Page 4 of 276

2Introduction This manual provides practical guidance on
driving and caring for your Saab.
The Saab 9-5 is available with the following
engine variants:
2.3t 185 hp (Linear)
2.3T 220 hp (Arc)
2.3 Turbo 250 hp (Aero)
Although this manual describes the most
important differences between model vari-
ants, it does not include precise specifica-
tions of the different variants. Some diffe-
rences also occur to meet special legal
requirements in different countries.
Importation and distribution of Saab auto-
mobiles, spare parts and accessories are
handled exclusively by General Motors of
Canada Limited in Canada and by Saab
Cars USA, Inc. in the U.S.A.We recommend that you read through the
manual before taking the car out for the first
time and that you keep it in the car for future
reference.
To find a specific item, use the overviews
given on pages 3–6. A list of contents is
given at the beginning of each section of the
manual, and there is also a comprehensive
index at the back of the book.
Supplied with the car is a Warranty and Ser-
vice Record booklet and a tire warranty
folder which specifies the regular mainte-
nance to be carried out. The book also con-
tains important warranty conditions.
Since the policy at Saab is one of continual
improvement, we retain the right to incorpo-
rate modifications and to alter specifications
during production without prior notice.
If you have any questions concerning your
car, its equipment, the warranty conditions
or the like, your Saab dealer will be pleased
to help.
Best wishes,
Saab Automobile AB Saab Automobile AB does not accept liability for
any damage caused by the fitting of spare parts,
exchange parts or accessories that are not
approved by Saab Automobile AB.
The specifications, design particulars and illus-
trations included in the manual are not binding.
WARNING
WARNING texts warn against the danger
of injury if the specified instructions are
not followed.
NOTICENOTICE texts warn of potential damage
to the car if the recommendations are not
followed.
IB1734
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3
Instrument panel
IB1080
Indicator and warning lights ______ 52
Speedometer _________________ 59
Odometer and trip meter ________ 58
Fuel gauge___________________ 59
Temperature gauge ____________ 59
Parking lights____________ 67
High/low beam __________ 67
Daytime running lights_____ 67
Instrument illumination ____ 69
Changing bulbs __________ 197
Rear fog light ____________ 68Turn signal and lane change
indicators ______________ 69
High beam flasher ________ 67
Cruise control ___________ 151Front fog lights___________ 70
Ashtrays (accessory) ___________ 117
Cigarette lighters (accessory) ____ 118
Saab Information Display (SID) ___ 61
Night panel___________________ 65
Clock _______________________ 66
Wipers and washers ______ 71
Rear-window wiper_______ 72
Rain sensing wipers ______ 71
Washers _______________ 196
Wipers and washers ______ 195Saab 9-5 Audio System ___ 83
Steering-wheel controls ___ 100Hazard warning lights_____ 70Automatic climate control
(ACC) ________________ 73
Air conditioning (ACC) ____ 234
Electric heating, front seats (if equip-
ped) _______________________ 15
Ventilated front seats ___________ 14Steering-wheel controls ___ 100
Sentronic, manual mode ___ 148
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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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7
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.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN Brake fluid
CLEAN FILLER CAP BEFORE
REMOVING. USE ONLY DOT 4
FLUID FROM SEALED CONTAI-
NER. Radiator fan
Radiator fan may start at any
time.
IB336
A/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
authorized personnel only. For instructions consult
workshop manual.
The A/C system complies with SAE J639.
Charge: 825 g of R134a.
Compressor oil: PAG oil SP-10 alt.
Saab oil 4759106
Oil amount: See workshop manual.
Warning labels
AVOID SPARKS AND OPEN FLAMES,
NO SMOKING
WEAR EYE PROTECTION
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
ACID
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL
FLAMMABLE GAS
Coolant:
Never open when engine hot!
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8
IB336
Jack
Jack is designed only for changing a tire or
mounting tire snow chains.
Vehicle must be level and the jack must be
placed on a firm and level ground.
Never crawl underneath vehicle when it is
jacked up.
