[Main General Bulletin Board | BBFAQ | Prev by Date | Next by Date | Post Followup ] Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos The key followed the ignition from column to floor=> Like This Post: - Subscribe to Daily Digest for this Bulletin Board Posted by IrieTom [Email] (#1032) [Profile/Gallery] (more from IrieTom) on Mon, 3 Mar 2003 17:07:02 In Reply to: Re: probablly because they couldn't find anyone who, KeithB, Mon, 3 Mar 2003 09:37:28 Alert me when someone posts in this thread: Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup

The REALLY old SAABs (93, 95, 96,- I'm not sure about the 92 or sonetts)had the ignition on the steering column. The gearshift lever was also on the steering column, and the cars had transmission locks instead of steering locks. Apparently, SAAB thought that a locked steering wheel was a safety hazard. I remember hearing that the rubber-coated head on the key was a safety feature to protect your knee in a crash.

When the gearshift lever moved to the floor for the 99 model, the ignition followed it. The c900 continued the design. With the 9000, the key moved back to the steering column, and the transmission lock was replaced with a steering lock. A lot of the criticism of the 9000 model concerned the "loss of SAAB soul" lament, with the ignition placement included as a typical example. I'm not sure what prompted SAAB to abandon the transmission lock in favor of a steering lock, but everyone noticed. Whatever the underlying reason was, the 9000 continued to advance SAAB's reputation for safety.

Later cars (ng900, 9-5, 9-3, 9-3ss) have adopted the floor-mounted ignition while maintaining the steering lock. It seems as though this decision was made to try to maintain the sense of SAAB family history and individuality, and possibly for ergonomic reasons as well.

Does anyone else remember what the corporate explanation has been with regards to transmission locks, steering locks, and key placement?

posted by 24.161.11...

• nice review of the '03 9-5 by roadfly, Chris R., Sun, 2 Mar 2003 14:08:41
  • "a relatively sedate 185 horsepower "?!?, J, Sun, 2 Mar 2003 23:20:32
  • Wow, finally a journalist --->, matt 94 aero, Sun, 2 Mar 2003 22:50:16
  • I'd say they hit the bullseye, Aero'ed, Sun, 2 Mar 2003 15:05:40
    • Re: I'd say they hit the bullseye, No.9, Sun, 2 Mar 2003 18:37:42
      • Have you noticed the new Range Rover?, CWilson, Mon, 3 Mar 2003 14:43:15
      • probablly because they couldn't find anyone who, Aero'ed, Mon, 3 Mar 2003 07:52:30
        • Re: probablly because they couldn't find anyone who, KeithB, Mon, 3 Mar 2003 09:37:28
          • The key followed the ignition from column to floor=>, IrieTom , Mon, 3 Mar 2003 17:07:02 <-- Viewing This Message
          • Re: probablly because they couldn't find anyone who, No.9, Mon, 3 Mar 2003 13:53:09
            • That and you can see where you're stickin it..., Andy E, Tue, 4 Mar 2003 00:35:52

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