86 Instruments and controlsThis light comes on when there is less than
about 2.5 gallons (10 litre) of fuel left in the
tank.
This light indicates that the headlights or
parking lights are on.
This light comes on when the system is
engaged.This symbol lights up when the 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.This symbol lights up when the system is
disengaged using the ESP
® button.
If there is a malfunction, the symbol cannot
be turned off by pressing the ESP
® button.
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
If so, have the system checked at a Saab
dealer.
See also Electronic Stability Program
(ESP
®)3 on page 175.
Indicator, fuel
NOTICE
If the car runs out of fuel, air can be drawn
in with the fuel, which, in turn, can cause
the catalytic converter to be damaged by
overheating.
Headlight and parking
light indicator
Cruise control indicator
light
ESP
® indicator
ESP
® OFF indicatorWARNING
The system improves ride comfort and
safety during normal driving. It must
however not be regarded as a system
to enable the driver to maintain higher
speeds. The same precautions as
normal for safe cornering and driving
on slippery roads must be adopted (see
pages 173/ 175).
Stability control failure.
Contact service.
93_U S _M 07.book Page 86 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
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155 Starting and driving
Limp-homeThe engine management system has a
diagnostic feature that checks a number of
internal functions. If a fault is detected in the
throttle valve, the engine management
system will set the throttle system to the
limp-home mode. This means:
idling control will be poor (uneven idling
since regulated by ignition and fuel
supply)
engine performance will be reduced
the cruise control will not function
the capacity of the A/C compressor will be
limited.
If the diagnosis function detects a fault in the
engine management system, the light
"Engine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)" in
the instrument panel will come on (see
page 83). Have the car checked at a work-
shop as soon as possible. We recommend
that you contact a Saab dealer.
Important considerations with
catalytic convertersThe catalytic converter is an emission con-
trol device incorporated in the car’s exhaust
system. It consists of a metal canister with a
honeycomb insert, the cells of which have
walls coated in a catalytic layer (precious
metal alloy).
To ensure that the catalytic converter con-
tinues to function properly, and also to avoid
damage to the converter and its associated
components, the following points must be
observed:
NOTICEIf "Engine malfunction (CHECK
ENGINE)" warning light starts to flash
(indicating that the engine is misfiring and
the catalytic converter can be damaged),
ease off the accelerator slightly. The light
should go out or start to shine constantly.
If the light continues to flash despite
easing off the accelerator, you may
continue to drive the car but at the mini-
mum throttle permitted by the current traf-
fic situation. Have the car checked as
soon as possible. We recommend that
you contact a Saab dealer.
NOTICEUse only unleaded gasoline. Leaded
gasoline is detrimental to the catalyst and
oxygen sensor and will seriously impair
the function of the catalytic converter.
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156 Starting and driving Have the car serviced regularly in accor-
dance with the service program.
Always be alert to any misfiring of the
engine (not running on all cylinders) and
any loss of power or performance. At the
first sign of a malfunction, reduce speed
and take the car to a workshop. We
recommend that you contact a Saab
dealer.
If the engine fails to start (in severe cold
or if the battery is flat), the car can be
bump started (manual transmission only)
or started using jump leads to a donor
battery. However, as soon as you have
started the engine, it is important that it
runs on all cylinders. If it is misfiring, allow
it to idle for up to 5 minutes to give it time
to settle and run smoothly. If, after this
time, the engine still fails to run properly,
switch off the engine to avoid serious
damage to the catalytic converter. We
recommend that you contact a Saab
dealer for advice. Never park the car on dry grass or other
combustible material. The catalytic
converter gets very hot and could there-
fore start a fire.
Never drive off if the engine is misfiring.
If you bump start the car when the engine
is already at normal working temperature,
the engine must start to run on all cylin-
ders. Abort bump starting if the engine
fails to start immediately.
Failure to strictly follow these instructions
can result in damage to the catalytic con-
verter and associated components, and
could represent a breach of the warranty
conditions.
NOTICEIf the car runs out of gas, air may be drawn
in with the fuel, which, in turn, can cause
the catalytic converter to be damaged by
overheating.
WARNING
If the engine is being run with the car on a
rolling road or dynamometer, to ensure
adequate cooling, air must be blown into
the engine compartment and under the
car at a rate equivalent to the ram-air
effect that would obtain at the corre-
sponding road speed.
Engine management system with catalytic
converter1 Engine control module
2 Oxygen sensor
3 Catalytic converter
93_U S _M 07.book Page 156 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
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164 Starting and drivingPark Brake Shift LockThe transmission has a security function
known as Park Brake Shift Lock. To move
the gear selector lever out of the P or N posi-
tion, the gear selector lever detent (catch)
must be pressed in at the same time as the
brake pedal is held depressed.
The detent button on the selector lever has
to be pressed in before the lever can be
moved between certain positions.
Temporary override of Park Brake Shift
Lock, see page 166.
Adaptive gear change patternsThe adaptive gear change pattern function
adapts gear changing to the prevailing driv-
ing conditions. The transmission control
module senses the engine load, vehicle
speed and temperature of the transmission.
A suitable gear change pattern is then
selected automatically to avoid unneces-
sary gear changes and undesired increases
in transmission temperature.
Certain variants use a special change pat-
tern for the first few minutes after a cold start
so that the catalytic converter reaches its
working temperature more quickly.
