2002 Saab 9 3 Owners Manual

Observe max. speed limit for spare tire.

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Safety Safety belts...................... Head restraint.................. Child safety...................... Airbag (Supplemental Restraint System "SRS")

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12 18 19

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Safety belts

WARNING

Safety belts must be worn at all times by all car occupants. Child safety, see page 19. Check that the locking tongue is properly locked in the belt lock.

Three-point inertia-reel safety belts are pro- vided for all seats.

The results of studies show that it is equally important to wear safety belts in the rear seat as in the front seats.

WARNING

In the event of a crash, the rear-seat pas- sengers can be thrown forward against the front seat backrests, imposing much higher stresses on the front seat passen- gers and belts and resulting in needless injury to everyone in the car.

FASTEN BELTS

WARNING

For safety reasons, you should adjust safety belts only while the car is station- ary.

Safety-belt reminder When the ignition is switched on, the ”fasten belts” reminder will light up until the driver fastens the safety belt. In addition an audi- ble signal sounds for 6 seconds, or until the driver fastens his belt.

Safety-belt pretensioners The belts of the front seats are fitted with automatic pretensioners, which are acti- vated in the event of a severe frontal crash or very violent rear-end crash. They serve to reduce the forward movement of the body by tensioning the belt. The belt pretensioners do not activate in less violent frontal or rear-end crashes.

WARNING

If the car is involved in a crash, the safety belts, belt pretensioners and other com- ponents must be inspected by an autho- rized Saab dealer and replaced as neces- sary. Never make any alterations or repairs to the safety belt yourself but visit an author- ized Saab dealer.

Correct position for safety belt (cid:127) The lap part of the belt should be pulled as tightly as comfortable and as low as possible across the hips, so that it is just touching the top of the thighs. The shoul- der belt should be well in on the shoulder but not touching the neck.

WARNING

Proper positioning of the safety belt is extremely important. An out of position safety belt can result in the wearer sliding underneath the belt in a crash (submarin- ing) and injury can result from the lap por- tion cutting into the abdomen.

(cid:127) Check to ensure that the belt is not twisted

or rubbing against any sharp edges.

(cid:127) There should not be any slack in the belt. Pull the belt tight – particularly important when thick outer clothing is worn.

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Correctly positioned safety belt.

(cid:127) Refrain from tilting the backrest more than

necessary, as the safety belt provides better protection when the seat is in the more upright position.

(cid:127) Only one person per safety belt!

WARNING

If two people share a belt, they risk injury by being crushed together in the event of a crash.

(cid:127) For most of the time a safety belt is worn, the retractor will allow the wearer freedom of movement. The retractor locks up auto- matically if the belt is jerked or withdrawn sharply, the car tilts, the brakes are applied hard or a crash occurs.

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Safety

(cid:127) Children who have grown out of a child seat should be restrained by the car’s standard three-point belts. Make sure that the shoulder belt is not in contact with the neck or throat. If it is, a booster seat/cush- ion may be necessary.

WARNING

Never fasten the safety belt with the shoulder belt behind the body or pull the belt off the shoulder and under the arm.

To fasten the belt

Press the red button to release the belt.

To release the belt, press the red button on the belt buckle, as illustrated. See page 218 for the checking of belt func- tion, cleaning etc.

Front seat belts Fasten the belt by pulling the belt and insert- ing the tongue in the buckle. Check that it is securely fastened. Because the lower belt-anchorage points are on the seat (9-3 5-door), the belt buckle follows the movement of the seat during seat adjustment. In the 9-3 Coupé and 9-3 Convertible, the lower outer anchorage point is in the rear of the sill, which makes it all the more important that the lap strap is not slack during use. Grasp the shoulder belt close to the buckle and pull the belt towards the shoulder to tighten the lap belt part. The belt must be as far in on the shoulder as possible.

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Safety belt use during pregnancy Pregnant women must always wear a safety belt to protect both themselves and the unborn child. The lap belt should be placed low, across the hips and over the upper thighs.

The belt guide on the door pillar

Belt height adjustment The belt guide on the door pillar can be set to five different heights. Set the guide as high as possible without causing the belt to chafe against the throat. In the case of a short person the guide can be lowered until the belt comes about an inch (a few centimetres) from the throat but still provides safe restraint. Raise the belt guide by pushing it upwards to the desired position. To lower it, the release button must first be depressed. Check that it has engaged in its new position by pulling up and down.

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Safety

Safety belts, rear seat (the central head restraint is an accessory)

Securing a load on the rear seat

Safety belts, rear seat Three-point safety belts are provided for all three rear-seat passengers (2 for Convert- ible models). Fasten the belts by pulling the belt across you and inserting the tongue into the buckle. Check that it is securely fastened. Grasp the shoulder belt close to the buckle and pull the belt towards the shoulder to tighten the lap belt part. The belt must be as far in on the shoulder as possible. Press the red button on the belt buckle to release the belt.

WARNING

(cid:127) Make sure that the belt does not

become trapped when the backrest is folded down or raised (see page 138). (cid:127) If you must carry an item of luggage on a seat, ensure that it is held securely by the safety belt. This will reduce the risk of injury by flying objects in the event of a crash.

(cid:127) Check that the belt is not twisted or

lying against sharp edges.

See page 142 for securing of load. See page 218 for the checking of belt func- tion, cleaning etc.

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Belts should not be worn with straps twisted.

Each belt assembly must only be used by one occupant; it is dangerous to put a belt around a child being carried on the occu- pant´s lap. No modifications or additions should be made by the user which will either prevent the safety belt adjusting device from oper- ating to remove slack, or prevent the safety belt assembly from being adjusted to remove slack.

