brake pads SAAB 9-3 2003 Owners Manual

6Engine bayVehicle identification number 246
Color code______________ 246
Engine number __________ 246
Warning labels __________ 7
Gearbox number _________ 246Exhaust emission control __ 126
Drive belt _______________ 185
Simple troubleshooting
(A/C, ACC) _____________ 224
Alternator ______________ 185
Turbo gauge ____________ 61
Spark plugs _____________ 240
Ignition system __________ 240Engine oil: checking level __ 176Automatic transmission _________ 134
Manual transmission ___________ 133
Gearbox: technical data_________ 241
Battery ______________________ 182
Battery charge ________________ 182
Jump starting _________________ 168
Engine: description ____________ 173
Changing engine oil ____________ 177
Engine oil: checking
level/topping up ______________ 176
Oil grade and viscosity__________ 238
Engine: technical data __________ 238
Important considerations for driving 125
Wash/wipe stalk switch____ 76
Topping-up fluid _________ 186
Washer jets ____________ 187
Washer fluid ____________ 186
Power steering ________________ 181
Fluid: checking/topping up _______ 181
Coolant: checking/topping-up ____ 179
Driving in hot climates __________ 156
Radiator _____________________ 238
Temperature gauge ____________ 60
Changing a fuse _________ 199
Fuses _________________ 199
Relays ________________ 203
Fuse table _____________ 203ABS brakes_____________ 141
Brake pads _____________ 180
Brake system ___________ 242
Brake fluid______________ 180
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132 Starting and drivingIf your vehicle is certified to meet California
Emission Standards (indicated on the
underhood emission control label), it is
designed to operate on fuels that meet Cal-
ifornia specifications. If such fuels are not
available in states adopting California emis-
sions standards, your vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal spec-
ifications, but emission control system per-
formance may be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp on your instrument panel
may turn on and/or your vehicle may fail a
smog-check test. See "Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)" on page 55. If this
occurs, return to your authorized Saab
dealer for diagnosis to determine the cause
of failure. In the event it is determined that
the cause of the condition is the type of fuels
used, repairs may not be covered by your
warranty.Some gasolines that are not reformulated
for low emissions may contain an octane-
enhancing additive called methylcyclopen-
tadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT); ask
your service station operator whether or not
the fuel contains MMT. Saab does not
recommend the use of such gasolines. If
fuels containing MMT are used, spark plug
life may be reduced and your emission
control system performance may be
affected. The Engine malfunction (CHECK
ENGINE) light on your instrument panel
may turn on. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Saab dealer for service.
Engine Break-in PeriodPistons, cylinder bores and bearings need
time to obtain uniform, wear-resistant
surfaces.
If a new engine is driven too hard, this grad-
ual process of bedding-in will not be possi-
ble and the life of the engine will be short-
ened.
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km),
do not exceed 5,000 rpm.
In addition, refrain from driving the car at full
throttle, other than for brief instances,
during the first 1,800 miles (3,000 km).Wearing in new brake padsNew brake pads take time to bed in, about
90 miles (150 km) if the car is driven largely
under stop-and-go conditions or about
300 miles (500 km) of highway driving.
To extend the useful life of the pads, avoid
hard braking as much as possible.
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142 Starting and driving
ABS brakesThe Antilock Braking System (ABS) modu-
lates the brake pressure to each wheel. The
pressure is automatically reduced just
before the wheel locks up and then
increases again to the point at which the
wheel is just about to lock. The wheel sen-
sors send information to the brake system’s
electronic control module for every 4 or so
inches (decimetre) that the car rolls. This
information is processed continuously to
ensure that the adjustment of the brake
pressure will be as exact as possible.
Adjustment takes place up to 12 times per
second.The brake system provides Electronic
Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). This distri-
butes the brake pressure between the front
and rear wheels, in such a way as to achieve
optimum braking performance irrespective
of the car’s speed or load.
The ABS has a built-in diagnostics function
which will switch on the ABS warning light
if a fault is detected in the system (see
page 54).
The following message will appear on the
SID (and corresponding symbol on main
instrument unit) if a fault is detected:
WARNING
 It is prudent to try your brakes from
time to time, especially when driving in
heavy rain, through water collected on
the road, in snow, on a wet road
surface or in salty slush. In such condi-
tions, the brakes may take longer than
normal to take effect. To rectify this,
touch the brake pedal periodically to
dry the brakes out.
 The same applies after the car has
been washed or when the weather is
very humid.
 Avoid parking the car with wet brakes.
Before parking, and if the traffic condi-
tions allow, brake quite heavily so that
the brake discs and pads warm up and
dry.
