2008 Saab 9 5 Owners Manual

This can be done either using a battery charger or by taking the car for a long run. A car with a standard equipment specifica- tion and a fully charged battery can be left for up to 40 days and still have a sufficient charge for starting. If extra equipment is fit- ted, such as a car phone, the charge may only be sufficient for about 15 days.

Checking the battery electrolyte level. Dark or green level indicates the correct fluid level. Battery should be changed if indicator is light

The battery is provided with a cover to protect it from radiated heat. If the battery is exposed to high temperatures, its life will be shortened. To remove the cover, release the two clips along its long sides. The cover fits the standard battery installed in the car. If a new battery is to be fitted, make sure that its dimensions are the same as the standard one. The battery is maintenance free and should be changed if the electrolyte level is too low. The indicator on the top side of the battery will be white if the battery needs replacing.

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Charging/replacing the battery

NOTE

To avert the danger of short-circuiting between the positive (+) terminal on the battery and the inlet manifold on the engine, always disconnect the negative (–) battery lead first and reconnect it last.

Connect the positive lead to the positive (+) battery terminal (red), and the negative lead to a good ground point, e.g. the lifting lug at the front of the engine. To remove the battery, always disconnect the negative (black) lead first and reconnect it last when fitting the new battery. The battery size must comply with DIN 53735 MFI 230/2.16.

NOTE

(cid:127) If boost charging never use anything but a 12-volt charger, see page 188. (cid:127) Never reverse the polarity of the bat-

tery by connecting the leads to the wrong terminals. The red, positive lead connects to the positive (+) termi- nal, and the black, negative lead to the negative (–) terminal.

(cid:127) Serious damage can occur to the car´s electrical system if a battery or alterna- tor lead is disconnected while the engine is running.

(cid:127) The nut on the battery clamp should

be tightened to a torque of 10 Nm.

Battery

Correct position for battery clamp

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Drive belts

WARNING

(cid:127) Keep hands and clothing clear of drive

belts when engine is running.

(cid:127) Always stop the engine before

inspecting drive belt.

(cid:127) The radiator fan is electric and can

start even when the engine is switched off.

NOTE

Serious damage can be done to the car’s electrical system if an alternator lead is disconnected while the engine is running.

Car care and technical information

201

Routing of the drive belt

The alternator is situated on the right-hand side of the engine, adjacent to the bulkhead. It is driven via a Poly-V-belt from the crank- shaft pulley. The Poly-V-belt also drives the water pump, the A/C compressor and the steering servo pump. The belt tension is critical and is adjusted automatically by the belt tensioner. See also page 59, ”Warning, charging”.

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202
Wipers and washers Check and clean all wiper blades regularly. If poor wiper performance is experienced, clean the windshield with a quality glass cleaner. This is particularly important if the car has been through an automatic car wash, as these sometimes leave a wax coating on the windshield. If wiper performance is still unsatisfactory, fit new blades.

Changing the windshield wiper blades Lift the wiper arm off the windshield 1 Depress the catch. 2 Pull the complete blade assembly down to free it from the wiper arm, and then lift it off the arm.

Rear window, SportCombi 1 Detach the blade from the arm by pres- sing the blade’s mounting from underne- ath.

2 Install a new blade by pressing the shaft

of the blade in the arm’s mounting.

The washer jet, which is located next to the high-mounted brake light, is not adjustable.

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203

Cleaning/adjusting the washer jets

Washer-fluid filler cap

The headlights have high-pressure washers 3

Washer jets The washer jets can be adjusted and, if necessary, unclogged by means of a pin.

Washers The washer-fluid reservoir holds 6.4 quarts (6 liters). When "Washer fluid level low. Refill." comes up on the SID, the reservoir is down to about 1 quart (1 liter) of fluid. Add at least 50 % of washer- fluid to water to prevent freezing and for effective cleaning.

WARNING

Take care not to spill washer fluid concentrate onto hot surfaces. Washer fluid concentrate contains flammable ingredients such as alcohol.

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204
Changing bulbs

WARNING

Before changing a bulb in the engine bay, switch off the engine to avoid danger of fingers and hands being injured by moving parts. The radiator fan can start up even when the engine is switched off. Xenon headlights 3333 are high voltage and must therefore be changed at a workshop. We recommend that you contact an authorized Saab work- shop. Work involving high-voltage components is potentially lethal.

