chrisescars.com

chrisescars.com


NHTSA opens case into Ford Fusion wheel stud problem

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 03:12 AM PST

sedan, saloon

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation into 280,000 units of the 2010 Ford Fusion sedan over wheel stability concerns.


The NHTSA said that it is currently reviewing four complaints that they have received about the Ford Fusion regarding alleged wheel stud fractures.

Three of the four complaints belong to the same 22-vehicle fleet but were assigned different drivers who said they experienced the issue at three different times. All the four units had between 5,000 to 11,000 miles and had never been serviced prior to the issue.

The NHTSA said that the fractures could result in wheel separation and loss of vehicle control. Ford said it is aware of the investigation and is going to fully cooperate with the government.





Source: egm Car Tech

Related Posts You may Find Interesting

Man recieves new Chevrolet Malibu after old one was crushed

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 03:07 AM PST

car crash

Chevrolet gave a brand new Chevy Malibu to a man whose previous one was crushed after a tractor-trailer landed on it trapping him inside the car.


Mark Keinath of Millington, Michigan was driving his 2004 Chevrolet Malibu on Interstate 75 when he drove over a patch of black ice and spun out of control, he eventually managed to regain control of the vehicle only to have a tractor trailer carrying 20 tons of sugar smash into the rear of him and flip on top of the Malibu.

As the weight of the trailer slowly began to crush the Malibu, Keinath quickly fully reclined his seat to give him more room and called emergency services.





“This is an incredible story of survival that shows you just never know what’s going to happen on the road,” said Rick Scheidt, executive director at Chevrolet. “When you look at Marc’s Malibu, you would never expect anyone would ever walk away from it.”

Related Posts You may Find Interesting

Lexus recalls 1.7 million vehicles worldwide

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 03:05 AM PST

Toyota has just got over the brake pedal problem and now another has occurred forcing Lexus company to recall 1.7 million vehicles around the world due to problems that may cause fuel leaks.


In the United States, Lexus has announced a voluntary Safety Recall involving approximately 245,000 units:

2006 to 2007 Lexus GS300/350
2006 to early 2009 Lexus IS250
and 2006 to early 2008 Lexus IS350.

Lexus had this to say about the problem:

Due to insufficient tightening of the fuel pressure sensor connected to certain engine fuel delivery pipes (those with Nickel Phosphorus plating), there is a possibility that the pressure sensor could loosen over time. If loosening occurs, fuel could leak past a gasket used in the connection between the sensor and the delivery pipe and through the threaded portion of the sensor.

Lexus dealers will inspect the recalled units for fuel leakage and if no leakage is found, it will tighten the fuel pressure sensor. If a leak is detected, the gasket between the sensor and the delivery pipe will be replaced and the sensor will be tightened.





Lexus owners can contact the Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-25 LEXUS or 1-800-255-3987 or at www.lexus.com/recall.

Related Posts You may Find Interesting

Suzuki Kizashi vs nasty snowmen commercial: Video

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 03:01 AM PST

commercial

Suzuki has released a rather entertaining commercial with their Kizashi sedan being chased by a swarm of wicked snowmen, this advert is being shown to TV viewers around the US.


This new commercial is a part of Suzuki’s ‘ Kizashi Kicks‘ campaign and is designed to show off the company’s sedan’s all wheel drive system.





Related Posts You may Find Interesting

Aston Martin V8 Vantage gets a sportier S version

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 03:00 AM PST

sports car

Aston Martin have released a sportier version of the V8 Vantage which comes with numerous new features and they are calling it the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S.


The standard 4.7 litre V8 engine has been tweaked to produce a higher 430 hp and 361 lb-ft of torque, the power is controlled by a newly developed 7-speed Sportshift II transmission specifically designed for the Vantage S with seven short ratio gears. Aston Martin claims that the transmission is twenty percent quicker than its Sportshift.

The V8 Vantage S also gets its own distinctive sound with a new exhaust muffler. Other features include: quickened steering rack ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1 on the standard car, larger diameter front brake discs with new six-piston front brake calipers, new dynamic stability control (DSC) system and bespoke Bridgestone tires.

"The Vantage S epitomises every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before," says Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, "It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range."





The looks of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S have also been improved with inspiration coming from the V12 Vantage, new features include; a new lower front bumper finished in carbon fiber houses, a larger air intake feeding the engine and front brakes, a splitter combined with the extended deck lid 'flip,’ 19 inch 'V' spoke wheel (optional 10-spoke lightweight forged wheel available) and a new rear bumper and side sills optically widen the car.

Related Posts You may Find Interesting

Suzuki Swift and Kizashi 4×4 Variants

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 02:57 AM PST

new car

Suzuki have announced that they are creating 4×4 variants of the new 2011 Swift and Kizashi sedans.


