2004 SAAB 9-3 tires

4ExteriorAnti-corrosion treatment ___ 253
Body __________________ 251
Service program _________ 262
Sunroof ________________ 120
Touching up paintwork ____ 251
Washing _______________ 250
Waxing and polishing _____ 251Brake lights _____________ 215
Changing bulbs __________ 208
Light switches ___________ 91
Taillights _______________ 215Towing _________________ 184
Towing hook eyes ________ 184
Towing a trailer __________ 178Folding down the rear seat _ 134
Lighting ________________ 215
Load-through hatch _______ 136
Spare wheel ____________ 138
Tools __________________ 138
Trunk __________________ 134
Maximum loads _______________ 268
Mounting holes for roof carriers ___ 182
Roof load ____________________ 182
Hood _______________________ 192
Washing the engine bay_________ 249
Central locking __________ 40
Child safety locks ________ 44
Lock buttons ____________ 40
Trunk lock ______________ 43Changing bulbs _________ 208
Dipswitch ______________ 91
Direction indicators_______ 93
Front lights _____________ 210
Headlight levelling (Bi-
Xenon) _______________ 91
Headlight switches _______ 91
Headlight washers _______ 206Economical motoring _____ 173
Fuel filler door __________ 147
Fuel gauge _____________ 81
Fuel grade _____________ 271
Refueling ______________ 147
Braking _____________________ 160
Changing wheels ______________ 245
Spare wheel _________________ 243
Tire pressure ________________ 277
Tire pressure monitor __________ 229
Tires _______________________ 231
Wheels _____________________ 275
Winter driving ________________ 175
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82 Instruments and controlsCars with automatic transmission:
 The odometer and trip meter readings are
shown on the left-hand side of the display.
 Various information and faults are
displayed in the center of the display.
 The selected gear position is shown on
the right-hand side of the display.
This symbol comes on when a message or
warning is displayed on the Saab Informa-
tion Display (SID).
The current gear position is displayed on the
right-hand side of the information display.
When gears are selected manually, the
letter M (manual) and the selected gear are
displayed (see page 158).This symbol lights up when the system is
operative.
Operation of the TCS or ESP indicates
reduced cohesion between the tires and the
road, and that extra care should be taken by
the driver.
The car is equipped as standard with TCS
and ESP.
This symbol lights up when the system is
disengaged using the ESP button.
If there is a malfunction, the symbol cannot
be turned off by pressing the ESP button.
Information symbol.
Read information on SID
Gear selector indicator
(cars with automatic trans-
mission)
TCS or
ESP indicator
TCS OFF or
ESP OFF indicator (certain
variants only)
WARNING
The system improves ride comfort and
safety during normal driving. It must
however not be regarded as a system
to enable the driver to maintain higher
speeds. The same precautions as
normal for safe cornering and driving
on slippery roads must be adopted (see
pages 169/ 171).
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166 Starting and drivingESP OFF
lights up under the speedometer if:
 a fault has been detected and the system
has therefore been switched off
 the system has been switched off
manually
ESP indicator lightWhen the remote control is turned to the ON
position, the lamp is lit for about 4 seconds
while the system performs self-diagnosis.
The light under the speedometer
comes on for a short period of time when the
ESP system is operative.
Operation of the ESP indicates reduced
cohesion between the tires and the road,
and that extra care should be taken by the
driver.Turning ESP system offThe system can be turned off manually with
the ESP button, whereupon the light
under the speedometer will come on. The
car must be travelling slower than 35 mph
(60 km/h). The TCS is also disengaged.
The ESP is always engaged during braking,
even if it has been switched off manually
with the ESP button.If a fault is detected in the system, the
following message will be displayed on
the SID:
The cruise control system (if active) will
automatically be disengaged if the ESP is
operative.
Stability control failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
NOTICEChanges to the chassis, such as a
change of wheels, shock absorbers or
springs, could affect the function of the
ESP system.
Always consult your Saab dealer before
changing any chassis components.
ESP button
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173 Starting and driving
Economical drivingFactors affecting fuel consumptionThe fuel consumption of a car is greatly
affected by driving conditions, climate, road
conditions, speed, driving technique, and
so on.Breaking-inFuel consumption may be somewhat
higher during the break-in period (the
first 3,000–4,000 miles (5,000–7,000 km)).Weather conditionsSummer temperatures give better fuel
economy than winter ones. The difference
can be as much as about 10%. Consump-
tion increases in cold weather because the
engine takes longer to reach its normal
operating temperature. The transmission
and wheel bearings also take longer to
warm up. Even distance affects consump-
tion: short journeys of 3–5 miles (5–8 km)
do not give the engine enough time to
reach its optimum temperature. Wind con-
ditions also have a marked effect on fuel
consumption.How to read the diagram:
If fuel consumption with the engine at
normal temperature is 28 mpg (10 l/
100 km), the actual fuel consumption
3 miles (5 km) after the engine has started
from cold will be:
– 23.5 mpg (12 l/100 km) at outside temp.
of 68°F (+20°C) (increase of 20%).
– 17.7 mpg (16 l/100 km) at outside temp.
of 32°F (0°C) (increase of 60%).
– 14 mpg (20 l/100 km) at outside temp.
of –4°F (–20°C) (increase of 100%).
