6Engine compartment,
4-cyl engine
IB583
Engine: description ___________ 170
Engine oil level: checking ______ 171
Engine oil: changing __________ 172
Engine oil specification ________ 229
Brakes and braking ___________ 146
ABS brakes _________________ 146
Brake system ________________ 175
Brake fluid __________________ 233
Brake pads __________________ 233
Fuse panels ___________ 192
Changing a fuse ________ 192
Table of fuses __________ 194
Relays _______________ 195Temperature gauge ______ 53
Driving in hot weather ____ 151
Driving in winter_________ 150
Coolant:
checking/changing __ 174 / 175
Cooling-system capacity _ 228
Power steering __________ 176
Steering fluid: grade _____ 176
Wiper/washer control stalk _ 65
Washer fluid: topping-up __ 181
Washer jets ___________ 181
Jump starting ________________ 177
Battery _____________________ 177
Battery charge _______________ 177
Manual transmission __________ 137
Automatic transmission ________ 138
Manual transmission oil ________ 232
Automatic-transmission fluid ____ 232
Important considerations
for driving ___________________ 132
Turbo unit ___________________ 167
Engine: technical data __________ 228Ignition system _________ 130
Drive belts _____________ 179
Spark plugs ____________ 230
Catalytic converter ______ 133Warning labels ___________ 8
V.I.N. number __________ 235
Engine number _________ 235
Gearbox number ________ 235
Color code _____________ 235
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7
Engine compartment,
6-cyl engine
IB585
Warning labels ___________ 8
V.I.N. number __________ 235
Engine number _________ 235
Gearbox number ________ 235
Color code _____________ 235Ignition system _________ 130
Drive belts _____________ 179
Spark plugs ____________ 230
Catalytic converter ______ 133Important considerations
for driving ___________________ 132
Turbo unit ___________________ 167
Engine: technical data __________ 228
Automatic transmission ________ 138
Automatic-transmission fluid ____ 232
Brakes and braking ___________ 146
ABS brakes _________________ 146
Brake system ________________ 175
Brake fluid __________________ 233
Brake pads __________________ 233Jump starting ________________ 177
Battery _____________________ 177
Battery charge _______________ 177
Fuse panels ___________ 192
Changing a fuse ________ 192
Table of fuses __________ 194
Relays _______________ 195Engine temperature gauge _ 53
Driving in hot weather ____ 151
Driving in cold climate ____ 150
Coolant:
checking/changing _ 174 / 175
Cooling-system capacity _ 228
Power steering _________ 176
Steering fluid: grade _____ 176
Wiper/washer control stalk _ 65
Washer fluid: topping-up __ 181
Washer jets ___________ 181
Engine: description ___________ 170
Engine oil level: checking ______ 171
Engine oil: changing __________ 172
Engine oil specification ________ 229
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47 Instruments and controls
Warning, charging
This light will come on together with if
the battery is not charging. If it comes on
while you are driving, stop the car as soon
as possible and switch off the engine.
Check the alternator drive belt (see page
179). If the belt has broken, the engine may
overheat (cooling system will not function
properly), the battery will not be charged,
the A/C compressor will not run and power
assistance for the steering will be lost.
Brake warning light
This light will come on together with if
there is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir (see pages 175 / 176).
If the ABS warning light is on at the same
time, the ABS system may be inoperative
because of a fault (see “Anti-lock brake
warning”, page 48).
Parking brake warning
light
This light will show when the parking brake
is on (see page 162).
If the car is driven with the parking brake still
on, will also come on and a chime will
sound.
The parking brake is mechanical and oper-
ates on the rear wheels.
WARNING
Never drive the car when these warning
lights are on. Danger of brake failure!
Have the brake system checked by an
authorized Saab dealer.
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when
parking.
Always apply the parking brake before
removing the ignition key.
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48 Instruments and controls
Anti-lock brake warning
This light together with and indi-
cates that a fault has occurred in the ABS
system. Conventional braking without the
ABS function will still be available.
For safety reasons, stop the car and check
the level of the brake fluid (see page 175).
