SAAB 9-3 2003 Owners Manual

181 Car care
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.
Brake pads should only be changed at a
Saab dealer. To ensure optimum brake
performance, use only Saab genuine
brake pads.
Power steeringCheck the level of the power steering fluid in
the reservoir regularly, in accordance with
the service program.
The wheels should point directly forwards
during this check.
Clean round the cap before unscrewing it.
Wipe the dipstick. To check the level, screw
down the cap completely and then remove
it again.
The oil level should lie between the MAX
and MIN marks when the oil temperature is
about 68°F (+20°C). If the oil is colder, the
level will be lower, and at a higher tempera-
tures the level will be higher, both of which
are acceptable.
Top up with "CHF 11S power steering fluid".
NOTICEAvoid 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.
WARNING
Power steering fluid on hot engine
components constitutes a fire risk.
Power steering fluid reservoir
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182 Car careBattery
Check the charge state and electrolyte level
of the battery regularly.If frequent short journeys are made, the
battery may need extra charging. This can
be done with a battery charger or by taking
the car for a long run.
If the battery is not being charge while the
engine is running, the following message
will appear on the SID:
Check the drive belt (see page 185). If the
belt is damaged, the engine may overheat,
the battery may not be charged and the A/C
compressor may not work.
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 sulphu-
ric acid. Always wear a face mask or
goggles 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
quantity makes contact with the skin,
seek medical help.
NOTICEA discharged battery can freeze and frac-
ture. Batteries should therefore always be
stored away from sub-zero temperatures.
Battery not charging.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
Checking the battery electrolyte level.
Level correct if level indicator dark
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183 Car care
Always connect the positive (red) cable to
the battery’s positive (+) terminal, and the
negative (black) cable to the negative (-)
terminal of the battery. Always disconnect
both battery leads when boost charging the
battery.
A car with standard equipment specifica-
tions and a fully charged battery can be left
for up to 40 days and still have a sufficient
charge for starting. If extra equipment is fit-
ted, such as a mobile phone, the charge
may only be sufficient for about 15 days.NOTICE If boost charging never use anything
but a 12-volt charger.
• Do not connect the battery termi-
nals, + and –, incorrectly.
 Serious damage can occur to the car’s
electrical system if a battery or alterna-
tor lead is disconnected while the
engine is running.
 Exercise special care when removing
and fitting the positive (+) cable so as
not to damage the battery disconnect
switch.
Turn the two retainers a quarter turn to
unlock the battery cover.
Battery bracket
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184 Car careBattery disconnect switchA crash could cause a short circuit in the
alternator or starter motor. A disconnect
switch by the battery’s positive terminal cuts
off the battery from the alternator and starter
motor when the airbags and seatbelt pre-
tensioners are detonated.
WARNING
If the battery disconnect switch has
tripped, do not reset it until you have visu-
ally inspected the car’s electrical system.
If there are visible signs of damage, have
the car checked at a Saab dealer before
resetting the disconnect switch.NOTICEExercise special care when removing and
fitting the positive (+) cable so as not to
damage the battery disconnect switch.
Battery disconnect switch with reset
button
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185 Car care
Drive beltThe alternator is situated on the right-hand
side of the engine. It is driven by a
poly-V-belt from the crankshaft pulley.A slipping or broken poly-V-belt can
result in:
 insufficient engine cooling
 no charge to the battery
 no A/C compressor function
The belt tension is critical and is adjusted
automatically by the belt tensioner.
WARNING
 Keep hands and clothing clear of drive
belts when engine is running.
 Always stop the engine before
inspecting the drive belt.
 The radiator fan is electric and can
start even when the engine is
switched off.NOTICESerious damage can be done to the car’s
electrical system if an alternator lead is
disconnected while the engine is running.
Drive belt
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186 Car careWipers and washersWiper bladesCheck and clean all wiper blades regularly.
We recommend Saab washer fluid for
cleaning.
If poor wiper performance is experienced,
clean the windshield with Saab washer fluid.
This is particularly important if the car has
been through an automatic car wash, as
these sometimes leave a wax coating on the
windshield.
If wiper performance is still unsatisfactory,
fit new blades.
