2001 SAAB 9-3 towing

186 Starting and driving
Saab 9-3 ViggenThe front towing eye is stored in a storage
bag beside the spare wheel. Remove the
plastic cover with a screwdriver from the
car’s toolkit, and screw in the towing eye.
Towing a car with manual gearboxThe gear lever must be in neutral. Switch
hazard lights on.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles in tow.
Always try to keep the towrope taut by
gently applying the brake as necessary.
This will avoid the towrope being jerked vio-
lently.
NOTEThe design of the underside of the rear
bumper means that the rear towing eye
must not be used. This is to prevent dam-
aging the bumper.
NOTEIf the car is to be towed with the front
wheels off the ground, make sure the
parking brake is off, as this acts on the
rear wheels.
IB885
Rear towing eye
IB1331
Front towing eye, Saab 9-3 Viggen
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187 Starting and driving
Towing a car with automatic
transmission The following rules must be observed if a
car with automatic transmission is to be
towed.
The gear selector must be in the N position.
Switch hazard lights on.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles in tow.
Always try to keep the towrope taut by
gently applying the brake as necessary.
This will avoid the towrope being jerked vio-
lently.1 Selector lever in position N.
2 Raise the oil level in the gearbox above
normal by 2 extra quarts. Use oil of type
Texaco Texamatic Dexron III.
3 The local regulations on towing speeds
must be followed.
The highest permissible towing speed is
30 mph (50 km/h), unless the legal limit
is lower. The longest permissible towing
distance is 25-30 miles (40-50 km). If the
car has to be transported farther than
that, summon a tow truck. A flat bed tow
truck is the preferred method to tow.
4 When the car is being returned to ser-
vice, check the gearbox oil, and reduce
it to the prescribed amount if necessary.
The engine cannot be started by towing or
pushing the car. In emergency, the engine
can be started as described in the section
”Jump starting”.
Jump startingIf your battery has run down, you may want
to use another vehicle and some jumper
cables to start your Saab. Follow the steps
below to do it safely.
NOTEThe car must be towed front first.
If the car is to be towed with the front
wheels off the ground, make sure the
parking brake is off, as this acts on the
rear wheels.
WARNING
Batteries can cause injury. They can be
dangerous because:
 They contain acid that can burn you.
 They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
 They contain enough electricity to
injure you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly,
some or all of these things can hurt you.
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240 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
30 day
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 transmission; oil level and condition"""""" """"
R Manual transmission; oil level""
R Outer and inner driver joint boots""""""""""
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246 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. 3500 lbs.
(1588 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 179.
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260 IndexService information
______________ 238
Service intervals
________________ 236
Service record retention
__________ 237
Side airbags
____________________ 30
Ski hatch
______________________ 147
Snow tires _____________________ 252
Soft top storage, Convertible
_______ 56
Spare wheel
___________________ 149
Speedometer ___________________ 66
Starting the engine
______________ 153
Steering-wheel adjustment
________ 137
Storage compartments
___________ 142
Sunroof
_______________________ 138
Switches _______________________ 75
TTachometer
_____________________ 66
Technical data __________________ 243
Telematics
_____________________ 117
Temperature gauge
______________ 67
Textile carpeting, cleaning
________ 225
Through-load hatch
______________ 147
Tie-down eyes
__________________ 148
Tipping the rear seat
_____________ 144
Tire markings
__________________ 218
Tire pressure ___________________ 184
Tire pressures __________________ 217
Tires and wheels, sizes
___________ 252
Tools
_________________________ 149
Top tether
______________________ 23Touching up paintwork
___________ 227
Towing a caravan or trailer ________ 179
Towing the car
__________________ 185
Traction Control System
__________ 172
Trailer hitch attachment ___________ 179
Trailer hitch load
________________ 182
Transmission, automatic
__________ 162
Transmission, manual
____________ 161
Transporting the car
_____________ 185
Traveling abroad
________________ 190
Trip computer, SID _______________ 69
Trip meter
______________________ 66
Trunk
_________________________ 144
Trunk lid lock, Convertible
__________ 56
Trunk lighting
___________________ 139
Trunk, Convertible
________________ 56
Trunk, opening
__________________ 40
Turbo gauge
____________________ 67
Turn signal
_____________________ 76
UUpholstery and trim
______________ 225
Upholstery and trim, care of
_______ 225
Useful tips on starting
____________ 154
Useful tips, ACC
_________________ 92
VVanity mirror
___________________ 143
WWarning and indicator lights
________ 60
Warning labels
____________________ 7
Warning light, AIR BAG (SRS)
______ 32
Washer fluid
___________________ 205
Washer jets
____________________ 205
Washers
_______________________ 78
Washing ______________________ 226
Waxing and polishing
____________ 227
Wear indicators, brake pads
_______ 200
Wear indicators, tires
_____________ 220
Wheels
_______________________ 217
Wheels and tires, sizes
___________ 252
Window glass sensor, car alarm
_____ 42
Windshield washers
______________ 78
Windshield wipers
________________ 78
Winter driving
__________________ 177
Wiper blades
___________________ 204
Wipers
_________________________ 78
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