59 Instruments and controls
Speedometer(U.S. speedometer shown)
The speedometer receives signals from the
wheel sensors in the ABS system.
If the NIGHT PANEL mode has been selec-
ted, the scale will be illuminated up to 87
mph (140 km/h). The remainder of the scale
will be illuminated if the speed of the car
exceeds 84 mph (135 km/h).
Fuel gauge Fuel-tank capacity, 18.5 US gal. (70 liters).
The fuel gauge shows the amount of fuel left
in the tank. When this is down to about
2.5 gal. (10 liters), a warning light on the
main instrument panel will come on (see
page 55).
Use the Saab Information display (SID) to
check the approximate distance that can be
traveled on the remaining fuel
(see page 61).
Temperature gauge The temperature gauge shows the tempe-
rature of the coolant. The needle should be
in the middle of the scale when the engine
is at normal operating temperature.
If the needle approaches the red zone,
which can occur in very hot weather or when
the engine is under a heavy load, drive in the
highest gear possible, keep the engine revs
low and avoid shifting down.
If the needle enters the red zone, the
warning light will come on and an alarm
chime will sound.
2030405060
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
240
260220200180160
140 120 100
80
60
40
20
10
IB1851
IB345
IB343
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135 Starting and driving
Useful tips on cold climate
startingIf 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.
Limp-home modeThe engine management system has a
diagnostic feature that continually checks a
number of internal functions. If, for example,
a fault is detected in the throttle valve, the
engine management system will go into
Limp-home mode.This limits idling control,
disables the cruise-control system and
limits the capacity of the A/C compressor.
If the limp-home mode is in operation
(”Engine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)”
light on, see below) and the outside temper-
ature is close to or below freezing, you may
need to use some throttle on starting (some
pressure on the accelerator).
If the diagnostic system has detected a fault
in the engine-management system, the
”Engine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)”
light on the main instrument panel will
come on (see page 55), indicating that you
should have the car checked as soon as
possible by an authorized Saab dealer.
NOTICEIf the CHECK ENGINE warning light
starts to flash, ease off the accelerator
slightly. If the light does not cease to flash
within 5 seconds, stop the car in a suita-
ble place as soon as possible and turn off
the engine. The car must be towed to an
authorized Saab dealer.
If the CHECK ENGINE warning light flas-
hes, it indicates that the engine is misfi-
ring which can result in damage to the
catalytic converter.
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138 Starting and drivingRefueling
WARNING
If you spill fuel and then something ignites
it, you could be badly burned. Fuel can
spray out on you if you open the fuel cap
too quickly. This spray can happen if your
tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot
weather. Open the fuel cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
Gasoline fumes are highly explosive.
Therefore:
never
smoke while refueling
never
use gasoline for any purpose
other than as engine fuel
gasoline is extremely flammable and
can cause severe burns. No open or
exposed flames near gasoline
do not
use a mobile phone at the
same time as refueling.
NOTICE Do not overfill. Fuel should not come
right up the filler pipe as room for
expansion is needed for when the
temperature rises.
The use of fuel with too low an octane
rating can cause serious engine
damage.
Clean fuel from painted surfaces as
soon as possible.
NOTICEThe engine control module (ECM) moni-
toring the engine parameters also stores
fault codes.
Under certain circumstances, this may
cause constant illumination of the ”Eng-
ine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)”
lamp , thus indicating a fault that
must be checked by your Saab dealer,
see page 55.
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 approx-
imately 2 gallons (8 litres) of fuel
remains in the tank.
ProCarManuals.com
139 Starting and driving
Refueling1 Switch off the engine.
2 Open the filler cap, located in the right-
hand rear fender.
3 Insert the fuel pump nozzle beyond the
flange on the filler pipe and let the first
mark (a ring, a pimple or the first spring-
coil) rest on the flange. Do not withdraw
the nozzle while filling is in progress.
4 Cease refueling the first time the pump
stops, and wait a few seconds after
you´ve finished pumping before you
remove the nozzle.
Filler capWhen you put the filler cap back on, turn it
to the right (clockwise) until you hear
three
clicks. Make sure you fully install the cap.
The most effective way to prevent conden-
sation forming in the tank (and thus avoid
possible running problems) is to keep the
tank well filled.
Before the onset of freezing temperatures in
winter, it may be advisable to add gasoline
anti-freeze to the fuel a few times to dispel
any condensation in the system..The fuel door has a built in filler cap holder
slot located on the fuel door. Slide the white
ring on the cap into the slot.
Notice:
If you need a new fuel cap, be sure
to get the right type. Your dealer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not
fit properly
WARNING
If a fire starts while you are refueling, do
not remove the nozzle. Shut off the flow of
fuel by shutting off the pump or by notify-
ing the station attendant. Leave the area
immediately.
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.
When refueling, hang the filler cap inside
the fuel door
ProCarManuals.com
185 Car care and technical information
Saab Trionic engine
management systemThe Saab Trionic engine management
system is a unique Saab development that
combines sequential multiport fuel injection,
electronic distributorless ignition and turbo-
charger boost pressure control into one sys-
tem.
The Trionic engine control module (ECM)
monitors many different engine parameters
such as:
Intake manifold pressure
Intake air temperature
Crankshaft position
Engine coolant temperature
Throttle position and
The oxygen content of the exhaust gases.
The ECM receives information regarding
engine knocking from a sophisticated feed-
back function in the ignition discharge unit.
By processing all of this information, the Tri-
onic system can control fuel injector ope-
ning duration, ignition timing and turbochar-
ger boost pressure to provide excellent
engine performance while maintaining low
emissions and fuel consumption.
