
191 Car care
Fuses and relays Fuse panel in engine bay
No. Amp Function
110Horn
2 15 Front fog lights
3 40 Radiator fan, low speed
4 10 Vacuum pump
5 15 A/C-compressor
610Left low beam
7 10 Right low beam
8 10 Left high beam
9 10 Right high beam
10 7.5 Headlight wipers
11 – –
12 – Extra lights
13 7.5 APC
14 10 Extra heater; water pump (Europe)
15 15 Extra heater (Europe)
MAXI 1 30 Radiator fan, high speed
MAXI 2 50 ABS
Item Amp Function
A Low beam
B High beam
C1 Extra heater (Europe)
C2 Vacuum pump (Turbo aut.)
D Radiator fan, low speed
E Lamp check (filament monitor, front)
F1 – –
F2 – –
G1 Horn
G2 Front fog lights
H–
I Radiator fan, high speed
J A/C-compressor
IB919
Fuses and relays in engine bay (left side)
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195 Car care
Date codeTires should be regarded as perishable
goods. As the tires age, the rubber becomes
progressively harder, and the roadholding
ability of the tires diminishes. This is partic-
ularly true on winter tires.
Tires now have a date-code marking for the
year of manufacture. The first two digits
denote the week number and the last digit
the year. The ”<” symbol points to the year.
Accordingly, a date code of 157 signifies
that the tire was manufactured in week 15,
1997.
Wear indicatorsThe tires incorporate wear indicators in the
form of smooth, treadless strips across the
width, which become visible when only
2/32" (1.6 mm) of tread remains. As soon as
the indicators become visible, new tires
should be fitted without delay.
Make sure you are familiar with the legal
limit for minimum tread depth in your
country and also any regulations gov-
erning the use of winter tires.
Compact spare wheelThe compact spare is light and easy to
handle when changing the wheel. Its use is
only permitted when a standard wheel has
sustained a puncture. The maximum life of
the wheel is only 2000 miles (3,500 km).
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) with the
compact spare fitted.
The compact spare should be inflated to
60 psi (420 kPa). Carry the punctured tire in
the spare-wheel well under the trunk floor.
Have the standard wheel repaired and refit-
ted as soon as possible
Driving considerations with compact spare
wheel/tire fitted, see page 165.
The spare wheel, the tools and the jack with
its crank are carried under a panel in the
trunk.
IB969
Date code
IB998
Wear indicators
IB921
Spare wheel (under the carpet in the
trunk)
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196 Car careWhen changing a wheel, take the tool kit out
first, then the spare wheel.
Changing a wheel
If light-alloy wheels have been fitted to the
car for several years and a change is made
to steel wheels, the threads for the wheel
bolts in the brake discs should be cleaned
before the thinner steel wheels are fitted.
The innermost threads in the holes may be
clogged with sand, salt and rust so that the
correct tightening torque cannot be
achieved.
NOTETo avoid damaging a punctured alloy
wheel this can be placed outside up in the
spare-wheel well but only while driving to
the closest workshop.
A general rule is that all heavy loads must
be well secured in the luggage compart-
ment, see page 129.
WARNING
The car jack is designed solely for use
in changing a wheel or fitting snow
chains. It must not be used to support
the car during repair work or servicing.
Never crawl under a car that is
supported only by a jack.
Special care must be taken if the car is
on a slope – use wheel chocks!
Position chocks, one ahead and one
behind, the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the one to be changed.
Switch on the hazard warning lights if
the car is on a road.
Apply the parking brake and leave the
car in gear (1st or reverse). Automatic
transmission: move selector to the
P position.
Ensure that everybody is out of the car
before jacking it up.
Never start the engine while the car is
jacked up.
The jack must stand on a firm, level
surface.
Stow the jack in the place provided for
it under the panel in the floor of the
trunk. Secure it properly to avoid injury
to passengers in the event of an acci-
dent.
Do not use the jack for any purpose
other than for jacking up the car.
IB1261IB1262
Spare wheel (under the carpet in the
trunk), Saab 9-3 Viggen
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198 Car care8 Lower the car and tighten the wheel
bolts to the correct torque in the
sequence shown (opposite pairs).
