2Introduction This manual provides practical guidance on
driving and caring for your Saab.
The Saab 9-5 is available with the following
engine variants:
2.3t Ecopower.
2.3 Turbo Ecopower.
3.0t V6 Ecopower.
Although this manual describes the most
important differences between model vari-
ants, it does not include precise specifica-
tions of the different variants. Some differ-
ences also occur to meet special legal
requirements in different countries.
Importation and distribution of Saab auto-
mobiles, spare parts and accessories are
handled exclusively by General Motors of
Canada Limited in Canada and by Saab
Cars USA, Inc. in the U.S.A.We recommend that you read through the
manual before taking the car out for the first
time and that you keep it in the car for future
reference.
To find a specific item, use the overviews
given on pages 3-7. A list of contents is
given at the beginning of each section of the
manual, and there is also a comprehensive
index at the back of the book.
Supplied with the car is a Warranties and
Service Record booklet and a tire warranty
folder which specifies the regular mainte-
nance to be carried out. The book also con-
tains important warranty conditions. Since the policy at Saab is one of continual
improvement, we retain the right to incorpo-
rate modifications and to alter specifications
during production without prior notice.
If you have any queries concerning your car,
its equipment, the warranty conditions or
the like, your Saab dealer will be pleased to
help.
Best wishes,
Saab Automobile AB
Saab Automobile AB does not accept liability for
any damage caused by the fitting of spare parts,
exchange parts or accessories that are not
approved by Saab Automobile AB.
The specifications, design particulars and illus-
trations included in the manual are not binding.
WARNING
WARNING texts warn against the danger
of injury if the specified instructions are
not followed.
NOTENOTE texts warn of potential damage to
the car if the recommendations are not
followed.
IB1734
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4Exterior
IB1736
Roof-rack load _______________ 176
Mounting holes for roof rack ____ 176
Maximum loads ______________ 248
Rearview mirrors _____________ 123
Hood ______________________ 188
Engine compartment: washing __ 233
Central lock ____________ 38
Interior locking buttons ____ 40
Child safety lock catch ____ 41
Trunk/tailgate lid lock _____ 41
Car alarm (anti-theft alarm) 43Front lights _____________ 65
Headlight switch _________ 65
High/low beam
control stalk ____________ 65
Turn signal &
lane change indicators ___ 67
Headlight washers _______ 70
Changing bulbs ________ 204
Fuel gauge __________________ 57
Fuel filler flap ________________ 152
Refueling ___________________ 152
Fuel economy _______________ 170
Fuel grade __________________ 250
Economical motoring __________ 170
Tire pressure ___________ back cover
Wheel and tire specifications ____ 256
Brakes and braking ___________ 165
Winter driving ________________ 171
Wheels and tires _____________ 222
Wheel changing ______________ 227
Spare wheel _________________ 179
Luggage compartment _________ 132
Folding down the rear seat,
9-5 Sedan ___________________ 132
Folding down the rear seat,
9-5 Wagon __________________ 135
Trunk _______________________ 132
Tool kit ______________________ 142
Spare wheel _____________ 142, 179
Jack ________________________ 227Driving with a trailer ______ 173
Towing ________________ 180
Towrope attachment eye __ 180Light switches ___________ 65
Changing bulbs _________ 204
Taillights _____________ 209
Stop lights ___________ 209Sunroof _______________ 126
Washing the car ________ 233
Waxing and polishing ____ 233
Touching-up of paintwork _ 235
Anticorrosion treatment ___ 235
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10
IB336
(This label only used in some countries)
Jack is designed only for changing a tire or
mounting tire snow chains.
Car must be level and the jack must be placed
on a firm and level ground.
Never crawl under the car when it is jacked up.
Jacking Instructions
1 Set parking brake and shift transmission to
park.
2 Fit top of jack into jacking point next to wheel
to be changed (See illustration).
3 Crank jack so that car begins to lift.
4 Remove center cap by inserting a screw
driver under cap and prying up.
5 Using socket wrench in tool kit, loosen wheel
bolts one-half turn.
6 Raise car so that tire clears ground. Loosen
wheel bolts completely and remove wheel.
7 Mount spare wheel and tighten bolts enough
so wheel is not loose.
8 Lower car. Tighten wheel bolts in crosswise
order. (See illustration)
Observe max. speed limit for spare tire.
Jack (Text printed on jack)
Use on Saab 9-5 & 9-3.Use on level ground only.
Use vehicle support stands. Safe working load
2000 lbs. (1,000 kg). For more information see
your owner´s manual.
IB994
IB1195
CANADAUSA
AIR BAG
WARNING
Flip visor overCANADA
50 10 111
USA
WARNING
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur.
Children 12 and under can be killed by the air bag.
The BACK SEAT is the SAFEST place for children.
NEVER put a rear-facing child seat in the front.
Sit as far back as possible from the air bag.
ALWAYS use SEAT BELTS and CHILD RESTAINTS.
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142 Interior equipment and trunkSpare wheel and toolsThe spare wheel, together with the jack and
jack handle, front towrope attachment eye
and toolkit, are stowed away underneath
the trunk. There is also room for a spare
bulb wallet (accessory).
Driving considerations with compact spare
wheel/tire fitted, see page 179.
WARNING
Stow all tools carefully away after use, so
that they cannot get loose and cause
injury in the event of a crash.
Keep plastic bags away from children.