NOTE

(cid:127) Since the headlight lenses are made

of plastic, rinse dried-on dirt with water and allow it time to soften up before cleaning the lenses. Avoid rubbing the lenses when dry and never use solvents.

(cid:127) Use de-icer spray instead of scraping

the ice off.

Check that the new bulb is working when finished. Use only "Long Life" bulbs. Headlight aiming, see page 250.

NOTE

(cid:127) Do not fit bulbs with a higher rating

than 55 W, since the headlight reflec- tor and the wiring of the car are not designed for a higher wattage.

(cid:127) Switch off the ignition before chang- ing a bulb, to avoid possible short-cir- cuiting.

(cid:127) Do not touch the glass of the bulbs

with your fingers. The oil on your skin can shorten the life of the bulb.

Xenon headlight 3333
Xenon headlights produce roughly twice as much light as halogen bulbs and have a sig- nificantly longer service life. The lamp units consist of a gas discharge lamp containing xenon. When the lights are switched on a very high voltage activates the xenon gas. The lamps soon reach full intensity. Cars with xenon headlights have automatic levelling. The levelling system comprises two sensors, one on the front axle, one on the rear axle and a control unit under each of the two headlight housings. Headlight alignment is regulated automatically to pre- vent dazzling oncoming traffic. Alignment is also adjusted during braking.

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The three covers of the headlight. The left-hand cover is for the direction indicator. Replacement of this bulb should be carried out by a workshop. We recommend that you contact an authorized Saab workshop.

Headlight bulb for high beam (Halogen) On cars equipped with Xenon lamps the Halogen lamps are used only for high beam flasher if the daytime running lights are deacti- vated and the headlight switch is in the off position (otherwise Xenon lamp is utilized): 1 Remove the cover from the back of the lamp unit. To improve accessibility to the right-hand side, hold back the induction air hose. To improve accessibility to the left-hand side, remove the battery cover. Release the two clips along the long sides of the cover.

2 Hold the connector and move the bulb up and down slightly while

pulling it out.

3 Detach the connector from the bulb. 4 Fit the new bulb in the connector without touching the lens with

fingers.

5 Align and fit the bulb in its guide in the reflector by moving it up

and down slightly while pushing it forward.

6 Fit the cover.

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206

Low beam bulb 3333
On certain variants the low beam bulb is fitted in the same way as the high beam bulb, without spring clips, see previous page.

Headlight bulb for low beam (Halogen) 1 Take off the cover from the back of the lamp unit. To improve

accessibility to the right-hand headlight, hold aside the induction air hose. To improve accessibility to the left-hand headlight, remove the battery cover. Release the two clips along the long sides of the cover.

2 Unplug the connector. 3 To remove the spring clip, push it in and then move it to the right. 4 Remove the bulb. 5 Without touching the glass with your fingers, insert the new bulb. 6 Line up the bulb with the guide in the reflector and secure it with

the spring clip.

7 Plug in the connector. 8 Fit the cover.

Contact an authorized Saab workshop if a Xenon headlight requires replacement

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207

Front direction indicator Direction indicator bulb replacement should be carried out by a workshop. We recommend that you contact an autho- rized Saab dealer.

Parking-light bulb

Front fog lights

Parking-light bulb The parking light bulb is situated in the lower edge of the lamp housing. The bulb holder has been extended to facil- itate replacement. 1 Pull the extended bulb holder straight

out.

2 Change the bulb. 3 Make sure that the O-ring is correctly

positioned so as to seal against the lamp housing. When the bulb holder is slid in, it does not matter which direction the bulb holder grip is held.

Front fog lights 3333

WARNING

Never crawl under a car that is supported only by a jack. Always use axle stands. Refer to the information on jacks on page 239.

1 From under the front bumper, grip the bulb holder and twist counterclockwise.

2 Unplug the connector. 3 Change the bulb. Refit in the reverse order.

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13

Rear light clusters, 9-5 Sedan 1 Direction indicators 2 Stop lights and taillights 3 Reversing lights 4 Rear fog light 5 High-mounted brake light

Rear light clusters, 9-5 SportCombi 1 Direction indicators 2 Stop lights and taillights 3 Reversing lights 4 Rear fog light 5 High-mounted brake light

Rear light cluster, 9-5 Sedan The bulbs for the lamps in the rear light clus- ter are accessed from the luggage compart- ment. 1 Lower the flap (secured with catches). 2 Squeeze the plastic lugs and remove the

bulb holder.

