2001 SAAB 9-3 ECU

182 Starting and drivingTrailer hitch loadThe weight distribution on the trailer makes
a lot of difference to the handling properties
of the car and trailer combination.With sin-
gle-axle trailers, whenever possible, con-
centrate the load over the axle and keep it
as low as possible.
The trailer should be loaded so that the
maximum load on the towbar ball is 5% to
7% of the trailer weight with a maximum per-
missible tongue weight of 165 lbs (75 kg).
Note that this load must be added to the total
load for the car. If this now exceeds the
specified load capacity, the load in the trunk
will have to be reduced by a corresponding
amount.
Driving with a roof rack
loadThe maximum permissible roof load is
220 lbs (100 kg). Note that the roof load is
included in the car’s maximum permissible
load (see page 245).
Strong, sturdy roof carriers designed spe-
cially for the car are available from your
Saab dealer. Always secure the roof load
safely.
WARNING
 A roof load will affect the car’s center
of gravity and aerodynamics. Be
aware of this when cornering and driv-
ing in crosswinds.
 Adjust your speed to the prevailing
conditions.
 Due to higher aerodynamic drag, fuel
economy may suffer when driving with
a roof rack.
IB880
Distribution of load in trailer aLight
b Moderate
cHeavy
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184 Starting and drivingDriving with a loadThe driving characteristics of the car are
affected by the way it is loaded.
 Place heavy loads as far forward and as
low as possible in the trunk.
 Secure the load to the tie downs, see
page 148.
 The load should be such that the car´s
total weight or axle weight are not
exceeded, see page 245.
 Heavy loads mean that the car’s center of
gravity is further back. As a result, the car
will sway more during evasive steering.
 Never exceed the permissible load in the
roof box, even if there is room for more.
 Ensure that the tire pressure is correct –
slight overinflation is preferable to under-
inflation.
 The braking distance of a loaded car is
always greater. Keep your distance from
the vehicle in front.
Tire pressure, see page 217 and back
cover.
TiresThe tire pressure should match the current
load and speed of the car; see the back
cover or the tire pressure label on
page 253.
The tire pressures given apply to cold tires,
that is tires that are the same temperature
as the outside air temperature.
The tire pressure increases as the tires
become warm (e.g. during highway driving)
with approximately 0.3 bar (4 psi). When
the temperature of the tires changes by 50°
(10°C), the tire pressure will change 0.1 bar
(2 psi).Never reduce the pressure of a hot tire. If the
tires are hot when you check them, only
increase the pressure, if necessary.
Underinflated tires wear more quickly than
slightly overinflated tires.
If a valve is leaking, simply unscrew it and fit
a new one.
Important! Remember to adjust the tire
pressures if you change the load in the car
or intend to drive at substantially lower or
higher speeds than normal.NOTECheck the tire pressure at least once a
month. Underinflation is the main cause
of:
 Damage to the wheels.
 Premature tire wear.
 Damage to the sidewalls.
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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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206 Car careChanging bulbs Headlight 1 Unscrew the cover from the back of the light units.
2 Unplug the connector.
3 Unhook the spring clip by pushing it forward and then to the side.
4 Remove the bulb.
5 Insert the new bulb, without touching the glass with your fingers.
Line it up so that the three lugs fit into the corresponding slots in
the reflector and secure it with the spring clip.IMPORTANT! When changing bulbs, use the same type of bulb,
(e.g. Long-life).
Headlight aiming, see page 233.
Parking lights The parking-light bulb is fitted in the same light unit as the headlight
bulb.
1 Remove the bulb holder from the lamp unit.
2 Then take the bulb out of the holder.
WARNING
Before changing a bulb in the engine bay, switch off the engine
to avoid the danger of fingers and hands being injured by
moving parts.
The radiator fan can cut in even when the engine is switched off. NOTESwitch off the ignition before changing a bulb, to avoid possible
short-circuiting. NOTEDo not fit bulbs with a rating above 60/55W, since the headlight
reflector and the wiring of the car are not designed for a higher
wattage.
Do not touch the glass of the bulbs with your fingers. The oil on
your skin can shorten the life of the bulb.
IB903
1 Headlight bulb
2 Parking-light bulb
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208 Car careFront fog lights1 Slightly turn the bulb holder counter-
clockwise.
2 Unplug the connector.
3 Remove the bulb.
Stop lights, taillights and direction
indicators 1 Open the door in the trunk upholstery.
2 Press aside the plastic tab that secures
the bulb holder.
3 Carefully pull the entire bulb holder out
of the lamp unit. Replace the dead bulb.
4 When the bulb holder is being refitted,
check that its plastic catches snap into
place.
WARNING
Never crawl under a car that is
supported only by a jack, use axle stands;
for further information about jacking up
the car, see page 222.
IB905
IB955
Rear light clusters 1 Direction indicators
2 Tail lights/stop lights
3 Reversing lights
4 Rear fog light
5 High-mounted stop light
IB907
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209 Car care
Reversing lights and rear fog light 1 Open the hatch on the inside of the
trunk.
2 Press down the plastic tab that secures
the bulb holder.
3 Carefully pull the entire bulb holder out
of the lamp unit. Replace the dead bulb.
4 When refitting the bulb holder, fit it in first
at the lower edge. Then push the bulb
holder in so that the plastic tab snaps
into place.
Dome light, front 1 Insert a screwdriver on one side and pry
gently upwards. Remove the cover lens.
2 Change the bulb.
Dome light, rear 1 Remove the entire overhead panel:
ease out the trailing end of the dome
light first, and then both front edges.
2 Change the bulb.
IB908
IB909
IB968
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221 Car care
When changing a wheel, take the tool kit out
first, then the spare wheel.
Changing a wheel
If light-alloy wheels have been fitted to the
car for several years and a change is made
to steel wheels, the threads for the wheel
bolts in the brake discs should be cleaned
before the thinner steel wheels are fitted.
The innermost threads in the holes may be
clogged with sand, salt and rust so that the
correct tightening torque cannot be
achieved.
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 148.
WARNING
 The car jack is designed solely for use
in changing a wheel or fitting snow
chains. It must not be used to support
the car during repair work or servicing.
 Never crawl under a car that is
supported only by a jack.
 Special care must be taken if the car is
on a slope – use wheel chocks!
 Position chocks, one ahead and one
behind, the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the one to be changed.
 Switch on the hazard warning lights if
the car is on a road.
 Apply the parking brake and leave the
car in gear (1st or reverse). Automatic
transmission: move selector to the
P position.
 Ensure that everybody is out of the car
before jacking it up.
 Never start the engine while the car is
jacked up.
 The jack must stand on a firm, level
surface.
 Stow the jack in the place provided for
it under the panel in the floor of the
trunk. Secure it properly to avoid injury
to passengers in the event of an acci-
dent.
 Do not use the jack for any purpose
other than for jacking up the car.
IB1261IB1262
Spare wheel (under the carpet in the
trunk), Saab 9-3 Viggen
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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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