
190 Starting and drivingDriving considerations
with compact spare
wheel/tire fitted The following should be observed when the
compact spare wheel (T115/70 R16) is
installed:
The compact spare is light and easy to
handle when changing the wheel. Do not
drive farther than necessary with the com-
pact spare fitted – the maximum life of the
wheel is only just over 2000 miles
(3,500 km). Have the standard wheel
repaired and reinstalled as soon as possi-
ble.Points to bear in mind when driving with a
compact spare wheel:
The car’s ground clearance is reduced
with the compact spare fitted.
Only one compact spare wheel may be
used at any time.
Take care not to hit the curb.
Do not fit snow chains.
Leave the wheel cover off, so that the
warning text is readily visible.
For long tripsBefore starting off on a long journey, it is
advisable to have your car inspected 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 fuel leaks out of the
engine or gearbox/transmission.
Check the coolant and power steering
fluid levels. Check also for leaks.
Inspect the Poly-Vee-belt and replace it if
it shows any signs of wear.
Check the battery charge.
Check the tires for tread pattern and air
pressure, including the compact spare
wheel.
Take an extra car key/remote control and
keep it separate, see also page 36.
Check the brakes.
Check all bulbs.
Check for the presence of the tool kit and
the jack in the car.
WARNING
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) as the
tire can overheat and adversely affect the
handling of the car.
The tire should be inflated to 60 psi
(420 kPa).
NOTETo avoid damaging a punctured alloy
wheel this can be placed outside up in the
spare-wheel well but only while driving to
the closest dealer.
A general rule is that all heavy loads must
be well secured in the luggage compart-
ment, see page 148.
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191 Car care
IB944
Hood release handle ....... 192
Engine .............................. 194
Engine bay ....................... 193
Engine oil ......................... 196
Transmission fluid .......... 197
Coolant ............................. 198
Brake- clutch fluid and
brake pads ..................... 200
Power steering ................ 201
Battery .............................. 201
Drive belt .......................... 203
Wipers and washers ....... 204
Wiper blades .................... 204
Changing bulbs ............... 206
Fuses ................................ 212
Wheels.............................. 217
Safety belts ...................... 224 Upholstery and trim ......... 225
Textile carpeting .............. 225
Engine bay ........................ 226
Washing ............................ 226
Waxing and polishing ...... 227
Touching up the paint ..... 227
Anti-corrosion treatment . 228
Recovery and/or recy-
cling of automotive mate-
rials .................................. 230
Air conditioning (A/C
system) ........................... 232 Car care
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193 Car care
1 Engine-oil dipstick
2 Brake-fluid reservoir
3 Power-steering fluid reservoir
4 Fuse box
5 Coolant reservoir
6 MAXI fuses
7 Washer-fluid reservoir
8Battery
9Drive belt
10 Air filter
Engine bay
IB1625
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195 Car care
Saab Trionic engine management
systemThe Saab Trionic engine management
system is a unique Saab development that
combines sequential multiport fuel injection,
electronic distributorless ignition and turbo-
charger boost pressure control into one sys-
tem.
The Trionic engine control module (ECM)
monitors many different engine parameters
such as:
Intake manifold pressure.
Intake air temperature.
Crankshaft position.
Engine coolant temperature.
Throttle position.
The oxygen content of the exhaust gases.
The ECM receives information regarding
engine knocking from a sophisticated feed-
back function in the ignition discharge unit.
By processing all of this information, the Tri-
onic system can control fuel injector open-
ing duration, ignition timing and turbo-
charger boost pressure to provide excellent
engine performance while maintaining low
emissions and fuel consumption.
ORVR (Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery)All hydrocarbons formed when refueling will
be recovered by the car and not released
into the atmosphere. The hydrocarbons are
absorbed in an evaporative emission canis-
ter. When the engine is subsequently
started, the evaporative emission canister is
gradually purged as air is sucked into it
through a shut-off valve. The hydrocar-
bon/air mixture passes through the evap
canister purge valve and into the engine
where it is burned. "Refueling", see page
157.
NOTEThe Trionic engine management system
continuously monitors the operation of
these systems and has on-board diag-
nostic capabilities (OBD II). If the CHECK
ENGINE light in the main instrument illu-
minates, the Trionic ECM has detected a
problem. The car will continue to operate,
but performance may be diminished. You
should have your car checked by a Saab
dealer as soon as possible.
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198 Car care
(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,
adding it through the dipstick pipe. The
distance between the MIN and MAX
marks on the dipstick corresponds to a
volume of approximately 0.4 qts
(0.4 litre).
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.
CoolantThe expansion tank is transparent, to facili-
tate checking. The level must be a little
under the mark ”KALT – COLD” on the tank
when the engine is cold. If the SID message
"FILL COOLANT FLUID" is displayed, the
level in the expansion tank should be
checked. Top up as necessary with equal
parts of clean water and coolant. Use only
coolant approved by Saab.
