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56 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 252.
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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57 9-3 Convertible
Operating the soft top
Read the "Advice on soft top operation"
section on page 56 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 65.
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
programmed (0–20 mph/0–30 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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58 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 65.
Do not press any of the buttons on the
same section of the instrument panel as
the soft top switch while folding the soft
top. This will cause the soft top to stop
and then sink after about 20 seconds.
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 123.
Folding
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60 9-3 ConvertibleRaisingThe following conditions must be fulfilled for
raising the soft top:
Vehicle speed must not exceed
20 mph (30 km/h).
Battery voltage must exceed 10 V.
The trunk lid must be locked.
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 raised and the soft top
cover closed. Completed raising is indi-
cated by a chime. If there is a malfunc-
tion a text message will be shown on the
SID. Refer to page 65.
Do not press any of the buttons on the
same section of the instrument panel as
the soft top switch while raising the soft
top. This will cause the soft top to stop
and then sink after about 20 seconds.
All side windows are opened slightly to pro-
tect the seals when the soft top is raised.
Check that the hooks in the soft top hold it securely to the upper edge of the wind-
shield.
If you hold the button pressed up after the
chime, all the windows will be closed after a
short delay.
Raising
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62 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 73.1 Find the lug wrench, Allen key and
screwdriver located under the luggage
compartment floor.
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
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63 9-3 Convertible
4 Close the trunk lid fully as otherwise it
will obstruct the soft top cover.
5 Open the soft top cover, upward and
backward.
6 Tip forward the front seat backrests.7 Before raising the soft top, the two
catches in the leading edge of the soft
top must be opened. Stand in the rear
seat and pry off the cover with the screw-
driver. Using the tool, turn clockwise to
open the catches.
Stand in the rear seat and raise the soft
top. Pull it towards the windshield. This
operation requires 7.2 ft (2.2 m) of verti-
cal clearance.
WARNING
Do not touch the hinges and struts of
the soft top during raising.
Keep your hands clear of the front
windshield rail.
Pinch hazard may cause personal
injury.
Soft top cover opened Manual closing started Soft top pulled towards windshield
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64 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 counterclockwise. 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, counter-
clockwise 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
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65 9-3 Convertible
Cause Suitable action
Soft top front not locked.
Try again.Failure of the soft top to lock automatically to
the windshield. Move the car so that it is standing level if on
a steep slope.
Press the soft top button to fold the soft top
slightly. Fold the soft top again.
Soft top power pack
overheated.
Allow to cool.This message appears if the soft top is operated
continuously for more than 3 minutes.Wait 6 minutes to allow the hydraulic pump to
cool down.
Open trunk.
Move goods away from
top storage area.Move the object hindering soft top operation.
Soft top may be
damaged if operated
at low temperature.Displayed if the soft top is folded at temperatures
below 23°F (–5°C).
Only manual
operation possible.
Contact Saab dealer.
Soft top cover not locked.
Try again.
SID warnings and messagesThe following messages associated with the soft top system and can be displayed on the SID together with a chime:
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