6Engine compartment,
4-cyl engine
IB1737
Engine: description ___________ 192
Engine oil level: checking ______ 193
Engine oil: changing __________ 194
Engine oil specification ________ 251
Brakes and braking ___________ 165
ABS brakes _________________ 165
Brake system ________________ 197
Brake fluid __________________ 255
Brake pads __________________ 255
Fuse panels ___________ 216
Changing a fuse ________ 216
Table of fuses __________ 218
Relays _______________ 219Temperature gauge ______ 57
Driving in hot weather ____ 173
Driving in winter_________ 171
Coolant _______________ 196
Cooling-system capacity _ 250
Power steering __________ 198
Steering fluid: grade _____ 198
Wiper/washer control stalk _ 70
Washer fluid: topping up __ 203
Washer jets ___________ 203
Jump starting ________________ 182
Battery _____________________ 199
Battery charge _______________ 199
Manual transmission __________ 156
Automatic transmission ________ 157
Manual transmission oil ________ 254
Automatic transmission fluid ____ 254
Important considerations
for driving ___________________ 149
Turbo unit ___________________ 189
Engine: technical data __________ 250Ignition system _________ 146
Drive belts _____________ 201
Spark plugs ____________ 253
Catalytic converter ______ 150Warning labels ___________ 8
V.I.N. number __________ 257
Engine number _________ 257
Gearbox number ________ 257
Color code _____________ 257
ProCarManuals.com
7
Engine compartment,
3.0t V6
IB1738
Warning labels ___________ 8
V.I.N. number __________ 257
Engine number _________ 257
Gearbox number ________ 257
Color code _____________ 257Ignition system _________ 146
Drive belts _____________ 201
Spark plugs ____________ 253
Catalytic converter ______ 150Important considerations
for driving ___________________ 149
Turbo unit ___________________ 189
Engine: technical data __________ 250
Automatic transmission ________ 157
Automatic transmission fluid ____ 254
Brakes and braking ___________ 165
ABS brakes _________________ 165
Brake system ________________ 197
Brake fluid __________________ 255
Brake pads __________________ 255Jump starting ________________ 182
Battery _____________________ 199
Battery charge _______________ 199
Fuse panels ___________ 216
Changing a fuse ________ 216
Table of fuses __________ 218
Relays _______________ 219Engine temperature gauge _ 57
Driving in hot weather ____ 173
Driving in cold climate ____ 171
Coolant _______________ 196
Cooling-system capacity _ 250
Power steering _________ 198
Steering fluid: grade _____ 198
Wiper/washer control stalk _ 70
Washer fluid: topping up __ 203
Washer jets ___________ 203
Engine: description ___________ 192
Engine oil level: checking ______ 193
Engine oil: changing __________ 194
Engine oil specification ________ 251
ProCarManuals.com
50 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 56).
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
160
240
260220200180160
140 120 100
80
60
40
20
10
7
IB1810
9
4
5
3
2
8
6
1
ProCarManuals.com
53 Instruments and controls
CHECK message indicator
This light indicates that there is a message
in the SID. A chime will also sound
(see page 63).
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
149).
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.
ProCarManuals.com
56 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, the display
lights up for 20 seconds enabling you to
read the odometer and trip meter. Press-
ing the button a second time within these
20 seconds will reset the trip meter.
IB1922
IB340
IB341
1 Cars with automatic transmission
ProCarManuals.com
183 Starting and driving
5 Check that the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation. If they
do, you could get a shock and also the
vehicles could be damaged.
Before you connect the cables, here are
some basic things you should know.
Positive (+) will go to positive (+) and
negative (-) will go to a major metal
engine part with a good ground. Do not
connect (+) to (-) or you will get a short
that could injure you or would damage
the battery and maybe other parts as
well.
6 Connect the red positive (+) cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the vehicle with
the discharged battery.
7 Do not let the other end touch metal.
Connect it to the positive (+) terminal of
the good battery. Use a remote positive
(+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
8 Now connect the black negative (-)
cable to the good battery’s negative ter-
minal.9 Attach the cable at least 18 inches
(45 cm) away from the discharged bat-
tery, but not near engine parts that
move. To avoid an arc which could det-
onate the hydrogen gas around the bat-
tery, the final connection must be at least
18” from the battery.
10 Start the vehicle with the good battery
and run the engine for a while.
11 Try to start the vehicle with the dis-
charged battery. If it does not start after
a few tries, it probably needs service.
12 Remove the cables in reverse order to
prevent electrical shorting. Take care
that they do not touch each other or any
other metal.
WARNING
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
WARNING
Using a match or flame of any kind near a
battery can cause battery gas to explode.
You can suffer burns or be blinded. Use a
flashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water.
The battery installed in your new Saab
has filler caps. Be sure the right amount
of water is there. Add distilled or boiled
water if the level is too low. If you don’t,
explosive gas could be present.
Be sure the electrolyte in the battery is not
frozen. Discharged batteries will freeze.
When connecting jumper cables to a
frozen battery, gas from the chemical
reaction inside the battery can build up
under the ice and cause an explosion.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn
you. Do not get it on you. If you acciden-
tally get it in your eyes or on your skin,
flush the area with water and get medical
help immediately.
WARNING
Do not let the other end touch anything
until the next step. The other end of the
negative cable does not go to the dead
battery. It goes to a major metal part with
a good ground on the engine of the vehi-
cle with the discharged battery.
ProCarManuals.com
193 Car care and technical information
Engine oilChecking the oil level Check the engine-oil level regularly. This
should be done after the engine has been
run to normal temperature and then allowed
to cool for 2–5 minutes, with the car stand-
ing on level ground. Remove the dipstick
and wipe it clean before checking the level.
4-cylinder engine The oil level must not be allowed to drop
below the MIN mark on the dipstick, nor
should oil be filled beyond the MAX mark, as
this can lead to excessive oil consumption.
The distance between the MIN and MAX
marks on the dipstick corresponds to a
volume of approximately 1.05 qts (1 liter).
When necessary, add oil of the recom-
mended grade via the dipstick tube.
3.0t V6 engine The oil level must not be allowed to drop
below the MIN mark on the dipstick, nor
should oil be filled beyond the MAX mark, as
this can lead to excessive oil consumption.
The distance between the MIN and MAX
marks on the dipstick corresponds to a
volume of approximately 1.05 qts (1 liter).
When necessary, add oil of the recom-
mended grade via the dipstick tube.
IB491
Engine-oil filler cap and dipstick,
4-cylinder engine
IB1123
Engine-oil dipstick and filler cap, 3.0t V6
ProCarManuals.com
194 Car care and technical informationOil changingThe engine oil must be changed in accor-
dance with the service program, see page
244.
Oil volume and grade, see page 251.
Oil changing should be carried out on a
warm engine.
1 Unscrew the drain plug in the bottom of
the sump and leave the oil to drain into
an oil tray or other suitable receptacle for
at least ten minutes. Take care, as the oil
may be hot.
2 After the oil has been drained, unscrew
and remove the oil filter.
3 Fit a new filter and tighten it by hand.
4 Refit the drain plug with a new washer.
5 Fill with new engine oil.
Run the engine to normal temperature and
check the oil level.
NOTEChange of engine oil and oil filter may be
required more frequently (5000-mile
intervals (8,000 km)) if any one of the fol-
lowing conditions apply to the car:
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 ser-
vice, police, taxi or other commercial
applications.
IB493
Drain plug and oil filter, 4-cylinder engine
IB494
Drain plug and oil filter, 3.0t V6
ProCarManuals.com