6Engine bayColor code______________ 278
Engine number __________ 278
Gearbox number _________ 278
Warning labels __________ 7
Vehicle identification number 278Alternator ______________ 210
Drive belt _______________ 210
Exhaust emission control __ 151
Ignition system __________ 272
Simple troubleshooting
(A/C, ACC) _____________ 257
Spark plugs _____________ 272
Turbo gauge ____________ 84Engine oil: checking level __ 202Automatic transmission _________ 159
Transmission: technical data _____ 272
Manual transmission ___________ 158
Battery ______________________ 208
Battery charge ________________ 208
Jump starting _________________ 193
Changing engine oil ____________ 203
Engine: description ____________ 199
Engine: technical data __________ 270
Important considerations for driving 150
Oil grade and viscosity__________ 270
Topping-up fluid _________ 211
Wash/wipe stalk switch____ 100
Washer fluid ____________ 211
Washer jets ____________ 212
Power steering ________________ 207
Fluid: checking/topping up _______ 207
Coolant: checking/topping-up ____ 205
Driving in hot climates __________ 183
Radiator _____________________ 270
Temperature gauge ____________ 84
Changing a fuse _________ 227
Fuse table _____________ 232
Fuses _________________ 227
Relays ________________ 232ABS brakes_____________ 166
Brake pads _____________ 206
Brake system ___________ 274
Brake fluid______________ 206
ProCarManuals.com
7
Coolant:Never open when engine hot!
Radiator fan:Radiator fan may start at any
time.
Battery: No sparks, flames or smoking
Shield eyes, explosive gases can cause blindness or injury
Sulphuric acid can cause blindness or severe burns
Flush eyes immediately with water. Get medical help fast
Do not tip battery. Do not open battery
NO SPARKS, FLAMES OR SMOKING
SHIELD EYES
KEEP OUT OF REACH FROM CHILDREN
ACID
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL
EXPLOSIVE GASWarning labelsA/C system:Refrigerant at high pressure.
Do not loosen or remove the A/C system fittings before discharging the A/C
system. Improper service methods may cause personal injury.
System to be
serviced by qualified personnel only. For instructions consult dealer man-
ual.
The A/C system complies with SAE J639.
Charge: 680 g R134a.
Compressor oil: 150 cc PAG oil SP-10 alt.
Saab oil 4759106
DANGER/POISON
700 CCA (SAE)
LEVEL INDICATOR
INDICATEUR DE NIVEAU
DARK / NOIR No sparks, flames or smoking. Flush eyes immediatly with water
Do not tip battery. Do not open battery
KEEP OUT OF REACH FROM CHILDREN.
000 12102-EP
Shield eyes, explosive gases can cause
blindness or injury.Get medical help fast.
Sulfuric acid can cause blindness or severeMAINTENANCE-FREE BATTERY-P/N 53 52 000 12V/700A/125min(SAE) 12V/700A/70Ah (EN)
Saab Automobile AB 53 53 057 Manufactured by Tudor Spain (Exide Technologies) 12102-EPburns.
OK
CLEAR
CLAIRLOW
BAS
DANGER/POISON
700 CCA (SAE)
Éviter les étincelles et les flammes. Ne pas fumer. Rincer immédiatement les yeux avec de
Ne pas pencher ni ouvrir la batterie.
GARDER HORS DE LA PORTÉE DES
ENFANTS
000 12103-EP
Protéger les yeux car les gaz explosife peuvent
causer la cécité ou des blessures.l'oau Consulter un médecin rapidement.
L'acide sulfurique peut causer la cécité ou desBATTERIE SANS ENTRETIEN-P/N 53 52 000 12V/700A/125min(SAE) 12V/700A/70Ah (EN)
Saab Automobile AB 53 53 085 Fabriquée par Tudor Espagne (Exide Technologies) 12103-EPbrûlures graves.
CANADA
NETTOYER LE BOUCHON
DE REMPLISSAGE
AVANT DE L’ENLEVER.
UTILISER SEULEMENT
DU LIQUIDE DOT 4 PROV-
ENANT D’UN CONTE-
NANT SCELLÉ.
ProCarManuals.com
9
No sparks,
flames or
smokingBuckle up
Refer to
the Owner’s
ManualAirbag
Shield eyesNever place a
rear-facing
child seat in
this seat
Keep out of
reach of
childrenElectric
windows
Battery acid
contains sul-
phuric acidDeactivating
of rear window
switches
Risk of
explosive gasCentral
locking, lock
Central
locking,
unlock
Trunk lid,
opening
HeadlightsWindshield
wipers
Direction
indicatorsWindshield
washers
Parking lights Defroster
Hazard warn-
ing lightsRear window
heating
Front fog
lightsCabin fan
Rear fog light
Coolant tem-
peratureRadiator fan
No charge to
batteryFuel
Foot brake
Coolant level
Engine oil
pressure
ABS brakes
Electronic
Stability
Program
Example of symbols that can be found in your car
ProCarManuals.com
205 Car care
CoolantIf the coolant level drops too low, the follow-
ing message appears on the SID:The properties of the coolant are retained
for the entire service life of the car. There-
fore, it is not necessary to change the cool-
ant.
