towing SAAB 9-5 2008 User Guide

177 Starting and driving
Recommendations for cars with manual
gearbox
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 engine increases:
A/C compressor is switched off.
engine torque is reduced.
When continuing your journey, select a gear
in which the engine speed is about
3,000 rpm until the incline eases.
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, see also ”Driving with a load” page 181.
If the car has automatic transmission, select
position D when ascending steep hills. This
ensures that the adaptive gear change pat-
terns are operational, see page 158. Use
position D or L for steep descents.Checks before drivingMake sure that the car and camper or trailer
are in good working order. This is essential
since towing a camper or trailer increases
the strain on the car.
Check and if necessary adjust the tire
pressure of the car and camper or trailer.
Make sure all wheel bolts are properly
tightened.
Make sure that the equipment joining the
car and camper or trailer is properly
secured and adjusted.Make sure the camper or trailer’s electri-
cal cable is properly connected and is not
so long that it drags along the ground.
Also, make sure the cable is not too short
and risks breaking when turning a corner.
Check all bulbs.
Check the car and camper or trailer
brakes.
Make sure that all items on or in the cara-
van or trailer are properly secured.
Make sure that the camper or trailer’s
jockey wheel is raised and locked.
Check the distribution of the load so that
the car and camper or trailer are well
balanced.
Check that the rearview mirrors provide
the best possible rearward vision.
Make sure the camper or trailer’s safety
cable is correctly attached.
WARNING
Utilize the braking effect of the engine
(1st, 2nd or 3rd gear) when you are
descending long or steep hills to spare
the brakes.
Brake failure can result from overheated
brakes!
NOTEIf the ”Automatic transmission3, fault
indicator” indicator comes on, cease
towing until the problem has been recti-
fied.
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183 Starting and driving
Driving with a spare
wheel fittedSee page 238.Driving with the trunk
lid/tailgate openAvoid driving with the trunk lid/tailgate partly
or fully open, since exhaust fumes can be
drawn into the cabin.
If you must drive with the trunk lid/tailgate
open, all windows and the moonroof3 must
be closed and the cabin fan on at its highest
speed setting.
Driving in deep water Towing the carNOTEDo not drive in water deeper than
12 inches (30 cm) and do not drive faster
than 3–4 mph. Water can otherwise be
sucked into the engine. The engine will be
seriously damaged if water enters the
intake system.
WARNING
Remember that the brake servo does
not operate when the engine is off.
Much greater pressure than normal
will therefore be required to operate
the brake pedal.
Nor does the steering servo operate
when the engine is off. The steering
will therefore be much heavier than
usual.
The towing vehicle should always be
heavier than the vehicle on tow.
Never allow passengers to ride in the
car being towed.
Always seek professional help if the
car needs to be towed.
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184 Starting and drivingFront towing eye
The front towing eye is stored with the spare
wheel.
The attachment point (tapped hole) for the
towing eye is midway along the engine sub-
frame at the front of the car.
Remove the plastic plug and screw in the
towing eye securely.
To ensure that the towing eye is in far
enough, insert the handle of the wheel
wrench through the eye for additional
leverage.
Rear towing eyeThe car has a permanently mounted towing
eye at the back. If the car is equipped with a
trailer hitch, this can be used instead of the
towing eye.
WARNING
Make sure that the towing eye at the
front is screwed in tightly.
The towing eye is only designed for
use when the car is being towed on the
road. It must not be used to pull the
car out of a ditch, for example.
Make sure that all bystanders keep a
suitable distance, in case the towing
eye or tow rope should break. The
towing eye or tow rope could catapult
off and cause serious injury.NOTEDo not drive the car with the front
towing eye in position. If it catches the
curb, for example, the engine sub-
frame could be damaged.
Refit the plastic plug in the hole when
the towing eye has been removed, to
keep dirt and moisture out of the
threads.
IB3885
Front towing eye
IB3886
Rear towing eye
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185 Starting and driving
Towing the car Gear lever in neutral (in cars with automatic
transmission: selector lever at N (neutral))
Turn on the parking lights.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles being towed.
Always try to keep the towrope taut by
gently applying the brake, as necessary.
This will avoid the towrope being jerked
violently.
The local regulations on towing speeds
must be followed.
