steering wheel SAAB 9-3 2009 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: SAAB, Model Year: 2009, Model line: 9-3, Model: SAAB 9-3 2009Pages: 304, PDF Size: 44.31 MB
Page 104 of 304

104 Instruments and controls
Activate the rain sensor by lifting the stalk
switch to the AUTO position. The wipers
make one sweep for reference to see how
much water is on the windshield. Thereafter
the sensor compares the amount of water
on the windshield with this reference value.
If the stalk switch is left in the AUTO position
when the engine is switched off, when the
engine is next started it must first be moved
to the 0 or 3 position and then back to AUTO
to reactivate the sensor.
If the system malfunctions, the wipers will
operate at low speed when the stalk switch
is set to the AUTO position and SID will
show:
WashersActivate the washers by pulling the stalk
switch towards the steering wheel.
When the washers are operated, the wipers
will make 3, 4 or 5 sweeps, depending on
how long the washers were kept on. If
the speed of the car is less than 12 mph
(20 km/h), the wipers will make an addi-
tional sweep after roughly 8 seconds.
When the washer fluid level drops below
1 quart (1 liter), the headlight washers (if
equipped) are deactivated. This is in order
to prioritize the windshield. The following
message is displayed on the SID:
Rain sensor malfunc.
Contact service.
Washer fluid level low.
Refill.
Windshield wipers with rain sensor0OFF
1 Single sweep
2 AUTO - rain sensor engaged
3 Low speed
4 High speed
5 Windshield and headlight washing393_US_MY09.book Page 104 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
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Page 105 of 304

105 Instruments and controls
Headlight washers3The headlights are washed at the same time
as the windshield if the headlights are on.
The headlights are washed every fifth time
the windshield washers are used or if two
(2) minutes have elapsed since the wind-
shield was last washed.
The headlight washers are not activated at
speeds in excess of 125 mph (200 km/h).Adjusting sensitivity
The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be
adjusted under Settings.
1Select Settings using the steering
wheel controls, or .
2 Press and hold the SET button until
given audible confirmation.
3Select Rain Sensor.
4 Press the SET button.
5 Select the sensitivity.
6 Confirm this selection by pressing the
SET button.
Go back/modify using the CLR-button.The sensitivity of the sensor is also affected
by the amount of daylight. The sensor is
somewhat more sensitive at night. This
adjustment is automatic.
Explanation of sensor sensitivity.
Rain Sensor
HIGHMEDIUMLOW
HIGH
The sensor is set to high sensitivity.
The wipers start when there is only
a small amount of water on
the windshield.
MEDIUM
The sensor is set to normal sensitivity.
This is one of the Default Settings.
LOW
The sensor is set to low sensitivity (wip-
ers operate only with a large amount of
water on the windshield, i.e., down-
pour).
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Page 115 of 304

115 Instruments and controls
SettingsSome of the functions of the ACC system
can be customized.
1Select Settings using the steering
wheel controls, or .
2 Press and hold the SET button until
given audible confirmation.
3Select Climate System.
4 Press the SET button.
5 Select the Rear Defroster, Heated
Seats, Fan Settings, A/C Mode or
Default Settings.
6 Press the SET button.
7 Make your selection.
8 Confirm your selection by pressing the
SET button.Explanation of how the ACC system can be
customized under Settings.
SettingsClimate System
Rear Defroster
AUTOMANUAL
Heated Seats
AUTOMANUAL
Fan Settings
HIGH SPEEDMEDIUM SPEEDLOW SPEED
A/C Mode
AUTOOFF
Default Settings
Are you sure?YES NO
Rear Defroster
AUTO
The rear window and door mirror
heating is controlled automatically.
This is one of the Default Settings.
MANUAL
The rear window and door mirror
heating is switched on with
the button on ACC panel.
Convertible: The rear window heating
cannot be turned on when the soft top is
folded.
Heated Seats
AUTO
The front seat heating is controlled
automatically.
Select the level by repeatedly
pressing the appropriate button on
the ACC panel.
MANUAL
See Electric heating, front
seats
3 on page 114.
This is one of the Default Settings.
Fan Settings
HIGH SPEED
This selection give a slightly higher
fan speed than MEDIUM SPEED
though with continued automatic
regulation.
MEDIUM SPEED
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Page 117 of 304

