8
Driving tips
New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000
miles (1,600 km) .............................................. 8-2
Fuel economy hints ............................................ 8-2
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .......... 8-2
Catalytic converter ............................................. 8-3
Periodic inspections .......................................... 8-4
Driving in foreign countries .............................. 8-4
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ........................... 8-5
Off road driving .................................................. 8-6
Winter driving ..................................................... 8-6
Operation during cold weather .............................. 8-6
Driving on snowy and icy roads ............................ 8-7
Corrosion protection .............................................. 8-8
Snow tires ................................................................ 8-9
Tire chains ............................................................... 8-9
Rocking the vehicle ................................................ 8-9
Loading your vehicle ......................................... 8-10
Vehicle capacity weight ......................................... 8-11
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........................... 8-11
Roof crossbar 3 ...................................................... 8-12
Trailer towing ...................................................... 8-13
Warranties and maintenance ................................. 8-13
Maximum load limits .............................................. 8-13
Trailer hitches ......................................................... 8-16
Connecting a trailer ................................................ 8-17
Trailer towing tips ................................................... 8-18 3 Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars (can depend
on model variant, engine variant, market specification, options
or accessories)
.
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 1 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com
Driving tips
8-9
8
– CONTINUED –
Snow tires
Your vehicle may be equipped with “all
season tires” as original equipment, which
are designed to provide an adequate
measure of traction, handling and braking
performance in year-round driving. In win-
ter, it may be possible to enhance perfor-
mance through use of tires designed spe-
cifically for winter driving conditions.
The optional 215/45R17 tires for the Aero
model are summer tires. Compared with
winter and all-season tires, summer tires
give significantly less grip on snowy and
icy road surfaces. Therefore, use of winter
tires is strongly recommended when driv-
ing with such road conditions.
When you choose to install winter tires on
your vehicle, be sure to use the correct tire
size and type. You must install four winter
tires that are of the same size, construc-
tion, brand and load range and you should
never mix radial, belted bias or bias tires
since this may result in dangerous han-
dling characteristics. When you choose a
tire, make sure that there is enough clear-
ance between the tire and vehicle body.
Remember to drive with care at all times
regardless of the type of tires on your ve-
hicle.Tire chainsDriving on snowy grades or icy roads may
require the use of tire chains, in whichcase put the chains on the front wheels
only. Use only SAE class S type chains
that are of the correct size for your tires so
as not to damage the vehicle body or sus-
pension.
When driving with tire chains, drive at
speeds below 19 mph (30 km/h).
When a temporary spare tire is on a front
wheel, replace the temporary spare tire
with the rear tire on the same side of the
vehicle, and then fit chains on the front
tires.
Always use the utmost care when driving
with tire chains – overconfidence because
you are driving with tire chains could eas-
ily lead to a serious accident.
Rocking the vehicleIf you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the acceler-
ator pedal slightly and move the selector
lever back and forth between “D” and “R” When replacing original tires with
winter (snow) tires, make sure you
use only the same size, construc-
tion and load range as the original
tires listed on the tire label. Using
other sizes and construction may
affect speedometer/odometer cal-
ibration and clearance between
the body and tires. It also may be
dangerous and lead to loss of ve-
hicle control.
You must install four winter tires
that are of the same size, con-
struction, brand, and load range.
Mixing other sizes or construc-
tions may result in severe me-
chanical damage to the drive train
of your vehicle and may affect
ride, handling, braking and speed-
ometer/odometer calibration. It
also may be dangerous and lead
to loss of vehicle control.
Do not use a combination of radi-
al, belted bias or bias tires since it
may cause dangerous handling
characteristics and lead to an ac-
cident.Tire chains cannot be used on tires
listed in the following because of
lack of clearance between the tires
and vehicle body.
Optional 215/45R17 tires for Aero
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 9 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com
111
Maintenance and service
Maintenance schedule ....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions .................................. 11-3
Before checking or servicing in the engine
compartment ........................................................ 11-4
When you do checking or servicing in the engine
compartment while the engine is running ......... 11-4
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-4
Engine compartment overview ......................... 11-6
Non-turbo models ................................................... 11-6
Turbo models .......................................................... 11-7
Engine oil ............................................................ 11-8
Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-8
Changing the oil and oil filter ................................ 11-8
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-11
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe
driving conditions ................................................ 11-11
Synthetic oil ............................................................ 11-12
Cooling system .................................................. 11-12
Cooling fan, hose and connections ...................... 11-12
Engine coolant ........................................................ 11-13
Air cleaner element ............................................ 11-15
Replacing the air cleaner element ......................... 11-16
Spark plugs ......................................................... 11-18
Recommended spark plugs ................................... 11-18
Drive belts ........................................................... 11-18
Manual transmission oil .................................... 11-19
Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-19
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-20
Automatic transmission fluid ............................ 11-20
Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-20
Recommended fluid ............................................... 11-21
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ............ 11-22
Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-22
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-22
Rear differential gear oil .................................... 11-23
Checking the gear oil level .................................... 11-23
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-23
Power steering fluid ........................................... 11-24
Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-24
Recommended fluid ............................................... 11-25
Brake fluid ........................................................... 11-25
Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-25
Recommended brake fluid ..................................... 11-26
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) .................................. 11-26
Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-26
Recommended clutch fluid .................................... 11-27
Brake booster ..................................................... 11-27
Brake pedal ......................................................... 11-27
Checking the brake pedal free play ...................... 11-27
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ......... 11-28
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles) ................................ 11-28
Checking the clutch function ................................ 11-28
Checking the clutch pedal free play ..................... 11-28
Replacement of brake pad and lining ............... 11-29
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings .......... 11-29
Parking brake stroke .......................................... 11-30
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 1 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com
11 - 1 8
Maintenance and service
Spark plugsIt may be difficult to replace the spark
plugs. It is recommended that you have
the spark plugs replaced by your Saab
dealer.
