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Another Subpoena For Toyota

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Toyota has been subpoenaed again by a grand jury, this time for documents related to steering relay rods. A probe was launched when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received documents indicating that Toyota had potentially misled the government in 2005 over problems with steering linkages in its 1989-95 4Runner and the 1993-98 T100 vehicles. The subpoena, issued June 29, requests documents related to “defective, broken and/or fractured steering relay rods of Toyota vehicles,” Toyota said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In February, the same federal grand jury subpoenaed Toyota for information related to unintended acceleration in its vehicles as well as braking systems in the Prius hybrid. Toyota has also received subpoenas related to sudden acceleration from the SEC and the attorney general of Michigan. Toyota did not disclose which vehicles or model years were targeted by the latest subpoena.

Air Or Nitorgen In Tires

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We have been told that maintaining the correct tire pressure of your vehicle helps optimize the performance and fuel economy of the car as well as stabilizes the tire’s structure giving better responsiveness, traction and handling. Nitrogen has long been used in aircraft tires and in race cars and has recently become controversial on whether it would be beneficial to be used in tires of the average road cars.

Proponents of nitrogen argue that studies show that less than 60 percent of drivers check the inflation of their tires regularly so the use of nitrogen can offer drivers many benefits.

  • Because the nitrogen molecule is larger than oxygen, it will not leak out of the tire as quickly.
  • Nitrogen does not expand and contract as much as oxygen, so tire pressure will be maintained at an optimal level.
  • Nitrogen contains no water vapor, so it is less likely to degrade the interior rubber of the tires and corrode the rims of the vehicle.

As for the cons of using nitrogen, the air around us is already 78 percent nitrogen, with 21 percent oxygen and 1 percent other gases, so going to pure nitrogen reduces the amount of oxygen a small amount.

  • A Nitrogen filling station is more difficult to find, and as soon as oxygen is used, all the benefits of nitrogen will be lost.
  • The biggest factor, the price. Filling your tires with air is free, so will the price of using nitrogen outweigh the benefits claimed by using it? That could be difficult to prove.
  • Finally, the claim that nitrogen reduces the degradation of tires and rims, is questionable, since tires wear from the outside from use and road conditions, so the protection offered by nitrogen from the inside is quite minimal.

Whether nitrogen is better than oxygen is difficult to prove. The best defense in keeping your tire pressure at the right level is to check your tire pressure regularly. Many new vehicles have tire pressure monitoring, and many after market tire monitoring kits are affordable, so monitoring your tire pressure is easier than ever. Regular maintenance and care is usually the best for keeping your vehicle running optimally.

GM Confident In Volts Battery

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According to GM executive director of global electrical systems, “The Chevrolet Volt’s batteries have exceeded performance targets and are ready to hit the road.” To prove it, Chevrolet is offering one of the automotive industry’s longest, most comprehensive battery warranties for an electric vehicle. The standard 8 year, 100,000 mile warranty will also be transferable at no extra cost to other vehicle owners.

The Volt’s comprehensive battery warranty covers all 161 battery components as well as the thermal management system, charging system and electric drive components, which allows the Volt to operate under a full range of climates and driving conditions without concern about being stranded by a dead battery. It has a range of about 340 miles and is powered with electricity at all times. For up to the first 40 miles, the Volt is powered solely by electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, using no fuel and producing no emissions. When the Volt’s lithium-ion battery runs low, an engine/generator operates to extend the driving range another 300 miles on a full tank of fuel.

According to Nancy Laubenthal, plant manager of the Brownstown Battery Plant, “We’re moving fast to deliver for the customer and ensure the Volt launch stays on track.” “Last August we announced the investment in the Brownstown facility and in January built our first completed battery pack. Now we are finishing pre-production batteries and soon we will begin building production batteries for Chevrolet Volts that will be delivered to dealers before the end of the year.”

Toyota’s Electric RAV 4

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The joint venture between Toyota and Tesla Motors, will have us seeing an electric version of Toyota’s RAV4 on the roads as early as 2012. Toyota has made a limited number of electric RAV4’s in the past, but have never commercialized the vehicle. The few RAV 4 EV’s that have been running for the past ten years in fleets and in private hands has been considered a terrific workhorse for those driving it. In this new venture, Toyota gets to re-energize their once innovative small crossover vehicle, and Tesla can show that their style of battery and energy management can support large-scale usage.

