engine SAAB 9-3 2009 Repair Manual

171 Starting and driving
ABS brakesThe Antilock Braking System (ABS) modu-
lates the brake pressure to each wheel. The
pressure is automatically reduced just
before the wheel locks up and then
increases again to the point at which the
wheel is just about to lock. The wheel sen-
sors send information to the brake system’s
electronic control module for every 4 or so
inches (decimeter) that the car rolls. This
information is processed continuously to
ensure that the adjustment of the brake
pressure will be as exact as possible.
Adjustment takes place up to 12 times per
second.The brake system provides Electronic
Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). This distri-
butes the brake pressure between the front
and rear wheels, in such a way as to achieve
optimum braking performance irrespective
of the car’s speed or load.
The ABS has a built-in diagnostics function
which will switch on the ABS warning light
if a fault is detected in the system (see
page 82).
Note. The following message will appear
on the SID (and corresponding symbol
on main instrument unit) if a fault is
detected:
WARNING
 It is prudent to try your brakes from
time to time, especially when driving in
heavy rain, through water collected on
the road, in snow, on a wet road sur-
face or in salty slush. In such condi-
tions, the brakes may take longer than
normal to take effect. To rectify this,
touch the brake pedal periodically to
dry the brakes out.
 The same applies after the car has
been washed or when the weather is
very humid.
 Avoid parking the car with wet brakes.
Before parking, and if the traffic condi-
tions allow, brake quite heavily so that
the brake discs and pads warm up and
dry.
 The brakes are power assisted and it
should be kept in mind that the servo
unit only provides the power assis-
tance when the engine is running.
 The brake pressure required when the
engine is off, (e.g. when the car is
being towed) is roughly four times the
normal pedal force required. The
pedal also feels hard and unrespon-
sive.
 Overheating can cause the brakes to
fade!
WARNING
 The additional safety afforded by the
ABS system is not designed to allow
drivers to drive faster but to make
normal driving safer.
 To stop as quickly as possible, without
loss of directional stability, whether
the road surface is dry, wet or slippery,
press the brake pedal down hard
without letting up (do not pump the
pedal), declutching simulta-
neously, and steer the car to safety.
Antilock brake malfunc.
Contact service.
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173 Starting and driving
All-wheel drive (XWD)3Essentially, the system consists of a PTU
(Power Take off Unit), propeller shaft, RDM
(Rear Drive Module which contains an elec-
tronically controlled plate clutch, final drive
gear and differential) and driveshafts. This
system enhances driving characteristics
and stability. The system is always active
and cannot be deactivated. It works
together with the ESP system and the
engine and transmission control modules.
When driving at a constant speed, approx.
95% of the torque is distributed to the front
wheels and approx. 5% to the rear wheels.
The torque is distributed steplessly and
instantaneously between the front and rear
wheels, depending on the driving condi-
tions. If the car is fitted with eLSD (electron-
ically controlled plate clutch between the
rear wheels), the torque can also be distrib-
uted individually to the relevant rear wheel.For optimum system function, the car’s tires
should not have varying degrees of wear.
When the XWD system requires service,
the following message is shown on the SID:
When the service message is displayed,
the XWD system may have limited func-
tionality (or be completely disabled in
some cases, i.e. the car switches to
front-wheel drive). Contact a workshop
for information. We recommend that you
contact an authorised Saab dealer.
Traction Control
System (TCS)Anti-spin systemHow the system worksThe Traction Control System (TCS) is
designed to prevent wheelspin. This
enables the car to achieve the best possible
grip and, hence, maximum tractive effort,
together with greater stability.
The TCS system uses information from the
ABS system’s wheel speed sensors to
determine whether any wheel is spinning. If
any wheel is spinning, this is reduced on
all-wheel drive cars initially by changing the
torque distribution, secondly by reducing
the engine torque, and thirdly with the aid of
the wheel brakes. On front-wheel drive cars,
wheelspin is reduced initially by reducing
the engine torque, and secondly with the aid
of the wheel brakes. Service XWD.
WARNING
When driving normally, the TCS system
helps to improve the car’s stability, and
driveability under slippery road and
extreme driving conditions. The TCS
must not be regarded as a system to
enable the driver to maintain higher
speeds. The same precautions must be
adopted as normal for safe cornering and
driving on slippery roads.
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174 Starting and drivingThe advantages of the TCS system are
most apparent when road surface friction is
so low that a lot of wheelspin can occur rap-
idly:
 When the car is pulling away or accelerat-
ing with the front wheels on different
surfaces (e.g. one slippery and one dry),
the TCS functions like an electronic differ-
ential lock, making sure that both wheels
rotate at the same speed. The system
also functions when the car is reversing.
