
225 Car care and technical information
TemperatureThe temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C, representing the tire’s resistance
to the generation of heat and its ability to dis-
sipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive temper-
ature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of perfor-
mance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Date codeTires should be regarded as perishable
goods. As the tires age, the rubber becomes
progressively harder, and the roadholding
ability of the tires diminishes. This is partic-
ularly true on winter tires.
Tires now have a date-code marking for the
year of manufacture. The first two digits
denote the week number and the two last
digits the year. The ”<” symbol points to the
year.
Accordingly, a date code of 0200 signifies
that the tire was manufactured in week 02,
2000.
WARNING
The temperature grade for a tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possible tire fail-
ure.
IB1564
Date code
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227 Car care and technical information
Changing a wheel
WARNING
The car jack is designed solely for use
in changing a wheel or fitting snow
chains. It must not be used to support
the car during repair work or servicing.
Never crawl under a car that is
supported only by a jack.
Special care must be taken if the car is
on a slope – use wheel chocks!
Position chocks, one ahead and one
behind, the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the one to be changed.
Switch on the hazard warning lights if
the car is on a road.
Apply the parking brake and leave the
car in gear (1st or reverse). Automatic
transmission: move selector to the
P position.
Ensure that everybody is out of the car
before jacking it up.
Never start the engine while the car is
jacked up.
The jack must stand on a firm, level
surface.
Stow the jack in the place provided for
it under the panel in the floor of the lug-
gage compartment. Secure it properly
to avert injury to passengers in the
event of a crash.
Do not use the jack for any purpose
other than for jacking up the car.
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230 Car care and technical information
Flat spottingAll tires get hot, especially on long journeys
or when the car is driven hard. After the car
has been parked with hot tires and the tires
have cooled down, a flat spot can appear in
the tire, where it is in contact with the
ground. The same can occur if the car has
not been moved for a long time.
Flat spots can give rise to vibration that can
be felt through the steering wheel, similar to
that experienced when the wheels need bal-
ancing. Flat spots of this type disappear
once the tires get hot again, usually after
10–15 miles (20–25 km) of driving at cruis-
ing speed.
WARNING
If the car has been driven for several
years exclusively with alloy wheels and
steel wheels are now fitted, the bolt hole
threads in the brake hubs should be
cleaned before the thinner steel wheels
are fitted. Grit, salt and rust can clog the
inner threads making it impossible to
achieve the correct tightening torque.
IB539
Tightening sequence, wheel bolts
IB1800IB1800
Removing the wheel cover
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231 Car care and technical information
Air conditioning
(ACC)
Fault diagnosis If a fault occurs in the A/C system, there are
a number of checks you can perform your-
self. If the fault persists, however, have the
system checked by an authorized Saab
dealer.Important!
When the A/C system is running, the intake
air is dehumidified, and the resultant con-
densation is drained off through two outlets
underneath the floor of the car in the vicinity
of the front doors. It is therefore perfectly
normal for water to be seen dripping from
these outlets when the car is parked. The
warmer the ambient air and the higher the
humidity, the greater will be the amount of
condensation formed.
Inadequate cooling: a Check that the condenser (forward of
the radiator) has not become clogged
with dirt and insects.
b Make sure that the drive belt for the com-
pressor is not slipping.
c Check the fuses for the ventilation fans
and compressor.
Maintenance The drive belt for the compressor should
be inspected under the regular service
program.
Clean dirt and insects away from the con-
denser and radiator to prevent clogging.
When washing the car, use the hose to
spray the radiator and condenser (located
forward of the radiator) from both sides
(both from the front of the car and from
inside the engine bay). Do not use a pres-
sure washer.Caution: Do not use the hose when the
engine is hot.Other than in extremely cold weather, do not
screen the radiator, e.g. with netting, as this
will greatly diminish its cooling capacity.Note:
The A/C system will only operate
when the outdoor temperature is above the
freezing point (0°C, 32°F).
NOTE The A/C system is designed for use
with R134a refrigerant.
Refrigerant handling requires special
equipment and special procedures for
charging and draining the system.
All repairs and adjustments on the A/C
system must be carried out by a Saab
dealer authorized for this kind of work.
Never mix R134a and R12 refriger-
ants.
WARNING
The A/C system is pressurized. Do not
break any connections or undo A/C
system components.
Escaping gas can cause visual impair-
ment or other injury.
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232 Car care and technical informationSafety beltsRegularly check the function of the safety
belts as follows:
Hold the diagonal strap and pull it sharply.
The safety belt should
lock
and it should
not be possible to withdraw it further.
Check the anchorage points in the floor.
They must not have suffered rust damage.
There must be no frayed threads in the web-
bing.
Safety belts must not come into contact with
substances such as polishes, oils or other
chemicals. If the straps are dirty, wash them
with warm water and a detergent or have
them replaced.
Upholstery and trimTo remove fluff or hairs from the seat uphol-
stery or headlining, use a moist, lint-free
cloth or a special lint remover (brush or
roller). Remove any dirty marks using a
cloth moistened with lukewarm soapy
water.
When using a stain remover, always work
from the outside towards the center to avoid
leaving a ring. If a soiled ring or spot should
remain, it can usually be removed using
lukewarm soapy water or water alone.
Wet patches left by spilt soft drinks or thin oil
must be wiped off immediately using an
absorbent material, such as kitchen paper,
and treated with stain remover.
Alcohol is recommended for removing
grease or oil stains, and a semi-stiff brush
may also be used.
