SAAB 9-5 2004 Manual PDF
Manufacturer: SAAB, Model Year: 2004, Model line: 9-5, Model: SAAB 9-5 2004Pages: 288, PDF Size: 16.91 MB
Page 71 of 288

71 Instruments and controls
Instrument illuminationThe brightness of the instrument illumina-
tion can be varied by means of the dimmer 
switch adjacent to the headlight switch. 
(See also Night panel on page 67).
In daylight or other equally bright light, the 
instrument and switch illumination is auto-
matically extinguished.
Turn signal and lane change indica-
torsTo switch on the turn signals/lane change 
indicators, move the stalk up or down.
The stalk has fixed positions for indicating a 
right or left turn, and the indicators are can-
celled automatically (stalk returns to off 
position).
The stalk also has an intermediate, 
spring-loaded position that is useful for sig-
nalling when changing lanes or passing.
The respective indicator lights on the instru-
ment panel flash at the same frequency as 
the direction indicators.
IB352
102
IB1595
Turn signal and lane change indicators 1 Right indicators 
2 Left indicators 
Instrument illumination
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72 Instruments and controlsFront fog lights (certain models)The front fog lights can be activated in both 
low beam headlight and parking light posi-
tions. Fog lights should only be used in poor 
visibility conditions.
Make sure you are familiar with the appli-
cable provincial/state law regarding the 
use of fog lights. 
Hazard warning lightsWhen this button is pressed, all the turn 
signal indicators and a symbol in the button 
flash simultaneously. If the ignition is on, 
both indicator lights on the instrument panel 
will also flash. 
If the hazard warning lights are left on for 
some time, the flasher frequency will be 
reduced to save the battery.
Hazard warning lights should only be used 
if the car constitutes a hazard to other road 
users.
 Reversing lightsThe reversing lights come on automatically 
when reverse gear is engaged or selected 
with the ignition switched on
.
WARNING
Switch on the hazard flashers if the car 
has to be left at the roadside on account 
of a crash, engine trouble or a puncture. If 
you carry a warning triangle or flares, they 
should be set up along the side of the road 
300 ft. (100 m) behind your vehicle. If the 
car is not clearly visible (e.g. over the 
brow of a hill or bridge), place the trian-
gle/flare even further back. 
IB355
IB356
Hazard warning lights 
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Page 73 of 288

73 Instruments and controls
Wipers and washers There are three intermittent wiper positions.
Moving the control stalk to the 
spring-loaded position between 0 and 2 will 
produce a single sweep of the wipers.
The wipers are designed for optimal clean-
ing at all driving speeds. At higher speeds, 
it may be possible to detect a slight ”sweep-
ing” sound. This may be due to the 
increased air pressure on the blades at 
higher speeds.Headlight washers (certain models)If low beam is on, the headlights are washed 
every fifth time the windshield washers are 
used or if 2 minutes have elapsed since the 
windshield was last washed. The headlight 
washers cannot be activated separately. 
The headlight washers are of the high-pres-
sure type, which means that other parts of 
the car may become wet if you activate the 
washers while the car is stationary.Rain sensing wipers (option)
The rain sensor automatically controls the 
windshield wipers. The sensor is located on 
the windshield beside the rearview mirror.
The system varies between single sweeps 
of the windshield and continuous wiping 
depending on how much water or snow 
there is on the windshield.Activate the system by lifting the control 
stalk to position 1. The wipers make one 
sweep for reference to see how much water 
and snow is on the windshield. In future, the 
sensor compares the amount of water and 
snow on the windshield with this reference 
value. 
When the engine has been switched off, 
the control stalk must be moved to posi-
tion 0 and back to position 1 to reactivate 
the sensor.
Set the sensitivity using the control on the 
wiper stalk (the same control as used for 
wiper delay on cars not fitted with a rain sen-
sor). The sensor has three sensitivity set-
tings. It is most sensitive when in the upper-
WARNING
Turn the rain sensor off if the ignition is 
ON when clearing snow and ice from the 
windshield, to avoid personal injury.
NOTICETo avoid damaging the windshield 
wipers, turn the rain sensor off before 
washing the car in an automatic carwash.
IB359
0
41
2
3
0 OFF 
1 Intermittent operation
2 Low speed 
3 High speed 
4 Washers
12
IB569
Control for setting wiper delay1 Long delay
2 Short delay
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74 Instruments and controlsmost position (1). When a higher degree of 
sensitivity is selected, the wipers make one 
sweep of the windshield for reference.
