parking SAAB 9-3 2001 Owner's Manual

186 Starting and driving
Saab 9-3 ViggenThe front towing eye is stored in a storage
bag beside the spare wheel. Remove the
plastic cover with a screwdriver from the
car’s toolkit, and screw in the towing eye.
Towing a car with manual gearboxThe gear lever must be in neutral. Switch
hazard lights on.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles in tow.
Always try to keep the towrope taut by
gently applying the brake as necessary.
This will avoid the towrope being jerked vio-
lently.
NOTEThe design of the underside of the rear
bumper means that the rear towing eye
must not be used. This is to prevent dam-
aging the bumper.
NOTEIf 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.
IB885
Rear towing eye
IB1331
Front towing eye, Saab 9-3 Viggen
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187 Starting and driving
Towing a car with automatic
transmission The following rules must be observed if a
car with automatic transmission is to be
towed.
The gear selector must be in the N position.
Switch hazard lights on.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles in tow.
Always try to keep the towrope taut by
gently applying the brake as necessary.
This will avoid the towrope being jerked vio-
lently.1 Selector lever in position N.
2 Raise the oil level in the gearbox above
normal by 2 extra quarts. Use oil of type
Texaco Texamatic Dexron III.
3 The local regulations on towing speeds
must be followed.
The highest permissible towing speed is
30 mph (50 km/h), unless the legal limit
is lower. The longest permissible towing
distance is 25-30 miles (40-50 km). If the
car has to be transported farther than
that, summon a tow truck. A flat bed tow
truck is the preferred method to tow.
4 When the car is being returned to ser-
vice, check the gearbox oil, and reduce
it to the prescribed amount if necessary.
The engine cannot be started by towing or
pushing the car. In emergency, the engine
can be started as described in the section
”Jump starting”.
Jump startingIf your battery has run down, you may want
to use another vehicle and some jumper
cables to start your Saab. Follow the steps
below to do it safely.
NOTEThe 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.
WARNING
Batteries can cause injury. They can be
dangerous because:
 They contain acid that can burn you.
 They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
 They contain enough electricity to
injure you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly,
some or all of these things can hurt you.
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188 Starting and drivingTo 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 all lights that are not needed,
and radios. This will avoid sparks and
help save both batteries and it could
save your radio.4 Open the hood and locate the battery.
Find the positive (+) and negative (-) termi-
nals on the battery.NOTEIgnoring 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.NOTEIf 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.NOTEIf you leave your radio on, it could be
badly damaged. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
WARNING
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
IB886
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197 Car care

Transmission fluidManual transmissionCheck and top up the fluid in accordance
with the service program.
If original fluid cannot be obtained for top-
ping up, Dexron III (synthetic fluid) auto-
matic transmission fluid can be used. If so,
the car should be taken to an authorized
Saab dealer as soon as possible to have the
reason for low fluid level corrected and orig-
inal fluid installed.Automatic transmissionCheck the fluid level as follows:
1 Park the car on level ground and apply
the parking brake. The automatic trans-
mission fluid must be at normal running
temperature, approximately 175°F
NOTEChange of engine oil and oil filter may be
required more frequently (5000-mile
intervals (8,000 km)) if any one of the fol-
lowing conditions apply to the car:
 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8
to 16 km). This is particularly important
when outside temperatures are below
freezing.
 Most trips include extensive idling
(such as frequent stop-and-go driving).
 Most trips are through dusty areas.
 You frequenty tow a trailer or use a car-
rier on top of your vehicle.
 If the vehicle is used for delivery ser-
vice, police, taxi or other commerical
applications.
WARNING
 Prolonged and repeated exposure of
the skin to engine oil can cause seri-
ous skin disorders.
 Avoid prolonged skin contact when-
ever possible. Wash the affected area
thoroughly with soap and water after
any contact.
 Keep oil out of reach of children.
 Do not touch the turbocharger or
manifold. These get very hot when the
engine has been running.
 Do not spill oil on hot parts of the
engine as this could cause a fire. Used
engine oil is particularly flammable.
