Saab 9-3 Owner's manual

1

Owner’s Manual

Saab 9-3 M2002

©

Saab Automobile AB 2001

Service Readiness, Saab Automobile AB, Trollhättan, Sweden

Printed in Sweden

Safety 11

Security 35

Convertible 47

Instruments and controls 59

Saab 9-3 Audio System 93

OnStar - Telematics 111

Interior equipment, trunk 123

Starting and driving 145

Car care 185

Maintenance and owner assistance 229

Technical data 233

Index 247

2

Introduction

This manual provides practical guidance on

driving and caring for your Saab.

The Saab 9-3 is available with a 2.0L

turbo-engine, 185 hp (Canada only) or 205

hp or a 2.3L turbo-engine, 230 hp.

Although the manual describes the most

important differences between model vari-

ants, it does not include precise specifica-

tions of the different variants. Some differ-

ences also occur to meet special legal

requirements in different countries.

Importation and distribution of Saab auto-

mobiles, spare parts and accessories are

handled exclusively by General Motors of

Canada Limited in Canada and by Saab

Cars USA, Inc. in the U.S.A.

We recommend that you read through the

manual before taking the car out for the first

time and that you keep it in the car for future

reference.

To find a specific item, use the overviews

given on pages 3-6. A list of contents is

given at the beginning of each section of the

manual, and there is also a comprehensive

index at the back of the book.

Supplied with the car is a Warranties and

Service Record booklet and a tire warranty

folder which specifies the regular mainte-

nance to be carried out. The book also con-

tains important warranty conditions:

Since the policy at Saab is one of continual

improvement, we retain the right to incorpo-

rate modifications and to alter specifications

during production without prior notice.

If you have any queries concerning your car,

its equipment, the warranty conditions or

the like, your Saab dealer will be pleased to

help.

Best wishes,

Saab Automobile AB

Saab Automobile AB does not accept liability for

any damage caused by the fitting of spare parts,

exchange parts or accessories that are not

approved by Saab Automobile AB.

The specifications, design particulars and illus-

trations included in the manual are not binding.

WARNING

WARNING texts warn against the danger

of injury if the specified instructions are

not followed.

NOTE

NOTE texts warn of potential damage to

the car if the recommendations are not

followed.

IB1884

3

Instrument panel

High/low beam ________________ 75

Parking lights __________________ 75

Daytime running lights ___________ 75

Changing bulbs _______________ 200

High/low beam control stalk 75

Direction indicators _______ 76

Cruise Control __________ 163

Rear fog light ___________ 77

Front fog lights___________ 77

Instrument lighting ________ 78

Warning and indicator lights _____ 60

Tachometer __________________ 66

Speedometer _________________ 66

Odometer and trip meter ________ 66

Gauge showing turbo pressure ___ 67

Fuel gauge __________________ 68

Temperature gauge ____________ 67

IB731

Ashtrays (accessory) __________ 135

Cigarette lighter (accessory) ____ 135

Trip computer

(Saab Information Display, SID) __ 69

Night panel __________________ 73

Clock _______________________ 74

Washers and wipers ______ 78

Rear-window wiper _______ 79

Replacing wiper blades __ 198

Audio system____________ 94

CD player _____________ 100

Hazard warning lights _____ 76

Climate control system:

manual _______________ 80

Climate control system:

automatic _____________ 84

Car care ______________ 185

Seat heating controls ____ 129

Steering-wheel-mounted

controls, Audio System __ 106

4

Exterior

Sunroof _______________ 132

Convertible _____________ 48

Washing the car ________ 220

Waxing and polishing ____ 221

Touching-up of paintwork _ 221

Anticorrosion treatment ___ 222

Taillights ______________ 202

Stop lights _____________ 202

Light switches ___________ 75

Changing bulbs _________ 200

Towing ________________ 179

Towrope attachment eyes _ 179

Towing a trailer _________ 173

Trunk lid lock ___________ 138

Lowering the rear seat ____ 138

Trunk _________________ 141

Spare wheel ___________ 143

Tools _________________ 143

Lighting _______________ 202

Driving with a roof rack load ____ 176

Mounting of roof rack __________ 176

Maximum loads ______________ 234

Hood release handle __________ 186

Engine compartment: washing __ 220

Central locking __________ 36

Interior locking buttons ____ 37

Trunk lock ______________ 40

Child safety lock catch ____ 39

Car alarm (Anti-theft system) 41

Headlight switches _______ 75

High/low beam control stalk 75

Turn signal & lane change

indicators ______________ 76

Headlamp wipers _______ 198

Changing bulbs ________ 200

Fuel filler door __________ 151

Refuelling _____________ 151

Fuel grade ____________ 239

Fuel gauge _____________ 68

Fuel economy __________ 170

Tires & Rims_____________ 211 / 242

Tire pressure ___________ back cover

Driving in cold weather ________ 171

Brakes and braking ___________ 164

Compact spare wheel _________ 214

Changing a wheel ____________ 215

5

Interior

Power steering _________ 241

Steering-wheel adjustment 131

Airbag _________________ 28

Internal rearview mirror ________ 137

Door mirrors ________________ 137

Vanity mirror ________________ 134

Safety belts _____________ 12

Safety-belt care ________ 218

Airbag _________________ 28

Child seats _____________ 19

Child safety lock catch ____ 39

Glove compartment _____ 135

Manual transmission ____ 155

Automatic transmission __ 156

IB1353

Seat adjustment ________ 124

Safety belts _____________ 12

Seat heating ___________ 129

Rear seat _____________ 138

Folding down the rear seat 138

Child seats _____________ 19

Upholstery: cleaning _____ 219

Interior lighting switch _________ 133

Interior lighting: changing bulbs __ 204

Center console ______________ 130

Electric windows _____________ 130

Sunroof ____________________ 132

Convertible __________________ 48

Ignition switch _______________ 146

Starting the engine ___________ 147

Engine break-in period ________ 155

Parking ____________________ 168

Driving in hot/cold weather _____ 171

6

Engine bay

Warning labels ___________ 7

V.I.N. number __________ 243

Engine number _________ 243

Gearbox number ________ 243

Color coding ___________ 243

Ignition system _________ 240

Drive belt ______________ 197

Alternator _____________ 197

Spark plugs ____________ 240

Catalytic converter ______ 150

Simple fault tracing

(A/C, ACC) ____________ 226

Turbo-compressor ________ 67

Pressure gauge __________ 67

Important considerations

for driving _____________ 148

Technical data: engine ___ 237

Manual transmission __________ 191

Automatic transmission ________ 191

Transmission oil ______________ 191

Gearbox: technical data ________ 240

Battery _____________________ 195

Battery charge _______________ 195

Jump starting ________________ 181

IB1624

Engine: description ____________ 188

Engine oil, level control

and topping up _______________ 190

Engine oil: changing ___________ 190

Oil grade_____________________ 237

Washer fluid ___________ 199

Topping up with fluid _____ 199

Washer jets ___________ 199

Wiper/washer control stalk _ 78

Steering servo _______________ 195

Fluid checking

and topping up ______________ 195

Coolant, checking

and topping up ________ 192

Coolant _______________ 192

Temperature gauge ______ 67

Driving in hot weather ____ 173

Driving in cold weather ___ 171

Fuse panels ___________ 206

Changing a fuse ________ 206

Table of fuses __________ 208

Relays _______________ 210

Brake system ________________ 241

Brake fluid __________________ 194

Brake pads __________________ 194

ABS brakes _________________ 164

7

Coolant:

Never open while engine is hot.

Escaping coolant under pressure can cause

serious injuries.

Drive belt:

Moving belt. Do not

touch while engine

running.

Radiator fan:

The radiator fan can cut in even

after engine has been switched off.

Battery:

• No sparks, flames or smoking.

• Shield eyes, explosive gases can cause blindness or injury.

• Sulphuric acid can cause blindness or servere burns.

• Flush eyes immediately with water. Get medical help fast.

• Do not tip battery, do not open battery.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

Warning labels

A/C system:

Refrigerant at high pressure.

Do not undo or remove any connections in the A/C system

until the system has been emptied. Working the wrong way

may result in injury. Work on the A/C system must be left

to qualified personnel only. For working instructions, see

the Workshop Handbook.