The rain sensor has a daylight and a night 
time mode. The sensor measures the 
amount of available light and automatically 
selects the appropriate mode. The sensor is 
more sensitive at night. The function of the 
rain sensor is impaired by dry snow.
Rear-window wiper (9-5 Wagon)The rear-window wiper and washer are 
operated with the same stalk switch as used 
for washing and wiping the windshield and 
headlights.
This stalk has two additional switches, 
ON/OFF and  .
The ON position provides intermittent wip-
ing.
The   position provides washing and 
wiping. After a few sweeps the wiper stops 
or reverts to intermittent wiping, if this has 
been chosen. About 15 seconds after com-
pletion of the washing/wiping of the rear 
window, the wiper makes a single sweep to 
wipe away any remaining washer fluid.
A spring-loaded position between the OFF 
and ON positions allows for a single sweep 
of the rear-window wiper.
Intermittent wiping of the rear window 
occurs when reverse gear is engaged if the 
windshield wipers are in position 1, 2 or 3, 
see page  73.
For how to adjust the rear window washer 
jet on the 9-5 Wagon, refer to page  213.
2 1
IB1207
Rear-window wiper1 Intermittent wiping
2 Washers
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75 Instruments and controls
Automatic climate 
control (ACC) The ACC system automatically works to 
maintain the desired temperature inside the 
car.
The system will achieve the desired temper-
ature in the quickest possible way. Note that 
selecting a higher or lower temperature than 
that desired will not speed up the process. 
For the ACC system to be most effective, all 
windows (and sunroof, if fitted) should be 
closed. 
Fresh air for the cabin is drawn in through an 
inlet grille adjacent to the bottom edge of the 
windshield. The air flows through a filter 
upstream of the ACC system before deliv-
ery to the cabin. Cabin air is evacuated via 
openings in the rear parcel shelf and then 
through outlets on either side of the car 
behind the rear bumper.
The incoming air is treated in three stages: 
first it passes through a filter; it is then dehu-
midified and cooled and, finally, if required, 
heated.
The filter is a combined particle and char-
coal filter. It is so efficient that levels of nox-
ious substances such as benzene and tolu-
ene are also reduced.To reduce the likelihood of misting on the 
insides of the windows, the glass should be 
cleaned with a quality window cleaner. How 
often this will need to be done depends on 
how clean the air is – if there are smokers in 
the car, cleaning will need to be done more 
frequently. 
AUTO
ECON OFF
AUTO
ºF
ºC
ºF
ºC
ECON OFF
IB367
9
1
5
4
23
68
7
ACC panel 1 Temperature setting: LH side 
2 AUTO: All settings selected automatically 
3 Manual setting of fan speed 
4 Manual setting of air distribution 
5 Rear-window heating: ON/OFF 6 Recirculation: ON/OFF 
7 A/C compressor: ON/OFF 
8 ACC system: ON/OFF 
9 Temperature setting: RH side 
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76 Instruments and controls
The system has five sensors: 
 Outdoor temperature sensor
 Interior temperature sensor
 Sun sensor (mounted on top of the fascia)
 Two blended-air temperature sensors 
(mounted inside the front floor vents)
Note If anything is placed over the sun sen-
sor, the ACC system will not function prop-
erly. 
Panel vents The panel vents swivel universally, so that 
air can be directed as desired. In winter, for 
instance, the outer vents can be directed 
onto the door windows for enhanced 
demisting. 
The flow of air through the panel vents can 
be controlled individually for each vent by 
means of the adjacent control. The climate 
control system works best if the panel vents 
are open. If you find the air cold or that it is 
drafty, start by directing the air away from 
the body. If the center vent is aimed up, it will 
cool the interior temperature sensor and 
you may need to adjust ACC up or down, 
depending upon temperature desired.
IB362
Panel vent 
IB368
1
2
1 Interior-temperature sensor 
2 Sun sensor 
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77 Instruments and controls
Temperature control The cabin is divided into two temperature 
zones: 
 The driver’s zone
 The passenger zone (front and rear 
seats)
The desired temperature can be set 
between 58 and 82°F (15 and 27°C). In 
addition, there are also HI and LO settings 
(see below). The HI and LO settings for the 
passenger zone can only be selected if they 
are also selected for the driver’s zone. 
