
2Introduction This manual provides practical guidance on
driving and caring for your Saab.
The Saab 9-5 is available with the following
engine variants:
2.3t Ecopower
2.3T Ecopower
2.3 Turbo Ecopower
Although this manual describes the most
important differences between model vari-
ants, it does not include precise specifica-
tions of the different variants. Some differ-
ences also occur to meet special legal
requirements in different countries.
Importation and distribution of Saab auto-
mobiles, spare parts and accessories are
handled exclusively by General Motors of
Canada Limited in Canada and by Saab
Cars USA, Inc. in the U.S.A.We recommend that you read through the
manual before taking the car out for the first
time and that you keep it in the car for future
reference.
To find a specific item, use the overviews
given on pages 3–6. A list of contents is
given at the beginning of each section of the
manual, and there is also a comprehensive
index at the back of the book.
Supplied with the car is a Warranties and
Service Record booklet and a tire warranty
folder which specifies the regular mainte-
nance to be carried out. The book also
contains important warranty conditions. Since the policy at Saab is one of continual
improvement, we retain the right to incorpo-
rate modifications and to alter specifications
during production without prior notice.
If you have any questions concerning your
car, its equipment, the warranty conditions
or the like, your Saab dealer will be pleased
to help.
Best wishes,
Saab Automobile AB
Saab Automobile AB does not accept liability for
any damage caused by the fitting of spare parts,
exchange parts or accessories that are not
approved by Saab Automobile AB.
The specifications, design particulars and illus-
trations included in the manual are not binding.
WARNING
WARNING texts warn against the danger
of injury if the specified instructions are
not followed.
NOTICENOTICE texts warn of potential damage
to the car if the recommendations are not
followed.
IB1734
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4Exterior
IB1736
Driving with a roof rack load______ 183
Fitting the roof carriers (accessory) 183
Maximum roof load ____________ 270
Rearview mirror _______________ 122
Hood _______________________ 200
Engine compartment: washing ___ 255
Central locking __________ 40
Trunk lid lock, 9-5 Sedan __ 44
Tailgate, 9-5 SportWagon __ 45
Child safety locks ________ 43
Car alarm ______________ 46Headlights _____________ 69
High/low beam __________ 69
Turn signal and lane change
indicators______________ 71
Headlight washers (certain
models) _______________ 73
Changing bulbs _________ 215
Fuel gauge___________________ 61
Fuel filler flap _________________ 153
Refueling ____________________ 154
Economical motoring ___________ 174
Fuel ________________________ 272
b Tires pressure ________________ 279
Wheels and tires ______________ 278
Braking______________________ 168
Driving in cold weather__________ 176
Compact spare tire_____________ 246
Changing a wheel _____________ 247
Trunk _______________________ 135
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Sedan __ 135
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Wagon _ 138
Trunk Release Handle __________ 144
Spare wheel and tools __________ 145
Compact spare tire ____________ 246Towing a trailer __________ 178
Towing the car ___________ 188
Rear towing eye _________ 189Headlights ______________ 69
Rear light cluster, 9-5 Sedan 220
Rear lights clusters, 9-5
Wagon ________________ 222
Changing bulbs __________ 215Sunroof ________________ 128
Washing the car _________ 254
Waxing and polishing _____ 255
Touching up the paint _____ 255
Anti-corrosion treatment ___ 256
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8
IB336
Jack
Jack is designed only for changing a tire or
mounting tire snow chains.
Vehicle must be level and the jack must be
placed on a firm and level ground.
Never crawl underneath vehicle when it is
jacked up.
JACKING INSTRUCTIONS
1 Set parking brake and shift transmission to
park.
2 Fit top of jack into jacking point next to wheel to
be changed (See illustration).
3 Crank jack so that car begins to lift.
4 Using socket wrench in tool kit, loosen wheel
bolts one-half turn.
5 Raise vehicle so that tire clears ground. Loosen
wheel bolts completely and remove wheel.
6 Mount spare wheel and tighten bolts enough so
wheel is not loose.
7 Lower car. Tighten wheel bolts in a crisscross
sequence.
CANADAUSA
WARNING
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur.
Children 12 and under can be killed by the air bag
The BACK SEAT is the SAFEST place for children
NEVER put a rear-facing child seat in the front
Sit as far back as possible from the air bag
ALWAYS use SEAT BELTS and CHILD RESTRAINTSContact a Saab dealer if a
xenon headlight requires
replacement.
This label is only found on
cars with xenon head-
lights.
Jack
Use on level ground only. Use vehicle support stands. Safe
working load 900 kg (1900 lbs).
For more information see your owner´s manual.
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145 Interior equipment and trunk
Spare wheel and toolsThe spare wheel, together with the jack and
jack handle, front towrope attachment eye
and toolkit, are stowed away underneath
the trunk. There is also room for a spare
bulb kit (accessory).
