2002 SAAB 9-5 suspension

169 Starting and driving
ESP indicator lightThe indicator light in the rev counter
comes on for a short period of time when the
ESP system is operative.
Operation of the ESP indicates reduced
cohesion between the tires and the road,
and that extra care should be taken by the
driver.Turning ESP offThe system can be turned off manually with
the ESP button, whereupon the light
on the main instrument panel will come on.
The ESP system cannot be switched off if
the car is travelling faster than 35 mph
(60 km/h).
The ESP is always operative during brak-
ing, even if it has been switched off manu-
ally.
WARNING
When driving normally, ESP will help to
improve the stability of the car. This does
not mean that car can be driven faster.
The same care and prudence as normally
applied should be displayed on cornering
and when driving on slippery roads.
NOTESuspension modifications, such as
changing the type of wheels, dampers or
springs, can affect the function of the ESP
system.
Always consult a Saab dealer before
changing any suspension components.
IB1841
Increased stability with ESP.
The system applies the brakes to the
wheels as shown to prevent the car from
skidding
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

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

247 Specifications
Specifications General.............................. 248
Engine ............................... 250
Fuel.................................... 250
Engine oil .......................... 251
Engine variants ................ 252
Electrical system.............. 253
Drive belts......................... 253
Manual gearbox................ 254
Automatic transmission .. 254
Suspension....................... 255
Steering............................. 255
Brake system.................... 255
Wheels and tires .............. 256
Plates and labels .............. 257
IB603
ProCarManuals.com

255 Specifications
Suspension
SteeringBrake systemSpring type, front and rear ___________ Coil springs
Maximum deflection of springs:
Front __________________________ 7.09 in (180 mm)
Rear ___________________________ 7.87 in (200 mm)
Dampers, front and rear _____________ Gas-filled dampers
Steering _________________________ Power-assisted
steering of
rack-and-pinion
type; telescopic
steering-column
shaft with universal
joints
Number of turns, lock to lock __________ 2,9
Power-steering fluid ________________ Power-steering
fluid CHF 11S Footbrake (ABS) ____________________ Hydraulic disc
brakes with vacuum
servo unit. Diago-
nally split circuits;
ventilated discs on
front wheels. EBD
function, see page
165.
Handbrake ________________________ Acts on rear wheels
Brake fluid _________________________ DOT 4
Brake-fluid capacity _________________ 0.925 qts (900 ml)
Disc diameter:
Front ___________________________ 11.34 in (288 mm)
Front, certain variants *) _____________ 12.05 in (306 mm)
Rear ___________________________ 11.26 in (286 mm)
Rear, certain variants *) _____________ 11.81 in (300 mm)
*) 15” wheel must not be used on these
variants.
Total friction area of brake pads:
Front ___________________________ 36.3 in
2 (234 cm
2)
Rear ___________________________ 15.5 in
2 (100 cm
2)
ProCarManuals.com

264 IndexSpare wheel
___________________ 226
Spare wheel and tools
___________ 142
Spark plugs
____________________ 253
Speed rating ___________________ 222
Speedometer _______________ 56
, 57
Starting in cold weather, ACC
_______ 78
Starting in hot weather, ACC _______ 78
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 122
Steering, technical data
__________ 255
Stone-chip damage, repairing
______ 234
Storage compartments
___________ 129
Sun visors
_____________________ 128
Sunroof
_______________________ 126
Suspension
____________________ 255
Suspension, technical data
________ 255
Switches
_______________________ 65
Systems, adjustment
_____________ 259
TTCS OFF
_______________________ 55
Table of fuses
__________________ 218
Tachometer
_____________________ 56
Tailgate, opening
________________ 41
Tank gauge
_____________________ 57
Technical data __________________ 247
Telematics
_____________________ 105
Temperature control, ACC
_________ 74
Temperature gauge, engine ________ 57
Temperature zones, ACC
__________ 74
Textile carpeting
________________ 232
Through-load hatch ______________ 134Tie Downs
_____________________134
Tightening torque, wheel studs
_____227
Tire markings
_____________ 222
, 223
Tire pressure
______________ 178
, 222
Tires
____________________ 222
, 256
Tools
_________________________142
Touching-in the paintwork
_________234
Towbar attachment
______________173
Towbar load
___________________175
Towing the car __________________180
Towing, automatics
______________180
Traction
_______________________167
Trailer weights
__________________249
Trionic
________________________191
Trip computer
___________________59
Trip meter
______________________56
Trunk
_________________________132
Trunk lid, opening
________________41
Turbo gauge
____________________58
Turbo, points to note
_____________149
UUnder the hood, 3.0t V6
__________190
Under the hood, 4-cyl
____________189
Upholstery and trim
______________232
Upholstery and trim, care of
_______232
Useful tips, ACC
_________________80
VVanity mirrors
__________________128Ventilated front seats
____________ 121
Viscosity, engine oil _____________ 250
WWarning labels
___________________ 8
Warning light, AIR BAG
___________ 34
Warning lights
__________________ 50
Washers
_____________________ 202
Washers, windshield
____________ 203
Washing the car
_______________ 233
Waxing and polishing
___________ 233
Wear indicators, tires ____________ 224
Wheel, change
________________ 227
Wheels and tires ___________ 222
, 256
Wheels and tires, sizes
__________ 256
Window glass sensor, car alarm
____ 44
Windshield washers
_____________ 70
Windshield wipers
_______________ 70
Wiper blades, replacing
__________ 202
Wipers and washers
_________ 70
, 202
ProCarManuals.com