Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-135, 136-150, 151-165, 166
I don't know anybody who changes their oil every 3000 miles!
I have a 1998 Saab 95 2.3 T with 73000 miles and do about 8000 miles per year too. I change the oil once a year, but keep a good eye on levels and top up if necessary.
Doubt very much if it has anything to do with changing your oil every 3000 miles. Probably just unlucky.
I have never had a mechanical problem with my car. The SID gave up a long time ago, but I can still use it blind. Don't worry about it so much, it still works.
If you only change your oil once a year, you are hurting you engine. Especially driving such low miles, which must mean short trips. This is especially hard on the engine. (Most damage is done on start-up)
If you choose not to change the oil every 3,000 miles, don't complain when your engine goes, and please don't blame the manufacturer.
To the reviewer who asked if GM has changed the way Saabs are now made, this is possibly quite true as Saab now uses components sourced by and through GM.
The 3.0 V6 and now the turbo four motors are all GM engines as well, although Saab does do some changes to them.
Likewise, all Saabs since the 900 of 1994 have used GM derived platforms.
As for changing the oil every 3,000 miles, this seems fairly heavy for a car that is purportedly not an out and out sporting machine like a Subaru WRX or Mitsubishi EVO.
In an age when cars are supposedly boasting of longer service intervals for lower ownership costs, this seems to fly against conventional wisdom.
To the last comment.
Drive a Saab Turbo & tell us it's not a "sporting machine".
Besides -ALL engines would benefit from 3000 mile oil changes.
OK, I'm the lady whose 2000 9.3 had the Sludge problem and finally got Saab to agree to replace the engine. Actually it was the short block they replaced which they tell me was about a $6,000 job.
The only charge to me was for a new throttle body that was bad - $400. I am very, very lucky, I know.
I picked the car up two days ago and it's been driving like a dream. I was told by Saab that if I use synthetic oil changing it every 7,500 miles would be fine. I never want to go through this again so I will do it every 3,000 to 4,000.
Again, I repeat that if your car is diagnosed with Sludge, do not give up after one or two tries. My claim was denied the first time in it's entirety.
After reading all your comments, I am very distressed. I love driving my 1999 9-3 Saab, but like many of you have spent over $12,000 since buying it in 2002 at 36,000. I had hoped to get 200,000 out of it, but at 111,500 I have replaced almost every major component in the engine... ignition cassette, pulley system, A/C compressor, A/C condenser, battery, water pump, struts, shocks, head gasket, alternator, hydraulic system for conv top, engine mounts, exhaust system, tie rods, ball joint.
My latest trial started a week ago when my Brake/ABS lights came on... I now need a ABS Control Unit at a cost of $2900... if I thought that would get me another 80,000 miles I'd do it... I just hate to give up on her... but I don't think I have any choice, but to look for a new Honda! Any suggestions.
Renee in CT.
As for the ABS modulator/control units, it can be removed and repaired (eg. www.BBA-REMAN.com) for about $200 - $250. I've just done mine (about 45 minutes to remove it, cover & tape the connections, shipped and rec'd back in less than a week, 30 minutes to put back in). Car can be driven without the unit, but no speedometer. Dealer apparently replaces the entire hydraulic unit as well as the control unit, thus the exorbitant cost. You can read more about ABS control unit repairs by doing a Google search using "ABS Saab repair" (www.thesaabsite.com, www.saabnet.com user forums have many comments/suggestions/troubleshooting tips re:the Bosch unit used by both Saab & Volvo. I did similar job on prior Volvo 850, worked fine in both cases.
As an owner of a SAAB 2002 Arc, I guess I've been lucky? I've had very few issues with the vehicle over the 52K miles. Had a water-pump and turbo failure under warranty and nothing else. I love to drive the car!
I have a lovely 2001 95 Aero Sport, bought in Jan.06. I love the car.. after owning a 1988 900..I was please to come across this driving machine. I am extremely concerned about having sensors replaced, back rotors, and now replacing two brand new tires (Fusions) that the used dealer put on the car in Jan, at 52k...car currently has 64k...so the steel is showing on two new tires that have 10k uses... mild use...Is the a history of these cars wearing tires?..Saab dealer tells me that rarely the rear rotors need replacing... especially ones with 64k..and can't they be turned?..The independent shop I use, due to 1.5 hours driving time to a dealer, tells me this car is going to drive me crazy!...and I don't have the time or the money to go crazy!!! I've spent close $1000.00 in 10 months...I'm thinking Honda also!
Daughter drives a 2000 9-5 Saab. The entire instrument cluster goes out when driving it and then comes back on eventually and after hitting a bump will go back out. I bought this car for my 16 year old thinking it would be safe and would last her into her college years pretty easily. It is a very nice car, and she loves it. I just didn't know it would be a money pit. Anyone know what might be wrong?
You'll be replacing wear & tear items like tires & brakes on your Honda too, and you won't have nearly as much fun driving to your destination either!
ABS REPAIR, I just repaired my ABS module. Cost was $180 total. When the ABS went I lost use of my speedometer, odometer and the whole instrument panel lit up. Not being a car guy at all, I followed the directions for replacing the fouled up ABS module and it took me an hour to get it out. I had to take the battery and battery holder out as well as the fuse box. It took me a while to figure this out, but when I finally got to the ABS it took me 30 seconds to get the ABS module off. After pulling out the module I sent it to www.bba-reman.com I actually took it to their little office space in New Bedford, MA. They fixed the unit and sent it back to me a day later. It only took me 15 minutes to put the module back in and replace the fuse box and battery. All my dashboard lights went out except my SRM light, the odometer and speedometer now work. I am very proud of myself for tackling this $2500 dealer cost problem for only $180.
Other replaced parts for my Gary Fisher SAAB 9-5:
SID, Turbo, Ignition (recall), radiator, tires every 25k.
Saab 9-5, Newport RI.
To the woman who was able to get Saab to replace her engine: I am having the same problem. Can you please provide more information about to whom you spoke and how you went about getting your reimbursement? I apologize if you have already done so, but I've been unable to find it. If nothing else, your struggles will serve to help others! Thanks.
Why don't you all just change your oil regularly, and you won't have to worry about replacing your engines.
In the majority of cases I still don't blame the vehicles, I blame neglectful owners.
Two oil changes a year??? Please!!!
The problem is that the sludge accumulates even with regular oil changes. My car is proof of that.