Page 48 of 288

48 SecurityIf, when inserted into the ignition switch,
there is a problem checking the electronic
code of the remote control, the following
message will appear on the SID:
Visit a Saab dealer to have the problem
checked and rectified.
Car alarmThe car alarm is armed when the car is
locked with the remote control.
The car alarm will not be armed if you
lock the car with the traditional key (see
page 42).
All the doors, the hood and the trunk lid are
monitored by the alarm.The alarm is armed 11 seconds after the car
has been locked by remote control.
During the delay period, the LED shines
constantly. It will then start to flash once
every 3 seconds. The LED is located on the
dashboard.
If a door or the trunk lid is open when the car
is locked with the remote control, the LED
will flash 3 times per second for
11 seconds. Check that the doors, hood
and trunk lid are closed.
If the signal persists, contact a Saab dealer
to have the problem checked and rectified.
Locking the trunk lid: If you unlock the
trunk lid from outside the car with the
button on the remote control, you must lock
the car with the button to arm the car
alarm. Key not accepted.
Contact Saab dealer.
WARNING
Leaving children or pets unattended in a
locked car is dangerous. It is also danger-
ous to leave children in a vehicle with the
ignition key. A child or others could be
badly injured or even killed.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 50 of 288

50 Security
Panic functionThe car alarm includes a panic function.
This function allows the alarm to be started
manually, for example, to attract attention.
The panic alarm can only be activated while
the car is stationary. The alarm is silenced if
the car is driven off.
When the alarm is tripped, the lights and
horn come on for 3 minutes or until you
press one of the remote control buttons.
To start the alarm manually proceed as
follows:
Press and hold the button on the
remote control for more than 2 seconds,
or if you are sitting in the car...
Press and hold the or button on
one of the front doors for more than
2 seconds.
To switch off the alarm:
Press one of the remote control buttons
or, if you are sitting in the car, the or
buttons on one of the front doors.
NOTICE It is possible to inadvertently deacti-
vate the car alarm and at the same
time unlock the car, if the button on the
key is pressed by mistake when the
car is still within its range.
When locking the car by remote
control in extremely cold weather, it is
advisable to check that the lock
system has operated properly. To do
so, check that the interior locking
buttons are all down.
If not, unlock and relock the car again.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 51 of 288
51 Security
Overview of functionsLocking/arming Direction indicators flash once.
Unlocking/
disarmingDirection indicators flash twice.
Unlocking/
disarming trunk
lidDirection indicators flash three times.
Alarm triggered Direction indicators flash for 5 min.
The horn sounds for 30-second intervals with
10-second breaks (max. 10 cycles) or until you
press one of the remote control buttons or turn
the remote control ON in the ignition switch.
Remote control Normal range: 5–16 yds. (5–15 metres).
In favorable conditions the range can be signif-
icantly greater.
Remote control
batteryNormal life: approx. 4 years.
Change the battery when the SID displays:
Remote control battery low. See Changing the
key battery, page 46.
Some car alarm functions and indications can be reprogrammed.
Contact a Saab dealer for details of the possibilities and refer to
page 280.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 52 of 288

52 SecurityQuick guide, LED and Saab Information Display (SID)
messagesActivity LED signal
Arming (delay period) Shines for 11 s.
Alarm armed Flashes once every 3 s.
Disarming Extinguishes.
Alarm not armed Off.
A door, the hood or the tailgate is
open or opened during the delay
period.Flashes for 11 s then flashes
once every 3 s.
Car immobilized but not locked. Off.
Change of status of immobilizer
system, valid remote control
inserted or removed from ignition
switch.Double-flashes for 3 s.
SID message Reason/action
Key not accepted.
Contact Saab dealer.Error when remote control
inserted into ignition switch.
Remote control battery low. Battery needs replacing.
See page 46.
2: standard key
Key No: 1Check of the number of remote
controls programmed for your
car. See page 45.
Alarm has been triggered
since being armed.The alarm has been tripped
since the car was last locked.
Immobilizer failure.
Try starting again.
Contact Saab dealer.Error when immobilizer code
checked.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 60 of 288

