Maintenance and service
11 - 7
– CONTINUED –
11 Turbo models
12 3456
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
B00466
1) Air cleaner element (page 11-15)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge
(MT) (page 11-19) or Differential gear
oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-22)
3) Automatic transmission fluid level
gauge (page 11-20)
4) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-26)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-25)
6) Fuse box (page 11-40)
7) Battery (page 11-39)
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-35)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-8)
10) Engine coolant reservoir
(page 11-13)
11) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-8)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-13)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-24)
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11 - 1 2
Maintenance and service
eas with very high temperatures, or used
for heavy-duty applications such as tow-
ing a trailer, use of oil with the following
grade and viscosities is recommended.API classification SM (or SL):
SAE viscosity no.: 30, 40, 10W-50,
20W-40, 20W-50
Synthetic oilYou can use synthetic engine oil that
meets the same requirements given for
conventional engine oil. When using syn-
thetic oil, you must use oil of the same
classification, viscosity and grade shown
in this owner’s manual, and must follow
the oil and filter changing intervals shown
in the maintenance schedule.
Cooling system
Cooling fan, hose and con-
nectionsYour vehicle employs an electric cooling
fan which is thermostatically controlled to
operate when the engine coolant reaches
a specific temperature.
If the radiator cooling fan does not operate
even when the engine coolant tempera-
ture gauge exceeds the normal operating
range, the cooling fan circuit may be de-
fective. Check the fuse and replace it if
necessary. If the fuse is not blown, have
the cooling system checked by your Saab
dealer.
If frequent addition of coolant is neces-
sary, there may be a leak in the engine
cooling system. It is recommended that
the cooling system and connections be
checked for leaks, damage, or looseness. Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap until the engine has been
shut off and has cooled down com-
pletely. Since the coolant is under
pressure, you may suffer serious
burns from a spray of boiling hot
coolant when the cap is removed.
The cooling system has been
filled at the factory with a high
quality, corrosion-inhibiting, year-
around coolant which provides
protection against freezing down
to –33F (–36C). For adding, use
genuine Saab coolant or an equiv-
alent: a mixture of 50% soft water
and 50% ethylene-glycol basis
coolant. Use of improper coolants
may result in corrosion in the
cooling system. It is important to
maintain protection against freez-
ing and corrosion, even if freezing
temperatures are not expected.
Never mix different kinds of cool-
ant.Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface.
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Maintenance and service
11 - 1 3
11
– CONTINUED –
Engine coolantChecking the coolant level1) “FULL” level mark
2) “LOW” level markCheck the coolant level at each fuel stop.
1. Check the coolant level on the outside
of the reservoir while the engine is cool.
2. If the level is close to or lower than the
“LOW” level mark, add coolant up to the
“FULL” level mark. If the reserve tank is
empty, remove the radiator cap and refill
as required.3. After refilling the reserve tank and the
radiator, reinstall the caps and check that
the rubber gaskets inside the radiator cap
are in the proper position.
Changing the coolant
Always add genuine cooling system con-
ditioner whenever the coolant is replaced.
Change the engine coolant and add gen-
uine cooling system conditioner using the
following procedures according to the
maintenance schedule.
1. Remove the under cover.
2. Place a proper container under the
drain plug and loosen the drain plug.
3. Loosen the radiator cap to drain the
coolant from the radiator. Then drain the
coolant from the reserve tank. Tighten the
drain plug securely.NOTE (Turbo model only)The cap (without tabs) on top of the ra-
diator does not need to be removed. To
add coolant, remove the cap (with tabs)
FULL
LOW
1
2
B00468
Be careful not to spill engine cool-
ant when adding it. If coolant
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire.
If engine coolant gets on the
exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe it
off.
Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface.
B00018
B00019
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11 - 1 4
Maintenance and service
on the coolant tank on top of the en-
gine.4. Install the under cover.Non-turbo models
1) Filler neck
2) Fill up to this levelTurbo models
1) Filler neck
2) Fill up to this level
5. Slowly pour the coolant and fill up to
just below the filler neck, allowing enough
room to add genuine cooling system con-
ditioner in the radiator. Add genuine cool-
ing system conditioner until the coolant
level reaches the filler neck. Do not pour
the coolant too quickly, as this may lead to
insufficient air bleeding and trapped air in
the system.
Guideline of coolant quantity (including cool-
ant in reservoir tank):
Non-turbo models:
MT. 7.4 US qt (7.0 liters, 6.2 Imp qt)
AT. 7.3 US qt (6.9 liters, 6.1 Imp qt)
Turbo models:
MT. 8.1 US qt (7.7 liters, 6.8 Imp qt)
AT. 8.0 US qt (7.6 liters, 6.7 Imp qt)
1) “FULL” level mark
2) “LOW” level mark
Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap until the engine has been
shut off and has cooled down com-
pletely. Since the coolant is under
pressure, you may suffer serious
burns from a spray of boiling hot
coolant when the cap is removed.
1
2
B00453
1
2
B00454
FULL
LOW
1
2
B00468
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Maintenance and service
11 - 1 5
11
– CONTINUED –
6. Pour the coolant and fill to the reservoir
tank’s “FULL” level mark.
7. Put the radiator cap back on and tight-
en firmly. At this time, make sure that therubber gasket in the radiator cap is cor-
rectly in place.
8. Start and run the engine for more than
five minutes at 2,000 to 3,000 rpm.
9. Stop the engine and wait until the cool-
ant cools down (122 to 140F [50 to
60C]). If there is any loss of coolant, add
coolant to the radiator’s filler neck and to
the reserve tank’s “FULL” level.
10.Put the radiator cap and reservoir cap
back on and tighten firmly.
Air cleaner elementThe air cleaner element functions as a fil-
ter screen. When the element is perforat-
ed or removed, engine wear will be exces-
sive and engine life shortened.
