268 Car careThe 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 inside of window glass using a
proprietary window cleaner. This is particu-
larly important when the car is new, as
upholstery and trim have a tendency to
sweat a little at first.
Keep the glass well polished, as this helps
to prevent misting.
Clean the outside of the windows with Saab
washer fluid. This is especially important if
the car has been washed in an automatic
car wash, as sometimes a wax treatment is
used that can contaminate the windshield
and impair the performance of the wipers.
Saab offers a full co mplement of car care
products. See your dealer or visit us at our
website. Convertible
If a pressure washer is used be heedful of
the following recommendations:
On the lower part of the car (not higher than the door handles): max pressure
of 100 bar and not closer than 8 in.
(20 cm).
On the upper part of the car: tax pres- sure of 100 bar and not closer than
32 in. (80 cm).
Do not use any drying chemicals or water- proofing agents.
Avoid automatic car washes.
WARNING
Read and follow the instructions on the packaging of the recommended
cleaning agents and waterproofing
agents. We recommend that you con-
tact an authorized Saab dealer
regarding recommended cleaning
agents and waterproofing agents.
Never treat the soft top with hot wax or similar.
Never use petrochemical based sol-
vents for cleaning. Only use water with
a recommended cleaning agent. Pet-
rochemical 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 so ft 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 clean- ing 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.
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269
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 fol-
lowing.
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. 8 If spots are still visible, repeat the treat-
ment on these spots as before. Press
lightly with the brush to prevent damag-
ing the material. Do not use the brush
excessively. This can irreparably
damage the material. Do not repeat the
treatment more than twice.
9 When the soft top has fully dried, it must be waterproofed immediately. Only use
the recommended waterproofing agent.
Follow the instructions on the packag-
ing.
10 To obtain even and optimum waterproof- ing, the car must be closed for 24 hours
after treatment. Do not touch the mate-
rial and do not place any objects on it.
WARNING
Water hotter than 37 °C can burn the skin,
cause skin irritation and/or cause injuries.
Use suitable protection.
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271
Car care
Anti-corrosion
treatmentThe entire car undergoes a series of
anti-corrosion processes during production.
These include electr ophoretic priming,
PVC-based coating to protect against stone
chip damage and corrosion, and treatment
of body cavities and members with thin,
penetrating rust-proofing oil.
In addition, most body panels, such as the
hood, doors and floor pan are galvanized.
The anti-corrosion treatment on some parts
of the car is constantly exposed to wear and
prone to damage. This applies particularly
to the underside of the car and inside the
wheel arches, where grit, road salt and the
like that are thrown up can give rise to cor-
rosion where the underseal has worn away.
The extent of this obv iously depends on the
conditions in which the car is used.
Accordingly, make it a habit to hose the
underside of the car often and to inspect the
condition of the underseal. The anti-corro-
sion warranty does not relieve the car owner
of the need to carry out normal maintenance
to the rust-proofing and to make good any
damage. Use a hose to clean the underside of the car
thoroughly. After it has dried, use a brush or
spray to apply a viscous anti-corrosion
agent to any worn or damaged areas, to
prevent the onset of corrosion.
Even after the anti-corrosion warranty has
expired, it makes good sense to continue to
maintain the
rust-proofing.
Seams in the body, especially those in the
doors and trunk lid, are particularly vulnera-
ble to corrosion from the outside, caused by
grit and salt thrown up from the road, and to
corrosion from the inside, largely as a result
of condensation. Keep the seams clean and
at the first sign of any rust, apply a thin, pen-
etrating, anti-corrosion oil. Your Saab
dealer will be pleased to give you further
advice.
What causes rust?Steel body panels of automobiles are sub-
ject to rusting whenever air and moisture
manage to penetrate the protective finish.
Body panels may rust through if the process
is unchecked. Rusting can occur wherever
water is trapped or where the car’s panels
are continuously damp.
Damage to paint and undercoating by
stones, gravel and minor crashes immedi-
ately exposes metal to air and moisture.
Road salts used for de-icing will collect on
the bottom of the car and promote rusting.
Areas of the country with high humidity have
a greater potential for rust problems, espe-
cially where salt is used on roads or there is
moist sea air. Industrial pollution (fallout)
may also damage paint and promote rust-
ing.Preventive maintenanceThe following procedures are necessary to
help protect against rusting. Refer also to
the terms and conditions of the Performa-
tion Limited Warranty described in the war-
ranty booklet. 1 Wash the car freque ntly, and wax at
least twice a year. Under adverse
conditions, where there is a rapid
buildup of dirt, sand or road salt, wash
your car at least once a week. After
extreme exposure to salted snow or
slush, evidenced by a white film on the
car, wash the car immediately. Frequent
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273
Car care
Air conditioning (A/C)
TroubleshootingIf a fault occurs in the A/C system, there are
a number of checks you can perform your-
self. If the fault persists, however, have the
system checked at a workshop. We recom-
mend that you contact a Saab dealer.
Note
When the A/C system is running, the intake
air is dehumidified. The resultant condensa-
tion that forms on the evaporator is drained
off under the car. When the car is parked,
this may result in a small puddle forming on
the ground. The warmer the air and the
higher the relative humidity, the more con-
densation will be produced.Inadequate cooling1 Check that the condenser (in front of the radiator) has not become clogged with
dirt and insects.
2 Make sure that the compressor drive belt does not slip (see page 215).
3 Check the fuses for the ventilation fans and compressor (see page 235).
Maintenance The compressor drive belt should be inspected under the regular service
program.
