2008 Saab 9-3 Owner's Manual - Page 257

93_US_M08.book Page 257 Friday, May 11, 2007 11:37 AM Car care Winter tires Winter (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 exceed 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. 257 Automatic tire pressure monitoring system 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 comfort tire pressures should be checked regularly even if the automatic tire pressure monitoring has not alarmed. The 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. NOTE Tire 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). 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 system will trigger a warning/alarm because of that. The sensor batteries last for 10 years or around 160 000 km. The battery cannot be replaced. The whole sensor must be replaced. Tire date code Tires should be regarded as perishable goods. As the tires age, the rubber becomes progressively harder, and the roadholding ability of the tires diminishes. This is particularly 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.