Chronicling the Ever-Changing Automotive Industry
2008 Infiniti QX56
What is it with braking systems on vehicles these days? Have automakers lost their minds? I believe it to be a combination of trying to save money and the mainstream application of “drive by wire” systems, where computers and sensors replace traditional hydraulics and cables. Nissan is the latest automaker to initiate a recall for its brakes, as well as faulty fuel gauges.
Continue reading ‘Nissan to recall 539,864 vehicles for brake pins, fuel gauges’
Not in the history of automobiles has a manufacturer created a car that produces 300+ horsepower and gets 30+ MPG. Well, we can’t say that any more. The 2011 Mustang V6 was recently tested by the EPA and found to get 31 MPG highway when equipped with an automatic transmission, 29 MPG when equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission. The city MPG for both transmissions is 19.
Continue reading ‘Update: 2011 Mustang V6 gets 31MPG, sets record’
The Geneva Motor Show is in force this week, and there is lots of information coming out of it. Following up a preview on the upcoming Honda CR-Z, a video has been released by Honda showing the production version of the car. Click past the jump to see it!
Continue reading ‘Update: Honda CR-Z Video from Geneva’
Toyota Avalon
Last year, Toyota released a “Limited Service Campaign” (LSC) for some of its V6-equipped vehicles. An LSC shouldn’t be confused with a recall, because recalls are for safety issues and the LSCs are for “customer satisfaction,” according to Toyota. This campaign is for a defective oil line for the affected engines. Over time, a rubber portion of the line may degrade, causing oil to leak out, the engine to make odd noises, and the oil pressure light to illuminate on the vehicle’s dashboard.
Continue reading ‘Toyota expands Oil Leak Fix to new models’
As a result of an earlier investigation, GM has announced the recall of 1.3 million cars. The bulk of them are in America, and are sold here as the Chevrolet Cobalt and the Pontiac G5. The latter is no longer sold (as Pontiac is being shut down), but the former will be replaced soon by the Cruze. In the mean time, 2005-2010 Cobalts and 2007 – 2010 G5s are being recalled for power steering issues. The problem stems from a power steering motor which wears out, leaving the driver with no power steering. While the car remains controllable, it requires more effort to steer, which has led to 14 accidents and 1 injury so far, in over 1,100 complaints.
Continue reading ‘GM Recalls 1.3 million Chevy Cobalts and Pontiac G5s’
Ahead of the Geneva auto show, Porsche has released video on its new 2011 Cayenne. While the Cayenne has been Porsche’s biggest seller since its introduction last decade, the automaker is looking to expand its market share in the Luxury SUV segment. To that end, they’ve redesigned the Cayenne, starting with sleeker (and lighter) new sheetmetal, followed by a slight bump in horsepower. Click past the jump for a couple of videos of it.
Continue reading ‘Video: 2011 Porsche Cayenne’
