2004 Saab 9 3 Owners Manual

together and injured.

(cid:127) Position the lap strap snugly and low

across the hips so that it just touches the thighs. The shoulder strap must be as far in on the shoulder as possible.

(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. It is advisable to remove thick items of clothing.

(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! (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 The retractor locks up auto- matically if the belt is jerked or withdrawn sharply, the car tilts, the brakes are applied hard or a crash occurs.

(cid:127) Children up to 6 years of age must always

be seated in a child seat. Saab recom- mends the use of a child seat for children up to the age of 10.

(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.

Safety

13

To fasten the belt

Press the red button to release the belt

The belt guide on door pillar

Front safety belts Fasten the belt by pulling the belt and insert- ing the tongue in the buckle. Check that it is securely fastened. Position the lap part low across the hips. 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. The front safety belts have their lower anchorage points on the seats. The safety belts follow the seats when the legroom is adjusted. Refer to page 248 for how to check the func- tion of the safety belts, cleaning, etc.

Belt height adjustment, Sport Sedan The belt guide on the door pillar for the front safety belts can be set at different heights. The front belt guide in the Convertible is not adjustable due to belt in seat. Adjust the belt so that it is as high up as pos- sible without rubbing against the neck. To avoid chafing 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 upward to the desired position. To lower it, depress the catch release button while lowering the guide. Check that the guide locks in its new position.

14

Safety

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.

Safety belt pretensioners

WARNING

If the car is involved in a crash, the safety belts, belt pretensioners and other components must be inspected by an authorized Saab dealer and replaced as necessary. Never make any alterations or repairs to the safety belt yourself. Visit an autho- rized Saab dealer for any necessary repairs.

Sport Sedan: The front safety belts are equipped with pretensioners and force limit- ers. The pretensioners are activated in the event of a violent frontal or side-on crash. The safety belt pretensioners are only acti- vated if the safety belt in question is in use but not activated should the car roll over. The safety belt pretensioners serve to reduce the forward movement of the body by tensioning the belt. The force limiters reduce belt loads on the body by "slacken- ing" the safety belt slightly to absorb the body’s kinetic energy as gradually as possi- ble. Convertible: The front and rear safety belts are equipped with pretensioners and force limiters. The pretensioners are activated in the event of a violent frontal or side-on crash. The front safety belt pretensioners are only activated if the safety belt in ques- tion is in use. The safety belt pretensioners serve to reduce the movement of the body by ten- sioning the belt incl. a roll over crash. The force limiters reduce belt loads on the body by "slackening" the safety belt slightly to absorb the body’s kinetic energy as gradu- ally as possible.

Safety

15

Rear safety belts

Press the red button on the buckle to release the belt. See page 248 for the checking of belt func- tion, cleaning, etc.

Securing an item on the rear seat

Safety belts, rear seat Safety belts rear seat, Convertible, see page 67

WARNING

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

become trapped when the backrest is folded down or raised (see page 134).

(cid:127) If a cargo has to be placed on a seat, it must be properly secured with the safety belt. This reduces the risk of the cargo being thrown about during hard braking or a crash, which could cause personal injury.

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

lying against sharp edges.

(cid:127) Make sure you use the correct safety belt buckle. The buckles for the center and left-hand rear seats are close together.

The three rear seats all have three-point safety belts with inertia reels. 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.

We recommend that adjustments to the driver’s seat be performed in the following order: 1 Height 2 Legroom 3 Backrest rake angle 4 Head restraint height Lastly, adjust the position of the steering wheel (see page 116). Electrically adjustable front seats See page 18. Electric heating, front seats (option) See pages 102 and 111.

Safety

16
Seats

WARNING

Never adjust the driver’s seat except when the car is stationary.

Manually adjusted front seats The following seat adjustments can be made to achieve a comfortable driving position: (cid:127) Height

Sport Sedan - driver’s seat Convertible - passenger seats

(cid:127) Legroom

Sport Sedan - both seats Convertible - passenger seats

(cid:127) Backrest rake angle

Sport Sedan - both seats Convertible - passenger seats

(cid:127) Lumbar support firmness Sport Sedan - driver’s seat Convertible - only electrically adjustable front seats

(cid:127) Head restraint height

Sport Sedan - both seats Convertible - passenger seats

Height adjustment Sport Sedan, driver’s seat Convertible, both front seats Lift the lever to raise the seat. The lever is spring-loaded to return to its neutral posi- tion. Repeated lifting of the lever will increase the height in steps. Press down the lever to lower the seat. Repeated downward presses of the lever will lower the seat in steps.

Safety

17

Adjusting the legroom

Adjusting the backrest

Adjusting the lumbar support

Legroom adjustment Lift the lever under the front of the seat and slide the seat to the desired position.

