2000 Saab 9-5 Owner's Manual - Page 150

150 Starting and driving Road conditions Wet roads increase fuel consumption, as do unpaved roads and driving in hilly country (the amount of fuel saved driving downhill is less than the additional amount required to climb the hill). If idling, it will take much longer before the engine becomes hot. Engine wear is greatest during this warming-up phase. Therefore drive away as soon as possible after the engine is started and avoid high revving. • Driving in a low gear results in higher fuel consumption than in a high gear because of the higher engine speed for a given road speed. Always change up to a higher gear as soon as traffic conditions allow and use the highest gear as much as possible. • Check the air pressure in the tires once a month. Incorrect pressures increase tire wear. It is better to have slightly higher pressure than lower. • Check fuel consumption regularly. Increased consumption can indicate that something is wrong and that the car needs to be checked by an authorized Saab dealer. Practical trials on the roads have demonstrated that substantial savings in fuel consumption can be made if the above advice is heeded. Driving in winter Before starting a journey in cold weather, check that the wiper blades have not become frozen to the glass. Brush any snow away from the air intake for the heater system (opening between hood and windshield). Periodically during the winter, add gasoline anti-freeze to the fuel to dispel any condensation in the fuel tank which could freeze and cause problems in the system. Keep the tank well filled to reduce the risk of condensation forming. If the car is parked outside in freezing weather, fuel additives (gasoline anti-freeze) will not do any good as any condensation in the fuel tank will freeze. Condensation is caused by changes in the outdoor temperature or by the car being parked alternately in a garage and outside. It is particularly important when the roads are slippery that the brakes and tires be in good condition. The car is equipped with tires designed to provide optimum grip on both wet and dry roads, although this has been achieved at the expense of somewhat reduced grip on snow and ice. For regular driving on snow and ice, we therefore recommend that winter (snow) tires be fitted. Winter (snow) tires, particularly studded tires (where use is legally permitted), generally make driving safer on snow and ice. If winter tires are fitted, the same type must be fitted on all wheels. Your Saab dealer will Engine block heater (standard equipment in Canada, accessory in U.S.) The following are just some of the benefits to the car and the environment of using an engine block heater Lower fuel consumption. Reduced wear on the engine. Inside of car warms up faster. Exhaust emissions substantially reduced over short runs. The engine heater is effective at outside temperatures up to +15-20°C. The warmer it is outside, the shorter the time the engine heater needs to be connected. Longer than 1.5 hours is unnecessary. If the car is equipped with a removable, electrical cabin heater that is not in use, this should be stored in the luggage compartment.