3 The bulb has a bayonet fitting. Press in

the bulb and twist it counterclockwise.

4 Change the bulb.

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Trunk lid light and taillights, 9-5 Sedan Before changing bulbs in the trunk, you must first release the trim at the foot of the trunk. This involves removing the handle and the three trim fasteners (studs). 1 Unscrew the handle on the inside of the

tailgate.

2 Using the peg in the top of the screw-

driver handle, push in the button in the center of the studs. 3 Remove the studs.

Car care and technical information

209

Refitting the trim 1 Reset the studs by pushing back the

center buttons so that they protrude by 0.2 inch (5 mm).

2 Insert the studs through the trim and tail- gate panel. Press the center buttons in, flush with the collar.

3 Screw the handle back onto the trunk.

Changing bulbs 1 Squeeze together the silver plastic lug and the electrical connection and with- draw the lamp holder.

2 The bulb has a bayonet fitting. Press in

the bulb and twist it counterclockwise.

3 Change the bulb.

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High-mounted stop lights, 9-5 Sedan The bulbs can be accessed after the panel in the rear headlining has been removed. 1 Remove the panel by carefully pushing

in the two clips, one at the time.

2 Release the bulb holder, which is

retained by a clip at either end.

3 Withdraw the bulb gently straight back. 4 Push in the new bulb. 5 Refit the bulb holder. 6 Replace the panel by carefully pushing the panel towards the headlining so that the two clips engage their respective slot.

High-mounted stop lights 1 Panel 2 Retaining clips 3 Bulbs

Rear lights clusters, 9-5 SportCombi 1 Open the tailgate. 2 Remove the two screws securing the

light cluster to the body.

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211

Reassembly 1 Align the fastener with the hole in the

body.

2 Press the lamp unit home into the body

until you hear a click.

3 Fit the screws.

3 Remove the two screws securing the

light cluster to the body.

4 Pull the light cluster rearwards and angle it outwards (it is seated quite firmly).

5 Release the fastener from the body.

Reinsert the fastener into the groove in the light cluster. Press in the fastener until you hear a click.

6 Take out the bulb holder. 7 Press in the bulb and twist it counter-

clockwise.

8 Change the bulb. 9 Check that the new bulb works.

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Car care and technical information

Tailgate bulbs, 9-5 SportCombi 1 Turn the lock a quarter turn (90°) with a

screwdriver or the ignition key.

2 Open and remove the cover. 3 Remove the bulb holder by pressing the

plastic lug to the side.

4 Press in the bulb and twist it

counterclockwise. 5 Change the bulb. 6 Check that the new bulb is working.

Reassembly 1 Place the two ”hinges” in the recess in

the tailgate.

2 Then push the ”hinges” into the recess

and close the cover.

3 Turn the lock a quarter turn.

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213

License-plate light The lens is not screwed in place. It is held in place with snaps. 1 One of the short sides of the lens

contains a recess for a small screw- driver. Insert a screwdriver and prise out the lens.

2 Fit the new bulb. 3 When refitting the lens, the short side without the screwdriver recess should be inserted first.

Side direction indicators 1 Slide the lamp fitting forward and pull out

the back.

2 Remove the bulb. 3 Change the bulb. On refitting, make sure that the spring in the lamp fitting engages the edge of the open- ing in the body panel.

Courtesy lights (front doors and floor) and luggage-compartment lighting 1 Insert a screwdriver carefully into the slot in the end of the lamp fitting. Ease the fitting off to gain access to the bulb.

2 Bend out one of the contacts and

remove the bulb. 3 Change the bulb. On refitting, insert the connector-end of the lamp fitting first.

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Car care and technical information

Dome light, front 1 Ease the leading edge of the glass out

of the overhead panel.

2 Release one of the contacts and remove

the bulb.

Dome light, rear 1 Remove the entire overhead panel:

ease out the trailing end first, and then both front edges. 2 Fit the new bulb.

3 Fit the new bulb.

Glove-compartment illumination 1 Insert a small screwdriver in the slot in the end of the lamp fitting and ease it out to gain access to the bulb.

2 Bend out one of the contacts and

remove the bulb. 3 Fit the new bulb. On refitting, insert the connector-end of the lamp fitting first. Other bulbs If any other bulbs need changing, you are advised to take the car to a workshop. We recommend that you contact an authorized Saab dealer.