WARNING

Check that the seat is locked in the new position. If not, it may move while the car is being driven and it could result in injury to the occupant in the event of a crash.

Backrest rake angle

WARNING

The backrest should be upright during driving, so that the safety belt, airbag and backrest can provide optimum protection in the event of emergency braking or a crash, in particular a rear-end crash.

To find the most comfortable position, turn the knob to provide stepless adjustment of the backrest.

Lumbar support, Sport Sedan Adjust the firmness of the lumbar support by turning the knob.

18

Safety

Electrically adjustable front seats (option)

WARNING

(cid:127) The seats are actuated by powerful

motors. Bear this in mind when adjust- ing the seat, and make sure that noth- ing gets caught and damaged. Ensure that nothing can be trapped behind the seat when adjusting it.

(cid:127) Bear in mind that children can be

injured if they play with the electrically- operated seats.

(cid:127) Always remove the remote control when you leave the car to prevent personal injury caused by the electri- cally adjustable seats, for example, due to children playing. Electrically adjustable front seats with memory function, see page 19.

With the doors closed the seats can only be adjusted when the ignition is ON. However, there are two exceptions: (cid:127) To facilitate getting into the car, both seats can be adjusted when either of the front doors is open.

(cid:127) The seats can be adjusted up to

2 minutes after both doors have been closed (applicable only to cars without window and sunroof pinch protection).

Adjusting the height and angle

Adjusting the legroom

Height adjustment and seat angle Adjust the height of the seat with the rear section of the front lever. Adjust the angle of the seat with the front section of the front lever.

Legroom adjustment Adjust the legroom with the front lever.

Safety

19

Adjusting the rake angle

Backrest rake angle

WARNING

The backrest should be upright during driving, so that the safety belt, airbag and backrest can provide optimum protection in the event of emergency braking or a crash, in particular a rear-end crash.

Adjust the rake angle of the backrest with the rear lever.

Adjusting the lumbar support Driver’s seat in Sport Sedan

Memory function buttons

Lumbar support, driver’s seat Adjust the firmness of the lumbar support by turning the knob.

Memory function (option)

WARNING

The legroom of the electrically operated driver’s seat can always be adjusted, whether or not a front door is open and irrespective of the position of the ignition switch.

20

Safety

When the ignition is ON, all seat settings can be adjusted. When the door is open and before the remote control has been inserted into the ignition switch, all seat settings can be adjusted for up to 20 minutes. The memory also includes the door mirror settings. Storing and restoring settings 1 Adjust the seat and the door mirrors. The lumbar support is not included by the memory function.

2 Press and hold the M-button and then press one of the preselect buttons (1, 2 or 3). A chime will sound to confirm that the settings have been saved.

To recall programmed settings, press and hold the desired memory button until the seat and door mirrors adopt their pro- grammed positions. The memory function also includes the door mirror settings. To facilitate reversing, the passenger-side door mirror can be angled down, refer to page 128.

Head restraints Sport Sedan Head restraint, Convertible, see page 66.

WARNING

(cid:127) Adjust the head restraint so that the head is optimally supported and the center of the head restraint is at ear height, thus reducing the likelihood of neck injury in a crash.

(cid:127) Raise the head restraints in the seats

that are occupied.

The front seats are equipped with Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHRs). These reduce the risk of neck injury if the car is hit from behind. 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. 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.

Therefore, the SAHR does not normally need to be replaced or repaired after a rear- end crash. The front and rear head restraints can be raised and lowered to a number of positions. (cid:127) Raising: grasp the head restraint on both

sides and pull it straight up.

(cid:127) Lowering: Press the head restraint

forward and downward.

The rear head restraints can be lowered fully to improve rearward vision when the rear seats are unoccupied.

Child safety

WARNING

(cid:127) Children must always be suitably

restrained in the car.

(cid:127) DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur (cid:127) Children 12 and under or shorter than 55 inches (140 cm) can be killed by the airbag

(cid:127) The BACK SEAT is the SAFEST place

for children

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

the front

(cid:127) Sit as far back as possible from the

airbag

(cid:127) ALWAYS use SAFETY BELTS and

CHILD RESTRAINTS

Safety

21

WARNING

WARNING

(cid:127) Never leave children unattended in a

car, even for a short time.

– Children can suffer heat stroke,

perhaps 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 remote

control out of 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 back- ing your car out of a garage or drive- way.

Protect children from getting trapped in the trunk of your car (cid:127) Teach children not to play in or around

cars.

(cid:127) Watch 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 chil- dren´s sight and reach.

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

(cid:127) To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning,

never let a car idle in the garage. (cid:127) Supervise young children around

buckets of water while washing your car. Small children can drown in a short time in less than an inch of water.

