SAAB 9-3
Welcome! This is a clean and very reliable Saab with some nice things added, some small, but most thoughtful. This page begins with a brief description about Saabs followed by some pictures of my Saab. A list of modifications and possible future modifications follows.
In general, I keep the car clean and neat as well as try to equip it with useful performance and interior modifications. Attention getting exterior modifications can be nice as you can see with other cars on cardomain.com, but are a lower priority with this car. I don't try to keep it so shiny that it qualifies for an auto show, but a well kept car is the modern day equivalent of not mistreating your horse.
Contents
page 1: This Saab 9-3
page 2: Some of the car's travels
page 3: oil change instructions
page 4: observations about my car
page 5: other Saabs
page 6: 1990 Saab 900
page 8 and 9: Windshield Wiper Test (see http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2363586/8 )
page 10: abbreviated oil change instructions.
page 11: brake fluid, motor oil, headlight bulbs and gasoline commentary. Brake fluid change and cabin air filter change instructions.
The Saab 9-3 in general
Nice handling, both in snow and in the summer, good ergonomics, safety, and well designed seating and instruments are thought to be strengths of Saabs. The Saab 9-3 was first rated as a double Gold Pick for safety, the highest rating by the IIHS when the car was first introduced. It also has a 5 star rating by the Euro NCAP.
This car is a 2005 Saab 9-3. That year, there were 3 levels of trim sold in the United States, the Linear, Arc, and Aero. Since then, Saab has kept the different trim levels in most countries but simplified it to just two levels in the U.S., the 2.0T, which is a combination of Arc+Linear, and the Aero. My car is a Linear that has a stock 2.0t engine (2.0 litre 16 valve turbo) and 5 speed manual transmission. Standard in the U.S., but not in many countries, is leather seating and amber (orange) lights within the front bumper strips. The color of this car is metallic silver and the interior is parchment leather.
This particular Saab 9-3
Side view showing the rear side window tint, which was added. 16 inch stock wheels which are used in the winter (below left). ASA JH8 17 inch wheels (17 x 7.5, offset 40) are used in the summer. (below right)
The Swedish red license plates in the photo has since been removed but it does give one an idea of how mounting 2 license plates looks like.
This is the engine. (below right)
This is a U.S. spec speedometer. Note the low mileage (1.6 miles)! Also note the compressed scale after 90 mph. This is designed for easier visability in the lower speed range.
Selected modifications and added items (not a complete list)
PERFORMANCE
1. 292 mm vented rear disc brakes, 302 mm front.
2. Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 tires in the winter (215/55R16 93R)
3. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric tires in the summer (235/45R17 97Y) replacing the stock Pirelli P6 4 Seasons 215/55R16 93H tires.
4. 17 x 7.5" ASA JH8 wheels, offset 40 mm with a Saab emblem on the center caps
5. 3 point subframe brace (Taliaferro Saab, Springfield, Missouri, USA; genuinesaab.com)
EXTERIOR
6. aspheric driver's side mirror (Saab part number 12795600)
7. fog lights (Saab part number 12787092, dashboard switch 12786133)
INTERIOR
8. center compartment upper tray fabricated from a Continental Airlines disposable tray
9. rear side window tinting
10. BMW cigarette lighter
11. deadpedal mat which I fabricated (solves a major deficiency!)
OTHER MODS
12. fuel door lock
13. brake fluid reservoir cap (upgraded from the 2003-2005 style to the new style that is reportedly more airtight. Saab part number 93189060
14. full sized spare tire. A Pirelli P6 Four Seasons 215/55R16 93H tire mounted on a Saab (Ronal) ALU57 16 x 6.5" wheel replaces a Pirelli spare tyre T125/85R16 99M compact spare tire mounted on a steel wheel.
15. Vacuum pipe valve, Saab part number 12766023, fits slightly under the brake fluid reservoir. It was a replacement part for a recall of some 2004-2005 Saabs. I am not sure if 2003 was included.
AUDIO MODS
none (sorry!)
MISCELLANEOUS CONTENTS
flat tire bag (just a large, thick plastic bag modelled after a bag that used to come standard in the Saab 900)
POSSIBLE FUTURE ADDITIONS
1. slotted brake rotors and improved springs when replacements are due.
2. replacement snow tires: possibly Nokian Hakkapeliitta R 215/55R16 97R snow tires when the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 wear out. The Michelin X-Ice Xi2 is also a possibility, but less likely.
3. BSR PPC stage 1 (on hold, current engine not used to the maximum postponing need for additional engine output and torque. If the current engine isn't used to the maximum then having more clutch wear with a BSR isn't worth it. Still, a BSR PPC seems attractive.) A Scangauge II is also a possibility but not a high priority.
Minor interior tweaks
So far, a lot of what's been added is little stuff, much of it in the interior to make it comfortable and personalized. I'm always on the lookout for technical improvements and performance modifications that improve function but doesn't call attention to itself.
An ashtray and cigarette lighter are optional dealer installed accessories. Note the Ford cigarette lighter in the photo, which looks completely in place and could pass as an OEM version (no ashtray is installed). Since the photo was taken, I've switch it with a BMW cigarette lighter and put the Ford one in the BMW. The Ford one is designed better and easier to use but the graphics of the BMW one looks nicer. A plastic garbage bag was previously wedged near the right seat by the Smart Slot parking stub holder as shown in the photo, but this is no longer done since putting a small adhesive plastic hook in the footwell which is used to hang a small green disposable automotive garbage bag (not shown). A photo below shows a sheepskin seat cushion that I've put in the car to reduce sun damage on the leather seat as well as provide a soft seat cover that's warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It's not as nice as some sheepskin covers, but it doesn't obstruct the seat mounted side torso airbag. I got the seat cover from J.C. Whitney.