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10

Bulb table

Wattage # Cap 55 1 H7
2 H8 35
3 P21W 21

4 P21/5W 21/5
5 R10W 10

6 R5W 5 7 Xenon

w9U 8 T4W 9 WY5W/

W5W

10 W2W 1.2

NOTE

Headlight Fog light Reversing lamp; rear fog lamp; rear direc- tion indicator Stop/tail lamp Dome light; courtesy lights; glove com- partment; luggage compartment Safety belt reminder; license-plate lighting Reading light, overhead panel

Reading light, rear Side indicators (yellow);/ high-mounted stop light (9-5 Sedan); parking lights Switches

Only fit lamps of the specified rating. Lamps of the wrong wattage could damage the wiring harness and electronics.

A special kit containing spare bulbs and fuses is available as an accessory from your Saab dealer. A storage space for this is pro- vided adjacent to the toolkit and jack, under the panel in the luggage compartment.

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216
Fuses

WARNING

To avoid the risk of short-circuiting and/or fire breaking out in the electrical system, the following advice should be heeded: (cid:127) Always consult a workshop before modifying or adding any electrical equipment. We recommend that you contact an authorized Saab dealer. Failure to do so can result in the elec- trical system being damaged.

(cid:127) Never replace a fuse with one having

a higher/lower rating than specified (see page 218). The color of the fuse indicates its amperage.

(cid:127) If the same fuse blows repeatedly,

have the electrical system checked by a workshop. We recommend that you contact an authorized Saab dealer. (cid:127) If a MAXI fuse blows, it means that

there is a major fault in the electrical system. Have the car checked by a workshop. We recommend that you contact an authorized Saab dealer.

Sound fuse / Blown fuse

The fuses are housed in two fuse panels: one at the end of the instrument panel on the driver’s side, and one under the hood. To check if a fuse has blown, first remove it from the panel (see below). If the filament is broken, the fuse has blown. A special tool for removing fuses is provided at the bottom of the fuse panel at the end of the instrument panel. Simply push the tool onto the fuse, squeeze and remove the fuse.

Fuse panel in instrument panel

Fuse box under the hood

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217

DICE / TWICE DICE = Dashboard Integrated Central Elec- tronics TWICE = Theft-Warning Central Electronics DICE and TWICE are electronic control modules that monitor and control a variety of functions:

DICE controls (among other things): (cid:127) Front lights and interior lighting (cid:127) Instrument illumination (cid:127) Intermittent wiper operation (cid:127) Electric heating of rear window and door

mirrors

(cid:127) Cooling fans

TWICE controls (among other things): (cid:127) Central locking. (cid:127) Car alarm (Anti-theft system) (cid:127) Engine immobilizer (cid:127) Autochecking of lights. (cid:127) Electric heating of rear seat (cid:127) Safety belt reminder (cid:127) Electrically adjustable passenger seat The DICE and TWICE control modules are linked to a data bus, which is basically an information carrier that allows information to be exchanged between all the control mod- ules and components connected to the bus. If a fault occurs in any of these components, diagnostic faults codes are set in the rele- vant control module, which facilitates fault diagnosis. We recommend that you contact an authorized Saab dealer. The scan tool connector for fault diagnosis is located under the instrument panel on the drivers side.

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Maxi fuses under the hood

Maxi fuses The Maxi fuses are housed in the fuse box under the hood. These fuses can be checked in the same way as the other fuses. The Maxi fuses are designed to protect the car’s electrical system from being dam- aged. Each Maxi fuse protects a number of electrical circuits and functions and there- fore has a higher rating (amperage) than the standard fuses. No spare Maxi fuses are supplied with the car.

NOTE

If a Maxi fuse blows, it means that there is a major fault in the electrical system. Have the car checked without delay by a workshop. We recommend that you con- tact an authorized Saab dealer.

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6B

B C 1 2 3 4 5 6

6B

987

10

11

12

13

14

15 16

16B

17

18

19

20

21

22

23 24

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

Fuse panel in instrument panel

# Amp Function

Trailer lights Automatic transmission

30
10
7.5 Electric door mirrors; DICE: manual beam length

15

adjustment 3
Brake lights; Park Brake Shift Lock (cars with auto- matic transmission) Reversing lights Parking lights and taillights, left Parking lights and taillights, right

15
10
10
7.5 DICE / TWICE 30

Electric windows, right; trailer charging

10

15
15

7.5 Brake lights, trailer 10
15

Engine injectors Trunk lighting; trunk lock; door lighting; parking assistant 3; SID Audio System; CD changer 3
Heating, rear seat 3; moonroof 3, remote control receiver Electrically adjusted passenger seat 3

