Security and Operation
Secure Ownership Experience
• Most secure Saab ever
• Highly rated by Insurers
• Sophisticated immobilization, anti-theft and alarm
systems
• Useful ‘comfort and convenience’ functions
The 9-3 Sport Sedan and SportCombi are the most secure
Saabs ever built, deploying an arsenal of anti-theft
devices that includes all practical technology that is
currently available. The security systems are intended
to prevent the car being stolen or have items taken
from it. There are also a number of useful operational
features designed to make everyday use of the Saab 9-3
easy, convenient and rewarding.
Highly rated by Insurers
Representatives of leading insurance
companies in Sweden and elsewhere were consulted
throughout the development of security systems for the
9-3 product line. They were asked to suggest the most
effective measures available, as well as being able to
examine and assess the car’s security performance. As
evidence of the success of this work, the British
insurance industry’s Thatcham research center has
awarded the Sport Sedan a maximum five star rating for
‘theft of the vehicle’ and four stars for ‘theft from
the vehicle’.
Saab is confident that such close liaison with
insurance industry experts contributes to highly
competitive insurance groupings and reduced insurance
costs for owners.
Anti-Intrusion Measures
The front passenger door is fitted with
a ‘freewheeling’ lock cylinder, which will immediately
disengage from the door unlocking mechanism if any
device, other than the correct key, is inserted.
Efficient ‘shielding’ of the locks inside the doors
also prevents tampering with specialist ‘tools’ and
deadbolts for all four doors make it virtually
impossible for a would-be thief to forcibly break in.
Even if a thief were to gain entry, there would be
little point in removing any of the car’s
‘infotainment’ systems. Apart from being uniquely
designed to fit only a Saab car, they are
electronically ‘married’ to their original ‘host’ car.
They could only function in another Saab after being
re-programmed at a Saab dealer.
A large number of major components also have security
marking to enable the police to trace them back to the
car if they are recovered following a theft.
Anti Car Theft
To prevent the car itself being stolen,
the immobilizer system uses both an electrical steering
column lock and disablement of the engine management
system.
When the ignition key is inserted in the floor-mounted
switch, a transponder sends a signal to a control unit
in the module, which then communicates with all systems
in the car through the central integrated control
module. The ‘start’ message is encrypted in a complex,
rolling code from the key’s transponder which would
take an estimated eight years to ‘crack’ in the
unlikely event of a would-be thief making the correct
electronic connections.
Further measures have also been taken to combat the
so-called professional thief, who may be stealing a car
to order for resale. Barriers, or ‘firewalls’ have been
put in place to protect the car’s electronic systems
from digital intrusion with illegal scanning devices.
As the car’s original key is such a vital component in
the chain of security precautions, confidential
measures have been put in place at Saab dealers to
ensure there is no fraudulent issue of a replacement or
duplicate key.
Alarm system
As a further back-up to the car’s
perimeter security features, an advanced alarm system
can also be specified. This engages a siren and
flashing lights to discourage anyone from entering or
trying to move the car.
The alarm will be activated if any illegal attempt is
made to open the hood, doors, trunk lid or tailgate. A
‘tilt’ sensor will also sound the alarm if the car is
lifted in any direction, such as during an attempt to
tow it away. Inside the car, an extremely sensitive
ultrasonic beam will detect any movement, including
pieces of flying glass or an arm reaching inside
following a break-in. The SportCombi also has glass
break sensors in all the rear windows to ensure that
any attempt to reach the load space is detected.
A further refinement is the use of a separate battery
to power the alarm system. This is hidden in the car to
prevent illegal tampering, making it impossible for a
thief to disable the alarm by disconnecting the car’s
main battery.
For greater personal security, the car’s alarm can also
be activated by pressing a ‘panic’ button on the car’s
Electronic key, or by pressing the interior central
locking button on either front door.
Comfort and Convenience
A range of features is available to
enrich the experience of driving and traveling in the
car. Although often small refinements, they can make a
significant contribution to developing a rewarding,
interactive relationship between the car and its owner.
‘Smart’ door mirrors
Ever folded in the door mirrors and then
forgotten to reposition them until you are back in the
car? An annoying oversight that can’t happen with the
optional, electrically-foldable mirrors that are linked
to a speed sensor and automatically fold out once the
car exceeds 50 kph.
A typical Saab innovation is the button for tilting the
mirrors down. This function normally operates
automatically when reverse gear is engaged. But it can
be just as useful to tilt one or other mirror when
going forwards, following a kerb or low wall, for
example. Standard for electrically-adjustable seats
with memory.
Remote window and sunroof operation
In many circumstances, it can be useful
to remotely operate the windows, or the sunroof, after
leaving the car. This is can be done simply by holding
down the lock/unlock button on the remote control unit.
For example, this function makes it possible to close a
front window or sunroof that has been inadvertently
left open. Likewise, the front windows and sunroof can
be opened, or set to a desired position, to let heat
out of the car. Optional feature.
Automatic disconnect/connect fog lamps
To prevent the rear fog lamp being
inadvertently left on when no longer required, it is
automatically disconnected when the ignition is
switched off. However, both front (where fitted) and
rear fog lamps do not have to be switched on again if
the engine stalls because they are programmed to remain
active for 30 seconds after the ignition is switched
off. Standard feature.
Variable speedometer illumination
The Night Panel feature allows all main
dashboard illumination - except for the speedometer -
to be switched off when driving at night. The Profiler
function also enables the driver to restrict
illumination of the speedscale to the range, 0 - 140
kph. It will, of course, automatically illuminate if
these speeds are exceeded. Standard feature.
‘Intelligent’ windshield washing
When the windshield is washed at speeds
under 20 kph, the wipers will automatically make an
additional sweep after an eight second delay in order
to clear the windshield of residual streaks. Standard
feature.
Washer fluid saver
When there is less than one liter left
in the washer fluid reservoir, the headlamp washer
function will automatically de-activate in order to
prioritize washing of the windshield. Standard feature.
Vertical wiper parking
If you want to cover the windshield -
to prevent frosting up when parking outside or to help
keep the interior cool in hot weather - the wipers can
be parked in a vertical position by removing the key
fob and pressing the control stalk once. Standard
feature.
Automatic air recirculation
To avoid the unpleasant smell of
detergent from the windshield washer system entering
the cabin, the automatic climate control (ACC) can be
programmed (through an authorized dealer) to briefly
switch to ‘recirculation mode’ whenever the driver
operates the washer system via the stalk control.
‘Halo’ lighting
When approaching the car, a simple blip
of the remote control will turn on the exterior and
main interior lights as a ‘lead-me-to-the-car’
function. With a range of up to 20 meters, this
facility can help identify the car at night in a
crowded car park, illuminate its immediate surroundings
or discourage anyone from attempting to enter the car
when it is being opened. Standard fitment.
Welcome lighting
A warm welcome always awaits the driver
courtesy of automatic footwell lighting, with ‘theatre’
dimming, and ‘puddle lights’ in the bottom of the front
doors to illuminate the ground outside. Likewise, at
night the main interior light will switch on when the
ignition key is removed so the driver or passengers are
never left completely in the dark. These features are
standard for all variants, expect Linear, which has
'puddle lights' only.
‘Follow me home’ lighting
When leaving the car at night, a tweak
of the lights stalk will keep the headlights on for 30
seconds. A useful aid for walking up the drive to the
door or when parking in unfamiliar ground. Standard
feature.
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