2009 SAAB 9-3 change time

2IntroductionThis manual provides practical guidance on
driving and caring for your Saab.
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 at the start of the manual. A list of
content is given at the beginning of each
section of the manual, 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.3 Asterisk means: equipment not fitted in all
cars (can depend on model variant, engine
variant, market specification, options or
accessories).
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
[email protected]. In Canada,
please contact the Saab Customer Assis-
tance 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 per-
sonal injury.NOTICENOTICE texts warns of potential damage
to the car if the recommendations are not
followed.
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46 Safetysnow drift or a hedge) or a solid object at a
low impact speed, the airbag will not neces-
sarily be triggered.
How loud is the inflation?
The noise of the inflation is certainly loud,
but it is of an very short duration and will not
damage your hearing. For a short time after-
wards you could experience a buzzing
noise in your ears.
Most people who have experienced it
cannot remember the noise of the inflation
at all – all they remember is the noise of the
crash.
Can you still use a child seat in the front if a
passenger airbag is installed?
Definitely not!
Children 12 and under or shorter than
55 inches (140 cm) can be killed by the air-
bag.
The back seat is the safest place for chil-
dren.
Never put a rear-facing child seat in the
front.
Sit as far back as possible from the airbag.
Always use seat belts and child restraints.What should I do if the AIR-BAG warning
light comes on?
If the warning light is on, it means that a fault
has been detected in the system. The
airbag cannot be relied on to operate as
intended and it might even be activated
erroneously. You should therefore take the
car to a workshop. We recommend that you
contact a Saab dealer as soon as possible.
Are the dust and fumes given off when the
airbag operates at all harmful?
Most people who have remained in a car
with little or no ventilation for several min-
utes complained only of minor irritation of
the throat and eyes. Avoid as much as pos-
sible getting dust on your skin as there is a
risk of skin irritation.
If you suffer from asthma, the incident may
bring on an attack, in which case you should
follow the normal procedure advised by
your doctor. It is advisable to consult a
doctor afterwards.
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped VehicleIs there anything I might add to the front or
sides of the vehicle that could keep the air-
bags from working properly?
Yes. If you add things that change your vehi-
cle’s frame, bumper system, front end or
side sheet metal or height, they may keep
the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work prop-
erly if you relocate any of the airbag sen-
sors. If you have any questions about this,
you should contact Saab Customer Assis-
tance before you modify your vehicle. The
phone numbers and addresses for Cus-
tomer Assistance can be found on page
280.
Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modified. How can I find out whether
this will affect my advanced airbag system?
Changing or moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing and
diagnostic module or the inside rearview
mirror can affect the operation of the
advanced airbag system. If you have ques-
tions, call Customer Assistance. The phone
numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance can be found on page 280.
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55 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 dou-
ble-flashes for 3 seconds and the car
becomes immobilized. If an incorrect
remote control is now inserted into the igni-
tion switch (e.g. the remote control of
another car), the immobilizer will remain
operative (the LED will not flash for
3 seconds) and it will not be possible to start
the car.
If, 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.Key not accepted.
Contact service.
Change the battery and fit together
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58 SecurityPanic 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.
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 ignition switch to the ON position.
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 54.
Some car alarm functions and indications can be reprogrammed.
Contact a Saab dealer for details of the possibilities and refer to
page 293.
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78 9-3 ConvertibleTo openSoft top raised – The windows open individ-
ually.
Soft top folded – The button for the front
window opens both side windows.
Automatic opening
Press the button all the way down and
release it. If the soft top is folded, the rear
side window is also lowered.
To closeSoft top raised – The windows are operated
individually.
Soft top folded – The button for the front
window closes both side windows.
Automatic closing of a front side window
Raise the button all the way and release it.
The rear side window must be fully closed.
Pinch protection3 is available for the front
side windows.
For further information on the electric win-
dows, refer to page 119.Deactivating the passenger door
window buttonWith the button on the driver’s door,
you can deactivate the window button on
the passenger door.
The illuminated switch will change color
from green to amber (deactivated).
Calibrating front electric
windows with pinch protection3The window lifts should be calibrated if auto-
matic closing does not work or if the battery
has been disconnected. The pinch protec-
tion will not work if the windows are not
calibrated.
Perform calibration as follows:
1 Make sure the soft top is raised.
2 Make sure the doors are closed.
3 Let the engine idle.
4 Make sure the rear side windows are
closed, then operate each front window
switch for moving the corresponding
window fully down and fully up, repeat
up to 3 times depending on conditions.
Keep switch pressed a few seconds in
fully up position after each "up" move-
ment. When a chime is heard, the cali-
bration is completed.
If calibration fails twice in a row, have the car
checked and rectified. We recommend that
you contact a Saab dealer.
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90 Instruments and controlsWhen a message is displayed
The odometer and tripmeter is temporarily
turned off when a two row message is dis-
played. The icon is displayed in the left part
of the display.
