2004 SAAB 9-3 open hood

179 Starting and driving
Recommendations for cars with
automatic transmissionThe following driving time limits are based
on the capacity of the cooling system in hot
weather, i.e. approximately 86°F (+30°C).The following driving time limits are based
on the capacity of the cooling system in hot
weather, i.e. approximately 104°F (+40°C).
When negotiating long hills, bear the follow-
ing important considerations in mind.
Rises in coolant temperature are indicated
by the temperature gauge in the main instru-
ment panel.
The following steps are taken in order as the
temperature of the transmission increases:
 Gear change pattern is altered
 A/C compressor is switched off
 Max. engine torque is reducedThe following message will be displayed on
the SID if the transmission fluid becomes
too hot:
If this message appears, stop the car as
soon as it is safe to do so and allow the
engine to idle until the message has gone
out. The selector lever should be in
position P.
When continuing your journey, manually
select a low gear in which the engine speed
is about 3,500 rpm until the incline eases
(see page 158).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 17" wheels.
Gradient of
hill, %Max. trailer
weight, lbs.
(kg)Time limit,
minutes
6-8 3330 (1500) unlimited
9-11 3080 (1400) max. 15
12-14 2645 (1200) max. 15
max. 15 2200 (1000) max. 15
Gradient of
hill, %Max. trailer
weight, lbs.
(kg)Time limit,
minutes
6-8 2200 (1000) unlimited
9-11 1760 (800) max. 15
12-14 1100 (500) max. 15
max. 15 880 (400) max. 15
Gearbox too hot.
Make a safe stop.
Open hood to cool down.
WARNING
Remember to use engine-braking (selec-
tor position M1, M2, or M3) to spare the
brakes when you are driving on a long or
steep downhill slope.
Overheating can cause the brakes to
fade!
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188 Starting and drivingIt is essential when a donor battery is to be
used to jump start the car that the jump
leads be connected correctly to prevent
arcing.
To jump start your vehicle:
1 Check the other vehicle. It must have a
12-volt battery with a negative ground
system.2 Get the vehicles close enough so the
jumper cables can reach, but be sure the
vehicles are not touching each other. If a
poor connection on the negative jumper
cable should exist, it is possible for
damage to be caused to electrical
systems/components of either vehicle
should inadvertent contact be made.
You would not be able to start your car
and bad grounding could damage the
electrical systems.
3 Turn off the ignition on both vehicles.
Turn off lights that are not needed, and
radios. This will avoid sparks and help
save both batteries and it could save
your radio.4 Open the hood and locate the battery.
Find the positive (+) and negative (–) termi-
nals on the battery.NOTICEIgnoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that would not be
covered by your warranty.
Trying to start your car by pushing or pull-
ing it could damage your vehicle, even if
you have a manual transmission. If you
have an automatic transmission, your
vehicle cannot be started by pushing or
pulling it.
NOTICEIf the other system is not a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged.
WARNING
You could be injured if the vehicles roll.
Set the parking brake firmly on each vehi-
cle. Put an automatic transmission in P
(Park) or a manual transmission in
Neutral.
NOTICEIf you leave your radio on, it could be
badly damaged. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
WARNING
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.Jump starting
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192 Car careHoodThe handle of the hood lock is located on the
left under the instrument panel. Open the
hood in the following way:
1 Pull the release handle.
2 The hood moves to the half-locked posi-
tion and is stopped by a safety catch at
the front edge.
3 Press the lever of the catch upwards and
raise the hood.
When you close the hood you should drop it
from a height of about 12 inches (30 cm),
without slamming it.
Hood release catch plate
Hood release handle
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199 Car care
CoolantIf the coolant level drops too low, the follow-
ing message appears on the SID:The properties of the coolant are retained
for the entire service life of the car. There-
fore, it is not necessary to change the cool-
ant.
The coolant contains 45 % antifreeze and
anti-corrosion fluid. This ratio gives the best
cooling effect. Lower concentrations should
be avoided, in view of the corrosion risk.
Other brands of antifreeze can damage the
engine and cooling system.The expansion tank is transparent to facili-
tate checking the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant must
not lie above the KALT/COLD mark on the
expansion tank (boundary between the
upper and lower sections of the tank, see
illustration).
Top up with a mixture of equal parts of
Saab-approved antifreeze and clean water.
