2006 SAAB 9-3 towing

205 Starting and driving
Driving at nightBear in mind the following points, especially
when driving at night:
 Nighttime driving requires your full
concentration
 Do not rush. Count on your journey taking
slightly longer.
 The number of drivers under the influence
of drugs is likely to be greater at night than
during the day.
 Do not stare at the headlights of oncom-
ing vehicles.
 Avoid driving at night if you have poor
eyesight. Night vision deteriorates with
age.
 Keep your car’s headlights, windows and
mirrors clean. Also, if you wear glasses,
make sure they are clean.
 Make sure you are well rested before
starting a long journey. Take a break every
other hour.
 Only eat light meals. Heavy meals have a
tendency to induce tiredness.
 Wild animals prefer to move at dusk and
dawn.
 Check the headlight levelling setting (see
page 102).
Towing the car
Front towing eye
WARNING
 Remember that the brake servo does
not operate when the engine is off.
Much greater pressure than normal
will therefore be required to operate
the brake pedal.
 Nor does the steering servo operate
when the engine is off. The steering
will therefore be much heavier than
usual.
 The towing vehicle should always be
heavier than the vehicle on tow.
 Never allow passengers to ride in the
car when it is on tow.
 Always seek professional help if the
car needs to be recovered.
 The ignition switch must be in the ON
position if the car is moved with the
engine not running.
 The steering wheel lock must be
disengaged before towing the car.
 The steering wheel lock disengages
when the remote control is inserted
into the ignition switch, if the battery
has sufficient charge.
WARNING
 Make sure that the towing eye is
screwed in tightly. It has a left-hand
thread!
 The towing eye is only designed for
towing the car on roads. It must not
be used to pull the car out of a ditch,
for example.
 Make sure that all bystanders keep a
suitable distance, in case the towing
eye or tow rope should snap. The
towing eye or tow rope could catapult
off and cause seriously injury.
 Never drive with the towing eye fitted
to the front bumper. Return it to its
designated storage space.
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206 Starting and drivingThe front towing eye is stowed by the spare
wheel. On the left-hand side of the bumper
is a cover concealing the attachment point
(tapped hole) for the towing eye.
1 Press the knob on the upper section of
this cover at the same time as pulling out
the lower edge.
2 Screw in the towing eye. The towing
eye has a left-hand thread!
3 Insert the wheel wrench into the eye to
tighten it properly.
To refit the cover: Start by inserting the top
edge of the cover. Then click in the lower
edge, one corner at a time.
Rear towing eyeThe car has a permanent towing eye at the
rear under the bumper.
If the car is equipped with a towbar, this can
be used instead of the towing eye.
Towing the carEngage neutral (automatic transmission:
move the selector lever to N). Turn on the
parking lights.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles on tow.NOTICENever use the towing eyes to pull the car
unstuck.
Front towing eye fitted.
The towing eye has a left-hand thread!
Rear towing eye
Never use the towing eyes to pull the car
unstuck.
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207 Starting and driving
Always try to keep the towrope taut by
gently applying the brake of the car on tow,
as necessary. This will avoid the towrope
being jerked violently.
Cars with automatic transmission:
Always observe the speed limit for vehicles
on tow. Whatever the speed limit, the car
must not be towed at speeds exceeding
30 mph (50 km/h) nor for a distance of more
than 30 miles (50 km). If the car needs to be
transported over a longer distance, a tow
truck or flatbed truck must be called out.
The engine cannot be started by towing or
pushing the car. In an emergency, the
engine can be started as described under
"Jump starting" on page 208.
Vehicle recoveryIf the car has to be transported on a flatbed
truck, or similar, it must be securely
strapped down. There are attachment
points for this purpose on the underside of
the car. The attachment points are oblong
hole that have been reinforced to cope with
the stresses that arise during this type of
transport.
Transporting the car
NOTICE The car must be towed front first.
 If the car is to be towed with the front
wheels off the ground, make sure the
parking brake is off, as this acts on the
rear wheels.
NOTICEIf a car with sports (lowered) chassis is
transported, for example on a flat bed
truck, take extra care not to damage the
spoiler and/or underbody.
Attachment points for anchorage straps
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269 Car care
Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit1 Locate the statement “The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed
XXX pounds” on your vehicle´s
placard.
2 Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3 Substract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from
XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4 The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capac-
ity is 650 lbs. (1400–750 (5x150) =
650 lbs.).5 Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in Step 4.
6 If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be trans-
ferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehi-
cle.
Winter tiresWinter (snow) tires are recommended for
winter climates where the majority of your
driving will be done on snow and ice. Winter
tires should be fitted to all four wheels to
maintain a proper balance. Your Saab
dealer can advise you of to the correct size
tire for your car (if different from the original
size) and also supply Saab approved winter
tires pre-mounted on steel or alloy rims.
