2006 SAAB 9-3 check oil

222 Car careAir filter
Transmission fluidManual transmission
Check and top up the oil in accordance with
the service program.
Automatic transmission
Check and top up the oil in accordance with
the service program.
CoolantIf the coolant level drops too low, the follow-
ing message appears on the SID:
The properties of the coolant are retained
for the entire service life of the car. There-
fore, it is not necessary to change the cool-
ant.The coolant contains 45 % antifreeze and
anti-corrosion fluid. This ratio gives the best
cooling effect. Lower concentrations should
be avoided, in view of the corrosion risk.
Other brands of antifreeze can damage the
engine and cooling system.
Note:
If incorrect coolant is used or added, the life-
time properties will be affected. Even if the
coolant is flushed from the system and
replaced with life-time coolant, life-time
properties are no longer retained and the
coolant must then be drained and replaced
at regular intervals.
WARNING
To ensure reliable operation, only use
an air filter recommended by Saab
Automobile AB.
WARNING
 Proceed with caution if the radiator is
boiling when you open the hood.
Never remove the expansion-tank
filler cap when the radiator is boiling.
 The cooling system is pressurized –
hot coolant and vapor can escape
when the filler cap is released. These
can cause injury to your eyes and
burns. Loosen the cap carefully, and
let the engine cool before removing
the cap.
 Exercise care when adding coolant.
Coolant on hot surfaces constitutes a
fire risk.
Coolant level low.
Refill.
NOTICEIf the cooling system needs topping up,
mix the antifreeze with the appropriate
quantity of drinking water or distilled
water before adding it to the system.
If undiluted antifreeze is added, the
engine could still freeze and be damaged.
This is because the antifreeze will not mix
properly with the coolant before the ther-
mostat has opened to allow full circula-
tion.
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225 Car care
Power steeringCheck the level of the power steering fluid in
the reservoir regularly, in accordance with
the service program.
The wheels should point directly forwards
during this check.
Clean round the cap before unscrewing it.
Wipe the dipstick. To check the level, screw
down the cap completely and then remove
it again.
The oil level should lie between the MAX
and MIN marks when the oil temperature is
about 68°F (+20°C). If the oil is colder, the
level will be lower, and at a higher tempera-
tures the level will be higher.
Top up with CHF 11S or CHF 202 power
steering fluid.
WARNING
Power steering fluid on hot engine
components constitutes a fire risk.
Power steering fluid reservoir, 4-cyl
engine
Power steering fluid reservoir, V6 engine
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276 Car care
Safety beltsCheck the function of the safety belts regu-
larly as follows:
 Hold the diagonal strap and pull it sharply.
The safety belt should lock and it should
not be possible to withdraw it further.
Check the anchorage points in the floor.
They must not have suffered rust damage.
If a belt is worn or has any fraying edges, it
should be replaced.
Safety belts must not come into contact with
substances such as polishes, oil or chemi-
cals. If the belts get dirty, wash them with
warm water and a detergent or have them
replaced.
Upholstery and trimTo remove fluff and hairs from the seats,
door armrests and headlining, use a
vacuum cleaner, a moist lint-free cloth, or a
clothes brush. Remove spots and dirt using
a cloth moistened with lukewarm soapy
water.
When using a stain remover, always work
from the outside towards the centre to avoid
leaving a ring. If a soiled ring or spot should
remain, it can usually be removed using
lukewarm soapy water or water alone.
Spots left by liquids, such as soft drinks or
thin oil, must be removed at once with an
absorbent material, such as kitchen towel-
ling. Then clean with a stain remover.
White spirit is recommended for removing
grease and oil stains. A medium stiff brush
may also be used.
WARNING
If the car is involved in a crash, the safety
belts, belt pretensioners and other asso-
ciated components must be inspected.
We recommend that you contact a Saab
dealer.
Never make any alterations or repairs to
the safety belts yourself. We recommend
that you contact a Saab dealer dealer.
Tightening sequence, wheel boltsGrease the surfaces indicated with a thin
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280 Car careAnti-corrosion
treatmentThe entire car undergoes a series of anti-
corrosion processes during production.
