222 Car care and technical informationWheels Alternative 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.
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 workshop.
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.
NOTEAlways consult your Saab dealer before
changing the wheels and tires on your
Saab.
For 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 223.
Wheels larger than 17” must not be fit-
ted. The maximum permissible offset
is 49 mm.
Tire and wheel size can affect the
function of the Electronic Stability
Program (ESP).
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
223 Car care and technical information
Rotating tiresBecause the car has 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.
The wheels should be marked, L (left) and
R (right), when changing between summer
and winter (snow) tires. This ensures that
the direction of rotation of the wheels is the
same when they are refitted. Fit the tires in
best condition to the rear wheels.
Store wheels lying flat or hanging – never
standing upright.
Tire markingsAn example of the meaning of the different
markings in a tire size is given below for a
tire size of:
205/65 R15 94 V
Winter tiresWinter (snow) tires are recommended for
winter climates where the majority of your
driving will be done on snow and ice. Winter
tires should be fitted to all four wheels to
maintain a proper balance. Your Saab
dealer can advise you as to the correct size
tire for your car (if different from the original
size) and also supply Saab approved winter
tires.Tire quality grading (cars sold in
U.S.)New tires must be graded and labeled in
accordance with new Federal regulations.
Standard tests are conducted to measure
performance in the areas of traction and
temperature resistance. Refer to the tire
sidewall for the specific quality grades of the
tires provided on your new Saab. Compact
spare tires are exempt.
DOT QUALITY GRADES
Treadwear
Traction AA, A, B, C
Temperature A, B, C
All passenger car tires must conform to Fed-
eral safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
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.
Always move left rear to left front and right
rear to right front, so that the direction of
rotation remains the same.
205 Tire section width, mm
65 Aspect ratio, i.e. the section height
is 65% of the section width
R Radial ply
15 Wheel rim diameter 15 in at bead
seats
94 Tire load code
V Speed marking
Speed ratings S Tire approved for speeds up to
100 mph (180 km/h)
T Tire approved for speeds up to
118 mph (190 km/h)
H Tire approved for speeds up to
130 mph (210 km/h)
V Tire approved for speeds up to
150 mph (240 km/h)
W Tire approved for speeds up to
167 mph (270 km/h)
Y Tire approved for speeds up to
186 mph (300 km/h)
ProCarManuals.com
256 SpecificationsWheels and tiresWheel size _______________________ 6.5 x 16 or 7 x 17
2.3 Turbo Aero _____________________ Use only 6.5 x 16 or
7 x 17 only
Contact an authorized Saab dealer if you
wish to fit other wheels than those fitted
as standard.
Tire size (summer tires):
6.5 x 16 wheels __________________ 215/55 R16
7 x 17 wheels ____________________ 225/45 R17
Tire size (winter tires):
6 x 15 wheels (Linear only: not 2.3 Turbo
Aero or 3.0 V6) ___________________ 195/65 R15 M+S
6.5 x 16 wheels___________________ 205/55 R16 M+S
Recommended wheels for snow chains 6 x 15 (not 9-5 2.3
Turbo Aero) or
6.5 x 16
Compact spare:
Wheel __________________________ 4 x 16
Tire ____________________________ T115/70 R16
Pressure ________________________ 60 psi (420 kPa)
Maximum life ____________________ 2,200 miles
(3500 km)
Maximum speed _________________ 50 mph (80 km/h)
NOTESnow chains:
Snow chains must not be fitted to the rear wheels, and may only
be used with the following wheel-tire combinations:
Wheels Tires
6.5 x 15_____195/65 R15 M+S
(Linear only: not 2.3 Turbo Aero or 3.0L V6)
205/65 R15
(Linear only: not 2.3 Turbo Aero or 3.0L V6)
6.5 x 16_____205/55 R16 M+S or
215/55 R16
Snow chains must not be fitted to 17" wheels.
Max. permissible speed with snow chains fitted is 30 mph
(50 km/h).
Contact an authorized Saab dealer for advice on snow chains.NOTEWheels larger than 17” must not be fitted.
The wheel offset must not exceed 49 mm.
Vehicles with 12.05 in (306 mm) front brake discs must not use
15” rims.
ProCarManuals.com
264 IndexSpare wheel
___________________ 226
Spare wheel and tools
___________ 142
Spark plugs
____________________ 253
Speed rating ___________________ 222
Speedometer _______________ 56
, 57
Starting in cold weather, ACC
_______ 78
Starting in hot weather, ACC _______ 78
Steering wheel adjustment
________ 122
Steering, technical data
__________ 255
Stone-chip damage, repairing
______ 234
Storage compartments
___________ 129
Sun visors
_____________________ 128
Sunroof
_______________________ 126
Suspension
____________________ 255
Suspension, technical data
________ 255
Switches
_______________________ 65
Systems, adjustment
_____________ 259
TTCS OFF
_______________________ 55
Table of fuses
__________________ 218
Tachometer
_____________________ 56
Tailgate, opening
________________ 41
Tank gauge
_____________________ 57
Technical data __________________ 247
Telematics
_____________________ 105
Temperature control, ACC
_________ 74
Temperature gauge, engine ________ 57
Temperature zones, ACC
__________ 74
Textile carpeting
________________ 232
Through-load hatch ______________ 134Tie Downs
_____________________134
Tightening torque, wheel studs
_____227
Tire markings
_____________ 222
, 223
Tire pressure
______________ 178
, 222
Tires
____________________ 222
, 256
Tools
_________________________142
Touching-in the paintwork
_________234
Towbar attachment
______________173
Towbar load
___________________175
Towing the car __________________180
Towing, automatics
______________180
Traction
_______________________167
Trailer weights
__________________249
Trionic
________________________191
Trip computer
___________________59
Trip meter
______________________56
Trunk
_________________________132
Trunk lid, opening
________________41
Turbo gauge
____________________58
Turbo, points to note
_____________149
UUnder the hood, 3.0t V6
__________190
Under the hood, 4-cyl
____________189
Upholstery and trim
______________232
Upholstery and trim, care of
_______232
Useful tips, ACC
_________________80
VVanity mirrors
__________________128Ventilated front seats
____________ 121
Viscosity, engine oil _____________ 250
WWarning labels
___________________ 8
Warning light, AIR BAG
___________ 34
Warning lights
__________________ 50
Washers
_____________________ 202
Washers, windshield
____________ 203
Washing the car
_______________ 233
Waxing and polishing
___________ 233
Wear indicators, tires ____________ 224
Wheel, change
________________ 227
Wheels and tires ___________ 222
, 256
Wheels and tires, sizes
__________ 256
Window glass sensor, car alarm
____ 44
Windshield washers
_____________ 70
Windshield wipers
_______________ 70
Wiper blades, replacing
__________ 202
Wipers and washers
_________ 70
, 202
ProCarManuals.com