SAAB 9-5 2001 Owner's Guide

31 Safety
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 front airbags inflate? The airbag will only be inflated under certain
predetermined conditions in a moderate to
severe frontal, or near-frontal collision,
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 front airbags? The airbag will not be activated in all
front-end collisions. 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.
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 far as possible
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 sometimes contains
particles of a substance resembling dish
detergent, the following precautions
should be taken:
 As soon as possible, wash any
exposed skin using a mild soap and
water.
 If there is irritation of the eyes, flush
them liberally with clean water for at
least 20 minutes.
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32 SafetyWhat 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.
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33 Security
Security Doors................................... 34
Central locking ................... 34
Car alarm ............................ 41
IB446
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34 SecurityDoorsDoor handlesPull the handle to open the door.
If the door is stuck (e.g. if frozen), hold the
handle from above to secure a better grip.
Central locking

Key / Remote control 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. 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.
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.
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 rec-
ognize the new components.
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.
IB447
Door handle Key / Remote control
1To lock
2 To unlock
3 Opening the trunk (9-5 Sedan)
Unlocking the tailgate (9-5 Wagon)
IB1524
3
2 1
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35 Security
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
functionsCertain lock system functions can be repro-
grammed by your authorized Saab work-
shop; see page 261.
Locking/unlocking the car When the car is locked and unlocked the
theft alarm is also affected.
Remote locking (1)
Press once on the control: all doors
locked.
The hazard warning lights will flash once
and the horn chirps once to confirm.
The tailgate cannot be opened now from
inside using the switch on the driver´s door.
Remote unlocking (2)
Press once on the control: the driver´s
door is unlocked. Press a second time to
unlock the rest of the doors.
The hazard warning lights will flash twice
and the horn chirps twice to confirm.
NOTEThe key contains delicate electronics.
 Do not expose it to water.
 Avoid rough handling.
 Do not place the key where it may be
subjected to high temperatures, e.g.
on the instrument panel.
 The key may malfunction if it becomes
very cold. Warm it in your hands for a
couple of minutes.
Never open the key except to change the
battery. For changing the battery, see
page 37.
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
Sedan models, the trunk may even be
opened.
IB1557
Locking/unlocking by remote control.1To lock
2 To unlock
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36 SecurityLocking by key (1)
When the car is locked and unlocked the
theft alarm is also affected.
Turn the key clockwise: all doors locked.
The trunk lid/tailgate 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 will unlock.
Turn the key counterclockwise twice: all
doors, but not trunk lid/tailgate, unlocked. The central locking can also be operated
from inside the car by means of the
switch on the center console.
 To lock all doors: press the symbol side of
the switch once.
 To unlock the driver´s door: press the
switch once.
 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.If the car is left with the doors open, the inte-
rior lighting and the courtesy lights in the
doors will be switched off automatically after
20 minutes, to prevent a flat battery. In such
cases the electrically operated seats will not
function.

WARNING
Having the doors locked when you are
driving will reduce the likelihood of:
 Passengers, especially children,
opening doors and falling out of the
car.
 Intruders entering the car when it is
moving slowly or stopped.
 Being thrown out of the car in a crash.
IB451
Switch for operation of central locking
IB1555
2
1
Locking/unlocking by key1To lock
2 To unlock
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37 Security
Changing the key batteryWhen 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.
After changing the battery you must press
the unlocking button of the key four times (or
until the door locks cycle) while the car is
within the range of the key in order for the
control module to recognize the remote. Battery type: Panasonic CR 1632, 3V lith-
ium. The battery type is stamped on the
inside of the battery cover. Avoid putting fin-
gerprints on the flat sides of the battery.
Dispose of the old battery properly when
you buy a new one. These batteries contain
substances that are environmentally
hazardous.
Child safety locksThe rear doors are equipped with child
safety locks that are operated by means of
a catch adjacent to the door lock.
Insert a key and turn the catch 45° clockwise
or counterclockwise as indicated by the
label on the door.
When the child safety catch is in the locked
position, the door cannot be opened from
the inside.
For the tailgate safety lock, see page 40.
WARNING
Keep the battery and small parts of the
key out of the reach of children.
IB1288
Change of battery, remote controlOpen the battery cover using a thin round tool
(1.5 mm or less) pressed inwards and down-
wards
IB455
Child safety lock on rear doors
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38 SecurityTrunk lid lock, 9-5 SedanThe trunk lid lock is independent of the cen-
tral-locking system. The trunk lid release
switch on the driver’s door is inoperative
when the car is locked from the outside or
moving at a speed greater than 2.7 mph
(4 km/h).Unlocking
The trunk lid is unlocked using:
 The button on the key
 The trunk lid switch on the inside of the
driver’s door (if the car is unlocked and at
a standstill) or
 Manually, using the key in the trunk lid
lock.
Remote unlocking is confirmed by the direc-
tion indicators flashing three times.
The trunk lid switch on the driver’s door is
inoperative when the car is locked.
If the alarm is activated (the car is locked),
the alarm will sound if the trunk lid is
unlocked with a key. However, if the trunk lid
is opened using remote unlocking, the
alarm will not be triggered.
Locking
The trunk lid release is locked automatically
when closed.
IB457
Trunk lid switch
IB1561
Opening the trunk with the key,
9-5 Sedan
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39 Security
Tailgate, 9-5 WagonThe tailgate is not unlocked when the other
car doors are unlocked. The tailgate button
on the driver’s door is inoperative when the
car is locked or moving at a speed greater
than 4 km/h.
Unlocking
The tailgate is unlocked using:
 The button on the key
 The tailgate switch on the inside of the
driver’s door (if the car is unlocked and at
a standstill) or
 Manually, using the key in the trunk lock.
Remote unlocking is confirmed by the direc-
tion indicators flashing three times.
If the alarm is activated (the car is locked),
the alarm will sound if the tailgate is
unlocked with a key. However, if the tail-
gate is opened using remote unlocking, the
alarm will not be triggered. Locking
The tailgate is locked using:
 The button on the key
 The button on the centre console
 The key in the driver’s door.
IB1562
Unlocking the tailgate with a key,
9-5 Wagon
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40 SecuritySafety lock The tailgate has a safety lock which is acti-
vated with a button to the right of the tailgate
lock.
When the button is moved to the left, the tail-
gate can only be opened from the outside,
assuming that the locking button (LOCK) by
the inside opening handle has not been
pushed in.
WARNING
If small children are carried in the rear
seat, the safety locks on the tailgate and
rear doors should be activated to prevent
unintentional opening from the inside.
IB1225
Safety lock
IB1223
Locking button by the tailgate inside open-
ing handle.
The tailgate is locked when closed if the
button LOCK is pushed in before the tail-
gate is closed.
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