179 Starting and driving
Driving in a low gear results in higher fuel
consumption than in a high gear because
of the higher engine speed for a given
road speed. Always change up to a higher
gear as soon as traffic conditions allow
and use the highest gear as much as pos-
sible.
Check the air pressure in the tires once a
month. Incorrect pressures increase tire
wear. It is better to have slightly higher
pressure than lower.
Check fuel consumption regularly.
Increased consumption can indicate that
something is wrong and that the car
needs to be checked by an authorized
Saab dealer.
Practical trials on the roads have demon-
strated that substantial savings in fuel con-
sumption can be made if the above advice
is heeded.Road conditions Wet roads increase fuel consumption, as do
unpaved roads and driving in hilly country
(the amount of fuel saved driving downhill is
less than the additional amount required to
climb the hill).
Engine block heater (standard
equipment in Canada, accessory in
U.S.)The following are just some of the benefits
to the car and the environment of using an
engine block heater:
Lower fuel consumption.
Exhaust emissions substantially reduced
over short runs.
Reduced wear on the engine.
Inside of car warms up faster.
The engine heater is effective at outside
temperatures up to +15–20°C. The warmer
it is outside, the shorter the time the engine
heater needs to be connected. Longer than
1.5 hours is unnecessary.
If the car is equipped with a removable,
electrical cabin heater that is not in use, this
should be stored in the luggage compart-
ment.
Driving in cold weatherBefore starting a journey in cold weather
you should check the following:
That the wiper blades have not become
frozen to the windshield/glass.
Brush any snow away from the air intake
for the heater system (opening between
hood and windshield).
It may be advisable to lubricate the
door-lock cylinder (use molybdenum
disulphide, MoS
2) to prevent its freezing.
If the lock has frozen, take care not to
break the key (or use the remote control)
– heat it first or spray it with de-icer.
Periodically during the winter, add gaso-
line anti-freeze to the fuel to dispel any
condensation in the fuel tank which could
freeze and cause problems in the system.
Keep the tank well filled to reduce the risk
of condensation forming.
If the car is parked outside in freezing
weather, fuel additives (gasoline
anti-freeze) will not do any good as it
cannot remove water that has already fro-
zen. Park the car in a warm place so that
any ice that may have built up melts, then
add gasoline anti-freeze when filling up
the tank. Condensation is caused by
changes in the outdoor temperature or by
the car being parked alternately in a
garage and outside.
It is particularly important when the roads
are slippery that the brakes and tires be in
good condition.
WARNING
Never switch the engine off while driving
as the effect of the brakes and power
steering will be greatly reduced.
ProCarManuals.com
187 Starting and driving
Driving with a loadThe driving characteristics of the car are
affected by the way it is loaded.
Place heavy loads as far forward and as
low as possible in the trunk.
Secure the load to the tie downs, see
page 141.
The load should be such that the car´s
total weight or axle weight are not
exceeded, see page 258.
Heavy loads mean that the car’s center of
gravity is further back. As a result, the car
will sway more during evasive steering.
Never exceed the permissible load in the
roof box, even if there is room for more.
Ensure that the tire pressure is correct –
slight overinflation is preferable to under-
inflation.
The braking distance of a loaded car is
always greater. Keep your distance from
the vehicle in front.
Roof loads can negatively affect tele-
communication.
Tire pressure, see page 269 and back
cover.
Tires The tire pressure should match the current
load and speed of the car; see page 268 or
the tire pressure label on
page 269.
The tire pressures given apply to cold tires,
that is tires that are the same temperature
as the outside air temperature.
The tire pressure increases as the tires
become warm (e.g. during highway driving)
with approximately 0.3 bar (4 psi). When
the temperature of the tires changes by 50°
(10°C), the tire pressure will change 0.1 bar
(2 psi).Never reduce the pressure of a hot tire. If the
tires are hot when you check them, only
increase the pressure, if necessary.
Underinflated tires wear more quickly than
slightly overinflated tires.
If a valve is leaking, simply unscrew it and fit
a new one.
Important! Remember to adjust the tire
pressures if you change the load in the car
or intend to drive at substantially lower or
higher speeds than normal.
WARNING
Check the tire pressure at least once a
month and before long journeys. Under-
inflation can result in:
Punctures
Separation of the tire and tread
Damage to the sidewalls
Damage to the rims on poor roads
Poor handling characteristics
Premature tire wear
Increased fuel consumption.
