2004 SAAB 9-5 headlights

185 Starting and driving
Driving at nightBear in mind the following points when
driving at night:
 Nighttime driving requires your full con-
centration.
 Do not rush. Count on your journey taking
slightly longer.
 The number of drivers under the influence
of drugs is likely to be greater at night than
during the day.
 Do not stare at the headlights of oncom-
ing vehicles.
 Avoid driving at night if you have poor eye-
sight. Night vision deteriorates with age.
 Keep your car's headlights, windows and
mirrors clean. Also, if you wear glasses,
make sure they are clean.
 Make sure you are well rested before
starting a long journey. Take a break every
other hour.
 Only eat light meals. Heavy meals have a
tendency to induce tiredness.
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 137.
 The load should be such that the car´s
total weight or axle weight are not
exceeded, see page 270.
 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 280 and back
cover.
IB1295
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214 Car care and technical informationUse a small screwdriver to adjust the
washer jet on the rear window wiper of the
9-5 Wagon, as illustrated.
WashersThe washer-fluid reservoir holds 6.4 quarts
(6 liters). When "Washer fluid level low.
Refill." comes up on the SID, the reservoir is
down to about 1 quart (1 liter) of fluid. Add
at least 50 % of washer- fluid to water to pre-
vent freezing and for effective cleaning.
WARNING
Take care not to spill washer fluid
concentrate onto hot surfaces. Washer
fluid concentrate contains flammable
ingredients such as alcohol.
IB1784
Washer-fluid filler cap
IB1783
The headlights have high-pressure
washers (certain variants)
Adjusting the washer jet on the rear
window wiper, 9-5 Wagon
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215 Car care and technical information
Changing bulbsCheck that the new bulb is working when finished.
Use only "Long Life" bulbs.
Headlight aiming, see page 259.
Xenon headlight (certain variants)Xenon headlights produce roughly twice as much light as halogen
bulbs and have a significantly longer service life.
The lamp units consist of a gas discharge lamp containing xenon.
When the lights are switched on a very high voltage activates the
xenon gas. The lamps soon reach full intensity.
Cars with xenon headlights have automatic levelling. The levelling
system comprises two sensors on the front axle, one on the rear axle
and a control unit under the headlight housing. Headlight alignment
is regulated automatically to prevent dazzling oncoming traffic.
Alignment is also adjusted during braking.
WARNING
Before changing a bulb in the engine bay, 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.
Xenon headlights are high voltage and must therefore be
changed at an authorized Saab workshop. Work involving
high-voltage components is potentially lethal.NOTICE Since the headlight lenses are made of plastic, rinse dried-on
dirt with water and allow it time to soften up before cleaning
the lenses. Avoid rubbing the lenses when dry and never use
solvents.
 Use de-icer spray instead of scraping the ice off.
NOTICE Do not fit bulbs with a higher rating than 55 W, since the head-
light reflector and the wiring of the car are not designed for a
higher wattage.
 Switch off the ignition before changing a bulb, to avoid possi-
ble short-circuiting.
 Do not touch the glass of the bulbs with your fingers. The oil
on your skin can shorten the life of the bulb.
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231 Car care and technical information
Fuse box under hoodFuses
Relays # Amp Function
1 40 Radiator fan, high speed
2 60 ABS/TCS/ESP
3– –
4 7.5 Load angle sensor (cars with xenon headlights)
5 15 Heater
6 10 A/C; car alarm siren
7 15 Bulb test
8––
9 20 Headlight washers
10 15 High beam headlight, left
11 15 Low beam headlight left
12 15 High beam headlight, right
13 15 Low beam headlight, right
14 30 Radiator fan, high speed
15 15 Fog lights (front spoiler)
16 30 Wiper, rear
17 15 Horn
18 – –
# Function
1 Bulb test; head light; high beam flasher
2 Headlight washer
3 Front fog lights
4 Wiper, rear (9-5 Wagon)
5–
6–
7 Rain sensor
8 Radiator fan, low speed
9 Radiator fan, high speed
10 A/C-compressor
11 Radiator fan, high speed, right fan
43
2
IB1797
2 1
14 1312 7 6
5 1
15 168
11
10 9
178 5
17 14 11 7 4
16 13 69
10 3
15 12
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255 Car care and technical information
Waxing and polishingOther than in exceptional cases, do not use
abrasive polishes containing a cutting agent
on a new car. Always wash the car thor-
oughly before waxing or polishing.Engine compartmentClean the engine compartment using an
engine detergent and rinse with hot water.
Cover the headlights. Do not use high-pres-
sure washer. Avoid spraying the hood liner,
as this can become heavy and hang down
and touch the engine when the hood is
closed.
