News Alert 2

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Q5 owners,
Take note. The next time you send your Q5 for service at EM, just ask the friendly S.Advisor whether your suspension system's software is the upgraded version or not.
There's a service bulletin out for Q5s (28/9/2009) in the States for this, and apparently it only enhances the handling of the Q5. Not major.
Year Manf.2009 Q5s.

Mftr. code : 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: SOFTWARE, "PE"

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Folks,
If any of your friends or relative drives a SAAB 9-3 (year circa 1/9/2003 to 1/5/2004), there is a recall by GM on this model.
Citing potential failure of Front seat belt retractor, where it might during an impact, the retractor will not properly work.

NHTSA Report; 10V043000

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT, OVER TIME, COULD FAIL.

Consequence Summary: THE BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RETRACT AND IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Corrective Summary: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE WILL BE RELEASED FOR THE SAME POPULATION TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE RETRACTORS FOR 10 YEARS FROM NEW VEHICLE DATE OF SALE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

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Folks, there's a service bulletin out for the A4, please check with your local SA for clarification

NHTSA Item Number: 10032290
Service Bulletin #: TSB-01-09-06
Replacement #:
Vehicle/Equipment Make: AUDI
Vehicle/Eqipment Model: A4
Model Year: 2010
Mfg Component Code: 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: SOFTWARE
Date of Bulletin: 2009-05-13
Date Added: 2010-03-01
Summary: AUDI: SOFTWARE VERSION MANAGEMENT (SVM), OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. SVM IS A PROCESS TO UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN FLASHABLE (RE-PROGRAMMABLE) CONTROL MODULES AND/OR TO DOCUMENT CHANGES IN SOFTWARE LEVELS IN AUDI VEHICLES. THIS SYSTEM USES T

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Audi A4 B6 - Water Pump


Folks. This one you cannot give it a miss. Water Pump failure !!

Apparently, there's two type of water pump for the B6. One comes with plastic turbine, and the other is a cast alloy turbine.
The plastic turbine have imprints of the word "Germany", sold as replacement parts; where as the alloy would have the "Made in Germany" inscribed on it, sold as original replacement part (OEM spec-ed).
The selling price of both is not far apart (Cost is not known).
I raised the alert here as it appears that the plastic turbined water pump have a much more shorter lifespan. Some with complains of water leak, and some the water pump seized. Which in this case, my 2nd.replacement water pump seized recently. I was lucky as the timing belt still holds although the grooves are frail due to the water pump seized/jammed.
Just look at the picts... Its fortunate that I was not speeding.. the plastic turbine is seen here without its turbine..."vaporised?"... and its jammed tight..