2007 SAAB 9-7X steering

If U.S. (ENGLISH) is chosen, all information will
be displayed in English units. For example,
distance will be displayed in miles (mi) and fuel
economy in miles per gallon (MPG). If METRIC
(km/L) is chosen, all information will be displayed
in metric units. For example, distance will be
displayed in kilometers (km) and fuel economy in
kilometers per liter (km/L). If METRIC (L/100 km)
is chosen, all information will be displayed in metric
units. For example, distance will be displayed in
kilometers (km) and fuel economy in liters per
100 kilometers (L/100 km).
Choose one of the available options and press the
customization button while it is displayed on the
DIC to select it and exit out of the customizable
options.
Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then
read the pages following to familiarize yourself
with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a
safer driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 264. By taking a few moments to read this
manual and get familiar with your vehicle’saudio system, you can use it with less effort, as
well as take advantage of its features. While your
vehicle is parked, set up your audio system by
presetting your favorite radio stations, setting the
tone and adjusting the speakers. Then, when
driving conditions permit, you can tune to
your favorite stations using the presets and
steering wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or killed.
Always keep your eyes on the road and
your mind on the drive — avoid engaging
in extended searching while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. For more information, seeDefensive
Driving on page 264.
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Here are some ways in which you can help avoid
distraction while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, such as an audio system, CD
player, CB radio, mobile telephone, or two-way
radio, make sure that it can be added by
checking with your dealer. Also, check federal
rules covering mobile radio and telephone
units. If sound equipment can be added, it is
very important to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of
your vehicle’s engine, radio, or other systems,
and even damage them. Your vehicle’s systems
may interfere with the operation of sound
equipment that has been added.Your vehicle has a feature called Retained
Accessory Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio
system can be played even after the ignition is
turned off. SeeRetained Accessory Power (RAP)
on page 108for more information.Setting the Time
Press and hold H until the correct hour appears on
the display. AM or PM will appear on the display
(Radio with CD (UpLevel, MP3, and Six-Disc CD)).
Press and hold M until the correct minute
appears on the display. The time can be set with
the ignition on or off.
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Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Some audio controls can be adjusted at the
steering wheel. They include the following:
uSEEKt:Press the forward or the back
arrow to go to the next or to the previous radio
station and stay there. The radio will only
seek stations with a strong signal that are in the
selected band.
When a CD is playing, press the forward or the
back arrow to fast forward or reverse.
g(OnStar®/Mute):If your vehicle has OnStar,
press this button to interact with the OnStar
system. See theOnStar
®System on page 125in
this manual for more information.
If your vehicle does not have OnStar, press this
button to mute the system. Press it again, or
any other radio button, to turn on the sound.
NXT (Next):Press this button to play a station
you have programmed on the radio preset
pushbuttons. The radio will only seek preset
stations with a strong signal that are in the
selected band.
When a CD is playing in the CD changer, press
this button to go to the next available CD, if
multiple CDs are loaded.
+ SRC−(Source):Press plus (+) or the minus (−)
button to switch between FM1, FM2, AM, or XM1 or
XM2 (if equipped), or a CD. If a CD is loaded the
CD symbol will appear on the display.
+ VOL−(Volume):Press the plus (+) or the (−)
button to increase or to decrease the volume.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 264
Defensive Driving...................................... 264
Drunken Driving........................................ 265
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 268
Braking...................................................... 268
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 269
Braking in Emergencies............................. 271
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 271
StabiliTrak
®System................................... 271
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.................. 275
Steering.................................................... 276
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 278
Passing..................................................... 278
Loss of Control.......................................... 280
Off-Road Driving........................................ 281
Driving at Night......................................... 281
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 282City Driving............................................... 285
Freeway Driving........................................ 286
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 287
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 288
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 288
Winter Driving........................................... 291
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 295
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 296
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 296
Towing........................................................ 302
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 302
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 302
Electronically Controlled Air
Suspension System................................ 303
Towing a Trailer........................................ 305
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
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Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your
vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the
brakes, the steering, and the accelerator. All
three systems have to do their work at the places
where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle.
Adding non-Saab accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 322.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 183.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
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Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or
always decrease stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not have
time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough room up
ahead to stop, even though you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may
feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some
noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your vehicle may have this feature. A limited-slip
rear axle can give you additional traction on
snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a
standard axle most of the time, but when one of
the rear wheels has no traction and the other does,
this feature will allow the wheel with traction to
move the vehicle.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak®,
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which combines
antilock brake, traction and stability control
systems and helps the driver maintain directional
control of the vehicle in most driving conditions.
Traction control activates when the controller
senses wheel spin. StabiliTrak
®will selectively
apply the brakes and reduce engine torque to help
regain traction.
Stability control activates when the controller
senses a discrepancy between your intended
path and the direction the vehicle is travelling.
StabiliTrak
®selectively applies braking pressure at
any one of the vehicle’s brakes to help guide
the vehicle in the direction which you are steering.
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Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to
do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the
way you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
your front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of
the curve, and then accelerate gently into
the straightaway.
Adding non-Saab accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 322.
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Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more
effective than braking. For example, you come over
a hill and nd a truck stopped in your lane, or a car
suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts
out from between parked cars and stops right in
front of you. You can avoid these problems by
braking — if you can stop in time. But sometimes
you cannot; there is not room. That is the time for
evasive action — steering around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply your brakes.
SeeBraking on page 268. It is better to remove as
much speed as you can from a possible collision.
Then steer around the problem, to the left or
right depending on the space available.An emergency like this requires close attention
and a quick decision. If you are holding the
steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very
quickly without removing either hand. But you
have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly
straighten the wheel once you have avoided
the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear safety belts properly.
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