2008 SAAB 9-3 tires

4ExteriorMoonroof_______________ 130
Touching up paintwork ____ 270
Washing _______________ 267
Waxing and polishing _____ 270
Anti-corrosion treatment ___ 271
Service program _________ 280
Body __________________ 270Brake lights _____________ 229
Light switches ___________ 97
Taillights _______________ 229
Changing bulbs __________ 222Towing _________________ 197
Towing hook eyes ________ 197
Towing a trailer __________ 190Folding down the rear seat _ 138
Lighting ________________ 229
Load-through hatch _______ 140
Spare wheel ____________ 142
Tools __________________ 142
Trunk __________________ 138
Maximum loads _______________ 286
Mounting holes for roof carriers ___ 194
Roof load ____________________ 194
Hood _______________________ 204
Washing the engine bay_________ 267
Central locking __________ 48
Child safety locks ________ 52
Lock buttons ____________ 48
Trunk lock ______________ 51High/Low beam switch ____ 97
Direction indicators_______ 101
Front lights _____________ 224
Headlight levelling (xenon) _ 98
Headlight switches _______ 97
Headlight washers _______ 221
Changing bulbs _________ 222Economical motoring _____ 185
Fuel filler door __________ 159
Fuel gauge _____________ 89
Fuel grade _____________ 291
Refueling ______________ 159
Braking _____________________ 172
Changing wheels ______________ 262
Spare wheel _________________ 260
Tire pressure ________________ 296
Tires _______________________ 244
Wheels _____________________ 294
Winter driving ________________ 187
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83 Instruments and controls
This light comes on when the battery is not
being charged by the alternator. If the light
comes on during driving, stop as soon as
possible and switch off the engine.
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
Check the drive belt, see page 219.
The light illuminates if the tire pressure in
one or more tires is too low, see page 257.
Below is an example of the message simul-
taneously shown on the SID:This light will come on if the engine oil pres-
sure is too low. If the warning light flashes or
comes on while you are driving, stop imme-
diately in a safe place, switch off the engine
and check the oil level (see page 210).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
This light indicates a malfunction in the fuel
or ignition system.
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to
fully install the cap. See Fuel cap on
page 160. The diagnostic system can deter-
mine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
Charge warning lightBattery not charging.
Make a safe stop.Warning, tire pressureTire pressure low,
rear left. Check tires.
Warning, oil pressure
(engine oil)
NOTE
Never drive the car when the oil pressure
warning lamp is on. Low oil pressure can
cause serious engine damage.
Oil pressure low.
Make a safe stop.
Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)
WARNING
An illuminated “Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)” indicator light indi-
cates an engine-related problem. While
your car may be able to be driven with the
“Engine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)”
indicator light illuminated (limp-home
mode), you are advised to have your car
serviced at an authorized Saab dealer as
soon as possible.
Continued driving without this problem
being corrected might cause serious fur-
ther damage to your car and create
unsafe driving conditions. The operator
should be prepared to take action if such
unsafe conditions arise (e.g. brake
smoothly, engage neutral, stop in a suita-
ble place, switch off the engine, etc.)
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86 Instruments and controlsThis light comes on when there is less than
about 2.5 gallons (10 litre) of fuel left in the
tank.
This light indicates that the headlights or
parking lights are on.
This light comes on when the system is
engaged.This symbol lights up when the 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.This symbol lights up when the system is
disengaged, see page 178.
If there is a malfunction, the symbol cannot
be turned off by pressing the ESP
® button.
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
If so, have the system checked at a Saab
dealer.
See also Electronic Stability Program ESP
®
on page 177.
Indicator, fuel
NOTE
If the car runs out of fuel, air can be drawn
in with the fuel, which, in turn, can cause
the catalytic converter to be damaged by
overheating.
Headlight and parking
light indicator
Cruise control indicator
light
ESP
® indicator
ESP® OFF indicatorWARNING
The system improves stability and
maneuverability under slippery road and
extreme driving conditions. It must how-
ever 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 175/ 177).
Stability control failure.
Contact service.
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178 Starting and drivingESP
® system OFF
lights up if:
the system is turned off manually. The car
must be travelling slower than 35 mph
(60 km/h). The TCS is also disengaged.
a fault is detected in the ABS-system
a fault has been detected in the system
and the system has therefore been
switched off. The following message will
be displayed on the SID:
ESP
® system indicator light
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, the lamp is lit for about 4 seconds
while the system performs self-diagnosis.
The light comes on for a short period of
time when the ESP
® system is operative.
Operation of the ESP® system indicates
reduced cohesion between the tires and the
road, and that extra care should be taken by
the driver during continued driving.
Temporarily turning ESP
®
system off
The ESP
® is switched on automatically
when the engine is started.
It may be necessary to switch off the system
if the car has become bogged down, for
instance.
The ESP® system is always engaged
during braking, even if it has been switched
off manually with the ESP
® button.
The cruise control system (if active) will
automatically be disengaged if the ESP
®
system is operative.Disengage the system in Settings.
1Select Settings using the steering
wheel buttons, or .
2 Hold the SET button depressed until a
chime sounds.
3Select ESP.
4 Press the SET button.
5Select ON or OFF.
End by pressing the SET-button.
Go back/modify using the CLR-button.
Stability control failure.
Contact service.
NOTEChanges to the chassis, such as a
change of wheels, shock absorbers or
springs, could affect the function of the
ESP
® system.
Always consult a workshop before chang-
ing any chassis components. We recom-
mend that you contact a Saab dealer.
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185 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, etc.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 techniquesTo 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 camper all
increase fuel consumption.
Do not warm up the engine while the car
is stationary.
If idling, the engine will take much longer Percentage increase in fuel consumption
of engine starting from cold compared to
engine at normal temperature.
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187 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 212.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, gasoline anti-
freeze 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 gaso-
line anti-freeze 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.
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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188 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 chains3
33 3Snow chains must only be fitted to the wheel
and tire dimensions that Saab recommends
in "Technical data" on page 285.
We recommend that you contact a Saab
dealer regarding approved tire chains. See
also page 251.
WARNING
Do not drive at speeds above 30 mph
(50 km/h) when tire chains are fitted.
Tire chains can reduce directional sta-
bility.
Do not fit tire chains to the car’s rear
wheels.
NOTECheck 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 285, for information on wheel
and tire dimensions approved for the
fitting of tire chains.
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196 Starting and drivingDriving with a loadThe handling characteristics are affected by
how the car is loaded.
Driving with the trunk lid
openIf you must drive with the trunk lid open,
close all windows and the moonroof (if
equipped) and set the cabin fan to its high-
est speed setting.
Driving in deep water
NOTEPlace the heaviest load as far forward
and as low as possible in the trunk.
Secure the load to the lashing eyes
(see page 141).
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
underinflation.
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 286).
Roof loads can negatively affect tele-
communication.
For further information on tires see
page 244.
WARNING
Avoid driving with the trunk lid partly or
fully open, since exhaust fumes can be
drawn into the cabin.
NOTEDo 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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