
3
Instrument panel High/low beam ________________ 75
Parking lights __________________ 75
Daytime running lights ___________ 75
Changing bulbs _______________ 206High/low beam control stalk 75
Direction indicators _______ 76
Cruise Control __________ 169Rear fog light ___________ 77
Front fog lights ___________ 77Instrument lighting ________ 78
Warning and indicator lights _____ 60
Tachometer __________________ 66
Speedometer _________________ 66
Odometer and trip meter ________ 66
Gauge showing turbo pressure ___ 67
Fuel gauge __________________ 68
Temperature gauge ____________ 67
IB731
Ashtrays ___________________ 141
Cigarette lighter ______________ 141
Tr i p c o m p u t e r
(Saab Information Display, SID) __ 69
Night panel __________________ 73
Clock _______________________ 74
Washers and wipers ______ 78
Rear-window wiper _______ 79
Replacing wiper blades __ 204Audio system____________ 94
Cassette player _________ 100
CD player _____________ 103Hazard warning lights _____ 76Climate control system:
manual _______________ 80
Climate control system:
automatic _____________ 84
Car care ______________ 191Seat heating controls ____ 135
Steering-wheel-mounted
controls, Audio System __ 109
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5
Interior Power steering _________ 251
Steering-wheel adjustment 137
Airbag _________________ 28
Internal rearview mirror ________ 143
Door mirrors ________________ 143
Vanity mirror ________________ 140
Safety belts _____________ 12
Safety-belt care ________ 224
Airbag _________________ 28
Child seats _____________ 19
Child safety lock catch ____ 39Glove compartment _____ 141Manual transmission ____ 161
Automatic transmission __ 162
IB1353
Seat adjustment ________ 130
Safety belts _____________ 12
Seat heating ___________ 135
Rear seat _____________ 144
Folding down the rear seat 144
Child seats _____________ 19
Upholstery: cleaning _____ 225
Interior lighting switch _________ 139
Interior lighting: changing bulbs __ 210
Center console ______________ 136
Electric windows _____________ 136
Sunroof ____________________ 138
Convertible __________________ 48
Ignition switch _______________ 152
Starting the engine ___________ 153
Engine break-in period ________ 161
Parking ____________________ 174
Driving in hot/cold weather _____ 177
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57 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.
56.
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 54).
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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61 Instruments and controls
Warning charging
This light comes on together with if the
battery is not charging. If it comes on while
you are driving, stop the car as soon as pos-
sible and switch off the engine.
Check the alternator drive belt (see page
203). If the belt has broken, the engine may
overheat (cooling system will not function
properly), the belt is slack or broken, battery
charging will be poor and engine cooling
unsatisfactory.
Brake warning light
This light should come on briefly when you
turn the ignition key to ON. If it doesn´t come
on, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
The brake warning light will come on
together with if there is insufficient
brake fluid in the reservoir, see page 200.
If the ABS warning light is on at the same
time, the ABS system may be inoperative
because of a fault (see Anti-lock brake
warning, see page 62).
Parking brake warning
light
The light will show when the parking brake
is on (see page 174.)
If the car driven with the parking brake on,
will also come on and a chime will
sound.
The parking brake is mechanical and oper-
ates on the rear wheels.
WARNING
Never drive the car when these warning
lights are on. Danger of brake failure!
Have the brake system checked at once
by an authorized Saab dealer.
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when
parking, see page 174.
Always apply the parking brake before
removing the ignition key.
Do not apply the parking brake while
the car is moving.
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63 Instruments and controls
Central warning light
This light comes on and a chime will sound
if a fault has been detected in any system
that is critical to safety. Any of the following
can activate the central warning light and
alarm:
Airbag system.
Low oil pressure in engine.
Parking brake is on (when car is moving).
Brake fluid level low.
Fault detected in ABS system.
Electronic brake force distribution (distri-
bution of brake pressure between front
and rear wheels).
Engine overheating.
Alternator not charging properly.
Cruise Control
indicator light
The symbol is lit when cruise control is
active.
Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)
This light indicates a malfunction in the
fuel-injection or ignition system. The car
may still be driven with care and with some-
what diminished performance.
SPORT Mode Indicator
On cars with automatic transmission the
indicator light comes on when you press the
SPORT button on the gear-lever knob.
In SPORT mode, the transmission remains
longer in the (D, 3, 2, 1) gears before
upshifting.
Quit Sport mode by again depressing the
SPORT button; see also page 168.
WARNING
An illuminated CHECK ENGINE indicator
light indicates a serious engine-related
problem. While your car may be able to be
driven with the CHECK ENGINE indicator
light illuminated (limp-home mode), you
are advised to have your car serviced at
an authorized Saab dealer as soon as
possible.
Continued driving without this problem
being corrected might cause serious fur-
ther damage to your car and create
unsafe driving conditions. The operator
should be prepared to take action if such
unsafe conditions arise (e.g., apply the
brakes, disengage transmission, turn off
the ignition etc.).
NOTEThe car should be checked immediately
at an authorized Saab dealer to prevent
more serious faults from arising.