 Protect the environment. Do not dis-
pose of oil in the ground or down a
drain. Dispose of all used oil and oil fil-
ters at an appropriate disposal facility.
+80°
MIN MAX
+80°
IB495
Oil dipstick, automatic transmission
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200 Car careBrake- clutch fluid and
brake padsChecking the fluid level The combined brake and clutch-fluid reser-
voir is transparent to facilitate checking of
the fluid level.
The level should be between the MAX and
MIN marks. Top up, as necessary, with
DOT 4 fluid. Do
not
use DOT 5 brake fluid.
Use only new brake fluid from a sealed con-
tainer.
Check that there are no leaks in the brake
system.
Changing of the brake fluid should be
carried out by an authorized Saab dealer.The vehicle´s regular braking system is
adjusted automatically, but the parking
brake has to be adjusted manually. This
work, involving adjustment of the parking
brake cables and brake pads, must only be
carried out by an authorized Saab dealer.
It is not possible to detect, through abnormal
pedal or parking brake-lever travel, whether
brake pads are worn and need replacing. It
is therefore essential that brake pads be
checked regularly, as specified in the ser-
vice program, see page 239.
Brake pad wear indicators The outboard brake pads on the front
wheels incorporate pad-wear indicators.
When the lining is down to 0.11 in (3 mm),
the pad will produce a screeching, squeal-
ing or scraping noise when the brakes are
applied. New pads should be installed with-
out delay.
Brake pads should only be changed by
an authorized Saab dealer. To ensure
optimum brake performance, use only
Saab original brake pads.
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, see page 239.
NOTEAvoid spilling brake fluid onto paintwork,
since it can cause the paint to bubble and
lift. If any brake fluid is spilled, the area
should be flushed with large quantities of
water as quickly as possible.
IB894
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206 Car careChanging bulbs Headlight 1 Unscrew the cover from the back of the light units.
2 Unplug the connector.
3 Unhook the spring clip by pushing it forward and then to the side.
4 Remove the bulb.
5 Insert the new bulb, without touching the glass with your fingers.
Line it up so that the three lugs fit into the corresponding slots in
the reflector and secure it with the spring clip.IMPORTANT! When changing bulbs, use the same type of bulb,
(e.g. Long-life).
Headlight aiming, see page 233.
Parking lights The parking-light bulb is fitted in the same light unit as the headlight
bulb.
1 Remove the bulb holder from the lamp unit.
2 Then take the bulb out of the holder.
WARNING
Before changing a bulb in the engine bay, switch off the engine
to avoid the danger of fingers and hands being injured by
moving parts.
The radiator fan can cut in even when the engine is switched off. NOTESwitch off the ignition before changing a bulb, to avoid possible
short-circuiting. NOTEDo not fit bulbs with a rating above 60/55W, since the headlight
reflector and the wiring of the car are not designed for a higher
wattage.
Do not touch the glass of the bulbs with your fingers. The oil on
your skin can shorten the life of the bulb.
IB903
1 Headlight bulb
2 Parking-light bulb
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211 Car care
Bulb tableNo. Wattage Cap
1 60/55 P 43t-38 Headlight
2 55 P 14.5s Front fog light
3 1,2 W 2 x 4.6d Ashtray; cigarette lighter; warning
light for safety belts
4 21 BA 15s Rear fog light; reversing light
5 21/5 BAY 15d Stop/taillight
6 PY 21 yel BAU 15s Direction indicator, front/rear
7 5 BA9 Reading lamps, rear (Coupé and
5-door)
8 10 SV 8.5 Dome light; trunk; glove compart-
ment
95 W 2.1 x
9.5d Side indicators (yellow bulb); license
plate lighting; parking lights; reading
lamps, front; reading lamps, rear
(Convertible) NOTEDo not change any bulbs with ones of another wattage: only use
what is stated.
