5
Interior
IB3832
Rearview mirrors ______________ 116
Door mirrors __________________ 116
Sun visors ___________________ 125
Safety belts ____________ 12
Airbag _________________ 29
Child safety ____________ 22
Child safety locks ________ 47
Safety belts, maintenance _ 242Glove compartment ______ 126Manual transmission3___ 150
Automatic transmission3_ 151
Electric windows ______________ 115
Ignition switch ________________ 140
Starting the engine ____________ 141
Engine Break-In Period _________ 150
Driving in hot weather __________ 173
Driving in cold weather _________ 172
Parking _____________________ 165
Steering wheel adjustment _ 114
Airbag _________________ 29
Power steering fluid _______ 198
Steering wheel controls3__ 91
Sentronic, manual mode 3_ 156Seats __________________ 18
Heated front seats3______ 87
Head restraint3_________ 21
Safety belts _____________ 12
Child safety _____________ 22
Folding the rear seat,
9-5 Sedan _____________ 129
Folding the rear seat,
9-5 SportCombi _________ 132
Upholstery and trim _______ 243
Side airbags ____________ 36
Interior lighting ________________ 124
Moonroof3__________________ 123
Dome light, front ______________ 214
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6Engine compartment
IB3636
Engine ______________________ 194
Checking the oil level ___________ 194
Engine oil, specification _________ 263
Braking______________________ 160
ABS brakes __________________ 161
Brake and clutch fluid ___________ 196
Brake system _________________ 267
Brake pads ___________________ 267
Fuses _________________ 216
Changing a fuse _________ 218
Relays ________________ 220
Table of fuses ___________ 216Temperature gauge ______ 65
Driving in hot weather_____ 173
Driving in cold weather ____ 172
Coolant _______________ 195
Coolant capacity_________ 262
Power steering fluid _______ 198
Steering, technical data ___ 267
Wipers and washers ______ 77
Washers _______________ 203
Washer jets ____________ 203
Jump starting _________________ 186
Battery ______________________ 199
Charging/replacing the battery____ 200
Manual transmission3_________ 150
Automatic transmission3_______ 151
Automatic transmission,
technical data ________________ 266
Manual gearbox, technical data ___ 266
Important considerations for driving 144
Turbo unit ___________________ 191
Engine, technical data __________ 262Ignition switch ___________ 140
Drive belts ______________ 201
Spark plugs _____________ 265
Catalytic converter _______ 145Warning labels __________ 7
V.I.N. number ___________ 270
Engine number __________ 270
Gearbox number _________ 270
Color code______________ 270
Tire and Loading Information
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154 Starting and drivingIf ”Automatic transmission3, fault indicator”
light 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 174).
Automatic transmission3
33 3,
fault indicator
Position R D M L
Gear Reverse 5th 5th 2nd
NOTEIf 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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155 Starting and driving
Driving on hilly roads with a
heavy loadThe transmission fluid can overheat when
the gearbox is strained, for example, when
driving with a trailer on hilly roads. To avoid
the transmission fluid overheating, always
drive in Normal mode. The adaptive gear
change patterns are then active.
High air temperatures or a faulty oil cooler
can also cause the transmission fluid to
overheat. Overheating reduces the service
life of the fluid. Contact an authorized Saab
dealer (see also page 174).
Towing Towing of cars with automatic transmission,
see page 183.
Descending hillsIf the speed of the car increases while
descending a steep hill, despite the acceler-
ator being released, the control module will
change down a gear when you brake. If you
desire more powerful engine braking, man-
ually select a lower gear.
WARNING
Remember to use engine-braking (selec-
tor position D or L) to spare the brakes
when you are driving on a long or steep
downhill slope.
Brake failure can result from overheated
brakes!
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176 Starting and drivingWhen negotiating long hills, bear the follow-
ing important considerations in mind:
Use Normal mode when driving with a
caravan or trailer on hilly roads. The adap-
tive gear change pattern function will
prevent the transmission overheating.
Rises in coolant temperature are indi-
cated by the temperature gauge in the
main instrument panel.Recommendations for cars with
automatic transmission
Rises in coolant temperature are indicated
by the temperature gauge in the main instru-
ment panel.
The following steps are taken in order as the
temperature of the engine increases:
Gear change pattern is altered.
A/C compressor is switched off.
Engine torque is reduced.
The following message will be displayed on
the SID if the transmission fluid becomes
too hot:
“Gearbox too hot.
Make a safe stop.
