2003 SAAB 9-3 tow bar

61 Instruments and controls
Turbo gaugeThe turbo gauge indicates the air volume
used for combustion, which is equivalent to
the engine load.
At low loads and when the engine is used for
braking, the needle will move within the
white zone.
Under certain barometric conditions the
needle may enter the first part of the red
zone without necessarily indicating that a
fault has arisen.If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone
and the engine at the same time loses
power, because the monitoring system is
limiting the boost pressure, you should
contact a Saab dealer as soon as possible.
When the speed of the car exceeds
143 mph (230 km/h), acceleration is limited
by reducing the boost pressure. The pres-
sure gauge then moves towards the middle
of the white field, indicating a drop in engine
power and consequently the car’s speed.
Fuel gaugeWhen less than about 2.5 gallons (10 litre)
of fuel is left in the tank, a warning light on
the main instrument panel comes on.
Refueling, see page 128.
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152 Starting and drivingIf the distance between an object and a
corner sensor does not change for
3 seconds, for example if you are reversing
alongside a wall, the system will switch to
monitoring straight back. The system indi-
cates if the distance to the wall decreases
again.
If a trailer is hitched up and correctly con-
nected to the trailer contact by the tow bar,
the system is automatically deactivated.
You can temporarily deactivate the Saab
Parking Assistance as follows:
 Engage reverse and press the CLEAR
button on the SID control panel.
The system will be reactivated the next time
you engage reverse.Error messages
If the system malfunctions, the following
message will appear on the SID:
If the system is subject to interference, the
following message will be shown on the
SID:
If this message appears, clean the sensors.
The sensors are located in the black trim on
the rear bumper The system can be switched off using
Profiler.
1 Press the CUSTOMIZE button to go to
Profiler.
2 Select Park Assistance using the
INFO dial.
3 Press in the INFO dial.
4 Select SPA on or SPA off.
5 Confirm this selection by pressing the
INFO dial.
Explanation of SPA on and SPA off.NOTICEThe sensors must be kept clean to func-
tion well. Ice, snow and dirt can affect
their sensitivity.
Do not spray the sensors with a pressure
washer, as this can damage them.
Parking assistance
malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
Parking assistance sensor
interference.
Park Assistance
SPA onSPA off
SPA onSaab Parking Assistance is activated
automatically when reverse is
engaged. The system warns of objects
behind the car.
If a trailer is hitched up and correctly
connected to the trailer contact, the
system will be deactivated automati-
cally. You can also deactivate the sys-
tem temporarily with the CLEAR button
if reverse has been engaged and the
system is active.
SPA off
Saab Parking Assistance deactivated.
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157 Starting and driving
Towing a trailerMake sure you are familiar with the legal
requirements regarding speed limits for
towing, maximum trailer weights, trailer
braking requirements, and also any spe-
cial driving licence provisions.
Trailer hitch attachmentTrailer hitch attachments are available as
accessories. These are designed for a max-
imum trailer weight of 3500 lbs (1588 kg),
with trailer brakes.
An electrical socket is provided for connect-
ing the trailer electrics. This is located under
the floor trim by the left-hand tail light.
The Saab genuine electrical socket enables
the battery in the trailer on tow to be charged
during while driving. Also, if the car has
SPA, this is deactivated automatically if a
trailer is hitched up and correctly connected
to the Saab genuine trailer socket.
Saab recommendations:
 Use a genuine Saab towbar that is
designed and tested for your Saab.
 Contact your Saab dealer for advice on
which towbar is designed for your car.
WARNING
 Do not drive with a trailer on inclines
steeper than 15 %. The load on the
drive (front) wheels will be so low that
the wheels can start to spin and
prevent further progress.
 In addition, the car’s parking brake
may not always be sufficient to hold
the car and trailer securely, as the
wheels may start to slide.
 Always apply the trailer’s parking
brake when unhitching it. There is
otherwise a risk of personal injury or
damage to the bumper should the
trailer start to roll.
 When you hitch up the trailer be sure
to attach its safety chains to the holes
by the hitch attachment.
NOTICE Use only a genuine Saab trailer hitch,
since other models can damage the
car’s bodywork and electrical system.
 Consult a Saab dealer for guidance on
how to connect a trailer hitch.
 Exercise care when driving on uneven
roads or against the curb if the car is
heavily laden. This particularly applies
to cars with 18" wheels.
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165 Starting and driving
Rear towing eyeThe car has a permanent towing eye at the
rear under the bumper.
If the car is equipped with a towbar, this can
be used instead of the towing eye.
Towing the carEngage neutral (automatic transmission:
move the selector lever to N). Turn on the
parking lights.
Engage neutral (automatic transmission:
move the selector lever to N). Turn on the
hazard warning lights.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles on tow.Always try to keep the towrope taut by
gently applying the brake of the car on tow,
as necessary. This will avoid the towrope
being jerked violently.
