
165 Starting and driving
Driving considerations
with compact spare
wheel/tire fitted The following should be observed when the
compact spare wheel (T115/70 R16) is
installed:
The compact spare is light and easy to
handle when changing the wheel. Do not
drive farther than necessary with the com-
pact spare fitted – the maximum life of the
wheel is only just over 2000 miles
(3,500 km). Have the standard wheel
repaired and reinstalled as soon as possi-
ble.
The car’s ground clearance is reduced with
the compact spare fitted. Note that only one
compact spare wheel may be used at any
time. Take care not to hit the curb and do not
fit snow chains. Leave the wheel cover off,
so that the warning text is readily visible.
For long tripsBefore starting off on a long journey, it is
advisable to have your car inspected over
by your Saab dealer.
Obtain a few important items to take along
on your journey such as spare bulbs, wiper
blades, fuses, a Poly-Vee-belt and the like.
You can check some points yourself before-
hand:
Make sure that the engine is in good con-
dition.
Check that no oil or fuel leaks out of the
engine or gearbox/transmission.
Inspect the Poly-Vee-belt and replace it if
it shows any signs of wear.
Check the battery charge.
Check the tires for tread pattern and air
pressure, including the compact spare
wheel.
Take an extra car key/remote control and
keep it separate, see also page 30.
Check the brakes.
Check all bulbs.
Check for the presence of the tool kit and
the jack in the car.
WARNING
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) as the
tire can overheat and adversely affect the
handling of the car.
The tire should be inflated to 60 psi
(420 kPa).
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.
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168 Car careHood release handleThe handle of the hood lock is located on the
left under the instrument panel. Open the
hood in the following way:
1 Pull the release handle.
2 The hood moves to the half-locked posi-
tion and is stopped by a safety catch at
the front edge.
3 Press the lever of the catch upwards and
raise the hood.
When you close the hood you should drop it
from a height of about 8 inches (20 cm),
without slamming it.
EngineThe engine is a transverse four-cylinder
in-line engine with twin overhead camshafts
and 16 valves.
The engine is equipped with two balance
shafts that reduce engine vibration to a min-
mimum.
The balance shafts are chain-driven and
rotate at twice the speed of the crankshaft.
They produce forces and torques that are
opposed to those generated by the pistons
and connecting rods. The effect occurs
twice in each revolution of the engine, coun-
teracting the vibration from its moving parts,
and at the same time reducing unwanted
engine noise.
The gearbox, located on the right (viewed
from the front), is integrated with the engine.
IB888
Hood release pressure plate
IB887
Hood release handle
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216 Maintenance and owner assistance* These are the minimum required Emission Control System maintenance steps. Saab urges that all recommended maintenance procedures be performed
according to this program.
(b.) Change automatic transmission fluid at more frequent intervals (30,000; 90,000 miles, etc.) if car is driven in dense city traffic where the outside tem-
perature regularly reaches 90°F or higher, if car is used in a mountainous/high altitude area or for trailer towing.
Service Intervals **
Miles = U.S. Cars
Kilometers = Canadian Cars
1,000
(1,600 km)
10,000
(16,000 km)
20,000
(32,000 km)
30,000
(48,000 km)
40,000
(64,000 km)
50,000
(80,000 km)
60,000
(96,000 km)
70,000
(112,000 km)
80,000
(128,000 km)
90,000
(144,000 km)
100,000
(160,000 km)
Service #
1234567891011
Engine and engine compartment (cont.)
E Evaporative emission system including filler cap, vapor
lines, EVAP canister and canister purge valve""
R Fuel system; leaks and damages""""""""""
E Fuel filter!
E Engine air cleaner element!
*
!*
!*
R Exhaust system and mountings; leaks and condition"""""""""""
Electrical
R Battery; state of charge and electrolyte level; clean termi-
nals if necessary"""""""""""
R Headlamp and fog lamp alignment"""""""""""
R Head, fog, brake, tail, turn signal, warning lights instru-
ment panel, backup and marker lamps"""""""""""
Transmission
R Automatic transmission change fluid (b.)!