Winter tires normally use a different speed
rating compared to summer/all season tires.
Make sure not to exceed the stated speed
rating on the tires you use.
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296 Technical data
WARNING
 The GVW and maximum axle loads must not be exceeded.
Note that if some accessories (e.g. towbar, CD changer) are
fitted, the available load capacity is reduced by the weight of
these.
 When carrying a load in the trunk, make sure that it is lashed
down securely, particularly when part or all of the rear seat is
folded down.
Trailer:
Trailer with brakes ________________ Max. 3500 lbs.
(1588 kg)
Trailer without brakes _____________ Max. 1000 lbs.
(450 kg)
Recommended towball load ________ 110–165 lbs.
(50–75 kg)
See also page 200.
Maximum theoretical towing speed, trailer
with brakes ____________________ 60 mph (100 km/h)
When towing a trailer, increase the pressure
of the rear tires by 20 kPa (3 psi).
The above speed and weight restrictions are those specified by
Saab Automobile AB.
Note that national restrictions may apply to trailer speeds and
weights (see page 198).
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313 Index
Index
AA/C
__________________________ 113
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 128
Air conditioning
_________________ 113
Air filter
_______________________ 222
Airbag
_________________________ 32
Anchorage eyes
________________ 149
Anti-corrosion treatment
__________ 280
Antilock braking system __________ 181
Anti-spin
______________________ 183
Ashtrays ______________________ 144
Autochecking of lights, warning and
indicator lights
__________________ 88
Autodimming
_______________ 133
, 134
Automatic climate control (ACC)
____ 115
Automatic tire pressure monitoring __ 254
Automatic transmission
___________ 173
ABS brakes
____________________ 181
ACC
_________________________ 115
BBattery
_______________________ 226
Bedding-in of new brake pads
_____ 171
Before towing a trailer
____________ 201
Brake fluid, grade
_______________ 303Brakes
________________________ 180
Braking _______________________ 180
Bulb changing
__________________ 232
Bulb table
_____________________ 246
Buying new tires
________________ 260
CCabin lighting
__________________ 141
Cabin lighting, Convertible
_________ 80
Car alarm
______________________ 58
Car transport ___________________ 207
Care of air conditioning
___________ 283
Change of address notification
_____ 290
Changing a tire
_________________ 273
Changing bulbs _________________ 232
Changing engine oil
_____________ 220
Changing the battery, remote control
_56
Changing wiper blades
___________ 230
Checking the number of remote
controls
_______________________ 55
Checks before towing a trailer
_____ 201
Child safety
_____________________ 24
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 54
Child seats
_____________________ 24
Cigarette lighter
_________________ 144
Cleaning the engine bay
__________ 277
Cleaning upholstery
_____________ 276
Climate control system, manual
____ 110
Closing the soft top manually,
Convertible
____________________ 70Closing the soft top, Convertible
_____ 66
Clutch interlock
_________________ 172
Compact spare _________________ 270
Compass
______________________ 137
Condensation water, A/C
_________ 113
Convertible
_____________________ 63
Convertible, washing
_____________ 278
Coolant
_______________________ 222
Crash memory, see EDR
_________ 292
Cruise control
__________________ 179
Cup holder
_____________________ 142
DDate codes, tires
________________ 270
Deep water, driving through
_______ 204
Definitions and terminology, tire ____ 267
Determining correct load, tires
_____ 269
Direction indicator stalk switch _____ 104
Direction indicators
______________ 104
Dome light, Convertible
___________ 243
Dome light, Sport Sedan __________ 242
Donor battery, boost starting
_______ 208
Door handles
____________________ 50
Door mirrors ___________________ 132
Drive belt
______________________ 229
Drive belt, length
________________ 301
Driver’s seat with memory
__________ 21
Driving at night
_________________ 205
Driving in cold climates
___________ 195
Driving in deep water
_____________ 204
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314 IndexDriving in hot climates
____________ 197
Driving techniques
______________ 193
Driving with a heavy load on hilly
roads
________________________ 175
Driving with a load
______________ 204
Driving with a roof load ___________ 202
Driving with the compact spare wheel
208
Driving with the trunk lid open
______ 204
EEasy entry, Convertible
____________ 75
Economical motoring
____________ 193
Electric engine heater ____________ 194
Electric heating, front seats
___ 114
, 123
Electric windows
________________ 129
Electric windows, Convertible
_______ 79
Electrical system, technical data ____ 300
Electrically adjustable seats
________ 20
Electronic steering wheel lock _____ 162
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
__ 185
Emergency opening of the narrow
backrest
_____________________ 150
Emergency operation of the sunroof
_ 140
Engine bay, cleaning
____________ 277
Engine heater
__________________ 194
Engine immobilizer