 The brakes are power assisted and it
should be kept in mind that the servo
unit only provides the power assis-
tance when the engine is running.
 The brake pressure required when the
engine is off,(e.g. when the car is
being towed) is roughly four times the
normal pedal force required. The
pedal also feels hard and unrespon-
sive.
 Overheating can cause the brakes to
fade!
WARNING
 The additional safety afforded by the
ABS system is not designed to allow
drivers to drive faster but to make
normal driving safer.
 To stop as quickly as possible, without
loss of directional stability, whether
the road surface is dry, wet or slippery,
press the brake pedal down hard
without letting up (do not pump the
pedal), declutching simulta-
neously, and steer the car to safety.
Antilock brake malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
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171 Car care
Hood ________________ 172
Engine ______________ 173
Engine bay ___________ 175
Engine oil ____________ 176
Air filter______________ 178
Transmission fluid ____ 178
Coolant ______________ 179
Brake/clutch fluid and
brake pads__________ 180
Power steering________ 181
Battery ______________ 182
Drive belt ____________ 185
Wipers and washers ___ 186
Wiper blades _________ 186
Changing bulbs _______ 188 Fuses ________________ 199
Wheels _______________ 206
Compact spare wheel ___ 212
Changing a wheel ______ 214
Safety belts ___________ 217
Upholstery and trim ____ 217
Textile carpeting _______ 218
Engine bay ____________ 218
Washing ______________ 218
Waxing and polishing ___ 219
Touching up the paint___ 219
Anti-corrosion treatment 220
Recovery and/or
recycling of automotive
materials ____________ 222
Air conditioning (A/C) ___ 224
Car care
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180 Car careNote:
If incorrect coolant is used or added, the life-
time properties will be affected. Even if the
coolant is flushed from the system and
replaced with life-time coolant, life-time
properties are no longer retained and the
coolant must then be drained and replaced
at regular intervals.
Brake/clutch fluid and
brake padsCheckingBrake fluid should be changed according to
the service program. Refer to the Warranty
and Service Book.
The brake and clutch fluid reservoir is trans-
parent to facilitate checking of the fluid level.
The fluid level should lie between the MAX
and MIN marks.
Top up as necessary with DOT 4 brake
fluid. Do not use DOT 5 fluid.
Use only new brake fluid from a sealed
container.
The brake fluid level will fall somewhat as
the brake pads wear. The MAX level in the
reservoir corresponds to the amount of
brake fluid required with new brake pads. If
the fall in fluid level is moderate, due to
normal brake pad wear, topping up is not
necessary.If the brake fluid should require chang-
ing, this must be carried out at a Saab
dealer.
NOTICEIf the cooling system needs topping up,
mix the antifreeze with the appropriate
quantity of drinking water or distilled
water before adding it to the system.
If undiluted antifreeze is added, the
engine could still freeze and be damaged.
This is because the antifreeze will not mix
properly with the coolant before the ther-
mostat has opened to allow full circula-
tion.
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
regularly, as specified in the service
program.
Brake fluid reservoir
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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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232 Maintenance and owner assistanceService costsDealer pricing practices and labor for ser-
vice work vary. Saab’s recommended ser-
vice times for each service point do not
include the labor required to replace wear
items, such as wiper blades, brake pads or
tires. Nor is labor to perform other service or
repairs found to be necessary as a result of
the inspections included in these times.
Additional labor and parts will be charged
for such work when necessary, except as
covered under an applicable Saab warranty
or any optional extended service contract.
Transmission fluid changes or suspension
alignment, when necessary, are also addi-
tional.
Dealer charges for general shop material,
regulated hazardous waste removal, recy-
cling expenses or other operation costs may
also be applied to service and repair
invoices and are apt to vary by dealer and
location.
Owner assistanceWarranties and service problem
assistanceFor complete information about all applica-
ble warranties, including the New Car War-
ranty, Perforation Warranty, Vehicle Emis-
sion Warranty and Emission Perforation
Warranty, consult the Warranties and Ser-
vice Record Booklet which accompanies
this Owner’s Manual. It also contains owner
assistance information including Saab
Roadside Assistance. If the booklet is lost or
misplaced, a new one may be ordered
through a Saab dealer or by contacting
Saab.
In the U.S. there is a national Customer
Assistance Center at Saab Cars USA, Inc.
The toll-free number to call from all 50 states
is 1-800-955-9007.
In Canada, please call the Saab Customer
Assistance Centre at 1-800-263-1999.
A list of authorized Saab sales and service
dealers is available for those planning to
travel in the United States and Canada.
Canadian or U.S. travelers may call the
Customer Assistance Center in the country
in which they are traveling.
