2000 SAAB 9-5 engine

172 Car care and technical informationOil changingThe engine oil must be changed in accor-
dance with the service program, see page
218.
Oil volume and grade, see page 229.
Oil changing should be carried out on a
warm engine. Unscrew the drain plug in the
bottom of the sump and leave the oil to drain
into an oil tray or other suitable receptacle
for at least ten minutes. Take care, as the oil
may be hot.
After the oil has been drained, unscrew and
remove the oil filter. Fit a new filter and
tighten it by hand before adding new oil.
Refit the drain plug with a new washer.
Run the engine to normal temperature and
check the oil level.
NOTEChange of engine oil and oil filter may be
required more frequently (5000-mile
intervals (8,000 km)) if any one of the fol-
lowing conditions apply to the car:
 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8
to 16 km). This is particularly important
when outside temperatures are below
freezing.
 Most trips include extensive idling
(such as frequent stop-and-go driving).
 Most trips are through dusty areas.
 You frequently tow a trailer or use a car-
rier on top of your vehicle.
 If the vehicle is used for delivery ser-
vice, police, taxi or other commercial
applications.
IB493
Drain plug and oil filter, 4-cylinder engine
IB494
Drain plug and oil filter, V6 engine
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173 Car care and technical information
Transmission fluidManual transmission Check and top up the fluid in accordance
with the service program.
If original fluid cannot can be obtained for
topping up (see page 231), automatic trans-
mission fluid Dexron III (synthetic fluid) can
be used. If so, the car should be taken to an
authorized Saab dealer as soon as possible
to have the reason for low fluid level cor-
rected and original fluid installed.Automatic transmission Check the fluid level as follows:
1 Stand the car on level ground and apply
the handbrake. The automatic transmis-
sion fluid must be at normal running tem-
perature, approximately 175°F (80°C).
This can be achieved by driving the car
for about 30 min on the open road.
2 With the engine idling, move the selector
lever to D and wait for at least
15 seconds. Next, move the selector
lever to R and wait for 15 seconds again.
Finally, move the selector lever to P. Let
the engine idle.
3 Wipe the dipstick clean with a lint-free
cloth and put it back.
4 With the fluid at normal temperature, the
level should be between the MAX and
MIN marks on the dipstick. Top up, as
necessary, with Texaco Texamatic
Dexron III automatic transmission fluid
(mineral oil-based), adding it through
the dipstick pipe. The distance between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick
corresponds to a volume of approxi-
mately 0.4 qts (0.4 liter).
If the outside temperature is below 50°F
(10°C), the fluid will not reach the specified
temperature of 175°F (80°C). In this case,
the correct fluid level may be 0.8 in (20 mm)
below the MAX mark.
WARNING
 Prolonged and repeated exposure of
the skin to engine oil can cause seri-
ous skin disorders.
 Avoid prolonged skin contact when-
ever possible. Wash the affected area
thoroughly with soap and water after
any contact.
 Keep oil out of reach of children.
 Do not touch the turbocharger or
manifold. These get very hot when the
engine has been running.
 Do not spill oil on hot parts of the
engine as this could cause a fire.
 Protect the environment. Do not dis-
pose of oil in the ground or down a
drain. Dispose of all used oil and oil fil-
ters at an appropriate disposal facility.
NOTEIf there is a smell of burning fluid or the
fluid is black, change the fluid.
+80°
MIN MAX
+80°
IB495
Dipstick for automatic-transmission fluid
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174 Car care and technical informationCoolant The expansion tank is transparent to facili-
tate checking of the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant must
not lie over the KALT/COLD mark on the
expansion tank.
If the message “FILL COOLANT FLUID” is
displayed on the SID, check the level of fluid
in the expansion tank.
Top up, as necessary, with equal parts of
clean water and Saab-approved coolant.
If the expansion tank is empty when coolant
is added, run the engine to normal temper-
ature and top up again, as necessary.
Coolant The cooling system is charged at the factory
with coolant containing a 50% concentra-
tion of a combined antifreeze and corrosion
inhibitor. A weaker mixture will result in
reduced anticorrosion protection. For pro-
tection against freezing in very cold
weather, a stronger concentration will be
needed.