If the level is normal, depress the brake
pedal firmly two or three times. Now check
the level again. If the level is still normal, you
may drive the car, with considerable cau-
tion, to the nearest authorized Saab dealer
to have the brake system checked.
Airbag warning light
This light together with will come on if
a potentially serious fault has occurred in
the airbag system.
The light will come on for about three sec-
onds when the ignition switch is turned to
the Start or Drive position. It should go out
after the engine has started.
CHECK message indicator
This light indicates that there is a message
in the SID. A chime will also sound
(see page 58).
Central warning light
This light will come on and a chime will
sound if a fault has been detected in any
system that is critical to safety. Any of the
following can activate the central warning
light and alarm:
Airbag system.
Low oil pressure in engine.
Parking brake is on (when car is moving).
Brake fluid level low.
Fault detected in ABS system.
Engine overheating.
Alternator not charging properly.
The symbol and audible alarm are also acti-
vated if the ignition key is turned to the ON
position and the engine is not started within
10 seconds.
WARNING
If the ABS is inoperative, there is a
danger of the rear wheels locking up
on hard braking.
If the level of brake fluid in the reser-
voir is below the MIN mark, the car
should be towed to an authorized
Saab dealer.
WARNING
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle, it means
the airbag system may not be working
properly.
The airbags in your vehicle may not
inflate in a crash, or they could even
inflate without a crash.
To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle serviced
right away if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
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53 Instruments and controls
Speedometer (U.S. speedometer
shown)The speedometer receives signals from the
wheel sensors in the ABS system.
If the NIGHT PANEL mode has been
selected, the scale will be illuminated up to
87 mph (140 km/h). The remainder of the
scale will be illuminated if the speed of the
car exceeds 84 mph (135 km/h).
Fuel gauge Fuel-tank capacity, see page 228.
The fuel gauge shows the amount of fuel left
in the tank. When this is down to about
2.5 gal. (10 liters), a warning light on the
main instrument panel will come on (see
page 49).
Use the Saab Information display (SID) to
check the approximate distance that can be
travelled on the remaining fuel
(see page 55).
Temperature gauge The temperature gauge shows the temper-
ature of the coolant. The needle should be
in the middle of the scale when the engine
is at normal operating temperature.
If the needle approaches the red zone,
which can occur in very hot weather or when
the engine is under a heavy load, drive in the
highest gear possible, keep the engine revs
low and avoid shifting down.
If the needle enters the red zone, the
warning light will come on and an alarm
chime will sound.
IB606
IB345
IB343
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69 Instruments and controls
Temperature control The cabin is divided into two temperature
zones:
The driver’s zone.
The passenger zone (front and rear
seats).
The desired temperature can be set
between 58 and 82°F (15 and 27°C). In
addition, there are also HI and LO settings
(see below). The HI and LO settings for the
passenger zone can only be selected if they
are also selected for the driver’s zone.
The displayed temperature is not the abso-
lute temperature but corresponds to the
comfort level normally experienced at that
temperature after allowance has been
made for the air flow, relative humidity, solar
radiation, etc., currently prevailing inside
the car.
The most usual temperature setting is
64-75°F (18-24°C), depending on per-
sonal preference and what clothing is
worn.
It is recommended that changes in the
temperature setting be made in steps of
2°F (1°C).
Once the desired climate has been
achieved, the rear center vents can be
closed to prevent warm air being distrib-
uted at face height.Settings when HI selected:
Maximum heat.
Air distribution to windshield and floor.
Recirculation OFF (even if manually
selected before).
Fan: high speed.
Settings shown on ACC display.
Settings when LO selected:
Maximum cooling (A/C compressor will
run even if ECON manually selected
before).
Air distribution through panel vents.
Fan: maximum speed.
Recirculation ON.
Settings shown on ACC display.
IB369
Air vent at rear side window
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146 Starting and drivingBrakingTo avoid the brakes becoming overheated,
(e.g. when negotiating long descents with a
drop of several hundred feet), select a low
gear to use the braking effect of the engine.
If the car has automatic transmission, move
the selector lever to position 1 or 2.