WARNING

Safety belts are designed to bear upon the bony structure of the body, and should be worn low across the front of the pelvis or the pelvis, chest and shoulders, as applicable; wearing the lap section of the belt across the abdominal area must be avoided.

Safety belts should be adjusted as firmly as possible, consistent with comfort, to provide the protection for which they have been designed. A loose belt will greatly reduce the protection afforded to the wearer.

Care should be taken to avoid contamina- tion of the webbing with polishes, oils and chemicals, and particularly battery acid. Cleaning may safely be carried out using mild soap and water. The belt should be replaced if webbing becomes frayed, contaminated or damaged.

It is essential to replace the entire assem- bly after it has been worn in a severe impact even if damage to the assembly is not obvious.

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Head restraint The front seats in the Saab 9-3 are equipped with Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHRs). These reduce the risk of whiplash injury if the car is hit from behind. In the event of a rear-end crash, the body is forced back against the backrest. This, in turn, causes the mechanism to press the head restraint forward and upward, thus lim- iting the backward movement of the head. The SAHR is a mechanical system, actu- ated by body weight. The mechanism is built into the top of the backrest, where it is con- nected to the head restraint. Because the SAHR is mechanically oper- ated, it does not need to be replaced after a minor rear-end crash.

The head restraint can be raised or lowered and is adjustable in various positions. (cid:127) Raising: grasp the head restraint on both

sides and pull it straight up.

(cid:127) Lowering: depress the catch on the

left-hand side of the attaching point and press the head restraint down.

WARNING

Adjust the head restraint so that the head is well supported and the center of the head restraint is at ear height, thus reduc- ing the likelihood of neck injury in a crash.

Child safety

Car safety tips

WARNING

WARNING

(cid:127) NEVER put a rear-facing child seat in

the front.

(cid:127) Children must always be suitably restrained in the car. All child restraints and booster seats are designed to be secured in vehicle

seats by the lap belt of a lap-shoulder belt or LATCH. If the child restraint is not properly secured, a child can be injured in a crash.

(cid:127) Children 12 and under can be killed by

the airbag.

(cid:127) According to crash statistics, the

BACK SEAT is SAFER for properly restrainen children than the front seat. (cid:127) Sit as far back as possible from the air

bag.

(cid:127) Never leave your children unattended

in a car, even for a short time.

– Children can suffer heat stroke - per-

haps die - in a matter of minutes.

– Children can put the car into gear and

hurt themselves or others.

(cid:127) At gas stations, take the keys from the

car while filling the tank.

(cid:127) Never allow children to climb on top of -

or under motor vehicles.

(cid:127) Always look for children before backing your motor vehicle out of a garage or driveway.

(cid:127) To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning,

never let a car idle in the garage.

(cid:127) Supervise young children around buck-

ets of water while washing your car. Small children can drown in seconds in less than an inch of water.

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19

Protect your children from getting trapped in the trunk of a car

WARNING

(cid:127) Teach your kids not to play in or around

cars.

(cid:127) Watch your children when loading or unloading the car so they don´t get locked in by mistake.

(cid:127) Always lock the doors and trunk of your car, and keep the keys out of children´s sight and reach.

(cid:127) Keep the rear fold-down seats closed to help prevent kids from getting into the trunk from inside the car.

For Trunk Release Handle see page 39 and 143.

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Safety

The same attention must be given to child safety in the car as is given to adults. Saab recommends rearward facing child restraints for children up to 3 years old. Children travel most safely when properly restrained, but restraints must be suitable for the size of the child. Always follow the child seat/booster cushion manufacturer´s instructions when installing these devices in your vehicle. Make sure you are acquainted with the legal requirements for seating children in the car. Make sure that it is possible to fit a child restraint in accordance with the manufac- turer’s child seat instructions. When fitting child seats in cars you must always read the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.

Illustration showing lower attachments (ISOFIX) in the rear seat. Top tethers are located behind the head restraints, one for each seat position, see page 23 and 24.

LATCH LATCH (Lower Anchorages & Top tethers for CHildren) consists of top tether and lower anchorage bars (“ISOFIX”) for child restraints in the two outboard rear seats. ISOFIX are lower attachments located where the seat and back cushions come together. Top tether are upper attachments located between belt beam and parcel shelf, see page 23 and 24. Saab recommends rearward facing child restraints for children 3 and under.

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ISOFIX attachment points in the rear seat, 9-3 Convertible

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Safety

LATCH installation To facilitate the proper fitting of new spe- cially-designed child restraints rigid lower anchorages (ISOFIX) have been installed to the vehicle that shall be used with the top tether anchorages in the two outboard rear seating positions. There is an additional top tether anchorage for the center rear seating position used together with the safety belt. LATCH is a U.S./Canadian government standard for an uniform method of fitting child restraints without using the standard safety belts. Only certain child restraints are equipped to utilize these rigid lower anchor- ages behind where the seat cushion and seat back come together. LATCH child seats also utilize a top tether strap that is found on some newer child seats that still require installation with the standard safety belts. There are two bars attached to the car body for each specially designed LATCH child restraint. A small label is located on the seat back just above each attachment bar to facilitate installing the child restraint. The label contains a circle or a rearward facing child restraint.

1 Place the child restraint on one of the

designated outboard rear seat cush- ions.

2 Press the child restraint rearward, lining

up the restraint attachment arms with the labels.

3 Follow the child restraint instructions to

confirm that both restraint arms are properly attached to the bars.

4 Attach the top tether strap to the in-car anchorage and tighten according to the restraint instructions, see page 23 and 24.