The highest permissible towing speed is
30 mph (50 km/h), unless the legal limit is
lower. The longest permissible towing dis-
tance is 30 miles (50 km). If the car has to
be transported farther than that, summon a
tow truck. A flat bed tow truck is the pre-
ferred method to tow.
Failure to follow these guidelines can result
in damage.Cars with automatic transmission
The car cannot be push started. In an emer-
gency, it is possible to start the engine using
jump leads (see the section, ”Jump starting”
on page 186).
Transporting the car
NOTENever use the towing eyes to pull the
car unstuck.
NOTEThe car must be towed front first.
If the car is to be towed with the front
wheels off the ground, make sure the
parking brake is off, as this acts on the
rear wheels.
NOTEIf a car with a sport (lowered) chassis is
transported, for example on a flat bed
truck, take extra care not to damage the
spoiler and/or underbody.
Never use the towing eyes to pull the car
unstuck
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233 Car care and technical information
Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit1 Locate the statement “The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed
XXX pounds” on your vehicle´s
label.
2 Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3 Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from
XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4 The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capac-
ity is 650 lbs. (1400–750 (5x150) =
650 lbs.).5 Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in Step 4.
6 If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be trans-
ferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehi-
cle.
Winter tiresWinter (snow) tires are recommended for
winter climates where the majority of your
driving will be done on snow and ice. Winter
tires should be fitted to all four wheels to
maintain a proper balance. Your Saab
dealer can advise you of to the correct size
tire for your car (if different from the original
size) and also supply Saab approved winter
tires pre-mounted on steel or alloy rims.
Winter tires normally use a different speed
rating compared to summer/all season tires.
Make sure not to exceed the stated speed
rating on the tires you use.
Make sure that wheels with sensors for tire
pressure monitoring are fitted during
replacement if the car has automatic tire
pressure monitoring.
Tire date codeTires should be regarded as perishable
goods. As the tires age, the rubber becomes
progressively harder, and the roadholding
ability of the tires diminishes. This is partic-
ularly true on winter tires.
Tires now have a date-code marking for the
year of manufacture. The first two digits
denote the week number and the two last
digits the year followed by a filled triangle.Tire direction of rotationThe direction of rotation is important for the
majority of tires. These tires have a marking
on the side of the tire. The marking may
state "Tire rotation" together with an arrow
or the text "Facing out". The tire must rotate
in the same direction for its entire service
life.
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261 Specifications
Trailer
Luggage compartment
Volume (SAE):
9-5 Sedan _______________________ 15.9 cu.ft.
(450 litres)
9-5 SportCombi, rear seat upright ____ 31.4 cu. ft.
(890 litres)
9-5 SportCombi, rear seat folded _____ 73.0 cu. ft.
(2067 litres)
Luggage compartment, length, 9-5 Sedan:
Rear seat upright _________________ 43.0 in (1092 mm)
Rear seat folded down _____________ 67.5 in (1714 mm)
Luggage compartment, length,
9-5 SportCombi:
Rear seat upright _________________ 42.8 in (1087 mm)
Rear seat folded __________________ 68.2 in (1732 mm)
WARNING
The GVW and maximum axle loads must not be exceeded.
Note that if some accessories (e.g. towbar, CD changer) are
fitted, the available load capacity is reduced by the weight of
these.
When carrying a load in the luggage compartment, make sure
that it is tied down securely, particularly when part or all of the
rear seat is folded down.
Maximum towing speed:
Trailer with brakes _________________ 60 mph (100 km/h)
Trailer without brakes _______________ Local restrictions
apply
Maximum weight:
Trailer with brakes _________________ 3500 lbs (1588 kg)
Trailer without brakes ______________ 1000 lbs (450 kg)
Maximum load on ball hitch __________ 110–165 lbs
(50–75 kg)
The above speed and weight restrictions are those specified by
Saab Automobile AB.
Note that local restrictions may apply to trailer speeds and weights
(see page 174).
