2IntroductionThis manual provides practical guidance on
driving and caring for your Saab.
The Saab 9-3 will be available with the fol-
lowing engine variants:
2.0t 175 hp
2.0 Turbo 210 hp
Although this manual describes the most
important differences between model vari-
ants, it does not specify the equipment or
features included on individual models.
Importation and distribution of Saab auto-
mobiles, spare parts and accessories are
handled exclusively by Saab Cars, Inc. in
the United States and by General Motors of
Canada Limited in Canada.We recommend that you read through the
manual before taking the car out for the first
time and keep it in the car for future refer-
ence.
To find a specific item, use the overviews
given on page 3–6. A list of content is given
at the beginning of each section of the man-
ual, and there is also a comprehensive
index at the back of the book.
Supplied with the car is a Warranties and
Service Record booklet which contains
important warranty information and speci-
fies the regular maintenance to be carried
out. Also included is a Quick Reference
Guide, an Infotainment System manual, tire
warranties and (U.S. customers), a dealer
directory with Roadside Assistance Pro-
gram information.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 questions concerning your
car, its equipment, the warranty conditions,
etc., your Saab dealer will be pleased to
help, or you may call the Saab Customer
Assistance Center in the U.S. at 1-800-955-
9007 or email them at saab-
[email protected]. In Canada, please
contact the Saab Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800-263-1999.
Enjoy the road ahead!
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.
WARNING
WARNING texts warn against the danger
of injury if the specified instructions are
not followed.NOTICENOTICE texts warn of potential damage
to the car if the recommendations are not
followed.
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4ExteriorBody __________________ 219
Touching up paintwork ____ 219
Anti-corrosion treatment ___ 220
Service program _________ 230
Sunroof ________________ 102
Washing _______________ 218
Waxing and polishing _____ 219Taillights _______________ 194
Brake lights _____________ 194
Changing bulbs __________ 188
Light switches ___________ 72Towing _________________ 164
Towing hook eyes ________ 164
Towing a trailer __________ 157Trunk __________________ 116
Lighting ________________ 194
Folding down the rear seat _ 116
Load-through hatch _______ 117
Spare wheel ____________ 119
Tools __________________ 119
Maximum loads _______________ 236
Mounting holes for roof carriers ___ 161
Roof load ____________________ 161
Hood _______________________ 172
Washing the engine bay_________ 218
Trunk lock ______________ 41
Central locking __________ 38
Lock buttons ____________ 38
Child safety locks ________ 42Front lights _____________ 190
Direction indicators_______ 75
Changing bulbs _________ 188
Headlight levelling (Bi-
Xenon) _______________ 73
Dipswitch ______________ 72
Headlight switches _______ 72
Headlight washers _______ 186Fuel grade _____________ 240
Fuel gauge _____________ 61
Economical motoring _____ 153
Fuel filler door __________ 128
Refueling ______________ 128
Braking _____________________ 141
Tires _______________________ 206
Tire pressure ________________ 245
Tire pressure monitor __________ 207
Wheels _____________________ 243
Changing wheels ______________ 214
Spare wheel _________________ 212
Winter driving ________________ 155
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5
InteriorAirbag _________________ 26
Steering wheel adjustment _ 98
Steering _______________ 242
Interior rearview mirror _________ 111
Vanity mirror _________________ 106
Door mirrors__________________ 110
Airbag_________________ 26
Child seats _____________ 21
Safety belts ____________ 11
Safety belt care _________ 217
Child safety locks ________ 42Glove compartment ______ 109
Storage compartments____ 109Automatic transmission ___ 134
Manual transmission _____ 133
