2003 SAAB 9-5 coolant level

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

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

64 Instruments and controls Check fuse 1 (radiator fan) in the fuse panel
under the hood, see page 230.
If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone,
stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and
check the coolant level by looking at the
level visible through the plastic tank – do not
remove the cap.
If the coolant level falls below the MIN mark,
the Saab Information Display (SID) will dis-
play the message ”FILL COOLANT FLUID”.
Pressure gaugeThe turbo gauge indicates the air volume for
combustion, which is equivalent to the
engine load.
At low loads, the needle will move within the
white zone. At higher loads and during
heavy acceleration, the needle will enter the
yellow area. At very high loads or under cer-
tain barometric conditions, the needle may
enter the first part of the red zone without
indicating that there is a fault.If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone
and the engine at the same time loses
power, because the monitoring system is
holding the charging pressure down, you
should contact an authorized Saab dealer.
If the speed exceeds 149 mph/240 km/h
(155 mph/250 km/h, 9-5 Aero) the increase
in speed will be limited by the lowering of the
boost pressure. The pressure gauge then
moves towards the middle of the orange
zone, indicating reduced engine output and
thus reduces the speed of the car as well.
NOTICEIf the needle, despite the above action,
enters the red zone, stop the car immedi-
ately, let the engine idle.
If the needle stays in the red zone, stop
the engine.
WARNING
Never open the cap of the expansion tank
completely when the engine is hot, open
with care. The pressure in the cool-
ing-system can cause hot coolant and
steam to be released. Failure to heed this
warning may result in personal injury.
IB344
ProCarManuals.com

69 Instruments and controls
CHECK messages When the engine is started, CHECKING will
appear on the display for about four sec-
onds, while the SID checks are being per-
formed.
When a CHECK message is generated
while the car is being driven, a chime will
sound, INFO DISPL will illuminate on the
main instrument panel, and the message
will appear on the SID. The number of mes-
sages that can be displayed by the SID
varies with the specification of the car.
If more than one CHECK message has
been generated, the
+ symbol will appear to
the left of the text on the display. The mes-
sages appear in order of priority.
If a new fault occurs while another message
is being displayed, the message relating to
the new one will appear for 10 seconds,
after which the display will return to the ear-
lier one.
Press CLEAR once to acknowledge a mes-
sage, whereupon it will be cleared from the
display. It will not be displayed again before
the ignition has been switched off and then
on again. The following messages may be displayed:
1 This message will be displayed approxi-
mately 600 miles (1,000 km) before the next
scheduled service is due, or when 365 days
have elapsed since the last service. The
message should be cleared at the time of that
service (see the Saab Warranties & Service
Record Booklet).
This message can also be deleted by first
briefly pressing the CLEAR button, then
depressing it a second time for at least eight
seconds until ”SERVICE” appears on the dis-
play and a chime sounds. The message can
only be deleted when it is shown on the SID.
Night panelTo improve night-driving conditions inside
the car, the Night Panel mode can be
selected. In this mode, the amount of infor-
mation displayed is reduced, and only the
most important instruments and displays
will be illuminated.
When the Night Panel button is pressed,
only the speedometer will be illuminated (up
to the 87-mph or 140-km/h graduation), all
the other instruments illumination being
extinguished and their needles moved to
zero. Both the SID and the ACC displays will
be extinguished and the backlighting for
switches and other controls will be dimmed.
Note: All indicator and warning lights,
together with the display of CHECK mes-
sages, will operate as normal, except ”Out-
door temperature (Frost warning)”, see
page 66. Message See
page
FRONT LIGHT FAILURE 215
REAR LIGHT FAILURE 219
FOG LIGHT FAILURE 219
BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE 219
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW 213
FILL COOLANT FLUID 206
REPLACE KEY BATTERY 45
KEY NOT ACCEPTED 52
SERVICE THEFT ALARM 52
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING 166
TIGHTEN FUEL FILLER CAP 158
TIME FOR SERVICE
1)
254
ProCarManuals.com