ProCarManuals.com
201 Car care and technical information
Engine familiesSaab cars imported into the United States
and Canada meet all applicable emission
control standards. The engine family and
appropriate tune-up specifications are iden-
tified on a label affixed to the left front inner
fender.
These engine families meet applicable EPA
Federal Standards, California State Stan-
dards and Canadian Federal Standards and
are equipped with the following systems:
• Sequential multiport fuel injection system.
Three way catalytic converter.
Crankcase emissions control system.
Evaporative emission control system.
On-Board diagnostic (OBD II) system.
Emission control
systemsThe systems for controlling emissions to the
atmosphere require regular checking and
adjustment at the intervals specified in the
service program.
In addition to meeting the exhaust emission
regulations and thereby helping to keep the
environment clean, a correctly tuned engine
will also give maximum fuel economy.Saab Trionic engine management
systemThe Saab Trionic engine management
system is a unique Saab development that
combines sequential multiport fuel injection,
electronic distributorless ignition and turbo-
charger boost pressure control into one sys-
tem.
The Trionic engine control module (ECM)
monitors many different engine parameters
such as:
Intake manifold pressure.
Intake air temperature.
Crankshaft position.
Engine coolant temperature.
Throttle position and
The oxygen content of the exhaust gases.
The ECM receives information regarding
engine knocking from a sophisticated feed-
back function in the ignition discharge unit.
By processing all of this information, the Tri-
onic system can control fuel injector open-ing duration, ignition timing and turbo-
charger boost pressure to provide excellent
engine performance while maintaining low
emissions and fuel consumption.
NOTICEThe Trionic engine management systems
continuously monitors the operation of
these systems and have on-board diag-
nostic capabilities (OBD II).
If the ”Engine malfunction (CHECK
ENGINE)” lamp in the main instru-
ment illuminates, this indicates that the
Trionic ECM has detected a problem. The
car will continue to operate, but perfor-
mance may be diminished. You should
have your car checked by a Saab dealer
as soon as possible.
ProCarManuals.com
232 Car care and technical informationWheels Alternative wheels and tiresIf you wish to fit other tires or wheels than
those supplied with the car, consult your
Saab dealer first as to the possibilities avail-
able.
Wheels/tires combinations that are not
approved by Saab can negatively affect the
car´s directional stability, steering and brak-
ing in both wet and dry conditions.
Do not assume that a wheel/tire combina-
tion will function properly just because it will
bolt on.
The wheels and tires have been carefully
matched to the characteristics of the car and
play a key role in its outstanding roadhold-
ing and handling.
To ensure that the speedometer is as accu-
rate as possible it should be reprogrammed
if wheels of a different dimension are fitted.
Contact an authorized Saab workshop.
Tire pressureTires need to be inflated to suit the load car-
ried and the maximum speed the car will be
driven (see the recommended tire pres-
sures page 268). Note that all values apply
to cold tires. For tires with an aspect ratio
less than /60, increase the tire pressure by
3 psi (20 kPa) for rough roads with potholes
to minimize the risk of rim damage.
Never reduce the pressure of a hot tire. If the
tires are hot when you check them, only
increase the pressure, if necessary.
Soft tires will cause faster wear than
over-pressurized tires. They also increase
fuel consumption.
If a valve is leaking, simply unscrew it and fit
a new one.
NOTICEAlways consult your Saab dealer before
changing the wheels and tires on your
Saab.
Wide wheels and tyres with sidewalls that
are too low can:
be damaged in potholes etc.
cause springs, shock absorbers and
wheel bearings and body mountings
can be overloaded.
cause that the wheels can come into
contact with chassis and body compo-
nents.
can affect the function of the Elec-
tronic Stability Program (ESP).
The speed and load limits for the tires
must not be exceeded; see page 233.
Wheels larger than 17” must not be fitted.
The maximum permissible offset is
49 mm.
WARNING
Check the tire pressure at least once a
month and before long journeys. Under-
inflation can result in:
Punctures
Separation of the tire and tread
Damage to the sidewalls
Damage to the rims on poor roads
Poor handling characteristics
Premature tire wear
Increased fuel consumption.
ProCarManuals.com
250 Car care and technical informationHeadlight aiming The vehicle has a visual optical headlight
aiming system equipped with vertical
aiming device. The aim has been preset at
the factory and should normally not need
further adjustments.
