152 Starting and driving3 As soon as possible, have the cooling
system checked by an authorized Saab
dealer.
Towing a trailerTrailer hitch attachmentTrailer hitch attachments are available as
accessories. These are designed for a max-
imum trailer weight of 2000 lbs. (900 kg).
Use only the electrical trailer hitch socket
provided in the spare wheel area in the lug-
gage compartment for connecting the trailer
electrics.
Trailer weightMaximum recommended trailer weights for
different gradients, with a view to comfort
and drivability for manual and automatic
cars, are shown on the drawing.
Make sure you are familiar with the law
regarding speed limits for towing, maxi-
mum trailer weights, trailer-braking
requirements, and also any special
driving-licence provisions
(see also page 227).
The specified trailer weights and gradients
assume that the journey starts at the hill and
therefore apply only to short periods.
WARNING
Always undo the expansion tank filler cap
carefully, releasing the pressure and any
vapor before removing the cap com-
pletely.
NOTEUse only a genuine Saab trailer hitch,
since other models can damage the car’s
bodywork and electrical system (or in
Canada, a high quality hitch designed to
fit the car, available from a trailer hitch
specialist).
Consult an authorized Saab dealer for
guidance on how to connect the trailer
hitch electrical system.
WARNING
When towing a trailer, do not attempt to
negotiate a hill having a gradient in
excess of 15%. The weight distribution
over the front wheels of the car will be
insufficient to prevent wheelspin, making
further progress impossible.
In addition, the parking brake may not
always be able to hold the car and trailer
securely, with the result that the wheels
can start to slide downhill.
ProCarManuals.com
153 Starting and driving
Recommendations for cars with auto-
matic transmission.
The following time limits are based on the
capacity of the cooling system in warm
weather, i.e. approximately 104°F (40°C).
When negotiating long hills, bear the follow-
ing important considerations in mind:
If TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING
appears on the SID, stop the car as soon as
it is safe to do so and wait until the warning
has been extinguished. When continuing
your journey, select a locked gear (1, 2 or 3)
that will allow you to drive at an engine
speed of about 3,000 rpm (see page 142).
Do not drive continuously with the WINTER
mode selected in hilly country when you are
towing a trailer, as this will increase fuel con-
sumption and risk overheating the transmis-
sion.
Trailer hitch loadThe weight distribution on the trailer makes
a lot of difference to the handling properties
of the car and trailer combination. As
regards single-axle trailers, whenever pos-
sible, concentrate the load over the wheels
and keep it as low as possible.
The trailer should be loaded so that the
maximum load on the towbar ball is 5% to
7% of the trailer weight with a maximum per-
missible tongue weight of 165 lbs. (75 kg).
Note that this load must be added to the total
load for the car. If this now exceeds the
specified load capacity, the load in the lug-
gage compartment will have to be reduced
by a corresponding amount. Driving considerations Always take extra care when towing a
trailer, as the car’s handling will be different
and its braking effect reduced. The trailer’s
braking system and suspension also have a
considerable effect on these characteris-
tics.
If the car is equipped with automatic trans-
mission, select position 1 when ascending
or descending steep hills. Gradient
of hill, % Maximum
trailer
weight, lbs.
(kg)Maximum dura-
tion, minutes
6-7 2000 (900) unlimited
8-9 2000 (900) 15 max
10-15 1000 (450) 15 max. NOTEIf the “Fault indicator, automatic trans-
mission” indicator comes on, cease
towing until the problem has been recti-
fied.
IB106
Distribution of load in trailer a Light
b Moderate
cHeavy
ProCarManuals.com
170 Car care and technical informationORVR (Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery)Hydrocarbon vapors formed when refueling
will be recovered by the car and not
released into the atmosphere. The hydro-
carbons are absorbed in a evaporative
emission canister. When the engine is sub-
sequently started, the evaporative emission
canister is gradually purged as air is sucked
into it through a shut-off valve. The hydro-
carbon/air mixture passes through the evap
canister purge valve and into the engine
where it is burned.
When refueling, make sure you screw the
filler cap on and keep turning until it has
clicked at least 3 times. Otherwise, it is pos-
sible for the CHECK ENGINE light to illumi-
nate and a “TIGHTEN FUEL FILLER CAP“
message to appear on SID.
Refueling, see page 134.
Engine2.3-liter engineThe 2.3-liter model is a transverse, 4-cylin-
der in-line engine with twin overhead cam-
shafts and 4 valves per cylinder.