22

Safety

General information on child safety The same attention must be given to child safety in the car as is given to adults. Children travel most safely when properly restrained. However, the type of restraint must be appropriate for the size of the child. Always consult your Saab dealer before fitting a child seat, child restraint or booster cushion. 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 restraint instructions. When fitting child restraints in cars you must always read the instructions sup- plied by the child restraint manufacturer. Saab recommends the use of a rear- facing child seat for as long as this is possible - a minimum for all children under the age of 3 (approx. 15 kg). Use a child seat approved for the weight of the child. Saab recommends the use of a booster seat for children up to the age of 10.

LATCH LATCH (Lower Anchorages & Top tethers for CHildren) is a US/Canadian safety stan- dard for a uniform method of fitting child restraints without using the standard safety belts. Only certain child restraints are equipped to utilize the LATCH system. The LATCH system is installed in the car to facilitate proper fitting of child restraints designed for and equipped with LATCH attachments.

The LATCH system consists of top tether and lower anchorages (also called ISOFIX). In this vehicle, LATCH is installed at the two outboard seating positions in the rear seat, and there is a top tether on the rear center position (not Convertible). The top tethers are located on top of the parcel shelf (Convertible: behind the head restraints), see page 25. They are covered by a lid with a child seat anchor symbol. The lower anchorages are located where the seat cushion and seat back come together. There is a label above the inner lower anchorage, see picture on next page. Label consists of a symbol of a child restrained in a seat inside a circle. When fitting child restraints in cars you must always read the instructions supplied by the child restraint manufacturer. If you have any questions regarding LATCH please contact your Saab dealer.

Safety

23

Lower anchorages (ISOFIX) in the rear seat, Sport Sedan

Lower anchorages (ISOFIX) in the rear seat, Convertible

24

Safety

LATCH child seat installation Before starting the installation, please read through this instruction, and the child seat installation instruction. 1 Place the child restraint on one of the

designated outboard rear seat cush- ions.

2 Slide the attachment on the child

restraint in between the seat cushion and backrest.

3 Press the child restraint down on the

seat, 1 in illustration.

4 Press the child restraint rearward, lining

up the inner restraint attachment arm with the label, 2 in illustration.

5 Connect the restraint attachment arms

to the anchorages 3 in illustration.

6 Follow the child restraint instructions to

confirm that both restraint attachment arms are properly attached to the bars. 7 Attach the top tether strap to the in-car anchorage and tighten according to the restraint instructions, see page 25 and 26.

8 Pull the child restraint to make a second

check that the restraint is securely attached at both the lower anchorage bars and the top tether strap.

Only use the belt supplied with the child restraint. For the top tether, only use the strap sup- plied with the child restraint. The availability of LATCH child restraints is limited.

Rigid 2-point lower anchorage with top tether

Semi-rigid 2-point lower anchorage with top tether

When fitting child restraints in cars you must always read the instructions sup- plied by the child restraint manufacturer.

Child tether anchorages for forward facing child seats Sport Sedan Convertible, see page 26

WARNING

Child top 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.

Child restraints with a tether strap must be attached according to Canadian and U.S. safety standards. If you have any questions regarding child anchorages please contact your Saab dealer.

Safety

25

Child tether anchorages in parcel shelf, Sport Sedan

7 Tighten the tether so that the back of the

child restraint is pressed hard against the backrest.

8 Pull the child restraint to make a second

check that the restraint is securely attached at both the lower anchorages bars on the safety belts and the top tether strap.

The car is provided with three top tether anchorages. Use the one that is right behind the child restraint and attach the restraint as follows: 1 Open the cover that is right behind the

child restraint, 1 in illustration.

2 Place the child restraint in the rear seat. 3 Secure the lower part of the child

restraint by means of the lower anchor- ages (ISOFIX) or the safety belts as described in the child restraint installa- tion instruction.

4 Lower the headrest and route the tether

over it.

5 Attach the tether to the anchorage, 2 in

illustration.

6 Close the cover to the middle position, 3

in illustration.

26

Safety

Child tether anchorages for forward facing child seats Convertible

WARNING

Child top 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.

Child restraints with a tether strap must be attached according to Canadian and U.S. safety standards. If you have any questions regarding child anchorages please contact your Saab dealer. 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 Remove the head restraint on the seat-

ing position where the child restraint shall be fitted.

2 Place the child restraint in the rear seat. 3 Secure the lower part of the child

restraint by means of the lower anchor- ages (ISOFIX) or the safety belts as

How to take away the head restraint 1 Raise the head restraint 2 Push the catch forward and pull the head

restraint straight upward

Top tether anchorages in the rear seat

WARNING

If the size of the child restraint makes it impossible to put the head reatraint back on, place it in the trunk.

described in the child restraint installa- tion instruction.

4 Attach the tether to the anchorage. 5 Tighten the tether so that the back of the

child restraint is pressed hard against the backrest.

