Windshield Wipers
The lever on the right side of the steering column
operates the windshield wipers.
7(Mist):Pull the lever down and release it for
a single wiping cycle. The lever will return to its
original position. For more cycles, hold the
lever down before releasing it.
9(Off):Put the lever in this position to turn off
the wipers.
&(Delay):Put the lever in this position to set a
delay between wipes. Turn the delay adjustment
band to set the length of the delay.
x(Delay Adjustment):Use this band to set the
length of the delay between wipes when using the
delay feature. The closer you move the band
toward mist, the longer the delay. The windshield
wiper lever must be in delay for this feature to work.
6(Low Speed):Put the lever in this position
for slow, steady wiping cycles.
1(High Speed):Put the lever in this position
for rapid wiping cycles.
If the windshield wipers are in use for about
six seconds while you are driving, the exterior
lamps will come on automatically if the exterior
lamp control is in AUTO.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they’re frozen to the
windshield, gently loosen or thaw them. If the
blades do become damaged, install new blades or
blade inserts. For more information, seeWindshield
Wiper Blade Replacement on page 377.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
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The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see.
Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good
shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see
road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings,
the edge of the road, and even people walking.
It is wise to keep your wiping equipment in
good shape and keep your windshield washer uid
reservoir lled with washer uid. Replace your
windshield wiper inserts when they show signs of
streaking or missing areas on the windshield,
or when strips of rubber start to separate from the
inserts.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They
may not work as well in a quick stop and
may cause pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car wash, apply your brake pedal
lightly until your brakes work normally.Driving too fast through large water puddles or
even going through some car washes can cause
problems, too. The water may affect your brakes.
Try to avoid puddles. But if you cannot, try to slow
down before you hit them.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can
build up under your tires that they can actually ride
on the water. This can happen if the road is wet
enough and you are going fast enough. When your
vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact
with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can
if your tires do not have much tread or if the
pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if
a lot of water is standing on the road. If you
can see re ections from trees, telephone poles, or
other vehicles, and raindrops dimple the water’s
surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds.
There just is not a hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down
when it is raining.
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Once you are moving on the freeway, make
certain you allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your
exit, do not, under any circumstances, stop and
back up. Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite
sharply. The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your
speedometer, not to your sense of motion.
After driving for any distance at higher speeds,
you may tend to think you are going slower than
you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested.
If you must start when you are not fresh — such as
after a day’s work — do not plan to make too
many miles that rst part of the journey. Wear
comfortable clothing and shoes you can easily
drive in.Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you will nd experienced and able service experts
in dealerships all across North America. They will
be ready and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir
full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough
for long-distance driving? Are the tires
all in ated to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather
outlook along your route? Should you
delay your trip a short time to avoid a major
storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
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Windshield Replacement............................ 377
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 377
Tires............................................................ 380
Tire Sidewall Labeling............................... 381
Tire Terminology and De nitions............... 385
In ation - Tire Pressure............................. 388
High-Speed Operation............................... 390
Tire Pressure Monitor System................... 391
Tire Inspection and Rotation...................... 396
When It Is Time for New Tires.................. 397
Buying New Tires...................................... 398
Different Size Tires and Wheels................ 400
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..................... 400
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance............ 402
Wheel Replacement.................................. 402
Tire Chains............................................... 404
Accessory In ator...................................... 404
If a Tire Goes Flat.................................... 406
Changing a Flat Tire................................. 406
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools.......... 408
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire......................... 410Secondary Latch System........................... 416
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...... 420
Spare Tire................................................. 423
Appearance Care........................................ 423
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.......... 423
Fabric/Carpet............................................. 425
Leather...................................................... 426
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces........................... 426
Care of Safety Belts.................................. 427
Weatherstrips............................................ 427
Washing Your Vehicle............................... 427
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses................ 428
Finish Care............................................... 428
Windshield, Backglass, and Wiper Blades.... 429
Aluminum Wheels...................................... 429
Tires......................................................... 430
Sheet Metal Damage................................. 430
Finish Damage.......................................... 430
Underbody Maintenance............................ 431
Chemical Paint Spotting............................ 431
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials............ 432
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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Windshield Replacement
Your vehicle is equipped with an acoustic
windshield. If you ever have to have your
windshield replaced be sure to get an acoustic
windshield so you will continue to have the bene ts
an acoustic windshield can provide.
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for
wear or cracking. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 450.
Allowing the wiper blade arm to touch the
windshield when no wiper blade is installed could
damage the windshield. Any damage that
occurs would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not allow the wiper blade arm to touch
the windshield.
1. To remove the old wiper blades, lift the wiper
arm until it locks into a vertical position.A. Blade Assembly
B. Arm Assembly
C. Locking TabD. Blade Pivot
E. Hook Slot
F. Arm Hook
2. Press down on the blade assembly pivot
locking tab. Pull down on the blade
assembly to release it from the wiper
arm hook.
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Windshield, Backglass, and
Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer, or if the wiper blade chatters
when running, wax, sap or other material may
be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
full-strength glass cleaning liquid. The windshield
is clean if beads do not form when you rinse it
with water.
Grime from the windshield will stick to the wiper
blades and affect their performance. Clean the
blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked
in full-strength windshield washer solvent.
Then rinse the blade with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as
necessary; replace blades that look worn.
Aluminum Wheels
Notice:If you use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or
cleaners that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels, you could damage the
surface of the wheel(s). The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Use only
Saab-approved cleaners on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft clean cloth
with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water.
After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean
towel. A wax may then be applied.
Notice:Using chrome polish on aluminum
wheels could damage the wheels. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Use chrome polish on chrome wheels only.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the
painted surface of the vehicle. Do not use strong
soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive
cleaners, cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning
brushes on them because the surface could
be damaged. Do not use chrome polish on
aluminum wheels.
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