2008 SAAB 9-5 brakes

197 Car care and technical information
Use only new brake fluid from a sealed
container.
Check that there are no leaks in the brake
system.
The brake fluid level will fall somewhat as
the brake pads wear. The MAX level in the
reservoir corresponds to the amount of
brake fluid required with new brake pads. If
the fall in fluid level is moderate, due to
normal brake pad wear, topping up is not
necessary.
Changing of the brake fluid should be
carried out by a workshop. We recom-
mend that you contact an authorized
Saab dealer.
The vehicle´s regular braking system is
adjusted automatically, but the parking
brake has to be adjusted manually. This
work, involving adjustment of the parking
brake cables and brake pads, must only be
carried out by a workshop. We recommend
that you contact an authorized Saab dealer.It is not possible to detect, through abnormal
pedal or parking brake-lever travel, whether
brake pads are worn and need replacing. It
is therefore essential that brake pads be
checked regularly, as specified in the
service program.
Brake pad wear indicators The outboard brake pads on the front
wheels incorporate pad-wear indicators.
When the lining is down to 0.11 in (3 mm),
the pad will produce a screeching, squeal-
ing or scraping noise when the brakes are
applied. New pads should be fitted without
delay.
Brake pads should only be changed by a
workshop. We recommend that you con-
tact an authorized Saab dealer.
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.
IB1188
Brake and clutch-fluid reservoir
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228 Car care and technical informationTire Chains
Notice: If your vehicle does not have
225/45R17 alt. 235/45 R17 size tires, use
tire chains only where legal and only
when you must. Contact your Saab
dealer regarding suitable snow chains.
Install them on the front tires and tighten
them as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and
follow the chain manufacturer’s instruc-
tions. If you can hear the chains contact-
ing your vehicle, stop and retighten
them. If the contact continues, slow
down until it stops. Driving too fast or
spinning the wheels with chains on will
damage your vehicle.If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow-out” while
you’re driving, especially if you maintain
your tires properly. If air goes out of a tire,
it’s much more likely to leak out slowly. But
if you should ever have a “blow-out”, here
are a few tips about what to expect and what
to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a
drag that pulls the vehicle toward that side.
Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and
grip the steering wheel firmly. Steer to main-
tain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blow-out, particularly on a curve, acts
much like a skid and may require the same
correction you’d use in a skid. In any rear
blowout, remove your foot from the acceler-
ator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go.
It may be very bumpy and noisy, but you can
still steer. Gently brake to a stop – well off
the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to
use your jacking equipment to change a flat
tire safely.
WARNING
If your vehicle has 225/45 R17 alt. 235/45
R17 size tires, don’t use tire chains,
there’s not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can cause
damage to the brakes, suspension or
other vehicle parts. The area damaged by
the tire chains could cause you to lose
control of your vehicle and you or others
may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if
its manufacturer recommends it for use
on your vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that manu-
facturer’s instructions. To help avoid
damage to your vehicle, drive slowly,
readjust or remove the device if it’s con-
tacting your vehicle, and don’t spin your
wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will fit,
install them on the front tires.95_US_M08.book Page 228 Friday, May 11, 2007 1:06 PM
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231 Car care and technical information
Loading Your VehicleThis is an example of what your vehicle´s
Tire-Loading Information/Certification label
might look like. It is located on the B-pillar
and shows how much weight your vehicle
may properly carry. The label tells you the
proper size, and recommended inflation
pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It
also gives you important information about
the number of people that can be in your
vehicle and the total weight that you can
carry. This weight is called the Vehicle
Capacity Weight, and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo and all nonfac-
tory-installed options.
Tire Terminology and DefinitionsAir Pressure: The amount of air inside the
tire pressing outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds
per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight: This means the com-
bined weight of optional accessories, for
example, automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power windows,
power seats, radio and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio: The relationship of a tire´s
height to its width.
Belt: A rubber coated layer of cords that is
located between the plies and the tread.
Cords may be made from steel or other rein-
forcing materials.
Bias Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in which the
ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at
alternate angles substantially less than 90
degrees to the centerline of the tread.
