158 Starting and driving
Recommendations for cars with
automatic transmissionThe following driving time limits are based
on the capacity of the cooling system in hot
weather, i.e. approximately 86°F (+30°C).
The following driving time limits are based
on the capacity of the cooling system in hot
weather, i.e. approximately 104°F (+40°C).
When negotiating long hills, bear the follow-
ing important considerations in mind.
Rises in coolant temperature are indicated
by the temperature gauge in the main instru-
ment panel.The following steps are taken in order as the
temperature of the transmission increases:
Gear change pattern is altered
A/C compressor is switched off
Max. engine torque is reduced
The following message will be displayed on
the SID if the transmission fluid becomes
too hot:
If this message appears, stop the car as
soon as it is safe to do so and allow the
engine to idle until the message has gone
out. The selector lever should be in
position P.
When continuing your journey, manually
select a low gear in which the engine speed
is about 3,500 rpm until the incline eases
(see page 139). Gradient of
hill, %Max. trailer
weight, lbs.
(kg)Time limit,
minutes
6-8 3330 (1500) unlimited
9-11 3080 (1400) max. 15
12-14 2645 (1200) max. 15
max. 15 2200 (1000) max. 15
Gradient of
hill, %Max. trailer
weight, lbs.
(kg)Time limit,
minutes
6-8 2200 (1000) unlimited
9-11 1760 (800) max. 15
12-14 1100 (500) max. 15
max. 15 880 (400) max. 15
Gearbox too hot.
Make a safe stop.
Open hood to cool down.
ProCarManuals.com
176 Car careEngine oilChecking the oil levelCheck the engine oil level regularly.
1 Park the car on a level ground.
2 Switch off the engine and wait for
2–5 minutes. The engine should be at
normal operating temperature.
3 Take the dipstick out and wipe it off with
a clean rag before carrying out the
check.
The level must not be below the MIN mark
on the dipstick, but nor should it be above
the MAX mark. Excess engine oil could
result in abnormal oil consumption.
If the oil level is too low, the following mes-
sage will be displayed on the SID:
The distance between the MIN and MAX
marks is equivalent to 1.0 qt (1.0 l).
Top up as necessary with oil of the recom-
mended grade (see page 238).
Make sure you screw on the oil filler cap
properly after topping up the oil to avoid run-
ning problems.During the Break-in Period (approx.
3,000 miles or 5,000 km) and when driving
at high speeds or with a trailer, the oil con-
sumption may be higher than normal.
Low engine oil level.
Fill oil now.
NOTICEToo high oil level can damage the engine.NOTICEChange of engine oil and oil filter may be
required more frequently if the car is
being used under certain conditions, see
page 231.
Oil filler cap and dipstick
ProCarManuals.com
187 Car care
When the washer fluid level drops below
1 quart (1 litre), the headlight washers are
deactivated. This is in order to prioritize the
windshield. The following message is
displayed on the SID:
Headlight washers are only available on
certain markets.
Fill with a mixture of "Saab washer fluid" and
water as recommended by the table on
the packaging to reduce the risk of freezing
and to ensure effective cleaning (see also
page 76).
To prevent the smell of washer fluid from
entering the car, recirculation can be acti-
vated temporarily while washing the wind-
shield. This function can be programmed;
contact a Saab dealer.
Washer jetsThe washer jets, which are adjustable, can
be cleaned with a pin if necessary. Washer fluid level low.
Refill.
ProCarManuals.com
188 Car careChanging bulbsAutochecking of lightsThe bulbs that are most important from the point of view of traffic
safety are monitored by the car’s electrical system. If one of these
bulbs should fail, a message will be displayed on the SID.
Example of SID message:
The following bulbs are not checked: parking lights, front fog lights,
reversing lights, license plate lighting, side marker lights and side
direction indicators.If a brake light bulb fails
If a brake light bulb fails, the adjacent tail light will act as a brake light
to ensure traffic safety. Change the broken bulb when possible.
All rear light bulbs are of the same type and rated 21 W, with the
exception of the license plate lighting which is rated 5 W.
Wrong bulb fitted
If a dipped or main beam bulb of too high a rating is fitted, a bulb
failure message will be shown on the SID (a too high wattage bulb
can damage the reflector).
If the following message is displayed but the bulb shines, it is most
likely that an incorrect bulb has been fitted.
Note:
When changing bulbs, fit the same type of bulb (e.g. Long-Life)
as that removed.
Headlight aiming, page 226.
WARNING
Before changing a bulb in the engine bay, switch off the engine
to avoid the danger of fingers and hands being injured by moving
parts.
The radiator fan can cut in even when the engine is switched off.NOTICESwitch off the ignition before changing a bulb, to avoid possible
short-circuiting.
Left low beam failure.
Right high beam failure.
ProCarManuals.com
209 Car care
Malfunction
The message shown above will be dis-
played on the SID if:
a wheel without pressure sensor is fitted
(e.g. spare wheel)
one, two or three pressure sensors are
broken or missing
two or more detectors are missing or
broken
the receiver malfunctions
a fault arises in the system.
The message shown above is not displayed
if none of the wheels have sensors, such as
if winter wheels without sensors are fitted.
Shifting the wheelsBecause of 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 195/65 R15 91H: Tire pressure
system failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
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 rear left to front left and rear
right to front right, so that the direction of
rotation remains the same.
