
228 Car care and technical informationSteps for Determining Correct
Load Limit1 Locate the statement “The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed
XXX pounds” on your vehicle´s
label.
2 Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will
be riding in your vehicle.
3 Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from
XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4 The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capac-
ity is 650 lbs. (1400–750 (5x150) =
650 lbs.).5 Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in Step 4.
6 If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be trans-
ferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehi-
cle.
Winter tiresWinter (snow) tires are recommended for
winter climates where the majority of your
driving will be done on snow and ice. Winter
tires should be fitted to all four wheels to
maintain a proper balance. Your Saab
dealer can advise you of to the correct size
tire for your car (if different from the original
size) and also supply Saab approved winter
tires pre-mounted on steel or alloy rims.
Winter tires normally use a different speed
rating compared to summer/all season tires.
Make sure not to exceed the stated speed
rating on the tires you use.
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232 Car care and technical informationTo jack up the car, apply the jack to one of
the special jacking points under the sills.
If a floor jack is used, it can be applied to the
standard jacking points used by the dealer.
A floor jack can lift both front wheels or both
rear wheels off the ground simultaneously.
A jack stand must then be applied underne-
ath the front of the engine subframe (at the
fixing point for the towrope-attachment eye)
or to the rear towrope-attachment eye (or
under the trailer hitch, if fitted).1 Put the car in 1st gear (automatic trans-
mission: move selector to the P position)
and apply the parking brake.2 Wind the jack up to a suitable height
before placing it under the recess in the
sill.
Make sure that the jack fully engages
the recess in the sill and that the base of
the jack is steady and flat on the ground.
3 Remove the wheel cover (where appli-
cable).
Loosen the wheel bolts by half a turn.
4 Wind the jack to raise the wheel clear of
the ground. Remove the wheel bolts and
lift off the wheel.
5 Clean any rust or dirt from the contact
surfaces between the wheel and brake
disc. Do not wipe away the grease in the
hub.
6 Fit the wheel and screw in the bolts in the
sequence shown (opposite pairs) - see
page 234.
NOTICEApply the jack only to the jacking points
indicated on the body.Position for jack
IB1838
IB1553
Positioning the jack
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246 Customer Assistance and InformationMaintenance scheduleThe Maintenance Schedule prescribes a
service program to the purchaser/operator
of a Saab that is reasonable and necessary
to ensure the proper emission control sys-
tems function, safety and reliability of the
Saab automobile in normal use. Additional
maintenance is recommended for specific
components when the car is operated under
certain severe conditions. Proper mainte-
nance is always good advice!
Authorized Saab dealers are equipped and
trained to meet your Saab’s service needs.
They regularly receive up-to-date Saab ser-
vice manuals and parts and technical ser-
vice bulletins from Saab and are able,
through their franchise agreement, to attend
Saab service schools, obtain Saab special
tools and technical assistance and pur-
chase original equipment service and
replacement parts.
Today’s complex automobiles should only
be entrusted to the most knowledgeable
service professionals. A Saab dealer is your
best choice.
Service intervalsThe maintenance schedule prescribes a
service at every 15,000 miles (24,000 km)
thereafter (15,000, 30,000, 45,000 miles/
24,000, 48,000, 72,000 km etc.).
Engine oil and filter changesChanging the engine oil and filter is required
at every service point. Use only a Saab
approved long-life oil filter and engine oils
stated in the Specification section of this
Owner’s Manual. The use of extra additives
in the oil is not necessary and is not recom-
mended, and may be harmful to turbo-
chargers.
More frequent oil changes are recom-
mended if your vehicle is operated under
the following conditions:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to
16 km). This is particularly important
when outside temperatures are below
freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such
as frequent stop-and-go driving).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier
on top of your vehicle.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service,
police, taxi or other commercial applica-
tions.
If your driving habits match this description,
have the engine oil and filter changed in-
between normal services at 7,500 mile
(12,000 km) intervals. The Saab Warranty
and Service Record Booklet has provisions
to record extra oil changes.
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253 Specifications
Trailer:
Luggage compartment Volume (SAE):
9-5 Sedan _______________________ 15.9 cu.ft.
(450 litres)
9-5 SportWagon, rear seat upright ____ 31.4 cu. ft.
(890 litres)
9-5 SportWagon, rear seat folded_____ 73.0 cu. ft.
