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224 Car care and technical informationTire Sidewall LabelingUseful 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 parti-
cular tire´s width, height, aspect ratio, cons-
truction 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.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG):
Tire manufacturers are required to grade
tires based on performance factors:
treadwear, traction and temperature resis-
tance. For more information see “Uniform
Tire Quality Grading” on page 221.
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 261and “Loading
Your Vehicle” on page 226.
Tire SizeThe following illustration shows an example
of a typical passenger car tire size.Tire Width:
The three-digit number indica-
tes the tire section width in millimeters from
sidewall to sidewall.
215
/55 R 16 93 H
| |||||
abcdef
aTire Width
b Aspect Ratio
c Belt Rating
d Rim diameter
e Load range
f Speed rating
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225 Car care and technical information
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 cons-
truction; 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 markingsAn 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
55 Aspect ratio, i.e. the section height
is 55 % of the section width
R Radial ply
16 Wheel rim diameter 16 in at bead
seats
93 Tire load code
V Speed marking
Tire load index
91 Tire approved for max. 1355 lbs.
(615 kg)
93 Max. 1433 lbs (650 kg)
94 Max. 1477 lbs (670 kg)
Speed ratings
Q 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-codea Manufacturer´s Identification Mark
b Tire Size
c Tire Type Code
d Date of Manufacture
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241 Car care and technical information
2Clean the underside of the car during
the winter.
Use high pressure water to
clean the car’s underside (floor panels,
wheel wells) at least at mid- winter and
in the spring.
3
Inspect the car frequently for leaks or
damage, and arrange for needed
repairs promptly.
After washing or after
heavy rain, check for leaks. When wash-
ing the car inspect body surfaces for
paint damage. While checking for leaks,
lift the floor mats and check beneath
them. Water can collect in these areas
and remain for prolonged periods. Dry
any wet areas including the floor mats.
Have leaks repaired as soon as pos-
sible.
Use touch-up paint to repair small scrat-
ches or minor finish damage. Areas
where metal is exposed will rust quickly
and MUST be repaired immediately by
touch-up or professional repainting.
Rust must be removed, the bare metal
primed and painted. Major body
damage should be repaired immediately
and new panels or exposed areas
should be undercoated with anti- corro-
sion material.
Repairs of this type are the owner’s
responsibility and are not covered under
warranty.4
Inspect the undercoating and touch
up if necessary.
Pay particular atten-
tion to the fenders and wheel housings,
which are exposed to abrasion by flying
gravel, etc. If the composition has worn
or flaked off, the steel must be tho-
roughly cleaned and dried before a fresh
coat is applied. The cleaning is best
done with a scraper and a steel wire
brush, followed by washing with solvent.
Apply the new coating thinly, as other-
wise it may run off or fall off when dry.
For long tripsBefore setting off on a long journey, it is
advisable to have your car checked over by
your Saab dealer.
Obtain a few important items to take along
on your journey such as spare bulbs, wiper
blades, fuses, a Poly-V-belt and the like.
You can check some points yourself befor-
ehand:
Make sure that the engine is in good con-
dition.
Check that no oil or gasoline leaks out of
the engine or gearbox/transmission.
Check the coolant and power steering
fluid levels. Check also for leaks.
Inspect the Poly-V-belt and replace it if it
shows any signs of hard wear.
Check the battery charge.
Check the tires for tread pattern and air
pressure, including the compact spare
wheel.
Check the brakes.
Check all bulbs.
Check for the presence of the tool kit and
the jack in the car.
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