IB1753
Stowage of spare wheel and tools under
trunk floor
IB1554
Jack location, between spare wheel and
sill
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145 Starting and driving
Starting and driving
B1754
Ignition switch ................. 146
Starting the engine .......... 147
Important considerations
for driving ....................... 149
Refueling .......................... 152
Engine Break-In Period ... 155
Gear changing ................. 156
Cruise control .................. 164
Braking ............................. 165
Traction Control System . 167
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP) ............... 168 Economical motoring ..... 170
Driving in cold weather... 171
Driving in hot weather .... 173
Towing a trailer ................ 173
Driving with a roof rack
load ................................. 176
Driving with a load .......... 178
Driving considerations
with compact spare
wheel/tire fitted .............. 179
Driving with the trunk
lid/tailgate open ............. 179 Driving in deep water....... 179
Towing the car.................. 180
Jump starting ................... 182
Saab Parking Assistance 184
Parking brake ................... 185
Parking .............................. 185
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179 Starting and driving
Driving considerations
with compact spare
wheel/tire fittedThe following should be observed when the
compact spare wheel (T115/70 R16) is
fitted:
The compact spare is light and easy to
handle when changing the wheel. Do not
drive further than necessary with the com-
pact spare fitted – the maximum life of the
wheel is only just over 2000 miles
(3,500 km). Have the standard wheel
repaired and refitted as soon as possible. The car’s ground clearance is reduced with
the compact spare fitted. Note that only one
compact spare wheel may be used at any
time. Take care not to hit the curb and do not
fit snow chains. Leave the wheel cover off,
so that the warning text is readily visible.
Driving with the trunk
lid/tailgate openAvoid driving with the trunk lid/tailgate partly
or fully open, since exhaust fumes can be
drawn into the cabin.
If you must drive with the trunk lid/tailgate
open, all windows and the sunroof (if fitted)
must be closed and the cabin fan on at its
highest speed setting.Driving in deep water
WARNING
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) as the
tire can overheat and adversely affect the
handling of the car.
The tire should be inflated to 60 psi
(420 kPa).
NOTETo avoid damaging a punctured alloy
wheel it can be placed outside up in the
spare-wheel well but only while driving to
the closest workshop.
A general rule is that all heavy loads must
be well secured in the luggage compart-
ment, see page 134 and 137.
NOTEDo not drive in water deeper than
12 inches (30 cm) and do not drive faster
than at idling speed. Water can otherwise
be sucked into the engine. The engine will
be damaged if water enters the intake
system. The car´s electrical systems may
also be affected.
IB1769
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223 Car care and technical information
Rotating tiresBecause the car has front-wheel drive, the
front tires tend to wear faster than the rear
ones. New tires should always be fitted in
pairs, so that tires on the same axle have the
same amount of tread.
The wheels should be marked, L (left) and
R (right), when changing between summer
and winter (snow) tires. This ensures that
the direction of rotation of the wheels is the
same when they are refitted. Fit the tires in
best condition to the rear wheels.
Store wheels lying flat or hanging – never
standing upright.
Tire markingsAn example of the meaning of the different
markings in a tire size is given below for a
tire size of:
205/65 R15 94 V
Winter tiresWinter (snow) tires are recommended for
winter climates where the majority of your
driving will be done on snow and ice. Winter
tires should be fitted to all four wheels to
maintain a proper balance. Your Saab
dealer can advise you as to the correct size
tire for your car (if different from the original
size) and also supply Saab approved winter
tires.Tire quality grading (cars sold in
U.S.)New tires must be graded and labeled in
accordance with new Federal regulations.
Standard tests are conducted to measure
performance in the areas of traction and
temperature resistance. Refer to the tire
sidewall for the specific quality grades of the
tires provided on your new Saab. Compact
spare tires are exempt.
DOT QUALITY GRADES
Treadwear
Traction AA, A, B, C
Temperature A, B, C
All passenger car tires must conform to Fed-
eral safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
WARNING
When fitting just one new pair of tires,
these should be fitted to the rear wheels,
as these are more critical to the direc-
tional stability of the car (e.g. on braking
or in a skid). The existing rear wheels
should therefore be moved to the front.
Always move left rear to left front and right
rear to right front, so that the direction of
rotation remains the same.
205 Tire section width, mm
65 Aspect ratio, i.e. the section height
is 65% of the section width
R Radial ply
15 Wheel rim diameter 15 in at bead
seats
94 Tire load code
V Speed marking
Speed ratings S Tire approved for speeds up to
100 mph (180 km/h)
T Tire approved for speeds up to
118 mph (190 km/h)
H Tire approved for speeds up to
130 mph (210 km/h)
V Tire approved for speeds up to
150 mph (240 km/h)
W Tire approved for speeds up to
167 mph (270 km/h)
Y Tire approved for speeds up to
186 mph (300 km/h)
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226 Car care and technical informationCompact spare wheelThe compact spare is light and easy to
handle when changing the tire. Its use is
only permitted when a standard tire has sus-
tained a puncture. The maximum life of the
tire is only 2000 miles (3,500 km).
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) with the
compact spare fitted.
The compact spare should be inflated to
60 psi (420 kPa). Carry the punctured tire in
the spare-wheel well under the luggage-
compartment floor.
Have the standard tire repaired and refitted
as soon as possible (see also page 179).The spare wheel, together with the jack ,
front towrope attachment eye and toolkit, is
stowed away underneath a panel in the lug-
gage-compartment floor. The jack handle is
kept in a cover beside the spare wheel.
If you need to change a wheel, remove the
tool kit first and then the spare wheel.
The panel over the spare wheel can be held
open by hooking the handle onto the rubber
seal.
NOTETo avoid damaging a punctured alloy
wheel it can be placed outside up in the
spare-wheel well but only while driving to
the closest workshop.
A general rule is that all heavy loads must
be well secured in the luggage compart-
ment, see page 134 and 137.
IB534
Panel hooked back, 9-5 Sedan
IB1232
Hanging up the cover and spare wheel
compartments mats, 9-5 Wagon
IB1186
Spare wheel (under panel in luggage
compartment)
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