207 Car care and technical information
Coolant 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 ”Coolant level low. Refill.” 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 45 % 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
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209 Car care and technical information
Power steering fluidCheck the level of the power steering fluid in
the reservoir regularly, in accordance with
the service program.
The wheels should point forward during the
check.
Clean around the cap before it is
unscrewed. Clean the dipstick. Screw in the
cap completely again before checking the
level.
The oil should lie between the MAX and MIN
marks when the oil temperature is about
70°F (+20°C). If the oil is colder the level can
be lower, and in higher temperatures the
level can be higher, both of which are
acceptable.
Top up with ”Power Steering Fluid
CHF 11S”.
Air filter
WARNING
Do not fill the power steering fluid to
above the MAX mark. Too much fluid can
result in leakage.
Power steering fluid on hot engine com-
ponents constitutes a fire risk.
WARNING
For Service and Repair, parts equivalent
to those used by Saab should be used.
Be aware that some non standard
replacement parts may put you in an
unsafe condition, even if they might fit.
IB501
Power steering fluid reservoir
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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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258 Car care and technical information4Inspect the undercoating and touch
up if necessary.
Pay particular atten-
tion to the fenders and wheel housings,
which are exposed to abrasion by flying
gravel, etc. If the composition has worn
or flaked off, the steel must be thor-
oughly cleaned and dried before a fresh
coat is applied. The cleaning is best
done with a scraper and a steel wire
brush, followed by washing with solvent.
Apply the new coating thinly, as other-
wise it may run off or fall off when dry.
For long tripsBefore setting off on a long journey, it is
advisable to have your car checked over by
your Saab dealer.
Obtain a few important items to take along
on your journey such as spare bulbs, wiper
blades, fuses, a Poly-V-belt and the like.
You can check some points yourself before-
hand:
Make sure that the engine is in good con-
dition.
Check that no oil or gasoline leaks out of
the engine or gearbox/transmission.
Check the coolant and power steering
fluid levels. Check also for leaks.
Inspect the Poly-V-belt and replace it if it
shows any signs of hard wear.
Check the battery charge.
Check the tires for tread pattern and air
pressure, including the compact spare
wheel.
Check the brakes.
Check all bulbs.
Check for the presence of the tool kit and
the jack in the car.
Recovery and/or
recycling of automotive
materialsA typical car consists of metals (65–75 %),
plastics (10–15 %), rubber (5 %) and small
quantities of glass, wood, paper and tex-
tiles. The recycling of metals has been com-
monplace for a long time now.
To facilitate sorting of other materials for
recycling, plastic parts, for instance, have
been marked to identify the precise nature
of the plastic.
The quantity of materials in the car that can
be recycled or recovered depends on the
scrapping facilities in different countries. EU
legislation that comes into force in 2006 will
require a minimum of 85 % of the total
weight of materials to be recycled. How-
ever, every major car salvage yard in each
market will receive details from Saab of how
the highest percentage of materials can be
reclaimed.
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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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