
158 Starting and drivingRefueling
Only fuel from well-known oil companies
should be used.
All Saab gasoline engines can be driven on
fuel of grade AON 87–93.
For optimum performance we recommend:
AO N 90 for 4-cylinder engines
AO N 93 for 3.0t V6 and 2.3T Aero, (see
page 260).
If fuel containing a mixture of alcohol is
used, the following restrictions apply:
Methanol: max. 5 % by volume.
Ethanol: max. 10 % by volume.
MTBE: max. 15 % by volume.
The fuel filler cap is located in the right rear
quarter panel.
Refuelling:
1 Switch off engine.
2 Open fuel door
3 Insert the fuel-pump nozzle beyond the
flange on the filler pipe. Do not withdraw
the nozzle while fueling is in progress.
4Stop refueling the first time the pump
turns off, indicating the tank is full.
Fuel-tank capacity: 18.5 US gal. (70 liters)
Screw on the filler cap and keep turning until
it has clicked at least three times.
The most effective way to prevent conden-
sation forming in the tank (and thus avoid
possible running problems) is to keep the
tank well filled.
Before the onset of freezing temperatures in
winter, it may be advisable to add gasoline
anti-freeze to the fuel a few times to dispel
any condensation in the system.
WARNING
Never use fuel for any purpose other
than as engine fuel.
Fuel is highly flammable and can
cause severe burns. Never use an
exposed flame in the vicinity of gaso-
line. Never smoke when filling the
vehicle up with fuel.
Do not use the phone when refueling.
Gasoline fuels are highly explosive.
NOTICE Do not overfill. Fuel should not come
right up the filler pipe as expansion
room is needed.
The use of fuel with too low an octane
rating can cause serious engine dam-
age.
IB1755
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195 Starting and driving
Parking brake
The parking brake is situated between the
front seats and acts on the rear wheels.
When the parking brake is on, the indicator
light on the main instrument panel will be on.
To release the parking brake, lift the lever
slightly, press the release button and
release the lever by pushing down on it.
Parking
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when
the car is parked.
Always apply the parking brake
before removing the ignition key.
Never use the parking brake when the
car is moving.
WARNING
Do not leave children or pets unat-
tended in the car. In warm, sunny
weather, the temperature inside the
car can reach 160–180°F (70–80°C).
Park where the vehicle will not create
an obstruction or a hazard to other
road users.
Do not park on dry grass or other com-
bustible material. The catalytic con-
verter gets very hot and could start a
fire.
Apply the parking brake.
Shift to Reverse for manual transmis-
sion (automatic transmission: move
selector lever to P (Park)), and remove
the ignition key. Lock the car.
NOTICEEmpty the car yourself and bear in mind:
never leave a mobile phone, computer
or similar object visible in your car.
clothing, packages and bags attract
thieves.
do not leave small objects such as
CDs, sunglasses and coins visible.
if possible, park in a well-lit,
conspicuous parking space.
thieves strike whenever and wherever
they are given the opportunity.
IB360
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209 Car care and technical information
BatteryThe battery is provided with a cover to pro-
tect it from radiated heat. If the battery is
exposed to high temperatures, its life will be
shortened. To remove the cover, release
the two clips along its long sides.
The cover fits the standard battery installed
in the car. If a new battery is to be fitted,
make sure that its dimensions are the same
as the standard one.
The battery is maintenance free and should
be changed if the electrolyte level is too low. The indicator on the top side of the battery
will be white if the battery needs replacing.
The fluid level and the charge level should
be checked regularly.
If frequent short journeys are made, the bat-
tery may need to be given a booster charge.
This can be done either using a battery
charger or by taking the car for a long run.
A car with a standard equipment specifica-
tion and a fully charged battery can be left
for up to 40 days and still have a sufficient
charge for starting. If extra equipment is fit-
ted, such as a car phone, the charge may
only be sufficient for about 15 days.
WARNING
Work on the battery may entail an
explosion hazard, since the battery
gives off hydrogen which forms an
explosive mixture with the oxygen in
the air.
For this reason, always avoid sparks
or open flames when working near the
battery.
The battery contains corrosive sulfuric
acid. Always wear a face mask or
goggles when working on the battery.
If battery acid gets into the eyes or
splashes the skin or clothing, wash the
affected area liberally with water.
