13
Instruments and controls
Ignition switch .................................................... 3-3
LOCK ....................................................................... 3-3
ACC .......................................................................... 3-4
ON ............................................................................ 3-4
START ...................................................................... 3-4
Key reminder chime ............................................... 3-5
Ignition switch light 3 ............................................ 3-5
Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) .............. 3-5
Hazard warning flasher ...................................... 3-6
Meters and gauges ............................................. 3-6
Speedometer ........................................................... 3-6
Odometer/Trip meter .............................................. 3-6
Tachometer ............................................................. 3-7
Fuel gauge ............................................................... 3-7
Temperature gauge ................................................ 3-8
Outside temperature indicator .............................. 3-9
Warning and indicator lights ............................. 3-8
Seatbelt warning light and chime .......................... 3-9
SRS airbag system warning light .......................... 3-10
Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators .............................................................. 3-10
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator lamp ....................................................... 3-11
Charge warning light .............................................. 3-11
Oil pressure warning light ..................................... 3-11
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light
(AT vehicles) ......................................................... 3-12
ABS warning light ................................................... 3-12
Brake system warning light ................................... 3-13Door open warning light ........................................ 3-13
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AWD AT
vehicles) ................................................................ 3-14
Selector lever position indicator (AT
vehicles) ................................................................ 3-14
Turn signal indicator lights .................................... 3-14
High beam indicator light ....................................... 3-14
Cruise control indicator light ................................. 3-14
Cruise control set indicator light .......................... 3-15
Clock .................................................................... 3-15
Light control switch ........................................... 3-15
Headlights ............................................................... 3-16
High/low beam change (dimmer) .......................... 3-16
Headlight flasher ..................................................... 3-16
Daytime running light system ............................... 3-17
Turn signal lever ................................................. 3-17
Illumination brightness control ......................... 3-18
Headlight beam leveler (Cars with HID
headlights only) ............................................... 3-18
Parking light switch ........................................... 3-19
Front fog light button
3 ..................................... 3-19
Wiper and washer ............................................... 3-20
Windshield wiper and washer switches ............... 3-21
Rear window wiper and washer switch ................ 3-22
Rear window defogger button ........................... 3-23
Windshield wiper deicer
3 ................................. 3-24
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Instruments and controls
3-9
3
– CONTINUED –
Warning and indicator lightsSeveral of the warning and indicator lights
come on momentarily and then go out
when the ignition switch is initially turned
to the “ON” position. This permits check-
ing the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the igni-
tion switch to the “ON” position. The fol-
lowing lights come on:
Seatbelt warning light
SRS airbag system warning light
Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON in-
dicator light
Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF
indicator light
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal-
function indicator lamp
Charge warning light
Oil pressure warning light
AT OIL temperature warning light (AT
vehicles)
ABS warning light
Brake system warning light
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AWD AT
vehicles)
Cruise control indicator light 3
Cruise control set indicator light 3
If any lights fail to come on, it indicates a
burned-out bulb or a malfunction of the
corresponding system.Consult your authorized Saab dealer for
repair.
Seatbelt warning light
and chimeYour vehicle is equipped with a seatbelt
warning device at the driver’s seat, as re-
quired by current safety standards. There
is a seatbelt warning light in the combina-
tion meter.
If the driver has not yet fastened the seat-
belt when the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON” position, the seatbelt warning
light will flash for 6 seconds, to warn that
the seatbelt is unfastened. If the driver’s
seatbelt is not fastened, a chime will also
sound simultaneously.
If the driver’s seatbelt is still not fastened
6 seconds later, the warning light will re-
main lit for 15 seconds. If the driver’s seat-
belt is still not fastened even 15 seconds
later (21 seconds after turning ON the ig-
nition switch), the warning lights will alter-
nate between flashing and steady illumi-
nation at 15-second intervals, and the
chime will sound while the warning light is
flashing.
Alternate flashing and steady illumination
of the warning lights and sounding of the
chime will continue until the driver fastens
the seatbelt.
NOTEIf the driver unfastens the seatbelt af-
ter fastening, the seatbelt warning de-
vice operates as follows according to
the vehicle speed.
At speeds lower than approximate-
ly 9 mph (15 km/h)
The warning light will alternate be-
tween flashing and steady illumina-
tion at 15-second intervals. The
chime will not sound.
At speeds higher than approxi-
mately 9 mph (15 km/h)
The warning light will alternate be-
tween flashing and steady illumina-
tion at 15-second intervals and the
chime will sound while the warning
light is flashing.
It is possible to cancel the warning
operation that follows the 6-second
warning after turning ON the ignition
switch by unfastening and refastening
the driver’s seatbelt. When the ignition
switch is turned ON next time, howev-
er, the complete sequence of warning
operation resumes. For further details
about canceling the warning operation,
please contact your Saab dealer.
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Instruments and controls
3-11
3
– CONTINUED –
CHECK ENGINE warn-
ing light/Malfunction in-
dicator lampIf this light comes on steadily or blinks
while the engine is running, it may indicate
that there is a problem or potential prob-
lem somewhere in the emission control
system.
If the light comes on steadily:
If the light comes on steadily while driving
or does not go out after the engine starts,
an emission control system malfunction
has been detected.
You should have your vehicle checked by
an authorized Saab dealer immediately.NOTEThis light also comes on when the fuelfiller cap is not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle,
the cause of the CHECK ENGINE warning
light/malfunction indicator lamp coming on
could be a loose or missing fuel filler cap.
Remove the cap and retighten it until it
clicks. Make sure nothing is interfering
with the sealing of the cap. Tightening the
cap will not make the CHECK ENGINE
warning light turn off immediately. It may
take several driving trips. If the light does
not go out, take your vehicle to your au-
thorized Saab dealer immediately.
