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I'm the one who posted an earlier message about my Camshaft Drive (Timing?) Belt breaking and causing major damage ($3,000 paid to my mechanic today). When I bought the car from a Saab dealership in Des Moines, Iowa, the vehicle was at about 57,000 miles and came with no owner's manual. Nor did the dealer have one. Being a good car owner, I ordered one directly from Saab and went through all of the material to familiarize myself with it.
As I look now on page 142 (Saab Recommended Maintenance Program, 900 Models), it notes, in quite small print I might add, under "Camshaft drive belt (V6)" that replacement is "recommended" at 35K, 65K, and 95K. Next to the first black square (that indicates "replacement") there is an asterisk that refers you to the following information:
"*For vehicles certified for sale and registered in California, these are the minimum required Emission Control System maintenance steps. Saab urges that all recommended maintenance procedures be performed according to this program."
That paragraph leads me to believe that the issue of the drive belt replacement deals with Emission Control Systems. I'm no mechanic, but neither am I an idiot. Tell me, is it reasonable to assume that that paragraph refers to emission control? It certainly does not give me any indication that NOT replacing the belts at those intervals will cause THOUSANDS of dollars of damage.
The other thing that has really been bothering me is that, througout the entire owner's manual, there are "WARNINGS" and "NOTES" that Saab would like me to heed dealing with items such as (in large, bright yellow sections): "Always lock your doors when you drive" (page 73), "Always wear your seatbelt" (page 60), "You should set the steering wheel position while the car is stationary" (page 49), etc., etc., etc. Good advice indeed. But nowhere in the manual is any such warning dealing with something as costly as what I'm dealing with right now. And what Saab DID mention regarding the belt is not only misleading, but in such small type (compared to the other items mentioned) as to undervalue its importance.
My question is this: do you think I have a case to present to Saab to reimburse my expenses for the damage to my car. I've also seen some postings on here about "Asking them really nice . . ." Believe me, that's my approach too. If something can be handled with a little finesse and diplomacy -- that's certainly the way to go. If that method fails, what course of action do you think I might have available to me?
Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Steve Berry
(as of 5/1, residing in Stevenson Ranch, CA)
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