ECO mode SAAB 9-5 2000 Owner's Manual

137 Starting and driving
Engine Break-In PeriodPistons, bores and bearings need time to
obtain uniform, wear-resistant surfaces.
If a new engine is driven too hard, this grad-
ual process of bedding-in will not be possi-
ble and the life of the engine will be short-
ened.
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km), do
not exceed 5,000 rpm.
In addition, refrain from driving the car at full
throttle, other than for brief instances,
during the first 1,800 miles (3,000 km). Wearing in new brake padsNew brake pads take time to bed in, about
90 miles (150 km) if the car is driven largely
under stop-and-go conditions or about
300 miles (500 km) of highway driving.
To extend the useful life of the pads, avoid
hard braking as much as possible during
this period.Brake-pad wear indicatorsThe outer brake pads on the front wheels
have acoustic wear-indicators. When 3 mm
remains on the pad, a scraping or screech-
ing noise is heard during braking. The brake
pads should be changed as soon as possi-
ble.
Brake pads should only be replaced by
an authorized Saab dealer.
Gear changingManual gearboxTo start the engine the clutch pedal must
be fully depressed.
The gear positions are marked on the gear
lever. Before reverse (R) can be engaged,
you must lift the ring underneath the
gear-lever knob.
To change gear, fully depress the clutch
pedal and then release it smoothly. It is
inadvisable to drive with your hand resting
on the gear lever, as this can increase the
wear on the gearbox.
When changing down from 5th to 4th gear,
ease the gear lever straight back, without
applying any lateral pressure. This will pre-
vent 2nd gear being engaged by mistake,
which can result in overreving and possible
damage to the engine.
Before engaging reverse, wait till the car is
at a standstill, release the accelerator and
fully depress the clutch. From neutral, press
the gear lever firmly to the right before
easing it back into reverse.
Shift-up indicator for improved fuel
economy (U.S. models only)Cars equipped with a manual transmission
have a "Shift-up" light on the instrument
panel. The light begins to work after the
vehicle is warmed up and provides you with
a good indication when to shift to a higher
gear.
It is not necessary or recommended to
follow the shift-up recommendations in all
driving conditions, for example, when driv-
ing in heavy urban traffic or steep downhill
grades.
However, shifting with the light should result
in improved fuel economy. Therefore, for
reduced fuel consumption and better
energy conservation, you should make a
habit of shifting before or when the shift-up
light comes on.Towing Towing of cars with manual gearbox, see
page 158.
IB471
13
25
R
4
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139 Starting and driving
The detent button on the selector lever has
to be pressed before the selector can be
moved between certain positions. Three modes for the automatic transmis-
sion can be selected: Normal, Sport and
Winter.
The Normal mode, which provides the best
fuel economy, is the default setting when
the engine is started.
When the Sport mode is selected, the
throttle angle is altered to provide more
power at the same throttle setting. The
transmission also changes up later than in
Normal mode to provide higher perfor-
mance. In this mode, the SPORT indicator
will appear on the main instrument panel
(see page 144).
The Winter mode is intended for use when
pulling away and driving on icy roads. In this
mode, the transmission starts in 3rd gear, to
provide better grip, and the WINTER indica-
tor appears on the main instrument panel.
When the ignition is turned to OFF, the auto-
matic transmission will automatically revert
to Normal mode (see page 144).
Adaptive gear-change pattern is a trans-
mission function in the Normal and Sport
modes which matches gear changing to
current driving conditions. The transmission
control module senses the load on the
engine and selects one of three available
gear-change patterns, and so avoids
unnecessary changing up or down.
Lock-up function The automatic transmission has a lock-up
function, which renders the torque con-
verter inoperative in 3rd and 4th gears, the
result of which is to reduce the engine speed
and, hence, fuel consumption.
When the lock-up function comes into oper-
ation, it may give the impression of an over-
drive being engaged.Kick-downWhen the accelerator is pressed down hard,
a change-down to the next gear will be
effected to provide maximum acceleration,
e.g. for overtaking.
The change-up to the next gear again will
take place either when the accelerator is
released or when maximum engine speed is
reached.
IB474
PRND
3
2
1
Detent positions for selector movement
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143 Starting and driving
If the gear selector lever is moved from position D to 1, a
change-down to 3rd gear will occur at about 110 mph (180 km/h).
