2009 SAAB 9-5 check engine

64 Instruments and controlsAutochecking of lights,
main instrument panel The above warning and indicator lights
should come on when the ignition is
switched on prior to starting. They should go
out after about 3 seconds.
The following lights light up until the engine
is started, presuming that no fault exists:
 Oil pressure warning light .
 Warning, charging .
InstrumentsTachometerThe tachometer indicates the engine speed
in thousands of revolutions per minute. The
needle may be allowed to enter the broken
red zone on the dial only for an instant.
A safety cut-out function (in the fuel system)
prevents the engine speed from exceeding
approximately 6,000 rpm.
Odometer and trip meter The odometer records the distance traveled
in miles on U.S. vehicles and on Canadian
vehicles the distance indicated is in kilome-
tres, and the trip meter in miles and tenths
(kilometres and tenths of kilometres on
Canadian vehicles). Reset button The reset button has two functions, deter-
mined by whether the ignition is ON or OFF.
 When the ignition is ON, pressing the
button will reset the trip meter.
 When the ignition is OFF, the display
lights up enabling you to read the odome-
ter and trip meter. Pressing the button a
second time will reset the trip meter.
IB4468
1 Cars with automatic transmission
IB3847
IB4157
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66 Instruments and controlsTemperature gauge The temperature gauge shows the temper-
ature of the coolant. The needle should be
in the middle of the scale when the engine
is at normal operating temperature.
If the needle approaches the red zone,
which can occur in very hot weather or when
the engine is under a heavy load, drive in the
highest gear possible, keep the engine revs
low and avoid shifting down.Check fuse 1 (radiator fan) in the fuse panel
under the hood, see page 218.
If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone,
stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and
check the coolant level by looking at the
level visible through the plastic tank – do not
remove the cap. If the coolant level falls below the MIN mark,
the Saab Information Display (SID) will
display the message
”Coolant level low.
Refill.”.

NOTICEIf the needle, despite the above action,
enters the red zone, stop the car immedi-
ately, let the engine idle.
If the needle stays in the red zone, stop
the engine.
WARNING
Never open the cap of the expansion tank
completely when the engine is hot, open
with care. The pressure in the cool-
ing-system can cause hot coolant and
steam to be released. Failure to heed this
warning may result in personal injury.
IB3851
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71 Instruments and controls
CHECK messages When the engine is started, CHECKING will
appear on the display for about 4 seconds
while the SID CHECK functions are being
performed.
When a CHECK message is activated while
driving, a chime sounds and the message
appears in SID. The number of possible
CHECK messages varies depending on the
car’s specifications.
If more than one CHECK message has
been generated, the
+ symbol will appear to
the left of the text on the display. The mes-
sages appear in order of priority.
If a new fault occurs whilst another message
is being displayed, the message relating to
the new one will appear for 10 seconds,
after which the display will return to the ear-
lier one.
Briefly press the CLR button to acknowl-
edge a message from the display. After
acknowledgement, the message is dis-
played each time the ignition is re-started
until remedied.The following messages may be displayed:
1) This message will be displayed approximately
600 miles (1,000 km) before the next scheduled
service is due, or when 365 days have elapsed
since the last service. The message should be
cleared at the time of that service (see the Saab
Warranties & Service Record Booklet).
This message can also be deleted by pressing
the CLR button for at least eight seconds until a
chime sounds. The message can only be deleted
when it is shown on the SID.
*) 9-5 SportCombi: the high-mounted stop light is
not included in the autocheck of lights.
Message See page
Use your seatbelts. 12
Front light failure. 202
Rear light failure. 206
Fog light failure. 203
Brake light failure.
*)
206
Washer fluid level low.
Refill. 201
Coolant level low.
Refill. 193
Remote control battery
low. Replace battery. 49
Key not accepted.
Contact service. 54
Theft protection failure.
Contact service. 54
Gearbox too hot.
Make a safe stop. 154
Tire pressure low,
front left. Check tires. 232
Tire pressure low,
front right. Check tires. 232
Tire pressure low,
rear left. Check tires. 232
Tire pressure low,
rear right. Check tires. 232
Low tire pressure front
left. Make a safe stop. 232
Low tire pressure front
right. Make a safe stop. 232
Low tire pressure, rear
left. Make a safe stop. 232
Low tire pressure, rear.
right. Make a safe stop. 232
Tire pressure system
failure. Contact service. 232
Time for service.
