When the first mainstream electric cars, the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, hit the market, they were advertised as being easy on the pocketbook and good for the environment. Because of their size and weight, may consumers had concerns that safety may have been compromised in order to meet the promised fuel efficiency. Recent crash tests done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have shown that this just isn’t true. In fact, both cars have received “Top Safety Ratings” receiving the highest possible ratings for front, side, rear, and rollover crash protection. According to Joe Nolan, the IIHS chief administrative officer, Eco-minded drivers keen on switching to an electric vehicle should not think twice about buying a Leaf or Volt for highway driving. General Motors and Nissan have shown that safety doesn’t have to be sacrificed for fuel economy.
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Unfixed Recalls Could Be Dangerous
With millions of recalls issued every year, it is not surprising that an estimated 25% are never fixed. Even though new car dealerships are forbidden from selling vehicles with open recalls, there’s no similar requirements for used car dealerships. According to Clarence Dithlow, the executive director for the Center for Auto Safety in Washington, “Every safety defect is serious and should be fixed, and better regulation is needed to ensure that they are.”
National Automobile Dealers Association (NADE) opposes any legal mandate that would prohibit a dealer from selling a vehicle with open recalls, because forcing used car dealerships will impose major costs and burdens on used car commerce. They say that it is the responsibilities of owners of pre-owned vehicles to investigate if a recall has been issued for their vehicle.
Problems With Modern Automobile Interfaces
The modern car interface can do everything from making a dinner reservation to reading your text messages. In order to do this, an array of knobs and buttons are needed on the dashboard making the use of the system much more confusing. Sam Grobart, the Times’ personal technology editor, shows us three different interface systems that are trying to solve this problem. He test drives the Acura ZDX, Ford Focus, and the Audi A8 and finds that making our lives easier can often be frustrating.
Algae Growing In Diesel Fuel Tanks
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With rising fuel costs, many consumers are turning to diesel vehicles for their better fuel economy. Most people who operate and maintain diesel engines are familiar with a black material seen in fuel filters or at the bottom of the tank, but many don’t realize that it is a growing “algae”. This organism inside the tank will lead to poor combustion, carbon buildup, and could end up costing the owner of the vehicle large amounts of money.
The algae is the result old fuel, and while the problem is often found in boat engines, automobiles are not immune. So what can be done to prevent the problem? There are additives you can use, but if it is not caught soon enough, it can still end up being costly to the consumer. Your best line of defense is being educated about the problem, and keeping up with regular maintenance.
Missing Air Bags Put Consumers At Risk
In 2008, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did a study over concerns of injuries and fatalities resulting from air bags not deploying during an auto accident. The most common reason for them not deploying was found to be that they were not there to begin with. During this five year study, an average of 51 vehicles a year were found to be missing air bags. Many of these cars came from rental companies who purchased fleets of vehicles and omitted them as a way to save money, while others were re-salvaged vehicles where the air bags were never replaced.
In many cases, dealerships are unaware that the vehicles they are selling do not have airbags. There are several things consumers can do to make sure this safety feature has not bee omitted.
- When starting s vehicle look for an air bag indicator light. It should momentarily light and then go out. If the light never comes on, remains on, or flashes, there could be a problem with the system.
- Have a trusted certified mechanic inspect the system before purchasing the vehicles.
- Visit the CarFax website to check for airbag deployments that have been reported.
- Fleet cars with deleted side curtain airbags have an option code “AK-5 (delete head curtain side impact airbags) located on a label under the carpeting in the trunk.
- A number 5 in the seventh position in the vehicle identification number could also could mean a deleted side airbag.
Traffic Fatalities Down But Education Still Needed
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics, traffic fatalities for 2010 have hit an all time low despite the increase in amount of miles driven by Americans. This three percent drop from 2009 reflects a steady declining trend since the middle of the last decade. The greatest drop in fatalities occurred in Washington State, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, where they fell by 12 percent, with Arizona, California and Hawaii having a decline of almost 11 percent.
Transportation officials say that the 2009 statistics may have been affected by the downturn of the economy, and that more unemployed youth results in less higher risk drivers on the road. The 2010 statistics, however, show that even though there is an increase in traffic on the roads, fatalities continue to decline. This decrease can be attributed to increased seat belt use, changes in vehicle safety systems, and campaigns addressing drunk driving and distracted drivers. According to U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, “Even though we have had good results for this year, they are not good enough. Our goal is to reduce deaths to zero if that is at all possible.” The next step is to reduce fatalities by educating drivers of the latest threats on the road. Distractions while driving, such as talking on the phone and texting have proven to be deadly and can be avoided by educating drivers..
Part Shortages Slowing Down Auto Production
As automobile manufacturers and part suppliers continue to experience delays in reopening factories in Japan after last weeks earthquake and tsunami, part shortages are starting to slow automobile production world wide. Toyota, Lexus, Honda, and Mazda have extended shutdowns in most of their Japanese factories, and the ones that have been reopened are not working at full capacity. According to analysts, auto makers will feel the worst of the shortages by early may and as many as five million vehicles will end up not being built because of it. It is estimated that about 13% of the world’s automotive production is out of commission.
The components most affected include semi-conductors, integrated circuits, sensors and LCD displays, but it won’t be long before shortages will also be seen in resins and synthetic rubber, power train parts, specialty materials such as silicon and certain types of glass and metals. General Motors announced that they will be suspending production of the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pickup trucks in their Louisiana factory and plants near Buffalo, New York that makes engines for those trucks. Other automobile manufacturers, are expected to suspend building in some of their U.S. factories as parts continue to become more scarce.
Japan Earthquake And Tsunami Halt Auto Production
Japanese auto manufacturing plants will remain closed today in order to assess the damage from Friday’s earthquake and Tsunami. Being outside the hardest hit areas, the factories are still operational, but rolling power blackouts and damaged infrastructure could prevent automobile shipments from leaving ports for a considerable amount of time. The three major Japanese automobile manufacturers, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda, supply most American consumers through factories in the U.S., but Lexus, Mazda, Suzuki and smaller fuel efficient cars like the Toyota Prius and Yaris, and the Honda Fit are built in Japan. In America, consumers have been turning to these small fuel efficient cars as gas prices increase. Some dealerships in North Palm Beach say that they have already sold out of these efficient cars, and they don’t know if any will be getting to their dealerships anytime soon.
