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Hi, so I broke past 90,000 miles on the 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible yesterday.. and the major service for 90,000 miles includes a transmission fluid change. I plan to have a shop do it, that way if they break it, it’s their issue, not mine.
But what should they use? Originally called for Texaco Texamatic Dexron III, mineral oil based ATF. Obviously Dexron III is no longer available, so Dexron VI is the replacement BUT, Dexron IV is synthetic, and in Saab’s WIS, they SPECIFICALLY tell you to use mineral based stuff ONLY.
The coefficient of friction of synthetic oil is not the same as that of mineral-based oil and therefore must not be used. The use of synthetic oil may result in abnormal wear.
The transmission is the older 4 speed automatic kind, so the ATF 3309 (used in the 5 speed automatics in the 9-5 after 2002) is not the right stuff either.
Would any of these fit the bill?
Mobil ATF D/M
Valvoline® DEX/MERC ATF
HAVOLINE® AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID MD-3Just don’t want them to put the wrong stuff in it.
__________As for coolant, the stuff in the radiator is the reddish orange coolant, and depending on what you read, it is supposedly GM DEXCOOL. Is there a specific brand, or would these do?
Prestone® Dex-Cool® 50/50 Prediluted Extended Life
Zerex DEX-COOL™ Antifreeze / Coolant
___________Now, power steering.. The owner’s manual specifies CHF-11S power steering fluid. This seems to be a rather rare difficult thing to find. Is there anything wrong with using regular power steering fluid, or should I get some CHF-11S from Amazon or something?
__________As for Engine Oil, anything meeting the ACEA A3 stuff should do the trick. correct? These are two good oils that I could use when I change the oil next myself next time..?
Mobil 1 0W-40
Vavoline SynPower® 5W-40Can someone fully explain the numbering with the oils? I know the “W” means Winter, and the second part 0W-40 5W-40 means that once the engine is warmed up, both of these oils have the same viscosity of 40, so ideally these would be identical once the engine is warmed and running right?
But the 0W and 5W is the viscosity when the car is off and cooled. So the 0W would be thicker when “cold” and the 5W would be thinner when “cold” correct? Is there much of a difference? I ask, as here in New England, the winters tend to get cold, sometimes a bit below 0ºF, and thats COLD! Would I want to use a 5W-40 oil in the winter, and 0W-40 for summer (or just use one all year round)?
Sorry for the long post, but I like to learn as much as possible. 🙂
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1. All Dexron is backwards compatible.. Dex VI is fine… It is what the dealers are using… Don’t just take my word for it, call them and ask…
2. Buy the lesser priced Dex-cool… Its Dex-cool…. Although I am not a fan of it because of other issues (but GM at least re-designed their gaskets now to take it)… (as long as the system does not get air in it as well)… Also if you change from Dex-cool, you have to completely remove it…
3. Should be able to get CHF-11S through your major parts store..
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/PNT0/1405116.oap?pt=04184&ppt=C00314. Oil… Put in what it calls for based on your owners manual for the conditions… I somehow really believe you still have your owners manual still in the nice binder…
Use whatever is recommended in the owners manual as far as fluids go, most everything especially on a saab is most likely going to be vehicle specific. If you are unsure than you need to call the dealership. Also have you ever changed your transmission fluid in the car before? That close to 100k most shops won’t do it.
Transmission fluid has been changed out every 30,000 miles as recommended by the service schedule booklet.
[quote=”ouimetnick” post=109662]Can someone fully explain the numbering with the oils? I know the “W” means Winter, and the second part 0W-40 5W-40 means that once the engine is warmed up, both of these oils have the same viscosity of 40, so ideally these would be identical once the engine is warmed and running right?
But the 0W and 5W is the viscosity when the car is off and cooled. So the 0W would be thicker when “cold” and the 5W would be thinner when “cold” correct? Is there much of a difference? I ask, as here in New England, the winters tend to get cold, sometimes a bit below 0ºF, and thats COLD! Would I want to use a 5W-40 oil in the winter, and 0W-40 for summer (or just use one all year round)?
Sorry for the long post, but I like to learn as much as possible. :)[/quote]
You have it backwards, the 0W-40 oil is the thinner one when cold. If I had to chose between 0W-40 and 5W-40 (your example) I would go with the 5W-40 oil. The reason being the 0W-40 oil contains more stuff that isn’t oil in order to be 0W-40. For some parts of the engine real lubrication meaning real oil is important.
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