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 filled 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).
NOTEIf there is a burnt smell or the fluid is black,
change the fluid as soon as possible.
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.
Coolant expansion tank
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199 Car care
The corrosion-inhibiting properties of the
coolant deteriorate over time, but coolant
approved by Saab can be used for
year-round protection. Change the coolant
as specified in the service program (page
239) and use only coolant approved by
Saab – other makes may need changing
more frequently and may damage the sys-
tem.
Changing the coolant(Usually carried out as part of the Saab
original service by an authorized Saab
dealer)
1 If the engine is hot, loosen the expan-
sion-tank filler cap a little to release the
pressure. Leave the cap in place.
2 Fit a suitable piece of hose onto the
nipple of the drain cock. Let the hose dis-
charge into a receptacle under the radi-
ator and open the drain cock, which is
located on the inside of the radiator
facing the engine bay.
3 Remove the filler cap on the expansion
tank.
4 In a couple of minutes the system will be
empty. Close the drain cock.
5 Mix antifreeze and water in a suitable
container. Use only Saab-approved
coolant. 6 Add the coolant slowly to the expansion
tank. This will take about two minutes,
as the air needs time to escape.
7 Screw the expansion-tank cap on and
run the engine to normal temperature.
Top up with coolant until the level is just
under the "KALT – COLD" mark on the
tank.
8 Check the coolant again after a few days
and top up as necessary. 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.
IB893
Radiator drain cock
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239 Maintenance and owner assistance
Saab Original Service Program M2001 USA, Canada, (9-3 Models)* These are the minimum required Emission Control System maintenance steps. Saab urges that all recommended maintenance procedures be performed
according to this program.
(a.) Engine oil and filter should be changed at least once a year. Intermediate oil and filter changes (halfway between indicated intervals) suggested for
cars primarily used for driving in dense city traffic or for repeated short trip operation without sufficient warm up.
** Service intervals:
Refer to the Warranties & Service Record Book for service intervals beyond 100,000 miles (160,000 km).Service Intervals **
Miles = U.S. Cars
Kilometers = Canadian Cars
30 day
10,000
(16,000 km)
20,000
(32,000 km)
30,000
(48,000 km)
40,000
(64,000 km)
50,000
(80,000 km)
60,000
(96,000 km)
70,000
(112,000 km)
80,000
(128,000 km)
90,000
(144,000 km)
100,000
(160,000 km)
Service #
1234567891011
Engine and engine compartment
E Engine oil and filter (a.)!!!!!!!!!!
R Engine coolant freezing point and level""" """ ""
R Engine coolant flush and replace (max. 3-year intervals)!!
R Engine cooling system, hoses and cap""""""""""
R Drive belt; condition""""" ! """"
E Spark plugs!
*
!*
!*
E Crankcase ventilation and vacuum lines""
Application/type of service (col. 1) Service Procedure
E = emission service"= Check - top up, adjust or replace if necessary
R = regular maintenance!= Replace
#= Lubricate
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247 Technical data
Engine Engine oilType _____________________________ 4 cyl, 2 overhead
camshafts,
16 valves and 2 bal-
ancer shafts
Cylinder bores ______________________ 3.54" (90 mm)
Stroke:
2.0 Turbo _________________________ 3.071" (78 mm)
Viggen __________________________ 3.543” (90 mm)
Swept volume:
2.0 Turbo _________________________ 121 cu.in.
(1,985 dm
3)
Viggen __________________________ 140 cu.in.
(2.290 dm3)
Idling speed _______________________ 900 rpm
Antifreeze _________________________ Saab-approved
antifreeze
Coolant volume, cooling system ________ 8.7 qts. (8.5 l)
Oil grade: We recommend the use of oils that are available from your
Saab dealer, for the regular oil changes.
These oils fulfill the most stringent requirements set by API and
ACEA classifications.
Oil for gasoline engines is classified by the API standards
(American Petroleum Institute) into the grade classes SH (since
1993) and SJ (since 1996). The SJ class fulfils more stringent
requirements and has a lower phosphorous level.
These grade classes are most often combined with the corre-
sponding classes for diesel engines. The class designations for
diesel engines begin with the letter “C“ (Commercial). For ex-
ample a grade combination suitable for both types of engine
could be API SH/CD or SJ/CF.
Basic recommendations for Saab engines:
• SAE 5W-30 or 5W-40.
The oil should be semi or fully synthetic and fulfil the grade
requirements for ACEA A3/B3 or API SJ.
Oils which are less viscous, such as 0W/-40/50 are becoming
more common and may be used. However, the oil must be
fully-synthetic, of a well known brand, and fulfil ACEA grade re-
quirements A3/B3.
This viscosity makes starting in cold weather easier.
Oil capacity inc. filter (on changing) _____ 4.0 l
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