JACKING INSTRUCTIONS
1 Set parking brake and shift transmission to
park.
2 Fit top of jack into jacking point next to wheel
to be changed (See illustration).
3 Crank jack so that car begins to lift.
4 Using socket wrench in tool kit, loosen wheel
bolts one-half turn.
5 Raise vehicle so that tire clears ground.
Loosen wheel bolts completely and remove
wheel.
6 Mount spare wheel and tighten bolts enough
so wheel is not loose.
7 Lower car. Tighten wheel bolts in a crisscross
sequence.
CANADAUSA
WARNING
DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur.
Children 12 and under can be killed by the airbag
The BACK SEAT is the SAFEST place for children
NEVER put a rear-facing child seat in the front
Sit as far back as possible from the airbag
ALWAYS use SEAT BELTS and CHILD RESTRAINTSContact a Saab dealer if a
xenon headlight requires
replacement.
This label is only found on
cars with xenon head-
lights.
Jack
Use only on specified vehicles. Safe working load 1100 kg. Use
on level firm ground only. Do not get under a vehicle that is sup-
ported only by a jack, use vehicle support stands. No persons
are to remain in the vehicle.
For more information see your owner´s manual.
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9
No sparks, fla-
mes or smo-
king.Buckle up
Use protective
gogglesAirbag
Keep out of
reach of
children.Never place a
rear-facing
child seat in
this seat.
Battery acid
contains
sulfuric acid.Electric
windows
Refer to the
Owner’s
Manual.Deactivating
of rear window
switches
Risk of
explosive gas.Central
locking, lock
.Central
locking,
unlock
Tr u n k
lid/tailgate,
opening
HeadlightsWindshield
wipers
Direction
indicatorsWindshield
washers
Parking lights Defroster
Hazard
warning lightsRear window
heating
Front fog
lightsVentilation fan
Rear fog
light
Coolant
temperatureRadiator fan
Battery
chargingFuel
Foot brake
Coolant level
Engine oil
pressure
ABS brakes
Examples of symbols that can be found in your car
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12 SafetySeats Both front seats are electrically operated.
On certain models the driver´s seat is equip-
ped with a memory function.
To facilitate getting into the car, both seats
can be adjusted when either of the front
doors is open.
For safety reasons, if the door is closed, the
seat can only be adjusted when the ignition
is ON.
Note, however, that both seats can be
adjusted for 30 seconds after both doors
have been closed. The following seat adjustments can be
made to achieve a comfortable driving
position:
height
legroom
backrest rake angle
lumbar support (driver´s seat)
head-restraint height
We recommend that adjustments to the
driver’s seat be performed in the following
order:
1height
2 legroom
3 seat tilt angle
4 backrest rake angle
Lastly, adjust the steering wheel (see
page 106).
Side airbags(see page 32).Head restraint(see page 15).
HeightTo raise the seat, lift the lower control
straight up.
To lower the seat, press the lower control
down.
The same control can be used to adjust the
height of the front and rear edges of the seat
independently.
WARNING
The seats are actuated by powerful
motors. Bear this in mind when adjusting
the seat, and make sure that nothing gets
caught and damaged. Ensure that not-
hing can be trapped when adjusting the
seat.
Bear in mind that children can be injured
if they play with the electrically-operated
seats.
Always remove the ignition key when you
leave the car. This prevents personal
injury caused by the electrically adjusta-
ble seats, for example, due to children
playing.
WARNING
Never adjust the driver’s seat except
when the car is stationary.
IB3225
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13 Safety
Legroom adjustmentTo adjust the legroom, push the lower con-
trol forward or back.
Backrest rake angleTo adjust the backrest, move the upper con-
trol forward or back.
Lumbar supportTurn the smaller wheel for stepless adjust-
ment of the lumbar support.
WARNING
The backrest should be upright during dri-
ving, so that the safety belt, airbag and
backrest can provide optimum protection
in the event of emergency braking or a
crash and in particular a rear-end
collision.
IB3226
IB3227
IB1161
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