30
11
7.5 Automatic transmission 3
12
Audio System, amplifier 20
13
Ignition system, engine 30
14
20
Fuel pump 15
DICE (direction indicators) 16
20
OnStar 3
16B – Engine-management system; main instrument; 17
20
DICE/TWICE Door-mirror heating; rear-window heating OnStar 3; Telematics 3
ACC; interior lighting; rear fog light; high beam flasher Audio System; rear-view mirror; load angle sensor 3; navigation 3; Cruise Control 3
Interior fan Central locking; navigation 3; door mirror memory 3
Main light switch Electrically adjustable driver’s seat

18
19
20
21

22
23
24
25

40
10
15
10

40
15
20
30

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219

26

27
28
29

30

31

32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39

7,5 Driver seat memory 3; mirrors memory 3;

moonroof 3; parking assistant 3; seatbelt reminder; ACC Engine-management system; SID; main instrument

10
7.5 Airbag 7.5 ABS/ESP® 7.5 Starter motor; transmission control module (cars with

automatic transmission)

7.5 Cruise control 3; water valve; fog lights, front 3; rain

sensor 3
–

12-volt socket (cigarette lighter) front/rear Daytime running light Electric windows, left

– 7.5 Direction-indicator switch 30
15
30
30 Windshield wipers 30
20

Electric heating, front seats 3
Limp-home solenoid

B C1 C2

L1

L2

Relay panel under instrument panel

C1 C2

Function – Electric heating of rear seat – – – Main relay (engine management system) – Fuel pump Ignition switch Rear-window / door mirrors heating

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L1
L2

– Starter relay Limp-home function –

13

17

10

14

11

15

10

11

12

13

14

12

16

15

16

17

Fuse box under hood Fuses

Amp Function 40 Radiator fan, high speed 40 ABS/ESP® 30 ABS/ESP® 7.5 Load angle sensor (cars with xenon headlights) 15 Heater 10 A/C; car alarm siren 15 Bulb test – 20 Headlight washers

–

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10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

15 High beam headlight, left 15
Low beam headlight left 15 High beam headlight, right 15
Low beam headlight, right 30 Radiator fan, high speed 15 Fog lights (front spoiler) 20 Wiper, rear 15 Horn –

–

Car care and technical information

221

Relays

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Function Bulb test; head light; high beam flasher Headlight washer Front fog lights Wiper, rear (9-5 SportCombi) – – Rain sensor Radiator fan, low speed Radiator fan, high speed A/C-compressor Radiator fan, high speed, right fan Horn Extra lights (accessory) High beam headlight Low beam headlight – Windshield wipers

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222
Tires Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see your Saab Warranty and Service Record Booklet for details.

WARNING

Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous. (cid:127) Overloading your tires can cause

overheating as a result of too much friction. You could have an blow-out and a serious accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle” on page 231.

(cid:127) Underinflated tires pose the same

danger as overloaded tires. The resulting accident could cause serious injury. Check all tires frequently to maintain the recommended pressure. Tire pressure should be checked when your tires are cold.

(cid:127) Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut, punctured or broken by a sudden impact – such as when you hit a pot- hole. Keep tires at the recommended pressure.

(cid:127) Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your tread is badly worn, or if your tires have been damaged, replace them.

Adjust the tire pressure to match the current load and speed of the car (see page 269). The stated tire pressures apply to cold tires, i.e. tires that are the same temperature as the outside air temperature. Tire pressure increases as the tires become warm (e.g. during highway driving) by approximately 0.3 bar (4 psi). When the temperature of the tires changes by 50°F (10°C), the tire pres- sure will change 0.1 bar (2 psi). Never reduce the pressure of a hot tire. If the tires are hot when you check them, only increase the pressure, if necessary.

