
224 Car careInspect the undercoating and touch up if
necessary. Pay particular attention to the
fenders and wheel housings, which are
exposed to abrasion by flying gravel, etc. If
the composition has worn or flaked off, the
steel must be thoroughly cleaned and dried
before a fresh coat is applied. The cleaning
is best done with a scraper and a steel wire
brush, followed by washing with solvent.
Apply the new coating thinly, otherwise it
may run off or fall off when dry.
Recovery and/or
recycling of automotive
materialsA typical car consists of metals (65–75%),
plastics (10–15%), rubber (5%) and small
quantities of glass, wood, paper and tex-
tiles.
Some of these materials can be recycled,
while others can be recovered in chemical
processes for reuse in new products or as a
source of energy.
While the Saab 9-3 was still at the draw-
ing-board stage, Saab engineers were
giving serious consideration to how the
maximum quantity of materials could be
reclaimed from the car on its eventual
scrapping. To facilitate sorting, plastic parts,
for instance, have been marked to identify
the precise nature of the plastic.Approximately 90% of the materials in the
car can be recycled or recovered, where
facilities exist.
Before the car is scrapped, all the oils and
other fluids that could pollute the environ-
ment should be recovered from the car. It
may be of interest in this context to learn that
the refrigerant used in the Saab 9-3’s A/C
and ACC systems (R134a) contains neither
CFCs nor any other chlorine compounds
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225 Car care
1 A-pillar trim: PC/ABS.
2 Windshield trim: PP, PP/EPDM.
3 Seals: EPDM.
4 Rear-window casing PUR.
5 Trim panel ABS.
6 C/D-pillar trim PP.
7 Rear light cluster: PMMA.
8 Corner filler panel PPO/PA.
9 Rear bumper
Expanded PP core
PP/EPDM sheathing.
10 Fuel tank PE.
11 Side-window casing:
PP/EPDM.
12 Side trim PVC.
13 A-pillar upholstery textile trim: polyester.
14 Rearview mirror: ABS.
15 Sill scuff plate: PP/EPDM.
16 Wheel-arch liner: PP.
17 Wheel cover: PA.
18 Direction-indicator lamp lens: PMMA.
19 Front spoiler: PP/EPDM.
20 Front bumper,
cellular core, expanded PP,
sheathing: PP/EPDM.
21 Fan shroud: PP.
22 Radiator grille: ABS.
23 Washer-fluid reservoir: PE.
24 Cowl trim: PC/ASA.
IB927
19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4
18 1716
15 14 13 12
11 7
10 98 6 5 ABS Acr ylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
ASA Acrylonitrile-styrene (acrylic plastic)
EPDM Ethylene-propylene rubber
PA Polyamide (plastic)
PC Polycarbonate (plastic)
PE Polyethylene
PMMA Polymethyl methacrylate
POM Acetal plastic
PPO Polyphenylene oxide (plastic)
PP Polypropylene
PUR Polyurethane
PVC Polyvinyl chloride
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234 Technical dataGeneral dimensionsOverall length, with bumper(s):
Coupé/5-door/Convertible____________ 182.3" (4629 mm)
Viggen __________________________ 182.7” (4639 mm)
Overall width, including door mirrors _____ 76.2" (1936 mm)
Maximum height ____________________ 56.2" (1428 mm)
Maximum height when the soft top is being
operated (Convertible) ______________approx. 87"
approx. 2200 mm
Wheelbase ________________________ 102.6" (2605 mm)
Tr a c k :
front, Coupé/5-door/Convertible _______ 57.2" (1452 mm)
front, Viggen ______________________ 57.7” (1466 mm)
rear, Coupé/5-door/Convertible _______ 56.8" (1442 mm)
rear, Viggen ______________________ 57.3” (1456 mm)
Ground clearance at max. weight _______ approx. 3.9"
(100 mm)
Number of occupants, incl. driver:
Coupé and 5-door _________________ 5
Convertible _______________________ 4
Turning circle:
measured at vehicle extremities _______ 36.4 ft. (11.1 m)
curb to curb_______________________ 34.4 ft. (10.5 m)
Gross vehicle
weight (GVW)
Maximum train
weight
(GVW + max.
trailer weight)
Maximum axle
load, front
Maximum axle
load, rear Permissible load (in addition to the driver) = GVW minus curb weight.