If acid gets into the eyes or a large
quantity makes contact with the skin,
seek medical help.
NOTICEA discharged battery can freeze and frac-
ture. Batteries should therefore always be
stored away from frost.
IB1779
Electrolyte level indicator
IB1780
Battery
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244 Car care and technical informationWashing the carThe bodywork must be washed frequently.
When the car is new, the body should be
washed by hand using plain cold water and
a clean, soft brush, or in a brushless car-
wash that uses mild detergent. Automatic
car washes with brushes should be avoided
when the car is new. Do not use automatic
car washes for the first five or six months,
before the paintwork has hardened prop-
erly. Thereafter, use a high quality car wash
soap added to lukewarm water.
Do not use a pressure washer at close
range on stone chip damage, scratches or
other damage to the paintwork. The paint
can otherwise start to flake.
Remove any bird droppings without delay,
as these can discolor the paintwork and
prove difficult to polish out.
Use a soft cloth moistened with methyl alco-
hol to remove splashes of tar or asphalt. Do
not use strong cleaners, as these can dry
out the paintwork.
The underside of the car also needs wash-
ing regularly, and this should be done extra
thoroughly at the end of winter. Clean the
underside of the car by hand if the car is usu-
ally washed in an automatic car wash with-
out special facilities for underbody cleaning.
Never wash or leave the car to dry in the
sun, but wipe it dry with a chamois leather
immediately after washing to avoid smears
and streaks.
Clean the window glass inside and out using
a high quality window cleaner. This is partic-
ularly important when the car is new, as
upholstery and trim have a tendency to
sweat a little at first.
Keep the glass well cleaned, as this helps to
prevent misting.
NOTICEAvoid using any alcohol-based cleaners
on the front and rear light clusters, as
these can cause cracking of the lenses.
NOTICE The door mirrors must be fully
retracted before the car enters an
automatic car wash.
Remove fixed antennas, e.g. for
mobile phone, before putting car
through an automatic car wash.
Try your brakes on leaving a car wash.
Wet brake discs may reduce the per-
formance of the brakes.
Cars with Saab Parking Assistance:
Do not spray the sensors or closer
than 20 cm to the sensors with a pres-
sure washer, as this can damage
them.
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271 Specifications
Several of the systems in your Saab
car can be adjusted to better fit your
individual needsSome functions are governed by legal
requirements and cannot therefore be
reprogrammed.
Consult an authorized Saab dealer for fur-
ther information.
Car alarm/central locking system:
The sound level of the siren when locking/
unlocking, HIGH or LOW.
The number of blinks when locking/
unlocking, 1 to 7.
Automatic locking of the trunk when the
car is driven, 1 to 8 mph (2–14 km/h), YES
or NO.
Preclude the unlocking of the trunk while
the car is driven, YES or NO.
Automatic locking of the trunk after
1 second–4 minutes if it has not been
opened, YES or NO.
Automatic locking of the trunk when it is
closed, YES or NO.
Automatic locking of all doors when the
car is driven above 7.5 mph (12 km/h),
YES or NO.Saab Information Display:
Outdoor temperature display can be
adjusted.
Miscellaneous:
Select the on-time for heated rear seat.
Coolant temperature gauge adjustment
can be increased/decreased.
Fuel level gauge adjustment can be
increased/decreased.
Additional sweep of the wipers after wind-
shield washer function (ON or OFF).
Follow me home on-time can vary from 20
to 50 seconds.
Night panel illumination deactivation
speed for the speedometer can be
adjusted.
Following adjustments can be done
by the driver:Automatic Climate Control (ACC):
To alter the preprogrammed ”AUTO” start
up mode with your own preferences you can
manually select the desired settings for:
Temperature.
Fan speed.
Air distribution.
See ”Programming I” on page 83 and ”Pro-
gramming II” on page 84.
Saab 9-5 Audio System (see page 105):
Maximum starting volume (when the
radio is switched on).
Telephone volume (if the car is equipped
with a phone connected to the audio sys-
tem).
Speed dependent volume (volume
increases or decreases with vehicle
speed).
Loudness.
Alarm system:
The glass breakage sensor can be tempo-
rarily disabled, see page 49.
Daytime Running Lights:
To disable, turn off the ignition and pull out
fuse 35, see page 228.
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