
99 Saab 9-3 Audio System
find six stations with good reception, the
remaining preset buttons will be empty. If
one of these empty buttons is pressed, FM
or AM**** will appear on the display.
When the system leaves the AS mode, it
returns to the station that was selected
before the AS mode was activated.
The AS mode can also be used in the AM
band.
WB (Weather Band) (5)Press the WB button to select the Weather
Band mode. The radio will automatically
search for the strongest national weather
service station in the area. When a weather
band station is received, the display indi-
cates "WB". The strongest station generally
provides the most accurate information for
the area in which you are travelling.
To exit the Weather Band mode, depress
the WB button again. Weather Band recep-
tion is available in CD and RADIO mode. If
the radio is unable to find a sufficiently
strong station to lock onto, the unit will con-
tinue to search and the display will indicate
"NO WB".
IB1166
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102 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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106 Saab 9-3 Audio SystemIf the CD changer is activated immediately
after a magazine has been loaded, the fol-
lowing will appear on the display:
The CD number will change as each CD is
played.
After a magazine has been loaded, play-
back will start with the first track on the first
CD when the CD changer is selected, and
the following will appear on the display:
Selecting CDs (1) When the CD changer is operating, the
radio preset buttons work for the six CDs in
the magazine. Press the button for the cor-
responding CD.
If the selected CD is already being played,
playback will restart from the first track. If the selected CD-tray, e.g. 3, is empty, the
following will appear on the display:
IB1164
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107 Saab 9-3 Audio System
After two seconds, the status of the trays in
the magazine (i.e. loaded or empty) will be
shown on the display, e.g.:
If for some reason the CD selected by the
preset button cannot be played, playback of
the current CD will continue. Track change (2) Touch or repeatedly to move
to preceding or following tracks. Pressing
once will restart playback from the
beginning of the current track. Thus, to play
the preceding track, touch twice. Rapid play When or is pressed and
held, rapid play will be initiated, with the time
and track showing on the display, e.g.:
If the button is depressed for more than
5 seconds, the rapid play will be even faster.
Rapid play stops when the button is
released.
Fast track changes Touch SEEK (mid-segment) to switch
between the CD PLAY and CD TRACK
modes.
The CD-PLAY and CD-TRACK modes
change the function of and .
The selected mode will also be active the
next time the system is switched on.
Choose the mode that you find most conve-
nient.
Random playback (RDM) (3) Press and hold the CD/RDM button to
select/deselect random playback of the
CDs in the magazine. When this function is
selected, RDM will appear at the bottom of
the display.
Touch to move from the current
track to the next during random playback.
Touch to repeat the current track
during random playback.
Pressing and holding or will
start Rapid play.
To stop playback from the CD changer,
simply select another source (RADIO/CD).
The CD changer will now enter stand-by
mode.
CD PLAY Pressing and holding
or starts
Rapid play.
CD TRACK Pressing and holding
or activates
track changes.
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108 Saab 9-3 Audio SystemGeneral functionsVolume-preset modeTo select the volume-preset mode, press
and hold the WB button at the same time as
you switch the Audio System on.
Use the button to select the
required function.
The following volume settings can be prese-
lected:
STARTVOL - maximum volume level
when the Audio System is switched on.
TEL VOL - preset volume level when an
in-car phone is activated.
SP D VOL - speed-dependent volume.
The Audio System will automatically
adjust the volume level to suit the back-
ground noise, such as road noise, occur-
ring while the car is in motion.
LOUDNESS ON/OFF - boosting of the
highest and lowest frequency ranges to
enhance the sound image when the
volume is set to a low level. Adjusting the volume The default setting for START VOL is
volume setting 9, and that for TEL VOL is
volume setting 14 (the highest volume set-
ting is 30). Maximum START VOL
TELVOL
To change the volume setting:
– Press and hold the WB button at the
same time as you switch on the Audio
System.
– Adjust the volume.
– Wait 10 seconds or touch one of the
buttons on the bottom row of the Audio
System, e.g. RADIO/BAND, to save the
new volume setting.
