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 USA, 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
Failure to heed warnings may cause
personal injury.NOTICENOTICE texts warns of potential damage
to the car if the recommendations are not
followed.
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4ExteriorAnti-corrosion treatment ___ 253
Body __________________ 251
Service program _________ 262
Sunroof ________________ 120
Touching up paintwork ____ 251
Washing _______________ 250
Waxing and polishing _____ 251Brake lights _____________ 215
Changing bulbs __________ 208
Light switches ___________ 91
Taillights _______________ 215Towing _________________ 184
Towing hook eyes ________ 184
Towing a trailer __________ 178Folding down the rear seat _ 134
Lighting ________________ 215
Load-through hatch _______ 136
Spare wheel ____________ 138
Tools __________________ 138
Trunk __________________ 134
Maximum loads _______________ 268
Mounting holes for roof carriers ___ 182
Roof load ____________________ 182
Hood _______________________ 192
Washing the engine bay_________ 249
Central locking __________ 40
Child safety locks ________ 44
Lock buttons ____________ 40
Trunk lock ______________ 43Changing bulbs _________ 208
Dipswitch ______________ 91
Direction indicators_______ 93
Front lights _____________ 210
Headlight levelling (Bi-
Xenon) _______________ 91
Headlight switches _______ 91
Headlight washers _______ 206Economical motoring _____ 173
Fuel filler door __________ 147
Fuel gauge _____________ 81
Fuel grade _____________ 271
Refueling ______________ 147
Braking _____________________ 160
Changing wheels ______________ 245
Spare wheel _________________ 243
Tire pressure ________________ 277
Tire pressure monitor __________ 229
Tires _______________________ 231
Wheels _____________________ 275
Winter driving ________________ 175
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5
InteriorAirbag _________________ 28
Steering wheel adjustment _ 116
Steering _______________ 273
Interior rearview mirror _________ 129
Vanity mirror _________________ 124
Door mirrors__________________ 128
Airbag_________________ 28
Child safety locks ________ 44
Child seats _____________ 21
Safety belt care _________ 248
Safety belts ____________ 11Glove compartment ______ 126
Storage compartments____ 126Automatic transmission ___ 153
Changing gears _________ 152
Manual transmission _____ 152
Child seats _____________ 21
Folding down the rear seat _ 134
Rear seat ______________ 134
Safety belts _____________ 11
Seat adjustment _________ 16
Seat heating ____________ 102,
111
Upholstery care__________ 249
Interior lighting: changing bulbs ___ 220
Interior light switches ___________ 123
Sunroof _____________________ 120
Ashtray and cigarette lighter _____ 126
Break-In Period _______________ 151
Driving in hot/cold climates ______ 175
Ignition switch ________________ 140
Parking brake_________________ 167
Parking _____________________ 167
Starting the engine ____________ 142
Fuses _________________ 222Electric windows _________ 117
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6Engine bayColor code______________ 278
Engine number __________ 278
Gearbox number _________ 278
Warning labels __________ 7
Vehicle identification number 278Alternator ______________ 205
Drive belt _______________ 205
Exhaust emission control __ 145
Ignition system __________ 272
Simple troubleshooting
(A/C, ACC) _____________ 255
Spark plugs _____________ 272
Turbo gauge ____________ 80Engine oil: checking level __ 196Automatic transmission _________ 153
Transmission: technical data _____ 272
Manual transmission ___________ 152
Battery ______________________ 202
Battery charge ________________ 202
Jump starting _________________ 187
Changing engine oil ____________ 197
Engine: description ____________ 193
Engine: technical data __________ 270
Important considerations for driving 144
Oil grade and viscosity__________ 270
Topping-up fluid _________ 206
Wash/wipe stalk switch____ 95
Washer fluid ____________ 206
Washer jets ____________ 207
Power steering ________________ 201
Fluid: checking/topping up _______ 201
Coolant: checking/topping-up ____ 199
Driving in hot climates __________ 177
Radiator _____________________ 270
Temperature gauge ____________ 80
Changing a fuse _________ 222
Fuse table _____________ 227
Fuses _________________ 222
Relays ________________ 227ABS brakes_____________ 160
Brake pads _____________ 200
Brake system ___________ 274
Brake fluid______________ 200
ProCarManuals.com
7
Coolant:Never open when engine hot!
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
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.
ProCarManuals.com
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
Electronic
Stability
Program
Example of symbols that can be found in your car
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56 9-3 ConvertibleOpeningThe following conditions must be fulfilled for
the soft top to be folded:
Vehicle speed must not exceed 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Battery voltage must exceed 10 V.
Outside temperature must exceed 23°F
(–5°C).
The trunk lid must be locked.
There must be sufficient space in the
trunk for the soft top.
1 Star t the engine and let it idle. Clearance
for soft top operation: height, min. 7.2 ft
(2.2 m); behind car, min. 2" (5 cm).
2 Press and hold the soft top button until
the soft top is fully folded and the soft top
cover raised. Completed folding is indi-
cated by a chime. If there is a malfunc-
tion a text message will be shown on the
SID. Refer to page 63.
If you continue to hold the button after the
chime, all the windows will open after a brief
delay.Remote opening (option)
You can fold the soft top when outside the
car by pressing and holding the
(unlock) button on the remote control. See
also page 117.
Folding
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58 9-3 ConvertibleRaisingThe following conditions must be fulfilled for
raising the soft top:
Vehicle speed must not exceed
20 mph (30 km/h).
Battery voltage must exceed 10 V.
The trunk lid must be locked.
1 Star t the engine and let it idle. Clearance
for soft top operation: height, min. 7.2 ft
(2.2 m); behind car, min. 2" (5 cm).
2 Press and hold the soft top button until
the soft top is fully raised and the soft top
cover closed. Completed raising is indi-
cated by a chime. If there is a malfunc-
tion a text message will be shown on the
SID. Refer to page 63.
All side windows are opened slightly to
protect the seals when the soft top is
raised.
Check that the hooks in the soft top hold
it securely to the upper edge of the wind-
shield.
If you hold the button pressed up after the
chime, all the windows will be closed after a
short delay.
Raising
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