service SAAB 9-3 2009 Owner's Manual

155 Starting and driving
To ensure that the catalytic converter con-
tinues to function properly, and also to avoid
damage to the converter and its associated
components, the following points must be
observed:
 Have the car serviced regularly in accor-
dance with the service program.
 Always be alert to any misfiring of the
engine (not running on all cylinders) and
any loss of power or performance. At the
first sign of a malfunction, reduce speed
and take the car to a workshop. We
recommend that you contact a Saab
dealer. If the engine fails to start (in severe cold or
if the battery is flat), the car can be bump
started (manual transmission only) or
started using jump leads to a donor
battery. However, as soon as you have
started the engine, it is important that it
runs on all cylinders. If it is misfiring, allow
it to idle for up to 5 minutes to give it time
to settle and run smoothly. If, after this
time, the engine still fails to run properly,
switch off the engine to avoid serious
damage to the catalytic converter. We
recommend that you contact a Saab
dealer for advice.
 Never park the car on dry grass or other
combustible material. The catalytic
converter gets very hot and could there-
fore start a fire.
 Never drive off if the engine is misfiring.
 If you bump start the car when the engine
is already at normal working temperature,
the engine must start to run on all cylin-
ders. Abort bump starting if the engine
fails to start immediately.
Failure to strictly follow these instructions
can result in damage to the catalytic con-
verter and associated components, and
could represent a breach of the warranty
conditions.
NOTICEIf the car runs out of gas, air may be drawn
in with the fuel, which, in turn, can cause
the catalytic converter to be damaged by
overheating.
WARNING
If the engine is being run with the car on a
rolling road or dynamometer, 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 obtain at the corre-
sponding road speed.
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157 Starting and driving
Refueling1 Switch off the engine.
2 Open the fuel cap, located in the
right-hand rear fender.
3 Insert the fuel pump nozzle beyond the
flange on the filler pipe and let the first
mark (a ring, a pimple or the first
spring-coil) rest on the flange. Do not
withdraw the nozzle while filling is in
progress.
4 Cease refueling the first time the pump
stops, and wait a few seconds after
you’ve finished pumping before you
remove the nozzle.Fuel cap
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the
left (counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a
spring in it; if you let go of the cap too soon,
it will spring back to the right.
When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to
the right (clockwise) until you hear 3 clicks.
Make sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or is improperly
installed. See “Service Engine Light also
known as CHECK ENGINE” on page 83.If the fuel cap has been left off or is improp-
erly installed the following message is
shown on the Saab Information Display
(SID):
WARNING
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of
fuel by shutting off the pump or by notify-
ing the station attendant. Leave the area
immediately.
NOTICEDo not overfill. Fuel should not come right
up the filler pipe as expansion room is
needed when the temperature rises.
 Fill to maximum filling capacity.
 Stop filling after the first time that the
nozzle trips to shut off the flow of fuel.
 Filling capacity can differ between dif-
ferent fuel stations and outside tem-
perature. Fuel tank volume when
nozzle trips to shut off, may vary by
0.5 gal. (2 liters).
 Do not fill fuel all the way up the filler
pipe. The gasoline must be allowed
room for expansion especially during
hot weather.
Tighten fuel filler cap.
When refueling, hang the fuel cap inside
the fuel door
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158 Starting and drivingThe most effective way to prevent conden-
sation forming in the tank (and thus avoid
possible running problems) is to keep the
tank full.
Refer to page 185 for information regarding
gasoline anti-freeze.
The fuel door has a built in filler cap holder
slot located on the fuel door. Slide the white
ring on the cap into the slot.
Notice: If you need a new fuel cap, be sure
to get the right type. Your dealer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not
fit properly.
Filling a portable fuel container Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an impor-
tant part of the proper maintenance of your
vehicle.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane of 87 or higher.
If the octane is less than 87, you may get a
heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher as soon as possible. Otherwise, you
might damage your engine. A little pinging
noise when you accelerate or drive uphill is
considered normal. This does not indicate a
problem exists or that a higher-octane fuel
is necessary. If you are using 87 octane or
higher-octane fuel and hear heavy knock-
ing, your engine needs service. Although
not required, use higher octane fuel for opti-
mum performance- 90 octane for the 2.0T
engine and 93 octane for the 2.8 V6.