Inflation - Tire Pressure The Tire-Loading Information label shows the correct inflation pressures for your tires when they’re cold. “Cold” means your vehi- cle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km). Notice: Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or overinflation is all right. It’s not. If your tires don’t have enough air (underinflation), you can get the following: (cid:127) Too much flexing (cid:127) Too much heat (cid:127) Tire overloading (cid:127) Bad wear (cid:127) Bad handling (cid:127) Bad fuel economy

If your tires have too much air (overinfla- tion), you can get the following: (cid:127) Unusual wear (cid:127) Bad handling (cid:127) Rough ride Needless damage from road hazards

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High speed operation

WARNING

Driving at high speeds, 100 mph (160 km/h) or higher, puts an additional strain on tires. Sustained high-speed driving causes excessive heat build up and can cause sudden tire failure. You could have a crash and you or others could be killed. Some high-speed rated tires require infla- tion pressure adjustment for high speed operation. When speed limits and road conditions are such that a vehicle can be driven at high speeds, make sure the tires are rated for high speed operation, in excellent condition, and set to the correct cold tire inflation pressure for the vehicle load.

Car care and technical information

223

Don’t include the compact spare tire in your tire rotation. After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire-Loading Information label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tight- ened. See page 241.

WARNING

Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose after a time. The wheel could come off and cause an accident. When you change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to get all the rust or dirt off. See “Changing a wheel” on page 239.

When to check Check your tires once a month or more. Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at 60 psi (420 kPa). How to Check Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to check tire pressure. You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look properly inflated even when they’re underinflated. Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture. Tire Inspection and Rotation Tires should be rotated every 10,000 miles (16 000 km). Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels. See “When It Is Time for New Tires” on page 224 and “Wheel Replacement” on page 227 for more infor- mation. The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more uniform wear for all tires on the vehi- cle. The first rotation is the most important. When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation pattern. Left front tire to left rear. Left rear tire to right front. Right front to right rear. Right rear to left front.

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Flat spotting All tires get hot, especially on long journeys or when the car is driven hard. After the car has been parked with hot tires and the tires have cooled down, a flat spot can form in the tire, where it is in contact with the ground. The same can occur if the car has not been moved for a long time. Flat spots can cause vibration that can be felt through the steering wheel, similar to that experienced when the wheels need bal- ancing. Flat spots of this type disappear once the tires get hot again, usually after 10–15 miles (20–25 km) of driving at cruising speed.

When It Is Time for New Tires One way to tell when it’s time for new tires is to check the treadwear indicators, which will appear when your tires have only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or less of tread remaining. You need a new tire if any of the following statements are true: (cid:127) You can see the indicators at three or

more places around the tire.

(cid:127) You can see cord or fabric showing

through the tire’s rubber.

(cid:127) The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric.

(cid:127) The tire has a bump, bulge or split. (cid:127) The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that can’t be repaired well because of the size or location of the damage.

Wear indicators

Treadwear indicators The tires incorporate wear indicators in the form of smooth, treadless strips across the width, which become visible when only 2/32" (1.6 mm) of tread remains. As soon as the indicators become visible, new tires should be fitted without delay. Make sure you are familiar with the legal limit for minimum tread depth in your country and also any regulations gov- erning the use of winter (snow) tires.

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Buying New Tires To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at the Tire-Loading Information label. Before changing to wheels/tires of another size, we recommend that you contact an authorized Saab workshop regarding acceptable options. See also page 268
Wheels/tires combinations that are not approved by the vehicle manufacturer can negatively affect the car’s directional stabil- ity, steering and braking in both wet and dry conditions. The wheels and tires have been carefully matched to the characteristics of the car and play a key role in its outstanding roadhold- ing and handling. Do not take it for granted that a wheel/tire combination will work in the best possible way, just because it can be fitted to the car. To ensure that the speedometer is as accu- rate as possible it should be reprogrammed if wheels of a different dimension are fitted. Contact a Saab dealer. Because of front wheel drive, the front tires tend to wear faster than the rear ones. New tires should always be fitted in pairs, so that tires on the same axle have the same amount of tread. Store wheels lying flat or hanging – never standing upright.

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NOTE

Wide wheels and tires with sidewalls that are too low can: (cid:127) be damaged in potholes etc. (cid:127) cause springs, shock absorbers and wheel bearings and body mountings can be overloaded.

(cid:127) cause the wheels to come into contact

with chassis and body components.

(cid:127) can affect the function of the Elec-

tronic Stability Program (ESP®).

The speed and load limits for the tires must not be exceeded; see page 230. Wheels larger than 17” must not be fitted. The maximum permissible offset is 49 mm.

WARNING

Mixing tires could cause you to lose con- trol while driving. If you mix tires of differ- ent sizes or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not handle prop- erly, and you could have a crash. Using tires of different sizes may also cause damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same size and type tires on all wheels. It’s all right to drive with your compact spare temporarily, it was developed for use on your vehicle. See “Compact spare tire” on page 237.

