Tuesday, May 26, 2015
NHTSA and Ford investigating steering issues in Crown Vic Grand Marquis and Marauder
There may be more steering woes for the Ford Crown Victoria. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary evaluation into the Crown Vic and Mercury Grand Marquis from the 2004 to 2007 model years and the Mercury Marauder for the 2004 and 2005 model years because the steering shaft can jam. The issue could potentially affect an estimated 500,000 vehicles.
According to the regulator, there is a possibility that the drivers side heat shield for the exhaust manifold can rust, dislodge, and then wedge into the steering shaft. If this occurs, it leads to a situation where the driver can no longer control the car.
NHTSA has received five complaints of this happening, including one alleged case with an injury. In that situation, the car was driving onto the highway, lost control and rolled over. One occupant was hurt in the accident.
This isnt the first case of potential steering issues with the Crown Vic. Ford recalled 370,000 of them in 2013 in fix some components because of possible corrosion. NHTSA also investigated some police models for issues with the steering shaft.
A Ford spokesperson told Autoblog via email: "We are cooperating with NHTSA on this investigation, as we always do." It has no further information about the evaluation at this time. Scroll down to read the entire NHTSA report.
Date Investigation Opened: JUL 07, 2014
Date Investigation Closed: Open
NHTSA Action Number: PE14021
Component(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , STEERING
All Products Associated with this Investigation
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
FORD CROWN VICTORIA 2004-2007
MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS 2004-2007
MERCURY MARAUDER 2004-2005
Details
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
SUMMARY:The Office of Defects Investigation has received five complaints alleging incidents of steering shaft obstruction caused by interference from a dislodged heat shield. The complaints indicated that the drivers side exhaust manifold shield can dislodge due to corrosion of the attachment bolts and become jammed between the manifold and steering shaft preventing the steering from turning or requiring excessive force to overcome the interference. In one incident (VOQ 10578715), the steering allegedly locked up on a highway entrance ramp, causing a rollover crash and injury. The complaint indicated that the heat shield was discovered to be dislodged after the crash, with witness marks from the alleged obstruction between the steering shaft and engine block. A preliminary evaluation has been opened to assess the frequency, scope and safety consequences of the alleged defect. VOQs associated with this investigation are: 10317493, 10471833, 10479681, 10545112, 10578715
ODI RESUME
Investigation: PE 14-021
Date Opened: 07/07/2014
Investigator: Chris Lash
Reviewer: Jeff Quandt
Approver: Frank Borris
Subject: Steering Column Shaft Obstruction
MANUFACTURER & PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Products: MY 2004 to 2007 Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Marauder
Population: 500,000 (Estimated)
Problem Description: The drivers side exhaust manifold heat shield can rust and become dislodged, potentially jamming the steering shaft.
| *Description of Other: EWR field report data | |||||
ACTION / SUMMARY INFORMATION
Action: A preliminary evaluation has been opened.
Summary:
The Office of Defects Investigation has received five complaints alleging incidents of steering shaft obstruction caused by interference from a dislodged heat shield. The complaints indicated that the drivers side exhaust manifold shield can dislodge due to corrosion of the attachment bolts and become jammed between the manifold and steering shaft preventing the steering from turning or requiring excessive force to overcome the interference. In one incident (VOQ 10578715), the steering allegedly locked up on a highway entrance ramp, causing a rollover crash and injury. The complaint indicated that the heat shield was discovered to be dislodged after the crash, with witness marks from the alleged obstruction between the steering shaft and engine block.
A preliminary evaluation has been opened to assess the frequency, scope and safety consequences of the alleged defect.
VOQs associated with this investigation are: 10317493, 10471833, 10479681, 10545112, 10578715
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Comedians in Cars Getting Cocaine with Joel McHale and Tony Hale
We have to hand it to Jerry Seinfeld for making a go of his web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. The king of observational humor manages to get some of the biggest names in comedy into some seriously cool cars (and some rather curious ones). But what if they werent getting coffee? What if they were getting an even more potent pick-me-up?
While we wouldnt condone drug abuse â€" certainly not while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle â€" thats the basis behind this comedic spoof. Starring Talk Soups Joel McHale (who you might also recognize from NBCs Community) and Tony Hale (of Arrested Development and Veep fame), the three-and-a-half-minute clip takes place behind the wheel of a 1959 Ford Skyliner â€" easily as cool as anything Seinfeld has driven, but hardly the kind of low-key getaway car youd want to take on a drug run. Watch them get the blow in the video below.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Official Mazda sells 10 millionth car in the US does something special
When Lauren Carter of Glen Ellyn, IL was in the market for her first car, she went for a Mazda3. Not a bad choice, but not necessarily remarkable on the surface. After all, Mazda sold 123,361 of them here last year alone. What she didnt know was that the car she bought was the 10 millionth Mazda had sold in the US over the course of its 43-year history here, since selling its first rotary-powered R100 here in 1970.