5 Pull the child restraint to make a second check that restraint is securely attached at both the lower anchorage bars and the top tether strap.

For the top tether, only use the strap sup- plied with the child restraint. Always follow the installation instructions supplied with the child restraint. The availability of LATCH child restraints is limited. Child restraints using rigid lower anchor- ages (ISOFIX) cannot be fitted where a inte- grated booster seat is installed. When fitting child seats in cars you must always read the instructions supplied by the car seat manufacturer.

Rigid 2-point lower attachment with top tether

Semi-rigid 2-point lower attachment with top tether

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Child tether anchorages, Coupé and 5- door models.

6 Attach the tether to the anchorage that is located just behind the child restraint.

7 Secure the lower part of the child

restraint by means of the safety belt as described in the child restraint mounting instruction.

8 Tighten the tether so that the back of the

child restraint is pressed hard against the backrest.

Fold the anchorages down when not in use.

Child tether anchorage, Coupé and 5- door models. The tether strap is not a part of the child tether anchorage.

Forward facing child restraint in center rear position When installing a forward facing child restraint in the center rear position the child restraint must be fitted using the standard safety belt together with the top tether anchorage.

Child tether anchorages, Coupé and 5-door models

Child restraints with a tether strap must be anchored according to law.

WARNING

Child tether anchorages are designed to withstand only those loads imposed by correctly fitted child restraints. Under no circumstances are they to be used for adult safety belts.

The belt anchorage beam is provided with three top tether anchorages. Use the one that is located just behind the child restraint and attach the restraint as follows: 1 Open the luggage compartment. 2 Unhook the rubber straps from the

parcel shelf.

3 Lift the parcel shelf slightly and pull it

clear of the guide pins in the front edge of the shelf support.

4 Fold the anchorages up as illustrated. 5 Raise the headrest to provide access to

the anchor. The child restraint tether must be routed under the headrest. To make it more comfortable for the child, the headrest may be removed.

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Safety

Child tether anchorages, Convert- ible models

Child restraints with a tether strap must be anchored according to law.

WARNING

Child tether anchorages are designed to withstand only those loads imposed by correctly fitted child restraints. Under no circumstances are they to be used for adult safety belts.

The car is provided with two top tether anchorages. Use the one that is right behind the child restraint and attach the restraint as follows: 1 Lower the convertible top fully. 2 Switch off the ignition when the top stor- age covers are in their straight up posi- tion.

3 Place the child restraint in the rear seat. 4 Unlock the backrest and lower it about

8 in. (20 cm).

Attaching tether strap hook to anchorage, Convertible. The tether strap is not a part of the tether child anchorage.

as this could obstruct locking of the ton- neau cover.

11 Secure the lower part of the child

restraint by means of the safety belt as described in the child restraint mounting instructions.

Child tether anchorages, Convertible.

5 Insert the child restraint´s upper tether between the bottom of the headrest and the top of the backrest.

6 Run the hook and the tether over the

cross-member behind the headrest.

7 There are slits in the fabric where the top

bag is joined to the cross-member. Insert hook and strap through the slit opening.

8 Attach the tether to the anchorage. This might be easier if you insert your other hand between the backrest and the crossmember to help attach the tether.

9 Raise the backrest and lock in place. 10 Tighten the tether so that the back of the

child restraint is pressed hard against the backrest. Also check that no buckle is positioned above the cross-member,

Lockable belt tongue If fitting a child seat that is intended to be secured in position by the lap portion of the safety belt, make use of the locking function of the buckle. Locking the lap portion of the belt lessens the risk that the seat will work loose while the car is in motion. The button for the locking function is located on the back of the buckle. 1 Position the child seat in the back of the

car.

2 To activate the locking function, move the locking button on the tongue of the belt to the position marked ”CHILD SEAT” (item 1 in the figure) in order to activate the locking function. 3 Secure the base of the child seat with

the lap portion of the safety belt in accor- dance with the installation instructions accompanying the child seat.

4 Grasp the shoulder part of the safety belt and pull it upwards to tighten the lap por- tion against the child seat.

5 Check for correct locking function by

pulling on the lap portion of the belt. The belt must not unreel.

Locking the lap belt 1 Locked 2 Unlocked

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Installation of child restraint using the standard safety belt Child restraint that are approved for rear- ward facing installation in the rear seat can be positioned in any of the three rear places. Make sure that it is possible to fit it in accor- dance with the manufacturer’s instructions. When fitting child restraints in cars you must always read the instructions sup- plied by the child seat manufacturer.

WARNING

Failure to follow all the manufacturer’s instructions on the use of this child restraint system can cause your child to strike the vehicle´s interior during a sudden stop or crash.

Saab recommends rearward facing child restraints be used for children up to 3 years of age.

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Safety

Integrated booster seat (accessory)

Integrated booster seat is available as part of the rear seat backrest. This child restraint is designed for use by children who weigh between 33 and 80 lbs. (15 and 36 kg) and are between 38 and 54 inches (970 and 1370 mm) in height. A child sitting in an integrated booster seat must use the car’s regular lap and shoulder belt. Regardless of the child’s weight and age, proper contact between child and belt is vital. Always make certain that the seat is undamaged and is kept clean so that it will function properly. This child restraint system conforms to all applicable motor vehicle safety standards. Folding down 1 Press in the latches and lift and remove the car’s regular head restraint. Turn it 180° and remount it. Make certain that it is locked securely in place.

2 Lift up the booster seat’s headrest. 3 Pull out the upper part of the opener

strap and lower the seat itself. Make cer- tain that it is locked in the lowered posi- tion.

