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
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.
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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
148 Starting and drivingIt is possible for air to enter the lubricating
system in conjunction with an oil or oil-filter
change, or if the car has been stored for
some time. This air can cause the hydraulic
cam followers to emit a ticking noise, which
can persist for up to 15 minutes after start-
ing. Although this is quite normal and does
not indicate any malfunction, it is advisable
not to exceed 3,000 rpm before the noise
has disappeared.
The hydraulic cam lifters are completely
service free; the valve clearance is set up at
the factory and will not need any subse-
quent adjustment.
Starting the engineAvoid racing the engine or putting a heavy
load on it before it has warmed up. Drive
away as soon as the oil warning light has
been extinguished to enable the engine to
attain its normal temperature as quickly as
possible.
The engine has an automatic choke and
should be started as follows:
Cars with manual transmission
To start the engine the clutch pedal must
be fully depressed.
1 Depress the clutch pedal fully but do not
touch the accelerator.
2 Start the engine. Let the ignition key
spring back as soon as the engine has
started and is running smoothly – at very
low temperatures, you may need to run
the starter for up to 25 seconds. Wait
20-30 seconds before running the
starter again, to give the battery time to
recover.
Let the engine idle for about 10 seconds. Do
not open the throttle wide for at least
2-3 minutes after starting. Cars with automatic transmission
1 The selector lever must be in the P or N
position.
2 Keep your foot on the brake pedal.
3 Start the engine. Let the ignition key
spring back as soon as the engine has
started and is running smoothly – at very
low temperatures, you may need to run
the starter for up to 25 seconds. Wait
20-30 seconds before running the
starter again, to give the battery time to
recover.
Let the engine idle for about 10 seconds. Do
not open the throttle wide for at least
2–3 minutes after starting.
Useful tips on cold climate starting If the engine has failed to start after several
attempts in very cold weather, press and
hold the accelerator down to the floor and
run the starter for 5–10 seconds. This will
prevent the engine being flooded (exces-
sively rich fuel-air mixture).
Now start the engine in the normal way – do
not touch the accelerator.
If the engine stalls immediately after starting
(e.g. if the clutch was released too quickly),
do not touch the accelerator when restarting
the engine. The tail pipe of the exhaust system
can become very hot during driving.
Bear this in mind when loading and
unloading the car.
Do not rest or sleep in the car when
parked with the engine running. There
is a risk of depressing the accelerator
which could lead to engine damage.
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160 Starting and driving
Overheated transmission fluid If the automatic-transmission fluid should
overheat, the following message will appear
on the SID:
”TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING”. If this
happens, stop the car and wait for the mes-
sage to be extinguished. Continue driving in
a locked gear that produces an engine
speed of about 3,000 rpm.
Overheating of the automatic-transmission
fluid can occur when the car is towing a
heavy load, such as a camping trailer in hilly
country, with the wrong gear selected,
resulting in abnormally frequent gear
changing. Try selecting position L, 3 or 4.
High ambient temperatures can also
increase the temperature of the transmis-
sion fluid or the oil cooler may be faulty.
Contact an authorized Saab dealer (see
also page 173).
Driving on hilly roads with a heavy
loadThe transmission fluid can overheat when
the gearbox is strained, for example, when
driving with a trailer on hilly roads with the
wrong gear is selected, resulting in many
extra gear changes. To avoid the transmis-
sion fluid overheating, always drive in
Normal mode. The adaptive gear change
patterns are then active.
High air temperatures or a faulty oil cooler
can also cause the transmission fluid to
overheat. Overheating reduces the service
life of the fluid. Contact an authorized Saab
dealer (see also page 173). Towing Towing of cars with automatic transmission,
see page 180.
NOTEIf the control module has actuated the
Limp-home function for the automatic
transmission, the car will remain in 5th
gear when D is selected, making it very
sluggish. To overcome this, move the
selector lever to position L.
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!
ProCarManuals.com
162 Starting and drivingIf the gear selector lever is moved from position D to L, a
change-down to 4th gear will occur at about 110 mph (180 km/h).
It will then change-down to 3rd gear at 80 mph (130 km/h), to 2nd
gear at 45 mph (75 km/h) and 1st at 20 mph (35 km/h).
Manual gear-changing is not recommended on slippery roads.
Adaptive gear-change patternsAdaptive gear-change patterns are selected automatically depend-
ing on the engine load and the present temperature of the transmis-
sion. The function is available in Normal and Sport modes.
The changes occur at a higher engine speed and the car remains in
the same gear for longer, if the transmission control module senses
that the load has not decreased. These gear-change patterns pre-
vent unnecessary changing up and down, when for example driving
up long slopes with a trailer or caravan, and to prevent overheating
the transmission oil. The adaptive gear-change function is also
selected automatically when the transmission oil becomes too hot,
to protect the transmission itself from damage and to lower the oil
temperature.
The adaptive gear-change pattern function is deselected when:
Winter mode is selected.
The engine is switched off.
The load is reduced so much that the function is no longer
required.
”Automatic transmission, fault indicator” appears on main
instrument panel, see page 159. L
Select position L if you wish to drive in 1st or 2nd
gear. This provides maximum engine braking.
The transmission shifts down from 2nd to 1st if
the speed of the car drops below 20 mph
(35 km/h).
NOTE Do not move the selector to position 4 at speeds in excess of
90 mph (150 km/h).
Do not move the selector to position 3 at speeds in excess of
70 mph (110 km/h).
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187 Car care and technical information
Car care and
technical
information
772
Hood release handle ....... 188
Engine compartment,
4-cyl. engine ................... 189
Engine compartment,
6-cyl. (3.0t V6)................. 190
Emission control systems 191
Engine............................... 192
Engine oil ......................... 193
Transmission fluid........... 195
Coolant ............................. 196
Brake and clutch fluid ..... 197
Power steering fluid ........ 198
Air filter ............................. 198 Battery .............................. 199
Drive belts ........................ 201
Wipers and washers ....... 202
Changing bulbs ............... 204
Fuses ................................ 216
Wheels .............................. 222
Compact spare wheel ..... 226
Flat spotting..................... 230
Air conditioning (ACC) ... 231
Safety belts ...................... 232
Upholstery and trim ........ 232
Textile carpeting.............. 232
Washing the car .............. 233 Waxing and polishing ...... 233
Engine compartment ....... 233
Touching up the paint ..... 234
Anti-corrosion treatment . 235
For long trips .................... 237
Recovery and/or recycling
of automotive materials. 237
Headlight aiming .............. 239
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