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Comments
2...The Climate Control can be programmed to Always turn on upon start up. In addition, it can be programmed to always come on in a preset mode. ie.. always at 68degrees for driver and 70 for passenger regardless of how it was set during the previous drive. That's just one example.
3... The light switch really does nothing for you if your Daytime Running lights are on. If you pull the fuse to inactivate DayTime Lights.. the Switch will be used as you'd expect. Off, Parking Lights and Headlights on.
4... I don't know if additives are needed or recommended. I never used them in our '99.
5... I don't have the book in front of me to answer the air filter question. It's not replaced often though and not cheap if I remember. I just always took our in for scheduled service and the replacement interval is included in that schedule.
Best of Luck.. hope this helped a little. You really do need the manual for this car. What a shame the previous owner kept it. A lease company will charge you if you don't return the car with the book and I think they should.
Drew
You know I'm just going to have to pass that along to a couple of my Volvo friends!
SC
Enjoy!!
(2) There is some programming that an owner can do and some which can be done only by the dealer. If you want the ACC to come on in a specific mode upon start up, here's the programming sequence:
(a) Make sure ignition switch is ON.
(b) Selct the seetting you want upon start up.
(c) Press the OFF button and the REAR DEFOG button at the same time. The REAR DEFOG button is the one with the square and the 3 wiggly lines. The display will flash to confirm the settings.
(d) Turn ignition OFF and keep OFF for at least 10 minutes for settings to be memorized.
Prior to prgramming the ACC you may want to cancel the previous settings. To do this press AUTO and the FAN DOWN button, which looks like a fan symbol with a down arrow on it. The display will flash to confirm cancellation.
(3) To deactivate DRL's remove fuse #35 from the dashboard fuse panel located on the left side of the dash facing the driver's door. I can't recall if the panel is numbered but fuse #35 is on the second row up from the bottom and the second fuse from the right. Should be a 15 amp fuse. This will kill all daytime light including headlights. The headlight switch will now act sorta normal; the parking light setting will not work if the car is running but that can be fixed at the dealer. Parking light work normally when the car is off.
(4) No additives are needed nor recommended. Saab says that some may harm the turbocharger. I run Mobil One in my 9-5.
(5) Cabin air filter needs to be chaged at 30K and is a PITA to do from what I've heard. There's no mention of the charcoal cannister in the manual. Prolly best to talk to the dealer about both.
Hope all this helps!! Enjoy the 9-5.
As far as the SID's error messages, I'm beginning to think that it could be an electrical problem, because I just got the "rear light failure" again this morning. I walked around the car and checked every single light. The only light that's off is one of the the rear licence plate lights. But all the fronts are just fine.
Can someone tell me how should the high beams be indictated on the dashboard? Should it only be the blue control light in the shape of the reflector, or should it also have the green dot inside?
Thanks again,
Chris
Prior to signing any paperwork I'd take the car on a pretty vigorous test drive. You want to look for any odd noises or smells. Accelerate and brake hard. Drive at a modest speed then floor it to make sure the tranny kicks down properly. Take it on the freeway and drive it at speed, looking for vibrations or misaligned front end. Push every button, turn every knob, honk the horn, use the wiper washers, play the stereo loud, do everything. Make sure the dealer takes care of the car *before* you leave. Every car salemen in the world will promise to take care of any problems down the road but getting them taken care of while you're there is best.
I'm sure you'll use lots of common sense and check every little detail. If you notice things right after you get it home, note it and have them taken care of at the 1000 mile service. Oh, and make sure they give you whatever they promised you, if anything. My dealer said he'd give me a Saab t-shirt when I came in for my 1000 mile service. That was 15,000 miles ago.......
1. I pulled the fuse #35 and everything works great now. I still wish there was an option to keep the lights on without the dashboard lights, but oh well.
2. My "Rear Light Failure" turned out to be true after all... When I first checked my rear lights, it was barely dark outside, and I did not notice that there are two bulbs per each side for the driving lights. Sure enough one of the was out on one side...