IB1330
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215 Car care
Relay holderUnder the instrument panel next to the steering wheel No. Amp Function
21 10 Switch, manual A/C; soft top (Convertible)
22 15 Direction indicators
23 20 Soft top (Convertible); telephone
24 7.5 Radio
25 30 Central locking; amplifier
26 30 Control module, engine management system
27 15 High beam flash; ACC
28 10 Control module, engine management system
29 10 Right parking light; number-plate lighting
30 10 Left parking light
31 20 Reversing light; windshield wipers; headlight
beam-length adjustment
32 15 Fuel pump
33 15 Electric heating of rear seat
34 10 SID; control module; automatic transmission
35 15 DICE/TWICE; main instrument panel; interior light-
ing
36 10 Relay, starter
37 15 Limp-home
38 25 Oxygen sensor (lambda probe)
39 – –
S–SpareItem Function
A Electric heating of rear seat
B Reversing light, cars with automatic transmission
C1 –
C2 Lock motor, trunk lid
D1 Rear wiper
D2 Rear-window washing
E Ignition switch
F–
G Windshield wipers (intermittent)
H Rear-window heating
IFuel pump
J–
KStart relay
L Main relay (injection system)
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221 Car care
When changing a wheel, take the tool kit out
first, then the spare wheel.
Changing a wheel
If light-alloy wheels have been fitted to the
car for several years and a change is made
to steel wheels, the threads for the wheel
bolts in the brake discs should be cleaned
before the thinner steel wheels are fitted.
The innermost threads in the holes may be
clogged with sand, salt and rust so that the
correct tightening torque cannot be
achieved.
NOTETo avoid damaging a punctured alloy
wheel this can be placed outside up in the
spare-wheel well but only while driving to
the closest workshop.
A general rule is that all heavy loads must
be well secured in the luggage compart-
ment, see page 148.
WARNING
 The car jack is designed solely for use
in changing a wheel or fitting snow
chains. It must not be used to support
the car during repair work or servicing.
 Never crawl under a car that is
supported only by a jack.
 Special care must be taken if the car is
on a slope – use wheel chocks!
 Position chocks, one ahead and one
behind, the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the one to be changed.
 Switch on the hazard warning lights if
the car is on a road.
 Apply the parking brake and leave the
car in gear (1st or reverse). Automatic
transmission: move selector to the
P position.
 Ensure that everybody is out of the car
before jacking it up.
 Never start the engine while the car is
jacked up.
 The jack must stand on a firm, level
surface.
 Stow the jack in the place provided for
it under the panel in the floor of the
trunk. Secure it properly to avoid injury
to passengers in the event of an acci-
dent.
 Do not use the jack for any purpose
other than for jacking up the car.
IB1261IB1262
Spare wheel (under the carpet in the
trunk), Saab 9-3 Viggen
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222 Car careWhen it is time to raise the car, apply the
jack to one of the four jacking points (front or
rear) located beneath the sills.
If a floor jack is used it can be applied to the
standard jacking points used by the dealer
or centrally under the front of the engine
subframe. If the car is equipped with a trailer
hitch, the jack can also be placed under the
hitch. 1 Put the car in 1st gear (automatic trans-
mission: move selector to the P position)
and apply the parking brake.
Saab 9-3 Viggen: The front and rear
jacking points are located behind covers
that must be removed.
2 Wind the jack up to a suitable height
before placing it under the recess in the
sill.
3 Make sure that the jack fully engages
the recess in the sill and that the base of
the jack is steady and flat on the ground.
4 Turn the jack handle clockwise until it
just begins to lift the car. 5 Remove the wheel cover (where appli-
cable). Loosen the wheel bolts by half a
turn.
6 Turn the jack handle to raise the wheel
clear of the ground. Remove the wheel
bolts and lift off the wheel.
7 Fit the wheel and screw in the bolts in the
sequence shown (opposite pairs).
Tighten the studs enough for the studs
and wheel to be seated correctly.
See page 224 for sequence.NOTEDo not position the jack under the rear
axle or under the rear floor.
IB924
Pos i ti o n for j ack
IB1538
Positioning the jack
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