2009 SAAB 9-3 sport mode

163 Starting and driving
Park Brake Shift LockThe transmission has a security function
known as Park Brake Shift Lock. To move
the gear selector lever out of the P or N posi-
tion, the gear selector lever detent (catch)
must be pressed in at the same time as the
brake pedal is held depressed.
The detent button on the selector lever has
to be pressed in before the lever can be
moved between certain positions.
Temporary override of Park Brake Shift
Lock, see page 166.
Adaptive gear change patternsThe adaptive gear change pattern function
adapts gear changing to the prevailing driv-
ing conditions. The transmission control
module senses the engine load, vehicle
speed and temperature of the transmission.
A suitable gear change pattern is then
selected automatically to avoid unneces-
sary gear changes and undesired increases
in transmission temperature.
Certain variants use a special change pat-
tern for the first few minutes after a cold start
so that the catalytic converter reaches its
working temperature more quickly.
Sport modeSport mode is selected using the
button, while the word SPORT illuminates
on the SID . Changing up occurs later
and changing down occurs earlier at the
same accelerator pedal position.
Sport mode will deselected if:
 The Sport button is depressed again
 The engine is switched off.
Selector lever detent93_US_MY09.book Page 163 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

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.
93_US_MY09.book Page 165 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

251
Car care
DOT Markings: A code molded into the
sidewall of a tire signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S. Department of
Transportation motor vehicle safety stan-
dards. The DOT code includes the Tire
Identification Number (TIN), an alphanu-
meric designator which can also identify the
tire manufacturer, production plant, brand
and date of production.
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see
page 285.
GAWR FRT: Gross Axle Weight Rating for
the front axle, see page 285.
GAWR RR: Gross Axle Weight Rating for
the rear axle, see page 285.
Intended Outboard Sidewall: The side of
an asymmetrical tire that must always face
outward when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilo pascal (kPa): The metric unit for air
pressure. There are 6.9 kPa to one psi.
Light Truck (LT -Metric) Tire: A tire used
on light duty trucks and some multipurpose
passenger vehicles.
Load Index: An assigned number ranging
from 1 to 279 that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire. Maximum Load rating:
The load rating for
a tire at the maximum permissible inflation
pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight: The
sum of curb weight; a ccessory weight; vehi-
cle capacity weight; and production options
weight.
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pres-
sure: The maximum cold inflation pressure
to which a tire may be inflated.
Normal occupant weight: The number of
occupants a vehicle is designed to seat mul-
tiplied by 150 pounds (68 kg). See “Loading
Your Vehicle” on page 250.
Occupant Distribution: Designated seat-
ing positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall: The side of a
asymmetrical tire that has a particular side
that faces outward when mounted on a vehi-
cle. The side of the tire that contains a white-
wall bears white letter ing or bears manufac-
turer, brand and or model name molding on
the other sidewall of the tire.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire: A tire used on
passenger cars and some light duty trucks
and multipurpose vehicles. Recommended Inflation Pressure:
Vehi-
cle manufacturer´s recommended tire infla-
tion pressure shown on the tire placard, see
“Inflation - Tire Pressure” on page 240 and
“Loading Your Vehicle” on page 250.
Radial Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in which
the ply cords that extend to the beads are
laid at substantially 90 degrees to the cen-
terline of the tread.
Rim: A metal support for a tire or a tire and
tube assembly upon which the tire beads
are seated.
Sidewall: The portion of a tire between the
tread and the bead.
Speed rating: An alphanumeric code
assigned to a tire indicating the maximum
speed at which a tire can operate.
Traction: The friction between the tire and
the road surface. The amount of grip pro-
vided.
Treadwear Indicators: Narrow bands,
sometimes called “wear bars”, that show
across the tread of a tire when only
2/32 inch of tread remains. See “When It Is
Time for New Tires” on page 242.93_US_7carcare_MY09.fm Page 251 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:26 AM
ProCarManuals.com

