SAAB 9-5 2001 Owners Manual
Manufacturer: SAAB, Model Year: 2001, Model line: 9-5, Model: SAAB 9-5 2001Pages: 272, PDF Size: 14.83 MB
Page 201 of 272

201 Car care and technical information
Charging/replacing the batteryConnect the positive lead to the positive (+) 
battery terminal (red), and the negative lead 
to a good ground point, e.g. the lifting lug at 
the front of the engine.
To remove the battery, always disconnect 
the negative (black) lead first and reconnect 
it last when fitting the new battery.
The battery size must comply with DIN 
53735 MFI 230/2.16. NOTETo avert the danger of short-circuiting 
between the positive (+) terminal on the 
battery and the inlet manifold on the 
engine, always disconnect the negative 
(-) battery lead first and reconnect it last.NOTE Never reverse the polarity of the bat-
tery by connecting the leads to the 
wrong terminals. The red, positive 
lead connects to the positive (+) termi-
nal, and the black, negative lead to the 
negative (-) terminal. 
 Serious damage can be done to the 
car’s electrical system if a battery or 
alternator lead is disconnected while 
the engine is running. 
 The nut on the battery clamp should 
be tightened to a torque of 10 Nm. 
IB564
Correct position for battery clamp 
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Page 202 of 272

202 Car care and technical informationDrive belts The alternator is situated on the right-hand 
side of the engine, adjacent to the bulkhead. 
It is driven via a Poly-V-belt from the crank-
shaft pulley.
The Poly-V-belt also drives the water pump, 
the A/C compressor and the steering servo 
pump.  
The belt tension is critical and is adjusted 
automatically by the belt tensioner.
See also page 49, ”Warning, charging”.
WARNING
 Keep hands and clothing well clear of 
drive belts when engine is running.
 Always stop engine before inspecting 
drive belts.
 The fan can start even when the 
engine is switched off.NOTESerious damage can be done to the car’s 
electrical system if an alternator lead is 
disconnected while the engine is running.
IB542
Routing of the Poly-V-belt: 
4-cylinder engine 
IB543
Routing of the Poly-V-belt: 
3.0t V6 
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Page 203 of 272

203 Car care and technical information
Wipers and washersCheck and clean all wiper blades regularly. 
We recommend Saab washer fluid for 
cleaning.
If poor wiper performance is experienced, 
clean the windshield with Saab washer fluid. 
This is particularly important if the car has 
been through an automatic car wash, as 
these sometimes leave a wax coating on the 
windshield.
If wiper performance is still unsatisfactory, 
fit new blades.
Changing the windshield wiper 
bladesLift the wiper arm off the windshield
1 Depress the catch.
2 Pull the complete blade assembly down 
to free it from the wiper arm, and then lift 
it off the arm.
Changing headlight-wiper blades 1 Lift the wiper arm off the headlight.
2 Release the wiper blade by pulling it 
straight down, at right angles to the 
wiper arm.
To fit the new blade, slot the blade into the 
retainer on the wiper arm, and press it firmly 
home.
IB506
2
1
IB505
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204 Car care and technical informationWashersThe washer-fluid reservoir holds 6.4 quarts 
(6 liters). When "WASHER FLUID LEVEL 
LOW" comes up on the SID, the reservoir is 
down to about 1 quart (1 liter) of fluid. Add 
at least 50% of washer- fluid to water to pre-
vent freezing and for effective cleaning.Washer jets The washer jets can be adjusted and, if 
necessary, unclogged by means of a pin.
IB507
Washer-fluid filler cap 
IB1126
Cleaning/adjusting the washer jets 
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Page 205 of 272

205 Car care and technical information
Changing bulbs  Check that the new bulb is working when finished.
Some bulbs are of the ”Long-Life” type. Make sure the same type is 
fitted when changing one of these.
Headlight aiming, see page  238.
Headlight bulb for high beam1 Unscrew the cover from the back of the lamp unit.
2 Unplug the connector.
3 To remove the spring clip, push it in and then move it to the right.
4 Remove the bulb.
5 Without touching the glass with your fingers, insert the new bulb.
6 Line up the bulb with the guide in the reflector and secure it with 
the spring clip.
7 Plug in the connector.
8 Screw on the cover.
WARNING
Before changing a bulb in the engine bay, switch off the engine to 
avoid danger of fingers and hands being injured by moving parts.
The radiator fan can start up even when the engine is switched off.
NOTE Do not fit bulbs with a higher rating than 55 W, since the head-
light reflector and the wiring of the car are not designed for a 
higher wattage.
 Switch off the ignition before changing a bulb, to avoid possible 
short-circuiting.
IB510
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206 Car care and technical information
Headlight bulb for low beam1 Unscrew the cover from the back of the lamp unit.
2 Unplug the connector.
3 To remove the spring clip, push it in and then move it to the right.
4 Remove the bulb.
5 Without touching the glass with your fingers, insert the new bulb.
6 Line up the bulb with the guide in the reflector and secure it with 
the spring clip.
7 Plug in the connector.
8 Screw on the cover.
IB509
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Page 207 of 272

