remote start SAAB 9-3 2003 User Guide
Page 112 of 256
112 Interior equipmentInterior rearview mirror with garage 
opener, autodimming function and 
compass (certain variants only)
Retain your original garage door opener 
(transmitter) for future programming proce-
dures (i.e., new vehicle purchase). It is also 
suggested that upon the sale of the vehicle, 
the programmed garage opener buttons be 
erased for security purposes, see page 113.Preparations for first-time programming
Before programming the garage opener for 
the first time, you must delete any factory 
codes.
Press and hold buttons 1 and 3 for about 
20 seconds until the LED starts to flash. 
This deletes the factory codes and initiates 
the programming phase.
Programming the garage opener
The garage opener can record and store the 
frequencies of three different remote con-
trols.
The battery in the remote control should be 
fairly new for programming to work well.
1 Turn the ignition ON.
2 Hold your existing garage door opener 
1–3 in. (3–7 cm) below the rearview 
mirror. Sit where you can see the LED 
(4) during programming.
3 Press the button on the remote control 
and the desired button on the rear view 
mirror at the same time.
4 The LED will now start to flash, slowly at 
first and then rapidly. The rapidly flash-
ing LED indicates that programming is 
complete and that you can release the 
buttons.
The remote control may stop transmitting 
during programming. If so, continue to hold 
the button on the rearview mirror and 
release and press the button on the remote 
control every other second, "cycling" until 
programming is completed.
WARNING
Make sure that people and objects are out 
of the way of moving door or gate to 
prevent potential harm or damage.
When programming the garage opener, 
you may be operating a garage door or 
gate operator.
Do not use the garage opener with any 
garage door opener that lacks the safety 
stop and reverse feature as required by 
federal safety standards. (This includes 
any garage door opener model manufac-
tured before April 1, 1982.). A garage 
door opener which cannot detect an 
object, signaling the door to stop and 
reverse, does not meet current federal 
safety standards. Using a garage door 
opener without these features increases 
risk of serious injury or death.
Buttons for garage opener, autodimming 
and compass1–3 Garage opener
4LED
5 Autodimming/compass ON/OFF
6 Compass bearing
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Page 113 of 256
113 Interior equipment
The LED will flash slowly at first and then 
rapidly. The rapidly flashing LED indicates 
that programming is complete and that you 
can release the buttons.
Reprogramming a button that has previ-
ously been programmed
1 Press and hold the desired button on the 
rearview mirror for the entire program-
ming sequence.
2 The LED will start to flash slowly after 
20 seconds.
3 Hold your existing garage door opener 
1–3 in. (3–7 cm) from the rearview 
mirror and press the button on the 
remote control.
4 Reprogramming is complete when the 
LED starts to flash rapidly.
The previous frequency is now erased and 
replaced by the new one. Reprogramming 
one button does not affect the other buttons.Complete erase
Completely erase the memory of the garage 
opener by pressing and holding buttons 
1 and 3 simultaneously for 20 seconds. 
Confirmation is provided by the LED flash-
ing rapidly for 10 seconds.
A complete erase deletes the frequencies 
from all three buttons. It is not possible to 
erase the memory of a single button.
Opening a garage door
Press and hold the appropriate button until 
the garage door starts to open.
You can of course still use your original 
garage door opener even if you have pro-
grammed the garage opener in the rearview 
mirror.Garage doors with rolling security codes
Garage doors with rolling security codes 
manufactured after 1996 can be identified 
as follows:
 Read the instruction manual for the 
garage door.
 Programming the garage opener in the 
rearview mirror seems to be successful 
but the garage door does not open.
 Press and hold the programmed button. 
The garage door uses a rolling security 
code if the LED flashes rapidly and after 
2 seconds shines constantly.
If the garage door remote control uses roll-
ing security codes, proceed as follows 
having programmed the garage opener:
1 Localise the button labelled "learn" or 
"smart" on the motor unit of the garage 
door. The location and color of this 
button varies between makes.
2 Press and release the "learn" button on 
the motor unit. Step 3 must be 
performed within 30 seconds of Step 2.
