2009 SAAB 9-3 instrument panel

110 Instruments and controlsMAX heat (red indicator):
MAX heating is obtained when the temper-
ature knob is turned to the first position past
79 (to the red LED).
The driver’s side selection controls air distri-
bution and the recirculation status. The tem-
perature can be adjusted on the passenger
side.
MAX heating produces:
 Max heat
 Air distribution to windscreen and floor
 Recirculation OFF
 High fan speed.MAX cooling (blue indicator):
MAX cooling is obtained when the tempera-
ture knob is turned to the first position past
61 (to the blue LED).
The driver’s side selection controls air distri-
bution and the recirculation status. The tem-
perature can be adjusted on the passenger
side.
MAX cooling produces:
 Max cooling effect (A/C compressor will
run even if AC OFF has been selected)
 Air distribution through panel vents
 Max fan speed
 Recirculation ON.
Condensation waterWhen the A/C compressor is on, the incom-
ing air is dehumidified. The resulting con-
densation water is drained away through an
outlet under the car.
It is therefore perfectly normal for water to
be seen dripping from this outlet when the
car is parked. The warmer the ambient air
and the higher the humidity, the more con-
densation will form.
93_US_MY09.book Page 110 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

112 Instruments and controlsAir distribution
One press: When the defroster is chosen manually,
all the windows (except the rear side windows, where
the air flow is off) are demisted by:
 High fan speed.
 The air is directed to the defroster vents.
 Temperature increases somewhat.
 Recirculation OFF.
 Activation of rear window/door mirror heating.
The defroster function remains engaged until another
selection is made. Heating of the rear window/door
mirrors will, however, deactivate after a set time
period.
Two presses: Air is directed to the windscreen with-
out the fan speed being increase or the rear window
heating being switched on.
To revert to a previous setting, press the AUTO but-
ton.
Defroster and floor vents
Floor vents
Floor and panel vents
93_US_MY09.book Page 112 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

113 Instruments and controls
Start in cold weather
To start with, the system will automatically select the defroster set-
ting, maximum heat and low fan speed.
As the engine warms up, air will also be distributed through the floor
vents and the fan speed will be increased.
As the temperature inside the car nears the selected value, both the
fan speed and the heat will be decreased to a level determined by
the system.
Start in warm weather
The system will automatically distribute air through the panel vents
at high fan speed and will activate the A/C compressor (unless the
AC OFF switch has been pressed).
If the ambient air temperature is over 77 °F (25 °C), the recirculation
cuts in after 0-15 seconds, if this is required in order to reach the
desired temperature.
As the temperature inside the car nears the selected value, the fan
speed will be decreased to a value determined by the system. Panel
Defroster, panel and floor
93_US_MY09.book Page 113 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

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
93_US_MY09.book Page 115 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

151 Starting and driving
approx. 2 seconds. Following which, turn it
back to OFF.ON positionThe entire electrical system is operative.
Do not leave the remote control in the ON
position when the engine is not running.
Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position
to disconnect the electrical system.
When you turn the ignition switch to ON,
some indicator and warning lights will come
on in the main instrument panel. These
should go out after about 3 seconds.ST - starter positionThe starter motor operates (automatic
transmission: selector lever must be in P or
N) when the ignition switch is turned to this
position. When released, the ignition switch
will spring back to the ON position.
The car has an electronic restart lock. If the
engine fails to start, the ignition switch must
first be turned back to a position between
OFF and LOCK before the starter motor can
be operated again.
Steering wheel lockThe steering wheel lock is electronic. The
lock engages when the remote control is
removed from the ignition and unlocks when
the remote control is inserted. A click can be
heard when the steering wheel lock locks
and unlocks.
If the car is parked with one front wheel
touching the curb, for example, you may
need to turn the steering wheel slightly
when you insert the remote control to allow
the steering wheel lock to unlock. If you do
not succeed on first attempt you must
remove the remote control before trying
again. Turn the steering wheel and insert
the remote control into the ignition switch.
If the steering wheel lock does not disen-
gage it will not be possible to turn the remote
control in the ignition switch.
The following message is shown on the SID:If a fault arises affecting the steering wheel
lock, the following message will be
displayed on the SID:
If the steering wheel lock malfunctions while
the remote control is in the ignition switch,
this may prevent the removal of the remote
control or prevent the car from being
restarted once the engine has been
switched off.
If you have to leave the car, lock the car by
pressing down the lock buttons on the
doors. Lock the front left door from outside
with the traditional key (see page 50). The
car is now locked but the alarm is inactive.
Pull out key, turn
steering wheel. Restart.
Steering lock malfunc.
Make a safe stop.
93_US_MY09.book Page 151 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

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.
93_US_MY09.book Page 154 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

162 Starting and drivingAutomatic
transmission3
The automatic transmission has an elec-
tronic control module. The control module
receives information including accelerator
position and road speed. Using this and
other information, it controls the hydraulic
pressure of the transmission to ensure that
gear changing is as smooth as possible.
The remote control can only be removed
when the selector lever is in the P position.The engine can only be started when the
selector lever is in the P or N position.
When the car is stationary, the engine must
be idling when you move the selector lever
from one position to another. If not, the
transmission could be damaged.
WARNING
 Depress the brake pedal when shifting
the selector lever from P or N.
 The car must be at a standstill before
P, R or N is selected. You have to have
your foot on the brake pedal to move
the lever out of P. If the car is still
moving when a drive position is subse-
quently selected, this could cause a
crash or damage the automatic trans-
mission.
 Never park the car with the selector
lever in a drive position, even if the
parking brake is on.
 If you want to leave the car with the
engine running, move the selector
lever to P or N and apply the parking
brake.
NOTICEAfter selecting a drive position, pause
briefly to allow the gear to engage (the car
starts to pull a little) before you acceler-
ate.
Selector lever1 Position for manual gear selection
Indication of gear position on main
instrument panel
93_US_MY09.book Page 162 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

168 Starting and driving
Certain variants also have steering wheel controls for manual gear
selection. On these models, it is possible to change gear manually
using the selector lever and the steering wheel controls. The steer-
ing wheel controls are only active when the selector lever is in the M
position.
Select a higher gear by pressing the right-hand button and a lower
gear by pressing the left-hand button. Sentronic, manual gear selection
Move the selector lever to the manual position (M)
(to the left position D) to select gear manually.
Select a higher gear by pressing the selector lever
forward or a lower gear by pulling it back. The
selector lever will return to a position adjacent to
the letter M after each gear change.
An example of when you may wish to make
manual gear changes is when overtaking, to
enable you to remain in a low gear for an extended
period of time.
If the road surface is slippery, you may wish to start
off in 2nd or 3rd to reduce the risk of wheel spin.
When descending steep hills you should select a
low gear to increase the braking effect of the
engine and thus spare the brakes.
Manual gear selections are displayed on the main instrument
panel. The letter M and the current gear are displayed.
When the selector lever is in the M position, as opposed to the D
position, the engine is much more responsive to changes in accel-
erator position. The accelerator has a different feel.
When changing down, the desired gear can be selected but the
transmission will not change down until the engine speed is low
enough to avoid overrevving.Steering wheel controls for manual gear
selection3
93_US_MY09.book Page 168 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com