2006 SAAB 9-5 check transmission fluid

156 Starting and drivingIf ”Automatic transmission
, fault indicator”
 appears on the main instrument panel,
the system has detected a fault in the auto-
matic transmission or its control module
(see page 62).
This also means that the Limp-home mode
has been selected, to guard against further
damage being done to the transmission. In
this mode, the automatic transmission
starts in 5th gear, and gear changes (if nec-
essary) will have to be made manually.
Stop the car in a safe place. Switch off then
restart the engine. If the fault is intermittent,
the transmission will operate as normal
despite the fault indicator being on. Have
the car checked at a workshop. We recom-
mend that you contact an authorized Saab
dealer.
It is not possible to select the SPORT or
Sentronic mode when the Limp-home mode
is active.
Gear changes must be made manually.
The following gears will be engaged in the
respective selector positions when the auto-
matic transmission is in Limp-home mode:
Overheated transmission fluid If the automatic-transmission fluid should
overheat, the following message will appear
on the SID:
”Gearbox too hot.
Make a safe stop.”
In this event, stop the car in a suitable place,
switch off the engine and open the hood.
Wait for several minutes then turn on the
ignition to check that the message has gone
out. When driving subsequent to the trans-
mission fluid overheating, select a gear in
which the engine speed is about 3,000 rpm.
Overheating of the automatic-transmission
fluid can occur when the car is towing a
heavy load, such as a camping trailer in hilly
country. High ambient temperatures can
also increase the temperature of the trans-
mission fluid or the oil cooler may be faulty.
Contact a workshop. We recommend that
you contact an authorized Saab dealer (see
also page 176).
Automatic transmission




