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I am in the process of buying a low mileage 97 Aero 5 speed. I would appreciate some input re the following...
*I have had good luck (at least I think so!) using Amsoil synthetic engine oil and a (BIG) bypass filter on my current 97 9000 CSE (135,000 miles and no oil consumption...oil color darkens but doesn't go black until just before I change it...usually 'bout 25,000 miles) I plan to use the same setup on the Aero. My current car has an AT...and I have also been using Amsoil synthetic ATF with an external standard oil filter setup I got from Group 6...(Saab advises no synthetic ATF, but ZF approves it)...and I don't know if that has helped...but so far the tranny still behaves like new.
Q: Is there something "better than stock" for use in the 5 speed transmissions to provide smoother shifts and longer life? (I know I don't need a filter!)
Q: I have read that the feel of Saab manual transmissions is not the greatest compared with BMW, Honda etc. (the only one I ever drove was a new 1994 900 and at the time I thought it wasn't as precise as the G20 I ended up buying, but it was certainly "ok") In addition to a different lubricant, does anyone make a "short shift kit" or other enhancement that is worthwhile?
While I think the synthetic fluids and optional filters mentioned above have been worthwhile (I won't really know until the AT goes to 200k without blowing...or if the engine still doesn't consume any oil at 250k) I DID NOT have good luck using synthetic ATF and an external oil filter setup on my power steering system. I don't think the ATF was the problem...more likely that I had a differential pressure drop using the additional filter...especially after it started filtering...though I changed it every 30k. The result was a "moaning" system at 70,000 miles...and the moan went away until 110,000 miles...after I removed the filter and went back to standard PS fluid.
Q: If I read it correctly, I saw a TSB listing that said Saab was offering a synthetic power steering fluid...maybe that is worth a try?
*After reading it recommended by Saabtech, I have been using Mercedes coolant (like Saab, they get theirs from BASF, but it has an additional anticorrosion "package"). I don't know if that has made any difference...I don't know how long I should expect a Saab system to be trouble free...but
the system is still squeaky clean.
Q: Anyone have any thoughts/experience on using the Mercedes coolant? I have not used BarsLeaks, but I have read a number of positive comments in the past on saabnet. Any thoughts on using it? On using both the Mercedes coolant and BarsLeaks together?
*During the winters, I have been running 205/60-15 (same size as my summer tires) Michelin Arctic Alpines on my standard wheels. I don't like the steel wheel/skinny tire look of the alternative winter setup...and performance in all conditions has been excellent.
Q: Aside from the issue of winter and change over damage to the Aero's wheels, should I use a 205/55-16 winter tire (assuming they are available) or is it better to use something else...like my current 205/60-15 setup?
Thanks in advance for any input!
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