165 Starting and driving
Driving in hilly country with a
heavy loadThe transmission fluid can overheat when
the gearbox is strained, for example, when
driving with a trailer on hilly roads. To avoid
the transmission fluid overheating, always
drive with the selector lever in the D posi-
tion. The adaptive gear change patterns are
then active.
High air temperatures or a faulty oil cooler
can also cause the transmission fluid to
overheat. Overheating reduces the service
life of the fluid.
TowingTowing of cars with automatic transmission,
see page 195.Descending hillsIf the speed of the car increases while
descending a steep hill, despite the acceler-
ator being released, the control module will
change down. If you desire more powerful
engine braking, manually select a lower
gear (see page 168).
Limp-homeIf the transmission malfunctions, the control
module will activate limp-home mode. Driv-
ability will be affected to varying degrees.
The following message is shown on the SID:
WARNING
Remember to use the braking effect of the
engine (1st, 2nd or 3rd gear) when you
are descending long or steep hills to
spare the brakes.
Overheating can cause the brakes to
fade!
NOTICEDo not tow a trailer if limp-home mode is
engaged.
Gearbox malfunction.
Limited performance.
93_U S _M 07.book Page 165 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com
171 Starting and driving
ABS brakesThe Antilock Braking System (ABS) modu-
lates the brake pressure to each wheel. The
pressure is automatically reduced just
before the wheel locks up and then
increases again to the point at which the
wheel is just about to lock. The wheel sen-
sors send information to the brake system’s
electronic control module for every 4 or so
inches (decimetre) that the car rolls. This
information is processed continuously to
ensure that the adjustment of the brake
pressure will be as exact as possible.
Adjustment takes place up to 12 times per
second.The brake system provides Electronic
Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). This distri-
butes the brake pressure between the front
and rear wheels, in such a way as to achieve
optimum braking performance irrespective
of the car’s speed or load.
The ABS has a built-in diagnostics function
which will switch on the ABS warning light
if a fault is detected in the system (see
page 82).
The following message will appear on the
SID (and corresponding symbol on main
instrument unit) if a fault is detected:
WARNING
It is prudent to try your brakes from
time to time, especially when driving in
heavy rain, through water collected on
the road, in snow, on a wet road
surface or in salty slush. In such condi-
tions, the brakes may take longer than
normal to take effect. To rectify this,
touch the brake pedal periodically to
dry the brakes out.
The same applies after the car has
been washed or when the weather is
very humid.
Avoid parking the car with wet brakes.
Before parking, and if the traffic condi-
tions allow, brake quite heavily so that
the brake discs and pads warm up and
dry.
The brakes are power assisted and it
should be kept in mind that the servo
unit only provides the power assis-
tance when the engine is running.
The brake pressure required when the
engine is off, (e.g. when the car is
being towed) is roughly four times the
normal pedal force required. The
pedal also feels hard and unrespon-
sive.
Overheating can cause the brakes to
fade!
WARNING
The additional safety afforded by the
ABS system is not designed to allow
drivers to drive faster but to make
normal driving safer.
To stop as quickly as possible, without
loss of directional stability, whether
the road surface is dry, wet or slippery,
press the brake pedal down hard
without letting up (do not pump the
pedal), declutching simulta-
neously, and steer the car to safety.
Antilock brake malfunc.
Contact service.
93_U S _M 07.book Page 171 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com
185 Starting and driving
Driving in cold weatherIn cold weather, special attention should be
paid to the following:
Before driving off, make sure that the
wiper blades have not frozen to the wind-
shield.
Remove any snow from the heating
system air intakes between the hood and
the windshield.
If necessary, inject oil into the locks to
prevent them from freezing. Use molyb-
denum-sulphide oil (MoS
2). If the locks
freeze, exercise care when unlocking the
car (manual unlocking) to avoid breaking
the key. Warm up the key or use a de-icer.
It is particularly important when the roads
are slippery that the brakes and tires are
in good condition.
For how to check the level of antifreeze in
the engine coolant, see page 209. Add gasoline anti-freeze when refueling
several times before the onset of winter.
