SAAB 9-5 2003 Owners Manual
Page 191 of 288
191 Starting and driving
Jump startingIf your battery has run down, you may want 
to use another vehicle and some jumper 
cables to start your Saab. Follow the steps 
below to do it safely.
To jump start your vehicle:
1 Check the other vehicle. It must have a 
12-volt battery with a negative ground 
system.
2 Get the vehicles close enough so the 
jumper cables can reach, but be sure the 
vehicles are not touching each other. If 
a poor connection on the negative 
jumper cable should exist, it is possible 
for damage to be caused to electrical 
systems/components of either vehicle 
should inadvertent contact be made. 
You would not be able to start your car 
and bad grounding could damage elec-
trical systems.3 Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. 
Turn off all lights that are not needed, 
and radios. This will avoid sparks and 
help save both batteries and it could 
save your radio.
4 Open the hood and locate the battery.
Find the positive (+) and negative (–) termi-
nals on the battery.
WARNING
Batteries can cause injury. They can be 
dangerous because:
 They contain acid that can burn you.
 They contain gas that can explode or 
ignite.
 They contain enough electricity to 
injure you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly, 
some or all of these things can hurt you.NOTICEIgnoring these steps could result in costly 
damage to your vehicle that would not be 
covered by your warranty.
Trying to start your car by pushing or pull-
ing it could damage your vehicle, even if 
you have a manual transmission. If you 
have an automatic transmission, your 
vehicle cannot be started by pushing or 
pulling it.
NOTICEIf the other system is not a 12-volt system 
with a negative ground, both vehicles can 
be damaged.
WARNING
You could be injured if the vehicles roll. 
Set the parking brake firmly on each vehi-
cle. Put an automatic transmission in P 
(Park) or a manual transmission in Neu-
tral.NOTICEIf you leave your radio on, it could be 
badly damaged. The repairs would not be 
covered by your warranty.
+
–
+
–
IB484
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Page 192 of 288
192 Starting and driving
5 Check that the jumper cables do not 
have loose or missing insulation. If they 
do, you could get a shock and also the 
vehicles could be damaged.
Before you connect the cables, here are 
some basic things you should know. 
Positive (+) will go to positive (+) and 
negative (–) will go to a major metal 
engine part with a good ground. Do not 
connect (+) to (–) or you will get a short 
that could injure you or would damage 
the battery and maybe other parts as 
well.
6 Connect the red positive (+) cable to the 
positive (+) terminal of the vehicle with 
the discharged battery.
7 Do not let the other end touch metal. 
Connect it to the positive (+) terminal of 
the good battery. Use a remote positive 
(+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
8 Now connect the black negative (–) 
cable to the good battery’s negative ter-
minal.9 Attach the cable at least 18 inches 
(45 cm) away from the discharged bat-
tery, but not near engine parts that 
move. To avoid an arc which could det-
onate the hydrogen gas around the bat-
tery, the final connection must be at least 
18” from the battery.
10 Start the vehicle with the good battery 
and run the engine for a while.
11 Try to start the vehicle with the dis-
charged battery. If it does not start after 
a few tries, it probably needs service.
12 Remove the cables in reverse order to 
prevent electrical shorting. Take care 
that they do not touch each other or any 
other metal.
WARNING
An electric fan can start up even when the 
engine is not running and can injure you. 
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from 
any underhood electric fan.
WARNING
Using a match or flame of any kind near a 
battery can cause battery gas to explode. 
You can suffer burns or be blinded. Use a 
flashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. 
The battery installed in your new Saab 
has filler caps. Be sure the right amount 
of water is there. Add distilled or boiled 
water if the level is too low. If you don’t, 
explosive gas could be present.
Be sure the electrolyte in the battery is not 
frozen. Discharged batteries will freeze. 
When connecting jumper cables to a 
frozen battery, gas from the chemical 
reaction inside the battery can build up 
under the ice and cause an explosion.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn 
you. Do not get it on you. If you acciden-
tally get it in your eyes or on your skin, 
flush the area with water and get medical 
help immediately.
WARNING
Do not let the other end touch anything 
until the next step. The other end of the 
negative cable does not go to the dead 
battery. It goes to a major metal part with 
a good ground on the engine of the vehi-
cle with the discharged battery.
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Page 193 of 288
193 Starting and driving
Saab Parking 
Assistance(Option)The parking aid system facilitates parking 
and reversing. There are four sensors in 
the rear bumper that detect objects up to 6 
feet (1.8 metres) behind the car.
