fuel SAAB 9-3 2000 Owner's Guide

165 Starting and driving
Driving considerations
with compact spare
wheel/tire fitted The following should be observed when the
compact spare wheel (T115/70 R16) is
installed:
The compact spare is light and easy to
handle when changing the wheel. Do not
drive farther than necessary with the com-
pact spare fitted – the maximum life of the
wheel is only just over 2000 miles
(3,500 km). Have the standard wheel
repaired and reinstalled as soon as possi-
ble.
The car’s ground clearance is reduced with
the compact spare fitted. Note that only one
compact spare wheel may be used at any
time. Take care not to hit the curb and do not
fit snow chains. Leave the wheel cover off,
so that the warning text is readily visible.
For long tripsBefore starting off on a long journey, it is
advisable to have your car inspected over
by your Saab dealer.
Obtain a few important items to take along
on your journey such as spare bulbs, wiper
blades, fuses, a Poly-Vee-belt and the like.
You can check some points yourself before-
hand:
 Make sure that the engine is in good con-
dition.
 Check that no oil or fuel leaks out of the
engine or gearbox/transmission.
 Inspect the Poly-Vee-belt and replace it if
it shows any signs of wear.
 Check the battery charge.
 Check the tires for tread pattern and air
pressure, including the compact spare
wheel.
 Take an extra car key/remote control and
keep it separate, see also page 30.
 Check the brakes.
 Check all bulbs.
 Check for the presence of the tool kit and
the jack in the car.
WARNING
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) as the
tire can overheat and adversely affect the
handling of the car.
The tire should be inflated to 60 psi
(420 kPa).
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 129.
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170 Car careEngine familiesSaab cars imported into the United States
and Canada meet all applicable emission
control standards. The engine family and
appropriate tune-up specifications are iden-
tified on a label affixed to the left front inner
fender.
These engine families meet applicable EPA
Federal Standards, California State Stan-
dards and Canadian Federal Standards and
are equipped with the following systems:
• Sequential multiport fuel injection system.
 Three way catalytic converter.
 Crankcase emissions control system.
 Evaporative emission system.
Emission 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
systemThe Saab Trionic engine management
system is a unique Saab development that
combines sequential multiport 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.
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171 Car care
ORVR (Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery)All hydrocarbons formed when refuelling
will be recovered by the car and not
released into the atmosphere. The hydro-
carbons are absorbed in an evaporative
emission canister. When the engine is sub-
sequently started, the evaporative emission
canister is gradually purged as air is sucked
into it through a shut-off valve. The hydro-
carbon/air mixture passes through the evap
canister purge valve and into the engine
where it is burned. "Refueling", see page
138.
NOTEThe Trionic engine management system
continuously monitors the operation of
these systems and has on-board diag-
nostic capabilities (OBD II). If the 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 Saab
dealer as soon as possible.
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190 Car care
Relay holderUnder the instrument panel next to the steering wheel No. Amp Function
21 10 Manual A/C; soft top (Convertible)
22 15 Cruise Control; direction indicators
23 20 Soft top (Convertible); telephone
24 7.5 Radio
25 30 Central locking
26 30 Control module, engine management system; igni-
tion cassette
27 15 High beam flash; ACC
28 10 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 – –
38 25 Oxygen sensor (lambda probe)
39 – –Item 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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192 Car careWheelsAlternative wheels and tiresIf you wish to fit other tires or wheels than
those supplied with the car, consult your
Saab dealer first as to the possibilities avail-
able.
Wheels/tires combinations that are not
approved by Saab can negatively affect the
car´s directional stability, steering and brak-
ing in both wet and dry conditions.
Do not assume that a wheel/tire combina-
tion will function properly just because it will
bolt on.
The wheels and tires have been carefully
matched to the characteristics of the car and
play a key role in its outstanding roadhold-
ing and handling.
Tire pressureTires need to be inflated to suit the load car-
ried and the maximum speed the car will be
driven (see the recommended tire pres-
sures on the back cover). Note that all
values apply to cold tires. For tires with an
aspect ratio less than /60, increase the tire
pressure by 3 psi (20 kPa) for rough roads
with potholes to minimize the risk of rim
damage.
Never reduce the pressure of a hot tire. If the
tires are hot when you check them, only
increase the pressure, if necessary.
Soft tires will cause faster wear than
over-pressurized tires. They also increase
fuel consumption.
If a valve is leaking, simply unscrew it and fit
a new one.
