2002 SAAB 9-5 check oil

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 254), automatic trans-
mission fluid Dextron 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 Saab 3309 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 approximately 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.
IB1923
Dipstick for automatic-transmission fluid
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196 Car care and technical informationCoolant The expansion tank is transparent to facili-
tate checking of the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant must
not lie over the KALT/COLD mark on the
expansion tank.
If the message ”FILL COOLANT FLUID” is
displayed on the SID, check the level of fluid
in the expansion tank.
Top up, as necessary, with equal parts of
clean water and Saab-approved coolant.
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 charged 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).
The coolant does not normally have to be
changed during the service life of the car.
The type of coolant used has a reddish color
and should not be mixed with other types of
coolant. Saab Original coolant should be
used all year round. Only use coolant
approved by Saab.

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.
NOTEAlways mix the antifreeze with the
appropriate volume of water before
adding it to the cooling system.
If pure antifreeze is added, the engine
could still freeze and be damaged. This is
because the antifreeze will not mix
properly with the coolant before the
thermostat has opened to allow full
circulation.
IB1338
Coolant expansion tank
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198 Car care and technical informationPower steering fluidCheck the level of the power steering fluid in
the reservoir regularly, in accordance with
the service program.
The wheels should point forward during the
check.
Clean around the cap before it is
unscrewed. Clean the dipstick. Screw in the
cap completely again before checking the
level.
The oil should lie between the MAX and MIN
marks when the oil temperature is about
70°F (+20°C). If the oil is colder the level can
be lower, and in higher temperatures the
level can be higher, both of which are
acceptable.
Top up with ”Power Steering Fluid
CHF 11S” (part number 8996860).
Air filter
WARNING
Do not fill the power steering fluid to
above the MAX mark. Too much fluid can
result in leakage.
Power steering fluid on hot engine com-
ponents constitutes a fire risk.
WARNING
For Service and Repair, parts equivalent
to those used by Saab should be used.
Be aware that some non standard
replacement parts may put you in an
unsafe condition, even if they might fit.
IB501
Power steering fluid reservoir
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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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237 Car care and technical information
4Inspect 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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244 Maintenance and owner assistanceMaintenance scheduleThe Maintenance Schedule prescribes a
service program to the purchaser/operator
of a Saab that is reasonable and necessary
to ensure the proper emission control sys-
tems function, safety and reliability of the
Saab automobile in normal use. Additional
maintenance is recommended for specific
components when the car is operated under
certain severe conditions. Proper mainte-
nance is always good advice!
Authorized Saab dealers are equipped and
trained to meet your Saab’s service needs.
They regularly receive up-to-date Saab ser-
vice manuals and parts and technical ser-
vice bulletins from Saab and are able,
through their franchise agreement, to attend
Saab service schools, obtain Saab special
tools and technical assistance and pur-
chase original equipment service and
replacement parts.
Today’s complex automobiles should only
be entrusted to the most knowledgeable
service professionals. A Saab dealer is your
best choice.
Service intervalsThe maintenance schedule is comprised of
a Check -up 30 days after retail delivery, fol-
lowed by services at every 10,000 miles
(16,000 km) thereafter (10,000, 20,000,
30,000 miles/16,000 32,000, 48,000 km
etc.).
Engine oil and filter changesChanging the engine oil and filter is required
at every service point. Use only a Saab
approved long-life oil filter and engine oils
meeting the SAE viscosity ratings and API
service classifications stated in the Specifi-
cation section of this Owner’s Manual. The
use of extra additives in the oil is not neces-
sary and is not recommended, and may be
harmful to turbochargers.
More frequent oil changes are recom-
mended if your vehicle is operated under
the following conditions:
 Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to
16 km). This is particularly important
when outside temperatures are below
freezing.
 Most trips include extensive idling (such
as frequent stop-and-go driving).
 Most trips are through dusty areas.
 You frequently tow a trailer or use a car-
rier on top of your vehicle.
 If the vehicle is used for delivery service,
police, taxi or other commercial applica-
tions.
If your driving habits match this description,
have the engine oil and filter changed in-
between normal services at 5,000 mile
(8,000 km) intervals. The Warranties and
Service Record Booklet has provisions to
record extra oil changes.
NOTEThe Check-up will be done by your Saab
dealer at no charge and should be done
as close as possible to the scheduled 30
days.
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245 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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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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