68 Instruments and controlsUnder certain barometric conditions the
needle may enter the first part of the red
zone without necessarily indicating that a
fault has arisen.
If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone
and the engine at the same time loses
power, because the monitoring system is
holding the charging pressure down, you
should contact an authorized Saab dealer.
If the speed exceeds 143 mph (230 km/h),
the increase in speed will be limited by the
lowering of the boost pressure. The pres-
sure gauge then moves towards the middle
of the orange zone, indicating reduced
engine output and thus reduces the speed
of the car as well.
Fuel gaugeThe fuel-tank capacity is 17.0 gal. (64 liters).
The fuel gauge shows the amount of fuel left
in the tank. When this is down to about
2.5 gal. (10 liters), a warning light on the
main instrument panel will come on (see
page 62).
Use the Saab Information display (SID) to
check the approximate distance that can be
travelled on the remaining fuel
(see page 69).
Refueling; see page 157.
Gear selector indication
(cars with automatic transmission)An indicator showing which gear is selected
is situated in the main instrument panel.
IB345
IB1280
ProCarManuals.com
69 Instruments and controls
Trip computer SID(Saab Information Display)The car is equipped with SID (Saab
Information Display). This instrument con-
tains a varying number of functions depend-
ing on the standard of equipment and the
model variant.
SID displays CHECK messages and has
eight trip-computer functions; see page 69.
SID (SCC)Selecting the function
Use the button to scroll through the
following functions:
Use the button to scroll through the
following functions:
Outside temperature
(Frost warning) Regardless of what function you have
selected, SID automatically switches to the
outside-temperature function when the tem-
perature is between 26° and 38°F (-3° and
+3°C), and also when temperature is
selected and it has been outside the range
from 21° to 43°F (-6°C to +6°C) and again
enters the range between 26° and 38°F
(-3°C and +3°C).
WARNING
It is strongly recommended that the SID
settings be changed only when the car is
stationary. The driver’s attention can oth-
erwise easily be distracted from the road.
DIST Distance to destination / Trip
meter.
ARRIV Estimated time of arrival.
ALARM Alarm function.
SPD W Speed warning (chime).
TEMP Outdoor temperature and Date.
D.T.E. Estimated range (distance to
empty fuel tank).
FUEL Ø Average fuel consumption
since function last reset.
SPD Ø Average speed since function
last reset.
WARNING
Remember that roads can be icy even at
temperatures of above 38°F (+3°C),
especially on bridges and stretches of
road that are sheltered from the sun.
IB744
SID 3 (SCC, Saab Car Computer)
ProCarManuals.com
72 Instruments and controlsCalculating the requisite average speed:
1 Press to select DIST.
2 Hold the SET button for two seconds.
3 Set the distance to be covered using
or .
4 Press SET to store settings.
5 Press to select ARRIV.
6 Hold the SET button for two seconds.
7 Set the desired arrival time using or
.
8 Press SET to display the average speed
you need to maintain to arrive at the
desired time.
At the beginning of a journey, the SPD Ø
and ARRIV functions will display current
values. If values are set during the journey,
the new values will be displayed after a
delay of about 10 seconds.Resetting values
To reset the values, press CLR for at least
four seconds.
The following functions will be reset
simultaneously:
Estimated range on remaining fuel
(function based on a fuel consumption of
28 mpg)
Average fuel consumption
Average speed
Arrival time (function based on current
speed)
Programmed values for DIST, ALARM and
SPD Ø will not be reset (see the respective
function).
CHECK messages When the engine is started, CHECKING will
appear on the display for about four sec-
onds, while the SID checks are being per-
formed.
When a CHECK message is generated
while the car is being driven, a chime will
sound, INFO DISPL will illuminate on the
main instrument panel, and the message
will appear on the SID. The number of mes-
sages that can be displayed by the SID
varies with the specification of the car.
If more than one CHECK message has
been generated, the
+ symbol will appear to
the left of the text on the display. The mes-
sages appear in order of priority.
If a new fault occurs while another message
is being displayed, the message relating to
the new one will appear for 10 seconds,
after which the display will return to the ear-
lier one.
Press CLR once to acknowledge a mes-
sage, whereupon it will be cleared from the
display. It will not be displayed again before
the ignition has been switched off and then
on again.
ProCarManuals.com
73 Instruments and controls
The following CHECK messages may be
displayed: 1) This message will be displayed approximately
600 miles (1,000 km) before the next sched-
uled service is due, or when 365 days have
elapsed since the last service. The message
should be cleared at the time of that service
(see the Saab Warranties & Service Record
Booklet).
This message can also be deleted by first
briefly pressing the CLR button, then depress-
ing it a second time for at least eight seconds
until "SERVICE" appears on the display and a
chime sounds. The message can only be
deleted when it is shown on the SID.
Night panelTo improve night-driving conditions inside
the car, the Night Panel mode can be
selected. In this mode, the amount of infor-
mation displayed is reduced, and only the
most important instruments and displays
will be illuminated.
When the Night Panel button is pressed,
only the speedometer will be illuminated (up
to the 87-mph or 140-km/h graduation), all
the other instruments illumination will be
extinguished and their needles moved to
zero. Both the SID and the ACC displays will
be extinguished and the backlighting for
switches and other controls will be dimmed.
Note: All indicator and warning lights,
together with the display of CHECK mes-
sages, will operate as normal. The following conditions will wake up the
respective displays in the Night-Panel
mode:
Setting of the Audio System, SID or ACC
(display comes on for ten seconds).
CHECK message generated in the SID.
High engine revs cause the rev counter to
be illuminated until the engine speed has
fallen again.
