2003 SAAB 9-5 suspension

177 Starting and driving
ESP indicator lightThe indicator light in the tachometer
comes on for a short period of time when the
ESP system is operative.
Operation of the ESP indicates reduced
cohesion between the tires and the road,
and that extra care should be taken by the
driver.Turning ESP offThe system can be turned off manually with
the ESP button, whereupon the light
on the main instrument panel will come on.
The ESP system cannot be switched off if
the car is travelling faster than 35 mph
(60 km/h).
The ESP is always operative during brak-
ing, even if it has been switched off manu-
ally.
WARNING
When driving normally, ESP will help to
improve the stability of the car. This does
not mean that car can be driven faster.
The same care and prudence as normally
applied should be displayed on cornering
and when driving on slippery roads.
NOTICESuspension modifications, such as
changing the type of wheels, dampers or
springs, can affect the function of the ESP
system.
Always consult a Saab dealer before
changing any suspension components.
IB1841
Increased stability with ESP.
The system applies the brakes to the
wheels as shown to prevent the car from
skidding
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183 Starting and driving
Use Normal mode when driving with a trailer
or trailer on hilly roads. The adaptive gear
change pattern function will prevent the
transmission from overheating.
Rises in coolant temperature are indicated
by the temperature gauge in the main instru-
ment panel.
The following can also occur:
 the A/C-compressor can be shut off
 the gear-change pattern is changed
 the CHECK message TRANSMISSION
OVERHEATING can appear on the SID
If TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING
appears on the SID, stop the car as soon as
it is safe to do so, switch off the engine and
open the hood. Wait several minutes and
then turn on the ignition to check that the
message has been extinguished. When
continuing your journey, select manual
mode (M) and a gear in which the engine
speed is about 3,000 rpm (see page 168). Do not drive continuously with the WINTER
mode selected in hilly country when you are
towing a trailer, as this will increase fuel con-
sumption and risk overheating the transmis-
sion.
Driving considerations Always take extra care when towing a
trailer, as the car’s handling will be different
and its braking effect reduced. The trailer’s
braking system and suspension also have a
considerable effect on these characteris-
tics, see also ”Driving with a load” page 187.
If the car has automatic transmission, select
position D when ascending steep hills. This
ensures that the adaptive gear change pat-
terns are operational, see page 169. Use
position D or L for steep descents.
WARNING
Remember to use engine-braking (selec-
tor position D or L) to spare the brakes
when you are driving on a long or steep
downhill slope.
Brake failure can result from overheated
brakes!
NOTICEIf the ”Automatic transmission, fault indi-
cator” indicator comes on, cease
towing until the problem has been recti-
fied.
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255 Maintenance and owner assistance
Service record retentionService instruction coupons and record
stubs are provided in the Saab Warranties
and Service Record Booklet which accom-
panies this Owner’s Manual. The coupons
are arranged in the order that normal ser-
vice should be performed. The edge of each
coupon is shaded to correspond to the type
of service point:
 Striped – "Check Up"
 Blue – Oil change/inspection service
 Black – Major service
Note that in Canada a combined service
and warranty book is used, but not service
coupons.
When scheduled services are performed,
your dealer will tear out the applicable
coupon and use it to check off the opera-
tions performed and enter it into the service
file at the dealership. The servicing dealer’s
stamp, along with the date and mileage at
which the service was done, should be
entered on the corresponding stub which
remains in your booklet. The booklet is your
permanent record of the services per-
formed. It also includes a log sheet for
unscheduled repairs.
It is advisable to retain receipts and, if pos-
sible, copies of shop work orders for all ser-
vice and repair work, wherever performed.
Service costsDealer pricing practices and labor for ser-
vice work vary. Saab’s recommended ser-
vice times for each service point do not
include the labor required to replace wear
items, such as wiper blades, brake pads or
tires. Nor is labor to perform other service or
repairs found to be necessary as a result of
the inspections included in these times.
Additional labor and parts will be charged
for such work when necessary, except as
covered under an applicable Saab warranty
or any optional extended service contract.
Transmission fluid changes or suspension
alignment, when necessary, are also addi-
tional.
Dealer charges for general shop material,
regulated hazardous waste removal, recy-
cling expenses or other operation costs may
also be applied to service and repair
invoices and are apt to vary by dealer and
locality.
Owner assistanceWarranties and service problem
assistanceFor complete information about all applica-
ble warranties, including the New Car War-
ranty, Perforation Warranty, Vehicle Emis-
sion Warranty and Emission Perforation
Warranty, consult the Warranties and Ser-
vice Record Booklet which accompanies
this Owner’s Manual. It also contains owner
assistance information including Saab
Roadside Assistance. If the booklet is lost or
misplaced, a new one may be ordered
through a Saab dealer or by contacting
Saab.
In the U.S. there is a national Customer
Assistance Center at Saab Cars USA, Inc.
