6Engine bayColor code______________ 278
Engine number __________ 278
Gearbox number _________ 278
Warning labels __________ 7
Vehicle identification number 278Alternator ______________ 210
Drive belt _______________ 210
Exhaust emission control __ 151
Ignition system __________ 272
Simple troubleshooting
(A/C, ACC) _____________ 257
Spark plugs _____________ 272
Turbo gauge ____________ 84Engine oil: checking level __ 202Automatic transmission _________ 159
Transmission: technical data _____ 272
Manual transmission ___________ 158
Battery ______________________ 208
Battery charge ________________ 208
Jump starting _________________ 193
Changing engine oil ____________ 203
Engine: description ____________ 199
Engine: technical data __________ 270
Important considerations for driving 150
Oil grade and viscosity__________ 270
Topping-up fluid _________ 211
Wash/wipe stalk switch____ 100
Washer fluid ____________ 211
Washer jets ____________ 212
Power steering ________________ 207
Fluid: checking/topping up _______ 207
Coolant: checking/topping-up ____ 205
Driving in hot climates __________ 183
Radiator _____________________ 270
Temperature gauge ____________ 84
Changing a fuse _________ 227
Fuse table _____________ 232
Fuses _________________ 227
Relays ________________ 232ABS brakes_____________ 166
Brake pads _____________ 206
Brake system ___________ 274
Brake fluid______________ 206
ProCarManuals.com
202 Car careEngine oilChecking the oil levelCheck the engine oil level regularly.
1 Park the car on a level ground.
2 Switch off the engine and wait for
2–5 minutes. The engine should be at
normal operating temperature.
3 Take the dipstick out and wipe it off with
a clean rag before carrying out the
check.
The level must not be below the MIN mark
on the dipstick, but nor should it be above
the MAX mark. Excess engine oil could
result in abnormal oil consumption.
The distance between the MIN and MAX
marks is equivalent to 1.0 qt (1.0 l).
Saab 9-3 Aero: The engine oil level is
checked each time the engine is started. If
the oil level is low, the following message
appears on the SID:Recommended oil grade, see page 270.
Make sure you screw on the oil filler cap
properly after topping up the oil to avoid run-
ning problems.
It is normal for an engine to consume a cer-
tain amount of oil. It is therefore often nec-
essary to top up the oil between services.
Check the engine oil level regularly.During the Break-in Period (approx.
3,000 miles or 5,000 km) and when driving
at high speeds or with a trailer, the oil
consumption may be higher than normal.NOTICEToo high oil level can damage the engine.
Low engine oil level.
Fill oil now.
NOTICEChange of engine oil and oil filter may be
required more frequently if the car is
being used under certain conditions, see
page 263.
Oil filler cap and dipstick
ProCarManuals.com
205 Car care
CoolantIf the coolant level drops too low, the follow-
ing message appears on the SID:The properties of the coolant are retained
for the entire service life of the car. There-
fore, it is not necessary to change the cool-
ant.
The coolant contains 45 % antifreeze and
anti-corrosion fluid. This ratio gives the best
cooling effect. Lower concentrations should
be avoided, in view of the corrosion risk.
Other brands of antifreeze can damage the
engine and cooling system.The expansion tank is transparent to facili-
tate checking the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant must
not lie above the KALT/COLD mark on the
expansion tank (boundary between the
upper and lower sections of the tank, see
illustration).
Top up with a mixture of equal parts of
Saab-approved antifreeze and clean water.
If the expansion tank is empty when coolant
is added, run the engine until warm so that
the thermostat opens. Top up the tank
again, as necessary.
WARNING
Proceed with caution if the radiator is
boiling when you open the hood.
Never remove the expansion-tank
filler cap when the radiator is boiling.
The cooling system is pressurized –
hot coolant and vapor can escape
when the filler cap is released. These
can cause injury to your eyes and
burns. Loosen the cap carefully, and
let the engine cool before removing
the cap.
Exercise care when adding coolant.
Coolant on hot surfaces constitutes a
fire risk.
Coolant level low.
