2007 SAAB 9-3 towing

4ExteriorAnti-corrosion treatment ___ 265
Body __________________ 264
Service program _________ 274
Moonroof_______________ 128
Touching up paintwork ____ 264
Washing _______________ 261
Waxing and polishing _____ 264Brake lights _____________ 227
Changing bulbs __________ 219
Light switches ___________ 97
Taillights _______________ 227Towing _________________ 195
Towing hook eyes ________ 195
Towing a trailer __________ 188Folding down the rear seat _ 136
Lighting ________________ 227
Load-through hatch _______ 138
Spare wheel ____________ 140
Tools __________________ 140
Trunk __________________ 136
Maximum loads _______________ 280
Mounting holes for roof carriers ___ 192
Roof load ____________________ 192
Hood _______________________ 202
Washing the engine bay_________ 261
Central locking __________ 48
Child safety locks ________ 52
Lock buttons ____________ 48
Trunk lock ______________ 51Changing bulbs _________ 219
Dipswitch ______________ 97
Direction indicators_______ 100
Front lights _____________ 221
Headlight levelling (xenon) _ 97
Headlight switches _______ 97
Headlight washers _______ 218Economical motoring _____ 183
Fuel filler door __________ 157
Fuel gauge _____________ 89
Fuel grade _____________ 285
Refueling ______________ 157
Braking _____________________ 170
Changing wheels ______________ 257
Spare wheel _________________ 254
Tire pressure ________________ 292
Tires _______________________ 241
Wheels _____________________ 290
Winter driving ________________ 185
93_U S _M 07.book Page 4 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

39 Safety
The passenger sensing system is designed
to enable (may inflate) the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag anytime the
system senses that a person of adult size is
sitting properly in the right front passenger’s
seat. When the passenger sensing system
has allowed the airbag to be enabled, the on
indicator will light and stay lit to remind you
that the airbag is active.
For some children who have outgrown child
restraints and for very small adults, the pas-
senger sensing system may or may not turn
off the right front passenger’s frontal airbag,
depending upon the person’s seating pos-
ture and body build. Everyone in your vehi-
cle who has outgrown child restraints
should wear a safety belt properly —
whether or not there is an airbag for that per-
son.If a person of adult-size is sitting in the right
front passenger’s seat, but the off indicator
is lit, it could be because that person is not
sitting properly in the seat. If this happens,
turn the vehicle off and ask the person to
place the seatback in the fully upright posi-
tion, then sit upright in the seat, centered on
the seat cushion, with the person’s legs
comfortably extended. Restart the vehicle
and have the person remain in this position
for about two minutes. This will allow the
system to detect that person and then
enable the passenger’s airbag.Aftermarket equipment, such as seat
covers, can affect how well the passenger
sensing system operates. You may want to
consider not using seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment if your vehicle has
the passenger sensing system. See Adding
Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehi-
cle for more information about modifications
that can affect how the system operates.
WARNING
If the airbag readiness light in the instru-
ment panel cluster ever comes on and
stays on, it means that something may be
wrong with the airbag system. If this ever
happens, havethe vehicle serviced
promptly, because an adult-size person
sitting in the right front passenger’s seat
may not have the protection of the frontal
airbag. See Airbag warning lamp on
page 43 for more on this, including impor-
tant safety information.
WARNING
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s
seat or between the passenger’s seat
cushion and seatback may interfere with
the proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
93_U S _M 07.book Page 39 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

123 Interior equipment
Interior rearview mirrorThe interior rearview mirror is of the auto-
dimming type and can be deflected with the
lever on its underside. Certain variants have
an autodimming rearview mirror.
The lever should be in the normal position
when you adjust the mirror.
Interior rearview mirror with
autodimming3The system is activated when the forward-
facing sensor detects that it is dark outside
and the rear-facing sensor detects, for
example, if the car following has not
dimmed its headlights. The rearview mirror
is then darkened to prevent the strong light
source from dazzling the driver. This dark-
ening is stepless.
The mirror returns to its normal state when
the strong light source diminishes.
The autodimming function can be turned
OFF with the switch on the lower edge of the
rear-view mirror.
Note!
Towing a trailer can cause the system to
malfunction, as the rear-facing sensor may
shaded by the trailer.
Mirror position lever1 Normal position
2 Antidazzle position
Mirror with autodimming1 Forward-facing sensor
2 Autodimming ON/OFF
3 Rear-facing sensor
93_U S _M 07.book Page 123 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

