2009 SAAB 9-3 fuel cap

83 Instruments and controls
This light comes on when the battery is not
being charged by the alternator. If the light
comes on during driving, stop as soon as
possible and switch off the engine.
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
Check the drive belt, see page 215.
The light illuminates if the tire pressure in
one or more tires is too low or if a fault has
arisen in the system, see page 253.
Below is an example of the message simul-
taneously shown on the SID:This light will come on if the engine oil pres-
sure is too low. If the warning light flashes or
comes on while you are driving, stop imme-
diately in a safe place, switch off the engine
and check the oil level (see page 208).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
This light indicates a malfunction in the fuel
or ignition system.
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to
fully install the cap. See Fuel cap on
page 157. The diagnostic system can deter-
mine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel
Charge warning lightBattery not charging.
Make a safe stop.Warning, tire pressureTire pressure low,
rear left. Check tires.
Warning, oil pressure
(engine oil)
NOTICE
Never drive the car when the oil pressure
warning lamp is on. Low oil pressure can
cause serious engine damage.
Oil pressure low.
Make a safe stop.
Service Engine Light also
known as CHECK ENGINE
WARNING
An illuminated Service Engine Light also
known as CHECK ENGINE indicator light
indicates an engine-related problem.
While your car may be able to be driven
with the “Service Engine Light also known
as CHECK ENGINE” indicator light illumi-
nated (limp-home mode), you are
advised to have your car serviced at an
authorized Saab dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
Continued driving without this problem
being corrected might cause serious fur-
ther damage to your car and create
unsafe driving conditions. The operator
should be prepared to take action if such
unsafe conditions arise (e.g. brake
smoothly, engage neutral, stop in a suita-
ble place, switch off the engine, etc.)
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84 Instruments and controlscap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the light off.
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
If the light is still on the car may still be driven
with care but the performance of the engine
will be somewhat diminished (see
page 153).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
This light shows when the high beam is on
(see page 99).This light indicates when the front fog lights
are on (see page 100).
The front fog lights are switched off auto-
matically when the engine is switched off.
When the fog lights are next needed, they
will have to be switched on manually.
This light should come on briefly when you
turn the ignition key to ON. If it doesn’t come
on, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem. This light indicates
when the brake fluid level is too low (see
page 212).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):For safety reasons, stop the car and check
the level of the brake fluid (see page 212).
If the level is normal, depress the brake
pedal firmly two or three times. Now check
the level again. If the level is still normal, you
may drive the car, with considerable cau-
tion, to the nearest workshop to have the
brake system checked. We recommend
that you contact a Saab dealer. Tighten fuel filler cap.
Reduced engine power.
Contact service.NOTICEThe car should be checked immediately
at a Saab dealer to prevent more serious
faults from arising.
High beam Indicator
Front fog lights3
Brake warning lightBrake fluid level low.
Make a safe stop.
WARNING
 Never drive the car if these two lights
are on at the same time. Danger of
brake failure!
 If the level of brake fluid in the reser-
voir is below the MIN mark, the vehicle
should be transported on a recovery
vehicle.
 Have the brake system checked
immediately at a Saab dealer.
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89 Instruments and controls
If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone
and the engine at the same time loses
power, because the monitoring system is
limiting the boost pressure, you should
contact a Saab dealer as soon as possible.
If the speed of the car exceeds 143 mph
(230 km/h) (this speed varies between dif-
ferent engine variants), acceleration is lim-
ited by reducing the boost pressure. The
pressure gauge then moves towards the
middle of the white field, indicating a drop in
engine power and consequently the car’s
speed.
Fuel gaugeWhen less than about 2.5 gallons (10 liter)
of fuel is left in the tank, a warning light on
the main instrument panel comes on.
Because of the fuel remaining in the tank,
the amount of fuel required to fill the tank
may be less than the specified tank capac-
ity.
Refueling, see page 156.
Saab Information
Display (SID) Various types of information are shown on
the SID: warnings, indications, trip
computer information and information
from the car’s Infotainment System.
 Selected gear is shown on the left-hand
side of the display. When gears are
selected manually, the letter M (manual)
and the selected gear are displayed (see
page 168) (cars with automatic transmis-
sion).
 In the first row trip computer information is
displayed and in the second row odome-
ter and tripmeter is displayed.