(cid:127) The belt must contact the body firmly to

provide the best protection. Pull up on the shoulder strap to tension the belt properly.

(cid:127) Make certain the belt moves freely

between the retractor and the buckle.

Fasten the belt (cid:127) See that the child is seated as far back as

possible against the back support.

(cid:127) Adjust the booster seat’s head support so

that its center is at ear height.

(cid:127) To attach the belt, pull it out slowly and

insert the latch plate into the buckle. Make certain the latch plate is properly engaged in the buckle.

(cid:127) The lap portion of the belt must be posi-

tioned low on the pelvis, and the shoulder strap must be as far in on the shoulder as possible without chafing against the child’s neck or causing discomfort.

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Folding booster seat (cid:127) Pull the upper part of the release strap out and fold up the seat itself. Make sure that it is locked firmly in its folded-up position. (cid:127) Press the booster seat’s headrest all the

way down.

(cid:127) Press in the latches on the car’s regular head restraint. Remove it, rotate it 180° and remount it. Make certain it is locked correctly.

WARNING

(cid:127) Use only the vehicle’s lap and shoul- der belt system when restraining the child in the booster seat.

(cid:127) The seat must not be modified or

changed in any way.

(cid:127) Never leave a child unattended. (cid:127) The car’s regular head restraint must always be turned 180° back to its orig- inal position after the integrated booster seat is folded away.

(cid:127) Check to ensure that the belt is not

twisted or rubbing against any sharp edges.

ISOFIX child restraints can not be fitted in a position with integrated booster seat.

Label on integrated booster cushion

WARNING

Failure to follow all the manufacturer’s instructions on the use of this child restraint system can cause your child to strike the vehicle´s interior during a sudden stop or crash.

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Airbag (Supplemental Restraint System "SRS")

WARNING

To reduce risk of injury: (cid:127) Always wear your safety belt. (cid:127) Always adjust your seat so that you

are as far back as possible but still able to reach the steering wheel and controls comfortably.

(cid:127) Children 12 and under or shorter than

55 inches (140 cm) should always travel in the rear as the vehicle is equipped with an airbag on the pas- senger side.

The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) comprises an airbag in the steering wheel, a front passenger airbag and side airbags in the front seats. The system supplements the protection provided by the safety belts to further enhance the safety of occupants. If a fault is detected in the SRS, the AIR BAG warning light on the main instru- ment panel will come on (see pages 62 and 32).

Airbag in course of inflation (driver’s side)

When the system is triggered by impact of a frontal crash, the airbags in the steering wheel and passenger side of the dash board are inflated, after which they deflate through vents in the back of the bags. The entire process takes less than 0.1 second – literally, faster than the blink- ing of an eye. These airbags are triggered only by moder- ate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. They will not be activated by minor front-end impacts, rear-end or side impacts, or by the car rolling over. Side airbags, see page 30.

SRS (airbag) system with belt pretensioners 1 Electronic control module and sensor 2 Belt pretensioners (for both front safety belts) 3 Steering wheel with integral airbag 4 Recess for airbag on passenger’s side 5 Sensor, side airbag 6 Side airbag

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(cid:127) Never rest your hands or forearms on

the steering-wheel center padding.

(cid:127) If the AIR BAG warning light remains on after the car has been started or comes on while you are driving, have the car checked immediately by an authorized Saab dealer. The warning light could signify that the airbags may not inflate in a crash, or they could even inflate without a crash. See page 62.

Operation of the airbag in a front-end crash.

Moment of impact.

Sensor detects retardation and sends a signal via the control module to a gas generator that inflates the airbag.

The inflating airbag cushions the driver.

Airbag now fully inflated.

The airbag starts to deflate.

WARNING

(cid:127) Even if the car is equipped with an

SRS (airbag), safety belts must still always be worn by all occupants.

(cid:127) Note that because an airbag inflates and deflates extremely rapidly, it will not provide protection against a second impact occurring in the same incident. Always use your safety belt.

(cid:127) Always sit with the whole of your back in contact with the backrest of the seat, and with your seat as far back as is practical. This is to reduce the risk of injury from contact with the backrest of the seat when the airbag inflates and also because the airbag needs space in which to inflate.

(cid:127) Never attach anything to the steering wheel or passenger side of the instru- ment panel, as this could result in injury if the airbag should inflate. The same applies to anything you might have in your mouth, such as a pipe, for instance.

(cid:127) Some components of the airbag will

be hot for a short time. In some circum- stances the airbag can cause burns or abrasions to the body when the airbag inflates/deflates.

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Safety

Front passenger seat

WARNING

Never secure a rear-facing child seat in the right front seat of a car equipped with a passenger airbag. Inflation of the airbag in the event of a crash could seriously injure or kill a child.

The airbags are interconnected and have a common warning light, AIR BAG. The pas- senger airbag module is housed in the fascia above the glove compartment and is marked ”SRS AIR BAG”. Both airbags will be inflated in the event of a moderate to severe frontal, or near-frontal crash, even if the passenger seat is unoccu- pied.

WARNING

(cid:127) Children 12 and under can be killed by

the airbag.

(cid:127) The back seat is the safest place for

children.

(cid:127) Never allow a child to stand in front of the seat or to sit on the lap of a front seat passenger. Serious injury or death could result if the airbag is inflated in a crash.

(cid:127) The glove compartment must be

closed while travelling. An open glove compartment door could cause leg injuries in the event of a crash.

(cid:127) Never place anything on the dash or in front of the seat as, in addition to being a hazard to passengers, this could interfere with the function of the airbag in the event of a crash. The same applies to the mounting of accessories on the dash.