The displayed temperature is not the abso-
lute temperature but corresponds to the 
comfort level normally experienced at that 
temperature after allowance has been 
made for the air flow, relative humidity, solar 
radiation, etc., currently prevailing inside 
the car. 
 The most usual temperature setting is 
64–76°F (18–24°C), depending on per-
sonal preference and what clothing is 
worn.
 It is recommended that changes in the 
temperature setting be made in steps of 
2°F (1°C).
 Once the desired climate has been 
achieved, the rear center vents can be 
closed to prevent warm air being distrib-
uted at face height.Settings when HI selected: 
 Maximum heat
 Air distribution to windshield and floor
 Recirculation OFF (even if manually 
selected before)
 Fan: high speed
 Settings shown on ACC display
Settings when LO selected: 
 Maximum cooling (A/C compressor will 
run even if ECON manually selected 
before)
 Air distribution through panel vents
 Fan: maximum speed
 Recirculation ON
 Settings shown on ACC display
IB369
Air vent at rear side window 
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78 Instruments and controlsFunctionsPressing AUTO will cancel all manual settings.
If a manual function is selected, it will be locked in but other functions 
will be controlled automatically.
The selected temperature is always maintained automatically. 
Temperature, air distribution, fan speed and 
recirculation will all be controlled automatically.
In falling temperatures the A/C compressor is 
switched off at 32°F (0°C).
In rising temperatures the A/C compressor is 
switched on at 41°F (+5°C).
If at the start the outside air temperature is 32–41°F 
(0 – +5°C), the A/C compressor is switched off.
 Pressing AUTO once will cancel all previous 
manual selections.
 Pressing AUTO a second time will result in all the 
automatically selected settings being displayed. When the engine is started, the A/C system is in 
AUTO mode, apart from any currently set program, 
see page 81 and 82). 
IB370
A/C compressor OFF. 
No cooling of inlet air. Temperature, air distribution 
and fan speed still under automatic control. 
ACC system OFF. 
Fa n OF F. 
A/C compressor OFF. 
War m air OFF. 
Air-distribution selections locked in current settings. 
Recirculation can be selected manually. 
Pressing the AUTO button will put the system into 
automatic mode. 
Pressing the OFF button again will result in the sys-
tem reverting to any previous manual settings. 
IB371IB372
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79 Instruments and controls
The rear-window and door-mirror heating is 
controlled manually. Switch off the heating as soon as the rear window 
is clear, to avoid imposing a heavy load on the bat-
tery longer than necessary. Note, however, that the 
heating will go off automatically after 2–10 minutes 
(depending on the outdoor temperature) or sooner 
if the voltage in the electrical system falls below 
10 V
.
The ACC system can be programmed to switch on 
the heating automatically when the outdoor temper-
ature is below 41°F (+5°C) and the temperature 
inside the car is below 50°F (+10°C) (see ”Program-
ming I and II”, on pages 81 and 82). 
Recirculation is selected automatically for effective 
cooling, but it can also be switched on/off manually. 
Although recirculation does not substantially affect 
the air quality, it is useful to prevent unpleasant 
smells or fumes being drawn into the car from 
outside. 
IB373IB374
To increase the fan speed in steps. 
If, after being off, the ignition is switched on but the 
engine is not started, the fan will run at low speed 
until the engine is running. 
To decrease the fan speed in steps. 
If the fan is set to 0, the A/C compressor will cut out 
and ECON will appear on the display. 
If, after being off, the ignition is switched on but the 
engine is not started, the fan will run at low speed 
until the engine is running. 
IB375IB376
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Page 80 of 288

80 Instruments and controlsAir distribution
Press once: Defrosting of all windows will take 
place (air flow to rear side windows shut off) with: The fan running at high speed.
 Air being distributed to the defroster vents.
 Normal temperature control will operate.
 Recirculation will be OFF.
 Heating of the rear window and door mirrors will 
be switched ON.The defroster function will continue to operate until 
a new selection is made, although the heating for 
the rear window and door mirrors will be switched 
off automatically after 2–10 minutes, depending on 
the temperature outside.
Press twice: Air will be directed onto the windshield 
with no increase in the fan speed. The heating for 
the rear window will not be switched on.
To revert to the previous selection, press the AUTO 
button.
ACC65
Defroster & floor vents 
Floor vents and rear side windows 
Floor & panel vents 
ACC66ACC67ACC68
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