2004 SAAB 9-5 service

112 OnStar - TelematicsOnline Concierge servicesFrom shopping to travel to entertainment
and more, OnStar’s online concierge can
help you make the most of your time. Login
to www.myonstar.com and simply select a
city, choose a category and ask away. Get
instant answers in a live online chat with an
OnStar Advisor or send an E-mail if you pre-
fer. You can also view OnStar’s recommen-
dations for top picks in eight categories like
dining, travel and sports and recreation.
Additional ServicesPersonal CallingIf you are an OnStar Safe and Sound Plan
or Directions and Connections Plan sub-
scriber, you have access to OnStar Per-
sonal Calling. OnStar Personal Calling pro-
vides you with a nationwide wireless phone
service in your Saab that you can activate
simply by pressing a button and using your
voice. You can use Personal Calling in your
Saab to place or to receive calls. The
voice-activated system will dial the number.
Your party will answer through your stereo
speakers.
With OnStar Personal Calling, you can
enjoy the simplicity of a one-touch wireless
connection. Whether you are placing or
receiving a call, once you press the button,
you never have to take your hands off the
wheel or your eyes off the road. The ease of
the hands-free communication service
allows you to enjoy an even greater level of
safety, security and convenience while driv-
ing.
This new service is not yet available in all
areas. Complete availability in the U.S. is
anticipated in 2001*. For system limitations
and details, call OnStar at
1-800-ONSTAR-7.* Availability in Canada was undetermined at time of
publication. Please contact your local dealer in Canada.
Signing Up for Personal CallingAs an OnStar subscriber, the Personal Call-
ing capability is already built into your
Saab’s OnStar hardware. In order to use
this service, an OnStar advisor must set up
your cellular account. You must also pro-
vide a credit card in order to establish your
prepaid cellular account. Usage charges
will be deducted from this prepaid account
of ”units.” Units are easily replenished using
the credit card on file at OnStar. Once you
sign up for OnStar Personal Calling, you will
be given your own personal phone number
that others can use to call into your Saab. To sign up for Personal Calling,
simply Press the OnStar button in your Saab.
 Inform the advisor that you would like to
sign up for Personal Calling.
 The advisor will set up your account.
You will need to provide account and
credit card information.
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116 OnStar - TelematicsVirtual Advisor(expected availability fourth quarter 2000)
Once you have activated Personal Calling,
you can enjoy your time in your Saab even
more with the OnStar Virtual Advisor. This
service allows you to listen to your favorite
news and information topics, such as
weather reports, stock quotes and sports
scores. You can even listen to your e-mail,
whenever you want, without ever taking
your eyes off the road. Using simple voice
commands, you can browse your personal
topics and skip or listen to those you
choose. You can also search for additional
information on special topics that interest
you.
To find out how to set up a customized pro-
file, visit the OnStar subscriber website at
www.onstar.com, or turn to the OnStar sub-
scriber website section on page 31 of this
guide. If you do not have Internet access,
you can still take advantage of the OnStar
Virtual Advisor services as a default profile
will be set up for you. *
*Availability in Canada was undetermined
at the time of publication. Please contact
your local dealer in Canada.
Calling the Virtual Advisor
Getting Information from the Virtual
AdvisorThe OnStar Virtual Advisor will prompt you
for information you desire. These offerings
will change to provide you with services and
information that you and other subscribers
want and need. The prompts are very clear
and easy to understand and use.Information AvailableOnStar will continue to add new features
and categories to the Virtual Advisor. The
following general categories will give you an
overview of the types of information avail-
able to you. For complete up-to-date cate-
gories, you can go to the Saab Cars USA,
Inc. website at www.saabusa.com or the
OnStar website at www.onstar.com, and
then click on the link to the subscriber web-
site.
WeatherThe OnStar Virtual advisor will deliver an
up-to-date weather forecast for the current
location of the vehicle. The forecast
includes current temperature, daily
high/low, tomorrow’s high/low, precipitation
forecast, and unusual conditions.Stock QuotesThe OnStar Virtual advisor can provide you
with current quotes for the stocks you have
specified in your customized profile as well
as other requested stocks. All market data
is delayed by twenty minutes. If you have
not set your profile, you can still access the
stock quote feature through your default
profile and then request the stock of your
choice.Sports ScoresThe OnStar Virtual advisor can provide you
with scores for your favorite college and pro-
fessional teams with up-to-the- minute high-
lights, even if they are being broadcast on a
local station. See the team selection option
in your Mobile Profiler section of the sub-
scriber section of OnStar.com.
