8 driving. In a collision or sudden stop, unre-
strained pets or cages can be thrown
around inside the vehicle and hurt you or
your passengers. Additionally, the pets
can be hurt under these situations. It is
also for their own safety that pets should
be properly restrained in your vehicle. Re-
strain a pet with a special traveling har-
ness which can be secured to the rear
seat with a seatbelt or use a pet carrier
which can be secured to the rear seat by
routing a seatbelt through the carrier’s
handle. Never restrain pets or pet carriers
in the front passenger’s seat. For further
information, consult your veterinarian, lo-
cal animal protection society or pet shop.
In the U.S., also see your dealer or visit
www.saabcatalog.com for a complete
range of pet accessories offered by Saab.Tire pressuresCheck and, if necessary, adjust the pres-
sure of each tire (including the spare) at
least once a month and before any long
journey.
Check the tire pressure when the tires are
cold. Use a pressure gauge to adjust the
tire pressures to the values shown on the
tire label.
Refer to the “Tires and wheels” section in
chapter 11 for detailed information.
California proposition 65
warningDriving at high speeds with exces-
sively low tire pressures can cause
the tires to deform severely and to
rapidly become hot. A sharp in-
crease in temperature could cause
tread or sidewall separation, and de-
struction of the tires. The resulting
loss of vehicle control could lead to
an accident.
Engine exhaust, some of its constit-
uents, and certain vehicle compo-
nents contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. In addi-
tion, certain fluids in vehicles and
certain components of product wear
contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause can-
cer and birth defects or other repro-
ductive harm.
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10
Illustrated indexExterior
1324 5
11 12 10 78 96
000170
1) Engine hood (page 11-4)
2) Headlight switch (page 3-15)
3) Replacing bulbs (page 11-44)
4) Wiper switch (page 3-21)
5) Moonroof (page 2-21)
6) Door locks (page 2-4)
7) Tire pressure (page 11-31)
8) Flat tires (page 9-4)
9) Tire chains (page 8-9)
10) Front fog light button (page 3-19)
11) Tie-down hooks (page 9-10)
12) Towing hooks (page 9-10)
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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-21
1
– CONTINUED –
System servicing
NOTEIf the front part of the vehicle is dam-
aged in an accident to the extent that
the seatbelt pretensioner does not op-
erate, contact your Saab dealer as
soon as possible.Precautions against vehicle
modificationAlways consult your Saab dealer if you
want to install any accessory parts to your
vehicle.
When discarding a seatbelt retrac-
tor assembly or scrapping the en-
tire vehicle damaged by a colli-
sion, consult your Saab dealer.
Tampering with or disconnecting
the system’s wiring could result in
accidental activation of the seat-
belt pretensioner and/or SRS air-
bag or could make the system in-
operative, which may result in se-
rious injury. The wiring harnesses
of the seatbelt pretensioner and
SRS airbag systems are covered
with yellow insulation and the
connectors of the system are yel-
low for easy identification. Do not
use electrical test equipment on
any circuit related to the seatbelt
pretensioner and SRS airbag sys-
tems. For required servicing of
the seatbelt pretensioner, see
your nearest Saab dealer.
The front sub sensors are located in
both front fenders and the SRS air-
bag control module including the
impact sensors is located under the
center console. If you need service
or repair in those areas or near the
front seatbelt retractors, we recom-
mend that you have an authorized
Saab dealer perform the work.
Do not perform any of the following
modifications. Such modifications
can interfere with proper operation
of the seatbelt pretensioners.
Attachment of any equipment
(bush bar, winches, snow plow,
skid plate, etc.) other than genu-
ine Saab accessory parts to the
front end.
Modification of the suspension
system or front end structure.
Installation of a tire of different
size and construction from the
tires specified on the vehicle label
attached to the door pillar or spec-
ified for individual vehicle models
in this Owner’s Manual.
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1-56
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
Always consult your Saab dealer if you
want to install any accessory parts on your
vehicle. Installation of additional electri-
cal/electronic equipment such
as a mobile two-way radio on or
near the SRS airbag system
components and/or wiring is
not advisable. This could inter-
fere with proper operation of the
SRS airbag system.
Do not perform any of the following
modifications. Such modifications
can interfere with proper operation
of the SRS airbag system.
Attachment of any equipment
(brush bar, winches, snow plow,
skid plate, etc.) other than genu-
ine Saab accessory parts to the
front end.
Modification of the suspension
system or front end structure.
Installation of a tire of different
size and construction from the
tires specified on the tire label at-
tached to the driver’s door pillar
or specified for individual vehicle
models in this Owner’s Manual.Attachment of any equipment
(side steps or side sill protectors,
etc.) other than genuine Saab ac-
cessory parts to the side body.
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3-14
Instruments and controls
Always make sure this light is out before
you start to drive.All-Wheel Drive warn-
ing light (AWD AT vehi-
cles)The All-Wheel Drive warning light comes
on when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position and goes out after the en-
gine has started.
This light comes on when All-Wheel Drive
is disengaged and the drive mechanism is
switched to Front Wheel Drive for mainte-
nance or similar purposes (Non-turbo ve-
hicles).
It flashes if the vehicle is driven with tires
of differing diameters fitted on the wheels
or with an excessively low air pressure in
any of the tires.
Selector lever position indi-
cator (AT vehicles)This indicator shows the position of the
selector lever.Turn signal indicator
lightsThese lights show the operation of the
turn signal or lane change signal.
