2001 Saab 9-5 Owner's Manual - Page 172

172 Starting and driving • Check the anti-freeze in the engine coolant, see page 196. The car´s trip computer will warn you when there is a risk of slippery conditions. For further information on this function, see page 58. 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 (snow) tires be fitted. Winter (snow) tires, particularly studded tires (where use is legally permitted), generally make driving safer on snow and ice. Acquaint yourself with the legal provisions 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 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. Driving in cold weather Before starting a journey in cold weather you should check the following: • That the wiper blades have not become frozen to the windshield/glass. • Brush any snow away from the air intake for the heater system (opening between hood and windshield). • It may be advisable to lubricate the door-lock cylinder (use molybdenum disulphide, MoS2) to prevent its freezing. If the lock has frozen, take care not to break the key (or use the remote control) - heat it first or spray it with de-icer. • Periodically during the winter, add gasoline anti-freeze to the fuel to dispel any condensation in the fuel tank which could freeze and cause problems in the system. Keep the tank well filled to reduce the risk of condensation forming. If the car is parked outside in freezing weather, fuel additives (gasoline anti-freeze) will not do any good 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 gasoline anti-freeze when filling up the tank. Condensation is caused by changes in the outdoor temperature or by the car being parked alternately in a garage and outside. • It is particularly important when the roads are slippery that the brakes and tires be in good condition.