226 Car care and technical informationUniform Tire Quality GradingQuality grades can be found where applica-
ble on the tire sidewall between tread shoul-
der and maximum section width. For exam-
ple:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates to the
system developed by the United States
National Highway Traffic Safety Administra-
tion, which grades tires by treadwear, trac-
tion and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United
States.) The grades are molded on the side-
walls of most passenger car tires. The Uni-
form Tire Quality Grading system does not
apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12
inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-pro-
duction tires.
While the tires available on General Motors
passenger cars and light trucks may vary
with respect to these grades, they must also
conform to federal safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire Perfor-
mance Criteria (TPC) standards.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and a half (1.5) times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100. The rela-
tive performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service prac-
tices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-
sent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled condi-
tions on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance. Warn-
ing: The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C, representing the tire’s resistance
to the generation of heat and its ability to dis-
sipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive temper-
ature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of perfor-
mance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire
is established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.95_US_M08.book Page 226 Friday, May 11, 2007 1:06 PM
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234 Car care and technical informationAutomatic tire pressure
monitoring systemThe system consists of a sensor in each
wheel and a receiver. The sensors are
located inside the tire in direct connection
with the air pressure valves.
Make sure that wheels with sensors for tire
pressure monitoring are fitted during
replacement if the car has automatic tire
pressure monitoring.Tire pressure information is transmitted
wirelessly to the receiver.
The system checks the tire pressures when
speed exceeds 19 mph (30 km/h).
The system is self-programming which
means that the wheels can be shifted
around without any need for adjustment.
The spare wheel has no sensor.
The sensor batteries last for 10 years or
around 160 000 km. The battery cannot be
replaced. The whole sensor must be
replaced.
The system does not warn if the tire pres-
sure is too high.
WARNING
The system is an aid to the driver. The
driver always has the responsibility that
the tires have the correct air pressure.
For optimum safety, economy and com-
fort tire pressures should be checked reg-
ularly even if the automatic tire pressure
monitoring has not alarmed.
NOTETire replacement must take place with
great care to avoid damaging the sensors
that are built together with the valves.
Remove the rear side first.
Start to remove the tire opposite the
valve.
During removal the tire machine must
not come closer than ±10° from the
valve.
During fitting, start 20° after the valve
and finish 20° before the valve.
Do not inflate the tire with pressure
higher than 102 psi (700 kPa).
Valve with sensor
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236 Car care and technical informationMalfunctionsThe above message is shown on the SID if:
a wheel without pressure sensor has
been fitted (e.g. spare wheel)
one or more pressure sensors are broken
or missing
a fault has arisen in the receiver
a system error has arisen.
Removing a tireRemove the tire with a tire machine. It is
important to follow the instructions for the
tire machine as well.
Do not fit the tire tool in an area ±10° from
the valve.
Start removing opposite the valve.
Remove the rear side first.
Fitting a tireFit the tire with a tire machine. It is important
to follow the instructions for the tire machine
as well.
Start to fit about 20° after the valve.
Finish fitting before an area 20° from the
valve.
Do not inflate the tire to a pressure higher
than 102 psi (700 kPa). Tire pressure system
failure. Contact service.
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237 Car care and technical information
Compact spare tireThe spare tire, together with the jack, front
towrope attachment eye and toolkit, is
stowed away underneath the luggage-com-
partment floor.
The compact spare is light and easy to
handle when changing the tire. Its use is
only permitted when a standard tire has sus-
tained a puncture. The maximum life of the
tire is only 2000 miles (3,500 km).
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) with the
compact spare fitted.
The compact spare should be inflated to
60 psi (420 kPa). Carry the punctured tire in
the spare-wheel well under the luggage-
compartment floor.
Have the standard tire repaired and refitted
as soon as possible.
WARNING
Stow all tools carefully away after use, so
that they cannot get loose and cause
injury in the event of a crash.
NOTETo avoid damaging a punctured alloy
wheel it can be placed outside up in the
spare-wheel well but only while driving to
the closest dealer.
A general rule is that all heavy loads must
be well secured in the luggage compart-
ment, see page 131 and 135.
IB3233
Spare wheel (under panel in luggage
compartment)
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238 Car care and technical informationDriving considerations with
compact spare wheel/tire fitted
The following should be observed when the
compact spare wheel (T115/70 R16) is
fitted:
The compact spare is light and easy to
handle when changing the wheel.
Do not drive further than necessary with
the compact spare fitted – the maximum
life of the wheel is only just over
2000 miles (3,500 km).
Refit the standard tire as soon as possi-
ble.
Fitting a spare tire/wheel without pressure
sensor will trigger a malfunction
message, see page 236.
Important considerations when driving with
a compact spare tire:
The car’s ground clearance is reduced.
The car must not be driven with more than
one compact tire at a time.
