2000 SAAB 9-5 Owners Manual

177 Car care and technical information
Battery
The battery is provided with a cover to pro-
tect it from radiated heat. If the battery is
exposed to high temperatures, its life will be
shortened. To remove the cover, pry out the
edge a little, located at the rear of the cover.
The cover fits the standard battery installed
in the car. If a new battery is to be fitted,
make sure that its dimensions are the same
as the standard one.
The fluid level and the charge level should
be checked regularly.
The best way to check the charge is to use
a hydrometer.
Tap water contains salts and minerals that
accelerate the corrosion of the battery elec-
trodes, which can shorten the life of the bat-
tery.
The specific gravity of the electrolyte when
the battery is fully charged is 1.28. A specific
gravity of 1.18 roughly indicates a 50%
charge (see also page 230). If frequent short journeys are made, the bat-
tery may need to be given a booster charge.
This can be done either using a battery
charger or by taking the car for a long run.
A car with a standard equipment specifica-
tion and a fully charged battery can be left
for up to 40 days and still have a sufficient
charge for starting. If extra equipment is fit-
ted, such as a car phone, the charge may
only be sufficient for about 15 days.
WARNING
 The battery emits hydrogen which,
when mixed with the oxygen in the air,
forms a highly explosive gas. Avoid
causing sparks and keep open flames
well away from the vicinity of the bat-
tery.
 The battery contains corrosive sulfuric
acid. Always wear a face mask or
goggles when working on the battery.
 If battery acid gets into the eyes or
splashes the skin or clothing, wash
affected area liberally with water.
If acid gets into the eyes or a large
quantity makes contact with the skin,
seek medical help.
NOTENever use tap water to top up the battery.NOTEA discharged battery can freeze and frac-
ture. Batteries should therefore always be
stored away from frost.
IB1173
Correct fluid level in battery
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178 Car care and technical informationCharging/replacing the batteryConnect the positive lead to the positive (+)
battery terminal (red), and the negative lead
to a good ground point, e.g. the lifting lug at
the front of the engine.
To remove the battery, always disconnect
the negative (black) lead first and reconnect
it last when fitting the new battery.
The battery size must comply with DIN
53735 MFI 230/2.16. NOTETo avert the danger of short-circuiting
between the positive (+) terminal on the
battery and the inlet manifold on the
engine, always disconnect the negative
(-) battery lead first and reconnect it last.NOTE Never reverse the polarity of the bat-
tery by connecting the leads to the
wrong terminals. The red, positive
lead connects to the positive (+) termi-
nal, and the black, negative lead to the
negative (-) terminal.
 Serious damage can be done to the
car’s electrical system if a battery or
alternator lead is disconnected while
the engine is running.
 The nut on the battery clamp should
be tightened to a torque of 10 Nm.
IB564
Correct position for battery clamp
IB1125
Battery
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179 Car care and technical information
Drive belts The alternator is situated on the right-hand
side of the engine, adjacent to the bulkhead.
It is driven via a Poly-Vee-belt from the
crankshaft pulley.
The Poly-Vee-belt also drives the water
pump, the A/C compressor and the steering
servo pump.
The belt tension is critical and is adjusted
automatically by the belt tensioner.
See also page 47, ”Warning, charging”.
WARNING
 Keep hands and clothing well clear of
drive belts when engine is running.
 Always stop engine before inspecting
drive belts.NOTESerious damage can be done to the car’s
electrical system if an alternator lead is
disconnected while the engine is running.
IB542
Routing of the Poly-Vee-belt:
4-cylinder engine with A/C
IB543
Routing of the Poly-Vee-belt:
V6 engine with A/C
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180 Car care and technical informationWipers and washersCheck and clean all wiper blades regularly.
We recommend Saab washer fluid for
cleaning.
If poor wiper performance is experienced,
clean the windshield with Saab washer fluid.
This is particularly important if the car has
been through an automatic car wash, as
these sometimes leave a wax coating on the
windshield.
If wiper performance is still unsatisfactory,
fit new blades.
Changing the windshield wiper
bladesLift the wiper arm off the windshield
1 Depress the catch.
2 Pull the complete blade assembly down
to free it from the wiper arm, and then lift
it off the arm.
Changing headlamp-wiper blades 1 Lift the wiper arm off the headlamp.
2 Release the wiper blade by pulling it
straight down, at right angles to the
wiper arm.
To fit the new blade, slot the blade into the
retainer on the wiper arm, and press it firmly
home.
IB506
2
1
IB505
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181 Car care and technical information
WashersThe washer-fluid reservoir holds 6.4 quarts
(6 liters). When "WASHER FLUID LEVEL
LOW" comes up on the SID, the reservoir is
down to about 1 quart (1 liter) of fluid. Add
at least 50% of washer- fluid to water to pre-
vent freezing and for effective cleaning.Washer jets The washer jets can be adjusted and, if
necessary, unclogged by means of a pin.
IB507
Washer-fluid filler cap
IB1126
Cleaning/adjusting the washer jets
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182 Car care and technical informationChanging bulbs Check that the new bulb is working when finished.
Some bulbs are of the ”Long-Life” type. Make sure the same type is
fitted when changing one of these.
Headlamp aiming, see page 214.
Headlamp bulb for high beam1 Unscrew the cover from the back of the lamp unit.
2 Unplug the connector.
3 To remove the spring clip, push it in and then move it to the right.
4 Remove the bulb.
5 Without touching the glass with your fingers, insert the new bulb.
6 Line up the bulb with the guide in the reflector and secure it with
the spring clip.
7 Plug in the connector.
8 Screw on the cover.
WARNING
Before changing a bulb in the engine bay, 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.
NOTE Do not fit bulbs with a higher rating than 55 W.
 Switch off the ignition before changing a bulb, to avoid possible
short-circuiting.
IB510
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183 Car care and technical information
Headlamp bulb for low beam1 Unscrew the cover from the back of the lamp unit.
2 Unplug the connector.
3 To remove the spring clip, push it in and then move it to the right.
4 Remove the bulb.
5 Without touching the glass with your fingers, insert the new bulb.
6 Line up the bulb with the guide in the reflector and secure it with
the spring clip.
7 Plug in the connector.
8 Screw on the cover.
IB509
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184 Car care and technical informationParking-light bulb The parking-light bulb is adjacent to the bulb
for low beam.
1 Unscrew the cover from the back of the
lamp unit.
2 Withdraw the bulb holder.
3 Change the bulb.
Front fog lights / cornering lights1 From under the front bumper, grip the
bulb holder and twist counterclockwise.
2 Unplug the connector.
3 Change the bulb.
Refit in the reverse order.
Front turn signal bulbsTo change the bulb, the complete lamp unit
has to be removed.
1 Loosen the screw (1). There is no need
to remove it completely.
2 Carefully pull out the lamp unit.
3 The bulb holder has a bayonet fitting.
Grip the holder and twist it counterclock-
wise.
4 Withdraw the bulb holder from the lamp
unit.
5 The bulb also has a bayonet fitting.
Press in the bulb and twist it counter-
clockwise.
6 Fit the new bulb and check that it is cor-
rectly seated.
WARNING
Never crawl under a car that is supported
only by a jack.
IB511
Parking-light bulb
IB1127
1
2
IB1128
1
23
Front turn signal bulb1 Retaining screw
2 Bayonet pin
3 Plastic lugs
Front fog lights and cornering lights1 Front fog light
2 Cornering light
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