2004 SAAB 9-3 service

1
Owner’s Manual
Saab 9-3 M2004
© Saab Automobile AB 2003Service Readiness, Saab Automobile AB, Trollhättan, Sweden
Printed in Sweden
Safety 10
Security 39
9-3 Convertible 53
Instruments and controls 73
Interior equipment 115
Starting and driving 139
Car care 191
Customer Assistance and Information 261
Technical data 267
Index 283
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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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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.
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36 SafetyAirbag warning lamp Servicing the airbag system
The airbag system must be inspected as
part of the normal service program but oth-
erwise may be regarded as maintenance-
free.
Scrapping or working on airbag and
belt pretensioners
WARNING
 If the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle, it means
the airbag system may not be working
properly. See page 77.
 The airbags in your vehicle may not
inflate in a crash, or they could even
inflate without a crash.
 To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle serviced
right away if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
WARNING
 Under no circumstances should any
modifications be made that affect the
steering wheel or the airbag’s electri-
cal circuitry.
 During any welding, both battery
cables must be disconnected and
covered.
 Before quick drying paint in the vicinity
of the electronic control module, the
module’s grounding points and wiring
must be covered.
 Airbags and safety belt pretensioners
must be deployed under controlled
conditions before the car is scrapped
or any of the system’s components are
removed. Airbags or belt pretension-
ers that have been deployed as a
result of a crash must be replaced by
new ones.
 Airbag-system components must
never be transferred for use in another
vehicle.
 All work involving the scrapping or
replacement of airbags or belt preten-
sioners must be carried out by autho-
rized personnel only.
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46 SecurityChanging the key batteryWhen the voltage of the remote control bat-
tery drops below a certain level, the Saab
Information Display (SID) will display:
Change the battery as soon as possible to
avoid malfunctioning.Battery type: For optimum performance in
all temperatures and good service life, Saab
recommends the use of a Sony or Pana-
sonic CR2032, 3V lithium battery.
The battery should last for about 4 years of
normal use.
The battery type is marked on the inside of
the remote control. Avoid leaving finger-
prints on the faces of the battery.
1 Press the emblem on the reverse of the
remote control to remove the traditional
key.
2 Insert the tip of the key into the small slot
and turn the key to split the remote
control.
WARNING
Keep the battery and other small compo-
nents of the remote control out of reach of
children.NOTICEThe electronics of the remote control are
sensitive to electrostatic discharge. Incor-
rect handling when changing the battery
can damage the remote control. Avoid
touching electronic components of the
remote control with your hands.
Remote control battery low.
Press the emblem to remove
the traditional key
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75 Instruments and controls
This light will come on if the engine oil pres-
sure is too low. If the warning light flashes or
comes on while you are driving, stop imme-
diately in a safe place, switch off the engine
and check the oil level (see page 196).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):This light indicates a malfunction in the fuel
or ignition system. The car may still be
driven with care but the performance of the
engine will be somewhat diminished (see
page 144).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
Warning, oil pressure
(engine oil)
NOTICE
Never drive the car when the oil pressure
warning lamp is on. Low oil pressure can
cause serious engine damage.
Oil pressure low.
Make a safe stop.
Turn off engine.
Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)
WARNING
An illuminated “Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)” indicator light indi-
cates an engine-related problem. While
your car may be able to be driven with the
“Engine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)”
indicator light illuminated (limp-home
mode), you are advised to have your car
serviced at an authorized Saab dealer as
soon as possible.
Continued driving without this problem
being corrected might cause serious
further damage to your car and create
unsafe driving conditions. The operator
should be prepared to take action if such
unsafe conditions arise (e.g. brake
smoothly, engage neutral, stop in a suita-
ble place, switch off the engine, etc.)
Engine malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
NOTICEThe car should be checked immediately
at a Saab dealer to prevent more serious
faults from arising.
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77 Instruments and controls
This light reminds the driver to buckle up.
This light comes on when the parking brake
is applied (see page 167).
The parking brake is mechanical and oper-
ates on the rear wheels.This light comes on if a potentially serious
fault has occured in the airbag system.
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
This light will come on for about four sec-
onds when the ignition switch is turned to
the Start or Drive position.
Seatbelt reminder
Parking brake warning
light
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when
parking, see page 167.
Always apply the parking brake
before removing the remote control.
Do not apply the parking brake while
the car is moving.
Airbag warning lightAirbag malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
WARNING
 If the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle, it means
the airbag system may not be working
properly. One or more of the following
conditions may occur:
- Non-deployment of the airbags in the
event of a crash.
- Deployment of the airbags without a
crash.
- Deployment of the airbags in crashes
less severe than intended.
 To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle serviced
right away if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
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