Change of Address Notification
(U.S. and Canada)Two change of address cards are provided
at the end of the Warranties and Service
Record Booklet. Knowing your current
address allows Saab to contact you in the
event of a recall or service campaign.
Please help us keep our records up to date
for your own peace of mind.Service informationFactory Service Manuals for the Saab 9-3
and 9-5 car lines can be ordered through the
dealer. These are comprehensive manuals
on CD rom, geared to use by professional
technicians.
Consult your Saab dealer for prices for your
model.
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242 Technical dataSuspension
SteeringBrake systemSpring type, front and rear_____________ Coil springs
Maximum deflection of springs:
Front ____________________________ 7.0'' (178 mm)
Rear ____________________________ 8.3'' (212 mm)
Dampers, front and rear ______________ Gas-filled dampers
Steering___________________________ Power-assisted
steering gear of
rack-pinion type and
telescopic jointed
steering column
Number of turns, lock to lock ___________ 3.0
Oil type ___________________________ Power steering fluid
CHF 11SFoot brake (ABS) ___________________ Hydraulic disc
brakes with vacuum
servo unit. Diago-
nally split circuits;
ventilated discs on
front wheels (some
variants also have
ventilated rear
discs). EBD function
(see page 142).
Handbrake ________________________ Acts on rear wheels
Brake fluid _________________________ To DOT 4.
Do not use DOT 5.
Disc diameter, 2.0t:
Front ____________________________ 11.22 in. (285 mm)
Rear ____________________________ 10.94 in. (278 mm)
Total friction area of brake pads:
Front ____________________________ 9.30 in.² (60 cm²)
Rear ____________________________ 4.96 in.² (32 cm²)
Disc diameter, 2.0 Turbo:
Front ____________________________ 11.89 in. (302 mm)
Rear ____________________________ 11.57 in. (294 mm)
Total friction area of brake pads:
Front ____________________________ 9.30 in.² (60 cm²)
Rear ____________________________ 4.96 in.² (32 cm²)
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251 Index
Index
AA/C
__________________________ 82
ABS brakes
___________________ 142
ACC
_________________________ 84
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 98
Air conditioning
_________________ 82
Air filter
______________________ 178
Air pressure, tyres
______________ 207
Airbag
________________________ 26
Anchorage eyes
_______________ 118
Anti-corrosion treatment
_________ 220
Antilock braking system _________ 142
Anti-spin
_____________________ 144
Ashtrays _____________________ 108
Autochecking of lights, warning and
indicator lights
_________________ 58
Autodimming
______________ 111
, 112
Automatic climate control (ACC)
____ 84
Automatic transmission
__________ 134
Automatic tyre pressure monitoring

207
BBattery
______________________ 182
Bedding-in of new brake pads
____ 132
Before towing a trailer
___________ 160
Bonnet
______________________ 172Bootlid, driving when open
_______ 163
Bootlid, opening
________________ 41
Brake fluid, grade ______________ 242
Brakes
_______________________ 141
Braking ______________________ 141
Bulb changing
_________________ 188
Bulb table
____________________ 198
CCabin lighting
_________________ 105
Car alarm
_____________________ 46
Car transport __________________ 166
Care of air conditioning
__________ 225
Change of address notification
____ 232
Changing bulbs
________________ 188
Changing engine oil
____________ 177
Changing the battery, remote control
44
Changing wheels
______________ 214
Changing wiper blades
__________ 186
Checking the number of
remote controls
________________ 43
Checks before towing a trailer
____ 160
Child safety
____________________ 21
Child safety locks, rear doors
______ 42
Child seats
____________________ 21
Cigarette lighter
________________ 108
Cleaning the engine bay
_________ 218
Cleaning upholstery
____________ 217
Climate control system, manual
____ 79
Compact spare
________________ 212Compass
_____________________ 115
Condensation water, A/C
_________ 82
Coolant
______________________ 179
Cruise control
_________________ 140
Cup holder
____________________ 107
DDate codes, tyres
______________ 212
Deep water, driving through
______ 163
Direction indicator stalk switch _____ 75
Direction indicators
______________ 75
Donor battery, boost starting
______ 168
Door handles
___________________ 38
Door mirrors __________________ 110
Drive belt
_____________________ 185
Drive belt, length
_______________ 240
Driver’s seat with memory
_________ 19
Driving at night
________________ 163
Driving in cold climates
__________ 155
Driving in deep water
____________ 163
Driving in hot climates ___________ 156
Driving techniques
______________ 153
Driving with a heavy load on
hilly roads
___________________ 136
Driving with a load
______________ 162
Driving with a roof load
__________ 161
Driving with the bootlid open
______ 163
Driving with the compact
spare wheel
__________________ 167
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