Page 190 of 260

190 Starting and drivingDriving 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.Points to bear in mind when driving with a
compact spare wheel:
The car’s ground clearance is reduced
with the compact spare fitted.
Only one compact spare wheel may be
used at any time.
Take care not to hit the curb.
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 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.
Check the coolant and power steering
fluid levels. Check also for leaks.
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 36.
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 dealer.
A general rule is that all heavy loads must
be well secured in the luggage compart-
ment, see page 148.
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Page 194 of 260

194 Car careEngineThe 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.
Engine familiesSaab cars imported into the United States
and Canada meet all applicable emission
control standards. The engine family and
appropriate tune-up specifications are iden-
tified on a label affixed to the left front inner
fender.
These engine families meet applicable EPA
Federal Standards, California State Stan-
dards and Canadian Federal Standards and
are equipped with the following systems:
• Sequential multiport fuel injection system.
Three way catalytic converter.
Crankcase emissions control system.
Evaporative emission system.
Emission control
systemsThe systems for controlling emissions to the
atmosphere require regular checking and
adjustment at the intervals specified in the
service program.
In addition to meeting the exhaust emission
regulations and thereby helping to keep the
environment clean, a correctly tuned engine
will also give maximum fuel economy.
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Page 250 of 260

250 Technical dataElectrical system
Drive belts
Manual transmission
Automatic transmission
Voltage ___________________________ 12 V
Battery capacity ____________________ 60 Ah
Starter motor ______________________ 1.4 kW
Alternator rating ____________________ 130 A/14 V
Firing order ________________________ 1-3-4-2
Spark plugs:
2.0 Turbo 185 bhp__________________ NGK PFR 6H-10
2.0 Turbo 205 bhp __________________ NGK PFR 6H-10
Viggen __________________________ NGK PFR 6H-10
Electrode gap ______________________ 0.95 mm
(0.03740”)
Outside lengthCars with A/C compressor ____________ 2345 mm
Cars without A/C compressor __________ 1805 mmDrive belt
IB929
Type _____________________________ 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 25/40
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Page 253 of 260
253 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).
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)
4728473IB1523
CANADA US
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Page 254 of 260
254 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 _____1 = 2001
11 - Factory ________2 = Trollhättan
7 = Nystad
12 - Serial number __000001-999999 position: 1234567891011 12
||||||||| | | |
VIN:YS3DF 5 8K7 1 2005543
||||||
123456= identification codes for certain chassis details
IB541
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Page 258 of 260

258 IndexEEconomical motoring
____________ 176
Electrical system, technical data
____ 250
Electrical window
_______________ 136
Electrically adjustable seats
_______ 133
Electrically heated front seats ______ 135
Electrically heated rear seat
_______ 135
Electrically heated rear window _____ 83
Electronic starting interlock
_________ 37
Emergency opening, fuel filler door
_ 150
Emergency operation of the soft top,
Convertible
____________________ 52
Emergency operation of the sunroof
_ 138
Emission control systems
_________ 194
Engine bay
____________________ 193
Engine bay, cleaning
_____________ 226
Engine break-in period _______ 161
, 176
Engine number
_________________ 253
Engine oil, changing
_____________ 196
Engine oil, checking _____________ 196
Engine oil, grade
________________ 247
Engine oil, volume _______________ 247
Engine variants
_________________ 249
Engine, description ______________ 194
Engine, technical data ____________ 247
FFault codes, Audio System
________ 115
Flat spot
______________________ 224Folding the soft top, Convertible
_____ 49
For long trips
___________________ 190
Front fog lights __________________ 77
Fuel filler door, emergency opening
_150
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 68
Fuel grade _____________________ 249
Fueling
_______________________ 157
Fuel-tank capacity
_______________ 249
Fuse table
_____________________ 214
Fuses
________________________ 212
GGearbox number
________________ 253
Gearbox oil, checking
____________ 197
Gearbox oil, grade
_______________ 250
General particulars ______________ 244
General safety instructions, Convertible
48
Glove compartment
______________ 141
HHandbrake
_____________________ 174
Hazard warning lights
_____________ 76
Head restraint
___________________ 18
Headlight flasher _________________ 75
Hood
_________________________ 192
Horn signal
____________________ 137
IIf the car does not start
___________ 153
Ignition switch
__________________ 152
Immobilizer
_____________________ 37
Important considerations concerning
cars with catalytic converters
_____ 156
Important considerations for driving
_ 154
Indicator lights
___________________ 60
Instrument lighting
________________ 78
Integrated booster seat
____________ 26
Interior equipment
_______________ 129
Interior lighting
__________________ 139
Interior lighting, Convertible
_________ 58
Interior rearview mirror
___________ 143
JJump starting
___________________ 187
KKey
___________________________ 36
Key, removing
__________________ 152
LLATCH (child safety)
______________ 21
Labels and plates
_______________ 253
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