steering wheel SAAB 9-7X 2006 User Guide

Windshield Washer
L(Windshield Washer):To spray washer uid on the
windshield, press the windshield washer paddle. The
wipers will clear the window and then either stop
or return to your preset speed.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
This control is located to
the left of the steering
wheel on the instrument
panel.
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STABILITRAK ACTIVE
The STABILITRAK ACTIVE message will be displayed
anytime the system activates to maintain vehicle
stability. Any combination of engine speed management,
brake traction control, and stability control will display
the STABILITRAK ACTIVE message on the DIC.
STABILITRAK NOT READY
The STABILITRAK NOT READY message may be
displayed if driving conditions delay system initialization.
This is normal. Once the system initializes, the
STABILITRAK NOT READY message will no longer
be displayed on the DIC.
STABILITRAK OFF
The STABILITRAK OFF message will be displayed when
you press the StabiliTrak®button for more than ve
seconds or when stability control has been automatically
disabled. The StabiliTrak
®button is located on the
transmission shift handle. To limit wheel spin and realize
the full benets of the stability enhancement system, you
should normally leave StabiliTrak
®on. However, you
should turn StabiliTrak®off if your vehicle gets stuck in
sand, mud, ice, or snow and you want to rock your
vehicle to attempt to free it, or if you are driving in
extreme off-road conditions and require more wheel spin.SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
on page 4-32. To turn the StabiliTrak
®system back on,
press the StabiliTrak®button again.
The message may be displayed if the brake system
warning light is on. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 3-33.
The message will turn off as soon as the conditions that
caused the message to be displayed are no longer
present.
TIGHTEN FUEL CAP
If the vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened properly, this
message may appear on the DIC and a chime will sound.
Fully reinstall the fuel cap. SeeFilling the Tank on
page 5-8. The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. A loose
or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. The DIC message will remain on until the
message is cancelled with the return button on the
steering wheel. The DIC message will also be cancelled
if the ignition is turned off.
The DIC message and the Service Engine Soon light
may come on again during a second trip if the fuel cap
is still not tightened properly. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 3-36for more information.
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Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then read
the pages following to familiarize yourself with its
features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a safer
driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.
By taking a few moments to read this manual and
get familiar with your vehicle’s audio system, you can
use it with less effort, as well as take advantage of
its features. While your vehicle is parked, set up your
audio system by presetting your favorite radio stations,
setting the tone and adjusting the speakers. Then,
when driving conditions permit, you can tune to your
favorite stations using the presets and steering
wheel controls (if equipped).{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and you
or others can be injured or killed. Always keep
your eyes on the road and your mind on the
drive — avoid engaging in extended searching
while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for safe
driving. For more information, seeDefensive Driving on
page 4-2. Get familiar with your vehicle’s audio
system so you can use it with less effort and take full
advantage of its features.
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Here are some ways in which you can help avoid
distraction while driving.
While your vehicle is parked:
Familiarize yourself with all of its controls.
Familiarize yourself with its operation.
Set up your audio system by presetting your
favorite radio stations, setting the tone, and
adjusting the speakers. Then, when driving
conditions permit, you can tune to your favorite
radio stations using the presets and steering wheel
controls (if equipped).
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to your
vehicle, such as an audio system, CD player, CB
radio, mobile telephone, or two-way radio, make sure
that it can be added by checking with your dealer.
Also, check federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone units. If sound equipment can be added,
it is very important to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of your
vehicle’s engine, radio, or other systems, and even
damage them. Your vehicle’s systems may interfere
with the operation of sound equipment that has been
added.Notice:The chime signals related to safety belts,
parking brake, and other functions of your vehicle
operate through the radio/entertainment system.
If that equipment is replaced or additional equipment
is added to your vehicle, the chimes may not
work. Make sure that replacement or additional
equipment is compatible with your vehicle before
installing it. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3.
Figure out which audio system is in your vehicle, nd
out what your audio system can do, and how to operate
all of its controls.
Setting the Time
Press and hold H until the correct hour appears on the
display. AM or PM will appear on the display (Radio with
CD (UpLevel, MP3, and Six-Disc CD)). Press and hold M
until the correct minute appears on the display. The time
can be set with the ignition on or off.
