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
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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
57 Instruments and controls
Speedometer (U.S. speedometer
shown)The speedometer receives signals from the
wheel sensors in the ABS system.
If the NIGHT PANEL mode has been
selected, the scale will be illuminated up to
87 mph (140 km/h). The remainder of the
scale will be illuminated if the speed of the
car exceeds 84 mph (135 km/h).
Fuel gauge Fuel-tank capacity, 18.5 US gal. (70 liters).
The fuel gauge shows the amount of fuel left
in the tank. When this is down to about
2.5 gal. (10 liters), a warning light on the
main instrument panel will come on (see
page 53).
Use the Saab Information display (SID) to
check the approximate distance that can be
traveled on the remaining fuel
(see page 59).
Temperature gauge The 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 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.
If the needle enters the red zone, the
warning light will come on and an alarm
chime will sound.
2030405060
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
240
260220200180160
140 120 100
80
60
40
20
10
IB1851
IB345
IB343
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63 Instruments and controls
CHECK messages When the engine is started, CHECKING will
appear on the display for about four sec-
onds, while the SID checks are being per-
formed.
When a CHECK message is generated
while the car is being driven, a chime will
sound, INFO DISPL will illuminate on the
main instrument panel, and the message
will appear on the SID. The number of mes-
sages that can be displayed by the SID
varies with the specification of the car.
If more than one CHECK message has
been generated, the
+ symbol will appear to
the left of the text on the display. The mes-
sages appear in order of priority.
If a new fault occurs while another message
is being displayed, the message relating to
the new one will appear for 10 seconds,
after which the display will return to the ear-
lier one.
Press CLEAR once to acknowledge a mes-
sage, whereupon it will be cleared from the
display. It will not be displayed again before
the ignition has been switched off and then
on again. The following messages may be displayed:
1 This message will be displayed approxi-
mately 600 miles (1,000 km) before the next
scheduled 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 CLEAR button, then
depressing it a second time for at least eight
seconds until ”SERVICE” appears on the dis-
play 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 being
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, except ”Out-
door temperature (Frost warning)”, see
page 60. Message See
page
FRONT LIGHT FAILURE 205
REAR LIGHT FAILURE 209
FOG LIGHT FAILURE 209
BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE 209
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW 203
FILL COOLANT FLUID 196
REPLACE KEY BATTERY 40
KEY NOT ACCEPTED 47
SERVICE THEFT ALARM 47
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING 160
TIGHTEN FUEL FILLER CAP 152
TIME FOR SERVICE
1)
244
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82 Instruments and controlsAfterheater, V6-engine
carsThe afterheater enables a comfortable tem-
perature to be maintained inside the car
even after the engine has been switched off.
The heater can be activated up to 10 min-
utes after the engine has stopped, although
the coolant temperature must be at least
104°F (40°C) for the heater to operate.
To start the heater:
1 The ignition should be OFF.
2 Press and hold the AUTO button on the
ACC panel for about a second, until a
chime is sounded and the following
appears on the SID:
”SPARE HEATER
ACTIVATED”.
After five seconds, the SID will indicate how
much heat is available (0 – 100%).
To switch off the heater:
1 Press the OFF button on the ACC panel.
The heater will also be switched off if the
ignition is turned ON. The following settings will be used when the
heater is running:
Air distribution in AUTO mode.
Recirculation not active but can be
selected manually.
Fan speed is automatic and cannot be
changed.
Only the fan speed is shown on the dis-
play. If AUTO is pressed, the system
selections will be indicated.
The following controls do not operate while
the afterheater is on:
Rear-window heating.
ECON.
User presets.
Some of the functions can be repro-
grammed. For further information, please
consult your Saab dealer (see page 259).
ProCarManuals.com
173 Starting and driving
Driving in hot weather Always check the coolant level before
starting a journey. The level should be just
below the MAX mark.
