2005 Saab 9-3 Owner's Manual - Page 259

Car care 257 Air conditioning (A/C) WARNING • All repairs and adjustments to the A/C system must be carried out at a Saab dealer authorized for this kind of work. • The A/C system is pressurized. Do not break any connections or undo A/C system components. • Escaping gas can cause eye injury or other personal injury. Troubleshooting If a fault occurs in the A/C system, there are a number of checks you can perform yourself. If the fault persists, however, have the system checked at a Saab dealer. Note: When the A/C system is running, the intake air is dehumidified. The resultant condensation that forms on the evaporator is drained off under the car. When the car is parked, this may result in a small puddle forming on the ground. The warmer the air and the higher the relative humidity, the more condensation will be produced. Maintenance NOTICE Do not use a pressure washer when cleaning the condenser or radiator due to the risk of damage. • The compressor drive belt should be inspected under the regular service program. • Clean away dirt and insects from the condenser and radiator to prevent clogging. When washing the car, use the hose to spray the radiator and condenser (located in front of the radiator) from both sides (both from the front of the car and from inside the engine bay). Do not use a pressure washer. Caution: Do not hose down the radiator and condenser while the engine is hot. Other than in extremely cold weather, do not screen the radiator, e.g. with netting, as this will greatly diminish its cooling capacity. • Applicable to the manual climate control system - During cold months the air conditioning should be switched on once or twice a month and run for 5-10 minutes during highway driving once the engine is warm. This action saves the gaskets in the compressor from being spoiled. The compressor uses a lubricant that circulates with the coolant. Inadequate cooling NOTICE • The A/C system is designed for use with R134a refrigerant. • Refrigerant handling requires special equipment and special procedures for charging and draining the system. • Never mix R 134a with other refrigerants. a Check that the controls for temperature and air distribution are correctly set; see "Manual climate-control system" on page 103. b Check that the condenser (in front of the radiator) has not become clogged with dirt and insects. c Make sure that the compressor drive belt does not slip (see page 210). d Check the fuses for the ventilation fans and compressor (see page 229).