Page 49 of 288

49 Security
To avoid any inconvenience, make sure that
anyone using the car is familiar with how the
car alarm and the locking system work.
If the alarm has been tripped since the car
was last locked, the Saab Information Dis-
play (SID) will display:
If a fault arises in the car alarm system, the
Saab Information Display (SID) will display:Arming the car alarmThe alarm is armed when all doors, the hood
and the trunk lid are closed and you lock the
car with the remote control.
What trips the alarm?The alarm will be tripped if:
a door, the hood or the trunk lid is opened
somebody tries to hotwire the carSignals when the alarm is trippedIf the alarm is triggered, the following alarm
signals will be set off:
all direction indicators flash for 5 minutes.
the horn sounds for 30-second intervals
with 10-second breaks (max. 10 cycles).
The signals can vary between markets
and due to legal and insurance require-
ments.Switching off the alarm if tripped
If the alarm has been triggered (direction
indicators flashing and horn sounding) it can
be turned off by pressing one of the buttons
on the remote control or, if you are sitting in
the car, by turning the ignition to ON (see
below).
Alarm has been triggered
since being armed.
Theft protection failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
Turns off lights and horn.
Unlocks car.
Turns off lights and horn.
Car remains locked.
Turns off lights and horn.
Unlocks trunk.
Turns off lights and horn.
Turns on exterior and cabin light-
ing. Car remains locked.
If sitting in the car: Turn the remote
control to ON in the ignition switch
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Page 53 of 288
53 9-3 Convertible
Advice on soft top
operation ___________ 54
Operating the soft top __ 55
Raising the soft top
manually ___________ 60
SID warnings and
messages __________ 63
"Easy entry" __________ 65
Head restraints _______ 66
Safety belts, rear seat,
Convertible _________ 67 Roll-over protection ____ 68
Electric windows _______ 69
Interior lighting ________ 70
Unlocking the trunk lid
manually ____________ 71
Placing two golf bags
in the trunk __________ 72
9-3 Convertible
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54 9-3 ConvertibleAdvice on soft top
operation• Once you have raised the soft top and
before driving off, always check that the
soft top is properly engaged with the wind-
shield rail.
Once you have folded the soft top and
before driving off, check that the soft top
cover is locked.
Do not operate the soft top in tempera-
tures below 23°F (–5°C).
Note that certain automatic car washes
can damage the soft top. This applies to
car washes that use mechanical feelers
bearing against the body. Saab advises
against washing the Convertible in an
automatic car wash.
After rain or washing the car, allow the soft
top to dry completely before folding it.
Folding a wet or damp soft top can cause
water damage in the car and mildew to
form on the soft top. Roof racks and ski holders must not be
mounted on the soft top.
On no account should anything be put into
the stowage space of the soft top (under
the soft top cover) since this could cause
an obstruction when the soft top is being
folded away.
Do not place any objects on the covers
over the roll bars as this can hamper their
function.
When operating the soft top, raise or fold
it fully until notified that operation is com-
plete by the SID. Do not leave the soft top
partially open/closed. If the soft top is left
in an intermediate position it will collapse
progressively after 20 seconds to prevent
overloading the drive system.
Washing the soft top, see page 250.
WARNING
Never touch the hinges and struts of
the soft top nor the upper rail of the
windshield while operating the soft
top.
Do not operate the soft top while there
are bystanders close to the car.
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55 9-3 Convertible
Operating the soft top
Read the "Advice on soft top operation"
section on page 54 before operating the soft
top.
The soft top is operated with the switch on
the instrument panel. Hold the switch in the
desired position until the soft top is fully
folded or raised.
The completion of folding or raising the soft
top is indicated by a chime.
Error messages that can appear on the SID
are shown on page 63.
WARNING
Do not touch the hinges or struts of the
soft top during opening due to the
pinch hazard.
Keep children out of reach.
Do not operate the soft top while there
are bystanders close to the car.
Make sure that the soft top cover has
locked properly after folding the soft
top.
Check that the soft top engages prop-
erly with the upper edge of the wind-
shield after raising.NOTICEIf you drive off while raising or folding the
soft top, operation is halted when
the speed of the car exceeds 20 mph
(30 km/h). This speed can be pro-
grammed (0–25 mph/0–40 km/h) at a
Saab dealer. The movement of the car
and force of the wind can seriously
damage the components of the soft top
system.
Switch for operating the soft topaRaising
b Folding
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Page 56 of 288
56 9-3 ConvertibleOpeningThe following conditions must be fulfilled for
the soft top to be folded:
Vehicle speed must not exceed 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Battery voltage must exceed 10 V.
Outside temperature must exceed 23°F
(–5°C).
The trunk lid must be locked.
There must be sufficient space in the
trunk for the soft top.
1 Star t the engine and let it idle. Clearance
for soft top operation: height, min. 7.2 ft
(2.2 m); behind car, min. 2" (5 cm).
2 Press and hold the soft top button until
the soft top is fully folded and the soft top
cover raised. Completed folding is indi-
cated by a chime. If there is a malfunc-
tion a text message will be shown on the
SID. Refer to page 63.
If you continue to hold the button after the
chime, all the windows will open after a brief
delay.Remote opening (option)
You can fold the soft top when outside the
car by pressing and holding the
(unlock) button on the remote control. See
also page 117.
Folding
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