3
Instrument panel
IB1080
Indicator and warning lights ______ 46
Speedometer _________________ 53
Odometer and trip meter ________ 52
Fuel gauge __________________ 53
Engine temperature gauge ______ 53
Parking lights ____________ 61
High/low beam __________ 61
Daytime running lights _____ 61
Rear fog light ____________ 62
Instrument illumination _____ 62
Changing bulbs _________ 182High/low beam control stalk 61
Turn signal and lane change
indicator _______________ 62
Cruise control __________ 145Front fog lights ___________ 63
Ashtrays ___________________ 112
Cigarette lighter ______________ 112
Tr i p c o m p u t e r
(Saab Information Display, SID) __ 54
Night panel __________________ 59
Clock _______________________ 60
Traction Control (TCS) Switch 51, 147
Wipers and washers ______ 65
Washer fluid ___________ 180
Replacing wiper blades __ 180Audio system ___________ 77
Steering-wheel controls____ 94Hazard warning lights _____ 63Climate control system:
automatic _____________ 67
Air conditioning: simple
fault diagnosis _________ 206
Seat heating controls __________ 106
Ventilated front seats ___________ 105Audio system steering-wheel
controls ________________ 94
ProCarManuals.com
65 Instruments and controls
Wipers and washers The delay of the intermittent operation can
be adjusted to between 2 and 15 seconds.
Moving the control stalk to the
spring-loaded position between 0 and 2 will
produce a single sweep of the wipers.
The wipers are designed for optimal clean-
ing at all driving speeds. At higher speeds,
it may be possible to detect a slight "sweep-
ing" sound. This may be due to the
increased air pressure on the blades at
higher speeds.Washers When the washers are operated, the wipers
will make 3, 4 or 5 sweeps, depending on
how long the washers were kept on. If the
speed of the car is less than 12 mph
(20 km/h), the wipers will make an addi-
tional sweep after 9 seconds. Headlamp wipersThe headlamp wipers will operate at the
same time as the windshield washers are
activated.
IB359
0
41
2
3
0 OFF
1 Windshield wipers: intermittent operation.
The delay can be adjusted to between 2 and
15 seconds
2 Windshield wipers: low speed
3 Windshield wipers: high speed
4 Washers
12
IB569
Control for setting wiper delay 1 Long delay
2 Short delay
ProCarManuals.com
150 Starting and drivingIf idling, it will take much longer before the
engine becomes hot. Engine wear is
greatest during this warming-up phase.
Therefore drive away as soon as possible
after the engine is started and avoid high
revving.
Driving in a low gear results in higher fuel
consumption than in a high gear because
of the higher engine speed for a given
road speed. Always change up to a higher
gear as soon as traffic conditions allow
and use the highest gear as much as pos-
sible.
Check the air pressure in the tires once a
month. Incorrect pressures increase tire
wear. It is better to have slightly higher
pressure than lower.
Check fuel consumption regularly.
Increased consumption can indicate that
something is wrong and that the car
needs to be checked by an authorized
Saab dealer.
Practical trials on the roads have demon-
strated that substantial savings in fuel con-
sumption can be made if the above advice
is heeded.
Road conditions Wet roads increase fuel consumption, as do
unpaved roads and driving in hilly country
(the amount of fuel saved driving downhill is
less than the additional amount required to
climb the hill). Engine block heater (standard
equipment in Canada, accessory in
U.S.)The following are just some of the benefits
to the car and the environment of using an
engine block heater:
Lower fuel consumption.
Reduced wear on the engine.
Inside of car warms up faster.
Exhaust emissions substantially reduced
over short runs.
The engine heater is effective at outside
temperatures up to +15-20°C. The warmer
it is outside, the shorter the time the engine
heater needs to be connected. Longer than
1.5 hours is unnecessary.
If the car is equipped with a removable,
electrical cabin heater that is not in use, this
should be stored in the luggage compart-
ment.
Driving in winterBefore starting a journey in cold weather,
check that the wiper blades have not
become frozen to the glass. Brush any snow
away from the air intake for the heater
system (opening between hood and wind-
shield).