The 2011 Suzuki Swift 4×4 will offered with an exclusive 1.2 liter petrol engine that produces 94 horsepower and controlled via a 5-speed manual gearbox. Suzuki claims that this Swift variant will return a fuel economy of 6.7 lt/100km urban, 4.9 lt/100km highway and 5.5 lt/100km combined.





The Suzuki Kizashi 4×4 sedan features Suzuki’s intelligent all-wheel drive system (i-AWD), which allows the driver to manually switch the car from front wheel drive to all-wheel drive with the push of a button. The kizashi will be powered by a 178 hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine linked to an automatic transmission.

The Kizashi 4×4 averages 11.3 lt/100km in the city, 6.6 lt/100km on highway and 8.3 lt/100km on the combined cycle.

Related Posts You may Find Interesting

Porsche 911 Carrera Black Limited Editions

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 02:55 AM PST

sports car

Porsche has released information on a new special edition for the 911 Carrera Coupe and Convertible models, these limited edition 911s feature a black theme and numerous extras.


The Porsche 911 Carrera Black Limited Editions will be limited to just 1,911 examples worldwide and they are due to arrive at Porsche dealers around April.

These limited edition sports cars come painted in a plain black finish, with a Basalt Black metallic color as an available option. The folding hood of the Cabriolet model will be installed in a matching black fabric.

sports car

The four-piston aluminum monobloc brake calipers also come coated in a matching black finish and can be easily seen hiding behind the 19-inch 911 Turbo II forged alloy wheels.





The interior has been kitted out in black leather and includes; a SportDesign steering wheel, a numbered plaque on the glove compartment lid and the gear lever and air vents are all finished in aluminium-look paint.

Standard features include a 385W BOSE Surround Sound-System with 13 loudspeakers, satellite navigation, ParkAssist, cruise control, automatic dimming anti-dazzle interior and exterior mirrors, and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.

Power for both body styles comes from the standard Carrera 3.6-liter flat-six cylinder engine, kicking out 345 hp. The six-speed gearbox helps the Porsche reach a top speed of 289km/h (180 mph) and an acceleration time from 0 to 100km/h (62 mph) of 4.9 seconds (5.1 seconds for the Convertible).

Related Posts You may Find Interesting

Tips to reduce brake ware

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 02:17 AM PST

brake disc

Here are a few tips to help you reduce the ware on your brakes which will eventually save you money on car maintenance.


1. Go!  Stop!  Go!  No, stop.  Really. If this sounds familiar then stop braking like this!!.

Stopping your car and remaining stationary will save your brake pads from needless wear and tear.

2. Using both feet on your brake and gas pedals wears out your brakes by creating extra drag and friction.

3. Another tip on reducing brakeware is regular maintenance.

Spending some money on a brake flush may prove more cost effective than replacing your brake lines, calipers. Brake maintenance is more important now with modern ABS systems because rust and debris that accumulates in the system is more damaging than on older cars.





If you have another brake ware reducing tip and want to contribute it, then add it in the comments box below.

Related Posts You may Find Interesting

Classic 1967 Custom Camaro by Hot Style Customs

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 01:45 AM PST

muscle car

Check out this awesome custom Chevrolet Camaro which is a mixture of pro-touring, pro-street and lowrider elements. It was built by Japanese tuning company – Hot Style Customs for Akira Yamamoto – a japanese guy who wants to stand out in the crowd.


Akira dreamt about owning a Camaro for years, then fortune passed his way and he managed to acquire one, a 1967 Camaro that was being used as a drag racer.

This tuned up muscle car still has 383 Chevy’s small block sitting under the hood with a fat blower protruding out of it. One of the first things you’ll probably notice is the striking paint work and dazzling front grille. It’s lowrider stance is acheived thanks to a Universal Air suspension kit and the car sits on a set of shiny 20 inch rims.

Check out the rest of the images in the gallery below and tell us what you think of this customized Chevy Camaro by Hot Style Customs in the comments box below.





Related Posts You may Find Interesting

New Kia Picanto image

Posted: 25 Jan 2011 11:03 PM PST

compact car

South korean car manufacturer – Kia has released a photo of its second generation Picanto, which is set to debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The 2011 Picanto will be offered in two body styles and with four all-new engines.


Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer, said, “In profile, the new Picanto features significant sculpting and a very prominent rising character line. The result is a layering of light and shadow and this breaks up the height, giving the car a more sure-footed stance”.





The automaker claims the new Kia Picanto has grown in length and has a longer wheelbase, which should improve interior space. Unlike the outgoing model which is available exclusively as a five-door hatchback, the new Picanto will be offered in both 5-door and 3-door body styles.

The engine range will comprise of 1.0 and 1.2-liter gasoline engines, while Kia will also offer LPG, bi-fuel and flex-fuel variations, depending on local market requirements.

Related Posts You may Find Interesting

Twitter Delicious Facebook Digg Stumbleupon Favorites More