2009 SAAB 9-3 parking brake

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
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197 Starting and driving
Jump 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 sulfuric
acid. Always wear a face mask or gog-
gles 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.
NOTICEIgnoring 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.
NOTICEIf 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.
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212 Car careBrake/clutch fluid and
brake padsCheckingBrake fluid should be changed according to
the service program. Refer to the Warranty
and Service Book.
The brake and clutch fluid reservoir is trans-
parent to facilitate checking of the fluid level.
The fluid level should lie between the MAX
and MIN marks.If the level drops too low, the following
message appears on the SID:
Top up as necessary with
DOT 4 brake
fluid. Do not use DOT 5 fluid.
Use only new brake fluid from a sealed
container.
The brake fluid level will fall somewhat as
the brake pads wear. The MAX level in the
reservoir corresponds to the amount of
brake fluid required with new brake pads. If
the fall in fluid level is moderate, due to
normal brake pad wear, topping up is not
necessary.
If the brake fluid should require chang-
ing, this must be carried out at a Saab
dealer. We recommen d that you contact
a Saab dealer. The foot brake and parking brake are
self-adjusting.
It is not possible to detect, through abnormal
pedal or parking brake lever travel, whether
the brake pads are worn and need replac-
ing. It is therefore essential that brake pads
be checked regularly, as specified in the
service program.
WARNING
Brake fluid deteriorates as it becomes
old. Because it is hygroscopic, it absorbs
water from the air and, in time, could allow
vapor to form in the brake system, thus
reducing its performance. It is therefore
important that brake fluid be changed reg-
ularly, as specified in the service pro-
gram.
Brake fluid level low.
Make a safe stop.
Brake fluid reservoir
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236 Car care
Trunk fuse panel, left-hand sideNo. Amp. Function1–5 MAXI -
6 30 Control module in left rear door
7 30 Control module in right rear door
820Trailer 3
9--
10 30 Left-hand brake light; rear right turn signal; right tail-
light; right reversing light; high-mounted brake light;
trailer lights
11 10 XWD
12 - -
13 - -
14 - -
15 15 Seat heating, left seat 3
16 15 Seat heating, right seat 3
17 7.5 Auto dimming rear view mirror 3; rain sensor 3
18 15 Moonroof 3
19 - -
20 7.5 XM-radio 3, TMC-tuner 3
21 7.5 Saab Parking Assistance (SPA)
3; control module in
rear doors; dome light (Convertible)
22 30 Radio 3; navigation 3
23 7,5 TPMS (automatic tire pressure monitoring system)
24 10 Movement sensor
3; tilt sensor 3; dome light (Con-
vertible)
25 30 Electrically adjustable driver’s seat with memory 3
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238 Car careFuse panel in engine bayNo. Amp. Function1--
2 10 Engine control module; au
tomatic transmission con-
trol module 3
320Horn
4 10 Engine control module; ba ttery disconnect switch3
5--
6 10 Selector lever, automatic transmission
3; clutch pedal
switch
7 10 Xenon Cornering Headlights, left 3
8 5 Relay for vacuum pump (brake system) 3
9--
10 - -
11 - -
12 10 Washer fluid pump, rear window 3
13 - -
14 - -
15 30 Washer fluid pump, headlights3
16 30 Front right parking light; fr
ont right turn signal; left and
right side turn signal; right high beam; left low beam;
front left fog light 3
17 30 Windshield wiper motor, low speed
18 30 Windshield wiper motor, high speed
19 20 Parking heater; auxiliary heater 3
20 10 Headlight levelling
3 xenon cornering headlights,
right 3
21 - -
22 30 Washer fluid pump, windshield
23 - -
24 20 Flash-to-pass; high beam, right and left (cars with
Daytime Running Lights only)
25 20 Amplifier, sound system II 3
26 30 Front left turn signal; front left parking light; front right
fog light 3; right low beam; left high beam
27
–37 MAXI
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258 Car careDriving with a compact wheel
fittedObserve the following when the compact
spare tire is fitted:
 The compact spare is light and easy to handle when changing a tire.
 Do not drive further than necessary with the compact spare fitted - the maximum
life of the tire is only just over 2,000 miles
(approx. 3,500 km).
 Refit the standard tire as soon as possi- ble.