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273 Index
Index
AA/C system, fault diagnosis
_______ 247
A/C system, maintenance
_________ 246
ABS brakes
____________________ 160
ACC
__________________________ 79
ACC functions
___________________ 82
ACC, automatic climate control
_____ 79
ACC, calibration
_________________ 86
ACC, condensation water
__________ 86
ACC, useful tips
_________________ 86
AUX input
_____________________ 104
Adjusting the steering wheel
_______ 114
Adjustment, seats
________________ 18
Air conditioning (A/C), fault diagnosis
and maintenance ______________ 246
Airbag
_________________________ 29
Alarm _________________________ 50
Alarm functions
__________________ 53
Alarm signals
________________ 50
, 53
Album information
_______________ 104
Alternator
_____________________ 201
Alternator drive belt
__________ 201
, 267
Alternator rating
________________ 267
Antennas
______________________ 109
Anticorrosion treatment
___________ 248
Antidazzle rear-view mirror
________ 121
Anti-skid
______________________ 163
Autochecking of lights on starting
____ 64Auto-dimming rear-view mirror with
garage door opener
____________ 118
Automatic climate control (ACC)
_____ 79
Automatic transmission, technical
data
_________________________ 268
Aviod theft, tip
__________________ 166
Battery
________________________ 199
BBattery
________________________ 199
Battery charging/replacing
________ 200
Battery, boost starting
____________ 186
Before a long journey ____________ 249
Before towing a camper or trailer
___ 177
Belt guide
______________________ 12
Boost starting using jump leads
____ 186
Brake and clutch fluid
____________ 196
Brake-fluid reservoir
_____________ 196
Brakes, technical data ____________ 269
Bulbs, changing
________________ 204
Bulbs, table of
__________________ 215
Buying new tires ________________ 225
Car alarm
______________________ 50
CCar care
______________________ 189
Cargo net, 9-5 SportCombi
________ 137
Carpeting, care of
_______________ 243Catalytic converter, important
considerations
_________________ 145
CD changer
____________________ 100
CHECK messages
_______________ 71
CHECKING
_____________________ 71
Central locking ___________________ 44
Change language in SID
___________ 72
Change of address notification
_____ 258
Changing a wheel
_______________ 239
Changing bulbs
_________________ 204
Changing wiper blades
___________ 202
Charge mobile phone
____________ 126
Charger/Jump starting ____________ 188
Charging the battery/Jump starting
__ 188
Chassis number
________________ 272
Chassis number, key to
___________ 273
Checks before towing a camper or
trailer
________________________ 177
Child safety
_____________________ 22
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 47
Cleaning, engine bay
_____________ 245
Clock
_________________________ 105
Color code, body
________________ 272
Color code, trim _________________ 272
Compact spare wheel
____________ 237
Compass
______________________ 122
Condensation water, ACC
__________ 86
Connecting a portable player ______ 104
Coolant
_______________________ 195
Courtesy Headlight Feature
________ 74
Crash memory, see EDR
_________ 259
Cross modulation
_______________ 110
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276 IndexRain sensor
_____________________ 77
Random playback of MP3 files, CD
_103
Random playback, CD
____________ 99
Random playback, CD changer
____ 101
Rapid playing an MP3 file
_________ 103
RDS time
_____________________ 106
Rear fog light ___________________ 74
Rear seat, 9-5 Sedan, folding
______ 129
Rear seat, 9-5 SportCombi, folding
_132
Rear window heating
_____________ 82
Rear-seat head restraints __________ 21
Rear-view mirror, auto-dimming
____ 121
Rearview mirrors
________________ 116
Reclamation
___________________ 250
Recommendations for cars with
automatic transmission, towing a
camper or trailer
_______________ 175
Refuelling
_____________________ 146
Relay panel ____________________ 219
Remote control __________________ 44
Remote-control battery, changing
____ 49
Remove the key
________________ 140
Removing CDs
__________________ 99
Removing CDs, CD-changer
______ 100
Removing MP3 discs
____________ 102
Replacement, wheel
_____________ 227
Reporting safety defects
__________ 258
Reprogramming of systems _______ 274
Reservoir, power-steering fluid _____ 198
Rev counter
____________________ 64
Reversing lights _________________ 76
Rolling advertisements
____________ 94Roof load
______________________ 179
Running-in _____________________ 170
Saab Information Display (SID)
_____ 68
SSaab Parking Assistance
_________ 168
Safety belts
_____________________ 12
Safety belts, care of
_____________ 242
Safety-belt pretensioners
__________ 15
Safety-belt reminder
