
189 Car care and technical information
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 appro-
ved 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 pro-
perties are no longer retained and the coo-
lant must then be drained and replaced at
regular intervals.
Brake and clutch fluid Checking the fluid level The combined brake and clutch-fluid reser-
voir is transparent to facilitate checking of
the fluid level.
The level should be between the MAX and
MIN marks. Top up, as necessary, with DOT 4
fluid. Do
not
use DOT 5 brake fluid.
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.
WARNING
Brake fluid deteriorates as it becomes
old. Because it is hygroscopic, it absorbs
water from the air and, in time, could allow
vapor to form in the brake system, thus
reducing its performance. It is therefore
important that brake fluid be changed
regularly, as specified in the service
program.
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197 Car care and technical information
Changing bulbsCheck that the new bulb is working when finished.Use only "Long Life" bulbs.Headlight aiming, see page 242.
Xenon headlight(if equipped)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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218 Car care and technical informationWhen to checkCheck your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It
should be at 60 psi (420 kPa).How to CheckUse a good quality pocket-type gauge to
check tire pressure. You can’t tell if your
tires are properly inflated simply by looking
at them. Radial tires may look properly infla-
ted even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the
valve stems. They help prevent leaks by
keeping out dirt and moisture.Tire Inspection and RotationAny time you notice unusual wear, rotate
your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged
tires or wheels. See “When It Is Time for
New Tires” on page 219 and “Wheel Repla-
cement” on page 222 for more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve
more uniform wear for all tires on the
vehicle. The first rotation is the most impor-
tant.
When rotating your tires, always use the
correct rotation pattern. Left front tire to left
rear. Left rear tire to right front. Right front to
right rear. Right rear to left front.
Don’t include the compact spare tire in your
tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the
front and rear inflation pressures as shown
on the Tire-Loading Information label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tigh-
tened. See page 233.
Flat spottingAll tires get hot, especially on long journeys
or when the car is driven hard. After the car
has been parked with hot tires and the tires
have cooled down, a flat spot can form in the
tire, where it is in contact with the ground.
The same can occur if the car has not been
moved for a long time.
Flat spots can cause vibration that can be
felt through the steering wheel, similar to
that experienced when the wheels need
balancing.
Flat spots of this type disappear once the
tires get hot again, usually after 10–15 miles
(20–25 km) of driving at cruising speed.
WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel
could come off and cause an accident.
When you change a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency,
you can use a cloth or a paper towel to do
this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later, if you need to, to get all the
rust or dirt off. See “Changing a wheel” on
page 231.
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247 Customer Assistance and Information
Service record retentionIt is the owner´s responsibility to retain ser-
vice records. If possible, you should keep
copies of all shop work orders for all service
and repairs, whenever performed. As indi-
cated in the new car and emission control
system warranties, it is important to docu-
ment that all necessary maintenance has
been done.HOW THE SERVICE RECORD IS
ORGANIZEDThe service record is comprised of a series
of coupons on which to record services as
they are performed. There are additional
coupons for documenting extra engine oil
and filter changes, extra automatic trans-
mission fluid services necessary for severe
service conditions, and brake fluid changes.HOW TO USE THE SERVICE
RECORD COUPONSWhen the car is brought to a Saab dealer for
scheduled manitenance, present the Saab
Warranty and Service Record Booklet to the
service manager. When the technician has
completed the service, the technician will
sign the maintenance record. The person
resposible for quality assurance at the deal-
ership will also sign and stamp the record
with the dealer identification stamp.
Service costsDealer pricing practices and labor for ser-
vice work vary. Saab’s recommended ser-
vice times for each service point do not
include the labor required to replace wear
items, such as wiper blades, brake pads or
tires. Nor is labor to perform other service or
repairs found to be necessary as a result of
the inspections included in these times.
Additional labor and parts will be charged
for such work when necessary, except as
covered under an applicable Saab warranty
or any optional extended service contract.
Transmission fluid changes or suspension
alignment, when necessary, are also addi-
tional.
Dealer charges for general shop material,
regulated hazardous waste removal, recy-
cling expenses or other operation costs may
also be applied to service and repair
invoices and are apt to vary by dealer and
locality.
