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Realworldautomotive – a new resource for consumers

Posted by Sergei Lemberg, Esq. on November 26th, 2009

Just stumbled on a new resource for auto-related information and wanted to bring it to the attention of my readers. Alex Steele, a well-known writer on auto-related topics just launched http://www.realworldautomotive.com/ and now provides professional answers to auto repair questions. RealWorldAutomotive.com is a network of consumer-technical car and truck information.

The site has an archive of auto repair questions and answers by an ASE certified master technician/journalist, plus a variety of articles which are more than relevant to automotive consumers, plus access to important data and expert opinions on reliability, maintenance, fuel economy, and other significant topics to help car owners stay on top of their investment.

Included are forums by make, model and subcategories to discuss anything automotive with people like you, and qualified on-staff technicians. The site aims to provide unbiased, real-world automotive information. Visit http://www.realworldautomotive.com/questions-and-answers/ for a quick bio of Alex, .realworldautomotive.com/shoptalk-questions-2007-gmc-sierra-power-steering-noise-tsb-t484.html for an example of a recent Q&A post.

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Approximately 161K 2007-08 Jeep Wranglers Recalled by Chrysler

Posted by Sergei Lemberg, Esq. on November 23rd, 2009

Chrysler informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) that it is recalling about 161,000 Jeep Wranglers that were assembled without a transmission fluid temperature warning system. 2007-2008 Wranglers are affected by the recall. As reported in the New York Times, Chrysler expained the reason for the recall:

“Operating a vehicle under rigorous off-road conditions will cause the vehicle’s transmission fluid temperature to elevate…Continuous operation under such rigorous conditions may lead to a transmission failure.”

NHTSA’s press release, which can be found here, states that the remedy for affected owners is to bring their vehicle to dealers, who will

“…inspect and install a “hotoil” message in the instrument cluster and a chime indicating an elevated transmission fluid condition. The recall is expected to begin during December 2009.”

The lack of temperature warning system is potentially serious, and could even lead to an engine fire. Owners of recalled Jeeps should contact their dealers for more information.

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Is Toyota’s Floor Mat Problem the Tip of the Iceberg?

Posted by Sergei Lemberg, Esq. on October 22nd, 2009

Complaints of auto defects leading to sudden acceleration are nothing new, but the recall of 3.8 million Toyotas has led some investigative reporters to some unsettling conclusions. According to the Los Angeles Times, automakers and safety experts are questioning whether there are inherent design flaws in vehicles that prevent drivers from taking appropriate action when unexpected acceleration occurs. They cite the Lexus ES 350 as an example. With its push-button start system that relies on the combination of a handheld device and a dashboard button, the Lexus doesn’t make it easy for a driver to do what seems like a no-brainer when a car is accelerating out of control: shut off the engine. The button has to be held down for three seconds once the car is moving – something most drivers wouldn’t know, and which can seem like an eternity when the car is careening.

Other sophisticated electronic components and design elements can create a confusing or no-win situation for a driver. It’s can be difficult to shift a vehicle into neutral, and the vacuum pressure drop when the car’s throttle is fully open makes power-assisted brakes worthless.

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Washington State Residents Called to Action

Posted by Sergei Lemberg, Esq. on October 21st, 2009

Seattle-Tacoma’s News Tribune recently reported on a coalition meeting of lawyers and experts who say that auto fraud in Washington State is careening out of control. In addition to the horror stories of consumers who were ripped off by auto dealers and financiers, the story highlights some startling statistics. Attorney Victoria Cherniak was quoted as saying, “Consumer Reports found that of the totaled cars involved in fatal accidents, 20 percent were rebuilt and put back on the road, and 30 percent of those rebuilt cars had the totaled disclosure removed from the car’s title.” It was also noted that creditors gave dealers kickbacks totaling almost $475 million in 2007.

The coalition is urging Washington residents to contact their state legislators and demand additional consumer protections, such as a lemon law for used cars, minimum safety standards, a cooling-off period for buyers, and requirements that dealers inspect vehicles and disclose defects.

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Pioneering Lemon Law Legislator Dies

Posted by Sergei Lemberg, Esq. on October 20th, 2009

The Los Angeles Times reported that Robert Beverly, a California Republican who served in the state legislature as both an assemblymember and a senator, passed away recently at his Southern California home. Beverly, along with Democrat Al Song, were at the leading edge of crafting laws that protect California consumers, including the Song-Beverly Act that created the state’s lemon law.

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Realworldautomotive – a new resource for consumers

Approximately 161K 2007-08 Jeep Wranglers Recalled by Chrysler

Is Toyota’s Floor Mat Problem the Tip of the Iceberg?

Washington State Residents Called to Action

Pioneering Lemon Law Legislator Dies

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