Vehicle Classics

What Is A Technical Service Bulletin?

When you drive a new vehicle off the dealership lot, you expect that your first few years of ownership will be problem-free. In most cases, they are. The parts and systems under the hood are brand new. Sadly, auto manufacturers occasionally make mistakes. When they do, they’ll often issue a technical service bulletin.

Most won’t affect you. In fact, were you to read the majority of the TSBs that are issued by automakers, you might be inclined to ignore them. For example, a manufacturer may send out a notice about a faulty cigarette lighter. It may be irrelevant to you unless you’re a smoker.

Having said that, it is important to understand what a technical service bulletin is and how it affects you as an owner. In this article, I’ll describe how they differ from recalls. I’ll also explain how to make sure the appropriate repairs are performed in the event a TSB is issued.

How Is It Different Than A Recall?

Many owners believe recalls and TSBs are the same. The former is issued when an automaker discovers that the design of their vehicle includes a safety risk or a problem with emissions. The recall does not expire. It remains “live” or “open” until the owner has a dealership technician fix the problem.

A technical service bulletin is sent to the dealership by the automaker for design problems that do not present safety risks. Unlike recalls, they usually expire once the standard warranty period ends. If the owner fails to have the work performed and the warranty expires, his chance to have the problem resolved by the dealer for free also expires.

Having The Necessary Repairs Performed

Occasionally, TSBs address serious problems with key parts and systems. For example, your car’s engine may have a recurring hard starting issue that is due to a design flaw. Or, the transmission may slip. If you suspect a problem you’re experiencing with your vehicle is due to design issues, you can investigate existing technical service bulletins online. Be aware that the content will often exclude details that are available to the dealership.

The key to having TSB repairs done by the dealer is to make sure one of the auto technicians can duplicate the problem. For example, suppose you’re having trouble cranking your engine in the morning. Further suppose you have noticed a technical service bulletin that mentions a cold start engine issue. If you deliver your vehicle to the dealership after warming the engine, they won’t be able to duplicate the cold start. Deliver it the previous evening. Call in the morning and ask them to crank the motor. Once they verify the cold start, they can resolve it based on the TSB.

Again, most technical service bulletins are not important. Nor are they widespread. However, if you experience a glitch with your car, and it’s still under warranty, check online for a TSB. It may be the quickest path toward having the problem resolved.

Vehicle Classics

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Bumper And Height Disparity: How It Costs Drivers

Think back to the last time you maneuvered a bumper car. Chances are, all of the cars looked identical and stood at the same height. When you collided with another driver, the rubber tubing that surrounded your vehicle bounced against tubing surrounding the other car. As a result, the rubber bore the brunt of the impact. From a safety perspective, the homogeneity of the vehicles was good; it ensured the bumpers would be at the same height, would absorb the collision impact, and protect the drivers.

That same homogeneity has been sacrificed on our roads and highways. As sales of SUVs, trucks, and other large automobiles surged over the last 15 years, a disparity in height has grown. Below, we’ll explore the effects of this disparity in the context of collision damage and auto repair bills.

The False Perception Of Safety

There was a time when cars were equipped with sturdy bumpers. They prevented severe structural damage during front and rear accidents; they also protected motorists by absorbing the majority of collision impact. When government regulations began to focus on higher fuel efficiency, automakers responded by designing lighter alternatives. The less they weighed, the more easily carmakers could meet fuel efficiency requirements.

Of course, that led to less-sturdy material being used, which in turn, led to lower safety standards. Making matters worse, SUVs and large vehicles are not required to carry bumpers at all. When they do carry them, they’re usually installed purely for aesthetic reasons.

Low-Speed Collisions Are Still Expensive

A common fallacy among drivers is that low-speed collisions rarely result in serious structural damage to the vehicles involved. In truth, they can and often do result in expensive damage. Comprehensive tests conducted by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIFHS) have found accidents involving SUVs and sedans can cause major damage to both vehicles at speeds under 10 miles per hour.

The reason is due to two factors: the lack of a bumper (as in the case of many SUVs) and the disparity in their height when they are present. Indeed, in some accidents, they never make contact with each other.

The Financial Impact To Motorists

One of the challenges for motorists is that low-speed accidents can result in hefty repair bills that fall beneath their auto insurance deductible. It is not uncommon for a low-speed collision between a sedan and SUV to result in thousands of dollars in structural damage. In some cases, it can render both vehicles inoperable. The problem is that in order to reduce auto insurance premiums, many drivers opt for a high deductible. As a result, they are forced to pay for repairs that bumpers were originally designed to help prevent.

One day, we may see a return to a fleet of vehicles that are relatively homogeneous in height. Until then, there is little that drivers can do other than remaining cautious behind the wheel.

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6 Steps To A Quick Automotive Check-Up

Your car needs regular servicing in order to continue running smoothly. The good news is that even though a mechanic can do everything for you, most of it can be done in your garage. We’re not talking about overhauling your engine or transmission. We’re referring to the little things that can influence your car’s performance, maneuverability, and handling over time. Below, I’ll provide a 6-step checklist that you can use to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top condition.

Step 1 – Check The Oil

Get used to checking your oil every few weeks. That way, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that your engine will remain well-lubricated while you’re driving. Often, engines will begin burning or consuming too much oil. Checking it periodically will help you keep on top of potential problems.

Step 2 – Check The Coolant

You should check your car’s coolant level regularly, especially if you drive for long distances. Even though it’s easy to keep the reservoir filled, a lot of drivers neglect going so. If the levels decline too far, your vehicle’s engine can overheat. That can lead to expensive damage.

Step 3 – Examine The Air Filter

Look at your air filter every time you change the oil. You won’t need to replace it each time (unless you’re driving over extremely dusty roads), but you should replace it when it gets dirty. The air filter catches debris before it can enter your engine. Over time, the accumulation of dirt and dust will prevent proper airflow.

Step 4 – Fill Up Your Power Steering Fluid

Sometimes, it’s easy to take your vehicle’s power steering for granted. But, the ease with which you turn your wheel requires that you keep the fluid level topped off. Check it at least once a month. Then, if the level seems low, look in your owner’s manual to check whether a particular type of fluid is recommended.

Step 5 – Repair Dents And Dings

Not only do they look unattractive, but dents and door dings can also pave the way for rust to settle in. Unfortunately, being on the receiving end of these small blemishes is practically a foregone conclusion. As inconvenient as it is, getting them fixed can prevent costlier problems later.

Step 6 – Test The Lights

Most cars today are designed to warn the driver that one of the headlights is about to fail. The turn indicator will begin blinking rapidly before the light completely fails. To make sure that you haven’t missed the problem, get into the habit of checking your front and back lights every two weeks. The last thing you want is to find out one of your lights is broken while you’re driving in poor weather.

The six items above are not hard to check. They merely require a few minutes of your time. By keeping on top of each of them, you can help ensure that your vehicle is operating properly. If you notice signs of more severe issues (for example, your engine is burning oil), have a trained mechanic take a closer look.

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