60 9-3 ConvertibleRaising the soft top
manuallyIf the soft top has been folded mechanically
there will be a delay of 20 seconds before it
is possible to raise it manually (the pressure
must be released from the hydraulic sys-
tem).
If the car is without electrical power, the
trunk must be unlocked manually. Refer to
page 71.1 Find the lug wrench, Allen key and
screwdriver.
2 Remove the two covers from the side
trim in the trunk, one from either side.
If there are two of you, it is easiest if you
stand on either side of the car and perform
steps 3-6 and 9-10 together.
3 Unlock the soft top cover by pressing
forward the two wire catches, one on the
left and one on right-hand side.
WARNING
Only raise the soft top manually in an
emergency (e.g. due to an electrical
fault).
Do not touch the soft top button on the
instrument panel while closing the soft top
manually. This could cause personal
injury and damage the soft top mecha-
nism.
Do not fold the soft top having closed it
manually. This can damage the soft top
mechanism.
Tools under luggage compartment floor Wire catch for unlocking soft top cover
ProCarManuals.com
Page 62 of 288

62 9-3 Convertible8 Sit in one of the front seats and lock the
soft top to the windshield rail. Use the lug
wrench and the Allen key. Turn roughly
1/4 turn anticlockwise. Check that the
soft top is properly locked in place by
pressing up the front edge. The soft top
must not move upward.9 Lift up the rear window fully and hold it
there. Close the soft top cover. It is not
possible to lock the soft top cover after
manual raising.
10 Press down the rear edge of the soft top
as far as possible towards the soft top
cover.11 Now lock the rear window to the soft top
cover. Sit in the rear seat and insert the
tool (the same tool as used to lock the
soft top to the windshield rail) into the
hexagonal hole in the soft top mecha-
nism. Turn roughly 1/4 turn, anticlock-
wise on the right had side of the soft top
and clockwise on the left-hand side.
Look at the soft top cover when locking
the rear window. The rear window must
make a tight seal against the soft top
cover.
The soft top system must be checked and
rectified without delay at a Saab dealer.
NOTICETo avoid damaging the paintwork on the
soft top cover and the trunk lid, take care
when closing the soft top cover.Closing the soft top cover
Rear window locked to soft top cover
Soft top locked to windshield rail
ProCarManuals.com
Page 71 of 288
71 9-3 Convertible
Unlocking the trunk lid
manuallyIf the trunk lid is not unlocked by the central
locking system, it can be unlocked
manually.
1 Take the traditional key out of the remote
control by pressing the emblem on the
reverse (see page 46).
2 Carefully prise off the round cover using
your nails, a credit card or similar so as
not to damage the paintwork.
3 Unlock the trunk lid using the traditional
key.
Contact a Saab dealer to have the central
locking system checked.
Unlocking the trunk lid manually
ProCarManuals.com
Page 76 of 288

76 Instruments and controlsThis light shows when the high beam is on
(see page 92).
This light indicates when the front fog lights
are on (see page 93).
The front fog lights are switched off auto-
matically when the engine is switched off.
When the fog lights are next needed, they
will have to be switched on manually.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. This light indicates
when the brake fluid level is too low (see
page 200).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):For safety reasons, stop the car and check
the level of the brake fluid (see page 200).
If the level is normal, depress the brake
pedal firmly two or three times. Now check
the level again. If the level is still normal, you
may drive the car, with considerable cau-
tion, to the nearest Saab dealer to have the
brake system checked.
The brake system provides Electronic
Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). This distrib-
utes the brake pressure between the front
and rear wheels, in such a way as to achieve
optimum braking performance irrespective
of the car’s load.
If a fault arises in the EBD function, the ,
and lights will come on. Also, the fol-
lowing message will appear on the Saab
Information Display (SID):
If this is the case, drive carefully and contact
a Saab dealer as soon as possible. Refer to
Brake warning light on page 76, Antilock
braking warning on page 74 and TCS OFF
or ESP OFF indicator (certain variants only)
on page 82.
High beam Indicator
Front fog lights (option)
Brake warning lightBrake fluid level low.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
WARNING
Never drive the car if these two lights
are on at the same time. Danger of
brake failure!
If the level of brake fluid in the reser-
voir is below the MIN mark, the vehicle
should be transported on a recovery
vehicle.
Have the brake system checked
immediately at a Saab dealer.
Brake malfunction.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
ProCarManuals.com