New to Saabs: Many questions

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CrsMis - 02 Dec 2007 01:17 GMT

We just (today) purchased a 2000 9-3 SE Hatchback, automatic. It
has 91K on it but we only paid $4k (+/-cost). Its actually our 1st
CAR (not truck or van) in years, and 1st Saab ever. It's in great
shape, only a few minor things as expected from a used car (cosmetic,
clicking in engine, worn buttons). This was not from a Saab dealer,
so not certified, but I do know (and trust) the used car dealer--in as
far as he wouldn't purposefully sell us a bad car. The down side is
that it has no manual, thus the questions- (until I can buy a
replacement manual).

1) It has an alarm system, I have no idea how to turn it off should it
start beeping/flashing. The fob doesn't seem to work the alarm
system. I'm paranoid as I've never had or needed an alarm. (Maine is
'generally' safe.)

2) What's the difference between "Sport", "Winter", and neither with
the transmission?

3) How do you use the wipers on the lights?

4) Is it really 2x as much for maintenance/parts as "regular" cars?

4a) Does it need 'hi-test' or supreme gasoline?

5) What is the 'on/off' toggle between the window controls inbetween
the seats?

6) How do I set the date on the dash?

7) How do I change the rest of the data on tha display (besides the
time-I iured that out)?

8) What's D.T.E. in that display with MPH?

ENOUGH! --they said....

It's really a cool car. We have 4 kids (and a caravan to haul
them around)-so I can commute with this, or she can take them to
school-so shouldn't be more than 5 pple in the Saab anyway. She goes
6 miles r/t and I go 45 miles backroads r/t daily, so we're gonna test
to see which is cheaper to run, and I get that. My expectation
(hope!) is the the 2000 Saab does better than the 2005 Dodge Gr
Caravan. (-Turbo baby!!)

Thanks in advance for any answers, advice, suggestions, input anyone
has to offer.

CrsMis

Reply to this Message

ngu - 02 Dec 2007 03:03 GMT

> The down side is
> that it has no manual, thus the questions- (until I can buy a
> replacement manual).
>

Let's see if someone could scan theirs and email it to you.

> 2) What's the difference between "Sport", "Winter", and neither with
> the transmission?
>

On sport mode, the tranny won't upshift until say 5,000 rpm, to give you
a more sport-like acceleration. On winter mode, the car will start at
2nd gear, to prevent wheel spin on icy roads.

> 3) How do you use the wipers on the lights?
>

I don't know about 9-3 but on a 9000, they only work with the wash/wipe
function. They can't be individually activated.

> 5) What is the 'on/off' toggle between the window controls inbetween
> the seats?
>

Some kind of child lock for the rear windows. If activated, the rear
windows can only be controlled from the front panel. The child on the
rear seat will find the window switch on the rear doors be deactivated.

> 8) What's D.T.E. in that display with MPH?
>

Distance to Empty (tank). That's the estimated range with the fuel
remaining.

Rest of your questions, I don't know, sorry.

Reply to this Message

DervMan - 02 Dec 2007 05:55 GMT

> We just (today) purchased a 2000 9-3 SE Hatchback, automatic. It
> has 91K on it but we only paid $4k (+/-cost). Its actually our 1st
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> that it has no manual, thus the questions- (until I can buy a
> replacement manual).

Most of the below you can simply try... :)

> 1) It has an alarm system, I have no idea how to turn it off should it
> start beeping/flashing. The fob doesn't seem to work the alarm
> system. I'm paranoid as I've never had or needed an alarm. (Maine is
> 'generally' safe.)

It's linked with the central / double locking. On the fob, one press locks,
the second activates the deadlocks and sets the alarm. One push unlocks.

You can set the car up such that you have dual zone unlocking, i.e. one push
unlocks the drivers door and the second push unlocks the other three doors.

> 2) What's the difference between "Sport", "Winter", and neither with
> the transmission?

This changes how the transmission behaves. In "Winter" mode it starts off
in third gear to reduce wheelspin. As NGU has suggested, in "Sport" mode
the transmission is far more aggressive.

The 9-3 uses an adaptive transmission with three or four shift programs,
depending on the engine in question.

> 3) How do you use the wipers on the lights?

Wash the windscreen.

> 4) Is it really 2x as much for maintenance/parts as "regular" cars?

Yes, using main dealers. But there are ways to reduce the costs.

> 4a) Does it need 'hi-test' or supreme gasoline?

Depends on the donk. In UK specification the higher boost donks prefer
higher octane fuel.

> 5) What is the 'on/off' toggle between the window controls inbetween
> the seats?

It activates or otherwise the rear door switches.

> 6) How do I set the date on the dash?