The system uses four sensors in the rear 
bumper. These emit ultrasound signals that 
bounce back to the sensors off any objects 
behind the car. The system, however, 
cannot always detect small or narrow 
objects or objects that do not reflect ultra-
sound back towards the car, such as pipes, 
or the corner of a house or rectangular post.The system is activated automatically when 
reverse is engaged or selected. When the 
sensors detect an object within the moni-
tored area, the SID will display the text 
"PARK ASSIST" and pulses of sound 
(-----) will be heard. The frequency of the 
pulses increases as the car comes closer to 
the object. 
When the distance to the object is less 
than 12 in. (30 cm), a continuous tone 
will be heard.When an object is approximately 3 feet 
(90 cm) from the car, the sound pulses 
change character markedly. A distance of 
about 3 feet (90 cm) is suitable if you wish 
to load or unload the luggage compartment.
If the distance between an object and the 
corner sensors does not change for three 
seconds, e.g. if you are reversing alongside 
a wall, the system will switch to monitoring 
straight back. The system indicates if the 
distance to the wall decreases again.
WARNING
Responsibility always lies with the driver 
when reversing.
 Saab Parking Assistance can facilitate 
reversing at low speeds, such as when 
reverse parking.
 Bear in mind that small and/or narrow 
objects cannot always be detected by 
the system.
NOTICEReverse slowly so that you have time to 
stop the car when the continuous tone is 
heard at approx. 12 in. (30 cm).
IB1299
Area monitored by the sensors seen from 
the side
IB1300
Area monitored by the sensors seen from 
above
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Page 194 of 288
194 Starting and drivingThe system can be disengaged for when 
driving with a trailer. Press and hold the 
CLEAR button on the SID when the display 
shows "PARK ASSIST", until the display 
shows "PARK ASSIST OFF". The system is 
re-engaged in the same way. The system is 
also always activated when the ignition key 
is turned to ON. 
Pressing a SID button briefly will not disen-
gage the system, the display will simply 
show the previously selected function.Ice, snow and dirt can affect the sensitivity 
of the sensors. In such cases a continuous 
tone will sound warning the driver that the 
system cannot measure the distance to an 
object. You can turn the system off by press-
ing and holding the CLEAR button for 
1.5 seconds. 
If the text "PARK ASSIST FAILURE" is dis-
played on the SID, have the system 
checked by an authorized Saab dealer.NOTICETo function well, the sensors must be kept 
clean. Ice snow and dirt can affect their 
sensitivity.
Do not spray the sensors or closer than 
8 in. (20 cm) to the sensors with a pres-
sure washer, as this could damage them.
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Page 195 of 288
195 Starting and driving
Parking brake
 
The parking brake is situated between the 
front seats and acts on the rear wheels. 
When the parking brake is on, the indicator 
light on the main instrument panel will be on. 
To release the parking brake, lift the lever 
slightly, press the release button and 
release the lever by pushing down on it. 
Parking
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when 
the car is parked. 
Always apply the parking brake 
before removing the ignition key.
 Never use the parking brake when the 
car is moving.
WARNING
 Do not leave children or pets unat-
tended in the car. In warm, sunny 
weather, the temperature inside the 
car can reach 160–180°F (70–80°C). 
 Park where the vehicle will not create 
an obstruction or a hazard to other 
road users.
 Do not park on dry grass or other com-
bustible material. The catalytic con-
verter gets very hot and could start a 
fire.
 Apply the parking brake.
 Shift to Reverse for manual transmis-
sion (automatic transmission: move 
selector lever to P (Park)), and remove 
the ignition key. Lock the car. 
NOTICEEmpty the car yourself and bear in mind:
 never leave a mobile phone, computer 
or similar object visible in your car.
 clothing, packages and bags attract 
thieves.
 do not leave small objects such as 
CDs, sunglasses and coins visible.
 if possible, park in a well-lit, 
conspicuous parking space.
 thieves strike whenever and wherever 
they are given the opportunity.
IB360
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Page 196 of 288
196 Starting and drivingParking on a hillWhen parking on a steep hill, turn the front 
wheels so that they will be blocked by the 
curb if the car should move. Long-term parkingIf the car is not going to be used for some 
time, e.g. 3–4 months, the following steps 
are recommended: 
 Run the engine to normal temperature 
before long-term parking. 