A change-down to 2nd gear will occur at about 75 mph (120 km/h)
and to 1st gear at about 40 mph (65 km/h).
When position 1 is selected, all the other gears will be locked out.
Manual gear-changing is not recommended on slippery roads.
Adaptive gear-change patternsAdaptive gear-change patterns are selected automatically depend-
ing on the engine load and the present temperature of the transmis-
sion. The function is available in Normal and Sport modes.
The changes occur at a higher engine speed and the car remains in
the same gear for longer, if the transmission control module senses
that the load has not decreased. These gear-change patterns pre-
vent unnecessary changing up and down, when for example driving
up long slopes with a trailer or caravan, and to prevent overheating
the transmission oil. The adaptive gear-change function is also
selected automatically when the transmission oil becomes too hot,
to protect the transmission itself from serious damage and to lower
the oil temperature.
The adaptive gear-change pattern function is deselected when:
 Winter mode is selected.
 The engine is switched off.
 The load is reduced so much that the function is no longer
required.
 “Fault indicator, automatic transmission” appears on main
instrument panel, see page 140. 1
Position 1 should be used when maximum
engine-braking is required on steep downhill
slopes and to avoid frequent gear-changing on
steep climbs.
Do not move the selector to position 1 at speeds
in excess of 37 mph (60 km/h).
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146 Starting and drivingBrakingTo avoid the brakes becoming overheated,
(e.g. when negotiating long descents with a
drop of several hundred feet), select a low
gear to use the braking effect of the engine.
If the car has automatic transmission, move
the selector lever to position 1 or 2.
When driving fast, you can help to prolong
the life of the brakes by thinking ahead and
braking harder for short periods, rather than
braking more moderately over long
stretches. Brake pad wear indicatorsThe outboard brake pads on the front
wheels incorporate pad-wear indicators.
When the lining is down to 3 mm, the pad
will produce a screeching, squealing or
scraping noise when the brakes are applied.
New pads should be fitted without delay.
Brake pads should only be replaced by
an authorized Saab dealer. To ensure optimum brake performance,
it is recommended that you use only
Saab original brake pads.
ABS brakesABS (antilock braking system) modulates
the brake pressure to the respective
wheels. Wheel sensors detect if a wheel is
about to lock, and the control module
reduces the pressure to that wheel and then
increases it once more until the tendency is
detected again.
The brake system is equipped with an Elec-
tronic Brake-force Distribution device
(EBD), which distributes the brake pressure
between the front and rear wheels, in such
a way as to achieve optimum braking perfor-
mance irrespective of the car’s speed and
load.
The ABS system has a built-in diagnostic
function which will switch on the Anti-lock
brake warning light if a fault is detected in
the system (see page 48).
WARNING
 It is prudent to try your brakes from
time to time, especially when driving in
heavy rain, on roads with a lot of sur-
face water, or in snow or slush. In such
conditions, the brakes may take
longer than normal to take effect. To
rectify this, touch the brake pedal peri-
odically to dry the brakes out.
The same applies after the car has
been washed or when the weather is
very humid.
 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 on
tow) is roughly four times the normal
pedal force required. The pedal also
feels hard and unresponsive.
 We advise against using wheels with
open wheel covers in winter, as the
brake components are then more
exposed both to slush, road salt and
grit.
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, declutching
simultaneously, and steer the car to
safety.
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152 Starting and driving3 As soon as possible, have the cooling
system checked by an authorized Saab
dealer.
Towing a trailerTrailer hitch attachmentTrailer hitch attachments are available as
accessories. These are designed for a max-
imum trailer weight of 2000 lbs. (900 kg).
Use only the electrical trailer hitch socket
provided in the spare wheel area in the lug-
gage compartment for connecting the trailer
electrics.
Trailer weightMaximum recommended trailer weights for
different gradients, with a view to comfort
and drivability for manual and automatic
cars, are shown on the drawing.
Make sure you are familiar with the law
regarding speed limits for towing, maxi-
mum trailer weights, trailer-braking
requirements, and also any special
driving-licence provisions
(see also page 227).
The specified trailer weights and gradients
assume that the journey starts at the hill and
therefore apply only to short periods.
WARNING
Always undo the expansion tank filler cap
carefully, releasing the pressure and any
vapor before removing the cap com-
pletely.
NOTEUse only a genuine Saab trailer hitch,
since other models can damage the car’s
bodywork and electrical system (or in
Canada, a high quality hitch designed to
fit the car, available from a trailer hitch
specialist).
