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191 Starting and driving
Checks before drivingMake sure that the car and trailer are in
good working order. This is essential since
towing a trailer increases the strain on the
car.
Check and if necessary adjust the tire
pressure of the car and trailer.
Make sure all wheel bolts are properly
tightened.
Make sure that the equipment joining the
car and trailer is properly secured and
adjusted.
Make sure the trailer’s electrical cable is
properly connected and is not so long that
it drags along the ground. Also, make sure
the cable is not too short and risks break-
ing when turning a corner.
Check all bulbs.
Check the car and trailer brakes.
Make sure that all items on or in the
camper or trailer are properly secured.
Make sure that the trailer’s jockey wheel is
raised and locked.
Check the distribution of the load so that
the car and trailer are well balanced.
Check that the rear view mirrors provide
the best possible rearward vision.
Make sure the trailer’s safety cable is
correctly attached.
Driving considerationsAlways take extra care when towing a
trailer, as the car’s handling will be different
and its braking performance reduced. The
trailer’s braking system and suspension
also have a considerable effect on these
characteristics. See also "Driving with a
load" on page 192.
Drive carefully:
Descending hills
On uneven roads
Over railway crossings
When meeting large vehicles.
If the car has automatic transmission, select
gear M1 when ascending or descending
steep hills.
ReversingGet someone to help you keep an eye out
behind the trailer as the door mirrors do not
always provide sufficient rearward vision
when reversing.
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192 Starting and drivingDriving with a roof rack
loadThe maximum permissible roof load is
220 lbs. (100 kg). Note that the roof load
must be included in the car’s maximum per-
missible payload and axle load.
Strong, sturdy roof carriers designed spe-
cially for your car are available from your
Saab dealer. Always secure roof loads
securely.
Driving with a loadThe handling characteristics are affected by
how the car is loaded.
WARNING
A roof load will affect the car’s center
of gravity and aerodynamics. Be
aware of this when cornering and driv-
ing in crosswinds.
Adjust your speed to the prevailing
conditions.
Due to higher aerodynamics drag, fuel
economy may suffer when driving with
a roof rack.
NOTICE Place the heaviest load as far forward
and as low as possible in the trunk.
Secure the load to the lashing eyes
(see page 139).
Heavy loads mean that the car’s
center of gravity is further back. As a
result, the car will sway more during
evasive steering.
Never exceed the permissible load of
the roof box, even if there is room for
more.
Ensure that the tire pressure is correct
– slight overinflation is preferable to
underinflation.
The braking distance of a loaded car is
always greater. Keep your distance
from the vehicle in front.
Do not exceed the car’s permissible
gross vehicle weight or axle load (see
page 284).
Roof loads can negatively affect tele-
communication.
For further information on tires see
page 240.
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Page 196 of 304
196 Starting and drivingWhatever the speed limit, the car must not
be towed at speeds exceeding 30 mph
(50 km/h) nor for a distance of more than
30 miles (50 km). If the car needs to be
transported over a longer distance, a tow
truck or flatbed truck must be called out.
The engine cannot be started by towing or
pushing the car. In an emergency, the
engine can be started as described under
"Jump starting" on page 197.
Vehicle recoveryIf the car has to be transported on a flatbed
truck, or similar, it must be securely
strapped down. There are attachment
points for this purpose on the underside of
the car. The attachment points are oblong
hole that have been reinforced to cope with
the stresses that arise during this type of
transport.
Transporting the carNOTICEIf a car with sports (lowered) chassis is
transported, for example on a flat bed
truck, take extra care not to damage the
spoiler and/or underbody.
Attachment points for anchorage straps
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Page 224 of 304
224 Car careFront fog lights3
1 Undo one screw in the wheel housing.
Lower the air shield.
2 Remove the protective cover. Release the two spring clips securing the bulb.
3 Unplug the connector.
4 Change the bulb. Try not to touch the glass part of the bulb with your fingers.
The height of the beam can be adjusted
using a screwdriver inserted through the
hole in the lower grille adjacent to the lens.Side marker lights and parking
lightsSide marker lights and parking lights con-
sists of LEDs.We recommend that you con-
tact a Saab dealer if they need changing.
SportSedan: If a stop light bulb fails, the
adjacent taillight will act as a stop light to
ensure traffic safety. Change the broken
bulb when possible.
