Driving tips
8-19
8
– CONTINUED –
Before starting out on a trip
Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-
hitch mounting are in good condition. If
any problems are apparent, do not tow the
trailer.
Check that the vehicle sits horizontally
with the trailer attached. If the vehicle is
tipped sharply up at the front and down at
the rear, check the total trailer weight,
GVW, GAWs and tongue load again, then
confirm that the load and its distribution
are acceptable.
Check that the tire pressures are cor-
rect.
Check that the vehicle and trailer are
connected properly. Confirm that
– the trailer tongue is connected prop-
erly to the hitch ball.
– the trailer lights connector is connect-
ed properly and trailer’s brake lights illu-
minate when the vehicle’s brake pedal
is pressed, and that the trailer’s turn sig-nal lights flash when the vehicle’s turn
signal lever is operated.
– the safety chains are connected prop-
erly.
– all cargo in the trailer is secured safe-
ty in position.
– the side mirrors provide a good rear-
ward field of view without a significant
blind spot.
Sufficient time should be taken to learn
the “feel” of the vehicle/trailer combination
before starting out on a trip. In an area free
of traffic, practice turning, stopping and
backing up.
Driving with a trailer
You should allow for considerably more
stopping distance when towing a trailer.
Avoid sudden braking because it may re-
sult in skidding or jackknifing and loss of
control.
Avoid abrupt starts and sudden acceler-
ations. If your vehicle has a manual trans-
mission, always start out in first gear and
release the clutch at moderate engine rev-
olution.
Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and
rapid lane changes.
Slow down before turning. Make a long-
er than normal turning radius because the
trailer wheels will be closer than the vehi-
cle wheels to the inside of the turn. In atight turn, the trailer could hit your vehicle.
Crosswinds will adversely affect the
handling of your vehicle and trailer, caus-
ing sway. Crosswinds can be due to
weather conditions or the passing of large
trucks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmly
grip the steering wheel and slow down im-
mediately but gradually.
When passing other vehicles, consider-
able distance is required because of the
added weight and length caused by at-
taching the trailer to your vehicle.
1) Left turn
2) Right turnBacking up with a trailer is difficult and
takes practice. When backing up with a
trailer, never accelerate or steer rapidly.
When turning back, grip the bottom of the When towing a trailer, steering,
stability, stopping distance and
braking performance will be dif-
ferent from normal operation. For
safety’s sake, you should employ
extra caution when towing a trail-
er and you should never speed.
You should also keep the follow-
ing tips in mind:1
2
800231
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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 - 2 7
11
– CONTINUED –
Recommended clutch fluidFMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or 4 brake flu-id
Brake boosterIf the brake booster does not operate as
described in the following, have it checked
by your Saab dealer.
1. With the engine off, depress the brake
pedal several times, applying the same
pedal force each time. The distance the
pedal travels should not vary.
2. With the brake pedal depressed, start
the engine. The pedal should move slight-
ly down to the floor.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop
the engine and keep the pedal depressed
for 30 seconds. The pedal height should
not change.
4. Start the engine again and run for ap-
proximately one minute then turn it off.
Depress the brake pedal several times to
check the brake booster. The brake boost-
er operates properly if the pedal stroke de-
creases with each depression.
Brake pedalCheck the brake pedal free play and re-
serve distance according to the mainte-
nance schedule in the “Saab Warranty
and Service Record Booklet”.Checking the brake pedal free
play1) 0.04 – 0.12 in (1.0 – 3.0 mm)Stop the engine and firmly depress the
brake pedal several times. Lightly press
the brake pedal down with one finger to
check the free play with a force of less
than 2 lbs (10 N, 1 kg).
If the free play is not within proper specifi-
cation, contact your Saab dealer. Be careful not to spill clutch fluid
when adding it. If clutch fluid
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If clutch fluid gets on the ex-
haust pipe, be sure to wipe it off.
Avoid mixing DOT 3 and DOT 4
brake fluids even if they are of the
same brand.