6 Pull the child restraint to make a second

check that the restraint is securely attached at both the lower anchorages bars on the safety belts and the top tether strap.

7 Put the head restraint back on and make sure it is sucure mounted. Adjust it in its highest position.

Safety

27

The safety belt locking function will be deac- tivated when the safety belt is retracted. 1 Disengage the safety belt latch from the

buckle.

2 Disengage the safety belt from the child

restraint, according to the instructions from the child restraint manufacturer.

3 Let the safety belt retract until the click-

ing sound ceases.

Installation of child restraint using the standard safety belt

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.

Child restraints 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 restraint manufacturer.

If fitting a child restraint that is intended to be secured in position by the standard safety belt, make use of the locking function of the belt. Locking the belt lessens the risk that the seat will work loose while the car is in motion. 1 Position the child restraint in the back

seat.

2 Route the belt in the restraint according

to the installation instruction of the restraint.

3 Pull out the belt completely until it stops. Then let the belt slowly pull in the slack. Clicking sound indicates that the lock function is in work.

4 Pull the shoulder belt tight to secure the

child restraint in position.

5 Check for correct locking function by pulling on the belt. The belt must not unreel.

Safety

28
Airbag

WARNING

To reduce risk of death or serious 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 operate the pedals and reach the steering wheel and controls comfortably.

(cid:127) Passengers 12 and under or shorter

than 55 inches (140 cm) must always travel in the rear seat as the car is fitted with a passenger airbag.

(cid:127) Never fit a child seat in front of the

passenger airbag.

Airbag system components (cid:127) Airbag in steering wheel (cid:127) Airbag in instrument panel in front of

passenger seat

(cid:127) Side airbags in front seat backrests

Convertible: The side airbags help protect the head also. Inflatable curtains along length of headlin- ing (from front to rear roof pillars) (Sport Sedan only)

(cid:127) Safety belt pretensioners for front seats

and outer rear seats.

The airbag system supplements the protec- tion provided by the safety belts to further enhance the safety of occupants taller than 55 in. (140 cm). When the system is activated at the moment of impact, the airbag inflates and then deflates through holes in the back. The whole operation takes roughly 0.1 second, quicker than the blink of an eye. The steering wheel and passenger airbags are so-called smart airbags. The driver and passenger airbag system compensates for safety belt usage and the force of the crash at the moment of impact.

Note: The sensor reacts differently depending on whether or not the front safety belts on the driver’s and passenger sides are used. Sit- uations can therefore arise where only one of the airbags inflates. It is also possible for only the safety belt pretensioners to be acti- vated and for the airbags to remain unin- flated. If only Stage I is activated at the moment of impact, Stage II will automatically be acti- vated later to neutralize the gas generator in the airbag.

(cid:127) Safety

29

If the airbag system registers forces equiv- alent to a high-speed crash (airbags inflated to Stage II), the inflatable curtains will also be activated (Sport Sedan) see page 34. If the airbags are deployed, the positive terminal of the battery will be disconnected, See page 204. If a fault arises in the airbag system during a journey, the airbag warning lamp on the main instrument panel will come on and the Saab Information Display (SID) will display:

Airbag malfunction. Contact Saab dealer.

The car is equipped as standard with a passenger airbag.

Inflated airbag (driver’s side). Inflation and deflation of airbag takes approx. 0.1s

Both front airbags inflated

The driver and passenger front airbags are triggered by violent front-end crashes. They are not activated by minor front-end impacts, if the car overturns or by rear- and side-impacts.

There are two impact sensors on the front bumper, under the lacquered shell. Very soon after the moment of impact, these register that the car is involved in a crash. Using this information and data from the central sensor in the control module, the control module determines whether or not to inflate the airbags. The control module also controls whether other components of the airbag system are to be deployed: safety belt pretensioners, inflatable curtains (Sport Sedan) and roll over bars (Convertible). Which airbag system components are deployed depends on a number of factors, such as the force of the crash and the angle of impact.

30

Safety

Airbag system 1 Steering wheel with integral airbag 2 Passenger airbag 3 Side airbag 4 Inflatable curtain (Sport Sedan only) 5 Sensors in front bumper 6 Sensor, side-impact protection 7 Sensor, side-impact protection (Sport Sedan only) 8 Electronic control module and central sensor (SDM)

Accessories and other equipment must not be fitted to the surfaces marked as these are where the airbags inflate in the event of a crash.

WARNING

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

AIRBAGS, 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.Otherwise you will be thrown back against the backrest when the airbag inflates which could cause you injury or death. The airbag needs room 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 warm for a short time. In some circumstances the airbag can cause minor burns or abrasions to the body when the airbag inflates/deflates.

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

the steering-wheel center padding.

Safety

31

(cid:127) If the airbag 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 77.