149 Starting and driving
Ignition switch ________ 150
Steering wheel lock ____ 152
Starting the engine ____ 152
Important considerations
for driving __________ 154
Refueling ____________ 157
Engine Break-in Period _ 161
Manual transmission___ 162
Automatic
transmission3______ 163
Cruise control ________ 169
Braking ______________ 170
Traction Control System
(TCS) ______________ 173
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP
®)3___ 175
Parking brake_________ 177
Parking ______________ 177
Saab Parking
Assistance3________ 180 Economical driving _____ 183
Driving in cold weather__ 185
Driving in hot climates __ 187
Towing a trailer3______ 188
Driving with a roof rack
load ________________ 192
Driving with a load _____ 194
Driving with the trunk lid
open________________ 194
Driving in deep water ___ 194
Driving at night ________ 195
Towing the car _________ 195
Jump starting _________ 198
For long trips __________ 200
Starting and driving
3Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars
(can depend on model variant, engine variant,
market specification, options or accessories).93_U S _M 07.book Page 149 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

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

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.
93_U S _M 07.book Page 183 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

188 Starting and drivingTowing a trailer3Make sure you are familiar with the legal
requirements regarding speed limits for
towing, maximum trailer weights, trailer
braking requirements, and also any spe-
cial driving licence provisions.
Trailer hitch attachment3Trailer hitch attachments are available as
accessories. These are designed for a max-
imum trailer weight of 3500 lbs (1588 kg),
with trailer brakes.
An electrical connection3 for the towbar
and an electrical unit are provided in the
electrical centre on the left-hand side of the
luggage compartment.
If the car has a 13-pin Saab genuine electri-
cal socket then it is possible to supply a
trailer/caravan with rear fog lights and
reversing lights. The caravan can also have
interior and exterior lighting even when the
car’s ignition is switched off. In which case,
remember not to load the battery for too
long so that it is discharged and pre-
vents the car from starting.
There is also access to power in the caravan
during a journey, the caravan battery can be
charged for example.
Also, if the car has SPA, this is deactivated
automatically if a trailer is hitched up and
correctly connected to the Saab genuine
trailer socket.
Saab recommendations:
Use a genuine Saab trailer hitch that is
designed and tested for your Saab.
Contact your Saab dealer for advice on
which trailer hitch is designed for your car.
WARNING
Do not drive with a trailer on inclines
steeper than 15 %. The load on the
drive (front) wheels will be so low that
the wheels can start to spin and
prevent further progress.
In addition, the car’s parking brake
may not always be sufficient to hold
the car and trailer securely, as the
wheels may start to slide.
Always apply the trailer’s parking
brake when unhitching it. There is
otherwise a risk of personal injury or
damage to the bumper should the
trailer start to roll.
When you hitch up the trailer be sure
to attach its safety chains to the holes
by the hitch.93_U S _M 07.book Page 188 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

191 Starting and driving
Checks before drivingMake sure that the car and trailer are in
good working order. This is essential since
towing a trailer increases the strain on the
car.
Check and if necessary adjust the tire
pressure of the car and trailer.
Make sure all wheel bolts are properly
tightened.
Make sure that the equipment joining the
car and trailer is properly secured and
adjusted.
Make sure the trailer’s electrical cable is
properly connected and is not so long that
it drags along the ground. Also, make
sure the cable is not too short and risks
breaking when turning a corner.
Check all bulbs.
Check the car and trailer brakes.
Make sure that all items on or in the
camper or trailer are properly secured.
Make sure that the trailer’s jockey wheel
is raised and locked.
Check the distribution of the load so that
the car and trailer are well balanced.
Check that the rearview mirrors provide
the best possible rearward vision.
Make sure the trailer’s safety cable is
correctly attached.
Driving considerationsAlways take extra care when towing a
trailer, as the car’s handling will be different
and its braking performance reduced. The
trailer’s braking system and suspension
also have a considerable effect on these
characteristics. See also "Driving with a
load" on page 194.
Drive carefully:
descending hills
on uneven roads
over railway crossings
when meeting large vehicles
If the car has automatic transmission, select
gear M1 when ascending or descending
steep hills.
ReversingGet someone to help you keep an eye out
behind the trailer as the door mirrors do not
always provide sufficient rearward vision
when reversing.
93_U S _M 07.book Page 191 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com