2000 SAAB 9-3 change wheel

155 Starting and driving
 Check the anti-freeze in the engine cool-
ant, see page 174.
The car´s trip computer will warn you when
there is a risk of slippery conditions. For fur-
ther information on this function, see page
62.
The car is equipped with tires designed to
provide optimum grip on both wet and dry
roads, although this has been achieved at
the expense of somewhat reduced grip on
snow and ice. For regular driving on snow
and ice, we therefore recommend that
winter (snow) tires be fitted.
Winter (snow) tires, particularly studded
tires (where use is legally permitted), gener-
ally make driving safer on snow and ice. Acquaint yourself with the legal provi-
sions governing the use of different
types of winter tires and snow chains.
Studded tires are not allowed in some
countries.
If winter tires are installed, the same type
must be installed on all wheels. Your Saab
dealer will be pleased to advise you on the
best tires for your car.
Remember that tires age. It may therefore
be necessary to change them before they
reach the legal wear limit, as they gradually
lose their friction properties.
The best response if the car gets into a
front-wheel skid is to freewheel (manual
gearbox only), i.e. disengage the clutch (so
that the wheels are neither driven nor
braked by the engine) and carefully steer
the wheels in the direction you want to go.
If the car has an automatic transmission you
should lift off the accelerator somewhat and
carefully steer the wheels in the direction
you want to go.
In a rear-wheel skid, steer into the skid, i.e.
in the same direction as that in which the
back is sliding.
Tire chainsIf you want to fit tire chains (where legally
permitted) they should only be installed to
the tires recommended under ”Technical
data” (see page 227).
Consult your Saab dealer for details about
approved tire chains.
WARNING
 Do not exceed 30 mph (50 km/h)
when tire chains are fitted.
 Tire chains can reduce the directional
stability of the car.
 Tire chains must not be used on the
rear wheels.NOTE Check the links frequently for wear.
 Check that the chains do not contact
the wheel-arch liner at full lock.
 See section "Technical data", page
227, for information on allowable
wheel dimensions for the fitting of tire
chains.
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176 Car careBrake- clutch fluid and
brake pads
Checking the fluid level The combined brake and clutch-fluid reser-
voir is transparent to facilitate checking of
the fluid level.
The level should be between the MAX and
MIN marks. Top up, as necessary, with
DOT 4 fluid. Do
not
use DOT 5 brake fluid.
Use only new brake fluid from a sealed con-
tainer.
Check that there are no leaks in the brake
system.
Changing of the brake fluid should be
carried out by an authorized Saab dealer.
The vehicle´s regular braking system is
adjusted automatically, but the parking
brake has to be adjusted manually. This
work, involving adjustment of the parking
brake cables and brake pads, must only be
carried out by an authorized Saab dealer.
It is not possible to detect, through abnormal
pedal or parking brake-lever travel, whether brake pads are worn and need replacing. It
is therefore essential that brake pads be
checked regularly, as specified in the ser-
vice program, see page 215.
Brake pad wear indicators The outboard brake pads on the front
wheels incorporate pad-wear indicators.
When the lining is down to 0.11 in (3 mm),
the pad will produce a screeching, squeal-
ing or scraping noise when the brakes are
applied. New pads should be installed with-
out delay.
Brake pads should only be changed by
an authorized Saab dealer. To ensure
optimum brake performance, use only
Saab original brake pads.
WARNING
Brake fluid deteriorates as it becomes
old. Because it is hygroscopic, it absorbs
water from the air and, in time, could allow
vapor to form in the brake system, thus
reducing its performance. It is therefore
important that brake fluid be changed reg-
ularly, as specified in the service pro-
gram, see page 215.
NOTEAvoid spilling brake fluid onto paintwork,
since it can cause the paint to bubble and
lift. If any brake fluid is spilled, the area
should be flushed with large quantities of
water as quickly as possible.
IB894
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192 Car careWheelsAlternative wheels and tiresIf you wish to fit other tires or wheels than
those supplied with the car, consult your
Saab dealer first as to the possibilities avail-
able.
Wheels/tires combinations that are not
approved by Saab can negatively affect the
car´s directional stability, steering and brak-
ing in both wet and dry conditions.
Do not assume that a wheel/tire combina-
tion will function properly just because it will
bolt on.
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.
Tire pressureTires need to be inflated to suit the load car-
ried and the maximum speed the car will be
driven (see the recommended tire pres-
sures on the back cover). Note that all
values apply to cold tires. For tires with an
aspect ratio less than /60, increase the tire
pressure by 3 psi (20 kPa) for rough roads
with potholes to minimize the risk of rim
damage.
Never reduce the pressure of a hot tire. If the
tires are hot when you check them, only
increase the pressure, if necessary.
Soft tires will cause faster wear than
over-pressurized tires. They also increase
fuel consumption.
If a valve is leaking, simply unscrew it and fit
a new one.
Important! Remember to adjust the tire
pressures if you change the load in the car
or intend to cruise at a substantially higher
or lower speed than normal.
NOTEFor wide wheels and/or low-profile tires,
bear in mind the following:
 Tires and wheels can be damaged in
potholes etc.