(cid:127) Keep feet on the floor - never put feet up on the dash, on the seat or out of the window.

(cid:127) Do not carry anything in your lap.

Side airbag

WARNING

(cid:127) This car is equipped with side airbags and no extra interior trim should be fit- ted. Failure to observe this warning could result in the side airbags not inflating as intended and thus not pro- viding the intended protection either.

(cid:127) Never place any object in the area that would be occupied by the inflated air- bag.

(cid:127) For optimum protection, sit upright in

the seat, with your safety belt correctly fastened.

(cid:127) The sensors for the side airbags are

fitted in the front doors.

(cid:127) We advise against doing any work on the doors that could affect the mois- ture barrier in the door or the airbag sensors. It is essential that the mois- ture barrier (thick plastic film) in the front door is not damaged in any way.

(cid:127) Improvement of the anticorrosion

treatment of the doors should only be carried out by an authorized Saab dealer. Otherwise there is a risk that the side impact sensor and the mois- ture barrier in the door could be dam- aged.

(cid:127) The side airbags will inflate only in the event of a side impact; not in the event of a front or rear-end crash or of the car’s rolling over.

(cid:127) Wear and damage to the seat cover, or the seat seam, in the area of the side airbag must immediately be repaired by an authorized Saab dealer.

(cid:127) Do not modify the speaker installation in the front doors or install speakers other than those specifically approved by Saab.

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Side airbag, components 1 Side airbags (SRS) 2 Sensor 3 Moisture barrier 4 Text on seat

Accessories and other equipment must not be fitted to the surfaces marked as these are where the airbags may inflate in the event of a crash. Side airbags are housed inside the back- rests of the front seats and are designed to protect the driver and front passenger in the event of a side impact. In a side impact, only the airbag on that side will be activated, and only then if certain pre- determined conditions are met such as the force and angle of the impact, the speed of the car on impact, and at which point on the car’s side the impact occurs. The sensors, which are fitted in the front doors, sense the rise in pressure caused by the door panel being pressed in during an impact condition. The side airbag trigger will be commanded based on the characteris- tics of this pressure rise.

SRS servicing The SRS must be inspected as part of the normal service program but otherwise may be regarded as maintenance-free.

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Safety

AIR BAG warning light

WARNING

(cid:127) If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start your vehicle, it means the airbag system may not be working properly. See page 62.

(cid:127) The airbags in your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they could even inflate without a crash.

(cid:127) 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.

Scrapping or working on airbag and belt pretensioners

WARNING

(cid:127) Under no circumstances should any

modifications be made that affect the steering wheel or the airbag’s electri- cal circuitry.

(cid:127) Before starting any welding work on the car, always disconnect the nega- tive (–) battery lead and cover the con- ductor.

(cid:127) Airbags and belt pretensioners must be deployed under controlled condi- tions before the car is scrapped or any of the system’s components are removed. Airbags or belt pretension- ers that have been deployed as a result of a crash must be replaced by new ones.

(cid:127) Airbag-system components must

never be transferred for use in another vehicle.

(cid:127) All work involving the scrapping or

replacement of airbags or belt preten- sioners must only be carried out by knowledgeable personnel.

Frequently asked questions on func- tion of the airbag Do you still need to wear a safety belt if air- bags are fitted? Yes, always! The airbag merely supple- ments the car’s normal safety system. Moreover, the airbag will only be actuated in a moderate to severe frontal, or near-frontal crash, which means, of course, that it pro- vides no protection in minor frontal crashes, major rear-end or side-on crashes or if the car rolls over. The safety belts help to prevent passengers from being thrown against each other and being injured. But they also ensure that, if a crash occurs in which the airbags are inflated, the airbag will make the optimum contact with the occupant, i.e. square on from the front. If the occupant meets the airbag in an offset posi- tion, the protection afforded will be reduced. In addition, airbags provide no protection against a secondary impact occurring in the same incident. So there is no doubt about the benefit of wearing safety belts at all times. Do not sit too close to the airbag: it needs room to inflate. The airbag inflates very quickly and power- fully in order to protect an adult person, before they are thrown forward, in a serious frontal crash.

How do I position the seat to leave room for the airbag to inflate? Don’t have your seat too far forward. Recline the seat back to increase the dis- tance between you and the airbag. For short drivers, special accessory pedal extensions are available through your Saab dealer. Airbags inflate extremely rapidly and with great force - to be fast enough to protect an adult in the seat.

When do the airbags in the steering wheel and passenger side of the dash board inflate? The airbag will only be inflated under certain predetermined conditions in a moderate to severe frontal, or near-frontal crash, depending on such factors as the force and angle of the impact, the speed of the car on impact, and the resistance to deformation of the impacting object. The airbag can only be activated once in the same incident. Do not attempt to drive the car after an airbag has been inflated, even if it is possi- ble.

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33

What won’t trigger the airbag? The airbag will not be activated in all front-end crashes. For instance, if the car has hit something relatively soft and yielding (e.g. a snow drift or a hedge) or a solid object at a low impact speed, the airbag will not necessarily be triggered.

How loud is the inflation? The noise of the inflation is certainly loud, but it is very short-lived and will not damage your hearing. For a short time afterwards 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 can be injured or killed by the airbag. The BACK SEAT is the SAFEST place for children. NEVER put a child seat in the front.

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 an authorized Saab dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING

To reduce the risk of head injuries in the event of a crash, the headliner and pillar trims incorporate energy absorbing mate- rial (Convertible: pillar trims and header trims). These areas must not be modified in any way. Work on these areas must only be carried out at an authorized Saab dealer.

34

Safety

Are the smoke 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 this trouble persists, you should consult a doctor. 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.