 When cornering, if the inside front wheel
rotates faster than the other wheels.TCS OFF
lights up if:
 The system has been switched off
manually. It cannot be switched off if the
car is travelling faster than 35 mph
(60 km/h).
 There is a fault in the ABS system
 A fault has been detected and the
system has therefore been switched
off and at the same time the following
message is shown on the SID:
TCS indicatorWhen the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, the lamp is lit for about 4 seconds
while the system performs self-diagnosis.
The light comes on when the TCS is
operative, that is when one of the wheels
has lost its grip.
The fact that the TCS is operative indicates
that the limit for grip has been exceeded and
that the driver must exercise greater care.Temporarily turning the TCS offThe TCS is switched on automatically when
the engine is started.
It may be necessary to switch off the system
if the car has become bogged down, for
instance.
If a fault is detected in the ABS, the TCS will
be switched off automatically.
The cruise control system (if active) will
automatically be disengaged if the TCS is
operative.Disengage the system in Settings.
1Select Settings using the steering
wheel buttons, or .
2 Hold the SET button depressed until a
chime sounds.
3Select TCS.
4 Press the SET button.
5Select ON or OFF.
End by pressing the SET-button.
Go back/undo using the CLR-button.
Traction control failure.
Contact service.
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175 Starting and driving
Electronic Stability
Program ESP
®
Anti-skid system
The ESP
® system employs both the
antilock braking system (ABS) and the trac-
tion control system (TCS). It is a system that
helps the driver to stabilize the car in
unusual circumstances that can otherwise
be more difficult to handle.
How the ESP
® system works
The ESP
® system can help to prevent the
car from skidding by braking one or several
wheels independently of the driver. The
engine output is then also reduced to pre-
vent the driving wheels from spinning. The
car has sensors that measure wheel speed,
yaw rate, lateral acceleration, steering
wheel position and braking pressure. The
values provided by these sensors are used
to calculate the actual direction of the car,
the intentions of the driver and whether the
ESP
® system should be engaged.
If this direction does not agree with that
intended by the driver, calculated from the
steering wheel position, the ESP
® system is
engaged.
The ESP
® system improves the driver’s
chances of retaining control over the car in
a critical situation.
WARNING
When driving normally, the ESP
® system
helps to improve the car’s stability and
maneuverability under slippery road and
extreme driving conditions. The ESP
®
system must not be regarded as a system
to enable the driver to maintain higher
speeds. The same precautions must be
adopted as normal for safe cornering and
driving on slippery roads must be
adopted.
The illustration shows how the system
brakes one or more wheels (and with var-
ying braking force for each wheel) in order
to increase the car’s chances of following
the direction in which the driver wants to
drive.
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176 Starting and drivingESP
® system OFF
lights up if:
 The system is turned off manually. The
car must be travelling slower than 35 mph
(60 km/h). The TCS is also disengaged.
 A fault is detected in the ABS-system.
 A fault has been detected in the
system and the system has therefore
been switched off. The following
message will be displayed on the SID:
ESP
® system indicator light
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, the lamp is lit for about 4 seconds
while the system performs self-diagnosis.
The light comes on for a short period of
time when the ESP
® system is operative.
Operation of the ESP® system indicates
reduced cohesion between the tires and the
road, and that extra care should be taken by
the driver during continued driving.
Temporarily turning ESP
®
system off
The ESP
® is switched on automatically
when the engine is started.
It may be necessary to switch off the system
if the car has become bogged down, for
instance.
The ESP® system is always engaged
during braking, even if it has been switched
off manually with the ESP
® button.
The cruise control system (if active) will
automatically be disengaged if the ESP
®
system is operative.Disengage the system in Settings.
1Select Settings using the steering
wheel buttons, or .
2 Hold the SET button depressed until a
chime sounds.
3Select ESP.
4 Press the SET button.
5Select ON or OFF.
End by pressing the SET-button.
Go back/modify using the CLR-button.
Stability control failure.
Contact service.
NOTICEChanges to the chassis, such as a
change of wheels, shock absorbers or
springs, could affect the function of the
ESP
® system.
Always consult a workshop before chang-
ing any chassis components. We recom-
mend that you contact a Saab dealer.
