2008 SAAB 9-3 jump start

6Engine bay, 4-cylColor code______________ 297
Engine number __________ 297
Gearbox number _________ 297
Warning labels __________ 8
Vehicle identification number 297Ignition system __________ 291
Alternator_______________ 219
Drive belt _______________ 219
Exhaust emission control __ 157
Simple troubleshooting (ACC) 274
Spark plugs _____________ 291
Turbo gauge ____________ 88Engine oil: checking level __ 210Automatic transmission _________ 165
Transmission: technical data _____ 292
Manual transmission ___________ 164
Battery ______________________ 216
Jump starting _________________ 200
Battery charge ________________ 216
Oil grade and viscosity__________ 290
Engine: description ____________ 205
Engine: technical data __________ 289
Important considerations for driving 156
Wash/wipe stalk switch____ 103
Washer fluid ____________ 221
Washer jets ____________ 222
Topping-up fluid _________ 221
Power steering ________________ 215
Fluid: checking/topping up _______ 215
Coolant: checking/topping-up ____ 212
Driving in hot climates __________ 189
Radiator _____________________ 289
Temperature gauge ____________ 88
Fuse table _____________ 242
Changing a fuse _________ 237
Fuses _________________ 237
Relays ________________ 242ABS brakes_____________ 172
Brake pads _____________ 214
Brake system ___________ 293
Brake fluid______________ 214
93_US_M08.book Page 6 Friday, May 11, 2007 11:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

7
Engine bay, 2.8 V6Power steering___________ 215
Fluid: checking/topping up__ 215Vehicle identification
number ________________ 297
Color code ______________ 297
Engine number __________ 297
Warning labels___________ 8
Gearbox number _________ 297Ignition system __________ 291
Exhaust emission control __ 157
Drive belt _______________ 219
Simple troubleshooting (ACC) 274
Alternator_______________ 219
Turbo gauge ____________ 88
Spark plugs _____________ 291Automatic transmission _________ 165
Manual gearbox_______________ 164
Gearbox: technical data_________ 292
Oil grade and viscosity__________ 290
Engine: description ____________ 205
Engine oil: topping up __________ 210
Engine: technical data __________ 289
Important considerations
for driving ___________________ 156Engine oil: checking level________ 210
Battery ______________________ 216
Jump starting _________________ 200
Battery charge ________________ 216
Wash/wipe stalk switch ____ 103
Topping-up fluid _________ 222
Washer jets_____________ 222
Washer fluid ____________ 222Fuse table ______________ 239
Changing a fuse _________ 239
Fuses _________________ 237
Relays ________________ 242ABS brakes_____________ 173
Brake pads _____________ 293
Brake system ___________ 172
Brake fluid______________ 214
Cooling system, coolant capacity__ 289
Coolant: checking/topping-up ____ 212
Driving in hot climates __________ 189
Temperature gauge ____________ 88
93_US_M08.book Page 7 Friday, May 11, 2007 11:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

151 Starting and driving
Ignition switch ________ 152
Steering wheel lock ____ 154
Starting the engine ____ 154
Important considerations
for driving __________ 156
Refueling ____________ 159
Engine Break-in Period _ 163
Manual transmission___ 164
Automatic
transmission3
33 3______ 165
Cruise control ________ 171
Braking ______________ 172
Traction Control System
(TCS) ______________ 175
Electronic Stability
Program ESP
®
______ 177
Parking brake_________ 179
Parking ______________ 179
Saab Parking
Assistance3
33 3________ 182 Economical driving _____ 185
Driving in cold weather__ 187
Driving in hot climates __ 189
Towing a trailer3
33 3______ 190
Driving with a roof rack
load ________________ 194
Driving with a load _____ 196
Driving with the trunk lid
open________________ 196
Driving in deep water ___ 196
Driving at night ________ 197
Towing the car _________ 197
Jump starting _________ 200
For long trips __________ 202
Starting and driving
3Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars
(can depend on model variant, engine variant,
market specification, options or accessories).93_US_M08.book Page 151 Friday, May 11, 2007 11:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

154 Starting and drivingSteering wheel lockThe steering wheel lock is electronic. The
lock engages when the remote control is
removed from the ignition and unlocks when
the remote control is inserted. A click can be
heard when the steering wheel lock locks
and unlocks.
If the car is parked with one front wheel
touching the curb, for example, you may
need to turn the steering wheel slightly
when you insert the remote control to allow
the steering wheel lock to unlock. If you do
not succeed on first attempt you must
remove the remote control before trying
again. Turn the steering wheel and insert
the remote control into the ignition switch.
If the steering wheel lock does not disen-
gage it will not be possible to turn the remote
control in the ignition switch.
The following message is shown on the SID:If a fault arises affecting the steering wheel
lock, the following message will be
displayed on the SID:
If the steering wheel lock malfunctions while
the remote control is in the ignition switch,
this may prevent the removal of the remote
control or prevent the car from being
restarted once the engine has been
switched off.
If you have to leave the car, lock the car by
pressing down the lock buttons on the
doors. Lock the front left door from outside
with the traditional key (see page 50). The
car is now locked but the alarm is inactive.
Starting the engine
Pull out key, turn
steering wheel. Restart.
Steering lock malfunc.
Make a safe stop.
WARNING
When starting the engine:
–Sit down in the driver’s seat.
–Depress the clutch pedal fully (M/T). If
the gear lever is not in the neutral posi-
tion, the clutch pedal must be fully
depressed or the car will jump for-
wards or backwards, which may
cause a crash.
–Never start the car from outside the
vehicle, e.g. through a window that is
down. This could lead to serious per-
sonal injury.
Cars with automatic transmission:
select position P to remove the ignition
key. The key can only be removed in
this gear position.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless,
odorless, poisonous gas. Be alert to
the danger of CO – always open the
garage doors before starting the
engine in the garage.
Do not rest or sleep in the car when
parked with the engine running. There
is a risk of depressing the accelerator
which could lead to engine damage.
There is also a danger of CO poison-
ing if the exhaust system is leaking.
93_US_M08.book Page 154 Friday, May 11, 2007 11:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

