202 Car care
Waxing and polishingDo not wax a new car during the first three
or four months. In fact, there is no need to
polish the car before the paintwork has
started to go dull through oxidation. Other
than in exceptional cases, do not use abra-
sive polishes containing a cutting agent on
a new car. Always wash the car thoroughly
before waxing or polishing.
Touching up the paintDamaged paintwork should be treated as
soon as it is discovered: the longer it is left,
the greater the risk of corrosion. The
anti-perforation warranty does not cover
corrosion resulting from untreated defects.
Paintwork damage sustained in a collision is
usually extensive and can only be properly
restored by professionals.
However, you can repair small scratches
and stone-chip damage yourself. The nec-
essary tools and materials, such as primer,
touch-up paint and brushes, are available
from your Saab dealer.
In the case of minor flaws in the paintwork,
where the metal has not been exposed and
an undamaged layer of paint remains,
touch-up paint can usually be applied
directly, after any dirt has been scraped
away using a pointed knife.
If corrosion has already set in, e.g. as a
result of stone-chip damage, use a pointed
knife to scrape off all surface rust. If possi-
ble, the damaged area should be taken
back to the bare metal. The metal should
then be primed with two thin coats of primer
applied by brush.
After the primer has dried, apply several thin
layers of topcoat enamel until the surface of
the repaired area is flush with the surround-
ing paintwork.
Stir both primer and touch-up enamel thor-
oughly before use and allow each coat to
dry before applying the next.
NOTE Try your brakes on leaving a car wash.
Wet brake discs reduce the braking
effect.
Turn off the radio before entering an
automatic car wash so the power
antenna mast does not get damaged.
Clean the rod of the electrically pow-
ered antenna about once a month with
a clean, dry rag.
IMPORTANT! Use no oil, nor any sili-
cone-based cleaning product.
Fixed antennas must be removed
when going through an automatic car
wash.
Saab 9-3 Viggen, Coupé and
5-door: If you wash the car in an auto-
matic car wash, you must first remove
the roof-mounted antenna, otherwise
it will be damaged.
On Covertible models with OnStar,
fold down the cellular antenna
mounted on the windshield before
entering a car wash to avoid damage
to the antenna or convertible top.
IB1271
Removing the roof-mounted antenna,
Saab 9-3 Viggen Coupé and 5-door
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213 Maintenance and owner assistance
Service record retentionService instruction coupons and record
stubs are provided in the Saab Warranties
and Service Record Booklet which accom-
panies this Owner’s Manual. The coupons
are arranged in the order that normal ser-
vice should be performed. The edge of each
coupon is shaded to correspond to the type
of service point:
Striped - "First Service".
Blue - Oil change/inspection service.
Black - Major service.
Note that in Canada a combined service
and warranty book is used, but not service
coupons.
When scheduled services are performed,
your dealer will tear out the applicable
coupon and use it to check off the opera-
tions performed and enter it into the service
file at the dealership. The servicing dealer’s
stamp, along with the date and mileage at
which the service was done, should be
entered on the corresponding stub which
remains in your booklet. The booklet is your
permanent record of the services per-
formed. It also includes a log sheet for
unscheduled repairs.
It is advisable to retain receipts and, if pos-
sible, copies of shop work orders for all ser-
vice and repair work, wherever performed.
Service costsDealer pricing practices and labor for ser-
vice work vary. Saab’s recommended ser-
vice times for each service point do not
include the labor required to replace wear
items, such as wiper blades, brake pads or
tires. Nor is labor to perform other service or
repairs found to be necessary as a result of
the inspections included in these times.
Additional labor and parts will be charged
for such work when necessary, except as
covered under an applicable Saab warranty
or any optional extended service contract.
Transmission fluid changes or suspension
alignment, when necessary, are also addi-
tional.
Dealer charges for general shop material,
regulated hazardous waste removal, recy-
cling expenses or other operation costs may
also be applied to service and repair
invoices and are apt to vary by dealer and
location.
