
245 Car care
Changing a tire
WARNING
The car jack is designed solely for use
in changing a tire 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 of the wheel bolts if the car has
been driven for several years exclu-
sively with alloy wheels.
If steel wheels are being installed, the
bolt hole threads in the brake hubs
should be cleaned before the thinner
steel wheels are fitted. It may other-
wise not be possible to achieve the
correct clamping force, despite tight-
ening the wheel bolts to the correct
torque.
WARNING
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over
you or other people. You and they could
be badly injured. Find a level place to
change your tire. To help prevent the
vehicle from moving:
1 Set the parking brake firmly.
2 Put the shift lever in PARK (P) (auto-
matic transmission;
engage 1st gear (manual transmis-
sion).
3 Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won’t
move, you can put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be the tire on
the other side of the vehicle, at the oppo-
site end.
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253 Car care
Anti-corrosion
treatmentThe entire car undergoes a series of anti-
corrosion processes during production.
These include electrophoretic priming,
PVC-based coating to protect against stone
chip damage and corrosion, and treatment
of body cavities and members with thin,
penetrating rustproofing oil.
In addition, most body panels, such as the
hood, doors and floor pan are galvanized.
The anti-corrosion treatment on some parts
of the car is constantly exposed to wear and
prone to damage. This applies particularly
to the underside of the car and inside the
wheel arches, where grit, road salt and the
like that are thrown up can give rise to cor-
rosion where the underseal has worn away.
The extent of this obviously depends on the
conditions in which the car is used.
Accordingly, make it a habit to hose the
underside of the car often and to inspect the
condition of the underseal. The anti-corro-
sion warranty does not relieve the car owner
of the need to carry out normal maintenance
to the rustproofing and to make good any
damage.Use a hose to clean the underside of the car
thoroughly. After it has dried, use a brush or
spray to apply a viscous anti-corrosion
agent to any worn or damaged areas, to
prevent the onset of corrosion.
Even after the anti-corrosion warranty has
expired, it makes good sense to continue to
maintain the rustproofing.
Seams in the body, especially those in the
doors and trunk lid, are particularly vulnera-
ble to corrosion from the outside, caused by
grit and salt thrown up from the road, and to
corrosion from the inside, largely as a result
of condensation. Keep the seams clean and
at the first sign of any rust, apply a thin, pen-
etrating, anti-corrosion oil. Your Saab
dealer will be pleased to give you further
advice.
What causes rust?Steel body panels of automobiles are sub-
ject to rusting whenever air and moisture
manage to penetrate the protective finish.
Body panels may rust through if the process
is unchecked. Rusting can occur wherever
water is trapped or where the car’s panels
are continuously damp.
Damage to paint and undercoating by
stones, gravel and minor crashes immedi-
ately exposes metal to air and moisture.
Road salts used for de-icing will collect on
the bottom of the car and promote rusting.
Areas of the country with high humidity have
a greater potential for rust problems, espe-
cially where salt is used on roads or there is
moist sea air. Industrial pollution (fallout)
may also damage paint and promote rust-
ing.
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268 Technical dataGeneral dataOverall length, including bumpers: ______ 182.5'' (4635 mm)
Overall width, including door mirrors _____ 80.2'' (2038 mm)
Maximum height ____________________ 57.8'' (1468 mm)
Wheelbase ________________________ 105.3'' (2675 mm)
Tr a c k :
Front ____________________________ 60.0'' (1524 mm)
Rear ____________________________ 59.3'' (1506 mm)
Ground clearance at GVW ____________ approx. 120 mm
Number of seats (incl. driver) __________ 5
Turning circle:
Measured at vehicle extremities _______ 37.4 ft. (11.4 m)
Curb to curb ______________________ 35.4 ft. (10.8 m)
Trunk length:
Rear seat raised ___________________ 40.8'' (1036 mm)
Rear seat lowered__________________ 69.8'' (1774 mm)
Convertible _______________________ 29.1" (740 mm)
Trunk volume (SAE):
Sport Sedan ______________________ 15.0 cu.ft. (425 l)
Convertible, soft top raised ___________ 12.4 cu.ft. (352 l)
Convertible, soft top folded ___________ 8.3 cu.ft. (235 l)
Permissible load (in addition to the driver) = GVW minus curb weight. The maximum
permissible axle load, front or rear, must not be exceeded.
The precise curb weight of the vehicle and load capacity are specified in the vehicle
registration documents.V.I.N. plateCurb weight
(i.e. with full fuel tank, full washer fluid res-
ervoir, standard tools and spare wheel):
Sport Sedan ______________________ 3200–3420 lbs.
(1450–1550 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 3570–3700 lbs.
(1620–1680 kg)
Gross vehicle weight (GVW):
Sport Sedan ______________________ 4120–4340 lbs.
(1870–1970 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 4460–4520 lbs.
