Saab 9-3 Owner's Manual page 154

93_US_MY09.book Page 154 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
154 Starting and driving
NOTICE
• If the engine sounds strange there is a
malfunction. We recommend that you
contact a Saab dealer immediately.
• The use of fuel with too low an octane
rating can cause serious engine dam-
age.
Limited performance.
The light comes on in the event of an engine
or gearbox fault (cars with automatic gear-
box), which may cause driveability prob-
lems but that does not affect exhaust emis-
sion. The car can still be driven but perhaps
with limited performance.
Contact a dealer whenever an opportunity
occurs. We recommend that you contact a
Saab dealer.
Limp-home
The engine management system has a
diagnostic feature that checks a number of
internal functions. If a fault is detected in the
throttle valve, the engine management
system will set the throttle system to the
limp-home mode. This means:
• idling control will be poor (uneven idling
since regulated by ignition and fuel
supply)
• engine performance will be reduced
• the cruise control will not function
• the capacity of the A/C compressor will be
limited.
If the diagnosis function detects a fault in the
engine management system, the
"Service Engine Light also known as
CHECK ENGINE" indicator light in the
instrument panel will come on (see
page 83). Have the car checked at a work-
shop as soon as possible. We recommend
that you contact a Saab dealer.
NOTICE
If "Service Engine Light also known
as CHECK ENGINE" indicator light warn-
ing light starts to flash (indicating that the
engine is misfiring and the catalytic con-
verter can be damaged), ease off the
accelerator slightly. The light should go
out or start to shine constantly. If the light
continues to flash despite easing off the
accelerator, you may continue to drive the
car but at the minimum throttle permitted
by the current traffic situation. Have the
car checked as soon as possible. We rec-
ommend that you contact a Saab dealer.
Important considerations with
light
catalytic converters
The catalytic converter is an emission con-
trol device incorporated in the car's exhaust
system. It consists of a metal canister with a
honeycomb insert, the cells of which have
walls coated in a catalytic layer (precious
metal alloy).
NOTICE
Use only unleaded gasoline. Leaded gas-
oline is detrimental to the catalyst and
oxygen sensor and will seriously impair
the function of the catalytic converter.