158 Starting and drivingHave the car serviced regularly in accor-
dance with the service program.
Always be alert to any misfiring of the
engine (not running on all cylinders) and
any loss of power or performance. At the
first sign of a malfunction, reduce speed
and take the car to a workshop. We
recommend that you contact a Saab
dealer.
If the engine fails to start (in severe cold or
if the battery is flat), the car can be bump
started (manual transmission only) or
started using jump leads to a donor
battery. However, as soon as you have
started the engine, it is important that it
runs on all cylinders. If it is misfiring, allow
it to idle for up to 5 minutes to give it time
to settle and run smoothly. If, after this
time, the engine still fails to run properly,
switch off the engine to avoid serious
damage to the catalytic converter. We
recommend that you contact a Saab
dealer for advice.Never park the car on dry grass or other
combustible material. The catalytic
converter gets very hot and could there-
fore start a fire.
Never drive off if the engine is misfiring.
If you bump start the car when the engine
is already at normal working temperature,
the engine must start to run on all cylin-
ders. Abort bump starting if the engine
fails to start immediately.
Failure to strictly follow these instructions
can result in damage to the catalytic con-
verter and associated components, and
could represent a breach of the warranty
conditions.
NOTEIf the car runs out of gas, air may be drawn
in with the fuel, which, in turn, can cause
the catalytic converter to be damaged by
overheating.
WARNING
If the engine is being run with the car on a
rolling road or dynamometer, to ensure
adequate cooling, air must be blown into
the engine compartment and under the
car at a rate equivalent to the ram-air
effect that would obtain at the corre-
sponding road speed.
Engine management system with catalytic
converter1 Engine control module
2 Oxygen sensor
3 Catalytic converter
93_US_M08.book Page 158 Friday, May 11, 2007 11:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

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
93_US_M08.book Page 199 Friday, May 11, 2007 11:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

200 Starting and drivingJump starting
It is essential when a donor battery is to be
used to jump start the car that the jump
leads be connected correctly to prevent
arcing.
To jump start your vehicle
1 Check the other vehicle. It must have a
12-volt battery with a negative ground
system.2 Get the vehicles close enough so the
jumper cables can reach, but be sure the
vehicles are not touching each other. If a
poor connection on the negative jumper
cable should exist, it is possible for
damage to be caused to electrical
systems/components of either vehicle
should inadvertent contact be made.
You would not be able to start your car
and bad grounding could damage the
electrical systems.
3 Turn off the ignition on both vehicles.
Turn off lights that are not needed, and
radios. This will avoid sparks and help
save both batteries and it could save
your radio.
WARNING
When working on the battery, highly
explosive gas can build up. A spark
could ignite this gas that collects
around the battery. Therefore, always
avoid sparks and open flames in the
vicinity of the battery.
The battery contains corrosive sulphu-
ric acid. Always wear a face mask or
goggles when working on the battery.
If battery acid gets into the eyes or
splashes onto skin or clothing, wash
the affected area liberally with water. If
acid gets into the eyes or a large quan-
tity makes contact with the skin, seek
medical help.
NOTEIgnoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that would not be
covered by your warranty.
Trying to start your car by pushing or pull-
ing it could damage your vehicle, even if
you have a manual transmission. If you
have an automatic transmission, your
vehicle cannot be started by pushing or
pulling it.
NOTEIf the other system is not a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged.
WARNING
You could be injured if the vehicles roll.
Set the parking brake firmly on each vehi-
cle. Put an automatic transmission in P
(Park) or a manual transmission in Neu-
tral.
93_US_M08.book Page 200 Friday, May 11, 2007 11:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com

201 Starting and driving
4 Open the hood and locate the battery.
Find the positive (+) and negative (–) termi-
nals on the battery.5 Check that the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation. If they
do, you could get a shock and also the
vehicles could be damaged.
Before you connect the cables, here are
some basic things you should know.
Positive (+) will go to positive (+) and
negative (–) will go to negative (–). Do
not connect (+) to (–) or you will get a
short that could injure you or would
damage the battery and maybe other
parts as well.
6 Connect the red positive (+) cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the vehicle with
the discharged battery.7 Do not let the other end touch metal.
Connect it to the positive (+) terminal of
the good battery. Use a remote positive
(+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
8 Now connect the negative (–) cable to
the good battery’s negative terminal.
9 Attach the cable to the discharged
battery’s negative terminal.
10 Start the vehicle with the good battery
and run the engine for a while.
11 Try to start the vehicle with the
discharged battery. If it does not start
after a few tries, it probably needs
service.
Note. If the current in the low battery is
too low it might be necessary to wait
several minutes with the cables
connected before you can start the
engine with the low battery.
12 Remove the cables in reverse order to
prevent electrical shorting. Take care
that they do not touch each other or any
other metal.NOTEIf you leave your radio on, it could be
badly damaged. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
WARNING
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
WARNING
Using a match or flame of any kind near a
battery can cause battery gas to explode.
You can suffer burns or be blinded. Use a
flashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the electrolyte in the battery is not
frozen. Discharged batteries will freeze.
When connecting jumper cables to a
frozen battery, gas from the chemical
reaction inside the battery can build up
under the ice and cause an explosion.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn
you. Do not get it on you. If you acciden-
tally get it in your eyes or on your skin,
flush the area with water and get medical
help immediately.
Jump starting93_US_M08.book Page 201 Friday, May 11, 2007 11:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com