2009 SAAB 9-3 tire pressure

253
Car care
Winter tiresWinter (snow) tires are recommended for
winter climates where the majority of your
driving will be done on snow and ice. Winter
tires should be fitted to all four wheels to
maintain a proper balance. Your Saab
dealer can advise you of to the correct size
tire for your car (if different from the original
size) and also supply Saab approved winter
tires pre-mounted on steel or alloy rims.
Winter tires normally use a different speed
rating compared to summer/all season tires.
Make sure not to exce ed the stated speed
rating on the tires you use.
Make sure that wheels with sensors for tire
pressure monitoring are fitted during
replacement if the car has automatic tire
pressure monitoring.Tire date codeTires should be regarded as perishable
goods. As the tires age, the rubber becomes
progressively harder, and the road holding
ability of the tires diminishes. This is partic-
ularly true on winter tires.
Tires have a code that specifies their date of
manufacture. The first two digits denote the
week number and the last two digits the year
followed by a filled triangle.
Automatic tire pressure
monitoring systemThe system consists of a sensor in each
wheel and a common receiver. The sensors
are located inside the tire in direct connec-
tion 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.
The system will trigger a warning/alarm if
the spare wheel is fitted because it has no
sensor. Tire pressure informa
tion is transmitted
wireless 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 sensor batteries last for 10 years or
around 160 000 km. The battery cannot be
replaced. The whole sensor must be
replaced.
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.
NOTICETire replacement must take place with
great care to avoid damaging the sensors
that are built together with the valves.
 Remove the rear side first, see page 255.
 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).
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254 Car careThe system does not warn if the tire pres-
sure is too high.
If the system has warned or triggered an
alarm due to inadequate pressure then
the pressure must be reset to the recom-
mended pressure so that the warning/alarm
is cleared.If the tire pressure decreasesIf the tire pressure decreases to 6 psi
(40 kPa) below the recommended pressure
then a warning is shown on the SID as to
which tires are affected.
Adjust the pressure as soon as possible. If the tire pressure continues to decrease
then an alarm is shown on the SID when the
pressure has decreased to 23 psi (160 kPa)
which is the lowest permitted pressure for
the tire.
An alarm is also received when leakage is
greater than 3 psi/min. (20 kPa/min.).
Reduce speed (avoid heavy braking and
significant steering wheel movement) and
stop the car as soon as possible at a suita-
ble location. Replace the defective wheel.
The fault message can remain for up to
10 minutes after restarting the car. Then it
disappears if the tire pressure is correct.Check/adjust the pressure in the other tires
when a fault message is shown.
Note that the tire pressure can decrease
without a puncture. The pressure could
decrease around 3 psi (20 kPa) during a
three month period.
The outside temperature could also affect
tire pressure.
The temperature in the
tire also affects the
tire pressure. The spec ified tyre pressures
are valid for cold tyres. The increased tyre
pressure resulting from extensive driving
must not be reduced. For further informa-
tion on tire air pressure , see page 240.
Allow 10 minutes for the system to recog-
nize the wheel/sensors positions after fitting
a new set of tires. During this period no low
pressure warning or alarm can be triggered.
Tire pressure low,
front right. Check tires.
Low tire pressure rear
left. Make a safe stop.
Valve with sensor
Valve without sensor
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255
Car care
MalfunctionsThe above message is shown on the SID if:
 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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256 Car careCompact spareThe 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 just over 2,000 miles (3,500 km).
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) with the
compact spare fitted.
The tire pressure should be 60 psi
(420 kPa). Put the punctured tire in the
spare wheel well under the trunk floor.
Have the standard tire repaired and refitted
as soon as possible.The spare tire, the tools and the jack with its
crank are carried under a panel in the trunk.
Fold the carpeting forward to ease access to
the tools and spare tire.
The screwdriver handle has a “button” for
removing plastic rivets. This type of rivet
must be removed when changing the light
bulb in the trunk lid (see page 226).
Your Saab is equipped with a trip computer
and you can use its “Speed warning” func-
tion, to monitor driving speed since you
must not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h), see
page 92.
