Page 1 of 236
1
Owner’s Manual
Saab 9-3 M2000
© Saab Automobile AB 1999 Service Readiness, Saab Automobile AB, Trollhättan, Sweden
Printed in Sweden
Safety 11
Security 29
Convertible 41
Instruments and controls 53
Saab 9-3 Audio System 89
Interior equipment, trunk 111
Starting and driving 133
Car care 167
Maintenance and owner assistance 211
Technical data 219
Index 233
ProCarManuals.com
Page 2 of 236

2IntroductionThis 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 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
The fitting of accessories that are not approved
by Saab Automobile AB can damage other parts
of the car.
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.
NOTENOTE texts warn of potential damage to
the car if the recommendations are not
followed.
IB730
ProCarManuals.com
Page 3 of 236

3
Instrument panel High/low beam ________________ 71
Parking lights __________________ 71
Daytime running lights ___________ 71
Changing bulbs _______________ 181High/low beam control stalk 71
Direction indicators _______ 72
Cruise Control __________ 148Rear fog light ___________ 73
Front fog lights ___________ 73Instrument lighting ________ 74
Warning and indicator lights _____ 54
Tachometer __________________ 59
Speedometer _________________ 59
Odometer and trip meter ________ 59
Gauge showing turbo pressure ___ 60
Fuel gauge __________________ 61
Temperature gauge ____________ 60
IB731
Ashtrays ___________________ 123
Cigarette lighter ______________ 123
Tr i p c o m p u t e r
(Saab Information Display, SID) __ 62
Night panel __________________ 63
Clock ____________________ 64, 70
Washers and wipers ______ 74
Rear-window wiper _______ 75
Replacing wiper blades __ 179Audio system____________ 90
Cassette player __________ 96
CD player ______________ 99Hazard warning lights _____ 72Climate control system:
manual _______________ 76
Climate control system:
automatic _____________ 80
Car care ______________ 167Seat heating controls ____ 118
Steering-wheel-mounted
controls, Audio System __ 105
ProCarManuals.com
Page 4 of 236

4Exterior Sunroof _______________ 120
Convertible _____________ 42
Washing the car ________ 201
Waxing and polishing ____ 202
Touching-up of paintwork _ 202
Anticorrosion treatment ___ 203
Service program ________ 215Taillights ______________ 183
Stop lights _____________ 183
Light switches ___________ 71
Changing bulbs _________ 181Towing ________________ 160
Towrope attachment eyes _ 160
Towing a trailer _________ 156Trunk lid lock ___________ 125
Lowering the rear seat ____ 125
Trunk _________________ 128
Spare wheel ___________ 130
Tools _________________ 130
Lighting _______________ 183
Driving with a roof rack load ____ 158
Mounting of roof rack __________ 158
Maximum loads ______________ 220
Hood release handle __________ 168
Engine compartment: washing __ 201
Central locking __________ 30
Interior locking buttons ____ 31
Trunk lock ______________ 33
Child safety lock catch ____ 33
Car alarm (Anti-theft alarm) 35Headlight switches _______ 71
High/low beam control stalk 71
Turn signal & lane change
indicators ______________ 72
Headlamp wipers _______ 180
Changing bulbs ________ 181Fuel filler door __________ 138
Refuelling _____________ 138
Fuel grade ____________ 224
Fuel gauge _____________ 61
Fuel economy __________ 153
Tires & Rims _____________ 192 / 227
Driving in cold weather ________ 154
Brakes and braking ___________ 149
Compact spare wheel _________ 195
Changing a wheel ____________ 196
ProCarManuals.com
Page 5 of 236

5
Interior Power steering _________ 226
Steering-wheel adjustment 118
Airbag _________________ 22
Internal rearview mirror ________ 124
Door mirrors ________________ 124
Vanity mirror ________________ 122
Safety belts _____________ 12
Safety-belt care ________ 199
Airbag _________________ 22
Child seats _____________ 18
Child safety lock catch ____ 33Glove compartment _____ 123Gear changing _________ 141
Manual transmission ____ 141
Automatic transmission __ 141
IB1353
Seat adjustment ________ 112
Safety belts _____________ 12
Seat heating ___________ 118
Rear seat _____________ 125
Folding down the rear seat 125
Child seats _____________ 18
Upholstery: cleaning _____ 200
Interior lighting switch _________ 121
Interior lighting: changing bulbs __ 185
Center console ______________ 119
Electric windows _____________ 119
Sunroof ____________________ 120
Convertible __________________ 42
Ignition switch _______________ 134
Starting the engine ___________ 135
Engine break-in period ________ 140
Parking ____________________ 151
Driving in hot/cold weather _____ 154
ProCarManuals.com
Page 6 of 236

6Engine bay: turboWarning labels ___________ 7
V.I.N. number __________ 229
Engine number _________ 229
Gearbox number ________ 229
Color coding ___________ 229Ignition system _________ 225
Drive belt ______________ 179
Alternator _____________ 179
Spark plugs ____________ 225
Catalytic converter ______ 137
Simple fault tracing
(A/C, ACC) ____________ 207Turbo-compressor ________ 60
Pressure gauge __________ 60
Important considerations
for driving _____________ 136
Technical data: engine ___ 223Manual transmission __________ 173
Automatic transmission ________ 173
Transmission oil ______________ 173
Gearbox: technical data ________ 226
Battery _____________________ 177
Battery charge _______________ 177
Jump starting ________________ 162IB733
Engine: description ____________ 168
Engine oil, level control
and topping up _______________ 172
Engine oil: changing ___________ 172
Oil grade, viscosity ____________ 223
Washer fluid ___________ 180
Topping up with fluid _____ 180
Washer jets ___________ 180
Wiper/washer control stalk _ 74
Steering servo _______________ 177
Fluid checking
and topping up ______________ 177
Coolant, checking
and topping up ________ 174
Coolant, changing ______ 175
Temperature gauge ______ 60
Driving in hot weather ____ 156
Driving in cold weather ___ 154Fuse panels ___________ 187
Changing a fuse ________ 187
Table of fuses __________ 189
Relays _______________ 191
Brake system ________________ 227
Brake fluid __________________ 176
Brake pads __________________ 176
ABS brakes _________________ 149
ProCarManuals.com
Page 7 of 236

7
WL4
Coolant: Never open while engine is hot.
Escaping coolant under pressure can cause
serious injuries.
WL3
Drive belt: Danger! Moving belt
WL2
Radiator fan: The radiator fan can cut in even
after engine has been switched off.
Battery: Contains corrosive sulphuric acid (40%)
FLAMMABLE GASES formed when car is running and during charging of battery
Always wear eye and face protection when working on the battery
Smoking, open flames and sparks can all cause battery to explode
Consult the manual before using jumper cables.
Battery acid can cause SERIOUS BURNS
Keep battery upright
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing
In the event of an accident, flush affected area promptly with water and seek medical help.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
Warning labels
WL1
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.
WL36
AVOID SPARKS, AVOID OPEN FLAMES, NO SMOKING
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
SEE MANUAL
PROTECT YOUR EYES
FLAMMABLE GAS
ACID
ProCarManuals.com
Page 8 of 236

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
collision.
Cover sharp edges with a protective wrap.
Max. weight 30 lbs. (15 kg).
Max. length 6 ft. (2 metres).
See your Owner’s Manual before securing
loads. IB989
Belt beam Warning for pinch risk due to
movable parts when beam is in
unlocked position.
WARNING
WL9
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.
IB994
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
USACANADA
ProCarManuals.com