(2025–2050 kg)
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269 Technical data
Maximum axle load:
Sport Sedan, front _________________ 2480 lbs. (1125 kg)
Sport Sedan, rear __________________ 2230 lbs. (1010 kg)
Convertible, front __________________ 2540 lbs. (1150 kg)
Convertible, rear ___________________ 2310 lbs. (1050 kg)
Weight distribution:
Curb weight + driver (150 lbs. (68 kg)),
front/rear (Sport Sedan and Convertible) approx. 60/40 %
GVW, front/rear (Sport Sedan and Con-
vertible) __________________________ approx. 50/50 %
Maximum roof load, Sport Sedan _______ 220 lbs. (100 kg)
Maximum load in trunk:
Sport Sedan ______________________ 175 lbs. (80 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 220 lbs. (100 kg)
The combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed:
Sport Sedan ______________________ 925 lbs. (420 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 820 lbs. (372 kg)
Maximum combined weight of driver and
passengers ______________________
Sport Sedan (5x150 lbs.) ____________ 750 lbs. (340 kg)
Convertible (4x150 lbs.) _____________ 600 lbs. (272 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)
See also page 180.
Maximum theoretical towing speed, trailer
with brakes _______________________ 60 mph (100 km/h)
When towing a trailer, increase the pressure
of the rear tires by 20 kPa (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 178).
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280 Technical dataSeveral of the systems in your Saab
can be customized to better suit
your individual needs. Contact your
Saab dealerCentral locking system
Some functions are governed by legal
requirements and cannot therefore be
reprogrammed.
Consult a Saab dealer for further informa-
tion.
Listed below are a number of examples of
programmable functions.
Audible confirmation of arming/disarming
the car alarm.
Automatic unlocking when car stopped
and remote control removed from the igni-
tion switch.
Trunk lid locked when car driven off or
30 s after being shut.
Length of audible and visual acknowl-
edgements.
Possibility to have the trunk lid unlocked
when doors unlocked, yes/no.Car alarm
Listed below are a number of examples of
programmable functions.
Cabin lighting switched on when the car
alarm is tripped.
Panic function can be enabled on cars
without car alarm.
Courtesy Headlamp Feature
The length of time the lights are on.
Whether the reversing light or tail lights
should come on as well as the dipped
beam.Automatic Climate System (ACC)
To prevent the smell of washer fluid from
entering the car, recirculation can be acti-
vated automatically while the windshield
is washed. The recirculation symbol will
however not light up. This function is
optional; contact a Saab dealer.
To increase the flow of air to the panel and
floor vents, the defroster vents can be
deselected (may desirable in hot
climates).
Convertible: A/C compressor not
switched off when the soft top is open.
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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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287 Index
Tire date code
__________________ 243
Tire inspection and rotation
_______ 232
Tire markings
__________________ 239
Tire pressure monitoring, automatic
_ 229
Tire sidewall labeling
____________ 238
Tire sizes
_____________________ 275
Tire terminology and definitions
____ 240
Tire, changing
__________________ 245
Tire, spare
_____________________ 243
Tires
_________________________ 231
Tools and spare wheel
___________ 243
Touching up paintwork ___________ 251
Towbar
_______________________ 178
Towbar load
___________________ 180
Towing
_______________________ 184
Towing a trailer
_________________ 178
Towing the car _________________ 185
Traction Control System (TCS)
_____ 163
Transmission oil, checking
________ 198
Transmission oil, grade
___________ 272
Transmission, automatic __________ 153
Transmission, manual
____________ 152
Transporting the car
_____________ 186
Treadwear indicators ____________ 233
Trip computer
___________________ 84
Trip meter
______________________ 79
Troubleshooting, A/C and ACC
____ 255
Trunk lid, driving when open
_______ 183
Trunk lid, opening
________________ 43
Turbo gauge
____________________ 80
UUniform tire quality grading
________ 235
Upholstery care
_________________ 249
Upholstery, cleaning
_____________ 249
Useful tips on night driving
________ 184
Useful tips on starting
____________ 143
VVanity mirror
___________________ 124
Vehicle Data Collection
___________ 266
Vehicle identification number
______ 278
Vehicle recovery
________________ 186
WWarning labels
___________________ 7
Warning lights
___________________ 74
Warning triangle _________________ 94
Warnings and messages on SID,
Convertible
____________________ 63
Washer fluid ___________________ 206
Washer jets ____________________ 207
Washers
_______________________ 95
Washing ______________________ 250
Washing a Convertible
___________ 251
Waxing and polishing
____________ 251
Wear indicators, tires ____________ 233
Wheel replacement
______________ 236Wheels and tires, sizes
___________ 275
When it is time for new tires
_______ 233
Windshield washers
______________ 95
Windshield wipers
________________ 95
Wing mirrors
___________________ 128
Winter driving __________________ 175
Winter tires
____________________ 242
Wiper blades ___________________ 206
Wipers
_________________________ 95
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