2006 SAAB 9-5 checking oil

64 Instruments and controlsAutochecking of lights,
main instrument panel The above warning and indicator lights
should come on when the ignition is
switched on prior to starting. They should go
out after about 3 seconds.
The following lights light up until the engine
is started, presuming that no fault exists:
 Oil pressure warning light .
 Warning, charging .
InstrumentsTachometerThe tachometer indicates the engine speed
in thousands of revolutions per minute. The
needle may be allowed to enter the broken
red zone on the dial only for an instant.
A safety cut-out function (in the fuel system)
prevents the engine speed from exceeding
approximately 6,000 rpm.
Odometer and trip meter The odometer records the distance traveled
in miles on U.S. vehicles and on Canadian
vehicles the distance indicated is in kilome-
tres, and the trip meter in miles and tenths
(kilometres and tenths of kilometres on
Canadian vehicles). Reset button The reset button has two functions, deter-
mined by whether the ignition is ON or OFF.
 When the ignition is ON, pressing the
button will reset the trip meter.
 When the ignition is OFF, the display
lights up enabling you to read the odome-
ter and trip meter. Pressing the button a
second time will reset the trip meter.
IB3947
1 Cars with automatic transmission
IB3847
IB4157
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196 Car care and technical informationEngineThe 2.3-liter model is a transverse, 4-cylin-
der in-line engine with twin overhead cam-
shafts and 4 valves per cylinder.
This engine is equipped with balance shafts
that reduce engine vibration to a minimum.
The balance shafts are chain driven and
rotate at twice the speed of the crankshaft.
They produce forces and torques that are
opposed to those generated by the pistons
and connecting rods, an effect that occurs
twice for each revolution of the engine.
Engine noise is also reduced as the
counter-rotating shafts counteract the vibra-
tion from the moving parts of the engine.
The transmission, located on the right
(viewed from the front), is integrated with
the engine. All models have front-wheel
drive.
Engine oilChecking the oil level Check the engine-oil level regularly. This
should be done after the engine has been
run to normal temperature and then allowed
to cool for 2–5 minutes, with the car stand-
ing on level ground. Remove the dipstick
and wipe it clean before checking the level.
The oil level must not be allowed to drop
below the MIN mark on the dipstick, nor
should oil be filled beyond the MAX mark, as
this can lead to excessive oil consumption.
The distance between the MIN and MAX
marks on the dipstick corresponds to a
volume of approximately 1.05 qts (1 liter).When necessary, add oil of the recom-
mended grade via the dipstick tube.
Recommended oil grade, see page 263.
NOTICE Do not operate the engine with a low
oil level.
 Change engine oil and oil filter as pre-
scribed in the service programme.
 Only use the recommended oil type.
Follow the three points listed above to
avoid severe engine damage.
More frequent oil changes are recom-
mended if your vehicle is operated under
certain conditions, see page 254.
IB601
Balance shafts
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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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201 Car care and technical information
Power steering fluidCheck the level of the power steering fluid in
the reservoir regularly, in accordance with
the service program.
The wheels should point forward during the
check.
Clean around the cap before it is
unscrewed. Clean the dipstick. Screw in the
cap completely again before checking the
level.
The oil should lie between the MAX and MIN
marks when the oil temperature is about
70°F (+20°C). If the oil is colder the level can
be lower, and in higher temperatures the
level can be higher, both of which are
acceptable.
Top up with ”Power Steering Fluid CHF 11S
or CHF 202”.
Air filter
WARNING
 Do not fill the power steering fluid to
above the MAX mark. Too much fluid
can result in leakage.
 Power steering fluid on hot engine
components constitutes a fire risk.
WARNING
 For Service and Repair, parts equiva-
lent to those used by Saab should be
used.
 Be aware that some non standard
replacement parts may put you in an
unsafe condition, even if they might fit.
IB501
Power steering fluid reservoir
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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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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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