206 Car care and technical informationFlat spottingAll tires get hot, especially on long journeys
or when the car is driven hard. After the car
has been parked with hot tires and the tires
have cooled down, a flat spot can appear in
the tire, where it is in contact with the
ground. The same can occur if the car has
not been moved for a long time.
Flat spots can give rise to vibration that can
be felt through the steering wheel, similar to
that experienced when the wheels need bal-
ancing. Flat spots of this type disappear
once the tires get hot again, usually after
10–15 miles (20–25 km) of driving at cruis-
ing speed.
Air conditioning
(A/C system)
Fault diagnosis If a fault occurs in the A/C system, there are
a number of checks you can perform your-
self. If the fault persists, however, have the
system checked by an authorized Saab
dealer.
Important!
When the A/C system is running, the intake
air is dehumidified, and the resultant con-
densation is drained off through two outlets
underneath the floor of the car in the vicinity
of the front doors. It is therefore perfectly
normal for water to be seen dripping from
these outlets when the car is parked. The
warmer the ambient air and the higher the
humidity, the greater will be the amount of
condensation formed.
Inadequate cooling:
a Make sure that the temperature and
air-distribution controls are in the
appropriate settings.
b Check that the condenser (forward of
the radiator) has not become clogged
with dirt and insects.
c Make sure that the drive belt for the com-
pressor is not slipping.
d Check the fuses for the ventilation fans
and compressor.
NOTE The A/C system is designed for use
with R134a refrigerant.
Refrigerant handling requires special
equipment and special procedures for
charging and draining the system.
All repairs and adjustments on the A/C
system must be carried out by a Saab
dealer authorized for this kind of work.
Never mix R134a and R12 refriger-
ants.
WARNING
The A/C system is pressurized. Do not
break any connections or undo A/C
system components.
Escaping gas can cause blindness or
other injury.
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213 Car care and technical information
For long tripsBefore setting off on a long journey, it is
advisable to have your car checked over by
your Saab dealer.
Obtain a few important items to take along
on your journey such as spare bulbs, wiper
blades, fuses, a Poly-Vee-belt and the like.
You can check some points yourself before-
hand:
Make sure that the engine is in good con-
dition.
Check that no oil or gasoline leaks out of
the engine or gearbox/transmission.
Inspect the Poly-Vee-belt and replace it if
it shows any signs of hard wear.
Check the battery charge.
Check the tires for tread pattern and air
pressure, including the compact spare
wheel.
Check the brakes.
Check all bulbs.
Check for the presence of the tool kit and
the jack in the car.
Recovery and/or
recycling of automotive
materialsA typical car consists of metals (65–75%),
plastics (10–14%), rubber (5%) and small
quantities of glass, wood, paper and tex-
tiles.
Some of these materials can be recycled,
while others can be recovered in chemical
processes for reuse in new products or as a
source of energy.
While the Saab 9-5 was still at the draw-
ing-board stage, Saab engineers were
giving serious consideration to how the
maximum quantity of materials could be
reclaimed from the car on its eventual
scrapping. To facilitate sorting, plastic parts,
for instance, have been marked to identify
the precise nature of the plastic.
Approximately 90% of the materials in the
car can be recycled or recovered, where
facilities exist.
Before the car is scrapped, all the oils and
other fluids that could pollute the environ-
ment should be recovered from the car. It
may be of interest in this context to learn that
the refrigerant used in the Saab 9-5’s A/C
and ACC systems (R134a) contains neither
CFCs nor any other chlorine compounds.
1 A-pillar trim: PP, PP/EPDM
2 Windshield trim: PP, PP/EPDM
3 Seals: EPDM
4 C-pillar trim: PP
5 Rear light cluster: PMMA
6 Corner infill panel: PPO/PA
7 Rear bumper, cellular core: expanded PP;
sheathing: PP/EPDM
8 Side-window casing: PP/EPDM
9 Fuel tank: PE
10 Side trim: PVC
11 A-pillar upholstery trim: PC/ABS, textile
12 Rearview mirror: ABS
13 Sill scuff plate: PP/EPDM
14 Wheel-arch liner: PP
15 Wheel cover: PA
16 Direction-indicator lamp lens: PMMA
17 Washer-fluid reservoir: PE
18 Front spoiler: PP/EPDM
19 Front bumper, cellular core: expanded PP;
sheathing: PP/EPDM
20 Fan shroud: PP
21 Radiator grille: ABS
22 Scuttle panel finisher: PC/ASA
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238 SpecificationsFollowing adjustments can be done
by the driver:Automatic Climate Control (ACC):
To alter the preprogrammed “AUTO“ start
up mode with your own preferences you can
manually select the desired settings for:
Temperature.