1
B00377
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11 - 2 8
Maintenance and service
Checking the brake pedal re-
serve distance1) More than 2.56 in (65 mm)Depress the pedal with a force of approxi-
mately 66 lbs (294 N, 30 kg) and measure
the distance between the upper surface of
the pedal pad and the floor.
When the measurement is smaller than
the specification, or when the pedal does
not operate smoothly, contact with your
Saab dealer.
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles)Check the clutch pedal free play and re-
serve distance according to the mainte-
nance schedule in the “Saab Warranty
and Service Record Booklet”.Checking the clutch functionCheck the clutch engagement and disen-
gagement.
1. With the engine idling, check that there
are no abnormal noises when the clutch
pedal is depressed, and that shifting into
1st or reverse feels smooth.
2. Start the vehicle by releasing the pedal
slowly to check that the engine and trans-
mission smoothly couple without any sign
of slippage.
Checking the clutch pedal
free play1) 0.16 – 0.51 in (4.0 –13.0 mm)Lightly press the clutch pedal down with
your finger until you feel resistance, and
check the free play.
If the free play is not within proper specifi-
cation, contact your Saab dealer.
1
B00378
1
B00377
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Index
14-3
14
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator
lamp .............................................................................. 3-11
Checking
Brake pedal free play ................................................. 11-27
Brake pedal reserve distance .................................... 11-28
Clutch function ........................................................... 11-28
Clutch pedal free play ................................................ 11-28
Engine oil level ............................................................ 11-8
Fluid level .................................. 11-20, 11-24, 11-25, 11-26
Gear oil level ......................................... 11-19, 11-22, 11-23
Child restraint systems ..................................................... 1-22
Installation with A/ELR seatbelt ................................... 1-25
Lower and tether anchorages ...................................... 1-29
Child safety ............................................................................ 5
Locks ........................................................................... 2-17
Chime
Key ................................................................................ 3-5
Seatbelt ................................................................ 1-10, 3-9
Cigarette lighter socket ....................................................... 6-5
Cleaning
Aluminum wheels ........................................................ 10-3
Interior ......................................................................... 10-5
Ventilation grille ........................................................... 4-11
Climate control system
Automatic ....................................................................... 4-7
Manual ........................................................................... 4-3
Clock ................................................................................ 3-15
Clutch fluid ...................................................................... 11-26
Clutch pedal ................................................................... 11-28
Coat hook ........................................................................... 6-8
Coin tray ............................................................................. 6-4
Cooling system ............................................................... 11-12Corrosion protection .................................................. 8-8, 10-4
Cruise control .................................................................... 7-21
Indicator light ................................................................ 3-14
Set indicator light ......................................................... 3-15
Cup holder .......................................................................... 6-5
D
Daytime running light system ............................................ 3-17
Differential gear oil
Front ........................................................................... 11-22
Rear ........................................................................... 11-23
Dimensions ....................................................................... 12-2
Disarming the system ....................................................... 2-15
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........................... 7-16
Dome light ................................................................ 6-2, 11-52
Door locks ........................................................................... 2-4
Door open warning light .................................................... 3-13
Drive belts ....................................................................... 11-18
Driving
Car phone/cell phone ........................................................ 7
Drinking ............................................................................. 6
Drugs ................................................................................ 7
Foreign countries ........................................................... 8-4
Pets ................................................................................... 7
Snowy and icy roads ...................................................... 8-7
Tips ......................................................................... 7-9, 8-5
Tired or sleepy .................................................................. 7
E
EBD (Electronic brake force distribution) system ............. 7-18
Electrical system ............................................................... 12-3
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Index
14-5
14
J
Jack and jack handle ........................................................ 9-15
Jump starting ...................................................................... 9-8
K
Key
Interlock release ............................................................ 3-5
Number .......................................................................... 2-2
Reminder chime ............................................................ 3-5
Keys ................................................................................... 2-2
L
Leather seat materials ...................................................... 10-5
Light
Cargo area .......................................................... 6-2, 11-52
Dome .................................................................. 6-2, 11-52
Map ..................................................................... 6-2, 11-52
Light control switch ........................................................... 3-15
Limited slip differential (LSD) ............................................ 7-14
Loading your vehicle ........................................................ 8-10