This will prevent condensation water in
the fuel tank from freezing and causing
interruptions in the fuel supply. The likeli-
hood of condensation is lowest when the
fuel tank is full.
If the car is parked outside and the
temperature is below zero, gasoline anti-
freeze is of little use as it cannot remove
water that has already frozen. Park the
car in a warm place so that any ice that
may have built up melts, then add gaso-
line anti-freeze when refueling.
Condensation is caused by temperature
fluctuations, either in the outside temper-
ature alone or when the car is alternately
parked outdoors and in a garage.
Convertible: Avoid operating the soft top
at temperatures below 23°F (–5°C). The car is equipped with tires designed to
provide optimum grip on both wet and dry
roads, although this has been achieved at
the expense of somewhat reduced grip on
snow and ice. For regular driving on snow
and ice, we therefore recommend that
winter tires be fitted. However, winter tires
achieve this extra grip at the expense of
grip on bare road surfaces.
Winter tires, particularly studded tires, gen-
erally make driving safer on snow and ice.
Acquaint yourself with the legal provi-
sions governing the use of different
types of winter tires and snow chains.
Studded tires are not allowed in some
countries. If winter tires are fitted, the same
type must be fitted to all four wheels. Your
Saab dealer will be pleased to advise you on
the best tires for your car.
93_U S _M 07.book Page 185 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com
190 Starting and drivingWhen continuing your journey, manually
select a low gear in which the engine speed
is about 3,500 rpm until the incline eases
(see page 168).
Recommendations for cars with
manual transmissionRises in coolant temperature are indicated
by the temperature gauge in the main instru-
ment panel.
When the needle is just outside the red
zone, the A/C compressor will be switched
off and, on certain engine variants, the max-
imum engine torque will be limited.
When continuing your journey, select a low
gear in which the engine speed is about
3,500 rpm until the incline eases.
Trailer hitch loadThe weight distribution on the trailer makes
a lot of difference to the handling properties
of the car and trailer combination. With a
two-wheel trailer, concentrate the load over
the wheels and keep it as low as possible.
The trailer should be loaded so that the load
on the towball is 110–165 lbs. (50–75 kg).
Note that this load must be included in the
total load for the car. If this now exceeds the
specified load capacity, the load in the trunk
may have to be reduced by the correspond-
ing amount.
WARNING
Remember to use engine-braking (selec-
tor position M1, M2, or M3) to spare the
brakes when you are driving on a long or
steep downhill slope.
Overheating can cause the brakes to
fade!
WARNING
Remember to use engine-braking (selec-
tor position 1, 2, or 3) to spare the brakes
when you are driving on a long or steep
downhill slope.
Overheating can cause the brakes to
fade!
Distribution of load in trailera Light
b Moderate
cHeavy
93_U S _M 07.book Page 190 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com
237 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--
10 30 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 Moonroof3
19 - -
20 7.5 XM-radio3, TMC-tuner3
21 7.5 Saab Parking Assistance (SPA)3; control module in
rear doors; dome light (Convertible)
22 30 Radio3; navigation3
23 - -
24 10 Movement sensor3; tilt sensor3; dome light (Con-
ver tible)
25 30 Electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory3
Trunk fuse panel, Sport Sedan93_U S _M 07.book Page 237 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com
241 Car care
TiresYour new vehicle comes with high-quality
tires made by a leading tire manufacturer. If
you ever have questions about your tire
warranty and where to obtain service, see
your Saab Warranty and Service Record
Booklet for details.
Inflation - Tire PressureThe Tire-Loading Information label shows
the correct inflation pressures for your tires
when they’re cold. “Cold” means your vehi-
cle has been sitting for at least three hours
or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).Notice:
Don’t let anyone tell you that
underinflation or overinflation is all
right. It’s not. If your tires don’t have
enough air (underinflation), you can get
the following:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy
If your tires have too much air (overinfla-
tion), you can get the following:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazardsAdjust the tire pressure to match the current
load and speed of the car (see page 292).
