2007 SAAB 9-7X steering

Off-Road Recovery
You may nd that your right wheels have dropped
off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while
you are driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off
the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge
of the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel
up to one-quarter turn until the right front tire
contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your
steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Passing
The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a
two-lane highway waits for just the right moment,
accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then
goes back into the right lane again. A simple
maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a
two-lane highway is a potentially dangerous move,
since the passing vehicle occupies the same
lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds.
A miscalculation, an error in judgment, or a brief
surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put
the passing driver face to face with the worst of all
traffic accidents — the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:
Drive ahead. Look down the road, to the
sides, and to crossroads for situations
that might affect your passing patterns. If you
have any doubt whatsoever about making
a successful pass, wait for a better time.
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Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or
area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and
by not overdriving those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
your wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.A cornering skid is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you
want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly
enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be
ready for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to
make a mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.
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The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) improves your
vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop
on a slippery road. Even though you have ABS,
you will want to begin stopping sooner than
you would on dry pavement. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) on page 269.
Allow greater following distance on any
slippery road.
Watch for slippery spots. The road might be
ne until you hit a spot that is covered with
ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice patches
may appear in shaded areas where the
sun cannot reach, such as around clumps of
trees, behind buildings, or under bridges.
Sometimes the surface of a curve or an
overpass may remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. If you see a
patch of ice ahead of you, brake before you
are on it. Try not to brake while you are
actually on the ice, and avoid sudden steering
maneuvers.
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in
a serious situation. You should probably stay
with your vehicle unless you know for sure that you
are near help and you can hike through the
snow. Here are some things to do to summon
help and keep yourself and your passengers safe:
Turn on your hazard ashers.
Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police
that you have been stopped by the snow.
Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around
you. If you do not have blankets or extra
clothing, make body insulators from
newspapers, burlap bags, rags, oor
mats — anything you can wrap around
yourself or tuck under your clothing to
keep warm.
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Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels.
Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R)
and a forward gear, spinning the wheels as
little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal
while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. By
slowly spinning the wheels in the forward and
reverse directions, you will cause a rocking motion
that may free your vehicle. If that does not get
your vehicle out after a few tries, it may need to be
towed out. If your vehicle does need to be
towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 302.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight
your vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it was designed to carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and the Certication/Tire
label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
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Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connection,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer
has electric brakes, start your vehicle and
trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure the brakes are
working. This lets you check your electrical
connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as you would when driving your vehicle without
a trailer. This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a
good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther
beyond the passed vehicle before you can
return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one
hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left,
just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer
won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs,
trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
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Service........................................................ 322
Accessories and Modications................... 322
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 322
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 323
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 323
Fuel............................................................. 324
Gasoline Octane........................................ 324
Gasoline Specications.............................. 324
California Fuel........................................... 324
Additives................................................... 325
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 326
Filling the Tank......................................... 326
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 328
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 329
Hood Release........................................... 329
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 330
Engine Oil................................................. 334
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 337
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 339
Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 341
Engine Coolant.......................................... 344
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 347Engine Overheating................................... 347
Cooling System......................................... 349
Engine Fan Noise..................................... 355
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 356
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 357
Brakes...................................................... 358
Battery...................................................... 361
Jump Starting............................................ 362
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 368
Rear Axle.................................................... 369
Front Axle................................................... 370
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 371
Bulb Replacement....................................... 371
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting........ 371
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 372
Headlamps................................................ 372
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps....................................... 374
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps.............. 374
License Plate Lamp................................... 376
Replacement Bulbs................................... 376
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 339.
B. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 349.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 357.
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 356.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 341.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 334.G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 347.
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 334.
I. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Marked GND).
SeeJump Starting on page 362.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 358.
K. Battery. SeeBattery on page 361.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 435.
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A. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 349.
B. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 339.
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 357.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 334.
E. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 341.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 334.G. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 347.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal (Marked GND).
SeeJump Starting on page 362.
I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 356.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 358.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 435.
L. Battery. SeeBattery on page 361.
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