WARNING

When an airbag is inflated there is dust in the air. Because the dust/smoke can, in certain cases, cause irritation to the skin, the fol- lowing precautions should be taken: (cid:127) As soon as possible, wash any

exposed skin using a mild soap and water.

(cid:127) If there is irritation of the eyes, flush them liberally with clean water for at least 20 minutes.

Security

35

Security Doors................................. Central locking ................. Car alarm ..........................

36 36 41

36

Security

Door handle

Doors Opening handle Open the door by lifting the opening handle from below. If the door is stuck (e.g. if frozen), hold the handle from above to secure a better grip.

Central locking

WARNING

Leaving children or pets unattended in a locked car is dangerous. It is also danger- ous to leave children in a vehicle with the ignition key. A child or others could be badly injured or even killed. Key The key unit consists of a mechanical key with integrated remote control. The mechanical key is used for manual locking and unlocking. The remote control is used for remote lock- ing and unlocking. The key fits all the car’s locks The key supplied with the car has a code number on a black plastic tag that needs to be quoted for ordering additional keys. You should therefore make a careful note of the number. The key contains a unique electronic code for your car. When the key is inserted in the ignition, the code is checked. If it matches, the car can be started.

Remote control 1 To lock 2 To unlock 3 To unlock trunk lid

To open trunk lid (9-3 Convertible)

Two keys are supplied with the car. It is pos- sible to have up to four at one time that are coded for your car. If one is lost, contact your authorized Saab dealer to obtain a replacement. If an additional key is to be added, all of the original keys must be brought to the dealer so that the control module can ‘’learn” to recognize the new components. NOTE: For this reason, we strongly advise you to take two keys with you on long jour- neys and to keep them separate. If all keys are lost, it will be necessary to replace costly electronic components as well as the keys and remotes. This loss and replacement cost is not covered by the new car warranty.

NOTE

The key contains delicate electronics. (cid:127) Do not expose it to water. (cid:127) Avoid rough handling. (cid:127) Do not place the key where it may be subjected to high temperatures, e.g. on the fascia.

(cid:127) The key may malfunction if it becomes very cold. Warm it in your hands for a couple of minutes.

(cid:127) Never open the key except to change the battery. For changing the battery, see page 39.

To check the number of keys that are pro- grammed for the car; see page 45. Electronic starting interlock (immobilizer) Each time the key is removed from the igni- tion, the electronic starting interlock is acti- vated and the car is thus immobilized, see also page 42. Reprogramming lock system functions Certain lock system functions can be repro- grammed by your authorized Saab dealer; see page 245.

Locking/unlocking the car When the car is locked and unlocked with the key, the theft alarm is also affected. Remote locking (1)

once on the control: all doors

Press lock. The hazard warning lights will flash once to confirm. The trunk lid cannot be opened now from inside using the switch on the driver’s door.

Remote unlocking (2)

Press once on the control: driver´s door is unlocked. Press a second time to unlock the rest of the doors. The hazard warning lights will flash twice to confirm. If unable to unlock using the remote control Unlock the door manually. If the car has an alarm, this will be tripped. To silence the alarm, insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to the ON position. The car can now be started. Contact your local Saab workshop to have the system checked and rectified.

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37

Locking / unlocking by remote control 1 To lock 2 To unlock

WARNING

The remote control also works from inside the car. Therefore, hold the key in such a way that the buttons are not unintention- ally pressed when the key is turned, or inserted or removed from the ignition switch. Otherwise, the doors may be unintention- ally locked or the tailgate unlocked. On Convertible models, the trunk may even be opened.

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Security

Central locking 1 To lock 2 To unlock

Locking by key (1) Turn the key clockwise: all doors and trunk lid locked. The trunk lid cannot be opened now from inside using the switch on the driver’s door.

Unlocking by key (2) Turn the key counterclockwise once: the driver´s door unlocked. Turn the key counterclockwise twice: all doors, but not trunk lid, unlocked.

Switch for operation of central locking

The central locking can also be operated from inside the car by means of the switch on the center console (except on Convertibles). (cid:127) To lock all doors: press the symbol side of

the switch once.

(cid:127) To unlock the driver´s door: press the

switch once.

(cid:127) To unlock all doors: press the switch

twice.

This switch is inoperative when the car is locked from the outside.

The interior locking buttons on each door affect only the respective door on sedan. The driver´s door lock button will lock/unlock both on the Convertible. If the car is left with the doors open, the inte- rior lighting will be switched off automati- cally after 20 minutes, to prevent a dead battery.

WARNING

Having the doors locked when you are driving will reduce the likelihood of: (cid:127) Children, in particular, opening doors

and falling out of the car.

(cid:127) Intruders entering the car when it is

moving slowly or at a standstill.

(cid:127) Injury resulting from a door bursting

open in the event of a crash.

However, you must also remember that locked doors can hamper rescuers in the event of a crash.

Changing the key battery When the battery voltage in the key falls below a predetermined level the SID will issue the following message: REPLACE KEY BATTERY. Press the CLEAR button on the SID to acknowledge this message. You must then replace the battery without delay to avoid malfunctions. The life of the battery is normally 4 years.Contact a Saab dealer to have the battery replaced.

Security

39

Child safety lock catch 1 Engaged 2 Disengaged

Trunk Release Handle

Child safety locks The rear doors have child safety locks that are activated by a button next to the door latch on the end of the rear doors. Shift the button up or down according to the label on the door in question. When the child safety lock is in the locked position, the door cannot be opened from the inside, but can be opened from the out- side.