(2067 litres)
Luggage compartment, length, 9-5 Sedan:
Rear seat upright _________________ 43.0 in (1092 mm)
Rear seat folded down _____________ 67.5 in (1714 mm)
Luggage compartment, length, 9-5 Sport-
Wagon:
Rear seat upright _________________ 42.8 in (1087 mm)
Rear seat folded __________________ 68.2 in (1732 mm)
WARNING
The GVW and maximum axle loads must not be exceeded.
Note that if some accessories (e.g. towbar, CD changer) are
fitted, the available load capacity is reduced by the weight of
these.
When carrying a load in the luggage compartment, make sure
that it is tied down securely, particularly when part or all of the
rear seat is folded down.
Maximum towing speed, trailer with brakes 60 mph (100 km/h)
Trailer with brakes _________________ Maximum weight:
3500 lbs (1588 kg)
Trailer without brakes ______________ Maximum weight:
1000 lbs (450 kg)
Maximum load on ball hitch __________ 110–165 lbs
(50–75 kg)
The above speed and weight restrictions are those specified by
Saab Automobile AB.
Note that local restrictions may apply to trailer speeds and
weights (see page 161).
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265 Index
IndexAA/C system, fault diagnosis
_______ 235
A/C system, maintenance
_________ 234
ABS brakes
____________________ 152
ACC
__________________________ 73
ACC functions
___________________ 76
ACC, automatic climate control
_____ 73
ACC, calibration
_________________ 81
ACC, condensation _______________ 82
ACC, programming _______________ 79
ACC, useful tips
_________________ 81
Adjusting the steering wheel
_______ 106
Adjustment, seats
________________ 12
Air conditioning (A/C), fault diagnosis
and maintenance ______________ 234
Air distribution, ACC ______________ 78
Airbag
_________________________ 28
Alarm _________________________ 44
Alarm functions
__________________ 47
Alarm signals
________________ 44
, 47
Alternator
_____________________ 194
Alternator drive belt
__________ 194
, 257
Alternator rating
________________ 257
Anticorrosion treatment
___________ 240
Antidazzle rear-view mirror
________ 111
Ashtrays
______________________ 117
Audio System
___________________ 83Audio System, quick guide
_________ 85
Autochecking of lights on starting
____ 58
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror with
garage door opener
____________ 108
Automatic climate control (ACC)
_____ 73
Automatic transmission, technical
data
_________________________ 258
Aviod theft, tip
__________________ 179
BBattery
________________________ 192
Battery charging/replacing
________ 193
Battery, boost starting
____________ 174
Before a long journey ____________ 241
Before towing a camper or trailer
___ 164
Belt guide
______________________ 16
Boost starting using jump leads
____ 174
Brake and clutch fluid
____________ 189
Brake-fluid reservoir
_____________ 189
Brakes, technical data ____________ 259
Bulbs, changing
________________ 197
Bulbs, table of
__________________ 210
Buying new tires ________________ 219
CCD changer
_____________________ 95
CD player
______________________ 93CHECK messages
_______________ 64
CHECKING
_____________________ 64
Calibration, ACC
_________________ 81
Cancelling the programmed settings
__ 79
Car alarm
_______________________ 44
Car care _______________________ 181
Cargo net, 9-5 SportWagon
_______ 128
Carpeting, care of
_______________ 236
Cassette player
__________________ 90
Catalytic converter, important
considerations _________________ 137
Central locking ___________________ 38
Change language in SID
___________ 66
Change of address notification
_____ 248
Changing a wheel
_______________ 231
Changing bulbs
_________________ 197
Changing wiper blades
___________ 195
Charger/Jump starting ____________ 176
Charging the battery/Jump starting
__ 176
Chassis number
________________ 262
Chassis number, key to
___________ 263
Checks before towing a camper or
trailer
________________________ 164
Child safety
_____________________ 21
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 41
Cleaning, engine bay
_____________ 238
Clock
_______________________ 65
, 66
Color code, body
________________ 262
Color code, trim _________________ 262
Compact spare wheel
____________ 230
Compass
______________________ 112
Condensation, ACC
_______________ 82
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268 IndexRearview mirrors
________________ 107
Reclamation
___________________ 242
Recommendations for cars with
automatic transmission, towing a
camper or trailer
_______________ 162
Refuelling
_____________________ 138
Relay panel ____________________ 214
Remote control __________________ 38
Remote-control battery, changing
____ 41
Remove the key