1)
252
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72 Instruments and controlsNIGHT PANELTo improve night-driving conditions inside
the car, the Night Panel mode can be
selected. In this mode, the amount of infor-
mation displayed is reduced, and only the
most important instruments and displays
will be illuminated.
When the NIGHT PANEL button is pressed,
only the speedometer will be illuminated, all
the other instruments illumination being
extinguished and their needles moved to
zero. The SID display will be extinguished
and the backlighting for switches and other
controls will be dimmed. Note: All indicator
and warning lights, together with the display
of CHECK messages, will operate as nor-
mal, except ”Outdoor temperature”, see
page 68.The following conditions will wake up the
respective displays in the Night-Panel
mode:
 Setting of the Audio system or, SID
(display comes on for ten seconds).
 CHECK message generated in the SID.
 High engine revs cause the rev counter to
be illuminated until the engine speed has
fallen again.
 If the quantity of fuel remaining falls below
4 gallons (15 liters), the fuel gauge will be
illuminated.
 If the engine temperature rises above
normal, the temperature gauge will be illu-
minated.
 In cars with automatic transmission, if the
selector lever is moved from D to position
M or L, the selector indication on the main
instrument panel will be illuminated.
To restore the displays and lighting to the
normal mode, press the NIGHT PANEL but-
ton.
Units and language versionsThe SID has four sets of units: CHECK messages can be displayed in six
language options: English, Swedish,
German, French, Italian and Spanish. Selecting units and language 1 Switch off the engine.
2 Briefly press i/SETbutton. Repeat this
until LANGUAGE/UNITS is displayed.
3 Hold i/SET depressed until a chime
sounds. Then select language using
or .
4 Briefly press the i/SET button. Then
select the units using or .
5 Briefly press the i/SET button. METRIC US GB IMPERIAL
km miles miles miles
km/h mph mph mph
liters US gal gallon gallon
°C °F °C °F
24-hour 12-hour 12-hour 12-hour
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140 Starting and drivingIgnition switchThe combined ignition switch and
gear-lever lock is located in the center con-
sole between the front seats. The ignition
key can only be removed when reverse is
engaged (automatic transmission: selector
in ”P” position).
The key fits all the locks on the car. The key
number is specified on the small plastic
strap that comes with the keys when the car
is delivered. Keep a note of the key number
in a safe place, as you will need to quote it if
ordering a replacement key.
See also page 44.
LOCK position Engage reverse and turn the key to LOCK.
Automatic transmission: select ”P”.
The gear lever is locked. This is the only
position in which the key can be removed.
The parking lights, hazard warning lights
and interior lighting all work.OFF position Gear lever no longer locked.
Certain electrical circuits operational.
ON position All electrical circuits working.
Do not leave the key in the ON position
when the engine is not running.
Turn the key to OFF to switch off the electri-
cal circuits. In the ON position certain warn-
ing and indicator lights come on as a check,
and they normally are extinguished after
about 3 seconds.ST (starter) position The starter operates when the key is turned
to this position. When released, the key will
spring back to the ON position.
If the engine fails to start, the key must first
be turned back to the position between OFF
and LOCK before the starter can be oper-
ated again.
When the starter motor is running, several
electrical circuits are disconnected to facili-
tate starting.
IB1120
LOCK
OFFONST
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141 Starting and driving

If the car does not startIf the text
”Key not accepted.
Contact service.”
is shown on the SID, after a failed start
attempt, the cause could be a fault in the
transmitter in the key, or in the receiver in
the ignition lock. The following should be
done:
 Turn the key back to the LOCK position.
 Turn the key to ON.
 Press one of the buttons on the remote
control (the LED stops blinking).
 Start the engine.
Try another key. If this works, then the fault
is in the first key.
We recommend that you contact an autho-
rized Saab dealer for checking and rectifica-
tion.
Note:
Certain electronic items, such as cellular
phones, may affect the starting produce-
dure. Be sure that all devices are clear of the
key/ignition switch area.
Starting the engine
NOTICETake care not to spill drinks or to drop
crumbs over the ignition switch. If dirt or
liquid gets into it, the switch may not
operate properly.
WARNING
 Always remove the key before leaving
the car.
 Always apply the parking brake before
removing the ignition key.
WARNING
 When starting the engine:
– Sit down in the driver’s seat.