(cid:127) Fumes are generated by the chemical

reaction that inflates the airbag. Skin surfaces that show signs of irrita- tion should be washed with clean water and a mild soap as soon as possible. In the event of eye irritation, flush the eyes thoroughly with clean water for at least 20 minutes. In case of persistent irritation, consult a doctor.

32

Safety

Operation of the steering wheel airbag in a front-end crash

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 system is the same as that used on the driver’s side. The airbag systems are interconnected and have a common warning light . The pas- senger airbag module is housed in the fascia above the glove compartment and is marked "AIRBAG". 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. The car is equipped as standard with a passenger airbag.

Moment of impact.

Sensors detect a deceleration and send a signal via the control module to a gas gen- erator that inflates the airbag.

The inflating airbag cushions the driver.

Airbag now fully inflated.

The airbag starts to deflate.

WARNING

(cid:127) DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY can occur (cid:127) Children 12 and under or shorter than 55 inches (140 cm) can be killed by the airbag

(cid:127) The BACK SEAT is the SAFEST place

for children

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

the front

(cid:127) Sit as far back as possible from the

airbag

(cid:127) ALWAYS use SAFETY BELTS and

CHILD RESTRAINTS

(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.

Safety

33

The side airbags, which help protect the upper body (head also in Convertible), are integrated in the outside edges of the front seat backrests. The side impact protection of the Sport Sedan also includes inflatable curtains (see page 34. The front seats and outer rear seats have safety belt pretensioners. There are two sensors on each side of the car, one at the rear of each door sill and one in the lower part of each C-pillar. The side- impact protection is only activated on the side of impact, while the safety belt preten- sioners on both sides are deployed. Convertible: The Convertible has two side impact protection sensors, one on each side of the car. These are located at rear of the sills.

(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.

Head protection The pillar trim and headlining (not Converti- ble soft top) are designed to absorb energy, softening possible blows to the head. After a crash, these items must be changed in the seat positions that were occupied. Never fit accessories to the pillar trim or headlining as these could reduce the effectiveness of the head protection and inflatable curtain (Sport Sedan).

Side-impact protection

WARNING

(cid:127) This car is equipped with side airbags

and no extra seat cover should be fitted. Failure to observe this warning could result in the side airbags not inflating as intended and thus not providing 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 side-impact protection will only be

activated in the event of a side-on crash and not in the event of a rear- end crash or the car rolling over. For the Convertible’s Roll-over protection see page 68.

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

34

Safety

Inflated side airbag and inflatable curtain, Sport Sedan

Inflated side airbag with head protection, Convertible

Inflatable curtains, Sport Sedan

WARNING

(cid:127) Do not sit with your head rested

against the side window. The inflat- able curtain is designed to inflate between the window and the head. Resting the head against the window could prevent the inflatable curtain from providing the intended protection.

(cid:127) Hang only light clothes from the hooks on the rear seat courtesy handles. The items of clothing must not contain heavy or sharp objects. Do not use wire coat hangers.

(cid:127) Do not position a sun visor or similar

item in the area that would be filled by the inflatable curtain.

(cid:127) To reduce the risk of head injuries in the event of a crash, the roof pillars and headlining incorporate cushioning material. Do not attach anything to the car’s headlining, roof pillars or side panels as this could prevent the side- impact protection from providing the intended protection.

(cid:127) Do not stack loads so high that they

could encumber the inflatable curtain in the event of a crash.

The inflatable curtains, which protect the head, are concealed along the lengths of the headlining (all the way from front to rear roof pillars). The inflatable curtains inflate at the same time as the side airbags in the front seats in case of a side-on impact. The inflatable curtains reduce the risk of head injuries to the occupants of the car’s outer seats. The inflatable curtains deploys into the window area between the front and rear roof pillars. If the airbag system registers forces equiv- alent to a high-speed frontal crash (Stage II for the steering wheel and passenger airbags), the inflatable curtains will also be deployed.

Safety

35

Inflated inflatable curtain, sport Sedan

Prohibited seating position

For optimal protection, do not sit too close to the door. Bear this in mind, for example, if someone is sleeping in the car. The inflat- able curtain comes down from the headlin- ing and covers a large portion of the side windows.

Servicing the airbag system The airbag system must be inspected as part of the normal service program but oth- erwise may be regarded as maintenance- free.

36

Safety

Airbag warning lamp

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 77.

(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) During any welding, both battery cables must be disconnected and covered.

(cid:127) Before quick drying paint in the vicinity of the electronic control module, the module’s grounding points and wiring must be covered.

(cid:127) Airbags and safety belt pretensioners

must be deployed under controlled conditions 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 be carried out by autho- rized personnel only.

