Saab 2007 owner manual Driving considerations, Checks before driving

Starting and driving 177

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.

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!

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.

NOTICE

If the ”Automatic transmission 3, fault

indicator” indicator comes on, cease towing until the problem has been recti- fied.

Checks before driving

Make 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 bal- anced.

•Check that the rearview mirrors provide the best possible rearward vision.

•Make sure the camper or trailer’s safety cable is correctly attached.