
103 Saab 9-5 Audio System
If for some reason the CD selected by the 
preset button cannot be played, playback of 
the current CD will continue. Track search (2) Press   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, press   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 search Press SEEK (mid-segment) once 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 
convenient:  
CD PLAY  Pressing and holding 
 or   briefly 
starts Rapid play 
CD TRACK  Pressing and holding 
 or   briefly 
starts Fast track search 
IB1104
VOL
TREBAL ON
FA D BAS
PULL PUSH
CDRDM
RADIO  BAND
ASSEARCH
2 13
5 46
DOLBY B NR
 SEEK
3
1
2
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104 Saab 9-5 Audio SystemSCAN Scanning the current CD: 
To start the SCAN function, which enables 
you to hear a sample of each track on the 
disc, press and hold   (mid-seg-
ment). The display shows that SCAN is in 
progress and which track is currently being 
sampled. For instance, if you started SCAN 
while playing track one, the following dis-
play will appear: 
The sample playback starts 30 seconds 
after the start of the track and lasts for 8 sec-
onds. 
When all the tracks on the disc have been 
scanned, the system will revert to playback 
of the track that was playing when SCAN 
was selected. 
Press any segment of the SEEK button 
during scanning to play the current track 
from the beginning and simultaneously 
cancel the SCAN function. Scanning the entire magazine: 
Press and hold   (mid-segment - 
two chimes) to start a scan of the entire 
magazine. A message similar to the follow-
ing will appear on the display: 
The sample playback starts 30 seconds 
after the beginning of the first track on each 
CD and lasts for 8 seconds. 
After the first track of each CD has been 
sampled, the CD changer will revert to play-
back of the track that was playing when 
SCAN was selected. 
Press any segment of the SEEK button 
during scanning to play the current track 
from the beginning and simultaneously 
cancel the SCAN function. 
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. 
Press   once to move from the current 
track to the next during random playback.
Press   once 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 once to move from the current 
track to the next during random playback 
(RADIO/TAPE/ CD). The CD changer will 
now enter stand-by mode. 
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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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129 Interior equipment and trunk
Rearview mirrors with auto dimming 
function (accessory/option)The autodimming is activated and deacti-
vated with a short push on button 2.
If the mirror is equipped with Garage Door 
Opener (option) the letter 1 is displayed on 
compass bearing display briefly when auto 
dimming is activated. When deactivating 
the letter 0 is displayed.
The interior rearview mirror has two sen-
sors, one forward-facing and one rear-fac-
ing. They also activate and deactivate the 
auto dimming feature on door mirrors.
The system is activated when the for-
ward-facing sensor detects that it is dark 
outside and the rear-facing sensor detects. 
For example, if the car following has not 
dimmed its headlights. The rearview mirrors 
are then darkened to prevent the strong light 
source from dazzling the driver. This dark-
ening is stepless.
The mirrors return to their normal states 
when the strong light source diminishes.
The auto dimming function can be turned 
OFF with the switch on the lower edge of the 
rear-view mirror.
NOTE
Towing a trailer can cause the system to 
malfunction, as the rear-facing sensor may 
sense light from the trailer.
1 Forward-facing sensor
2 ON/OFF switch, auto dimming function
3 Rear-facing sensor
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130 Interior equipment and trunkCompass The compass is integrated in the rearview 
mirror. The compass bearing is displayed in 
the top right-hand corner of the mirror and is 
updated every other second. The compass 
displays the car’s direction of travel: N, NE, 
E, etc.
Switch the compass display on and off by 
pressing button 5 for 3 seconds.
Changing zones
The earth’s magnetic fields vary depending 
on one’s position on the globe. If you drive 
your car from one magnetic zone to another 
the compass setting will need to be changed 
to ensure a correct bearing.
1 Study the illustrations to determine the 
correct zone.
2 Press and hold button 5 until "ZONE" is 
shown in the display on the mirror (6  s). 
The zone number setting now is also 
shown.
3 Press button 5 repeatedly to change the 
zone number. There are 15 zones from 
which to choose. Once the correct zone 
is selected, release the button and wait 
4 seconds. The compass will now 
display the bearing.Calibration
Calibration is performed automatically 
during travel. If an accessory, such as a 
mobile phone, is fitted and it can be 
assumed that the compass is affected, the 
compass may need to be calibrated manu-
ally.
1 Press and hold button 5 until "CAL" and 
the compass bearing are displayed 
(approx. 9 s).
2 Drive in circles (max. 5 mph/8 km/h) or 
drive as normal until "CAL" is no longer 
displayed.
Compass zones in US Compass zones in Canada
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163 Starting and driving
Automatic transmission 
The electronic control module for the auto-
matic transmission receives information on 
engine torque and road speed, and also 
controls the hydraulic pressure in the trans-
mission to ensure that gear changing is as 
smooth as possible. 
The position of the selector lever is shown 
by the symbols adjacent to the lever and 
also by an indicator on the main instrument 
panel. If manual mode (M) is selected, the 
current gear is also displayed on the main 
instrument panel.
