2008 SAAB 9-3 service

95 Instruments and controls
The number of systems that are displayed
on the SID depends on the car’s equipment
level. The list shown below includes the
systems that can be found in your car.Rain Sensor, page 103.
HIGHMEDIUMLOW
Theft Alarm, page 56.
FULL ALARMDOOR ONLY
Park Assistance, page 182.
ONOFF
Alarm Clock, page 94.
ONOFF
Language.
ENGLISH UKENGLISH USFRANCAISDEUTSCHITALIANOESPANOLSVENSKA
Speed Scale Illum.
0–160 mph0–90 mph
Speed Scale Sel.
BOTH SCALESONLY MPH SCALE
Unit
METRICUSIMPERIAL
Climate System, page 115.Next Service: xx%.
INTERMEDIATEMAIN
Time for Service.
INTERMEDIATEMAINMAIN & INTERMEDReset Service Ind?
YES NO
TCS, page 175.
ONOFF
ESP, page 177.
ONOFF
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96 Instruments and controlsExplanation of the various selections under
Settings.Resetting the service indication
Reset the service indication in accordance
with the following:
1 Turn the ignition switch to the ON posi-
tion, the engine must be switched off.
2Select Settings using the steering
wheel controls, or .
3 Press and hold the SET button until
given audible confirmation.
4Select Time for Service.
5 Press the SET button.
6 To the question Reset Service Ind?
select YES (Press CLR button to undo).
ClockAdjustments can be made in the Infotain-
ment system.
See separate Manual. Rain Sensor
The sensitivity has three levels.
Park Assistance
The Park Assistance can be shut off by
choosing OFF.
Alarm Clock
Setting of alarm clock is possible.
Language
Select the desired language. The num-
ber of languages can vary between
markets.
Speed Scale Illum.
Select the proportion of the speedo-
meter to be illuminated in NIGHT-
PANEL mode.
Speed Scale Sel.
Select if both scales or just mph-scale
shall be illuminated in NIGHTPANEL
mode.Unit
Select the desired group of units.
Next Service: xx%
Displayed percentage is approximately
equivalent to the condition of the
engine oil. 100% is equivalent to new
engine oil. The type of service that is
required is also shown here.
Time for Service.
When it is time for service the required
service type is displayed.
INTERMEDIATE
MAIN
MAIN & INTERMED
A service indication must only be
reset after the service has been
performed.
TCS/ESP
Select whether the system shall be on
or off. The car has either TCS or ESP.
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97 Instruments and controls
SwitchesWhen the switch is in the AUTO position,
there is an automatic switch between low-
beam and Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
based on the amount of daylight. Two sen-
sors located at the top of the windshield
detect upward and forward light intensity.
This makes it possible for the system to
automatically perform functions such as
activating low beam when you drive into a
tunnel on a sunny day.
Parking lights are turned off.
Cars with xenon lights: The bulbs for DRL
are in the inner of the two bulb holders in the
bulb housing. The bulb is visible from the
outside.
Cars with halogen lights: These cars do
not have a separate DRL bulb. Low beam
instead shines with reduced output.
A fault in the system will produce the follow-
ing message on the Saab Information Dis-
play (SID):When the engine is started and the
switch is in the AUTO position
Cars with automatic transmission: DRL
or low beam (which depends on the amount
of daylight) comes on when the gear selec-
tor is moved out of the P position. The light
goes out when the ignition switch is turned
to the OFF position (engine is turned off).
Cars with manual transmission: If the
parking brake is applied when the engine is
started, DRL or low beam (which depends
on the amount of daylight) comes on when
the parking brake is released. Otherwise,
the light comes on when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position. The light goes
out when the ignition switch is turned to the
OFF position (engine is turned off).
High beam cannot be activated in the DRL
mode but headlight flasher can.
Daytime Running Lights
(DRL)
Automatic light control
malfunction.
In cold and damp weather, the inside of
the headlamp lens may temporarily mist
up. This misting does not affect the func-
tion or service life of the light fitting.
When the lamps are on, the mist will
eventually disappear.