I believe you need to press both buttons down with the car switched off.
But remind me and I'll dig out my manual.

> 7) How do I change the rest of the data on tha display (besides the
> time-I iured that out)?

Use the up and down buttons on the SID.

> 8) What's D.T.E. in that display with MPH?

(Estimated) Distance To Empty.

> ENOUGH! --they said....
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Thanks in advance for any answers, advice, suggestions, input anyone
> has to offer.

Signature

The DervMan
www.dervman.com

Reply to this Message

Kevin Rhodes - 02 Dec 2007 21:51 GMT

Welcome to Saab ownership!

You can download the manual from Saab USA:

https://www.owners.saabusa.com/saabmain/US/en/saab/home
Register and go to electronic owner's manuals.

There are two more GREAT Saab resources that you should be aware of:

1. www.saabnet.com (online forum, you can find the answer to any Saab
technical question there)

2. The Turbo! mailing list http://www.turbotsd.com/top.html (traditional
mailing list - as much a social list as technical these days)

>1) It has an alarm system, I have no idea how to turn it off should it
>start beeping/flashing. The fob doesn't seem to work the alarm
>system. I'm paranoid as I've never had or needed an alarm. (Maine is
>'generally' safe.)

Just push unlock on the fob, or unlock the car with the key. The alarm is
completely integrated into the central locking. One BIG word of warning - make
SURE you always have a spare key! If you lose all your keys, or the TWICE
computer in the car decides to take a dislike to your only key, you get to buy
a new TWICE computer from Saab for a price you really don't want to know....
My Boss got bit by this one - $2000+ by the time all was said and done. If you
only have one key ping me and I will post on how to get another without paying
Saab $300.

I don't think we have the 'deadlock' feature another poster mentioned in the
US.

>2) What's the difference between "Sport", "Winter", and neither with
>the transmission?

Sport adjusts both how aggressively the transmission holds lower gears, and if
the 9-3 is the same as the 9-5, it makes the electronic throttle more
aggressive as well.

>3) How do you use the wipers on the lights?

They will clean the lights if the headlights are on and you wash the
windshield. In the winter, make sure you are vigilant about cleaning ice off
the headlight wiper arms - the gears that run the arms are plastic and break
easily. Once you have had a car with headlight wipers in a Maine winter you
will never not have them again - it is such a safety boon that I find it
amazing they are not required here.

You will love the heated seats too, if you have them.

>4) Is it really 2x as much for maintenance/parts as "regular" cars?

Depends on your definition of a "regular car". Probably 2X as much as an old
Ford Escort. Similar to other cars in its class.More than a RWD Volvo, less
than a BMW. You are lucky to live here in Maine, lots of great independent
shops that cater to the enormous local Saab population. The dealers are
extremely expensive, and frankly not that interested in serviceing older cars.
Not that a 2000 is quite older yet. If you are in the Portland area, I HIGHLY
recommend Back Cove Automotive on Presumpsott St.. They are the only folks I
trust to work on my cars besides myself.

> 4a) Does it need 'hi-test' or supreme gasoline?

In my experience, you will get sufficiently better fuel economy on premium to
more than offset the slight added cost per gallon, but no, it isn't
'required'. At $3.00+ per gallon, it doesn't take much to offset the measly
extra $.20.

>5) What is the 'on/off' toggle between the window controls inbetween
>the seats?

Shuts off the window switches in the back doors.

>6) How do I set the date on the dash?

Not sure on this one.

>7) How do I change the rest of the data on tha display (besides the
>time-I iured that out)?

The two buttons under the display.

>8) What's D.T.E. in that display with MPH?

Distance to Empty.

>ENOUGH! --they said....

Welcome to the family.

Kevin Rhodes
Westbrook, Maine
'92 Saab 900T Convertible
Sundry other European things in the garage

Reply to this Message

Colin Stamp - 02 Dec 2007 22:37 GMT

I think most of your other questions have already been answered...

>6) How do I set the date on the dash?

Start by setting the SID to "Temp" mode.

Then, if the SID has a "SET" button, hold it down until the year
starts to flash. Then change the values using the up/down arrows and
enter them with the "SET" button.

If it has no "SET" button, hold down the "CLEAR" and down arrow
buttons together until the year starts to flash. Then change the
values using the up/down arrows and enter them with the "CLEAR"
button.

>7) How do I change the rest of the data on tha display (besides the
>time-I iured that out)?

You can change the MPG reading using the right-hand pedal. Press
harder for lower readings... oh, hang-on, I see what you mean...

Hold down the "CLEAR" or "CLR" button to clear down things like MPG
and average speed.
Hold down the "SET" button to start setting a speed warning.
Other than that, I can't remember there being much to change.

Cheers,

Colin.

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