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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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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
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176 Starting and drivingRemember that tires age: it may therefore
be necessary to change winter tires before
they reach the legal wear limit, as they grad-
ually lose their friction properties with age.
If you get into a front wheel skid and the car
has a manual transmission, the best
response is to freewheel, which means
declutching so that the wheels neither drive
nor brake, and to cautiously steer in the
desired direction.
If the car has automatic transmission, ease
off the accelerator slightly and steer cau-
tiously in the desired direction.
If you get into a rear wheel skid, steer in the
same direction as the movement of the rear
of the car.
Driving with tire chainsSnow chains must only be fitted to the wheel
and tire dimensions that Saab recommends
in "Technical data" on page 267.
Contact a Saab dealer regarding approved
tire chains. See also page 237.
WARNING
Do not drive at speeds above 30 mph
(50 km/h) when tire chains are fitted.
Tire chains can reduce directional
stability.
Do not fit tire chains to the car’s rear
wheels.NOTICE Check the links frequently for wear.
Check that the chains do not foul the
wheel arch liner at full lock.
Refer to the "Technical data" section
on page 267, for information on wheel
and tire dimensions approved for the
fitting of tire chains.
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267 Technical data
General data __________ 268
Engine _______________ 270
Engine oil _____________ 270
Fuel__________________ 271
Engines ______________ 271
Electrical system_______ 272
Drive belt _____________ 272
Manual transmission ___ 272
Automatic transmission _ 273
Suspension ___________ 273
Steering ______________ 273
Brake system__________ 274
Wheels and tires _______ 275
Plates and labels _______ 278
Technical data
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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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270 Technical dataEngine Engine oilType: Four cylinders,
double overhead
camshafts,
16 valves, two
balancer shafts,
dual-mass flywheel
Cylinder bore_______________________ 3.386'' (86 mm)
Stroke ____________________________ 3.386'' (86 mm)
Swept volume ______________________ 122 cu.in. (1.998 l)
Idling speed________________________ 720 rpm.
When the engine
load increases, e.g.
the steering wheel is
turned, the idling
speed is raised to
900 rpm.
Antifreeze _________________________ Saab-approved
antifreeze
Coolant capacity ____________________ 7.5 qts. (7.1 l)To meet demands in Saab's extended service intervals all en-
gines are filled with specially designed synthetic factory fill oils.
Long service intervals, fuel economy and environmental issues
are the base for our choice of oil. By using oils approved by
Saab you minimise the tendencies for oil sludge build, by that
protecting the engine from harmful, wear increasing, deposits.
Approved oils:
All gasoline engines - Fully Synthetic Engine Oil fulfilling GM-
LL-A-025 requirements.
To ensure being able to take advantage of the Saab specified
service intervals, be sure to select a fully synthetic engine oil
fulfilling GM-LL-A-025 requirements.
Servicing/Oil changes:
To be able to use recommended service intervals the need to
use only approved engine oils is vital. Use only engine oils ap-
proved for your engine. Service should be done according to
the recommended service intervals to optimize your engine's
function through out its entire life. Saab Automobile AB will not
take responsibility for any damage that might occur due to ne-
glecting to meet above mentioned requirements.
At your Saab dealers you can find Saab Genuine or Mobil en-
gine oils. Among those there are oils specially designed to meet
your engines specific needs. We recommend that you, with the
help of our skilled service personnel, choose your oil from that
selection.
Other oil companies also have engine oils approved according
to the table above. Oils meeting these standards may be identi-
fied as synthetic. However, not all synthetic oils will meet your
engines requirements. You should only use oil that meets your
engines specific requirements
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271 Technical data
Fuel
Engines
Recommended oil viscosities.
Viscosity is a measurement of the oils thickness. The thickness
influences, among other things, the fuel economy. For best
function Saab recommends:
For gasoline engines, SAE 0W-30 engine oil.
Some oil companies have engine oils meeting our requirements
(GM-LL-A-025) but with other viscosities than what we recom-
mend as a first choice. Those engine oils are also accepted.
Extra engine oil additives.
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils are all
you will need for good engine performance and protection.
When to change engine oil.
Your vehicle has a display (SID) where time for service will be
shown. Based not only on mileage but also on driving condi-
tions the mileage at which a service will be indicated can vary
considerably.
Under normal circumstances the service indication will come on
at or around 15 000 miles or 2 years.
For this service system to work it is of outmost importance that
the right engine oil is used.
When the message for service is displayed you need to have
the required service done as soon as possible.
After the service your service personnel will reset the service in-
dicator. It is important to reset the service indicator in order to
optimize the time to the next service.
Oil capacity, including filter (oil change) __ 6.3 qts. (6.0 l)Fuel tank capacity ___________________ 16.05 U.S. gal. (61 l)
For optimum performance
Saab recommends:
2.0t (175 hp) ______________________ Unleaded 90 AON
2.0 Turbo (210 hp) _________________ Unleaded 90 AON
2.0t EcopowerRating, EEC at 5500 rpm ____________ 175 hp (129 kW)
Maximum torque, EEC at 2500 rpm ____ 195 ft.lb. (265 Nm)
Compression ratio _________________ 9.5:12.0 Turbo EcopowerRating, EEC at 5300 rpm ____________ 210 hp (155 kW)
Maximum torque, EEC at 2500 rpm ____ 221 ft.lb. (300 Nm)
Compression ratio _________________ 9.5:1
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