Cars with automatic transmission:
Always observe the speed limit for vehicles
on tow. Whatever the speed limit, the car
must not be towed at speeds exceeding
30 mph (50 km/h) nor for a distance of more
than 30 miles (50 km). If the car needs to be
transported over a longer distance, a tow
truck or flatbed truck must be called out.
The engine cannot be started by towing or
pushing the car. In an emergency, the
engine can be started as described under
"Jump starting" on page 168.NOTICENever use the towing eyes to pull the car
unstuck.
NOTICE The car must be towed front first.
 If the car is to be towed with the front
wheels off the ground, make sure the
parking brake is off, as this acts on the
rear wheels.
Rear towing eye
Never use the towing eyes to pull the car
unstuck.
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215 Car care
When the car has to be lifted, the jack must
be positioned at one of the four jacking
points (front or rear) under the sill members.
If a floor jack is used, the lifting plate must
be positioned under the normal jacking
points. If the car is equipped with a towbar,
the jack can also be placed under this.
1 Apply the parking brake and engage 1st
or reverse gear (automatic transmis-
sion: select P).
2 Wind the jack up to a suitable height
before placing it under the jacking point.
Each jacking point is indicated by an arrow on the sill (see illustration).
Make sure that the jack fully engages
the jacking point in the underside of the
sill member and that the entire foot of the
jack is steady and flat on the ground.
The jack must not stand on snow, ice or
similar.
Wind up the jack until it just begins to lift
the car.
3 It is not necessary to remove the wheel
cover.
If, none the less, you wish to remove the
wheel cover, take hold of the outer edge
and pull it straight out.
Loosen the wheel bolts half a turn.
4 Wind the jack to raise the wheel clear of
the ground. Remove the wheel bolts and
lift off the wheel.5 Clean any rust or dirt from the contact
surfaces between the wheel and brake
disc. Do not wipe away the grease in the
wheel hub.
6 Fit the wheel and screw in the bolts in the
sequence shown on the following page
(opposite pairs).
Tighten the bolts enough for the bolts
and wheel to be seated correctly.
7 Lower the car and tighten the wheel
bolts to torque in sequence as shown on
the following page.
Tightening torque:
Light-alloy wheels: 110 Nm.
Steel wheels: 110 Nm.NOTICEApply the jack only to the jacking points
indicated on the body.
Jacking points
Marking of jacking points
Clean any rust or dirt from the contact sur-
faces between the wheel and brake disc.
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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).
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254 IndexRemote control
_________________ 38
Remote locking malfunction
_______ 40
Reporting safety defects
_________ 233
Rev counter
___________________ 59
Reversing lights ________________ 76
Roof lighting
__________________ 105
Roof lighting, changing
__________ 196
Running-in
___________________ 132
SSAHR, head restraint
____________ 20
SID
__________________________ 64
SPA _________________________ 151
Saab Information Display
_________ 64
Saab Parking Assistance ________ 151
Saab Trionic engine
management system
__________ 174
Safety belts
____________________ 11
Seatbelts
______________________ 11
Seatbelts, care
________________ 217
Seatbelts, checking
_____________ 217
Seats
_________________________ 16
Securing a load
________________ 118
Sentronic, manual gear selection
__ 139
Service costs
_________________ 232
Service information
_____________ 232
Service intervals
_______________ 230
Service record retention
_________ 231
Shifting the wheels
_____________ 209
Signalling, horn
_________________ 98Ski hatch
_____________________ 117
Spare wheel __________________ 212
Speed ratings, tyres
____________ 209
Speedometer
__________________ 60
Starting the engine
_____________ 123
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 98
Steering wheel lock
_____________ 123
Storage compartments __________ 109
Sun visor
_____________________ 106
Sunroof
______________________ 102
Switches ______________________ 72
TTCS
_________________________ 144
Technical data
_________________ 236
Textile carpeting, cleaning
_______ 218
Tightening torque, wheels ________ 216
Tools and spare wheel
__________ 212
Touching up paintwork __________ 219
Towbar
______________________ 157
Towbar load
__________________ 159
Towing
______________________ 164
Towing a trailer
________________ 157
Towing the car ________________ 165
Traction Control System (TCS)
____ 144
Transmission oil, checking
_______ 178
Transmission oil, grade
__________ 241
Transmission, automatic _________ 134
Transmission, manual
___________ 133
Transporting the car
____________ 166Trip computer
__________________ 65
Trip meter
_____________________ 59
Trolley jack ___________________ 215
Troubleshooting, A/C and ACC
____ 224
Turbo gauge
___________________ 61
Tyre date code ________________ 212
Tyre markings
_________________ 209
Tyre pressure _________________ 207
Tyre pressure monitoring, automatic
207
Tyre sizes
____________________ 243
Tyres
________________________ 206
UUpholstery care
________________ 217
Upholstery, cleaning
____________ 217
Useful tips on night driving
_______ 163
Useful tips on starting petrol engines
125
VVanity mirror
__________________ 106
Vehicle identification number
_____ 246
Vehicle recovery
_______________ 166
WWarning labels
___________________ 7
Warning lights __________________ 54
Warning triangle ________________ 76
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