2007 SAAB 9-3 wheel

175 Starting and driving
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP
®)3
Anti-skid system
The Electronic Stability Program employs
both the antilock braking system (ABS) and
the traction control system (TCS). It is a
system that helps the driver to stabilize the
car in unusual circumstances that can oth-
erwise be more difficult to handle.
How the ESP
® system works
The Electronic Stability Program can help to
prevent the car from skidding by braking
one or several wheels independently of the
driver. The engine output is then also
reduced to prevent the driving wheels from
spinning. The car has sensors that measure
wheel speed, yaw rate, lateral acceleration,
steering wheel position and braking pres-
sure. The values provided by these sensors
are used to calculate the actual direction of
the car, the intentions of the driver and
whether the ESP
® should be engaged.
If this direction does not agree with that
intended by the driver, calculated from the
steering wheel position, the ESP
® is
engaged.
The ESP
® improves the driver’s chances
of retaining control over the car in a critical
situation.
WARNING
When driving normally, the ESP
® system
helps to improve the car’s directional
stability. The ESP
® must not be regarded
as a system to enable the driver to main-
tain higher speeds. The same precau-
tions must be adopted as normal for safe
cornering and driving on slippery roads
must be adopted.
Illustration of how the system applies the
brakes on one or several wheels in order
to reduce the likelihood of the car skidding
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176 Starting and drivingESP
® OFF
lights up if:
a fault has been detected and the system
has therefore been switched off
the system has been switched off
manually
ESP
® indicator light
When the remote control is turned to the ON
position, the lamp is lit for about 4 seconds
while the system performs self-diagnosis.
The light comes on for a short period of
time when the ESP
® system is operative.
Operation of the ESP® indicates reduced
cohesion between the tires and the road,
and that extra care should be taken by the
driver during continued driving.
Turning ESP
® system off
The system can be turned off manually with
the ESP
® button , whereupon the
light will come on. The car must be trav-
elling slower than 35 mph (60 km/h). The
TCS is also disengaged.
The ESP® is always engaged during brak-
ing, even if it has been switched off manu-
ally with the ESP
® button.If a fault is detected in the system, the
following message will be displayed on
the SID:
The cruise control system (if active) will
automatically be disengaged if the ESP
® is
operative.
Stability control failure.
Contact service.
NOTICEChanges to the chassis, such as a
change of wheels, shock absorbers or
springs, could affect the function of the
ESP
® system.
Always consult a workshop before chang-
ing any chassis components. We recom-
mend that you contact a Saab dealer.
ESP
® button
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177 Starting and driving
Parking brakeThe parking brake lever is situated between
the front seats. The brake acts on the rear
wheels. When the parking brake is applied,
the indicator light on the main instru-
ment panel will come on.
To release the parking brake, lift the lever
slightly, pull the release button on the under-
side of the lever and lower the lever.
If conditions allow, it is best if the brake
pedal is not depressed, or only depressed
as little as necessary so as to stop the car
from rolling, when the parking brake is
applied.
To facilitate releasing the parking brake,
depress the brake pedal. This is especially
appropriate if the car is standing on a hill.If the parking brake is applied when the car
starts off, the following message will appear
on the SID:
Parking
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when
you park the car. If the car is to be
left parked for a long time, refer to
page 179.
Always apply the parking brake
before removing the remote control.
Do not use the parking brake while
driving.
Grasp the parking brake lever in such
a way that no fingers get trapped when
you release the parking brake.
Release park brake.
WARNING
Never leave children or pets unat-
tended in the car. In warm, sunny
weather, the temperature inside the
car can reach 160–180°F (70–80°C).
Park where the vehicle will not create
an obstruction or a hazard to other
road users.
Do not park on dry grass or other
combustible material. The catalytic
converter gets very hot and could start
a fire.
Apply the parking brake, remove the
remote control and lock the car.
Correct hold
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178 Starting and drivingParking on a hillWhen parking on a steep hill, turn the front
wheels so that they will be blocked by the
curb if the car should move.
If the car is parked with one front wheel
touching the curb, for example, you may
need to turn the steering wheel slightly
when you insert the remote control to allow
the steering wheel lock to unlock.NOTICEEmpty the car yourself and bear in mind:
Never leave a mobile phone, camera,
computer or similar object visible in
the car.
Clothing, packages and bags attract
thieves.
Do not leave small objects such as
CDs, sunglasses and coins visible.
If possible, park in a well-lit, conspicu-
ous parking space.
Thieves strike whenever and wher-
ever they are given the opportunity.
1Downhill with curb
.
Turn the wheels toward
the curb and edge the car
forwards until the wheel
lightly touches the curb.2Uphill with curb. Tu r n
the wheels away from the
curb and edge the car
backward until the wheel
lightly touches the curb.3Uphill or downhill with-
out curb. Turn the wheel
towards the edge of the
road so that the car,
should it move, will not
roll towards the middle of
the road.
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179 Starting and driving
Long-term parkingIf the car is not going to be used for some
time, e.g. three to four months, the following
steps are recommended:
Drain the washer fluid reservoir and
hoses.
Wash and wax the car. Clean the rubber
seals on the hood, trunk lid and doors,
and lubricate them with glycerol
(glycerine).
After washing the car, dry the brake discs
to avoid corrosion by taking the car out on
the road and applying the brakes a few
times.
Fill the fuel tank to prevent condensation
forming in it.
Top up the coolant and check the anti-
freeze before the onset of winter. Park the car in a dry, covered and well-
ventilated building. Leave the parking
brake OFF!
Convertible: If the car is stored, the soft
top should be closed.
If necessary, use wheel chocks and leave
the parking brake off.
Disconnect the negative (–) battery lead.
If frost is likely to occur during the storage
period, remove the battery and store it in
a frost-free place.
If it is not possible to stand the car on axle
stands, increase the tire pressure to
43 psi (3 bar).
Leave all the door windows open a crack
and cover the car with a non-plastic
tarpaulin – not one made of plastic which will
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182 Starting and drivingError messages
If the system malfunctions, the following
message will appear on the SID:
If the system is subject to interference, the
following message will be shown on the
SID:
If this message appears, clean the sensors.
The sensors are located in the black trim on
the rear bumper The system can be switched off using
Settings.
1 Select Settings using the steering
wheel controls, or .
2 Press and hold the SET button until
given audible confirmation.
3 Select Park Assistance.
4 Press the SET button.
5 Select ON or OFF.
6 Confirm the setting by pressing the SET
button.Explanation of ON and OFF.
Parking assistance
malfunction. Service.
Parking assistance
sensor interference.
Park Assistance
ONOFF
ON
Saab Parking Assistance is activated
automatically when reverse is
engaged. The system warns of objects
behind the car.
If a trailer is hitched up and correctly
connected to the trailer connector, the
system will be deactivated automati-
cally. You can also deactivate the sys-
tem temporarily with the CLR button if
reverse has been engaged and the
system is active.
OFF
Saab Parking Assistance deactivated.
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183 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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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.
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