2004 SAAB 9-3 check oil

201 Car care
The foot brake and parking brake are self-
adjusting.
It is not possible to detect, through abnormal
pedal or parking brake lever travel, whether
the brake pads are worn and need replac-
ing. It is therefore essential that brake pads
be checked regularly, as specified in the
service program.
Brake pads should only be changed at a
Saab dealer. To ensure optimum brake
performance, use only Saab genuine
brake pads.
Power steeringCheck the level of the power steering fluid in
the reservoir regularly, in accordance with
the service program.
The wheels should point directly forwards
during this check.
Clean round the cap before unscrewing it.
Wipe the dipstick. To check the level, screw
down the cap completely and then remove
it again.
The oil level should lie between the MAX
and MIN marks when the oil temperature is
about 68°F (+20°C). If the oil is colder, the
level will be lower, and at a higher tempera-
tures the level will be higher.
Top up with “CHF 11S power steering fluid”.
NOTICEAvoid spilling brake fluid onto paintwork,
since it can cause the paint to bubble and
lift. If any brake fluid is spilled, the area
should be flushed with large quantities of
water as quickly as possible.
WARNING
Power steering fluid on hot engine
components constitutes a fire risk.
Power steering fluid reservoir
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248 Car care
Safety beltsCheck the function of the safety belts regu-
larly as follows:
 Hold the diagonal strap and pull it sharply.
The safety belt should lock and it should
not be possible to withdraw it further.
Check the anchorage points in the floor.
They must not have suffered rust damage.
If a belt is worn or has any fraying edges, it
should be replaced.
Safety belts must not come into contact with
substances such as polishes, oil or chemi-
cals. If the belts get dirty, wash them with
warm water and a detergent or have them
replaced.
WARNING
If the car is involved in a crash, the safety
belts, belt pretensioners and other asso-
ciated components must be inspected at
a Saab dealer.
Never make any alterations or repairs to
the safety belts yourself but visit a Saab
dealer.
Tightening sequence, wheel bolts
Grease the surfaces indicated with a thin
layer of grease
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253 Car care
Anti-corrosion
treatmentThe entire car undergoes a series of anti-
corrosion processes during production.
These include electrophoretic priming,
PVC-based coating to protect against stone
chip damage and corrosion, and treatment
of body cavities and members with thin,
penetrating rustproofing oil.
In addition, most body panels, such as the
hood, doors and floor pan are galvanized.
The anti-corrosion treatment on some parts
of the car is constantly exposed to wear and
prone to damage. This applies particularly
to the underside of the car and inside the
wheel arches, where grit, road salt and the
like that are thrown up can give rise to cor-
rosion where the underseal has worn away.
The extent of this obviously depends on the
conditions in which the car is used.
Accordingly, make it a habit to hose the
underside of the car often and to inspect the
condition of the underseal. The anti-corro-
sion warranty does not relieve the car owner
of the need to carry out normal maintenance
to the rustproofing and to make good any
damage.Use a hose to clean the underside of the car
thoroughly. After it has dried, use a brush or
spray to apply a viscous anti-corrosion
agent to any worn or damaged areas, to
prevent the onset of corrosion.
Even after the anti-corrosion warranty has
expired, it makes good sense to continue to
maintain the rustproofing.
Seams in the body, especially those in the
doors and trunk lid, are particularly vulnera-
ble to corrosion from the outside, caused by
grit and salt thrown up from the road, and to
corrosion from the inside, largely as a result
of condensation. Keep the seams clean and
at the first sign of any rust, apply a thin, pen-
etrating, anti-corrosion oil. Your Saab
dealer will be pleased to give you further
advice.
What causes rust?Steel body panels of automobiles are sub-
ject to rusting whenever air and moisture
manage to penetrate the protective finish.
Body panels may rust through if the process
is unchecked. Rusting can occur wherever
water is trapped or where the car’s panels
are continuously damp.
