6Engine compartment
IB3636
Engine ______________________ 192
Checking the oil level ___________ 192
Engine oil, specification _________ 260
Braking______________________ 160
ABS brakes __________________ 161
Brake and clutch fluid ___________ 194
Brake system _________________ 260
Brake pads ___________________ 260
Fuses _________________ 214
Changing a fuse _________ 216
Relays ________________ 218
Table of fuses ___________ 214Temperature gauge ______ 66
Driving in hot weather_____ 173
Driving in cold weather ____ 172
Coolant _______________ 193
Coolant capacity_________ 260
Power steering fluid _______ 196
Wipers and washers ______ 77
Washers _______________ 201
Washer jets ____________ 201
Jump starting _________________ 184
Battery ______________________ 197
Charging/replacing the battery____ 197
Manual transmission3_________ 150
Automatic transmission3_______ 151
Important considerations for driving 144
Turbo unit ___________________ 189
Engine, technical data __________ 260Ignition switch ___________ 140
Drive belts ______________ 199
Spark plugs _____________ 260
Catalytic converter _______ 145Warning labels __________ 7
V.I.N. number ___________ 264
Engine number __________ 264
Gearbox number _________ 264
Color code______________ 264
Tire and Loading Information
Label _________________ 22995_US_MY09.book Page 6 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:03 AM
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64 Instruments and controlsAutochecking of lights,
main instrument panel The above warning and indicator lights
should come on when the ignition is
switched on prior to starting. They should go
out after about 3 seconds.
The following lights light up until the engine
is started, presuming that no fault exists:
Oil pressure warning light .
Warning, charging .
InstrumentsTachometerThe tachometer indicates the engine speed
in thousands of revolutions per minute. The
needle may be allowed to enter the broken
red zone on the dial only for an instant.
A safety cut-out function (in the fuel system)
prevents the engine speed from exceeding
approximately 6,000 rpm.
Odometer and trip meter The odometer records the distance traveled
in miles on U.S. vehicles and on Canadian
vehicles the distance indicated is in kilome-
tres, and the trip meter in miles and tenths
(kilometres and tenths of kilometres on
Canadian vehicles). Reset button The reset button has two functions, deter-
mined by whether the ignition is ON or OFF.
When the ignition is ON, pressing the
button will reset the trip meter.
When the ignition is OFF, the display
lights up enabling you to read the odome-
ter and trip meter. Pressing the button a
second time will reset the trip meter.
IB4468
1 Cars with automatic transmission
IB3847
IB4157
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192 Car care and technical informationEngineThe 2.3-liter model is a transverse, 4-cylin-
der in-line engine with twin overhead cam-
shafts and 4 valves per cylinder.
This engine is equipped with balance shafts
that reduce engine vibration to a minimum.
The balance shafts are chain driven and
rotate at twice the speed of the crankshaft.
They produce forces and torques that are
opposed to those generated by the pistons
and connecting rods, an effect that occurs
twice for each revolution of the engine.
Engine noise is also reduced as the
counter-rotating shafts counteract the vibra-
tion from the moving parts of the engine.
The transmission, located on the right
(viewed from the front), is integrated with
the engine. All models have front-wheel
drive.
Engine oilChecking the oil level Check the engine-oil level regularly. This
should be done after the engine has been
run to normal temperature and then allowed
to cool for 2–5 minutes, with the car stand-
ing on level ground. Remove the dipstick
and wipe it clean before checking the level.The oil level must not be allowed to drop
below the MIN mark on the dipstick, nor
should oil be filled beyond the MAX mark, as
this can lead to excessive oil consumption.
The distance between the MIN and MAX
marks on the dipstick corresponds to a
volume of approximately 1.05 qts (1 liter).
When necessary, add oil of the recom-
mended grade via the dipstick tube.
Recommended oil grade, see page 260.
NOTICE Do not operate the engine with a low
oil level.
Change engine oil and oil filter as pre-
scribed in the service programme.
