2003 SAAB 9-5 steering

39 Safety
Scrapping or working on airbags
and belt pretensioners Frequently asked questions on func-
tion of airbags
Do you still need to wear a
safety b
elt if
airbags are fitted?
Yes, always! The airbag merely supple-
ments the car’s normal safety system.
Moreover, the airbag will only be actuated in
a moderate to severe frontal, or near-frontal
crash, which means, of course, that it
provides no protection in minor frontal
crashes, major rear-end or side-on crashes
or if the car rolls over.
The safety belts help reduce the chance of
the car occupants from being thrown around
and injured or killed inside the car.
But they also ensure that, if a crash occurs
in which the airbags are inflated, the airbag
will make the optimum contact with the
occupant, i.e. square on from the front. If the
occupant meets the airbag in an offset posi-
tion, the protection afforded will be reduced.
In addition, airbags provide no protection
against a secondary impact occurring in the
same incident. So there is no doubt about
the benefit of wearing safety belts at all
times.
Do not sit too close to the airbag: it needs
room to inflate.
The airbag inflates very quickly and power-
fully in order to protect an adult person,
before they are thrown forward, in a serious
frontal crash.
How do I position the seat to leave room for
the airbag to inflate?Don’t have your seat too far forward.
Recline the seat back to increase the
distance between you and the airbag. For
short drivers, special accessory pedal
extensions are available through your Saab
dealer.
Airbags inflate extremely rapidly and with
great force – to be fast enough to protect an
adult in the seat. When do the front airbags inflate? The airbag will only be inflated under certain
predetermined conditions in a moderate to
severe frontal, or near-frontal crash,
depending on such factors as the force and
angle of the impact, the speed of the car on
impact, and the resistance to deformation of
the impacting object.
The airbag can only be activated once in the
same incident.
Do not attempt to drive the car after an
airbag has been inflated, even if it is possi-
ble.
WARNING
 Under no circumstances should any
modifications be made that affect the
steering wheel or the airbag’s electri-
cal circuitry.
 Before starting any welding work on
the car, always disconnect the nega-
tive (–) battery lead and cover the
conductor.
 Airbags and belt pretensioners must
be deployed under controlled condi-
tions before the car is scrapped or any
of the system’s components are
removed. Airbags or belt pretension-
ers that have been deployed as a
result of a crash must be replaced by
new ones.
 Airbag-system components must
never be transferred for use in another
vehicle.
 All work involving the scrapping or
replacement of airbags or belt preten-
sioners must only be carried out by
knowledgeable personnel.
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57 Instruments and controls
Warning, charging
This light will come on together with if
the battery is discharging. If it comes on
while you are driving, stop the car as soon
as possible and switch off the engine.
Check the alternator drive belt (see page
211). If the belt has broken, the engine may
overheat (cooling system will not function
properly), the battery will not be charged,
the A/C compressor will not run and power
assistance for the steering will be lost.
Brake warning light
This light will come on together with if
there is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir (see pages 207).
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”, page 58).
Parking brake warning
light
This light will show when the parking brake
is on (see page 195).
If the car is driven with the parking brake still
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 195.
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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72 Instruments and controlsCourtesy Headlight FeatureA delay function allows the headlights to
remain on low beam for about 30 seconds
after the driver’s door has been closed.
To activate this function,
 Switch off the ignition and remove the key
 Open the driver’s door
 Pull the high/low beam control stalk
towards the steering wheel like you are
flashing the high beam, see page 71. The
low beam headlights will now come on
immediately after the driver’s door has
been closed (within 30 seconds) and will
remain on for about 30 seconds.
The length of time for this function can be
adjusted by your authorized Saab dealer.
Rear fog lightPress the button to switch on the rear fog
light, which will only come on if the head-
lights are on.
The rear fog light will go off automatically
when the engine is switched off. When the
fog light is next needed, it will have to be
switched on manually again.
The rear fog light consists of one light so it
should not be mistaken for brake lights.
Make sure you are familiar with the appli-
cable provincial/state law regarding the
use of rear fog lights.

WARNING
In poor visibility, avoid following the tail
lights of the vehicle in front. If the vehicle
stops suddenly, you may be unable to
avoid a crash and therefore risk injury to
yourself and others.
IB351
Rear fog light
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89 Saab 9-5 Audio System
Saab 9-5 Audio
SystemQuick guide to the Saab
9-5 Audio System ........... 91
Sound controls................. 93
Radio ................................. 94
Cassette player ................ 96
CD player .......................... 99
CD changer ....................... 101
Programmable functions. 105
Steering-wheel controls .. 106
Security lock..................... 106
Technical data .................. 107
Fault codes ....................... 109
IB1198
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106 Saab 9-5 Audio SystemSteering-wheel controls To facilitate use of the Audio System and to
promote safer driving, most of the functions
can be operated using the integral remote
controls on the steering wheel. Control functions: NEXT:
RADIO mode: preselect buttons
1⇒2⇒...⇒ 6⇒1⇒...
TAPE mode: Play other side of tape.
CD mode: Inoperative.
CD-changer mode: Select CD in magazine
1⇒2⇒...⇒ 6⇒1⇒...
<< SEEK >>:
RADIO mode: Auto/manual tuning.
TAPE mode:
Music search/Fast forward or rewind.
