9-10
In case of emergency
Engine overheatingIf the engine overheats, safely pull off the
road and stop the vehicle in a safe place.If steam is coming from the
engine compartmentTurn the engine off and get everyone
away from the vehicle until it cools down.If no steam is coming from
the engine compartment1. Keep the engine running at idling
speed.
2. Open the hood to ventilate the engine
compartment.
Confirm that the cooling fan is turning. If
the fan is not turning, immediately turn offthe engine and contact your authorized
dealer for repair.
3. After the engine coolant temperature
has dropped, turn off the engine.
If the temperature gauge stays at the
overheated zone, turn off the engine.
4. After the engine has fully cooled down,
check the coolant level in the reserve
tank.
If the coolant level is below the “LOW”
mark, add coolant up to the “FULL” mark.
5. If there is no coolant in the reserve
tank, add coolant to the reserve tank.
Then remove the radiator cap and fill the
radiator with coolant.
If you remove the radiator cap from a hot
radiator, first wrap a thick cloth around the
radiator cap, then turn the cap counter-
clockwise slowly without pressing down
until it stops. Release the pressure from
the radiator. After the pressure has been
fully released, remove the cap by pressing
down and turning it.
TowingIf towing is necessary, it is best done by
your Saab dealer or a commercial towing
service. Observe the following procedures
for safety.
Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap until the engine has been
shut off and has fully cooled down.
When the engine is hot, the coolant
is under pressure. Removing the
cap while the engine is still hot
could release a spray of boiling hot
coolant, which could burn you very
seriously.
Never tow AWD vehicles (both AT
and MT) with the front wheels raised
off the ground while the rear wheels
are on the ground, or with the rear
wheels raised off the ground while
the front wheels are on the ground.
This will cause the vehicle to spin
away due to the operation or deteri-
oration of the center differential.
900282
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11 - 1 0
Maintenance and service
Turbo models
Non-turbo models7. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter
wrench.8. Before installing a new genuine Saab
oil filter, apply a thin coat of engine oil to
the seal.
9. Clean the rubber seal seating area of
the bottom of engine and install the genu-
ine Saab oil filter by hand turning. Be care-
ful not to twist or damage the seal.
10.Tighten the oil filter by the amount indi-
cated in the following table after the seal
makes contact with the bottom of engine.
Please see your Saab dealer for correct
oil filter information for your vehicle.
11.Reinstall under cover.
12.Pour engine oil through the filler neck.
Oil capacity (guideline):
4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 Imp qt)
The oil quantity indicated above is only
guideline.
The necessary quantity of oil depends on
the quantity of oil that has been drained.
The quantity of drained oil differs slightly
depending on the temperature of the oil
and the time the oil is left flowing out. After
refilling the engine with oil, therefore, you
must the dipstick to confirm that the level
is correct.
13.Start the engine and make sure that no
oil leaks appear around the filter’s rubber
seal and drain plug.
14.Run the engine until it reaches the nor-
mal operating temperature. Then stop the
engine and wait a few minutes to allow the
oil to drain back. Check the oil level again
and if necessary, add more engine oil.
B00451B00452
Oil filter color Amount of rotation
Black 1 rotation
White 2/3 – 3/4 rotation
Never over tighten the oil filter be-
cause that can result in an oil leak.
Thoroughly wipe off any engine
oil that has spilled over the ex-
haust pipe and/or under-cover. If
left unremoved, the oil could
catch fire.
Be careful not to spill engine oil
when adding it. If oil touches the ex-
haust pipe, it may cause a bad smell,
smoke, and/or a fire.
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Maintenance and service
11 - 11
11
– CONTINUED –
Recommended grade and
viscosityOil grade:
ILSAC GF-4, which can be identified
with the ILSAC certification mark
(Starburst mark)
or API classification SM with the
words “ENERGY CONSERVING”
These recommended oil grades can be
identified by looking for either or both of
the following marks displayed on the oil
container.API Service label
1) Indicates the oil quality by API designa-
tions
2) Indicates the SAE oil viscosity no.
3) Indicates that the oil has fuel saving ca-
pabilitiesILSAC
Certification Mark (Starburst
Mark)
In choosing an oil, you want the proper
quality and viscosity, as well as one that
will add to fuel economy. The following ta-
ble lists the recommended viscosities and
applicable temperatures.
When adding oil, different brands may be
used together as long as they are the
same API classification and SAE viscosity
as those recommended by Saab.
SAE viscosity no. and applicable tem-
perature
*: 5W-30 is recommended.Engine oil viscosity (thickness) affects fuel
economy. Oils of lower viscosity provide
better fuel economy. However, in hot
weather, oil of higher viscosity is required
to properly lubricate the engine.Recommended grade and
viscosity under severe driv-
ing conditionsIf the vehicle is used in desert areas, in ar-
APISERVICE
SM
ENERGY
CONSERVING
SAE
5W-30
1
2
3
B00446
B00014
Use only engine oil with the recom-
mended grade and viscosity.
B00522
5W-30*
10W-30, 10W-40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
-20 0 6020 80 10040
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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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11 - 2 0
Maintenance and service
1) Upper level
2) Lower level3. Pull out the dipstick again and check
the oil level on it. If it is below the lower
level, add oil through the dipstick hole to
bring the level up to the upper level.
Recommended grade and
viscosityEach oil manufacturer has its own base
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together.Oil grade:
API classification GL-5
SAE viscosity no. and applicable tem-
perature
Automatic transmission fluidChecking the fluid levelThe automatic transmission fluid expands
largely as its temperature rises; the fluid
level differs according to fluid tempera-
ture. Therefore, there are two different
scales for checking the level of hot fluid
and cold fluid on the dipstick.
