
194 Starting and drivingFront towing eyeThe 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.
WARNING
Make sure that the towing eye is
screwed in tightly. It has a left-hand
thread!
The towing eye is only designed for
towing the car on roads. It must not
be used to pull the car out of a ditch,
for example.
Make sure that all bystanders keep a
suitable distance, in case the towing
eye or tow rope should snap. The
towing eye or tow rope could catapult
off and cause seriously injury.
Never drive with the towing eye fitted
to the front bumper. Return it to its des-
ignated storage space.
Rear towing eye
Front towing eye fitted.
The towing eye has a left-hand thread!
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195 Starting and driving
Towing the carCars with manual transmission
Engage neutral. Turn on the parking lights.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles on tow.
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
Move the selector lever to N. Turn on the
parking lights.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles on tow.
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.NOTICENever use the towing eyes to pull the
car unstuck.
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.
Saab 9-3 XWD with manual transmission:
If the car is towed with all four wheels on
the ground then there are no technical
limitations for speed and distance.
If both front wheels or both rear wheels
have been raised, and if the law permits,
the maximum towing speed is 30 mph
(50 km/h). There are no limitations as to
the distance over which the car can be
towed.
NOTICENever use the towing eyes to pull the
car unstuck.
The 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.
Saab 9-3 XWD with automatic transmis-
sion:
If the car is towed with all four wheels on
the ground then it may be towed at a max-
imum speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) and for
a maximum of 30 miles (50 km).
If both front wheels have been raised, and
if the law permits, the car may be towed at
a maximum speed of 30 mph (50 km/h).
There are no technical limitations as to
the distance over which the car can be
towed.
Never use the towing eyes to pull the car
unstuck.93_US_MY09.book Page 195 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
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196 Starting and drivingWhatever 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 197.
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 carNOTICEIf 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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252 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 244.
Vehicle Capacity Weight: Is the number of
designated seating positions multiplied by
150 pounds (68 kg) plus the rated cargo
load. See “Loading Your Vehicle” on
page 250.
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 250.
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 pa ssengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3 Subtract 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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286 Technical data
Engine
Engine oil
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 190.
Note that the towbar must not be installed on certain models. Con-
tact a Saab dealer for information.
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 188).
Type:
4-cyl engine ______________________ Four cylinders,
double overhead
camshafts,
16 valves, two
balancer shafts
V6 engine ________________________ Six cylinders,
4 overhead cam-
shafts, 24 valves,
the angle between
the cylinder rows is
60°
Swept volume:
4-cyl engine ______________________ 122 cu.in. (1.998 l)
V6 engine ________________________ 170 cu.in. (2.792 l)
Information regarding suitable engine oils can be found in War-
ranty and Service Record Booklet.
Oil capacity, including filter (oil change)
4-cyl engine ______________________ 6.3 qts. (6.0 l)
V6 engine ________________________ 6.3 qts. (6.0 l)
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297 Index
IndexAABS brakes
____________________ 171
ACC
_________________________ 107
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 118
Air filter
_______________________ 209
Airbag
_________________________ 32
All-wheel drive (XWD)
____________ 173
Anchorage eyes, SportSedan
______ 139
Anti-corrosion treatment
__________ 271
Antilock braking system __________ 171
Anti-spin
______________________ 173
Ashtrays ______________________ 134
Autochecking of lights, warning and
indicator lights
__________________ 87
Autodimming