WARNING
Never crawl under a car that is sup-
ported only by a jack. Always use axle
stands.
Refer to the information on jacks on pages 258 and 259.
Taillights, SportSedan1 Turn signals
2 Taillights/stop lights
3 Reversing lights
4 Rear fog light (left-hand side)
5 High-mounted stop light
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225
Car care
Stop lights, taillights and turn
signal bulbs, SportSedan1 Lower the cover in the trim behind the
lights.
Right-hand side: Unlock the plastic rivet
by depressing the center no more than
0.1 in. (3 mm). Take hold of the collar of
the rivet and pull it out. Refer also to
page 226.
2 Lift the plastic lug on the lamp housing that secures the bulb holder.
3 Carefully remove the entire bulb holder unit from the lamp housing. Change the
bulb.
4 Refit the bulb holder. Press the bulb holder home so that the plastic lug
snaps into place.
Taillights, Convertible1 Turn signals
2 Taillights/stop lights
3 Reversing lights
4 Rear fog light (left-hand side)
5 High-mounted stop light
Taillights, SportCombi1 Turn signals
2 Taillights/stop lights
3 Reversing lights
4 Rear fog light (left-hand side)
5 High-mounted stop light
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226 Car careStop lights, taillights and turn
signal bulbs, Convertible1 Remove the cover.
2 Carefully remove the bulb holder with the broken bulb.The bulb holder has a
bayonet fitting.
3 Change the bulb.
4 Refit the bulb holder and cover.
Turn signals, reversing light and
rear fog light, SportCombi1 Remove the cover.
2 Remove the bulb holder with the broken bulb. The bulb holder has a bayonet
fitting.
3 Fit the new bulb.
4 Refit the bulb holder and the cover.
Reversing lights and rear fog
light, SportSedanRemoving the trunk lid trim 1 Remove the two screws securing the grab handle to the inside of the trunk lid.
2 Unlock the plastic rivets by pressing in the center of each rivet. Pull out the
rivets by taking hold of the rivet’s collar.
You can use the button on the handle of the
screwdriver supplied with the car to unlock
the rivets.
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Page 231 of 304
231
Car care
Trunk lighting, SportCombi1 Pull the lamp housing forward slightly
and lift it out at the rear. Use a thin and
wide tool.
2 Fit the new bulb. The bulb is secured in the holder.
3 Start by inserting in the front edge of the lamp housing and then pressing in the
rear edge.
Courtesy/floor lighting 31 Release one edge of the lamp fitting
using a screwdriver.
2 Fit the new bulb.
3 Insert the connector side first when refit- ting the lamp.
Other bulbsIf any other bulbs need changing, we rec-
ommend that you visit a Saab dealer.
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Page 247 of 304
247
Car care
Tire Chains
Notice: If your vehicle does not have
235/45R17 size tires, use tire chains only
where legal and only when you must.
Contact your Saab d ealer regarding suit-
able snow chains. Install them on the
front tires and tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions. If you
can hear the chains contacting your
vehicle, stop and reti ghten them. If the
contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too f ast or spinning the
wheels with chains on will damage your
vehicle.
If a Tire Goes FlatIt’s unusual for a tire to “blowout” while
you’re driving, especially if you maintain
your tires properly. If air goes out of a tire,
it’s much more likely to leak out slowly. But
if you should ever have a “blowout”, here are
a few tips about what to expect and what to
do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a
drag that pulls the vehicle toward that side.
Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and
grip the steering wheel firmly. Steer to main-
tain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts
much like a skid and may require the same
correction you’d use in a skid. In any rear
blowout, remove your foot from the acceler-
ator pedal. Get the vehi cle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go.
It may be very bumpy and noisy, but you can
still steer. Gently brake to a stop – well off
the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to
use your jacking equipment to change a flat
tire safely.
WARNING
If your vehicle has 235/45 R17 size tires,
don’t use tire chains, there’s not enough
clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can cause
damage to the brakes, suspension or
other vehicle parts. The area damaged by
the tire chains could cause you to lose
control of your vehicle and you or others
may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if
its manufacturer recommends it for use
on your vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that manu-
facturer’s instructions. To help avoid
damage to your vehicle, drive slowly,
readjust or remove the device if it’s con-
tacting your vehicle, and don’t spin your
wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit,
install them on the front tires.93_US_7carcare_MY09.fm Page 247 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:26 AM
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