2008 SAAB 9-3 hood release

189 Starting and driving
Driving in hot climatesAlways check the coolant level before start-
ing a journey. When the engine is cold, the
coolant shall lie on or just above the
KALT/COLD mark on the expansion tank
(boundary between the upper and lower
sections of the tank).
At the end of a journey, allow the engine to
idle for 2–3 minutes before switching it off.
If the needle on the temperature gauge
enters the red zone, the following message
will be shown on the SID:
1 Stop the car but do not switch off the
engine. Do not remove the cap on the
cooling system expansion tank, even if
the tank is empty. The engine tempera-
ture should decrease. If the temperature
continues to rise with the engine idling,
the engine must be switched off.2 If the engine is idling and the needle on
the temperature gauge falls, wait until a
normal temperature is shown (about in
the middle of the scale) before switching
off the engine. If the coolant needs to be
topped up, carefully unscrew the
expansion tank cap.
Fill as required with a mixture of 50 %
antifreeze and 50 % clean water. Use an
antifreeze approved by Saab.
3 Have the car’s cooling system checked.
We recommend that you contact a Saab
dealer. Hot engine. Make a
safe stop. Idle engine.
WARNING
Exercise care when opening the hood
if the engine is overheated. Never
remove the expansion tank cap com-
pletely when the engine is hot.
The cooling system is pressurized -
hot coolant and vapour can escape.
These can cause injury to your eyes
and burns. Open the cap slowly to
release the pressure before removing
it.
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204 Car careHoodThe hood release handle is located on the
left under the instrument panel. Open the
hood in the following way:
1 Pull the release handle.
2 The hood moves to the half-locked posi-
tion and is stopped by a safety catch at
the front edge.
3 Press the lever of the catch upwards and
raise the hood.
When you close the hood you should drop it
from a height of about 12 inches (30 cm),
without slamming it.
Hood release catch plate
Hood release handle
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212 Car careTransmission fluidManual transmission
Check and top up the oil in accordance with
the service program.
Automatic transmission
Check and top up the oil in accordance with
the service program.Coolant
There is an overpressure in the cooling
system. Coolant temperatures can some-
times exceed 212° F (100° C).
If 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.
Coolants of a different brand could damage
the engine or cooling system. We therefore
recommend strict use of coolants that have
been approved by Saab.Note
If incorrect coolant is used or added, the
life-time properties will be affected. Even if
the coolant is flushed from the system and
replaced with life-time coolant, life-time
properties are no longer retained and the
coolant must then be drained and replaced
at regular intervals.
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.
NOTEIf the cooling system needs topping up,
mix the antifreeze with the appropriate
quantity of drinking water or distilled
water before adding it to the system.
If undiluted antifreeze is added, the
engine could still freeze and be damaged.
This is because the antifreeze will not mix
properly with the coolant before the ther-
mostat has opened to allow full circula-
tion.
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300 Technical dataWarning and indications that can
be shown on the SIDWhich warnings and indications that can be
shown depends on engine variant and car
specification.
Symbol Text
Antilock brake malfunc.
Contact service.
Brake malfunction.
Make a safe stop.
Brake fluid level low.
Make a safe stop.
Release park brake.
Oil pressure low.
Make a safe stop.
Low engine oil level.
Fill oil now.
Reduced engine power.
Contact service.
Limited performance.
Coolant level low.
Refill.
Hot engine. Make a
safe stop. Idle engine.
Airbag malfunction.
Contact service.
Gearbox too hot. Make a
safe stop. Open hood.
Battery not charging.
Make a safe stop.
Headlight levelling
malfunction.
Cornering headlights
malfunction
Tap brakes lightly
before using cruise ctrl.
Traction control failure.
Contact service.
Stability control failure.
Contact service.
Turn on the lights.
Washer fluid level low.
Refill.
Rain sensor malfunc.
Contact service.
Key not accepted.
Contact service.
Remote control battery
low. Replace battery.
Number of keys:
Active key number:
Steering lock malfunc.
Make a safe stop.
Pull out key, turn
steering wheel. Restart.
Theft protection failure.
Contact service.
Alarm tripped during
last arming period.
Rear left seat
backrest unlocked.
Rear right seat
backrest unlocked.
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