SAAB 9-5 2004 Owners Manual

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 sys-
tems/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
WARNING
 When working on the battery, highly
explosive gas can build up. A spark
could ignite this gas that collects
around the battery.
Therefore, always avoid sparks and
open flames in the vicinity of the bat-
tery.
 The battery contains corrosive sulfuric
acid. Always wear a face mask or gog-
gles when working on the battery.
 If battery acid gets into the eyes or
splashes onto skin or clothing, wash
the affected area liberally with water.
If acid gets into the eyes or a large
quantity makes contact with the skin,
seek medical help.
 Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds. Wash your hands after
handling.
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.
+
–
+
–
IB484
ProCarManuals.com

192 Starting and driving
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.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.NOTICEIf you leave your radio on, it could be
badly damaged. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
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.
ProCarManuals.com

193 Starting and driving
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 deto-
nate 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.
Charging the battery/Jump startingTo avoid damaging the car’s electrical
system and electronics, the following rules
must be followed when charging the battery
or jump starting the car.
 If the charger or starter unit can be set to
different voltages (6V/12V/18V/24V), 12V
must be selected.
 Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
supplied with the charger or starter unit.
 No other apparatus that are grounded or
connected to the mains must be
connected to the car during charging or
jump starting.
 The charger or starter unit must under no
conditions produce a voltage greater
than:
 16V continuous
 18V for 60 min.
 If you are unsure about the charge rating
of the unit, disconnect the battery clamp
from the positive terminal before connect-
ing the unit to the battery.
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.
ProCarManuals.com

194 Starting and drivingSaab 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.
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.
IB1299
Area monitored by the sensors seen from
the side
IB1300
Area monitored by the sensors seen from
above
ProCarManuals.com

195 Starting and driving
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.
The 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.NOTICEReverse slowly so that you have time to
stop the car when the continuous tone is
heard at approx. 12 in. (30 cm).
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.
ProCarManuals.com

196 Starting and drivingParking 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
you park the car.
Always apply the parking brake
before removing the ignition key.
 Do not use the parking brake while
driving.
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.
IB360
ProCarManuals.com

197 Starting and driving
Parking 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.NOTICEEmpty the car yourself and bear in mind:
 Never leave a mobile phone, camera,
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 wher-
ever they are given the opportunity.
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.
ProCarManuals.com

198 Starting and driving(This page has been left blank)
ProCarManuals.com

199 Car care and technical information
Car care and
technical
information
IB1772
Hood ________________ 200
Engine compartment ___ 201
Emission control systems 202
Engine_______________ 203
Engine oil ____________ 204
Transmission fluid_____ 206
Coolant ______________ 207
Brake and clutch fluid __ 208
Power steering fluid ___ 209
Air filter ______________ 209
Battery ______________ 210
Drive belts ___________ 212
Wipers and washers ___ 213 Changing bulbs _______ 215
Fuses _______________ 227
Tires ________________ 233
Compact spare tire ____ 246
Air conditioning (ACC) _ 252
Safety belts __________ 253
Upholstery and trim ___ 253
Textile carpeting ______ 253
Washing the car ______ 254
Waxing and polishing __ 255
Engine compartment __ 255
Touching up the paint__ 255
Anti-corrosion treatment 256 For long trips _________ 258
Recovery and/or recycling
of automotive materials 258
Headlight aiming ______ 259
ProCarManuals.com

200 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
ProCarManuals.com