Page 8 of 276

6Engine compartment
IB3636
Engine ______________________ 186
Checking the oil level ___________ 186
Changing engine oil ____________ 187
Engine oil, specification _________ 255
Braking______________________ 152
ABS brakes __________________ 153
Brake and clutch fluid ___________ 189
Brake system _________________ 259
Brake pads ___________________ 259
Fuses _________________ 211
Changing a fuse _________ 213
Relays ________________ 215
Table of fuses ___________ 211Temperature gauge ______ 59
Driving in hot weather_____ 160
Driving in cold weather ____ 159
Coolant________________ 188
Coolant capacity_________ 254
Power steering fluid _______ 191
Steering, technical data ___ 259
Wipers and washers ______ 71
Washers _______________ 196
Washer jets ____________ 196
Jump starting _________________ 174
Battery ______________________ 192
Charging/replacing the battery____ 193
Manual transmission ___________ 142
Automatic transmission _________ 143
Automatic transmission,
technical data ________________ 258
Manual gearbox, technical data ___ 258
Important considerations for driving 136
Turbo unit ___________________ 183
Engine, technical data __________ 254Ignition switch ___________ 132
Drive belts ______________ 194
Spark plugs _____________ 257
Catalytic converter _______ 137Warning labels __________ 7
V.I.N. number ___________ 262
Engine number __________ 262
Gearbox number _________ 262
Color code______________ 262
Tire and Loading Information
Label _________________ 226
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60 Instruments and controls Check fuse 1 (radiator fan) in the fuse panel
under the hood, see page 215.
If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone,
stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and
check the coolant level by looking at the
level visible through the plastic tank – do not
remove the cap.
If the coolant level falls below the MIN mark,
the Saab Information Display (SID) will dis-
play the message
”Coolant level low.
Refill.”.
Pressure gaugeThe turbo gauge indicates the air volume for
combustion, which is equivalent to the
engine load.
At low loads, the needle will move within the
white zone. At higher loads and during
heavy acceleration, the needle will enter the
yellow area. At very high loads or under cer-
tain barometric conditions, the needle may
enter the first part of the red zone without
indicating that there is a fault.If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone
and the engine at the same time loses
power, because the monitoring system is
holding the charging pressure down, you
should contact an authorized Saab dealer.
If the speed exceeds 149 mph/240 km/h
(155 mph/250 km/h, 9-5 Aero) the increase
in speed will be limited by the lowering of the
boost pressure. The pressure gauge then
moves towards the middle of the orange
zone, indicating reduced engine output and
thus reduces the speed of the car as well.
NOTICEIf the needle, despite the above action,
enters the red zone, stop the car immedi-
ately, let the engine idle.
If the needle stays in the red zone, stop
the engine.
WARNING
Never open the cap of the expansion tank
completely when the engine is hot, open
with care. The pressure in the coo-
ling-system can cause hot coolant and
steam to be released. Failure to heed this
warning may result in personal injury.
IB344
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67 Instruments and controls
Switches The parking lights and daytime running
lights come on automatically when the igni-
tion switch is ON.
Note to owners in the U.S.: If you do not
want Daytime Running Lights, this feature
can be disconnected: switch off the engine
and remove fuse No. 35 (see page 213).
Note to owners in Canada: Daytime Run-
ning Lights must not be disconnected as
they are a Canadian Federal legal require-
ment.
The parking lights can be switched on
regardless of the position of the ignition
switch. Do not use parking lights when dri-
ving.
Note: The lighting switch must be in parking
light or headlight position (low beam posi-
tion only) to operate the fog lights (see
page 70).The headlights come on automatically when
the ignition is ON and go off when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the LOCK position.
The parking lights, however, can be on
when the ignition switch is in the LOCK posi-
tion.
High/low beamTo switch between high and low beam, pull
the control stalk fully towards you
(position 2). When the high beam is on, the
indicator on the main instrument panel will
be illuminated.
High beam flasher The headlights come on to high beam when
the stalk is pulled to the first spring-loaded
position (position 1) and remain on until the
stalk is released.
Daytime running lights
Parking lights
Headlights
IB1594
121 High beam signal
2 High/low beam switching
IB350
Light switches
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Page 147 of 276

