Page 75 of 236
75 Instruments and controls
Rear-window wiperRear-window washing and wiping are car-
ried out using the same stalk switch as for
washing and wiping the windshield and
headlights.
This stalk has two additional switches,
ON/OFF and .
The ON position gives intermittent wiping.
The position gives washing and wiping.
After a few sweeps the wiper stops, or
reverts to intermittent wiping if this has been
selected. When washing/wiping of the rear
window ends, the wiper makes a single
sweep after about 15 seconds to wipe away
any remaining washer fluid.
Moving the control stalk to the
spring-loaded position between OFF and
ON will produce a single sweep of the wip-
ers.
Intermittent wiping of the rear window is
done when reverse gear is selected, if the
wipers are in position 1, 2 or 3, see page 74.
IB754
Rear-window wiper 1 Intermittent wiping
2 Washing
Control for setting wiper delay 1 Long delay
2 Short delay
IB935
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Page 86 of 236
86 Instruments and controlsCalibrationIf the battery has been disconnected or has run flat, the system will
recalibrate automatically.
Manual calibration:
1 Start the engine.
2 Press + at the same time. The ACC display flashes
once to indicate that calibration and self-testing have started.
During calibration the display indicates the figure 0 or the fault codes
(01-23) that have been found.
Calibration and self-testing takes about 30 seconds.
Programming IThe manual selections you have made can be saved so that the
ACC system always starts up on these selections every time the
ignition is switched on. But notice that the ignition must have been
off for at least 10 minutes before you try out the saved setting.
1 Select the desired settings.
2 Press + at the same time.
(The ACC background lighting flashes to confirm that the informa-
tion has been stored.)
Example:
If you want the ACC system to distribute the air to the dash vents
from the start, proceed as follows:
1 Start the engine.
2 Press the button .
3 Press and at the same time.
4 Shut off the key.
5 The system will memorize this new program 10 minutes after the
key is shut off.Cancelling program I A saved setting is deleted only by pressing + at the
same time.
(The ACC display flashes to confirm that deletion has been
effected.)
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Page 88 of 236
88 Instruments and controlsUseful tips: If the ACC system is not functioning
satisfactorily the following should be tried
before you take the car to an authorized
Saab dealer.
If the indication AUTO does not light up
after starting (the ignition must have been
switched off for at least 10 minutes): See
Cancelling programming of ACC.
If you think that the ACC system is not
functioning satisfactorily you should:
1. Check that the cigarette lighter plug is
in its socket (since if the socket is empty
heated air can flow out and affect the
cabin sensor).
2. Recalibrate: See the section headed
Calibration.
If the battery has been disconnected or
has died, the ACC system should be reca-
librated: See Calibration.
Programmed settings are not deleted if the
battery has been disconnected. Extinguishing the lighting in ACC See section Night Panel, page 63.
ACC - 9-3 Convertible When the soft top is folded down the ACC
system goes over to manual temperature
setting.
Between HI and LO there are eleven (0-10)
fixed temperature steps.
The system adjusts itself as follows
AUTO is turned off.
Heating, air distribution and fan speed are
not affected.
Recirculation and electric rear window
are turned off.
A/C assumes the same setting (ON/OFF)
as it had when the soft top was last folded
down.
All manual selections are possible with the
exception of electric rear window.
Saab recommends leaving the ACC setting
on ECON when the soft top is folded down
to improve fuel economy and unnecessary
running of the A/C compressor.
When the soft top is raised the system
reverts to the AUTO mode and the previous
set temperature.
IB795
ACC display with soft top folded down
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Page 98 of 236
98 Saab 9-3 Audio SystemType II (metal) tapes The cassette has an automatic tape-type
selector. Cleaning-due indicator After 30 hours’ playing time, the following
message will appear on the display:
The message will be displayed for ten
seconds each time the cassette player is
selected.
A cleaning tape should be used to clean the
heads inside the cassette player to maintain
good reproduction and to prevent unneces-
sary wear.
To reset the playing-time meter:
1 Remove the current tape.
2 Load the cleaning tape and play it for the
required time.