The toll-free number to call from all 50 states
is 1-800-955-9007.
In Canada, please call the Saab Customer
Assistance Centre at 1-800-263-1999.
A list of authorized Saab sales and service
dealers is available for those planning to
travel in the United States and Canada.
Canadian or U.S. travelers may call the
Customer Assistance Center in the country
in which they are traveling.
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257 Specifications
Specifications General.............................. 258
Engine ............................... 260
Fuel.................................... 260
Engine oil .......................... 261
Engine variants ................ 262
Electrical system.............. 263
Drive belts......................... 263
Manual gearbox................ 264
Automatic transmission .. 264
Suspension....................... 265
Steering............................. 265
Brake system.................... 265
Wheels and tires .............. 267
Plates and labels .............. 269
IB603
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265 Specifications
Suspension
SteeringBrake systemSpring type, front and rear ___________ Coil springs
Maximum deflection of springs:
Front __________________________ 7.09 in (180 mm)
Rear ___________________________ 7.87 in (200 mm)
Dampers, front and rear _____________ Gas-filled dampers
Steering _________________________ Power-assisted
steering of
rack-and-pinion
type; telescopic
steering-column
shaft with universal
joints
Number of turns, lock to lock __________ 2,9
Power-steering fluid ________________ Power-steering
fluid CHF 11S Footbrake (ABS) ____________________ Hydraulic disc
brakes with vacuum
servo unit. Diago-
nally split circuits;
ventilated discs on
front wheels. EBD
function, see page
172.
Handbrake ________________________ Acts on rear wheels
Brake fluid _________________________ DOT 4
Brake-fluid capacity _________________ 0.925 qts (900 ml)
Disc diameter:
Front ___________________________ 11.34 in (288 mm)
Front, certain variants *) _____________ 12.05 in (306 mm)
Rear ___________________________ 11.26 in (286 mm)
Rear, certain variants *) _____________ 11.81 in (300 mm)
*) 15” wheel must not be used on these
variants.
Total friction area of brake pads:
Front ___________________________ 36.3 in
2 (234 cm
2)
Rear ___________________________ 15.5 in
2 (100 cm
2)
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276 IndexSpeed rating
___________________ 232
Speedometer _______________ 62
, 63
Starting in cold weather, ACC
_______ 83
Starting in hot weather, ACC _______ 83
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 124
Steering, technical data
__________ 265
Stone-chip damage, repairing
______ 245
Storage compartments
___________ 136
Sun visors
_____________________ 135
Sunroof
_______________________ 132
Suspension
____________________ 265
Suspension, technical data
________ 265
Switches
_______________________ 71
Symbols _______________________ 10
Systems, adjustment
_____________ 271
TTCS OFF
_______________________ 61
Table of fuses
__________________ 228
Tachometer
_____________________ 62
Tailgate, opening
________________ 46
Tank gauge
_____________________ 63
Technical data __________________ 257
Telematics
_____________________ 111
Temperature control, ACC
_________ 79
Temperature gauge, engine ________ 63
Temperature zones, ACC
__________ 79
Textile carpeting
________________ 243
Through-load hatch ______________ 141
Tie Downs
_____________________ 141
Tightening torque, wheel studs
_____ 237
Tip, driving at night
______________ 186Tip, to avoid theft
________________195
Tire markings
_____________ 232
, 233
Tire pressure
______________ 187
, 232
Tires
____________________ 232
, 267
Tires, winter
____________________266
Tools
_________________________149
Touching-in the paintwork
_________245
Towbar attachment
______________181
Towbar load
___________________184
Towing the car __________________189
Towing, automatics
______________189
Traction
_______________________175
Trailer weights
__________________259
Trionic
________________________201
Trip computer
___________________65
Trip meter
______________________62
Trunk
_________________________139
Trunk lid, opening
________________46
Turbo gauge
____________________64
Turbo, points to note
_____________155
UUnder the hood, 3.0t V6
__________200
Under the hood, 4-cyl
____________199
Upholstery and trim
______________243
Upholstery and trim, care of
_______243
Useful tips, ACC
_________________85
VVanity mirrors
__________________135
Ventilated front seats
_____________15
Viscosity, engine oil
______________260
WWarning labels
___________________ 8
Warning light, AIR BAG
___________ 38
Warning lights
__________________ 56
Washers
_____________________ 212
Washers, windshield
____________ 213
Washing the car
_______________ 244
Waxing and polishing
___________ 245
Wear indicators, tires ____________ 234
Wheel, change
________________ 237
Wheels and tires ___________ 232
, 267
Wheels and tires, sizes
__________ 266
Window glass sensor, car alarm
____ 49
Windshield washers
_____________ 75
Windshield wipers
_______________ 75
Winter tires
___________________ 266
Wiper blades, replacing
__________ 212
Wipers and washers
_________ 75
, 212
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