Frequently asked questions on function of the airbag Do you still need to wear a safety belt if air- bags are fitted? Yes, always! The airbag system compo- nents merely supplement the car’s normal safety system. Moreover, the front airbags will only be actuated in a moderate to severe frontal, or near-frontal crash, which means, of course, that they provide no protection in minor frontal crashes, major rear- or side- crashes or if the car rolls over. The safety belts help to reduce the sideway movement of the body in a crash. 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, 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.

Safety

37

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.

What won’t trigger the airbag? The airbag will not be activated in all frontal 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 neces- sarily be triggered.

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.

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.

38

Safety

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 air bag. Always use seat belts and child restraints.

Security 39
Security

Doors ________________ Central locking ________ Car alarm _____________

40 40 48

Security

40
Doors Open the door by lifting the door handle. The following message appears on the Saab Information Display (SID) if a door is not closed (text displayed first when vehicle speed exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h) and the door has still not been closed):

Close doors.

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.

Remote control The remote control and ignition key are inte- grated in one unit, and referred to in this manual as the remote control. The remote control contains a mechanical key, referred to in this manual as the tradi- tional key. This traditional key can be used in an emergency to lock or unlock the driver’s door from outside (see page 42). This key does not fit the ignition switch.

A key code number is supplied with your car. This number needs to be quoted for ordering a new traditional key (contained in the remote control). Therefore, keep this number in a safe place. The 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. If the code is incorrect, the car will not start. The car is supplied with two remote con- trols. It is possible to have up to five remote controls programmed for the car at any one time. If one is lost, a replacement should be obtained as soon as possible. Contact your Saab dealer. When a new key is pro- grammed into the car, the lost key will be deprogrammed automatically. Note: If a new remote control has to be ordered and programmed, at least one old one is required for the locking system’s electronic unit to recognize the new (ordered) remote control. Once the new remote control has been pro- grammed, the old unit that is lost will not work. Therefore you should carry two remote controls separately, especially on long journeys.

NOTICE

The remote control contains delicate electronics. (cid:127) Do not expose it to water. (cid:127) Avoid rough handling. (cid:127) Do not place the remote control where it may be subjected to high tempera- tures, e.g. on the instrument panel.

(cid:127) Warm the remote control in your

hands for a couple of minutes if it has become very cold to prevent malfunc- tion.

(cid:127) For details on changing the battery,

refer to page 46.

Security

41

Remote control functions

Button Pressed once

Pressed twice

Hold and press the button more than 2 s

Locks all doors and trunk lid.

Unlocks driver´s door.

Unlocks and slightly opens trunk lid. Checks number of remote con- trols, see page 45. Turns on exterior and cabin lighting *) (for 30 s) or turns off lighting and deactivates panic alarm.

Comfort opening, see page 117.

The other doors are unlocked and the trunk lid switch is enabled.

Panic alarm (activates alarm manu- ally), see page 50.

*) parking lights, side direction indicators, taillights and license plate lighting.

Remote control 1 Locks car 2 Unlocks car and turns on cabin lighting 3 Unlocks and opens trunk lid. 4 Turns on exterior and cabin lighting.

Activates panic function

42

Security

Locking/unlocking the car

Remote unlocking

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. Never lock anyone in the car.

Remote locking and unlocking also control the car alarm. Remote locking

button once: all doors and

Press the the trunk lid locked. The hazard warning lights will flash once to confirm.

button once: the driver´s

Pressing the door is unlocked. Press a second time to unlock the rest of the doors and enable the trunk lid switch. The hazard warning lights will flash twice to confirm. If a fault arises in the locking system, the Saab Information Display (SID) will display:

Lock system failure. Contact Saab dealer.

Saab Information Display (SID), see page 83. Intermittent malfunctioning Equipment in the vicinity of the car that uses the same frequency as the remote control may cause interference to the remote con- trol signal. In this case, retry from another angle and aim at the receiver located by the steering wheel.

Locking/unlocking the front left-hand door with the traditional key 1 Lock 2 Unlock

If remote unlocking should fail to work 1 Remove the traditional key from the

remote control by pressing the emblem on the reverse of the remote control. (This key only fits the front left-hand door.)

2 Carefully remove the cover plate from

the keyhole in the door.

3 Unlock the door with the key. The car alarm will be tripped. To silence the alarm, insert the remote control into the igni- tion switch.

Locking a car with dead battery The steering wheel lock requires sufficient battery voltage to lock and unlock. If the bat- tery voltage drops below a certain level while the remote control is in the ignition switch, you will not be able to remove the remote control. If you must leave the car, proceed as follows: 1 Lock the car by pressing down the lock

buttons on the doors.

2 Lock the front left door from outside with

the traditional key (see page 42). The car is now locked but the car alarm will remain inactive.