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. If the needle on the temperature
gauge continues to rise while the engine
is idling, switch off the engine. 2 Wait until the needle has dropped back
to indicate normal temperature (roughly
midway, in the white zone) before stop-
ping 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 Saab-approved coolant
and water. 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 attachmentTrailer hitch attachments are available as
accessories. These are designed for a max-
imum trailer weight of 3500 lbs. (1588 kg),
see also page 249.
Use only the electrical trailer hitch socket
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 regarding the
appropriate 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.
ProCarManuals.com
175 Starting and driving
Use Normal mode when driving with a trailer
or trailer on hilly roads. The adaptive gear
change pattern function will prevent the
transmission from overheating.
Rises in coolant temperature are indicated
by the temperature gauge in the main instru-
ment panel.
The following can also occur:
the A/C-compressor can be shut off
the gear-change pattern is changed
the CHECK message TRANSMISSION
OVERHEATING can appear on the SID
If TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING
appears on the SID, stop the car as soon as
it is safe to do so and wait until the warning
has been extinguished. When continuing
your journey, select a locked gear (1, 2 or 3)
that will allow you to drive at an engine
speed of about 3,000 rpm (see page 161). Do not drive continuously with the WINTER
mode selected in hilly country when you are
towing a trailer, as this will increase fuel con-
sumption and risk overheating the transmis-
sion.
Driving considerations Always take extra care when towing a
trailer, as the car’s handling will be different
and its braking effect reduced. The trailer’s
braking system and suspension also have a
considerable effect on these characteris-
tics, see also ”Driving with a load” page 178.
If the car is equipped with automatic trans-
mission, select position L when ascending
or descending steep hills.
Trailer hitch loadThe weight distribution on the trailer makes
a lot of difference to the handling properties
of the car and trailer combination. As
regards single-axle trailers, whenever pos-
sible, concentrate the load over the wheels
and keep it as low as possible.
The trailer should be loaded so that the
maximum load on the towbar ball is 5% to
7% of the trailer weight with a maximum per-
missible tongue weight of 165 lbs. (75 kg).
Note that this load must be added to the total
load for the car. If this now exceeds the
specified load capacity, the load in the lug-
gage compartment will have to be reduced
by a corresponding amount.
WARNING
Remember to use engine-braking (selec-
tor position L, 3, or 4) to spare the brakes
when you are driving on a long or steep
downhill slope.
Brake failure can result from overheated
brakes!
NOTEIf the ”Automatic transmission, fault indi-
cator” indicator comes on, cease
towing until the problem has been recti-
fied.
IB106
Distribution of load in trailer a Light
b Moderate
cHeavy
ProCarManuals.com
186 Starting and drivingParking on a hillWhen parking on a steep hill, turn the front
wheels so that they will be blocked by the
curb if the car should move. Long-term parkingIf the car is not going to be used for some
time, e.g. 3–4 months, the following steps
are recommended:
Run the engine to normal temperature
before long-term parking.
Drain the washer-fluid reservoir and
hoses.
Wash and wax the car. Clean the rubber
seals on the hood, luggage compartment
lid and doors, and lubricate them with
glycerol (glycerin).
After washing the car, dry the brake discs
by taking the car out on the road and
applying the brakes a few times.
Fill the fuel tank with fuel to prevent con-
densation forming in it.
Top up the coolant and check the anti-
freeze before the onset of winter.
Park the car in a dry, covered and
well-ventilated building. Leave the park-
ing brake OFF!
Disconnect the negative (-) battery lead.
If frost is likely to occur during the
long-term parking, remove the battery
and store it away from the frost.
Ideally, the car should be put up on
blocks, with the wheels off the ground. If
this is not possible, inflate the tires to
about 43 psi (300 kPa). Leave all the windows open a crack and
cover the car with a fabric tar paulin - not
one made of plastic.
123
IB485
1Pointing downhill and
against the curb
– Turn the wheels into
the curb and edge the
car forward until the
wheels touch the curb.2Pointing uphill and
against the curb
– Turn the wheels away
from the curb and edge
the car back until the
wheels touch the curb.3Pointing uphill or
downhill – no curb
– Turn the wheels
towards the edge of the
road. If the car should
start rolling, it will not run
into the road.
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