207 Car care
Tire pressure
Note: Low tire pressure also causes prema-
ture tire wear and increased fuel consump-
tion.
Adjust the tire pressure to match the current
load and speed of the car (see page 245).
The stated tire pressures apply to cold tires,
i.e. tires that are the same temperature as
the outside air temperature. Tire pressure
increases as the tires become warm (e.g.
during highway driving) by approximately
0.3 bar (4 psi). When the temperature of the
tires changes by 50°F (10°C), the tire pres-
sure 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.
Soft tires will cause faster wear than over-
pressurized tires.
If a valve is leaking, simply unscrew it and fit
a new one.
Note: Remember to adjust the tire pressure
if you change the load in the car or intend to
cruise at a speed that is substantially differ-
ent from normal.
Automatic tire pressure monitoring(option, certain variants only)
The pressure monitoring system consists of
a sensor in each wheel, a detector in each
wheel housing and a receiver. The sensors
are located inside the wheels directly adja-
cent to the air valves.
WARNING
Check the tire pressure at least once a
month and before long journeys. Under-
inflation can result in:
punctures
separation of the tire and tread
damage to the sidewalls
damage to the rims on poor roads
poor handling characteristics.
WARNING
The system is intended to aid the driver.
The driver is always ultimately responsi-
ble for ensuring that the tire pressure is
correct.NOTICEGreat care must be taken when changing
tires so as not to damage the sensors that
are integrated in the valves.
ProCarManuals.com
208 Car careThe receiver is located in the trunk. Tire
pressure information is sent wirelessly to
the receiver.
The system checks the tire pressure when
the car is travelling over 18 mph (30 km/h).
The system is "self-learning", which means
that the position of the wheels can be
changed without requiring adjustments to
the monitoring system. The spare wheel
does not have a sensor.
The sensor batteries have an average life of
10 years. The batteries cannot be changed
but require the sensor units to be replaced.
The system does not warn if a tire is overin-
flated.
If the tire pressure drops
If the tire pressure drops 0.3 bar (4 psi)
below the recommended pressure, the SID
will issue a warning as to which tire is
affected.
Adjust the tire pressure as soon as possible.If the tire pressure continues to drop, the
SID will issue a warning alarm when the
pressure is 0.6 bar (9 psi) below the recom-
mended value.
Reduce speed (avoid heavy braking and
violent steering wheel movements) and
stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so.
Change the wheel. Tire pressure low,
front left.
Check tires.
Flat tire front left.
Make a safe stop.
Valve with sensor Valve without sensor
ProCarManuals.com
214 Car careChanging a wheel
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 wedge-shaped 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 the selector lever
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.
If possible, make sure the jack is
standing on a firm, level surface.
The jack should be stored correctly
under the carpeting in the trunk. If it
lies loose in the car, it could thrown
forward and cause personal injury in
the event of a crash or if the car rolls
over.
Do not use the jack on a car other than
your Saab 9-3.
Grit, salt and rust can clog the inner
threads if the car has been driven for
several years exclusively with alloy
wheels.
If steel wheels are now fitted, the bolt
hole threads in the brake hubs should
be cleaned before the thinner steel
wheels are fitted. It may otherwise not
be possible to achieve the correct
clamping force, despite tightening the
wheel bolts to the correct torque.
ProCarManuals.com
237 Technical data
Curb weight
(i.e. with full fuel tank, full washer fluid res-
ervoir, standard tools and spare wheel) _3174–3461 lbs.
(1440–1570 kg)
Gross vehicle weight (GVW) ___________ 4343–4453 lbs.
(1970–2020 kg)
Maximum axle load:
Front ____________________________ 248 lbs. (1125 kg)
Rear ____________________________ 2226 lbs. (1010 kg)
Weight distribution:
Curb weight + driver (154 lbs. (70 kg)),
front/rear _________________________ approx. 60/40 %
GVW, front/rear ____________________ approx. 50/50 %
Maximum roof load _________________ 220 lbs. (100 kg)
Maximun load in trunk ______________ 175 lbs. (80 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.
When carrying a load in the trunk, make sure that it is lashed
down securely, particularly when part or all of the rear seat is
folded down.
Trailer:
Trailer with brakes ___________________ Max. 3500 lbs.
(1588 kg)
Trailer without brakes ________________ Max. 1000 lbs.
(450 kg)
Recommended towball load ___________ 110–165 lbs.
(50–75 kg)
Maximum theoretical towing speed, trailer
with brakes _______________________ 60 mph (100 km/h)
When towing a trailer, increase the pressure
of the rear tires by 0.2 bar (3 psi).
The above speed and weight restrictions are those specified by
Saab Automobile AB.
Note that national restrictions may apply to trailer speeds and
weights (see page 157).