If this message appears, stop the car as
soon as it is safe to do so and allow the
engine to idle until the message has gone
out. The selector lever should be in
position P.When continuing your journey, select
manual mode and a gear in which the
engine speed is about 3,000 rpm until the
incline eases (see page 157).
WARNING
Remember to use the braking effect of the
engine (position D or L) when you are
descending long or steep hills to spare
the brakes.
Brake failure can result from overheated
brakes!
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189 Car care and technical information
IB3888
Hood ________________ 190
Engine compartment __ 191
Emission control
systems ____________ 192
Engine ______________ 194
Engine oil ____________ 194
Transmission fluid ____ 195
Coolant ______________ 195
Brake and clutch fluid__ 196
Power steering fluid ___ 198
Air filter _____________ 198
Battery ______________ 199
Drive belts ___________ 201
Wipers and washers ___ 202
Changing bulbs _______ 204
Fuses _______________ 216 Tires ________________ 222
Automatic tire pressure
monitoring system ___ 234
Compact spare tire ____ 237
Safety belts __________ 242
Upholstery and trim ___ 243
Textile carpeting ______ 243
Washing the car ______ 244
Waxing and polishing __ 245
Engine compartment __ 245
Touching up the paint _ 245
Air conditioning (ACC) _ 246
Anti-corrosion treatment 248
For long trips _________ 249
Recovery and/or
recycling of automotive
materials ___________ 250
Headlight aiming ______ 250
Car care and technical information
3 Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars
(can depend on model variant, engine variant,
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195 Car care and technical information
Transmission 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 There is an overpressure in the cooling sys-
tem. Coolant temperatures can sometimes
exceed 212°F (100 °C).
The expansion tank is transparent to facili-
tate checking of the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant shall lie
on or just above 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.
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.
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 coolant.
Coolant on hot surfaces constitutes a
fire risk.
IB1338
Coolant expansion tank
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255 Customer Assistance and Information
Service record retentionIt is the owner´s responsibility to retain ser-
vice records. If possible, you should keep
copies of all shop work orders for all service
and repairs, whenever performed. As indi-
cated in the new car and emission control
system warranties, it is important to docu-
ment that all necessary maintenance has
been done.HOW THE SERVICE RECORD IS
ORGANIZEDThe service record is comprised of a series
of coupons on which to record services as
they are performed. There are additional
coupons for documenting extra engine oil
and filter changes, extra automatic trans-
mission fluid services necessary for severe
service conditions, and brake fluid changes.HOW TO USE THE SERVICE
RECORD COUPONSWhen the car is brought to a Saab dealer for
scheduled maintenance, present the Saab
Warranty and Service Record Booklet to the
service manager. When the technician has
completed the service, the technician will
sign the maintenance record. The person
responsible for quality assurance at the
dealership will also sign and stamp the
record with the dealer identification stamp.
Service costsDealer pricing practices and labor for ser-
vice work vary. Saab’s recommended ser-
vice times for each service point do not
include the labor required to replace wear
items, such as wiper blades, brake pads or
tires. Nor is labor to perform other service or
repairs found to be necessary as a result of
the inspections included in these times.
Additional labor and parts will be charged
for such work when necessary, except as
covered under an applicable Saab warranty
or any optional extended service contract.
Transmission fluid changes or suspension
alignment, when necessary, are also addi-
tional.
Dealer charges for general shop material,
regulated hazardous waste removal, recy-
cling expenses or other operation costs may
also be applied to service and repair
invoices and are apt to vary by dealer and
location.
Owner assistanceWarranties and service problem
assistanceFor complete information about all applica-
ble warranties, including the New Car War-
ranty, Perforation Warranty, Vehicle Emis-
sion Warranty and Emission Perforation
Warranty, consult the Warranties and Ser-
vice Record Booklet which accompanies
this Owner’s Manual. It also contains owner
assistance information including Saab
Roadside Assistance. If the booklet is lost or
misplaced, a new one may be ordered
through a Saab dealer or by contacting
Saab.
In the U.S. there is a national Customer
Assistance Center at Saab Automobile
USA, Inc. The toll-free number to call from
all 50 states is 1-800-955-9007.
In Canada, please call the Saab Customer
Assistance Center at 1-800-263-1999.
A list of authorized Saab sales and service
dealers is available for those planning to
travel in the United States and Canada.
Canadian or U.S. travelers may call the
Customer Assistance Center in the country
in which they are traveling.
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