WARNING

If small children are carried in the rear seat, the safety locks on rear doors should be activated to prevent uninten- tional opening from the inside.

Trunk Release Handle There is a glow-in-the-dark trunk release handle located inside the trunk on the latch. This handle will glow following exposure to light. Pull the release handle down to open the trunk from the inside.

NOTE

The trunk release handle was not designed to be used to tie down the trunk lid or as an anchor point when securing items in the trunk. Improper use of the trunk release could damage it.

40

Security

To unlock The trunk is unlocked using:

(cid:127) The (cid:127) The trunk switch on the inside of the

button on the key.

driver’s door (if the car is unlocked and at a standstill).

Trunk switch

Trunk lock The trunk does not unlock when the other doors are unlocked. The trunk button on the driver’s door is inoperative when the car is locked or moving at a speed greater than 2.7 mph (4 km/h). 9-3 Convertible: When unlocked the bootlid opens slightly.

(cid:127) The key in the trunk lock. The trunk is opened using the opening handle above the license plate. Remote unlocking is confirmed by the direc- tion indicators blinking three times. The unlocking button in the driver’s door is inoperative when the car is locked. If the car has an alarm, and it is armed (the car is locked), the alarm will sound if the trunk is unlocked with a key. However, if the trunk is opened using remote unlocking, the alarm will not be triggered. To lock The trunk is locked in the following ways: (cid:127) When locking all the car’s doors with the

button on the key.

(cid:127) With the

switch on the center con-

sole (except on Convertible models).

(cid:127) With the key in the driver’s door.

Unlocking the trunk lid with the key

Car alarm

WARNING

Leaving children or pets unattended in a locked car is dangerous. It is also danger- ous to leave children in a vehicle with the ignition key. A child or others could be badly injured or even killed.

The car alarm (anti-theft system) is acti- vated/deactivated when the car is locked/unlocked by the key remote or by the key in the driver´s door. All of the doors plus the trunk lid and hood are monitored by microswitches, and win- dow-glass sensors will trigger the alarm if any glass is broken.

Security

41

If a door or the trunk lid or hood has been left open when the car is locked, the LED on the dash will flash (three times per second) for ten seconds to indicate that something is wrong. Check to ensure that all the doors, plus trunk lid and hood, are closed properly. If the fault persists (LED flashing when renewed attempt made to activate the car alarm by remote locking), lock the car using the key in the driver´s door instead. The car alarm may not have been activated and you should get in touch with an authorized Saab dealer. Be sure everyone using the car is familiar with how both the car alarm and the locking system work. This will avoid the alarm being triggered inadvertently. If the alarm is tripped (the direction indica- tors are flashing and the siren is on) it can be turned off by unlocking the car using the

button.

Remote control 1 Activate/lock 2 Deactivate/unlock 3 Deactivate trunk, sensors/unlock trunk lid

To open trunk lid (9-3 Convertible)

Electronic starting interlock (immobilizer), see page 42. The car alarm is armed 10 seconds after the car has been locked by the remote control. During this ten-second delay period, the doors, trunk lid and hood may still be opened without the alarm being triggered. The LED indicator on the dash will be on continuously during this period, at the end of which it will start to flash (once every third second) when the alarm arms.

42

Security

Activating the car alarm The car alarm cannot be activated if the driver’s door is open or if the ignition switch is in the ON position. If, on the other hand, one of the other doors or the trunk or hood is open or opened and not closed again during the 10-second delay period, it will be excluded from the alarm function. If it is then closed, a new delay period of ten seconds will start, and the door (or trunk or hood) will once again be secured by the alarm system. As usual, the LED will be on continuously during the new delay period and will start to flash every three seconds after the 10-sec- ond period has elapsed.

Electronic starting interlock (immobilizer) When the key is inserted in the ignition, a signal is sent to the receiver. If the signal is verified, the engine can be started. Each time the key is removed from the igni- tion, the electronic immobilizer is activated. If a fault is detected (e.g. in the transmitter) ”KEY NOT ACCEPTED” will appear on the SID. In this case, you can still start the car if you turn the ignition key to ON and press one of the buttons on the key. Take the car to an authorized Saab dealer to have the system checked. The LED on the top of the dash dou- ble-flashes when the car is immobilized.

Window glass sensor The car-alarm (anti-theft system) incorpo- rates a sensor that monitors the window glass for the sound of breakage. The sensor is fitted inside the rear dome light (on Con- vertibles: in the front interior light). To avoid false alarms, such as the alarm being triggered by children or pets left inside the car, the sensor can be temporarily dis- abled. To disable the sensor To disable the sensor, first turn off the igni- tion and remove the key from the switch. Next, press and hold the NIGHT PANEL button until ”DOOR ALARM ONLY” appears on the SID and a chime sounds. The car alarm must now be activated within three minutes, or the glass sensor will become active again. The glass sensor will be enabled again automatically the next time the car is unlocked. The sensor can also be enabled again by repeating the procedure for dis- abling it. When the sensor has been enabled, ”FULL THEFT ALARM” will appear on the SID. If a fault is detected in the glass sensor, ”SERVICE THEFT ALARM” will appear on the SID. 9-3 Convertible: when the car is parked with the soft top down, the glass sensor will be automatically disabled.

Alarm signals When the car alarm is armed, it will be trig- gered if any door, the trunk lid or hood, is opened, or if a window is broken. The alarm will also be triggered if an attempt is made to bypass or short-circuit the igni- tion switch, or to disconnect the battery. If the alarm is triggered, the following alarm signals will be set off: (cid:127) Flashing of hazard warning lights for five

minutes.

(cid:127) Siren wailing for 30 seconds. The alarm signals will stop if the alarm is deactivated (car unlocked) during the alarm period.

