Fuel octane ratingThis octane rating is the average of the Research Octane and Motor
Octane numbers and is commonly referred to as the Anti Knock
Index (AKI). Refer to “Fuel” section in this manual.Fuel capacity15.9 US gal (60 liters, 13.2 Imp gal)Engine oilUse only API classification SM with the words “ENERGY CON-
SERVING” and the ILSAC certification mark (starburst mark) dis-
played on the container.Engine oil capacity4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 Imp qt)
Gas station referenceFuel• 2.5-liter non-turbo models
Use only unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI or
higher.
• 2.5-liter turbo models (Aero)
Use premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 AKI or
higher. If premium unleaded gasoline is not available, regular
unleaded gasoline with octane rating of 87 AKI or higher may be
temporarily used. For optimum engine performance and driveabil-
ity, it is required that you use premium grade unleaded gasoline.Cold tire pressureNOTE:
Adjust the tire pressure to 36 psi (250 kPa, 2.5 kgf/cm
2) when driving the vehicle with five people and cargo inside and at speeds
exceeding 99.4 mph (160 km/h).Tire size P205/55R16 89V 215/45R17 91W
Wheel size 16 x 61/2 JJ 17 x 7 JJ
Pressure Front
32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm
2) 33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm
2)
Rear
29 psi (200 kPa, 2.0 kgf/cm
2) 32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm
2)
Temporary spare tire Size T135/70 D16
Pressure
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
9-2XUScoverM06.fm Page 3 Friday, September 9, 2005 1:48 PM
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7-2
Starting and operating
Starting and operating
FuelFuel requirements2.5-liter non-turbo models
The 2.5-liter non-turbo engine is designed
to operate using unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating of 87 AKI or higher.
2.5-liter turbo models 3
The 2.5-liter turbo engine is designed to
operate using premium unleaded gasoline
with an octane rating of 91 AKI or higher.
If premium unleaded gasoline is not avail-
able, regular unleaded gasoline with an
octane rating of 87 AKI or higher may be
temporarily used. For optimum engine
performance and driveability, it is required
that you use premium grade unleaded
gasoline.NOTEBe sure to use premium unleaded gas-
oline of 91 AKI or higher for a 2.5-liter
turbo engine model. If other gasoline
(lower than 91 AKI) is used, knocking,reduced output and poor accelerator
response will result.
Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the
Research Octane and Motor Octane num-
bers and is commonly referred to as the
Anti Knock Index (AKI).
Using a gasoline with a lower octane rat-
ing can cause persistent and heavy
knocking, which can damage the engine.
Do not be concerned if your vehicle some-
times knocks lightly when you drive up a
hill or when you accelerate. See your
dealer or a qualified service technician if
you use a fuel with the specified octane
rating and your vehicle knocks heavily or
persistently.
Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed
to accept only an unleaded gasoline filler
nozzle. Under no circumstances should
leaded gasoline be used because it will
damage the emission control system and
may impair driveability and fuel economy.
Gasoline for California-certified LEV
Your vehicle was certified to California’s
low emission vehicle (LEV) standards as
indicated on the underhood tune-up label,
it is designed to optimize engine and
emission performance with gasoline thatmeets the clean burning low-sulfur Califor-
nia gasoline specifications. If you live in
any other state than California, your vehi-
cle will operate on gasoline meeting Fed-
eral specifications. Gasoline sold outside
California is permitted to have higher sul-
fur levels, which may affect the perfor-
mance of your vehicle’s catalytic convert-
er and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor
or smell. Saab recommends that you try a
different brand of unleaded gasoline hav-
ing lower sulfur to determine if the prob-
lem is fuel related before returning your
vehicle to an authorized dealer for service.
MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane-en-
hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl). If
you use such fuels, your emission control
system performance may deteriorate and
the CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal-
function indicator lamp may turn on. If this
happens, return to your authorized Saab
Dealer for service. If it is determined that
the condition is caused by the type of fuel
used, repairs may not be covered by your
warranty.
Gasoline for cleaner air
Your use of gasoline with detergent addi-
tives will help prevent deposits from form-
ing in your engine and fuel system. This Use of a fuel which is low in quality
or use of an inappropriate fuel addi-
tive may cause engine damage.A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 2 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
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Starting and operating
7-3
7
– CONTINUED –
helps keep your engine in tune and your
emission control system working properly,
and is a way of doing your part for cleaner
air. If you continuously use a high quality
fuel with the proper detergent and other
additives, you should never need to add
any fuel system cleaning agents to your
fuel tank.
Many gasolines are now blended with ma-
terials called oxygenates. Use of these fu-
els can also help keep the air cleaner. Ox-
ygenated blend fuels, such as MTBE (Me-
thyl Tertiary Butyl ether) or ethanol (ethyl
or grain alcohol) may be used in your ve-
hicle, but should contain no more than
15% MTBE or 10% ethanol for the proper
operation of your Saab.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are
now producing reformulated gasolines,
which are designed to reduce vehicle
emissions. Saab approves the use of re-
formulated gasoline.
If you are not sure what the fuel contains,
you should ask your service station oper-
ators if their gasolines contain detergents
and oxygenates and if they have been re-
formulated to reduce vehicle emissions.
As additional guidance, only use fuels
suited for your vehicle as explained in the
following.Fuel should be unleaded and have an
octane rating no lower than that specified
in this manual.
Methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) is
sometimes mixed with unleaded gasoline.
Methanol can be used in your vehicle
ONLY if it does not exceed 5% of the fuel
mixture AND if it is accompanied by suffi-
cient quantities of the proper cosolvents
and corrosion inhibitors required to pre-
vent damage to the fuel system. Do not
use fuel containing methanol EXCEPT un-
der these conditions.
If undesirable driveability problems are
experienced and you suspect they may be
fuel related, try a different brand of gaso-
line before seeking service at your Saab
dealer.
Fuel system damage or driveability
problems which result from the use of im-
proper fuel are not covered under the
Saab Limited Warranty.
Fuel filler lid and capRefueling
0
1. To open the fuel filler lid, pull the lid re-
lease lever. The lever is on the floor at the
left of the driver’s seat. Do not let fuel spill on the exterior
surfaces of the vehicle. Fuels con-
taining alcohol may cause paint
damage, which is not covered under
the Saab Limited Warranty.
700365700030
A1910BE-A-GSAAB.book Page 3 Tuesday, September 6, 2005 8:37 AM
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