When driving fast, you can help to prolong
the life of the brakes by thinking ahead and
braking harder for short periods, rather than
braking more moderately over long
stretches. Brake pad wear indicatorsThe outboard brake pads on the front
wheels incorporate pad-wear indicators.
When the lining is down to 3 mm, the pad
will produce a screeching, squealing or
scraping noise when the brakes are applied.
New pads should be fitted without delay.
Brake pads should only be replaced by
an authorized Saab dealer. To ensure optimum brake performance,
it is recommended that you use only
Saab original brake pads.
ABS brakesABS (antilock braking system) modulates
the brake pressure to the respective
wheels. Wheel sensors detect if a wheel is
about to lock, and the control module
reduces the pressure to that wheel and then
increases it once more until the tendency is
detected again.
The brake system is equipped with an Elec-
tronic Brake-force Distribution device
(EBD), which distributes the brake pressure
between the front and rear wheels, in such
a way as to achieve optimum braking perfor-
mance irrespective of the car’s speed and
load.
The ABS system has a built-in diagnostic
function which will switch on the Anti-lock
brake warning light if a fault is detected in
the system (see page 48).
WARNING
It is prudent to try your brakes from
time to time, especially when driving in
heavy rain, on roads with a lot of sur-
face water, or in snow or slush. In such
conditions, the brakes may take
longer than normal to take effect. To
rectify this, touch the brake pedal peri-
odically to dry the brakes out.
The same applies after the car has
been washed or when the weather is
very humid.
The brakes are power assisted and it
should be kept in mind that the servo
unit only provides the power assis-
tance when the engine is running.
The brake pressure required when the
engine is off,( e.g. when the car is on
tow) is roughly four times the normal
pedal force required. The pedal also
feels hard and unresponsive.
We advise against using wheels with
open wheel covers in winter, as the
brake components are then more
exposed both to slush, road salt and
grit.
WARNING
The additional safety afforded by the
ABS system is not designed to allow
drivers to drive faster but to make
normal driving safer.
To stop as quickly as possible, without
loss of directional stability, whether
the road surface is dry, wet or slippery,
press the brake pedal down hard-
without letting up, declutching
simultaneously, and steer the car to
safety.
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147 Starting and driving
The ABS system will not reduce the braking
distance on loose gravel or on snow or ice
but, because the wheels cannot lock up,
some steering control is retained.
When the ABS system is working, i.e. mod-
ulation of the brake pressure is in progress,
the brake pedal will pulsate and a ticking
noise will be heard. All this is perfectly nor-
mal.
Press the pedal down hard (you cannot
press too hard) and steer the car to safety. Do not release the brake pedal before the
car has come to a halt or the danger is
past!
That is critical.
If the road is slippery, the ABS system will
operate even when only light pressure is
applied to the pedal. This means that you
can brake gently to test the condition of the
road and adapt your driving accordingly.
It is well worth practicing the use of ABS
brakes on a skid pan or other suitable facil-
ity.
Traction Control SystemHow the system works The traction control system (TCS) is
designed to prevent wheelspin. This
enables the car to achieve the best possible
grip and, hence, maximum tractive effort,
together with greater stability.
The TCS system uses information from the
ABS system’s wheel sensors to detect
when the front (driving) wheels are rotating
faster then the rear wheels. It then monitors
whether one driving wheel is rotating faster
than the other. If so, the faster wheel is
retarded until both wheels are rotating at the
same speed.
If the two front wheels are rotating at the
same speed but are turning faster than the
rear wheels, the torque from the engine is
reduced to eliminate the difference.
The process continues until all the wheels
are rotating at the same speed.
The advantages of the TCS system become
most apparent when the cohesion between
the front wheels and the road surface is so
low that one or both of the wheels would
lose their grip were the car not equipped
with the TCS, e.g.:
When the car is pulling away or accelerat-
ing with the front wheels on different sur-
faces (e.g. one slippery and one dry). The
TCS then functions like an electronic dif-
ferential lock.
When the car is pulling away or accelerat-
ing on a slippery road, in which case the
Braking with ABS brakes
When the system is operating, the brake
pedal will pulsate gently and the system
will make a ticking noise
IB476
IB477
Braking with ABS – evasive steering
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