These include electrophoretic priming,
PVC-based coating to protect against stone
chip damage and corrosion, and treatment
of body cavities and members with thin,
penetrating rustproofing oil.
In addition, most body panels, such as the
hood, doors and floor pan are galvanized.
The anti-corrosion treatment on some parts
of the car is constantly exposed to wear and
prone to damage. This applies particularly
to the underside of the car and inside the
wheel arches, where grit, road salt and the
like that are thrown up can give rise to cor-
rosion where the underseal has worn away.
The extent of this obviously depends on the
conditions in which the car is used.
Accordingly, make it a habit to hose the
underside of the car often and to inspect the
condition of the underseal. The anti-corro-
sion warranty does not relieve the car owner
of the need to carry out normal maintenance
to the rustproofing and to make good any
damage.Use a hose to clean the underside of the car
thoroughly. After it has dried, use a brush or
spray to apply a viscous anti-corrosion
agent to any worn or damaged areas, to
prevent the onset of corrosion.
Even after the anti-corrosion warranty has
expired, it makes good sense to continue to
maintain the rustproofing.
Seams in the body, especially those in the
doors and trunk lid, are particularly vulnera-
ble to corrosion from the outside, caused by
grit and salt thrown up from the road, and to
corrosion from the inside, largely as a result
of condensation. Keep the seams clean and
at the first sign of any rust, apply a thin, pen-
etrating, anti-corrosion oil. Your Saab
dealer will be pleased to give you further
advice.
What causes rust?Steel body panels of automobiles are sub-
ject to rusting whenever air and moisture
manage to penetrate the protective finish.
Body panels may rust through if the process
is unchecked. Rusting can occur wherever
water is trapped or where the car’s panels
are continuously damp.
Damage to paint and undercoating by
stones, gravel and minor crashes immedi-
ately exposes metal to air and moisture.
Road salts used for de-icing will collect on
the bottom of the car and promote rusting.
Areas of the country with high humidity have
a greater potential for rust problems, espe-
cially where salt is used on roads or there is
moist sea air. Industrial pollution (fallout)
may also damage paint and promote rust-
ing.
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283 Car care
Maintenance The compressor drive belt should be
inspected under the regular service
program.
 Clean away dirt and insects from the
condenser and radiator to prevent clog-
ging. When washing the car, use the hose
to spray the radiator and condenser
(located in front of the radiator) from both
sides (both from the front of the car and
from inside the engine bay). Do not use a
pressure washer.
Caution: Do not hose down the radia-
tor and condenser while the engine is
hot.Other than in extremely cold weather, do not
screen the radiator, e.g. with netting, as this
will greatly diminish its cooling capacity.
 Applicable to the manual climate control
system - During cold months the air condi-
tioning should be switched on once or
twice a month and run for 5–10 minutes
during highway driving once the engine is
warm.
This action saves the gaskets in the
compressor from being spoiled. The
compressor uses a lubricant that circu-
lates with the coolant.
Note:
The A/C system cannot be switched on
when the outside temperature is below 32°F
(0°C). Turn on the A/C system when the car
is standing in a warm place. Simplest is to
always have the A/C button pressed in. The
A/C system will then cut in automatically
when the outside temperature is high
enough.
Headlight aimingThe vehicle has a visual optical headlight
aiming system equipped with vertical
aiming device. The aim has been preset at
the factory and should normally not need
further adjustments.
If your headlights are damaged in a crash,
the headlight aim may be affected. If you
believe your headlights need to be re-
aimed, we recommend that you take it to
your Saab dealer for service. However, it is
possible for you to re-aim your headlights as
described in the following procedure.
NOTICEDo not use a pressure washer when
cleaning the condenser or radiator due to
the risk of damage.
WARNING
Before checking/adjusting the headlight
aiming, switch off the engine to avoid
danger of fingers and hands being injured
by moving parts.
