1
Owner’s Manual
Saab 9-3 Model Year 2009
Safety 11
Security 47
9-3 Convertible 61
Instruments and controls 81
Interior equipment 117
Starting and driving 149
Car care 201
Customer Assistance and Information 277
Technical data 283
Index 297
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6Engine bay, 4-cylColor code______________ 292
Engine number __________ 292
Gearbox number _________ 292
Warning labels __________ 8
Vehicle identification number 292Ignition system __________ 287
Alternator_______________ 215
Drive belt _______________ 215
Exhaust emission control __ 154
Simple troubleshooting (ACC) 273
Spark plugs _____________ 287
Turbo gauge ____________ 88Engine oil: checking level __ 208Automatic transmission _________ 162
Manual transmission ___________ 161
Battery ______________________ 214
Jump starting _________________ 197
Battery charge ________________ 214
Oil grade and viscosity__________ 286
Engine: description ____________ 203
Engine: technical data __________ 286
Important considerations for driving 153
Wash/wipe stalk switch____ 103
Washer fluid ____________ 217
Washer jets ____________ 217
Topping-up fluid _________ 217
Power steering ________________ 213
Fluid: checking/topping up _______ 213
Coolant: checking/topping-up ____ 210
Driving in hot climates __________ 187
Radiator _____________________ 286
Temperature gauge ____________ 88
Fuse table _____________ 238
Changing a fuse _________ 233
Fuses _________________ 233
Relays ________________ 238ABS brakes_____________ 170
Brake pads _____________ 212
Brake system ___________ 287
Brake fluid______________ 212
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7
Engine bay, 2.8 V6Power steering___________ 213
Fluid: checking/topping up__ 213Vehicle identification
number ________________ 292
Color code ______________ 292
Engine number __________ 292
Warning labels___________ 8
Gearbox number _________ 292Ignition system __________ 287
Exhaust emission control __ 154
Drive belt _______________ 215
Simple troubleshooting (ACC) 273
Alternator_______________ 215
Turbo gauge ____________ 88
Spark plugs _____________ 287Automatic transmission _________ 162
Manual transmission ___________ 161
Oil grade and viscosity__________ 286
Engine: description ____________ 203
Engine oil: topping up __________ 208
Engine: technical data __________ 286
Important considerations
for driving ___________________ 153Engine oil: checking level________ 208
Battery ______________________ 214
Jump starting _________________ 197
Battery charge ________________ 214
Wash/wipe stalk switch ____ 103
Topping-up fluid _________ 217
Washer jets_____________ 217
Washer fluid ____________ 217Fuse table ______________ 235
Changing a fuse _________ 235
Fuses _________________ 233
Relays ________________ 238ABS brakes_____________ 171
Brake pads _____________ 287
Brake system ___________ 170
Brake fluid______________ 212
Cooling system, coolant capacity__ 286
Coolant: checking/topping-up ____ 210
Driving in hot climates __________ 187
Temperature gauge ____________ 88
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186 Starting and drivingRemember that tires age: it may therefore
be necessary to change winter tires before
they reach the legal wear limit, as they grad-
ually lose their friction properties with age.
If you get into a front wheel skid and the car
has a manual transmission, the best
response is to freewheel, which means
declutching so that the wheels neither drive
nor brake, and to cautiously steer in the
desired direction.
If the car has automatic transmission, ease
off the accelerator slightly and steer cau-
tiously in the desired direction.
If you get into a rear wheel skid, steer in the
same direction as the movement of the rear
of the car.
Driving with tire chains3Snow chains must only be fitted to the wheel
and tire dimensions that Saab recommends
in "Technical data" on page 283.
We recommend that you contact a Saab
dealer regarding approved tire chains. See
also page 247.
WARNING
Do not drive at speeds above 30 mph
(50 km/h) when tire chains are fitted.
Tire chains can reduce directional sta-
bility.
Do not fit tire chains to the car’s rear
wheels.
NOTICE Check the links frequently for wear.
Check that the chains do not foul the
wheel arch liner at full lock.
Refer to the "Technical data" section
on page 283, for information on wheel
and tire dimensions approved for the
fitting of tire chains.