If the expansion tank is empty when coolant
is added, run the engine until warm so that
the thermostat opens. Top up the tank
again, as necessary.
WARNING
 Proceed with caution if the radiator is
boiling when you open the hood.
Never remove the expansion-tank
filler cap when the radiator is boiling.
 The cooling system is pressurized –
hot coolant and vapor can escape
when the filler cap is released. These
can cause injury to your eyes and
burns. Loosen the cap carefully, and
let the engine cool before removing
the cap.
 Exercise care when adding coolant.
Coolant on hot surfaces constitutes a
fire risk.
Coolant level low.
Refill.
Coolant expansion tank
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258 Car careIf you find that the headlight needs adjust-
ment follow these steps:
1 Open the hood and locate the vertical
aiming devices there are two vertical
aiming devices which shall be turned
simultaneously and the same amount of
turns.
2 Locate the marker on the lens.
3 Measure the distance from the ground to
the aim marker No.1 on each lens.
Subtract 2 inches.4 At the wall or other flat surface, measure
from the ground to the recorded dis-
tance (see point 4) and draw a horizontal
line the width of the vehicle.1 Wall or garage door.
2 25 ft (7.6 m) between wall and headlight lens.
3 Measurement from the ground to the low beam aiming marker on the headlight lens.
4 Same measurement as (3) but substract 2 inches.
Vertical aiming device1 Aiming marker on headlight lens
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281 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 parking brake.
Oil pressure low.
Make a safe stop.
Turn off engine.
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.
2: standard key
0: valet key
Key No: 1
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.
Rear left seat backrest
unlocked.
Rear right seat backrest
unlocked.
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284 IndexDriving in cold climates
___________ 175
Driving in deep water
____________ 183
Driving in hot climates ____________ 177
Driving techniques
______________ 173
Driving with a heavy load on hilly
roads
________________________ 155
Driving with a load
______________ 183
Driving with a roof load ___________ 182
Driving with the compact spare wheel
187
Driving with the trunk lid open
______ 183
EEDR
_________________________ 266
ESP, anti-skid system
____________ 165
Easy entry, Convertible ____________ 65
Economical motoring
____________ 173
Electric engine heater ____________ 174
Electric heating, front seats
___ 102
, 111
Electric windows
________________ 117
Electric windows, Convertible
_______ 69
Electrical system, technical data ____ 272
Electrically adjustable seats
________ 18
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
__ 165
Electronic steering wheel lock
_____ 142
Emergency opening of the narrow
backrest
_____________________ 138
Emergency operation of the sunroof
_ 122
Engine bay, cleaning
____________ 249
Engine heater
__________________ 174
Engine immobilizer
_______________ 47Engine number
_________________ 278
Engine oil, checking
_____________ 196
Engine oil, grade
________________ 270
Engine oil, volume _______________ 271
Engine temperature gauge
_________ 80
Engine, description
______________ 193
Engine, technical data ____________ 270
Engines
_______________________ 271
Event Data Recorder
____________ 266
Extra electrical socket ____________ 126
FFacilitating entry to rear seat,
Convertible
____________________ 65
Factors affecting fuel consumption
__ 173
Filler cap
______________________ 148
Filling up ______________________ 147
Flat spots, tires
_________________ 232
Floor jack
_____________________ 246
Folding down the rear seat
________ 134
Front fog lights
__________________ 93
Front towing eye ________________ 184
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 81
Fuel grade _____________________ 271
Functions, car alarm
______________ 51
Fuse panel in luggage compartment
_225
Fuse table
_____________________ 224
Fuses
________________________ 222
GGDO, garage door opener
_________ 130
Gear selector indicator, automatic
transmission
___________________ 82
Gearbox number ________________ 278
General safety instructions,
Convertible
____________________ 54
Glove compartment
______________ 126
Glove compartment lighting
________ 219
HHandbrake
_____________________ 167
Hazard warning lights
_____________ 94
Head restraint, Convertible
_________ 66
Head restraints
__________________ 20
Headlight flasher _________________ 92
Headlight levelling ________________ 91
Headlights
______________________ 91
Heated door mirrors
_____________ 102
Hood
_________________________ 192
Horn __________________________ 116
Horn button
____________________ 116
IIf a tire goes flat
_________________ 237
Ignition switch
__________________ 140
Immobilizer
_____________________ 47
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