Cold Inflation Pressure: The amount of air
pressure in a tire, measured in pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa), before
a tire have built up heat from driving. See
“Inflation - Tire Pressure” on page 222.
Curb weight: This means the weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and optional
equipment including the maximum capacity
of fuel, oil and coolant, without passengers
and cargo.DOT Markings: A code molded into the
sidewall of a tire signifying that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S. Department of
Transportation motor vehicle safety stan-
dards. The DOT code includes the Tire
Identification Number (TIN), an alphanu-
meric designator which can also identify the
tire manufacturer, production plant, brand
and date of production.
GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see
page 260.
GAWR FRT: Gross Axle Weight Rating for
the front axle, see page 260.
GAWR RR: Gross Axle Weight Rating for
the rear axle, see page 260.
Intended Outboard Sidewall: The side of
an asymmetrical tire that must always face
outward when mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa): The metric unit for air
pressure. There are 6.9 kPa to one psi.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire: A tire used
on light duty trucks and some multipurpose
passenger vehicles.
Load Index: An assigned number ranging
from 1 to 279 that corresponds to the load
carrying capacity of a tire. This label can only be found on vehicles
sold in the U.S.
Vehicles sold in Canada have the tire
information label in the glovebox, see
page 270.
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244 Car care and technical informationWashing the carWash your car frequently. To facilitate
cleaning, a suitable detergent can be added
to the water, which should be lukewarm.
Saab offers a full line of car care products,
including car wash, for the care of your vehi-
cle. See your dealer for available products
or visit www.saabcatalog.com (U.S. resi-
dents only).
Do not use a pressure washer at close
range on stone chip damage, scratches or
other damage to the paintwork. The paint
can otherwise start to flake.
Remove any bird droppings without delay,
as these can discolor the paintwork and
prove difficult to polish out.
Use a soft cloth moistened with methyl alco-
hol to remove splashes of tar or asphalt. Do
not use strong cleaners, as these can dry
out the paintwork.
The underside of the car also needs wash-
ing regularly, and this should be done extra
thoroughly at the end of winter. Clean the
underside of the car by hand if the car is
usually washed in an automatic car wash
without special facilities for underbody
cleaning.
Never wash or leave the car to dry in the
sun, but wipe it dry with a chamois leather
immediately after washing to avoid smears
and streaks.
Clean the window glass inside and out using
a high quality window cleaner. This is partic-
ularly important when the car is new, as
upholstery and trim have a tendency to
sweat a little at first.
Keep the glass well cleaned, as this helps to
prevent misting.

NOTEAvoid using any alcohol-based cleaners
on the front and rear light clusters, as
these can cause cracking of the lenses.
NOTEThe door mirrors must be fully
retracted before the car enters an
automatic car wash.
Remove fixed antennas, e.g. for
mobile phone, before putting car
through an automatic car wash.
Try your brakes on leaving a car wash.
Wet brake discs may reduce the per-
formance of the brakes.
Cars with Saab Parking Assistance:
Do not spray the sensors or closer
than 8 in. (20 cm) to the sensors with
a pressure washer, as this can
damage them.
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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
condition.
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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261 Specifications
Trailer
Luggage compartment
Volume (SAE):
9-5 Sedan _______________________ 15.9 cu.ft.
(450 litres)
9-5 SportCombi, rear seat upright ____ 31.4 cu. ft.
(890 litres)
9-5 SportCombi, rear seat folded _____ 73.0 cu. ft.
(2067 litres)
Luggage compartment, length, 9-5 Sedan:
Rear seat upright _________________ 43.0 in (1092 mm)
Rear seat folded down _____________ 67.5 in (1714 mm)
Luggage compartment, length,
9-5 SportCombi:
Rear seat upright _________________ 42.8 in (1087 mm)
Rear seat folded __________________ 68.2 in (1732 mm)
WARNING
The GVW and maximum axle loads must not be exceeded.
Note that if some accessories (e.g. towbar, CD changer) are
fitted, the available load capacity is reduced by the weight of
these.
When carrying a load in the luggage compartment, make sure
that it is tied down securely, particularly when part or all of the
rear seat is folded down.