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283 Technical data
General data __________ 284
Engine _______________ 286
Engine oil _____________ 286
Fuel__________________ 287
Engines ______________ 287
Electrical system_______ 287
Brake system__________ 287
Wheels and tires _______ 288
Plates and labels _______ 292
Technical data
3Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars
(can depend on model variant, engine variant,
market specification, options or accessories).93_US_MY09.book Page 283 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
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284 Technical dataGeneral dataOverall length, including bumpers:
SportSedan and Convertible _________ 182.9'' (4647 mm)
SportCombi_______________________ 183.8'' (4670 mm)
Overall width, including door mirrors _____ 80.2'' (2038 mm)
Maximum height incl roof antenna:
SportSedan front wheel drive, standard
chassis __________________________ 57.9" (1473 mm)
SportCombi, front wheel drive, standard
chassis __________________________ 60.7'' (1543 mm)
SportSedan, all-wheel-drive models ____ 58.5" (1488 mm)
SportCombi, all-wheel-drive models ____ 61.4" (1530 mm)
Wheelbase ________________________ 105.3'' (2675 mm)
Tr a c k :
Front ____________________________ 59.8'' (1524 mm)
Re ar ____________________________ 59.3'' (1506 mm)
Ground clearance at GVW:
front wheel drive models ___________ approx. 4.7''
(120 mm)
all-wheel-drive models ____________ approx. 4.8''
(122 mm)V.I.N. label on vehi-
cles sold in U.S.A.V.I.N. label on vehicles sold in
Canada
Permissible load (in addition to the driver) = GVW minus curb weight. The maximum
permissible axle load, front or rear, must not be exceeded.
The precise curb weight of the vehicle and load capacity are specified in the vehicle
registration documents.Number of seats (incl. driver):
SportSedan and SportCombi _________ 5
Convertible _______________________ 4
Turning circle measured at vehicle extremi-
ties:
all-wheel-drive models ______________ 40.0 ft. (12.2 m)
other ____________________________ 39.0 ft. (11.9 m)
Trunk length, SportSedan:
Rear seat raised ___________________ 40.8'' (1036 mm)
Rear seat lowered _________________ 69.8'' (1774 mm)
Trunk length, Convertible _____________ 29.1" (740 mm)
Trunk length, SportCombi:
Rear seat raised ___________________ 39.9'' (1013 mm)
Rear seat lowered _________________ 70.0'' (1777 mm)
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285 Technical data
Curb weight
(i.e. with full fuel tank, full washer fluid res-
ervoir, standard tools and spare wheel):
SportSedan_______________________ 3220–3880 lbs.
(1460–1760 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 3520–3870 lbs.
(1595–1755 kg)
SportCombi_______________________ 3310–4010 lbs.
(1500–1820 kg)
Gross vehicle weight (GVW):
SportSedan_______________________ 4160–4820 lbs.
(1885–2185 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 4420–4650 lbs.
(2005–2110 kg)
SportCombi_______________________ 4240–4950 lbs.
(1925–2245 kg)
Maximum axle load, front wheel drive:
SportSedan, front __________________ 2540 lbs. (1150 kg)
SportSedan, rear __________________ 2230 lbs. (1010 kg)
Convertible, front __________________ 2560 lbs. (1160 kg)
Convertible, rear ___________________ 2310 lbs. (1050 kg)
SportCombi, front __________________ 2340 lbs. (1150 kg)
SportCombi, rear __________________ 2430 lbs. (1100 kg)
Maximum axle load, all-wheel-drive models:
SportSedan, front __________________ 2600 lbs. (1180 kg)
SportSedan, rear __________________ 2380 lbs. (1080 kg)
SportCombi, front __________________ 2600 lbs. (1180 kg)
SportCombi, rear __________________ 2520 lbs. (1140 kg)Weight distribution:
Curb weight + driver (150 lbs. (68 kg)),
front/rear, SportSedan and SportCombi_ approx. 60/40 %
GVW, front/rear, SportSedan and
SportCombi ______________________ approx. 50/50 %
Maximum roof load, SportSedan and
SportCombi ______________________ 220 lbs. (100 kg)
Maximum load in trunk, SportSedan,
Convertible and SportCombi _________ 175 lbs. (80 kg)
The combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed:
SportSedan and SportCombi _________ 926 lbs. (420 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 776 lbs. (352 kg)
Maximum combined weight of driver and
passengers ______________________
SportSedan and SportCombi (5x150 lbs.) 750 lbs. (340 kg)
Convertible (4x150 lbs.) _____________ 600 lbs. (272 kg)93_US_MY09.book Page 285 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
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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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