The radiator fan can start up even when
the engine is switched off.NOTICETo make sure that your headlights are
aimed properly read all instructions
before beginning. Failure to follow these
instructions could cause damage to
headlight parts or a not correctly aimed
headlight.
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313 Index
Index
AA/C
__________________________ 113
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 128
Air conditioning
_________________ 113
Air filter
_______________________ 222
Airbag
_________________________ 32
Anchorage eyes
________________ 149
Anti-corrosion treatment
__________ 280
Antilock braking system __________ 181
Anti-spin
______________________ 183
Ashtrays ______________________ 144
Autochecking of lights, warning and
indicator lights
__________________ 88
Autodimming
_______________ 133
, 134
Automatic climate control (ACC)
____ 115
Automatic tire pressure monitoring __ 254
Automatic transmission
___________ 173
ABS brakes
____________________ 181
ACC
_________________________ 115
BBattery
_______________________ 226
Bedding-in of new brake pads
_____ 171
Before towing a trailer
____________ 201
Brake fluid, grade
_______________ 303Brakes
________________________ 180
Braking _______________________ 180
Bulb changing
__________________ 232
Bulb table
_____________________ 246
Buying new tires
________________ 260
CCabin lighting
__________________ 141
Cabin lighting, Convertible
_________ 80
Car alarm
______________________ 58
Car transport ___________________ 207
Care of air conditioning
___________ 283
Change of address notification
_____ 290
Changing a tire
_________________ 273
Changing bulbs _________________ 232
Changing engine oil
_____________ 220
Changing the battery, remote control
_56
Changing wiper blades
___________ 230
Checking the number of remote
controls
_______________________ 55
Checks before towing a trailer
_____ 201
Child safety
_____________________ 24
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 54
Child seats
_____________________ 24
Cigarette lighter
_________________ 144
Cleaning the engine bay
__________ 277
Cleaning upholstery
_____________ 276
Climate control system, manual
____ 110
Closing the soft top manually,
Convertible
____________________ 70Closing the soft top, Convertible
_____ 66
Clutch interlock
_________________ 172
Compact spare _________________ 270
Compass
______________________ 137
Condensation water, A/C
_________ 113
Convertible
_____________________ 63
Convertible, washing
_____________ 278
Coolant
_______________________ 222
Crash memory, see EDR
_________ 292
Cruise control
__________________ 179
Cup holder
_____________________ 142
DDate codes, tires
________________ 270
Deep water, driving through
_______ 204
Definitions and terminology, tire ____ 267
Determining correct load, tires
_____ 269
Direction indicator stalk switch _____ 104
Direction indicators
______________ 104
Dome light, Convertible
___________ 243
Dome light, Sport Sedan __________ 242
Donor battery, boost starting
_______ 208
Door handles
____________________ 50
Door mirrors ___________________ 132
Drive belt
______________________ 229
Drive belt, length
________________ 301
Driver’s seat with memory
__________ 21
Driving at night
_________________ 205
Driving in cold climates
___________ 195
Driving in deep water
_____________ 204
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314 IndexDriving in hot climates
____________ 197
Driving techniques
______________ 193
Driving with a heavy load on hilly
roads
________________________ 175
Driving with a load
______________ 204
Driving with a roof load ___________ 202
Driving with the compact spare wheel
208
Driving with the trunk lid open
______ 204
EEasy entry, Convertible
____________ 75
Economical motoring
____________ 193
Electric engine heater ____________ 194
Electric heating, front seats
___ 114
, 123
Electric windows
________________ 129
Electric windows, Convertible
_______ 79
Electrical system, technical data ____ 300
Electrically adjustable seats
________ 20
Electronic steering wheel lock _____ 162
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
__ 185
Emergency opening of the narrow
backrest
_____________________ 150
Emergency operation of the sunroof
_ 140
Engine bay, cleaning
____________ 277
Engine heater
__________________ 194
Engine immobilizer
_______________ 57
Engine number
_________________ 307
Engine oil, checking
_____________ 219
Engine oil, grade