Clean away dirt and insects from the condenser and radiator to prevent clog-
ging. When washing the car, use the hose
to spray the radiator and condenser
(located in front of the radiator) from both
sides (both from the front of the car and
from inside the engine bay). Do not use a
pressure washer.
Caution: Do not hose down the radia-
tor and condenser while the engine is
hot.
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 mo nths 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
WARNING
All repairs and adjustments to the A/C system must be carried out at a Saab
dealer authorized for this kind of work.
The A/C system is pressurized. Do not break any connections or undo A/C
system components.
Escaping gas can cause eye injury or other personal injury.NOTICE The A/C system is designed for use with R134a refrigerant.
Refrigerant handling requires special equipment and special procedures for
charging and draining the system.
Never mix R 134a with other refriger- ants.
NOTICEDo not use a pressure washer when
cleaning the condenser or radiator due to
the risk of damage.
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279 Customer Assistance and Information
Engine oil and filter changesChanging the engine oil and filter is required
at every service point. Use only a Saab
approved long-life oil filter and engine oils
meeting the classifications stated in the
Warranty and Service Record Booklet. The
use of extra additives in the oil is not neces-
sary and is not recommended, and may be
harmful to turbochargers.
More frequent oil changes are recom-
mended if your vehicle is operated under
any of the following conditions:
Most trips are less than 5–10 miles (8–
16 km). This is particularly important
when outside temperatures are below
freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling
(frequent stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas (such
as construction zones).
If the vehicle is used for delivery service,
police, taxi or other commercial applica-
tions.
If your driving habits match this description,
have the engine oil and filter changed in-
between normal services. These conditions
cause the engine oil to break down faster.
The Warranties and Service Record Book-
let has provisions to record extra oil
changes.
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 ORGA-
NIZED
The 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
COUPONS
When the car is brought to a Saab dealer for
scheduled maintenance, present the War-
ranties & Service Record Booklet to the ser-
vice 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.
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283 Technical data
General data __________ 284
Engine _______________ 286
Engine oil _____________ 286
Fuel__________________ 287
Engines ______________ 287
Electrical system_______ 287
Brake system__________ 287
Wheels and tires _______ 288
Plates and labels _______ 292
Technical data
3Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all cars
(can depend on model variant, engine variant,
market specification, options or accessories).93_US_MY09.book Page 283 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
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286 Technical data
Engine
Engine oil
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 trunk, make sure that it is lashed
down securely, particularly when part or all of the rear seat is
folded down.
Trailer
Trailer with brakes ___________________ Max. 3500 lbs.
(1588 kg)
Trailer without brakes ________________ Max. 1000 lbs.
(450 kg)
Recommended towball load ___________ 110–165 lbs.
(50–75 kg)
See also page 190.
Note that the towbar must not be installed on certain models. Con-
tact a Saab dealer for information.
Maximum theoretical towing speed, trailer
with brakes _______________________ 60 mph (100 km/h)
Maximum theoretical towing speed, trailer
without brakes _____________________National restrictions
apply
When towing a trailer, increase the pressure
of the rear tires by 20 kPa (3 psi).
The above speed and weight restrictions are those specified by
Saab Automobile AB.
Note that national restrictions may apply to trailer speeds and
weights (see page 188).
Type:
4-cyl engine ______________________ Four cylinders,
double overhead
camshafts,
16 valves, two
balancer shafts
V6 engine ________________________ Six cylinders,
4 overhead cam-
shafts, 24 valves,
the angle between
the cylinder rows is
60°
Swept volume:
4-cyl engine ______________________ 122 cu.in. (1.998 l)
V6 engine ________________________ 170 cu.in. (2.792 l)
Information regarding suitable engine oils can be found in War-
ranty and Service Record Booklet.
Oil capacity, including filter (oil change)
4-cyl engine ______________________ 6.3 qts. (6.0 l)
V6 engine ________________________ 6.3 qts. (6.0 l)
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287 Technical data
Fuel
EnginesElectrical system
Brake system
Hydraulic unit for soft top, ConvertibleFuel tank capacity ___________________ 16.05 U.S. gal.
(61 l)
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane of 87 or higher.
Although not required, use higher octane fuel for optimum perfor-
mance - 90 octane for the 2.0T engine and 93 octane for the
2.8 V6.
Gasoline with a lower octane rating can be used, although not
lower than 87 octane. However, engine performance will fall
slightly and heavy loading and laboring should be avoided. For
further information on fuel, see page 158.
2.0T
Rating, SAE at 5300 rpm ____________ 210 hp (155 kW)
Maximum torque, SAE at 2500-4000 rpm 221 ft.lb. (300 Nm)
2.8 V6
Rating, SAEat 5500 rpm _____________ 280 hp (206 kW)
Maximum torque, front-wheel drive, SAE
at 1800-5000 rpm __________________ 262 ft.lb. (355 Nm)
Maximum torque, all-wheel-drive models,
SAE at 1900-4500 rpm ______________ 295 ft.lb. (400 Nm)Voltage ___________________________ 12 V
Battery capacity ____________________ 60 Ah
Foot brake (ABS) ___________________ Hydraulic disc
brakes with vacuum
servo unit. Diago-
nally split circuits;
ventilated discs on
front wheels (some
variants also have
ventilated rear
discs). EBD function
(see page 171).
Park brake_________________________ Acts on rear wheels
Brake fluid _________________________ To DOT 4.
Do not use DOT 5.
Oil capacity _______________________ 0.6 qt. (0.6 l)
Oil type __________________________ CHF 11S93_US_MY09.book Page 287 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
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