The spark plugs should be replaced ac-
cording to the maintenance schedule in
the “Saab Warranty and Service Record
Booklet”.
Recommended spark plugsNon-turbo models:
FR5AP-11 (NGK)
Turbo models:
ILFR6B (NGK)
Drive belts1) Power steering pump pulley
2) Air conditioner compressor pulley
3) Crank pulleyThe alternator, power steering pump, and
air conditioner compressor depend on
drive belts. Satisfactory performance re-
quires that belt tension be correct.
To check belt tension, place a straight-
edge (ruler) across two adjacent pulleys
and apply a force of 22 lbs (98 N, 10 kg)
midway between the pulleys by using a
spring scale. Belt deflection should be the
amount specified. If a belt is loose,
cracked, or worn, contact your Saab deal-
er. When disconnecting the spark
plug cables, always grasp the
spark plug cap, not the cables.
Make sure the cables are replaced
in the correct order.
B00027
A B
2
3 1
B00365
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 18 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com
11 - 4 6
Maintenance and service
HID headlight bulbs
3
Halogen headlight bulbs
3
NOTEIf headlight aiming is required, con-
sult your Saab dealer for proper adjust-
ment of the headlight aim.
It may be difficult to replace the
bulbs. Have your Saab dealer replace
the bulbs if necessary.Right-hand low beam light bulb
Non-turbo model
1) Air intake duct
Turbo model
High-intensity-discharge (HID) bulbs
are used for the low beams of the
headlights. These HID bulbs use an
extremely high voltage. To avoid the
risk of an electric shock and result-
ing serious injury, you should not
attempt to replace them. Neither
should you attempt to replace the
high-beam bulbs, remove/refit the
headlight assemblies, or remove
any headlight-assembly compo-
nents. For replacement of the head-
light bulbs (low-beam and high-
beam), removal and installation of
the headlight assemblies, and re-
moval of headlight-assembly com-
ponents, contact your Saab dealer.
Ask your Saab dealer to check
whether your vehicle is equipped
with HID headlights.
Halogen headlight bulbs become
very hot while in use. If you touch
the bulb surface with bare hands or
greasy gloves, finger prints or
grease on the bulb surface will de-
velop into hot spots and cause the
bulb to break. If there are finger
prints or grease on the bulb surface,
wipe them away with a soft cloth
moistened with alcohol.
Ask your Saab dealer to check
whether your vehicle is equipped
with halogen headlights.
B00483
1
B00484
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 46 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com
11 - 4 8
Maintenance and service
2. Remove the electrical connector from
the bulb.
3. Replace the bulb with a new one.
4. Reconnect the electrical connector. At
this time, be careful not to touch the bulb
surface.
5. Install the bulb in the headlight assem-
bly by turning it clockwise until it clicks.
Parking lightRight-hand sideNon-turbo model
1) Air intake ductTurbo model
1. Remove the air intake duct mounting
bolt, then remove the air intake duct.
2. Remove the bulb cover by turning it
counterclockwise.
700093
B00483
1
B00484B00485
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 48 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com
12-8
Specifications
Fuse panel located in the engine compartmentA) FWD socket (AT models except Turbo)
B) Main fuse
C) Engine sensor (Non-turbo models)
13 A
B 9
6
5
7C3
12
48 10 11 12
C00107
Fuse panel
Fuse rating
Circuit
1
20A
Radiator cooling fan (Main)
2
20A
Radiator cooling fan (Sub)
3
30A
ABS motor
4
20A
Rear window defogger
5
15A
Hazard warning flasher
Horn
6
15A
Turn signal lights
7
10A
Automatic transmission control unit
8
10A
Alternator
9
15A
Headlight (right side)
10
15A
Headlight (left side)
11
20A
Lighting switch
12
20A
Clock
Interior light
13
10A
Secondary air combination valve
(Turbo models only)
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 8 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com
113
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Tire information .................................................. 13-2
Tire labeling ............................................................. 13-2
Recommended tire inflation pressure .................. 13-5
Glossary of tire terminology .................................. 13-6
Tire care – maintenance and safety practices ..... 13-7
Vehicle load limit – how to determine ................... 13-8
Determining compatibility of tire and vehicle
load capacities ...................................................... 13-11
Adverse safety consequences of overloading
on handling and stopping and on tires .............. 13-11
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit ........... 13-11
Uniform tire quality grading standards ............ 13-12
Treadwear ................................................................ 13-12
Traction AA, A, B, C ................................................ 13-12
Temperature A, B, C ............................................... 13-13
Reporting safety defects (USA) ......................... 13-13
Reporting safety defects to the Canadian
government ...................................................... 13-143 Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars (can depend
on model variant, engine variant, market specification, options
or accessories)
.
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 1 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
ProCarManuals.com