2006 SAAB 9-3 check oil

6Engine bay, 4-cylColor code______________ 307
Engine number __________ 307
Gearbox number _________ 307
Warning labels __________ 8
Vehicle identification number 307Alternator ______________ 229
Drive belt _______________ 229
Exhaust emission control __ 165
Ignition system __________ 300
Simple troubleshooting
(A/C, ACC) _____________ 282
Spark plugs _____________ 300
Turbo gauge ____________ 90Engine oil: checking level __ 219Automatic transmission _________ 173
Transmission: technical data _____ 301
Manual transmission ___________ 172
Battery ______________________ 226
Battery charge ________________ 226
Jump starting _________________ 208
Changing engine oil ____________ 220
Engine: description ____________ 215
Engine: technical data __________ 297
Important considerations for driving 164
Oil grade and viscosity__________ 298
Topping-up fluid _________ 231
Wash/wipe stalk switch____ 106
Washer fluid ____________ 231
Washer jets ____________ 231
Power steering ________________ 225
Fluid: checking/topping up _______ 225
Coolant: checking/topping-up ____ 222
Driving in hot climates __________ 197
Radiator _____________________ 297
Temperature gauge ____________ 90
Changing a fuse _________ 247
Fuse table _____________ 252
Fuses _________________ 247
Relays ________________ 252ABS brakes_____________ 180
Brake pads _____________ 224
Brake system ___________ 303
Brake fluid______________ 224
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7
Engine bay, 2.8 V6Power steering___________ 225
Fluid: checking/topping up__ 225Vehicle identification
number ________________ 307
Colour code _____________ 307
Engine number __________ 307
Warning labels___________ 8
Gearbox number _________ 307Exhaust emission control __ 165
Drive belt _______________ 229
Simple troubleshooting
(A/C, ACC) _____________ 282
Alternator_______________ 229
Turbo gauge ____________ 90
Spark plugs _____________ 300
Ignition system __________ 300Automatic transmission __________ 173
Manual gearbox________________ 172
Gearbox: technical data__________ 301
Engine: description _____________ 215
Changing engine oil _____________ 220
Engine oil: topping up ___________ 219
Oil grade and viscosity___________ 298
Engine: technical data ___________ 297
Important considerations
for driving ____________________ 164Engine oil: checking level_________ 219
Battery ______________________ 226
Battery charge ________________ 226
Jump starting _________________ 208
Wash/wipe stalk switch ____ 106
Topping-up fluid _________ 231
Washer jets_____________ 231
Washer fluid ____________ 231Changing a fuse _________ 249
Fuses _________________ 247
Relays ________________ 252
Fuse table ______________ 249ABS brakes_____________ 181
Brake pads _____________ 303
Brake system ___________ 180
Brake fluid______________ 224
Cooling system, coolant capacity__ 297
Coolant: checking/topping-up ____ 222
Driving in hot climates __________ 197
Temperature gauge ____________ 90
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85 Instruments and controls
This light will come on if the engine oil pres-
sure is too low. If the warning light flashes or
comes on while you are driving, stop imme-
diately in a safe place, switch off the engine
and check the oil level (see page 219).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):This light indicates a malfunction in the fuel
or ignition system. The car may still be
driven with care but the performance of the
engine will be somewhat diminished (see
page 164).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
Warning, oil pressure
(engine oil)
NOTICE
Never drive the car when the oil pressure
warning lamp is on. Low oil pressure can
cause serious engine damage.
Oil pressure low.
Make a safe stop.
Turn off engine.
Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)
WARNING
An illuminated “Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)” indicator light indi-
cates an engine-related problem. While
your car may be able to be driven with the
“Engine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)”
indicator light illuminated (limp-home
mode), you are advised to have your car
serviced at an authorized Saab dealer as
soon as possible.
Continued driving without this problem
being corrected might cause serious
further damage to your car and create
unsafe driving conditions. The operator
should be prepared to take action if such
unsafe conditions arise (e.g. brake
smoothly, engage neutral, stop in a suita-
ble place, switch off the engine, etc.)
Engine malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
NOTICEThe car should be checked immediately
at a Saab dealer to prevent more serious
faults from arising.
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171 Starting and driving
whether the fuel contains MMT. Saab does
not recommend the use of such gasolines.
Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of
spark plugs and the performance of the
emission control system may be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized Saab
dealer for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country out-
side the United States or Canada, the
proper fuel may be hard to find. Never use
leaded gasoline or any other fuel not recom-
mended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel
would not be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto
club, or contact a major oil company that
does business in the country where you will
be driving.
Engine Break-in PeriodPistons, cylinder bores and bearings need
time to obtain uniform, wear-resistant
surfaces.
If a new engine is driven too hard, this grad-
ual process of bedding-in will not be possi-
ble and the life of the engine will be short-
ened.
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km),
do not exceed 5,000 rpm.
In addition, refrain from driving the car at full
throttle, other than for brief instances,
during the first 1,800 miles (3,000 km).
Wearing in new brake padsNew brake pads take time to bed in, about
90 miles (150 km) if the car is driven largely
under stop-and-go conditions or about
300 miles (500 km) of highway driving.
To extend the useful life of the pads, avoid
hard braking as much as possible.
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195 Starting and driving
Driving in cold weatherIn cold weather, special attention should be
paid to the following:
 Before driving off, make sure that the
wiper blades have not frozen to the wind-
shield.