Damage to paint and undercoating by
stones, gravel and minor crashes immedi-
ately exposes metal to air and moisture.
Road salts used for de-icing will collect on
the bottom of the car and promote rusting.
Areas of the country with high humidity have
a greater potential for rust problems, espe-
cially where salt is used on roads or there is
moist sea air. Industrial pollution (fallout)
may also damage paint and promote rust-
ing.
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256 Car careInadequate coolinga Check that the controls for temperature
and air distribution are correctly set; see
“Manual climate-control system” on
page 98.
b Check that the condenser (in front of the
radiator) has not become clogged with
dirt and insects.
c Make sure that the compressor drive
belt does not slip (see page 205).
d Check the fuses for the ventilation fans
and compressor (see page 224).
Maintenance The compressor drive belt should be
inspected under the regular service
program.
 Clean away dirt and insects from the
condenser and radiator to prevent clog-
ging. When washing the car, use the hose
to spray the radiator and condenser
(located in front of the radiator) from both
sides (both from the front of the car and
from inside the engine bay). Do not use a
pressure washer.
Caution: Do not hose down the radia-
tor and condenser while the engine is
hot.Other than in extremely cold weather, do not
screen the radiator, e.g. with netting, as this
will greatly diminish its cooling capacity.
 Applicable to the manual climate control
system - During cold months the air condi-
tioning should be switched on once or
twice a month and run for 5–10 minutes
during highway driving once the engine is
warm.
This action saves the gaskets in the
compressor from being spoiled. The
compressor uses a lubricant that circu-
lates with the coolant.
Note:
The A/C system cannot be switched on
when the outside temperature is below 32°F
(0°C). Turn on the A/C system when the car
is standing in a warm place. Simplest is to
always have the A/C button pressed in. The
A/C system will then cut in automatically
when the outside temperature is high
enough.NOTICEDo not use a pressure washer when
cleaning the condenser or radiator due to
the risk of damage.
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262 Customer Assistance and InformationMaintenance scheduleThe Maintenance Schedule prescribes a
service program to the purchaser/operator
of a Saab that is reasonable and necessary
to ensure the proper emission control sys-
tems function, safety and reliability of the
Saab automobile in normal use. Additional
maintenance is recommended for specific
components when the car is operated under
certain severe conditions. Proper mainte-
nance is always a good practice!
Authorized Saab dealers are equipped and
trained to meet your Saab’s service needs.
They regularly receive up-to-date Saab ser-
vice manuals and parts and technical ser-
vice bulletins from Saab and are able,
through their franchise agreement, to attend
Saab service schools, obtain Saab special
tools and technical assistance and pur-
chase original equipment service and
replacement parts.
Today’s complex automobiles should only
be entrusted to the most knowledgeable
service professionals. A Saab dealer is your
best choice.
SERVICE INTERVALSThe maintenance schedule begins with an
Inspection Service at 30 days. A time for
service message will illuminate on the Saab
Instrument Display (SID) when the car is
due for regular maintenance. There are
three different messages that will appear:
TIME FOR INTERMEDIATE SERVICE
indicates that an oil/filter change is required
along with several inspections. This mes-
sage is set by the engine management
system which calculates service intervals
based on several factors including driving
habits, ambient temperature, number of
cold starts, mileage driven and elapsed time
since the last service. If mileage accumula-
tion does not occur, the message will be set,
and maintenance required at a maximum of
2 years.
TIME FOR MAIN AND INTERMEDIATE
SERVICE
indicates that an oil/filter change is required
along with several inspections and addi-
tional maintenance such as air filter or spark
plug replacement.TIME FOR MAIN SERVICE will be set when
additional maintenance is necessary, such
as air filter or spark plug replacement. When
the message Time for service. is displayed,
contact your Saab Dealer for a service
appointment.
Failure to perform scheduled maintenance
in a timely manner may result in serious
damage to key components or systems.