If the light is blinking:
If the light is blinking while driving, an en-
gine misfire condition has been detected
which may damage the emission control
system.
To prevent serious damage to the emis-
sion control system, you should do the fol-
lowing.
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard acceleration.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
Reduce the amount of cargo, if possi-
ble.
Stop towing a trailer as soon as pos-
sible.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may
stop blinking and come on steadily afterseveral driving trips. You should have
your vehicle checked by an authorized
Saab dealer immediately.
Charge warning light If this light comes on when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the charging
system is not working properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does
not go out after the engine starts, stop the
engine at the first safe opportunity and
check the alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken or if the belt is in good con-
dition but the light remains on, contact
your nearest Saab dealer immediately.Oil pressure warning
lightIf this light comes on when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the engine oil
pressure is low and the lubricating system
is not working properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does
not go out after the engine starts, stop the
engine at the first safe opportunity and
check the engine oil level. If the oil level is
low, add oil immediately. If the engine oil
is at the proper level but the light remains
on, contact your nearest Saab dealer im-
mediately. If the CHECK ENGINE light comes
on while you are driving, have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your
Saab dealer as soon as possible.
Continued vehicle operation without
having the emission control system
checked and repaired as necessary
could cause serious damage, which
may not be covered by your vehi-
cle’s warranty.
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3-12
Instruments and controls
AT OIL TEMPerature
warning light (AT vehi-
cles)The AT oil temperature warning light
comes on when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON” position and goes out
after approximately two seconds.
If this light comes on when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the automatic
transmission fluid temperature is too hot.
If the light comes on while driving, it is un-
necessary to stop the vehicle, but avoid
driving up steep grades or in stop and go
traffic.
Automatic transmission control
system warning
If the light flashes after the engine starts,
it may indicate that the automatic trans-
mission control system is not working
properly. Contact your nearest Saab deal-
er for service immediately.
ABS warning light The ABS warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion and goes out after approximately two
seconds.
This is an indication that the ABS system
is working properly.
With a vehicle equipped with an Electronic
Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system,
the ABS warning light comes on together
with the brake system warning light if the
EBD system becomes faulty. For further
details of the EBD system fault warning,
refer to “Brake system warning light”.NOTEIf the warning light behavior is as de-
scribed in the following, the ABS sys-
tem may be considered normal.
The warning light comes on right af-
ter the engine is started but goes out
immediately, remaining off.
The warning light remains on after
the engine has been started, but it goes
out when the vehicle speed reaches
approximately 8 mph (12 km/h).
The warning light comes on during
driving, but it goes out immediately
and remains off.
When driving with an insufficient battery
voltage such as when the engine is jump
started, the ABS warning light may come
on. This is due to the low battery voltage
and does not indicate a malfunction. Do not operate the engine with the
oil pressure warning light on. This
may cause serious engine damage.
When the warning light is on, the
ABS function shuts down; however,
the conentional brake system con-
tinues to operate normally.
If the warning light behaves as fol-
lows, the ABS system may not work
properly.
The warning light does not come
on when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON” position.
The warning light comes on when
the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, but it does not go
out even when the vehicle speed
exceeds approximately 8 mph (12
km/h).
The warning light comes on dur-
ing driving.
(U.S.)
(Canada)
If any of these conditions occur,
have the ABS system repaired at the
first available opportunity by your
Saab dealer.
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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 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 - 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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Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-7
13
– CONTINUED –
Maximum inflation pressure
The maximum cold inflation pressure
to which a tire may be inflated.Recommended inflation pres-
sure
The cold inflation pressure recom-
mended by a vehicle manufacturer.Intended outboard sidewall
1)The sidewall that contains a
whitewall, bears white lettering or
bears manufacturer, brand, and/or
model name molding that is higher
or deeper than the same molding
on the other sidewall of the tire, or
2)The outward facing sidewall of an
asymmetrical tire that has a particu-
lar side that must always face out-
ward when mounting on a vehicle.Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of
those standard items which may be
replaced) of floor mats, leather seats
and cross bars to the extent that these
items are available as factory-in-
stalled equipment (whether installed
or not). Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including themaximum capacity of fuel, oil, and
coolant and air conditioning.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory
weight, vehicle capacity weight and
production options weight.Normal occupant weight
150 lbs (68 kg) times the number of
occupants (3 occupants). Occupant distribution
Distribution of occupants in a vehicle,
2 in front, 1 in rear seat.Production options weight
The combined weight of those in-
stalled regular production options
weighing over 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) in ex-
cess of those standards items which
they replace, not previously consid-
ered in curb weight or accessory
weight.Vehicle capacity weight
The total weight of cargo, luggage
and occupants that can be added to
the vehicle. Vehicle maximum load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is deter-
mined by distributing to each axle its
share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing by two.
Vehicle normal load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is deter-
mined by distributing to each axle its
share of the curb weight, accessory
weight, and normal occupant weight
and dividing by two.Tire care – maintenance and
safety practicesCheck on a daily basis that the tires
are free from serious damage, nails,
and stones. At the same time, check
the tires for abnormal wear. Inspect the tire tread regularly and
replace the tires before their tread
wear indicators become visible. When
a tire’s tread wear indicator becomes
visible, the tire is worn beyond the ac-
ceptable limit and must be replaced
immediately. With a tire in this condi-
tion, driving at even low speeds in wet
weather can cause the vehicle to hy-
droplane. Possible resulting loss of
vehicle control can lead to an acci-
dent.To maximize the life of each tire and
ensure that the tires wear uniformly, it
is best to rotate the tires every 7,500
miles (12,500 km). Rotating the tires
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