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1
Owner’s Manual
Saab 9-3 M2006
© Saab Automobile AB 2005Service Readiness, Saab Automobile AB, Trollhättan, Sweden
Printed in Sweden
Safety 11
Security 49
9-3 Convertible 63
Instruments and controls 83
Interior equipment 127
Starting and driving 159
Car care 213
Customer Assistance and Information 287
Technical data 293
Index 283
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6Engine bay, 4-cylColor code______________ 307
Engine number __________ 307
Gearbox number _________ 307
Warning labels __________ 8
Vehicle identification number 307Alternator ______________ 229
Drive belt _______________ 229
Exhaust emission control __ 165
Ignition system __________ 300
Simple troubleshooting
(A/C, ACC) _____________ 282
Spark plugs _____________ 300
Turbo gauge ____________ 90Engine oil: checking level __ 219Automatic transmission _________ 173
Transmission: technical data _____ 301
Manual transmission ___________ 172
Battery ______________________ 226
Battery charge ________________ 226
Jump starting _________________ 208
Changing engine oil ____________ 220
Engine: description ____________ 215
Engine: technical data __________ 297
Important considerations for driving 164
Oil grade and viscosity__________ 298
Topping-up fluid _________ 231
Wash/wipe stalk switch____ 106
Washer fluid ____________ 231
Washer jets ____________ 231
Power steering ________________ 225
Fluid: checking/topping up _______ 225
Coolant: checking/topping-up ____ 222
Driving in hot climates __________ 197
Radiator _____________________ 297
Temperature gauge ____________ 90
Changing a fuse _________ 247
Fuse table _____________ 252
Fuses _________________ 247
Relays ________________ 252ABS brakes_____________ 180
Brake pads _____________ 224
Brake system ___________ 303
Brake fluid______________ 224
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7
Engine bay, 2.8 V6Power steering___________ 225
Fluid: checking/topping up__ 225Vehicle identification
number ________________ 307
Colour code _____________ 307
Engine number __________ 307
Warning labels___________ 8
Gearbox number _________ 307Exhaust emission control __ 165
Drive belt _______________ 229
Simple troubleshooting
(A/C, ACC) _____________ 282
Alternator_______________ 229
Turbo gauge ____________ 90
Spark plugs _____________ 300
Ignition system __________ 300Automatic transmission __________ 173
Manual gearbox________________ 172
Gearbox: technical data__________ 301
Engine: description _____________ 215
Changing engine oil _____________ 220
Engine oil: topping up ___________ 219
Oil grade and viscosity___________ 298
Engine: technical data ___________ 297
Important considerations
for driving ____________________ 164Engine oil: checking level_________ 219
Battery ______________________ 226
Battery charge ________________ 226
Jump starting _________________ 208
Wash/wipe stalk switch ____ 106
Topping-up fluid _________ 231
Washer jets_____________ 231
Washer fluid ____________ 231Changing a fuse _________ 249
Fuses _________________ 247
Relays ________________ 252
Fuse table ______________ 249ABS brakes_____________ 181
Brake pads _____________ 303
Brake system ___________ 180
Brake fluid______________ 224
Cooling system, coolant capacity__ 297
Coolant: checking/topping-up ____ 222
Driving in hot climates __________ 197
Temperature gauge ____________ 90
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196 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 chains3Snow chains must only be fitted to the wheel
and tire dimensions that Saab recommends
in "Technical data" on page 293.
We recommend that you contact a Saab
dealer regarding approved tire chains. See
also page 263.
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 293, for information on wheel
and tire dimensions approved for the
fitting of tire chains.
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293 Technical data
General data __________ 294
Engine _______________ 297
Engine oil _____________ 298
Fuel__________________ 299
Engines ______________ 300
Electrical system_______ 300
Drive belt _____________ 301
Manual transmission ___ 301
Automatic transmission _ 302
Suspension ___________ 302
Steering ______________ 302
Brake system__________ 303
Wheels and tires _______ 304
Plates and labels _______ 307
Technical data
3Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars
(can depend on model variant, engine variant,
market specification, options or accessories).93U S M 06.book Page 293 Friday, February 18, 2005 1:15 PM
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294 Technical dataGeneral dataOverall length, including bumpers: ___
Sport Sedan and Convertible _________ 182.5'' (4635 mm)
SportCombi_______________________ 183.2'' (4654 mm)
Overall width, including door mirrors __ 80.2'' (2038 mm)
Maximum height _________________ 60.6'' (1539 mm)
Wheelbase _____________________ 105.3'' (2675 mm)
Tr a c k :
Front ____________________________ 59.8'' (1524 mm)
Rear ____________________________ 59.3'' (1506 mm)
Ground clearance at GVW _________ approx. 120 mm
Number of seats (incl. driver):
Sport Sedan and SportCombi ________ 5
Convertible _______________________ 4
Turning circle:
Measured at vehicle extremities _______ 37.4 ft. (11.4 m)
cars with V6 engine ________________ 40.0 ft. (12.2 m)
V.I.N. label on vehi-
cles sold in U.S.A.V.I.N. label on vehicles sold in CanadaPermissible 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.Trunk length, Sport Sedan:
Rear seat raised ___________________ 40.8'' (1036 mm)
Rear seat lowered _________________ 69.8'' (1774 mm)
Trunk length, Convertible __________ 29.1" (740 mm)
Trunk length, SportCombi:
Rear seat raised ___________________ 39.9'' (1013 mm)
Rear seat lowered _________________ 70.0'' (1777 mm)
Trunk volume (VDA):
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)
SportCombi ______________________ 14.8 cu.ft. (419 l)
SportCombi with rear seat lowered ____ 45.0 cu.ft. (1273 l)
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295 Technical data
Curb 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)
SportCombi_______________________ xx
Gross vehicle weight (GVW):
Sport Sedan ______________________ 4120–4340 lbs.
(1870–1970 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 4460–4520 lbs.
(2025–2050 kg)
SportCombi_______________________ xx
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)
SportCombi_______________________ xx
SportCombi_______________________ xx
Weight distribution:
Curb weight + driver (150 lbs. (68 kg)),
front/rear, Sport Sedan and SportCombi approx. 60/40 %
GVW, front/rear, Sport Sedan and Sport-
Combi ___________________________ approx. 50/50 %Maximum roof load, Sport Sedan and Sport-
Combi ________________________ 220 lbs. (100 kg)
Maximum load in trunk, Sport Sedan, Con-
vertible and SportCombi __________ 175 lbs. (80 kg)
The combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed:
Sport Sedan and SportCombi ________ 925 lbs. (420 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 775 lbs. (352 kg)
Maximum combined weight of driver and
passengers ___________________
Sport Sedan and SportCombi
(5x150 lbs.)_______________________ 750 lbs. (340 kg)
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296 Technical data
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 200.
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 198).
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