________________ 132
Replacement, wheel _____________ 222
Reporting safety defects
__________ 248
Reprogramming of systems _______ 264
Reservoir, power-steering fluid _____ 191
Rev counter
____________________ 58
Reversing lights _________________ 70
Roof load
_____________________ 166
Running-in ____________________ 157
SSDM
_________________________ 249
SID
___________________________ 61
Saab 9-5 Audio System
___________ 83
Saab Information Display (SID)
_____ 61
Saab Parking Assistance
_________ 177
Safety belts
_____________________ 16
Safety belts, care of
_____________ 235
Safety-belt pretensioners
__________ 16
Safety-belt reminder
______________ 16
Seats
__________________________ 12Securing a load
__________________ 42
Selector lever indication, automatic
transmission
___________________ 61
Sentronic, manual mode
__________ 148
Service costs
___________________ 247
Service information
______________ 248
Service intervals
________________ 246
Service record retention
__________ 247
Settings, seats
__________________ 12
Side airbags
____________________ 32
Signalling, horn _________________ 106
Sliding floor, 9-5 SportWagon
______ 129
Snow chains
___________________ 159
Spare wheel ___________________ 230
Spare wheel and tools
___________ 170
Spark plugs
____________________ 257
Speedometer ________________ 58
, 59
Starting in cold weather, ACC
_______ 79
Starting in hot weather, ACC _______ 79
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 106
Steering, technical data
__________ 259
Steps for determining correct load
limit
_________________________ 228
Stone-chip damage, repairing
______ 238
Storage compartments
___________ 118
Sun visors
_____________________ 117
Sunroof
_______________________ 114
Suspension ____________________ 259
Suspension, technical data
________ 259
Switches
_______________________ 67
Symboler ________________________ 9
Systems, adjustment
_____________ 264
TTCS OFF
_______________________ 57
Table of fuses
__________________ 213
Tachometer
_____________________ 58
Tailgate, opening
_________________ 42
Tank gauge
_____________________ 59
Technical data __________________ 251
Temperature control, ACC
_________ 75
Temperature gauge, engine ________ 59
Temperature zones, ACC
__________ 75
Textile carpeting
________________ 236
Through-load hatch ______________ 123
Tie Downs
_____________________ 123
Tightening torque, wheel studs
_____ 231
Tip, driving at night
______________ 168
Tip, to avoid theft
________________ 179
Tire chains
_____________________ 223
Tire date code __________________ 229
Tire inspection and rotation
________ 218
Tire markings
___________________ 225
Tire pressure ___________________ 169
Tire sidewall labeling
_____________ 224
Tire terminology and definitions
____ 226
Tire, compact spare
______________ 230
Tires
_____________________ 217
, 260
Tires, winter
____________________ 260
Tools
_________________________ 170
Touching-in the paintwork
_________ 238
Towbar attachment
______________ 161
Towbar load
____________________ 165
Towing the car __________________ 171
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269 Index
Towing, automatics
______________ 171
Trailer weights
_________________ 253
Treadwear indicators
____________ 219
Trionic
________________________ 184
Trip computer
___________________ 61
Trip meter
______________________ 58
Trunk
_________________________ 121
Trunk lid, opening
________________ 42
Turbo gauge
____________________ 60
Turbo, points to note
_____________ 136
UUnder the hood
_________________ 183
Uniform tire quality grading
________ 221
Upholstery and trim
______________ 236
Upholstery and trim, care of
_______ 236
Useful tips, ACC
_________________ 81
VVanity mirrors
__________________ 117
Vehicle Data Collection
___________ 249
Ventilated front seats
_____________ 14
Viscosity, engine oil
_____________ 254
WWarning labels
___________________ 7
Warning light, AIR BAG
___________ 33
Warning lights
___________________ 52
Washers
______________________ 195
Washers, windshield
_____________ 196
Washing the car
________________ 237
Waxing and polishing
____________ 238
Wear indicators, tires ____________ 219
What Will You See After an Airbag
Inflates?
______________________ 34
Wheel replacement
______________ 222
Wheel, change
_________________ 231
Wheels and tires ________________ 260
Wheels and tires, sizes
___________ 260
When it is time for new tires
_______ 219
Windshield washers
______________ 71
Windshield wipers
________________ 71
Winter tires
________________ 228
, 260
Wiper blades, replacing
__________ 195
Wipers and washers
__________ 71
, 195
XXenon headlight
________________ 197
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