If you have not set your profile or are still
using the default profile, you can access the
sports option of the Virtual advisor and ask
for an update on your favorite sport. You
always have access to the options in the Vir-
tual Advisor. 1 Press the
OnStar White
Dot buttonOnStar will respond
”Ready”
2Say ”Virtual
Advisor”You will be connected
to Virtual Advisor
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117 OnStar - Telematics
News HeadlinesThe OnStar Virtual Advisor will provide cur-
rent headlines for many different catego-
ries, including:
 International News Headlines
 National News Headlines
 Technology Headlines
 Business Headlines
 Sports Headlines
 Entertainment HeadlinesE-mail ReaderThe OnStar Virtual Advisor allows you to lis-
ten, and soon respond, to your e-mails any
time you want. E-mail availability is based
on the address(es) you provide to OnStar.
Every Virtual Advisor enrollee will receive
an E-mail account.
OnStar Subscriber
WebsiteIf you are an OnStar subscriber, you have
access to the OnStar subscriber website.
The subscriber website will provide you with
important facts about your OnStar subscrip-
tion and allow you to customize your Virtual
Advisor Mobile Profile. All this allows you to
access up-to-the-minute information that
can make your driving experience safer and
more enjoyable.
The subscriber website was designed to
provide you with easy access to personal-
ized information, learn more about OnStar,
update your account information, plan your
travel, receive weather information and
interact with OnStar.
To access the subscriber website, simply go
to www.onstar.com, and then click on the
OnStar subscriber link. The OnStar Sub-
scriber website is a secured site that is
password protected. You will be required to
provide your OnStar account number and
personal identification number (PIN). If you
do not know your account number or PIN,
contact OnStar at 1-888-4-ONSTAR. For
security reasons, your PIN will be mailed to
your address on record.
LimitationsNot withstanding anything contained
herein, OnStar's nonperformance hereun-
der shall be excused if caused by act or
omission of a cellular carrier or a third-party
service provider, equipment failure, acts of
God, strikes, equipment or facility shortage,
or other causes beyond OnStar’s reason-
able control. In addition, the liability of
OnStar, if any, for any mistake, omission,
interruption, delay, error, defect or other fail-
ure in the service furnished, or in the equip-
ment used in furnishing service, shall in no
event exceed the amount of OnStar’s
charges to subscriber for said service
during the period so affected, provided that
no liability shall result for outages of 24
hours or less.
This manual includes the latest information
at the time it was printed. We reserve the
right to make changes to the products and
services without prior notification.
In order to provide you with excellent ser-
vice, any call to the OnStar Center may be
monitored or recorded.
All features may not be available on all mod-
els. Please consult your dealer for details.
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118 OnStar - TelematicsOnStar Operation:OnStar uses existing emergency service
providers and cellular and satellite technol-
ogies. OnStar requires cellular service to be
available and operating for features to func-
tion properly.Personal Calling:Existing OnStar service agreement
required. Additional usage charges apply
for Personal Calling. Interim 2001 model
year availability in select markets. For
system limitations and details, call
1-800-ONSTAR-7 or visit www.onstar.com.Virtual Advisor:Existing OnStar and Personal Calling ser-
vice agreement required. Additional usage
charges apply for Personal Calling. Interim
2001 model year availability in select mar-
kets. For system limitations and details, call
1-800-ONSTAR-7 or visit www.onstar.com.
Additional InformationWarranty
OnStar is warranted as part of the Saab new
vehicle limited warranty.
A Note About Privacy
At OnStar, we know you want to protect your
privacy, and we take subscriber privacy
very seriously. We never provide your per-
sonal information to another company or
person unless you authorize it, or we are
required to by the legal process, or in such
cases where you have provided it for billing
purposes or you have requested a hotel res-
ervation, are sending flowers, etc. Having
this information on file with OnStar is a real
advantage and helps you avoid repeating
your credit card information over a cellular
connection. Your trust is what we most
value.Transferring OnStar
Because your OnStar 3-button system is an
integral part of your Saab, it cannot be trans-
ferred to another vehicle. Each OnStar
system stays with the original car or truck in
which it was installed.
The one-year OnStar prepaid subscription
applicable to new retail deliveries cannot be
transferred to another vehicle. However, if
you’ve purchased additional years of ser-
vice and decide to dispose of your Saab,
any remaining service will be refunded to
you. Or, if you choose, you can have it trans-
ferred to another vehicle on your account.
Any service that is refunded or transferred
will be prorated at the monthly rate in effect
at the time of transfer.
OnStar Subscription InformationTo renew your subscription or upgrade your
plan, just push the OnStar button, or call the
OnStar customer service department at
1-888-864-2801 between 7 am and 12 pm
EST Monday-Friday; 8 am and 5 pm on Sat-
urday.
