2006 Saab 9-5 Owner's Manual - Page 175

Starting and driving If 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 direction that the rear of the car is moving. 175 Tire chains 1 If you want to fit tire chains (where legally permitted) they should only be fitted to the tires recommended under "Specifications" (see page 268). 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 268, for information on allowable wheel dimensions for the fitting of tire chains.