2008 SAAB 9-3 oil level

210 Car careEngine 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).4-cyl engine: 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:
If this occurs the oil level must be checked
first. If the level is too low then it must be
topped up.V6 engine: 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:
If this occurs the oil level must be checked
first. If the level is too low then it must be
topped up.NOTEToo 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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211 Car care
Make 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.
Air filter
NOTEChange of engine oil and oil filter may be
required more frequently if the car is
being used under certain conditions, see
page 281.
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 dis-
pose of oil into the ground or down a
drain. Dispose of all used oil and
oil filters at an appropriate disposal
facility.
NOTEDo not run the engine with the oil level
too low.
Change engine oil and oil filter in
accordance with the service pro-
gramme
Only use the recommended type of oil.
Observe the above three points to avoid
serious damage to the engine.
For oil volumes and grades, refer to
page 290.
WARNING
To ensure reliable operation, only use
an air filter recommended by Saab
Automobile AB.
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212 Car careTransmission 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.Coolant
There is an overpressure in the cooling
system. Coolant temperatures can some-
times 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
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.
NOTEIf 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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215 Car care
Brake pads should only be changed at a
workshop. We recommend that you con-
tact a Saab dealer.
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.
NOTEAvoid spilling brake fluid onto paintwork,
since it can cause the paint to bubble and
lift. If any brake fluid is spilled, the area
should be flushed with large quantities of
water as quickly as possible.
WARNING
Power steering fluid on hot engine com-
ponents constitutes a fire risk.
Power steering fluid reservoir, 4-cyl
enginePower steering fluid reservoir, V6 engine
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275 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
perpendicular 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
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.NOTETo 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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300 Technical dataWarning and indications that can
be shown on the SIDWhich warnings and indications that can be
shown depends on engine variant and car
specification.
Symbol Text
Antilock brake malfunc.
Contact service.
Brake malfunction.
Make a safe stop.
Brake fluid level low.
Make a safe stop.
Release park brake.
Oil pressure low.
Make a safe stop.
Low engine oil level.
Fill oil now.
Reduced engine power.
Contact service.
Limited performance.
Coolant level low.
Refill.
Hot engine. Make a
safe stop. Idle engine.
Airbag malfunction.
Contact service.
Gearbox too hot. Make a
safe stop. Open hood.
Battery not charging.
Make a safe stop.
Headlight levelling
malfunction.
Cornering headlights
malfunction
Tap brakes lightly
before using cruise ctrl.
Traction control failure.
Contact service.
Stability control failure.
Contact service.
Turn on the lights.
Washer fluid level low.
Refill.
Rain sensor malfunc.
Contact service.
Key not accepted.
Contact service.
Remote control battery
low. Replace battery.
Number of keys:
Active key number:
Steering lock malfunc.
Make a safe stop.
Pull out key, turn
steering wheel. Restart.
Theft protection failure.
Contact service.
Alarm tripped during
last arming period.
Rear left seat
backrest unlocked.
Rear right seat
backrest unlocked.
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305 Index
Head restraint, Convertible
_________ 74
Head restraints
__________________ 23
Headlight flasher _________________ 99
Headlight levelling ________________ 98
Headlights
______________________ 98
Hood
_________________________ 204
Horn _________________________ 120
Horn button
____________________ 120
IIf a tire goes flat
________________ 251
Ignition switch
__________________ 152
Immobilizer
_____________________ 55
Important considerations for driving
_156
Important information, petrol-engined
cars with catalytic converters
_____ 157
Indicator lights
___________________ 82
Inflation, tires __________________ 244
Information about fuel
____________ 161
Instrument illumination, adjusting
___ 100
Interior lighting, Convertible
________ 78
Interior lighting, SportSedan and
SportCombi
___________________ 133
Interior rearview mirror
___________ 125
Intermittent malfunctioning, central
locking
_______________________ 50
JJump starting
__________________ 200
KKey
___________________________ 48
Kick-down
_____________________ 167
Kurvljusstrålkastare
_______________ 99
LLabeling, tire sidewall
____________ 252
Labels and plates, location
________ 299
Lashing eyes, SportCombi ________ 146
Lashing eyes, SportSedan ________ 141
Laying the car up
_______________ 181
LATCH (child safety) ______________ 25
Leather upholstery, cleaning
_______ 267
Lighting in luggage compartment,
Convertible
____________________ 79
Limp-home
____________________ 157
Limp-home, automatic transmission
_168
Load carriers, roof
_______________ 194
Load indices, tires _______________ 253
Loading your vehicle _____________ 254
Load-through hatch, SportCombi
___ 145
Load-through hatch, SportSedan ___ 140
Locking a car with flat battery
_______ 51
Locks
__________________________ 48
Long-term parking
_______________ 181
Luggage compartment
___________ 138
Luggage compartment lighting,
Convertible
____________________ 79Luggage compartment lighting,
SportSedan
_______________ 134
, 142
Luggage compartment lighting,
changing
_____________________ 234
MMain instrument panel
_____________ 82
Main/dipped beam
________________ 99
Maintenance schedule
___________ 280
Manual gear selection ____________ 170
Manual gearbox
_________________ 164
Manual tripping of car alarm
________ 58
Materials used in the car, reclamation
273
MAXI fuses
____________________ 238
Memory, driver’s seat
_____________ 21
Messages on SID, Convertible
______ 71
Milometer
_______________________ 90
Moonroof ______________________ 130
Mug holder ____________________ 134
NNew tires, buying
________________ 247
Night driving
___________________ 197
Number plate lighting, changing
____ 233
OORVR
________________________ 207
Oil capacity, engine
______________ 291
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