145 Starting and driving
Lock-up function The automatic transmission has a lock-up
function, which can render the torque con-
verter inoperative in 3rd, 4th and 5th gears,
thus reducing the engine speed and fuel
consumption.
When the lock-up function comes into oper-
ation, it may give the impression of an over-
drive being engaged.Kick-downWhen the accelerator is pressed down hard,
a change-down to the next gear will be
effected to provide maximum acceleration,
e.g. for overtaking.
Following this, the next higher gear will be
selected at the optimum engine speed for
acceleration or, if you ease off the acceler-
ator, before reaching this.
Park Brake Shift LockThe transmission has a security function
known as Park Brake Shift Lock. To move
the gear selector out of the P position, the
brake pedal must be depressed at the same
time as the gear selector catch (detent) is
pressed in.Shift Lock overrideCheck fuse No. 1 (see page 213). If the
problem was cured by changing the fuse or
battery, you do not have to contact a Saab
dealer.
If the fuse blows again as soon as the Shift
Lock feature is activated you should contact
your Saab dealer.
If the fuse is OK, check the battery regarding
the voltage.
1 Apply the parking brake
2 Make sure the key is in position ON
3 Use a small tool such as a screwdriver
and push the lever (see picture) down-
wards so that the detent button can be
pressed approx. 10 mm4 Move the selector out of position P to N
5 Remove the tool
6 Release the parking brake if the car is to
be moved immediately; otherwise keep
it applied.NOTICEDue to electrical problems it may not be
possible to move the selector out of the
park position, even if the ignition is ON. If
for some reason the selector has to be
moved out of the park position (i.e. to tow
the car a short distance) do as described
below.
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Page 183 of 276
181 Car care and technical information
IB1772
Hood ________________ 182
Engine compartment __ 183
Emission control systems 184
Engine ______________ 186
Engine oil ____________ 186
Transmission fluid ____ 188
Coolant ______________ 188
Brake and clutch fluid__ 189
Power steering fluid ___ 191
Air filter _____________ 191
Battery ______________ 192
Drive belts ___________ 194
Wipers and washers ___ 195
Changing bulbs _______ 197
Fuses _______________ 211 Tires _________________ 217
Compact spare tire _____ 230
Air conditioning (ACC) __ 234
Safety belts ___________ 235
Upholstery and trim ____ 236
Textile carpeting _______ 236
Washing the car _______ 237
Waxing and polishing ___ 238
Engine compartment ___ 238
Touching up the paint __ 238
Anti-corrosion treatment 240
For long trips __________ 241
Recovery and/or recycling
of automotive materials 242
Headlight aiming _______ 242
Car care and technical information
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Page 185 of 276
183 Car care and technical information
Engine compartment
9
6
8
1
2
4
3
5
7
IB3637
Engine compartment1 Engine-oil dipstick/filler cap
2 Reservoir, brake/clutch fluid
3 Fuse box
4 Expansion tank, coolant
5 Washer-fluid filler cap
6Battery
7 Turbo unit
8 Ignition discharge module
9 Reservoir, power-steering fluid
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Page 212 of 276

210 Car care and technical information
Bulb tableA special kit containing spare bulbs and fuses is available as an
accessory from your Saab dealer. A storage space for this is provi-
ded adjacent to the toolkit and jack, under the panel in the luggage
compartment.# Cap Wattage1 H7 55 Headlight
2 H1 55 Fog light
3 P21W 21 Reversing lamp; side reversing lamp; rear
fog lamp; cornering lamp
4 P21/5W 21/5 Stop/tail lamp
5 PY21W 21 Direction indicator, rear
6 R10W 10 Dome light; courtesy lights; glove
compartment; luggage compartment
7 R5W 5 Safety belt reminder
8 Xenon
w9U6 Reading light, overhead panel
9 T4W 4 Reading light, rear
10 WY5W/
W5W5 Side indicators (yellow);/ High-mounted
stop light (9-5 Sedan); parking lights;
license plate illumination
11 W2W 1,2 Switches; front ashtray
12 1157NA 32/2.2 cp Direction indicator and side marker light,
frontNOTICEOnly fit lamps of the specified rating. Lamps of the wrong wattage
could damage the wiring harness and electronics.
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Page 213 of 276

211 Car care and technical information
Fuses
The fuses are housed in two fuse panels:
one at the end of the instrument panel on the
driver’s side, and one under the hood.
To check if a fuse has blown, first remove it
from the panel (see below). If the filament is
broken, the fuse has blown.
A special tool for removing fuses is provided
at the bottom of the fuse panel. Simply push
the tool onto the fuse, squeeze and remove
the fuse.
WARNING
To avoid the risk of short-circuiting and/or
fire breaking out in the electrical system,
the following advice should be heeded:
Always consult an authorized Saab
dealer before modifying or adding any
electrical equipment. Failure to do so
can result in the electrical system
being damaged.
Never replace a fuse with one having
a higher/lower rating than specified
(see page 213). The color of the fuse
indicates its amperage.
If the same fuse blows repeatedly,
have the electrical system checked by
an authorized Saab dealer.
If a MAXI fuse blows, it means that
there is a major fault in the electrical
system. Have the car checked by an
authorized Saab dealer.
IB527
Fuse panel in instrument panel
IB1794
Fuse box under the hood
IB144
Sound fuse / Blown fuse
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