A 60% concentration of antifreeze will pro-
vide protection at temperatures down to
-58 F (-50°C).The corrosion-inhibiting properties of the
coolant deteriorate over time, but
Saab-approved coolant can be used for
year-round protection. Change the coolant
as specified in the service program and use
only Saab-approved coolant – other makes
may need changing more frequently and
may damage the system.

WARNING
 Proceed with caution if the radiator is
boiling when you open the hood.
Never remove the expansion-tank
filler cap when the radiator is boiling.
Loosen the cap carefully, and let the
engine cool before removing the cap.
 The cooling system is pressurized –
hot coolant and vapor can escape
when the filler cap is released.
NOTEAlways mix the antifreeze with the
appropriate volume of water before
adding it to the cooling system.
If pure antifreeze is added, the engine
could still freeze and be damaged. This is
because the antifreeze will not mix
properly with the coolant before the
thermostat has opened to allow full
circulation.
IB1338
Coolant expansion tank
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175 Car care and technical information
Changing the coolant (Usually carried out as part of the Saab orig-
inal service by an authorized Saab dealer)
1 If the engine is hot, open the expan-
sion-tank filler cap carefully to release
the pressure, but do not remove it com-
pletely. Place a suitable receptacle
under the radiator and undo the drain-
cock.
2 Remove the filler cap on the expansion
tank.
3 The system takes about two minutes to
drain. Close the draincock.
4 Mix the antifreeze and water to the
required strength in a suitable container.
Use only Saab-approved coolant.
5 Add the coolant slowly to the expansion
tank. This will take about two minutes,
as the air needs time to escape.
6 Screw on the filler cap and fully tighten
the drain cook. Run the engine to normal
temperature. Top up the coolant, as nec-
essary, until the level is just below the
MAX mark on the tank.
7 Check the coolant again after a few days
and top up as necessary.
Brake and clutch fluid Checking the fluid level The combined brake and clutch-fluid reser-
voir is transparent to facilitate checking of
the fluid level.
WARNING
Brake fluid deteriorates as it becomes
old. Because it is hygroscopic, it absorbs
water from the air and, in time, could allow
vapor to form in the brake system, thus
reducing its performance. It is therefore
important that brake fluid be changed reg-
ularly, as specified in the service pro-
gram.
IB498
Radiator draincock
IB1188
Brake and clutch-fluid reservoir
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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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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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193 Car care and technical information
Maxi fusesThe Maxi fuses are housed in the fuse box
under the hood. These fuses can be
checked in the same way as the other fuses.
The Maxi fuses are designed to protect the
car’s electrical system from being dam-
aged. Each Maxi fuse protects a number of
electrical circuits and functions and there-
fore has a higher rating (amperage) than the
standard fuses. No spare Maxi fuses are
supplied with the car.
DICE / TWICEDICE = Dashboard Integrated Central Elec-
tronics
TWICE = Theft-Warning Central Electronics
DICE and TWICE are electronic control
modules that monitor and control a variety
of functions, including:
DICE controls (among other things):
 Front lights and interior lighting.
 Instrument illumination.
 Intermittent wiper operation.
 Electric heating of rear window and door
mirrors.
 Cooling fans.
TWICE controls (among other things):
 Central locking.
 Car alarm (Anti-theft system).
 Engine immobilizer.
 Autochecking of lights.
 Electric heating of rear seat.
 Safety belt reminder.
 Electrically adjustable passenger seat.The DICE and TWICE control modules are
linked to a data bus, which is basically an
information carrier that allows information to
be exchanged between all the control mod-
ules and components connected to the bus.
If a fault occurs in any of these components,
diagnostic faults codes are set in the rele-
vant control module, which facilitates fault
diagnosis at the Saab dealer.
The scan tool connector for fault diagnosis
is located under the instrument panel on the
drivers side.
NOTEIf a Maxi fuse blows, it means that there
is a major fault in the electrical system.
Have the car checked without delay by
an authorized Saab dealer.
IB529
Maxi fuses under the hood
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