 Springs and shock absorbers can be
overloaded.
 The wheels can come into contact with
chassis and body components.
 The speed and load limits for the tires
must not be exceeded; see page 193.
 Wheels larger than 16” must not be
fitted on the Saab 9-3. For Viggen
models the wheel should not be larger
than 17”. The maximum permissible
offset for the 9-3 is 49 mm and for the
Viggen 42 mm.
 When fitting wheels on a 9-3, please
note that a 15” wheel should be used
on 9-3 Coupé and 5-door models, and
nothing smaller than 16” wheel should
be used for Viggen models. Fitting a
smaller size wheel on a Viggen is not
possible due to the size of the brake
discs.
NOTECheck the tire pressures at least once
per month.
Underinflation is the main cause of:
 Tires wearing out prematurely.
 Damage to the sidewalls.
 Damage to the wheels.
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196 Car careWhen changing a wheel, take the tool kit out
first, then the spare wheel.
Changing a wheel
If light-alloy wheels have been fitted to the
car for several years and a change is made
to steel wheels, the threads for the wheel
bolts in the brake discs should be cleaned
before the thinner steel wheels are fitted.
The innermost threads in the holes may be
clogged with sand, salt and rust so that the
correct tightening torque cannot be
achieved.
NOTETo avoid damaging a punctured alloy
wheel this can be placed outside up in the
spare-wheel well but only while driving to
the closest workshop.
A general rule is that all heavy loads must
be well secured in the luggage compart-
ment, see page 129.
WARNING
 The car jack is designed solely for use
in changing a wheel or fitting snow
chains. It must not be used to support
the car during repair work or servicing.
 Never crawl under a car that is
supported only by a jack.
 Special care must be taken if the car is
on a slope – use wheel chocks!
 Position chocks, one ahead and one
behind, the wheel that is diagonally
opposite to the one to be changed.
 Switch on the hazard warning lights if
the car is on a road.
 Apply the parking brake and leave the
car in gear (1st or reverse). Automatic
transmission: move selector to the
P position.
 Ensure that everybody is out of the car
before jacking it up.
 Never start the engine while the car is
jacked up.
 The jack must stand on a firm, level
surface.
 Stow the jack in the place provided for
it under the panel in the floor of the
trunk. Secure it properly to avoid injury
to passengers in the event of an acci-
dent.
 Do not use the jack for any purpose
other than for jacking up the car.
IB1261IB1262
Spare wheel (under the carpet in the
trunk), Saab 9-3 Viggen
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233 Index
Index
AA/C system, fault diagnosis
_______ 207
A/C system, maintenance
_________ 207
ACC
__________________________ 80
ACC, useful tips
_________________ 88
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 118
Air conditioning (A/C),
fault diagnosis and maintenance
__ 207
Airbag
_________________________ 22
Alarm _________________________ 35
Alarm functions
__________________ 38
Alarm signals
___________________ 38
Anticorrosion treatment
___________ 203
Anti-theft safety, alarm ____________ 35
Ashtray
_______________________ 123
Audio System
___________________ 90
Automatic climate control (ACC)
_____ 80
Automatic transmission
___________ 141
BBattery
_______________________ 177
Boost starting from donor battery
___ 162
Brake fluid, check
_______________ 176
Brake fluid, grade _______________ 227
Brake pad wear indicators
________ 176
Brakes
________________________ 149Braking
_______________________ 149
Bulb table _____________________ 186
CCD changer
____________________ 101
CD player
______________________ 99
CHECK messages
____________ 63
, 68
CHECKING
__________________ 63
, 68
Cabin lighting
__________________ 121
Calibration, ACC _________________ 86
Car alarm
______________________ 35
Car phone, installation
___________ 109
Cassette player
__________________ 96
Center console compartment
______ 123
Central locking
__________________ 30
Change of address notification
_____ 214
Changing a wheel
_______________ 196
Changing bulbs
_________________ 181
Changing the coolant
____________ 175
Changing the engine oil __________ 173
Changing wiper blades
___________ 179
Chassis number
________________ 229
Child car seats
__________________ 18
Child safety
_____________________ 18
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 33
Child seats
_____________________ 18
Cigar lighter ____________________ 123
Cleaning the soft top
______________ 51
Climate-control system, manual
_____ 76
Clock
__________________________ 69Condensation water, A/C
__________ 78
Condensation water, ACC __________ 81
Convertible
_____________________ 42
Coolant
_______________________ 174
Courtesy Headlight Feature
________ 72
Cruise Control
__________________ 148
Cup holder
_____________________ 122
DDICE/TWICE
___________________ 188
Date code, tires _________________ 195
Dim low beam
___________________ 71
Dimmer
________________________ 74
Direction indicators
_______________ 72
Direction-indicator stalk
____________ 72
Dome lighting
__________________ 121
Door mirrors
___________________ 124
Drive belt
______________________ 179
Driving in deep water
_____________ 166
Driving in hot weather ____________ 156
Driving technique
________________ 153
Driving with a compact spare wheel
_ 165
Driving with a roof load
___________ 158
Driving with the trunk lid open
______ 166
EEconomical motoring
_____________ 153
Electrical system, technical data
____ 225
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