2001 SAAB 9-5 towing

175 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 trailer
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 can also occur:
 the A/C-compressor can be shut off
 the gear-change pattern is changed
 the CHECK message TRANSMISSION
OVERHEATING can appear 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 warning
has been extinguished. When continuing
your journey, select a locked gear (1, 2 or 3)
that will allow you to drive at an engine
speed of about 3,000 rpm (see page 163). 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 considerations Always 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 179.
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 3300 (1500) unlimited
8-9 3300 (1500) 15 max
10-15 1870 (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 indi-
cator” indicator comes on, cease
towing until the problem has been recti-
fied.
ProCarManuals.com

181 Starting and driving
Towing the carTransporting the carFront towing eye
The front towing eye is stored with the spare
wheel.
The attachment point (tapped hole) for the
towing eye is midway along the engine sub-
frame at the front of the car.
Remove the plastic plug and screw in the
towing eye securely.
To ensure that the towing eye is in far
enough, insert the handle of the wheel
wrench through the eye for additional lever-
age.
WARNING
 Remember that the brake servo does
not operate when the engine is off.
Much greater pressure than normal
will therefore be required to operate
the brake pedal.
 Nor does the steering servo operate
when the engine is off. The steering
will therefore be much heavier than
usual.
 The towing vehicle should always be
heavier than the vehicle on tow.
 Never allow passengers to ride in the
car being towed.
 Always seek professional help if the
car needs to be towed.NOTEIf a car with sports (lowered) chassis is
transported, for example on a flat bed
truck, take extra care not to damage the
spoiler and/or underbody.
WARNING
 Make sure that the towing eye at the
front is screwed in tightly.
 The towing eye is only designed for
use when the car is being towed on the
road. It must not be used to pull the
car out of a ditch, for example. If the
towing eye were to shear suddenly, it
could cause serious injury.
 Always seek professional help if the
car needs to be recovered.
NOTE Do not drive the car with the front
towing eye in position. If it catches the
curb, for example, the engine sub-
frame could be damaged.
 Refit the plastic plug in the hole when
the towing eye has been removed, to
keep dirt out of the threads.
IB482
Front towing eye
ProCarManuals.com

182 Starting and drivingRear towing eyeThe car has a permanently mounted towing
eye at the back. If the car is equipped with a
trailer hitch, this can be used instead of the
towing eye. Considerations when towing the car
with manual transmission Gear lever in neutral and parking lights on.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles being towed.
Always try to keep the towrope taut by
gently applying the brake, as necessary.
This will avoid the towrope being jerked
violently.
Considerations when towing the car
with automatic transmission Selector lever at N (neutral) and parking
lights on.
Drive carefully and do not exceed the
speed limit for vehicles being towed.
Always try to keep the towrope taut by
gently applying the brake, as necessary.
This will avoid the towrope being jerked
violently. 1 Selector lever in position N.
2 Raise the oil level in the gearbox above
normal by 2 extra quarts. Use oil of type
Texaco Texamatic Dexron III.
3 The local regulations on towing speeds
must be followed.
The highest permissible towing speed is
30 mph (50 km/h), unless the legal limit
is lower. The longest permissible towing
distance is 25-30 miles (40-50 km). If the
car has to be transported farther than
that, summon a tow truck. A flat bed tow
truck is the preferred method to tow.
4 When the car is being returned to ser-
vice, check the gearbox oil, and reduce
it to the prescribed amount if necessary.
Failure to follow these guidelines can result
in damage.
Cars with automatic transmission cannot be
bump started. In an emergency, it is possi-
ble to start the engine using jump leads (see
the section, ”Jump starting” on page 183). NOTE The car must be towed front first.
 If the car is to be towed with the front
wheels off the ground, make sure the
parking brake is off, as this acts on the
rear wheels.
IB483
Rear towing eye
ProCarManuals.com

246 Maintenance and owner assistance* These are the minimum required Emission Control System maintenance steps. Saab urges that all recommended maintenance procedures be performed
according to this program.
(b.) Change automatic transmission fluid at more frequent intervals (20,000; 50,000; 80,000 miles, etc.) if car is driven in dense city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reach 90°F or higher, or if car is used in a mountainous/high altitude area or for trailer towing.
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 (cont.)
E Evaporative emission system including filler cap, vapor
lines, EVAP canister and canister purge valve"
R Fuel system: leaks and damage""""""""""
E Fuel filter!
E Engine air cleaner element!
*
!*
!*
R Exhaust system and mountings; leaks and condition""""""""""
Electrical
R Battery: state of charge and electrolyte level; clean termi-
nals if necessary"""""""""""
R Head, fog, brake, tail, turn signal, warning lights instru-
ment panel, backup and marker lamps"""""""""""
Transmission
R Automatic transmission fluid change (b.)!!!
R Automatic transmission oil level"""""""""""
R Manual transmission oil level"""
R Outer and inner driver joint boots""""""""""
ProCarManuals.com