The stated tire pressures apply to cold tires,
i.e. tires that are the same temperature as
the outside air temperature. Tire pressure
increases as the tires become warm (e.g.
during highway driving) by approximately
4 psi (28 kPa). When the temperature of the
tires changes by 50°F (10°C), the tire pres-
sure will change 2 psi (14 kPa).
Never reduce the pressure of a hot tire. If the
tires are hot when you check them, only
increase the pressure, if necessary.
WARNING
Poor maintained and improperly used
tires are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an blow-out
and a serious accident. See “” on
page 251.
Underinflated tires pose the same
danger as overloaded tires. The
resulting accident could cause serious
injury. Check all tires frequently to
maintain the recommended pressure.
Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact – such as when you hit a
pothole. Keep tires at the recom-
mended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If
your tread is badly worn, or if your tires
have been damaged, replace them.93_U S _M 07.book Page 241 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com
300 IndexDetermining correct load, tires
_____ 255
Direction indicator stalk switch _____ 101
Direction indicators
______________ 101
Dome light, Convertible
__________ 232
Dome light, Sport Sedan __________ 231
Donor battery, boost starting
______ 200
Door handles
___________________ 50
Door mirrors
___________________ 124
Drive belt
______________________ 218
Drive belt, length
________________ 287
Driver’s seat with memory
_________ 21
Driving at night
_________________ 197
Driving in cold climates
___________ 187
Driving in deep water
____________ 196
Driving in hot climates ____________ 189
Driving techniques
______________ 185
Driving with a compact wheel fitted
_ 257
Driving with a heavy load on hilly
roads
________________________ 167
Driving with a load
______________ 196
Driving with a roof load ___________ 194
Driving with the trunk lid open
______ 196
EEDR (Event Data Recorders)
______ 278
ESP, anti-skid system
____________ 177
Easy entry, Convertible ____________ 75
Economical motoring
____________ 185
Electric engine heater ____________ 186
Electric heating, front seats
_______ 114
Electric windows
________________ 121Electric windows, Convertible
_______ 79
Electrical system, technical data ____ 286
Electrically adjustable seats
________ 20
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
__ 177
Electronic steering wheel lock
______ 154
Emergency opening of the narrow
backrest, Sport Sedan
__________ 142
Emergency operation of the
moonroof
_____________________ 132
Engine bay, cleaning
_____________ 263
Engine heater
__________________ 186
Engine immobilizer
_______________ 57
Engine management system
______ 205
Engine number
_________________ 293
Engine oil, checking
_____________ 209
Engine oil, grade
________________ 284
Engine oil, volume _______________ 285
Engine temperature gauge
_________ 90
Engine, description
______________ 204
Engine, technical data ____________ 283
Engines
_______________________ 286
Event Data Recorders (EDR)
______ 278
Extra electrical socket
____________ 136
FFacilitating entry to rear seat,
Convertible
____________________ 75
Factors affecting fuel consumption
__ 185
Filler cap
______________________ 160
Filling a portable fuel container
_____ 161
Filling up
______________________ 159Flat spots, tires
_________________ 245
Floor jack
______________________ 260
Folding down the rear seat
backrest, SportCombi
___________ 143
Folding down the rear seat,
Sport Sedan
__________________ 138
Front fog lights __________________ 101
Front towing eye ________________ 197
Fuel container
__________________ 161
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 91
Fuel grade _____________________ 285
Fuel information
_________________ 161
Functions, car alarm
______________ 60
Fuse panel in luggage compartment
_ 239
Fuse table
_____________________ 238
Fuses
_________________________ 236
GGDO, garage door opener
_________ 126
Gearbox number
________________ 293
General safety instructions,
Convertible
____________________ 64
Glove box
_____________________ 136
Glovebox lighting
________________ 233
HHandbrake
_____________________ 179
Hazard warning lights
____________ 102
Head restraint, Convertible
_________ 76
Head restraints
__________________ 23
93_U S _M 07.book Page 300 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com