Owner assistanceWarranties and service problem
assistanceFor complete information about all applica-
ble warranties, including the New Car War-
ranty, Perforation Warranty, Vehicle Emis-
sion Warranty and Emission Perforation
Warranty, consult the Warranties and Ser-
vice Record Booklet which accompanies
this Owner’s Manual. It also contains owner
assistance information including Saab
Roadside Assistance. If the booklet is lost or
misplaced, a new one may be ordered
through a Saab dealer or by contacting
Saab.
In the U.S. there is a national Customer
Assistance Center at Saab Cars USA, Inc.
The toll-free number to call from all 50 states
is 1-800-955-9007.
In Canada, please call the Saab Customer
Assistance Centre at 1-800-263-1999.
A list of authorized Saab sales and service
dealers is available for those planning to
travel in the United States and Canada.
Canadian or U.S. travelers may call the
Customer Assistance Center in the country
in which they are traveling.
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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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217 Maintenance and owner assistance
(c.) Check wheel alignment if irregular or premature tire wear is apparent.
(d.) Check and clean rear pads and rear calipers in areas with heavy road salt use.
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
Chassis
R Ball joint clearance, outer and inner steering joints and
rubber boots""""""""""
R Front suspension, rear axle mountings; retighten"
R Shock absorbers and bushes; tightness and condition"""
R Tire pressure, tread depth and wear (c.)"""""""""""
R Rotate tires, front to rear""""""""""
R Brake pads and discs; wear and condition (d.)""""""""""
R Brake lines and hoses"""""""""""
R Brake fluid level & renewal (max. 2-year intervals)""" ! "" ! "" ! "
R Check parking brake function"""""""""""
R Power steering fluid level"""""""""""
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218 Maintenance and owner assistance
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
Chassis (cont.)
RToe-in"""
R Cabin air filter!!!!!
R Door hinges, stops and locks##########
R Removable towbar###########
R Airbag system, SRS warning lamp, visual inspection"""""""""""
R Safety belts; operation and visual inspection of belt for
tears and fraying"""""""""""
R Wiper blades"""""""""""
R Washer system: check and top-up"""""""""""
R Reset service indicator"""""""""""
Customer programming
R Carry out systems programming per customer request"
Road test
R Check performance of drive train, steering and brakes
and verify tire balance.
Check function of instruments and controls, including
horn, windshield wipers, cruise control and climate sys-
tem.
Note any noises or problems for correction."""""""""""
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219 Technical data
Technical data General particulars .......... 220
Engine ............................... 223
Engine oil .......................... 223
Engine variants ................ 225
Electrical system.............. 225
Drive belts......................... 225
Manual transmission ....... 226
Automatic transmission .. 226
Suspension....................... 226
Steering............................. 226
Brake system.................... 227
Rims and tires .................. 227
Plates and labels .............. 229
IB993
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222 Technical data Maximum permitted load in trunk
Coupé and 5-door at curb weight plus
4 passengers à 155 lbs. (70 kg) _______ 130 lbs.(60 kg)
For each passenger less in the rear seat the load may be
increased by 100 lbs. (45 kg)
Convertible at curb weight and
3 passengers à 155 lbs. (70 kg) _______ 120 lbs. (55 kg)
Coupé and 5-door at curb weight and
rear seat right down ________________ 475 lbs. (215 kg)
WARNING
The GVW and maximum axle loads must not be exceeded.
Note that if some accessories (e.g. towbar, CD changer) are
fitted, the available load capacity is reduced by the weight of
these items.
When goods are being transported their security is important,
especially if the car is being used with the rear seat down.
Max. permitted roof load ____________ 220 lbs. (100 kg)
Trailer weights:
Trailer with brakes _________________ Max. 2000 lbs.
(900 kg)
Trailer without brakes _______________ Max. 1000 lbs.
(450 kg)
Recommended towbar-ball load ______ 110-165 lbs.
(50-75 kg)
Maximum towing speed, trailer with
brakes __________________________ 62 mph (100 km/h)
The above max. weights and speed limit are those which Saab
Automobile AB permits. Note that the national rules may set lim-
its to permitted weights and speed; see also page 156.
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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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