3 Press the programmed button on the 
rearview mirror twice (some garage 
doors require the button to be pressed 
three times; refer to the door’s instruc-
tion manual).NOTICESwitch off the power supply to the garage 
door or gate (or park the car beyond the 
range of the remote control) while 
programming using the "cycling" method 
to prevent damaging the electrical motor.
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Page 122 of 256
122 Starting and drivingIgnition switchThe ignition switch is located on the center 
console between the front seats. In cars 
with automatic transmission, the remote 
control can only be removed when the 
selector lever is in position P.NOTICETake care not to spill drinks or to drop 
crumbs over the ignition switch. If dirt or 
liquid gets into it, the switch may not 
operate properly.
WARNING
• Always remove the remote control 
before leaving children unattended in 
the car.
 Apply the parking brake before remov-
ing the remote control.
 Never remove the remote control 
while the car is moving. This will acti-
vate the steering wheel lock and make 
it impossible to steer the car.
LOCK position
The position lights, hazard warning lights and interior lighting can be 
turned on.
Cars with automatic transmission: Move the gear lever to P.
The gear lever is locked in position. This is the only position in which the 
remote control can be removed.
Cars with manual transmission: The remote control can be removed 
regardless of the position of the gear lever.
OFF position
Parts of the electrical system are operative.
Do not leave the remote control in the OFF position with the engine 
not running as this could cause the battery to run flat in a matter of 
hours.
Cars with automatic transmission: The gear lever is not locked. See 
also page 135.
ON position
The entire electrical system is operative.
Do not leave the remote control  in the ON position when the engine 
is not running. 
Turn the remote control to the OFF position to disconnect the electrical 
system.
When you turn the remote control to ON, some indicator and warning lights 
will come on in the main instrument panel. These should go out after about 
3 seconds.
ST - starter position
The starter motor operates (automatic transmission: selector lever must 
be in P or N) when the remote control is turned to this position. When 
released, the remote control will spring back to the ON position.
The car has an electronic restart lock. If the engine fails to start, the remote 
control must first be turned back to a position between OFF and LOCK 
before the starter motor can be operated again.
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Page 123 of 256
123 Starting and driving
Steering wheel lockThe steering wheel lock is electronic. The 
lock engages when the remote control is 
removed from the ignition and unlocks when 
the remote control is inserted. A click can be 
heard when the steering wheel lock locks 
and unlocks.
If the car is parked with one front wheel 
touching the curb, for example, you may 
need to turn the steering wheel slightly 
when you insert the remote control to allow 
the steering wheel lock to unlock. If you do 
not succeed on first attempt you must 
remove the remote control before trying 
again. Turn the steering wheel and insert 
the remote control into the ignition switch.
If the steering wheel lock does not disen-
gage it will not be possible to turn the remote 
control in the ignition switch.
The following message is shown on the SID:If a fault arises affecting the steering wheel 
lock, the following message will be 
displayed on the SID:
If the steering wheel lock malfunctions while 
the remote control is in the ignition switch, 
this may prevent the removal of the remote 
control or prevent the car from being 
restarted once the engine has been 
switched off.
If you have to leave the car, lock the car by 
pressing down the lock buttons on the 
doors. Lock the front left door from outside 
with the traditional key (see page 40). The 
car is now locked but the alarm is inactive.
Starting the engine
Steering wheel locked.
Pull out key, turn steering
wheel. Try again.
Steering lock malfunc.
Make a safe stop.
Contact Saab dealer.
WARNING
 When starting the engine:
- Sit down in the driver’s seat.
- Depress the clutch pedal fully. If the 
gear lever is not in the neutral position, 
the clutch pedal must be fully 
depressed or the car will jump 
forwards or backwards, which may 
cause a crash.
- Never start the car from outside the 
vehicle, e.g. through a window that is 
down. This could lead to serious 
personal injury.
 Cars with automatic transmission: 
select position P to remove the ignition 
key. The key can only be removed in 
this gear position.
 Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, 
odorless, poisonous gas. Be alert to 
the danger of CO – always open the 
garage doors before starting the 
engine in the garage.
 Do not rest or sleep in the car when 
parked with the engine running. There 
is a risk of depressing the accelerator 
which could lead to engine damage.
 There is also a danger of CO poison-
ing if the exhaust system is leaking.
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Page 124 of 256
124 Starting and drivingDo not run the starter motor for more than 
25 seconds at a time. Wait 20–30 seconds 
before running the starter again, to give the 
battery time to recover. 
Avoid racing the engine or putting a heavy 
load on it before it has warmed up. Let the 
engine idle for at least 10 seconds and then 
drive away as long as the engine oil warning 
light has gone out to enable the engine to 
attain its normal temperature as quickly as 
possible
It is possible for air to enter the lubricating 
system in conjunction with an oil or oil-filter 
change, or if the car has been stored for 
some time. This air can cause the hydraulic 
cam followers to emit a ticking noise, which 
can persist for up to 15 minutes after start-
ing. Although this is quite normal and does 
not indicate any malfunction, it is advisable 
not to exceed 3,000 rpm before the noise 
has disappeared.
Starting the engineAvoid racing the engine or loading it heavily 
before it has warmed up. Do not drive away 
before the warning and indicator lights have 
gone out.
The engine has an automatic choke and 
should be started as follows:
Cars with manual transmission
To start the engine the clutch pedal must 
be fully depressed.
1 Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2 Depress the clutch pedal but do not 
touch the accelerator.
3 Start the engine. Let the remote control 
spring back as soon as the engine has 
started and is running smoothly. 
Allow the engine to idle for about 
10 seconds. Do not apply full throttle for at 
least 3 minutes after starting.Cars with automatic transmission
The selector lever must be in the P or N 
position.
1 The selector lever must be in the P or N 
position.
2 Keep your foot on the brake pedal.
Note! Once the engine has started, the 
brake pedal will sink. This is perfectly 
normal.
3 Start the engine. Let the remote control 
spring back as soon as the engine has 
started and is running smoothly. 
Allow the engine to idle for about 
10 seconds. Do not apply full throttle for at 
least 3 minutes after starting.
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Page 134 of 256
134 Starting and drivingAutomatic transmissionThe automatic transmission has an elec-
tronic control module. The control module 
receives information including accelerator 
position and road speed. Using this and 
other information, it controls the hydraulic 
pressure of the transmission to ensure that 
gear changing is as smooth as possible.The remote control can only be removed 
when the selector lever is in the P position.The engine can only be started when the 
selector lever is in the P or N position.
When the car is stationary, the engine must 
be idling when you move the selector lever 
from one position to another. If not, the 
transmission could be damaged.
WARNING
 Depress the brake pedal when shifting 
the selector lever from P or N.
 The car must be at a standstill before 
P, R or N is selected. You have to have 
your foot on the brake pedal to move 
the lever out of P. If the car is still 
moving when a drive position is subse-
quently selected, this could cause a 
crash or damage the automatic trans-
mission. 
 Never park the car with the selector 
lever in a drive position, even if the 
parking brake is on.
 If you want to leave the car with the 
engine running, move the selector 
lever to P or N and apply the parking 
brake.
NOTICEAfter selecting a drive position, pause 
briefly to allow the gear to engage (the car 
starts to pull a little) before you acceler-
ate.
Selector lever1 Position for manual gear selection
Indication of gear position on main 
instrument panel 
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145 Starting and driving
TCS indicatorWhen the remote control is turned to the ON 
position, the lamp is lit for about 4 seconds 
while the system performs self-diagnosis.
The   light under the speedometer 
comes on when the TCS is operative, that is 
when one of the wheels has lost its grip.
The fact that the TCS is operative indicates 
that the limit for grip has been exceeded and 
that the driver must exercise greater care.
Turning the TCS offThe TCS is switched on automatically when 
the engine is started.
