2002 SAAB 9-3 coolant level

6Engine bayWarning labels ___________ 7
V.I.N. number __________ 243
Engine number _________ 243
Gearbox number ________ 243
Color coding ___________ 243Ignition system _________ 240
Drive belt ______________ 197
Alternator _____________ 197
Spark plugs ____________ 240
Catalytic converter ______ 150
Simple fault tracing
(A/C, ACC) ____________ 226Turbo-compressor ________ 67
Pressure gauge __________ 67
Important considerations
for driving _____________ 148
Technical data: engine ___ 237Manual transmission __________ 191
Automatic transmission ________ 191
Transmission oil ______________ 191
Gearbox: technical data ________ 240
Battery _____________________ 195
Battery charge _______________ 195
Jump starting ________________ 181IB1624
Engine: description ____________ 188
Engine oil, level control
and topping up _______________ 190
Engine oil: changing ___________ 190
Oil grade_____________________ 237
Washer fluid ___________ 199
Topping up with fluid _____ 199
Washer jets ___________ 199
Wiper/washer control stalk _ 78
Steering servo _______________ 195
Fluid checking
and topping up ______________ 195
Coolant, checking
and topping up ________ 192
Coolant _______________ 192
Temperature gauge ______ 67
Driving in hot weather ____ 173
Driving in cold weather ___ 171Fuse panels ___________ 206
Changing a fuse ________ 206
Table of fuses __________ 208
Relays _______________ 210
Brake system ________________ 241
Brake fluid __________________ 194
Brake pads __________________ 194
ABS brakes _________________ 164
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67 Instruments and controls
Temperature gaugeThe temperature gauge shows the temper-
ature of the coolant. The needle should be
in the middle of the scale when the engine
is at normal operating temperature.
If the needle enters the red zone, the
warning light will come on and an alarm
chime will sound. If the needle approaches the red zone,
which can occur in very hot weather or when
the engine is under a heavy load, drive in the
highest gear possible, keep the engine revs
low and avoid shifting down.
Check fuse 3 (radiator fan) in the fuse panel
under the hood, see page 210.
If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone,
stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and
check the coolant level by looking at the
level visible through the plastic tank - do not
remove the cap.
If the coolant level falls below the MIN mark,
the SID will display the message ”FILL
COOLANT FLUID”.
Pressure gaugeThe turbo gauge indicates the air volume for
combustion, which is equivalent to the
engine load.
At low loads, the needle will move within the
white zone. At higher loads and during
heavy acceleration, the needle will enter the
yellow area. At very high loads (certain var-
iants only) the needle may enter the first part
of the red zone without indicating that there
is a fault.
NOTEIf the needle, despite the above action,
enters the red zone, stop the car immedi-
ately.
If the needle stays in the red zone, turn off
the engine.
WARNING
Never open the coolant expansion tank
cap when the engine is hot. It contains hot
coolant under pressure. Failure to heed
this warning may result in personal injury.
IB343
IB344
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73 Instruments and controls
The following CHECK messages may be
displayed: 1) This message will be displayed approximately
600 miles (1,000 km) before the next sched-
uled service is due, or when 365 days have
elapsed since the last service. The message
should be cleared at the time of that service
(see the Saab Warranties & Service Record
Booklet).
This message can also be deleted by first
briefly pressing the CLR button, then depress-
ing it a second time for at least eight seconds
until "SERVICE" appears on the display and a
chime sounds. The message can only be
deleted when it is shown on the SID.
Night panelTo improve night-driving conditions inside
the car, the Night Panel mode can be
selected. In this mode, the amount of infor-
mation displayed is reduced, and only the
most important instruments and displays
will be illuminated.
When the Night Panel button is pressed,
only the speedometer will be illuminated (up
to the 87-mph or 140-km/h graduation), all
the other instruments illumination will be
extinguished and their needles moved to
zero. Both the SID and the ACC displays will
be extinguished and the backlighting for
switches and other controls will be dimmed.
