
190 Car care and technical informationEngine compartment, 6-cyl. (3.0t V6)
99
2
1
4
57
6
10
83
IB1774
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
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ProCarManuals.com

254 SpecificationsManual gearbox Automatic transmissionType ____________________________ All-synchromesh
5-speed with final
drive and differen-
tial
Oil ______________________________ Saab synthetic
manual gearbox oil
Oil capacity _______________________ 1.9 qts (1.8 litres)
Oil volume (on changing) ____________ 1.6 qts (1.5 litres)
Clutch type _______________________ Hydraulic, single
dry-plate clutch of
diaphragm-spring
type
Speed (mph / km/h) at 1000 rpm in 5th gear:
4-cylinder _______________________ 27–28 / 43–44Type _____________________________ Electronically con-
trolled 5-speed,
fully automatic with
hydraulic torque
converter, plane-
tary gear set and
integral final drive
Lock-up function in
selector positions 3,
4 and 5.
Selector-lever positions ______________ P R N D 4 3 L
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 ___________________ Saab 3309 (mineral
oil based)
Clutch type ________________________ Hydraulic plate
clutches, brake
bands and one-way
couplings
Speed (mph / km/h) at 1000 rpm in 5th gear:
4- cylinder engines and 3.0t V6 _______ 29 / 47–48
ProCarManuals.com

261 Index
IndexAA/C system, fault diagnosis
________ 231
A/C system, maintenance _________ 231
ABS brakes
____________________ 165
ACC
__________________________ 72
ACC functions
___________________ 75
ACC, automatic climate control
______ 72
ACC, calibration
_________________ 80
ACC, condensation _______________ 81
ACC, programming _______________ 78
ACC, useful tips
_________________ 80
Adjusting the steering wheel
_______ 122
Adjustment, seats
_______________ 118
Afterheater, V6-engine cars
________ 82
Air conditioning (A/C), fault diagnosis
and maintenance
______________ 231
Air distribution, ACC ______________ 77
Airbag
_________________________ 29
Alarm __________________________ 43
Alarm functions
__________________ 46
Alarm signals
_______________ 43
, 46
Alternator
_____________________ 201
Alternator drive belt
_________ 201
, 253
Alternator rating
________________ 253
Anticorrosion treatment
___________ 235
Antidazzle rear-view mirror
________ 124
Ashtrays
______________________ 128
Audio System
___________________ 83
Audio System, quick guide
_________ 85Autochecking of lights on starting
____56
Automatic climate control (ACC) _____72
Automatic transmission,
technical data
_________________254
BBattery
________________________199
Battery charging/replacing
________200
Battery, boost starting
____________182
Belt guide
______________________12
Boost starting using jump leads
____182
Booster cushion
_________________27
Brake and clutch fluid
____________197
Brake-fluid reservoir
_____________197
Brakes, technical data ____________255
Bulbs, changing
_________________204
Bulbs, table of
__________________215
CCD changer
_____________________95
CD player
______________________93
CHECK messages
_______________63
CHECKING
_____________________63
Calibration, ACC
_________________80
Cancelling the programmed settings
__78
Car alarm
______________________43
Car care
______________________187
Cargo net, 9-5 Wagon
____________139
Carpeting, care of
_______________232
Cassette player
__________________90Catalytic converter,
important considerations
________ 150
Central locking
__________________ 38
Change language in SID
__________ 64
Change of address notification
____ 246
Changing a wheel
______________ 227
Changing bulbs
________________ 204
Changing the wheels round
_______ 223
Changing wiper blades
__________ 202
Chassis number
_______________ 257
Chassis number, key to
__________ 258
Child safety
____________________ 19
Child safety locks, rear doors
______ 41
Child seat, integral
_______________ 27
Cleaning, engine bay ____________ 233
Clock
______________________ 63
, 64
Color code, body
_______________ 257
Color code, trim ________________ 257
Compact spare wheel
___________ 226
Condensation, ACC
______________ 81
Coolant
______________________ 196
Courtesy Headlight Feature
_______ 66
Cruise control
_________________ 164
Cup holder
____________________ 131
DDICE/TWICE
__________________ 217
Dampers
_____________________ 255
Date code, tires
________________ 225
Dim-dipped beam _______________ 65
Direction indicators ______________ 67
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

263 Index
Light switches
___________________ 65
Luggage-compartment lighting
______ 69
MMain instrument panel
_____________ 50
Main/dipped beam
_______________ 65
Maintenance schedule ___________ 244
Manual gearbox, technical data
____ 254
Maxi fuses
_____________________ 217
Milometer ______________________ 56
Motoring abroad
________________ 237
NNight Panel
_____________________ 63
OOil capacity, engine
______________ 250
Oil change, engine ______________ 194
Oil specification
_________________ 250
OnStar
________________________ 105
Outdoor temperature
______________ 59
Owner assistance
_______________ 245
PPaintwork, touching-in
____________ 234
Parking Assistance
______________ 184
Parking lights
___________________ 65
Plates and labels ________________ 257
Poly-V-belt
____________________ 201Power steering
_________________198
Power-steering fluid
_____________198
Pressure gauge
__________________58
Programming I, ACC
______________78
Programming II, ACC _____________79
Programming the ACC ____________78
QQuestions on function of airbag
_____35
Quick guide, Audio System
_________85
RRadio
__________________________88
Rain sensor
_____________________70
Rear fog light ____________________66
Rear seat, 9-5 Sedan, folding
______132
Rear seat, 9-5 Wagon, folding _____135
Rear-seat head restraints
__________18
Rear-view mirror, antidazzle _______124
Rearview mirrors
________________123
Reclamation
___________________237
Recommendations for cars with
automatic transmission,
towing a caravan or trailer
________174
Refuelling
_____________________152
Relay panel ____________________219
Remote control __________________38
Remote-control battery, changing
____40
Remove the key
________________146
Reporting safety defects
__________246Reprogramming of systems
______ 259
Reservoir, power-steering fluid ____ 198
Rev counter
____________________ 56
Reversing lights
_________________ 68
Roof load
_____________________ 176
Running-in ____________________ 170
SSID
__________________________ 59
SRS (airbag)
___________________ 29
SRS, supplementary restraint system
29
Saab 9-5 Audio System
___________ 83
Saab Information Display (SID)
_____ 59
Saab Parking Assistance
________ 184
Safety belts
____________________ 12
Safety belts, care of
_____________ 232
Safety-belt pretensioners
_________ 13
Safety-belt reminder
_____________ 12
Seats
________________________ 118
Securing a load
_________________ 41
Selector lever indication,
automatic transmission
__________ 59
Service costs
__________________ 245
Service information
_____________ 246
Service intervals
_______________ 244
Service record retention
_________ 245
Settings, seats
_________________ 118
Side airbags
___________________ 32
Signalling, horn ________________ 122
Sliding floor, 9-5 Wagon
_________ 140
Snow chains
__________________ 171
ProCarManuals.com