Page 156 of 318
156 Interior equipmentCargo net, vertical3, SportCombi
Fit the net behind the rear seat backrest.
1 Remove the rear cover panels in the
roof.
2 Fit the net’s upper fasteners into the two
rear attachment points in the roof.
3 Secure the net’s hooks in the two
anchorage eyes closest to the rear seat.
Tension the straps.
The cargo net can also be fitted behind the
front seats when the whole rear seat is
folded.
1 Remove the front cover panels in the
roof.
2 Snap the net’s upper fasteners into the
two front attachment points in the roof.
3 Secure the net’s hooks in the two outer
eyes furthest back on the front seats’
rails down by the floor. Tension the
straps.
Attaching the cargo net to the roof
Cargo net fitted in front anchorage eye
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Page 159 of 318

159 Starting and driving
Ignition switch ________ 160
Steering wheel lock ____ 162
Starting the engine ____ 162
Important considerations
for driving __________ 164
Refueling ____________ 167
Engine Break-in Period _ 171
Manual transmission___ 172
Automatic
transmission 3 ______ 173
Cruise control ________ 179
Braking ______________ 180
Traction Control System
(TCS) ______________ 183
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP) 3 _____ 185
Parking brake_________ 187
Parking ______________ 187
Saab Parking
Assistance 3 ________ 190 Economical driving _____ 193
Driving in cold weather__ 195
Driving in hot climates __ 197
Towing a trailer 3_______ 198
Driving with a roof rack
load ________________ 202
Driving with a load _____ 204
Driving with the trunk lid
open________________ 204
Driving in deep water ___ 204
Driving at night ________ 205
Towing the car _________ 205
Driving with the compact
spare tire ____________ 208
Jump starting _________ 208
For long trips __________ 211
Starting and driving
3Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars
(can depend on model variant, engine variant,
market specification, options or accessories).93U S M 06.book Page 159 Friday, February 18, 2005 1:15 PM
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Page 193 of 318

193 Starting and driving
Economical drivingFactors affecting fuel
consumptionThe fuel consumption of a car is greatly
affected by driving conditions, climate, road
conditions, speed, driving technique, etc.Breaking-inFuel consumption may be somewhat
higher during the break-in period (the
first 3,000–4,000 miles (5,000–7,000 km)).Weather conditionsSummer temperatures give better fuel
economy than winter ones. The difference
can be as much as about 10%. Consump-
tion increases in cold weather because the
engine takes longer to reach its normal
operating temperature. The transmission
and wheel bearings also take longer to
warm up. Even distance affects consump-
tion: short journeys of 3–5 miles (5–8 km)
do not give the engine enough time to
reach its optimum temperature. Wind con-
ditions also have a marked effect on fuel
consumption.How to read the diagram:
If fuel consumption with the engine at
normal temperature is 28 mpg (10 l/
100 km), the actual fuel consumption
3 miles (5 km) after the engine has started
from cold will be:
– 23.5 mpg (12 l/100 km) at outside temp.
of 68°F (+20°C) (increase of 20%).
– 17.7 mpg (16 l/100 km) at outside temp.
of 32°F (0°C) (increase of 60%).
– 14 mpg (20 l/100 km) at outside temp.
of –4°F (–20°C) (increase of 100%).
It is clear from the diagram that both dis-
tance driven and outside temperature have
a significant impact on fuel consumption,
after a cold start.
If the car is normally driven on short jour-
neys, 3–5 miles (5–8 km), for example to
and from work, the average consumption
will be 60–80% above the normal level.
Driving techniques To obtain the best running economy, with
regard to fuel consumption and general
wear, the car must be serviced regularly.
High speed, unnecessary acceleration,
frequent braking and much changing
down all give higher fuel consumption.
Frequent gear changing in traffic, starting
in cold weather, the use of studded tires
and roof racks, and towing a camper all
increase fuel consumption.
Do not warm up the engine while the car
is stationary.
If idling, the engine will take much longer
to reach its optimum temperature, and Percentage increase in fuel consumption
of engine starting from cold compared to
engine at normal temperature.
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Page 202 of 318

202 Starting and drivingDriving with a roof rack
loadThe maximum permissible roof load is
220 lbs. (100 kg). Note that the roof load
must be included in the car’s maximum per-
missible payload and axle load.
Strong, sturdy roof carriers designed spe-
cially for your car are available from your
Saab dealer. Always secure roof loads
securely.
Fitting roof carriers3Sport Sedan and SportCombi without
roof rails
1 Open the four covers on the roof of the
car.
2 Insert a screw with washer into each roof
carrier foot. Fit a seal onto each screw.
3 The roof carriers are marked front and
back.
4 Bolt the roof carriers to the brackets in
the roof.
5 Check that the roof carriers are firmly
mounted.
WARNING
A roof load will affect the car’s center
of gravity and aerodynamics. Be
aware of this when cornering and driv-
ing in crosswinds.
Adjust your speed to the prevailing
conditions.
Due to higher aerodynamics drag, fuel
economy may suffer when driving with
a roof rack.
Mounting holes for roof carrier
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Page 203 of 318