________________ 298
Engine oil, volume ______________ 299Engine temperature gauge
_________ 90
Engine, description
______________ 215
Engine, technical data ____________ 297
Engines
_______________________ 300
Event Data Recorders (EDR)
______ 292
Extra electrical socket
____________ 144
EDR (Event Data Recorders)
______ 292
ESP, anti-skid system
____________ 185
FFacilitating entry to rear seat,
Convertible
____________________ 75
Factors affecting fuel consumption
__ 193
Filler cap
______________________ 168
Filling a portable fuel container
_____ 169
Filling up
______________________ 167
Flat spots, tires
_________________ 259
Floor jack
_____________________ 274
Folding down the rear seat
________ 146
Front fog lights
_________________ 104
Front towing eye ________________ 205
Fuel container
__________________ 169
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 91
Fuel grade _____________________ 299
Fuel information
________________ 169
Functions, car alarm ______________ 61
Fuse panel in luggage compartment
_250
Fuse table
_____________________ 249
Fuses
________________________ 247
GGear selector indicator, automatic
transmission
___________________ 92
Gearbox number ________________ 307
General safety instructions,
Convertible
____________________ 64
Glove box
_____________________ 144
Glovebox lighting
________________ 244
GDO, garage door opener
_________ 134
HHandbrake
_____________________ 187
Hazard warning lights
____________ 105
Head restraint, Convertible
_________ 76
Head restraints
__________________ 23
Headlight flasher ________________ 103
Headlight levelling _______________ 102
Headlights
_____________________ 102
Heated door mirrors
_____________ 114
Hood
_________________________ 214
Horn __________________________ 128
Horn button
____________________ 128
IIf a tire goes flat
_________________ 264
Ignition switch
__________________ 160
Immobilizer
_____________________ 57
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317 Index
Tire inspection and rotation
_______ 258
Tire markings
__________________ 266
Tire pressure monitoring, automatic
_ 254
Tire sidewall labeling
____________ 264
Tire sizes
_____________________ 304
Tire terminology and definitions
____ 267
Tire, changing
__________________ 273
Tire, spare
_____________________ 270
Tires
_________________________ 256
Tools and spare wheel
___________ 270
Touching up paintwork ___________ 279
Towbar
_______________________ 198
Towbar load
___________________ 200
Towing
_______________________ 205
Towing a trailer
_________________ 198
Towing the car _________________ 206
Traction Control System (TCS)
_____ 183
Transmission oil, checking
________ 222
Transmission oil, grade
___________ 301
Transmission, automatic __________ 173
Transmission, manual
____________ 172
Transporting the car
_____________ 207
Treadwear indicators ____________ 259
Trip computer
___________________ 94
Trip meter
______________________ 89
Troubleshooting, A/C and ACC
____ 282
Trunk lid, driving when open
_______ 204
Trunk lid, opening
________________ 53
Turbo gauge
____________________ 90
TCS
__________________________ 183
UUniform tire quality grading
________ 261
Upholstery care
_________________ 276
Upholstery, cleaning
_____________ 276
Useful tips on night driving
________ 205
Useful tips on starting
____________ 163
VVanity mirror
___________________ 142
Vehicle identification number
______ 307
Vehicle recovery
________________ 207
Vehicle Data Collection
___________ 292
WWarning labels
___________________ 8
Warning lights
___________________ 84
Warning triangle ________________ 105
Warnings and messages on SID,
Convertible
____________________ 73
Washer fluid ___________________ 230
Washer jets ____________________ 231
Washers
______________________ 106
Washing ______________________ 277
Washing a Convertible
___________ 278
Waxing and polishing
____________ 279
Wear indicators, tires ____________ 259What Will You See After an Airbag
Inflates?
______________________ 43
Wheel replacement
______________ 262
Wheels and tires, sizes ___________ 304
When it is time for new tires
_______ 259
Windshield washers
_____________ 106
Windshield wipers
_______________ 106
Wing mirrors
___________________ 132
Winter driving __________________ 195
Winter tires
____________________ 269
Wiper blades ___________________ 230
Wipers
________________________ 106
XXenon headlights
________________ 233
Xenon headlights, head light levelling
102
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