2009 SAAB 9-3 open gas tank

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.
93_US_MY09.book Page 156 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

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
93_US_MY09.book Page 157 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

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.
93_US_MY09.book Page 158 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com