A MATTER OF TIMING

I am the owner of a Volkswagen Passat, model year 2012, and the service book that came with it recommends changing the camshaft belt at 210,000km. The Volkswagen service managers tell me this is unsuitable for Australian conditions but I believe a thermostatically-controlled engine at 90 degrees is the same the world over. I do not think a modern cam belt is only good for 106,000km. Bill Holsten, email

Volkswagen spokesman, Paul Pottinger, replies: “The owner’s manual may state that the timing belt can be replaced at 210,000 kilometres, but the owner’s manuals are made internationally and not all features in the owner’s manual are suitable for the Australian market. The timing belt is one of those items. For Australian conditions Volkswagen Group Australia recommends that the timing belt is replaced at seven years or 105,000km — whichever occurs first”.