3 Remove the cleaning tape and reload
the other one.
Tape care Do not expose cassette tapes to direct sun-
light or to extremes of temperature as this
can damage the cassette and the tape.
Always keep cassettes in their boxes when
not in use.
If a cassette should become jammed in the
deck, seek help from an authorized Saab
dealer.
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Page 107 of 236
107 Saab 9-3 Audio System
Multipath interference When the radio waves from an FM transmit-
ter collide with a large building, for example,
they will be reflected so that they reach the
car antenna slightly later than the direct
waves. This is referred to as multipath dis-
tortion. The effect is liable to be blamed
upon malfunctions in the radio. Antenna The antenna of the Audio System is motor-
ized.
Saab 9-3 Viggen Coupé and 5-door: The
antenna is located on the roof.
For the cleaning of the motorized antenna,
see the section headed "Washing", page
201.
Shadow effect Because FM radio waves travel in straight
lines from the transmitter, a shadow effect
can occur when tall buildings or hills
obstruct the interference path from the
transmitter to the car.
Sources of FM interference Interference to FM reception can be caused
by the electrical systems in other vehicles,
particularly if the signal from the transmitter
is weak.
To maintain good radio reception do not tint
the rear windshield, particularly with film
containing small metal flakes.
NOTERemove the antenna if you wash the car
in a car wash, to avoid it being damaged.
IB977
IB978
IB979
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Page 108 of 236
108 Saab 9-3 Audio SystemCross-modulation When the radio is tuned to a weak transmit-
ter in the vicinity of a stronger one, the car’s
antennas will receive signals from both.
Such interference is apparent when the
unwanted broadcast can be heard faintly in
the background.
Radio waves, FM/AM FM radio waves radiate in straight lines from
the transmitter. Because such waves do not
follow the curvature of the Earth, their
strength becomes weaker the further they
travel. That is why a large number of trans-
mitters are needed to provide good recep-
tion.
AM waves, on the other hand, are reflected
off the ionosphere, thus greatly extending
their range.
Sources of AM interference AM reception is prone to interference, e.g.
from electrical systems on other vehicles,
high-tension power lines and lightning.
IB980
IB388
AM
FM
IB981
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Page 109 of 236
109 Saab 9-3 Audio System
Installation of car phone
(option)
Provision has been made on certain vari-
ants of the Saab 9-3 for the installation of a
hands-free car phone.
Installation must be done by an authorized
Saab dealer.
A car-phone cradle is available as an acces-
sory.
Your Saab dealer has details of which
phones are suitable for the installation.
Provision for hands-free phone (Con-
vertible, only if Saab 9-3 Audio System is
fitted)
Car phone connects to car’s circuitry.
Coaxial cable for external antenna is pre-
run.
Microphone for hands-free phone use
incorporated in overhead panel at front
(not Convertible).
Audio System mute functions when
phone activated.
Phone conversation amplified through
Audio System speakers. "TELEPHONE" appears on the SID when
phone is in use.
Volume level for ongoing conversation
can be adjusted by volume controls on
steering wheel or on audio-system mod-
ule. See also ”Volume-preset mode”,
page 104.
If the sound is a bit fuzzy, adjust by means
of the volume control on the
phone set
.
Phone battery is charging when ignition is
ON and phone in its cradle.
Please refer to the instructions supplied with
the phone for details of how to make and
receive calls.
OnStar System (US Only Option)
Your car may be equipped with OnStar, a
vehicle telematics system for communica-
tion and navigation. Please consult the sep-
arate owner’s manual for OnStar provided
in your document organizer.
WARNING
To prevent crashes while using a cell
phone:
Do not use the cell phone in distracting
traffic situations. Turn it off if traffic is
heavy.
Dial sensibly, at a stoplight or safely off
the road.
Consider installing hands-free or
speaker phone.
Avoid stressful and intense phone
conversations.NOTEThe A-pillar area (area beside the wind-
shield) and the headlining of your Saab
contain padding designed to reduce head
injuries. No modifications to these areas
should be made unless done by your
authorized Saab dealer.
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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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