2006 SAAB 9-2X oil

11 - 8
Maintenance and service
Engine oil
Checking the oil levelCheck the engine oil level at each fuel
stop.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
insert it again.
3. Be sure the dipstick is correctly insert-
ed until it stops with the graphic symbol
“ ” on its top appearing as shown in
the illustration.
1) Notch
2) Upper level
3) Lower level4. Pull out the dipstick again and check
the oil level on it. If it is below the lower
level, add oil to bring the level up to the up-
per level.
If you check the oil level just after stopping
the engine, wait a few minutes for the oil to
drain back into the oil pan before checking
the level.
Just after driving or while the engine is
warm, the engine oil level reading may be
in a range between the upper level and
the notch mark. This is caused by thermal
expansion of the engine oil.
To prevent overfilling the engine oil, do not
add any additional oil above the upper lev-
el when the engine is cold.
Changing the oil and oil filterChange the oil and oil filter according to
the maintenance schedule in the “Saab
Warranty and Service Record Booklet”.
The engine oil and oil filter must be
changed more frequently than listed in the
maintenance schedule when driving on
dusty roads, when short trips are frequent-
ly made, or when driving in extremely cold
whether.
1. Warm up the engine by letting the en-
gine idle for approximately 10 minutes to
ease draining the engine oil.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
3. Remove the oil filler cap.
B00467

Use only engine oil with the rec-
ommended grade and viscosity.

Be careful not to spill engine oil
when adding it. If oil touches the
exhaust pipe, it may cause a bad
smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If en-
gine oil gets on the exhaust pipe,
be sure to wipe it off.
1
2
3
B00418
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Maintenance and service
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Turbo
modelsNon-turbo models
4. Drain out the engine oil by removing
the drain plug while the engine is still
warm. The used oil should be drained into
an appropriate container and disposed of
properly.
5. Wipe the seating surface of the drain
plug with a clean cloth and tighten it se-
curely with a new sealing washer after the
oil has completely drained out.
6. Remove under cover. Do not touch the exhaust manifold
or turbocharger. These get very hot
when the engine has been running.
B00449

Be careful not to burn yourself
with hot engine oil.

Do not spill oil on hot parts of the
engine as this could cause a fire.
Used engine oil is particulary
flammable.
B00450

Prolonged and repeated exposure
of the skin to engine oil can cause
serious skin disorders. The risk of
cancer cannot be ruled out.

Wash the affected area thorough-
ly with soap and water after any
contact.

Keep oil out of the reach of chil-
dren.

Protect the environment. Do not
dispose of oil into the ground or
down a drain. Dispose of all used
oil and oil filters at an appropriate
disposal facility.
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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
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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 –33
F (–36
C). 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 - 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
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in (mm)
Manual transmission oil
Checking the oil levelNon-turbo model
1) Yellow handleTurbo model
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
insert it again.
Deflection
New belt Used belt
A0.28 – 0.35
(7.0 – 9.0)0.35 – 0.43
(9.0 – 11.0)
B0.30 – 0.33
(7.5 – 8.5)0.35 – 0.40
(9.0 – 10.0)
1
B00465
B00469
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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 fluid
Checking 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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