Airbag Recall

Tue., Feb. 24, 2015

Sharon Peters CTW Features

Q: How can I find out if my car is among those being recalled as part of the massive airbag recall? A: You should have received a recall notice from the automaker if your car is among the millions in this country being recalled for problems with driver and passenger side airbags. A dizzying number of makes and models are included and, of course, you would not be the only person in the world concerned that the carmaker overlooked you, something got lost in the mail or you’ve moved often enough or the car passed through so many hands in the more than one dozen years affected that they can no longer find you. So, you can go to www.safercar.gov and type in your vehicle ID number (you’ll find the numbers on the dashboard). The program will tell you if your vehicle is on the recall list. I suggest you check back once a month, as it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that by the time 30 days passes more vehicles will be added. Q: What are low rolling resistance tires? A: “Rolling resistance” refers to the amount of force required to move the tire down the road. And that, of course, affects fuel efficiency. Experts estimate that a 10 percent reduction in tire rolling resistance results in a 1 to 2 percent improvement in vehicle fuel economy. That, according to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration can make purchasing the more expensive lower rolling resistance tires a better value over the tires’ lifetime. A reader comments: I think you took the question about a nine-passenger SUV too literally. You could have suggested they consider passenger vans. For example: A Nissan NV is cheaper, seats up to 12 and has several engine and trim options. My response: My experience has been when someone specifies a type of vehicle (i.e. SUV), that individual is wedded to that, not a minivan or some other kind of vehicle. That said, I’m always happy to pass reader suggestions on and the person may, in fact, find the Nissan NV (from Nissan’s commercial lineup) ideal. It will feel less cushy than an SUV, but it may be an option worth considering. The Chevy Express 2500 is another similar possibility. What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.

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