This engine is equipped with balance shafts
that reduce engine vibration to a minimum.
The balance shafts are chain driven and
rotate at twice the speed of the crankshaft.
They produce forces and torques that are
opposed to those generated by the pistons
and connecting rods, an effect that occurs
twice for each revolution of the engine.
Engine noise is also reduced as the
counter-rotating shafts counteract the vibra-
tion from the moving parts of the engine.
The transmission, located on the right
(viewed from the front), is integrated with
the engine. All models have front-wheel
drive.
3.0-liter V6 engine The 3.0-liter engine is a transverse, V6
engine with each bank of cylinders having
double overhead camshafts and 4 valves
per cylinder.
The transmission, located on the right
(viewed from the front), is integrated with
the engine. All models have front-wheel
drive.
IB601
Balance shafts, 4-cyl. engine
ProCarManuals.com
220 Maintenance and owner assistanceChange of Address Notification
(U.S.)Two change of address cards are provided
at the end of the Warranties and Service
Record Booklet. Knowing your current
address allows Saab to contact you in the
event of a recall or service campaign.
Please help us keep our records up to date
for your own peace of mind.Service informationFactory Service Manuals for the Saab 9-3
and 9-5 car lines can be ordered through the
dealer. These are comprehensive manuals
comprised of several sections in multiple
ring-type binders, geared to use by profes-
sional technicians.
Sections may be ordered individually. Con-
sult your Saab dealer for prices and for a list-
ing of available sections for your model.
Reporting Safety
Defects (U.S.A.)If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to noti-
fying Saab Cars USA, Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds that
a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles,
it may order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between you, your
dealer, or Saab Cars USA, Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the
Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-
9393 (or 202/366-0123 in Washington D.C.
area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department
of Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information about
motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.
Reporting Safety
Defects to the Canadian
governmentIf you live in Canada, and believe that your
vehicle has a safety defect, you should
immediately notify Transport Canada, in
addition to notifying General Motors of
Canada Limited.
You may write to Transport Canada at Box
8880, Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 3J2.
In addition to notifying Transport Canada in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you
will notify us. In Canada, please call our
Saab Customer Assistance Centre at
1-800-263- 1999.
Or write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Centre,
1908 Colonel Sam Drive,
Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 8P7.
ProCarManuals.com
221 Maintenance and owner assistance
Saab Original Service Program M2000 USA, Canada, 9-5 Models)* These are the minimum required Emission Control System maintenance steps. Saab urges that all recommended maintenance procedures be performed
according to this program.
(a.) Engine oil and filter should be changed at least once a year. Intermediate oil and filter changes (halfway between indicated intervals) suggested for
cars primarily used for driving in dense city traffic or for repeated short trip operation without sufficient warm up.
*** Camshaft drive belt replacements (V6) prior to 100,000 miles will be performed at no charge by an authorized U.S. or Canadian Saab dealer.
** Service intervals:
Refer to the Warranties & Service Record Book for service intervals beyond 100,000 miles (160,000 km).Service Intervals **
Miles = U.S. Cars
Kilometers = Canadian Cars
1,000
(1,600 km)
10,000
(16,000 km)
20,000
(32,000 km)
30,000
(48,000 km)
40,000
(64,000 km)
50,000
(80,000 km)
60,000
(96,000 km)
70,000
(112,000 km)
80,000
(128,000 km)
90,000
(144,000 km)
100,000
(160,000 km)
Service #
1234567891011
Engine and engine compartment
E Engine oil and filter (a.)!!!!!!!!!!!
R Engine coolant freezing point and level""" "" "" "
R Engine coolant flush and replace (max. 3-year intervals)!!!
R Engine coolant system, hoses and cap" """""""""
R Drive belt, condition""""" ! """"
R Camshaft drive belt (V6) ***!
E Spark plugs!
*
!*
!*
Application/type of service (col. 1) Service Procedure
E = emission service"= Check - top up, adjust or replace if necessary
R = regular maintenance!= Replace
#= Lubricate
ProCarManuals.com
228 SpecificationsEngine Fuel4-cylinder ________________________ Four cylinders, twin
overhead cam-
shafts, 16 valves
and two balancer
shafts.