 Remove any snow from the heating
system air intakes between the hood and
the windshield.
 If necessary, inject oil into the locks to
prevent them from freezing. Use molyb-
denum-sulphide oil (MoS
2). If the locks
freeze, exercise care when unlocking the
car (manual unlocking) to avoid breaking
the key. Warm up the key or use a de-icer.
 It is particularly important when the roads
are slippery that the brakes and tires are
in good condition.
 For how to check the level of antifreeze in
the engine coolant, see page 222.
 Add gasoline anti-freeze when refueling
several times before the onset of winter.
This will prevent condensation water in
the fuel tank from freezing and causing
interruptions in the fuel supply. The likeli-
hood of condensation is lowest when the
fuel tank is full.
If the car is parked outside and the
temperature is below zero, gasoline anti-
freeze is of little use as it cannot remove
water that has already frozen. Park the
car in a warm place so that any ice that
may have built up melts, then add gaso-
line anti-freeze when refueling.Condensation is caused by temperature
fluctuations, either in the outside temper-
ature alone or when the car is alternately
parked outdoors and in a garage.
Convertible: Avoid operating the soft top
at temperatures below 23°F (–5°C).
 The car is equipped with tires designed to
provide optimum grip on both wet and dry
roads, although this has been achieved at
the expense of somewhat reduced grip on
snow and ice. For regular driving on snow
and ice, we therefore recommend that
winter tires be fitted. However, winter tires
achieve this extra grip at the expense of
grip on bare road surfaces.
Winter tires, particularly studded tires, gen-
erally make driving safer on snow and ice.
Acquaint yourself with the legal provi-
sions governing the use of different
types of winter tires and snow chains.
Studded tires are not allowed in some
countries. If winter tires are fitted, the same
type must be fitted to all four wheels. Your
Saab dealer will be pleased to advise you on
the best tires for your car.
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211 Starting and driving
For long tripsBefore starting off on a long journey, it is
advisable to have your car inspected by
your Saab dealer.
Obtain a few important items to take along
on your journey, such as spare bulbs, wiper
blades, fuses, a drive belt (poly-V-belt) and
the like.
You can check some points yourself before-
hand:
 Check that no oil or fuel leaks out of the
engine or gearbox/transmission.
 Check the coolant and power steering
fluid levels. Check also for leaks.
 Inspect the drive belt (poly-V-belt) and
replace if it shows any signs of wear.
 Check the battery charge.
 Check the tires for tread pattern and air
pressure, including the compact spare
tire.
 Take an extra remote control and keep it
separate.
 Check the brakes.
 Check all bulbs.
 Check for the presence of the tool kit and
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219 Car care
Engine oilChecking the oil levelCheck the engine oil level regularly.
1 Park the car on a level ground.
2 Switch off the engine and wait for
2–5 minutes. The engine should be at
normal operating temperature.
3 Take the dipstick out and wipe it off with
a clean rag before carrying out the
check.
The level must not be below the MIN mark
on the dipstick, but nor should it be above
the MAX mark. Excess engine oil could
result in abnormal oil consumption.
The distance between the MIN and MAX
marks is equivalent to 1.0 qt (1.0 l).2.0 Turbo (210 hk): The engine oil level is
checked each time the engine is started. If
the oil level is low, the following message
appears on the SID:
f this occurs the oil level must be checked
first. If the level is too low then it must be
topped up.V6: The engine has an oil level sensor that
checks the oil level when the engine is
running. If the oil level drops too low, the
following message appears on the SID:
f this occurs the oil level must be checked
first. If the level is too low then it must be
topped up.NOTICEToo high oil level can damage the engine.
Low engine oil level.
Fill oil now.
Low engine oil level.
Fill oil now.
Oil filler cap and dipstick, 4-cyl engine
Oil filler cap and dipstick, V6 engine
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220 Car careMake sure you screw on the oil filler cap
properly after topping up the oil to avoid
running problems.
It is normal for an engine to consume a cer-
tain amount of oil. It is therefore often nec-
essary to top up the oil between services.
Check the engine oil level regularly.
During the Break-in Period (approx.
3,000 miles or 5,000 km) and when driving
at high speeds or with a trailer, the oil con-
sumption may be higher than normal.
Changing engine oil
Engine oil and oil filter should be changed
according to the service program.
For oil volumes and grades, refer to
page 298.
The oil should be drained when the engine
is warm. The car must stand on level
ground.
1 Unscrew the drain plug in the bottom of
the sump and leave the oil to drain into a
suitable receptacle for at least
10 minutes. Take care, as the oil may be
hot.
2 Refit the drain plug with a new washer.
3 Change the oil filter once the engine oil
has drained (see page 221).
4 Fill with new oil.
Run the engine to normal temperature and
check the oil level.
NOTICEChange of engine oil and oil filter may be
required more frequently if the car is
being used under certain conditions, see
page 289.
WARNING
 Prolonged and repeated exposure of
the skin to engine oil can cause seri-
ous skin disorders. Avoid prolonged
skin contact whenever possible.
 Used engine oil contains chemicals
that have caused cancer in laboratory
animals. Always protect your skin by
washing thoroughly with soap and
water.
 Keep oil out of reach of children.
 Do not touch the turbocharger or
exhaust manifold. These get very hot
when the engine has been running.
 Do not spill oil on hot parts of the
engine as this could cause a fire. Used
engine oil is particularly flammable.
 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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