5
Audio
Antenna system .................................................. 5-2
Printed antenna ....................................................... 5-2
FM reception ........................................................... 5-2
Installation of accessories ................................ 5-2
Audio Systems ................................................... 5-3
AM/FM/Single-CD Audio System ........................... 5-3
Premium AM/FM/6
-CD Audio System ................... 5-3
AM/FM/Single-CD Audio System
3 ................... 5-4
Radio operation ...................................................... 5-4
Compact disc player operation ............................. 5-8
CD changer control (if optional in-dash CD
changer is connected) ......................................... 5-10
Premium AM/FM/6-CD Audio System
3 ........... 5-12
Radio operation ...................................................... 5-12
Built in CD changer operation ............................... 5-16
Precautions to observe when handling a
compact disc ................................................... 5-193 Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars (can depend
on model variant, engine variant, market specification, options
or accessories)
.
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6
Interior equipment
Interior light ........................................................ 6-2
Dome light ............................................................... 6-2
Cargo area light ...................................................... 6-2
Map light
3 .......................................................... 6-2
Sun visors ........................................................... 6-3
Vanity mirror ........................................................... 6-3
Storage compartments ...................................... 6-4
Glove box ................................................................ 6-4
Center console ........................................................ 6-4
Coin tray .................................................................. 6-4
Cup holder .......................................................... 6-5
Front passenger’s cup holder ............................... 6-5
Cigarette lighter socket ..................................... 6-5
Use with a cigarette lighter .................................... 6-6
Using as an accessory power outlet ..................... 6-6
Ashtray ................................................................ 6-7
Floor mat
3 ......................................................... 6-8
Coat hook ............................................................ 6-8
Cargo area cover ................................................ 6-9
Using the cover ....................................................... 6-9
To remove the cover ............................................... 6-9
Stowage of the cover .............................................. 6-9
To install the cover housing .................................. 6-10
Cargo tie-down hooks ........................................ 6-103 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
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Interior equipment
6-7
6
If the socket has been used for electrical
appliances, damage may have been done
to the internal mechanism that causes a
cigarette lighter to “pop out” after its ele-
ment has been heated. For that reason, a
cigarette lighter, even if it is a genuine
part, should not be used in the socket. If
you want to use the socket for a cigarette
lighter again, or to protect your purchaser
before you sell your vehicle, have your
Saab dealer replace the socket with a new
one.
AshtrayTo open the ashtray, push lightly on the lid
below the climate controls.
Fully close the ashtray after using it to help
reduce residual smoke.
To remove the ashtray for cleaning, hold
the right and left sides of the ashtray and
pull it out.
NOTEParticles of ash and tobacco will accu-
mulate around the hinges of the ash-
tray’s inner lid. Clean them off using a
toothbrush or other narrow-ended im-
plement.
If the plug on your electric appli-
ance is either too loose or too
tight for the socket, this can result
in a poor contact or cause the
plug to get stuck. Only use plugs
that fit properly.
Use of an electric appliance in the
socket for a long period of time
while the engine is not running
can cause battery discharge.
Before driving your vehicle, make
sure that the plug and the cord on
your electrical appliance will not
interfere with your shifting gears
and operating the accelerator and
brake pedals. If they do, do not
use the electrical appliance while
driving.
600222
Do not use ashtrays as waste recep-
tacles or leave a lighted cigarette in
an ashtray. This could cause a fire.
600097
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7
Starting and operating
Fuel ...................................................................... 7-2
Fuel requirements .................................................. 7-2
Fuel filler lid and cap .............................................. 7-3
State emission testing (U.S. only)/Canadian
Provincial Emission Testing .......................... 7-5
Preparing to drive .............................................. 7-6
Starting the engine ............................................. 7-7
Manual transmission vehicle ................................. 7-7
Automatic transmission vehicle ............................ 7-7
Stopping the engine ........................................... 7-8
Manual transmission – 5 speeds ...................... 7-8
Shifting speeds ....................................................... 7-9
Driving tips .............................................................. 7-9
Automatic transmission .................................... 7-10
Selector lever for automatic transmission ........... 7-11
Shift lock release .................................................... 7-13
Limited slip differential (LSD)
3 ........................ 7-14
Power steering ................................................... 7-15
Braking ................................................................ 7-15
Braking tips ............................................................. 7-15
Brake system .......................................................... 7-15
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators .............. 7-16
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) .......................... 7-16
ABS system self-check .......................................... 7-16
ABS warning light ................................................... 7-17
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
system .............................................................. 7-18
Steps to take if EBD system fails .......................... 7-18
Parking your vehicle .......................................... 7-19
Parking brake .......................................................... 7-19
Parking tips ............................................................. 7-19
Cruise control ..................................................... 7-21
To set cruise control .............................................. 7-21
To temporarily cancel the cruise control ............. 7-22
To turn off the cruise control ................................. 7-22
To change the cruising speed ............................... 7-22
3 Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars (can depend
on model variant, engine variant, market specification, options
or accessories)
.