You can switch the system off manually with 
the TCS button, whereupon the   light 
under the speedometer will come on. The 
TCS cannot be switched off if the car is trav-
elling faster than 35 mph (60 km/h).
It may be necessary to switch off the system 
if the car has become bogged down, for 
instance. Press TCS to switch it on again.
If a fault is detected in the ABS, the TCS will 
be switched off automatically.
The following message is shown on the SID:
The cruise control system (if active) will 
automatically be disengaged if the TCS is 
operative.
Traction control failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
TCS button
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147 Starting and driving
ESP OFF
 lights up under the speedometer if:
 a fault has been detected and the system 
has therefore been switched off
 the system has been switched off 
manually
 when the remote control is turned to the 
ON position, the lamp is lit for about 
4 seconds while the system performs 
self-diagnosis.
ESP indicator lightThe   light under the speedometer 
comes on for a short period of time when the 
ESP system is operative.
Operation of the ESP indicates reduced 
cohesion between the tires and the road, 
and that extra care should be taken by the 
driver.Turning ESP system offThe system can be turned off manually with 
the ESP button, whereupon the   light 
under the speedometer will come on. The 
car must be travelling slower than 35 mph 
(60 km/h). The TCS is also disengaged.
The ESP is always engaged during braking, 
even if it has been switched off manually 
with the ESP button.If a fault is detected in the system, the 
following message will be displayed on 
the SID:
The cruise control system (if active) will 
automatically be disengaged if the ESP is 
operative.
Stability control failure.
Contact Saab dealer.
NOTICEChanges to the chassis, such as a 
change of wheels, shock absorbers or 
springs, could affect the function of the 
ESP system.
Always consult your Saab dealer before 
changing any chassis components.
ESP button
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Page 148 of 256
148 Starting and drivingParking brakeThe parking brake lever is situated between 
the front seats. The brake acts on the rear 
wheels. When the parking brake is applied, 
the   indicator light on the main instru-
ment panel will come on.
To release the parking brake, lift the lever 
slightly, press the pawl button on the under-
side of the lever and lower the lever.If the parking brake is applied when the car 
pulls off, the following message will appear 
on the SID:
Parking
WARNING
Always apply the parking brake when 
you park the car. If the car is to be 
left parked for a long time, refer to 
page 150.
 Always apply the parking brake before 
removing the remote control.
 Do not use the parking brake while 
driving.
 Grasp the parking brake lever in such 
a way that no fingers get trapped when 
you release the parking brake.
Release park brake.
WARNING
 Never leave children or pets unat-
tended in the car. In warm, sunny 
weather, the temperature inside the 
car can reach 160–180°F (70–80°C).
 Park where the vehicle will not create 
an obstruction or a hazard to other 
road users.
 Do not park on dry grass or other 
combustible material. The catalytic 
converter gets very hot and could start 
a fire.
 Apply the parking brake.
 Shift into Reverse (automatic trans-
mission: select P), remove the remote 
control and lock the car.
Correct hold
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149 Starting and driving
Parking on a hillWhen parking on a steep hill, turn the front 
wheels so that they will be blocked by the 
curb if the car should move.
If the car is parked with one front wheel 
touching the curb, for example, you may 
need to turn the steering wheel slightly 
when you insert the remote control to allow 
the steering wheel lock to unlock.NOTICEEmpty the car yourself and bear in mind:
 Never leave a mobile phone, 
computer or similar object visible in 
the car.
 Clothing, packages and bags attract 
thieves.
 Do not leave small objects such as 
CDs, sunglasses and coins visible.
 If possible, park in a well-lit, conspicu-
ous parking space.
 Thieves strike whenever and wher-
ever they are given the opportunity.
1Downhill with curb 
. 
Turn the wheels toward 
the curb and edge the car 
forwards until the wheel 
lightly touches the curb.2Uphill with curb. Tu r n  
the wheels away from the 
curb and edge the car 
backward until the wheel 
lightly touches the curb.3Uphill or downhill with-
out curb. Turn the wheel 
towards the edge of the 
road so that the car, 
should it move, will not 
roll towards the middle of 
the road.
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