Tightening torque:
Light-alloy wheels: 80 ft.lbs (110 Nm).
Steel wheels: 80 ft.lbs (110 Nm).
Do not overtighten the bolts using an
impact wrench: not only can this
damage the wheels but it can also make
it impossible to undo the bolts using the
wheel wrench in the car’s toolkit.9 Recheck the wheel bolts after a few
miles.
Tightening torque:
Light-alloy wheels: 80 ft.lbs (110 Nm)
Steel wheels: 80 ft.lbs (110 Nm)
We advise against using wheels with open
wheel covers in winter, as the brake compo-
nents are then more exposed both to slush
and to road salt and grit.
Tire chains; see page 155.
NOTE
When refitting wheel covers (where
applicable), make sure that the valve
protrudes through the hole in the wheel
cover.
NOTESaab 9-3 Viggen: The minimum permis-
sible wheel diameter is 16”, due to the
size of the brake discs.
IB1174
Position for jack, Saab 9-3 Viggen
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200 Car careUpholstery and trimTo remove fluff or hairs from the seat uphol-
stery or headlining, use a moist, lint-free
cloth or a special lint remover (brush or
roller). Remove any dirty marks using a
cloth moistened with lukewarm soapy
water.
When using a stain remover, always work
from the outside towards the center to avoid
leaving a ring. If a soiled ring or spot should
remain, it can usually be removed using
lukewarm soapy water or water alone.
Wet patches left by spilled soft drinks or thin
oil must be wiped off immediately using an
absorbent material, such as paper toweling,
and treated with stain remover.
Isopropyl alcohol is recommended for
removing grease or oil stains, and a
semi-stiff brush may also be used.
Cleaning and caring for leather
upholsteryThe principal reason for treating leather
upholstery is to maintain its elegant appear-
ance and to provide it with a protective film.
Discoloration caused by dust and wear
mainly affects the lighter shades, although
this is not detrimental to the leather –
indeed, the patina resulting from use is often
considered desirable in leather. But if the
leather is allowed to become too grubby, it
can start to look shabby.
It is a good idea to clean and recondition the
leather twice a year – in conjunction with a
general spring-cleaning of the car – after the
winter and in the autumn, for instance. In
hot, dry climates, the leather will need to be
treated more frequently.
Moisten a soft cloth in a mild soap solution.
Carefully apply this damp (not wet) cloth to
the leather, working in light, circular move-
ments until the leather is clean. Repeat the
procedure using clean water and then leave
the leather to dry thoroughly. Finally, treat
the leather with a conditioner.Apply the leather conditioner using a soft
cloth and the same circular movements as
described above. After it has dried, polish
the leather with a soft, dry cloth. Follow the
directions given above. Do not use hot
water, unknown abrasive polishes, sol-
vents, sprays or soaps that might scratch
the leather. Look after the leather as
described and it will stay clean and attrac-
tive for many years.
Textile carpetingVacuum clean the carpeting regularly. Car-
pets can also be cleaned using a brush, or
carpet shampoo applied with a sponge. Do
not use vacuum cleaners outdoors unless
they are properly grounded.
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201 Car care
Engine bayClean the engine compartment using an
engine detergent and rinse with hot water.
Cover the headlights and do not aim the
spray nozzle on the:
Radiator.
Throttle cable.
Throttle housing.
Other engine controls.
The alternator.
Ignition system and other electrical com-
ponents.
Avoid spraying the hood liner, as this can
become heavy and hang down and touch
the engine when the hood is closed.
Additional care should be taken if using a
high-pressure washer. Hold the nozzle at
right angles to the area to be cleaned. This
is particularly important when spraying
labels.
Do not use gasoline as a cleaning agent or
solvent when carrying out repairs or mainte-
nance. Saab recommends the use of envi-
ronmentally safe degreasing agents.
WashingWash the car frequently. When the car is
new, wash the bodywork by hand, using just
cold water – a brush attachment on the end
of a hose is ideal. Do not use automatic car
washes for the first five or six months,
before the paintwork has hardened prop-
erly. Thereafter, use a high quality car wash
soap added to lukewarm water.
Remove any bird droppings without delay,
as these can discolor the paintwork and
prove difficult to polish out.
