6Engine compartment,
4-cyl engine
IB583
Engine: description ___________ 192
Engine oil level: checking ______ 193
Engine oil: changing __________ 194
Engine oil specification ________ 253
Brakes and braking ___________ 167
ABS brakes _________________ 167
Brake system ________________ 198
Brake fluid __________________ 257
Brake pads __________________ 257
Fuse panels ___________ 215
Changing a fuse ________ 215
Table of fuses __________ 217
Relays _______________ 218Temperature gauge ______ 55
Driving in hot weather ____ 173
Driving in winter_________ 172
Coolant:
checking/changing __ 196 / 197
Cooling-system capacity _ 252
Power steering __________ 199
Steering fluid: grade _____ 199
Wiper/washer control stalk _ 68
Washer fluid: topping-up __ 204
Washer jets ___________ 204
Jump starting ________________ 183
Battery _____________________ 199
Battery charge _______________ 199
Manual transmission __________ 158
Automatic transmission ________ 159
Manual transmission oil ________ 256
Automatic-transmission fluid ____ 256
Important considerations
for driving ___________________ 151
Turbo unit ___________________ 189
Engine: technical data __________ 252Ignition system _________ 148
Drive belts _____________ 202
Spark plugs ____________ 254
Catalytic converter ______ 152Warning labels ___________ 8
V.I.N. number __________ 259
Engine number _________ 259
Gearbox number ________ 259
Color code _____________ 259
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7
Engine compartment,
3.0t V6
IB585
Warning labels ___________ 8
V.I.N. number __________ 259
Engine number _________ 259
Gearbox number ________ 259
Color code _____________ 259Ignition system _________ 148
Drive belts _____________ 202
Spark plugs ____________ 254
Catalytic converter ______ 152Important considerations
for driving ___________________ 151
Turbo unit ___________________ 189
Engine: technical data __________ 252
Automatic transmission ________ 159
Automatic-transmission fluid ____ 256
Brakes and braking ___________ 167
ABS brakes _________________ 167
Brake system ________________ 198
Brake fluid __________________ 257
Brake pads __________________ 257Jump starting ________________ 183
Battery _____________________ 199
Battery charge _______________ 199
Fuse panels ___________ 215
Changing a fuse ________ 215
Table of fuses __________ 217
Relays _______________ 218Engine temperature gauge _ 55
Driving in hot weather ____ 173
Driving in cold climate ____ 172
Coolant:
checking/changing _ 196 / 197
Cooling-system capacity _ 252
Power steering _________ 199
Steering fluid: grade _____ 199
Wiper/washer control stalk _ 68
Washer fluid: topping-up __ 204
Washer jets ___________ 204
Engine: description ___________ 192
Engine oil level: checking ______ 193
Engine oil: changing __________ 194
Engine oil specification ________ 253
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8
Battery
Contains corrosive sulfuric acid (40%)
FLAMMABLE GASES formed when car running and during charging
of battery
Always wear eye protection when working on the battery
Smoking, open flames and sparks can all cause a battery to explode
See Owner’s Manual before using jump leads
Battery acid can cause SERIOUS BURNS
Keep battery upright
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing
If contact made with acid, flush affected area with water and seek med-
ical help
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN Brake fluid
CLEAN FILLER CAP BEFORE
REMOVING. USE ONLY DOT 4
FLUID FROM SEALED CON-
TAINER. Radiator fan
The radiator fan can cut in even
after engine has been switched
off.
WL2
IB336
Drive belt
Danger! Moving belt
WL3
A/C system
Refrigerant at high pressure.
Always drain the A/C system before undoing any connections. Failure to
follow prescribed procedures can result in injury. System to be serviced by
authorized personnel only. See Workshop Service Manual for correct pro-
cedures.
The A/C system complies with SAE J639.
Refrigerant: 875 g of R134a.