The air cleaner element is a viscous type.
It is unnecessary to clean or wash the ele-
ment.
Be careful not to spill engine cool-
ant when adding it. If coolant
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If engine coolant gets on the
exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe it
off.
Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface.
B00018
Do not operate the engine with the
air cleaner element removed. The air
cleaner element not only filters in-
take air but also stops flames if the
engine backfires. If the air cleaner
element is not installed when the en-
gine backfires, you could be burned.
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11 - 3 6
Maintenance and service
Washer fluid level gaugeRemove the washer tank filler cap, then
check the fluid level indicated by the level
gauge (attached to the inside of the cap).
If the level is near the “Low” mark, add flu-id until it reaches the “Hi” level on the level
gauge or the “Full” mark on the tank.
Use windshield washer fluid. If windshield
washer fluid is unavailable use clean wa-
ter.
In areas where water freezes in winter,
use an anti-freeze type windshield washer
fluid.
If you fill the reservoir tank with a fluid with
a different concentration from the one
used previously, purge the old fluid from
the piping between the reservoir tank and
washer nozzles by operating the washer
for a certain period of time. Otherwise, if
the concentration of the fluid remaining in
the piping is too low for the outside tem-
perature, it may freeze and block the noz-
zles.
Replacement of wiper bladesGrease, wax, insects, or other material on
the windshield or the wiper blade results in
jerky wiper operation and streaking on the
glass. If you cannot remove the streaks af-
ter operating the windshield washer or if
the wiper operation is jerky, clean the out-
er surface of the windshield (or rear win-
dow) and the wiper blades using a sponge
or soft cloth with a neutral detergent or
mild-abrasive cleaner. After cleaning,
rinse the windshield and wiper blades with
clean water. The windshield is clean if
beads do not form when you rinse the
windshield with water.If you cannot eliminate the streaking even
after following this method, replace the
wiper blades using the following proce-
dures:Windshield wiper blades as-
sembly1. Raise the wiper arm off the windshield.
Hi
Low
300172
FULL
300524
Adjust the washer fluid concen-
tration appropriately for the out-
side temperature. If the concen-
tration is inappropriate, sprayed
washer fluid may freeze on the
windshield and obstruct your
view, and the fluid may freeze in
the reservoir tank.
Never use engine coolant as
washer fluid because it could
cause paint damage.
Do not clean the wiper blades with
gasoline or a solvent, such as paint
thinner or benzene. This will cause
deterioration of the wiper blades.
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12-4
Specifications
CapacitiesAT: Automatic transmission
MT: Manual transmissionTiresFuel tank
15.9 US gal (60 liters)
Engine oil
4.2 US qt (4.0 liters)
Transmission oil (MT)
3.7 US qt (3.5 liters)
Transmission oil (AT)
9.8 US qt (9.3 liters)
AT differential gear oil
1.3 US qt (1.2 liter)
Rear differential gear oil
0.8 US qt (0.8 liter)
Power steering fluid
0.7 US qt (0.7 liter)
Engine coolant
Turbo engine model
MT
7.8 US qt (7.4 liters)
AT
7.7 US qt (7.3 liters)
Non-turbo engine model
MT
7.4 US qt (7.0 liters)
AT
7.3 US qt (6.9 liters)
Tire size
P205/55R16 89V
215/45R17 91W
Wheel size
16 6
1/2 JJ
17 7 JJ
Pressure
Front
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm
2)
33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm
2)
Rear
29 psi (200 kPa, 2.0 kgf/cm
2)
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm
2)
Temporary spare tire
Size
T135/70 D16
Pressure
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
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14-4
Index
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system ........... 7-18
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ................................ 1-10
Engine
Compartment overview ................................................. 11-6
Coolant ....................................................................... 11-13
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ............................... 6, 8-2
Hood ............................................................................. 11-4
Oil ................................................................................. 11-8
Overheating ................................................................. 9-10
Starting .......................................................................... 7-6
Stopping ........................................................................ 7-8
Exterior care ..................................................................... 10-2
F
Flat tires ............................................................................. 9-4
Floor mat ............................................................................ 6-8
Fluid level
Automatic transmission .............................................. 11-20
Brake .......................................................................... 11-25
Clutch ......................................................................... 11-26
Power steering ............................................................ 11-24
Folding down the rear seat ................................................. 1-7
Front
Differential gear oil ...................................................... 11-22
Fog light button ............................................................ 3-19
Seatbelt pretensioners ................................................. 1-19
Seats ............................................................................. 1-2
Turn signal light .......................................................... 11-49
Fuel .................................................................................... 7-2
Economy hints ............................................................... 8-2
Filler lid and cap ............................................................ 7-3
Gauge ............................................................................ 3-7
Requirements ................................................................ 7-2Fuses .............................................................................. 11-41
Fuses and circuits ............................................................. 12-6
G
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) .................................. 8-11
Glove box ........................................................................... 6-4
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) ............................. 8-11
H
Hazard warning flasher ....................................................... 3-6
Head restraint adjustment ........................................... 1-4, 1-6
Headlight beam leveler ..................................................... 3-18
Headlight flasher ............................................................... 3-16
Headlights .............................................................. 3-16, 11-46
Heater operation ................................................................. 4-5
High beam indicator light .................................................. 3-14
Horn .................................................................................. 3-26
Hose and connections .................................................... 11-12
I
Ignition switch ..................................................................... 3-3
Illuminated entry ................................................................. 2-8
Illumination brightness control .......................................... 3-18
Immobilizer ......................................................................... 2-3
Indicator light
High beam ................................................................... 3-14
Selector lever position ................................................. 3-14
Turn signal ................................................................... 3-14
Inside mirror ...................................................................... 3-24
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