207 Car care and technical information
Parking-light bulb The parking-light bulb is adjacent to the bulb 
for low beam.
1 Unscrew the cover from the back of the 
lamp unit.
2 Withdraw the bulb holder.
3 Change the bulb.
Front fog lights / cornering lights1 From under the front bumper, grip the 
bulb holder and twist counterclockwise.
2 Unplug the connector.
3 Change the bulb.
Refit in the reverse order.
Front turn signal bulbsTo change the bulb, the complete lamp unit 
has to be removed.
1 Loosen the screw (1). There is no need 
to remove it completely.
2 Carefully pull out the lamp unit.
3 The bulb holder has a bayonet fitting. 
Grip the holder and twist it counterclock-
wise. 
4 Withdraw the bulb holder from the lamp 
unit.
5 The bulb also has a bayonet fitting. 
Press in the bulb and twist it counter-
clockwise.
6 Fit the new bulb and check that it is cor-
rectly seated.
WARNING
Never crawl under a car that is supported 
only by a jack.
IB511
Parking-light bulb 
IB512
IB1128
1
23
Front turn signal bulb1 Retaining screw 
2 Bayonet pin 
3 Plastic lugs
Front fog lights
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208 Car care and technical informationWhen refitting the lamp unit, check that the 
bayonet pin and the two plastic lugs engage 
their respective slots. Hold the lamp unit in 
position, and tighten the screw (1).
Rear light cluster, 9-5 SedanThe bulbs for the lamps in the rear light clus-
ter are accessed from the luggage compart-
ment.
1 Lower the flap (Velcro fastening).
2 Squeeze the two plastic lugs and 
remove the bulb holder.
3 The bulb has a bayonet fitting. Press in 
the bulb and twist it counterclockwise.
4 Change the bulb.
IB1129
IB1296
12
3
2
3
5
6
4
1
4
Rear light clusters 1 Direction indicators 
2 Tail lights 
3 Stop lights 
4 Reversing lights 
5 Rear fog light 
IB516
IB1234
1
4
2
3
2
6
1
42 5
23
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Page 209 of 272

209 Car care and technical information
Trunk lid light and taillights, 
9-5 SedanBefore changing bulbs in the trunk, you 
must first release the trim at the foot of the 
trunk. This involves removing the handle 
and the three trim fasteners (studs).
1 Unscrew the handle on the inside of the 
tailgate.
2 Using the peg in the top of the screw-
driver handle, push in the button in the 
centre of the studs.
3 Remove the studs.
Changing bulbs 
1 Squeeze the plastic lug and electrical 
connector together and remove the bulb 
holder.2 The bulb has a bayonet fitting. Press in 
the bulb and twist it counterclockwise.
3 Change the bulb.
Refitting the trim 
1 Reset the studs by pushing back the 
center buttons so that they protrude by 
0.2 inch (5 mm).
2 Insert the studs through the trim and tail-
gate panel. Press the center buttons in, 
flush with the collar.
3 Screw the handle back onto the trunk.
High-mounted stop lights, 9-5 SedanThe bulbs can be accessed after the panel 
in the rear headlining has been removed.
1 Remove the panel by carefully pushing 
in the two clips, one at the time.
2 Release the bulb holder, which is 
retained by a clip at either end.
3 Withdraw the bulb gently straight back.
4 Push in the new bulb.
5 Refit the bulb holder.
6 Replace the panel by carefully pushing 
the panel towards the headlining so that 
the two clips engage their respective 
slot.
IB517
IB518
3
2
2
3
1
IB519
High-mounted stop lights1 Panel
2 Retaining clips
3 Bulbs
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Page 210 of 272

210 Car care and technical informationTailgate bulbs, 9-5 Wagon1  Turn the lock a quarter turn (90 °) with a 
screwdriver or the ignition key.
2  Open and remove the cover.
3  Take out the bulb holder by twisting it 
slightly counterlockwise.
4  Press in the bulb and twist it 
counterclockwise.
5  Change the bulb.
6  Check that the new bulb is working.Reassembly:
1  Place the two ”hinges” in the recess in 
the tailgate.
2  Then push the ”hinges” into the recess 
and close the cover.
3  Turn the lock a quarter turn.
Rear lights clusters, 9-5 Wagon1  Open the tailgate.
2  Remove the two covers and undo the 
screws.
3  Grip the screw mounting and pull the 
whole lamp unit sideways until it is 
loose (it can be quite tight).
4  Take out the bulb holder by twisting it 
slightly counterclockwise.
5  Press in the bulb and twist it counter-
clockwise.
6  Change the bulb.
7  Check that the new bulb works.
IB1227
IB1228
IB1229
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