R Automatic gearbox; oil level and condition""""""""""
R Manual gearbox; oil level"""
R Outer and inner driver joint boots""""""""""
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226 Technical dataManual transmission
Automatic transmissionSuspension
SteeringType _____________________________ 5-speed, fully
synchronized with
final-drive gear and
differential
Oil type (for topping-up) ______________ Saab synthetic man-
ual gearbox oil
Oil capacity ________________________ 1.8 qts. (1.8 l)
Speed (mph/km/h) at 1000 rpm in 5th gear 26/42
Type _____________________________ Electronically con-
trolled 4-speed with
torque converter
and differential
Gear selector positions ______________ P R N D 3 2 1
Oil quantity, total ____________________ 7.4 qts. (7.2 litres)
Oil volume (on changing) _____________ 3.4 qts. (3.25 litres)
Oil type ___________________________ Texaco Texamatic
Dexron III, mineral
oil based
Clutch type ________________________ Hydraulically-oper-
ated plate clutches,
brake bands and
one-way clutches
Speed (mph/km/h) at 1000 rpm in 4th gear 25/40Spring type, front and rear ____________ Coil springs
Maximum deflection of springs:
front, Coupé/5-door/Convertible _______ 6.4" (163 mm)
front, Viggen ______________________ 6.5” (165 mm)
rear, Coupé/5-door/Convertible _______ 8.3" (212 mm)
rear, Viggen ______________________ 7.9” (200 mm)
Dampers, front and rear ______________ Gas-filled tele-
scopic shock
absorbers
Steering __________________________ Power-assisted
steering gear of
rack-and-pinion
type with tele-
scopic, universal
joint steering- col-
umn shaft
Number of turns, lock to lock __________ 3.0
Oil type ___________________________ Power Steering
Fluid CHF 11S
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229 Technical data
Plates and labelsIn contacts with your Saab dealer it may
sometimes be necessary to quote the car’s
chassis, engine and gearbox numbers.
1 Modification identity plate (in the spare
wheel compartment). On certain model
variants, the plate is located on the
right-hand door pillar.
2 V.I.N. number inside windshield.
3 Certification label.
4 Gearbox number.
5 Engine number.
6 Label for tire pressures and color codes
(trim and body).
7 Chassis number.
8 Chassis number (stamped on body).
9 Vehicle Emission Control Information.
10 Spark ignition system information
(Canada only)
4728473IB1368
CANADA US
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230 Technical data1 - Region
____________
Y = Northern Europe
2 - Country _______S = Sweden
3 - Manufacturer ___3 = Saab Automobile AB
4 - Product line ____D = 9-3
5 - Model series ___D = 9-3 S with driver’s and
passenger’s airbag
F = 9-3 SE with driver’s and
passenger’s airbag
P = 9-3 Viggen with driver’s and
passenger’s airbag6 - Body version ___3 = Coupé (3-door)
5 = 5-door
7 = Convertible
7 - Gearbox _______5 = Manual 5-speed
8 = Automatic 4-speed
8 - Engine variant __G = 2.3 Turbo Viggen
H = 2.0 Turbo (185 bhp)
K = 2.0 Turbo (205 bhp)
9 - Check digit ____0-9 or X
10 - Model year _____Y = 2000
11 - Factory ________2 = Trollhättan
7 = Nystad
12 - Serial number __000001-999999 position: 1234567891011 12
||||||||| | | |
VIN:YS3DF 5 8K7 Y 2005543
||||||
123456= identification codes for certain chassis details
IB541
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234 IndexElectrical window
_______________ 119
Electrically adjustable seats
_______ 116
Electrically heated front seats ______ 118
Electrically heated rear seat
_______ 118
Electrically heated rear window _____ 79
Electronic starting interlock
_________ 31
Emergency opening, fuel filler door
_ 131
Emergency operation of the soft top,
Convertible
____________________ 46
Emergency operation of the sunroof
_ 120
Emission control systems
_________ 170
Engine bay, cleaning
____________ 201
Engine bay, gasoline engine
_______ 169
Engine break-in period
_______ 140
, 153
Engine number
_________________ 229
Engine oil, change ______________ 173
Engine oil, checking _____________ 172
Engine oil, grade
________________ 223
Engine oil, volume ______________ 223
Engine variants
_________________ 225
Engine, description ______________ 168
Engine, technical data ___________ 223
FFault codes, Audio System
________ 110
Flat spot
______________________ 199
Folding the soft top
_______________ 43
Fuel filler door, emergency opening
_ 131
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 61
Fuel grade _____________________ 224Fueling
_______________________ 138
Fuse table _____________________ 189
Fuses
________________________ 187
GGearbox number
________________ 229
Gearbox oil, checking and changing
_173
Gearbox oil, grade
______________ 226
General safety instructions,
Convertible
____________________ 42
Glove compartment
______________ 123
HHazard warning lights
_____________ 72
Head restraint
__________________ 114
Headlight flasher _________________ 71
Hood
_________________________ 168
Horn signal
____________________ 118
IIf the car does not start
___________ 135
Ignition switch
__________________ 134
Immobilizer
_____________________ 31
Important considerations concerning
cars with catalytic converters
_____ 137Important considerations for driving,
turbo models
__________________ 136
Instrument lighting
________________ 74
Integrated child car seat
___________ 20
Interior lighting
__________________ 121
Interior lighting, Convertible
_________ 52
Interior rearview mirror
___________ 124
KKey
___________________________ 30
Key, removing
__________________ 134
LLabels and plates
_______________ 229
Leather upholstery, care of
________ 200
Load eyes
_____________________ 129
Locks
__________________________ 30
Lowering rear seat
_______________ 125
Luggage compartment
___________ 125
Luggage compartment, Convertible
__ 50
Luggage-compartment lighting
_____ 129
MMain beam
______________________ 71
Main instrument panel
_____________ 54
Maintenance schedule ___________ 212
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