2008 SAAB 9-3 headlamp

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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99 Instruments and controls
Xenon cornering headlights3
33 3When the car speed exceeds approx.
6 mph (10 km/h), the main headlight will be
angled slightly when the steering wheel is
turned. The beam can be angled maximum
15° to the right or left compared to a car
without cornering headlights.
If a fault occurs in the cornering headlights,
there is no angling when the steering wheel
is turned. The beam continues to shine
straight ahead and the following message
appears in SID:
High/low beamTo switch between high and low beam, pull
the control stalk all the way towards the
steering wheel. (Headlight switch must be
ON.)
The symbol on the main instrument
panel shows when the high beam is on.Headlight flasherTo flash your headlights, pull the control
stalk half-way towards the steering wheel.
The high beam will remain on until you
release the stalk.
Courtesy Headlamp FeatureA delay function allows the low beam head-
lights and back-up lights to remain on for
about 30 seconds after the driver’s door has
been closed.
To activate this function:
1 After turning off the engine, remove the
remote control.
2 Open the driver’s door.
3 Pull the control stalk all the way towards
the steering wheel.
The low beam headlights and reversing
lights will come on and remain on for
30 seconds when the door is closed.
Cornering headlights
malfunction
Dimmer switch1 Headlight flasher
2 High/low beam
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250 Car careWheel ReplacementReplace any wheel that is bent, cracked or
badly rusted or corroded. If wheel nuts keep
coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts and
wheel nuts should be replaced. If the wheel
leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer if any of these conditions
exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you
need.
Each new wheel should have the same
load-carrying capacity, diameter, width,
offset and be mounted the same way as the
one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels,
wheel bolts or wheel nuts, replace them only
with new Saab original equipment parts.
This way, you will be sure to have the right
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your
vehicle.Notice: The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake cool-
ing, speedometer or odometer calibra-
tion, headlamp aim, bumper height, vehi-
cle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See “Changing a tire” on page 262.Used Replacement Wheels
WARNING
Using the wrong replacement wheels,
wheel bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle
can be dangerous. It could affect the
braking and handling of your vehicle,
make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision in
which you or others could be injured.
Always use the correct wheel, wheel bolts
and wheel nuts for replacement.
WARNING
When fitting just one new pair of tires,
these should be fitted to the rear wheels,
as these are more critical to the direc-
tional stability of the car (e.g. on braking
or in a skid). The existing rear wheels
should therefore be moved to the front.
WARNING
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been
used or how far it’s been driven. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash. If you
have to replace a wheel, use a new GM
original equipment wheel.
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275 Car care
Other than in extremely cold weather, do not
screen the radiator, e.g. with netting, as this
will greatly diminish its cooling capacity.
Applicable to the manual climate control
system - During cold months the air condi-
tioning should be switched on once or
twice a month and run for 5–10 minutes
during highway driving once the engine is
warm.
This action saves the gaskets in the
compressor from being spoiled. The
compressor uses a lubricant that circu-
lates with the coolant.
Note
The A/C system cannot be switched on
when the outside temperature is below 32°F
(0°C). Turn on the A/C system when the car
is standing in a warm place. Simplest is to
always have the A/C button pressed in. The
A/C system will then cut in automatically
when the outside temperature is high
enough.
Headlight aimingThe vehicle has a visual optical headlight
aiming system equipped with vertical
aiming device. The aim has been preset at
the factory and should normally not need
further adjustments.
If your headlights are damaged in a crash,
the headlight aim may be affected. If you
believe your headlights need to be
re-aimed, we recommend that you take it to
your Saab dealer for service. However, it is
possible for you to re-aim your headlights as
described in the following procedure.To check the aim, the vehicle should be
properly prepared as follows:
The vehicle shall be placed so that the
headlights are 25 ft (7.6 m) from a light
colored wall or other flat surface. The
aiming area should be darkened, this will
improve your ability to see the beam of the
low beam headlight being aimed.
An optical headlamp aimer can also be
used and will than replace the wall.
The vehicle must have all four wheels on
a perfectly level surface which is level all
the way to the wall or other flat surface.
The vehicle should be placed so it is
perpendicular to the wall or other flat
surface.
The vehicle should be unloaded and fuel
tank full, and one person or 160 lbs.
(75 kg) on the drivers seat.
The vehicle should be fully assembled
and all other work stopped while headlight
aiming is being done.
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice
or mud attached to it.
Tires should be inflated to the prescribed
pressure.
Close all doors.
Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspen-
sion.
Headlight aiming is done with the vehicle
low beam lamps. The high beam lamps will
WARNING
Before checking/adjusting the headlight
aiming, switch off the engine to avoid
danger of fingers and hands being injured
by moving parts.
The radiator fan can start up even when
the engine is switched off.NOTETo make sure that your headlights are
aimed properly read all instructions
before beginning. Failure to follow these
instructions could cause damage to
headlight parts or a not correctly aimed
headlight.
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299 Technical data
Customized systemsSeveral of the systems in your Saab can be
customized to better suit your individual
needs. Contact your Saab dealer
Central locking system
Some functions are governed by legal
requirements and cannot therefore be
reprogrammed.
We recommend that you consult a Saab
dealer for further information.
Listed below are a number of examples of
programmable functions.
Audible confirmation of arming/disarming
the car alarm.
Automatic unlocking when car stopped
and remote control removed from the igni-
tion switch.
Trunk lid locked when car driven off or
30 seconds after being shut.Courtesy Headlamp Feature
The length of time the lights are on.
Whether the reversing light or tail lights
should come on as well as the dipped
beam.
Automatic Climate System (ACC)
Convertible: A/C compressor not
switched off when the soft top is open.93_US_M08.book Page 299 Friday, May 11, 2007 11:37 AM
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