Maximum towing speed:
Trailer with brakes _________________ 60 mph (100 km/h)
Trailer without brakes _______________ Local restrictions
apply
Maximum weight:
Trailer with brakes _________________ 3500 lbs (1588 kg)
Trailer without brakes ______________ 1000 lbs (450 kg)
Maximum load on ball hitch __________ 110–165 lbs
(50–75 kg)
The above speed and weight restrictions are those specified by
Saab Automobile AB.
Note that local restrictions may apply to trailer speeds and weights
(see page 174).
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267 Specifications
Suspension
Steering Brake system Spring type, front and rear ___________ Coil springs
Maximum deflection of springs:
Front __________________________ 7.09 in (180 mm)
Rear ___________________________ 7.87 in (200 mm)
Dampers:
Front __________________________ Gas-filled
Rear ___________________________ Oil and gas filled
Steering _________________________ Power-assisted
steering of
rack-and-pinion
type; telescopic
steering-column
shaft with universal
joints
Number of turns, lock to lock __________ 2.9
Power-steering fluid ________________ Power-steering fluid
CHF 11S or
CHF 202Footbrake (ABS) ____________________ Hydraulic, dual-
circuit brake sys-
tem. Diagonally
split circuit with vac-
uum servo unit.
Disc brakes front
and rear. EBD, see
page 160.
Parkingbrake _______________________ Acts on rear wheels
Brake fluid _________________________ DOT 4
Brake-fluid capacity _________________ 0.951 qts (900 ml)
Disc diameter:
Front, ventilated ___________________ 12.05 in (308 mm)
Rear, solid _______________________ 11.26 in (286 mm)
Total friction area of brake pads:
Front ___________________________ 36.3 in
2 (234 cm
2)
Rear ___________________________ 15.5 in
2 (100 cm
2)
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273 Index
Index
AA/C system, fault diagnosis
_______ 247
A/C system, maintenance
_________ 246
ABS brakes
____________________ 160
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
_____________________ 201
Alternator drive belt
__________ 201
, 267
Alternator rating
________________ 267
Antennas
______________________ 109
Anticorrosion treatment
___________ 248
Antidazzle rear-view mirror
________ 121
Anti-skid
______________________ 163
Autochecking of lights on starting
____ 64Auto-dimming rear-view mirror with
garage door opener
____________ 118
Automatic climate control (ACC)
_____ 79
Automatic transmission, technical
data
_________________________ 268
Aviod theft, tip
__________________ 166
Battery
________________________ 199
BBattery
________________________ 199
Battery charging/replacing
________ 200
Battery, boost starting
____________ 186
Before a long journey ____________ 249
Before towing a camper or trailer
___ 177
Belt guide
______________________ 12
Boost starting using jump leads
____ 186
Brake and clutch fluid
____________ 196
Brake-fluid reservoir
_____________ 196
Brakes, technical data ____________ 269
Bulbs, changing
________________ 204
Bulbs, table of
__________________ 215
Buying new tires ________________ 225
Car alarm
______________________ 50
CCar care
______________________ 189
Cargo net, 9-5 SportCombi
________ 137
Carpeting, care of
_______________ 243Catalytic converter, important
considerations
_________________ 145
CD changer
____________________ 100
CHECK messages
_______________ 71
CHECKING
_____________________ 71
Central locking ___________________ 44
Change language in SID
___________ 72
Change of address notification
_____ 258
Changing a wheel
_______________ 239
Changing bulbs
_________________ 204
Changing wiper blades
___________ 202
Charge mobile phone
____________ 126
Charger/Jump starting ____________ 188
Charging the battery/Jump starting
__ 188
Chassis number
________________ 272
Chassis number, key to
___________ 273
Checks before towing a camper or
trailer
________________________ 177
Child safety
_____________________ 22
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 47
Cleaning, engine bay
_____________ 245
Clock
_________________________ 105
Color code, body
________________ 272
Color code, trim _________________ 272
Compact spare wheel
____________ 237
Compass
______________________ 122
Condensation water, ACC
__________ 86
Connecting a portable player ______ 104
Coolant
_______________________ 195
Courtesy Headlight Feature
________ 74
Crash memory, see EDR
_________ 259
Cross modulation
_______________ 110
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