
190 Car care and technical informationEngine compartment, 6-cyl. (3.0t V6)
10
7
9
8
1
3
2
5
4
6
IB576
Engine compartment, 6-cyl. (3.0t V6) 1 Engine-oil dipstick
2 Engine-oil filler cap
3 Reservoir, brake/clutch fluid
4 Fuse box
5 Expansion tank, coolant
6 Washer-fluid filler cap
7Battery
8 Dipstick, automatic transmission fluid
9 Ignition discharge module
10 Reservoir, power-steering fluid
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195 Car care and technical information
Transmission fluidManual transmission Check and top up the fluid in accordance
with the service program.
If original fluid cannot can be obtained for
topping up (see page 255), automatic trans-
mission fluid Dexron III (synthetic fluid) can
be used. If so, the car should be taken to an
authorized Saab dealer as soon as possible
to have the reason for low fluid level cor-
rected and original fluid installed.Automatic transmission Check the fluid level as follows:
1 Stand the car on level ground and apply
the parking brake. The automatic trans-
mission fluid must be at normal running
temperature, approximately 175°F
(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
(mineral oil-based), adding it through the dipstick pipe. The distance between
the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick
corresponds to a volume of approxi-
mately 0.4 qts (0.4 liter).
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.
WARNING
Prolonged and repeated exposure of
the skin to engine oil can cause seri-
ous skin disorders.
Avoid prolonged skin contact when-
ever possible. Wash the affected area
thoroughly with soap and water after
any contact.
Keep oil out of reach of children.
Do not touch the turbocharger or
manifold. These get very hot when the
engine has been running.
Do not spill oil on hot parts of the
engine as this could cause a fire. Used
engine oil is particularly flammable.
Protect the environment. Do not dis-
pose of oil in the ground or down a
drain. Dispose of all used oil and oil fil-
ters at an appropriate disposal facility.
NOTEIf there is a smell of burning fluid or the
fluid is black, change the fluid.
+80°
MIN MAX
+80°
IB495
Dipstick for automatic-transmission fluid
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236 Car care and technical information4Inspect the undercoating and touch
up if necessary. Pay particular atten-
tion to the fenders and wheel housings,
which are exposed to abrasion by flying
gravel, etc. If the composition has worn
or flaked off, the steel must be thor-
oughly cleaned and dried before a fresh
coat is applied. The cleaning is best
done with a scraper and a steel wire
brush, followed by washing with solvent.
Apply the new coating thinly, as other-
wise it may run off or fall off when dry.
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-V-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.
Check the coolant and power steering
fluid levels. Check also for leaks.
Inspect the Poly-V-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 ACC
systems (R134a) contains neither CFCs nor
any other chlorine compounds.
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243 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 - "Check Up"
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.
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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""""""""""
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256 SpecificationsAutomatic transmission Suspension
SteeringType ____________________________ Electronically con-
trolled 4-speed,
fully automatic with
hydraulic torque
converter, planetary
gear set and inte-
gral final drive
Lock-up function in
selector positions 3
and 4
Selector-lever positions ______________ P R N D 3 2 1
Transmission-fluid capacity, dry transmis-
sion (incl. torque converter and oil cooler) 7.5 qts (7 litres)
If fluid change required, approximately
3.5 litres can be drained through the drain
plug in the transmission casing
Transmission fluid __________________ Texaco Texamatic
Dexron III (mineral
oil based)
Clutch type _______________________ Hydraulic plate
clutches, brake
bands and one-way
couplings
Speed (mph / km/h) at 1000 rpm in 4th gear:
4- cylinder engines and 3.0t V6 ______ 29 / 46–47Spring type, front and rear ____________ Coil springs
Maximum deflection of springs:
Front ___________________________ 7.09 in (180 mm)
Rear ___________________________ 7.87 in (200 mm)
Dampers, front and rear ______________ Gas-filled dampers
Steering __________________________ Power-assisted
steering of
rack-and-pinion
type; telescopic
steering-column
shaft with universal
joints
Number of turns, lock to lock ___________ 2,9
Power-steering fluid _________________ Power-steering
fluid CHF 11S
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263 Index
Index
AA/C system, fault diagnosis
_______ 230
A/C system, maintenance
_________ 230
ABS brakes
____________________ 167
ACC
__________________________ 70
ACC functions
___________________ 73
ACC, automatic climate control
_____ 70
ACC, calibration
_________________ 78
ACC, condensation _______________ 79
ACC, programming _______________ 76
ACC, useful tips
_________________ 78
Adjusting the steering wheel
_______ 124
Adjustment, seats
_______________ 120
Afterheater, V6-engine cars
________ 80
Air conditioning (A/C), fault diagnosis
and maintenance
______________ 230
Air distribution, ACC ______________ 75
Airbag
_________________________ 26
Alarm _________________________ 41