Changing gears _________ 133
Rear seat _________________ 116
Child seats ________________ 21
Safety belts ________________ 11
Folding down the rear seat ____ 116
Upholstery care ____________ 217
Seat adjustment ____________ 16
Seat heating _______________ 83, 92
Interior lighting: changing bulbs ___ 197
Interior light switches ___________ 105
Sunroof _____________________ 102
Break-In Period _______________ 132
Driving in hot/cold climates ______ 155
Parking _____________________ 148
Starting the engine ____________ 123
Ignition switch ________________ 122
Parking brake_________________ 148
Ashtray and cigarette lighter _____ 108
Fuses _________________ 199Electric windows _________ 99
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6Engine bayVehicle identification number 246
Color code______________ 246
Engine number __________ 246
Warning labels __________ 7
Gearbox number _________ 246Exhaust emission control __ 126
Drive belt _______________ 185
Simple troubleshooting
(A/C, ACC) _____________ 224
Alternator ______________ 185
Turbo gauge ____________ 61
Spark plugs _____________ 240
Ignition system __________ 240Engine oil: checking level __ 176Automatic transmission _________ 134
Manual transmission ___________ 133
Gearbox: technical data_________ 241
Battery ______________________ 182
Battery charge ________________ 182
Jump starting _________________ 168
Engine: description ____________ 173
Changing engine oil ____________ 177
Engine oil: checking
level/topping up ______________ 176
Oil grade and viscosity__________ 238
Engine: technical data __________ 238
Important considerations for driving 125
Wash/wipe stalk switch____ 76
Topping-up fluid _________ 186
Washer jets ____________ 187
Washer fluid ____________ 186
Power steering ________________ 181
Fluid: checking/topping up _______ 181
Coolant: checking/topping-up ____ 179
Driving in hot climates __________ 156
Radiator _____________________ 238
Temperature gauge ____________ 60
Changing a fuse _________ 199
Fuses _________________ 199
Relays ________________ 203
Fuse table _____________ 203ABS brakes_____________ 141
Brake pads _____________ 180
Brake system ___________ 242
Brake fluid______________ 180
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7
Coolant:Never open when engine hot!
Drive belt:Danger! Moving belt
Radiator fan:Radiator fan may start at any
time.
Battery: No sparks, flames or smoking
Shield eyes, explosive gases can cause blindness or injury
Sulphuric acid can cause blindness or severe burns
Flush eyes immediately with water. Get medical help fast
Do not tip battery. Do not open battery
NO SPARKS, FLAMES OR SMOKING
SHIELD EYES
KEEP OUT OF REACH FROM CHILDREN
ACID
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL
EXPLOSIVE GASWarning labelsA/C system:Refrigerant at high pressure.
Do not loosen or remove the A/C system fittings before discharging the A/C
system. Improper service methods may cause personal injury.
System to be
serviced by qualified personnel only. For instructions consult dealer man-
ual.
The A/C system complies with SAE J639.
Charge: 680 g R134a.
Compressor oil: 150 cc PAG oil SP-10 alt.
Saab oil 4759106 SP-10.
DANGER/POISON
700 CCA (SAE)
LEVEL INDICATOR
INDICATEUR DE NIVEAU
DARK / NOIR No sparks, flames or smoking. Flush eyes immediatly with water
Do not tip battery. Do not open battery
KEEP OUT OF REACH FROM CHILDREN.
000 12102-EP
Shield eyes, explosive gases can cause
blindness or injury.Get medical help fast.
Sulfuric acid can cause blindness or severeMAINTENANCE-FREE BATTERY-P/N 53 52 000 12V/700A/125min(SAE) 12V/700A/70Ah (EN)
Saab Automobile AB 53 53 057 Manufactured by Tudor Spain (Exide Technologies) 12102-EPburns.
OK
CLEAR
CLAIRLOW
BAS
DANGER/POISON
700 CCA (SAE)
Éviter les étincelles et les flammes. Ne pas fumer. Rincer immédiatement les yeux avec de
Ne pas pencher ni ouvrir la batterie.
GARDER HORS DE LA PORTÉE DES
ENFANTS
000 12103-EP
Protéger les yeux car les gaz explosife peuvent
causer la cécité ou des blessures.l'oau Consulter un médecin rapidement.