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7-2
Starting and operating
Starting and operating
FuelFuel requirements2.5-liter non-turbo models
The 2.5-liter non-turbo engine is designed
to operate using unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating of 87 AKI or higher.
2.5-liter turbo models 3
The 2.5-liter turbo engine is designed to
operate using premium unleaded gasoline
with an octane rating of 91 AKI or higher.
If premium unleaded gasoline is not avail-
able, regular unleaded gasoline with an
octane rating of 87 AKI or higher may be
temporarily used. For optimum engine
performance and driveability, it is required
that you use premium grade unleaded
gasoline.NOTEBe sure to use premium unleaded gas-
oline of 91 AKI or higher for a 2.5-liter
turbo engine model. If other gasoline
(lower than 91 AKI) is used, knocking,reduced output and poor accelerator
response will result.
Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the
Research Octane and Motor Octane num-
bers and is commonly referred to as the
Anti Knock Index (AKI).
Using a gasoline with a lower octane rat-
ing can cause persistent and heavy
knocking, which can damage the engine.
Do not be concerned if your vehicle some-
times knocks lightly when you drive up a
hill or when you accelerate. See your
dealer or a qualified service technician if
you use a fuel with the specified octane
rating and your vehicle knocks heavily or
persistently.
Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed
to accept only an unleaded gasoline filler
nozzle. Under no circumstances should
leaded gasoline be used because it will
damage the emission control system and
may impair driveability and fuel economy.
Gasoline for California-certified LEV
Your vehicle was certified to California’s
low emission vehicle (LEV) standards as
indicated on the underhood tune-up label,
it is designed to optimize engine and
emission performance with gasoline thatmeets the clean burning low-sulfur Califor-
nia gasoline specifications. If you live in
any other state than California, your vehi-
cle will operate on gasoline meeting Fed-
eral specifications. Gasoline sold outside
California is permitted to have higher sul-
fur levels, which may affect the perfor-
mance of your vehicle’s catalytic convert-
er and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor
or smell. Saab recommends that you try a
different brand of unleaded gasoline hav-
ing lower sulfur to determine if the prob-
lem is fuel related before returning your
vehicle to an authorized dealer for service.
MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane-en-
hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl). If
you use such fuels, your emission control
system performance may deteriorate and
the CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal-
function indicator lamp may turn on. If this
happens, return to your authorized Saab
Dealer for service. If it is determined that
the condition is caused by the type of fuel
used, repairs may not be covered by your
warranty.
Gasoline for cleaner air
Your use of gasoline with detergent addi-
tives will help prevent deposits from form-
ing in your engine and fuel system. This Use of a fuel which is low in quality
or use of an inappropriate fuel addi-
tive may cause engine damage.A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 2 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
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Starting and operating
7-3
7
– CONTINUED –
helps keep your engine in tune and your
emission control system working properly,
and is a way of doing your part for cleaner
air. If you continuously use a high quality
fuel with the proper detergent and other
additives, you should never need to add
any fuel system cleaning agents to your
fuel tank.
Many gasolines are now blended with ma-
terials called oxygenates. Use of these fu-
els can also help keep the air cleaner. Ox-
ygenated blend fuels, such as MTBE (Me-
thyl Tertiary Butyl ether) or ethanol (ethyl
or grain alcohol) may be used in your ve-
hicle, but should contain no more than
15% MTBE or 10% ethanol for the proper
operation of your Saab.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are
now producing reformulated gasolines,
which are designed to reduce vehicle
emissions. Saab approves the use of re-
formulated gasoline.
If you are not sure what the fuel contains,
you should ask your service station oper-
ators if their gasolines contain detergents
and oxygenates and if they have been re-
formulated to reduce vehicle emissions.
As additional guidance, only use fuels
suited for your vehicle as explained in the
following.Fuel should be unleaded and have an
octane rating no lower than that specified
in this manual.
Methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) is
sometimes mixed with unleaded gasoline.
Methanol can be used in your vehicle
ONLY if it does not exceed 5% of the fuel
mixture AND if it is accompanied by suffi-
cient quantities of the proper cosolvents
and corrosion inhibitors required to pre-
vent damage to the fuel system. Do not
use fuel containing methanol EXCEPT un-
der these conditions.
If undesirable driveability problems are
experienced and you suspect they may be
fuel related, try a different brand of gaso-
line before seeking service at your Saab
dealer.
Fuel system damage or driveability
problems which result from the use of im-
proper fuel are not covered under the
Saab Limited Warranty.
