2000 SAAB 9-5 automatic transmission fluid

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
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

54 Instruments and controlsCheck fuse 15 (radiator fan) in the fuse
panel under the hood, see page 196.
If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone,
stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and
check the coolant level by looking at the
level visible through the plastic tank - do not
remove the cap.
If the coolant level falls below the MIN mark,
the SID will display the message ”FILL
COOLANT FLUID”.
Selector lever indication
(Automatic transmission) The position of the selector lever is indi-
cated on the main instrument panel.
Trip computer SID (Saab Information Display (SID) The SID displays CHECK messages and
has eight trip-computer functions (Saab Car
Computer, SCC)
The SID display is also used by the Audio
System.
NOTEIf the needle, despite the above action,
enters the red zone, stop the car immedi-
ately, let the engine idle.
If the needle stays in the red zone, stop
the engine.
WARNING
Never open the cap of the expansion tank
completely when the engine is hot, open
with care. The over-pressure in the cool-
ing-system can cause hot coolant and
steam to be released.
WARNING
It is strongly recommended that the SID
settings be changed only when the car is
stationary. The driver’s attention can oth-
erwise easily be distracted from the road.
IB1280
ProCarManuals.com

141 Starting and driving
Overheated transmission fluid If the automatic-transmission fluid should
overheat, the following message will appear
on the SID:
”TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING”. If this
happens, stop the car and wait for the mes-
sage to be extinguished. Continue driving in
a locked gear that produces an engine
speed of about 3,000 rpm.
Overheating of the automatic-transmission
fluid can occur when the car is towing a
heavy load, such as a camping trailer in hilly
country, with the wrong gear selected,
resulting in abnormally frequent gear
changing. Try selecting position 1, 2 or 3.
High ambient temperatures can also
increase the temperature of the transmis-
sion fluid or the oil cooler may be faulty.
Contact an authorized Saab dealer (see
also page 152).
Towing Towing of cars with automatic transmission,
see page 158.
NOTEIf the control module has actuated the
Limp-home function for the automatic
transmission, the car will remain in 4th
gear when D is selected, making it very
sluggish. To overcome this, move the
selector lever to position 2.
WARNING
Remember to use engine-braking (selec-
tor position 1, 2, or 3) to spare the brakes
when you are driving on a long or steep
downhill slope. Select the same gear as
you would on the corresponding uphill
slope.
Brake failure can result from overheated
brakes!
ProCarManuals.com

144 Starting and drivingSPORT and WINTER modes
To select Sport mode, press the ”S” button on
the selector lever when the selector lever is in
position N, D, 3, 2 or 1.
In this mode, gear changes will take place at
higher engine speeds than in Normal mode, in
other words, the transmission will change up
later and change down earlier for the same throt-
tle (accelerator) position.
The Sport mode will be deselected if:
 The S button is pressed.
 The selector lever is moved to position P or R.
 The engine is switched off.
 The Winter mode is selected.
 “Fault indicator, automatic transmission”
appears on main instrument panel, see page
140.
The Winter mode facilitates pulling away and
driving on icy roads. Third gear is selected auto-
matically for pulling away to reduce wheelspin.
Winter mode can be selected when the engine
is running by pressing the ”W” button on the
selector-lever surround. It cannot be selected
when the selector lever is in position 2 or 1.
Note: It is still possible to use kick-down in the
Winter mode, in which case a change-down to
1st or 2nd will take place.
The Winter mode will be deselected if:
 The W button is pressed.
 The engine is switched off.
 The selector lever is moved to position 2 or 1.
 Kick-down is activated.
 The automatic-transmission fluid overheats.
 “Fault indicator, automatic transmission”
appears on main instrument panel, see page
140.
ProCarManuals.com

167 Car care and technical information
Engine compartment, 4-cyl. engine
8
7
9
10
6
2
4
3
5
IB488
1
Engine compartment, 4-cyl. engine 1 Engine-oil dipstick/filler cap
2 Reservoir, brake/clutch fluid
3 Fuse box
4 Expansion tank, coolant
5 Washer-fluid filler cap
6Battery
7 Dipstick, automatic transmission fluid
8 Turbo unit
9 Ignition discharge module
10 Reservoir, power-steering fluid
ProCarManuals.com

168 Car care and technical informationEngine compartment, 6-cyl. engine
10
7
9
8
1
3
2
5
4
6
IB576
Engine compartment, 6-cyl. engine 1 Engine-oil dipstick
2 Engine-oil filler cap
3 Reservoir, brake/clutch fluid
4 Fuse box
5 Expansion tank, coolant
6 Washer-fluid filler cap
7Battery
8 Dipstick, automatic transmission fluid
9 Ignition discharge module
10 Reservoir, power-steering fluid
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com