Avoid driving against a curb.
Do not use snow chains.
Do not fit the wheel cover - this would
conceal the warning text.
WARNING
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) as
the tire can overheat and adversely
affect the handling of the car.
Tire pressure: refer to page 269.
The spare wheel or punctured tire
must be stowed under the trunk floor,
and secured in place with the retaining
nut.
IB3234
Hanging up the cover, 9-5 SportCombi
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239 Car care and technical information
Changing a wheel
WARNING
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous
without the appropriate safety equipment
and training. The jack provided with your
vehicle is designed only for changing a
flat tire. If it is used for anything else, you
or others could be badly injured or killed if
the vehicle slips off the jack. Use the jack
provided with your vehicle only for chang-
ing a flat tire.
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The
vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over
or fall on you or other people. You and
they could be badly injured or even killed.
Find a level place to change your tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from moving:
1 Set the parking brake firmly.
2 If you have an automatic transmis-
sion, put the shift lever in PARK (P).
For a manual transmission, leave the
car in gear (1st or REVERSE (R)).
3 Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4 Do not allow passengers to remain in
the vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle won't
move, you should put blocks at the front
and rear of the tire farthest away from the
one being changed. That would be the
tire, on the other side, at the opposite end
of the vehicle.
The car jack is designed solely for use
in changing a wheel or fitting snow
chains. It must not be used to sup-
port the car during repair work or
servicing.
Never crawl under a car that is
supported only by a jack.
Raising your vehicle too high or with
the jack improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even make
the vehicle fall. To help avoid personal
injury and vehicle damage, be sure to
fit the jack lift head into the proper
location before raising the vehicle, and
raise the vehicle only far enough off
the ground so there is enough room
for the spare tire to fit (no more than
25 mm or 1 inch clearance between
the ground and the bottom of the tire).
Switch on the hazard warning lights if
the car is on a road.
The jack should be stored correctly
under the carpeting in the trunk. If it
lies loose in the car, it could thrown for-
ward and cause personal injury in the
event of a crash or if the car rolls over.
Grit, salt and rust can clog the inner
threads of the wheel bolts if the car has
been driven for several years exclu-
sively with alloy wheels.
If steel wheels are being installed, the
bolt hole threads in the brake hubs
should be cleaned before the thinner
steel wheels are fitted. It may other-
wise not be possible to achieve the
correct clamping force, despite tight-
ening the wheel bolts to the correct
torque.
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249 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.
3Inspect 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 possi-
ble.
Use touch-up paint to repair small
scratches 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.4Inspect 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 thor-
oughly 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 before-
hand:
Make sure that the engine is in good
condition.
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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260 SpecificationsGeneral Overall length, including bumpers:
9-5 Sedan _______________________ 190.4 in (4836 mm)
9-5 SportCombi __________________ 190.6 in (4841 mm)
Overall width, including door mirrors ____ 80.4 in (2042 mm)
Maximum height:
9-5 Sedan _______________________ 57.3 in (1454 mm)
9-5 SportCombi __________________ 57.7 in (1465 mm)
Wheelbase _______________________ 106.4 in (2703 mm)
Ground clearance at gross vehicle weight approx. 4.6 in
(116 mm)
Tr a c k :
Front __________________________ 59.9 in (1522 mm) *)
Rear ___________________________ 60.2 in (1528 mm) *)
Turning circle (curb to curb) ___________ 37.1 ft (11.3 m)
Turning circle (measured at vehicle extremi-
ties) _____________________________ 39.0 ft (11.9 m)
Number of seats (incl. driver) _________ 5
*) Specified track applies to wheel sizes: 6.5 x 16
VIN on cars sold in
USAVIN on cars sold in CanadaPermissible load (in addition to driver) = GVW minus curb weight
The maximum permissible axle load, front or rear, must not be exceeded.
The maximum permissible axle load, front or rear, must not be exceeded. Chassis number in engine bay
Weight ready for driving (i.e. with full fuel
tank, washer-fluid reservoir, standard tools
and spare wheel) ____________________ 3430–3750 lbs.
(1555–1700 kg)
Gross vehicle weight (GVW) ___________ 4380–4680 lbs.
(1980–2125 kg)
Maximum axle load:
Front ___________________________ 2590 lbs. (1175 kg)
Rear, 9-5 Sedan ___________________ 2310 lbs. (1050 kg)
Rear, 9-5 SportCombi ______________ 2480 lbs. (1125 kg)
Weight distribution:
Curb weight, front/rear ______________ 60/40 %
GVW, front/rear ___________________ 50/50 %
Maximum roof load __________________ 220 lbs. (100 kg)
Maximum luggage compartment load§___ 176 lbs. (80 kg)
Maximum combined load, luggage
compartment and roof ________________ 264 lbs. (120 kg)
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