Cleaning and caring for leather
upholsteryThe principal reason for treating leather
upholstery is to maintain its elegant appear-
ance and to provide it with a protective film.
Discoloration caused by dust and wear
mainly affects the lighter shades, although
this is not detrimental to the leather –
indeed, the patina resulting from use is often
considered desirable in leather. But if the
leather is allowed to become too grubby, it
can start to look shabby.
It is a good idea to clean and recondition the
leather twice a year – in conjunction with a
general spring-cleaning of the car – after the
winter and in the autumn, for instance. In
hot, dry climates, the leather will need to be
treated more frequently. Recommended
conditioner – Saab Leather Care Lotion.
Do not use unknown harsh polishing
agents, cleaning agents, sprays, coarse
soap or hot water.Textile carpetingVacuum clean the carpeting regularly. Car-
pets can also be cleaned using a brush, or
carpet shampoo applied with a sponge. Do
not use vacuum cleaners outdoors unless
they are properly grounded.
WARNING
If the car is involved in a crash, the safety
belts, belt pretensioners and other com-
ponents must be inspected by an autho-
rized Saab dealer.
Never make any alterations or repairs to
the safety belt yourself but visit an autho-
rized Saab dealer.
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239 Car care and technical information
Headlight aimingThe vehicle has a visual optical headlight
aiming system equipped with vertical
aiming device. The aim has been preset at
the factory and should normally not need
further adjustments.
If your headlights are damaged in a crash,
the headlight aim may be affected. If you
believe your headlights need to be
re-aimed, we recommend that you take it to
your Saab dealer for service, however, it is
possible for you to re-aim your headlights as
described in the following procedure.To check the aim, the vehicle should be
properly prepared as follows:
The vehicle shall be placed so that the
headlights are 25 ft (7.6 m) from a light
colored wall or other flat surface. The
aiming area should be darkened, this will
improve your ability to see the beam of the
low beam headlight being aimed.
The vehicle must have all four wheels on
a perfectly level surface which is level all
the way to the wall or other flat surface.
The vehicle should be placed so it is
perpendicular to the wall or other flat
surface.
The vehicle should be unloaded and fuel
tank full, and one person or 160 lbs.
(75 kg) on the drivers seat. The vehicle should be fully assembled
and all other work stopped while headlight
aiming is being done.
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice
or mud attached to it.
Tires should be inflated to the prescribed
pressure.
Close all doors.
Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspen-
sion.
Headlight aiming is done with the vehicle
low beam lamps. The high beam lamps will
be correctly aimed if the low beam lamps
are aimed properly.
WARNING
Before checking/adjusting the headlight
aiming, switch off the engine to avoid
danger of fingers and hands being injured
by moving parts.
The radiator fan can start up even when
the engine is switched off.NOTETo make sure that your headlights are
aimed properly read all instructions
before beginning. Failure to follow these
instructions could cause damage to
headlight parts or a not correctly aimed
headlight.
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249 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 173).
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262 IndexDoor handles
____________________ 38
Door mirrors ___________________ 123
Doors, locks & luggage compartment
_37
Drive belt
______________________ 253
Drive belt, alternator
_____________ 201
Drive belts, length
_______________ 253
Driver’s seat, programmable
_______ 120
Driving in hot weather
____________ 173
Driving with a load
_______________ 178
EElectric heating seat
_____________ 121
Electric heating, front seats
________ 121
Electric windows
________________ 125
Electrical system, technical data
____ 253
Electrically heated rear seat
_______ 121
Electronic Stability Program, ESP
___ 168
Electronic starting interlock
_________ 39
Emergency operation of sunroof
____ 127
Emission control systems
_________ 191
Engine bay, 3.0t V6
______________ 190
Engine bay, 4-cyl
_______________ 189
Engine bay, cleaning _____________ 233
Engine number
_________________ 257
Engine oil, grade ________________ 251
Engine, description _________ 192
, 193
Engine, technical data
____________ 250
Engine, temperature gauge
________ 57
Engine-oil level, checking
_________ 193
Expansion tank, coolant
__________ 196
FFault codes, Audio System
________103
Flat spot, tire
___________________230
Fluid level, automatic transmission
__195
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Sedan
____132
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Wagon ___135
Frequently asked questions on airbag
35
Front fog lights
__________________68
Frost warning
___________________60
Fuel
__________________________152
Fuel consumption
________________59
Fuel filler flap
___________________143
Fuel gauge
_____________________57
Fuel grade _____________________250
Fuse box under hood
____________220
Fuse panel
____________________216
Fuses
________________________216
GGearbox number
________________257
Gearbox oil, checking
____________195
Gearbox, technical data, __________254
Glove compartment
______________129
HHandbrake
_____________________185
Hazard warning lights
_____________68
Head restraint
___________________18
Headlight flasher _________________65
Headlights
______________________65Holidaying abroad
______________ 237
Hood
________________________ 188
Horn _________________________ 122
IIgnition switch
_________________ 146
Immobilizer
____________________ 39
Indicator and warning lights
________ 50
Indicator lights
__________________ 50
Instrument illumination
___________ 67
Instruments and controls __________ 49
Integral child seat
_______________ 27
Interior equipment ______________ 117
Interior lighting
__________________ 69
Interior rearview mirror
__________ 123
JJack
_________________________ 228
KKey
__________________________ 38
Key to chassis number
__________ 258
Key, remove
__________________ 146
LLATCH (child safety)
_____________ 20
Labels
_________________________ 8
Leather upholstery, care of
_______ 232
Light horn
_____________________ 65
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