209 Car care
Air 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.
CoolantThere is an overpressure in the cooling sys-
tem. Coolant temperatures can sometimes
exceed 212° F (100° C).
If 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.
Coolants of a different brand could damage
the engine or cooling system. We therefore
recommend strict use of coolants that have
been approved by Saab.
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.
93_U S _M 07.book Page 209 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com
212 Car carePower 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
93_U S _M 07.book Page 212 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com
260 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
layer of grease93_U S _M 07.book Page 260 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com
263 Car care
When the soft top is only slightly soiled,
follow the directions on the cleaning agent
packaging. No brushing is necessary.
Check the soft top for water penetration
from time to time by spraying a small
amount of water on it. If water does not form
droplets but disappear into the material, it is
recommended to wash normally and then
waterproof.
If the soft top is heavily soiled and normal
recommended cleaning does not produce a
noticeable improvement, carry out the follo-
wing.
The following cleaning method must be only
used if the soft top is heavily soiled and must
not be carried out more than twice a year.
1 Stop normal cleaning.
2 Rinse off the thick dirt thoroughly with
water.
3 Spray the newly rinsed soft top with the
recommended cleaning agent and allow
it to work in for 15-20 minutes.4 Move the washing brush backwards and
forwards, not diagonally, from side to
side or in circles. Use a soft brush, like a
clothes brush or a micro fibre cloth so
that the cleaning agent foams. Never
use a wire brush.
5 Then rinse the soft top with warm water
and brush using a soft brush in the direc-
tion of the vehicle until all foam has
disappeared. Brush carefully to prevent
damaging the material.
6 Dry the soft top using a clean chamois
leather or a cloth that does not leave lint
on the soft top.
7 Allow the soft top to dry fully. Touch with
a hand after a while, if the material feels
damp, allow it to dry for longer. Never use petrochemical based
solvents for cleaning. Only use water
with a recommended cleaning agent.
Petrochemical based solvents can
cause irreparable damage to the soft
top.
Never use a pressure washer to clean
the soft top. Only use normal house-
hold water pressure.
NOTICE Only operate the soft top when it is
clean and dry.
Do not lower the soft top when it is
damp. This can cause folds and pres-
sure marks. If the soft top is heavily
soiled, the dirt may cause irreparable
visible chafe marks.
Only use water, recommended clea-
ning agents and a microfibre cloth if
the soft top is already damaged, other-
wise the damage can become worse.
At creases, seams and window edges
the cleaning motion should be away
from the crease, seam or window
edge in to the soft top.
WARNING
Water hotter than 37 °C can burn the skin,
cause skin irritation and/or cause injuries.
Use suitable protection.
93_U S _M 07.book Page 263 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com
269 Car care
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.To check the aim, the vehicle should be
properly prepared as follows:
The vehicle shall be placed so that the
headlights are 25 ft (7.6 m) from a light
colored wall or other flat surface. The
aiming area should be darkened, this will
improve your ability to see the beam of the
low beam headlight being aimed.
An optical headlamp aimer can also be
used and will than replace the wall.
The vehicle must have all four wheels on
a perfectly level surface which is level all
the way to the wall or other flat surface.
The vehicle should be placed so it is per-
pendicular to the wall or other flat surface.
The vehicle should be unloaded and fuel
tank full, and one person or 160 lbs.
(75 kg) on the drivers seat.
The vehicle should be fully assembled
and all other work stopped while headlight
aiming is being done.
The vehicle should not have any snow,
ice or mud attached to it.
Tires should be inflated to the prescribed
pressure.
Close all doors.
Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspen-
sion.
Headlight aiming is done with the vehicle
low beam lamps. The high beam lamps will
be correctly aimed if the low beam lamps
are aimed properly.
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.
