Saab Information Display

File:SaabInformationDisplay-2.jpg

SID-2 in a 1995 Saab 900SE, showing check warning and some pixel failure.

File:2008 sid.jpg

SID in instrument cluster on a 2008 Turbo X.

Saab Information Display, or SID, later also called 'Saab Car Computer'(SCC) is the name for various in-car computer systems found on most Saab automobiles beginning in 1994 with the Saab 900 NG.

SIDs typically provide functions useful to the driver such as multiple trip odometers, fuel efficiency, estimated range ('distance to empty' - DTE), current CD track or radio station, and also brief description of car system failures. SIDs designed prior to the full General Motors takeover of Saab in 2000 were mounted in the center console, usually just above the head unit and below climate control vents.

On 2003 - 2005 Saab 9-3 models, the SID was temporarily moved to the top of the dashboard just below the windshield, in an enclosed hump facing the driver.

GM began moving SIDs in all Saabs to the electronic instrument cluster, just above the steering wheel, as stock GM navigation and/or audio head units replaced the Saab-designed units in the center console. The 2005 - 2006 Saab 9-2X did not feature an authentic SID, having a less feature-rich Subaru unit instead.

SID pixel failure

File:2001 sid.jpg

SID on a 2001 Saab 9-5 suffering from pixel failure.

Saab Information Displays from 1994 - 2003 commonly suffer from an electrical system failure that results in some or all of the on-screen liquid crystal display (LCD) pixel lines becoming invisible, rendering the SID difficult to read or, in some cases, entirely unusable. The problem is most often caused not by defective pixels, but by some or all of the LCD's flexible flat cable (ribbon cable) contacts separating from the main logic board.

Several third party vendors offer a service to permanently fix broken SIDs, for a fee.

The frequency of the problem strongly suggests a design flaw, but Saab/GM has never issued a product recall.

List of Saabs Featuring SIDs

• 1994 - 1998 Saab 900 NG
• 1985 - 1998 Saab 9000
• 1998 - 2014 Saab 9-3
• 1997 - 2012 Saab 9-5
• 2005 - 2009 Saab 9-7X