3. Reprogrammed the ACC as well.
Now to the question. I'm wondering how the acceleration should feel in the car? My wife has a '00 Volvo S70 GLT (5 cyl. Turbo - 197Hp vs. my V6 Turbo 200HP) and today we were driving both cars so I decided to "test" them. The Volvo was quite a bit faster... In Sport mode, my 9-5 feels very powerful in the midrage, but the power drops off noticeably at the higher RPM. The Volvo is more linear - the faster the engine spins the more powerfull it feels.
I don't really care much for drag racing or the like, just want to know if this mid-range power behavior is normal for the Saab?
Thanks,
Chris
the S70GLT (190hp actually) has probably the most Low End torque of any turbo car Ive driven...
Overall though, the 9-5, on paper, looks pretty close. Once they get moving the 95 can be a tad quicker.
Bill
One of my few gripes about my 9-5 is the (lack of) drip rails. If you ever open your window (even if there is only a slight drizzle) water comes gushing in! I am sure that it rains in Sweden, how was this overlooked?
This ought to answer most any question about turbos, including what "lag" is. Enjoy.
Saab 9-5s no later than Thursday, May 9. Please direct your response, including daytime phone number and occupation, to jfallon@edmunds.com.
Thanks as always!
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
the failure was in the wash.d.c. area.--heavy stop and go traffic.
the local dealer found a blown fuse.
has anyone had this happen to them.
a fuse blows for a reason and i wonder if any of you can pinpoint this.?
taking the car to a dealer for follow up this coming monday to see if the computer is at fault or something else. would appreaciate your feedback.
the saab is a 2000 aero with 39,000 miles .bought new in nov.99
ALERT-
by the way,while at this dealer i noticed that the service mgr. had a few work orders on his desk and would tell his asst. every now and then. to go punch the time clock on them.
apparently they had finished the work on the cars but to charge extra they would just add extra time to the work order.....BY PUNCHING IN A LATER TIME FINISHED WORK.
when i came in they first told me that i should rent a car ,because i could be there for one or two days until they could get a part..but,as soon as they found out the car was under warranty,the car was fixed in less than 1/2 hour----
anyhow--i really need to know about the motor conking out issue if any of you have a background.--the time clock i posted for those in the d.c. area.be careful.
ff
Thanks much,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
The A4 is really not in the same class and the 9-5. People tend to group them together because of Price but the 9-5 compares better with the A6 actually. I think it falls a little between the A4 and A6
All I can tell you is that we didn't have any reliability problems with our '99 9-5. BTW, the 2002 version is greatly improved with both these cars. I'm amazed how much improved our new 9-5 is over the first year model actually.
Good Luck
Drew
Shop carefully if interior room is important to you. The A4 was way too small for me and the A6, while better, still wasn't roomy for four adults to be comfy. The 9-5 doesn't look big but the interior space is very efficient. Plus I continue to be amazed at what I can pack into my 9-5. Last week was a lawnmower, several shovels and rakes, lawn care products, and a few other things. Who needs a minivan?
i'm RickP..:>
But don't compare it to a Saab, especially the 9-5. The 9-5 is built on basically its own platform (it does share some components with a few European cars not sold in the US). The steering, braking, handling, and overall suspension performance is much more sophisticated than the TL.... or the ES300, I35, Millenia, etc for that matter.
The 9-5 is simply one of the safest sedans in the world. Saab doesn't take a backseat to any car mfr in terms of safety, not even Volvo. Short of driving a S-class, I would not want to be in any other car than a 9-5 if I were in an accident. I have read far too many stories from accident victims who said, "thank God I was in a Saab".
But Saab's have one key element that no Japanese car will ever have and that's character. Saab's have a unique personality that's charming and puzzling at the same time. Its what makes the car so distinct. And it breeds a loyalty that few brands can match. No matter how good a Japanese car can be, they never seem to develop the kind of passion Saab's do.