Opening button on driver’s door

Security

43

Trunk lid Opening The trunk lid is unlocked and slightly opened when the button on the remote control or on the inside of the driver’s door is pressed once. The hazard warning lights will flash three times to confirm. Closing The trunk lid is locked when closed. If the doors are locked when the trunk lid is closed it is armed and the movement sensor in the cabin will be armed.

the battery from running flat. Also, if the car has electrically adjustable seats, these will cease to operate. Child safety locks The rear doors are equipped with child safety locks that are activated by means of a catch next to the door latch. Insert a screwdriver or the traditional key (enclosed in the remote control) and turn it 45° in the direction shown on the label on the door. When the child safety lock is in the locked position, the door can only be opened from outside the car.

WARNING

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

Child safety locks

44

Security

Central locking switch

Switches on front doors The central locking can also be operated from inside the car using the button by each front door handle. (cid:127) Locking the car with the remote control

renders these buttons inoperative. If you are sitting in the car and press the button on the driver’s door, this will unlock the driver’s door. Press the button a second time to unlock the remaining doors and the trunk lid. The button on the passenger door works in the same way except that this first unlocks the passen- ger door. During this operation the rear doors remain locked.

If the car is left with one or more doors open, the interior lighting will be switched off auto- matically after 20 minutes. This is to prevent

(cid:127) 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 inside.

NOTICE

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

Trunk Release Handle

Security

45

Reprogramming lock system functions Certain lock system functions can be reprogrammed at a Saab dealer (see page 280). Checking the number of remote controls To check the number of remote controls that are programmed for the car: 1 Insert the remote control into the ignition

switch and turn it to ON.

2 Press the

button on the remote

control within 15 seconds.

3 The Saab Information Display (SID) will

now display the number of remote controls that are programmed for your car, and which of these (1–5) is in the ignition switch.

Example of SID message:

2: standard key Key No: 1

Battery type: For optimum performance in all temperatures and good service life, Saab recommends the use of a Sony or Pana- sonic CR2032, 3V lithium battery. The battery should last for about 4 years of normal use. The battery type is marked on the inside of the remote control. Avoid leaving finger- prints on the faces of the battery. 1 Press the emblem on the reverse of the remote control to remove the traditional key.

46

Security

Changing the key battery

WARNING

Keep the battery and other small compo- nents of the remote control out of reach of children.

NOTICE

The electronics of the remote control are sensitive to electrostatic discharge. Incor- rect handling when changing the battery can damage the remote control. Avoid touching electronic components of the remote control with your hands.

When the voltage of the remote control bat- tery drops below a certain level, the Saab Information Display (SID) will display:

Remote control battery low.

Change the battery as soon as possible to avoid malfunctioning.

Press the emblem to remove thetraditional key

2 Insert the tip of the key into the small slot

and turn the key to split 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.

Security

47

Immobilizer The 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 thetwohalves of the remote control

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 a click. Avoid pressing the buttons. Reinsert the traditional key into the remote control.

48

Security

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:

Car alarm

WARNING

Key not accepted. Contact Saab dealer.

Visit a Saab dealer to have the problem checked and rectified.

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 is armed when the car is locked with the remote control. The car alarm will not be armed if you lock the car with the traditional key (see page 42). All the doors, the hood and the trunk lid are monitored by the alarm.

The alarm is armed 11 seconds after the car has been locked by remote control. During the delay period, the LED shines constantly. It will then start to flash once every 3 seconds. The LED is located on the dashboard. If a door or the trunk lid is open when the car is locked with the remote control, the LED will flash 3 times per second for 11 seconds. Check that the doors, hood and trunk lid are closed. If the signal persists, contact a Saab dealer to have the problem checked and rectified. Locking the trunk lid: If you unlock the trunk lid from outside the car with the

button on the remote control, you must lock the car with the button to arm the car alarm.

What trips the alarm? The alarm will be tripped if: (cid:127) a door, the hood or the trunk lid is opened (cid:127) somebody tries to hotwire the car Signals when the alarm is tripped If the alarm is triggered, the following alarm signals will be set off: (cid:127) all direction indicators flash for 5 minutes. the horn sounds for 30-second intervals with 10-second breaks (max. 10 cycles). The signals can vary between markets and due to legal and insurance require- ments.

To avoid any inconvenience, make sure that anyone using the car is familiar with how the car alarm and the locking system work. If the alarm has been tripped since the car was last locked, the Saab Information Dis- play (SID) will display:

Alarm has been triggered since being armed.

If a fault arises in the car alarm system, the Saab Information Display (SID) will display:

Theft protection failure. Contact Saab dealer.

Arming the car alarm The alarm is armed when all doors, the hood and the trunk lid are closed and you lock the car with the remote control.

Security

49

Switching off the alarm if tripped If the alarm has been triggered (direction indicators flashing and horn sounding) it can be turned off by pressing one of the buttons on the remote control or, if you are sitting in the car, by turning the ignition to ON (see below).