___________________ 123
Automatic climate control (ACC)
____ 107
Automatic closing of moonroof
_____ 129
Automatic closing of windows,
SportSedan and SportCombi _____ 120
Automatic transmission
___________ 162
Automatic transmission, Sport mode
163
BBattery
_______________________ 214
Bedding-in of new brake pads
_____ 160
Before towing a trailer
____________ 191
Belt height, SportSedan and
SportCombi
____________________ 14Brake fluid, grade
_______________ 287
Brakes
________________________ 170
Braking _______________________ 170
Bulb changing
__________________ 218
Bulb table
_____________________ 232
Buying new tires
________________ 243
CCabin lighting, Convertible
_________ 79
Cabin lighting, SportSedan and
SportCombi
___________________ 131
Calibrating front electric windows with
pinch protection
________________ 78
Calibration of windows, SportSedan
and SportCombi _______________ 121
Car alarm
______________________ 56
Car transport ___________________ 196
Care of air conditioning
___________ 273
Cargo guard
___________________ 148
Cargo guard, SportWagon
________ 148
Cargo net, SportCombi
___________ 145
CHECK ENGINE light _____________ 83
Change of address notification
_____ 280
Changing a tire
_________________ 258
Changing bulbs _________________ 218
Changing the battery, remote control
_54
Changing wiper blades
___________ 216
Checking the number of remote
controls
_______________________ 53
Checks before towing a trailer
_____ 191
Child safety
_____________________ 24Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 52
Child seats
______________________ 24
Cigarette lighter
_________________ 134
Cleaning the engine bay
__________ 267
Cleaning upholstery
______________ 266
Closing the soft top manually,
Convertible
____________________ 68
Closing the soft top, Convertible
_____ 64
Clutch interlock
_________________ 161
Comfort opening of moonroof
______ 129
Comfort opening of windows,
SportSedan and SportCombi _____ 119
Compact spare
_________________ 256
Compact spare wheel fitted, driving
with
_________________________ 258
Compass
______________________ 127
Convertible _____________________ 61
Convertible, washing
_____________ 268
Coolant
_______________________ 210
Cornering headlights
______________ 99
Crash memory, see EDR
_________ 282
Cruise control
__________________ 169
Cup holder
_____________________ 133
DDate codes, tires
________________ 253
Deactivating rear windows,
SportSedan and SportCombi
_____ 121
Deactivating the passenger door
window button, Convertible
________ 78
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298 IndexDeactivating the rear window
switches
_____________________ 121
Deep water, driving through
_______ 193
Definitions and terminology, tire ____ 250
Determining correct load, tires
_____ 252
Direction indicator stalk switch _____ 101
Direction indicators
______________ 101
Dome light, Convertible
__________ 228
Dome light, SportSedan __________ 228
Donor battery, boost starting
______ 197
Door handles
___________________ 48
Door mirrors
___________________ 122
Drive belt
______________________ 215
Driver’s seat with memory
_________ 21
Driving in cold climates
___________ 185
Driving in deep water
____________ 193
Driving in hot climates ____________ 187
Driving techniques
______________ 183
Driving with a compact wheel fitted
_258
Driving with a heavy load on hilly
roads
________________________ 164
Driving with a load
______________ 192
Driving with a roof load ___________ 192
Driving with the trunk lid open
______ 193
EEDR (Event Data Recorders)
______ 282
ESP®
________________________ 175
Easy entry, Convertible
____________ 73
Economical motoring
____________ 183
Electrical system, technical data
____ 287Electrically adjustable seats
________ 20
Electric engine heater
____________ 184
Electric heating, front seats
________ 114
Electric windows
________________ 119
Electric windows, Convertible
_______ 77
Electronic Stability Program
_______ 175
Electronic steering wheel lock ______ 151
Emergency opening of the narrow
backrest, SportSedan
___________ 140
Emergency operation of the moonroof
130
Engine bay, cleaning
_____________ 267
Engine heater
__________________ 184
Engine immobilizer
_______________ 55
Engine management system
______ 204
Engine number
_________________ 292
Engine oil, checking
_____________ 208
Engine oil, grade
________________ 286
Engine temperature gauge
_________ 88
Engine, description
______________ 203
Engine, technical data ____________ 286
Engines
_______________________ 287
Event Data Recorders (EDR)
______ 282
Extra electrical socket
____________ 134
FFacilitating entry to rear seat,