Refill.
Coolant expansion tank
ProCarManuals.com
283 Index
Index
AA/C
__________________________ 106
ABS brakes
____________________ 167
ACC
_________________________ 108
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 122
Air conditioning
_________________ 106
Air filter
_______________________ 204
Airbag
_________________________ 29
Anchorage eyes
________________ 143
Anti-corrosion treatment
__________ 254
Antilock braking system __________ 167
Anti-spin
______________________ 169
Ashtrays ______________________ 132
Autochecking of lights, warning and
indicator lights
__________________ 82
Autodimming
_______________ 135
, 136
Automatic climate control (ACC)
____ 108
Automatic transmission
___________ 159
BBattery
________________________ 208
Bedding-in of new brake pads
_____ 157
Before towing a trailer
____________ 187
Brake fluid, grade
_______________ 274
Brakes
________________________ 166Braking
_______________________ 166
Bulb changing
__________________ 213
Bulb table
_____________________ 226
Buying new tires
________________ 236
CCabin lighting
__________________ 129
Cabin lighting, Convertible
_________ 72
Car alarm
______________________ 50
Car transport ___________________ 192
Care of air conditioning
___________ 257
Change of address notification
_____ 264
Changing a tire
_________________ 248
Changing bulbs _________________ 213
Changing engine oil
_____________ 203
Changing the battery, remote control
_48
Changing wiper blades
___________ 211
Checking the number of remote
controls
_______________________ 47
Checks before towing a trailer
______ 187
Child safety
_____________________ 22
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 46
Child seats
_____________________ 22
Cigarette lighter
_________________ 132
Cleaning the engine bay
__________ 252
Cleaning upholstery
_____________ 251
Climate control system, manual
____ 103
Closing the soft top manually,
Convertible
____________________ 62
Closing the soft top, Convertible
_____ 58Clutch interlock
_________________ 158
Compact spare _________________ 246
Compass
______________________ 139
Condensation water, A/C
_________ 106
Convertible
_____________________ 55
Convertible, washing
_____________ 253
Coolant
_______________________ 205
Crash memory, see EDR
_________ 266
Cruise control
__________________ 165
Cup holder
_____________________ 130
DDate codes, tires
________________ 246
Deep water, driving through
_______ 189
Definitions and terminology, tire ____ 243
Determining correct load, tires
_____ 245
Direction indicator stalk switch ______ 98
Direction indicators
_______________ 98
Dome light, Convertible
___________ 223
Dome light, Sport Sedan __________ 222
Donor battery, boost starting
_______ 193
Door handles
____________________ 42
Door mirrors ___________________ 134
Drive belt
______________________ 210
Drive belt, length
________________ 272
Driver’s seat with memory
__________ 20
Driving at night
_________________ 190
Driving in cold climates
___________ 181
Driving in deep water
_____________ 189
Driving in hot climates ____________ 183
ProCarManuals.com
284 IndexDriving techniques
______________ 179
Driving with a heavy load on hilly
roads
________________________ 161
Driving with a load
_______________ 189
Driving with a roof load
___________ 188
Driving with the compact spare wheel
193
Driving with the trunk lid open
______ 189
EEDR (Event Data Recorders)
______ 266
ESP, anti-skid system
____________ 171
Easy entry, Convertible ____________ 67
Economical motoring
____________ 179
Electric engine heater ____________ 180
Electric heating, front seats
____ 107
, 116
Electric windows
________________ 123
Electric windows, Convertible
_______ 71
Electrical system, technical data ____ 272
Electrically adjustable seats
________ 19
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
__ 171
Electronic steering wheel lock
______ 148
Emergency opening of the narrow
backrest
_____________________ 144
Emergency operation of the sunroof
_ 128
Engine bay, cleaning
_____________ 252
Engine heater
__________________ 180
Engine immobilizer
_______________ 49
Engine number
_________________ 278
Engine oil, checking
_____________ 202
Engine oil, grade
________________ 270Engine oil, volume
_______________ 271
Engine temperature gauge
_________ 84
Engine, description