The warnings and indications that can be
shown on the SID are listed on page 294.
If there is more than one message on the
SID, a plus sign will be displayed to the left
of the first message. Each message will be
displayed for 10 seconds.
Press the CLR button to acknowledge a SID
message. If you acknowledge a message
but do nothing about it, the message will be
displayed again the next time you start the
car.
When the engine is switched off the warn-
ing/indicator lights still active are displayed,
this is to remind the driver. At this point the
warning/indicator lights previously acknowl-
edged with the CLR button are also dis-
played.
You can adjust the settings of several of the
car’s systems, such as the alarm3, rain
sensor3 and climate control system. These
are known as Settings se page 94.
Odometer and trip meterThe odometer records the distance trav-
elled in miles on U.S. vehicles and on Cana-
dian vehicles the distance indicated is in
kilometres, and the trip meter in miles and
tenths (kilometres and tenths of kilometres
on Canadian vehicles).Reset buttonThe reset button is positioned immediately
to the left of the speedometer.
Press once to resets the trip meter, the igni-
tion shall be in position ON.
Trip computer function of the SID
WARNING
It is strongly recommended that the SID
settings be changed only when the car is
stationary. The driver’s attention can oth-
erwise easily be distracted from the road.
SID contains the following functions:
TempOutdoor temperature
D.T.E.Estimated range (distance to
empty fuel tank).
When the possible range is
less than 18 miles (30 km)
then the text Refill fuel now
is displayed.
Fuel ØAverage fuel consumption
since function last reset
DistDistance to destinations.
Function can also be used as
a trip meter
Speed ØAverage speed since function
last reset
Speed WSpeed warning (chime)
SettingsSettings of features such as
alarm clock, language and
rain sensor3
SID, control unit and display
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109 Instruments and controls
Air ventsThe air vents swivel universally, so that air
can be directed as desired. In winter, for
instance, the outer vents can be directed
onto the door windows for enhanced
demisting.
The amount of air can be individually con-
trolled by the regulator on each vent. If you
wish to reduce the airflow, start by
half-shutting the vent in question.
Certain variants have an air vent on the rear
of the floor console.
Temperature controlThe cabin is divided into two temperature
zones:
1 Driver’s zone.
2 Passenger zone.
The temperature in the rear seat will be a
mixture of the two zones.
The cabin temperature can be set to
between 61–79 °F (16–26 °C).
The selected temperature is not the actual
air temperature but corresponds to the com-
fort level normally experienced at that tem-
perature after allowance has been made for
the airflow, relative humidity, solar radiation,
and so on, currently prevailing inside the
car. The most usual temperature setting is
between 64–75 °F (18–24 °C), depend-
ing on personal preference and what
clothing is worn.
 Change the temperature setting in 2 °F
(1 °C) steps.
Make sure the air vents are open when cool-
ing the cabin in warm weather.
When the ignition is switched off, only the
temperature control affects the system the
next time the engine is started. The system
will warm up/cool down to the temperature
to which the control is set.
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114 Instruments and controlsFormation of ice and mist in
extreme weather conditionsIt is only in the most extreme conditions that
icing and misting of window glass are likely
to be a problem, such as in torrential rain or
severe cold coupled with high relative
humidity, or when passengers are perspir-
ing heavily or wearing wet clothes. The fol-
lowing measures are recommended if such
problems should occur:
1 Select AUTO and set the temperature to
70 °F (21 °C)
2 Push one time on the defroster button. If
this is not enough...
3 Increase the fan speed. If this is not
enough...
4 Select a higher temperature.The seat cushions and backrests of the front
seats are heated.
Heating is thermostatically controlled.
The heating has two effect steps.
We do not recommend prolonged use of the
higher level for people with sensitive skin.
Heating is controlled manually but can also
be automatic. Refer to Settings on
page 115.
CalibrationCalibration is performed automatically
every 40:th time the car is started after
having been switched off for more than
2 hours or if the battery has been discon-
nected.ProgrammingA number of functions can be customized
under Settings (see page 115).Tips(before contacting a dealer. We recom-
mend that you contact a Saab dealer)
 If you feel that the ACC system is not func-
tioning satisfactorily, select "Default
Settings" under Settings, see page 115.
ACC- ConvertibleWhen the soft top is folded, several func-
tions in the ACC-system is effected.
The system adjusts itself as follows:
 the sensitivity of the temperature knob
changes
 air distribution and fan speed can only be
adjusted manually
 Recirculation and rear window heating
are cut out
 The A/C compressor is switched off
(manual activation is possible by pressing
the AC OFF button).
All manual selections are possible with the
exception of rear window heating and
defroster function.
When the soft top is raised, the system
reverts to the AUTO mode and the set tem-
perature.
Note: When the soft top or all the windows
are open in a hot, humid climate, turning the
air conditioning on manually can cause con-
densation to form on cold surfaces, such as
the air ducts.
Electric heating, front
seats3
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