2009 SAAB 9-3 check engine

98 Instruments and controlsThe parking lights can be turned on irre-
spective of the position of the ignition
switch. If the parking lights are on and the
driver’s door is opened, a reminder to turn
them off will sound.
Do not use the parking lights alone while
driving.
When the switch is in the position, there
is no automatic shift between low beam and
DRL.
When it is time to turn on low beam the fol-
lowing message appears in SID:Low beam headlights are turned on when
the ignition switch is turned to ON and
turned off when the switch is turned back to
LOCK.
If the switch is in the position, there is
no automatic switch between DRL and low
beam. Low beam comes on when the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
Headlight levelling3Cars with xenon headlights are equipped
with an automatic headlight levelling sys-
tem, which self-calibrates each time the
vehicle is started.
If a fault arises in the automatic headlight
levelling system, the headlights will be
angled down to avoid dazzling drivers in
oncoming traffic. Adjust your speed accord-
ingly as the range of the headlights will be
reduced. Check fuse 20 in the engine bay
fuse box (see page 238).
A fault in the system will produce the follow-
ing message on the Saab Information Dis-
play (SID):
Special equipment is required for adjusting
the basic headlight alignment.
Parking lightsTurn on the lights.
Headlights
Headlight levelling
malfunction.
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154 Starting and drivingThe light comes on in the event of an engine
or gearbox fault (cars with automatic gear-
box), which may cause driveability prob-
lems but that does not affect exhaust emis-
sion. The car can still be driven but perhaps
with limited performance.
Contact a dealer whenever an opportunity
occurs. We recommend that you contact a
Saab dealer.
Limp-homeThe engine management system has a
diagnostic feature that checks a number of
internal functions. If a fault is detected in the
throttle valve, the engine management
system will set the throttle system to the
limp-home mode. This means:
 idling control will be poor (uneven idling
since regulated by ignition and fuel
supply)
 engine performance will be reduced
 the cruise control will not function
 the capacity of the A/C compressor will be
limited.
If the diagnosis function detects a fault in the
engine management system, the light
"Service Engine Light also known as
CHECK ENGINE" indicator light in the
instrument panel will come on (see
page 83). Have the car checked at a work-
shop as soon as possible. We recommend
that you contact a Saab dealer.
Important considerations with
catalytic convertersThe catalytic converter is an emission con-
trol device incorporated in the car’s exhaust
system. It consists of a metal canister with a
honeycomb insert, the cells of which have
walls coated in a catalytic layer (precious
metal alloy).
NOTICE If the engine sounds strange there is a
malfunction. We recommend that you
contact a Saab dealer immediately.
 The use of fuel with too low an octane
rating can cause serious engine dam-
age.
Limited performance.
NOTICEIf "Service Engine Light also known
as CHECK ENGINE" indicator light warn-
ing light starts to flash (indicating that the
engine is misfiring and the catalytic con-
verter can be damaged), ease off the
accelerator slightly. The light should go
out or start to shine constantly. If the light
continues to flash despite easing off the
accelerator, you may continue to drive the
car but at the minimum throttle permitted
by the current traffic situation. Have the
car checked as soon as possible. We rec-
ommend that you contact a Saab dealer.NOTICEUse only unleaded gasoline. Leaded gas-
oline is detrimental to the catalyst and
oxygen sensor and will seriously impair
the function of the catalytic converter.
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156 Starting and drivingRefueling
WARNING
If you spill fuel and then something ignites
it, you could be badly burned. Fuel can
spray out on you if you open the fuel cap
too quickly. This spray can happen if your
tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot
weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
Gasoline fumes are highly explosive.
Therefore:
never smoke while refueling.
never use gasoline for any purpose
other than as engine fuel.
 gasoline is extremely flammable and
can cause severe burns. No open or
exposed flames near gasoline.
do not use a mobile phone at the
same time as refueling.
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of
fuel by shutting off the pump or by notify-
ing the station attendant. Leave the area
immediately.
NOTICE Do not overfill. Fuel should not come
right up the filler pipe as room for
expansion is needed for when the
temperature rises.
 The use of fuel with too low an octane
rating can cause serious engine dam-
age.
 Clean fuel from painted surfaces as
soon as possible.
 Do not use additives with E85-fuel.
NOTICEThe engine control module (ECM) moni-
toring the engine parameters also stores
fault codes.
Under certain circumstances, this may
cause constant illumination of the “Ser-
vice Engine Light also known as CHECK
ENGINE” indicator light , thus indicat-
ing a fault that must be checked by your
Saab dealer, see page 83.
NOTE: always observe the following two
measures:
 Make sure that the fuel filler cap is
screwed on correctly before the
engine is started. Screw on the fuel
filler cap until you hear 3 clicks.
 Avoid driving with the fuel low level
indicator illuminated. The symbol illu-
minates when less than approximately
2.5 gallons (10 liters) of fuel remains
in the tank.
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157 Starting and driving
Refueling1 Switch off the engine.
2 Open the fuel cap, located in the
right-hand rear fender.
3 Insert the fuel pump nozzle beyond the
flange on the filler pipe and let the first
mark (a ring, a pimple or the first
spring-coil) rest on the flange. Do not
withdraw the nozzle while filling is in
progress.