Nice thing about Acuras and the like is that most of the people you know will recognize it and remark that its such a good car, so reliable. They'll all cluck their approval. Lots of people buy Toyotas and Hondas and Lexus' for that very reason.
Don't expect that in a Saab. Most of your friends won't know what it is. Or at least they've never been in one. And some will say they knew someone who had one and it always was in the shop. It'll be a rare moment when someone really knows what Saab's are about and let you know that they know.
Have fun shopping. We won't hold it against you if ou get the Acura ;-)
Can you say I am a SAAB guy...
Once you sit in the cockpit of the Aero, and see the ergonomics... I am sure THIS is the place you will want to be. IMPORTANT: make sure you choose the Sport mode (the magical little "S" button on the shifter) when you do the test drive... That awakes the demons...
Happy driving. Keep up posted.
Some highlights from my 9-5 experience:
Pros:
- I still think it has classy European looks
- One of the best highway cars I have ever driven, tracks like it's on rails, great turbo passing power, and 2900 rpm at 80 mph
- I think the SAAB HK stereo system should have been in Edmunds best stereo systems article a few weeks back
- Excellent ergonomics
- Every car should have air conditioned seats
- Awesome cargo carrying capacity - great practicality with the fold down seats
- Some of the best seats in the business, the Swedes excel at this
- I love the steering in this car - it has great feedback, feel and weight and is extremely refined
- Love the little details and unique touches that SAAB includes in their cars, like the night panel, refrigerated glove-box, pockets in the front seat cushions, nets on the B-pillars, and I like the ignition between the seats
- Great brakes and perfect clutch take-up
- shifter is better than the VW/Audi units, but not as good as the BMW's
- Very good structural integrity, and I'm at 60k miles
Cons:
- A few too many electrical glitches - heated seat switches and AC seat switches have lights that always seem to go out, half my horn doesn't work, 3 or 4 headlight/taillights gone out, and the LCD display is always missing parts to numbers or letters
- Sunroof rattles
- Would prefer one-touch up windows and a one-touch close sunroof
- Chassis compliance is still too abrubt as compare to a 5-series
- Too much body roll, although the car still handles very well
- The car needs better cup holders and better center armrest
- One major mechanical failure - a pully off the engine failed and collapsed, compromising the serpentine belt at 53k miles, just outside the powertrain warranty. This stranded my wife. SAAB picked up the parts and I covered the labor but I still wasn't happy about it. This about made me lose my faith in the brand, and I'm still not sure if I want to risk having a SAAB again, but I chalk my misfortune up to being a '99, the first year of production.
Funny thing is, I still love SAABS. I never considered them quirky. Actually, I think these cars were designed and engineered for a more discerning driver. So I am thinking about leasing a new 9-3. It's the first model year, so no way will I buy it. We'll see, I'll be shopping for the next 4 months. Let me know if anyone has any new info on the 9-3.
High? That price is obcene! Keep in mind that the lease company does NOT want the car back if they can avoid it. They well get around 16K at auction. They may have residual insurance but even with that, they'll get less than $19K. When I first called my lease company (Chase) they gave me a price of $22K. I told them thanks but I can get a much better buy in the used car market. She admitted that they had residual insurance but offered to check the insurance coverage. It turns out they were insured for Only $18,650.
Moral of the story, don't just accept they're first qoute. If they sell it to you for the amount it's insured for, they will save money. They are just hoping people will jump on the first qoute.
Call them and tell them your interested but the price seems high after looking at '99's in your area. Ask them if they have residual insurance and what the amount is, they have been willing to give the info out.
Good Luck
Drew
$23K? That's probably either full boat retail or well over retail!
Bill
And in your opinion, when will be best time in the next 7 months to purchase a new 9-5? Was thinking Fall may be best as new model year should be here.