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150 Starting and drivingIt is possible for air to enter the lubricating
system in conjunction with an oil or oil-filter
change, or if the car has been stored for
some time. This air can cause the hydraulic
cam followers to emit a ticking noise, which
can persist for up to 15 minutes after start-
ing. Although this is quite normal and does
not indicate any malfunction, it is advisable
not to exceed 3,000 rpm before the noise
has disappeared.
The hydraulic cam lifters are completely
service free; the valve clearance is set up at
the factory and will not need any subse-
quent adjustment.
Starting the engineAvoid racing the engine or putting a heavy
load on it before it has warmed up. Drive
away as soon as the oil warning light has
been extinguished to enable the engine to
attain its normal temperature as quickly as
possible.
The engine has an automatic choke and
should be started as follows:
Cars with manual transmission
To start the engine the clutch pedal must
be fully depressed.
1 Depress the clutch pedal fully but do not
touch the accelerator.
2 Start the engine. Let the ignition key
spring back as soon as the engine has
started and is running smoothly – at very
low temperatures, you may need to run
the starter for up to 25 seconds. Wait
20–30 seconds before running the
starter again, to give the battery time to
recover.
Note:
On cars with manual transmission, if the
starter fails to engage when the ignition key
is turned to the start position, make sure the
clutch pedal is full depressed. Misposi-
tioned floor mats or other obstructions
under the clutch pedal may affect starting.
Let the engine idle for about 10 seconds. Do
not open the throttle wide for at least 2–
3 minutes after starting. Cars with automatic transmission
1 The selector lever must be in the P or N
position.
2 Keep your foot on the brake pedal.
3 Start the engine. Let the ignition key
spring back as soon as the engine has
started and is running smoothly – at very
low temperatures, you may need to run
the starter for up to 25 seconds. Wait
20–30 seconds before running the
starter again, to give the battery time to
recover.
Let the engine idle for about 10 seconds. Do
not open the throttle wide for at least
2–3 minutes after starting.
Useful tips on cold climate starting If the engine has failed to start after several
attempts in very cold weather, press and
hold the accelerator down to the floor and
run the starter for 5–10 seconds. This will
prevent the engine being flooded (exces-
sively rich fuel-air mixture).
Now start the engine in the normal way – do
not touch the accelerator.
If the engine stalls immediately after starting
(e.g. if the clutch was released too quickly),
do not touch the accelerator when restarting
the engine.  The tail pipe of the exhaust system
can become very hot during driving.
Bear this in mind when loading and
unloading the car.
 Do not rest or sleep in the car when
parked with the engine running. There
is a risk of depressing the accelerator
which could lead to engine damage.
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152 Starting and driving
One of the advantages of the system is
that it enables the engine to be run
safely on lower-grade fuel, although not
lower than AON 87.
 The maximum boost pressure is
adjusted automatically to the knocking
or pinging tendency of the engine.
Occasional, short-lived knocking when
the engine is under a heavy load is per-
fectly normal; the extent will depend on
the grade of fuel in the tank.
 Isolated instances of knocking are
more likely to occur with low-octane
fuel. This controlled form of knocking,
followed by a reduction in the boost
pressure, is a sign that the wastegate is
functioning and is perfectly safe for the
engine.

Important considerations with cata-
lytic convertersThe catalytic converter is an emission-con-
trol device incorporated in the car’s exhaust
system. It consists of a metal canister with a
honeycomb insert, the cells of which have
walls coated in a catalytic layer (mixture of
precious metals).
To ensure that the catalytic converter con-
tinues to function properly, and also to avoid
damage to the converter and its associated
components, the following points must be
observed:
 Have the car serviced regularly in accor-
dance with the service program. The fuel
and ignition systems are particularly
important in this context.
 Always be alert to any misfiring of the
engine (not running on all cylinders) and
any loss of power or performance. At the
first sign of a malfunction, reduce speed
and take the car to an authorized Saab
dealer as soon as possible.
 If the engine fails to start (in very cold
weather or if the battery is flat), the car can
be push started (manual gearbox only) or
started using jumper cables to a donor
NOTICE If the engine sounds strange there is a
fault in the system. Have the car
checked without delay by an autho-
rized Saab dealer.
 The use of fuel with too low an octane
rating can cause serious engine dam-
age.
WARNING
If the engine is being run with the car on a
rolling road or dynamometer, longer than
for a standard state emission inspection,
to ensure adequate cooling, air must be
blown into the engine compartment and
under the car at a rate equivalent to the
ram-air effect that would be obtained at
the corresponding road speed.
NOTICEUse only unleaded gasoline. Leaded gas-
oline is detrimental to the catalyst and
oxygen sensor and will seriously impair
the function of the catalytic converter.
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155 Starting and driving
Opening the fuel filler door in an emergency,
see page 146.
