warning SAAB 9-3 2009 Owners Manual

2IntroductionThis manual provides practical guidance on
driving and caring for your Saab.
Although this manual describes the most
important differences between model vari-
ants, it does not specify the equipment or
features included on individual models.
Importation and distribution of Saab auto-
mobiles, spare parts and accessories are
handled exclusively by Saab Cars USA, Inc.
in the United States and by General Motors
of Canada Limited in Canada.
We recommend that you read through the
manual before taking the car out for the first
time and keep it in the car for future refer-
ence.To find a specific item, use the overviews
given at the start of the manual. A list of
content is given at the beginning of each
section of the manual, and there is also a
comprehensive index at the back of the
book.
Supplied with the car is a Warranty and Ser-
vice Record booklet which contains impor-
tant warranty information and specifies the
regular maintenance to be carried out. Also
included is a Quick Reference Guide, an
Infotainment System manual, tire warran-
ties and (U.S. customers), a dealer directory
with Roadside Assistance Program infor-
mation.
Since the policy at Saab is one of continual
improvement, we retain the right to incorpo-
rate modifications and to alter specifications
during production without prior notice.3 Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all
cars (can depend on model variant, engine
variant, market specification, options or
accessories).
If you have any questions concerning your
car, its equipment, the warranty conditions,
etc., your Saab dealer will be pleased to
help, or you may call the Saab Customer
Assistance Center in the U.S. at
1-800-955-9007 or email them at
[email protected]. In Canada,
please contact the Saab Customer Assis-
tance Center at 1-800-263-1999.
Enjoy the road ahead!
Saab Automobile AB
Saab Automobile AB does not accept liability for
any damage caused by the fitting of spare parts,
exchange parts or accessories that are not
approved by Saab Automobile AB.
WARNING
Failure to heed warnings may cause per-
sonal injury.NOTICENOTICE texts warns of potential damage
to the car if the recommendations are not
followed.
93_US_MY09.book Page 2 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

3
Instrument panelChanging bulbs __________ 218
Front fog lights___________ 100
Headlight levelling ________ 98
High/low beam __________ 99
Parking lights____________ 98
Rear fog light ____________ 101Cruise Control ___________ 169
Direction indicators _______ 101
High/Low beam switch ____ 99
Fuel gauge __________________ 89
Odometer and trip meter ________ 90
Speedometer ________________ 87
Tachometer __________________ 87
Temperature gauge ____________ 88
Turbo gauge _________________ 88
Warning and indicator lights _____ 82
Saab Information Display (SID) ___ 89Power Outlet _________________ 134
Cigarette lighter _______________ 134
Washers and wipers ______ 103
Washer fluid ____________ 217
Replacing wiper blades ___ 216Automatic climate control __ 107
Hazard warning lights_____ 102
Seat heating, ACC _______ 114
Car care and maintenance _ 273
93_US_MY09.book Page 3 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

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
93_US_MY09.book Page 6 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

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
93_US_MY09.book Page 7 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

8
CoolantNever open when engine hot!
Radiator fanRadiator fan may start at any
time.
Battery• No sparks, naked flames or smoking
 Always shield eyes. Explosive gases can cause blindness or injury
 Keep the battery out of reach of children
 The battery contains sulfuric acid which could cause blindness or serious burn
injuries
 See the Owner’s Manual for further information
 Explosive gas may be present in the vicinity of the battery.Warning labelsA/C systemRefrigerant at high pressure.
Do not loosen or remove the A/C system fittings before discharging the A/C
system. Improper service methods may cause personal injury.
System to be
serviced by qualified personnel only. For instructions consult dealer man-
ual.
The A/C system complies with SAE J639.
Charge: 4 cyl. - 680 g and 6 cyl. - 650 g R134a.
Compressor oil: 150 cc PAG oil SP-10 alt.
Saab oil 4759106
CANADA
NETTOYER LE BOUCHON
DE REMPLISSAGE
AVANT DE L’ENLEVER.
UTILISER SEULEMENT
DU LIQUIDE DOT 4 PROV-
ENANT D’UN CONTE-
NANT SCELLÉ.
93_US_MY09.book Page 8 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

12 SafetySafety beltsThree-point inertia-reel safety belts are pro-
vided for all seats.
The results of studies show that it is equally
important to wear safety belts in the rear
seat as in the front seats.
Safety belt reminderWhen the ignition is switched on, the safety
belt reminder will come on if the driver
or/and the front seat passenger has not
buckled up.
The reminder for the driver is in the main
instrument and for the front seat passenger
on the instrument panel.
The reminder for the driver has an additional
audible signal which sounds for 6 seconds,
or until the driver fastens his belt.
The following applies to the both front
seats: If the belt is not fastened before the
car starts to move there will be an additional
reminder when the speed exceeds 15 mph.
The text Use your seat belt. is lit on the
Saab Information Display (SID) and the
symbol will flash.
If the belt is not fastened then an audible
signal will come on after 30 seconds.
The text in the SID can be turned off by the
CLR-button on the steering wheel.
WARNING
 Buckle up and adjust your safety belt
before driving off so that you can pay
full attention to the traffic.
 Safety belts must be worn at all times
by all occupants.
 Child safety, see page 24.
 Check that the locking tongue is prop-
erly locked in the belt lock.
 In the event of a crash, a rear-seat
passenger not wearing a safety belt
will be thrown forward against the
front-seat backrests. The stresses
imposed on the front seat passengers
and belts are multiplied and can result
in needless injury or even death for all
car occupants.
Driver seat safety belt reminderPassenger seat safety belt reminder
93_US_MY09.book Page 12 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