Alarm functions
__________________ 44
Alarm signals
_______________ 41
, 44
Alternator
_____________________ 202
Alternator drive belt
_________ 202
, 255
Alternator rating
________________ 254
Anticorrosion treatment
___________ 234
Antidazzle rear-view mirror
________ 126
Ashtrays
______________________ 130
Audio System
___________________ 81
Audio System, quick guide
_________ 83Autochecking of lights on starting
____54
Automatic climate control (ACC) _____70
Automatic transmission,
technical data
_________________256
BBattery
________________________199
Battery charging/replacing
________201
Battery, boost starting
____________183
Belt guide
______________________12
Boost starting using jump leads
____183
Booster cushion
_________________24
Brake and clutch fluid
____________198
Brake-fluid reservoir
_____________198
Brakes, technical data ____________257
Bulbs, changing
________________205
Bulbs, table of
__________________214
CCD changer
_____________________93
CD player
______________________91
CHECK messages
_______________61
CHECKING
_____________________61
Calibration, ACC
_________________78
Cancelling the programmed settings
_76
Car alarm
______________________41
Car care
______________________187
Car phone, installation
___________103
Cargo net, 9-5 Wagon ____________141
Carpeting, care of
_______________232Cassette player
_________________ 88
Catalytic converter,
important considerations
________ 152
Central locking
__________________ 34
Change language in SID
__________ 62
Change of address notification
____ 244
Changing a wheel
______________ 226
Changing bulbs
________________ 205
Changing the coolant
___________ 197
Changing the wheels round
_______ 222
Changing wiper blades
__________ 203
Chassis number
_______________ 259
Chassis number, key to
__________ 260
Child safety
____________________ 19
Child safety locks, rear doors
______ 37
Child seat, integral
_______________ 24
Cleaning, engine bay ____________ 233
Clock
______________________ 61
, 62
Colour code, body
______________ 259
Colour code, trim _______________ 259
Compact spare wheel
___________ 225
Condensation, ACC
______________ 79
Coolant
______________________ 196
Coolant, changing
______________ 197
Courtesy Headlight Feature
_______ 64
Cruise control
_________________ 166
Cup holder
____________________ 133
DDICE/TWICE
__________________ 216
Dampers
_____________________ 256
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264 IndexDate code, tires
_________________ 224
Dim-dipped beam ________________ 63
Direction indicators _______________ 65
Door handles
___________________ 34
Door mirrors
___________________ 125
Doors, locks & luggage compartment
_33
Drive belt
______________________ 255
Drive belt, alternator
_____________ 202
Drive belts
_____________________ 255
Drive belts, length
_______________ 255
Driver’s seat, programmable
_______ 122
Driving in hot weather
____________ 173
Driving with a load
______________ 179
EElectric heating seat
_____________ 123
Electric heating, front seats
_______ 123
Electric windows
________________ 127
Electrical system, technical data
____ 254
Electrically heated rear seat
_______ 123
Electronic starting interlock _________ 35
Emergency operation of sunroof
____ 129
Emission control systems
_________ 191
Engine bay, 3.0t V6
_____________ 190
Engine bay, 4-cyl
_______________ 189
Engine bay, cleaning ____________ 233
Engine number
_________________ 259
Engine oil, grade ________________ 253
Engine, description _________ 192
, 193
Engine, technical data
___________ 252
Engine, temperature gauge
________ 55Engine-oil level, checking
_________193
Expansion tank, coolant
__________196
FFault codes, Audio System
________104
Flat spot, tire
___________________229
Fluid level, automatic transmission
__195
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Sedan
___134
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Wagon ___137
Frequently asked questions on airbag
30
Front fog lights
__________________66
Frost warning
___________________58
Fuel
__________________________154
Fuel consumption
________________57
Fuel filler flap
___________________145
Fuel gauge
_____________________55
Fuel grade _____________________252
Fuse box under hood
____________219
Fuse panel
____________________215
Fuses
________________________215
GGearbox number
________________259
Gearbox oil, checking
____________195
Gearbox, technical data, __________255
Glove compartment
______________131
HHandbrake
____________________185
Hazard warning lights
_____________66Head restraint
__________________ 18
Headlight flasher ________________ 63
Headlights
_____________________ 63
Holidaying abroad
______________ 236
Hood
________________________ 188
Horn _________________________ 124
IIgnition switch
_________________ 148
Immobilizer
____________________ 35
Indicator and warning lights
________ 48
Indicator lights
__________________ 48
Instrument illumination
___________ 65
Instruments and controls __________ 47
Integral child seat
_______________ 24
Interior equipment ______________ 119
Interior lighting
__________________ 67
Interior rearview mirror
__________ 125
KKey
__________________________ 34
Key to chassis number
__________ 260
Key, remove
__________________ 148
LLabels
_________________________ 8
Leather upholstery, care of
_______ 231
Light horn
_____________________ 63
Light switches __________________ 63
Luggage-compartment lighting
_____ 67
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