2001 SAAB 9-3 oil viscosity

236 Maintenance and owner assistanceMaintenance scheduleThe Maintenance Schedule prescribes a
service program to the purchaser/operator
of a Saab that is reasonable and necessary
to ensure the proper emission control sys-
tems function, safety and reliability of the
Saab automobile in normal use. Additional
maintenance is recommended for specific
components when the car is operated under
certain severe conditions. Proper mainte-
nance is always a good practice!
Authorized Saab dealers are equipped and
trained to meet your Saab’s service needs.
They regularly receive up-to-date Saab ser-
vice manuals and parts and technical ser-
vice bulletins from Saab and are able,
through their franchise agreement, to attend
Saab service schools, obtain Saab special
tools and technical assistance and pur-
chase original equipment service and
replacement parts.
Today’s complex automobiles should only
be entrusted to the most knowledgeable
service professionals. A Saab dealer is your
best choice.
Service intervalsThe maintenance schedule is comprised of
a Check -up 30 days after retail delivery, fol-
lowed by services at every 10,000 miles
(16,000 km) thereafter (10,000, 20,000,
30,000 miles/16,000 32,000, 48,000 km
etc.).
Engine oil and filter changesChanging the engine oil and filter is required
at every service point. Use only a Saab
approved long-life oil filter and engine oils
meeting the SAE viscosity ratings and API
service classifications stated in the “Techni-
cal data” section of this Owner’s Manual.
The use of extra additives in the oil is not
necessary and is not recommended, and
may be harmful to turbochargers.
More frequent oil changes are recom-
mended if your vehicle is operated under
any of the following conditions:
 Most trips are less than 5-10 miles (8-16
km). This is particularly important when
outside temperatures are below freezing.
 Most trips include extensive idling (fre-
quent stop-and-go traffic).
 Most trips are through dusty areas (such
as construction zones).
 If the vehicle is used for delivery service,
police, taxi or other commercial applica-
tions.
If your driving habits match this description,
have the engine oil and filter changed in-
between normal services at 5,000 mile
(8,000 km) intervals. These conditions
cause the engine oil to break down faster.
The Warranties and Service Record Book-
let has provisions to record extra oil
changes.
NOTEThe Check-up will be done by your Saab
dealer at no charge and should be done
as close as possible to the scheduled 30
days.
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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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248 Technical dataUnder ACEA nomenclature, oils are divided into Class A for
gasoline engines and Class B for diesel-engined passenger
cars. There is a further class for heavy diesel engines. Each
class is divided into three grades: 1, 2 and 3, where grades 2
and 3 normally encompass semi and fully-synthetic oils. The
diesel class B also has a fourth grade, B4, which encompasses
tests and regulations aimed at improving the performance of
direct injection engines.
In the same way as in the API system, gasoline and diesel
engine specifications are combined for products that can be
used in both types of engine. For example, a grade designation
could be ACEA A2/B2 or ACEA A3/B3/B4.
To afford Saab engines the best protection, with regard to lubri-
cation, the ability to dissolve residues and the neutralization of
combustion products, we recommend the following oil grades:
 API SH/CD/CF or SJ/CD/CF.
 ACEA A3/B3/B4.
These oils contain the additives required for the engine to
function well. We advise against the use of further addi-
tives.
Viscosity: The viscosity of oil is classified according to the SAE standard.
Nowadays, multigrade oils are always used in cars. The proper-
ties of these oils facilitate starting the car in cold weather but
mean that the oil is also viscous enough to coat all moving parts
under high pressures and with high outside air temperatures.
Multigrade oils are graded with two viscosities, e.g. 10W-30,
where the 10W meets certain viscosity requirements at -4°F
(-20°C), while the 30 fulfills requirements at a temperature of
212°F (100°C).
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