your ve-
hicle. Be sure to follow all of the hitch man-
ufacturer’s instructions for installation and
use.
Never use a hitch that mounts only to the
rear bumper. The bumper is not designed
to handle that type of load.
For all types of hitches, regularly check
that the hitch mounting bolts and nuts are
tight.

Connecting a trailer
Trailer brakes
If your trailer’s total weight (trailer weight
plus its cargo weight) exceeds 1,000 lbs
(453 kg), the trailer is required to be
equipped with its own brake system. Elec-
tric brakes or surge brakes are recom-
mended, and must be installed properly.
Check that your trailer’s brakes conform
with Federal, state/province and/or other
applicable regulations. Your Saab’s brake
system is not designed to be tapped into
the trailer’s hydraulic brake system.Please ask your Saab dealer and profes-
sional trailer supplier for more information
about the trailer’s brake system.

Trailer safety chains
In case the trailer hitch connector or hitch
ball should break or become disconnect-
ed, the trailer could get loose and create a
traffic safety hazard.
For safety, always connect the towing ve-
hicle and trailer with trailer safety chains.
Pass the chains crossing each other un-
der the trailer tongue to prevent the trailer
from dropping onto the ground in case the
trailer tongue should disconnect from the
hitch ball. Allow sufficient slack in the
chains taking tight-turn situations into ac- Never drill the frame or under-body
of your vehicle to install a commer-
cial trailer hitch. If you do, danger-
ous exhaust gas, water or mud may
enter the passenger compartment
through the drilled hole. Exhaust
gas contains carbon monoxide, a
colorless and odorless gas which is
dangerous, or even lethal, if inhaled.
Also, drilling the frame or under-
body of your vehicle could cause
deterioration of strength of your ve-
hicle and cause corrosion around
the drilled hole.

Do not modify the vehicle exhaust
system, brake system, or other
systems when installing a hitch or
other trailer towing equipment.

Do not use axle-mounted hitches
as they can cause damage to the
axle housing, wheel bearings,
wheels or tires.
Adequate size trailer brakes are
required when the trailer and its
cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg)
total weight.

Do not directly connect your trail-
er’s hydraulic brake system to the
hydraulic brake system in your
vehicle. Direct connection would
cause the vehicle’s brake perfor-
mance to deteriorate and could
lead to an accident.
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 17 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com