 Drain the washer-fluid reservoir and 
hoses. 
 Wash and wax the car. Clean the rubber 
seals on the hood, luggage compartment 
lid and doors, and lubricate them with 
glycerol (glycerin). 
 After washing the car, dry the brake discs 
by taking the car out on the road and 
applying the brakes a few times. 
 Fill the fuel tank with fuel to prevent con-
densation forming in it. 
 Top up the coolant and check the anti-
freeze before the onset of winter. 
 Park the car in a dry, covered and 
well-ventilated building. Leave the park-
ing brake OFF! 
 Disconnect the negative (–) battery lead. 
If frost is likely to occur during the 
long-term parking, remove the battery 
and store it away from the frost. 
 Ideally, the car should be put up on 
blocks, with the wheels off the ground. If 
this is not possible, inflate the tires to 
about 43 psi (300 kPa).  Leave all the windows open a crack and 
cover the car with a fabric tarpaulin – not 
one made of plastic. 
123
IB485
1Pointing downhill and 
against the curb
– Turn the wheels into 
the curb and edge the 
car forward until the 
wheels touch the curb.2Pointing uphill and 
against the curb
– Turn the wheels away 
from the curb and edge 
the car back until the 
wheels touch the curb.3Pointing uphill or 
downhill – no curb
– Turn the wheels 
towards the edge of the 
road. If the car should 
start rolling, it will not run 
into the road.
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Page 197 of 288
197 Car care and technical information
Car care and 
technical 
information
772
  Hood .................................   198 
Engine compartment, 
4-cyl. engine ...................    199 
Engine compartment, 
6-cyl. (3.0t V6).................    200 
Emission control systems    201 
Engine...............................   202 
Engine oil .........................    203 
Transmission fluid...........    205 
Coolant .............................   206 
Brake and clutch fluid .....    207 
Power steering fluid ........    208 
Air filter .............................    208 Battery ..............................   209 
Drive belts ........................    211 
Wipers and washers .......    212 
Changing bulbs ...............    214 
Fuses ................................   226 
Wheels ..............................   232 
Compact spare wheel .....    236 
Flat spotting.....................    241 
Air conditioning (ACC) ...    242 
Safety belts ......................    243 
Upholstery and trim ........    243 
Textile carpeting..............    243 
Washing the car ..............    244 Waxing and polishing ......    245 
Engine compartment .......    245 
Touching up the paint .....    245 
Anti-corrosion treatment .    246 
For long trips ....................    248 
Recovery and/or recycling 
of automotive materials.    248 
Headlight aiming ..............    250 
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Page 198 of 288
198 Car care and technical informationHood The hood release handle is located under-
neath the instrument panel. To open the 
hood: 
1 Pull the release handle.
2 The front of the hood will now spring up, 
providing access to the secondary 
safety catch.
3 Push the catch upwards, lifting the hood 
at the same time. The hood can now be 
lifted right up.
To close the hood, release it from a height 
of about 8 in (20 cm). Do not press down on 
it.
In cold weather, when the mechanism is 
stiff, the hood might need to be released 
from twice the height to lock properly.
Check that the hood is now closed securely.
WARNING
Never hold your fingers between the hood 
and safety catch if lowering but not clos-
ing the hood.
IB487
IB486
Hood release handle  Hood secondary safety catch 
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Page 199 of 288
199 Car care and technical information
Engine compartment, 4-cyl. engine
10
9
6
7
8
1
2
4
3
5
IB1773
Engine compartment, 4-cyl. engine 1 Engine-oil dipstick/filler cap 
2 Reservoir, brake/clutch fluid 
3 Fuse box 
4 Expansion tank, coolant 
5 Washer-fluid filler cap 
6Battery 
7 Dipstick, automatic transmission fluid 
8 Turbo unit 
9 Ignition discharge module 
10 Reservoir, power-steering fluid 
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Page 200 of 288
200 Car care and technical informationEngine compartment, 6-cyl. (3.0t V6)
99
2
1
4
57
6
10
83
IB1774
Engine compartment, 6-cyl. (3.0t V6) 1 Engine-oil dipstick 
2 Engine-oil filler cap 
3 Reservoir, brake/clutch fluid 
4 Fuse box 
5 Expansion tank, coolant 
6 Washer-fluid filler cap 
7Battery 
8 Dipstick, automatic transmission fluid 
9 Ignition discharge module 
10 Reservoir, power-steering fluid 
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