The ignition key can only be removed when 
the selector lever is in the P position. When the car is stationary, the engine must 
be at idling speed when the selector lever is 
moved. 
You must have your foot on the brake 
pedal to move the lever out of park. 
If the accelerator is depressed while the 
lever is moved, this will result in abnormal 
wear in the transmission.
 
WARNING
 Make it a habit to keep your foot on the 
brake when selecting a drive position, 
to prevent the car from creeping for-
ward (or backward if reverse is 
selected). 
 The car must be at a standstill before 
P, R or N is selected. You have to have 
your foot on the brake pedal to move 
the lever out of P. If the car is still 
moving when a drive position is subse-
quently selected, this could cause a 
crash or damage the automatic trans-
mission. 
 Never park the car with the selector 
lever in a drive position, even if the 
parking brake is on. 
 If you want to leave the car with the 
engine running, move the selector 
lever to P or N and apply the parking 
brake.
NOTICEAfter selecting a drive position, pause 
briefly to allow the gear to engage (the car 
starts to pull a little) before you acceler-
ate.
Selector lever 
Selector-lever indicator on main instru-
ment panel 
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167 Starting and driving
Descending hillsIf the speed of the car increases while 
descending a steep hill, despite the acceler-
ator being released, the control module will 
change down a gear when you brake. If you 
desire more powerful engine braking, man-
ually select a lower gear.
Sentronic, manual modeMove the selector lever to the M position. 
Select a higher gear by flicking the 
right-hand paddle   towards you. Select 
a lower gear by flicking the left-hand paddle 
 towards you.
An example of when you may wish to make 
manual gear changes is when overtaking, to 
enable you to remain in a low gear for an 
extended period of time.
Changes from 3rd to 4th and from 4th to 5th 
can be made when the engine speed is 
above roughly 2,000 rpm.
If the road surface is slippery, you may wish 
to pull off in 2nd or 3rd to reduce the risk of 
wheel spin.
When descending hills you should select a 
low gear to increase the braking effect of the 
engine and thus spare the brakes.
Manual gear selections are shown on the 
main instrument panel. The selector posi-
tion and the current gear are displayed.When the selector lever is in the M position, 
as opposed to the D position, gas engines 
are much more responsive to changes in 
accelerator position. The accelerator has a 
different feel.
When in manual mode, kick-down operates 
for 4th and 5th gears (below 2,000 rpm). 
Kick-down cannot be activated in 1st, 2nd or 
3rd gears.
For optimum performance, gear changes 
should be made before reaching 6,000 rpm.
To avoid damaging the engine and trans-
mission, the transmission will shift up a gear 
if the engine is in danger of overrevving. You 
may feel a slight jolt before this gear change 
is effected.
Paddles on the steering wheel for 
changing gear manually
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175 Starting and driving
Traction Control SystemHow the system works The traction control system (TCS) is 
designed to prevent wheelspin. This 
enables the car to achieve the best possible 
grip and, hence, maximum tractive effort, 
together with greater stability. 
The TCS system uses information from the 
ABS system’s wheel sensors to detect 
when the front (driving) wheels are rotating 
faster then the rear wheels. It then monitors 
whether one driving wheel is rotating faster 
than the other. If so, the faster wheel is 
retarded until both wheels are rotating at the 
same speed. 
If the two front wheels are rotating at the 
same speed but are turning faster than the 
rear wheels, the torque from the engine is 
reduced to eliminate the difference. 
To ensure that the system works as 
designed, the dimensions of all four tires 
must be the same.
The process continues until all the wheels 
are rotating at the same speed. 
The advantages of the TCS system become 
most apparent when the cohesion between 
the front wheels and the road surface is so 
low that one or both of the wheels would 
lose their grip were the car not equipped 
with the TCS, e.g.:  When the car is pulling away or accelerat-
ing with the front wheels on different sur-
faces (e.g. one slippery and one dry). The 
TCS then functions like an electronic dif-
ferential lock. 
 When the car is pulling away or accelerat-
ing on a slippery road, in which case the 
TCS eliminates wheelspin. The same 
applies when the car is reversing. 
 On cornering, if there is a tendency for the 
inner front wheel to rotate faster than the 
other wheels. 
 On overtaking. 
TCS OFF The   indicator on the main instrument 
panel will come on: 
 If a fault has been detected and the 
system has therefore been switched off. 
 If there is a fault in the ABS system. 
 If the system has been switched off man-
ually. 
The indicator light will also come on for 
4 seconds when the ignition key is turned to 
ON, while an internal system check is per-
formed. TCS indicator The indicator light will come on for 
4 seconds when the ignition key is turned to 
ON, while an internal system check is per-
formed. 
The   light in the tachometer comes on 
when the system is operative, i.e. when the 
wheels are not rotating at the same speed. 
The fact that the TCS system is operative 
indicates that the limit for grip has been 
exceeded and that the driver must exert 
greater care. 
WARNING
When driving normally, TCS will help to 
improve the stability of the car. This does 
not mean that car can be driven faster. 
The same care and prudence as normally 
applied should be displayed on cornering 
and when driving on slippery roads.
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