Note: All indicator and warning lights,
together with the display of CHECK mes-
sages, will operate as normal. The following conditions will wake up the
respective displays in the Night-Panel
mode:
 Setting of the Audio System, SID or ACC
(display comes on for ten seconds).
 CHECK message generated in the SID.
 High engine revs cause the rev counter to
be illuminated until the engine speed has
fallen again.
 If the quantity of fuel remaining falls below
4 gallons (15 liters), the fuel gauge will be
illuminated.
 If the engine temperature rises above nor-
mal, the temperature gauge will be illumi-
nated.
 If the speed of the car exceeds 84 mph
(135 km/h), the entire speedometer will
be illuminated.
 In cars with automatic transmission, if the
selector lever is moved from D to position
3, 2 or 1, the selector indication on the
main instrument panel will be illuminated.
To restore the displays and lighting to the
normal mode, press the Night-Panel button. Display shows: See
page
BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE 202
FRONT LIGHT FAILURE 200
REAR LIGHT FAILURE 202
FOG LIGHT FAILURE 203
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW 199
TIGHTEN FUEL FILLER CAP 151
FILL COOLANT FLUID 192
KEY NOT ACCEPTED 45
REPLACE KEY BATTERY 45
SERVICE THEFT ALARM 45
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING 159
TIME FOR SERVICE
1)
230
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173 Starting and driving
Driving in hot weather Always check the coolant level before
starting a journey. When the engine is
cold, the coolant must not be above the
KALT/COLD mark on the expansion tank.
 At the end of a journey, if the engine has
worked hard, allow it to idle for two or
three minutes before switching it off.
If the needle on the temperature gauge
enters the red zone:
1 Bring the car to a standstill but leave the
engine running. Do not remove the cap
on the expansion tank even if the tank is
empty. The engine temperature should
decrease. If the temperature continues
to rise with the engine idling, the engine
must be switched off. 2 If the engine is idling and the needle on
the temperature gauge falls, wait until a
normal temperature is shown (about in
the middle of the scale) before switching
off the engine. If the coolant needs top-
ping up, unscrew the cap on expansion
tank carefully.
Top up, as necessary, ideally with a
50/50 mixture of coolant and water. Use
a Saab-approved coolant. If only water
is available, use that, but remember to
have the coolant mixture checked as
soon as possible.
3 As soon as possible, have the cooling
system checked by an authorized Saab
dealer.
Towing a trailerTrailer hitch attachment Trailer hitch attachments are available as
accessories. These are designed for a max-
imum trailer weight of 3500 lbs (1588 kg),
with trailer brakes, see also page 236.
Use only the electrical trailer hitch connec-
tor provided in the trailer hitch kit.
Saab recommends:
 Use a Saab original hitch kit attachment
which is designed and tested by Saab.
 Consult your Saab dealer for the right
hitch kit for your car.
WARNING
Always undo the expansion tank filler cap
carefully, releasing the pressure and any
vapor before removing the cap com-
pletely.
NOTEUse only a genuine Saab trailer hitch and
wiring, since other wiring methods can
cause expensive damage to the car’s
body and electrical system.
Consult an authorized Saab dealer for
guidance on how to connect the trailer
hitch electrical system.
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184 Starting and drivingDriving considerations
with compact spare
wheel/tire fitted The following should be observed when the
compact spare wheel (T115/70 R16) is
installed:
The compact spare is light and easy to
handle when changing the wheel. Do not
drive farther than necessary with the com-
pact spare fitted – the maximum life of the
wheel is only just over 2000 miles
(3,500 km). Have the standard wheel
repaired and reinstalled as soon as possi-
ble.Points to bear in mind when driving with a
compact spare wheel:
 The car’s ground clearance is reduced
with the compact spare fitted.
 Only one compact spare wheel may be
used at any time.
 Take care not to hit the curb.
 Do not fit snow chains.
 Leave the wheel cover off, so that the
warning text is readily visible.
For long tripsBefore starting off on a long journey, it is
advisable to have your car inspected 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 fuel 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 wear.