Consult an authorized Saab dealer for
guidance on how to connect the trailer
hitch electrical system.
WARNING
When towing a trailer, do not attempt to
negotiate a hill having a gradient in
excess of 15%. The weight distribution
over the front wheels of the car will be
insufficient to prevent wheelspin, making
further progress impossible.
In addition, the parking brake may not
always be able to hold the car and trailer
securely, with the result that the wheels
can start to slide downhill.
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153 Starting and driving
Recommendations for cars with auto-
matic transmission.
The following time limits are based on the
capacity of the cooling system in warm
weather, i.e. approximately 104°F (40°C).
When negotiating long hills, bear the follow-
ing important considerations in mind:
If TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING
appears on the SID, stop the car as soon as
it is safe to do so and wait until the warning
has been extinguished. When continuing
your journey, select a locked gear (1, 2 or 3)
that will allow you to drive at an engine
speed of about 3,000 rpm (see page 142).
Do not drive continuously with the WINTER
mode selected in hilly country when you are
towing a trailer, as this will increase fuel con-
sumption and risk overheating the transmis-
sion.
Trailer hitch loadThe weight distribution on the trailer makes
a lot of difference to the handling properties
of the car and trailer combination. As
regards single-axle trailers, whenever pos-
sible, concentrate the load over the wheels
and keep it as low as possible.
The trailer should be loaded so that the
maximum load on the towbar ball is 5% to
7% of the trailer weight with a maximum per-
missible tongue weight of 165 lbs. (75 kg).
Note that this load must be added to the total
load for the car. If this now exceeds the
specified load capacity, the load in the lug-
gage compartment will have to be reduced
by a corresponding amount. Driving considerations Always take extra care when towing a
trailer, as the car’s handling will be different
and its braking effect reduced. The trailer’s
braking system and suspension also have a
considerable effect on these characteris-
tics.
If the car is equipped with automatic trans-
mission, select position 1 when ascending
or descending steep hills. Gradient
of hill, % Maximum
trailer
weight, lbs.
(kg)Maximum dura-
tion, minutes
6-7 2000 (900) unlimited
8-9 2000 (900) 15 max
10-15 1000 (450) 15 max. NOTEIf the “Fault indicator, automatic trans-
mission” indicator comes on, cease
towing until the problem has been recti-
fied.
IB106
Distribution of load in trailer a Light
b Moderate
cHeavy
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170 Car care and technical informationORVR (Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery)Hydrocarbon vapors formed when refueling
will be recovered by the car and not
released into the atmosphere. The hydro-
carbons are absorbed in a evaporative
emission canister. When the engine is sub-
sequently started, the evaporative emission
canister is gradually purged as air is sucked
into it through a shut-off valve. The hydro-
carbon/air mixture passes through the evap
canister purge valve and into the engine
where it is burned.
When refueling, make sure you screw the
filler cap on and keep turning until it has
clicked at least 3 times. Otherwise, it is pos-
sible for the CHECK ENGINE light to illumi-
nate and a “TIGHTEN FUEL FILLER CAP“
message to appear on SID.
Refueling, see page 134.
Engine2.3-liter engineThe 2.3-liter model is a transverse, 4-cylin-
der in-line engine with twin overhead cam-
shafts and 4 valves per cylinder.
This engine is equipped with balance shafts
that reduce engine vibration to a minimum.
The balance shafts are chain driven and
rotate at twice the speed of the crankshaft.
They produce forces and torques that are
opposed to those generated by the pistons
and connecting rods, an effect that occurs
twice for each revolution of the engine.
Engine noise is also reduced as the
counter-rotating shafts counteract the vibra-
tion from the moving parts of the engine.
The transmission, located on the right
(viewed from the front), is integrated with
the engine. All models have front-wheel
drive.
3.0-liter V6 engine The 3.0-liter engine is a transverse, V6
engine with each bank of cylinders having
double overhead camshafts and 4 valves
per cylinder.
The transmission, located on the right
(viewed from the front), is integrated with
the engine. All models have front-wheel
drive.
IB601
Balance shafts, 4-cyl. engine
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220 Maintenance and owner assistanceChange of Address Notification
(U.S.)Two change of address cards are provided
at the end of the Warranties and Service
Record Booklet. Knowing your current
address allows Saab to contact you in the
event of a recall or service campaign.