LSD (Limited slip differential) ............................................ 7-14
M
Main fuse ........................................................................ 11-42
Maintenance
Precautions .................................................................. 11-3
Schedule ...................................................................... 11-3
Seatbelt ....................................................................... 1-17
Tools ............................................................................ 9-15
Malfunction indicator lamp (Check Engine light) .............. 3-11
Manual climate control system ........................................... 4-3Manual transmission (MT) .................................................. 7-8
Map light .................................................................. 6-2, 11-52
Maximum load limits ......................................................... 8-13
Meters and gauges ............................................................. 3-6
Mirrors ............................................................................... 3-24
N
New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) ....................................................................... 8-2
O
Odometer/Trip meter ........................................................... 3-6
Off road driving ................................................................... 8-6
Oil filter .............................................................................. 11-8
Oil level
Engine .......................................................................... 11-8
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ....................... 11-22
Manual transmission .................................................. 11-19
Rear differential .......................................................... 11-23
Oil pressure warning light ................................................. 3-11
Outside mirrors ................................................................. 3-25
Outside temperature indicator ............................................. 3-8
Overheating engine .......................................................... 9-10
P
Parking
Brake ............................................................................ 7-19
Brake stroke ............................................................... 11-30
Light switch .................................................................. 3-19
Tips .............................................................................. 7-19
Periodic inspections ............................................................ 8-4
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Index
14-7
14
Speedometer ...................................................................... 3-6
SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) .. 4, 1-33
SRS airbag system monitors ............................................ 1-53
SRS airbag system servicing ............................................ 1-54
SRS airbag system warning light ...................................... 3-10
SRS side airbag ............................................................... 1-48
Starting the engine .............................................................. 7-6
State emission testing (U.S. only) ....................................... 7-5
Stopping the engine ............................................................ 7-8
Storage compartments ....................................................... 6-4
Sun shades ...................................................................... 2-22
Sun visors ........................................................................... 6-3
Moonroof ................................................................. 2-21, 9-14
Supplemental Restraint System airbag (SRS) ............. 4, 1-33
Synthetic leather upholstery ............................................. 10-5
T
Tachometer ......................................................................... 3-7
Temperature gauge ............................................................ 3-8
Temporary spare tire ........................................................... 9-2
Tie-down hooks ................................................................ 9-11
Tilt steering wheel ............................................................. 3-26
Tire
Chains ........................................................................... 8-9
Inspection .................................................................. 11-30
Pressures and wear ................................................... 11-31
Replacement ............................................................. 11-33
Rotation ..................................................................... 11-33
Tires .................................................................................. 12-4
Types ......................................................................... 11-30
Tires and wheels ............................................................ 11-30
Top tether anchorages ...................................................... 1-31Towing ............................................................................... 9-10
All wheels on the ground .............................................. 9-12
Flat-bed truck ............................................................... 9-12
Trailer
Hitches ......................................................................... 8-16
Towing .......................................................................... 8-13
Towing tips ................................................................... 8-18
Turn signal
Indicator lights .............................................................. 3-14
Lever ............................................................................ 3-17
V
Valet mode ........................................................................ 2-15
Vanity mirror ........................................................................ 6-3
Vehicle
Capacity weight ............................................................ 8-11
Identification ............................................................... 12-10
Symbols ............................................................................ 3
Ventilation ........................................................................... 4-2
W
Warning and indicator lights ................................................ 3-9
Warning lights
ABS .............................................................................. 3-12
All-Wheel Drive ............................................................ 3-14
Anti-lock Brake System ................................................ 3-12
AT OIL TEMPerature .................................................... 3-12
Brake system ............................................................... 3-13
Charge ......................................................................... 3-11
CHECK ENGINE .......................................................... 3-11
Door open .................................................................... 3-13
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