ORVR (Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery)Hydrocarbon vapors formed when refueling
will be recovered by the car and not rele-
ased into the atmosphere. The hydrocar-
bons are absorbed in a evaporative emis-
sion canister. When the engine is
subsequently started, the evaporative emis-
sion canister is gradually purged as air is
sucked into it through a shut-off valve. The
hydrocarbon/air mixture passes through the
evap canister purge valve and into the
engine where it is burned.
When refueling, make sure you screw the
filler cap on and keep turning until it has
clicked at least 3 times. Otherwise, it is pos-
sible for the CHECK ENGINE light to illumi-
nate.
Refueling, see page 138.
NOTICEThe Trionic engine management system
continuously monitors the operation of
these systems and has on-board diag-
nostic capabilities (OBD II).
If the ”Engine malfunction (CHECK
ENGINE)” lamp in the main instru-
ment illuminates, this indicates that the
Trionic ECM has detected a problem. The
car will continue to operate, but perfor-
mance may be diminished. You should
have your car checked by a Saab dealer
as soon as possible.
ProCarManuals.com
226 Car care and technical informationLoading Your VehicleThis is an example of what your vehicle´s
Tire-Loading Information/Certification label
might look like. It is located on the B-pillar
and shows how much weight your vehicle
may properly carry. The label tells you the
proper size, and recommended inflation
pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It
also gives you important information about
the number of people that can be in your
vehicle and the total weight that you can
carry. This weight is called the Vehicle
Capacity Weight, and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo and all nonfactory-
installed options.
Tire Terminology and DefinitionsAir Pressure:
The amount of air inside the
tire pressing outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds
per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:
This means the combi-
ned weight of optional accessories, for
example, automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power windows,
power seats, radio and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:
The relationship of a tire´s
height to its width.
Belt:
A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread.
Cords may be made from steel or other rein-
forcecing materials.
Bias Ply Tire:
A pneumatic tire in which the
ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at
alternate angles substantially less than 90
degrees to the centerline of the tread.
Cold Inflation Pressure:
The amount of air
pressure in a tire, measured in pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa), before
a tire have built up heat from driving. See
“Inflation - Tire Pressure” on page 217.
Curb weight:
This means the weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and optional
equipment including the maximum capacity
of fuel, oil and coolant, without passengers
and cargo.
DOT Markings:
A code molded into the
sidewall of a tire signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S. Department of
Transportation motor vehicle safety stan-
dards. The DOT code includes the Tire
Identification Number (TIN), an alphanume-
ric designator which can also indentify the
tire manufacturer, production plant, brand
and date of production.
GVWR:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see
“Loading Your Vehicle” on page 226.
GAWR FRT:
Gross Axle Weight Rating for
the front axle, see “Loading Your Vehicle”
on page 226.
GAWR RR:
Gross Axle Weight Rating for
the rear axle, see “Loading Your Vehicle” on
page 226.
Intended Outboard Sidewall:
The side of
an asymmetrical tire that must always face
outward when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):
The metric unit for air
pressure. There are 6.9 kPa to one psi.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:
A tire used
on light duty trucks and some multipurpose
passenger vehicles.
Load Index:
An assigned number ranging
from 1 to 279 that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire.
This label can only be found on vehicles
sold in the U.S.
Vehicles sold in Canada have the tire
information label in the glovebox, see
page 262.
ProCarManuals.com
254 SpecificationsEngine
Fuel
4-cylinder ________________________ Four cylinders, twin
overhead cams-
hafts, 16 valves and
two balancer shafts.
Cylinder bores _____________________ 3.54 in (90 mm)
Stroke ___________________________ 3.54 in (90 mm)
Swept volume _____________________ 139.7 cu.in
(2.290 litres)
Idling speed _______________________ 825 rpm (man.)
860 rpm (aut.)
Antifreeze_________________________ Saab-approved
antifreeze
Coolant capacity ___________________ 7.8 qts (7.4 litres)Fuel-tank capacity ____________ 18.5 gal. (70 litres)
For optimum performance Saab
recommends: _______________ 2.3t 185 hp (Linear) –
AON 90.
2.3T 220 hp (Arc) and
2.3 Turbo 250 hp (Aero) –
AON 93.*
* If AON 90 is used some decrease in engine power can occur.
Gasoline with a lower octane rating can be used, although not
lower than AON 87. However, engine performance will fall
slightly and heavy loading and laboring should be avoided. For
optimum performance, use the recommended grade of fuel.
For further information on fuel, see page 140.
ProCarManuals.com
FuelIMPORTANT: Do not overfill.
The level must not come up into
the filler pipe because the fuel
must have space room to
expand
.
1 Engine oilFor information see chapter
"Technical data".
2 Brake/clutch fluidDOT 4 brake fluid.
Do not use DOT 5 silicone fluid.3 CoolantDo not allow the coolant level to
fall below the MIN mark on the
expansion tank.
Top up as necessary with a mix-
ture of equal parts Saab Anti-
freeze and water.
4 Washer fluid
5Battery
6 Power steering fluidPower Steering Fluid CHF 11S
(P/N 8996860). Recommended octane rating:
Unleaded
gasoline 87–93 AON
For optimum performance
Saab recommends:
2.3t 185 hp (Linear) –
AON 90.
2.3T 220 hp (Arc) and
2.3Turbo 250hp(Aero)–
AON 93.
Fuel tank
capacity:18.5 U.S.gal.
(70 liter)
6
5
1
2
3
4
IB3638
ProCarManuals.com