284 Technical dataGeneral dataOverall length, including bumpers:
SportSedan and Convertible _________ 182.9'' (4647 mm)
SportCombi_______________________ 183.8'' (4670 mm)
Overall width, including door mirrors _____ 80.2'' (2038 mm)
Maximum height incl roof antenna:
SportSedan front wheel drive, standard
chassis __________________________ 57.9" (1473 mm)
SportCombi, front wheel drive, standard
chassis __________________________ 60.7'' (1543 mm)
SportSedan, all-wheel-drive models ____ 58.5" (1488 mm)
SportCombi, all-wheel-drive models ____ 61.4" (1530 mm)
Wheelbase ________________________ 105.3'' (2675 mm)
Tr a c k :
Front ____________________________ 59.8'' (1524 mm)
Re ar ____________________________ 59.3'' (1506 mm)
Ground clearance at GVW:
front wheel drive models ___________ approx. 4.7''
(120 mm)
all-wheel-drive models ____________ approx. 4.8''
(122 mm)V.I.N. label on vehi-
cles sold in U.S.A.V.I.N. label on vehicles sold in
Canada
Permissible load (in addition to the driver) = GVW minus curb weight. The maximum
permissible axle load, front or rear, must not be exceeded.
The precise curb weight of the vehicle and load capacity are specified in the vehicle
registration documents.Number of seats (incl. driver):
SportSedan and SportCombi _________ 5
Convertible _______________________ 4
Turning circle measured at vehicle extremi-
ties:
all-wheel-drive models ______________ 40.0 ft. (12.2 m)
other ____________________________ 39.0 ft. (11.9 m)
Trunk length, SportSedan:
Rear seat raised ___________________ 40.8'' (1036 mm)
Rear seat lowered _________________ 69.8'' (1774 mm)
Trunk length, Convertible _____________ 29.1" (740 mm)
Trunk length, SportCombi:
Rear seat raised ___________________ 39.9'' (1013 mm)
Rear seat lowered _________________ 70.0'' (1777 mm)
93_US_MY09.book Page 284 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

285 Technical data
Curb weight
(i.e. with full fuel tank, full washer fluid res-
ervoir, standard tools and spare wheel):
SportSedan_______________________ 3220–3880 lbs.
(1460–1760 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 3520–3870 lbs.
(1595–1755 kg)
SportCombi_______________________ 3310–4010 lbs.
(1500–1820 kg)
Gross vehicle weight (GVW):
SportSedan_______________________ 4160–4820 lbs.
(1885–2185 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 4420–4650 lbs.
(2005–2110 kg)
SportCombi_______________________ 4240–4950 lbs.
(1925–2245 kg)
Maximum axle load, front wheel drive:
SportSedan, front __________________ 2540 lbs. (1150 kg)
SportSedan, rear __________________ 2230 lbs. (1010 kg)
Convertible, front __________________ 2560 lbs. (1160 kg)
Convertible, rear ___________________ 2310 lbs. (1050 kg)
SportCombi, front __________________ 2340 lbs. (1150 kg)
SportCombi, rear __________________ 2430 lbs. (1100 kg)
Maximum axle load, all-wheel-drive models:
SportSedan, front __________________ 2600 lbs. (1180 kg)
SportSedan, rear __________________ 2380 lbs. (1080 kg)
SportCombi, front __________________ 2600 lbs. (1180 kg)
SportCombi, rear __________________ 2520 lbs. (1140 kg)Weight distribution:
Curb weight + driver (150 lbs. (68 kg)),
front/rear, SportSedan and SportCombi_ approx. 60/40 %
GVW, front/rear, SportSedan and
SportCombi ______________________ approx. 50/50 %
Maximum roof load, SportSedan and
SportCombi ______________________ 220 lbs. (100 kg)
Maximum load in trunk, SportSedan,
Convertible and SportCombi _________ 175 lbs. (80 kg)
The combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed:
SportSedan and SportCombi _________ 926 lbs. (420 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 776 lbs. (352 kg)
Maximum combined weight of driver and
passengers ______________________
SportSedan and SportCombi (5x150 lbs.) 750 lbs. (340 kg)
Convertible (4x150 lbs.) _____________ 600 lbs. (272 kg)93_US_MY09.book Page 285 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

297 Index
IndexAABS brakes
____________________ 171
ACC
_________________________ 107
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 118
Air filter
_______________________ 209
Airbag
_________________________ 32
All-wheel drive (XWD)
____________ 173
Anchorage eyes, SportSedan
______ 139
Anti-corrosion treatment
__________ 271
Antilock braking system __________ 171
Anti-spin
______________________ 173
Ashtrays ______________________ 134
Autochecking of lights, warning and
indicator lights
__________________ 87
Autodimming
___________________ 123
Automatic climate control (ACC)
____ 107
Automatic closing of moonroof
_____ 129
Automatic closing of windows,
SportSedan and SportCombi _____ 120
Automatic transmission
___________ 162
Automatic transmission, Sport mode