______________ 12
SDM
_________________________ 259
SID
___________________________ 68
Seats __________________________ 18
Securing a load
__________________ 47
Selecting and changing tracks, CD
___ 99
Selecting a radio station
___________ 93
Selecting/changing MP3 file _______ 103
Selector lever indication, automatic
transmission
___________________ 67
Sentronic, manual mode
__________ 156
Service costs
___________________ 257
Service information
______________ 258
Service intervals
________________ 256
Service record retention
__________ 257
Setting the clock
________________ 105
Setting the date _________________ 105
Settings, seats __________________ 18
Shadow effect
__________________ 110
Side airbags
____________________ 36
Signalling, horn _________________ 114Snow chains
___________________ 172
Sorting music ___________________ 103
Sound system __________________ 107
Sources of AM interference
________ 111
Sources of FM interference ________ 111
Spare wheel
___________________ 237
Spare wheel and tools
____________ 183
Spark plugs
____________________ 267
Speed dependent volume
compensation _________________ 106
Speedometer
_________________ 64
, 65
Starting in cold weather, ACC
_______ 84
Starting in hot weather, ACC ________ 84
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 114
Steering wheel controls
____________ 91
Steering, technical data ___________ 269
Steps for determining correct load
limit
_________________________ 233
Stone-chip damage, repairing
______ 245
Storage compartments
___________ 126
Storing radio stations
______________ 93
Sun visors
_____________________ 125
Suspension ____________________ 269
Suspension, technical data
________ 269
Switches
_______________________ 73
Symboler ________________________ 9
Systems, adjustment
_____________ 274
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277 Index
TTable of fuses
__________________ 218
Tachometer
_____________________ 64
Tailgate, opening
________________ 47
Tank gauge
_____________________ 65
TCS OFF
______________________ 63
TP
____________________________ 99
Technical data
_________________ 261
Technical data, radio/audio
________ 108
Temperature control, ACC _________ 81
Temperature gauge, engine ________ 65
Temperature zones, ACC
__________ 81
Textile carpeting
________________ 243
Through-load hatch ______________ 131
Tie Downs
_____________________ 131
Tightening torque, wheel studs
_____ 239
Time display
___________________ 105
Tip, driving at night
______________ 181
Tip, to avoid theft
_______________ 166
Tips, ACC
______________________ 86
Tire chains ____________________ 228
Tire date code __________________ 233
Tire inspection and rotation
_______ 223
Tire markings
__________________ 230
Tire pressure ___________________ 182
Tire sidewall labeling
____________ 229
Tire terminology and definitions
____ 231
Tire, compact spare
_____________ 237
Tires
_____________________ 222
, 270
Tires, winter
___________________ 270
Tools
_________________________ 183Touching-in the paintwork
_________ 245
Towbar attachment
______________ 174
Towbar load
___________________ 178
Towing the car _________________ 183
Towing, automatics
______________ 183
Traffic programme ________________ 99
Trailer weights
__________________ 263
Treadwear indicators
____________ 224
Trionic
________________________ 192
Trip computer
___________________ 68
Trip meter
______________________ 64
Trunk
_________________________ 129
Trunk lid, opening
________________ 47
Tuning
_________________________ 93
Turbo gauge
____________________ 66
Turbo, points to note
_____________ 144
UUnder the hood
_________________ 191
Uniform tire quality grading
________ 226
Upholstery and trim
______________ 243
Upholstery and trim, care of
_______ 243
Vanity mirrors
__________________ 125
VVehicle Data Collection
___________ 259
Ventilated front seats
_____________ 87
Viscosity, engine oil
_____________ 264
WWarning labels
____________________ 7
Warning light, AIR BAG
____________ 37
Warning lights
___________________ 58
Washers
______________________ 202
Washers, windshield
_____________ 203
Washing the car
________________ 244
Waxing and polishing
____________ 245
Wear indicators, tires _____________ 224
What Will You See After an Airbag
Inflates?
______________________ 38
Wheel replacement
______________ 227
Wheel, change
_________________ 239
Wheels and tires ________________ 270
Wheels and tires, sizes
___________ 270
When it is time for new tires
_______ 224
Windshield washers
______________ 77
Windshield wipers
________________ 77
Winter tires
________________ 233
, 270
Wiper blades, replacing
___________ 202
Wipers and washers
__________ 77
, 202
XXenon headlight
________________ 204
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