 Fitting a spare tire/wheel without pressure sensor will trigger a malfunction
message, see page 255.
Important considerations when driving with
a compact spare tire:
 The car’s ground clearance is reduced.  The car must not be driven with more than
one compact spare tire at a time.
 Avoid driving against the curb.
 Do not use snow chains.
 Do not fit the wheel cover - this would conceal the warning text.
Changing a tire
WARNING
 Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). The
tire can overheat affecting the car’s
road holding.
 Tire pressure: refer to page 291.
 The spare tire or punctured tire must be stowed under the trunk floor, and
secured in place with the retaining nut.
WARNING
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous
without the appropriate safety equipment
and training. The jack provided with your
vehicle is designed only for changing a
flat tire. If it is used for anything else, you
or others could be badly injured or killed if
the vehicle slips off the jack. Use the jack
provided with your vehicle only for chang-
ing a flat tire.
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over
or fall on you or other people. You and
they could be badly injured or even killed.
Find a level place to change your tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1 Set the parking brake firmly.
2 If you have an automatic transmis- sion, put the shift lever in PARK (P).
For a manual transmission, leave the
car in gear (1st or REVERSE (R)).
3 Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle is raised.
4 Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
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267
Car care
Textile carpetingTextile carpeting should be vacuum
cleaned regularly. Carpeting can also be
cleaned using a brush or sponge and carpet
shampoo.
For safety reasons, vacuum cleaners that
are not earthed (grounded) must not be
used out of doors.Engine bayThe engine bay should be cleaned with an
engine decreasing and rinsed with hot
water. The headlights must be covered
over. Do not use a pressure washer. Avoid
spraying electrical components and con-
nectors.
Do not use petrol as a cleaning agent or sol-
vent when carrying out repairs or mainte-
nance. Saab recommends the use of envi-
ronmentally-friendly cleaning solutions.
WashingThe bodywork must be washed frequently.
When the car is new, the body should be
washed by hand using plain cold water and
a clean, soft brush through which the water
flows. Automatic carwashes should be
avoided when the car is new.
After 5–6 months the paintwork will have
hardened. To facilitate cleaning, a suitable
detergent can be added to the water, which
should be lukewarm.
Remove any bird droppings without delay,
as these can discolor the paintwork and
prove difficult to polish out. Lay a wad of wet
paper on the patch of dirt and leave it for a
minute or so. It will then be easy to wash off
the dirt.
Use a soft cloth moistened with white spirit
to remove splashes of tar or asphalt. Do not
use strong cleaners, as these can dry out
the paintwork.
NOTICEOnly use liquid detergent when cleaning
the plastic lenses of the front and rear
lights. Do not use mechanical cleaning.
Rinse off the detergent immediately, oth-
erwise cracks may form in the plastic
lenses.
The door mirrors should be folded in
before the car enters an automatic car
wash.
SportCombi: To avoid the wiper arm to
break tape it down to the window when
using a drive-through car wash.
Try your brakes on leaving a car wash.
Wet brake discs reduce the performance
of the brakes.
Fixed antennae, such as for a mobile
phone, must be removed if the car goes
through an automatic car wash.
Cars with Saab Parking Assistance: Do
not spray the sensors or closer than 8 in.
(20 cm) to the sensors with a pressure
washer, as this can damage them.
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295 Technical data
Rear left seat
backrest unlocked.
Rear right seat
backrest unlocked.
Parking assistance
malfunction. Service.
Parking assistance
sensor interference.
Close doors.
Left brake light failure
Left high beam failure.
Left low beam failure.
Rear fog light failure.
Right brake light failure.
Right high beam failure.
Right low beam failure.
High mounted stop
light failure.
Left front turn signal
failure.
Left rear turn signal
failure.
Right front turn signal
failure.
Right rear turn signal
failure.
Right side-mounted
turn signal failure.
Left side-mounted
turn signal failure.
Left front position
light failure.
Right front position
light failure.
Left front fog light
failure.
Right front fog light
failure.
Left reversing light
failure.
Right reversing light
failure.
License plate light
failure.
Left rear taillight
failure.
Right rear taillight
failure.
Right side day-time
running light failure.
Left side day-time
running light failure.
Tire pressure low,
rear left. Check tires.
Tire pressure low,
rear right. Check tires.
Tire pressure low,
front right. Check tires.
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