CD/CD-changer mode:
Track search/Rapid play.SRC (source)
Press repeatedly to switch between
RADIO ⇒ TAPE ⇒ CD ⇒ (CD changer)
⇒RADIO ⇒...
VOL +/–:
Volume adjust.
Security lock The Audio System is equipped with an elec-
tronic security lock. The special code is
unique to the car in which the Audio System
is fitted.
Each time the Audio System is switched on,
a check is made to ensure that the codes
match.
If not, the following will appear on the dis-
play:
If a CD changer has been installed, it will
also have been security coded.
If the security code for the CD changer does
not match when the changer is selected, the
following will appear on the display:
If a CD changer is to be retrofitted or if you
wish to move the main Audio System
module and/or CD changer to another car
(Saab 9-5), you
must
consult an authorized
Saab dealer so that the modules can be
given the correct security codes.
IB385
Audio System controls on steering wheel
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115 OnStar - Telematics
Roadside assistance**There’s nothing worse than being stranded
on the road with car trouble. No matter what
the problem is (flat tire, out of gas, or engine
trouble), just call OnStar. They will contact
the help you need to get you quickly back on
the road.Stolen vehicle trackingOnStar doesn’t just protect you, it protects
your Saab, too. If your vehicle is ever stolen,
just contact OnStar by calling
1-888-4-ONSTAR. They will put you in
touch with the authorities and aid them in
locating your Saab. Ask your insurance car-
rier about possible premium discounts.Accident Assist™Accident Assist™ provides step-by-step
guidance about what to do in case of a
crash. Working with leading insurance com-
panies OnStar has developed a ”best prac-
tices” list to assist you through most acci-
dent situations. OnStar Accident Assist™
can make the process of completing a
police report and/or insurance claim less
stressful.
OnStar Med-Net***OnStar MED-NET securely stores your per-
sonal medical information (e.g., physician’s
name, emergency contacts, medications,
chronic conditions) and, in an emergency,
can quickly send it to a medical facility. This
important information can help assist with
diagnosis and treatment. ******There will be no charge for Roadside Assistance as
long as your vehicle is under warranty.
***Requires activation and additional fee.
****Not available in Canada.Hands-free communicationTalking to an OnStar advisor is easy and
hands-free. Simply press the OnStar but-
ton, and a small microphone picks up your
voice while the OnStar advisor talks to you
through your stereo speakers. Note: Audio
system must be switched on. You can even
adjust the volume to your liking with the
steering wheel controls or the radio volume
knob. Your hands remain on the steering
wheel, while your eyes remain on the road.Being safe on the road is important, but
there’s more to life than security. There’s liv-
ing. That’s why we have created the OnStar
Directions and Connections Plan. It gives
you not only the important protections of the
Safe and Sound Plan, but also a whole
range of services which truly change driving
from a chore to a luxury. All new Saab
models come with one full year of the
OnStar Directions and Connections Plan.* * New retail deliveries only.
The OnStar Premium
Services Plan *Route supportWith OnStar Route Support, an advisor can
help you find your way, no matter how far off
course you are. You can get exact street
directions, or guidance to nearby gas sta-
tions, restaurants, hotels or ATMs.Ride AssistIf you need a lift, anytime of the day or night,
just call OnStar. They’ll contact transporta-
tion and send it right to you.Information and Convenience ser-
vicesOnStar advisors have access to over five
million service listings including hotels, res-
taurants, gas stations, dealerships, hospi-
tals, ATMs and airports — more than 250
service categories in all. OnStar advisors
can even assist you with hotel and restau-
rant reservations.*All Saab models come with a full year of Premium Ser-
vice. New retail deliveries only.
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119 OnStar - Telematics
Contact OnStar
You will need your OnStar Personal Identi-
fication Number (PIN) to authorize the
charge to your credit card on file.
If you are not in your Saab, you may call an
OnStar Advisor at 1-888-4-ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827) to request unit replenish-
ment.
Security/Locking your SystemYou can set up a four-digit Personal Secu-
rity Code to ensure that unauthorized
people do not use the calling capability of
your system. With security set to ON, the
system will not allow any personal calls. You
must turn security OFF before calls can be
made.
Volume ControlThe volume of the audio portion of Personal
Calling is controlled with your steering
wheel volume controls or with the radio
volume knob. 1Press the
OnStar
White Dot
buttonOnStar will respond
”Ready”
2 Say ”Units” OnStar will respond
”Verify or Add”
3 Say ”Add” You will be connected to
OnStar for replenish-
ment
1 Press the
OnStar White
Dot buttonOnStar will respond
”Ready”
2 Say ”Security” OnStar will respond
”Enter Four-Digit
Security Code”
3 Say the 1st Digit OnStar will repeat
the digit
4 Say the 2nd Digit OnStar will repeat
the digit
5 Say the 3rd Digit OnStar will repeat
the digit
6 Say the 4th Digit OnStar reply ”Secu-
rity (code # # # #) is
now ON/OFF”
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123 Interior equipment and trunk
Interior equipment
and trunk Steering wheel
adjustment ..................... 124
Rearview mirrors............. 125
Electric windows ............. 131
Sunroof ............................ 132
Interior lighting................ 134
Sun visors........................ 135
Ashtrays........................... 135
Glove compartment ........ 136
Cup holders ..................... 138
Trunk ................................ 139
Spare wheel and tools .... 149
Fuel filler door ................. 150
Opening the fuel filler
door in an emergency... 150
IB394
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