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74 9-3 ConvertibleManually opening the
fuel filler doorConvertible
If the fuel filler door, which is controlled by
the central locking system, does not unlock,
proceed as described below.
Check fuse 7 in the fuse panel at the end of
the fascia (see page 229). If this fuse has
blown or the new fuse blows, the fuel filler
door can be opened as follows:
1 Open the two cut-out openings in the
side trim on the right-hand side of the
luggage compartment.
2 Loosen the two screws (do not unscrew
them fully). Lift up the screws and press
them out of their key hole slots.
Contact a Saab dealer to have the central
locking system checked.
Placing two golf bags
in the trunkThere is sufficient space in the trunk of the
Convertible for two golf bags. Proceed as
follows.
1 Start by inserting the narrow end of the
first bag to the right.
2 Lie down the bag. Turn the bag so that it
lies on its widest side and slide it for-
ward, in under the soft top storage (see
illustration).
3 Put in the second bag in the same way
as the first, but lie it on its narrow side
(see illustration).
Manually opening the fuel filler door, Con-
ver tible
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76 9-3 Convertible(This page has been left blank)
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78 Instruments and controls
Warning and indicator
lightsThe following warning and indicator lights
are found on the main instrument panel.This warning light illuminates when a fault
arises in the antilock brake system.
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
The brake system will continue to function
but without ABS modulation.
This light comes on when the battery is not
being charged by the alternator. If the light
comes on during driving, stop as soon as
possible and switch off the engine.
Check the drive belt, see page 210.
Antilock braking warningAntilock brake malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.Charge warning light
Main instrument panel1 Tachometer
2 Speedometer
3 Turbo gauge
4 Fuel gauge5 Engine temperature gauge
6 Information display
7 Trip meter reset button
Main instrument panel (Arc panel shown)
U.S. shown, Canada similar
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79 Instruments and controls
This light will come on if the engine oil pres-
sure is too low. If the warning light flashes or
comes on while you are driving, stop imme-
diately in a safe place, switch off the engine
and check the oil level (see page 202).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):This light indicates a malfunction in the fuel
or ignition system. The car may still be
driven with care but the performance of the
engine will be somewhat diminished (see
page 150).
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
Warning, oil pressure
(engine oil)
NOTICE
Never drive the car when the oil pressure
warning lamp is on. Low oil pressure can
cause serious engine damage.
Oil pressure low.
Make a safe stop.
Turn off engine.
Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)
WARNING
An illuminated “Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)” indicator light indi-
cates an engine-related problem. While
your car may be able to be driven with the
“Engine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)”
indicator light illuminated (limp-home
mode), you are advised to have your car
serviced at an authorized Saab dealer as
soon as possible.
Continued driving without this problem
being corrected might cause serious
further damage to your car and create
unsafe driving conditions. The operator
should be prepared to take action if such
unsafe conditions arise (e.g. brake
smoothly, engage neutral, stop in a suita-
ble place, switch off the engine, etc.)
Engine malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
NOTICEThe car should be checked immediately
at a Saab dealer to prevent more serious
faults from arising.
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80 Instruments and controlsThis light shows when the high beam is on
(see page 97).
This light indicates when the front fog lights
are on (see page 98).
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 206).
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 206).
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 80, Antilock
braking warning on page 78 and TCS OFF
or ESP OFF indicator on page 86.
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.
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81 Instruments and controls
This light reminds the driver to buckle up.
This light comes on when the parking brake
is applied (see page 173).
The parking brake is mechanical and oper-
ates on the rear wheels.This light comes on if a potentially serious
fault has occurred in the airbag system.
The following message is shown on the
Saab Information Display (SID):
This light will come on for about four sec-
onds when the ignition switch is turned to
the Start or Drive position.This light comes on when there is less than
about 2.5 gallons (10 litre) of fuel left in the
tank.
Safetybelt reminder
Parking brake warning
light
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when
parking, see page 173.
Always apply the parking brake
before removing the remote control.
Do not apply the parking brake while
the car is moving.
Airbag warning lightAirbag malfunction.
Contact Saab dealer.
WARNING
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle, it means
the airbag system may not be working
properly. One or more of the following
conditions may occur:
- Non-deployment of the airbags in the
event of a crash.
- Deployment of the airbags without a
crash.
- Deployment of the airbags in crashes
less severe than intended.
To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle serviced
right away if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
Indicator, fuel
NOTICE
If the car runs out of fuel, air can be drawn
in with the fuel, which, in turn, can cause
the catalytic converter to be damaged by
overheating.
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84 Instruments and controlsTemperature gaugeThe temperature gauge shows the temper-
ature of the coolant. The needle should be
in the middle of the scale when the engine
is at normal operating temperature.
If the needle goes into the red zone (which
can occur at high outside air temperatures
or under heavy engine loads), choose the
highest possible gear ratio and the lowest
possible engine speed, and avoid shifting
down.If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone,
stop the car as soon as it is safe to do so and
check the coolant level (see page 205).
Turbo gaugeThe turbo gauge indicates the air volume
used for combustion, which is equivalent to
the engine load.
At low loads and when the engine is used for
braking, the needle will move within the
white zone.
Under certain barometric conditions the
needle may enter the first part of the red
zone without necessarily indicating that a
fault has arisen.
NOTICEIf the needle, despite the above action,
enters the red zone, stop the car in a suit-
able place and allow the engine to idle. If
the needle continues to rise, switch off the
engine.
WARNING
Never open the cap of the expansion tank
completely when the engine is hot, open
with care. The pressure in the cooling-
system can cause hot coolant and steam
to be released. Failure to heed this warn-
ing may result in personal injury.
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85 Instruments and controls
If the needle repeatedly enters the red zone
and the engine at the same time loses
power, because the monitoring system is
limiting the boost pressure, you should
contact a Saab dealer as soon as possible.
When the speed of the car exceeds
143 mph (230 km/h), acceleration is limited
by reducing the boost pressure. The pres-
sure gauge then moves towards the middle
of the white field, indicating a drop in engine
power and consequently the car’s speed.
Fuel gaugeWhen less than about 2.5 gallons (10 litre)
of fuel is left in the tank, a warning light on
the main instrument panel comes on.
Refueling, see page 153.
Information display,
main instrument panelUnder the speedometer is a display. The
information shown here varies depending
on whether the car has a manual transmis-
sion or automatic transmission.Cars with manual transmission: The odometer reading is shown on the
left-hand side of the display.
Various information and faults are
displayed in the center of the display.
The trip meter reading is shown on the
right-hand side of the display.
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