Page 51 of 236

51 Convertible
Trunk Pass-Through in the rear
seatback for long, narrow loadsA trunk pass-through is provided in the rear
seatback support so that long narrow
objects can be carried. Before using this
trunk pass-through, the rear seatback must
be lowered.
Suspend the top storage bag by means of
the hooks as previously described on page.
50.
Cleaning the soft top, 9-3
Convertible
NOTEThe trunk pass-through can only be used
when the top is raised.
If you attempt to lower the top with the top
storage bag suspended from the hooks or
with a load pressing against the top stor-
age bag, the SID will display the message
"CHECK SOFT TOP STORAGE" (see
page 48).
NOTE Note that some automatic car washes
can damage a textile soft top. This
applies to washes that have mechani-
cal feelers in contact with the body-
work.
We advise against washing a Saab
9-3 Convertible in automatic car
washes.
Park in the shade if possible. Long
standing in strong sunlight can affect
the color and material of the soft top.
Never use strong bleaches or abra-
sive cleaning agents, since they can
damage the textile soft top.
Wash bird droppings off at once, since
they can have a corrosive effect on the
textile soft top and paint.
During prolonged parking, especially
winter storage, the soft top should be
up to give optimum airing of the fabric.
Do not wash the fabric soft-top with a
high-pressure jet.
Strong detergents and solvents can
damage the flame retardant treatment
of the soft top.
IB857
Pass through for long loads
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Page 52 of 236

52 ConvertibleUse mild soap, lukewarm water and a
sponge for washing.
Rinse the top thoroughly with plain water to
get rid of all the soap. Flush the cleaning
agent off the bodywork as well, since it can
cause discoloration if it is left to dry on the
paintwork.
If further cleaning is needed after soap and
water have been used, a mild shampoo may
be employed. First rinse the soft top, then
use shampoo on the complete top and
scrub with a small soft hand brush.
Add water as needed until the cleaning
agent lathers. Use a rag or sponge to
remove dirt, so as to avoid working it into the
cloth. Thoroughly rinse the whole car with
plain water and make sure that cleaning
agents are not allowed to dry on the paint-
work.
Cleaning the rear windowThe rear window can be cleaned with a
window cleaner or a mild soap solution and
a soft, anti-static cloth.
Since the rear window is made of glass,
when necessary, you can use an ice
scraper on the outside. Never use a scraper
on the inside!Interior lightingThe front light is located on the front roof rail.
The rear lighting consists of two lights built
in to the side panels adjacent to the rear
seat. The switch is on the center console
between the front seats, see also page 121.
Certain variants have a mirror and lighting
built into the sun visors.
Manually opening the
fuel filler doorConvertible If the fuel filler door, controlled by the central
lock, does not unlock take the following
action:
Check fuse 25. If it is defective or blows
again after changing, the locking motor can
be detached from the flap by pulling a wire.
The wire, marked with a yellow arrow at the
end, is located in the trunk inside the open-
ing in the upholstery in front of the
right-hand rear light.
NOTEAfter washing, the soft top must be given
time to dry completely before being folded
down. A wet or damp top that is folded
down can be damaged by mold.
IB861
Wire for manual opening of fuel filler door
(Convertible)
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Page 58 of 236

58 Instruments and controls
CHECK message
indicator
This light indicates that there is a message
in the SID. A chime will also sound
(see page 63).
Automatic transmission
fault indicator
On a car with an automatic transmission,
this warning symbol is illuminated if a fault
has been detected in the transmission.
Switch the ignition off and on again to check
if the fault persists.
Even if the fault persists, it is still possible in
most cases to drive the car (see page 144).
Have the automatic transmission checked
by an authorized Saab dealer as soon as
possible.
Rear fog light Indicator
This light shows when the rear fog light is on
(see page 73).
The rear fog light is switched off automati-
cally when the engine is switched off. When
the fog light is next needed, it will have to be
switched on manually again.
High beam Indicator
The symbol is lit when the high beam
is on.
Open door Indicator
If a door has not been closed properly, the
pictogram will indicate the door concerned
(or trunk).
Autochecking of lights,
main instrument panel The above warning and indicator lights
should come on when the ignition is
switched on. They go out after about 3 sec-
onds.
The following lamps light up until the engine
starts, as long as no faults exist:
Central warning light .
Oil pressure warning light .
Charge warning light .
NOTEIf the control module has actuated the
Limp-home function for the automatic
transmission, the car will remain in 4th
gear when D is selected, making it very
sluggish. To overcome this, move the
selector lever to position 2.
When the indicator light is on, the car
must not be driven with a trailer attached.
IB1279
1 Cars with automatic transmission
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Page 101 of 236