WARNING

If you use bias-ply tires on your vehicle, the wheel rim flanges could develop cracks after many miles of driving. A tire and/or wheel could fail suddenly, causing a crash. Use only radial-ply tires with the wheels on your vehicle.

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Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where applica- ble on the tire sidewall between tread shoul- der and maximum section width. For exam- ple:

Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A The following information relates to the system developed by the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administra- tion, which grades tires by treadwear, trac- tion and temperature performance. (This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The grades are molded on the side- walls of most passenger car tires. The Uni- form Tire Quality Grading system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-pro- duction tires. While the tires available on General Motors passenger cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these grades, they must also conform to federal safety requirements and additional General Motors Tire Perfor- mance Criteria (TPC) standards.

Treadwear The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1.5) times as well on the govern- ment course as a tire graded 100. The rela- tive performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service prac- tices and differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction – AA, A, B, C The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre- sent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave- ment as measured under controlled condi- tions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance. Warn- ing: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.

Temperature – A, B, C The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dis- sipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temper- ature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of perfor- mance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law. Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.

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Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life and best overall per- formance. Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel bal- ancing are not needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pull- ing one way or the other, the alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels may need to be rebalanced.

Wheel Replacement Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your dealer if any of these conditions exist. Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need. Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the same way as the one it replaces. If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts or wheel nuts, replace them only with new Saab original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.

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Used Replacement Wheels

WARNING

Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or how far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to replace a wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.

WARNING

Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous. It could affect the braking and handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you lose control. You could have a collision in which you or others could be injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.

Notice: The wrong wheel can also cause problems with bearing life, brake cool- ing, speedometer or odometer calibra- tion, headlamp aim, bumper height, vehi- cle ground clearance and tire or tire chain clearance to the body and chassis. See “Changing a wheel” on page 239.

WARNING

When fitting just one new pair of tires, these should be fitted to the rear wheels, as these are more critical to the direc- tional stability of the car (e.g. on braking or in a skid). The existing rear wheels should therefore be moved to the front.

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Tire Chains

WARNING

If your vehicle has 225/45 R17 alt. 235/45 R17 size tires, don’t use tire chains, there’s not enough clearance. Tire chains used on a vehicle without the proper amount of clearance can cause damage to the brakes, suspension or other vehicle parts. The area damaged by the tire chains could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and you or others may be injured in a crash. Use another type of traction device only if its manufacturer recommends it for use on your vehicle and tire size combination and road conditions. Follow that manu- facturer’s instructions. To help avoid damage to your vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the device if it’s con- tacting your vehicle, and don’t spin your wheels. If you do find traction devices that will fit, install them on the front tires.

Notice: If your vehicle does not have 225/45R17 alt. 235/45 R17 size tires, use tire chains only where legal and only when you must. Contact your Saab dealer regarding suitable snow chains. Install them on the front tires and tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain manufacturer’s instruc- tions. If you can hear the chains contact- ing your vehicle, stop and retighten them. If the contact continues, slow down until it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels with chains on will damage your vehicle.

If a Tire Goes Flat It’s unusual for a tire to “blow-out” while you’re driving, especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a “blow-out”, here are a few tips about what to expect and what to do: If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly. Steer to main- tain lane position, and then gently brake to a stop well out of the traffic lane. A rear blow-out, particularly on a curve, acts much like a skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the acceler- ator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake to a stop – well off the road if possible. If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.

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Tire Sidewall Labeling Useful information about a tire is molded into it´s sidewall. Tire size: The tire size ia a combination of letters and numbers used to define a partic- ular tire´s width, height, aspect ratio, con- struction type and service description. Department of Transportation (DOT): The Department of Transportation (DOT) code indicates that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety standards. Tire Identification Number (TIN): The let- ters and numbers following DOT code are the Tire Identification Number (TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer and plant code, tire size, and date the tire was manu- factured. The TIN is molded onto both sides of the tire. Tire Ply Material: The type of cord and number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.

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Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG): Tire manufacturers are required to grade tires based on performance factors: tread- wear, traction and temperature resistance. For more information see “Uniform Tire Quality Grading” on page 226. Maximum Cold Inflation Load Limit: Max- imum load that can be carried and the max- imum pressure needed to support that load. For information on recommended tire pres- sure see “Lowest recommended tire pres- sure, cold tires” on page 269and “Loading Your Vehicle” on page 231.

