2IntroductionThis manual provides practical guidance on
driving and caring for your Saab.
The Saab 9-3 will be available with the fol-
lowing engine variants:
2.0t 175 hp
2.0 Turbo 210 hp
Although this manual describes the most
important differences between model vari-
ants, it does not specify the equipment or
features included on individual models.
Importation and distribution of Saab auto-
mobiles, spare parts and accessories are
handled exclusively by Saab Cars USA, Inc.
in the United States and by General Motors
of Canada Limited in Canada.We recommend that you read through the
manual before taking the car out for the first
time and keep it in the car for future refer-
ence.
To find a specific item, use the overviews
given on page 3–6. A list of content is given
at the beginning of each section of the man-
ual, and there is also a comprehensive
index at the back of the book.
Supplied with the car is a Warranty and Ser-
vice Record booklet which contains impor-
tant warranty information and specifies the
regular maintenance to be carried out. Also
included is a Quick Reference Guide, an
Infotainment System manual, tire warran-
ties and (U.S. customers), a dealer directory
with Roadside Assistance Program infor-
mation.Since the policy at Saab is one of continual
improvement, we retain the right to incorpo-
rate modifications and to alter specifications
during production without prior notice.
If you have any questions concerning your
car, its equipment, the warranty conditions,
etc., your Saab dealer will be pleased to
help, or you may call the Saab Customer
Assistance Center in the U.S. at 1-800-955-
9007 or email them at saab-
[email protected]. In Canada, please
contact the Saab Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800-263-1999.
Enjoy the road ahead!
Saab Automobile AB
Saab Automobile AB does not accept liability for
any damage caused by the fitting of spare parts,
exchange parts or accessories that are not
approved by Saab Automobile AB.
WARNING
Failure to heed warnings may cause
personal injury.NOTICENOTICE texts warns of potential damage
to the car if the recommendations are not
followed.
ProCarManuals.com
49 Security
3 Change the battery. Fit the new battery
so that it is positioned in the same way
as the old battery, with the positive (+)
side facing down.
4 Fit the two halves of the remote control
together and press them together until
you hear several clicks. Avoid pressing
the buttons. Reinsert the traditional key
into the remote control.5 After changing the battery in the remote
control, it is only possible to use the
remote control a limited number of times
before synchronization with the car is
lost. Therefore, do not press the buttons
on the remote control repeatedly directly
after changing the battery.
Unlock the car and insert the remote
control into the ignition switch to
synchronize the remote control and car.
If the central locking system does not work
after changing the battery and the car is
locked, proceed as follows:
1 Unlock the front left door with the tradi-
tional key. If the car has a car alarm, this
will be tripped.
2 Open the door and insert the remote
control into the ignition switch. If the car
has a car alarm, this will be silenced.
The remote control and receiver unit are
now synchronized.
ImmobilizerThe remote control contains an electronic
code that is unique to your car. When the
remote control is inserted into the ignition
switch, this code is checked and the LED on
the dashboard double-flashes for
3 seconds. If the code is correct, the car can
be started.
Each time you remove the remote control
from the ignition, the electronic starting
interlock is activated, the LED double-
flashes for 3 seconds and the car becomes
immobilized. If an incorrect remote control is
now inserted into the ignition switch (e.g.
the remote control of another car), the
immobilizer will remain operative (the LED
will not flash for 3 s) and it will not be possi-
ble to start the car.
If the immobilizer system malfunctions, the
Saab Information Display (SID) displays:
Immobilizer failure.
Try starting again.
Contact Saab dealer.
Change the battery and fit together
the two halves of the remote control
ProCarManuals.com
53 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 signifi-
cantly greater.
Remote control
batteryNormal life: approx. 4 years.
Change the battery when the SID displays:
Remote control battery
low. Replace battery.
See Changing the key battery, page 48.
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
88 Instruments and controlsThe number of systems that are displayed
on the SID depends on the car’s equipment
level. The list shown below includes the
systems that can be found in your car.