93_U S _M 07.book Page 269 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com
300 IndexDetermining correct load, tires
_____ 255
Direction indicator stalk switch _____ 101
Direction indicators
______________ 101
Dome light, Convertible
__________ 232
Dome light, Sport Sedan __________ 231
Donor battery, boost starting
______ 200
Door handles
___________________ 50
Door mirrors
___________________ 124
Drive belt
______________________ 218
Drive belt, length
________________ 287
Driver’s seat with memory
_________ 21
Driving at night
_________________ 197
Driving in cold climates
___________ 187
Driving in deep water
____________ 196
Driving in hot climates ____________ 189
Driving techniques
______________ 185
Driving with a compact wheel fitted
_ 257
Driving with a heavy load on hilly
roads
________________________ 167
Driving with a load
______________ 196
Driving with a roof load ___________ 194
Driving with the trunk lid open
______ 196
EEDR (Event Data Recorders)
______ 278
ESP, anti-skid system
____________ 177
Easy entry, Convertible ____________ 75
Economical motoring
____________ 185
Electric engine heater ____________ 186
Electric heating, front seats
_______ 114
Electric windows
________________ 121Electric windows, Convertible
_______ 79
Electrical system, technical data ____ 286
Electrically adjustable seats
________ 20
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
__ 177
Electronic steering wheel lock
______ 154
Emergency opening of the narrow
backrest, Sport Sedan
__________ 142
Emergency operation of the
moonroof
_____________________ 132
Engine bay, cleaning
_____________ 263
Engine heater
__________________ 186
Engine immobilizer
_______________ 57
Engine management system
______ 205
Engine number
_________________ 293
Engine oil, checking
_____________ 209
Engine oil, grade
________________ 284
Engine oil, volume _______________ 285
Engine temperature gauge
_________ 90
Engine, description
______________ 204
Engine, technical data ____________ 283
Engines
_______________________ 286
Event Data Recorders (EDR)
______ 278
Extra electrical socket
____________ 136
FFacilitating entry to rear seat,
Convertible
____________________ 75
Factors affecting fuel consumption
__ 185
Filler cap
______________________ 160
Filling a portable fuel container
_____ 161
Filling up
______________________ 159Flat spots, tires
_________________ 245
Floor jack
______________________ 260
Folding down the rear seat
backrest, SportCombi
___________ 143
Folding down the rear seat,
Sport Sedan
__________________ 138
Front fog lights __________________ 101
Front towing eye ________________ 197
Fuel container
__________________ 161
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 91
Fuel grade _____________________ 285
Fuel information
_________________ 161
Functions, car alarm
______________ 60
Fuse panel in luggage compartment
_ 239
Fuse table
_____________________ 238
Fuses
_________________________ 236
GGDO, garage door opener
_________ 126
Gearbox number
________________ 293
General safety instructions,
Convertible
____________________ 64
Glove box
_____________________ 136
Glovebox lighting
________________ 233
HHandbrake
_____________________ 179
Hazard warning lights
____________ 102
Head restraint, Convertible
_________ 76
Head restraints
__________________ 23
93_U S _M 07.book Page 300 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com
303 Index
Speedometer
___________________ 89
Starting the engine
______________ 154
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 120
Steering wheel lock
______________ 154
Steps for determining correct load
limit
_________________________ 255
Storage compartments
___________ 136
Sun visor
______________________ 134
Switches _______________________ 99
TTCS
__________________________ 175
Technical data
_________________ 280
Textile carpeting, cleaning
________ 263
Tie down eyes, Sport Sedan _______ 141
Tie down eyes, SportCombi _______ 146
Tightening torque, wheels
_________ 261
Tire chains
____________________ 250
Tire date code __________________ 256
Tire inspection and rotation
_______ 244
Tire markings
__________________ 252
Tire sidewall labeling
____________ 251
Tire sizes
_____________________ 290
Tire terminology and definitions
____ 253
Tire, changing
__________________ 259
Tire, spare
_____________________ 256
Tires
_________________________ 243
Tools and spare wheel
___________ 256
Touching up paintwork ___________ 266
Towbar
_______________________ 190
Towbar load
___________________ 192Towing
_______________________ 197
Towing a trailer
_________________ 190
Towing the car _________________ 198
Traction Control System (TCS)
_____ 175
Transmission oil, checking
________ 211
Transmission oil, grade
___________ 287
Transmission, automatic __________ 165
Transmission, manual
____________ 164
Transporting the car
_____________ 199
Treadwear indicators ____________ 246
Trip computer
___________________ 92
Trip meter
______________________ 92
Troubleshooting, A/C and ACC
_____ 269
Trunk lid, driving when open
_______ 196
Trunk lid, opening
________________ 53
Turbo gauge
____________________ 90
UUniform tire quality grading
________ 247
Upholstery care
_________________ 262
Upholstery, cleaning
_____________ 262
Useful tips on night driving
________ 197
Useful tips on starting
____________ 155
VVanity mirror
___________________ 134
Vehicle Data Collection
___________ 278
Vehicle identification number
______ 293
Vehicle recovery
________________ 199
WWarning labels
____________________ 8
Warning lights ___________________ 84
Warning triangle ________________ 102
Warnings and messages on SID,
Convertible
____________________ 73
Washer fluid ___________________ 219
Washer jets
____________________ 220
Washers
______________________ 103
Washing ______________________ 263
Washing a Convertible
___________ 264
Waxing and polishing
____________ 266
Wear indicators, tires _____________ 246
What Will You See After an Airbag
Inflates?
______________________ 43
Wheel replacement
______________ 249
Wheels and tires, sizes ___________ 290
When it is time for new tires
_______ 245
Windshield washers
_____________ 103
Windshield wipers
_______________ 103
Wing mirrors
___________________ 124
Winter driving __________________ 187
Winter tires
____________________ 256
Wiper blades ___________________ 219
Wipers
________________________ 103
XXenon headlights
________________ 222
Xenon headlights, head light levelling
_99
93_U S _M 07.book Page 303 W ednesday, April 12, 2006 9:30 AM
ProCarManuals.com