NOTICEThe Check-up will be done by your Saab
dealer at no charge and should be done
as close as possible to the scheduled 30
days.
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283 Index
Index
AA/C
__________________________ 101
ABS brakes
____________________ 161
ACC
_________________________ 103
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 116
Air conditioning
_________________ 101
Air filter
_______________________ 198
Airbag
_________________________ 28
Anchorage eyes
________________ 137
Anti-corrosion treatment
__________ 253
Antilock braking system __________ 161
Anti-spin
______________________ 163
Ashtrays ______________________ 126
Autochecking of lights, warning and
indicator lights
__________________ 78
Autodimming
_______________ 129
, 130
Automatic climate control (ACC)
____ 103
Automatic tire pressure monitoring __ 229
Automatic transmission
___________ 153
BBattery
_______________________ 202
Bedding-in of new brake pads
_____ 151
Before towing a trailer
____________ 181
Bi-xenon headlights
_____________ 209Bi-xenon headlights, head light
levelling
_______________________ 91
Brake fluid, grade
_______________ 274
Brakes
________________________ 160
Braking _______________________ 160
Bulb changing
__________________ 208
Bulb table
_____________________ 221
Buying new tires
________________ 233
CCabin lighting
__________________ 123
Cabin lighting, Convertible
_________ 70
Car alarm
______________________ 48
Car transport ___________________ 186
Care of air conditioning
___________ 256
Change of address notification
_____ 264
Changing a tire
_________________ 245
Changing bulbs _________________ 208
Changing engine oil
_____________ 197
Changing the battery, remote control
_46
Changing wiper blades
___________ 206
Checking the number of remote
controls
_______________________ 45
Checks before towing a trailer
_____ 181
Child safety
_____________________ 21
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 44
Child seats
_____________________ 21
Cigarette lighter
_________________ 126
Cleaning the engine bay
__________ 249
Cleaning upholstery
_____________ 249Climate control system, manual
_____ 98
Closing the soft top manually,
Convertible
____________________ 60
Closing the soft top, Convertible
_____ 56
Clutch interlock
_________________ 152
Compact spare _________________ 243
Compass
______________________ 133
Condensation water, A/C
_________ 101
Convertible
_____________________ 53
Convertible, washing
_____________ 251
Coolant
_______________________ 199
Cruise control
__________________ 159
Cup holder
_____________________ 124
DDate codes, tires
________________ 243
Deep water, driving through
_______ 183
Definitions and terminology, tire ____ 240
Determining correct load, tires
_____ 242
Direction indicator stalk switch ______ 93
Direction indicators
_______________ 93
Dome light, Convertible
___________ 218
Dome light, Sport Sedan __________ 217
Donor battery, boost starting
_______ 187
Door handles
____________________ 40
Door mirrors ___________________ 128
Drive belt
______________________ 205
Drive belt, length
________________ 272
Driver’s seat with memory
__________ 19
Driving at night
_________________ 184
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284 IndexDriving in cold climates
___________ 175
Driving in deep water
____________ 183
Driving in hot climates ____________ 177
Driving techniques
______________ 173
Driving with a heavy load on hilly
roads
________________________ 155
Driving with a load
______________ 183
Driving with a roof load ___________ 182
Driving with the compact spare wheel
187
Driving with the trunk lid open
______ 183
EEDR
_________________________ 266
ESP, anti-skid system
____________ 165
Easy entry, Convertible ____________ 65
Economical motoring
____________ 173
Electric engine heater ____________ 174
Electric heating, front seats
___ 102
, 111
Electric windows
________________ 117
Electric windows, Convertible
_______ 69
Electrical system, technical data ____ 272
Electrically adjustable seats
________ 18
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
__ 165
Electronic steering wheel lock
_____ 142
Emergency opening of the narrow
backrest
_____________________ 138
Emergency operation of the sunroof
_ 122
Engine bay, cleaning
____________ 249
Engine heater