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154 Starting and drivingThe light comes on in the event of an engine
or gearbox fault (cars with automatic gear-
box), which may cause driveability prob-
lems but that does not affect exhaust emis-
sion. The car can still be driven but perhaps
with limited performance.
Contact a dealer whenever an opportunity
occurs. We recommend that you contact a
Saab dealer.
Limp-homeThe engine management system has a
diagnostic feature that checks a number of
internal functions. If a fault is detected in the
throttle valve, the engine management
system will set the throttle system to the
limp-home mode. This means:
 idling control will be poor (uneven idling
since regulated by ignition and fuel
supply)
 engine performance will be reduced
 the cruise control will not function
 the capacity of the A/C compressor will be
limited.
If the diagnosis function detects a fault in the
engine management system, the light
"Service Engine Light also known as
CHECK ENGINE" indicator light in the
instrument panel will come on (see
page 83). Have the car checked at a work-
shop as soon as possible. We recommend
that you contact a Saab dealer.
Important considerations with
catalytic convertersThe catalytic converter is an emission con-
trol device incorporated in the car’s exhaust
system. It consists of a metal canister with a
honeycomb insert, the cells of which have
walls coated in a catalytic layer (precious
metal alloy).
NOTICE If the engine sounds strange there is a
malfunction. We recommend that you
contact a Saab dealer immediately.
 The use of fuel with too low an octane
rating can cause serious engine dam-
age.
Limited performance.
NOTICEIf "Service Engine Light also known
as CHECK ENGINE" indicator light warn-
ing light starts to flash (indicating that the
engine is misfiring and the catalytic con-
verter can be damaged), ease off the
accelerator slightly. The light should go
out or start to shine constantly. If the light
continues to flash despite easing off the
accelerator, you may continue to drive the
car but at the minimum throttle permitted
by the current traffic situation. Have the
car checked as soon as possible. We rec-
ommend that you contact a Saab dealer.NOTICEUse only unleaded gasoline. Leaded gas-
oline is detrimental to the catalyst and
oxygen sensor and will seriously impair
the function of the catalytic converter.
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156 Starting and drivingRefueling
WARNING
If you spill fuel and then something ignites
it, you could be badly burned. Fuel can
spray out on you if you open the fuel cap
too quickly. This spray can happen if your
tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot
weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
Gasoline fumes are highly explosive.
Therefore:
never smoke while refueling.
never use gasoline for any purpose
other than as engine fuel.
 gasoline is extremely flammable and
can cause severe burns. No open or
exposed flames near gasoline.
do not use a mobile phone at the
same time as refueling.
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of
fuel by shutting off the pump or by notify-
ing the station attendant. Leave the area
immediately.
NOTICE Do not overfill. Fuel should not come
right up the filler pipe as room for
expansion is needed for when the
temperature rises.
 The use of fuel with too low an octane
rating can cause serious engine dam-
age.
 Clean fuel from painted surfaces as
soon as possible.
 Do not use additives with E85-fuel.
NOTICEThe engine control module (ECM) moni-
toring the engine parameters also stores
fault codes.
Under certain circumstances, this may
cause constant illumination of the “Ser-
vice Engine Light also known as CHECK
ENGINE” indicator light , thus indicat-
ing a fault that must be checked by your
Saab dealer, see page 83.
NOTE: always observe the following two
measures:
 Make sure that the fuel filler cap is
screwed on correctly before the
engine is started. Screw on the fuel
filler cap until you hear 3 clicks.
 Avoid driving with the fuel low level
indicator illuminated. The symbol illu-
minates when less than approximately
2.5 gallons (10 liters) of fuel remains
in the tank.
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157 Starting and driving
Refueling1 Switch off the engine.
2 Open the fuel cap, located in the
right-hand rear fender.
3 Insert the fuel pump nozzle beyond the
flange on the filler pipe and let the first
mark (a ring, a pimple or the first
spring-coil) rest on the flange. Do not
withdraw the nozzle while filling is in
progress.
4 Cease refueling the first time the pump
stops, and wait a few seconds after
you’ve finished pumping before you
remove the nozzle.Fuel cap
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the
left (counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a
spring in it; if you let go of the cap too soon,
it will spring back to the right.