_______________ 57
Engine number
_________________ 307
Engine oil, checking
_____________ 219
Engine oil, grade
________________ 298
Engine oil, volume ______________ 299Engine temperature gauge
_________ 90
Engine, description
______________ 215
Engine, technical data ____________ 297
Engines
_______________________ 300
Event Data Recorders (EDR)
______ 292
Extra electrical socket
____________ 144
EDR (Event Data Recorders)
______ 292
ESP, anti-skid system
____________ 185
FFacilitating entry to rear seat,
Convertible
____________________ 75
Factors affecting fuel consumption
__ 193
Filler cap
______________________ 168
Filling a portable fuel container
_____ 169
Filling up
______________________ 167
Flat spots, tires
_________________ 259
Floor jack
_____________________ 274
Folding down the rear seat
________ 146
Front fog lights
_________________ 104
Front towing eye ________________ 205
Fuel container
__________________ 169
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 91
Fuel grade _____________________ 299
Fuel information
________________ 169
Functions, car alarm ______________ 61
Fuse panel in luggage compartment
_250
Fuse table
_____________________ 249
Fuses
________________________ 247
GGear selector indicator, automatic
transmission
___________________ 92
Gearbox number ________________ 307
General safety instructions,
Convertible
____________________ 64
Glove box
_____________________ 144
Glovebox lighting
________________ 244
GDO, garage door opener
_________ 134
HHandbrake
_____________________ 187
Hazard warning lights
____________ 105
Head restraint, Convertible
_________ 76
Head restraints
__________________ 23
Headlight flasher ________________ 103
Headlight levelling _______________ 102
Headlights
_____________________ 102
Heated door mirrors
_____________ 114
Hood
_________________________ 214
Horn __________________________ 128
Horn button
____________________ 128
IIf a tire goes flat
_________________ 264
Ignition switch
__________________ 160
Immobilizer
_____________________ 57
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316 IndexPinch protection, electric windows
__ 130
Pinch protection, sunroof
_________ 140
Plates and labels, location ________ 307
Polishing and waxing
____________ 279
Poly-V-belt
____________________ 229
Portable fuel container
___________ 169
Position lights
__________________ 102
Power steering fluid, checking
_____ 225
Power steering fluid, grade
________ 302
Pressure gauge
_________________ 90
Pressure, tires
__________________ 257
Profiles, customized settings
_______ 93
QQuality grading, tires
_____________ 261
Quick guide, remote control
________ 51
RRain sensor
____________________ 107
Raising the soft top manually,
Convertible ____________________ 70
Reading lights, Convertible
_________ 80
Rear fog light
__________________ 104
Rear seats, folding down
_________ 146
Rear towing eye
________________ 206
Rear window heating
____________ 114
Rearview mirrors
________________ 132
Recirculation
___________________ 113Recommendations for automatic
transmission, towing a trailer
_____ 199
Recommendations for manual
gearbox, towing a trailer
_________ 200
Recommended snow chains _______ 304
Refueling
______________________ 167
Remote control
__________________ 50
Remote locking malfunction
________ 52
Replacement, wheel
_____________ 262
Reporting safety defects __________ 291
Rev counter
_____________________ 88
Reversing lights
________________ 105
Rollover Pop-up Bars, Convertible
___ 78
Roof lighting
___________________ 141
Roof lighting, changing
___________ 242
Running-in
_____________________ 171
SSaab Information Display
__________ 93
Saab Parking Assistance _________ 190
Saab Trionic engine management
system
______________________ 216
Safety belts _____________________ 12
Seatbelts
_______________________ 12
Seatbelts in rear seat, Convertible
___ 77
Seatbelts, care
_________________ 276
Seatbelts, checking
______________ 276
Seats
__________________________ 18
Securing a load
_________________ 149
Sentronic, manual gear selection
___ 178Service costs
___________________ 289
Service information
______________ 290
Service intervals
________________ 288
Service record retention
__________ 289
Signalling, horn
_________________ 128
Ski hatch
______________________ 148
Spare wheel ___________________ 270
Speed ratings, tires
______________ 266
Speedometer
____________________ 89
Starting the engine
______________ 162
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 128
Steering wheel lock
______________ 162
Steps for determining correct load
limit
_________________________ 269
Storage compartments
___________ 144
Sun visor
______________________ 142
Sunroof
_______________________ 138
Switches ______________________ 102
SAHR, head restraint
_____________ 23
SDM
_________________________ 292
SID
___________________________ 93
SPA __________________________ 190
TTechnical data
__________________ 294
Textile carpeting, cleaning
_________ 277
Tie down eyes
__________________ 149
Tightening torque, wheels
_________ 275
Tire chains
_____________________ 263
Tire date code __________________ 270
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