Top 10 Common Automotive Defects

When we buy a new car, we often take for granted that it will work perfectly fine right off the assembly line. Unfortunately, care manufacturers often make mistakes, either through a faulty design or errors made by workers in the assembly process.

As a result, many of these design errors could cause you or others you share the road with to crash, leading to injury or death. Below is a list of some of the most common automotive defects.

1) Faulty airbags. These devices were installed to keep you safe, but can be part of the problem if not functioning correctly. Some airbags have been known to deploy while driving, obscuring the road from the driver and causing a crash. In other cases, the airbags do not properly deploy on impact, allowing significant blunt trauma to occur to the driver.

2) Faulty seat belts. Like airbags, seat belts occasionally malfunction at an opportune times and can become loose during an accident when the passenger needs them the most.

3) Faulty accelerator pedals. There have been several car manufacturers who have reported problems with the car acceleration system. The driver can be going along at normal speed and then all of the sudden the car undergoes a sudden acceleration, often causing the driver to hit the car in front of him. Sometimes the pedal literally just falls to the floor without warning.

4) Faulty tires. Tires are some of the most important components on a vehicle to insure a safe drive. A faulty tire can all of the sudden blow out in the middle of the freeway, causing the car to spiral dangerously out of control. Faulty tires can also fail to properly grip the road, especially in bad weather, due to flaws in tread design or rubber used to make it.

5) Bad brakes. Brakes are critical to the safety of your car. Some of the most serious accidents occur when the brakes fail and the driver cannot stop before slamming into another motorist or off the side of the road. Even if the brakes engage, but only partially stop the, they can result in an accident. Brakes can also engage prematurely, which can be particularly dangerous on high speed thoroughfares.

6) Faulty gas tank. A gas tank that either leaks or allows sparks access to the fuel inside can be particularly dangerous, especially during a crash. Sometimes the gas tank can even be placed improperly making it more likely to fail in the event of an accident, leading to a large explosion before the passengers have a chance to escape the car.

7) Fuel line defects. Similar to issues with the gas tank, a faulting gas line can literally be an explosive problem.

8) Flawed car design. Engineers often can fail when planning out the overall design of the car in terms of its center of mass. For example, if the car or van is too top heavy it could have a propensity to tip over when making modest turns at high speed.

9) Power steering failure. Many Americans have gotten used to how easy it is to maneuver their cars with power steering. The problem is that this ease comes with the price of being dependent on technology. If the power steering fails while you are driving, particularly if you are driving at a high speed, you could literally lose control of the car at a most inopportune time.

10) Defective electronics. It has been reported recently that certain GPS mapping systems have led drivers into hazardous conditions due to programming glitches in the GPS mapping software. Many drivers take GPS for granted and often do not expect their systems to fail or report incorrect directions. This has been known to lead some drivers into dangerous traffic circumstances.

The list above represents a list of some of the most common automotive defects consumers experience with a new car. As a result, if you plan on buying a new car it pays to pay attention to any independent consumer alerts and insist on a thorough inspection prior to trusting your loved ones lives with the vehicle.

In the event of being involved in a collision due to a defective auto part, be sure to contact a reputable car accident attorney to help protect your interests and explore your legal options.

Have you been involved in a serious auto accident?

If so, contact the car accident lawyers at Tapella & Eberspacher today for comprehensive legal advice and guidance.

Posted By: Crawfordville Auto & Tire  http://crawfordvilleauto.com

Service Your Car

Service Your Car

Copyright © 2014 Crawfordville Auto and Tire

Being stranded in the middle of nowhere with your car broken down is probably a car owner's worst nightmare. Do not ignore that serious red 'check engine light' reminding you to get your car serviced. While your car may still run smoothly, there are a lot of intricate details you may have missed out. 

So who do you turn to when you need something a little more elaborate than an oil change? Your local auto shop offers premium services to all of its customers and provides holistic care for your car. 

How to Cover your Basics? 
There are a number of easy ways to check if your car is in need of a few basic mechanical services. 

The new electronic ignition technology provides for better and faster engine starts. However, it often results in a lot of misfires and coils. So if you hear a noise every time you start your car, ensure your next stop is the garage. You local technicians are trained to handle this niche area as it is relatively complex and needs specific equipment. 

All potholes and bad road conditions are absorbed by your car's suspension. They are a series of springs that absorb shocks/struts ensuring you feel as little of a bump as possible. You can usually tell when your suspension is a little off if you feel a twinge of strain on your back or hear a dull rattling noise every time you encounter bad roads 

The tires are the most important part of the car after the engine. Adequate care to the tires means ensuring there is the right amount of pressure at all times, checking for wear and tear as well as the alignment. Alignment is what helps keep a car steady especially at high speeds. A good way to check if your alignment is a little off is to gently release your hand from the steering on a regular straight road and observe which way the car diverts. 

One thing you are bound to notice as your car gets old is a decrease in fuel efficiency. This is because the efficacy of the fuel injectors, fuel systems and fuel pump is reduced due to long term use. 

Vehicles these days come with a timing belt that keeps the engine running smooth. While these do not give an indication before they stretch, crack and break, it's recommend that you get them replaced every 60,000 miles. 

Other Services 
They should also take care of all your car cooling needs. Most cars come with a belt that functions on a system of pulleys to work the coolant system of the car. They also have radiator hoses made out of rubber, and the belt and hoses are exposed to extreme conditions. 

Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Autumn and Winter 

With the end of summer and its transition to winter, your car needs a little extra care. The coolant system and air conditioning needs to be working impeccably so it can defrost the car quicker and keep you warmer in the snow. Your batteries need to be charged as you will need that extra power to start your car after a night of snow. Also carry out all oil changes to keep it running smooth in the harsh winter. Carry out a check for emissions as well as CV joints.

At Crawfordville Auto Care, we recommend factory maintenance once every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first during which we advise you on any minor or major engine repair work. We also carry out systematic fuel system cleaning to help you get the best of your mileage. http://crawfordvilleauto.com

Posted By: Crawfordville Auto  http://crawfordvilleauto.com