Trip computer function of the SIDSID contains the following functions:
Park Assistance, page 178.
SPA onSPA off
Clock / Alarm, page 92.
Set ClockSet Alarm 08:30
Rain Sensor, page 101.
HighMediumLow
Climate System, page 117.
Rear DefrosterHeated SeatsFan SettingsAir DistributionA/C ModeDual/Single ZoneDefault Settings
System Settings, page 94.
LanguageUnitSpeed Scale Illum.Service Info
WARNING
It is strongly recommended that the SID
settings be changed only when the car is
stationary. The driver’s attention can
otherwise easily be distracted from the
road.
Te m pOutdoor temperature
D.T.E. Estimated range (distance to
empty fuel tank)
Fuel ØAverage fuel consumption
since function last reset
DateDate
DistDistance to destinations.
Function can also be used as
a trip meter
ArrivEstimated time of arrival
Speed Ø Average speed since func-
tion last reset
Speed WSpeed warning (chime)
ProCarManuals.com
92 Instruments and controlsUnder Profiler you can choose whether the
entire speedometer scale (0–160 mph) or
only part of the scale (0–90 mph) should be
illuminated in
NIGHTPANEL
mode.
1 Press the CUSTOMIZE button to go to
Profiler.
2 Select System Settings using the INFO
dial.
3 Press in the INFO dial.
4 Select Speed Scale Illum.
Select 0–160 mph or 0–90 mph.
ClockSettings can be made from Profiler.
1 Press the CUSTOMIZE button to go to
Profiler.
2 Select Clock / Alarm using the INFO dial.
3 Press in the INFO dial.
4 Select Set Clock.
5 Select Manual.
Select Manual to set the time, year, month
and day.
Manual setting:
1 Turn the INFO dial to change the value.
2 Press the INFO dial once after each
setting (time, year, month and day) to
confirm the value.
Once you have selected the day, press the
INFO dial to finish setting and update the
clock.
Press the CLEAR button once to go back a
step when setting the time, year, month and
day manually.
Press the CUSTOMIZE button to cancel
setting.
RDS setting: The time, year, month and
day can also be set from the RDS signal
(from RDS Adjust) provided that the RDS
signal from the current station contains this
information. This may vary between differ-
ent radio stations and different countries.When the remote control is not in the ignition
switch, you can illuminate the clock for
5 seconds by pressing the INFO dial.
System Settings
Speed Scale Illum.
0–160 mph0–90 mph
Clock / Alarm
Set Clock
RDS AdjustManual
Clock
11:30Year
2003Month
DecDay
1 Mon
ProCarManuals.com
94 Instruments and controlsSystem SettingsUnder this heading you can make system
settings, such as change the display lan-
guage, units and service information.
1 Press the CUSTOMIZE button to go to
Profiler.
2 Select System Settings using the
INFO dial.
3 Press in the INFO dial.
4 Select the desired heading using the
INFO dial.
5 Press in the INFO dial.
System Settings
Language
(The number of languages can vary
between markets.)
EnglishFrenchGermanItalianSpanishSwedish
Unit
MetricImperialUS
Speed Scale Illum.
0–160 mph0–90 mph
Service Info
Service Data
Oil quality: xxx %.
xxxx days to service.
Service Type
Time for ser vice.Time for intermediate
service.Time for main and
intermediate service.Time for main ser vice
Reset Service Ind.
Are you sure?
Ye s N o
ProCarManuals.com
119 Instruments and controls
Fan Settings
High speed:
This selection give a slightly higher
fan speed than Medium speed
though with continued automatic
regulation.
Medium speed:
Normal automatic fan speed. This is
one of the Default Settings.
Low speed:
This selection give a slightly lower
fan speed than Medium speed
though with continued automatic
regulation.
Convertible: Fan speed is not regulated
automatically when the soft top is open.
Air Distribution
Auto:
The ACC system adapts air tem-
perature and distribution to the pre-
vailing conditions. This is one of the
Default Settings
.
Manual:
Windshield:
The ACC system directs almost
all air to the windshield.