Convertible
____________________ 73
Factors affecting fuel consumption
__ 183
Filler cap
______________________ 157
Filling a portable fuel container
_____ 158
Filling up
______________________ 156Flat spots, tires
_________________ 242
Floor jack
______________________ 259
Folding down the rear seat backrest,
SportCombi
___________________ 141
Folding down the rear seat,
SportSedan ___________________ 136
Front fog lights __________________ 100
Front towing eye ________________ 194
Fuel cap
_______________________ 157
Fuel container
__________________ 158
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 89
Fuel grade _____________________ 287
Fuel information
_________________ 158
Functions, car alarm
______________ 58
Fuse panel in luggage compartment
_236
Fuse table
_____________________ 235
Fuses
_________________________ 233
GGDO, garage door opener
_________ 123
Gearbox number
________________ 292
General safety instructions,
Convertible
____________________ 62
Glove box
_____________________ 134
Glovebox lighting
________________ 229
HHandbrake
_____________________ 177
Hazard warning lights
____________ 102
Head restraint, Convertible
_________ 74
Head restraints
__________________ 23
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300 IndexPPanic function, car alarm
__________ 58
Park Brake Shift Lock
____________ 163
Park Brake Shift Lock, temporary
override
______________________ 166
Parking
_______________________ 177
Parking aid ____________________ 180
Parking brake __________________ 177
Parking on a hill ________________ 178
Pinch protection, electric windows,
SportSedan and SportCombi
_____ 120
Pinch protection, moonroof
________ 130
Plates and labels, location ________ 292
Polishing and waxing
____________ 270
Poly-V-belt
____________________ 215
Portable fuel container
___________ 158
Position lights
___________________ 98
Power steering fluid, checking
_____ 213
Pressure gauge
_________________ 88
Pressure, tires
__________________ 240
Profiles, customized settings
_______ 94
QQuality grading, tires
_____________ 244
Quick guide, remote control
________ 49
RRain sensor
____________________ 103
Raising the soft top manually,
Convertible ____________________ 68Reading lights, Convertible
_________ 79
Rear fog light
___________________ 101
Rear seat, folding down, SportCombi
141
Rear seat, safety belts
____________ 17
Rear seats, folding down, SportSedan
136
Rear towing eye
________________ 194
Rear windows, deactivating,
SportSedan and SportCombi
_____ 121
Rearview mirrors
________________ 122
Recommendations for automatic
transmission, towing a trailer
_____ 189
Recommendations for manual gearbox,
towing a trailer
________________ 190
Recommended snow chains
_______ 288
Refueling
______________________ 156
Reinstalling the fuel cap
__________ 157
Remote control
__________________ 48
Remote locking malfunction
________ 50
Replacement, wheel
_____________ 246
Reporting safety defects __________ 281
Rev counter
_____________________ 87
Reversing lights
________________ 102
Rollover Pop-up Bars, Convertible
___ 76
Roof lighting, SportSedan and
SportCombi
___________________ 131
Roof lighting, changing
___________ 228
Running-in
_____________________ 160
SSaab Information Display
__________ 89
Saab Parking Assistance _________ 180Safety belts
_____________________ 12
Safety belts, rear seat, SportSedan
and SportCombi
________________ 17
SAHR, head restraint _____________ 23
SDM
_________________________ 282
SID
___________________________ 89
SPA __________________________ 180
Seat belts
______________________ 12
Seat belts in rear seat, Convertible
___ 75
Seat belts, care
_________________ 266
Seat belts, checking
_____________ 266
Seats
__________________________ 18
Securing a load
_________________ 139
Sentronic, manual gear selection
___ 168
Service Engine Lamp
_____________ 83
Service costs
___________________ 279
Service information
______________ 280
Service intervals
________________ 278
Service record retention
__________ 279
Signalling, horn
_________________ 118
Ski hatch, SportCombi
____________ 143
Ski hatch, SportSedan ____________ 138
Spare wheel
___________________ 256
Speed ratings, tires
______________ 249
Speedometer
____________________ 87
Sport mode, automatic transmission
_163
Starting the engine
______________ 152
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 118
Steering wheel lock
______________ 151
Steps for determining correct load
limit
_________________________ 252
Storage compartments
___________ 134
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