181 Starting and driving
Driving in hot weather Always check the coolant level before
starting a journey. The level should be just
below the MAX mark.
 At the end of a journey, if the engine has
worked hard, allow it to idle for two or
three minutes before switching it off.
If the needle on the temperature gauge
enters the red zone:
1 Bring the car to a standstill but leave the
engine running. Do not remove the cap
on the expansion tank even if the tank is
empty. If the needle on the temperature
gauge continues to rise while the engine
is idling, switch off the engine. 2 Wait until the needle has dropped back
to indicate normal temperature (roughly
midway, in the white zone) before stop-
ping the engine. If the coolant needs top-
ping up, unscrew the cap on expansion
tank carefully.
Top up, as necessary, ideally with a
50/50 mixture of Saab-approved coolant
and water. If only water is available, use
that, but remember to have the coolant
mixture checked as soon as possible.
3 As soon as possible, have the cooling
system checked by an authorized Saab
dealer.
Towing a trailerTrailer hitch attachmentTrailer hitch attachments are available as
accessories. These are designed for a max-
imum trailer weight of 3500 lbs. (1588 kg),
see also page 259.
Use only the electrical trailer hitch socket
provided in the trailer hitch kit.
Saab recommends:
 Use a Saab original hitch kit attachment
which is designed and tested by Saab.
 Consult your Saab dealer regarding the
appropriate hitch kit for your car.
WARNING
 Exercise care when opening the hood
if the engine is overheated. Never
remove the expansion tank cap com-
pletely when the engine is hot.
 The cooling system is pressurized -
hot coolant and vapor can escape.
These can cause injury to your eyes
and burns. Open the cap slowly to
release the pressure before
removing it.
NOTICEUse only a genuine Saab trailer hitch and
wiring, since other wiring methods can
cause expensive damage to the car’s
body and electrical system.
Consult an authorized Saab dealer for
guidance on how to connect the trailer
hitch electrical system.
ProCarManuals.com

206 Car care and technical informationCoolant The expansion tank is transparent to facili-
tate checking of the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant must
not lie over the KALT/COLD mark on the
expansion tank.
If the message ”FILL COOLANT FLUID” is
displayed on the SID, check the level of fluid
in the expansion tank.
Top up, as necessary, with equal parts of
clean water and Saab-approved coolant.
If the expansion tank is empty when coolant
is added, run the engine to normal temper-
ature and top up again, as necessary.
Coolant The cooling system is charged at the factory
with coolant containing a 50 % concentra-
tion of a combined antifreeze and corrosion
inhibitor. A weaker mixture will result in
reduced anticorrosion protection. For pro-
tection against freezing in very cold
weather, a stronger concentration will be
needed.
A 60 % concentration of antifreeze will pro-
vide protection at temperatures down to
-58 F (–50°C).
The coolant does not normally have to be
changed during the service life of the car.
The type of coolant used has a reddish color
and should not be mixed with other types of
coolant. Saab Original coolant should be
used all year round. Only use coolant
approved by Saab. Note:
If incorrect coolant is used or added, the
life-time properties will be affected. Even if
the coolant is flushed from the system and
replaced with life-time coolant, life-time
properties are no longer retained and the
coolant must then be drained and replaced
at regular intervals.

WARNING
 Proceed with caution if the radiator is
boiling when you open the hood.
Never remove the expansion-tank
filler cap when the radiator is boiling.
 The cooling system is pressurized –
hot coolant and vapor can escape
when the filler cap is released. These
can cause injury to your eyes and
burns. Loosen the cap carefully, and
let the engine cool before removing
the cap.
 Exercise care when adding coolant.
Coolant on hot surfaces constitutes a
fire risk.
NOTICEAlways mix the antifreeze with the
appropriate volume of water before
adding it to the cooling system.
If pure antifreeze is added, the engine
could still freeze and be damaged. This is
because the antifreeze will not mix
properly with the coolant before the
thermostat has opened to allow full
circulation.
IB1338
Coolant expansion tank
ProCarManuals.com