Driving considerations with compact spare
wheel/tire fitted, see page 187.
WARNING
Stow all tools carefully away after use, so
that they cannot get loose and cause
injury in the event of a crash.
IB1753
Stowage of spare wheel and tools under
trunk floor
IB1554
Jack location, between spare wheel and
sill
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147 Starting and driving
Starting and driving
IB1754
Ignition switch ________ 148
Starting the engine ____ 149
Important considerations
for driving ___________ 151
Refueling ____________ 154
Engine Break-In Period _ 157
Gear changing ________ 158
Cruise control ________ 167
Braking ______________ 168
Traction Control System 171
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP) _______ 172 Economical motoring __ 174
Driving in cold weather_ 176
Driving in hot weather _ 177
Towing a trailer _______ 178
Driving with a roof rack
load ________________ 183
Driving at night _______ 185
Driving with a load ____ 185
Driving considerations
with compact spare
wheel/tire fitted ______ 187 Driving with the trunk
lid/tailgate open ______ 188
Driving in deep water __ 188
Towing the car________ 188
Jump starting ________ 191
Saab Parking Assistance 194
Parking brake ________ 196
Parking ______________ 196
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181 Starting and driving
Recommendations for cars with manual
gearbox
Rises in coolant temperature are indicated
by the temperature gauge in the main instru-
ment panel.
The following steps are taken in order as the
temperature of the engine increases:
A/C compressor is switched off.
engine torque is reduced.
When continuing your journey, select a gear
in which the engine speed is about
3,000 rpm until the incline eases.
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 185.
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 165. Use
position D or L for steep descents.
Checks before drivingMake sure that the car and caravan or trailer
are in good working order. This is essential
since towing a caravan increases the strain
on the car.
Check and if necessary adjust the tire
pressure of the car and caravan.
Make sure all wheel bolts are properly
tightened.
Make sure that the equipment joining the
car and caravan is properly secured and
adjusted.
Make sure the caravan’s electrical cable
is properly connected and is not so long
that it drags along the ground. Also, make
sure the cable is not too short and risks
breaking when turning a corner.
Check all bulbs.
Check the car and caravan brakes.
Make sure that all items on or in the cara-
van or trailer are properly secured.
Make sure that the caravan’s jockey
wheel is raised and locked.
Check the distribution of the load so that
the car and caravan are well balanced.
Check that the rearview mirrors provide
the best possible rearward vision.
Make sure the caravan’s safety cable is
correctly attached.
VARNING
Utilize the braking effect of the engine
(1st, 2nd or 3rd gear) when you are
descending long or steep hills to spare
the brakes.
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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187 Starting and driving
Driving considerations
with compact spare
wheel/tire fitted
The following should be observed when the
compact spare wheel (T115/70 R16) is
fitted:
The compact spare is light and easy to
handle when changing the wheel.
Do not drive further than necessary with
the compact spare fitted – the maximum
life of the wheel is only just over
2000 miles (3,500 km).
Refit the standard tire as soon as possi-
ble.
Important considerations when driving with
a compact spare tire:
The car’s ground clearance is reduced.
The car must not be driven with more than
one compact tire at a time.
Avoid driving against a curb.
Do not use snow chains.
Do not fit the wheel cover - this would con-
ceal the warning text.
WARNING
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) as
the tire can overheat and adversely
affect the handling of the car.
Tire pressure: refer to page 279.
The spare wheel or punctured tire
must be stowed under the trunk floor,
and secured in place with the retaining
nut.
NOTICETo avoid damaging a punctured alloy
wheel it can be placed outside up in the
spare-wheel well but only while driving to
the closest workshop.
A general rule is that all heavy loads must
be well secured in the luggage compart-
ment, see page 137 and 140.
IB1769
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199 Car care and technical information
Car care and
technical
information
IB1772
Hood ________________ 200
Engine compartment ___ 201
Emission control systems 202
Engine_______________ 203
Engine oil ____________ 204
Transmission fluid_____ 206
Coolant ______________ 207
Brake and clutch fluid __ 208
Power steering fluid ___ 209
Air filter ______________ 209
Battery ______________ 210
Drive belts ___________ 212
Wipers and washers ___ 213 Changing bulbs _______ 215
Fuses _______________ 227
Tires ________________ 233
Compact spare tire ____ 246
Air conditioning (ACC) _ 252
Safety belts __________ 253
Upholstery and trim ___ 253
Textile carpeting ______ 253
Washing the car ______ 254
Waxing and polishing __ 255
Engine compartment __ 255
Touching up the paint__ 255
Anti-corrosion treatment 256 For long trips _________ 258
Recovery and/or recycling
of automotive materials 258
Headlight aiming ______ 259
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