Thanks Paul
I posted a note in the Wagons file because I had a question about who makes the V6 engines since they are made in the UK and one person thought Vauxhall makes it.
So far I really like the car with a few minor complaints. The first is with the tires, MXV4. This is the second car I've owned with them and on the first car I thought they were bad in the snow. This car I believe I hydro planed the first rainy day I drove it on the highway. I felt like the car got very light and the TCS light came on. My owners manual says the light will come on when the front wheels are spinning faster than the rear wheels. I was going about 70mph when it happened. 2nd) the location of the door lock and how high it sticks up, right where I want to rest my arm when the window is open. 3rd) I have to move the front seat forward to fold down the rear seats and I can't adjust the seat back to where I'm comfortable. 4th) the seats are small with no lateral support, but comfortable, I'm 5"11" 210ish. 5th) the black paint needs a lot of attention to stay looking good. The metallic paints are $500 more.
My list of likes is to long to list.
The Michelin MXV's do their job, something between the car and the road. If you are looking for all-season traction with touring abilities, go for the Bridgestone Turanza's. If you want more performance, head toward an upper end Michelin or Pirelli...
The door lock is an annoyance (more so on the 9-3, as the sill is shorter), but you adapt and move your arm further forward.
To get more lateral support in the seats, you have to move up the Aero. That and the Viggen are the only models that have performance seats. Petiton Saab to dump the ventilated seats for the more performance oriented ones (or, atleast make the sport seats an option).
As for the Black color, everyone knows it shows dirt the minute you leave the car wash. This happens on every black car I see....
I use and test many wax and polish products and have found several that work well on the 9-5. One thing I have noticed is the inexpensive "one-step" products that claim to polish and protect in one step do not perform either very well and tend to leave a slight cloudy or streaky finish on the 9-5. That's not to say ALL these products will do that so YMMV.
For the best gloss and protection nothing beats a polymer sealant. Brands are Blackfire, 4 Star Platinum, Klasse, and Zaino.
I've also used Finish First which is basically the same product as Liquid Glass. For a nice gloss and decent durability at an affordable price, FF/LG is a good choice.
But nothing is going to beat the elite sealant products. The only caranuba wax that came close is Pinnacle Souveran, which is $70 per jar. It's by far the best carnauba wax I'v ever used and looks spectacular on the 9-5.
Currently my car has Zaino on it and it looks fantastic. Very high gloss and extremely slick to the touch. However, Zaino does not suffer fools and requires a near perfect finish prior to application. That means no swirl marks, no scratches, no oxidation, no stains.......nothing. Zaino is a SEALANT and will just coat any flaws, not remove or hide them.
If you want just one product to apply to your 9-5's that will lightly polish the paint and offer a glossy, durable shine, I recommend Klasse All In One. As a "one-step" it does everything well. Also Blackfire's All Finish Paint Polish works well too and is extremely easy to use.
Hope all this helps.
One is a certified Saab pre-owned the other not.
We have our cars professionally detailed about four times a year. Our previous Saab colors were, Aubergine then Scarab Green and now Steel Grey. The first two showed way to much surface damage IMO. Lots of Swirls. My Montero has not had this problem. I'm hoping this new Wagon holds up better. I LOVE the car. The lighter color should help I'm thinking.
Unfortunately, it's in the body shop right now. The door got hit before the car was two weeks old.
Drew
I have noticed that I have a couple of chipped paint spots on the hood of the car. I'm the only one who drives the car and I don't remember hearing any rocks or pebbles hitting the car, so I'm assuming that the paint is also brittle and just chips easily.
Who knows, maybe my detail guy was causing damage but I don't see much of this problem on my Montero. I think the Dark colors show more as well.
Drew
Thread forum about recalibration of air vent distribution but I can't locate it again. I have tried many times in the last few weeks, but no luck. Can anybody help?
I got a 2002 9-5 Linear/Automatic, almost 4000km now.
Thanks,
KingS