1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
I own a Viggen. When I went to the flight academy, I was compelled to indicate that I thought the included maintenance program was false advertising because no one in their right mind would only change a high-performance turbo engine's oil every 10K. The engineer who drove me back to my hotel from the dinner indicated that engine technology had come a long way, especially for Saab, especially with Turbos, and that suggestion was clearly accurate for any street-driven auto.
Then, I get a 'Hey, you're due for your 15K maintenance' from my dealer. I call them up -- ask what the heck a 15K maintenance is -- I can't find it in my manual. They indicate its a RECOMMENDED 15K OIL CHANGE! (Amazing, huh?) I indicate that I'm not sure if its required, and I was told they recommend it for everyone because 10K just isn't good enough, regardless of what I heard from a reputable source at the Flight Academy.
So, I called Saab USA. Saab USA indicated on the telephone to me that they let their dealers recommend maintenance schedules of whatever they feel is appropriate. I indicated that I may not agree with the 15K oil change, and what would be the consequences of that? I was told that if I didn't follow the dealer recommended procedures and a failure occured, my warranty may not be honored.
So, I asked -- point blank --
"So, what your saying is the dealer can recommend any maintenance procedures they want. I must follow them, or I risk voiding warranty on parts affected by my lack of attention for them. Furthermore, the dealer can send me a letter in the mail, not certified, no delivery confirmation, and I am automatically bound to these requirements."
The answer was yes.
So, I tried again "You mean the dealer can tell me I need oil every 50 miles and if I don't do it, Saab may choose to void my warranty."
I was told that they weren't aware of any dealer recommending 50 mile oil changes, but the answer was still YES.
Finally, I asked WHO had the right to void my warranty. The answer was somewhat comforting -- only SAAB USA and requests to do so are handled on a case by case basis. The dealer can't arbitrarily void my warranty based on wether they think my maintenance procedures are appropriate.
Saab, you need to control your dealers. I get right from the horses mouth that 10K is all that is required, anything else is a waste. Then, my dealer tells me 5K is the only acceptable range. Either Saab Atlanta is wrong (makes you look bad) or the dealer is attempting to cheat me (makes you look worse). Neither of these is urging me to buy another Saab when the time comes.
-Dan
posted by 65.7.3...
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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