Tire Size The following illustration shows an example of a typical passenger car tire size.

215 / 55 R 16 93 H

a Tire Width b Aspect Ratio c Belt Rating d Rim diameter e Load range f Speed rating

Tire Width: The three-digit number indi- cates the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.

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Aspect ratio: A two-digit number that indi- cates the tire height-to-width measure- ments. For example, if the tire size aspect ratio is “55”, as shown in item “C” of the illus- tration, it would mean that the tire´s sidewall is 55% as high as it is wide. Belt Rating: A letter code is used to indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter “R” means radial ply construction; the letter “D” means diagonal or bias ply con- struction; and the letter “B” means belted-bias ply construction. Rim Diameter: Diameter of the wheel in inches. Load range: The load range represents the load carry capacity a tire is certified to carry. Speed Rating: The maximum speed that a tire is certified to carry a load. Speed ratings range from “A” to “Z”.

Tire markings An example of the meaning of the different markings in a tire size is given below for a tire size of: 215/55 R16 93 V

215 Tire section width, mm

Aspect ratio, i.e. the section height is 55 % of the section width

55
R Radial ply

Wheel rim diameter 16 in at bead seats

16
93 Tire load code V Speed marking

Tire load index Tire approved for max. 1355 lbs. (615 kg)

91
93 Max. 1433 lbs (650 kg) 94 Max. 1477 lbs (670 kg)

Speed ratings Tire approved for speeds up to 100 mph (160 km/h)

S Max. 112 mph (180 km/h) T Max. 118 mph (190 km/h) H Max. 130 mph (210 km/h) V Max. 150 mph (240 km/h) W Max. 167 mph (270 km/h) Y Max. 186 mph (300 km/h)

TIN-code a Manufacturer´s Identification Mark b Tire Size c Tire Type Code d Date of Manufacture

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Loading Your Vehicle

This label can only be found on vehicles sold in the U.S. Vehicles sold in Canada have the tire information label in the glovebox, see page 270.

This is an example of what your vehicle´s Tire-Loading Information/Certification label might look like. It is located on the B-pillar and shows how much weight your vehicle may properly carry. The label tells you the proper size, and recommended inflation pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you important information about the number of people that can be in your vehicle and the total weight that you can carry. This weight is called the Vehicle Capacity Weight, and includes the weight of all occupants, cargo and all nonfac- tory-installed options.

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Tire Terminology and Definitions Air Pressure: The amount of air inside the tire pressing outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa). Accessory Weight: This means the com- bined weight of optional accessories, for example, automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, radio and air conditioning. Aspect Ratio: The relationship of a tire´s height to its width. Belt: A rubber coated layer of cords that is located between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made from steel or other rein- forcing materials. Bias Ply Tire: A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at alternate angles substantially less than 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread. Cold Inflation Pressure: The amount of air pressure in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa), before a tire have built up heat from driving. See “Inflation - Tire Pressure” on page 222. Curb weight: This means the weight of a motor vehicle with standard and optional equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, without passengers and cargo.

DOT Markings: A code molded into the sidewall of a tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety stan- dards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identification Number (TIN), an alphanu- meric designator which can also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant, brand and date of production. GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see page 260. GAWR FRT: Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front axle, see page 260. GAWR RR: Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle, see page 260. Intended Outboard Sidewall: The side of an asymmetrical tire that must always face outward when mounted on a vehicle. Kilopascal (kPa): The metric unit for air pressure. There are 6.9 kPa to one psi. Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire: A tire used on light duty trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles. Load Index: An assigned number ranging from 1 to 279 that corresponds to the load carrying capacity of a tire.

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Maximum Load rating: The load rating for a tire at the maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire. Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight: The sum of curb weight; accessory weight; vehi- cle capacity weight; and production options weight. Maximum Permissible Inflation Pres- sure: The maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated. Normal occupant weight: The number of occupants a vehicle is designed to seat mul- tipled by 150 pounds (68 kg). See “Loading Your Vehicle” on page 231. Occupant Distribution: Designated seat- ing positions. Outward Facing Sidewall: The side of a asymmetrical tire that has a particular side that faces outward when mounted on a vehi- cle. The side of the tire that contains a white- wall bears white lettering or bears manufac- turer, brand and or model name molding on the other sidewall of the tire. Passenger (P-Metric) Tire: A tire used on passenger cars and some light duty trucks and multipurpose vehicles.