,
fault indicator
Position R D M L
Gear Reverse 5th 5th 2nd
NOTICEIf the control module has actuated the
Limp-home function for the automatic
transmission, the car will remain in 5th
gear when D is selected, making it very
sluggish.
Select position L to prevent unnecessary
wear on the transmission. The transmis-
sion then starts in 2nd gear. Once the car
is moving you can select position D.
When the indicator light is on, the car
must not be driven with a caravan or
trailer attached.
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198 Car care and technical informationTransmission fluidManual transmission Check and top up the fluid in accordance
with the service program.Automatic transmissionCheck and top up the fluid in accordance
with the service program.
Coolant The expansion tank is transparent to facili-
tate checking of the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant must
not lie over the KALT/COLD mark on the
expansion tank.If the message
”Coolant level low.
Refill.”
is displayed on the SID, check the level of
fluid in the expansion tank.
Top up, as necessary, with equal parts of
clean water and Saab-approved coolant.
If the expansion tank is empty when coolant
is added, run the engine to normal temper-
ature and top up again, as necessary.
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 
.
#
 on hot surfaces constitutes a
fire risk.
IB1338
Coolant expansion tank
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249 Car care and technical information
2Clean the underside of the car during
the winter. Use high pressure water to
clean the car’s underside (floor panels,
wheel wells) at least at mid- winter and
in the spring.
3Inspect the car frequently for leaks or
damage, and arrange for needed
repairs promptly. After washing or after
heavy rain, check for leaks. When wash-
ing the car inspect body surfaces for
paint damage. While checking for leaks,
lift the floor mats and check beneath
them. Water can collect in these areas
and remain for prolonged periods. Dry
any wet areas including the floor mats.
Have leaks repaired as soon as possi-
ble.
Use touch-up paint to repair small
scratches or minor finish damage. Areas
where metal is exposed will rust quickly
and MUST be repaired immediately by
touch-up or professional repainting.
Rust must be removed, the bare metal
primed and painted. Major body
damage should be repaired immediately
and new panels or exposed areas
should be undercoated with anti- corro-
sion material.
Repairs of this type are the owner’s
responsibility and are not covered under
warranty.4Inspect the undercoating and touch
up if necessary. Pay particular atten-
tion to the fenders and wheel housings,
which are exposed to abrasion by flying
gravel, etc. If the composition has worn
or flaked off, the steel must be thor-
oughly cleaned and dried before a fresh
coat is applied. The cleaning is best
done with a scraper and a steel wire
brush, followed by washing with solvent.
Apply the new coating thinly, as other-
wise it may run off or fall off when dry.
For long tripsBefore setting off on a long journey, it is
advisable to have your car checked over by
your Saab dealer.
Obtain a few important items to take along
on your journey such as spare bulbs, wiper
blades, fuses, a Poly-V-belt and the like.
You can check some points yourself before-
hand:
 Make sure that the engine is in good con-
dition.
 Check that no oil or gasoline leaks out of
the engine or gearbox/transmission.
 Check the coolant and power steering
fluid levels. Check also for leaks.
 Inspect the Poly-V-belt and replace it if it
shows any signs of hard wear.
 Check the battery charge.
 Check the tires for tread pattern and air
pressure, including the compact spare
wheel.
 Check the brakes.
 Check all bulbs.
 Check for the presence of the tool kit and
the jack in the car.
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273 Index
Index
AA/C system, fault diagnosis
_______ 247
A/C system, maintenance
_________ 246
ABS brakes
____________________ 162
ACC
__________________________ 79
ACC functions
___________________ 82
ACC, automatic climate control
_____ 79
ACC, calibration
_________________ 86
ACC, condensation water
__________ 86
ACC, useful tips
_________________ 86
AUX input
_____________________ 104
Adjusting the steering wheel
_______ 114
Adjustment, seats
________________ 18
Air conditioning (A/C), fault diagnosis
and maintenance ______________ 246
Airbag
_________________________ 29
Alarm _________________________ 50
Alarm functions
__________________ 53
Alarm signals
________________ 50
, 53
Album information
_______________ 104
Alternator
_____________________ 204
Alternator drive belt
__________ 204
, 265
Alternator rating
________________ 265
Antennas
______________________ 109
Anticorrosion treatment
___________ 248
Antidazzle rear-view mirror
________ 121
Ashtrays
______________________ 126
Autochecking of lights on starting
____ 64Auto-dimming rear-view mirror with
garage door opener
____________ 118
Automatic climate control (ACC)
_____ 79
Automatic transmission, technical
data
_________________________ 266
Aviod theft, tip
__________________ 168
BBattery
________________________ 202
Battery charging/replacing
________ 203
Battery, boost starting
____________ 188
Before a long journey ____________ 249
Before towing a camper or trailer
___ 179
Belt guide
______________________ 12
Boost starting using jump leads
____ 188
Brake and clutch fluid
____________ 199
Brake-fluid reservoir
_____________ 199
Brakes, technical data ____________ 267
Bulbs, changing
________________ 207
Bulbs, table of
__________________ 218
Buying new tires ________________ 228
CCD changer
____________________ 100
CHECK messages
_______________ 71
CHECKING
_____________________ 71
Car alarm
______________________ 50
Car care
______________________ 191Cargo net, 9-5 SportCombi
________ 138
Carpeting, care of
_______________ 243
Catalytic converter, important
considerations
_________________ 147
Central locking ___________________ 44
Change language in SID
___________ 72
Change of address notification
_____ 256
Changing a wheel
_______________ 239
Changing bulbs
_________________ 207
Changing wiper blades
___________ 205
Charger/Jump starting ____________ 190
Charging the battery/Jump starting
__ 190
Chassis number
________________ 270
Chassis number, key to
___________ 271
Checks before towing a camper or
trailer
________________________ 179
Child safety
_____________________ 22
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 47
Cleaning, engine bay
_____________ 245
Clock
_________________________ 105
Color code, body
________________ 270
Color code, trim _________________ 270
Compact spare wheel
____________ 237
Compass
______________________ 122
Condensation water, ACC
__________ 86
Connecting a portable player ______ 104
Coolant
_______________________ 198
Courtesy Headlight Feature
________ 74
Crash memory, see EDR
_________ 257
Cross modulation
_______________ 110
Cruise control
__________________ 161
Cup holder
_____________________ 129
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274 IndexDDICE/TWICE
___________________ 220
Dampers
______________________ 267
Date
_________________________ 105
Date code, tires
_________________ 237
Date display
___________________ 105
Definitions and terminology, tire
____ 234
Determining correct load, tires
_____ 236
Dim-dipped beam
________________ 73
Direction indicators _______________ 75
Diversity antenna
_______________ 109
Door handles
___________________ 44
Door mirrors
___________________ 116
Doors, locks & luggage compartment
_43
Drive belt
______________________ 265
Drive belt, alternator
_____________ 204
Drive belts, length
_______________ 265
Driver’s seat, programmable
________ 20
Driving at night
_________________ 183
Driving in hot weather
____________ 175
Driving with a load
______________ 183
EEDR (Event Data Recorders)
______ 257
ESP
__________________________ 165
Electric heating of rear seat
________ 87
Electric windows
________________ 115
Electrical system, technical data
____ 265
Electronic Stability Program, ESP __ 165Electronic starting interlock
_________ 49
Emergency operation of moonroof
__ 124
Emission control systems
_________ 194
Engine bay
____________________ 193
Engine bay, cleaning
_____________ 245
Engine number
_________________ 270
Engine oil, grade ________________ 263
Engine, description ______________ 196
Engine, technical data ____________ 262
Engine, temperature gauge
________ 65
Engine-oil level, checking
_________ 196
Error codes, Audio System ________ 112
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ______ 257
Expansion tank, coolant
__________ 198
FFilling a portable fuel container
_____ 150
Flat spots, tires
_________________ 227
Fluid level, automatic transmission
__ 198
Folding the parcel shelf,
9-5 SportCombi
________________ 134
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Sedan
___ 130
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 SportCombi
133
Frequency band
_________________ 93
Frequently asked questions on airbag

40
Front fog lights
__________________ 76
Frost warning
___________________ 68
Fuel
__________________________ 148
Fuel consumption
________________ 68
Fuel container
__________________ 150Fuel gauge
_____________________ 65
Fuel grade _____________________ 262
Fuel information
_________________ 150
Fuse box under hood
____________ 223
Fuse panel
_____________________ 219
Fuses
_________________________ 219
GGarage door opener
_____________ 118
Gearbox number
________________ 270
Gearbox oil, checking
____________ 198
Gearbox, technical data, __________ 266
General functions
_______________ 105
Glove compartment ______________ 127
HHandbrake
_____________________ 167
Hazard warning lights
_____________ 76
Head restraint
___________________ 21
Headlight flasher _________________ 73
Headlights
______________________ 73
Heated front seats
________________ 87
Hood
_________________________ 192
Horn __________________________ 114
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