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183 Starting and driving
Economical drivingFactors affecting fuel
consumptionThe fuel consumption of a car is greatly
affected by driving conditions, climate, road
conditions, speed, driving technique, etc.Breaking-inFuel consumption may be somewhat
higher during the break-in period (the
first 3,000–4,000 miles (5,000–7,000 km)).Weather conditionsSummer temperatures give better fuel
economy than winter ones. The difference
can be as much as about 10%. Consump-
tion increases in cold weather because the
engine takes longer to reach its normal
operating temperature. The transmission
and wheel bearings also take longer to
warm up. Even distance affects consump-
tion: short journeys of 3–5 miles (5–8 km)
do not give the engine enough time to
reach its optimum temperature. Wind con-
ditions also have a marked effect on fuel
consumption.How to read the diagram:
If fuel consumption with the engine at
normal temperature is 28 mpg
(10 l/100 km), the actual fuel consumption
3 miles (5 km) after the engine has started
from cold will be:
– 23.5 mpg (12 l/100 km) at outside temp.
of 68 °F (+20 °C) (increase of 20 %).
– 17.7 mpg (16 l/100 km) at outside temp.
of 32 °F (0 °C) (increase of 60 %).
– 14 mpg (20 l/100 km) at outside temp. of
–4 °F (–20 °C) (increase of 100 %).
It is clear from the diagram that both dis-
tance driven and outside temperature have
a significant impact on fuel consumption,
after a cold start.
If the car is normally driven on short jour-
neys, 3–5 miles (5–8 km), for example to
and from work, the average consumption
will be 60–80% above the normal level.
Driving techniques To obtain the best running economy, with
regard to fuel consumption and general
wear, the car must be serviced regularly.
 High speed, unnecessary acceleration,
frequent braking and much changing
down all give higher fuel consumption.
 Frequent gear changing in traffic, starting
in cold weather, the use of studded tires
and roof racks, and towing a camper all
increase fuel consumption.
 Do not warm up the engine while the car
is stationary.
If idling, the engine will take much longer Percentage increase in fuel consumption
of engine starting from cold compared to
engine at normal temperature.
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184 Starting and drivingto reach its optimum temperature, and
engine wear is at its greatest during this
period. Drive off as soon as possible after
starting the engine and avoid high engine
speeds.
 Drive as smoothly and thoughtfully as
possible. Match your driving to the prevail-
ing traffic conditions.
 Driving in a low gear gives rise to higher
fuel consumption than driving in a high
gear because of the higher engine speed
for any given road speed. Always shift up
as soon as traffic conditions allow and
drive in the highest gear as much as
possible.
 Check the tire pressure once a month.
Incorrect tire pressure increases tire
wear. It is preferable for the tire pressure
to be slightly high than too low. Under-
pressure increases fuel consumption.
 Check the fuel consumption regularly.
Increased fuel consumption can indicate
that something is wrong and that the car
needs to be checked. We recommend
that you contact a Saab dealer.
Practical road tests have demonstrated that
substantial savings in fuel consumption can
be made if the above advice is followed.
Road conditionsWet roads increase fuel consumption, as do
unpaved roads and driving in hilly country
(the amount of fuel saved driving downhill is
less than the additional amount required to
climb the hill).Engine block heater3If block heater is installed the cord can be
found coiled in the engine compartment.
The following are just some of the benefits
to the car and the environment of using an
engine block heater:
 Lower fuel consumption
 Reduced wear on the engine
 Inside of car warms up faster
 Exhaust emissions substantially reduced
over short runs.
The engine heater is effective at outside
temperatures up to 60–70 °F (+15 –
+20 °C). The warmer it is outside, the
shorter the time the engine heater needs to
be connected.
 If the outside temperature is -22 °F
(-30 °C) the heater needs to be
connected at least 3 h.
 If the outside temperature is -14 °F
(-10 °C) the heater needs to be
connected at least 2 h. If the outside temperature is 32 °F (-0 °C)
the heater needs to be connected at least
1.5 h.
To have the heater connected less than
0.5 h is no use but can lead to driveabilitiy
problems.
If the car is equipped with a removable,
electric cabin heater that is not in use, store
this in the trunk.
WARNING
Never switch off the engine while driving
as the effect of the brakes and power
steering will be greatly reduced.93_US_MY09.book Page 184 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
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185 Starting and driving
Driving in cold weatherIn cold weather, special attention should be
paid to the following:
 Before driving off, make sure that the
wiper blades have not frozen to the wind-
shield.
 Remove any snow from the heating
system air intakes between the hood and
the windshield.
 If necessary, inject oil into the locks to
prevent them from freezing. Use molyb-
denum-sulfide oil (MoS
2). If the locks
freeze, exercise care when unlocking the
car (manual unlocking) to avoid breaking
the key. Warm up the key or use a de-icer.
 It is particularly important when the roads
are slippery that the brakes and tires are
in good condition.
 For how to check the level of antifreeze in
the engine coolant, see page 210. Add gasoline anti-freeze when refueling
several times before the onset of winter.