Rather than let the occasion pass with nothing more than a press release (like the one below), Mazda gave Lauren a brand-new 2014 Mazda3 to replace the 2013 model she had bought. Which is a nice gesture, of course, but also enables Mazda to hold on to the landmark 10,000,000th car in its heritage collection.
Forty-Three Years of Fun-to-Drive Cars Has Brought Mazda to its Greatest Accomplishment
IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 22, 2013 - Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced that it recently sold its 10-millionth vehicle in the United States, since starting U.S. sales operations in 1970. The 10-millionth vehicle, a 2013 Mazda3, was sold from Continental Mazda of Naperville, Ill., to Lauren Carter of Glen Ellyn, Ill. To celebrate this significant milestone, Mazda has replaced Carters recently purchased 2013 Mazda3 with an all-new 2014 Mazda3, and the 10-millionth vehicle will become a permanent part of the Mazda heritage collection.
"The first 10 million vehicles sold in the U.S. were reached through taking the road less traveled," said Jim OSullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. "The next 10 million will be accomplished by defying convention, continuing to push the limits of engineering and infusing every vehicle Mazda builds with the soul of a sports car."
"We are honored to work with Lauren and are glad she is part of this occasion. We couldnt be any happier that she chose Mazda as her first new car," added OSullivan.
Carter, a 26-year old accounts receivable specialist and guitar teacher, was in the market for a sporty, fun-to-drive car that has plenty of storage and still achieves high MPG numbers. After conducting her research, Carter bought her first new car, a 2013 Mazda3. Unbeknownst to her, it would be the 10-millionth Mazda ever sold.
"I chose a Mazda because I did the research and learned that Mazda has some of the most reliable, feature-packed cars on the market," said Lauren Carter, Mazdas 10-millionth customer. "Mazdas cars are designed for people who are looking to get more out of their vehicle. I compared Mazda with other brands and models before purchasing and those other cars didnt compare. The Mazda3 is fun to drive and I can fit my guitar and amplifier in the trunk. For me, theres nothing better!"
The all-new 2014 Mazda3 is a segment leader in fuel economy, design and technology. It achieves up to 41 MPG highway, has segment-first technology, like its Active Driving Display, i-ELOOP regenerative engine breaking system and an advanced suite of i-ACTIVSENSE safety technologies.
Since selling its first vehicle in the United States in 1970, in the form of the rotary-powered R100, Mazda continues to be a company built on the foundation of engineering, taking the road less-traveled and producing vehicles for those who love to drive. Throughout the last 43 years, Mazda has designed and built some of the worlds best-selling and most iconic sports cars, sedans and SUVs.
In 1978, Mazda introduced the rotary-powered RX-7, which went on to become one of the most recognizable sports cars of its day. In 1989, the company introduced the MX-5 Miata, which went on to become the best-selling two-seat roadster in the world with more than 900,000 sold. In 2004, Mazda launched the Mazda3, an all-new sedan and 5-door vehicle that would bring segment-firsts like four-wheel disc brakes, xenon headlights, and leather seating to a class that had been filled with mundane driving appliances.
Mazda is the only car manufacturer to mass-produce the unique rotary engine, having built and sold nearly two million rotary-powered vehicles globally. Additionally, Mazda is the first and only Japanese manufacturer to have won the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans, in 1991.
Not resting on its laurels, Mazda continues to look to the future while honoring its past. The company recently launched its all-new engineering philosophy, SKYACTIV®1 TECHNOLOGY, a suite of design and engineering technologies intended to maximize fuel efficiency without sacrificing driving dynamics. Alongside SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, Mazda also introduced its new design language, referred to as KODO, which imparts a distinctive and dynamic exterior and an emotive and sophisticated interior.
The common theme throughout all of its accomplishments is that Mazda builds cars that are stylish and centered on stellar driving dynamics through race-proven engineering. Simply getting from point A to point B is not the goal with Mazda; it is about enjoying the journey in-between.
Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com.
#Mazda3 #Mazda10M
1 SKYACTIV is a registered trademark of Mazda Motor Corporation (MC).
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
How to change the oil in your car in 8 steps
Changing the car oil is one of the most important things you can do for the welfare of your car. The regular oil change is an essential part of maintaining optimum car as it helps the engine run smoothly and last longer, while improving performance.