WARNING
Never fill a portable fuel container while it
is in your vehicle. Static electricity dis-
charge from the container can ignite the
gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned
and your vehicle damaged if this occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and others:
 Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
 Do not fill a container while it is inside
a vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup
bed or on any surface other than the
ground.
 Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operat-
ing the nozzle. Contact should be
maintained until the filling is complete.
 Do not smoke while pumping gaso-
line.
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159 Starting and driving
Gasoline Specifications
It is recommended that gasoline meet spec-
ifications which were developed by automo-
bile manufacturers around the world and
contained in the World-Wide Fuel Charter
which is available from the Alliance of Auto-
mobile Manufacturers at www.autoalli-
ance.org/fuel_charter.htm. Gasoline meet-
ing these specifications could provide
improved driveability and emission control
system performance compared to other
gasoline.California Fuel
If your vehicle is certified to meet California
Emission Standards (see the under hood
emission control label), it is designed to
operate on fuels that meet California speci-
fications. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards,
your vehicle will operate satisfactorily on
fuels meeting federal specifications, but
emission control system performance may
be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
may turn on and your vehicle may fail a
emission system inspection. See Service
Engine Light also known as CHECK
ENGINE on page 83. If this occurs, return to
your authorized Saab dealer for diagnosis.
If it is determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used, repairs may
not be covered by your warranty.Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the
United States are now required to contain
additives that will help prevent engine and
fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
your emission control system to work prop-
erly. You should not have to add anything to
your fuel. However, some gasolines contain
only the minimum amount of additive
required to meet U.S. Environmental Pro-
tection Agency regulations. Saab recom-
mends that you buy gasolines that are
advertised to help keep fuel injectors and
intake valves clean. If your vehicle experi-
ences problems due to dirty injectors or
valves, try a different brand of gasoline.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as
ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gaso-
lines may be available in your area to con-
tribute to clean air. Saab recommends that
you use these gasolines, particularly if they
comply with the specifications described
earlier.
Notice: Your vehicle was not designed
for fuel that contains methanol. Do not
use fuel containing methanol. It can cor-
rode metal parts in your fuel system and
also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be cov-
ered under your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated
for low emissions may contain an
octane-enhancing additive called methylcy-
clopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy NOTICEGasolines containing oxygenates, such
as ethers and ethanol, and reformulated
gasolines may be available in your area.
We recommend that you use these gaso-
lines, if they comply with the specifica-
tions described earlier. However, E85
(85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used
in vehicles that were not designed for
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160 Starting and drivinggasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.
Saab does not recommend the use of such
gasolines.
Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of
spark plugs and the performance of the
emission control system may be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized Saab
dealer for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country out-
side the United States or Canada, the
proper fuel may be hard to find. Never use
leaded gasoline or any other fuel not recom-
mended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel
would not be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto
club, or contact a major oil company that
does business in the country where you will
be driving.
Engine Break-in PeriodPistons, cylinder 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.
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164 Starting and drivingThermal transmission protectionThe transmission has built-in protection
against overheating. If the temperature of
the transmission fluid exceeds 302 °F
(150 °C), engine torque will be limited to
147 ft.lbs. (200 Nm).
The following message is shown on the SID:
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.
Lock-upThe transmission’s torque converter has a
lock-up function. This can lock the torque
converter, thus reducing the engine speed
and fuel consumption.Kick-downWhen the accelerator is pressed down fully,
a down change is made to optimize acceler-
ation, e.g. for overtaking.
Following this, the next higher gear will be
selected at the optimum engine speed,
unless you ease off the accelerator before
reaching this.
Driving in hilly country with a
heavy loadThe transmission fluid can overheat when
the gearbox is strained, for example, when
driving with a trailer on hilly roads. To avoid
the transmission fluid overheating, always
drive with the selector lever in the D posi-
tion. The adaptive gear change patterns are
then active.
High air temperatures or a faulty oil cooler
can also cause the transmission fluid to
overheat. Overheating reduces the service
life of the fluid. Gearbox too hot. Make a
safe stop. Open hood.
WARNING
Remember to use the braking effect of the
engine (1st, 2nd or 3rd gear) when you
are descending long or steep hills to
spare the brakes.
Overheating can cause the brakes to
fade!
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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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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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