Saab 1987 900 - Gear Changing Techniques

Automatic Transmission
The gear positions are shown on the console
beside the gear selector lever.
P Park
R Reverse
N
Neutral
r} Positions for f",ward drive
Certain lever positions can only be selected
after the button in the center ofthe selector
knob has been depressed, to release the
catch. The lever can be shifted freely to
position D or N from position R, 2 or 1.
NOTE! When parking, apply the hand -
brake after engaging park position.
~
n NO
PR21
Gear changing
Manual Transmission
When shifting gears, release the clutch
pedal smoothly and carefully. There are
only two proper clutch po sitions for dri -
ving:
Either out (pedal fu lly depressed) or
in (pedal released). It is poor practice to
drive
with a slipping clutch or with the foot
resting
on the clutch pedal, as this causes
heavy
wear on the clutch assembly. When
the car is standing still with the engine run -
ning, the
gear lever shou ld be in neutral and
the clutch pedal released. In all shifts, move
the lever gently but firmly and with a slight,
barely perceptible, pause in neutral.
NOTE! The gear selector must be in
reverse in order to remove the ignition
key.
WARNING!
Reverse gear is not synchronized! Before
shifting to reverse,
make sure that the car
is at standstill, the clutch pedal is fully
depressed,
the accelerator pedal is fully
released,
and the collar on the gear lever
is
pulled upward.
Starting and driving 33
Shift indicator light
The lower the gear selected, the faster the
engine
must run to hold the car at a given
speed,
and this means greater fuel con-
sumption. The Saab 900 with manual
transmission has a light on the instrument
panel to indicate excessive fuel comsump -
tion.
On a warmed up vehicle the light
comes
on to signal you to shift up into a hig-
her gear. A fade - inlfade - out switch and a
delay
of about 1.5 seconds are used so that
you will not be annoyed by continuous blin-
king.
The light is a recommendation to shift
up, but it should of course be ignored in cer-
tain traffic situations. The system prolongs
engine life as well. Make a habit of shifting
up before or when the upshift light goes on.
CHECK
ENGINE
-r-o... SHIFT
E.~ UPI
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