If the indicator lights do not blink or blink
rapidly, the turn signal bulb may be
burned out. Replace the bulb as soon as
possible. Refer to the “Replacing bulbs”
section in chapter 11.
High beam indicator
lightThis light shows that the headlights are in
the high beam mode.
This indicator light also comes on when
the headlight flasher is operated.Cruise control indica-
tor lightThe cruise control indicator light comes on
when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position and goes out after approxi-
mately three seconds.
This light comes on when the “CRUISE”
main switch is pressed.
If it flashes during driving, deactivate the
cruise control system and contact your
Saab dealer for an inspection. Refer to
“Cruise control” in chapter 7 for the deac-
tivation procedure of the cruise control
system.NOTEIf you move the cruise control lever or
press the main switch button while
turning the ignition switch “ON”, the
cruise control function is deactivated
and the “CRUISE” indicator light flash-
es. To reactivate the cruise control
function, turn the ignition switch back Continuing to drive with the AWD
warning light flashing can damage
the powertrain. If the AWD warning
light starts to flash, promptly park in
a safe place and check whether the
tires have differing diameters and
whether any of the tires has an ex-
cessively low inflation pressure.
P
R
2
1 D N
3
300630
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7-6
Starting and operating
A vehicle fails
the OBD inspection if the
“CHECK ENGINE” warning light/MIL is
not properly operating or there is one or
more diagnostic trouble codes stored in
vehicle’s computer with the “CHECK EN-
GINE” warning light/MIL illuminated.
A state emission inspection may reject
(not pass or fail) a vehicle if the number of
OBD system readiness monitors “Not
Ready” is greater than one. Under this
condition, the vehicle operator should be
instructed to drive his/her vehicle for a few
days to set the monitors and return for an
emission re-inspection.
Owners of rejected or failing vehicles
should contact their Saab Dealer for ser-
vice.
Preparing to driveYou should perform the following checks
and adjustments every day before you
start driving.
1. Check that all windows, mirrors, and
lights are clean and unobstructed.
2. Check the appearance and condition of
the tires. Also check tires for proper infla-
tion.
3. Look under the vehicle for any sign of
leaks.
4. Check that the hood, trunk and rear lift-
gate are fully closed.
5. Check the adjustment of the seat.
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and
outside mirrors.
7. Fasten your seatbelt. Check that your
passengers have fastened their seatbelts.
8. Check the operation of the warning and
indicator lights when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON” position.
9. Check the gauges, indicator and warn-
ing lights after starting the engine.NOTEEngine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid,
washer fluid and other fluid levels
should be checked daily, weekly or at
fuel stops.
Starting the engineManual transmission vehicle1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and acces-
sories.
3. Press the clutch pedal to the floor and
shift the shift lever into neutral. Hold the
clutch pedal to the floor while starting the
engine.
The starter motor will only operate when
the clutch pedal is pressed fully to the
floor.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” po-
sition and check the operation of the warn-
ing and indicator lights. Refer to the
“Warning and indicator lights” section
(chapter 3).
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START”
position without depressing the accelera-
tor pedal. Release the key immediately af-
ter the engine has started.Do not operate the starter motor
continuously for more than ten sec-
onds. If the engine fails to start after
operating the starter for five to ten
seconds, wait for ten seconds or
more before trying again.
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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)
.
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8-2
Driving tips
Driving tips
New vehicle break-in driving
– the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km)The performance and long life of your ve-
hicle are dependent on how you handle
and care for your vehicle while it is new.
Follow these instructions during the first
1,000 miles (1,600 km):
Do not race the engine. And do not al-
low engine speed to exceed 4,000 rpm ex-
cept in an emergency.
Do not drive at one constant engine or
vehicle speed for a long time, either fast or
slow.
Avoid starting suddenly and rapid accel-
eration, except in an emergency.
Avoid hard braking, except in an emer-
gency.
The same break-in procedures should be
applied to an overhauled engine, newly
mounted engine or when brake pads or
brake linings are replaced with new ones.
Fuel economy hintsThe following suggestions will help to
save your fuel.
Select the proper gear position for the
speed and road conditions.
Avoid sudden acceleration or decelera-
tion. Always accelerate gently until you
reach the desired speed. Then try to main-
tain that speed for as long as possible.
Do not pump the accelerator and avoid
racing the engine.
Avoid unnecessary engine idling.
Keep the engine properly tuned.
Keep the tires inflated to the correct
pressure shown on the tire label, which is
located under the door latch on the driv-
er’s side. Low pressure will increase tire
wear and fuel consumption.
Use the air conditioner only when nec-
essary.
Keep the front and rear wheels in prop-
er alignment.
Avoid carrying unnecessary luggage or
cargo.
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)Never inhale engine exhaust gas.
Engine exhaust gas contains car-
bon monoxide, a colorless and
odorless gas which is dangerous,
or even lethal, if inhaled.
Always properly maintain the en-
gine exhaust system to prevent
engine exhaust gas from entering
the vehicle.
Never run the engine in a closed
space, such as a garage, except
for the brief time needed to drive
the vehicle in or out of it.
Avoid remaining in a parked vehi-
cle for a lengthy time while the en-
gine is running. If that is unavoid-
able, then use the ventilation fan
to force fresh air into the vehicle.
Always keep the front ventilation
inlet grille free from snow, leaves
or other obstructions to ensure
that the ventilation system always
works properly.
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