The A/C system complies with SAE J639.

Refrigerant: 770 g of R134a.

Compressor oil: 150 cc PAG Oil SP-10, or

SAAB oil 4759106 SP-10.

• AVOID SPARKS, AVOID OPEN FLAMES, NO SMOKING

• PROTECT YOUR EYES

• KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

• ACID

• SEE MANUAL

• FLAMMABLE GAS

8

Long loads

Always SECURE LOAD to prevent it from shift-

ing during transport.

An unsecured load could cause passenger

injuries in braking situations or in the event of a

crash.

Cover sharp edges with a protective wrap.

Belt beam

Warning for pinch risk due to

movable parts when beam is in

unlocked position.

Wheel changing:

Intended for the Saab 9-5 and 9-3. Use the jack

only on firm, level ground. Use blocks. Max. jack

load: 2200 lbs. (1000 kg). For further information,

see the manual.

AIR BAG

WARNING

Flip visor over

50 10 111

WARNING

DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur.

• Children 12 and under can be killed by the air bag.

• The BACK SEAT is the SAFEST place for children.

• NEVER put a rear-facing child seat in the front.

• Sit as far back as possible from the air bag.

• ALWAYS use SEAT BELT and CHILD RESTRAINTS

IB1195

USA

CANADA

USA

CANADA

9

Jack

– The jack is designed only for changing a tire or mount-

ing tire snow chains.

– Car must be level and jack must be placed on firm and

level ground.

– Never crawl under car while it is jacked up.

JACKING INSTRUCTIONS

1 Set parking brake and shift transmission to park.

2 Fit top of jack into jacking point next to wheel that to

be changed (See illustration).

3 Crank jack until so that car begins to lift.

4 Remove center cap by inserting a screw driver under

cap prying up.

5 Using socket wrench in tool kit, loosen wheels bolts

one-half turn.

6 Raise car so that tire clears ground. Loosen wheel

bolts completely and remove wheel.

7 Mount spare wheel and tighten bolts enough so

wheel is not loose.

8 Lower car. Tighten wheel bolts in crosswise order

(See illustration).

Observe max. speed limit for spare tire.

IB934

Soft top, Saab 9-3

Convertible

Push the handle in before

driving away.

There would otherwise be

a risk of injury.

Soft top, Saab 9-3 Convertible

Do not lean over top or sit in the rear seat

while activated.

Brake fluid

Clean filler cap before removing. Use only Dot

4 fluid from sealed container.

10

(This page has been left blank).

11

Safety

Safety belts...................... 12

Head restraint.................. 18

Child safety...................... 19

Airbag (Supplemental

Restraint System "SRS") 28

IB1885

12 Safety

Safety belts

Three-point inertia-reel safety belts are pro-

vided for all seats.

The results of studies show that it is equally

important to wear safety belts in the rear

seat as in the front seats.

Safety-belt reminder

When the ignition is switched on, the ”fasten

belts” reminder will light up until the driver

fastens the safety belt. In addition an audi-

ble signal sounds for 6 seconds, or until the

driver fastens his belt.

WARNING

Safety belts must be worn at all times by

all car occupants. Child safety, see page

19.

Check that the locking tongue is properly

locked in the belt lock.

WARNING

In the event of a crash, the rear-seat pas-

sengers can be thrown forward against

the front seat backrests, imposing much

higher stresses on the front seat passen-

gers and belts and resulting in needless

injury to everyone in the car.

WARNING

For safety reasons, you should adjust

safety belts only while the car is station-

ary.

FASTEN BELTS

IB1302

13Safety

Safety-belt pretensioners

The belts of the front seats are fitted with

automatic pretensioners, which are acti-

vated in the event of a severe frontal crash

or very violent rear-end crash. They serve to

reduce the forward movement of the body

by tensioning the belt.

The belt pretensioners do not activate in

less violent frontal or rear-end crashes.

Correct position for safety belt

• The lap part of the belt should be pulled

as tightly as comfortable and as low as

possible across the hips, so that it is just

touching the top of the thighs. The shoul-

der belt should be well in on the shoulder

but not touching the neck.

• Check to ensure that the belt is not twisted

or rubbing against any sharp edges.

