2008 SAAB 9-3 towing

198 Starting and drivingThe front towing eye is stowed by the spare
wheel. On the left-hand side of the bumper
is a cover concealing the attachment point
(tapped hole) for the towing eye.
1 Open the cover first at the lower edge
with a screwdriver for example. Watch
out for the paintwork.
2 Screw in the towing eye. The towing
eye has a left-hand thread!
3 Insert the wheel wrench into the eye to
tighten it properly.
To refit the cover: Start by inserting the top
edge of the cover. Then click in the lower
edge.
Rear towing eyeThe car has a permanent towing eye at the
rear under the bumper.
If the car is equipped with a towbar, this can
be used instead of the towing eye.
Towing the carEngage neutral (automatic transmission:
move the selector lever to N). Turn on the
parking lights.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles on tow.NOTENever use the towing eyes to pull the car
unstuck.
Front towing eye fitted.
The towing eye has a left-hand thread!
Rear towing eye
Never use the towing eyes to pull the car
unstuck.
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199 Starting and driving
Always try to keep the towrope taut by
gently applying the brake of the car on tow,
as necessary. This will avoid the towrope
being jerked violently.
Cars with automatic transmission
Always observe the speed limit for vehicles
on tow. Whatever the speed limit, the car
must not be towed at speeds exceeding
30 mph (50 km/h) nor for a distance of more
than 30 miles (50 km). If the car needs to be
transported over a longer distance, a tow
truck or flatbed truck must be called out.
The engine cannot be started by towing or
pushing the car. In an emergency, the
engine can be started as described under
"Jump starting" on page 200.
Cars with manual transmission
Always observe the speed limit for vehicles
on tow. There are no speed limit nor for dis-
tance.
Vehicle recoveryIf the car has to be transported on a flatbed
truck, or similar, it must be securely
strapped down. There are attachment
points for this purpose on the underside of
the car. The attachment points are oblong
hole that have been reinforced to cope with
the stresses that arise during this type of
transport.
Transporting the car
NOTEThe car must be towed front first.
If the car is to be towed with the front
wheels off the ground, make sure the
parking brake is off, as this acts on the
rear wheels.
NOTEIf a car with sports (lowered) chassis is
transported, for example on a flat bed
truck, take extra care not to damage the
spoiler and/or underbody.
Attachment points for anchorage straps
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256 Car careTread Width: The width of the tire´s tread.
UTQGS: Uniform Tire Quality Grade Stan-
dards, a tire information system that pro-
vides consumers with ratings for a tire´s
traction, temperature and treadwear. Rat-
ings are determined by tire manufacturers
using government testing procedures. The
rating are molded into the sidewall of the
tire. See “Uniform Tire Quality Grading” on
page 248.
Vehicle Capacity Weight: Is the number of
designated seating positions multipled by
150 pounds (68 kg) plus the rated cargo
load. See “Loading Your Vehicle” on
page 254.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire: Load
on an individual tire due to curb weight,
accessory weight, occupant weight and
cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard: A label permanently
attached to a vehicle showing original
equipment tire size and the recommended
cold inflation pressure. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” on page 254.
Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit1 Locate the statement “The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed
XXX pounds” on your vehicle´s
placard.
2 Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3 Substract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from
XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4 The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capac-
ity is 650 lbs. (1400–750 (5x150) =
650 lbs.).5 Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in Step 4.
6 If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be trans-
ferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehi-
cle.
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288 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 192.
Maximum theoretical towing speed, trailer
with brakes _______________________ 60 mph (100 km/h)
Maximum theoretical towing speed, trailer
without brakes ____________________National restrictions
apply
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 190).
