2009 SAAB 9-5 coolant level

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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9
No sparks,
flames or
smoking.Buckle up
Use protective
gogglesAirbag
Keep out of
reach of
children.Never place a
rear-facing
child seat in
this seat.
Battery acid
contains
sulfuric acid.Electric
windows
Refer to the
Owner’s
Manual.Deactivating
of rear window
switches
Risk of
explosive gas.Central
locking, lock
.Central
locking,
unlock
Tr u n k
lid/tailgate,
opening
HeadlightsWindshield
wipers
Direction
indicatorsWindshield
washers
Parking lights Defroster
Hazard
warning lightsRear window
heating
Front fog
lightsVentilation fan
Rear fog
light
Coolant
temperatureRadiator fan
Battery
chargingFuel
Foot brake
ESP
®
Coolant levelAutomatic tire
pressure
monitoring
system
Engine oil
pressure
ABS brakes
Examples of symbols that can be found in your car95_US_MY09.book Page 9 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:03 AM
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66 Instruments and controlsTemperature gauge The temperature gauge shows the temper-
ature of the coolant. The needle should be
in the middle of the scale when the engine
is at normal operating temperature.
If the needle approaches the red zone,
which can occur in very hot weather or when
the engine is under a heavy load, drive in the
highest gear possible, keep the engine revs
low and avoid shifting down.Check fuse 1 (radiator fan) in the fuse panel
under the hood, see page 218.
If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone,
stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and
check the coolant level by looking at the
level visible through the plastic tank – do not
remove the cap. If the coolant level falls below the MIN mark,
the Saab Information Display (SID) will
display the message
”Coolant level low.
Refill.”.

NOTICEIf the needle, despite the above action,
enters the red zone, stop the car immedi-
ately, let the engine idle.
If the needle stays in the red zone, stop
the engine.
WARNING
Never open the cap of the expansion tank
completely when the engine is hot, open
with care. The pressure in the cool-
ing-system can cause hot coolant and
steam to be released. Failure to heed this
warning may result in personal injury.
IB3851
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71 Instruments and controls
CHECK messages When the engine is started, CHECKING will
appear on the display for about 4 seconds
while the SID CHECK functions are being
performed.
When a CHECK message is activated while
driving, a chime sounds and the message
appears in SID. The number of possible
CHECK messages varies depending on the
car’s specifications.
If more than one CHECK message has
been generated, the
+ symbol will appear to
the left of the text on the display. The mes-
sages appear in order of priority.
If a new fault occurs whilst another message
is being displayed, the message relating to
the new one will appear for 10 seconds,
after which the display will return to the ear-
lier one.
Briefly press the CLR button to acknowl-
edge a message from the display. After
acknowledgement, the message is dis-
played each time the ignition is re-started
until remedied.The following messages may be displayed:
1) This message will be displayed approximately
600 miles (1,000 km) before the next scheduled
service is due, or when 365 days have elapsed
since the last service. The message should be
cleared at the time of that service (see the Saab
Warranties & Service Record Booklet).
This message can also be deleted by pressing
the CLR button for at least eight seconds until a
chime sounds. The message can only be deleted
when it is shown on the SID.
*) 9-5 SportCombi: the high-mounted stop light is
not included in the autocheck of lights.
Message See page
Use your seatbelts. 12
Front light failure. 202
Rear light failure. 206
Fog light failure. 203
Brake light failure.
*)
206
Washer fluid level low.
Refill. 201
Coolant level low.
Refill. 193
Remote control battery
low. Replace battery. 49
Key not accepted.
Contact service. 54
Theft protection failure.
Contact service. 54
Gearbox too hot.
Make a safe stop. 154
Tire pressure low,
front left. Check tires. 232
Tire pressure low,
front right. Check tires. 232
Tire pressure low,
rear left. Check tires. 232
Tire pressure low,
rear right. Check tires. 232
Low tire pressure front
left. Make a safe stop. 232
Low tire pressure front
right. Make a safe stop. 232
Low tire pressure, rear
left. Make a safe stop. 232
Low tire pressure, rear.
right. Make a safe stop. 232
Tire pressure system
failure. Contact service. 232
Time for service.
1)
252
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173 Starting and driving
If winter tires are fitted, the same type must
be fitted on all wheels. Your Saab dealer will
be pleased to advise you on the best tires for
your car.
Remember that tires age. It may therefore
be necessary to change them before they
reach the legal wear limit, as they gradually
lose their friction properties.
The best response if the car gets into a
front-wheel skid is to freewheel (manual
gearbox only), i.e. disengage the clutch (so
that the wheels are neither driven or
retarded by the engine.
If the car has automatic transmission, ease
up on the accelerator and steer carefully in
the desired direction.
In a rear-wheel skid, steer in the same direc-
tion that the rear of the car is moving.
Tire chains3If you want to fit tire chains (where legally
permitted) they should only be fitted to the
tires recommended under ”Specifications”
(see page 261).
Consult your Saab dealer for details of
approved tire chains.
Driving in hot weatherAlways check the coolant level before start-
ing a journey. When the engine is cold, the
coolant shall lie on or just above the
KALT/COLD mark on the expansion tank..
At the end of a journey, if the engine has
worked hard, allow it to idle for two or three
minutes before switching it off.
If the needle on the temperature gauge
enters the red zone:
1 Bring the car to a standstill but leave the
engine running. Do not remove the cap
on the expansion tank even if the tank is
empty. If the needle on the temperature
gauge continues to rise while the engine
is idling, switch off the engine.
WARNING
 Do not exceed 30 mph (50 km/h)
when tire chains are fitted.
 Tire chains can reduce the directional
stability of the car.
 Tire chains must not be used on the
rear wheels. NOTICE Check the links frequently for wear.
 Check that the chains do not contact
the wheel-arch liner at full lock.
 See section ”Specifications”,
page 261, for information on allowable
wheel dimensions for the fitting of tire
chains.
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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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194 Car care and technical informationThe cooling system is charged at the factory
with coolant containing a 45 % concentra-
tion of a combined antifreeze and corrosion
inhibitor. A weaker mixture will result in
reduced anticorrosion protection. For
protection against freezing in very cold
weather, a stronger concentration will be
needed.
A 60 % concentration of antifreeze will pro-
vide protection at temperatures down to
–58°F (–50°C).
The coolant does not normally have to be
changed during the service life of the car.
The type of coolant used has a reddish color
and should not be mixed with other types of
coolant. Saab Original coolant should be
used all year round. Only use coolant
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.

Brake and clutch fluid Checking the fluid level The combined brake and clutch-fluid reser-
voir is transparent to facilitate checking of
the fluid level.
The level should be between the MAX and
MIN marks. Top up, as necessary, with
DOT 4 fluid. Do not use DOT 5 brake fluid.
NOTICEAlways mix the antifreeze with the
appropriate volume of water before
adding it to the cooling system.
If pure 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
thermostat has opened to allow full
circulation.
WARNING
Brake fluid deteriorates as it becomes
old. Because it is hygroscopic, it absorbs
water from the air and, in time, could allow
vapor to form in the brake system, thus
reducing its performance. It is therefore
important that brake fluid be changed reg-
ularly, as specified in the service pro-
gram.
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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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