Refrigeration oil: 145 cc of PAG ND-8 oil or Saab 4319752 SK 20 oil
Warning labels
IB1081
WL35
Do not loosen or remove the A/C system fitting
before charging the A/C system. Improper
servicing methods may cause personal injury.SYSTEM TO BE SERVICED BY QUALIFIED PERSONNELONLY. for instructions consult workshop manual.
The A/C system complies with SAE J639
Ne pas desserrer les connexions du systeme A/C
avant l’evacuation du refrigerant. Une methode
de service erronee peut causes des lesions.L’ENTRETIEN DOIT ETRE FAIT PAR UN PERSONNALQUALIFIE. Consulter le manuel de service.
ca systeme eat conforme a la norme SAE J639
Manufactured by SAAB Automobile AB, Trollhatten, Sweden
4756961
Charge: 875 g R134a
Compressor oil:
145cc PAG oil ND-8 alt
SAAB oil 4319752
SK-20
Charge: 875 g R134a
Muile de compresseur
145cc PAG oil ND-8 ou
SAAB oil 4319752
SK-20
R134a
WARNING
Refrigerant under high pressure
ATTENTION
Refrigerant sous haute pression
WL36
NO SMOKING
AVOID SPARKS AND OPEN FLAMES
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL
WEAR EYE PROTECTION
FLAMMABLE GAS
ACID
ProCarManuals.com
48 Instruments and controls
Indicator and warning
lights A number of indicator and warning lights will
come on when the ignition is switched on
prior to starting. Under normal conditions,
these should go out a few seconds after the
engine has started (see page 54).
Warning, oil pressure
(engine oil)
This light will come on together with if
the engine oil pressure is dangerously low.
If the light flashes or comes on while you are
driving, stop the car, switch off the engine
and check the engine oil level (see page
193). NOTEUnder no circumstances must the car be
driven when the warning light is on. Low
oil pressure can result in serious engine
damage.
Main instrument panel 1 Tachometer
2 Indicator and warning lights
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning lights
5 Pressure gauge6 Fuel gauge
7 Engine temperature gauge
8 Trip meter reset button
9 Odometer and trip meter
2030405060 70
80
90
100
11 0
120
130
140
150
240220200180 160 140 120 100
80
60
40
20
10
9
4
5
3
2
7
8
6
1
IB1690
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51 Instruments and controls
CHECK message indicator
This light indicates that there is a message
in the SID. A chime will also sound
(see page 61).
Central warning light
This light will come on and a chime will
sound if a fault has been detected in any
system that is critical to safety. Any of the
following can activate the central warning
light and alarm:
Airbag system.
Low oil pressure in engine.
Parking brake is on (when car is moving).
Brake fluid level low.
Fault detected in ABS system.
Electronic brake force distribution (distri-
bution of brake pressure between front
and rear wheels).
Engine overheating.
Alternator not charging properly.
Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)
This light indicates a malfunction in the
fuel-injection or ignition system. The car
may still be driven with care and with some-
what diminished performance (see page
151).
Indicator, fuel
This light comes on when there is less than
about 2.5 gallons (10 liters) of fuel left in the
tank.
WARNING
An illuminated ”Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)” indicator light indi-
cates a serious engine-related problem.
While your car may be able to be driven
with the ”Engine malfunction (CHECK
ENGINE)” indicator light illuminated
(Limp-home mode), you are advised to
have your car serviced at an authorized
Saab dealer as soon as possible.
Continued driving without this problem
being corrected might cause serious
further damage to your car and create
unsafe driving conditions. The operator
should be prepared to take action if such
unsafe conditions arise (e.g., apply the
brakes, disengage transmission, turn off
the ignition etc.).
NOTEThe car should be checked immediately
at an authorized Saab dealer to prevent
more serious faults from arising.NOTEIf the car runs out of fuel, air can be drawn
in with the fuel, which, in turn, can cause
the catalytic converter to be damaged by
overheating.
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54 Instruments and controlsAutochecking of lights,
main instrument panel The above warning and indicator lights
should come on when the ignition is
switched on prior to starting. They should go
out after about 3 seconds.
The following lights light up until the engine
is started, presuming that no fault exists:
Central warning light .
