2009 SAAB 9-3 climate control

107 Instruments and controls
Automatic climate-
control system (ACC)Fresh air for the cabin is drawn in through an
inlet at the bottom edge of the windshield. It
passes through an effective filter before
reaching the climate control system and
delivery into the cabin. The air is evacuated
via openings in the parcel shelf. It is then led
through outlets on either side of the car
behind the rear bumper.
The Automatic Climate-Control system
(ACC) automatically maintains the desired
cabin temperature, regardless of the
weather outside.
The system will achieve the desired temper-
ature in the quickest possible way.
Note that heating or cooling is not more
rapid by setting the temperature higher
or lower than the final temperature you
desire.
To optimize the performance of the air con-
ditioning system, all windows and the
moonroof3 should be shut. The air vents in
the fascia must be open.The incoming air is treated in three stages:
first it passes through a filter; it is then dehu-
midified and cooled; and finally, if required,
it is heated.
The filter is a combined particle and char-
coal filter. It is so efficient that levels of nox-
ious substances such as benzene and tolu-
ene are also reduced.To reduce potential misting on the insides of
the windows, the glass should be cleaned
with a quality glass cleaner. How often this
will need to be done depends on how clean
the air is - if there are smokers in the car, the
windows will need to be cleaned more
frequently.
ACC panel1 Temperature setting: left-hand side
2 AUTO (automatic regulation)
3 Fan speed
4 Manual setting of air distribution
5 Temperature setting: right-hand side6 Recirculation
7 Seat heating, front right seat3
8 Rear window and door mirror heating
9A/C OFF
10 Seat heating, front left seat3
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108 Instruments and controls
The system uses seven sensors:
 Outside air temperature sensor
 Cabin air temperature sensor (by the inte-
rior rearveiw mirror)
 Sun sensor (on the facia)
 Blended air temperature sensors 2
(located in the front floor vents).
 Blended air temperature sensors 2
(located in the outer panel vents).
Note
If the sun sensor is covered, the ACC
system will not be able to regulate the cabin
climate as intended.
Sun- and cabin sensor, SportSedan and
SportCombi1 Sun sensor
2 Cabin temperature sensor
Sun- and cabin sensor, Convertible1 Sun sensor
2 Cabin temperature sensor
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114 Instruments and controlsFormation of ice and mist in
extreme weather conditionsIt is only in the most extreme conditions that
icing and misting of window glass are likely
to be a problem, such as in torrential rain or
severe cold coupled with high relative
humidity, or when passengers are perspir-
ing heavily or wearing wet clothes. The fol-
lowing measures are recommended if such
problems should occur:
1 Select AUTO and set the temperature to
70 °F (21 °C)
2 Push one time on the defroster button. If
this is not enough...
3 Increase the fan speed. If this is not
enough...
4 Select a higher temperature.The seat cushions and backrests of the front
seats are heated.
Heating is thermostatically controlled.
The heating has two effect steps.
We do not recommend prolonged use of the
higher level for people with sensitive skin.
Heating is controlled manually but can also
be automatic. Refer to Settings on
page 115.
CalibrationCalibration is performed automatically
every 40:th time the car is started after
having been switched off for more than
2 hours or if the battery has been discon-
nected.ProgrammingA number of functions can be customized
under Settings (see page 115).Tips(before contacting a dealer. We recom-
mend that you contact a Saab dealer)
 If you feel that the ACC system is not func-
tioning satisfactorily, select "Default
Settings" under Settings, see page 115.
ACC- ConvertibleWhen the soft top is folded, several func-
tions in the ACC-system is effected.
The system adjusts itself as follows:
 the sensitivity of the temperature knob
changes
 air distribution and fan speed can only be
adjusted manually
 Recirculation and rear window heating
are cut out
 The A/C compressor is switched off
(manual activation is possible by pressing
the AC OFF button).
All manual selections are possible with the
exception of rear window heating and
defroster function.
When the soft top is raised, the system
reverts to the AUTO mode and the set tem-
perature.
Note: When the soft top or all the windows
are open in a hot, humid climate, turning the
air conditioning on manually can cause con-
densation to form on cold surfaces, such as
the air ducts.
Electric heating, front
seats3
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115 Instruments and controls
SettingsSome of the functions of the ACC system
can be customized.
1Select Settings using the steering
wheel controls, or .
2 Press and hold the SET button until
given audible confirmation.
3Select Climate System.
4 Press the SET button.
5 Select the Rear Defroster, Heated
Seats, Fan Settings, A/C Mode or
Default Settings.
6 Press the SET button.
7 Make your selection.
8 Confirm your selection by pressing the
SET button.Explanation of how the ACC system can be
customized under Settings.
SettingsClimate System
Rear Defroster
AUTOMANUAL
Heated Seats
AUTOMANUAL
Fan Settings
HIGH SPEEDMEDIUM SPEEDLOW SPEED
A/C Mode
AUTOOFF
Default Settings
Are you sure?YES NO
Rear Defroster
AUTO
The rear window and door mirror
heating is controlled automatically.
This is one of the Default Settings.