251 Specifications
Trailer:
Luggage compartment
Volume (SAE):
9-5 Sedan _______________________ 15.9 cu.ft.
(450 litres)
9-5 Wagon, rear seat upright ________ 31.4 cu. ft.
(890 litres)
9-5 Wagon, rear seat folded _________ 73.0 cu. ft.
(2067 litres)
Maximum permissible luggage-compart-
ment load:
At curb weight + 4 passengers at 154 lbs.
(70 kg) _________________________ 176 lbs (80 kg)
or each passenger fewer in the rear seat, the load may be
increased by 110 lbs (50 kg).
With entire rear seat lowered ________ 594 lbs (270 kg)
Luggage compartment, length, 9-5 Sedan:
Rear seat upright _________________ 43.0 in (1092 mm)
Rear seat folded down _____________ 67.5 in (1714 mm)
Luggage compartment, length, 9-5 Wagon:
Rear seat upright _________________ 42.8 in (1087 mm)
Rear seat folded __________________ 61.2 in (1732 mm)
WARNING
The GVW and maximum axle loads must not be exceeded. Note
that if some accessories (e.g. towbar, CD changer) are fitted, the
available load capacity is reduced by the weight of these.
When carrying a load in the luggage compartment, make sure that
it is tied down securely, particularly when part or all of the rear seat
is folded down.
Maximum towing speed, trailer with brakes 60 mph (100 km/h)
Trailer with brakes _________________ Maximum weight:
3500 lbs (1588 kg)
Trailer without brakes ______________ Maximum weight:
1000 lbs (450 kg)
Maximum load on ball hitch __________ 165 lbs (75 kg)
The above speed and weight restrictions are those specified by
Saab Automobile AB.
Note that local restrictions may apply to trailer speeds and
weights (see page 174).
ProCarManuals.com

266 IndexSteering, technical data
__________ 256
Stone-chip damage, repairing
______ 233
Storage compartments
___________ 131
Sun visors
_____________________ 130
Sunroof
_______________________ 128
Suspension
____________________ 256
Suspension, technical data
________ 256
Switches
_______________________ 63
Systems, adjustment
____________ 261
TTCS OFF
______________________ 53
Table of fuses __________________ 217
Tachometer
_____________________ 54
Tailgate, opening
________________ 38
Tank gauge
_____________________ 55
Technical data _________________ 249
Telematics
____________________ 107
Temperature control, ACC
_________ 72
Temperature gauge, engine ________ 55
Temperature zones, ACC
__________ 72
Textile carpeting
________________ 232
Through-load hatch ______________ 136
Tie Downs
_____________________ 136
Tightening torque, wheel studs
_____ 226
Tire markings
_____________ 221
, 222
Tire pressure
______________ 179
, 221
Tires
____________________ 221
, 257
Tools
_________________________ 144
Touching-in the paintwork
_________ 233
Towbar attachment
______________ 174Towbar load
___________________176
Towing the car _________________181
Towing, automatics
______________181
Traction
_______________________169
Trailer weights
__________________251
Trionic
________________________191
Trip computer
___________________57
Trip meter
______________________54
Trunk
_________________________134
Trunk lid, opening
________________38
Turbo gauge
____________________56
Turbo, points to note
_____________151
UUnder the hood, 3.0t V6
__________190
Under the hood, 4-cyl
____________189
Upholstery and trim
______________231
Upholstery and trim, care of
_______231
Useful tips, ACC
_________________78
VVanity mirrors
__________________130
Ventilated front seats
____________123
Viscosity, engine oil
_____________252
WWarning labels
___________________8
Warning light, AIR BAG
___________30
Warning lights
___________________48
Warning triangle ________________144Washers
_____________________ 203
Washers, windshield
____________ 204
Washing the car
_______________ 232
Waxing and polishing
___________ 233
Wear indicators, tires ____________ 223
Wheels and tires
___________ 221
, 257
Wheels and tires, sizes
__________ 257
Window-glass sensor, car alarm
____ 42
Windshield washers
_____________ 68
Windshield wipers
_______________ 68
Wiper blades, headlamp
_________ 203
Wiper blades, replacing __________ 203
Wipers and washers
_________ 68
, 203
ProCarManuals.com