2002 Saab 9-5 Owner's Manual - Page 162

162 Starting and driving L Select position L if you wish to drive in 1st or 2nd gear. This provides maximum engine braking. The transmission shifts down from 2nd to 1st if the speed of the car drops below 20 mph (35 km/h). Adaptive gear-change patterns Adaptive gear-change patterns are selected automatically depending on the engine load and the present temperature of the transmission. The function is available in Normal and Sport modes. The changes occur at a higher engine speed and the car remains in the same gear for longer, if the transmission control module senses that the load has not decreased. These gear-change patterns prevent unnecessary changing up and down, when for example driving up long slopes with a trailer or caravan, and to prevent overheating the transmission oil. The adaptive gear-change function is also selected automatically when the transmission oil becomes too hot, to protect the transmission itself from damage and to lower the oil temperature. The adaptive gear-change pattern function is deselected when: • Winter mode is selected. • The engine is switched off. • The load is reduced so much that the function is no longer required. • "Automatic transmission, fault indicator" instrument panel, see page 159. appears on main If the gear selector lever is moved from position D to L, a change-down to 4th gear will occur at about 110 mph (180 km/h). It will then change-down to 3rd gear at 80 mph (130 km/h), to 2nd gear at 45 mph (75 km/h) and 1st at 20 mph (35 km/h). Manual gear-changing is not recommended on slippery roads. NOTE • Do not move the selector to position 4 at speeds in excess of 90 mph (150 km/h). • Do not move the selector to position 3 at speeds in excess of 70 mph (110 km/h).