Questions about Saab 9-5 SE

[theorangeone]

Hi I'm Tricia, new to the site, and I'm just a 17-year-old girl who loves Saabs. I have a 2001 Saab 9-5 SE (automatic) and I've had it for about a year and I absolutely love it. It's sparked my love for cars, particularly Saabs, of all kinds.

I've done my research, but sadly neither of my parents are car people so my knowledge of cars is sparse.

My question is this: The little S button on the gear thing, what does it do? I assume it's sports mode, but I don't want to try it unless I'm sure. (I know what sports mode does, in theory)
If it is a sports mode, I'd obviously love to try it, but do I press the button while I'm in motion or in park? Also, do I have to hold it down and for how long?

I also have similar questions about the W button next to it. That one I have no clue what it could be

Visual:


Thanks for any help :)

[Rajiv]

Welcome to the site Tricia. S button is indeed sports mode. you just need to press it momentarily to engage it. W button is winter mode. you would use it in snow and it will start the car off with low torque so that you will have less chance of wheels spinning uselessly on snow. both modes revert to default as soon as you change out of Drive.

--Rajiv

[rpiereck]

The S button makes your turbo boost faster, as well as making your automatic transmission up shift later, downshift earlier, and the torque converter engages faster. Neither will cause damage to your car as it is designed to do that.

[Mike Brennan]

Go on E Bay and get your self an owners manual. A lot of useful info in there.

[rpiereck]

Go on E Bay and get your self an owners manual. A lot of useful info in there.

Better yet, download it here, it's free: Saab Owner Manuals - Factory Warranty, features and options, and maintenance explained

[nordwulf]

also available in our own Downloads for easy reference.

Saab 9-5 - Downloads - SaabWorld

Welcome to SaabWorld Tricia!