Fuel filler lid and capRefueling
0
1. To open the fuel filler lid, pull the lid re-
lease lever. The lever is on the floor at the
left of the driver’s seat. Do not let fuel spill on the exterior
surfaces of the vehicle. Fuels con-
taining alcohol may cause paint
damage, which is not covered under
the Saab Limited Warranty.
700365700030
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7-4
Starting and operating
1) Open
2) Close2. Remove the fuel filler cap by turning it
slowly counterclockwise.
3. Stop filling the tank after the fuel filler
pump automatically stops. Do not add any
more fuel.
4. Put the cap back on, turn it clockwise
until you hear a clicking noise. Be certain
not to catch the tether under the cap while
tightening.
5. Close the fuel filler lid completely.
If you spill any fuel on the painted surface,
rinse it off immediately. Otherwise, the
painted surface could be damaged.NOTEIf the fuel filler cap is not tightened until
it clicks or if the tether is caught under
the cap, the CHECK ENGINE warning
light may come on. Refer to the “Warn-
ing and indicator lights” section locat-
ed in chapter 3.
(Turbo model only) Promptly put fuel in
the tank whenever the low fuel warning
light comes on. Engine misfires as a re-
sult of an empty tank could cause dam-
age to the engine.
Gasoline vapor is highly flamma-
ble. Before refueling, always first
stop the engine and make sure
that there are no lighted ciga-
rettes, open flames or electrical
sparks in the adjacent area.
12
700330
When opening the cap, do not re-
move the cap quickly. Fuel may be
under pressure and spray out of
the fuel filler neck especially in
hot weather, which may cause in-
jury.
Never add any cleaning agents to
the fuel tank. The addition of a
cleaning agent may cause dam-
age to the fuel system.
Make sure that the cap is tight-
ened until it clicks to prevent fuel
spillage in the event of an acci-
dent.
Do not let fuel spill on the exterior
surfaces of the vehicle.
Fuels may cause paint damage,
which is not covered under the
Saab Limited Warranty.
Always use a genuine Saab fuel
filler cap. If you use the wrong
cap, it may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and
emission control system might be
damaged.
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Starting and operating
7-5
7
– CONTINUED –
State emission testing (U.S.
only)/Canadian Provincial Emission TestingAt state inspection time, remember to
tell your inspection or service station
in advance not to place your Saab AWD
vehicle on a two-wheel dynamometer.
Otherwise, serious transmission dam-
age will result.
Some states/provinces have started using
dynamometers in their state inspection
programs in order to meet their obligation
under federal law to implement stricter ve-
hicle emission standards to reduce air pol-
lution from vehicles. A dynamometer is a
treadmill or roller-like testing device that
allows your vehicle’s wheels to turn while
the vehicle remains in one place. Depend-
ing on the severity of a state’s air pollution
problems, the states must adopt either a
“basic” or “enhanced” vehicle emission in-
spection test. Normally, a portion of the
basic emission test consists of an emis-
sion inspector inserting an analyzer probe
into the exhaust pipe of an idling vehicle
for a short period of time. States with more
severe air pollution problems are required
to adopt an enhanced vehicle emission
test. This test simulates actual driving
conditions on a dynamometer and permitsmore accurate measurement of tailpipe
emitted pollution than the basic emission
test.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agen-
cy (EPA) and states using two-wheel dy-
namometers in their emission testing pro-
grams have EXEMPTED Saab AWD vehi-
cles from the portion of the testing pro-
gram that involves a two-wheel dynamom-
eter.
There are some states that use four-wheel
dynamometers in their testing programs.
When properly used, that equipment will
not damage an AWD Saab vehicle.
Under no circumstances should the rear
wheels be jacked off the ground, nor
should the driveshaft be disconnected for
state emission testing.
The EPA has issued regulations for in-
specting the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD)
system as part of the state emissions in-
spection. The OBD system is designed to
detect engine and transmission problems
that might cause vehicle emissions to ex-
ceed allowable limits. These inspections
apply to all 1996 model year and newer
passenger cars and light trucks. Over 30
states plus the District of Columbia have
implemented the OBD system inspection.
The inspection of the OBD system con-
sists of a visual operational check of the
“CHECK ENGINE” warning light/malfunc-
tion indicator lamp (MIL) and an examina-
tion of the OBD system with an electronic
scan tool while the engine is running.
A vehicle passes
the OBD system in-
spection if proper the “CHECK ENGINE”
warning light/MIL illumination is observed,
there is no stored diagnostic trouble
codes, and the OBD system readiness
monitors are complete. Testing of an All-Wheel Drive vehi-
cle must NEVER be performed on a
single two-wheel dynamometer. At-
tempting to do so will result in un-
controlled vehicle movement and
may cause an accident or injuries to
persons nearby.
Resultant vehicle damage due to im-
proper testing is not covered under
the Saab Limited Warranty and is
the responsibility of the state in-
spection program or its contractors
or licensees.
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