The maximum permissible axle load, front or rear, must not be exceeded.
The precise curb weight of the vehicle (weight ready for driving + driver
á 154 lbs. (70 kg) and load capacity are specified in the vehicle registra-
tion documents.Chassis number plate in engine bay Length of the trunk:
rear seat raised, Coupé- and 5-door car 37.0" (940 mm)
rear seat lowered, Coupé- and 5-door car 67.2" (1705 mm)
Volume of trunk according to SAE:
with parcel shelf, Coupé- and 5-door car 15.9 cu.ft.
(451 dm
3)
whole rear seat tipped forward,
Coupé- and 5-door car _____________ 46.0 cu.ft.
(1303 dm3)
Convertible, soft top up _____________ 12.5 cu.ft.
(354 dm3)
Convertible, soft top down ___________ 10.1 cu.ft.
(285 dm3)
IB541
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235 Technical data
Weight ready for driving (i.e. with full fuel
tank, washer- fluid reservoir, standard
tools and spare wheel)
Coupé ___________________________ 2980-3170 lbs.
(1350-1440 kg)
Viggen, Coupé ____________________ 3130-3160 lbs.
(1420-1435 kg)
5-door ___________________________
3020-3220 lbs.
(1370-1460 kg)
Viggen, 5-door ____________________ 3170-3210 lbs
(1440-1455 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 3110-3300 lbs.
(1410-1495 kg)
Viggen, Convertible ________________ 3250-3260 lbs.
(1475-1480 kg)Gross vehicle weight (GVW)
Coupé ___________________________ 3930-4060 lbs.
(1785-1840 kg)
Viggen, Coupé ____________________ 4060 lbs. (1840 kg)
5-door __________________________ 3980-4100 lbs.
(1805-1860 kg)
Viggen, 5-door ____________________ 4100 lbs. (1860 kg)
Convertible ______________________ 3940-4020 lbs.
(1785-1825 kg)
Viggen, Convertible ________________ 3990 lbs. (1810 kg)
Maximum axle load
front ____________________________ 2300 lbs. (1045 kg)
rear ____________________________ 1930 lbs. (875 kg)
Weight distribution:
Curb weight, front/rear ______________ approx. 62/38 %
GVW, front/rear ___________________ approx. 58/42%
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241 Technical data
Suspension
SteeringBrake systemSpring type, front and rear ____________ Coil springs
Maximum deflection of springs:
front, Coupé/5-door/Convertible _______ 6.4" (163 mm)
front, Viggen ______________________ 6.5” (165 mm)
rear, Coupé/5-door/Convertible _______ 8.3" (212 mm)
rear, Viggen ______________________ 7.9” (200 mm)
Dampers, front and rear ______________ Gas-filled tele-
scopic shock
absorbers
Steering __________________________ Power-assisted
steering gear of
rack-and-pinion
type with tele-
scopic, universal
joint steering- col-
umn shaft
Number of turns, lock to lock __________ 3.0
Oil type ___________________________ Power Steering
Fluid CHF 11S Footbrake (ABS) ___________________ Hydraulic disc
brakes with vacuum
servo, diagonally
split circuits
Parking brake ______________________ Acts on rear wheels
Brake fluid ________________________ DOT 4
Do not use DOT 5
Disc diameter:
front, Coupé/5-door/Convertible _______ 11.4" (288 mm)
front, Viggen ______________________ 12.0” (306 mm)
rear ____________________________ 11.3" (286 mm)
Total friction area of brake pads:
front, Coupé/5-door/Convertible _______ 34.4 in² (224 cm²)
front, Viggen ______________________ 35.9 in² (234 cm²)
rear ____________________________ 14.2 in² (92 cm²)
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242 Technical dataRims and tires
Rim size:
Coupé/5-door/Convertible____________ 6.5 x 15 or 6.5 x 16
Viggen __________________________ 7.5 x 17
Viggen must use 6.5 x 16 or 7 x 17
Contact an authorized Saab dealer if you
wish to fit other wheels than those fitted
as standard.