Please help us keep our records up to date
for your own peace of mind.Service informationFactory Service Manuals for the Saab 9-3
and 9-5 car lines can be ordered through the
dealer. These are comprehensive manuals
comprised of several sections in multiple
ring-type binders, geared to use by profes-
sional technicians.
Sections may be ordered individually. Con-
sult your Saab dealer for prices and for a list-
ing of available sections for your model.
Reporting Safety
Defects (U.S.A.)If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to noti-
fying Saab Cars USA, Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds that
a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles,
it may order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between you, your
dealer, or Saab Cars USA, Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the
Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-
9393 (or 202/366-0123 in Washington D.C.
area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department
of Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information about
motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.
Reporting Safety
Defects to the Canadian
governmentIf you live in Canada, and believe that your
vehicle has a safety defect, you should
immediately notify Transport Canada, in
addition to notifying General Motors of
Canada Limited.
You may write to Transport Canada at Box
8880, Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 3J2.
In addition to notifying Transport Canada in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you
will notify us. In Canada, please call our
Saab Customer Assistance Centre at
1-800-263- 1999.
Or write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Centre,
1908 Colonel Sam Drive,
Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 8P7.
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221 Maintenance and owner assistance
Saab Original Service Program M2000 USA, Canada, 9-5 Models)* These are the minimum required Emission Control System maintenance steps. Saab urges that all recommended maintenance procedures be performed
according to this program.
(a.) Engine oil and filter should be changed at least once a year. Intermediate oil and filter changes (halfway between indicated intervals) suggested for
cars primarily used for driving in dense city traffic or for repeated short trip operation without sufficient warm up.
*** Camshaft drive belt replacements (V6) prior to 100,000 miles will be performed at no charge by an authorized U.S. or Canadian Saab dealer.
** Service intervals:
Refer to the Warranties & Service Record Book for service intervals beyond 100,000 miles (160,000 km).Service Intervals **
Miles = U.S. Cars
Kilometers = Canadian Cars
1,000
(1,600 km)
10,000
(16,000 km)
20,000
(32,000 km)
30,000
(48,000 km)
40,000
(64,000 km)
50,000
(80,000 km)
60,000
(96,000 km)
70,000
(112,000 km)
80,000
(128,000 km)
90,000
(144,000 km)
100,000
(160,000 km)
Service #
1234567891011
Engine and engine compartment
E Engine oil and filter (a.)!!!!!!!!!!!
R Engine coolant freezing point and level""" "" "" "
R Engine coolant flush and replace (max. 3-year intervals)!!!
R Engine coolant system, hoses and cap" """""""""
R Drive belt, condition""""" ! """"
R Camshaft drive belt (V6) ***!
E Spark plugs!
*
!*
!*
Application/type of service (col. 1) Service Procedure
E = emission service"= Check - top up, adjust or replace if necessary
R = regular maintenance!= Replace
#= Lubricate
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228 SpecificationsEngine Fuel4-cylinder ________________________ Four cylinders, twin
overhead cam-
shafts, 16 valves
and two balancer
shafts.
6-cylinder ________________________ V-6 engine, double
overhead cam-
shafts on each cyl-
inder bank,
24 valves
Cylinder bores ___________________ 3.54 in (90 mm)
Stroke:
4-cylinder engine _________________ 3.54 in (90 mm)
6-cylinder engine _________________ 3.34 in (85 mm)
Swept volume:
4-cylinder engine _________________ 139.7 cu.in
(2.290 litres)
6-cylinder engine _________________ 180.6 cu.in
(2.962 litres)
Idling speed:
4-cylinder _______________________ 825 rpm
6-cylinder _______________________ 700 rpm
Antifreeze ________________________ Saab-approved
antifreeze
Coolant capacity:
4-cylinder _______________________ 7.6 qts (7.4 litres)
6-cylinder _______________________ 7.4 qts (7.2 litres) Fuel grade ________________________ Unleaded gasoline
AON 87–93.
For optimum performance Saab recom-
mend the following fuel grades:
2.3t _____________________________ AON 90
2.3 Turbo Aero and V6-models________ AON 93 *)
*) If AON 90 is used and the ambient temperature is above
77 – 86°F (25– 30°C) some decrease in engine power can occur
to some extent.
Fuel-tank capacity __________________ 18.5 gal. (70 litres)
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