Saab 9-5 Owner's Manual page 143

95_US_MY09.book Page 143 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:03 AM
Useful tips on cold climate
starting
If the engine has failed to start after several
attempts in very cold weather, press and
hold the accelerator down to the floor and
run the starter for 5–10 seconds. This will
prevent the engine being flooded (exces-
sively rich fuel-air mixture).
Now start the engine in the normal way – do
not touch the accelerator.
If the engine stalls immediately after starting
(e.g. if the clutch was released too quickly),
do not touch the accelerator when restarting
the engine.
Limp-home mode
The engine management system has a
diagnostic feature that continually checks a
number of internal functions.
If, for example, a fault is detected in the
throttle valve, the engine management
system will go into Limp-home mode.This
limits:
• idling control,
• disables the cruise-control system and
• limits the capacity of the A/C compressor.
If the limp-home mode is in operation ("Ser-
vice Engine Light also known as CHECK
ENGINE" light on, see below) and the out-
side temperature is close to or below freez-
ing, you may need to use some throttle on
starting (some pressure on the accelerator).
If the diagnostic system has detected a fault
in the engine-management system, the
"Service Engine Light also known as
CHECK ENGINE" light on the main
instrument panel will come on (see page
58), indicating that you should have the car
checked as soon as possible by a work-
shop. We recommend that you contact an
authorized Saab dealer.
Starting and driving
NOTICE
If the CHECK ENGINE warning light
starts to flash, ease off the accelerator
slightly. If the light does not cease to flash
within 5 seconds, stop the car in a suit-
able place as soon as possible and turn
off the engine. The car must be towed to
a workshop. We recommend that you
contact an authorized Saab dealer.
If the CHECK ENGINE warning light
flashes, it indicates that the engine is mis-
firing which can result in damage to the
catalytic converter.
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