WARNING
The spare tire or punctured tire must be
stowed under the trunk floor, and secured
in place with the retaining nut.NOTICETo avoid damaging a alloy wheel of a
punctured tire, this can be temporarily
placed outside up in the spare wheel well
but
only while driving to the closest work-
shop.
As a general rule, all heavy loads must be
well secured in the trunk (see page 139).93_US_7carcare_MY09.fm Page 256 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:26 AM
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258 Car careDriving with a compact wheel
fittedObserve the following when the compact
spare tire is fitted:
 The compact spare is light and easy to handle when changing a tire.
 Do not drive further than necessary with the compact spare fitted - the maximum
life of the tire is only just over 2,000 miles
(approx. 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 255.
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 spare tire at a time.
 Avoid driving against the curb.
 Do not use snow chains.
 Do not fit the wheel cover - this would conceal the warning text.
Changing a tire
WARNING
 Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h). The
tire can overheat affecting the car’s
road holding.
 Tire pressure: refer to page 291.
 The spare tire or punctured tire must be stowed under the trunk floor, and
secured in place with the retaining nut.
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.
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264 Car care4 Connect the air hose from the compres-sor to the connection on the canister.
5 Insert the canister into the recess in the compressor.
6 Unscrew the valve cap from the punc- tured wheel. 7 Connect the air hose from the canister to
the valve on the wheel.
8 The switch on the compressor must be in the 0 position.
9 Connect the compressor’s electric cable to the 12 volt socket (cigarette lighter) in
the car. 10 Start the compressor.
11 While the canister of sealant empties
(approx. 30 seconds), the gauge on the
compressor will briefly show a pressure
of up to 87 psi (6 bar). The pressure will
then drop.
12 Once the canister is empty, pump the tire to the recommended tire pressure
(see page 291). It is not necessary to
remove the canister.
13 The tire should be inflated to the recom- mended pressure within 10 minutes.
Switch off the compressor once the
correct pressure is reached.93_US_7carcare_MY09.fm Page 264 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:26 AM
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Car care
If the correct pressure is not reached
within 10 minutes, the damage to the tire is
too large to be repaired with the sealant.
Park the car in a suitable place and call for
assistance.
If the tire pressure becomes too high, it can
be reduced by pressing the button by the
pressure gauge on the compressor.
Do not run the co mpressor for more
than 10 minutes.
14 Assemble the repair kit and return it to its designated place in the luggage
compartment.
15 Wipe away any sealant that may have leaked out with a rag.
16 Put back the warning triangle.
17 Affix the label in the kit showing the maximum permitted speed so that it is
clearly visible to the driver. 18 Drive off immediately so that the sealant
is distributed evenly around the tire.
19 Stop after approximately 6 miles (10 km) or 10 minutes (whichever
occurs first) and check the tire pressure.
To do so, connect the air hose on the
compressor directly to the valve on the
tire.
If the pressure is greater than 19 psi
(1.3 bar), adjust it to the recommended
value, see page 291. It may be neces-
sary to check the pressure a number of
times on the way to a workshop.
If the pressure falls below 19 psi
(1.3 bar), do not drive the car any further
but call for assistance.
The most likely reason for a drop in pres-
sure is probably that the damage to the
tire is too extensive to be repaired with
the repair kit.
20 Return the repair kit to its designated place. There are four adapters on the underside of
the compressor which allow the compressor
to be used to inflate other items such as
bicycle tires, air mattresses and footballs.93_US_7carcare_MY09.fm
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272 Car care
washing will prevent paint damage from
acid rain and other airborne contami-
nants such as tree sap and bird drop-
pings. If any of these contaminants are
noticed on the car the finish should be
washed immediately.
 Begin washing by rinsing the entire car with water to loosen and flush off heavy
concentrations of dirt (include the
underbody).
 Sponge the car with a solution of either a good quality car soap or mild general
purpose (dish washing) detergent and
water.
 Rinse car thoroughly with clean water
 After washing, check and clear all drains in doors and body panels
 Wipe the car dry, preferably using a chamois.
2 Clean 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 underneath
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. Inspect the undercoating and touch up if
necessary.
Pay particular attention 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 thoroughly 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, otherwise it
may run off or fall off when dry.
Recovery and/or
recycling of automotive
materialsInformation on the scrapping and recycling
of car materials is available on
www.saab.com.
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