MANUAL
The rear window and door mirror
heating is switched on with
the button on ACC panel.
Convertible: The rear window heating
cannot be turned on when the soft top is
folded.
Heated Seats
AUTO
The front seat heating is controlled
automatically.
Select the level by repeatedly
pressing the appropriate button on
the ACC panel.
MANUAL
See Electric heating, front
seats
3 on page 114.
This is one of the Default Settings.
Fan Settings
HIGH SPEED
This selection give a slightly higher
fan speed than MEDIUM SPEED
though with continued automatic
regulation.
MEDIUM SPEED
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149 Starting and driving
Ignition switch ________ 150
Steering wheel lock ____ 151
Starting the engine ____ 152
Important considerations
for driving __________ 153
Refueling ____________ 156
Engine Break-in Period _ 160
Manual transmission___ 161
Automatic
transmission3______ 162
Cruise Control ________ 169
Braking ______________ 170
All-wheel drive (XWD)3173
Traction Control System
(TCS) ______________ 173
Electronic Stability
Program ESP
®
______ 175
Parking brake_________ 177 Parking _______________ 177
Saab Parking
Assistance3________ 180
Economical driving _____ 183
Driving in cold weather__ 185
Driving in hot climates __ 187
Towing a trailer3______ 188
Driving with a roof rack
load ________________ 192
Driving with a load _____ 192
Driving with the trunk lid
open________________ 193
Driving in deep water ___ 193
Towing the car _________ 193
Jump starting _________ 197
For long trips __________ 199
Starting and driving
3Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars
(can depend on model variant, engine variant,
market specification, options or accessories).93_US_MY09.book Page 149 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
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235
Car care
Fuse panel in end of fasciaNo. Amp. Function
1 15 Steering wheel lock
2 5 Steering column unit; ignition switch
3 10 Hands-free 3
4 10 Main instrument unit;
automatic climate control
(ACC) 3
5 7.5 Control module in front doors; Park Brake Shift Lock
(automatic transmission)
6 7.5 Brake light switch
7 20 Dash fuse panel; fuel filler door
8 30 Control module in passenger front door
9 10 Dash fuse panel
10 30 Trailer socket
3; electrical socket in storage compart-
ment between seats 3
11 10 Data link connection (diagnostics)
12 15 Interior lighting incl. glove box
13 10 Accessories
14 20 Amplifier 2, Sound System 3
15 30 Control module in driver’s door
16 5 Passenger Sensing System
17 - -
18 - -
19 - -
20 7.5 Headlight levelling switch 3
21 7.5 Hands-free 3; brake light switch; clutch pedal switch
22 30 Cigarette lighter 3
23 40 Cabin fan
24 7.5 Airbag control module
25 - -
26 5
Yaw sensor (cars with ESP
®)
27 - -
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245
Car care
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and a half (1.5) times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100. The rela-
tive performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service prac-
tices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-
sent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled condi-
tions on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance. Warn-
ing: The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics. Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C, representing
the tire’s resistance
to the generation of heat and its ability to dis-
sipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive temper-
ature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of perfor-
mance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire
is established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire
BalanceThe wheels on your vehicle were aligned
and balanced carefully at the factory to give
you the longest tire life and best overall per-
formance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel bal-
ancing are not needed. However, if you
notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pull-
ing one way or the other, the alignment may
need to be reset. If yo u notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road,
your wheels may need to be rebalanced.
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273
Car care
Air conditioning (A/C)
TroubleshootingIf a fault occurs in the A/C system, there are
a number of checks you can perform your-
self. If the fault persists, however, have the
system checked at a workshop. We recom-
mend that you contact a Saab dealer.
Note
When the A/C system is running, the intake
air is dehumidified. The resultant condensa-
tion that forms on the evaporator is drained
off under the car. When the car is parked,
this may result in a small puddle forming on
the ground. The warmer the air and the
higher the relative humidity, the more con-
densation will be produced.Inadequate cooling1 Check that the condenser (in front of the radiator) has not become clogged with
dirt and insects.
2 Make sure that the compressor drive belt does not slip (see page 215).
3 Check the fuses for the ventilation fans and compressor (see page 235).
Maintenance The compressor drive belt should be inspected under the regular service
program.
 Clean away dirt and insects from the condenser and radiator to prevent clog-
ging. When washing the car, use the hose
to spray the radiator and condenser
(located in front of the radiator) from both
sides (both from the front of the car and
from inside the engine bay). Do not use a
pressure washer.
Caution: Do not hose down the radia-
tor and condenser while the engine is
hot.
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 mo nths 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
WARNING
 All repairs and adjustments to the A/C system must be carried out at a Saab
dealer authorized for this kind of work.
 The A/C system is pressurized. Do not break any connections or undo A/C
system components.
 Escaping gas can cause eye injury or other personal injury.NOTICE The A/C system is designed for use with R134a refrigerant.
 Refrigerant handling requires special equipment and special procedures for
charging and draining the system.
 Never mix R 134a with other refriger- ants.
NOTICEDo not use a pressure washer when
cleaning the condenser or radiator due to
the risk of damage.
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