2000 SAAB 9-3 engine

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

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

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

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

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

36 SecurityActivating the car alarmThe car alarm (anti-theft system) is
activated/deactivated when the car is
locked/unlocked by the remote control or by
the key.
The car alarm cannot be activated if the
driver’s door is open or if the ignition switch
is in position ON.
If, on the other hand, one of the other doors
or the trunk or hood is open or opened and
not closed again during the 10-seconds
delay period, it will be excluded from the
alarm function.
If it is then closed, a new delay period of ten
seconds will start, and the door (or trunk or
hood) will once again be secured by the
alarm system.
As usual, the LED will be on continuously
during the new delay period and will start to
flash every three seconds after the 10-sec-
onds period has elapsed.
Window glass sensorThe car-alarm (anti-theft system) incorpo-
rates a sensor that monitors the window
glass for the sound of breakage. The sensor
is fitted inside the rear dome light (on Con-
vertibles: in the front interior light).
To avoid false alarms, such as the alarm
being triggered by children or pets left inside
the car, the sensor can be temporarily dis-
abled.
To disable the sensor
To disable the sensor, first turn off the igni-
tion and remove the key from the switch.
Next, press and hold the NIGHT PANEL
button until ”DOOR ALARM ONLY” appears
on the SID and a chime sounds. The car
alarm must now be activated within three
minutes, or the glass sensor will become
active again.
The glass sensor will be enabled again
automatically the next time the car is
unlocked. The sensor can also be enabled
again by repeating the procedure for dis-
abling it. When the sensor has been
enabled, ”FULL THEFT ALARM” will
appear on the SID.
If a fault is detected in the glass sensor,
”SERVICE THEFT ALARM” will appear on
the SID.
9-3 Convertible: when the car is parked
with the soft top down, the glass sensor will
be automatically disabled.
Electronic starting interlock
(immobilizer)When the key is inserted in the ignition, a
signal is sent to the receiver. If the signal is
verified, the engine can be started.
Each time the key is removed from the igni-
tion, the electronic immobilizer is activated.
If a fault is detected (e.g. in the transmitter)
”KEY NOT ACCEPTED” will appear on the
SID.
In this case, you can still start the car if you
turn the ignition key to ON and press one of
the buttons on the remote control.
Take the car to an authorized Saab dealer to
have the system checked.
The LED on the top of the dash dou-
ble-flashes when the car is immobilized.
ProCarManuals.com

39 Security
Overview of, LED signals and SID messagesSome signals may differ between model variants for different
countries.Status LED signal
Activation (during 10-second delay). Comes on for 10 seconds.
Alarm activated (after delay). Flashes once every third
second.
Deactivation. Comes on for 2 seconds.
Alarm not activated. Off.
Door, trunk lid or hood open or
opened during delay period.Flashes three times per sec-
ond for 10 seconds.
Unlocking the trunk lid. Flashes three times per sec-
ond for 10 seconds.
Closing of door, trunk lid or hood
after delay period.Comes on for 10 seconds.
Car immobilized but not locked.
Car alarm not activated.Flashes twice at three sec-
onds intervals.
Fault in a switch serving doors, hood
or trunk lid.Flashing (instead of being
on continuously) during
delay period.
SID message Reason/action
SERVICE THEFT ALARM Probably a faulty sensor or siren.
Have the car checked by an autho-
rized Saab dealer.
KEY NOT ACCEPTED Fault in key transmitter or in igni-
tion-switch receiver. Turn ignition
switch to ON and press one of the
buttons on the remote control. Start
the engine.
Have the car checked by an autho-
rized Saab dealer.
REPLACE KEY BATTERY Fit a new battery in the remote con-
trol.
DOOR ALARM ONLY Window-glass sensor is disabled.
FULL THEFT ALARM Window-glass sensor is included in
circuit.
 REMOTE KEY
 TRANSPONDRTurn the ignition key to position ON
and then press the button for open-
ing the trunk lid. SID displays the
number of remote controls and
transmitters (transponders) coded to
the car.
ProCarManuals.com

43 Convertible
Folding the soft topBefore operating the soft top, read through
the section ” General safety instructions” on
page 42.
1 Start the engine and let it idle.
2 Release the locking handle to free the
two hooks.
 Pull the handle straight backwards.
 Pull the handle down, releasing the
hooks.
 Raise the handle up.
WARNING
 Do not touch the hinges or struts of the
soft top during folding, because of the
pinch hazard.
 Do not operate the soft top with pas-
sengers in the rear seat or bystanders
right next to the car, because of the
risk of head injuries.
 After lowering the top, make sure the
soft top cover has locked properly. NOTEIf you drive away while the soft top is
being raised or lowered it will stop when
the car exceeds 6 mph (10 km/h). The
motion of the car and the resulting wind
can seriously damage the components of
the soft top system and may cause per-
sonal injury.
IB837
Locking handle 1 Pull the handle out
2 Unfasten the hooks
ProCarManuals.com