1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
OK folks let's explain the exact scenario:
My wife picks the kids up from child care, opens the two passenger side doors, puts 2 yr old on seat at back and goes around the back to put bags in boot/trunk. Keys are left on front passenger seat with handbag. So scenario is that two kerb side doors are wide open. While my wife is around the back, he get's out of his seat and leans between the centre console picks up keys and puts in ignition - after all that's what the adults do. Turns it on and hey-presto. Fortunately because the handbrake was on, the car travelled about 15' before stopping again. Now let's consider the facts:
1) My wife didn't imagine that the engine would start without the clutch engaged - nothing in the manual states this.
2) Had my wife still been around the back and not walking around to strap the two year old in she could have been seriously injured or killed.
3) We live in Australia - obviously the safety regs in Australia do not consider it to be a requirement to disable the starter with the car in reverse and the clutch not depressed.
4) I believe that Saab have obviously had to attend to this safety concern in the litigious US market but as for the European & Australian markets the issue does not warrant consideration.
Now I have also investigated this in more detail, on my 9-3 Conv the car pulls up straight away if you try and start without depressing the clutch, the back rises but the car doesn't move. On the 9-5 Aero it definitely jumps backwards before coming to a rest. I would also estimate that it is far easier to turn the key to the starter position on the 9-5 than the 9-3, this may also be a weakness in the particular 9-5 that we have.
My view is that the same safety feature (used in the US) has to be installed in all markets and the fact that Saab have a solution suggests that Saab have decided it warrants attention.
What I would now like to know is:
1) Can this safety feature be controlled through microprocessor reprogramming?
2) If not then what components are needed to get this safety feature enabled?
3) How can I force Saab to have this feature installed in all new cars - for everyone's sake - Imagine if you forget to put the foot on the clutch and start the car and end up hitting someone! I had my solicitor write to Saab and ask them what they intended to do about this weakness. They wrote back and told me that Saab's were very safe and it was our fault and if I continued to harrass them over this issue they would seek legal costs from me.
Having said all this we have enjoyed all our Saab's and find them to be excellent family cars. Only this week I drove my convertible from Melbourne to Adelaide and back (about 1200 miles round trip) and the drive was excellent - roof down all the way - I can really recommend the air deflector. But this incident has clearly made me lose my confidence in Saab's safety standards.
Any thoughts would be most appreciated.
Regards,
Tim
, Mon, 21 May 2001 21:53:36, Mon, 21 May 2001 10:32:21
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