Tesla is best known for their first and only electric car, the Roadster, which was introduced in 2008, but hopes to expand their market with their Model S sedan which it plans to start selling in 2012. With the e-RAV4 they hope to expand the market even further for electric vehicles by giving ‘soccer moms’ and small business owners a vehicle they can use on a daily basis.

Chrysler Recall For Braking Problems

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Chrysler and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will be recalling certain 2010 Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Nitro and Dodge Ram vehicles which were built will a defective part that could affect the braking ability. In certain models, the improperly formed part could allow brake fluid to drain out of the system leading to a loss of braking.

Although the NHTSA notice has already been issued, a full recall won’t take place until August, where dealers will install replacement brake tubes on affected models free of charge. If you have questions you can call Chrysler at 800-853-1403, or the NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

Daimler Truck Recall

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Daimler trucks is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 Freightliner Columbia, Cascadia, Coronado, Century, M2, Sterling 9500, and Western Star 4900 vehicles equipped with DD13 and DD15/DD16 engines and manufactured from January 1, 2007 through April 5, 2010. The problem is with the fuel filter becoming restricted resulting in the low pressure fuel flange becoming cracked resulting in a fuel leak. The fuel flange will be replaced with a new part free of charge. Owners may contact Daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0172.

Automobile Recalls For June 2010

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Below are some of the automobile recalls for June 2010

  • Access Options is recalling certain trucks and vans built on Ford E150, E350, Toyota Sienna, and Dodge Grand Caravan chassis and equipped with VMI/Ricon 6-way power seat bases. The seat base may have a defective weld on the pivot pin which could fail and injure the occupant. The manufacturer will replace the swivel plate free of charge if necessary. Owners may contact Access Option at 831-722-6804.
  • BMW is recalling 2008-2011 1-Series vehicles. In a crash that allows the front pre-tensioner and load limiter to deploy, the insulation around the pre-tensioner could ignite. The manufacturer is still working on a remedy for the problem. If owners would like more information, they can contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
  • Subaru is recalling certain 2010 Outback and Legacy passenger vehicles manufactured from February 16, 2009 through April 12, 2010. The wiring in the steering column electrical roll connector located behind the vehicle’s steering wheel may develop stress cracks and break resulting in certain electrical components not operating. Possible circuits affected are the driver’s frontal airbag, paddle shifter function, cruise control, horn control and radio functions. Dealers will check lot numbers of the steering roll connector and will replace it with a new one if the lot number showed any affected range of the failure occurrence. This service will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
  • Suzuki is recalling some 2006 grand Vitara’s and 2005-2006 XL-7 vehicles for the tension adjuster pulley that operates the power steering pump and air conditioner compressor. Repeated heat stress can cause the outer portion plastic materials to deteriorate and break off. Broken pieces of the pulley can get caught between the pulley and the drive belt, causing the drive belt to come off, making the vehicle difficult to steer. Dealers will replace the power steering pump drive belt tension adjuster pulley free of charge. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934.
  • Volvo is recalling some 2010-2011 C30, 2010 S40 and V50 vehicles equipped with 6 speed manual transmissions. The gearshift lever stud assembly may not have been torqued to the correct specification which could result in the gearshift lever cable or stud assembly to become loose, making it difficult to engage, disengage or shift gears. Dealers will torque the gearshift lever stud assembly to the correct specification free of charge. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552 or customercare@volvoforlife.com.
  • Volvo Trucks is recalling certain model year 2001-2006 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured with a TRW sealed drag links. Certain factors can exist, which if left untreated may result in a ball socket separation resulting in complete loss of steering. Dealers will inspect and repair the ball socket or the drag link as required. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before August 15, 2010. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks at 1-800-528-6586

GM, Chrysler Arbitrations Come To An End

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The Congress led arbitration hearings for almost 2,800 GM and Chrysler dealerships that were to be closed last year will soon come to an end. Since the hearings began, many of the cases have been resolved outside of arbitration. Some dealerships dropped out of the process on their own, others decided to start selling other brands, and some could still face months of litigation in state courts. While GM agreed that it would restore more than 660 dealerships and Chrysler about 80, the actual numbers will not be known until the arbitration is complete.