2003 SAAB 9-3 brake

55 Instruments and controls
This light will come on if the engine oil pres-
sure is too low. If the warning light flashes or
comes on while you are driving, stop imme-
diately in a safe place, switch off the engine
and check the oil level (see page 176).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):This light indicates a malfunction in the fuel
or ignition system. The car may still be
driven with care but the performance of the
engine will be somewhat diminished (see
page 125).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
This light shows when the high beam is on
(see page 72).
Warning, oil pressure
(engine oil)
NOTICE
Never drive the car when the oil pressure
warning lamp is on. Low oil pressure can
cause serious engine damage.
Oil pressure low.
Make a safe stop.
Turn off engine.
Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)
WARNING
An illuminated “Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)” indicator light indi-
cates an engine-related problem. While
your car may be able to be driven with the
“Engine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)”
indicator light illuminated (limp-home
mode), you are advised to have your car
serviced at an authorized Saab dealer as
soon as possible.
Continued driving without this problem
being corrected might cause serious
further damage to your car and create
unsafe driving conditions. The operator
should be prepared to take action if such
unsafe conditions arise (e.g. brake
smoothly, engage neutral, stop in a suita-
ble place, switch off the engine, etc.)
Engine malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
NOTICEThe car should be checked immediately
at a Saab dealer to prevent more serious
faults from arising.
High beam Indicator
ProCarManuals.com

56 Instruments and controlsThis light indicates when the front fog lights
are on (see page 74).
The front fog lights are switched off auto-
matically when the engine is switched off.
When the fog lights are next needed, they
will have to be switched on manually.
This light indicates when the rear fog light is
on (see page 74).
The rear fog light is switched off automati-
cally when the engine is switched off. When
the fog light is next needed, it will have to be
switched on manually again.This light should come on briefly when you
turn the ignition key to ON. If it doesn´t come
on, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem. This light indicates
when the brake fluid level is too low (see
page 180).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):For safety reasons, stop the car and check
the level of the brake fluid (see page 180).
If the level is normal, depress the brake
pedal firmly two or three times. Now check
the level again. If the level is still normal, you
may drive the car, with considerable cau-
tion, to the nearest Saab dealer to have the
brake system checked.
The brake system provides Electronic
Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). This distrib-
utes the brake pressure between the front
and rear wheels, in such a way as to achieve
optimum braking performance irrespective
of the car’s load.
If a fault arises in the EBD function, the ,
and lights will come on. Also, the fol-
lowing message will appear on the Saab
Information Display (SID):
If this is the case, drive carefully and contact
a Saab dealer as soon as possible. Refer to
Brake warning light on page 56, Antilock
braking warning on page 54 and TCS OFF
or ESP OFF indicator (certain variants only)
on page 63.
Front fog lights
Rear fog light Indicator
Brake warning lightBrake fluid level low.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
WARNING
 Never drive the car if these two lights
are on at the same time. Danger of
brake failure!
 If the level of brake fluid in the reser-
voir is below the MIN mark, the vehicle
should be transported on a recovery
vehicle.
 Have the brake system checked
immediately at a Saab dealer.
Brake malfunction.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
ProCarManuals.com

57 Instruments and controls
This light reminds the driver to buckle up.
This light comes on when the parking brake
is applied (see page 148).
The parking brake is mechanical and oper-
ates on the rear wheels.This light comes on if a potentially serious
fault has occured in the airbag system.
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
This light will come on for about three sec-
onds when the ignition switch is turned to
the Start or Drive position. It should go out
after the engine has started.
Seatbelt reminder
Parking brake warning
light
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when
parking, see page 148.
Always apply the parking brake
before removing the remote control.
Do not apply the parking brake while
the car is moving.
Airbag warning lightAirbag malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
WARNING
 If the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle, it means
the airbag system may not be working
properly. One or more of the following
conditions may occur:
- Non-deployment of the airbags in the
event of a crash.
- Deployment of the airbags without a
crash.
- Deployment of the airbags in crashes
less severe than intended.
 To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle serviced
right away if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com

74 Instruments and controlsRear fog lightTo turn on the rear fog light, press the rear
fog light button on the instrument panel. The
headlights or front fog lights must be on.
The rear fog light is automatically turned off
when the engine is switched off. When the
car is next started, the rear fog light will have
to be switched back on manually by press-
ing the rear fog light switch. If the engine is
restarted within 30 seconds, the rear fog
light will remain on.
Acquaint yourself with the legal provi-
sions governing the use of rear fog
lights.
Front fog lightsThe front fog lights should be used in poor
visibility.
These are automatically turned off when the
engine is switched off. When the car is next
started, the fog lights will have to be
switched back on manually by pressing the
fog light switch. If the engine is restarted
within 30 seconds, the front fog lights will
remain on.
Acquaint yourself with the legal provi-
sions governing the use of front fog
lights.
WARNING
In poor visibility, avoid following the tail
lights of the vehicle in front. If the vehicle
brakes suddenly, you may be unable to
avoid a crash and therefore risk injury to
yourself and others.Rear fog light switch
Front fog light switch
ProCarManuals.com