163
BBattery
_______________________ 214
Bedding-in of new brake pads
_____ 160
Before towing a trailer
____________ 191
Belt height, SportSedan and
SportCombi
____________________ 14Brake fluid, grade
_______________ 287
Brakes
________________________ 170
Braking _______________________ 170
Bulb changing
__________________ 218
Bulb table
_____________________ 232
Buying new tires
________________ 243
CCabin lighting, Convertible
_________ 79
Cabin lighting, SportSedan and
SportCombi
___________________ 131
Calibrating front electric windows with
pinch protection
________________ 78
Calibration of windows, SportSedan
and SportCombi _______________ 121
Car alarm
______________________ 56
Car transport ___________________ 196
Care of air conditioning
___________ 273
Cargo guard
___________________ 148
Cargo guard, SportWagon
________ 148
Cargo net, SportCombi
___________ 145
CHECK ENGINE light _____________ 83
Change of address notification
_____ 280
Changing a tire
_________________ 258
Changing bulbs _________________ 218
Changing the battery, remote control
_54
Changing wiper blades
___________ 216
Checking the number of remote
controls
_______________________ 53
Checks before towing a trailer
_____ 191
Child safety
_____________________ 24Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 52
Child seats
______________________ 24
Cigarette lighter
_________________ 134
Cleaning the engine bay
__________ 267
Cleaning upholstery
______________ 266
Closing the soft top manually,
Convertible
____________________ 68
Closing the soft top, Convertible
_____ 64
Clutch interlock
_________________ 161
Comfort opening of moonroof
______ 129
Comfort opening of windows,
SportSedan and SportCombi _____ 119
Compact spare
_________________ 256
Compact spare wheel fitted, driving
with
_________________________ 258
Compass
______________________ 127
Convertible _____________________ 61
Convertible, washing
_____________ 268
Coolant
_______________________ 210
Cornering headlights
______________ 99
Crash memory, see EDR
_________ 282
Cruise control
__________________ 169
Cup holder
_____________________ 133
DDate codes, tires
________________ 253
Deactivating rear windows,
SportSedan and SportCombi
_____ 121
Deactivating the passenger door
window button, Convertible
________ 78
93_US_MY09.book Page 297 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

300 IndexPPanic function, car alarm
__________ 58
Park Brake Shift Lock
____________ 163
Park Brake Shift Lock, temporary
override
______________________ 166
Parking
_______________________ 177
Parking aid ____________________ 180
Parking brake __________________ 177
Parking on a hill ________________ 178
Pinch protection, electric windows,
SportSedan and SportCombi
_____ 120
Pinch protection, moonroof
________ 130
Plates and labels, location ________ 292
Polishing and waxing
____________ 270
Poly-V-belt
____________________ 215
Portable fuel container
___________ 158
Position lights
___________________ 98
Power steering fluid, checking
_____ 213
Pressure gauge
_________________ 88
Pressure, tires
__________________ 240
Profiles, customized settings
_______ 94
QQuality grading, tires
_____________ 244
Quick guide, remote control
________ 49
RRain sensor
____________________ 103
Raising the soft top manually,
Convertible ____________________ 68Reading lights, Convertible
_________ 79
Rear fog light
___________________ 101
Rear seat, folding down, SportCombi
141
Rear seat, safety belts
____________ 17
Rear seats, folding down, SportSedan
136
Rear towing eye
________________ 194
Rear windows, deactivating,
SportSedan and SportCombi
_____ 121
Rearview mirrors
________________ 122
Recommendations for automatic
transmission, towing a trailer
_____ 189
Recommendations for manual gearbox,
towing a trailer
________________ 190
Recommended snow chains
_______ 288
Refueling
______________________ 156
Reinstalling the fuel cap
__________ 157
Remote control
__________________ 48
Remote locking malfunction
________ 50
Replacement, wheel
_____________ 246
Reporting safety defects __________ 281
Rev counter
_____________________ 87
Reversing lights
________________ 102
Rollover Pop-up Bars, Convertible
___ 76
Roof lighting, SportSedan and
SportCombi
___________________ 131
Roof lighting, changing
___________ 228
Running-in
_____________________ 160
SSaab Information Display
__________ 89
Saab Parking Assistance _________ 180Safety belts
_____________________ 12
Safety belts, rear seat, SportSedan
and SportCombi
________________ 17
SAHR, head restraint _____________ 23
SDM
_________________________ 282
SID
___________________________ 89
SPA __________________________ 180
Seat belts
______________________ 12
Seat belts in rear seat, Convertible
___ 75
Seat belts, care
_________________ 266
Seat belts, checking
_____________ 266
Seats
__________________________ 18
Securing a load
_________________ 139
Sentronic, manual gear selection
___ 168
Service Engine Lamp
_____________ 83
Service costs
___________________ 279
Service information
______________ 280
Service intervals
________________ 278
Service record retention
__________ 279
Signalling, horn
_________________ 118
Ski hatch, SportCombi
____________ 143
Ski hatch, SportSedan ____________ 138
Spare wheel
___________________ 256
Speed ratings, tires
______________ 249
Speedometer
____________________ 87
Sport mode, automatic transmission
_163
Starting the engine
______________ 152
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 118
Steering wheel lock
______________ 151
Steps for determining correct load
limit
_________________________ 252
Storage compartments
___________ 134
93_US_MY09.book Page 300 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com