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303 Index
Index
AABS brakes
____________________ 173
ACC
_________________________ 108
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 120
Air filter
_______________________ 211
Airbag
_________________________ 32
Anchorage eyes, SportSedan
______ 141
Anti-corrosion treatment
__________ 271
Antilock braking system __________ 173
Anti-spin
______________________ 175
Ashtrays ______________________ 136
Autochecking of lights, warning and
indicator lights
__________________ 87
Autodimming
_______________ 125
, 126
Automatic climate control (ACC)
____ 108
Automatic closing of moonroof
_____ 131
Automatic closing of windows, SportSedan
and SportCombi
_______________ 122
Automatic transmission
___________ 165
Automatic transmission, sport mode
_167
BBattery
_______________________ 216
Bedding-in of new brake pads
_____ 163
Before towing a trailer
____________ 193
Belt height, SportSedan and
SportCombi
____________________ 14Brake fluid, grade
_______________ 295
Brakes
________________________ 172
Braking _______________________ 172
Bulb changing
__________________ 222
Bulb table
_____________________ 236
Buying new tires
________________ 247
CCabin lighting, Convertible
_________ 78
Cabin lighting, SportSedan and
SportCombi
___________________ 133
Calibrating front electric windows with
pinch protection
________________ 78
Calibration of windows, SportSedan and
SportCombi
___________________ 123
Car alarm
______________________ 56
Car transport ___________________ 199
Care of air conditioning
___________ 274
Cargo guard
___________________ 150
Cargo guard, SportWagon
________ 150
Cargo net, SportCombi
___________ 147
Change of address notification
_____ 282
Changing a tire
_________________ 262
Changing bulbs _________________ 222
Changing the battery, remote control
_54
Changing wiper blades
___________ 220
Checking the number of remote
controls
_______________________ 53
Checks before towing a trailer
_____ 193
Child safety
_____________________ 24
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 52Child seats
______________________ 24
Cigarette lighter
_________________ 136
Cleaning the engine bay
__________ 267
Cleaning upholstery
______________ 266
Closing the soft top manually,
Convertible
____________________ 68
Closing the soft top, Convertible
_____ 64
Clutch interlock
_________________ 164
Comfort opening of moonroof
______ 131
Comfort opening of windows,
SportSedan and SportCombi _____ 121
Compact spare
_________________ 260
Compact spare wheel fitted, driving
with
_________________________ 260
Compass
______________________ 129
Convertible _____________________ 61
Convertible, washing
_____________ 268
Coolant
_______________________ 212
Cornering headlights
______________ 99
Crash memory, see EDR
_________ 284
Cruise control
__________________ 171
Cup holder
_____________________ 134
DDate codes, tires
________________ 257
Deactivating rear windows,
SportSedan and SportCombi
_____ 123
Deactivating the passenger door
window button, Convertible
________ 77
Deactivating the rear window
switches
_____________________ 123
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304 IndexDeep water, driving through
_______ 196
Definitions and terminology, tire ____ 254
Determining correct load, tires
_____ 256
Direction indicator stalk switch _____ 101
Direction indicators
______________ 101
Dome light, Convertible
__________ 232
Dome light, SportSedan __________ 232
Donor battery, boost starting
______ 200
Door handles
___________________ 48
Door mirrors
___________________ 124
Drive belt
______________________ 219
Drive belt, length
________________ 293
Driver’s seat with memory
_________ 21
Driving at night
_________________ 197
Driving in cold climates
___________ 187
Driving in deep water
____________ 196
Driving in hot climates ____________ 189
Driving techniques
______________ 185
Driving with a compact wheel fitted
_260
Driving with a heavy load on hilly
roads
________________________ 167
Driving with a load
______________ 196
Driving with a roof load ___________ 194
Driving with the trunk lid open
______ 196
EEasy entry, Convertible
____________ 73
EDR (Event Data Recorders)
______ 284
ESP®
________________________ 177
Economical motoring
____________ 185
Electrical system, technical data
____ 292Electrically adjustable seats
________ 20
Electric engine heater
____________ 186
Electric heating, front seats
________ 115
Electric windows
________________ 121
Electric windows, Convertible
_______ 77
Electronic Stability Program
_______ 177
Electronic steering wheel lock ______ 154
Emergency opening of the narrow
backrest, SportSedan
___________ 142
Emergency operation of the moonroof
132
Engine bay, cleaning
_____________ 267
Engine heater
__________________ 186
Engine immobilizer
_______________ 55
Engine management system
______ 206
Engine number
_________________ 299
Engine oil, checking
_____________ 210
Engine oil, grade
________________ 290
Engine oil, volume _______________ 291
Engine temperature gauge
_________ 88
Engine, description
______________ 205
Engine, technical data ____________ 289
Engines
_______________________ 292
Event Data Recorders (EDR)
______ 284
Extra electrical socket
____________ 136
FFacilitating entry to rear seat,
Convertible
____________________ 73
Factors affecting fuel consumption
__ 185
Filler cap
______________________ 160
Filling a portable fuel container
_____ 161Filling up
______________________ 159
Flat spots, tires
_________________ 246
Floor jack
______________________ 263
Folding down the rear seat backrest,
SportCombi
___________________ 143
Folding down the rear seat,
SportSedan ___________________ 138
Front fog lights __________________ 100
Front towing eye ________________ 197
Fuel container
__________________ 161
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 89
Fuel grade _____________________ 291
Fuel information
_________________ 161
Functions, car alarm
______________ 58
Fuse panel in luggage compartment
_240
Fuse table
_____________________ 239
Fuses
_________________________ 237
GGDO, garage door opener
_________ 126
Gearbox number
________________ 299
General safety instructions,
Convertible
____________________ 62
Glove box
_____________________ 136
Glovebox lighting
________________ 233
HHandbrake