– Depress the clutch pedal fully. If the
gear lever is not in the neutral posi-
tion, the clutch pedal must be fully
depressed or the car will jump for-
wards or backwards, which may
cause a crash.
– Never start the car from outside the
vehicle, e.g. through a wound down
window. This could lead to serious
personal injury.
 Engage reverse (R) (position P for
automatic transmission) to remove the
ignition key. The key can only be
removed in this gear position.
 Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless,
odorless, poisonous gas. Be alert to
the danger of CO – always open the
garage doors before starting the
engine in the garage.
 There is also a danger of CO poison-
ing if the exhaust system is leaking.
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143 Starting and driving
Useful tips on cold climate
startingIf the engine has failed to start after several
attempts in very cold weather, press and
hold the accelerator down to the floor and
run the starter for 5–10 seconds. This will
prevent the engine being flooded (exces-
sively rich fuel-air mixture).
Now start the engine in the normal way – do
not touch the accelerator.
If the engine stalls immediately after starting
(e.g. if the clutch was released too quickly),
do not touch the accelerator when restarting
the engine.
Limp-home modeThe engine management system has a
diagnostic feature that continually checks a
number of internal functions.
If, for example, a fault is detected in the
throttle valve, the engine management
system will go into Limp-home mode.This
limits:
 idling control,
 disables the cruise-control system and
 limits the capacity of the A/C compressor.
If the limp-home mode is in operation (”Ser-
vice Engine Light also known as CHECK
ENGINE” light on, see below) and the out-
side temperature is close to or below freez-
ing, you may need to use some throttle on
starting (some pressure on the accelerator).
If the diagnostic system has detected a fault
in the engine-management system, the
”Service Engine Light also known as
CHECK ENGINE” light on the main
instrument panel will come on (see page
58), indicating that you should have the car
checked as soon as possible by a work-
shop. We recommend that you contact an
authorized Saab dealer.
NOTICEIf the CHECK ENGINE warning light
starts to flash, ease off the accelerator
slightly. If the light does not cease to flash
within 5 seconds, stop the car in a suit-
able place as soon as possible and turn
off the engine. The car must be towed to
a workshop. We recommend that you
contact an authorized Saab dealer.
If the CHECK ENGINE warning light
flashes, it indicates that the engine is mis-
firing which can result in damage to the
catalytic converter.
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144 Starting and drivingImportant
considerations for
drivingThe engine-management system in the
Saab 9-5 is called Saab Trionic T7. The
system manages the ignition, fuel injection
and turbo boost pressure.
The Trionic T7 system developed by Saab
is an intelligent engine-management
system designed to achieve optimum driv-
ability under differing driving conditions.
The system makes adjustments automati-
cally, for instance, if the car is being driven
at altitude (oxygen-deficient air), for differ-
ent grades of fuel (AON 87–93) and for dif-
ferent load conditions.
1 Starting and driving
 Refrain from using full throttle before
the engine has warmed up (before
needle in mid-range on temperature
gauge).
 A safety function prevents the engine
from revving faster than 6,000 rpm by
limiting the induction air.
2 Stopping the engine
 Do not rev the engine immediately
before switching it off – stop the engine
when it is idling.
3 Regulating the boost pressure  One of the advantages of boost pres-
sure regulation is that the engine can
also be run safely on gasoline with a
lower octane rating, although not lower
than AON 87. However, engine perfor-
mance will fall slightly and heavy load-
ing and laboring should be avoided. For
optimum performance, use the recom-
mended grade of fuel.
 The maximum boost pressure is
adjusted automatically to the knocking
or pinging tendency of the engine.
Occasional, short-lived knocking when
the engine is under a heavy load is
perfectly normal; the extent will depend
on the grade of fuel in the tank.
 Isolated instances of knocking are
more likely to occur with low-octane
fuel. This controlled form of knocking,
followed by a reduction in the boost
pressure, is a sign that the wastegate is
functioning and is perfectly safe for the
engine.

NOTICE If the engine sounds strange there is a
fault in the system. Have the car
checked without delay by a workshop.
We recommend that you contact an
authorized Saab dealer.
 The use of fuel with too low an octane
rating can cause serious engine
damage.
WARNING
If the engine is being run with the car on a
rolling road or dynamometer, longer than
for a standard state emission inspection,
to ensure adequate cooling, air must be
blown into the engine compartment and
under the car at a rate equivalent to the
ram-air effect that would be obtained at
the corresponding road speed.
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