2002 SAAB 9-3 Owners Manual

1
Owner’s Manual
Saab 9-3 M2002
© Saab Automobile AB 2001 Service Readiness, Saab Automobile AB, Trollhättan, Sweden
Printed in Sweden
Safety 11
Security 35
Convertible 47
Instruments and controls 59
Saab 9-3 Audio System 93
OnStar - Telematics 111
Interior equipment, trunk 123
Starting and driving 145
Car care 185
Maintenance and owner assistance 229
Technical data 233
Index 247
ProCarManuals.com

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 (Canada only) 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
Saab Automobile AB does not accept liability for
any damage caused by the fitting of spare parts,
exchange parts or accessories that are not
approved by Saab Automobile AB.
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.
IB1884
ProCarManuals.com

3
Instrument panel High/low beam ________________ 75
Parking lights __________________ 75
Daytime running lights ___________ 75
Changing bulbs _______________ 200High/low beam control stalk 75
Direction indicators _______ 76
Cruise Control __________ 163Rear fog light ___________ 77
Front fog lights ___________ 77Instrument lighting ________ 78
Warning and indicator lights _____ 60
Tachometer __________________ 66
Speedometer _________________ 66
Odometer and trip meter ________ 66
Gauge showing turbo pressure ___ 67
Fuel gauge __________________ 68
Temperature gauge ____________ 67
IB731
Ashtrays (accessory) __________ 135
Cigarette lighter (accessory) ____ 135
Tr i p c o m p u t e r
(Saab Information Display, SID) __ 69
Night panel __________________ 73
Clock _______________________ 74
Washers and wipers ______ 78
Rear-window wiper _______ 79
Replacing wiper blades __ 198Audio system____________ 94
CD player _____________ 100Hazard warning lights _____ 76Climate control system:
manual _______________ 80
Climate control system:
automatic _____________ 84
Car care ______________ 185Seat heating controls ____ 129
Steering-wheel-mounted
controls, Audio System __ 106
ProCarManuals.com

4Exterior Sunroof _______________ 132
Convertible _____________ 48
Washing the car ________ 220
Waxing and polishing ____ 221
Touching-up of paintwork _ 221
Anticorrosion treatment ___ 222Taillights ______________ 202
Stop lights _____________ 202
Light switches ___________ 75
Changing bulbs _________ 200Towing ________________ 179
Towrope attachment eyes _ 179
Towing a trailer _________ 173Trunk lid lock ___________ 138
Lowering the rear seat ____ 138
Trunk _________________ 141
Spare wheel ___________ 143
Tools _________________ 143
Lighting _______________ 202
Driving with a roof rack load ____ 176
Mounting of roof rack __________ 176
Maximum loads ______________ 234
Hood release handle __________ 186
Engine compartment: washing __ 220
Central locking __________ 36
Interior locking buttons ____ 37
Trunk lock ______________ 40
Child safety lock catch ____ 39
Car alarm (Anti-theft system) 41Headlight switches _______ 75
High/low beam control stalk 75
Turn signal & lane change
indicators ______________ 76
Headlamp wipers _______ 198
Changing bulbs ________ 200Fuel filler door __________ 151
Refuelling _____________ 151
Fuel grade ____________ 239
Fuel gauge _____________ 68
Fuel economy __________ 170
Tires & Rims _____________ 211 / 242
Tire pressure ___________ back cover
Driving in cold weather ________ 171
Brakes and braking ___________ 164
Compact spare wheel _________ 214
Changing a wheel ____________ 215
ProCarManuals.com