ProCarManuals.com
238 Technical dataEngine Engine oilType: Four cylinders,
double overhead
camshafts,
16 valves, two
balancer shafts,
dual-mass flywheel
Cylinder bore_______________________ 3.386'' (86 mm)
Stroke ____________________________ 3.386'' (86 mm)
Swept volume ______________________ 122 cu.in. (1.998 l)
Idling speed________________________ 670 rpm
Antifreeze _________________________ Saab-approved
antifreeze
Coolant capacity ____________________ 7.5 qts. (7.1 l)
Oil grade
:
We recommend the use of Saab or Mobile oils, available from
you Saab dealer, for regular oil changes.
These oils are specially developed from high-quality compo-
nents to meet the demands of extended service intervals (max.
18,000 miles (30,000 km) or 2 years). Saab and Mobil oils are
tested and approved in accordance with the GM standard for
long-life oils. Such gasoline engine oils are given the designa-
tion GM-LL-A 025. The requirements are the same for diesel
oils, though these are given the designation GM-LL-B 025.
To ensure optimum engine performance, with regard to lu-
brication, the ability to dissolve residues and the neutrali-
sation of combustion products in the oil, for a service
interval of 18,000 miles (30,000 km) or a maximum of
2 years, the engine oil used must fulfil GM-LL-A 025 (gaso-
line engines) or GM-LL-B 025 (diesel engines).
Only oil of the above grades may be used.
Oils of the above grades contain the additives required for
the engine to function well. We advise against the use of
further additives.
The gasoline engine oil is unique in that not only does it fulfil the
stringent requirements demanded by API and ACEA standards
but also meets ACEA requirements for fuel-saving properties.
ProCarManuals.com
251 Index
Index
AA/C
__________________________ 82
ABS brakes
___________________ 142
ACC
_________________________ 84
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 98
Air conditioning
_________________ 82
Air filter
______________________ 178
Air pressure, tyres
______________ 207
Airbag
________________________ 26
Anchorage eyes
_______________ 118
Anti-corrosion treatment
_________ 220
Antilock braking system _________ 142
Anti-spin
_____________________ 144
Ashtrays _____________________ 108
Autochecking of lights, warning and
indicator lights
_________________ 58
Autodimming
______________ 111
, 112
Automatic climate control (ACC)
____ 84
Automatic transmission
__________ 134
Automatic tyre pressure monitoring
207
BBattery
______________________ 182
Bedding-in of new brake pads
____ 132
Before towing a trailer
___________ 160
Bonnet
______________________ 172Bootlid, driving when open
_______ 163
Bootlid, opening
________________ 41
Brake fluid, grade ______________ 242
Brakes
_______________________ 141
Braking ______________________ 141
Bulb changing
_________________ 188
Bulb table
____________________ 198
CCabin lighting
_________________ 105
Car alarm
_____________________ 46
Car transport __________________ 166
Care of air conditioning
__________ 225
Change of address notification
____ 232
Changing bulbs
________________ 188
Changing engine oil
____________ 177
Changing the battery, remote control
44
Changing wheels
______________ 214
Changing wiper blades
__________ 186
Checking the number of
remote controls
________________ 43
Checks before towing a trailer
____ 160
Child safety
____________________ 21
Child safety locks, rear doors
______ 42
Child seats
____________________ 21
Cigarette lighter
________________ 108
Cleaning the engine bay
_________ 218
Cleaning upholstery
____________ 217
Climate control system, manual
____ 79
Compact spare
________________ 212Compass
_____________________ 115
Condensation water, A/C
_________ 82
Coolant
______________________ 179
Cruise control
_________________ 140
Cup holder
____________________ 107
DDate codes, tyres
______________ 212
Deep water, driving through
______ 163
Direction indicator stalk switch _____ 75
Direction indicators
______________ 75
Donor battery, boost starting
______ 168
Door handles
___________________ 38
Door mirrors __________________ 110
Drive belt
_____________________ 185
Drive belt, length
_______________ 240
Driver’s seat with memory
_________ 19
Driving at night
________________ 163
Driving in cold climates
__________ 155
Driving in deep water
____________ 163
Driving in hot climates ___________ 156
Driving techniques
______________ 153
Driving with a heavy load on
hilly roads
___________________ 136
Driving with a load
______________ 162
Driving with a roof load
__________ 161
Driving with the bootlid open
______ 163
Driving with the compact
spare wheel
__________________ 167
ProCarManuals.com
255 Index
Washer fluid
__________________ 186
Washer jets ___________________ 187
Washers
______________________ 76
Washing _____________________ 218
Waxing and polishing
___________ 219
Wear indicators, tyres ___________ 211
Wheel change
_________________ 214
Wheels
______________________ 206
Wheels and tyres, sizes
_________ 243
Windscreen washers
____________ 76
Windscreen wipers
______________ 76
Wing mirrors
__________________ 110
Winter driving _________________ 155
Wiper blades __________________ 186
Wipers
________________________ 76
ProCarManuals.com