Thermal transmission protectionThe transmission has built-in protection
against overheating. If the temperature of
the transmission fluid exceeds 302°F
(150°C), engine torque will be limited to
147 ft.lbs. (200 Nm).
The following message is shown on the SID:
If this message appears, stop the car as
soon as it is safe to do so and allow the
engine to idle until the message has gone
out. The selector lever should be in
position P.Lock-upThe transmission’s torque converter has a
lock-up function. This can lock the torque
converter, thus reducing the engine speed
and fuel consumption.Kick-downWhen the accelerator is pressed down fully,
a down change is made to optimize acceler-
ation, e.g. for overtaking.
Following this, the next higher gear will be
selected at the optimum engine speed,
unless you ease off the accelerator before
reaching this.Gearbox too hot. Make a
safe stop. Open hood.
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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
93_U S _M 07.book Page 177 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
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203 Car care
engine is equipped with CVCP (Continuous
Variable Cam Phasing). This means that
the engine’s intake camshafts can be
adjusted to achieve optimum functionality.
The switches are hydraulic.Engine familiesSaab cars imported into the United States
and Canada meet all applicable emission
control standards. The engine family and
appropriate tune-up specifications are iden-
tified on a label in the engine bay.
These engine families meet applicable EPA
Federal Standards, California State Stan-
dards and Canadian Federal Standards and
are equipped with the following systems:
sequential multiport fuel injection system
three way catalytic converter
crankcase emissions control system
evaporative emission system.
Emission control
systemsThe systems for controlling emissions to the
atmosphere require regular checking and
adjustment at the intervals specified in the
service program.
In addition to meeting the exhaust emission
regulations and thereby helping to keep the
environment clean, a correctly tuned engine
will also give maximum fuel economy.
Saab Trionic engine
management system, 4-cyl
engineThe Saab Trionic engine management
system is a unique Saab development that
combines sequential multiport fuel injection,
electronic distributorless ignition and turbo-
charger boost pressure control into one sys-
tem.
The Trionic engine control module (ECM)
monitors many different engine parameters
such as:
Intake manifold pressure.
Intake air temperature.
Crankshaft position.
Engine coolant temperature.
Throttle position.
The oxygen content of the exhaust gases.
The ECM receives information regarding
engine knocking from a sophisticated feed-
back function in the ignition discharge unit.
By processing all of this information, the Tri-
onic system can control fuel injector open-
ing duration, ignition timing and turbo-
charger boost pressure to provide excellent
engine performance while maintaining low
emissions and fuel consumption.
WARNING
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents,
and certain vehicle components contain
or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects and reproductive harm. In addi-
tion, certain fluids contained in vehicles
and certain products of component wear
contain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
93_U S _M 07.book Page 203 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
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301 Index
Headlight flasher
________________ 100
Headlight levelling ________________ 99
Headlights
______________________ 99
Hood
_________________________ 204
Horn _________________________ 120
Horn button
____________________ 120
IIf a tire goes flat
________________ 250
Ignition switch
__________________ 152
Immobilizer
_____________________ 57
Important considerations for driving
_ 156
Important information, petrol-engined
cars with catalytic converters
_____ 157
Indicator lights
___________________ 84
Inflation, tires __________________ 243
Information about fuel
____________ 161
Instrument illumination, adjusting
___ 100
Interior lighting, Convertible
________ 80
Interior lighting, Sport Sedan and
SportCombi
___________________ 133
Interior rearview mirror
___________ 125
Intermittent malfunctioning, central
locking
_______________________ 52
JJump starting
__________________ 200
KKey
___________________________ 50
Kick-down
_____________________ 166
LLATCH (child safety)
______________ 25
Labeling, tire sidewall ____________ 251
Labels and plates, location
________ 293
Lashing eyes, Sport Sedan ________ 141
Lashing eyes, SportCombi ________ 146
Laying the car up
_______________ 181
Leather upholstery, cleaning
_______ 263
Lighting in luggage compartment,
Convertible
____________________ 81
Limp-home
____________________ 157
Limp-home, automatic transmission
_167
Load carriers, roof
_______________ 194
Load indices, tires _______________ 252
Loading your vehicle _____________ 253
Load-through hatch, Sport Sedan
___ 140
Load-through hatch, SportCombi ___ 145
Locking a car with flat battery
_______ 53
Locks
__________________________ 50
Long-term parking
_______________ 181
Luggage compartment
___________ 138
Luggage compartment lighting,
Convertible
____________________ 81
Luggage compartment lighting,
Sport Sedan ______________ 134
, 142Luggage compartment lighting,
changing
_____________________ 233
MMAXI fuses
____________________ 237
Main instrument panel
_____________ 84
Main/dipped beam
_______________ 100
Maintenance schedule
___________ 274
Manual gear selection ____________ 170
Manual gearbox
_________________ 164
Manual tripping of car alarm
________ 60
Materials used in the car,
reclamation
___________________ 269
Memory, driver’s seat
_____________ 21
Messages on SID, Convertible
______ 73
Milometer
_______________________ 92
Moonroof ______________________ 130
Mug holder ____________________ 134
NNew tires, buying
________________ 246
Night driving
___________________ 197
Number plate lighting, changing
____ 233
OORVR
________________________ 206
Oil capacity, engine
______________ 285
Opening handles
_________________ 50
Opening the soft top, Convertible
____ 66
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