2002 SAAB 9-3 change wheel

172 Starting and driving Check the anti-freeze in the engine cool-
ant, see page 192.
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
69.
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. Date code, see
page 214.
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 242).
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
242, for information on allowable
wheel dimensions for the fitting of tire
chains.
ProCarManuals.com

178 Starting and drivingDriving with a loadThe driving characteristics of the car are
affected by the way it is loaded.
 Place heavy loads as far forward and as
low as possible in the trunk.
 Secure the load to the tie downs, see
page 142.
 The load should be such that the car´s
total weight or axle weight are not
exceeded, see page 235.
 Heavy loads mean that the car’s center of
gravity is further back. As a result, the car
will sway more during evasive steering.
 Never exceed the permissible load in the
roof box, even if there is room for more.
 Ensure that the tire pressure is correct –
slight overinflation is preferable to under-
inflation.
 The braking distance of a loaded car is
always greater. Keep your distance from
the vehicle in front.
Tire pressure, see page 211 and back
cover.
TiresThe tire pressure should match the current
load and speed of the car; see the back
cover or the tire pressure label on
page 243.
The tire pressures given apply to cold tires,
that is tires that are the same temperature
as the outside air temperature.
The tire pressure increases as the tires
become warm (e.g. during highway driving)
with approximately 0.3 bar (4 psi). When
the temperature of the tires changes by 50°
(10°C), the tire pressure 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.
Underinflated tires wear more quickly than
slightly overinflated tires.
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 drive at substantially lower or
higher speeds than normal.NOTECheck the tire pressure at least once a
month. Underinflation is the main cause
of:
 Damage to the wheels.
 Premature tire wear.
 Damage to the sidewalls.
ProCarManuals.com

194 Car careBrake- clutch fluid and
brake padsChecking 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..
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.
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
ProCarManuals.com

211 Car care
WheelsAlternative 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.
To ensure that the speedometer is as accu-
rate as possible it should be reprogrammed
if wheels of a different dimension are fitted.
Contact an authorized Saab dealer.
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). Tire pressure
label, see page 243.
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, shock absorbers and wheel
bearings and body mountings 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 212.
 Wheels larger than 17” 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.
 Wheels smaller than 16” must not be
fitted on 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.
ProCarManuals.com

215 Car care
When changing a wheel, take the tool kit out
first, then the spare wheel.
Changing a wheel
NOTE
To avoid damaging an alloy wheel with a
flat tire, this can be placed outside up in
the spare-wheel well but only while driv-
ing to the closest workshop.
A general rule is that all heavy loads must
be well secured in the luggage compart-
ment, see page 142.
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 a crash.
 Do not use the jack for any purpose
other than for jacking up the car.
 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 cor-
rect tightening torque cannot be
achieved.
IB1261IB1262
Spare wheel (under the carpet in the
trunk), Saab 9-3 Viggen
ProCarManuals.com

247 Index
IndexAA/C system, fault diagnosis
________ 226
A/C system, maintenance _________ 226
ACC
__________________________ 84
ACC, useful tips
_________________ 92
Adjustment, steering wheel
________ 131
Air conditioning (A/C), fault diagnosis
and maintenance
______________ 226
Airbag
_________________________ 28
Alarm __________________________ 41
Alarm functions
__________________ 44
Alarm signals
___________________ 44
Anti-corrosion treatment
__________ 222
Anti-theft system
_________________ 41
Ashtray
_______________________ 135
Audio System
___________________ 93
Automatic climate control (ACC)
_____ 84
Automatic transmission
___________ 156
BBattery
________________________ 195
Boost starting from donor battery
___ 181
Brake fluid, check
_______________ 194
Brake fluid, grade _______________ 241
Brake pad wear indicators
___ 164
, 194
Brakes
________________________ 164Braking
_______________________164
Bulb table _____________________205
CCD changer
____________________102
CD player
_____________________100
CHECK messages
_______________72
CHECKING
_____________________72
Cabin lighting __________________133
Calibration, ACC _________________90
Car alarm
______________________41
Care of safety belts
______________218
Central locking
__________________36
Change of address notification
_____232
Changing a wheel
_______________215
Changing bulbs
_________________200
Changing the engine oil
__________190
Changing the key battery __________39
Changing the wheels round _______212
Changing wiper blades
___________198
Chassis number
________________243
Child car seats
__________________19
Child safety
_____________________19
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______39
Child seats
_____________________19
Cigar lighter ____________________135
Cleaning the soft top, Convertible
____57
Climate-control system, manual
_____80
Compact spare wheel
____________214
Condensation water, A/C __________82Condensation water, ACC
_________ 85
Convertible
____________________ 47
Coolant
______________________ 192
Courtesy Headlight Feature
_______ 76
Cruise Control
_________________ 163
Cup holder
____________________ 134
DDICE/TWICE
__________________ 207
Date code, tires ________________ 214
Dim low beam
__________________ 75
Dimmer
_______________________ 78
Direction indicators
______________ 76
Direction-indicator stalk
___________ 76
Dome lighting
_________________ 133
Door mirrors
__________________ 137
Drive belt
_____________________ 197
Driving in deep water
____________ 179
Driving in hot weather ___________ 173
Driving technique
_______________ 170
Driving with a compact spare wheel

184
Driving with a load
______________ 178
Driving with a roof load
__________ 176
Driving with the trunk lid open
_____ 179
EEconomical motoring
____________ 170
Electrical system, technical data
___ 240
Electrical window
_______________ 130
ProCarManuals.com

250 IndexStorage compartments
___________ 136
Sunroof
_______________________ 132
Switches _______________________ 75
TTachometer
_____________________ 66
Technical data __________________ 233
Telematics
_____________________ 111
Temperature gauge
______________ 67
Textile carpeting, cleaning
________ 219
Through-load hatch
______________ 141
Tie-down eyes
__________________ 142
Tipping the rear seat
_____________ 138
Tire markings
__________________ 212
Tire pressure ___________________ 178
Tire pressures __________________ 211
Tires and wheels, sizes
___________ 242
Tools
_________________________ 143
Top tether
______________________ 23
Touching up paintwork
___________ 221
Towing a caravan or trailer ________ 173
Towing the car
_________________ 179
Traction Control System
__________ 166
Trailer hitch attachment __________ 173
Trailer hitch load
________________ 176
Transmission, automatic
__________ 156
Transmission, manual
____________ 155
Transporting the car
_____________ 179
Traveling abroad
________________ 184
Trip computer, SID _______________ 69Trip meter
______________________66
Trunk
_________________________138
Trunk lid lock, Convertible
__________56
Trunk lighting
___________________133
Trunk, Convertible
________________56
Trunk, opening
__________________40
Turbo gauge
____________________67
Turn signal
_____________________76
UUpholstery and trim
______________219
Upholstery and trim, care of
_______219
Useful tips on starting
____________148
Useful tips, ACC
_________________92
VVanity mirror
___________________137
WWarning and indicator lights
________60
Warning labels
___________________7
Warning light, AIR BAG (SRS)
______32
Washer fluid
___________________199
Washer jets ____________________199
Washers
_______________________78
Washing ______________________220
Waxing and polishing
____________221Wear indicators, brake pads
______ 194
Wear indicators, tires
____________ 214
Wheel, change
________________ 215
Wheels
______________________ 211
Wheels and tires, sizes
__________ 242
Window glass sensor, car alarm
____ 42
Windshield washers
_____________ 78
Windshield wipers
_______________ 78
Winter driving
_________________ 171
Wiper blades
__________________ 198
Wipers
________________________ 78
ProCarManuals.com