Use a soft cloth moistened with methyl alco-
hol to remove splashes of tar or asphalt. Do
not use strong cleaners, as these can dry
out the paintwork. The underside of the car also needs wash-
ing regularly, and this should be done very
thoroughly at the end of winter. Clean the
underside of the car by hand if the car is usu-
ally washed in an automatic car wash with-
out special facilities for underbody cleaning.
Never wash or leave the car to dry in the
sun, but wipe it dry with a chamois leather
immediately after washing to avoid smears
and streaks.
Clean the window glass inside and out using
a high quality window cleaner. This is partic-
ularly important when the car is new, as
upholstery and trim have a tendency to
sweat a little at first.
Keep the glass well cleaned, as this helps to
prevent misting.NOTEAvoid using any alcohol-based cleaners
on the front and rear light clusters, as
these can cause cracking of the lenses.
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206 Car care1 A-pillar trim: PP, PP/EPDM.
2 Windshield trim: PP, PP/EPD.
3 Seals: EPDM.
4 Rear-window casing PUR.
5 Trim panel ABS.
6 C/D-pillar trim PP.
7 Rear light cluster: PMMA.
8 Corner filler panel PPO/PA.
9 Rear bumper
Expanded PP core
PP/EPDM sheathing.
10 Fuel tank PE.
11 Side-window casing:
PP/EPDM.
12 Side trim PVC.
13 A-pillar upholstery trim:
PC/ABS, textile.
14 Rearview mirror: ABS.
15 Sill scuff plate: PP/EPDM.
16 Wheel-arch liner: PP.
17 Wheel cover: PA.
18 Direction-indicator lamp lens: PMMA.
19 Front spoiler: PP/EPDM.
20 Front bumper,
cellular core, expanded PP,
sheathing: PP/EPDM.
21 Fan shroud: PP.
22 Radiator grille: ABS.
23 Washer-fluid reservoir: PE.
24 Cowl trim: PC/ASA.
IB927
19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4
18 1716
15 14 13 12
11 7
10 98 6 5 ABS Acr ylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
ASA Acrylonitrile-styrene (acrylic plastic)
EPDM Ethylene-propylene rubber
PA Polyamide (plastic)
PC Polycarbonate (plastic)
PE Polyethylene
PMMA Polymethyl methacrylate
POM Acetal plastic
PPO Polyphenylene oxide (plastic)
PP Polypropylene
PUR Polyurethane
PVC Polyvinyl chloride
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208 Car careMaintenance The drive belt for the compressor should
be inspected under the regular service
program.
Clean dirt and insects away from the con-
denser and radiator to prevent clogging.
When washing the car, use the hose to
spray the radiator and condenser (located
forward of the radiator) from both sides
(both from the front of the car and from
inside the engine bay). Do not use a pres-
sure washer.
Caution: Do not use the hose when the
engine is hot.
Other than in extremely cold weather, do not
cover the radiator, e.g. with screen netting,
as this will greatly diminish its cooling capac-
ity.
Note: The A/C system will only operate
when the outdoor temperature is above the
freezing point (0°C, 32°F). Switch on the
A/C system when the car stands in a warm
place.
Headlight aimingThe vehicle is equipped with vertical and
horizontal aim indicators. The aim has been
preset at the factory and should normally not
need further adjustments. This is true even
though your vertical and horizontal aim indi-
cators may not fall exactly on the "0" (zero)
marks on their scales.
If your headlight is damaged in an accident,
the headlight aim may be affected. If you
believe your headlights need to be
re-aimed, we recommend that you take it to
your Saab dealer for service. However, it is
possible for you to re-aim your headlights as
described in the following procedure.
To check the aim, the vehicle should be
properly prepared as follows: Place the vehicle on a level pad or surface
The vehicle should be unladen and fuel
tank full, and one person or 160 lbs.
(75 kg) on the drivers seat
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice
or mud attached to it
Tires should be inflated to the prescribed
pressure
Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspen-
sion
WARNING
Before checking/adjusting the headlight
aiming, switch off the engine to avoid
danger of fingers and hands being injured
by moving parts.
The radiator fan can start up even when
the engine is switched off.
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