Photo showing slate gray leather interior, the other color that was available, as well as automatic transmission. (Photo credit: carcrazy1289 - cardomain.com) The ignition/key is between the seats. That's supposed to be a safety feature for those who carry a lot of keys which can get stuck in one's knee during a severe collision.
For comparison, my car. Parchment leather interior and manual transmission. The yellow calender (card) is in the SmartSlot card holder. One can replace it with an optional SmartSlot ice scraper or a Smart Slot cup holder so that the front seats have 3 cup holders instead of the standard 2. See the stainless steel coin tray under the cigarette lighter? It's just a plain tray but it's a souvenir from India. It costs a mere 25 cents.
You probably can't tell the difference, but this is a non-US spec driver's side mirror that has an aspheric lateral aspect that significantly reduces the blind spot.
My whimsical trunk mat. It only cost $10. The mat was placed to increase visability of a dark trunk and to keep it clean. It's made for home use but fits the car almost perfectly.
Not shown is a gas flap door lock that I installed. It used to be standard in the 2003 model year but was deleted in future years in US and Canadian versions. The lock is standard in Saabs built for most countries. I removed a piece of trunk insulation to access the lock mechanism. Because of the way the car is programmed (Tech II), I have to manually open the lever through the trunk to lock or unlock the fuel door.
I have two versions of an upper level tray in the center armrest compartment. Small items are kept in this bin, which can be lifted out when getting things in the deeper part of the compartment. This upper level tray (see below), a disposable tray from Continental Airlines, is a non-automotive part adapted for my car. (I also have used a Delta Airlines tray that also fits but is of thinner plastic and is smaller.) It increases the functionality of the otherwise deep, one compartment bin.
In the compartment, you may notice a cigarette lighter cover from a Chrysler. I've since trade it back for my original Saab cover, which is black with no white lettering.
I made a deadpedal mat by cutting off part of a Mopar (Chrysler) floor mat. I use the dark carpet floor mat in the summer. This dark mat (left) came as standard equipment with the car.
Compare the two photos of floor mats that I use. Saab rubber floor mats in parchment (lighter color) are fitted in the winter. The Saab part number is 12788415. These mats are good for wet, winter weather. The light colored mats brighten the interior, make it easier to find objects that are dropped, and are nice looking. However, ordinary dirt from shoes show up. Therefore, some people may prefer a darker tan or the black Saab branded mats that are available.
This is the standard wheel for U.S. 2005 Linears and 2006-2007 2.0T. Note the optional wheel locks and the rear vented disc brakes, something not found on most Linears. A special feature found only on some later year 2005 Linears! The front brakes are 302 mm and the rear are vented 292 mm. Most Linears have 283 mm front and solid 278 mm rear discs.
During part of the year, these 5 spoke ASA JH8 17" wheels (above right) are used instead of the stock 16" wheels. Unlike regular ASA JH8 wheels, I added these specially made center caps.
(Another view, less of a looking down angle)
Note the fog lights which I installed myself. It is made in Austria and imported by Saab.
3 point sub-frame brace from Taliaferro Imports, Inc., Springfield, Missouri, installed at Scanwest Autosport in Seattle.
in comparison, the sub-frame brace from a 9-3 Convertible
In the winter, Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 215/55R16 93R tires are used. The Blizzak WS-60 is the newest in the Blizzak line for the 2007-2008 winter season and replaces the Revo 1 and Blizzak WS-50. (below right).
In the summer, Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 235/45R17 97Y tires are used (below left).
Below is the tread pattern for the Pirelli P6 4 Seasons 215/55R16 93H on another Saab 9-3 that I happened to see. My car originally came from the factory with this tire model but I never took a photo of the tire tread before getting the Goodyears.
This uninstalled wheel/tire is a Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric before I put it on the car. It's also my avatar for my username on this website.
Below is the original compact spare tire, a Pirelli spare tire T125/85R16 99M, mounted on a narrow steel wheel. It is speed limited to 80 km/h or 50 mph.
Below is a much improved spare tire. It is a Pirelli P6 Four Seasons 215/55R16 93H tire mounted on a stock Saab (Ronal) ALU57 wheel. Minor modifications were made to allow this bigger tire/wheel combination to fit. The spare is now wrapped in a large plastic bag, which hopefully might extend the life of the spare tire rubber and can also be used to place a wet or muddy flat tire after changing it.
Additional photos of the car's inside and outside
interior/front seats
interior/rear seat
There isn't a photo of the rear of my car on this website so below is the remedy for that. However, this picture is not my car but another silver 9-3. 
The is the rear (bottom) of my car.
Tech II (software reprogramming) changes can be selected and done by the dealer. Those that were done to the car include automatic unlocking of the driver's door upon removal of the key from the ignition, automatic locking of doors after the car reaches about 7 mph, and activation of the trunk microswitch on the outside after the trunk has been opened by the key fob or the remote trunk release. Other selections that I did not choose include unlocking of all doors, not just the driver's door when pushing the unlock button on the key fob once, trunk remains unlocked after drive-off and is only locked when all the doors are locked, turn signals do not blink when the doors are locked, etc.
This is a photo of the owner's manual case and key (key fob), see below.
A view of the top of the car (left) and the car's bedroom (garage, right) 
Warm weather photos below.
Similar angles of the car in snow.
Photos of daily life
See page 8 and 9 for windshield wiper tests (Bosch OEM Saab / OEM BMW / Excel + / 922 / BMW inserts, Michelin RainForce, NWB models tested or to be tested. Anco 31 series, Valeo 900 Ultimate might be tested in the future)