Used oil clogs the critical parts of your vehicle and could eventually cause a major failure in the motor, whose repair could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Many car owners are hesitant or they feel like changing the oil themselves, preferring to leave it to the mechanic in his workshop. However, changing the oil is actually very simple to do, and also if you like DIY, save yourself some money.
You have to check the manual for your car but normally you should change the engine oil every 4500-9000 miles. This is what you need if youre going to face the oil change
Essential for oil change
Two portable ramps
Wedges
Oil pan
An old rag
Clothes that do not mind staining
Latex gloves (or similar)
Engine Oil
An oil filter
Wrench oil filter
Wrench
The guide in 8 steps Rastreator.com to change the engine oil in your car
Start the engine for a few minutes to warm the oil (cold oil is drained worse than if tempered). If the car has been running for a while, wait until the engine cools down a little, as the hot oil could be burned.
Unless youre driving a monstrous trailer, you have to raise the car. Place a couple of portable ramps on an elevated surface and carefully driving the car until the front wheels are squarely on the ramps. Give the parking brake, turn off the engine and leave the car in first (or "Neutral" if automatic). For extra safety, wedges placed behind the rear wheels. Note: never use two jacks to prop up the car: very unstable!
Wearing gloves to protect your skin from harmful chemicals in the oil, slide under the car and locate the oil drain plug on the engine. Then place the oil pan underneath. Check your owners manual to find the exact location.
Loosen the plug with a wrench until you can remove by hand, and get ready for a splash of oil. It is imperative that you do this when the engine is too hot! Once all the oil has drained, put the cap back on.
Then you have to change the oil filter. Raise the hood of the car and hold it properly. Locate the oil filter and uses a special wrench to unscrew. Take the new filter and lubricate the rubber seal with a thin coat of oil to help protect it. You just have to screw the filter into place and tighten it with the wrench.
Remove the plug to fill the oil tank in the upper part of the engine. Place the funnel in the hole (some oil bottles come with one) and pour the oil clean. Sign in manual oil capacity and found that the levels are correct by dipstick. Do not forget to put the cap back on.
Put the car in neutral and check for eye if something dripping under the car. If so, stop the engine, put it back in place and make sure all plugs are closed and properly adjusted.
Used motor oil is highly toxic to the environment. To eliminate waste oil properly, take it to your private workshop where you can report how recycling or storage.
And thats about to change the oil in your car. Now you can brag to your friends from your impressive mechanical skills!
Toyota is planning to produce components in composites of carbon fiber
Toyota is starting to think about what to do with its manufacturing of composite carbon fiber, which until now was engaged in making the Lexus LFA. With the end of production of the same, this is no other utility plant to manufacture spare parts for cars launched.
The initial project, when the LFA was still a project, was to develop a manufacturing base for composite vehicles completely, but the strong yen makes the project to launch vehicle mass (not a limited edition to demonstrate its technology as the LFA) is interrupted.
Therefore we will not see more vehicles Toyota group with 65% by weight of the composite as the LFA, but the knowledge gained will be transferred to other models in the Toyota and Lexus. The focus now goes to produce light components in the composite to be included in consumer vehicles, thus helping to reduce weight and fuel.
This not only involves vehicles built in Japan, that knowledge will transfer to other plants worldwide manufacturer to enter that way, little by little, the composites in more mundane models the LFA supercar.
But to achieve that the first is to reduce the production cost. Current methods were designed for the aerospace industry where weight reduction is an important element that makes the cost of these processes is not as significant, but the automotive industry is another world here sends cost a lot.
The automotive industry before the composites
From General Motors to Lamborghini many manufacturers are looking to produce their vehicles in this lightweight, very durable but extremely expensive. The main problem, as I told you during special Transport technology for lightweight materials, comes from production times. The cockpit of a LFA took almost two weeks to build because of the complications of the production processes.
That is a long time in automotive terms, only leaving the production line one LFA per day, and it was precisely because of the intensity at times, so Lexus losing money on every unit sold.
To improve this aspect manufacturers seek new solutions and new polymeric matrices which cure faster than epoxy or new production processes that enhance automation.
The only manufacturer that has come to make a car affordable composite was electric BMW with i3, which still costs between 35,000 and 40,000 euros; much when you consider how it will be the car.
But BMWs bet seems too risky for Toyota, and is seeking the Japanese make certain components (hoods, trunk doors, aerodynamic additives, etc.) Composite material to save weight, but keeping the problem of the cost of producing the whole car away.
At the moment there is no model of the Toyota group, apart from the LFA, using composite materials in its construction, but it would not be surprising that upcoming models take advantage of the lessons learned in building the Japanese supercar.