The coolant contains 45 % antifreeze and
anti-corrosion fluid. This ratio gives the best
cooling effect. Lower concentrations should
be avoided, in view of the corrosion risk.
Other brands of antifreeze can damage the
engine and cooling system.The expansion tank is transparent to facili-
tate checking the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant must
not lie above the KALT/COLD mark on the
expansion tank (boundary between the
upper and lower sections of the tank, see
illustration).
Top up with a mixture of equal parts of
Saab-approved antifreeze and clean water.
If the expansion tank is empty when coolant
is added, run the engine until warm so that
the thermostat opens. Top up the tank
again, as necessary.
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.
Coolant level low.
Refill.
Coolant expansion tank
ProCarManuals.com
210 Car careDrive beltThe alternator is situated on the right-hand
side of the engine. It is driven by a
poly-V-belt from the crankshaft pulley.A slipping or broken poly-V-belt can
result in:
no charge to the battery
no A/C compressor function.
The belt tension is critical and is adjusted
automatically by the belt tensioner.
WARNING
Keep hands and clothing clear of drive
belts when engine is running.
Always stop the engine before
inspecting the drive belt.
The radiator fan is electric and can
start even when the engine is
switched off.NOTICESerious damage can be done to the car’s
electrical system if an alternator lead is
disconnected while the engine is running.
Drive belt
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213 Car care
Changing bulbsAutochecking of lightsThe bulbs that are most important from the point of view of traffic
safety are monitored by the car’s electrical system. If one of these
bulbs should fail, a message will be displayed on the SID.
Example of SID message:
The following bulbs are not checked: parking lights, front fog lights,
reversing lights, license plate lighting, side marker lights and side
direction indicators.If a stop light bulb fails
If a stop light bulb fails, the adjacent taillight will act as a stop light to
ensure traffic safety. Change the broken bulb when possible.
All rear light bulbs are of the same type and rated 21 W, with the
exception of the license plate lighting which is rated 5 W.
Wrong bulb fitted
If a dipped or main beam bulb of too high a rating is fitted, a bulb
failure message will be shown on the SID (a too high wattage bulb
can damage the reflector).
If the following message is displayed but the bulb shines, it is most
likely that an incorrect bulb has been fitted.
Note:
When changing bulbs, fit the same type of bulb (e.g. Long-Life)
as that removed.
Headlight aiming, page 258.
WARNING
Before changing a bulb in the engine bay, switch off the engine
to avoid the danger of fingers and hands being injured by moving
parts.
The radiator fan can cut in even when the engine is switched off.NOTICESwitch off the ignition before changing a bulb, to avoid possible
short-circuiting.
Left low beam failure.
Right high beam failure.
ProCarManuals.com
257 Car care
Air conditioning (A/C)
TroubleshootingIf a fault occurs in the A/C system, there are
a number of checks you can perform your-
self. If the fault persists, however, have the
system checked at a Saab dealer.
Note:
When the A/C system is running, the intake
air is dehumidified. The resultant condensa-
tion that forms on the evaporator is drained
off under the car. When the car is parked,
this may result in a small puddle forming on
the ground. The warmer the air and the
higher the relative humidity, the more con-
densation will be produced.Inadequate coolinga Check that the controls for temperature
and air distribution are correctly set; see
“Manual climate-control system” on
page 103.
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 210).
d Check the fuses for the ventilation fans
and compressor (see page 229).
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.
WARNING
All repairs and adjustments to the A/C
system must be carried out at a Saab
dealer authorized for this kind of work.
The A/C system is pressurized. Do not
break any connections or undo A/C
system components.
Escaping gas can cause eye injury or
other personal injury.NOTICE The A/C system is designed for use
with R134a refrigerant.
Refrigerant handling requires special
equipment and special procedures for
charging and draining the system.
Never mix R 134a with other refriger-
ants.
NOTICEDo not use a pressure washer when
cleaning the condenser or radiator due to
the risk of damage.
ProCarManuals.com
258 Car careNote:
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.
Headlight aimingThe 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.
An optical headlamp aimer can also be
used and will than replace the wall.
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.
If you find that the headlight needs adjust-
ment follow these steps:
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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