______________ 199
Engine, technical data ____________ 270
Engines
_______________________ 271
Event Data Recorders (EDR)
______ 266
Extra electrical socket
____________ 132
FFacilitating entry to rear seat,
Convertible
____________________ 67
Factors affecting fuel consumption
__ 179
Filler cap
______________________ 154
Filling a portable fuel container
_____ 155
Filling up
______________________ 153
Flat spots, tires
_________________ 235
Floor jack
______________________ 249
Folding down the rear seat
________ 140
Front fog lights
__________________ 98
Front towing eye ________________ 190
Fuel container
__________________ 155
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 85
Fuel grade _____________________ 271
Fuel information
________________ 155
Functions, car alarm ______________ 53
Fuse panel in luggage compartment
_230
Fuse table
_____________________ 229
Fuses
________________________ 227
GGDO, garage door opener
_________ 136
Gear selector indicator, automatic trans-
mission
_______________________ 86
Gearbox number
________________ 278
General safety instructions, Convertible
56
Glovebox
______________________ 132
Glovebox lighting
________________ 224
HHandbrake
_____________________ 173
Hazard warning lights
_____________ 99
Head restraint, Convertible
_________ 68
Head restraints
__________________ 21
Headlight flasher _________________ 97
Headlight levelling ________________ 96
Headlights
______________________ 96
Heated door mirrors
_____________ 107
Hood
_________________________ 198
Horn __________________________ 122
Horn button
____________________ 122
IIf a tire goes flat
_________________ 240
Ignition switch
__________________ 146
Immobilizer
_____________________ 49
Important considerations for driving
_ 150
ProCarManuals.com
287 Index
Tire chains
____________________ 240
Tire date code __________________ 246
Tire inspection and rotation
________ 235
Tire markings
__________________ 242
Tire sidewall labeling
_____________ 241
Tire sizes
______________________ 275
Tire terminology and definitions
____ 243
Tire, changing
__________________ 248
Tire, spare
_____________________ 246
Tires
_________________________ 234
Tools and spare wheel
___________ 246
Touching up paintwork ___________ 253
Towbar
_______________________ 184
Towbar load
___________________ 186
Towing
_______________________ 190
Towing a trailer
_________________ 184
Towing the car _________________ 191
Traction Control System (TCS)
_____ 169
Transmission oil, checking
________ 204
Transmission oil, grade
___________ 272
Transmission, automatic __________ 159
Transmission, manual
____________ 158
Transporting the car
_____________ 192
Treadwear indicators ____________ 236
Trip computer
___________________ 88
Trip meter
______________________ 83
Troubleshooting, A/C and ACC
_____ 257
Trunk lid, driving when open
_______ 189
Trunk lid, opening
________________ 45
Turbo gauge
____________________ 84
UUniform tire quality grading
________ 238
Upholstery care
_________________ 251
Upholstery, cleaning
_____________ 251
Useful tips on night driving
________ 190
Useful tips on starting
____________ 149
VVanity mirror
___________________ 130
Vehicle Data Collection
___________ 266
Vehicle identification number
______ 278
Vehicle recovery
________________ 192
WWarning labels
___________________ 7
Warning lights
___________________ 78
Warning triangle _________________ 99
Warnings and messages on SID,
Convertible
____________________ 65
Washer fluid ___________________ 211
Washer jets ____________________ 212
Washers
______________________ 100
Washing ______________________ 252
Washing a Convertible
___________ 253
Waxing and polishing
____________ 253
Wear indicators, tires ____________ 236What Will You See After an Airbag
Inflates?
_______________________ 37
Wheel replacement
______________ 239
Wheels and tires, sizes ___________ 275
When it is time for new tires
_______ 236
Windshield washers
_____________ 100
Windshield wipers
_______________ 100
Wing mirrors
___________________ 134
Winter driving __________________ 181
Winter tires
____________________ 245
Wiper blades ___________________ 211
Wipers
________________________ 100
XXenon headlights
________________ 214
Xenon headlights, head light levelling
_96
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