NOTE

(cid:127) 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.

(cid:127) When locking the car by remote con-

trol in extremely cold weather, it is advisable to check that the lock system has operated properly. To do so, check that the interior locking but- tons are all down. If not, unlock and relock the car again.

Security

43

Panic-function In the car alarm system is a function called "Panic-function". To activate panic function: (cid:127) Push and hold one of the buttons on the

key for 2 seconds, or if you are sitting inside the car...

(cid:127) Push the LOCK-switch on the center con-

sole for 2 seconds (not Convertibles).

These actions will trigger the alarm (hazard warning lights and siren). To deactivate panic function: (cid:127) Push one of the buttons on the key. (cid:127) Push the LOCK-switch in the center con-

sole.

(cid:127) Turn the key in one of the doors or (cid:127) Turn the ignition to ON. When the panic-function is activated the car will be locked/unlocked depending upon which button was pushed. When the ignition is ON the panic-function cannot be activated.

Battery for key The battery for the key will normally have a life of

4 years. When the battery needs changing, ”REPLACE KEY BATTERY” will appear on the SID. Contact a Saab workshop to have the battery changed. If the battery is disconnected while the alarm is active (car is locked), for example during an attempt to steal the car, the alarm will be trig- gered.

Car-battery voltage

Alarm signals may differ between model variants for different coun- tries. Some of the car alarm functions can be reprogrammed – con- sult your Saab dealer for further details (see page 245).

Alarm triggered Hazard warning lights flash for 5 min.

44

Security

Overview of functions Locking/ activation

Unlocking/ deactivation

Unlocking/ deactivation of trunk lid alarm

Window-glass sensor

Key

Hazard warning lights flash once (0.5 seconds). Horn chirps once. The LED will come on for 10 seconds. Hazard warning lights flash twice. Horn chirps twice. The LED will come on for two seconds. Hazard warning lights flash three times. Horn chirps three times. The LED will flash three times per second for 10 seconds.

Siren wails for 30 seconds. To switch off the alarm, deactivate the system in the normal way (unlocking) by unlocking the door with the key or the remote The sensor detects if any window is broken and triggers the alarm. To disable the sensor, see page 42. The range of the key is normally 5-10 yds. (5-10 metres), although it can be substantially more than this in ideal conditions. If the key is not working, it may be because the code signal has not been synchronized with that in the control module for the car alarm. To rectify this, press the unlock button on the key at least four times in quick succession. When it is recog- nized, the door locks will cycle. If a key is lost, the new one will have to be pro- grammed (all keys must be present) to match the car’s unique security code. Get in touch with an authorized Saab dealer.

LED signal

Overview of, LED signals and SID messages Status Activation (during 10-second delay). Comes on for 10 seconds. Flashes once every third Alarm activated (after delay). second. Comes on for 2 seconds. Off. Flashes three times per sec- ond for 10 seconds. Flashes three times per sec- ond for 10 seconds. Comes on for 10 seconds.

Deactivation. Alarm not activated. Door, trunk lid or hood open or opened during delay period. Unlocking the trunk lid.

Closing of door, trunk lid or hood after delay period. Car immobilized but not locked. Car alarm not activated. Fault in a switch for doors, hood or trunk lid.

Some signals may differ between model variants for different countries.

Flashes twice at three sec- onds intervals. Flashing (instead of being on continuously) during delay period.

(cid:127) REMOTE KEY (cid:127) TRANSPONDR

SID message SERVICE THEFT ALARM Probably a faulty sensor or siren.

Reason/action

KEY NOT ACCEPTED

REPLACE KEY BATTERY Fit a new battery in the key. DOOR ALARM ONLY FULL THEFT ALARM

Security

45

Have the car checked by an author- ized Saab dealer. Fault in key transmitter or in igni- tion-switch receiver. Turn ignition switch to ON and press one of the buttons on the remote control. Start the engine. Have the car checked by an author- ized Saab dealer.

Window-glass sensor is disabled. Window-glass sensor is included in circuit. Turn the ignition key to the ON posi- tion and then press the button for opening the trunk lid. SID displays the number of keys (remote key) and transmitters (transponders) coded to the car.

46

Security

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired oper- ation.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the manu- facturer could void the user´s authority to operate the equipment.

Canada only:

This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Opera- tion is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any inter- ference, including interference that may cause undesired opera- tion of the device.

Convertible

47

Convertible General safety instruc- tions ................................ Folding the soft top ......... Raising the soft top ......... Manual raising of the soft top ................................... Fault messages in SID..... Central operation of the windows, 9-3 Convertible Trunk, 9-3 Convertible ..... Rear seat........................... Cleaning the soft top, 9-3 Convertible ..................... Interior lighting................. Manually opening the fuel filler door ........................

48 49 51

52 54

55 56 56

57 58

58

Convertible

48
Convertible General safety instructions • Never touch the hinges and struts of the soft top nor the upper beam of the wind- shield while operating the soft top.

(cid:127) After raising the soft top, always check

that it is properly secured to the top beam of the windshield with the soft top locking device before driving the car away. After folding it down you should check that the tonneau cover latches have engaged properly. Otherwise it may come loose while you are driving and cause injury. (cid:127) Do not operate the soft top with passen- gers in the rear seat or bystanders right next to the car. There is a risk of head inju- ries while the soft top is in motion.

(cid:127) Remove child seats and children before

operating the soft top.

(cid:127) Don’t operate the soft top in temperatures

below 23°F (-5°C).

(cid:127) Note that certain automatic carwashes can do damage to fabric soft tops. This