13 Safety
Correct position for safety beltConsider this:
 Position the lap strap snugly and low
across the hips so that it just touches the
thighs.
The shoulder strap must be as far in on
the shoulder as possible. Check to ensure that the belt is not twisted
or rubbing against any sharp edges.
 There should not be any slack in the belt.
Pull the belt tight – particularly important
when thick outer clothing is worn. It
is advisable to remove thick items of
clothing.
 Refrain from tilting the backrest more than
necessary, as the safety belt provides
better protection when the seat is in the
more upright position.
 Only one person per safety belt!
 For most of the time a safety belt is worn,
the retractor will allow the wearer freedom
of movement. The retractor locks up auto-
matically if the belt is jerked or withdrawn
sharply, the car tilts, the brakes are
applied hard or a crash occurs.
 Children up to 6 years of age must always
be seated in a child seat. Saab recom-
mends the use of a child seat for children
up to the age of 10.
 Children who have grown out of a child
seat should be restrained by the car’s
standard three-point belts. Make sure that
the shoulder belt is not in contact with the
neck or throat. If it is, a booster seat/cush-
ion may be necessary.
WARNING
Proper positioning of the safety belt is
extremely important.
 An out of position safety belt can result
in the wearer sliding underneath the
belt in a crash (submarining) and
injury can result from the lap portion
cutting into the abdomen.
Never fasten the safety belt with the
shoulder belt behind the body or pull
the belt off the shoulder and under the
arm.
 Two people must never share one
safety belt. In the event of a crash
those sharing a belt risk being crushed
together and injured.
Correct seating position93_US_MY09.book Page 13 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

16 SafetySafety belt pretensioners
SportSedan and SportCombi: The front
safety belts are equipped with pretension-
ers and force limiters. The pretensioners
are activated in the event of a violent frontal
or side-on crash. The safety belt pretension-
ers are only activated if the safety belt in
question is in use but not activated should
the car roll over.
The safety belt pretensioners serve to
reduce the forward movement of the body
by tensioning the belt. The force limiters
reduce belt loads on the body by "slacken-
ing" the safety belt slightly to absorb the
body’s kinetic energy as gradually as possi-
ble.Convertible: The front and rear safety belts
are equipped with pretensioners and force
limiters. The pretensioners are activated in
the event of a violent frontal or side-on
crash. The front safety belt pretensioners
are only activated if the safety belt in ques-
tion is in use.
The safety belt pretensioners serve to
reduce the movement of the body by ten-
sioning the belt, including in a roll over
crash. The force limiters reduce belt loads
on the body by "slackening" the safety belt
slightly to absorb the body’s kinetic energy
as gradually as possible.
WARNING
If the car is involved in a crash, the safety
belts, belt pretensioners and other com-
ponents must be inspected and replaced
as necessary. We recommend that you
contact a Saab dealer.
Never make any alterations or repairs to
the safety belt yourself. We recommend
that you contact a Saab dealer for any
necessary repairs.93_US_MY09.book Page 16 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

17 Safety
Safety belts, rear seat,
SportSedan and SportCombiSafety belts rear seat, Convertible, see
page 75.
The three rear seats all have three-point
safety belts with inertia reels.
Fasten the belts by pulling the belt across
you and inserting the tongue into the buckle.
Check that it is securely fastened.
Grasp the shoulder belt close to the buckle
and pull the belt towards the shoulder to
tighten the lap belt part.The belt must be as far in on the shoulder as
possible.
Press the red button on the buckle to
release the belt.
See page 266 for the checking of belt
function, cleaning, etc.
WARNING
 Make sure that the belt does not
become trapped when the backrest is
folded down or raised (see page 136).
 If cargo has to be placed on a seat, it
must be properly secured with the
safety belt. This reduces the risk of the
cargo being thrown about during hard
braking or a crash, which could cause
personal injury.
 Check that the belt is not twisted or
lying against sharp edges.
 Make sure you use the correct safety
belt buckle. The buckles for the center
and left-hand rear seats are close
together.
Rear safety belts, SportSedan and SportCombi
Securing an item on the rear seat
93_US_MY09.book Page 17 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com

18 SafetySeatsManually adjusted front seats3The following front seat adjustments can be
made to achieve a comfortable driving
position:
Height3
Legroom
 Backrest rake angle
Lumbar support firmness3
 Head restraint heightWe recommend that adjustments to the
driver’s seat be performed in the following
order:
1 Height
2 Legroom
3 Backrest rake angle
4 Head restraint height
Lastly, adjust the position of the steering
wheel (see page 118).
Electrically adjustable front seats3
See page 20.
Electric heating, front seats3
See pages 114.
Height adjustment3Lift the lever to raise the seat. The lever is
spring-loaded to return to its neutral posi-
tion. Repeated lifting of the lever will
increase the height in steps.
Press down the lever to lower the seat.
Repeated downward presses of the lever
will lower the seat in steps.
WARNING
Never adjust the driver’s seat except
when the car is stationary.93_US_MY09.book Page 18 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com