Periodically during the winter, add gasoline
anti-freeze to the fuel to dispel any conden-
sation in the fuel tank which could freeze
and cause problems in the system. Keep
the tank well filled to reduce the risk of con-
densation forming.
If the car is parked outside in freezing
weather, fuel additives (gasoline
anti-freeze) will not do any good as any con-
densation in the fuel tank will freeze. Con-
densation is caused by changes in the out-
door temperature or by the car being parked
alternately in a garage and outside.
It is particularly important when the roads
are slippery that the brakes and tires be in
good condition.
The car is equipped with tires designed to
provide optimum grip on both wet and dry
roads, although this has been achieved at
the expense of somewhat reduced grip on
snow and ice. For regular driving on snow
and ice, we therefore recommend that
winter (snow) tires be fitted.
Winter (snow) tires, particularly studded
tires (where use is legally permitted), gener-
ally make driving safer on snow and ice.
If winter tires are fitted, the same type must
be fitted on all wheels. Your Saab dealer will
ProCarManuals.com
180 Car care and technical informationWipers and washersCheck and clean all wiper blades regularly.
We recommend Saab washer fluid for
cleaning.
If poor wiper performance is experienced,
clean the windshield with Saab washer fluid.
This is particularly important if the car has
been through an automatic car wash, as
these sometimes leave a wax coating on the
windshield.
If wiper performance is still unsatisfactory,
fit new blades.
Changing the windshield wiper
bladesLift the wiper arm off the windshield
1 Depress the catch.
2 Pull the complete blade assembly down
to free it from the wiper arm, and then lift
it off the arm.
Changing headlamp-wiper blades 1 Lift the wiper arm off the headlamp.
2 Release the wiper blade by pulling it
straight down, at right angles to the
wiper arm.
To fit the new blade, slot the blade into the
retainer on the wiper arm, and press it firmly
home.
IB506
2
1
IB505
ProCarManuals.com
213 Car care and technical information
For long tripsBefore setting off on a long journey, it is
advisable to have your car checked over by
your Saab dealer.
Obtain a few important items to take along
on your journey such as spare bulbs, wiper
blades, fuses, a Poly-Vee-belt and the like.
You can check some points yourself before-
hand:
Make sure that the engine is in good con-
dition.
Check that no oil or gasoline leaks out of
the engine or gearbox/transmission.
Inspect the Poly-Vee-belt and replace it if
it shows any signs of hard wear.
Check the battery charge.
Check the tires for tread pattern and air
pressure, including the compact spare
wheel.
Check the brakes.
Check all bulbs.
Check for the presence of the tool kit and
the jack in the car.
Recovery and/or
recycling of automotive
materialsA typical car consists of metals (65–75%),
plastics (10–14%), rubber (5%) and small
quantities of glass, wood, paper and tex-
tiles.
Some of these materials can be recycled,
while others can be recovered in chemical
processes for reuse in new products or as a
source of energy.
While the Saab 9-5 was still at the draw-
ing-board stage, Saab engineers were
giving serious consideration to how the
maximum quantity of materials could be
reclaimed from the car on its eventual
scrapping. To facilitate sorting, plastic parts,
for instance, have been marked to identify
the precise nature of the plastic.
Approximately 90% of the materials in the
car can be recycled or recovered, where
facilities exist.
Before the car is scrapped, all the oils and
other fluids that could pollute the environ-
ment should be recovered from the car. It
may be of interest in this context to learn that
the refrigerant used in the Saab 9-5’s A/C
and ACC systems (R134a) contains neither
CFCs nor any other chlorine compounds.