Speed-dependent volume
(SP D VOL) ON/OFF To change the volume setting:
The default setting for this function is ON.
– Press and hold the WB button at the same time as you switch on the Audio
System.
– Select SP D VOL using .
– Select ON/OFF by turning the VOL
control.
– Wait 10 seconds or touch one of the but-
tons on the bottom row of the Audio Sys-
tem, e.g. RADIO/BAND, to save the new
volume setting.
Loudness ON/OFF To change the loudness setting:
The default setting for this function is ON.
– Press and hold the WB button at the
same time as you switch on the Audio
System.
– Select LOUDNESS using .
– Select ON/OFF by turning the VOL
control.
– Wait 10 seconds or touch one of the but-
tons on the bottom row of the Audio Sys-
tem, e.g. RADIO/BAND, to save the new
volume setting.
WARNING
These functions should only be carried
out when the car is stationary.
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110 Saab 9-3 Audio SystemTechnical data
These specifications comply with the new IHF Standard
Since the policy at Saab is one of continual improvement, we retain the right to alter
specifications and design without prior notice.
Dolby noise reduction is produced under licence from Dolby Laboratories Licensing
Corporation
”Dolby” and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licens-
ing Corporation
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer for compliance
could void the user´s authority to operate the equipment.
Tone controls
Bass _________________________ ±12 dB at 40 Hz
Treble ________________________ ±10 dB at 15,000 Hz
Power output __________________4 x 20 W (4 x 12 W at 1%
THD (total harmonic dis-
tortion) and 13.5 V)
Radio module
Radio system __________________ PLL dual-synthesizer
tuner
Number of presets
FM __________________________ 3 x 6
AM __________________________ 2 x 6
Frequency range
FM __________________________ 87.9 MHz – 107.9 MHz
AM __________________________ 530 kHz – 1710 kHz
WB ___________________________ 162.40 – 162.55 MHz
Scanning steps
Automatic seek tuning: ___________ VHF (FM) 200 kHz
AM 10 kHz
WB 50 kHz
Manual seek tuning: _____________ VHF (FM) 200 kHz
AM 10 kHz Cassette player
Fast forward/rewind ______________ < 110 s (C-60)
Frequency range ________________ 50 Hz - 12500 Hz ±3 dB
WOW _________________________ 0.1% WRMS
Signal-to-noise ratio______________ 45 dB
Dolby NR effect _________________ 10 dB
CD player and CD changer
1-bit system and 8 x oversampling
Frequency range ________________ 5-20000 Hz
±0.5 dB
Stereo separation _______________ 45 dB
Distortion _____________________ < 0.008%
Dynamics _____________________ > 95 dB (1 kHz)
CD-changer capacity: 6 discs
Amplifier (cars with extra speakers in
front doors)
Power output ___________________ 2 x 40 W (2 x 30 W at 1%
THD 50 Hz)
Crossover frequency _____________ 110 Hz (-3 dB)
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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.
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115 Saab 9-3 Audio System
Fault codesThe Audio System has a built-in diagnostics
function. If a fault is detected, a fault code is
generated to help dealer technicians to
diagnose the fault. Below is an example of
a fault code that you might be able to rectify
yourself.
Adjusting the frequency steps
North America/Europe If the car is taken from Europe to North
America, the radio’s frequency steps will
need to be adjusted.
With the radio off, press and hold
(mid-segment) and switch the
radio on at the same time.
The station presets will be cancelled and
replaced by preset frequencies.
NOTEGreat care should be exercised in trying
to rectify a fault. If you are at all unsure,
contact an authorized Saab dealer.
Fault code Possible cause
CD/CDC
ERROR
12/17/19 CD is dirty, loaded
wrong side up or defec-
tive.
TAPE ERR 01 Tape broken or
mechanical fault in
deck.
TAPE ERR
02/03Tape snarled up or
mechanical fault in
deck.
TAPE ERR 11 Cassette jammed: can-
not be loaded/ejected.
WARNING
The CD player/CD changer is classified
as Class 1 laser equipment.
Service and repair work must only be
carried out by authorized technicians.
If the casing is damaged, hazardous
laser radiation can occur.
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