160 Starting and drivingChecks before drivingMake sure that the car and trailer are in
good working order. This is essential since
towing a trailer increases the strain on the
car.
Check and if necessary adjust the tire
pressure of the car and trailer.
Make sure all wheel bolts are properly
tightened.
Make sure that the equipment joining the
car and trailer is properly secured and
adjusted.
Make sure the trailer’s electrical cable is
properly connected and is not so long that
it drags along the ground. Also, make
sure the cable is not too short and risks
breaking when turning a corner.
Check all bulbs.
Check the car and trailer brakes.
Make sure that all items on or in the cara-
van or trailer are properly secured.
Make sure that the trailer’s jockey wheel
is raised and locked.
Check the distribution of the load so that
the car and trailer are well balanced.
Check that the rearview mirrors provide
the best possible rearward vision.
Make sure the trailer’s safety cable is
correctly attached.
Driving considerationsAlways take extra care when towing a
trailer, as the car’s handling will be different
and its braking performance reduced. The
trailer’s braking system and suspension
also have a considerable effect on these
characteristics. See also "Driving with a
load" on page 162.
Drive carefully:
descending hills
on uneven roads
over railway crossings
when meeting large vehicles
If the car has automatic transmission, select
gear M1 when ascending or descending
steep hills.ReversingGet someone to help you keep an eye out
behind the trailer as the door mirrors do not
always provide sufficient rearward vision
when reversing.
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206 Car careWheelsAlternative wheels and tiresIf you wish to fit other tires or wheels than
those supplied with the car, consult your
Saab dealer first as to the possibilities
available.
Wheels/tires combinations that are not
approved by Saab can negatively affect the
car’s directional stability, steering and brak-
ing in both wet and dry conditions.The wheels and tires have been carefully
matched to the characteristics of the car and
play a key role in its outstanding roadhold-
ing and handling.
Do not take it for granted that a wheel/tire
combination will work in the best possible
way, just because it can be fitted to the car.
To ensure that the speedometer is as accu-
rate as possible it should be reprogrammed
if wheels of a different dimension are fitted.
Contact a Saab dealer.
NOTICEAlways consult your Saab dealer before
changing the car’s wheels or tires on your
Saab.
Wide wheels and tires with side walls that
are too low can:
be damaged in potholes, etc.
cause springs, shock absorbers and
wheel bearings and body mountings
to be overloaded
cause the wheels to come into contact
with chassis and body components
affect the function of the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP).
The speed and load limits of the tires
must not be exceeded; see page 209.
Wheels larger than 18" must not be fitted
on the Saab 9-3. The permissible offset is
1.61 inch (41 mm).
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230 Maintenance and owner assistanceMaintenance scheduleThe Maintenance Schedule prescribes a
service program to the purchaser/operator
of a Saab that is reasonable and necessary
to ensure the proper emission control sys-
tems function, safety and reliability of the
Saab automobile in normal use. Additional
maintenance is recommended for specific
components when the car is operated under
certain severe conditions. Proper mainte-
nance is always a good practice!
Authorized Saab dealers are equipped and
trained to meet your Saab’s service needs.
They regularly receive up-to-date Saab ser-
vice manuals and parts and technical ser-
vice bulletins from Saab and are able,
through their franchise agreement, to attend
Saab service schools, obtain Saab special
tools and technical assistance and pur-
chase original equipment service and
replacement parts.
Today’s complex automobiles should only
be entrusted to the most knowledgeable
service professionals. A Saab dealer is your
best choice.
SERVICE INTERVALSThe maintenance schedule begins with an
Inspection Service at 30 days. A time for
service message will illuminate on the Saab
Instrument Display (SID) when the car is
due for regular maintenance. There are twi
different messages that will appear:
TIME FOR INTERMEDIATE SERVICE
indicates that an oil/filter change is required
along with several inspections. This mes-
sage is set by the engine management
system which calculates service intervals
based on several factors including driving
habits, ambient temperature, number of
cold starts, mileage driven and elapsed time
since the last service. Based on this algo-
rithm, this message may appear at mileage
as low a 8,000 or as high as 15,000 miles.
If mileage accumulation does not occur, the
message will be set, and maintenance
required at a maximum of 2 years.
