2000 Saab 9-3 Owner's Manual - Page 144

144 Starting and driving Automatic transmission fault indicator NOTE If the control module has actuated the Limp-home function for the automatic transmission, the car will remain in 4th gear when D is selected, making it very sluggish. To overcome this, move the selector lever to position 2. Driving in hilly country with a heavy load Overheating of the automatic-transmission fluid can occur when the car is towing a heavy load, such as a trailer in hilly country, with the wrong gear selected, resulting in abnormally frequent gear changing. Try selecting position 1, 2 or 3. High ambient temperatures can also increase the temperature of the transmission fluid or the oil cooler may be faulty. As the transmission fluid temperature increases, its useful service life is reduced. Contact an authorized Saab dealer (see also page 156). If the symbol appears on the main instrument panel, the system has detected a fault in the automatic transmission or its control module (see page 58). This also means that the Limp-home mode has been selected, to guard against further damage being done to the transmission. In this mode, the automatic transmission starts in 4th gear, and gear changes (if necessary) will have to be made manually. It is not possible to select the SPORT or WINTER mode when the Limp-home mode is active. You should have the automatic transmission checked as soon as possible by an authorized Saab dealer. The following gears will be engaged in the respective selector positions when the automatic transmission is in the Limp-home mode: Position R Gear D 3 4th 2 3rd 1 3rd Overheated transmission oil If the transmission oil becomes overheated while driving, the following message appears on the SID: TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING. In this event, stop the car in a suitable place, switch off the engine, open the hood and wait until the message goes out. When driving subsequent to the transmission oil overheating, select a locked gear position in which the engine speed is about 3,000 rpm. The transmission oil can become very hot when the car is driven with a heavy load; for example, driving with a trailer on hilly roads when the wrong gear has been selected, resulting in many extra gear changes. Select one of the positions 1, 2 or 3. A high outside temperature or a defective oil cooler can also cause the oil temperature to increase. Contact an authorized Saab workshop, see also page 156. WARNING Remember to use engine-braking (selector position 1, 2, or 3) to spare the brakes when you are driving on a long or steep downhill slope. Select the same gear as you would on the corresponding uphill slope. Brake failure can result from overheated brakes! Reverse 4th Towing Towing a car with automatic transmission, see page 162.