
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 
contains 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 questions 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. 
NOTICENOTICE texts warn of potential damage 
to the car if the recommendations are not 
followed. 
IB1734
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3
Instrument panel 
IB1080
Indicator and warning lights ______  56
Speedometer _________________  63
Odometer and trip meter ________  62
Fuel gauge___________________  63
Temperature gauge ____________  63
Parking lights____________    71
High/low beam __________  71
Daytime running lights_____  71
Instrument illumination ____  73
Changing bulbs __________  214Turn signal and lane change 
indicators ______________  73
High beam flasher ________  71
Cruise control ___________  171Front fog lights___________  74
Ashtrays (accessory) ___________  135
Cigarette lighters (accessory) ____  136
Saab Information Display (SID) ___  65
Night panel___________________  69
Clock _______________________  70
Wipers and washers ______  75
Rear-window wiper (9-5 
Wagon) _______________  76
Rain sensing wipers (option)  75
Washers _______________  213
Wipers and washers ______  212Saab 9-5 Audio System ___  89
Steering-wheel controls ___  106Hazard warning lights_____  74Automatic climate control 
(ACC) ________________  77
Air conditioning (ACC) ____  242
Electric heating, front seats ______  15
Ventilated front seats ___________  15Steering-wheel controls ___  106
Sentronic, manual mode ___  167
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6Engine compartment, 
4-cyl engine
IB1737
Engine ______________________  202
Checking the oil level ___________  203
Oil changing__________________  204
Engine oil, specification _________  261
Braking______________________  172
ABS brakes __________________  173
Brake and clutch fluid ___________  207
Brake system _________________  265
Brake pads ___________________  265
Fuses _________________  226
Changing a fuse _________  228
Relays ________________  229
Table of fuses ___________  226Temperature gauge ______  63
Driving in hot weather_____  181
Driving in cold weather ____  179
Coolant________________  206
Coolant capacity_________  260
Power steering fluid _______  208
Steering, technical data ___  265
Wipers and washers ______  75
Washers _______________  213
Washer jets ____________  213
Jump starting _________________  191
Battery ______________________  209
Charging/replacing the battery____  210
Manual transmission ___________  162
Automatic transmission _________  163
Automatic transmission, 
technical data ________________  264
Manual gearbox, technical data ___  264
Important considerations for driving  155
Turbo unit  ___________________  199
Engine, technical data __________  260Ignition switch ___________  152
Drive belts ______________  211
Spark plugs _____________  263
Catalytic converter _______  156Warning labels __________  8
V.I.N. number  ___________  269
Engine number  __________  269
Gearbox number _________  269
Color code______________  269
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7
Engine compartment, 
3.0t V6
IB1738
Warning labels __________  8
V.I.N. number  ___________  269
Engine number __________  269
Gearbox number  ________  269
Color code  _____________  269Ignition switch ___________  152
Drive belts ______________  211
Spark plugs _____________  263
Catalytic converter _______  156Important considerations for driving  155
Turbo unit  ___________________  199
Engine, technical data __________  260
Automatic transmission _________  163
Automatic transmission, 
technical data ________________  264
Braking______________________  172
ABS brakes __________________  173
Brake and clutch fluid ___________  207
Brake system _________________  265
Brake pads ___________________  265Jump starting _________________  191
Battery ______________________  209
Charging/replacing the battery____  210
Fuses _________________  226
Changing a fuse _________  228
Relays ________________  229
Table of fuses ___________  226Temperature gauge ______  63
Driving in hot weather_____  181
Driving in cold weather ____  179
Coolant________________  206
Coolant capacity_________  260
Power steering fluid _______  208
Steering, technical data ___  265
Wipers and washers ______  75
Washers _______________  213
Washer jets ____________  213
Engine ______________________  202
Checking the oil level ___________  203
Oil changing__________________  204
Engine oil, specification _________  261
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8
Battery No sparks, flames or smoking.