Though the fluid level can be checked
without warming up the fluid on the
“COLD” range, we recommend checking
the fluid level when the fluid is at operating
temperature.Checking the fluid level when the
fluid is hot
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise
the temperature of the transmission fluid Be careful not to spill manual trans-
mission oil when adding it. If oil
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a
fire. If oil gets on the exhaust pipe,
be sure to wipe it off.
L
F
F L
1
21
2
B00368
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
-20 0 6020
80W
75W/9080 100 40
85W90
B00032
Be careful not to spill automatic
transmission fluid when adding it. If
automatic transmission fluid touch-
es the exhaust pipe, it may cause a
bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If au-
tomatic transmission fluid gets on
the exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe it
off.
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Maintenance and service
11 - 2 1
11
– CONTINUED –
up to normal operating temperature; 158
to 176F (70 to 80C) is normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
set the parking brake.
3. First shift the selector lever in each po-
sition. Then shift it in the “P” position, and
run the engine at idling speed.1) Yellow handle1) HOT range
2) COLD range
3) Upper level
4) Lower level
4. Pull out the dipstick and check the fluid
level on the gauge. If it is below the lower
level on the “HOT” range, add the recom-
mended automatic transmission fluid up to
the upper level.
Checking the fluid level when the
fluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checked
without time to warm up the automatic
transmission, check to see that the fluid
level is between the lower level and upper
level on the “COLD” range. If it is below
that range, add fluid up to the upper level.
Be careful not to overfill.
Recommended fluidUse one of the following types of automat-
ic transmission fluid.
IDEMITSU ATF HP
Castrol Transmax J
Pennzoil ATF-J*
* Available only in the USA (except
Alaska and Hawaii)
NOTEUsing any non-specified type of auto-
matic transmission fluid could result in
damage inside the transmission. When
replacing the automatic transmission
fluid, be sure to use a fluid of the types
specified above.
1
B00471
3
4 3
4
21
B00370
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Maintenance and service
SAE viscosity no. and applicable tem-
perature
Power steering fluidChecking the fluid level1) Reservoir tankThe power steering fluid expands greatly
as its temperature rises; the fluid level dif-
fers according to fluid temperature. There-
fore, the reservoir tank has two different
checking ranges for hot and cold fluids.
Check the power steering fluid level
monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, and
stop the engine.
1) Specified range2. Check the fluid level of the reservoir
tank.
When the fluid is hot after the vehicle has
been run: Check that the oil level is be-
tween “HOT MIN” and “HOT MAX” on the
surface of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is cool before the vehicle is
run: Check that the oil level is between
“COLD MIN” and “COLD MAX” on the sur-
face of the reservoir tank.
3. If the fluid level is lower than the appli-
cable “MIN” line, add the recommended
fluid as necessary to bring the level be-
tween the “MIN” and “MAX” line.
If the fluid level is extreme low, it may indi-
cate possible leakage. Consult your Saab
dealer for an inspection.
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
-20 0 6020
80W
75W/9080 100 40
85W90
B00032
1
B00375
1
1
B00376
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14-2
Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) .......................................... 7-16
Warning light ....................................................... 3-12, 7-17
Accessories ............................................................. 5-2, 11-43
Accessory power outlet ...................................................... 6-6
Active head restraint ........................................................... 1-4
Air cleaner element ......................................................... 11-15
Air conditioner operation .................................................... 4-7
Air filtration system ........................................................... 4-12
Air flow selection ................................................................ 4-2
Alarm system .................................................................... 2-13
All-Wheel Drive warning light ( AWD AT vehicles) ........... 3-14
Aluminum wheels ............................................................ 11-35
Antenna system ................................................................. 5-2
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) .......................................... 7-16
Arming the system ............................................................ 2-13
Ashtray ............................................................................... 6-7
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light ................................... 3-12
Audio Systems ................................................................... 5-3
Automatic climate control system ....................................... 4-7
Automatic transmission (AT) ............................................ 7-10
Capacities .................................................................... 12-4
Fluid ............................................................................ 11-20
Selector lever ................................................................ 7-11
Shift lock release ......................................................... 7-13
Temperature warning light ........................................... 3-12
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) ........... 1-10
B
Battery ............................................................................. 11-40
Jump starting ................................................................. 9-8
Replacement (Remote keyless entry system) ............... 2-9Brake
Booster ...................................................................... 11-27
Fluid ........................................................................... 11-25
Pad and lining ............................................................ 11-29
Pedal .......................................................................... 11-27
Brake pedal
Free play .................................................................... 11-27
Reserve distance ....................................................... 11-28
Brake system .................................................................... 7-15
Warning light ................................................................ 3-13
Braking ............................................................................. 7-15
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ................ 11-29
Tips .............................................................................. 7-15
Bulb
Chart ............................................................................ 12-9
Replacing ................................................................... 11-44
C
Capacities ......................................................................... 12-4
Cargo
Area cover ..................................................................... 6-9
Area light ............................................................. 6-2, 11-52
Tie-down hooks ............................................................ 6-10
Catalytic converter .............................................................. 8-3
Center
Console .......................................................................... 6-4
Vents .............................................................................. 4-3
Changing
Flat tire ........................................................................... 9-4
Oil and oil filter ............................................................. 11-8
Charge warning light ......................................................... 3-11A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 2 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
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