Fan speed.
Air distribution.
See “Programming I“ on page 73 and “Pro-
gramming II“ on page 74.Saab 9-5 Audio System (see page 93):
Maximum starting volume (when the
radio is switched on).
Telephone volume (if the car is equipped
with a phone connected to the audio sys-
tem).
Speed dependent volume (volume
increases or decreases with vehicle
speed).
Loudness.Alarm system:
The glass breakage sensor can be tempo-
rarily disabled, see page 39.
Daytime Running Lights:
To disable, turn off the ignition and pull out
fuse 35, see page 194.
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242 IndexDate code, tires _________________ 201
Dim-dipped beam ________________ 61
Direction indicators _______________ 62
Door handles ____________________ 32
Door mirrors ___________________ 108
Doors, locks & luggage compartment _ 31
Drive belt ______________________ 231
Drive belt, alternator _____________ 179
Drive belts _____________________ 231
Drive belts, length _______________ 231
Driver’s seat, programmable _______ 104
Driving in hot weather ____________ 151
Driving with a load _______________ 157EElectric heating seat _____________ 106
Electric heating, front seats ________ 106
Electric windows ________________ 110
Electrical system, technical data ____ 230
Electrically heated rear seat _______ 106
Electronic starting interlock _________ 33
Emergency operation of sunroof ____ 112
Emission control systems _________ 169
Engine bay, 4-cyl ________________ 167
Engine bay, 6-cyl ________________ 168
Engine bay, cleaning _____________ 210
Engine number _________________ 235
Engine oil, grade ________________ 229
Engine, description __________ 170, 171
Engine, technical data ____________ 228
Engine, temperature gauge _________ 53Engine-oil level, checking _________ 171
Expansion tank, coolant __________ 174
FFault codes, Audio System _________ 99
Flat spot, tire ___________________ 206
Fluid level, automatic transmission __ 173
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Sedan ____ 116
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Wagon ___ 119
Follow-me-home function __________ 61
Frequently asked questions on airbag 26
Front fog lights ___________________ 63
Frost warning ____________________ 55
Fuel __________________________ 134
Fuel consumption ________________ 54
Fuel filler flap ___________________ 126
Fuel gauge _____________________ 53
Fuel grade _____________________ 228
Fuse box under hood ____________ 196
Fuse panel _____________________ 192
Fuses _________________________ 192GGearbox number ________________ 235
Gearbox oil, checking ____________ 173
Gearbox, technical data, __________ 231
Glove compartment ______________ 113
HHandbrake _____________________ 162
Hazard warning lights _____________ 63
Head restraint __________________ 104
Headlight flasher _________________ 61
Headlights ______________________ 61
Holidaying abroad _______________ 213
Hood _________________________ 166
Horn __________________________ 107IImmobilizer _____________________ 33
Indicator and warning lights _________ 46
Indicator lights ___________________ 46
Instrument illumination _____________ 62
Instruments and controls ___________ 45
Integral child seat ________________ 21
Interior equipment _______________ 101
Interior lighting ___________________ 64
Interior rearview mirror ___________ 108KKey ___________________________ 32
Key to chassis number ___________ 236LLabels __________________________ 8
Leather upholstery, care of ________ 208
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243 Index
Light horn ______________________ 61
Light switches ___________________ 61
Luggage-compartment lighting ______ 64MMain instrument panel _____________ 46
Main/dipped beam ________________ 61
Maintenance schedule ___________ 218
Manual gearbox, technical data ____ 231
Maxi fuses _____________________ 193
Milometer ______________________ 52
Motoring abroad ________________ 213NNight Panel _____________________ 59OOil capacity, engine ______________ 228
Oil change, engine ______________ 172
Oil specification _________________ 228
OnStar ________________________ 100
Outdoor temperature ______________ 54
Owner assistance _______________ 219PPaintwork, touching-in ____________ 210
Parking lights ____________________ 61Plates and labels ________________ 235
Poly-V-belt _____________________ 179
Power steering _________________ 176
Power-steering fluid ______________ 176
Programming I, ACC ______________ 73
Programming II, ACC _____________ 74