It is clear from the diagram that both dis-
tance driven and outside temperature have
a significant impact on fuel consumption,
after a cold start.
If the car is normally driven on short jour-
neys, 3–5 miles (5–8 km), for example to
and from work, the average consumption
will be 60–80% above the normal level.
Driving techniques To obtain the best running economy, with
regard to fuel consumption and general
wear, the car must be serviced regularly.
 High speed, unnecessary acceleration,
frequent braking and much changing
down all give higher fuel consumption.
 Frequent gear changing in traffic, starting
in cold weather, the use of studded tires
and roof racks, and towing a caravan all
increase fuel consumption.
 Do not warm up the engine while the car
is stationary.
If idling, the engine will take much longer
to reach its optimum temperature, and Percentage increase in fuel consumption
of engine starting from cold compared to
engine at normal temperature.
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175 Starting and driving
Driving in cold weatherIn cold weather, special attention should be
paid to the following:
 Before driving off, make sure that the
wiper blades have not frozen to the wind-
shield.
 Remove any snow from the heating
system air intakes between the hood and
the windshield.
 If necessary, inject oil into the locks to
prevent them from freezing. Use molyb-
denum-sulphide oil (MoS
2). If the locks
freeze, exercise care when unlocking the
car (manual unlocking) to avoid breaking
the key. Warm up the key or use a de-icer.
 It is particularly important when the roads
are slippery that the brakes and tires are
in good condition.
 For how to check the level of antifreeze in
the engine coolant, see page 199.
 Add gasoline anti-freeze when refueling
several times before the onset of winter.
This will prevent condensation water in
the fuel tank from freezing and causing
interruptions in the fuel supply. The likeli-
hood of condensation is lowest when the
fuel tank is full.
If the car is parked outside and the
temperature is below zero, carburetor
spirit is of little use as it cannot remove
water that has already frozen. Park the
car in a warm place so that any ice that
may have built up melts, then add carbu-
retor spirit when refueling.Condensation is caused by temperature
fluctuations, either in the outside temper-
ature alone or when the car is alternately
parked outdoors and in a garage.
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.
Convertible: Avoid operating the soft top
at temperatures below 23°F (–5°C).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 tires be fitted. However, winter tires
achieve this extra grip at the expense of grip
on bare road surfaces.
Winter tires, particularly studded tires, gen-
erally 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 fitted, the same
type must be fitted to all four wheels. Your
Saab dealer will be pleased to advise you on
the best tires for your car.
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176 Starting and drivingRemember that tires age: it may therefore
be necessary to change winter tires before
they reach the legal wear limit, as they grad-
ually lose their friction properties with age.
If you get into a front wheel skid and the car
has a manual transmission, the best
response is to freewheel, which means
declutching so that the wheels neither drive
nor brake, and to cautiously steer in the
desired direction.
If the car has automatic transmission, ease
off the accelerator slightly and steer cau-
tiously in the desired direction.
If you get into a rear wheel skid, steer in the
same direction as the movement of the rear
of the car.
Driving with tire chainsSnow chains must only be fitted to the wheel
and tire dimensions that Saab recommends
in "Technical data" on page 267.
Contact a Saab dealer regarding approved
tire chains. See also page 237.
WARNING
 Do not drive at speeds above 30 mph
(50 km/h) when tire chains are fitted.
 Tire chains can reduce directional
stability.
 Do not fit tire chains to the car’s rear
wheels.NOTICE Check the links frequently for wear.
 Check that the chains do not foul the
wheel arch liner at full lock.
 Refer to the "Technical data" section
on page 267, for information on wheel
and tire dimensions approved for the
fitting of tire chains.
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183 Starting and driving
Driving with a loadThe handling characteristics are affected by
how the car is loaded.
 Place the heaviest load as far forward and
as low as possible in the trunk.
 Secure the load to the lashing eyes (see
page 137).
 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 of 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.
 Do not exceed the car’s permissible
gross vehicle weight or axle load (see
page 268).
 Roof loads can negatively affect telecom-
munication.
For further information on tires see page
231.
Driving with the trunk lid
openAvoid driving with the trunk lid partly or fully
open, since exhaust fumes can be drawn
into the cabin.
If you must drive with the trunk lid open,
close all windows and the sunroof (if fitted)
and set the cabin fan to its highest speed
setting.
Driving in deep waterNOTICEDo not drive in puddles or water deeper
than 7 in. (20 cm) and do not drive faster
than 3–4 mph. Water can otherwise be
sucked into the engine. The engine will be
seriously damaged if water enters the
intake system.
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190 Starting and drivingFor long tripsBefore starting off on a long journey, it is
advisable to have your car inspected by
your Saab dealer.
Obtain a few important items to take along
on your journey, such as spare bulbs, wiper
blades, fuses, a drive belt (poly-V-belt) and
the like.
You can check some points yourself before-
hand:
 Check that no oil or fuel leaks out of the
engine or gearbox/transmission.
 Check the coolant and power steering
fluid levels. Check also for leaks.
 Inspect the drive belt (poly-V-belt) and
replace if it shows any signs of wear.
 Check the battery charge.
 Check the tires for tread pattern and air
pressure, including the compact spare
tire.
 Take an extra remote control and keep it
separate.
 Check the brakes.
 Check all bulbs.
 Check for the presence of the tool kit and
jack in the car.
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