 Shield eyes, explosive gases can cause blindness or injury.
 Sulphuric acid can cause blindness or severe burns.
 Flush eyes immediately with water. Get medical help fast.
 Do not tip battery. Do not open battery.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN Brake fluid
CLEAN FILLER CAP BEFORE 
REMOVING. USE ONLY DOT 4 
FLUID FROM SEALED 
CONTAINER.  Radiator fan 
The radiator fan can cut in even 
after engine has been switched 
off. 
IB336
Drive belt 
Moving belt. Do not 
touch while engine 
running.
A/C system
Refrigerant at high pressure. 
Always drain the A/C system before undoing any 
connections. Failure to follow prescribed procedures 
can result in injury. System to be serviced by autho-
rized personnel only. See Workshop Service Manual 
for correct procedures. 
The A/C system complies with SAE J639.
Refrigerant: 825 g of R134a. 
Refrigeration oil: 120cc of PAG ND-8 oil or 
Saab 4759106 SK 20 oil 
Warning labels
 AVOID SPARKS AND OPEN FLAMES, 
NO SMOKING 
 WEAR EYE PROTECTION
 KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
ACID
 SEE OWNER’S MANUAL
 FLAMMABLE GAS
Coolant:
Never open when engine hot!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. 
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9
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.
CANADAUSA
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 RESTRAINTSContact an authorized 
Saab workshop if a 
Xenon headlight requires 
replacement. (Only cars 
with Xenon headlights.)
Long loads 
Always SECURE LOAD to prevent it from 
shifting during transport.
An unsecured load could cause passenger 
injuries in braking situations or in the event of 
a crash.
Cover sharp edges with a protective wrap.
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10
No sparks, 
flames or 
smoking.Buckle up
Use protective 
gogglesAirbag
Keep out of 
reach of 
children.Electric 
windows
Battery acid 
contains 
sulphuric acid.Central 
locking
Refer to the 
Owner’s 
Manual.Never place a 
rear-facing 
child seat in 
this seat.
Risk of 
explosive gas.
HeadlightsWindshield 
wipers
Direction 
indicatorsWindshield 
washers
Parking lights Defroster
Hazard 
warning lightsRear window 
heating
Front fog 
lightsVentilation fan
Rear fog lights
Coolant 
temperatureRadiator fan
Battery 
chargingFuel
Foot brake
Coolant level
Engine oil 
pressure
ABS brakes
Examples of symbols that can be found in your car
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12 SafetySeats Both front seats are electrically operated. 
On certain models the driver´s seat is 
equipped with a memory function.
To facilitate getting into the car, both seats 
can be adjusted when either of the front 
doors is open.
For safety reasons, if the door is closed, the 
seat can only be adjusted when the ignition 
is ON. 
Note, however, that both seats can be 
adjusted for 30 seconds after both doors 
have been closed. The following seat adjustments can be 
made to achieve a comfortable driving 
position: 
 height
 legroom
 backrest rake angle
 lumbar support
 head-restraint height
We recommend that adjustments to the 
driver’s seat be performed in the following 
order: 
1height
2 legroom
3 seat tilt angle
4 backrest rake angle
Lastly, adjust the steering wheel (see page  
124).
 Side airbags (see page  36).Head restraint(see page 16).
Height To raise the seat, lift the lower control 
straight up. 
To lower the seat, press the lower control 
down. 
The same control can be used to adjust the 
height of the front and rear edges of the seat 
independently. 
WARNING
The seats are actuated by powerful 
motors. Bear this in mind when adjusting 
the seat, and make sure that nothing gets 
caught and damaged. Ensure that noth-
ing can be trapped when adjusting the 
seat. 
Bear in mind that children can be injured 
if they play with the electrically-operated 
seats.
Always remove the ignition key when you 
leave the car to prevent personal injury 
caused by the electrically adjustable 
seats, for example, due to children play-
ing.
WARNING
Never adjust the driver’s seat except 
when the car is stationary. 
IB401
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