1 A-pillar trim: PP, PP/EPDM
2 Windshield trim: PP, PP/EPDM
3 Seals: EPDM
4 C-pillar trim: PP
5 Rear light cluster: PMMA
6 Corner infill panel: PPO/PA
7 Rear bumper, cellular core: expanded PP;
sheathing: PP/EPDM
8 Side-window casing: PP/EPDM
9 Fuel tank: PE
10 Side trim: PVC
11 A-pillar upholstery trim: PC/ABS, textile
12 Rearview mirror: ABS
13 Sill scuff plate: PP/EPDM
14 Wheel-arch liner: PP
15 Wheel cover: PA
16 Direction-indicator lamp lens: PMMA
17 Washer-fluid reservoir: PE
18 Front spoiler: PP/EPDM
19 Front bumper, cellular core: expanded PP;
sheathing: PP/EPDM
20 Fan shroud: PP
21 Radiator grille: ABS
22 Scuttle panel finisher: PC/ASA
ProCarManuals.com
219 Maintenance and owner assistance
Service record retentionService instruction coupons and record
stubs are provided in the Saab Warranties
and Service Record Booklet which accom-
panies this Owner’s Manual. The coupons
are arranged in the order that normal ser-
vice should be performed. The edge of each
coupon is shaded to correspond to the type
of service point:
Striped - "First Service"
Blue - Oil change/inspection service
Black - Major service
Note that in Canada a combined service
and warranty book is used, but not service
coupons.
When scheduled services are performed,
your dealer will tear out the applicable
coupon and use it to check off the opera-
tions performed and enter it into the service
file at the dealership. The servicing dealer’s
stamp, along with the date and mileage at
which the service was done, should be
entered on the corresponding stub which
remains in your booklet. The booklet is your
permanent record of the services per-
formed. It also includes a log sheet for
unscheduled repairs.
It is advisable to retain receipts and, if pos-
sible, copies of shop work orders for all ser-
vice and repair work, wherever performed.
Service costsDealer pricing practices and labor for ser-
vice work vary. Saab’s recommended ser-
vice times for each service point do not
include the labor required to replace wear
items, such as wiper blades, brake pads or
tires. Nor is labor to perform other service or
repairs found to be necessary as a result of
the inspections included in these times.
Additional labor and parts will be charged
for such work when necessary, except as
covered under an applicable Saab warranty
or any optional extended service contract.
Transmission fluid changes or suspension
alignment, when necessary, are also addi-
tional.
Dealer charges for general shop material,
regulated hazardous waste removal, recy-
cling expenses or other operation costs may
also be applied to service and repair
invoices and are apt to vary by dealer and
locality.
Owner assistanceWarranties and service problem
assistanceFor complete information about all applica-
ble warranties, including the New Car War-
ranty, Perforation Warranty, Vehicle Emis-
sion Warranty and Emission Perforation
Warranty, consult the Warranties and Ser-
vice Record Booklet which accompanies
this Owner’s Manual. It also contains owner
assistance information including Saab
Roadside Assistance. If the booklet is lost or
misplaced, a new one may be ordered
through a Saab dealer or by contacting
Saab.
In the U.S. there is a national Customer
Assistance Center at Saab Cars USA, Inc.
The toll-free number to call from all 50 states
is 1-800-955-9007.
In Canada, please call the Saab Customer
Assistance Centre at 1-800-263-1999.
A list of authorized Saab sales and service
dealers is available for those planning to
travel in the United States and Canada.
Canadian or U.S. travelers may call the
Customer Assistance Center in the country
in which they are traveling.
ProCarManuals.com
241 Index
IndexAA/C system, fault diagnosis ________ 206
A/C system, maintenance _________ 206
ABS brakes ____________________ 146
ACC ___________________________ 67
ACC functions ___________________ 70
ACC, automatic climate control ______ 67
ACC, calibration _________________ 75
ACC, condensation _______________ 76
ACC, programming _______________ 73
ACC, useful tips _________________ 75
Adjusting the steering wheel _______ 107
Adjustment, seats _______________ 102
Afterheater, V6-engine cars _______ 239
Air conditioning (A/C),
fault diagnosis and maintenance __ 206
Air distribution, ACC ______________ 72
Airbag _________________________ 23
Alarm __________________________ 38
Alarm functions __________________ 41
Alarm signals _________________ 38, 41
Alternator ______________________ 179
Alternator drive belt __________ 179, 231
Alternator rating _________________ 230
Anticorrosion treatment ___________ 211
Antidazzle rear-view mirror ________ 109
Ashtrays ______________________ 112