• There should not be any slack in the belt.

Pull the belt tight – particularly important

when thick outer clothing is worn.

• Refrain from tilting the backrest more than

necessary, as the safety belt provides

better protection when the seat is in the

more upright position.

• Only one person per safety belt!

• For most of the time a safety belt is worn,

the retractor will allow the wearer freedom

of movement. The retractor locks up auto-

matically if the belt is jerked or withdrawn

sharply, the car tilts, the brakes are

applied hard or a crash occurs.

WARNING

If the car is involved in a crash, the safety

belts, belt pretensioners and other com-

ponents must be inspected by an autho-

rized Saab dealer and replaced as neces-

sary.

Never make any alterations or repairs to

the safety belt yourself but visit an author-

ized Saab dealer.

WARNING

Proper positioning of the safety belt is

extremely important. An out of position

safety belt can result in the wearer sliding

underneath the belt in a crash (submarin-

ing) and injury can result from the lap por-

tion cutting into the abdomen.

WARNING

If two people share a belt, they risk injury

by being crushed together in the event of

a crash.

IB816

Correctly positioned safety belt.

14 Safety

• Children who have grown out of a child

seat should be restrained by the car’s

standard three-point belts. Make sure that

the shoulder belt is not in contact with the

neck or throat. If it is, a booster seat/cush-

ion may be necessary.

Front seat belts

Fasten the belt by pulling the belt and insert-

ing the tongue in the buckle. Check that it is

securely fastened.

Because the lower belt-anchorage points

are on the seat (9-3 5-door), the belt buckle

follows the movement of the seat during

seat adjustment. In the 9-3 Coupé and

9-3 Convertible, the lower outer anchorage

point is in the rear of the sill, which makes it

all the more important that the lap strap is

not slack during use.

Grasp the shoulder belt close to the buckle

and pull the belt towards the shoulder to

tighten the lap belt part.

The belt must be as far in on the shoulder as

possible.

To release the belt, press the red button on

the belt buckle, as illustrated.

See page 218 for the checking of belt func-

tion, cleaning etc.

WARNING

Never fasten the safety belt with the

shoulder belt behind the body or pull the

belt off the shoulder and under the arm.

IB1304

To fasten the belt

IB1305

Press the red button to release the belt.

15Safety

Belt height adjustment

The belt guide on the door pillar can be set

to five different heights.

Set the guide as high as possible without

causing the belt to chafe against the throat.

In the case of a short person the guide can

be lowered until the belt comes about an

inch (a few centimetres) from the throat but

still provides safe restraint.

Raise the belt guide by pushing it upwards

to the desired position. To lower it, the

release button must first be depressed.

Check that it has engaged in its new position

by pulling up and down.

Safety belt use during pregnancy

Pregnant women must always wear a

safety belt to protect both themselves and

the unborn child.

The lap belt should be placed low, across

the hips and over the upper thighs.

IB818

The belt guide on the door pillar

IB819

16 Safety

Safety belts, rear seat

Three-point safety belts are provided for all

three rear-seat passengers (2 for Convert-

ible models).

Fasten the belts by pulling the belt across

you and inserting the tongue into the buckle.

Check that it is securely fastened.

Grasp the shoulder belt close to the buckle

and pull the belt towards the shoulder to

tighten the lap belt part.

The belt must be as far in on the shoulder as

possible.

Press the red button on the belt buckle to

release the belt.

See page 142 for securing of load.

See page 218 for the checking of belt func-

tion, cleaning etc.

WARNING

• Make sure that the belt does not

become trapped when the backrest is

folded down or raised (see page 138).

• If you must carry an item of luggage on

a seat, ensure that it is held securely

by the safety belt. This will reduce the

risk of injury by flying objects in the

event of a crash.

• Check that the belt is not twisted or

lying against sharp edges.

IB960

Safety belts, rear seat (the central head restraint is an accessory)

IB821

Securing a load on the rear seat

17Safety

WARNING

Safety belts are designed to bear upon

the bony structure of the body, and should

be worn low across the front of the pelvis

or the pelvis, chest and shoulders, as

applicable; wearing the lap section of the

belt across the abdominal area must be

avoided.