6-cylinder ________________________ V-6 engine, double
overhead cam-
shafts on each cyl-
inder bank,
24 valves
Cylinder bores ___________________ 3.54 in (90 mm)
Stroke:
4-cylinder engine _________________ 3.54 in (90 mm)
6-cylinder engine _________________ 3.34 in (85 mm)
Swept volume:
4-cylinder engine _________________ 139.7 cu.in
(2.290 litres)
6-cylinder engine _________________ 180.6 cu.in
(2.962 litres)
Idling speed:
4-cylinder _______________________ 825 rpm
6-cylinder _______________________ 700 rpm
Antifreeze ________________________ Saab-approved
antifreeze
Coolant capacity:
4-cylinder _______________________ 7.6 qts (7.4 litres)
6-cylinder _______________________ 7.4 qts (7.2 litres) Fuel grade ________________________ Unleaded gasoline
AON 87–93.
For optimum performance Saab recom-
mend the following fuel grades:
2.3t _____________________________ AON 90
2.3 Turbo Aero and V6-models________ AON 93 *)
*) If AON 90 is used and the ambient temperature is above
77 – 86°F (25– 30°C) some decrease in engine power can occur
to some extent.
Fuel-tank capacity __________________ 18.5 gal. (70 litres)
ProCarManuals.com
230 SpecificationsEngine variants Electrical system2.3t Ecopower Rating, EEC at 5500 rpm ___________ 170 hp (125 kW)
Maximum torque, EEC at 1800 rpm ___ 207.2 ft.lb
(280 Nm)
Compression ratio ________________ 9.35:1 2.3 Turbo Ecopower (“Aero“ model engine),
manual transmissionRating, EEC at 5500 rpm ___________ 230 hp (169 kW)
Maximum torque, EEC at 1900 rpm 259.0 ft.lb.
(350 Nm)
Compression ratio ________________ 9.3:12.3 Turbo Ecopower, (“Aero“ model engine)
automatic transmissionRating, EEC at 5500 rpm ___________ 230 hp (169 kW)
Maximum torque, EEC at 1900 rpm 244.2 ft.lb.
(330 Nm)
Compression ratio ________________ 9.3:13.0t Ecopower Rating, EEC at 5000 rpm ___________ 200 hp (147 kW)
Maximum torque, EEC at 2100 rpm ___ 229.4 ft.lb
(310 Nm)
Compression ratio ________________ 9.5:1 Voltage ___________________________ 12 V
Battery capacity ____________________ 60 Ah or 70 Ah
Starter motor ______________________ 1.4 kW
Alternator rating ____________________ 130 A/14 V
Firing order:
4-cylinder ________________________ 1-3-4-2
6-cylinder ________________________ 1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark plugs:
2.3t ____________________________ NGK
BCPR 6ES-11
2.3 Turbo ________________________ NGK
PFR 7H-10
6-cylinder ________________________ NGK
BKR 7ES-11
Electrode gap ______________________ 0.0394 +0.00394 in
(1.0+0.1 mm)
ProCarManuals.com
237 Specifications
Several of the systems in your Saab
car can be adjusted to better fit your
individual needsSome functions are governed by legal
requirements and cannot therefore be
reprogrammed.
Consult an authorized Saab dealer for fur-
ther information.
Car alarm/central locking system:
The sound level of the siren when locking/
unlocking, HIGH or LOW.
The number of blinks when locking/
unlocking, 1 to 7.
Automatic locking of the trunk when the
car is driven, 1 to 8 mph (2-14 km/h), YES
or NO.
Preclude the unlocking of the trunk while
the car is driven, YES or NO.
Automatic locking of the trunk after
1 second-4 minutes if it has not been
opened, YES or NO.
Automatic locking of the trunk when it is
closed, YES or NO.Automatic Climate Control (ACC):
Indoor temperature can be
increased/decreased relative to the
selected temperature.
Delayed start of fan after starting the car,
to reduce risk of fogging windshield.
Temperature at which the defroster mode
is automatically selected.
Response time for the fan speed when
the selected temperature is changed.
Temperature at which the air distribution
switches from defroster mode to
defrost/floor mode.
Last manual selection will be selected the
next time the car is started.Saab Information Display:
Outdoor temperature display can be
adjusted.
Days remaining to next service can be
activated/counted or not.
Delete “Test Brake Light“ message on
SID at start-up.
Miscellaneous:
Select the on-time for heated rear seat.
Coolant temperature gauge adjustment
can be increased/decreased.
Fuel level gauge adjustment can be
increased/decreased.
Additional sweep of the wipers after wind-
shield washer function (ON or OFF).
Follow me home on-time can vary from 20
to 50 seconds.
Night panel illumination deactivation
speed for the speedometer can be
adjusted.
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