157 Starting and driving
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 asso-
ciated components being damaged, and
could represent a breach of the warranty
conditions.
RefuelingOnly fuel from well-known oil companies
should be used.
All Saab gasoline engines can be driven on
fuel of grade AON 87-93.
For optimum performance we recommend:
AO N 90 for 2.0 Turbo 185 hp.
AO N 93 for 2.0 Turbo 205 hp and
2.3 Turbo Viggen.
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.
Insert the fuel-pump nozzle beyond the
flange on the filler pipe. Do not withdraw the
nozzle while filling is in progress.
Cease refueling the first time the pump
stops.
Fuel-tank capacity: 17.0 US gal. (64 liters)
Screw on the filler cap and keep turning until
it has clicked at least three times.
Manually opening the fuel filler door, see
page 150, Convertible, page 58.
The most effective way to prevent conden-
sation forming in the tank (and thus avoid
possible running problems) is to keep the
tank well filled.
Before the onset of freezing temperatures in
winter, it may be advisable to add gasoline
anti-freeze to the fuel a few times to dispel
any condensation in the system.
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.
WARNING
Never use fuel for any purpose other
than as engine fuel.
Gasoline is highly flammable and can
cause severe burns. Never use an
exposed flame in the vicinity of gaso-
line. Never smoke when filling the
vehicle up with gasoline.
Do not use the phone when refueling
with gasoline. Gasoline fuels are
highly explosive.
NOTEDo not overfill. Fuel should not come right
up the filler pipe as expansion room is
needed.
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181 Starting and driving
Recommendations for cars with auto-
matic transmission
The following time limits are based on the
capacity of the cooling system in warm
weather, i.e. approximately 86°F (30°C).
The following time limits are based on the
capacity of the cooling system in hot
weather, i.e. approximately 104°F (40°C).Use Normal mode when driving with a cara-
van or trailer on hilly roads. The adaptive
gear change pattern function will prevent
the transmission overheating.
Rises in coolant temperature are indicated
by the temperature gauge in the main instru-
ment panel.
The following may also occur:
A/C compressor is switched off
Gear change pattern is altered
The CHECK message TRANSMISSION
OVERHEATING appears on the SID
If TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING
appears on the SID, stop the car as soon as
it is safe to do so and wait until the message
has been extinguished. When driving sub-
sequent to the transmission oil overheating,
select either 3rd gear or Drive, whichever
will allow the engine to run at 3,000 rpm and
maintain the speed of traffic or a safe speed;
see page 165.Do not drive continuously with the WINTER
mode selected in hilly country when you are
towing a trailer, as this will increase fuel con-
sumption and risk overheating the transmis-
sion.
Driving considerationsAlways take extra care when towing a
trailer, as the car’s handling will be different
and its braking effect reduced. The trailer’s
braking system and suspension also have a
considerable effect on these characteris-
tics, see also "Driving with a load" page
184.
If the car is equipped with automatic trans-
mission, select position 1 when ascending
or descending steep hills. Gradient
of hill, % Maximum
trailer
weight, lbs.
(kg)Maximum dura-
tion, minutes
6-7 3330 (1500) Unlimited
8-9 3330 (1500) 15 max.
10-15 1890 (850) 15 max.
Gradient
of hill, % Maximum
trailer
weight, lbs.
(kg)Maximum dura-
tion, minutes
6-7 2000 (900) Unlimited
8-9 2000 (900) 15 max.
10-15 1000 (450) 15 max.
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.
Brake failure can result from overheated
brakes!
NOTEIf the “Automatic transmission fault
indicator” warning comes on, cease
towing until the problem has been recti-
fied.
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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
ProCarManuals.com
258 IndexEEconomical motoring
____________ 176
Electrical system, technical data
____ 250
Electrical window
_______________ 136
Electrically adjustable seats
_______ 133
Electrically heated front seats ______ 135
Electrically heated rear seat
_______ 135
Electrically heated rear window _____ 83
Electronic starting interlock
_________ 37
Emergency opening, fuel filler door
_ 150
Emergency operation of the soft top,
Convertible
____________________ 52
Emergency operation of the sunroof
_ 138
Emission control systems
_________ 194
Engine bay
____________________ 193
Engine bay, cleaning
_____________ 226
Engine break-in period _______ 161
, 176
Engine number
_________________ 253
Engine oil, changing
_____________ 196
Engine oil, checking _____________ 196
Engine oil, grade
________________ 247
Engine oil, volume _______________ 247
Engine variants
_________________ 249
Engine, description ______________ 194
Engine, technical data ____________ 247
FFault codes, Audio System
________ 115
Flat spot
______________________ 224Folding the soft top, Convertible
_____ 49
For long trips
___________________ 190
Front fog lights __________________ 77
Fuel filler door, emergency opening
_150
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 68
Fuel grade _____________________ 249
Fueling
_______________________ 157
Fuel-tank capacity
_______________ 249
Fuse table
_____________________ 214
Fuses
________________________ 212
GGearbox number
________________ 253
Gearbox oil, checking
____________ 197
Gearbox oil, grade
_______________ 250
General particulars ______________ 244
General safety instructions, Convertible
48
Glove compartment
______________ 141
HHandbrake
_____________________ 174
Hazard warning lights
_____________ 76
Head restraint
___________________ 18
Headlight flasher _________________ 75
Hood
_________________________ 192
Horn signal
____________________ 137
IIf the car does not start
___________ 153
Ignition switch
__________________ 152
Immobilizer
_____________________ 37
Important considerations concerning
cars with catalytic converters
_____ 156
Important considerations for driving
_ 154
Indicator lights
___________________ 60
Instrument lighting
________________ 78
Integrated booster seat
____________ 26
Interior equipment
_______________ 129
Interior lighting
__________________ 139
Interior lighting, Convertible
_________ 58
Interior rearview mirror
___________ 143
JJump starting
___________________ 187
KKey
___________________________ 36
Key, removing
__________________ 152
LLATCH (child safety)
______________ 21
Labels and plates
_______________ 253
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