If your headlights are damaged in a crash,
the headlight aim may be affected. If you
believe your headlights need to be
re-aimed, we recommend that you take it to
your Saab dealer for service, however, it is
possible for you to re-aim your headlights as
described in the following procedure.To check the aim, the vehicle should be
properly prepared as follows:
The vehicle shall be placed so that the
headlights are 25 ft (7.6 m) from a light
colored wall or other flat surface. The
aiming area should be darkened, this will
improve your ability to see the beam of the
low beam headlight being aimed.
The vehicle must have all four wheels on
a perfectly level surface which is level all
the way to the wall or other flat surface.
The vehicle should be placed so it is per-
pendicular to the wall or other flat surface.
The vehicle should be unloaded and fuel
tank full, and one person or 160 lbs.
(75 kg) on the drivers seat. The vehicle should be fully assembled
and all other work stopped while headlight
aiming is being done.
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice
or mud attached to it.
Tires should be inflated to the prescribed
pressure.
Close all doors.
Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspen-
sion.
Headlight aiming is done with the vehicle
low beam lamps. The high beam lamps will
be correctly aimed if the low beam lamps
are aimed properly.
WARNING
Before checking/adjusting the headlight
aiming, switch off the engine to avoid
danger of fingers and hands being injured
by moving parts.
The radiator fan can start up even when
the engine is switched off.NOTICETo make sure that your headlights are
aimed properly read all instructions
before beginning. Failure to follow these
instructions could cause damage to
headlight parts or a not correctly aimed
headlight.
ProCarManuals.com
275 Index
Light switches
___________________ 71
Luggage-compartment lighting
_____ 134
MMain instrument panel
_____________ 56
Main/dipped beam
_______________ 71
Maintenance schedule ___________ 254
Manual gearbox, technical data
____ 264
Maxi fuses
_____________________ 227
Milometer ______________________ 62
Motoring abroad
________________ 248
NNight Panel
_____________________ 69
OOil capacity, engine
______________ 260
Oil change, engine ______________ 204
Oil specification
_________________ 260
OnStar
________________________ 111
Outdoor temperature
______________ 65
Owner assistance
_______________ 255
PPaintwork, touching-in
____________ 245
Parking Assistance
______________ 193
Parking lights
___________________ 71
Plates and labels ________________ 269
Poly-V-belt
____________________ 211
Power steering _________________ 208Power-steering fluid
_____________208
Pressure gauge
__________________64
Programming I, ACC
______________83
Programming II, ACC _____________84
Programming the ACC ____________83
QQuestions on function of airbag
_____39
Quick guide, Audio System
_________91
RRadiator fan
____________________211
Radio
__________________________94
Rain sensor
_____________________75
Rear fog light ____________________72
Rear seat, 9-5 Sedan, folding
______139
Rear seat, 9-5 Wagon, folding _____142
Rear-seat head restraints
__________16
Rear-view mirror, antidazzle _______129
Rearview mirrors
________________125
Reclamation
___________________248
Recommendations for cars with
automatic transmission,
towing a caravan or trailer
________182
Refuelling
_____________________158
Relay panel ____________________229
Remote control __________________42
Remote-control battery, changing
____45
Remove the key
________________152
Reporting safety defects
__________256
Reprogramming of systems _______271Reservoir, power-steering fluid
____ 208
Rev counter
____________________ 62
Reversing lights
_________________ 74
Roof load
_____________________ 185
Running-in ____________________ 178
SSID
__________________________ 65
Saab 9-5 Audio System
___________ 89
Saab Information Display (SID)
_____ 65
Saab Parking Assistance
________ 193
Safety belts
____________________ 17
Safety belts, care of
_____________ 243
Safety-belt pretensioners
_________ 18
Safety-belt reminder
_____________ 17
Seats
_________________________ 12
Securing a load
_________________ 46
Selector lever indication,
automatic transmission
__________ 65
Sentronic, manual mode _________ 167
Service costs
__________________ 255
Service information
_____________ 256
Service intervals
_______________ 254
Service record retention
_________ 255
Settings, seats
__________________ 12
Side airbags
___________________ 36
Signalling, horn ________________ 124
Sliding floor, 9-5 Wagon
_________ 147
Snow chains
__________________ 179
Spare wheel __________________ 236
Spare wheel and tools
___________ 149
Spark plugs
___________________ 263
ProCarManuals.com