When you put the fuel cap back on, turn it to
the right (clockwise) until you hear 3 clicks.
Make sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or is improperly
installed. See “Service Engine Light also
known as CHECK ENGINE” on page 83.If the fuel cap has been left off or is improp-
erly installed the following message is
shown on the Saab Information Display
(SID):
WARNING
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of
fuel by shutting off the pump or by notify-
ing the station attendant. Leave the area
immediately.
NOTICEDo not overfill. Fuel should not come right
up the filler pipe as expansion room is
needed when the temperature rises.
 Fill to maximum filling capacity.
 Stop filling after the first time that the
nozzle trips to shut off the flow of fuel.
 Filling capacity can differ between dif-
ferent fuel stations and outside tem-
perature. Fuel tank volume when
nozzle trips to shut off, may vary by
0.5 gal. (2 liters).
 Do not fill fuel all the way up the filler
pipe. The gasoline must be allowed
room for expansion especially during
hot weather.
Tighten fuel filler cap.
When refueling, hang the fuel cap inside
the fuel door
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158 Starting and drivingThe most effective way to prevent conden-
sation forming in the tank (and thus avoid
possible running problems) is to keep the
tank full.
Refer to page 185 for information regarding
gasoline anti-freeze.
The fuel door has a built in filler cap holder
slot located on the fuel door. Slide the white
ring on the cap into the slot.
Notice: If you need a new fuel cap, be sure
to get the right type. Your dealer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not
fit properly.
Filling a portable fuel container Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an impor-
tant part of the proper maintenance of your
vehicle.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane of 87 or higher.
If the octane is less than 87, you may get a
heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher as soon as possible. Otherwise, you
might damage your engine. A little pinging
noise when you accelerate or drive uphill is
considered normal. This does not indicate a
problem exists or that a higher-octane fuel
is necessary. If you are using 87 octane or
higher-octane fuel and hear heavy knock-
ing, your engine needs service. Although
not required, use higher octane fuel for opti-
mum performance- 90 octane for the 2.0T
engine and 93 octane for the 2.8 V6.
WARNING
Never fill a portable fuel container while it
is in your vehicle. Static electricity dis-
charge from the container can ignite the
gasoline vapor. You can be badly burned
and your vehicle damaged if this occurs.
To help avoid injury to you and others:
 Dispense gasoline only into approved
containers.
 Do not fill a container while it is inside
a vehicle, in a vehicle’s trunk, pickup
bed or on any surface other than the
ground.
 Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operat-
ing the nozzle. Contact should be
maintained until the filling is complete.
 Do not smoke while pumping gaso-
line.
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204 Car careEmission control
systemsThe systems for controlling emissions to the
atmosphere require regular checking and
adjustment at the intervals specified in the
service program.
In addition to meeting the exhaust emission
regulations and thereby helping to keep the
environment clean, a correctly tuned engine
will also give maximum fuel economy.
Saab Trionic engine
management system, 4-cyl
engineThe Saab Trionic engine management
system is a unique Saab development that
combines sequential mult iport fuel injection,
electronic distributorless ignition and turbo-
charger boost pressure control into one sys-
tem.
The Trionic engine control module (ECM)
monitors many different engine parameters
such as:
 Intake manifold pressure
 Intake air temperature
 Crankshaft position
 Engine coolant temperature
 Throttle position
 The oxygen content of the exhaust gases.
The ECM receives information regarding
engine knocking from a sophisticated feed-
back function in the ignition discharge unit.
By processing all of this information, the Tri-
onic system can control fuel injector open-
ing duration, ignition timing and turbo-
charger boost pressure to provide excellent
engine performance while maintaining low
emissions and fuel consumption.
WARNING
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents,
and certain vehicle components contain
or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects and reproductive harm. In addi-
tion, certain fluids contained in vehicles
and certain products of component wear
contain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
NOTICEThe Trionic engine management system
continuously monitors the operation of
these systems and has on-board diag-
nostic capabilities (OBD II). If the Service
Engine Light also known as CHECK
ENGINE light in the main instrument illu-
minates, the Trionic ECM has detected a
problem. The car will continue to operate,
but performance may be diminished. You
should have your car checked by a work-
shop as soon as possible. We recom-
mend that you contact a Saab dealer.
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