2005 SAAB 9-5 tires

4Exterior
IB1736
Driving with a roof rack load______ 166
Fitting the roof carriers, 9-5 Sedan
and 9-5 Wagon without roof rails _ 166
Maximum roof load ____________ 252
Rearview mirror _______________ 108
Hood _______________________ 182
Engine compartment: washing ___ 238
Central locking __________ 38
Trunk lid lock, 9-5 Sedan __ 42
Tailgate, 9-5 SportWagon __ 43
Child safety locks ________ 41
Car alarm ______________ 44Headlights _____________ 67
High/low beam __________ 67
Turn signal and lane change
indicators______________ 69
Headlight washers _______ 71
Changing bulbs _________ 197
Fuel gauge___________________ 59
Refueling ____________________ 138
Economical motoring ___________ 157
Fuel ________________________ 254
b Tires pressure ________________ 261
Wheels and tires ______________ 260
Braking______________________ 152
Driving in cold weather__________ 159
Compact spare tire_____________ 230
Changing a wheel _____________ 231
Trunk _______________________ 121
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Sedan __ 121
Folding the rear seat,
9-5 SportWagon ______________ 124
Trunk Release Handle __________ 130
Spare wheel and tools __________ 170
Compact spare tire ____________ 230Towing a trailer __________ 161
Towing the car ___________ 171
Rear towing eye _________ 172Headlights ______________ 67
Rear light cluster, 9-5 Sedan 203
Rear lights clusters,
9-5 SportWagon_________ 206
Changing bulbs __________ 197Sunroof ________________ 114
Washing the car _________ 237
Waxing and polishing _____ 238
Touching up the paint _____ 238
Anti-corrosion treatment ___ 240
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57 Instruments and controls
On a car with an automatic transmission,
this warning symbol is illuminated if a fault
has been detected in the transmission.
Switch the ignition off and on again to check
if the fault persists.
Even if the fault persists, it is still possible in
most cases to drive the car (see page 146).
Have the automatic transmission checked
by an authorized Saab dealer as soon as
possible.
The indicator light goes on when the Elec-
tronic Stability Program is switched off with
the ESP-button.
IMPORTANT: the system is automatically
engaged every time the engine is started
(see page 155).
The indicator light also goes on when there
is a fault in the system. In this case the light
cannot be turned off by means of the ESP
button. If a fault is indicated, have the
system checked by an authorized Saab
dealer.
See also “Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) on page 155.The ESP indicator light is located in the
tachometer and will be illuminated when
ESP regulation is occurring, i.e. when there
is insufficient traction between the tires and
the road surface to provide the grip required
for the acceleration called for. The driver
can also sense that the engine is not
responding normally to the accelerator.
Operation of the ESP indicates reduced
traction between the tires and the road, and
that extra care should be taken by the driver.
In normal driving, the ESP will help to
improve both ride comfort and safety, but
must not be regarded as a system to enable
the driver to drive at or maintain a higher
rate of speed. The same precautions for
safe cornering and driving on slippery roads
must still be applied (see page 155).
Automatic transmission,
fault indicator
NOTICE
If the control module has actuated the
Limp-home function for the automatic
transmission, the car will remain in 5th
gear when D is selected, making it very
sluggish. To overcome this, select posi-
tion L to prevent unnecessary wear on the
transmission. The transmission then
starts in 2nd gear. When the car is moving
you can select position D.
When the indicator light is on, the car
must not be driven with a trailer attached.
Indicator ESP OFF
Indicator ESP
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155 Starting and driving
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)The Electronic Stability Program employs
both the antilock braking system (ABS) and
the traction control system (TCS). It is a
system that helps the driver to stabilize the
car in unusual circumstances that can oth-
erwise be difficult to handle.
How the ESP system worksThe Electronic Stability Program can help to
prevent the car from skidding by braking
one or several wheels independently of the
driver. The engine output is then also
reduced to prevent the driving wheels from
spinning. The car has sensors that measure
wheel speed, yaw acceleration, lateral
acceleration, steering wheel position and
braking pressure. The values provided by
these sensors are used to calculate the
actual direction of the car. If this direction
does not agree with that intended by the
driver, calculated from the steering wheel
position, the ESP is engaged.
ESP improves the driver’s chances of
retaining control over the car in critical situ-
ations.
To ensure that the system works as
designed, the dimensions of all four tires
must be the same.
WARNING
When driving normally, ESP will help to
improve the stability of the car. This does
not mean that car can be driven faster.
The same care and prudence as normally
applied should be displayed on cornering
and when driving on slippery roads.
IB1841
Increased stability with ESP.
The system applies the brakes to the
wheels as shown to help prevent the car
from skidding
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156 Starting and drivingESP indicator lightThe indicator light in the tachometer
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.ESP OFFThe light in the rev counter comes on
if:
 A fault has been detected and the system
has therefore been switched off.
 The system has been switched off manu-
ally.
 When the ignition key is turned to the ON
position, the lamp is lit for about four
seconds while the system undergoes a
self-test.
Turning ESP offThe system can be turned off manually with
the ESP button, whereupon the light
on the main instrument panel will come on.
