1•10
Every 12 000 miles or 12 months
1 Working on each seat belt in turn, carefully
examine the seat belt webbing for cuts, or for
any signs of serious fraying or deterioration.
Pull the belt all the way out, and examine the
full extent of the webbing.
2 Fasten and unfasten the belt, ensuring that
the locking mechanism holds securely, and
releases properly when intended. Check also
that the retracting mechanism operates
correctly when the belt is released.
3 Check the security of all seat belt mountings
and attachments which are accessible,
without removing any trim or other
components, from inside the vehicle.
1 The following work can be carried out by the
home mechanic, but if an electronic fault is
apparent, it will be necessary to take the car to
a Saab dealer, who will have the necessary
diagnostic equipment to extract fault codes
from the system.
2 Turn the ignition switch to the drive position
(warning lights on), and check that the SRS
(Supplementary Restraint System) warning
light is illuminated for six seconds. After this
period the light should go out, indicating that
the system has been checked and is
functioning correctly.
3 If the warning light remains on or refuses to
light, have the system checked by a Saab
dealer.
4 Visually examine the steering wheel centre
pad and the passenger airbag module for
external damage. If there is any doubt if
damage is evident, consult a Saab dealer.
5 In the interests of safety, make sure that
there are no loose items inside the car which
could be thrown onto the airbag modules in
the event of an accident.
1 Working around the vehicle, clean and then
lubricate the hinges of the doorg and tailgate
with a light machine oil.
2 Lubricate the bonnet release mechanism,
hinges and safety locks with a smear of
petroleum jelly:
3 Check carefully the security and operation
of all hinges, latches and locks, adjusting them
where required. Check the operation of the
central locking system (if fitted).
4 Check the condition and operation of the
tailgate struts, renewing them if either is
leaking or no longer able to support the
tailgate securely when raised.
5 On completion, check the operation of all
door locks, tailgate/boot locks and the fuel
filler flap. Check that the child safety catches
on the rear doors operate correctly.
Caution: Before carrying out any
work on the vehicle battery, read
through the precautions given in
"Safety first!" at the beginning of
this manual.
1 The battery is located on the left-hand
side of the engine compartment. The
exterior of the battery should be inspected
periodically for damage such as a cracked
case or cover.
2 Check the tightness of the battery cable
clamps to ensure good electrical connections,
and check the entire length of each cable for
cracks and frayed conductors. Check the
positive cable between the battery and the
starter motor.
3 If corrosion (visible as white, fluffy deposits)
is evident, remove the cables from the battery
terminals, clean them with a small wire brush,
then refit them. Corrosion can be kept to a
minimum by applying a layer of petroleum jelly
to the clamps and terminals after they are
reconnected.
4 Make sure that the battery retaining clamp
is secure. On later models, check that the
retaining bolt is tight.
5 Corrosion on the retaining clamp and
the battery terminals can be removed
with a solution of water and baking soda.
Thoroughly rinse all cleaned areas with plain
water.
6 Any metal parts of the vehicle damaged by
corrosion should be covered with a zinc-
based primer, then painted.
7 Periodically (approximately every three
months), check the charge condition of the
battery as described in Chapter 5A.
8 Further information on the battery, charging
and jump-starting can be found in Chapter 5
and in the preliminary Sections of this
manual.
1 Check the headlights and front foglights for
damage such as stone chipping.
2 Check the headlight beam adjustment with
reference to Chapter 12, noting that the tyres
must be correctly inflated for an accurate setting.
Where a headlight beam adjustment switch is
fitted, make sure that it is set to zero
before making any alterations to the beam
alignment.
3 If necessary, adjust the front foglight beam
alignment at the adjustment screws either on
the top front corners of the unit, or underneath
the unit. An approximate adjustment can be
made by directing the beam vertically parallel
to the ground and horizontally parallel to the
centre-line of the car.
Instruments and electrical
equipment
1 Check the operation of all instruments and
electrical equipment.
2 Make sure that all instruments read
correctly, and switch on all electrical
equipment in turn to check that it functions
properly. Check the function of the heating, air
conditioning and automatic climate control
systems.
Steering and suspension
3 Check for any abnormalities in the steering,
suspension, handling or road "feel".
4 Drive the vehicle, and check that there are
no unusual vibrations or noises.
5 Check that the steering feels positive, with
no excessive "sloppiness", or roughness, and
check for any suspension noises when
cornering, or when driving over bumps. Check
that the power steering system operates
correctly. Check that the cruise control system
(where fitted) operates correctly.
Drivetrain
6 Check the performance of the engine,
clutch (manual transmission), transmission
and driveshafts. On Turbo models,
check that the boost pressure needle moves
up to the red zone briefly during sharp
acceleration.
7 Listen for any unusual noises from the
engine, clutch (manual transmission) and
transmission.
8 Make sure that the engine runs smoothly
when idling, and that there is no hesitation I
when accelerating.
9 On manual transmission models, check
that the clutch action is smooth and
progressive, that the drive is taken up
smoothly, and that the pedal travel is correct.
Also listen for any noises when the clutch
pedal is depressed. Check that all gears can
be engaged smoothly, without noise, and that
the gear lever action is not abnormally vague
or "notchy".
10 On automatic transmission models, make
sure that all gearchanges occur smoothly
without snatching, and without an increase in
engine speed between changes. Check that all
the gear positions can be selected with the
vehicle at rest. If any problems are found, they
should be referred to a Saab dealer.
11 Listen for a metallic clicking sound from
the front of the vehicle, as the vehicle is driven
slowly in a circle with the steering on full lock.