117 Interior equipment
Steering wheel
adjustment __________ 118
Electric windows _______ 119
Rear view mirrors ______ 122
Moonroof3___________ 128
Interior lighting ________ 131
Cup holder3__________ 133
Power Outlet3________ 134
Storage compartments __ 134
Trunk ________________ 136
Interior equipment
3Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars
(can depend on model variant, engine variant,
market specification, options or accessories).93_US_MY09.book Page 117 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
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Page 118 of 304

118 Interior equipmentSteering wheel
adjustmentThe height and reach of the steering wheel
can be adjusted.
There is a release lever under the steering
column.
1 Pull down the lever to release the steer-
ing wheel.
2 Adjust the position of the steering wheel.
3 Raise the lever to the locked position to
lock the steering wheel in position.
When returning the release lever to its
locked position, you may need to adjust the
position of the steering wheel slightly to
allow the lock mechanism to engage cor-
rectly.
Steering wheel lock, see page 151.
Horn signalActivate the horn by pressing one of the
three areas shown above on the steering
wheel pad.
WARNING
Only adjust the steering wheel while the
car is stationary so that you are not dis-
tracted from the traffic.
Lever for steering wheel adjustment
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Page 149 of 304

149 Starting and driving
Ignition switch ________ 150
Steering wheel lock ____ 151
Starting the engine ____ 152
Important considerations
for driving __________ 153
Refueling ____________ 156
Engine Break-in Period _ 160
Manual transmission___ 161
Automatic
transmission3______ 162
Cruise Control ________ 169
Braking ______________ 170
All-wheel drive (XWD)3173
Traction Control System
(TCS) ______________ 173
Electronic Stability
Program ESP
®
______ 175
Parking brake_________ 177 Parking _______________ 177
Saab Parking
Assistance3________ 180
Economical driving _____ 183
Driving in cold weather__ 185
Driving in hot climates __ 187
Towing a trailer3______ 188
Driving with a roof rack
load ________________ 192
Driving with a load _____ 192
Driving with the trunk lid
open________________ 193
Driving in deep water ___ 193
Towing the car _________ 193
Jump starting _________ 197
For long trips __________ 199
Starting and driving
3Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars
(can depend on model variant, engine variant,
market specification, options or accessories).93_US_MY09.book Page 149 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
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Page 150 of 304

150 Starting and drivingIgnition switchThe ignition switch is located on the center
console between the front seats. In cars
with automatic transmission, the remote
control can only be removed when the
selector lever is in position P.
To allow the various systems in the car time
to register that the remote control has been
inserted into the ignition switch, do not turn
the remote control for roughly half a second.
LOCK positionThe parking lights, hazard warning lights
and interior lighting can be turned on.
Cars with automatic transmission: Move
the gear lever to P.
The gear lever is locked in position. This is
the only position in which the remote control
can be removed.
Cars with manual transmission: The
remote control can be removed regardless
of the position of the gear lever.OFF positionParts of the electrical system are operative.
Do not leave the remote control in the
OFF position with the engine not running
as this could cause the battery to run flat
in a matter of hours.
Cars with automatic transmission: The
gear lever is not locked. See also page 163.
If the ignition switch is turned from ON to
OFF before the car is stationary then turning
to LOCK may not be possible. In which case
turn the ignition switch to the ON position
until the ABS lamp goes out,
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.
If snow from clothing falls into the ignition
switch and melts, the ignition switch can
seize (freeze). Brush snow off clothing
before getting into the car.
WARNING
Always remove the remote control
before leaving children unattended in
the car.
Apply the parking brake before remov-
ing the remote control.
Never remove the remote control
while the car is moving. This will acti-
vate the steering wheel lock and make
it impossible to steer the car.
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Page 151 of 304

