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
ProCarManuals.com
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
ProCarManuals.com
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
ProCarManuals.com
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
ProCarManuals.com
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.
ProCarManuals.com
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.
ProCarManuals.com
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
ProCarManuals.com
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
ProCarManuals.com