Maintenance and service
11 - 1 9
11
– CONTINUED –
in (mm)
Manual transmission oilChecking 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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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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11 - 2 2
Maintenance and service
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles)Checking the oil level1) Yellow handle1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
insert it again.
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 to bring the level up to the up-
per 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
1
B00472
Be careful not to spill front differen-
tial gear 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.
1
2B00372
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
-20 0 6020
80W
75W/9080 100 40
85W90
B00032
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11 - 2 4
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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Maintenance and service
11 - 2 7
11
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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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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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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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