Oil pressure warning light .
Warning, charging .
InstrumentsTachometerThe tachometer indicates the engine speed
in thousands of revolutions per minute. The
needle may be allowed to enter the broken
red zone on the dial only for an instant.
A safety cut-out function (in the fuel system)
prevents the engine speed from exceeding
approximately 6,200 rpm.
Odometer and trip meter The odometer records the distance traveled
in miles on U.S. vehicles and on Canadian
vehicles the distance indicated is in kilome-
tres, and the trip meter in miles and tenths
(kilometres and tenths of kilometres on
Canadian vehicles). Reset button The reset button has two functions, deter-
mined by whether the ignition is ON or OFF.
When the ignition is ON, pressing the
button will reset the trip meter.
When the ignition is OFF, pressing the
button will bring up the display for
20 seconds to allow the odometer and
trip-meter readings to be viewed.
IB1279
IB340
IB341
1 Cars with automatic transmission
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150 Starting and drivingIt is possible for air to enter the lubricating
system in conjunction with an oil or oil-filter
change, or if the car has been stored for
some time. This air can cause the hydraulic
cam followers to emit a ticking noise, which
can persist for up to 15 minutes after start-
ing. Although this is quite normal and does
not indicate any malfunction, it is advisable
not to exceed 3,000 rpm before the noise
has disappeared.
The hydraulic cam lifters are completely
service free; the valve clearance is set up at
the factory and will not need any subse-
quent adjustment.
Starting the engineAvoid racing the engine or putting a heavy
load on it before it has warmed up. Drive
away as soon as the oil warning light has
been extinguished to enable the engine to
attain its normal temperature as quickly as
possible.
The engine has an automatic choke and
should be started as follows:
Cars with manual transmission
To start the engine the clutch pedal must
be fully depressed.
1 Depress the clutch pedal fully but do not
touch the accelerator.
2 Start the engine. Let the ignition key
spring back as soon as the engine has
started and is running smoothly – at very
low temperatures, you may need to run
the starter for up to 25 seconds. Wait
20-30 seconds before running the
starter again, to give the battery time to
recover.
Let the engine idle for about 10 seconds. Do
not open the throttle wide for at least
2-3 minutes after starting. Cars with automatic transmission
1 The selector lever must be in the P or N
position.
2 Keep your foot on the brake pedal.
3 Start the engine. Let the ignition key
spring back as soon as the engine has
started and is running smoothly – at very
low temperatures, you may need to run
the starter for up to 25 seconds. Wait
20-30 seconds before running the
starter again, to give the battery time to
recover.
Let the engine idle for about 10 seconds. Do
not open the throttle wide for at least
2–3 minutes after starting.
Useful tips on cold climate starting If the engine has failed to start after several
attempts in very cold weather, press and
hold the accelerator down to the floor and
run the starter for 5–10 seconds. This will
prevent the engine being flooded (exces-
sively rich fuel-air mixture).
Now start the engine in the normal way – do
not touch the accelerator.
If the engine stalls immediately after starting
(e.g. if the clutch was released too quickly),
do not touch the accelerator when restarting
the engine. The tail pipe of the exhaust system
can become very hot during driving.
Bear this in mind when loading and
unloading the car.
Do not rest or sleep in the car when
parked with the engine running. There
is a risk of depressing the accelerator
which could lead to engine damage.
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154 Starting and drivingRefueling
Only 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 4-cylinder engines
AO N 93 for 3.0t V6 and 2.3T Aero, (see
page 252).
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.
Open fuel door
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: 18.5 US gal. (70 liters)
Screw on the filler cap and keep turning until
it has clicked at least three times.
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.
WARNING
Never use fuel for any purpose other
than as engine fuel.
Fuel is highly flammable and can
cause severe burns. Never use an
open flame in the vicinity of gasoline
and do not smoke when refuelling.
Do not use the phone when refueling .
Gasoline fuels are highly explosive.
NOTEDo not overfill. Fuel should not come right
up the filler pipe as expansion room is
needed.
IB470
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