Panel:
The ACC system directs almost
all air to air vents in the fascia.
Floor:
The ACC system directs almost
all air to the floor.
A/C Mode
Auto:
Automatic engagement and disen-
gagement of the A/C. This is one of
the Default Settings.
A/C off:
A/C compressor OFF (see also
page 111). The A/C compressor
can be activated temporarily by
pressing the AC or AUTO button
while on the road and if the outside
temperature is above 41°F (+5°C).
The A/C will be off the next time the
engine is started, if the engine has
been switched off for more than
2hours.
Convertible: The A/C compressor is
switched off when the soft top is folded
down.
Further customizations to this function can
be made at a Saab dealer.
The A/C compressor can be on even
when the soft top is folded down.
The A/C compressor can be set to
operate as when the soft top was last
folded down.Dual/Single Zone
Dual zone:
Individual temperature setting for
each zone (see page 109). The sys-
tem saves the settings when the
engine is switched off. This is one of
the Default Settings.
Single zone:
Common temperature setting when
the engine is started. If the temper-
ature setting for the passenger zone
is changed, the system will switch to
Dual zone control. Single zone con-
trol will return the next time the
engine is started having been
switched off for more than 2 hours.
ProCarManuals.com
137 Interior equipment
The transmitter should face the mirror
from below or left side of the mirror.
4 Simultaneously press and hold both the
chosen and hand-held transmitter
buttons. Do not release the buttons
until step 5 has been completed.
Note: Some gate operators and garage
door openers may require you to replace
this Programming Step 4 with procedures
noted in the "Gate Operator / Canadian Pro-
gramming" section.
5 After the indicator light changes from a
slow to a rapidly blinking light, release
both the mirror and hand-held transmit-
ter buttons.
6 Press and hold the just-trained button
and observe the indicator light.
If the indicator light stays on
constantly, programming is
complete and your device should acti-
vate when the button is pressed and
released.
Note: To program the remaining two but-
tons, begin with "Programming" - step
three. Do not repeat step two.
If the indicator light blinks rapidly for two
seconds and then turns to a constant
light continue with "Programming"
steps 7-9 to complete the programming of
a rolling code equipped device (most com-
monly a garage door opener).
7 At the garage door opener receiver
(motor-head unit) in the garage, locate
the "learn" or "smart" button. This can usually
be found where the hanging antenna wire is attached to the motor-
head unit.
8 Firmly press and release the "learn" or
"smart" button. (The name and color of
the button may vary by manufacturer.)
Note: There are 30 seconds in which to ini-
tiate step nine.
9 Return to the vehicle and firmly press,
hold for two seconds and release the
programmed button. Repeat the
"press/hold/release" sequence a
second time, and, depending on the
brand of the garage door opener (or
other rolling code equipped device),
repeat this sequence a third time to
complete the programming process.
The garage opener should now activate
your rolling code equipped device.
Note: To program the remaining two but-
tons, begin with "Programming" -
step
three
. Do not repeat step two. Gate Operator / Canadian Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to "time-out" (or quit)
after several seconds of transmission -
which may not be long enough for the
garage opener to pick up the signal during
programming. Similar to this Canadian law,
some U.S. gate operators are designed to
"time-out" in the same manner.
If you live in Canada or you are having diffi-
culties programming a gate operator by
using the "Programming" procedures
(regardless of where you live), replace
"Programming " step 4 with the following:
Note: If programming a garage door opener
or gate operator, it is advised to unplug the
device during the "cycling" process to pre-
vent possible overheating.
4 Continue to press and hold the button
while you press and release - every two
seconds ("cycle") your hand-held transmit-
ter until the frequency signal has success-
fully been accepted by the garage opener.
(The indicator light will flash slowly and then
rapidly.)
Proceed with "Programming" step five to
complete.
NOTICESwitch off the power supply to the garage
door or gate (or park the car beyond the
range of the remote control) while
programming using the "cycling" method
to prevent damaging the electrical motor.
ProCarManuals.com