Safety belts should be adjusted as firmly

as possible, consistent with comfort, to

provide the protection for which they have

been designed. A loose belt will greatly

reduce the protection afforded to the

wearer.

Care should be taken to avoid contamina-

tion of the webbing with polishes, oils and

chemicals, and particularly battery acid.

Cleaning may safely be carried out using

mild soap and water. The belt should be

replaced if webbing becomes frayed,

contaminated or damaged.

It is essential to replace the entire assem-

bly after it has been worn in a severe

impact even if damage to the assembly is

not obvious.

Belts should not be worn with straps

twisted.

Each belt assembly must only be used by

one occupant; it is dangerous to put a belt

around a child being carried on the occu-

pant´s lap.

No modifications or additions should be

made by the user which will either prevent

the safety belt adjusting device from oper-

ating to remove slack, or prevent the

safety belt assembly from being adjusted

to remove slack.

18 Safety

Head restraint

The front seats in the Saab 9-3 are

equipped with Saab Active Head Restraints

(SAHRs). These reduce the risk of whiplash

injury if the car is hit from behind.

In the event of a rear-end crash, the body is

forced back against the backrest. This, in

turn, causes the mechanism to press the

head restraint forward and upward, thus lim-

iting the backward movement of the head.

The SAHR is a mechanical system, actu-

ated by body weight. The mechanism is built

into the top of the backrest, where it is con-

nected to the head restraint.

Because the SAHR is mechanically oper-

ated, it does not need to be replaced after a

minor rear-end crash.

The head restraint can be raised or lowered

and is adjustable in various positions.

• Raising: grasp the head restraint on both

sides and pull it straight up.

• Lowering: depress the catch on the

left-hand side of the attaching point and

press the head restraint down.

WARNING

Adjust the head restraint so that the head

is well supported and the center of the

head restraint is at ear height, thus reduc-

ing the likelihood of neck injury in a crash.

IB400

19Safety

Child safety

Car safety tips Protect your children from getting

trapped in the trunk of a car

For Trunk Release Handle see page 39 and

143.

WARNING

• NEVER put a rear-facing child seat in

the front.

• Children must

always be suitably

restrained in the car.

All child restraints and

booster seats are

designed to be

secured in vehicle

seats by the lap belt of a lap-shoulder

belt or LATCH. If the child restraint is

not properly secured, a child can be

injured in a crash.

• Children 12 and under can be killed by

the airbag.

• According to crash statistics, the

BACK SEAT is SAFER for properly

restrainen children than the front seat.

• Sit as far back as possible from the air

bag.

WARNING

• Never leave your children unattended

in a car, even for a short time.

– Children can suffer heat stroke - per-

haps die - in a matter of minutes.

– Children can put the car into gear and

hurt themselves or others.

• At gas stations, take the keys from the

car while filling the tank.

• Never allow children to climb on top of -

or under motor vehicles.

• Always look for children before backing

your motor vehicle out of a garage or

driveway.

• To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning,

never let a car idle in the garage.

• Supervise young children around buck-

ets of water while washing your car.

Small children can drown in seconds in

less than an inch of water.

WARNING

• Teach your kids not to play in or around

cars.

• Watch your children when loading or

unloading the car so they don´t get

locked in by mistake.

• Always lock the doors and trunk of your

car, and keep the keys out of children´s

sight and reach.

• Keep the rear fold-down seats closed

to help prevent kids from getting into

the trunk from inside the car.

20 Safety

The same attention must be given to child

safety in the car as is given to adults.

Saab recommends rearward facing child

restraints for children up to 3 years old.

Children travel most safely when properly

restrained, but restraints must be suitable

for the size of the child. Always follow the

child seat/booster cushion manufacturer´s

instructions when installing these devices in

your vehicle.

Make sure you are acquainted with the

legal requirements for seating children

in the car.

Make sure that it is possible to fit a child

restraint in accordance with the manufac-

turer’s child seat instructions.

When fitting child seats in cars you must

always read the instructions supplied by

the manufacturer.

IB1683

Illustration showing lower attachments (ISOFIX) in the rear seat.

Top tethers are located behind the head restraints, one for each seat position, see page

23 and 24.

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