243 Car care
Tire date codeTires should be regarded as perishable
goods. As the tires age, the rubber becomes
progressively harder, and the roadholding
ability of the tires diminishes. This is partic-
ularly true on winter tires.
Tires have a code that specifies their date of
manufacture. The first two digits denote the
week number and the last two digits the
year.
Accordingly, a date code of 3701 signifies
that the tire was manufactured in week 37,
2001.
Compact spare tireCompact spareThe compact spare is light and easy to
handle when changing the tire. Its use is
only permitted when a standard tire has sus-
tained a puncture. The maximum life of the
tire is only just over 2,000 miles (3,500 km).
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) with the
compact spare fitted.
The tire pressure should be 60 psi
(420 kPa). Put the punctured tire in the
spare wheel well under the trunk floor.
“Driving with the compact spare tire”, see
page 187.
Have the standard tire repaired and refitted
as soon as possible.The spare tire, the tools and the jack with its
crank are carried under a panel in the trunk.
Fold the carpeting forward to ease access to
the tools and spare tire.
The screwdriver handle has a “button” for
removing plastic rivets. This type of rivet
must be removed when changing the light
bulb in the trunk lid (see page 216).
WARNING
The spare tire or punctured tire must be
stowed under the trunk floor, and secured
in place with the retaining nut.
Date code
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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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257 Car care
Headlight aimingThe vehicle has a visual optical headlight
aiming system equipped with vertical
aiming device. The aim has been preset at
the factory and should normally not need
further adjustments.
If your headlights are damaged in a crash,
the headlight aim may be affected. If you
believe your headlights need to be re-
aimed, we recommend that you take it to
your Saab dealer for service. However, it is
possible for you to re-aim your headlights as
described in the following procedure.To check the aim, the vehicle should be
properly prepared as follows:
The vehicle shall be placed so that the
headlights are 25 ft (7.6 m) from a light
colored wall or other flat surface. The
aiming area should be darkened, this will
improve your ability to see the beam of the
low beam headlight being aimed.
An optical headlamp aimer can also be
used and will than replace the wall.
The vehicle must have all four wheels on
a perfectly level surface which is level all
the way to the wall or other flat surface.
The vehicle should be placed so it is per-
pendicular to the wall or other flat surface.
The vehicle should be unloaded and fuel
tank full, and one person or 160 lbs.
(75 kg) on the drivers seat. The vehicle should be fully assembled
and all other work stopped while headlight
aiming is being done.
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice
or mud attached to it.
Tires should be inflated to the prescribed
pressure.
Close all doors.
Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspen-
sion.
Headlight aiming is done with the vehicle
low beam lamps. The high beam lamps will
be correctly aimed if the low beam lamps
are aimed properly.
WARNING
Before checking/adjusting the headlight
aiming, switch off the engine to avoid
danger of fingers and hands being injured
by moving parts.
The radiator fan can start up even when
the engine is switched off.NOTICETo make sure that your headlights are
aimed properly read all instructions
before beginning. Failure to follow these
instructions could cause damage to
headlight parts or a not correctly aimed
headlight.
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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.
ProCarManuals.com
283 Index
Index
AA/C
__________________________ 101
ABS brakes
____________________ 161
ACC
_________________________ 103
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 116
Air conditioning
_________________ 101
Air filter
_______________________ 198
Airbag
_________________________ 28
Anchorage eyes
________________ 137
Anti-corrosion treatment
__________ 253
Antilock braking system __________ 161
Anti-spin
______________________ 163
Ashtrays ______________________ 126
Autochecking of lights, warning and
indicator lights
__________________ 78
Autodimming
_______________ 129
, 130
Automatic climate control (ACC)
____ 103
Automatic tire pressure monitoring __ 229
Automatic transmission
___________ 153
BBattery
_______________________ 202
Bedding-in of new brake pads
_____ 151
Before towing a trailer
____________ 181
Bi-xenon headlights
_____________ 209Bi-xenon headlights, head light
levelling
_______________________ 91
Brake fluid, grade
_______________ 274
Brakes
________________________ 160
Braking _______________________ 160
Bulb changing
__________________ 208
Bulb table
_____________________ 221
Buying new tires
________________ 233
CCabin lighting
__________________ 123
Cabin lighting, Convertible
_________ 70
Car alarm
______________________ 48
Car transport ___________________ 186
Care of air conditioning
___________ 256
Change of address notification
_____ 264
Changing a tire
_________________ 245
Changing bulbs _________________ 208
Changing engine oil
_____________ 197
Changing the battery, remote control
_46
Changing wiper blades
___________ 206
Checking the number of remote
controls
_______________________ 45
Checks before towing a trailer
_____ 181
Child safety
_____________________ 21
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 44
Child seats
_____________________ 21
Cigarette lighter
_________________ 126
Cleaning the engine bay
__________ 249
Cleaning upholstery
_____________ 249Climate control system, manual
_____ 98
Closing the soft top manually,
Convertible
____________________ 60
Closing the soft top, Convertible
_____ 56
Clutch interlock
_________________ 152
Compact spare _________________ 243
Compass
______________________ 133
Condensation water, A/C
_________ 101
Convertible
_____________________ 53
Convertible, washing
_____________ 251
Coolant
_______________________ 199
Cruise control
__________________ 159
Cup holder
_____________________ 124
DDate codes, tires
________________ 243
Deep water, driving through
_______ 183
Definitions and terminology, tire ____ 240
Determining correct load, tires
_____ 242
Direction indicator stalk switch ______ 93
Direction indicators
_______________ 93
Dome light, Convertible
___________ 218
Dome light, Sport Sedan __________ 217
Donor battery, boost starting
_______ 187
Door handles
____________________ 40
Door mirrors ___________________ 128
Drive belt
______________________ 205
Drive belt, length
________________ 272
Driver’s seat with memory
__________ 19
Driving at night
_________________ 184
ProCarManuals.com
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
ProCarManuals.com
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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