Recommended fuel:The engine in your Saab 9-5 is designed to
operate on unleaded gasoline that has an
octane rating of 87 or higher. Octane rating
is determined according to the formula:
where MON is the Motor Octane Number,
and RON is the Research Octane Number.
The average of these two values is the
octane rating of the gasoline as it appears
on the pump at a retail gas station. This
value is sometimes referred to as the
"Anti-Knock Index" (AKI) or the "Average
Octane Number" (AON).
To avoid deposit formation on the fuel injec-
tors which can cause poor driveability, use
only quality gasolines that contain deter-
gents and corrosion inhibitors. Because
gasolines sold at retail gas stations vary in
their composition and quality, you should
switch to a different brand if you begin expe-
riencing driveability and/or hard starting
problems shortly after refueling your car. In
recent years, a variety of fuel additives and
alcohols or oxygenates have been blended
with gasoline. These types of gasolines may
be found in all parts of the United States and
Canada, but particularly in geographic
areas and cities that have high carbon mon-
oxide levels. Saab approves the use of such
"reformulated" gasolines in its products,
which help in reducing pollution from all
motor vehicles, provided that the following blending percentages are met by such
fuels:
 Up to 10 % ethanol by volume, with corro-
sion inhibitors.
 Up to 15 % MTBE by volume (methyl ter-
tiary butyl ether).
 Up to 5 % methanol by volume, with an
equal amount of a suitable co-solvent and
added corrosion inhibitors.
Other, less common, fuel additives used by
some gasoline dealers are also acceptable,
provided that the resultant gasoline is not
more than 2.7 % oxygen by weight.
Some Canadian and U.S. gasolines contain
an octane enhancing additive called meth-
lycyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). If such fuel is used, your emission
control system performance may deterio-
rate and the malfunction indicator lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on. If this
occurs, return to your authorized Saab
dealer for service.
However, these blended gasolines are reg-
ulated and should never exceed these rec-
ommended blend percentages and service
station operators should know if their gaso-
lines contain detergents and oxygenates,
and have been reformulated to reduce vehi-
cle emissions. Nevertheless, if you begin to
notice a problem with the way your car starts
or runs shortly after it has been refueled, try
a different brand of gasoline.
NOTICE Fill to maximum filling capacity
 Stop filling after the first time that the
nozzle trips to shut off the flow of fuel.
 Filling capacity can differ between
different fuel stations and outside
temperature. Fuel tank volume when
nozzle trips to shut off, may vary by
0.5 gal. (2 liters).
 Do not fill fuel all the way up the filler
pipe. The gasoline must be allowed
room for expansion especially during
hot weather.
MON + RON
2
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156 Starting and driving
Fuel (Gasoline Engine)Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87
octane or higher. Use of gasoline with an
octane rating lower than 87 can result in
severe engine damage. Damage caused by
incorrect fuel being used is not covered
under the terms of the New Car Warranty
and will be the responsibility of the owner. It
is recommended that the gasoline meet
specifications which were developed by the
American Automobile Manufacturers Asso-
ciation (AAMA) and endorsed by the Cana-
dian Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Associa-
tion for better vehicle performance and
engine protection. Gasolines meeting the
AAMA specification could provide improved
driveability and emission control system
performance compared to other gasolines.
Be sure the posted octane is at least 87. If
the octane is less than 87, you may get a
heavy knocking noise when you drive. If it’s
bad enough, it can damage your engine. If
you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, your
engine needs service. But don’t worry if you
hear a little pinging noise when you’re accel-
erating or driving up a hill. That’s normal,
and you don’t have to buy a higher octane
fuel to get rid of pinging. It’s the heavy, con-
stant knock that means you have a problem.
NOTICEHigher concentrations of methanol than
listed above, or the use of methanol-
blended gasoline without suitable
co-solvents and corrosion inhibitors,
can damage your car’s fuel system,
leading to the need for repairs which are
not covered by Saab’s product warranty.
NOTICEThe engine control module (ECM) mon-
itoring the engine parameters also
stores fault codes.
Under certain circumstances, this may
cause constant illumination of the
”Engine malfunction (CHECK
ENGINE)” lamp , thus indicating a
fault that must be checked by your Saab
dealer, see page 57.
NOTE: always observe the following two
measures:
 Make sure that the fuel filler cap is
screwed on correctly before the
engine is started. Screw on the fuel
filler cap until you hear 3 distinct
clicks.
 Avoid driving with the fuel low level
indicator illuminated. The symbol
illuminates when less than approxi-
mately 2 gallons (8 litres) of fuel
remains in the tank.
In Canada, look for the
”Auto Makers’ Choice” label
on the fuel pump.
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