Date: Wed, 08 Apr 1998 03:52:14 GMT From: WetSprocketnopsamnet (WetSprocket) Subject: Antifreeze for SAABs, one more question?
My wife bought a 1996 9000cs, and loves it. My very serious problem is reading tons of messages here and on saabnet about replacing the essential fluids on this car. I have managed to overcome my first problem, where is the oil drain plug, by purchasing a floor jack and jack stands. (The owner's manual shows the plug where it is not, and my first attempt was frustrated by the 6.1" clearance of the car to ground). I have reviewed 2+ years of messages about the horrors awaiting one using "US" ethylene glycole antifreeze in a SAAB, including erosion of all alluminum block surfaces, and anything attatched; early death of water pumps; and the realy horror--leaking heater cores. My problem: my SAAB dealer claims, even having shown him in my manual a part number, that there is "no SAAB antifreeze. There are 3 companies in the world making antifreeze, and they make the same thing. So buy something good on sale anywhere." My reading of the last two years on saabnet is that you should either buy Mercedes Benz or Volkswagen antifreeze. But in all cases use distilled water to get a 50-50 mix. Well, my nearest SAAB dealer is my nearest Mercedes dealer, and ownes the nearest VW dealer. So, I want to do the right thing. Should I grab the Prestone on sale at K-Mart, flush and fill; or should I mix the Prestone with distilled water; or should I kill mystelf so I do not have to worry 4 years from now about a leaking heater core? Any help appreciated.
