Dr. Gizmo's Auto Blabber: February 2015

Monday, February 23, 2015

Recalls for February 23, 2015

Good Monday morning!

What a way to start the week. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued 14 safety recalls.

This week engines may stall due to a faulty fuel pump or they may seize due to loose bolts inside an engine. Steering issues, faulty wiring, faulty axles, faulty brakes and air bags are some of the other issues.

Please review the recalls. If your vehicle is affected by any of these recalls please have it repaired as soon as possible. We want you to travel safely.

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.


NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V066
Manufacturer :	Piaggio Group Americas. Inc.
Make / Model Years :	PIAGGIO / 2008-2011
Subject :	Defective Fuel Pump may Result in Stall

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V067
Manufacturer :	Newmar Corporation
Make / Model Years :	NEWMAR / 2013-2014
Subject :	Loose Steering Linkage Castlenuts

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V069
Manufacturer :	Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :	LAND ROVER / 2015
Subject :	Engine may Seize due to Loose Connecting Rod Bolts

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V071
Manufacturer :	Nova Bus
Make / Model Years :	NOVA BUS / 2009-2010
Subject :	Rear Axle Half Shaft may Fail

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V072
Manufacturer :	Nova Bus
Make / Model Years :	NOVA BUS / 2006
Subject :	Rear Brake System Air Line may Detach

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V073
Manufacturer :	Nova Bus
Make / Model Years :	NOVA BUS / 2007
Subject :	Exhaust Pipe Leak may Result in Fire

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V074
Manufacturer :	Nova Bus
Make / Model Years :	NOVA BUS / 2007
Subject :	Wires In Connector For ABS System May Be Reversed

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V075
Manufacturer :	Nova Bus
Make / Model Years :	NOVA BUS / 2006-2007
Subject :	Rear Exit Door Controls may not Function Properly

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V076
Manufacturer :	Nova Bus
Make / Model Years :	NOVA BUS / 2008
Subject :	Emergency Exit Windows Difficult to Open/FMVSS 217

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V077
Manufacturer :	Nova Bus
Make / Model Years :	NOVA BUS / 2007-2009
Subject :	Incorrectly Routed Power Feed Cable

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V078
Manufacturer :	Nova Bus
Make / Model Years :	NOVA BUS / 2009
Subject :	Power Relay Incorrectly Wired

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V079
Manufacturer :	Nova Bus
Make / Model Years :	NOVA BUS / 2009
Subject :	Damaged Crimping Rings on Air Brake Hoses

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V088
Manufacturer :	Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Make / Model Years :	MERCEDES BENZ / 2013-2015
Subject :	Rubber Seal may Dislodge and Contact Exhaust

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	15V093
Manufacturer :	Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
Make / Model Years :	LAND ROVER / 2013-2015
Subject :	Passenger Air Bag May Be Disabled

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Chevrolet Volt Owners Got Their Say in Next-Gen Model

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DETROIT - To Sam Miller-Christiansen, his 2014 Chevrolet Volt is the best car he has owned. And he was willing to tell anyone, including the team developing the next-generation Volt. “I said that if they could improve the overall EV range, it would make one of my favorite cars even better,” Miller-Christiansen said. “To my amazement, they’ve done it.”

It is just one example of how the 2016 Volt was engineered with input from the collective voices of loyal owners.

Shortly after launching the first-generation Volt, Chevrolet convened and met once a month with a customer advisory board of 12 owners from across the country to understand how consumers were operating their Volts.

“The Volt represented a completely new classification of electric vehicles, and we were unsure of how people would react or how this vehicle would fit in their daily lives,” said Darin Gesse, Volt product manager. “So we began asking simple questions like how and when the owners plugged in their Volt, which directly impacted the development of the next generation.

“We talk about putting the customer at the center of everything we do, and we’ve literally done that with the 2016 Volt.”

The Volt team also wanted to know what Volt features owners liked and what features might need improvement. The team talked with Volt owners though social media, plug-in events and Internet panels.

The owners’ constructive and candid feedback ultimately helped the engineering team decide what direction to take the next-generation Volt.

In addition to more EV range and improved fuel economy in extended range, customers also expressed a strong desire for a fifth seating position for short trips. The new Volt offers those features as well as increased space and available rear heated seats.

The 2016 Volt offers a GM-estimated 50 miles of EV range, and a total driving range of more than 400 miles between fill-ups. With regular charging, owners are expected to travel more than 1,000 miles on average between gas fill-ups. This is based on GM-estimated fuel efficiency of 41 MPG and 401 MPGe, a measure of the average distance traveled per unit of energy consumed.

Chevrolet also learned customers wanted a more intuitive vehicle interface. So the 2016 Volt center stack is easier to use, with fewer icons, separate climate control knobs, and buttons below the center display designed to provide clear and convenient operation.
Customers also influenced these features:

Quieter engine at lower speeds
Light-emitting diode (LED) headlamps, providing a more visible, higher efficiency light
Reduced air dam scraping when entering or exiting driveways
Heated steering wheel
Regen on Demand^TM– giving drivers more control over regenerative braking, which reclaims energy while the car slows
Customization of vehicle information depending on driver’s preference
Location-based charging selection, making vehicle charging at multiple locations easier to manage
More discrete charging notifications
Charge door open reminder
Illuminated charge port
Available spare tire

The current Volt enjoys some of the highest customer loyalty and quality scores in the industry. In just four years, Volt has earned more accolades and more “best buy” awards than any other electric vehicle, including the 2015 Kelley Blue Book’s 2015 Best Buy Award and Top Safety Pick from The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.8 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive & active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Monday, February 16, 2015

Recalls for February 16, 2015

Happy Monday everyone.

It's been a busy week for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This week they have posted more recalls than perhaps any week so far this year.

This week's issues include errors in an owner's guide regarding air bags, door handle spring problems, improper positioning of axles, improper fastener tightening, leaky oil pressure switches that could cause a fire, electrical fires, oil leaks on to tires and more.

Please review the recalls. If your vehicle is affected please have it repaired as quickly as possible as we want you to be as safe as possible in your vehicle.

Have a great week!