Important! Remember to adjust the tire
pressures if you change the load in the car
or intend to cruise at a substantially higher
or lower speed than normal.
NOTEFor wide wheels and/or low-profile tires,
bear in mind the following:
 Tires and wheels can be damaged in
potholes etc.
 Springs and shock absorbers can be
overloaded.
 The wheels can come into contact with
chassis and body components.
 The speed and load limits for the tires
must not be exceeded; see page 193.
 Wheels larger than 16” must not be
fitted on the Saab 9-3. For Viggen
models the wheel should not be larger
than 17”. The maximum permissible
offset for the 9-3 is 49 mm and for the
Viggen 42 mm.
 When fitting wheels on a 9-3, please
note that a 15” wheel should be used
on 9-3 Coupé and 5-door models, and
nothing smaller than 16” wheel should
be used for Viggen models. Fitting a
smaller size wheel on a Viggen is not
possible due to the size of the brake
discs.
NOTECheck the tire pressures at least once
per month.
Underinflation is the main cause of:
 Tires wearing out prematurely.
 Damage to the sidewalls.
 Damage to the wheels.
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206 Car care1 A-pillar trim: PP, PP/EPDM.
2 Windshield trim: PP, PP/EPD.
3 Seals: EPDM.
4 Rear-window casing PUR.
5 Trim panel ABS.
6 C/D-pillar trim PP.
7 Rear light cluster: PMMA.
8 Corner filler panel PPO/PA.
9 Rear bumper
Expanded PP core
PP/EPDM sheathing.
10 Fuel tank PE.
11 Side-window casing:
PP/EPDM.
12 Side trim PVC.
13 A-pillar upholstery trim:
PC/ABS, textile.
14 Rearview mirror: ABS.
15 Sill scuff plate: PP/EPDM.
16 Wheel-arch liner: PP.
17 Wheel cover: PA.
18 Direction-indicator lamp lens: PMMA.
19 Front spoiler: PP/EPDM.
20 Front bumper,
cellular core, expanded PP,
sheathing: PP/EPDM.
21 Fan shroud: PP.
22 Radiator grille: ABS.
23 Washer-fluid reservoir: PE.
24 Cowl trim: PC/ASA.
IB927
19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4
18 1716
15 14 13 12
11 7
10 98 6 5 ABS Acr ylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
ASA Acrylonitrile-styrene (acrylic plastic)
EPDM Ethylene-propylene rubber
PA Polyamide (plastic)
PC Polycarbonate (plastic)
PE Polyethylene
PMMA Polymethyl methacrylate
POM Acetal plastic
PPO Polyphenylene oxide (plastic)
PP Polypropylene
PUR Polyurethane
PVC Polyvinyl chloride
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208 Car careMaintenance  The drive belt for the compressor should
be inspected under the regular service
program.
 Clean dirt and insects away from the con-
denser and radiator to prevent clogging.
When washing the car, use the hose to
spray the radiator and condenser (located
forward of the radiator) from both sides
(both from the front of the car and from
inside the engine bay). Do not use a pres-
sure washer.
Caution: Do not use the hose when the
engine is hot.
Other than in extremely cold weather, do not
cover the radiator, e.g. with screen netting,
as this will greatly diminish its cooling capac-
ity.
Note: The A/C system will only operate
when the outdoor temperature is above the
freezing point (0°C, 32°F). Switch on the
A/C system when the car stands in a warm
place.
Headlight aimingThe vehicle is equipped with vertical and
horizontal aim indicators. The aim has been
preset at the factory and should normally not
need further adjustments. This is true even
though your vertical and horizontal aim indi-
cators may not fall exactly on the "0" (zero)
marks on their scales.
If your headlight is damaged in an accident,
the headlight aim may be affected. If you
believe your headlights need to be
re-aimed, we recommend that you take it to
your Saab dealer for service. However, it is
possible for you to re-aim your headlights as
described in the following procedure.
To check the aim, the vehicle should be
properly prepared as follows: Place the vehicle on a level pad or surface
 The vehicle should be unladen and fuel
tank full, and one person or 160 lbs.
(75 kg) on the drivers seat
 The vehicle should not have any snow, ice
or mud attached to it
 Tires should be inflated to the prescribed
pressure
 Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspen-
sion
WARNING
Before checking/adjusting the headlight
aiming, switch off the engine to avoid
danger of fingers and hands being injured
by moving parts.
The radiator fan can start up even when
the engine is switched off.