Programming the ACC ____________ 73
QQuestions on function of airbag ______ 26
Quick guide, Audio System _________ 79RRadio __________________________ 82
Rear fog light ____________________ 62
Rear seat, 9-5 Sedan, folding ______ 116
Rear seat, 9-5 Wagon, folding ______ 119
Rear-seat head restraints _________ 105
Rear-view mirror, antidazzle _______ 109
Rearview mirrors ________________ 108
Reclamation ___________________ 213
Refuelling _____________________ 134
Relay panel ____________________ 195
Remote control __________________ 32
Remote-control battery, changing ____ 35
Reporting safety defects __________ 220
Reprogramming of systems _______ 237
Reservoir, power-steering fluid _____ 176
Rev counter _____________________ 52
Reversing lights __________________ 63Roof load ______________________ 155
Running-in _____________________ 149
SSID ____________________________ 54
SRS (airbag) ____________________ 23
SRS, supplementary restraint system _ 23
Saab 9-5 Audio System ____________ 77
Saab Information Display (SID) ______ 54
Safety belts _____________________ 12
Safety belts, care of ______________ 207
Safety-belt pretensioners ___________ 12
Safety-belt reminder ______________ 12
Seats _________________________ 102
Securing a load __________________ 36
Selector lever indication,
automatic transmission ___________ 54
Service costs ___________________ 219
Service information ______________ 220
Service intervals ________________ 218
Service record retention __________ 219
Settings, seats __________________ 102
Side airbags _____________________ 28
Signalling, horn _________________ 107
Sliding floor, 9-5 Wagon __________ 124
Snow chains ___________________ 150
Spare wheel ____________________ 202
Spare wheel and tools ____________ 126
Spark plugs ____________________ 230
Speed rating ___________________ 198
Speedometer _________________ 52, 53
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244 IndexStarting in cold weather, ACC _______ 73
Starting in hot weather, ACC ________ 73
Steering wheel adjustment ________ 107
Steering, technical data ___________ 232
Stone-chip damage, repairing ______ 210
Storage compartments ___________ 113
Sun visors _____________________ 112
Sunroof _______________________ 111
Suspension ____________________ 232
Suspension, technical data ________ 232
Switches _______________________ 61
Systems, adjustment _____________ 237TTCS OFF _______________________ 51
Table of fuses __________________ 194
Tachometer _____________________ 52
Tailgate, opening _________________ 36
Tank gauge _____________________ 53
Technical data __________________ 225
Temperature control, ACC _________ 69
Temperature gauge, engine ________ 53
Temperature zones, ACC __________ 69
Textile carpeting ________________ 208
Through-load hatch ______________ 118
Tie Downs _____________________ 118
Tightening torque, wheel studs _____ 203
Tire markings ______________ 198, 199
Tire pressure _______________ 157, 198
Tires _____________________ 198, 233
Tools _________________________ 126Touching-in the paintwork _________ 210
Towbar attachment ______________ 152
Towbar load ____________________ 153
Towing the car __________________ 158
Towing, automatics ______________ 158
Traction _______________________ 147
Trailer weights __________________ 227
Trionic ________________________ 169
Trip computer ___________________ 54
Trip meter ______________________ 52
Trunk _________________________ 116
Trunk lid, opening ________________ 36
Turbo, points to note _____________ 132
UUnder the hood, 4-cyl ____________ 167
Under the hood, 6-cyl ____________ 168
Upholstery and trim ______________ 208
Upholstery and trim, care of _______ 208
Useful tips, ACC _________________ 75VVanity mirrors __________________ 112
Ventilated front seats _____________ 105
Viscosity, engine oil ______________ 228
WWarning labels ____________________ 8
Warning light, AIR BAG ____________ 26
Warning lights ___________________ 46
Washers ______________________ 180
Washers, windshield _____________ 181
Washing the car _________________ 209
Waxing and polishing ____________ 209
Wear indicators, tires _____________ 200
Wheels and tires ____________ 198, 233
Wheels and tires, sizes ___________ 233
Window-glass sensor, car alarm _____ 39
Windshield washers _______________ 65
Windshield wipers ________________ 65
Wiper blades, headlamp __________ 180
Wiper blades, replacing ___________ 180
Wipers and washers __________ 65, 180
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