Only use the recommended oil type.
Follow the three points listed above to
avoid severe engine damage.
More frequent oil changes are recom-
mended if your vehicle is operated under
certain conditions, see page 252.
IB601
Balance shafts
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193 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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196 Car care and technical informationPower steering fluidCheck the level of the power steering fluid in
the reservoir regularly, in accordance with
the service program.
The wheels should point forward during the
check.
Clean around the cap before it is
unscrewed. Clean the dipstick. Screw in the
cap completely again before checking the
level.
The oil should lie between the MAX and MIN
marks when the oil temperature is about
70°F (+20°C). If the oil is colder the level can
be lower, and in higher temperatures the
level can be higher, both of which are
acceptable.
Top up with ”Power Steering Fluid CHF 11S
or CHF 202”.
Air filter
WARNING
Do not fill the power steering fluid to
above the MAX mark. Too much fluid
can result in leakage.
Power steering fluid on hot engine
components constitutes a fire risk.
WARNING
For Service and Repair, parts equiva-
lent to those used by Saab should be
used.
Be aware that some non standard
replacement parts may put you in an
unsafe condition, even if they might fit.
IB501
Power steering fluid reservoir
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247 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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268 IndexDDICE/TWICE
___________________ 215
Date
_________________________ 105
Date code, tires
_________________ 231
Date display
___________________ 106
Definitions and terminology, tire
____ 229
Determining correct load, tires
_____ 231
Dim-dipped beam
________________ 73
Direction indicators _______________ 75
Diversity antenna
_______________ 109
Door handles
____________________ 44
Door mirrors ___________________ 116
Doors, locks & luggage compartment
_43
Drive belt
______________________ 260
Drive belt, alternator
_____________ 199
Drive belts, length
_______________ 260
Driver’s seat, programmable
________ 20
Driving at night
_________________ 179
Driving in hot weather
____________ 173
Driving with a load
_______________ 179
EEDR (Event Data Recorders)
______ 255
ESP®
________________________ 163
Electric heating of rear seat
________ 87
Electric windows
________________ 115
Electrical system, technical data
____ 260
Electrically retractable door mirrors _117
Electronic Stability Program
_______ 163Electronic starting interlock
_________ 49
Emergency operation of moonroof
__ 124
Emission control systems
_________ 190
Engine bay
____________________ 189
Engine bay, cleaning
_____________ 243
Engine number
_________________ 264
Engine oil, grade ________________ 260
Engine, description ______________ 192
Engine, technical data ____________ 260
Engine, temperature gauge
_________ 66
Engine-oil level, checking
_________ 192
Error codes, Audio System ________ 112
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ______ 255
Expansion tank, coolant
__________ 193
FFilling a portable fuel container
_____ 148
Flat spots, tires
_________________ 222
Fluid level, automatic transmission
__ 193
Foldable door mirrors
____________ 117
Folding the parcel shelf,
9-5 SportCombi
________________ 133
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Sedan
____ 129
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 SportCombi
132
Frequency band
_________________ 93
Frequently asked questions on airbag
40
Front fog lights
__________________ 76
Frost warning
___________________ 68
Fuel
__________________________ 146
Fuel consumption
________________ 68Fuel container
__________________ 148
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 65
Fuel grade _____________________ 260
Fuel information
_________________ 148
Fuse box under hood
____________ 218
Fuse panel
_____________________ 214
Fuses
_________________________ 214
GGarage door opener
_____________ 118
Gearbox number
________________ 264
Gearbox oil, checking
____________ 193
General functions
_______________ 105
Glove compartment ______________ 126
HHandbrake
_____________________ 165
Hazard warning lights
_____________ 76
Head restraint
___________________ 21
Headlight flasher _________________ 73
Headlights
______________________ 73
Heated front seats
________________ 87
Hood
_________________________ 188
Horn __________________________ 114
IIf a tire goes flat
_________________ 226
Ignition switch
__________________ 140
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