195 Tire section width, mm
65 Aspect ratio, i.e. the section height
as a percentage of the section
width
R Radial ply
15 Wheel rim diameter 15 in at bead
seats
91 Tire load index
H Speed rating
Tire load indices
91 Tire approved for max. 1355 lbs.
(615 kg)
93 Max. 1433 lbs. (650 kg)
94 Max. 1477 lbs. (670 kg)
Speed ratings
S Tire approved for speeds up to
110 mph (180 km/h)
T Max. 118 mph (190 km/h)
H Max. 130 mph (210 km/h)
V Max. 149 mph (240 km/h)
W Max. 168 mph (270 km/h)
Y Max. 186 mph (300 km/h)
ProCarManuals.com
230 Maintenance and owner assistanceMaintenance scheduleThe Maintenance Schedule prescribes a
service program to the purchaser/operator
of a Saab that is reasonable and necessary
to ensure the proper emission control sys-
tems function, safety and reliability of the
Saab automobile in normal use. Additional
maintenance is recommended for specific
components when the car is operated under
certain severe conditions. Proper mainte-
nance is always a good practice!
Authorized Saab dealers are equipped and
trained to meet your Saab’s service needs.
They regularly receive up-to-date Saab ser-
vice manuals and parts and technical ser-
vice bulletins from Saab and are able,
through their franchise agreement, to attend
Saab service schools, obtain Saab special
tools and technical assistance and pur-
chase original equipment service and
replacement parts.
Today’s complex automobiles should only
be entrusted to the most knowledgeable
service professionals. A Saab dealer is your
best choice.
SERVICE INTERVALSThe maintenance schedule begins with an
Inspection Service at 30 days. A time for
service message will illuminate on the Saab
Instrument Display (SID) when the car is
due for regular maintenance. There are twi
different messages that will appear:
TIME FOR INTERMEDIATE SERVICE
indicates that an oil/filter change is required
along with several inspections. This mes-
sage is set by the engine management
system which calculates service intervals
based on several factors including driving
habits, ambient temperature, number of
cold starts, mileage driven and elapsed time
since the last service. Based on this algo-
rithm, this message may appear at mileage
as low a 8,000 or as high as 15,000 miles.
If mileage accumulation does not occur, the
message will be set, and maintenance
required at a maximum of 2 years.
TIME FOR MAJOR SERVICE will be set
when additional maintenance is necessary,
such as air filter or spark plug replacement.
This message will appear at 30,000 mile
intervals. When either message is dis-
played, contact your Saab Dealer for a ser-
vice appointment.
Failure to perform scheduled maintenance
in a timely manner may result in serious
damage to key components or systems.
.NOTICEThe Check-up will be done by your Saab
dealer at no charge and should be done
as close as possible to the scheduled 30
days.
ProCarManuals.com
254 IndexRemote control
_________________ 38
Remote locking malfunction
_______ 40
Reporting safety defects
_________ 233
Rev counter
___________________ 59
Reversing lights ________________ 76
Roof lighting
__________________ 105
Roof lighting, changing
__________ 196
Running-in
___________________ 132
SSAHR, head restraint
____________ 20
SID
__________________________ 64
SPA _________________________ 151
Saab Information Display
_________ 64
Saab Parking Assistance ________ 151
Saab Trionic engine
management system
__________ 174
Safety belts
____________________ 11
Seatbelts
______________________ 11
Seatbelts, care
________________ 217
Seatbelts, checking
_____________ 217
Seats
_________________________ 16
Securing a load
________________ 118
Sentronic, manual gear selection
__ 139
Service costs
_________________ 232
Service information
_____________ 232
Service intervals
_______________ 230
Service record retention
_________ 231
Shifting the wheels
_____________ 209
Signalling, horn
_________________ 98Ski hatch
_____________________ 117
Spare wheel __________________ 212
Speed ratings, tyres
____________ 209
Speedometer
__________________ 60
Starting the engine
_____________ 123
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 98
Steering wheel lock
_____________ 123
Storage compartments __________ 109
Sun visor
_____________________ 106
Sunroof
______________________ 102
Switches ______________________ 72
TTCS
_________________________ 144
Technical data
_________________ 236
Textile carpeting, cleaning
_______ 218
Tightening torque, wheels ________ 216
Tools and spare wheel
__________ 212
Touching up paintwork __________ 219
Towbar
______________________ 157
Towbar load
__________________ 159
Towing
______________________ 164
Towing a trailer
________________ 157
Towing the car ________________ 165
Traction Control System (TCS)
____ 144
Transmission oil, checking
_______ 178
Transmission oil, grade
__________ 241
Transmission, automatic _________ 134
Transmission, manual
___________ 133
Transporting the car
____________ 166Trip computer
__________________ 65
Trip meter
_____________________ 59
Trolley jack ___________________ 215
Troubleshooting, A/C and ACC
____ 224
Turbo gauge
___________________ 61
Tyre date code ________________ 212
Tyre markings
_________________ 209
Tyre pressure _________________ 207
Tyre pressure monitoring, automatic
207
Tyre sizes
____________________ 243
Tyres
________________________ 206
UUpholstery care
________________ 217
Upholstery, cleaning
____________ 217
Useful tips on night driving
_______ 163
Useful tips on starting petrol engines
125
VVanity mirror
__________________ 106
Vehicle identification number
_____ 246
Vehicle recovery
_______________ 166
WWarning labels
___________________ 7
Warning lights __________________ 54
Warning triangle ________________ 76
ProCarManuals.com