Light switch
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104 Instruments and controls
Activate the rain sensor by lifting the stalk
switch to the AUTO position. The wipers
make one sweep for reference to see how
much water is on the windshield. Thereafter
the sensor compares the amount of water
on the windshield with this reference value.
If the stalk switch is left in the AUTO position
when the engine is switched off, when the
engine is next started it must first be moved
to the 0 or 3 position and then back to AUTO
to reactivate the sensor.
If the system malfunctions, the wipers will
operate at low speed when the stalk switch
is set to the AUTO position and SID will
show:
WashersActivate the washers by pulling the stalk
switch towards the steering wheel.
When the washers are operated, the wipers
will make 3, 4 or 5 sweeps, depending on
how long the washers were kept on. If
the speed of the car is less than 12 mph
(20 km/h), the wipers will make an addi-
tional sweep after roughly 8 seconds.
When the washer fluid level drops below
1 quart (1 litre), the headlight washers (if
equipped) are deactivated. This is in order
to prioritize the windshield. The following
message is displayed on the SID:
Rain sensor malfunc.
Contact service.
Washer fluid level low.
Refill.
Windshield wipers with rain sensor0OFF
1 Single sweep
2 AUTO - rain sensor engaged
3 Low speed
4 High speed
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158 Starting and drivingHave 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.
NOTEIf 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
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161 Starting and driving
Refer to page 187 for information regarding
gasoline anti-freeze.
The fuel door has a built in filler cap holder
slot located on the fuel door. Slide the white
ring on the cap into the slot.
Notice: If you need a new fuel cap, be sure
to get the right type. Your dealer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not
fit properly.
Filling a portable fuel container Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an impor-
tant part of the proper maintenance of your
vehicle.
For optimum performance Saab recom-
mends:
Gasoline engines – AON 90.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane of 87 or higher. If the octane
is less than 87, you may get a heavy knock-
ing noise when you drive. If this occurs, use
a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. Otherwise, you might
damage your engine. A little pinging noise
when you accelerate or drive uphill is con-
sidered normal. This does not indicate a
problem exists or that a higher-octane fuel
is necessary. If you are using 87 octane or
higher-octane fuel and hear heavy knock-
ing, your engine needs service.
WARNING
Never fill a portable fuel container while it
is in your vehicle. Static electricity dis-
charge from the container can ignite the
gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned
and your vehicle damaged if this occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and others:
Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
Do not fill a container while it is inside
a vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup
bed or on any surface other than the
ground.
Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operat-
ing the nozzle. Contact should be
maintained until the filling is complete.
Do not smoke while pumping gaso-
line.
When refueling, hang the fuel cap inside
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163 Starting and driving
gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.
Saab does not recommend the use of such
gasolines.
Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of
spark plugs and the performance of the
emission control system may be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized Saab
dealer for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country out-
side the United States or Canada, the
proper fuel may be hard to find. Never use
leaded gasoline or any other fuel not recom-
mended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel
would not be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto
club, or contact a major oil company that
does business in the country where you will
be driving.
Engine Break-in PeriodPistons, cylinder bores and bearings need
time to obtain uniform, wear-resistant
surfaces.
If a new engine is driven too hard, this grad-
ual process of bedding-in will not be possi-
ble and the life of the engine will be short-
ened.
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km),
do not exceed 5,000 rpm.
In addition, refrain from driving the car at full
throttle, other than for brief instances,
during the first 1,800 miles (3,000 km).
Wearing in new brake padsNew brake pads take time to bed in, about
90 miles (150 km) if the car is driven largely
under stop-and-go conditions or about
300 miles (500 km) of highway driving.
To extend the useful life of the pads, avoid
hard braking as much as possible.
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167 Starting and driving
Sport mode3
33 3
Sport mode is selected using the
button, while the word SPORT illuminates
on the SID . Changing up occurs later
and changing down occurs earlier at the
same accelerator pedal position.
Sport mode will be deselected if:
The Sport button is depressed again
the engine is switched off.
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.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 197.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 170).
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!
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