L'acide sulfurique peut causer la cécité ou desBATTERIE SANS ENTRETIEN-P/N 53 52 000 12V/700A/125min(SAE) 12V/700A/70Ah (EN)
Saab Automobile AB 53 53 085 Fabriquée par Tudor Espagne (Exide Technologies) 12103-EPbrûlures graves.
CANADA
NETTOYER LE BOUCHON
DE REMPLISSAGE
AVANT DE L’ENLEVER.
UTILISER SEULEMENT
DU LIQUIDE DOT 4 PROV-
ENANT D’UN CONTE-
NANT SCELLÉ.
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9
No sparks,
flames or
smokingBuckle up
Refer to
the Owner’s
ManualAirbag
Shield eyesNever place a
rear-facing
child seat in
this seat
Keep out of
reach of
childrenElectric
windows
Battery acid
contains sul-
phuric acidDeactivating
of rear window
switches
Risk of
explosive gasCentral
locking, lock
Central
locking,
unlock
Trunk lid,
opening
HeadlightsWindshield
wipers
Direction
indicatorsWindshield
washers
Parking lights Defroster
Hazard warn-
ing lightsRear window
heating
Front fog
lightsCabin fan
Rear fog light
Coolant tem-
peratureRadiator fan
No charge to
batteryFuel
Foot brake
Coolant level
Engine oil
pressure
ABS brakes
Example of symbols that can be found in your car
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34 SafetyAirbag warning lamp Crash sensing
Crash sensing and diagnostic modules
have been used in automobiles since air-
bags were first produced. The technical
information gained from these modules can
be useful to understanding the circum-
stances that led to the airbag deployment. In
addition, information from many field events
can be used in the aggregate to help manu-
facturers and others better understand real
world crashes. This, in turn, can lead to
improved automotive safety.
Your vehicle is equipped with two electronic
frontal sensors, which helps the sensing
system distinguish between a moderate
frontal impact and a more severe frontal
impact. Your vehicle is also equipped with a
crash sensing and diagnostic module,
which records information about the frontal
airbag system. The module records infor-
mation about the readiness of the system,
when the system commands airbag inflation
and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment
or in a near-deployment crash. The module
also records speed, engine rpm, brake and
throttle data etc.
Servicing the airbag systemThe airbag system must be inspected as
part of the normal service program but oth-
erwise may be regarded as maintenance-
free.
WARNING
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle, it means
the airbag system may not be working
properly. See page 57.
The airbags in your vehicle may not
inflate in a crash, or they could even
inflate without a crash.
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.
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48 Security
Movement sensorThe movement sensor monitors the cabin.
The alarm will be triggered if a movement is
detected, such as if someone sticks in their
arm through a smashed window.
Note: Always contact your Saab dealer if
you intend to use a separate cabin heater as
this can interfere with the movement
sensor.Disabling the movement and tilt sensors
If, for example, you leave a dog in the car or
park on a ferry, you should disable the sen-
sors as described below:
1 Go to Profiler by pressing the CUSTOM-
IZE button (see also 64).
2 Turn the INFO dial until Theft Alarm is
selected.
3 Press in the INFO dial.
4 Select Door alarm only.
5 Confirm this selection by pressing the
INFO dial.
The movement and tilt sensors will be reac-
tivated automatically the next time you start
the car. You can activate the sensors man-
ually before the engine is started as
described above.
NOTICE It is possible to inadvertently deacti-
vate the car alarm and at the same
time unlock the car, if the button on the
key is pressed by mistake when the
car is still within its range. The car will
be locked automatically after
3 minutes.
When locking the car by remote
control in extremely cold weather, it is
advisable to check that the lock
system has operated properly. To do
so, check that the interior locking
buttons are all down.
If not, unlock and relock the car again.
Theft Alarm
Full theft alarmDoor alarm only
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