 Check the battery charge.
 Check the tires for tread pattern and air
pressure, including the compact spare
wheel.
 Take an extra car key/remote control and
keep it separate, see also page 36.
 Check the brakes.
 Check all bulbs.
 Check for the presence of the tool kit and
the jack in the car.
WARNING
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) as the
tire can overheat and adversely affect the
handling of the car.
The tire should be inflated to 60 psi
(420 kPa).
NOTETo avoid damaging a punctured alloy
wheel this can be placed outside up in the
spare-wheel well but only while driving to
the closest dealer.
A general rule is that all heavy loads must
be well secured in the luggage compart-
ment, see page 142.
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192 Car care
(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 Dex-
tron III automatic-transmission fluid,
adding it through the dipstick pipe. The
distance between the MIN and MAX
marks on the dipstick corresponds to a
volume of approximately 0.4 qts
(0.4 litre).
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.
CoolantThe expansion tank is transparent, to facili-
tate checking. The level must be a little
under the mark ”KALT – COLD” on the tank
when the engine is cold. If the SID message
"FILL COOLANT FLUID" is displayed, the
level in the expansion tank should be
checked. Top up as necessary with equal
parts of clean water and coolant. Use only
coolant approved by Saab.
If the expansion tank is empty when coolant
is added, run the engine to normal temper-
ature and top up again, as necessary.
Coolant The cooling system is filled at the factory
with coolant containing a 50% concentra-
tion of a combined antifreeze and corrosion
inhibitor. A weaker mixture will result in
reduced anticorrosion protection. For pro-
tection against freezing in very cold
weather, a stronger concentration will be
needed.
A 60% concentration of antifreeze will pro-
vide protection at temperatures down to
-58 F (-50°C).
NOTEIf there is a burnt smell or the fluid is black,
change the fluid as soon as possible.
WARNING
 Proceed with caution if the radiator is
boiling when you open the hood.
Never remove the expansion-tank
filler cap when the radiator is boiling.
Loosen the cap carefully, and let the
engine cool before removing the cap.
 The cooling system is pressurized –
hot coolant and vapor can escape
when the filler cap is released.
 Exercise care when adding coolant.
Coolant on hot surfaces constitutes a
fire risk.
IB892
Coolant expansion tank
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245 Technical data
Several of the systems in your Saab
car may be adjusted to better fit your
individual needsSome functions are governed by legal
requirements and cannot therefore be
reprogrammed.
Consult an authorized Saab dealer for fur-
ther information.
Car alarm/central locking system:
 The level of the siren when locking/
unlocking, HIGH or LOW.
 The number of blinks when locking/
unlocking, 1 to 7.
 Automatic locking of the trunk when the
car is driven, 1 to 8 mph (2-14 km/h), YES
or NO.
 Preclude the unlocking of the trunk while
the car is driven, YES or NO.
 Automatic locking of the trunk after
1 second-4 minutes if it has not been
opened, YES or NO.
 Automatic locking of the trunk when it is
closed, YES or NO.
 Automatic locking of all doors when the
car is driven above 7.5 mph (12 km/h),
YES or NO.Saab Information Display (SID):
 Outdoor temperature display can be
adjusted.
Miscellaneous:
 Select the on-time for heated rear seat.
 Coolant temperature gauge adjustment
can be increased/decreased.
 Fuel level gauge adjustment can be
increased/decreased.
 Additional sweep of the wipers after wind-
shield washer function (ON or OFF).
 Courtesy Headlight Feature (follow-me
home) on-time can vary from 20 to
50 seconds.
 Night panel illumination deactivation
speed for the speedometer can be
adjusted.
Following adjustments can be done
by the driver:Automatic Climate Control (ACC):
To alter the preprogrammed “AUTO“ start
up mode with your own preferences you can
manually select the desired settings for:
 Temperature.
 Fan speed.
Air distribution.
See “Programming I” on page 90 and “Pro-
gramming II” on page 91.
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