2000 Saab 9-5 Owner's Manual - Page 141

Starting and driving Overheated transmission fluid 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. If the automatic-transmission fluid should overheat, the following message will appear on the SID: "TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING". If this happens, stop the car and wait for the message to be extinguished. Continue driving in a locked gear that produces an engine speed of about 3,000 rpm. Overheating of the automatic-transmission fluid can occur when the car is towing a heavy load, such as a camping 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. Contact an authorized Saab dealer (see also page 152). 141 Towing Towing of cars with automatic transmission, see page 158. 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!