101 Saab 9-3 Audio System
CD changer (option/accessory)Important! Always keep the sliding cover
closed to keep dust out of the CD changer,
so that it will continue to provide satisfactory
service for a long time.
To load the CD changer, which is installed
in the trunk and can accommodate six CDs,
proceed as follows:
1 Slide the cover back.
2 The CD magazine will automatically
eject after it has retrieved all discs.
3 Press the catch on the magazine to one
side.
4 Withdraw one CD tray at a time and
swap or load the CD (label side up).
Slide the tray back into the magazine.
Note the position of the magazine for load-
ing (see picture).
Insert the entire magazine carefully inside
the CD changer and slide the cover closed
again.
To select the CD changer If the Audio System is in the RADIO
mode, touch the CD/RDM button twice.
If the CD player is active, touch the
CD/RDM button once.
If the CDs in the magazine have not been
changed, the system will restart playback
from where it left off.
If there is no magazine in the CD changer,
the following will appear on the display: If the magazine in the CD changer is empty,
the following will appear on the display:
IB383
4
3
IB799
CD changer in trunk
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Page 111 of 236
111 Interior equipment, trunk
Interior equipment,
trunkSeats ................................. 112
Steering-wheel adjust-
ment ................................ 118
Electrical windows ........... 119
Sunroof (option) ............... 120
Interior lighting................. 121
Cup holder ........................ 122
Ashtrays (accessory)....... 123
Glove compartment ......... 123
Rear-view mirrors ............ 124
Trunk, Coupé and 5-door 125
Tools and spare wheel .... 130
Manually opening the fuel
filler door ........................ 131
IB941
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Page 112 of 236

112 Interior equipment, trunkSeatsThe following seat adjustments can be
made to achieve a comfortable driving
position:
• Height (driver´s seat).
Legroom.
Backrest rake angle.
Lumbar support.
Head-restraint height.
We recommend that adjustments to the
driver’s seat be performed in the following
order:
1 Height.
2 Legroom.
3 Backrest rake angle.
Lastly, adjust the steering wheel (see
page 118). Side airbags (SRS)See page 27.
Height adjustment, driver’s seat Lift the lever to raise the seat. The lever is
spring-loaded to return to its neutral posi-
tion. Repeated lifting of the lever will
increase the height in steps.
Press down the lever to lower the seat.
Repeated downward presses of the lever
will lower the seat in steps.
Legroom adjustment Lift the lever under the front of the seat and
slide the seat to the desired position.
WARNING
Never adjust the driver’s seat except
when the car is stationary.
WARNING
Check that the seat is locked in the new
position - if not, it may move while the car
is being driven. If the fore-and-aft setting
of the seat has not been locked, it could
result in injury to the occupant in the event
of an accident.
IB803
IB801
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Page 113 of 236
113 Interior equipment, trunk
Backrest rake angle To find the most comfortable position, turn
the knob to provide stepless adjustment of
the backrest.
Center armrestCertain models have a foldable center arm-
rest that is attached to the driver´s seat.
Lumbar supportTurn the smaller knob for stepless adjust-
ment of the lumbar support.
WARNING
The backrest should be upright during
driving, so that the safety belt, airbag and
backrest can provide optimum protection
in the event of emergency braking or a
collision.
IB802
Adjusting the backrest 1 Catch, backrest (Coupé and Convertible
versions)
IB804
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Page 114 of 236

114 Interior equipment, trunkHead restraintThe front seats in the Saab 9-3 are
equipped with Saab Active Head Restraints
(SAHRs). These reduce the risk of whiplash
injury if the car is hit from behind at low
speeds.
In the event of a rear-end collision, the body
is forced back against the backrest. This, in
turn, causes the mechanism to press the
head restraint forward and upward, thus lim-
iting the backward movement of the head.
The SAHR is a mechanical system, actu-
ated by body weight. The mechanism is built
into the top of the backrest, where it is con-
nected to the head restraint.
Because the SAHR is mechanically oper-
ated, it does not need to be replaced after a
collision has occurred. The head restraint can be raised or lowered
and is adjustable in various positions.
Raising: grasp the head restraint on both
sides and pull it straight up.
Lowering: depress the catch on the
left-hand side of the attaching point and
press the head restraint down.
Front seats, Coupé and
Convertible versions Both front seats have release levers on the
outside of the backrest. The passenger seat
also has a release on the inside of the back-
rest so that the driver can tilt the backrest for
the convenience of rear-seat passengers.
Raise the release levers to tip the backrest
forward.
WARNING
Adjust the head restraint so that the head
is well supported and the center of the
head restraint is at ear height, thus reduc-
ing the likelihood of neck injury in an acci-
dent.
IB629
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