Page 53 of 256

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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Page 134 of 256

134 Starting and drivingTo ensure that the catalytic converter con-
tinues to function properly, and also to avoid
damage to the converter and its associated
components, the following points must be
observed:
Have the car serviced regularly in accor-
dance with the service program. The fuel
and ignition systems are particularly
important in this context.
Always be alert to any misfiring of the
engine (not running on all cylinders) and
any loss of power or performance. At the
first sign of a malfunction, reduce speed
and take the car to an authorized Saab
dealer as soon as possible.
If the engine fails to start (in very cold
weather or if the battery is flat), the car can
be jump started (manual gearbox only) or
started using jump leads to a donor bat-
tery. However, as soon as you have
started the engine, it is important that it
runs on all cylinders. If it is misfiring, allow
i t t o i d l e f o r u p t o f i v e m i n u t e s t o g i v e i t t i m e
to settle and run smoothly. If, after this
time, the engine still fails to run properly,
turn off the engine and get in touch with an
authorized Saab dealer for advice. Never park the car on dry grass or other
combustible material. The catalytic con-
verter gets very hot and could therefore
start a fire.
Never drive off if the engine is misfiring.
If you jump start the car when the engine
is already up to normal temperature, the
engine must start to run on all cylinders.
Stop jump-starting if the engine fails to
start immediately.
Failure to follow these directions could
result in the catalytic converter and associ-
ated components being damaged, and
could represent a breach of the warranty
conditions.
V6 engine: When starting the engine from
cold an electrical pump is activated. This
pump pumps air into the exhaust system so
that the catalytic converter will reach its
normal operating temperature more rapidly.
The pump is active for 30-60 seconds.
RefuelingAlways use the correct grade of fuel:
unleaded AON 87-93.
Saab recommends:
AON 90 for 4-cylinder engines
AON 93 for V6-engines and 2.3 Aero,
(see page 228).
If fuel containing a mixture of alcohol is
used, the following restrictions apply:
Methanol: max. 5% by volume.
Ethanol: max. 10% by volume.
MTBE: max. 15% by volume.
The fuel filler cap is located in the right rear
quarter panel.
Switch off engine.
Open fuel door
Insert the fuel-pump nozzle beyond the
flange on the filler pipe. Do not withdraw the
nozzle while filling is in progress.
Cease refuelling the first time the pump
stops.
Fuel-tank capacity: 18.5 US gal. (70 liters)
Screw on the filler cap and keep turning until
it has clicked at least three times.
The most effective way to prevent conden-
sation forming in the tank (and thus avoid
NOTEIf the car runs out of fuel, it is possible for
air to get into the fuel system. If this
happens, the catalytic converter may
overheat and be damaged.
NOTEDo not overfill. Fuel should not come right
up the filler pipe as expansion room is
needed.
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Page 228 of 256

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)
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