Tire sizes (summer tires):
6.5 x 15 (not Viggen) _______________ 195/60 R15
6.5 x 16 __________________________ 205/55 R16
7.5 x 17 Viggen only ________________ 215/45 R17
Tire sizes (winter tires):
6 x 15 (not Viggen) _________________ 185/65 R15 M+S
195/60 R15 M+S
6.5 x 16 _________________________ 205/55 R16 M+S
Recommended rims for snow chains:
Coupé/5-door/Convertible____________ 6 x 15
Viggen __________________________ 6.5 x 16
Spare wheel:
Tire _____________________________ T115/70 R16
Rim _____________________________ 4.0 x 16
Maximum life _____________________ 2000 miles
(3500 km)
Maximum speed __________________ 50 mph (80 km/h)
NOTESnow chains
Snow chains must not be fitted to the rear wheels and must be
used on the following tire/wheel combinations:
Wheel Tire
6 x 15 _________ 185/65 R15 M+S (not Viggen),
195/60 R15 (not Viggen) or
195/60 R15 M+S (not Viggen)
6.5 x 15________ 195/60 R15 (not Viggen)
6.5 x 16________ 205/55 R16 or 205/55 R16 M+S
Max. speed is 30 mph (50 km/h).
Consult your authorized Saab dealer of approved snow chains.NOTECoupé/5-door/Convertible: Bigger rims than 17” must not be
used. The offset of the rims must not exceed 49 mm.
Viggen: Bigger rims than 17” must not be used.
The offset of the rims must not exceed 42 mm.
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243 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.
IB1933
CANADA US
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247 Index
IndexAA/C system, fault diagnosis
________ 226
A/C system, maintenance _________ 226
ACC
__________________________ 84
ACC, useful tips
_________________ 92
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 131
Air conditioning (A/C), fault diagnosis
and maintenance
______________ 226
Airbag
_________________________ 28
Alarm __________________________ 41
Alarm functions
__________________ 44
Alarm signals
___________________ 44
Anti-corrosion treatment
__________ 222
Anti-theft system
_________________ 41
Ashtray
_______________________ 135
Audio System
___________________ 93
Automatic climate control (ACC)
_____ 84
Automatic transmission
___________ 156
BBattery
________________________ 195
Boost starting from donor battery
___ 181
Brake fluid, check
_______________ 194
Brake fluid, grade _______________ 241
Brake pad wear indicators
___ 164
, 194
Brakes
________________________ 164Braking
_______________________164
Bulb table _____________________205
CCD changer
____________________102
CD player
_____________________100
CHECK messages
_______________72
CHECKING
_____________________72
Cabin lighting __________________133
Calibration, ACC _________________90
Car alarm
______________________41
Care of safety belts
______________218
Central locking
__________________36
Change of address notification
_____232
Changing a wheel
_______________215
Changing bulbs
_________________200
Changing the engine oil
__________190
Changing the key battery __________39
Changing the wheels round _______212
Changing wiper blades
___________198
Chassis number
________________243
Child car seats
__________________19
Child safety
_____________________19
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______39
Child seats
_____________________19
Cigar lighter ____________________135
Cleaning the soft top, Convertible
____57
Climate-control system, manual
_____80
Compact spare wheel
____________214
Condensation water, A/C __________82Condensation water, ACC
_________ 85
Convertible
____________________ 47
Coolant
______________________ 192
Courtesy Headlight Feature
_______ 76
Cruise Control
_________________ 163
Cup holder
____________________ 134
DDICE/TWICE
__________________ 207
Date code, tires ________________ 214
Dim low beam
__________________ 75
Dimmer
_______________________ 78
Direction indicators
______________ 76
Direction-indicator stalk
___________ 76
Dome lighting
_________________ 133
Door mirrors
__________________ 137
Drive belt
_____________________ 197
Driving in deep water
____________ 179
Driving in hot weather ___________ 173
Driving technique
_______________ 170
Driving with a compact spare wheel
184
Driving with a load
______________ 178
Driving with a roof load
__________ 176
Driving with the trunk lid open
_____ 179
EEconomical motoring
____________ 170
Electrical system, technical data
___ 240
Electrical window
_______________ 130
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