203 Starting and driving
Fitting roof carriers3SportCombi with roof rails
1 Clean the car’s roof rails.
2 Check the markings on the cross
members to see which is the front and
which is the rear roof carrier.
3 Place the cross members on the roof
rails, on their respective sides of the
centre supports. The cross members
must not be placed beyond the front or
rear joint on the rail. Ensure that the
distance between the cross members is
at least 700 mm.
If a roof box is to be fitted, the cross
members must be positioned so that the
tailgate can be opened fully without
hitting the roof box.
4Using your thumb, press the bracket
so that it lies snugly against the
outside of the roof rail. M a k e s u r e t h a t
the roof carriers are seated centrally on
the rubber spacers and that these sit
correctly on the roof rail. Pull the spacers
down slightly on the inside of the roof
rail.
5 Centre the roof carriers so that they
protrude equally on both sides.
6 Tighten the roof carriers by hand.
Ensure that the tightening knobs are
upright once the roof carriers have been
tightened.
7 Make sure the roof carriers are securely
in place.93U S M 06.book Page 203 Friday, February 18, 2005 1:15 PM
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Page 204 of 318

204 Starting and drivingDriving with a loadThe handling characteristics are affected by
how the car is loaded.
Driving with the trunk lid
openIf you must drive with the trunk lid open,
close all windows and the sunroof (if
equipped) and set the cabin fan to its high-
est speed setting.
Driving in deep water
NOTICE Place the heaviest load as far forward
and as low as possible in the trunk.
Secure the load to the lashing eyes
(see page 149).
Heavy loads mean that the car’s
center of gravity is further back. As a
result, the car will sway more during
evasive steering.
Never exceed the permissible load of
the roof box, even if there is room for
more.
Ensure that the tire pressure is correct
– slight overinflation is preferable to
underinflation.
The braking distance of a loaded car is
always greater. Keep your distance
from the vehicle in front.
Do not exceed the car’s permissible
gross vehicle weight or axle load (see
page 294).
Roof loads can negatively affect tele-
communication.
For further information on tires see
page 256.
WARNING
Avoid driving with the trunk lid partly or
fully open, since exhaust fumes can be
drawn into the cabin.
NOTICEDo not drive in puddles or water deeper
than 7 in. (20 cm) and do not drive faster
than 3–4 mph. Water can otherwise be
sucked into the engine. The engine will be
seriously damaged if water enters the
intake system.
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Page 250 of 318
250 Car care
Trunk fuse panel, left-hand sideNo. Amp. Function
1–5 MAXI -
6 30 Control module in left rear door
7 30 Control module in right rear door
820Trailer3
9--
1030 Left-hand brake light; rear right turn signal; right tail-
light; right reversing light; high-mounted brake light;
trailer lights
11 - -
12 - -
13 - -
14 - -
15 15 Seat heating, left seat3
16 15 Seat heating, right seat3
17 7.5 Autodimming rearview mirror3; rain sensor3
18 15 Sunroof3
19 7.5 Telematics (OnStar)3
20 7.5 DVD player (navigation system)3
217.5 Saab Parking Assistance (SPA)3; control module in
rear doors
22 30 Amplifier, sound system III3
23 - -
24 10 Movement sensor3; CD changer in trunk 3
25 30 Electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory3
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Page 278 of 318

278 Car carethoroughly at the end of winter. Clean the
underside of the car by hand if the car is usu-
ally washed in an automatic car wash with-
out special facilities for underbody cleaning.
Never wash or leave the car to dry in the
sun, but wipe it dry with a chamois leather
immediately after washing to avoid smears
and streaks.
Clean the inside of window glass using a
proprietary window cleaner. This is particu-
larly important when the car is new, as
upholstery and trim have a tendency to
sweat a little at first.
Keep the glass well polished, as this helps
to prevent misting.
Clean the outside of the windows with Saab
washer fluid. This is especially important if
the car has been washed in an automatic
car wash, as sometimes a wax treatment is
used that can contaminate the windshield
and impair the performance of the wipers.
In the U.S., Saab offers a full complement of
car care products. See your dealer or visit
us at www.saabcatalog.com.Convertible:
Wash the soft top with a mild soap solu-
tion and lukewarm water. For spot clean-
ing the top, a finger nail brush can also be
used. Stroke the brush in the direction of
the fabric, not across the threads.
If a pressure washer is used be heedful of
the following recommendations:
on the lower part of the car (not higher
than the door handles): max pressure
of 100 bar and not closer than 8 in.
(20 cm).
on the upper part of the car: tax pres-
sure of 100 bar and not closer than
32 in. (80 cm).
Do not use any drying chemicals or water-
proofing agents.
Avoid automatic car washes.
NOTICE Try your brakes on leaving a car wash.
Wet brake discs reduce the perfor-
mance of the brakes.
Fixed antennae, such as for a mobile
phone, must be removed if the car
goes through an automatic car wash.
Cars with Saab Parking Assistance:
Do not spray the sensors or closer
than 8 in. (20 cm) to the sensors with
a pressure washer, as this can
damage them.
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