TIME FOR MAJOR SERVICE will be set
when additional maintenance is necessary,
such as air filter or spark plug replacement.
This message will appear at 30,000 mile
intervals. When either message is dis-
played, contact your Saab Dealer for a ser-
vice appointment.
Failure to perform scheduled maintenance
in a timely manner may result in serious
damage to key components or systems.
.NOTICEThe Check-up will be done by your Saab
dealer at no charge and should be done
as close as possible to the scheduled 30
days.
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249 Technical data
Warning and indications that can be
shown on the SIDSymbol Text
Antilock brake malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
Brake malfunction.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
Brake fluid level low.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
Release park brake.
Oil pressure low.
Make a safe stop.
Turn off engine.
Low engine oil level.
Fill oil now.
Engine malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
Reduced engine power.
Contact Saab dealer.
Coolant level low.
Refill.
Hot engine.
Make a safe stop.
Run engine on idle.
Airbag malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
Use your seatbelt.
Gearbox malfunction.
Limited performance.
Contact Saab dealer.
Gearbox too hot.
Make a safe stop.
Open hood to cool down.
Battery not charging.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
A/C off due to high engine
temperature.
Headlight levelling
malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
Tap brakes lightly before
using cruise control.
Traction control failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
Stability control failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
Washer fluid level low.
Refill.
Key not accepted.
Contact Saab dealer.
Remote control battery low.
Replace battery.
X: standard key
Y: va l e t key
Key No: Z
Lock system failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
Steering lock malfunc.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
Steering wheel locked.
Pull out key, turn steering
wheel. Try again.
Immobilizer failure.
Try starting again.
Contact Saab dealer.
Theft protection failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
Alarm has been triggered
since being armed.
Tighten fuel filler cap.
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252 IndexEESP, anti-skid system
___________ 146
Economical motoring ___________ 153
Electric engine heater ___________ 154
Electric heating, front seats
____ 83
, 92
Electric windows
________________ 99
Electrical system, technical data
___ 240
Electrically adjustable seats
_______ 18
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
_146
Electronic steering wheel lock
____ 123
Emergency opening of the narrow
backrest
____________________ 119
Emergency operation of the sunroof
104
Engine bay, cleaning
___________ 218
Engine heater
_________________ 154
Engine immobilizer
______________ 45
Engine number
________________ 246
Engine oil, checking
____________ 176
Engine oil, grade
_______________ 238
Engine oil, volume _____________ 239
Engine temperature gauge
________ 60
Engine, description
_____________ 173
Engine, technical data __________ 238
Engines
______________________ 240
Extra electrical socket
___________ 108
FFactors affecting fuel consumption
_153
Filler cap
_____________________ 129Filling up
_____________________ 128
Flat spots, tyres
________________ 217
Folding down the rear seat
_______ 116
Front fog lights
_________________ 74
Front towing eye _______________ 164
Fuel filler flap, emergency opening
__ 52
Fuel gauge
____________________ 61
Fuel grade ____________________ 240
Functions, car alarm
_____________ 50
Fuse panel in luggage compartment
202
Fuse table
____________________ 201
Fuses
_______________________ 199
GGDO, garage door opener
_______ 112
Garage door opener
____________ 112
Gear selector indicator,
automatic transmission
__________ 62
Gearbox number
_______________ 246
Glove compartment _____________ 109
Glove compartment lighting
______ 196
HHandbrake
___________________ 148
Hazard warning lights
____________ 75
Head restraints
_________________ 20
Headlight flasher ________________ 72
Headlight levelling _______________ 73Headlights
_____________________ 72
Heated door mirrors
_____________ 83
Horn
__________________________ 98
Horn button
____________________ 98
IIgnition switch
_________________ 122
Immobilizer
____________________ 45
Important considerations for driving
125
Important information, petrol-engined
cars with catalytic converters
____ 126
Indicator lights
__________________ 54
Instrument illumination, adjusting
___ 73
Interior lighting
_________________ 105
Interior rearview mirror
__________ 111
Intermittent malfunctioning,
central locking
_________________ 40
JJack
_________________________ 214
Jump starting
__________________ 168
KKey
__________________________ 38
Kick-down
____________________ 136
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