This will prevent condensation water in
the fuel tank from freezing and causing
interruptions in the fuel supply. The likeli-
hood of condensation is lowest when the
fuel tank is full.
If the car is parked outside and the
temperature is below zero, gasoline anti-
freeze is of little use as it cannot remove
water that has already frozen. Park the
car in a warm place so that any ice that
may have built up melts, then add gaso-
line anti-freeze when refueling.
Condensation is caused by temperature
fluctuations, either in the outside temper-
ature alone or when the car is alternately
parked outdoors and in a garage.
Convertible: Avoid operating the soft top
at temperatures below 23 °F (–5 °C). The car is equipped with tires designed to
provide optimum grip on both wet and dry
roads, although this has been achieved at
the expense of somewhat reduced grip on
snow and ice. For regular driving on snow
and ice, we therefore recommend that
winter tires be fitted. However, winter tires
achieve this extra grip at the expense of
grip on bare road surfaces.
Winter tires, particularly studded tires, gen-
erally make driving safer on snow and ice.
Acquaint yourself with the legal provi-
sions governing the use of different
types of winter tires and snow chains.
Studded tires are not allowed in some
countries. If winter tires are fitted, the same
type must be fitted to all four wheels. Your
Saab dealer will be pleased to advise you on
the best tires for your car.
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187 Starting and driving
Driving in hot climatesAlways check the coolant level before start-
ing a journey. When the engine is cold, the
coolant shall lie on or just above the
KALT/COLD mark on the expansion tank
(boundary between the upper and lower
sections of the tank).
At the end of a journey, allow the engine to
idle for 2–3 minutes before switching it off.
If the needle on the temperature gauge
enters the red zone, the following message
will be shown on the SID:
1 Stop the car but do not switch off the
engine. Do not remove the cap on the
cooling system expansion tank, even if
the tank is empty. The engine tempera-
ture should decrease. If the temperature
continues to rise with the engine idling,
the engine must be switched off.2 If the engine is idling and the needle on
the temperature gauge falls, wait until a
normal temperature is shown (about in
the middle of the scale) before switching
off the engine. If the coolant needs to be
topped up, carefully unscrew the
expansion tank cap.
Fill as required with a mixture of 50 %
antifreeze and 50 % clean water. Use an
antifreeze approved by Saab.
3 Have the car’s cooling system checked.
We recommend that you contact a Saab
dealer. Hot engine. Make a
safe stop. Idle engine.
WARNING
 Exercise care when opening the hood
if the engine is overheated. Never
remove the expansion tank cap com-
pletely when the engine is hot.
 The cooling system is pressurized -
hot coolant and vapor can escape.
These can cause injury to your eyes
and burns. Open the cap slowly to
release the pressure before removing
it.
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189 Starting and driving
 Contact your Saab dealer for advice on
which trailer hitch is designed for your car.
Recommendations for cars with
automatic transmissionThe following driving time limits are based
on the capacity of the cooling system in hot
weather, i.e. approximately 86°F (+30°C).
The following driving time limits are based
on the capacity of the cooling system in hot
weather, i.e. approximately 104°F (+40°C).When negotiating long hills, bear the follow-
ing important considerations in mind.
Rises in coolant temperature are indicated
by the temperature gauge in the main instru-
ment panel.
The following steps are taken in order as the
temperature of the transmission increases:
 Gear change pattern is altered
 A/C compressor is switched off
 Max. engine torque is reduced.
The following message will be displayed on
the SID if the transmission fluid becomes
too hot:
If this message appears, stop the car as
soon as it is safe to do so and allow the
engine to idle until the message has gone
out. The selector lever should be in
position P.
NOTICE Only use a towbar that has been
approved for your car. We recom-
mend that you entrust towbar installa-
tion to an authorized Saab dealer,
which can also provide important
information such as trailer weight.
Your authorized Saab dealer has
information on how the towbar is to be
installed and whether other measures
must be undertaken that could affect
the cooling system or other equipment
 We recommend that you contact a
Saab dealer for guidance on how to
connect a trailer hitch.
 Exercise care when driving on uneven
roads or against the curb if the car is
heavily laden. This particularly applies
to cars with 17" and 18" wheels.
Gradient of
hill, %Max. trailer
weight, lbs.
(kg)Time limit,
minutes
6-8 3330 (1500) unlimited
9-11 3080 (1400) max 15
12-14 2645 (1200) max 15
max 15 2200 (1000) max 15
Gradient of
hill, %Max. trailer
weight, lbs.
(kg)Time limit,
minutes
6-8 2200 (1000) unlimited
9-11 1760 (800) max 15
12-14 1100 (500) max 15
max 15 880 (400) max 15
Gearbox too hot. Make a
safe stop. Open hood.
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