151 Starting and driving
approx. 2 seconds. Following which, turn it
back to OFF.ON positionThe entire electrical system is operative.
Do not leave the remote control in the ON
position when the engine is not running.
Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position
to disconnect the electrical system.
When you turn the ignition switch to ON,
some indicator and warning lights will come
on in the main instrument panel. These
should go out after about 3 seconds.ST - starter positionThe starter motor operates (automatic
transmission: selector lever must be in P or
N) when the ignition switch is turned to this
position. When released, the ignition switch
will spring back to the ON position.
The car has an electronic restart lock. If the
engine fails to start, the ignition switch must
first be turned back to a position between
OFF and LOCK before the starter motor can
be operated again.
Steering wheel lockThe steering wheel lock is electronic. The
lock engages when the remote control is
removed from the ignition and unlocks when
the remote control is inserted. A click can be
heard when the steering wheel lock locks
and unlocks.
If the car is parked with one front wheel
touching the curb, for example, you may
need to turn the steering wheel slightly
when you insert the remote control to allow
the steering wheel lock to unlock. If you do
not succeed on first attempt you must
remove the remote control before trying
again. Turn the steering wheel and insert
the remote control into the ignition switch.
If the steering wheel lock does not disen-
gage it will not be possible to turn the remote
control in the ignition switch.
The following message is shown on the SID:If a fault arises affecting the steering wheel
lock, the following message will be
displayed on the SID:
If the steering wheel lock malfunctions while
the remote control is in the ignition switch,
this may prevent the removal of the remote
control or prevent the car from being
restarted once the engine has been
switched off.
If you have to leave the car, lock the car by
pressing down the lock buttons on the
doors. Lock the front left door from outside
with the traditional key (see page 50). The
car is now locked but the alarm is inactive.
Pull out key, turn
steering wheel. Restart.
Steering lock malfunc.
Make a safe stop.
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Page 168 of 304

168 Starting and driving
Certain variants also have steering wheel controls for manual gear
selection. On these models, it is possible to change gear manually
using the selector lever and the steering wheel controls. The steer-
ing wheel controls are only active when the selector lever is in the M
position.
Select a higher gear by pressing the right-hand button and a lower
gear by pressing the left-hand button. Sentronic, manual gear selection
Move the selector lever to the manual position (M)
(to the left position D) to select gear manually.
Select a higher gear by pressing the selector lever
forward or a lower gear by pulling it back. The
selector lever will return to a position adjacent to
the letter M after each gear change.
An example of when you may wish to make
manual gear changes is when overtaking, to
enable you to remain in a low gear for an extended
period of time.
If the road surface is slippery, you may wish to start
off in 2nd or 3rd to reduce the risk of wheel spin.
When descending steep hills you should select a
low gear to increase the braking effect of the
engine and thus spare the brakes.
Manual gear selections are displayed on the main instrument
panel. The letter M and the current gear are displayed.
When the selector lever is in the M position, as opposed to the D
position, the engine is much more responsive to changes in accel-
erator position. The accelerator has a different feel.
When changing down, the desired gear can be selected but the
transmission will not change down until the engine speed is low
enough to avoid overrevving.Steering wheel controls for manual gear
selection3
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Page 172 of 304

172 Starting and drivingThe ABS system will not reduce the braking
distance on loose gravel, snow or ice but,
because the wheels cannot lock up, steer-
ing control is retained.
When the ABS system operates you will feel
the brake pedal pulsate and hear a ticking
noise, both of which are perfectly normal.
Apply the brake pedal with full force (you
cannot press too hard), declutch and if nec-
essary steer to safety.
Do not release the brake pedal before the
car has come to a halt or the danger is
past!
The above is critical.
If the road is slippery, the ABS system will
operate even when only light pressure is
applied to the brake pedal. This means that
the driver can brake gently to test the condi-
tion of the road and adapt their driving
accordingly.
It is well worth practising the use of ABS
brakes on a skid pad or other suitable
facility.
Braking with ABS – evasive steering
Braking with ABS brakes.
Indication that the system is operating:
pulsating brake pedal and ticking noise
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