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216 Maintenance and owner assistance* These are the minimum required Emission Control System maintenance steps. Saab urges that all recommended maintenance procedures be performed
according to this program.
(b.) Change automatic transmission fluid at more frequent intervals (30,000; 90,000 miles, etc.) if car is driven in dense city traffic where the outside tem-
perature regularly reaches 90°F or higher, if car is used in a mountainous/high altitude area or for trailer towing.
Service Intervals **
Miles = U.S. Cars
Kilometers = Canadian Cars
1,000
(1,600 km)
10,000
(16,000 km)
20,000
(32,000 km)
30,000
(48,000 km)
40,000
(64,000 km)
50,000
(80,000 km)
60,000
(96,000 km)
70,000
(112,000 km)
80,000
(128,000 km)
90,000
(144,000 km)
100,000
(160,000 km)
Service #
1234567891011
Engine and engine compartment (cont.)
E Evaporative emission system including filler cap, vapor
lines, EVAP canister and canister purge valve""
R Fuel system; leaks and damages""""""""""
E Fuel filter!
E Engine air cleaner element!
*
!*
!*
R Exhaust system and mountings; leaks and condition"""""""""""
Electrical
R Battery; state of charge and electrolyte level; clean termi-
nals if necessary"""""""""""
R Headlamp and fog lamp alignment"""""""""""
R Head, fog, brake, tail, turn signal, warning lights instru-
ment panel, backup and marker lamps"""""""""""
Transmission
R Automatic transmission change fluid (b.)!
R Automatic gearbox; oil level and condition""""""""""
R Manual gearbox; oil level"""
R Outer and inner driver joint boots""""""""""
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221 Technical data
Weight ready for driving (i.e. with full fuel
tank, washer- fluid reservoir, standard
tools and spare wheel)
Coupé ___________________________ 2990-3170 lbs.
(1355-1440 kg)
Viggen, Coupé ____________________ 3090-3160 lbs.
(1405-1435 kg)
5-door ___________________________ 3030-3220 lbs.
(1375-1460 kg)
Viggen, 5-door ____________________ 3140-3210 lbs.
(1425-1455 kg)
Convertible _______________________ 3130-3260 lbs.
(1420-1480 kg)
Viggen, Convertible ________________ 3220-3230 lbs.
(1460-1465 kg)Gross vehicle weight (GVW)
Coupé ___________________________ 3930-4060 lbs.
(1785-1840 kg)
Viggen, Coupé ____________________ 4060 lbs. (1840 kg)
5-door __________________________ 3980-4100 lbs.
(1805-1860 kg)
Viggen, 5-door ____________________ 4100 lbs. (1860 kg)
Convertible ______________________ 3920-3990 lbs.
(1780-1810 kg)
Viggen, Convertible ________________ 3970 lbs. (1800 kg)
Maximum axle load
front ____________________________ 2300 lbs. (1045 kg)
rear ____________________________ 1930 lbs. (875 kg)
Weight distribution:
Curb weight, front/rear ______________ approx. 62/38 %
GVW, front/rear ___________________ approx. 58/42%
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224 Technical data
Fuel
Viscosity: The viscosity of oil is classified according to the SAE standard.
Nowadays, multigrade oils are always used in cars. The proper-
ties of these oils facilitate starting the car in cold weather but
mean that the oil is also viscous enough to coat all moving parts
under high pressures and with high outside air temperatures.
Multigrade oils are graded with two viscosities, e.g. 10W-30,
where the 10W meets certain viscosity requirements at -4°F
(-20°C), while the 30 fulfills requirements at a temperature of
212°F (100°C).
Basic recommendations for Saab engines:
SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40.
SAE 5W-30 can also be recommended but in which case the oil
must be semi of fully-synthetic and fulfil ACEA grade require-
ments A3/B3.
Oils which are less viscous, such as 0W/-40/50 are becoming
more common and may be used. However, the oil must be
fully-synthetic, of a well known brand, and fulfil ACEA grade re-
quirements A3/B3.
This viscosity makes starting in cold weather easier.
Oil capacity inc. filter (on changing) _____ 4.0 lFuel-tank capacity __________________ 17 U.S. gal. (64 l)
For optimum performance, we recommend
the following:
2.0 Turbo 185 bhp _________________ 90 AON, unleaded
gasoline,
minimum 87 AON
2.0 Turbo 205 bhp and Viggen ________ 93 AON, unleaded
gasoline,
minimum 87 AON
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