Owner assistanceWarranties and service problem
assistanceFor complete information about all applica-
ble warranties, including the New Car War-
ranty, Perforation Warranty, Vehicle Emis-
sion Warranty and Emission Perforation
Warranty, consult the Warranties and Ser-
vice Record Booklet which accompanies
this Owner’s Manual. It also contains owner
assistance information including Saab
Roadside Assistance. If the booklet is lost or
misplaced, a new one may be ordered
through a Saab dealer or by contacting
Saab.
In the U.S. there is a national Customer
Assistance Center at Saab Cars USA, Inc.
The toll-free number to call from all 50 states
is 1-800-955-9007.
In Canada, please call the Saab Customer
Assistance Centre at 1-800-263-1999.
A list of authorized Saab sales and service
dealers is available for those planning to
travel in the United States and Canada.
Canadian or U.S. travelers may call the
Customer Assistance Center in the country
in which they are traveling.
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255 Specifications
Engine oil To meet demands in Saab's extended service intervals all eng-
ines are filled with specially designed synthetic factory fill oils.
Long service intervals, fuel economy and environmental issues
are the base for our choice of oil. By using oils approved by Saab
you minimise the tendencies for oil sludge build, by that protec-
ting the engine from harmful, wear increasing, deposits.Approved oils:
All gasoline engines - Fully Synthetic Engine Oil fulfilling
GM-LL-A-025 requirements.Oil used at, or in-between, service must be approved according
to the engine specified classification to render possible the
usage of Saab Automobile AB specified service intervals.Servicing/Oil changes:To be able to use recommended service intervals the need to
use only approved engine oils is vital.
Use only engine oils
approved for your engine.
Service should be done according
to the recommended service intervals to optimize your engine's
function through out its entire life. Saab Automobile AB will not
take responsibility for any damage that might occur due to neg-
lecting to meet above mentioned requirements.
At your Saab dealers you can find Saab Genuine or Mobil eng-
ine oils. Among those there are oils specially designed to meet
your engines specific needs. We recommend that you, with the
help of our skilled service personnel, choose your oil from that
sortiment.
Other oil companies also have engine oils approved according
to GM specifications. Oils meeting these standards may be
identified as synthetic. However, not all synthetic oils will meet
your engines requirements. You should only use oil that meets
your engines specific requirements (GM-LL-A-025).
Recommended oil viscositiesViscosity is a measurement of the oils thickness. The thickness
influences, among other things, the fuel economy. For best func-
tion Saab recommends:For gasoline engines:SAE 0W-30
SAE 5W-30
or
SAE 0W-40 engine oilExtra engine oil additivesDon't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils are all you
will need for good engine performance and protection.
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256 Specifications
Engine variants
When to change engine oilYour vehicle will display when it is time for servicing on the SID,
based on the mileage and time since the last service.
Under normal circumstances the service indication will come
after:
Saab 9-5, 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 1 year.
For this service system to work it is of outmost importance that
the right engine oil is used.
When the message for service is displayed you need to have the
required service done as soon as possible.
After the service your service personnel will reset the service
indicator. It is important to reset the service indicator in order to
optimize the time to the next service.
Oil capacity incl. filter (on changing) ____ 4.1 qts (4.0 litres)
2.3t EcopowerRating, EEC at 5500 rpm ___________ 185 hp (136 kW)
Maximum torque, EEC at 1800 rpm ___ 206.5 ft.lb
(280 Nm)
Compression ratio _________________ 9.3:12.3T EcopowerRating, EEC at 5500 rpm ____________ 220 hp (161 kW)
Maximum torque, EEC at 1800 rpm ____ 228.6 ft.lb
(310 Nm)
Compression ratio _________________ 9.3:1 2.3 Turbo EcopowerRating, EEC at 5500 rpm ____________ 250 hp (184 kW)
Maximum torque, EEC at 1900 rpm 258.0 ft.lb.
(350 Nm)
Compression ratio _________________ 9.3:1
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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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Saab Automobile AB, Trollhättan, Sweden
NOTICEChange of engine oil and oil filter may be required more
frequently if the car is being used under certain conditions, see
section "Customer Assistance and Information.
US/CA MY2005 Ordering nr. 42 94 98.
Printed in Sweden on chlorine-free paper 2004-03. © Copyright Saab Automobile AB, 2004.
All information and illustrations in this manual are based on the specifi-
cations that were available at the time of printing. Model variants, tech-
nical data and equipment vary from market to market, and may be
altered without prior notice.
Note that illustrations in this manual can depict cars fitted with extra
equipment. Your Saab dealer will be pleased to inform you of the exact
specifications that apply to your market.
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