If the quantity of fuel remaining falls below
4 gallons (15 liters), the fuel gauge will be
illuminated.
If the engine temperature rises above nor-
mal, the temperature gauge will be illumi-
nated.
If the speed of the car exceeds 84 mph
(135 km/h), the entire speedometer will
be illuminated.
In cars with automatic transmission, if the
selector lever is moved from D to position
3, 2 or 1, the selector indication on the
main instrument panel will be illuminated.
To restore the displays and lighting to the
normal mode, press the Night-Panel button. Display shows: See
page
BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE 208
FRONT LIGHT FAILURE 206
REAR LIGHT FAILURE 208
FOG LIGHT FAILURE 209
WASHER FLUID LEVEL LOW 205
TIGHTEN FUEL FILLER CAP 157
FILL COOLANT FLUID 198
KEY NOT ACCEPTED 45
REPLACE KEY BATTERY 45
SERVICE THEFT ALARM 45
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING 165
TIME FOR SERVICE
1)
236
ProCarManuals.com
91 Instruments and controls
Programming II It is also possible to customize the ACC system to adapt to driving
and weather conditions. Programming and cancellation of programming is carried out by
holding the appropriate button down until the corresponding symbol
has flashed 4 times, an audible signal has sounded and the follow-
ing text for the desired function has appeared in the SID.
Make sure the ignition is ON.
Example:
If you want to control the switching on and off of the heating for the
rear window and the door mirrors manually, hold the button
depressed until the symbol has flashed 4 times, an audible signal
has sounded and the following text has appeared in the SID.
SID shows:
ACC: MANUAL
RDEFR CTRL
Once a function has been recorded under ”Programming II”, it will
remain in the system until you cancel the program.
AUTO will still show on the display after a function has been saved
in ”Programming II”.
Additional programming features, see page 255. Function Operation in AUTO mode
after Programming II Standard operation in
AUTO mode
The A/C compressor is not
switched on until the out-
side temperature goes
above +55°F (+13°C).
– This function can be used
to save fuel, since the A/C
compressor will not be in
action for so long a time.
In wet weather, however,
the A/C compressor should
be on at below 57
°F (14°C)
as well, since this reduces
the risk of misting on the
windows.
A/C compressor cuts in
when outside tempera-
ture is above 32°F
(0°C).
Rear-window heating can
only be switched on manu-
ally. The heating will come on
about five seconds after
the engine has started if
the outside temperature
is below +41°F (+5°C).–The activation time
depends on the outside
temperature.
Function Text displayed on SID
during programming Text displayed on SID
when cancelling
program
ACC: LO TEMP
A/C CTRL ACC: NORMAL
A/C CTRL
ACC: MANUAL
RDEFR CTRL ACC: AUTO
RDEFR CTRL
ProCarManuals.com
92 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 program I”, page 90.
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, page 90.
If the battery has been disconnected or
has died, the ACC system should be reca-
librated: See Calibration, pag 90.
Programmed settings are not deleted if the
battery has been disconnected. Extinguishing the lighting in ACC See section Night panel, page 73.
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.
Fault diagnosis and care of A/C sys-
tem, see page 232.
IB795
ACC display with soft top folded down
ProCarManuals.com
113 Saab 9-3 Audio System
Sources of AM interference AM reception is prone to interference, e.g.
from electrical systems on other vehicles,
high-tension power lines and lightning.
Installation of car phone
(option) Roof loads can negatively affect tele-
communication.
Provision has been made 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 (only if
Saab 9-3 Audio System is fitted)
Car phone connects to car’s circuitry.
External antenna is fitted.
Microphone for hands-free phone use
incorporated in overhead panel at front
(Convertible: microphone located in the
front windscreen pillar).
Audio System mute functions when
phone activated.
Phone conversation amplified through
Audio System speakers.
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.
Acquaint yourself with the legal provi-
sions governing the use of car phones
while driving.
Do not use the phone when refueling
with gasoline. Gasoline fuels are
highly explosive.
NOTETo reduce the risk of head injuries in the
event of a collision, the roof pillars and
side edges of the headlining incorporate
cushioning material (Convertible: wind-
screen pillars and upper part of wind-
screen rail). These areas must not be
modified in any way. Work on these areas
must only be carried out at an authorized
Saab dealer.
IB981
ProCarManuals.com
114 Saab 9-3 Audio System Requires accessory module for use with
OnStar system, standard on all Saab
models.
"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 108.
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/Canada feature)
Your car may be equipped with OnStar, a
vehicle telematics system for communica-
tion and navigation. Please consult the sep-
arate chapter in this owner’s manual.
Mobile phones and
communications radios Mobile phones and communications radios
that do not have a separate external
antenna radiate an electromagnetic field
inside the car.Saab therefore recommends that a car
phone/radio transmitter should always be
connected to an external antenna.
An external antenna also provides
improved transmission/reception and a
greater range.
Mobile phones and communications radios
that are not supplied as standard equipment
by Saab can interfere with the car’s electri-
cal system and cause misleading fault
codes to be generated.
WARNING
The electromagnetic field produced, for
example, by a mobile telephone in the
passenger compartment may be detri-
mental to health. We therefore recom-
mend the use of an external antenna.
Do not use the phone when refueling with
gasoline. Gasoline fuels are highly explo-
sive.NOTEThe electromagnetic field can cause
interference with other electrical systems
in the car, such as the Audio System.
WARNING
Always consult an authorized Saab
dealer for installation guidance.
If you feel that any of the warnings or fault
indications are unclear, have the equip-
ment checked by an authorized Saab
dealer.
ProCarManuals.com