Turns off lights and horn. Unlocks car. Turns off lights and horn. Car remains locked. Turns off lights and horn. Unlocks trunk. Turns off lights and horn. Turns on exterior and cabin light- ing. Car remains locked. If sitting in the car: Turn the remote control to ON in the ignition switch

(cid:127) 50

Security

NOTICE

(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

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

Panic function The 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:

(cid:127) Press and hold the

button on the

remote control for more than 2 seconds, or if you are sitting in the car...

(cid:127) Press and hold the

or

button on

one of the front doors for more than 2 seconds.

To switch off the alarm: (cid:127) 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 functions

Security

51

Locking/arming Direction indicators flash once. Unlocking/ Direction indicators flash twice. disarming Unlocking/ disarming trunk lid Alarm triggered Direction indicators flash for 5 min.

Direction indicators flash three times.

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).

Remote control battery

In favorable conditions the range can be signif- icantly greater. Normal life: approx. 4 years. Change the battery when the SID displays: Remote control battery low. See Changing the key battery, page 46.

Some car alarm functions and indications can be reprogrammed. Contact a Saab dealer for details of the possibilities and refer to page 280.

52

Security

Quick guide, LED and Saab Information Display (SID) messages

Activity Arming (delay period) Alarm armed Disarming Alarm not armed A door, the hood or the tailgate is open or opened during the delay period. Car immobilized but not locked. Off. Change of status of immobilizer system, valid remote control inserted or removed from ignition switch.

LED signal Shines for 11 s. Flashes once every 3 s. Extinguishes. Off. Flashes for 11 s then flashes once every 3 s.

Double-flashes for 3 s.

SID message Key not accepted. Contact Saab dealer. Remote control battery low.

2: standard key Key No: 1

Alarm has been triggered since being armed. Immobilizer failure. Try starting again. Contact Saab dealer.

Reason/action Error when remote control inserted into ignition switch. Battery needs replacing. See page 46. Check of the number of remote controls programmed for your car. See page 45. The alarm has been tripped since the car was last locked. Error when immobilizer code checked.

9-3 Convertible

53
9-3 Convertible

Roll-over protection ____ Electric windows_______ Interior lighting ________ Unlocking the trunk lid

manually ____________

Placing two golf bags

in the trunk __________

68 69 70

71

72

54 55

60

63 65 66

67

Advice on soft top

operation ___________ Operating the soft top __ Raising the soft top

manually ___________

SID warnings and

messages __________ "Easy entry"__________ Head restraints _______ Safety belts, rear seat,

Convertible _________

9-3 Convertible

54
Advice on soft top operation • Once you have raised the soft top and

before driving off, always check that the soft top is properly engaged with the wind- shield rail.

(cid:127) Once you have folded the soft top and

before driving off, check that the soft top cover is locked.

(cid:127) Do not operate the soft top in tempera-

tures below 23°F (–5°C).

(cid:127) Note that certain automatic car washes

can damage the soft top. This applies to car washes that use mechanical feelers bearing against the body. Saab advises against washing the Convertible in an automatic car wash.

(cid:127) After rain or washing the car, allow the soft

top to dry completely before folding it. Folding a wet or damp soft top can cause water damage in the car and mildew to form on the soft top.

WARNING

(cid:127) Never touch the hinges and struts of the soft top nor the upper rail of the windshield while operating the soft top.

(cid:127) Do not operate the soft top while there

are bystanders close to the car.

(cid:127) Roof racks and ski holders must not be

mounted on the soft top.

(cid:127) On no account should anything be put into the stowage space of the soft top (under the soft top cover) since this could cause an obstruction when the soft top is being folded away.

(cid:127) Do not place any objects on the covers

over the roll bars as this can hamper their function.

(cid:127) When operating the soft top, raise or fold it fully until notified that operation is com- plete by the SID. Do not leave the soft top partially open/closed. If the soft top is left in an intermediate position it will collapse progressively after 20 seconds to prevent overloading the drive system.

(cid:127) Washing the soft top, see page 250.

Read the "Advice on soft top operation" section on page 54 before operating the soft top. The soft top is operated with the switch on the instrument panel. Hold the switch in the desired position until the soft top is fully folded or raised. The completion of folding or raising the soft top is indicated by a chime. Error messages that can appear on the SID are shown on page 63.

9-3 Convertible

55

Switch for operating the soft top a Raising b Folding

Operating the soft top

WARNING

(cid:127) Do not touch the hinges or struts of the

soft top during opening due to the pinch hazard.

(cid:127) Keep children out of reach. (cid:127) Do not operate the soft top while there

are bystanders close to the car.

(cid:127) Make sure that the soft top cover has locked properly after folding the soft top.

(cid:127) Check that the soft top engages prop- erly with the upper edge of the wind- shield after raising.

NOTICE

If you drive off while raising or folding the soft top, operation is halted when