__________________ 174
Engine immobilizer
_______________ 47Engine number
_________________ 278
Engine oil, checking
_____________ 196
Engine oil, grade
________________ 270
Engine oil, volume _______________ 271
Engine temperature gauge
_________ 80
Engine, description
______________ 193
Engine, technical data ____________ 270
Engines
_______________________ 271
Event Data Recorder
____________ 266
Extra electrical socket ____________ 126
FFacilitating entry to rear seat,
Convertible
____________________ 65
Factors affecting fuel consumption
__ 173
Filler cap
______________________ 148
Filling up ______________________ 147
Flat spots, tires
_________________ 232
Floor jack
_____________________ 246
Folding down the rear seat
________ 134
Front fog lights
__________________ 93
Front towing eye ________________ 184
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 81
Fuel grade _____________________ 271
Functions, car alarm
______________ 51
Fuse panel in luggage compartment
_225
Fuse table
_____________________ 224
Fuses
________________________ 222
GGDO, garage door opener
_________ 130
Gear selector indicator, automatic
transmission
___________________ 82
Gearbox number ________________ 278
General safety instructions,
Convertible
____________________ 54
Glove compartment
______________ 126
Glove compartment lighting
________ 219
HHandbrake
_____________________ 167
Hazard warning lights
_____________ 94
Head restraint, Convertible
_________ 66
Head restraints
__________________ 20
Headlight flasher _________________ 92
Headlight levelling ________________ 91
Headlights
______________________ 91
Heated door mirrors
_____________ 102
Hood
_________________________ 192
Horn __________________________ 116
Horn button
____________________ 116
IIf a tire goes flat
_________________ 237
Ignition switch
__________________ 140
Immobilizer
_____________________ 47
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287 Index
Tire date code
__________________ 243
Tire inspection and rotation
_______ 232
Tire markings
__________________ 239
Tire pressure monitoring, automatic
_ 229
Tire sidewall labeling
____________ 238
Tire sizes
_____________________ 275
Tire terminology and definitions
____ 240
Tire, changing
__________________ 245
Tire, spare
_____________________ 243
Tires
_________________________ 231
Tools and spare wheel
___________ 243
Touching up paintwork ___________ 251
Towbar
_______________________ 178
Towbar load
___________________ 180
Towing
_______________________ 184
Towing a trailer
_________________ 178
Towing the car _________________ 185
Traction Control System (TCS)
_____ 163
Transmission oil, checking
________ 198
Transmission oil, grade
___________ 272
Transmission, automatic __________ 153
Transmission, manual
____________ 152
Transporting the car
_____________ 186
Treadwear indicators ____________ 233
Trip computer
___________________ 84
Trip meter
______________________ 79
Troubleshooting, A/C and ACC
____ 255
Trunk lid, driving when open
_______ 183
Trunk lid, opening
________________ 43
Turbo gauge
____________________ 80
UUniform tire quality grading
________ 235
Upholstery care
_________________ 249
Upholstery, cleaning
_____________ 249
Useful tips on night driving
________ 184
Useful tips on starting
____________ 143
VVanity mirror
___________________ 124
Vehicle Data Collection
___________ 266
Vehicle identification number
______ 278
Vehicle recovery
________________ 186
WWarning labels
___________________ 7
Warning lights
___________________ 74
Warning triangle _________________ 94
Warnings and messages on SID,
Convertible
____________________ 63
Washer fluid ___________________ 206
Washer jets ____________________ 207
Washers
_______________________ 95
Washing ______________________ 250
Washing a Convertible
___________ 251
Waxing and polishing
____________ 251
Wear indicators, tires ____________ 233
Wheel replacement
______________ 236Wheels and tires, sizes
___________ 275
When it is time for new tires
_______ 233
Windshield washers
______________ 95
Windshield wipers
________________ 95
Wing mirrors
___________________ 128
Winter driving __________________ 175
Winter tires
____________________ 242
Wiper blades ___________________ 206
Wipers
_________________________ 95
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