_____________________ 179
Hazard warning lights
____________ 102
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306 IndexOpening handles
_________________ 48
Opening the soft top, Convertible
____ 64
Outside mirrors
_________________ 124
Owner assistance _______________ 282
PPanic function, car alarm
__________ 58
Park Brake Shift Lock
____________ 166
Park Brake Shift Lock, temporary
override
______________________ 168
Parking
_______________________ 179
Parking aid ____________________ 182
Parking brake __________________ 179
Parking on a hill ________________ 180
Pinch protection, electric windows,
SportSedan and SportCombi
_____ 122
Pinch protection, moonroof
________ 132
Plates and labels, location ________ 299
Polishing and waxing
____________ 270
Poly-V-belt
____________________ 219
Portable fuel container
___________ 161
Position lights
___________________ 98
Power steering fluid, checking
_____ 215
Power steering fluid, grade
________ 294
Pressure gauge
_________________ 88
Pressure, tires
__________________ 244
Profiles, customized settings
_______ 94
QQuality grading, tires
_____________ 248
Quick guide, remote control
________ 49
RRain sensor
____________________ 105
Raising the soft top manually,
Convertible ____________________ 68
Reading lights, Convertible
_________ 78
Rear fog light
___________________ 101
Rear seat, folding down, SportCombi
143
Rear seat, safety belts
____________ 17
Rear seats, folding down, SportSedan
138
Rear towing eye
________________ 198
Rear windows, deactivating,
SportSedan and SportCombi
_____ 123
Rearview mirrors
________________ 124
Recommendations for automatic
transmission, towing a trailer
_____ 191
Recommendations for manual
gearbox, towing a trailer
_________ 192
Recommended snow chains _______ 296
Refueling
______________________ 159
Remote control
__________________ 48
Remote locking malfunction
________ 50
Replacement, wheel
_____________ 250
Reporting safety defects __________ 283
Rev counter
_____________________ 87
Reversing lights
________________ 102Rollover Pop-up Bars, Convertible
___ 76
Roof carriers, SportCombi with roof
rails
_________________________ 195
Roof carriers, SportSedan and
SportCombi without roof rails
_____ 194
Roof lighting, SportSedan and
SportCombi
___________________ 133
Roof lighting, changing
___________ 232
Running-in
_____________________ 163
SSaab Information Display
__________ 89
Saab Parking Assistance _________ 182
Safety belts
_____________________ 12
Safety belts, rear seat, SportSedan
and SportCombi
________________ 17
SAHR, head restraint _____________ 23
SDM
_________________________ 284
SID
___________________________ 89
SPA __________________________ 182
Seatbelts
_______________________ 12
Seatbelts in rear seat, Convertible
___ 75
Seatbelts, care
_________________ 266
Seatbelts, checking
______________ 266
Seats
__________________________ 18
Securing a load
_________________ 141
Sentronic, manual gear selection
___ 170
Service costs
___________________ 281
Service information
______________ 282
Service intervals
________________ 280
Service record retention
__________ 281
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307 Index
Signalling, horn
_________________ 120
Ski hatch, SportCombi
___________ 145
Ski hatch, SportSedan ___________ 140
Spare wheel
___________________ 260
Speed ratings, tires
______________ 253
Speedometer
___________________ 87
Sport mode, automatic transmission

167
Starting the engine
______________ 154
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 120
Steering wheel lock
______________ 154
Steps for determining correct load
limit
_________________________ 256
Storage compartments
___________ 136
Sun visor
______________________ 134
Switches _______________________ 97
TTCS
__________________________ 175
Technical data
_________________ 286
Textile carpeting, cleaning
________ 267
Tie down eyes, SportCombi _______ 146
Tie down eyes, SportSedan _______ 141
Tightening torque, wheels
_________ 265
Tire chains
____________________ 251
Tire date code __________________ 257
Tire inspection and rotation
_______ 245
Tire markings
__________________ 253
Tire sidewall labeling
____________ 252
Tire sizes
_____________________ 296
Tire terminology and definitions
____ 254
Tire, changing
__________________ 262Tire, spare
_____________________ 260
Tires
_________________________ 244
Tools and spare wheel
___________ 260
Touching up paintwork ___________ 270
Towbar
_______________________ 190
Towbar load
___________________ 192
Towing
_______________________ 197
Towing a trailer
_________________ 190
Towing the car _________________ 198
Traction Control System (TCS)
_____ 175
Transmission oil, checking
________ 212
Transmission oil, grade
___________ 293
Transmission, automatic __________ 165
Transmission, manual
____________ 164
Transporting the car
_____________ 199
Treadwear indicators ____________ 247
Trip computer
___________________ 90
Trip meter
______________________ 90
Troubleshooting, A/C and ACC
_____ 274
Trunk lid, driving when open
_______ 196
Trunk lid, opening
________________ 51
Turbo gauge
____________________ 88
UUniform tire quality grading
________ 248
Upholstery care
_________________ 266
Upholstery, cleaning
_____________ 266
Useful tips on night driving
________ 197
Useful tips on starting
____________ 155
VVanity mirror
___________________ 134
Vehicle Data Collection
___________ 284
Vehicle identification number
______ 299
Vehicle recovery
________________ 199
WWarning labels
____________________ 8
Warning lights ___________________ 82
Warning triangle ________________ 102
Warnings and messages on SID,
Convertible
____________________ 71
Washer fluid ___________________ 221
Washer jets
____________________ 222
Washers
______________________ 103
Washing ______________________ 267
Washing a Convertible
___________ 268
Waxing and polishing
____________ 270
Wear indicators, tires _____________ 247
What Will You See After an Airbag
Inflates?
______________________ 43
Wheel replacement
______________ 250
Wheels and tires, sizes ___________ 296
When it is time for new tires
_______ 246
Windshield washers
_____________ 103
Windshield wipers
_______________ 103
Wing mirrors
___________________ 124
Winter driving __________________ 187
Winter tires
____________________ 257
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