117 Interior equipment
Load-through hatchA load-through hatch is incorporated in the rear seat backrest to
enable long, narrow items to be carried inside the car.
Before loading or unloading long items, switch off the engine and
apply the parking brake. This avoids the danger of the car moving
off if a long item were to knock the gear or selector lever into gear.
 Fold down the armrest and open the hatch by lifting the handle.
There is a lock on the rear side of the hatch. Use this to lock or unlock
the hatch. The position of the lock is designed to prevent unautho-
rized persons from accessing the trunk from inside the cabin.
To lock: Open the hatch and lock the lock. Close the hatch. The
hatch is now locked.
To unlock: Fold down the wide section of the backrest and unlock
the lock. Alternatively, you can unlock the hatch from the trunk.
WARNING
 Keep hands well clear of all moving parts.
 Never place heavy objects on the parcel shelf. There is always
a danger of loose objects being thrown forward and causing
injury if the car should brake suddenly or be involved in a
crash. See also page 162.
 When folding the backrest back upright, make sure that it is
locked correctly on both sides. This is imperative since other-
wise objects in the trunk could force their way into the cabin
during heavy breaking or a crash.
 Adjust the head restraints for the rear seats to be occupied to
a suitable height before riding in the car.
WARNING
 Always secure the load firmly, for example using the middle
seatbelt. This reduces the danger of personal injury resulting
from the displacement of the load on hard braking or in the
event of a crash.
 Do not exceed the load capacity of the car, as this will alter its
handling characteristics (see page 236).
ProCarManuals.com

118 Interior equipmentTrunk Release HandleThere is a glow-in-the-dark trunk release
handle located inside the trunk on the latch.
This handle will glow following exposure to
light. Pull the release handle down to open
the trunk from inside.
Lashing eyesThere are four lashing eyes in the trunk that
should be used to secure loads. In general,
loads should be placed as far forward and
as low down as possible in the trunk.
NOTICEThe trunk release handle was not
designed to be used to tie down the trunk
lid or as an anchor point when securing
items in the trunk. Improper use of the
trunk release could damage it.
WARNING
 Lay heavy bags on the floor. Place
smaller and lighter bags on top.
 Secure heavy and bulky items using
the four lashing eyes provided in the
trunk. This will avert the danger of
luggage flying around if the car should
brake suddenly or be involved in a
crash.
 Secure small items if the backrest is
folded down. Small items can also be
thrown around inside the car and
cause personal injury.
 The rear seat must be in the upright
position to protect against load
displacement in the event of a crash.
 Do not exceed the load capacity of the
car, as this will alter its handling char-
acteristics (see page 236).
 Match your speed and driving style to
how the car is loaded. The handling
characteristics of the car can be
affected since a load in the trunk will
alter the car’s center of gravity.
Trunk Release Handle Lashing eyes in the trunk
ProCarManuals.com

121 Starting and driving
Ignition switch ________ 122
Steering wheel lock ____ 123
Starting the engine ____ 123
Important considerations
for driving __________ 125
Refueling ____________ 128
Engine Break-in Period _ 132
Manual transmission___ 133
Automatic transmission 134
Cruise control ________ 140
Braking ______________ 141
Traction Control System
(TCS) ______________ 144
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP) ______ 146
Parking brake_________ 148
Parking ______________ 148 Economical driving _____ 153
Driving in cold weather__ 155
Driving in hot climates __ 156
Towing a trailer ________ 157
Driving with a roof rack
load ________________ 161
Driving with a load _____ 162
Driving with the trunk lid
open________________ 163
Driving in deep water ___ 163
Driving at night ________ 163
Towing the car _________ 164
Driving with the compact
spare wheel__________ 167
Jump starting _________ 168
For long trips __________ 170
Starting and driving
ProCarManuals.com

122 Starting and drivingIgnition switchThe ignition switch is located on the center
console between the front seats. In cars
with automatic transmission, the remote
control can only be removed when the
selector lever is in position P.NOTICETake care not to spill drinks or to drop
crumbs over the ignition switch. If dirt or
liquid gets into it, the switch may not
operate properly.
WARNING
• Always remove the remote control
before leaving children unattended in
the car.
 Apply the parking brake before remov-
ing the remote control.
 Never remove the remote control
while the car is moving. This will acti-
vate the steering wheel lock and make
it impossible to steer the car.
LOCK position
The position lights, hazard warning lights and interior lighting can be
turned on.
Cars with automatic transmission: Move the gear lever to P.
The gear lever is locked in position. This is the only position in which the
remote control can be removed.
Cars with manual transmission: The remote control can be removed
regardless of the position of the gear lever.
OFF position
Parts of the electrical system are operative.
Do not leave the remote control in the OFF position with the engine
not running as this could cause the battery to run flat in a matter of
hours.
Cars with automatic transmission: The gear lever is not locked. See
also page 135.
ON position
The entire electrical system is operative.
Do not leave the remote control in the ON position when the engine
is not running.
Turn the remote control to the OFF position to disconnect the electrical
system.
When you turn the remote control to ON, some indicator and warning lights
will come on in the main instrument panel. These should go out after about
3 seconds.
ST - starter position
The starter motor operates (automatic transmission: selector lever must
be in P or N) when the remote control is turned to this position. When
released, the remote control will spring back to the ON position.
The car has an electronic restart lock. If the engine fails to start, the remote
control must first be turned back to a position between OFF and LOCK
before the starter motor can be operated again.
ProCarManuals.com