Audio System ___________________ 77Audio System, quick guide _________ 79
Autochecking of lights on starting ____ 52
Automatic climate control (ACC) _____ 67
Automatic transmission,
technical data _________________ 232
BBattery ________________________ 177
Battery charging/replacing _________ 178
Battery, boost starting ____________ 160
Belt guide ______________________ 12
Boost starting using jump leads ____ 160
Booster cushion __________________ 21
Brake and clutch fluid ____________ 175
Brake-fluid reservoir _____________ 175
Brakes, technical data ____________ 233
Bulbs, changing _________________ 182
Bulbs, table of __________________ 191CCD changer _____________________ 89
CD player ______________________ 87
CHECK messages _______________ 58
CHECKING _____________________ 58
Calibration, ACC _________________ 75
Cancelling the programmed settings __ 73
Car alarm _______________________ 38
Car care _______________________ 165
Car phone, installation _____________ 98
Cargo net, 9-5 Wagon ____________ 123Carpeting, care of _______________ 208
Cassette player __________________ 84
Catalytic converter,
important considerations _________ 133
Central locking ___________________ 32
Change language in SID ___________ 60
Change of address notification _____ 220
Changing a wheel _______________ 203
Changing bulbs _________________ 182
Changing the coolant _____________ 175
Changing the wheels round ________ 199
Changing wiper blades ___________ 180
Chassis number _________________ 235
Chassis number, key to ___________ 236
Child safety _____________________ 18
Child safety locks, rear doors _______ 35
Child seat, integral ________________ 21
Cleaning, engine bay _____________ 210
Clock _______________________ 59, 60
Colour code, body _______________ 235
Colour code, trim ________________ 235
Compact spare wheel ____________ 202
Condensation, ACC _______________ 76
Coolant _______________________ 174
Coolant, changing _______________ 175
Cruise control __________________ 145
Cup holder _____________________ 115
DDICE/TWICE ___________________ 193
Dampers ______________________ 232
ProCarManuals.com
244 IndexStarting in cold weather, ACC _______ 73
Starting in hot weather, ACC ________ 73
Steering wheel adjustment ________ 107
Steering, technical data ___________ 232
Stone-chip damage, repairing ______ 210
Storage compartments ___________ 113
Sun visors _____________________ 112
Sunroof _______________________ 111
Suspension ____________________ 232
Suspension, technical data ________ 232
Switches _______________________ 61
Systems, adjustment _____________ 237TTCS OFF _______________________ 51
Table of fuses __________________ 194
Tachometer _____________________ 52
Tailgate, opening _________________ 36
Tank gauge _____________________ 53
Technical data __________________ 225
Temperature control, ACC _________ 69
Temperature gauge, engine ________ 53
Temperature zones, ACC __________ 69
Textile carpeting ________________ 208
Through-load hatch ______________ 118
Tie Downs _____________________ 118
Tightening torque, wheel studs _____ 203
Tire markings ______________ 198, 199
Tire pressure _______________ 157, 198
Tires _____________________ 198, 233
Tools _________________________ 126Touching-in the paintwork _________ 210
Towbar attachment ______________ 152
Towbar load ____________________ 153
Towing the car __________________ 158
Towing, automatics ______________ 158
Traction _______________________ 147
Trailer weights __________________ 227
Trionic ________________________ 169
Trip computer ___________________ 54
Trip meter ______________________ 52
Trunk _________________________ 116
Trunk lid, opening ________________ 36
Turbo, points to note _____________ 132
UUnder the hood, 4-cyl ____________ 167
Under the hood, 6-cyl ____________ 168
Upholstery and trim ______________ 208
Upholstery and trim, care of _______ 208
Useful tips, ACC _________________ 75VVanity mirrors __________________ 112
Ventilated front seats _____________ 105
Viscosity, engine oil ______________ 228
WWarning labels ____________________ 8
Warning light, AIR BAG ____________ 26
Warning lights ___________________ 46
Washers ______________________ 180
Washers, windshield _____________ 181
Washing the car _________________ 209
Waxing and polishing ____________ 209
Wear indicators, tires _____________ 200
Wheels and tires ____________ 198, 233
Wheels and tires, sizes ___________ 233
Window-glass sensor, car alarm _____ 39
Windshield washers _______________ 65
Windshield wipers ________________ 65
Wiper blades, headlamp __________ 180
Wiper blades, replacing ___________ 180
Wipers and washers __________ 65, 180
ProCarManuals.com