5
Interior Power steering _________ 241
Steering-wheel adjustment 131
Airbag _________________ 28
Internal rearview mirror ________ 137
Door mirrors ________________ 137
Vanity mirror ________________ 134
Safety belts _____________ 12
Safety-belt care ________ 218
Airbag _________________ 28
Child seats _____________ 19
Child safety lock catch ____ 39Glove compartment _____ 135Manual transmission ____ 155
Automatic transmission __ 156
IB1353
Seat adjustment ________ 124
Safety belts _____________ 12
Seat heating ___________ 129
Rear seat _____________ 138
Folding down the rear seat 138
Child seats _____________ 19
Upholstery: cleaning _____ 219
Interior lighting switch _________ 133
Interior lighting: changing bulbs __ 204
Center console ______________ 130
Electric windows _____________ 130
Sunroof ____________________ 132
Convertible __________________ 48
Ignition switch _______________ 146
Starting the engine ___________ 147
Engine break-in period ________ 155
Parking ____________________ 168
Driving in hot/cold weather _____ 171
ProCarManuals.com

6Engine bayWarning labels ___________ 7
V.I.N. number __________ 243
Engine number _________ 243
Gearbox number ________ 243
Color coding ___________ 243Ignition system _________ 240
Drive belt ______________ 197
Alternator _____________ 197
Spark plugs ____________ 240
Catalytic converter ______ 150
Simple fault tracing
(A/C, ACC) ____________ 226Turbo-compressor ________ 67
Pressure gauge __________ 67
Important considerations
for driving _____________ 148
Technical data: engine ___ 237Manual transmission __________ 191
Automatic transmission ________ 191
Transmission oil ______________ 191
Gearbox: technical data ________ 240
Battery _____________________ 195
Battery charge _______________ 195
Jump starting ________________ 181IB1624
Engine: description ____________ 188
Engine oil, level control
and topping up _______________ 190
Engine oil: changing ___________ 190
Oil grade_____________________ 237
Washer fluid ___________ 199
Topping up with fluid _____ 199
Washer jets ___________ 199
Wiper/washer control stalk _ 78
Steering servo _______________ 195
Fluid checking
and topping up ______________ 195
Coolant, checking
and topping up ________ 192
Coolant _______________ 192
Temperature gauge ______ 67
Driving in hot weather ____ 173
Driving in cold weather ___ 171Fuse panels ___________ 206
Changing a fuse ________ 206
Table of fuses __________ 208
Relays _______________ 210
Brake system ________________ 241
Brake fluid __________________ 194
Brake pads __________________ 194
ABS brakes _________________ 164
ProCarManuals.com

7
Coolant: Never open while engine is hot.
Escaping coolant under pressure can cause
serious injuries.
Drive belt: Moving belt. Do not
touch while engine
running.
Radiator fan: The radiator fan can cut in even
after engine has been switched off.
Battery:  No sparks, flames or smoking.
 Shield eyes, explosive gases can cause blindness or injury.
 Sulphuric acid can cause blindness or servere burns.
 Flush eyes immediately with water. Get medical help fast.
 Do not tip battery, do not open battery.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
Warning labelsA/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.  AVOID SPARKS, AVOID OPEN FLAMES, NO SMOKING
 PROTECT YOUR EYES
 KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
 ACID
 SEE MANUAL
 FLAMMABLE GAS
ProCarManuals.com

8
Long loads Always SECURE LOAD to prevent it from shift-
ing during transport.
An unsecured load could cause passenger
injuries in braking situations or in the event of a
crash.
Cover sharp edges with a protective wrap.
Belt beam Warning for pinch risk due to
movable parts when beam is in
unlocked position.
Wheel changing: Intended for the Saab 9-5 and 9-3. Use the jack
only on firm, level ground. Use blocks. Max. jack
load: 2200 lbs. (1000 kg). For further information,
see the manual.
AIR BAG
WARNING
Flip visor over
50 10 111
WARNING
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur.
 Children 12 and under can be killed by the air bag.
 The BACK SEAT is the SAFEST place for children.
 NEVER put a rear-facing child seat in the front.
 Sit as far back as possible from the air bag.
 ALWAYS use SEAT BELT and CHILD RESTRAINTS
IB1195
USA CANADA
USACANADA
ProCarManuals.com