Do not use gasoline as a cleaning agent or
solvent when carrying out repairs or mainte-
nance. Saab recommends the use of envi-
ronmentally safe degreasing agents.
Touching up the paintDamaged paintwork should be treated as
soon as it is discovered: the longer it is left,
the greater the risk of corrosion. The
anti-perforation warranty does not cover
corrosion resulting from untreated defects.
Paintwork damage sustained in a crash is
usually extensive and can only be properly
restored by professionals.
However, you can repair small scratches
and stone-chip damage yourself. The nec-
essary tools and materials, such as primer,
touch-up paint and brushes, are available
from your Saab dealer.
In the case of minor flaws in the paintwork,
where the metal has not been exposed and
an undamaged layer of paint remains,
touch-up paint can usually be applied
directly, after any dirt has been scraped
away using a pointed knife.If corrosion has already set in, e.g. as a
result of stone-chip damage, use a pointed
knife to scrape off all surface rust. If possi-
ble, the damaged area should be taken
back to the bare metal. The metal should
then be primed with two thin coats of primer
applied by brush.
After the primer has dried, apply several thin
layers of topcoat enamel until the surface of
the repaired area is flush with the surround-
ing paintwork.
Stir both primer and touch-up enamel thor-
oughly before use and allow each coat to
dry before applying the next.
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259 Car care and technical information
Headlight 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.
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261 Car care and technical information
5 Turn on the low beam headlights and
place a piece of cardboard or equivalent
(although not directly on the lens) in front
of the headlight not being aimed. This
should allow the beam cut-off of the
headlight being aimed to be seen on the
flat surface.6 Turn the vertical aiming screw until the
horizontal cut-off of the headlight is
aligned with the horizontal line on the
wall.NOTICEDo not cover a headlight directly on the
lens to improve beam cut-off when aim-
ing. Covering a headlight may cause
excessive heat build-up which may cause
damage to the headlight.
IB1953
Horizontal line on wall or other flat surface
IB1954
Correctly adjusted low beam
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284 IndexDDICE/TWICE
___________________ 228
Dampers
______________________ 277
Date code, tires
_________________ 245
Definitions and terminology, tire
____ 242
Determining correct load, tires
_____ 244
Dim-dipped beam
________________ 69
Direction indicators _______________ 71
Door handles
___________________ 40
Door mirrors
___________________ 121
Doors, locks & luggage compartment
_39
Drive belt
______________________ 275
Drive belt, alternator
_____________ 212
Drive belts, length
_______________ 275
Driver’s seat, programmable
________ 14
Driving at night
_________________ 185
Driving in hot weather
____________ 177
Driving with a load
______________ 185
EEDR
_________________________ 267
ESP __________________________ 172
Electric heating seat
______________ 15
Electric heating, front seats
________ 15
Electric windows
________________ 127
Electrical system, technical data
____ 275
Electronic Stability Program, ESP __ 172
Electronic starting interlock
_________ 41
Emergency operation of sunroof
____ 129
Emission control systems
_________ 202Engine bay
____________________ 201
Engine bay, cleaning
_____________ 255
Engine number
_________________ 280
Engine oil, grade ________________ 273
Engine, description ______________ 203
Engine, technical data ____________ 272
Engine, temperature gauge
________ 61
Engine-oil level, checking
_________ 204
Event Data Recorder
____________ 267
Expansion tank, coolant __________ 207
FFault codes, Audio System
________ 106
Flat spots, tires
_________________ 234
Fluid level, automatic transmission
__ 206
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Sedan
___ 135
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Wagon ___ 138
Frequently asked questions on airbag

37
Front fog lights
__________________ 72
Frost warning
___________________ 64
Fuel
__________________________ 154
Fuel consumption
________________ 63
Fuel filler door
__________________ 146
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 61
Fuel grade _____________________ 272
Fuse box under hood
____________ 231
Fuse panel
____________________ 227
Fuses
________________________ 227
GGarage door opener
_____________ 122
Gearbox number
________________ 280
Gearbox oil, checking
____________ 206
Gearbox, technical data, __________ 276
Glove compartment
______________ 132
HHandbrake
_____________________ 196
Hazard warning lights
_____________ 72
Head restraint
___________________ 16
Headlight flasher _________________ 69
Headlights
______________________ 69
Hood
_________________________ 200
Horn __________________________ 120
IIf a tire goes flat
_________________ 239
Ignition switch
__________________ 148
Immobilizer
_____________________ 41
Indicator and warning lights
_________ 54
Indicator lights
___________________ 54
Instrument illumination
____________ 71
Instruments and controls ___________ 53
Interior equipment
_______________ 119
Interior lighting
__________________ 130
Interior rearview mirror
___________ 121
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