4 Cease refueling the first time the pump
stops, and wait a few seconds after
you’ve finished pumping before you
remove the nozzle.Fuel cap
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the
left (counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a
spring in it; if you let go of the cap too soon,
it will spring back to the right.
When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to
the right (clockwise) until you hear 3 clicks.
Make sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or is improperly
installed. See “Service Engine Light also
known as CHECK ENGINE” on page 83.If the fuel cap has been left off or is improp-
erly installed the following message is
shown on the Saab Information Display
(SID):
WARNING
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of
fuel by shutting off the pump or by notify-
ing the station attendant. Leave the area
immediately.
NOTICEDo not overfill. Fuel should not come right
up the filler pipe as expansion room is
needed when the temperature rises.
 Fill to maximum filling capacity.
 Stop filling after the first time that the
nozzle trips to shut off the flow of fuel.
 Filling capacity can differ between dif-
ferent fuel stations and outside tem-
perature. Fuel tank volume when
nozzle trips to shut off, may vary by
0.5 gal. (2 liters).
 Do not fill fuel all the way up the filler
pipe. The gasoline must be allowed
room for expansion especially during
hot weather.
Tighten fuel filler cap.
When refueling, hang the fuel cap inside
the fuel door
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159 Starting and driving
Gasoline Specifications
It is recommended that gasoline meet spec-
ifications which were developed by automo-
bile manufacturers around the world and
contained in the World-Wide Fuel Charter
which is available from the Alliance of Auto-
mobile Manufacturers at www.autoalli-
ance.org/fuel_charter.htm. Gasoline meet-
ing these specifications could provide
improved driveability and emission control
system performance compared to other
gasoline.California Fuel
If your vehicle is certified to meet California
Emission Standards (see the under hood
emission control label), it is designed to
operate on fuels that meet California speci-
fications. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards,
your vehicle will operate satisfactorily on
fuels meeting federal specifications, but
emission control system performance may
be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
may turn on and your vehicle may fail a
emission system inspection. See Service
Engine Light also known as CHECK
ENGINE on page 83. If this occurs, return to
your authorized Saab dealer for diagnosis.
If it is determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used, repairs may
not be covered by your warranty.Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the
United States are now required to contain
additives that will help prevent engine and
fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
your emission control system to work prop-
erly. You should not have to add anything to
your fuel. However, some gasolines contain
only the minimum amount of additive
required to meet U.S. Environmental Pro-
tection Agency regulations. Saab recom-
mends that you buy gasolines that are
advertised to help keep fuel injectors and
intake valves clean. If your vehicle experi-
ences problems due to dirty injectors or
valves, try a different brand of gasoline.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as
ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gaso-
lines may be available in your area to con-
tribute to clean air. Saab recommends that
you use these gasolines, particularly if they
comply with the specifications described
earlier.
Notice: Your vehicle was not designed
for fuel that contains methanol. Do not
use fuel containing methanol. It can cor-
rode metal parts in your fuel system and
also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be cov-
ered under your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated
for low emissions may contain an
octane-enhancing additive called methylcy-
clopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy NOTICEGasolines containing oxygenates, such
as ethers and ethanol, and reformulated
gasolines may be available in your area.
We recommend that you use these gaso-
lines, if they comply with the specifica-
tions described earlier. However, E85
(85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used
in vehicles that were not designed for
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160 Starting and drivinggasoline 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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165 Starting and driving
TowingTowing of cars with automatic transmission,
see page 193.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.
Driveability will be affected to varying
degrees.Cars with 5-speed transmission3
In this mode, only 2nd and 5th gears are
available. Select 2nd gear when driving at
low speeds and 5th gear at higher speeds.
2nd gear must be selected manually. Select
5th gear manually or move the selector
lever to D, see page 168.
Cars with 6-speed transmission3
 The car may be totally powerless. If this is
case, have the car transported to a work-
shop to have the problem rectified.
 The car may feel weak but can be driven
carefully to a workshop to have the prob-
lem rectified.
 Driveability may barely be affected.
Irrespective of the driveability of the car, the
car must be taken to a workshop to have the
problem checked and rectified.NOTICEDo not tow a trailer if limp-home mode is
engaged.
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166 Starting and drivingTemporary override of Park Brake Shift
Lock1 Apply the parking brake.
2 Lift up the rubber mat in the storage
compartment ahead of the selector
lever.
3 Under the floor of the storage compart-
ment is a yellow plastic lever. Use a thin
tool, such as a screwdriver, to press and
hold the plastic lever while moving the
selector lever from P to N.
4 Remove the tool.
5 Release the parking brake if the car is to
be moved immediately, otherwise it
should remain on.
Check fuse 6 in the engine bay fuse box.
If the fuse is OK the battery may be dead.
Contact a workshop to have the problem
checked and rectified. We recommend that
you contact a Saab dealer.NOTICEDue to electrical problems it may not be
possible to move the selector lever out of
the park position, even if the ignition is
ON. If for some reason the selector lever
has to be moved out of the park position
(i.e. to tow the car a short distance) do as
described below.
Temporary override of Park Brake Shift
Lock
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