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.

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A Quick Guide To Your Car’s Warning Lights

Automakers have designed their vehicles to alert drivers when there’s a problem with many of the parts and systems under the hood. Some of these problems are serious (for example, malfunctioning anti-lock brakes) while others are less so, but still require attention. If neglected, even mild glitches can grow into serious – and expensive – issues.

You may have noticed that your instrument panel displays an assortment of indicators when you turn your key in the ignition. That is caused by your car’s computer doing a quick internal systems diagnostic. If everything is working properly, the indicators will disappear within seconds.

A lot of motorists are confused by the warning lights which display on their car’s panel. This can cause them to misinterpret the severity of the underlying issues. Today, we’ll briefly explore the array of warning indicators that your car uses to notify you of a problem.

When The Warnings Are Red

Most of the lights on your instrument panel will either be red or yellow (or, orange). Red lights deserve your immediate attention. They are usually an indication that something serious is wrong; continuing to drive can present a safety issue or imminent damage to your vehicle’s parts. For example, a red indicator will normally display when your engine’s oil pressure is too low. That means overheating is likely.

Other problems that might trigger a red display include a failing alternator, low brake fluid levels, and low coolant levels in your radiator. When you see red on your panel, pull to the side of the road and turn your engine off.

When The Warnings Are Yellow

Yellow lights indicate a problem that requires your attention, but doesn’t present an immediate danger. Your car is telling you that its computer has identified an abnormality and you should have a mechanic perform a diagnostic check. A malfunctioning sensor, problem with the airbags, and worn brake pads are a few of the symptoms which can trigger yellow indicators. Many drivers are tempted to ignore them, hoping the issues will correct themselves (they won’t). Take your car to a mechanic to have him diagnose the problem.

Take Notes

One of the frustrating things about your vehicle’s warning lights is that they can often appear intermittently. You may notice them while driving, but have trouble replicating them when you visit your mechanic. Diagnosing what is wrong with your car is often as complicated as diagnosing a person’s health. If a person is unable to give an accurate account of his symptoms, a doctor cannot diagnose their cause.

Keep an accurate log that details which warning lights you see on your vehicle’s instrument panel. Write down the mileage and speed at which the indicators displayed. That way, even if you’re unable to reproduce them, your mechanic will have a head start in finding and correcting the underlying issue.

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Can Car Maintenance Improve Fuel Efficiency?

Auto maintenance is one of those broad areas of automotive care that confuses a lot of drivers. It’s easy enough to recommend that you follow the service schedule listed in your owner’s manual. The fact is, if you diligently follow your manual, you can avoid most car problems. However, many drivers also want to improve their vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

As you might expect, the auto repair industry has been quick to point out that proper car maintenance can lead to better gas mileage. In reality, some repairs and maintenance items will improve your mileage while others won’t. In this article, I’ll give you a quick list of 3 things you can do which can actually improve your mileage.

Keep Your Tires Filled

When your tires are underinflated, there is insufficient pressure within them. That causes them to expend more energy as they roll across the pavement. As a result, you’ll be forced to visit the gas station more often. Keep your tires inflated. Your owner’s manual should list the appropriate tire pressure. Filling them with air is inexpensive and according to FuelEconomy.gov, you can improve your car’s fuel efficiency by 3.3%.

Change Your Air Filters

Your vehicle’s air filter catches dirt and debris before they can enter the engine. The more you drive, the more debris it catches. The problem is that the buildup of debris can eventually begin to restrict the air flow. That causes your engine to burn more gas than necessary in order to operate your car.

Replace your air filter after every 30,000 miles. That said, you should check it whenever you have the oil changed to make sure it has not become clogged. For example, if you drive often on dirt roads or in certain areas, the filter will collect debris much more quickly.

Eliminate Carbon Buildup

A lot of repair shops offer a fuel injection maintenance service. Its purpose is to get rid of the carbon which builds up on your valves and pistons as you drive. The carbon deposits accumulate naturally, but can begin absorbing fuel if left unchecked. That leads to lower gas mileage.

The problem with this type of service is that it is not always obvious when you should have it performed. If there is excess carbon buildup, the chemicals which are used to clean your vehicle’s fuel injector will do the job effectively. But, if the carbon deposits are not an issue, it’s a waste of money. It’s akin to throwing a clean pair of jeans into the laundry.

The bottom line is that some types of car maintenance will improve your gas mileage while other types will not (despite what your mechanic may tell you). Keep your tires filled with the proper amount of pressure and replace your air filters when they become dirty. The improvement in your car’s fuel efficiency will be marginal, but still worthwhile.

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