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75 Instruments and controls
SwitchesThe parking lights and daytime running
lights come on automatically when the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
Note to owners in the U.S.: If you do not
want Daytime Running Lights, this feature
can be disconnected: switch off the engine
and remove fuse No. 15 (see page 214).
Note to owners in Canada: Daytime Run-
ning Lights must not be disconnected as
they are a Canadian Federal legal require-
ment.
The parking lights can be switched on
regardless of the position of the ignition
switch. Do not use parking lights when driv-
ing.
Note:
The lighting switch must be in parking or
headlight position to operate the rear fog
light (see page 77).The headlights come on when the ignition
switch is in the OFF, ON or START posi-
tions. Note that they go off again when the
ignition switch is turned to LOCK.
High/low beam To switch from high to low beam, move the
control stalk towards the steering wheel to
position 2. That the high beam is on is indi-
cated by an indicator light in the main instru-
ment panel (see page 64).Headlight flasher To flash your headlights, move the control
stalk towards the steering wheel to
position 1. The high beam will remain on
until you release the switch.
Daytime running lights
Parking lights
Headlights
IB745
Light switches
1 Headlight flasher
2 High/low beam
IB1594
12
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152 Starting and drivingIgnition switchThe single lock used for both the ignition
and gear/selector lever is in the center con-
sole located between the front seats. Before
you can remove the key, the car must be in
reverse gear (manual gearbox cars) or the
Parking (P) position (cars with automatic
transmission).
The key for this lock also fits all other locks
in the car. The key number is on a small
plastic tag delivered together with the keys.
Be sure to save this plastic tab since it has
the key number on it.
IB862
LOCK position
Put the gear lever in reverse and turn the ignition key to the LOCK posi-
tion.
For cars with automatic transmission, select the Parking (P) position
and turn the ignition key to the LOCK position.
The gear lever is now locked. The key can only be removed when the
gear lever is in this position.
The parking lights, the hazard warning lights and the interior lighting can
still be illuminated.
OFF position
Gear lever is not locked (manual transmission).
Automatic transmission: gear lever is locked until brake pedal is
depressed.
ON position
The entire electrical system is operative. Do not leave the key in the
ON position while the engine is not running. Turn the key to the
LOCK position to disconnect the electrical system.
When you turn the key to the ON position, the warnings and indicators
in the main instrument light so that you can check to see that they are
functioning properly. They are extinguished after approx. 3 seconds.
Start position (ST)
The starter motor operates in this position. When you release the key,
it springs back to the ON position. Restarting the starter motor is pre-
vented. If starting is unsuccessful, you must turn the key back to a posi-
tion between OFF and LOCK before you can turn it to the start (ST)
position again.
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153 Starting and driving
If the car does not startIf the text "KEY NOT ACCEPTED" appears
on the SID when the engine refuses to start,
the trouble may be a fault in the transponder
of the key or in the receiver of the ignition
switch. Proceed as follows:
• Turn the key back to the LOCK position.
Turn the key to the ON position.
Press one of the buttons on the remote
control (the LED on top of the dash stops
flashing).
Start the engine.
Try the other key. If it works, the trouble is in
the first key.
Call on an authorized Saab dealer for
inspection and correction.
Starting the engine
Do not run the starter motor for more than
25 seconds at a time. Wait 20-30 seconds
before running the starter again, to give the
battery time to recover.
Avoid racing the engine or putting a heavy
load on it before it has warmed up. Let the
engine idle for at least 10 seconds and then
drive away as long as the engine oil warning
light has gone out to enable the engine to
attain its normal temperature as quickly as
possible.
It is possible for air to enter the lubricating
system in conjunction with an oil or oil-filter
change, or if the car has been stored for
some time. This air can cause the hydraulic
cam followers to emit a ticking noise, which
can persist for up to 15 minutes after start-
ing. Although this is quite normal and does
not indicate any malfunction, it is advisable
not to exceed 3,000 rpm before the noise
has disappeared.
The hydraulic cam lifters are completely
service free; the valve clearance is set up at
the factory and will not need any subse-
quent adjustment.
WARNING
Always remove the key before leaving
the car.
Always apply the parking brake before
removing the ignition key.NOTETake care not to spill drinks or to drop
crumbs over the ignition switch. If dirt or
liquid gets into it, the switch may not
operate properly.
WARNING
When starting the engine:
– Sit down in the driver’s seat.
– Depress the clutch pedal fully. If gear
lever is not in the neutral position, the
clutch pedal must be fully depressed
or the car will jump forwards or back-
wards, which may cause an accident.
– Never start the car from outside the
vehicle, e.g. through a wound down
window. This could lead to serious
personal injury.
Engage reverse (R) (position P for
automatic transmission) to remove the
ignition key. The key can only be
removed in this gear position.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless,
odorless, poisonous gas. Be alert to
the danger of CO – always open the
garage doors before starting the
engine in the garage.
There is also a danger of CO poison-
ing if the exhaust system is leaking.
Do not rest or sleep in the car when
parked with the engine running. There
is a risk of depressing the accelerator
which could lead to engine damage.
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