To fit new blades:
1 Press in the catch (1).
2 Pull the complete wiper blade down-
wards so that it comes away from the
wiper arm. Slide the entire blade out
from the arm.
WashersThe reservoir capacity is 5.5 qts (5.2 litres).
WARNING
Take care not to spill washer fluid concen-
trate onto hot surfaces. Washer fluid
concentrate can contain flammable ingre-
dients such as alcohol.Washer fluid reservoir Change of wiper blades
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187 Car care
When the washer fluid level drops below
1 quart (1 litre), the headlight washers are
deactivated. This is in order to prioritize the
windshield. The following message is
displayed on the SID:
Headlight washers are only available on
certain markets.
Fill with a mixture of "Saab washer fluid" and
water as recommended by the table on
the packaging to reduce the risk of freezing
and to ensure effective cleaning (see also
page 76).
To prevent the smell of washer fluid from
entering the car, recirculation can be acti-
vated temporarily while washing the wind-
shield. This function can be programmed;
contact a Saab dealer.
Washer jetsThe washer jets, which are adjustable, can
be cleaned with a pin if necessary. Washer fluid level low.
Refill.
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188 Car careChanging bulbsAutochecking of lightsThe bulbs that are most important from the point of view of traffic
safety are monitored by the car’s electrical system. If one of these
bulbs should fail, a message will be displayed on the SID.
Example of SID message:
The following bulbs are not checked: parking lights, front fog lights,
reversing lights, license plate lighting, side marker lights and side
direction indicators.If a brake light bulb fails
If a brake light bulb fails, the adjacent tail light will act as a brake light
to ensure traffic safety. Change the broken bulb when possible.
All rear light bulbs are of the same type and rated 21 W, with the
exception of the license plate lighting which is rated 5 W.
Wrong bulb fitted
If a dipped or main beam bulb of too high a rating is fitted, a bulb
failure message will be shown on the SID (a too high wattage bulb
can damage the reflector).
If the following message is displayed but the bulb shines, it is most
likely that an incorrect bulb has been fitted.
Note:
When changing bulbs, fit the same type of bulb (e.g. Long-Life)
as that removed.
Headlight aiming, page 226.
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.NOTICESwitch off the ignition before changing a bulb, to avoid possible
short-circuiting.
Left low beam failure.
Right high beam failure.
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189 Car care
Bi-Xenon headlight, main and dipped beam (certain
variants only)Xenon headlights produce roughly three times as much light as
halogen bulbs and have a significantly longer service life.
The lamp units consist of a gas discharge lamp containing xenon.
When the lights are switched on a very high voltage activates the
xenon gas. The lamps soon reach full intensity.
Cars with Bi-Xenon headlights have automatic levelling. The level-
ling system comprises two sensors, one on the front suspension and
one on the rear suspension, and a control unit by the engine bay fuse
box. Headlight alignment is adjusted automatically to the car’s load
to prevent dazzling drivers in oncoming traffic.
If a fault is detected in the system, the following message will be dis-
played on the SID:
WARNING
Bi-Xenon headlights are high tension. All work on Bi-Xenon head-
lights, including changing bulbs, must be carried out by dealer
personnel.
Headlight levelling
malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
Contact a Saab dealer to have a Bi-Xenon
headlight changed
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190 Car careLow beam, halogenLeft-hand side
1 Lift aside the hose running along the side of the battery cover.
2 Release the two retainers (a quarter of a turn counterclockwise)
in the leading edge of the cover and remove the cover.
3 Pull up the washer fluid filler pipe.
4 Remove the air pipe from the front edge of the battery box.
Both sides
1 Remove the cover from the rear of the headlight.
2 Twist the bulb holder counterclockwise and withdraw the holder
from the reflector.
3 Change the bulb without touching the glass with your fingers.
Insert the bulb holder into the reflector and twist it clockwise until
it locks.
4 Refit the cover over the rear of the headlight.Left-hand side
5 Refit the air pipe to the front of the battery box.
6 Refit the washer fluid filler pipe.
7 Refit the battery cover.
NOTICEDo not fit bulbs with a higher rating than 55 W as this could
damage the headlight reflector. Furthermore, the car’s wiring is
not designed to cope with higher wattages.
Retainers on the battery cover Changing the low beam bulb
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