Saab 2007 User Manual

Page of 288
224
Car care and technical information
Flat spotting
All tires get hot, especially on long journeys 
or when the car is driven hard. After the car 
has been parked with hot tires and the tires 
have cooled down, a flat spot can form in the 
tire, where it is in contact with the ground. 
The same can occur if the car has not been 
moved for a long time.
Flat spots can cause vibration that can be 
felt through the steering wheel, similar to 
that experienced when the wheels need bal-
ancing.
Flat spots of this type disappear once the 
tires get hot again, usually after 10–15 miles 
(20–25 km) of driving at cruising speed.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s time for new tires is 
to check the treadwear indicators, which will 
appear when your tires have only 1/16 inch 
(1.6 mm) or less of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following 
statements are true:
• You can see the indicators at three or 
more places around the tire.
• You can see cord or fabric showing 
through the tire’s rubber.
• The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or 
snagged deep enough to show cord or 
fabric.
• The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
• The tire has a puncture, cut or other 
damage that can’t be repaired well 
because of the size or location of the 
damage.
Treadwear indicators
The tires incorporate wear indicators in the 
form of smooth, treadless strips across the 
width, which become visible when only 
2/32" (1.6 mm) of tread remains. As soon as 
the indicators become visible, new tires 
should be fitted without delay.
Make sure you are familiar with the legal 
limit for minimum tread depth in your 
country and also any regulations gov-
erning the use of winter (snow) tires.
SG840
Wear indicators 
95_U S_M 07.book  Page 224  Friday, June 9, 2006  8:58 A M