Saab 1987 900 Owner's Manual page 57

for the footbrake. The handbrake warning
light will glow when the brake is set. The
footbrake warning light will glow when the
fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir has
dropped below the MIN mark. This may be
an indication that there is a leakage in the
system. Since the brakes operate on a dual-
circuit system, each circuit operating on
diagonally opposed wheels, only one circuit
will be affected at a given time, and the car
can be driven carefully with a reduced bra-
king effect to an authorized Saab dealer.
NOTE! If the brake pedal continues to
move down under constant pressure or
the car pulls to one side during braking
or an abnormally loud or metallic noise
is heard during braking see an authori-
zed Saab dealer immediately to have the
braking system inspected.
Both the footbrake and the handbrake are
selfcadjusting.
It
is therefore impossible to
tell by the length of the pedal stroke whet-
her the brake linings are worn out and need
to be replaced. Check the thickness of the
Car care and scheduled maintenance 55
brake linings, regularly as specified in the
maintenance schedule. Use only original
asbestos-free Saab replacement pad sets.
NOTE! Brake pads should always be
changed by an authorized Saab dealer. A
special tool is required to turn back the
parking brake automatic adjuster before
new front brake pads can be installed.
The front brakes are designed for special
semi- metallic brake pads (asbestos-
free).
Running-in of new brake linings
The running-in period for new brake lin-
ings is around 90 miles of city driving or 300
miles of highway driving. To extend the ser-
vice life, avoid hard braking during this
period.
•
Checking the brake fluid
The brake fluid reservoir (container) is
transparent to facilitate checking of the
fluid level. The level should be between the
MAX and MIN marks. Use only recom-
mended brake fluid. Over a period of time
in use, the brake fluid will deteriorate, since
it gradually absorbs water and oxidizes .
It
is therefore important that the fluid be
changed as specified in the maintenance
schedule. This work should be carried out
by an authorized Saab dealer.