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Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Some audio controls can be adjusted at the steering
wheel. They include the following:
uSEEKt:Press the forward or the back arrow to go
to the next or to the previous radio station and stay there.
The radio will only seek stations with a strong signal that
are in the selected band.
When a CD is playing, press the forward or the back
arrow to fast forward or reverse.
g(OnStar®/Mute):If your vehicle has OnStar, press
this button to interact with the OnStar system. See
theOnStar
®System on page 2-43in this manual for
more information.
If your vehicle does not have OnStar, press this button
to mute the system. Press it again, or any other
radio button, to turn on the sound.
NXT (Next):Press this button to play a station you
have programmed on the radio preset pushbuttons.
The radio will only seek preset stations with a strong
signal that are in the selected band.
When a CD is playing in the CD changer, press this
button to go to the next available CD, if multiple CDs
are loaded.
+ SRC−(Source):Press plus (+) or the minus (−)
button to switch between FM1, FM2, AM, or XM1
or XM2 (if equipped), or a CD. If a CD is loaded the CD
symbol will appear on the display.
+ VOL−(Volume):Press the plus (+) or the (−) button
to increase or to decrease the volume.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Limited-Slip Rear Axle.....................................4-8
StabiliTrak
®System........................................4-9
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System.......................4-13
Steering......................................................4-14
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-16
Passing.......................................................4-16
Loss of Control.............................................4-18
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-19
Driving at Night............................................4-19
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-20City Driving..................................................4-23
Freeway Driving...........................................4-24
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-25
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-25
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-26
Winter Driving..............................................4-28
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow......................................4-32
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-32
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-33
Towing..........................................................4-39
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-39
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-39
Electronically Controlled Air Suspension
System....................................................4-39
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-41
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
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The anti-lock system can change the brake
pressure faster than any driver could. The computer
is programmed to make the most of available tire
and road conditions. This can help you steer around
the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on
wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you will not have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel the
brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise, but this
is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock brakes, you can steer and brake at the
same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your vehicle may have this feature. A limited-slip rear
axle can give you additional traction on snow, mud, ice,
sand or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the
time, but when one of the rear wheels has no traction
and the other does, this feature will allow the wheel with
traction to move the vehicle.
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StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak®, Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) which combines antilock
brake, traction and stability control systems and helps
the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle
in most driving conditions.
Traction control activates when the controller senses
wheel spin. StabiliTrak
®will selectively apply the brakes
and reduce engine torque to help regain traction.
Stability control activates when the controller senses
a discrepancy between your intended path and the
direction the vehicle is travelling. StabiliTrak
®selectively
applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle’s
brakes to help guide the vehicle in the direction which
you are steering.
When you rst start your vehicle and begin to drive away,
the system performs several diagnostic checks to insure
there are no problems. You may hear or feel the system
working. This is normal and does not mean there is a
problem with your vehicle. If driving conditions delay
system initialization, the STABILITRAK NOT READY
message may be displayed. If this is the case, your
vehicle does not need servicing.
For more information on the stability messages, see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-47.When the StabiliTrak
®
system is both on and
actively controlling the
stability of the vehicle,
the StabiliTrak
®light will
blink for the duration of
the event.
You may also feel or hear the system working. This is
normal.
The StabiliTrak
®disable
button is located on the
transmission shift handle.
The StabiliTrak
®system has three modes of operation:
STABILITRAK ON, TRACTION CONTROL OFF, and
STABILITRAK OFF.
STABILITRAK ON -The vehicle will default to
STABILITRAK ON every time the driver starts the
vehicle. The StabiliTrak
®light will be off and no DIC
messages will be displayed.
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Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer
but it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject
to the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you
turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia will
keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you
have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you will
understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle
at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you
are in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Adding the sudden
acceleration can demand too much of those places. You
can lose control.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up
on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust
your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are based on
good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable
conditions you will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
Adding non-Saab accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modications on
page 5-3.
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Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective than
braking. For example, you come over a hill and nd a
truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out
from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked
cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these
problems by braking — if you can stop in time. But
sometimes you cannot; there is not room. That is the
time for evasive action — steering around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply your brakes.
SeeBraking on page 4-6. It is better to remove as much
speed as you can from a possible collision. Then steer
around the problem, to the left or right depending on the
space available.An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can turn
it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either
hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as
quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the
object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.
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