The ESP system cannot be switched off if
the car is travelling faster than 35 mph
(60 km/h).
The ESP is always operative during brak-
ing, even if it has been switched off manu-
ally.NOTICESuspension modifications, such as
changing the type of wheels, dampers or
springs, can affect the function of the ESP
system.
Always consult a Saab dealer before
changing any suspension components.
IB3051
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158 Starting and drivingDriving technique To obtain the best running economy, not
only regarding fuel consumption but
general wear also, regular service is
required.
 High speed, unnecessary acceleration,
heavy braking and much low gear work all
gives rise to higher fuel consumption.
 Frequent gear changing in traffic, starting
in cold weather, the use of studded tires
and roof racks, and towing a trailer all
increase fuel consumption.
 Do not run the engine when the car is sta-
tionary.
If idling, it will take much longer before the
engine becomes hot. Engine wear is gre-
atest during this warming-up phase. The-
refore drive away as soon as possible
after the engine is started and avoid high
revving. Driving in a low gear results in higher fuel
consumption than in a high gear because
of the higher engine speed for a given
road speed. Always change up to a higher
gear as soon as traffic conditions allow
and use the highest gear as much as pos-
sible.
 Check the air pressure in the tires once a
month. Incorrect pressures increase tire
wear. It is better to have slightly higher
pressure than lower.
 Check fuel consumption regularly.
Increased consumption can indicate that
something is wrong and that the car
needs to be checked by an authorized
Saab dealer.
Practical trials on the roads have demon-
strated that substantial savings in fuel con-
sumption can be made if the above advice
is heeded.
Road conditionsWet roads increase fuel consumption, as do
unpaved roads and driving in hilly country
(the amount of fuel saved driving downhill is
less than the additional amount required to
climb the hill).
WARNING
Never switch the engine off while driving
as the effect of the brakes and power ste-
ering will be greatly reduced.
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159 Starting and driving
Engine block heater(standard equipment in Canada, acces-
sory in U.S.)The following are just some of the benefits
to the car and the environment of using an
engine block heater:
 Lower fuel consumption.
 Exhaust emissions substantially reduced
over short runs.
 Reduced wear on the engine.
 Inside of car warms up faster.
The engine heater is effective at outside
temperatures up to +15–20°C. The warmer
it is outside, the shorter the time the engine
heater needs to be connected. Longer than
1.5 hours is unnecessary.
If the car is equipped with a removable,
electrical cabin heater that is not in use, this
should be stored in the luggage compart-
ment.
Driving in cold weatherBefore starting a journey in cold weather
you should check the following:
 That the wiper blades have not become
frozen to the windshield/glass.
 Brush any snow away from the air intake
for the heater system (opening between
hood and windshield).
 It may be advisable to lubricate the door-
lock cylinder (use molybdenum
disulphide, MoS
2) to prevent its freezing.
If the lock has frozen, take care not to
break the key (or use the remote control)
– heat it first or spray it with de-icer.
 Periodically during the winter, add gaso-
line anti-freeze to the fuel to dispel any
condensation in the fuel tank which could
freeze and cause problems in the system.
Keep the tank well filled to reduce the risk
of condensation forming.
If the car is parked outside in freezing
weather, fuel additives (gasoline anti-
freeze) will not do any good 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
gasoline anti-freeze when filling up the
tank. Condensation is caused by changes
in the outdoor temperature or by the car
being parked alternately in a garage and
outside.
 It is particularly important when the roads
are slippery that the brakes and tires be in
good condition. Check the anti-freeze in the engine coo-
lant, see page 188.
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
.
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160 Starting and drivingIf winter tires are fitted, the same type must
be fitted 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 or retarded by the
engine.
If the car has automatic transmission, ease
up on the accelerator and steer carefully in
the desired direction.
In a rear-wheel skid, steer in the same direc-
tion that the rear of the car is moving.
Tire chainsIf you want to fit tire chains (where legally
permitted) they should only be fitted to the
tires recommended under ”Specifications”
(see page 260).
Consult your Saab dealer for details of
approved tire chains.
Driving in hot weather Always check the coolant level before
starting a journey. The level should be just
below the MAX mark.
 At the end of a journey, if the engine has
worked hard, allow it to idle for two or
three minutes before switching it off.
If the needle on the temperature gauge
enters the red zone:
1 Bring the car to a standstill but leave the
engine running. Do
not
remove the cap
on the expansion tank even if the tank is
empty. If the needle on the temperature
gauge continues to rise while the engine
is idling, switch off the engine.
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. NOTICE Check the links frequently for wear.
 Check that the chains do not contact
the wheel-arch liner at full lock.
 See section ”Specifications”,
page 260, for information on allowable
wheel dimensions for the fitting of tire
chains.
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169 Starting and driving
Tires
The tire pressure should match the current
load and speed of the car; for cars sold in
U.S. see page 226; for cars sold in Canada
see page 261.
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.
WARNING
Check the tire pressure
at least once a
month
and before long journeys. Under-
inflation can result in:
 Punctures
 Separation of the tire and tread
 Damage to the sidewalls
 Damage to the rims on poor roads
 Poor handling characteristics
 Premature tire wear
 Increased fuel consumption.
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