ALLDATA Introduces Tire Pressure Monitoring System Quick Reference Guide
ALLDATA has released a new Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) “Quick Reference” guide. Located in ALLDATA’s Technician’s Reference section, the guide includes information for every popular domestic and foreign vehicle equipped with TPMS through model year 2006.
Ruling is Near on GM Engine Coolant: Class Action Sought over Dex-Cool
A federal judge may soon rule whether General Motors Corp. will face a national class action suit accusing GM of selling millions of vehicles with a faulty coolant. The suits stem from GM’s use of Dex-Cool, a coolant it first introduced in its vehicles in 1995 and sold in more than 35 million cars and trucks between 1995 and 2004. According to GM, 14 federal and state lawsuits seeking class-action status have been filed against GM over a variety of engine problems linked to Dex-Cool.
Mitchell 1 Announces Monthly Updates to OnDemand5.com
Mitchell 1 has enhanced its OnDemand5.com system to provide subscribers access to thousands of repair articles on a monthly basis, rather than on a quarterly basis. Mitchell 1’s OnDemand5.com delivers data for 1983-current domestic and import vehicle models, as well as clear illustrations and wiring diagrams, complete diagnostics, tech bulletins and recalls, scheduled maintenance with labor times, monthly data updates and OEM parts and pricing.
The Top Ten Newsmakers of 2004
For the first time ever, Counterman magazine and aftermarketNews.com bring you The Top 10 Newsmakers of the Year. Our editorial team took a look at some of this industry’s most influential leaders and selected the 10 we believe have had a direct impact on the success of the aftermarket in 2004. Beyond that, we believe these individuals have helped set the stage for an even more productive future for our industry.
Transportation Safety Product Manufacturers Discuss Safety Concerns over Non-Compliant Products
The safety hazards posed by non-compliant automotive products – those which do not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) – were discussed during a recent seminar for automotive aftermarket manufacturers and distributors organized by MEMA and its safety product group, the Transportation Safety Equipment Institute (TSEI).
Executive Interview: John Lampe, chairman, president and CEO of Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding
Two years ago on August 9, Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. — and the whole tire industry — changed for all time. John Lampe has been in the middle of the entire saga from day one. More importantly, as chairman, president and CEO of what is now Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding (BFAH) and the head of Bridgestone/Firestone North America Tire, the Kansas native has led the once-beleaguered company back from the brink.
Many Recalled Cars Remain Unrepaired
Timothy Michaud died in May after falling from the tailgate of a Chevrolet pickup and suffering severe head injuries. The 19-year-old from Maine never knew General Motors Corp. had recalled the pickup two months earlier because the tailgate cables could corrode and snap. At the time of the accident, Michaud’s employer, which owned the used 2000 pickup, hadn’t received a recall notice, said Stephen Schwarz, an attorney for the Michaud family. The pickup was one of the millions of recalled vehicles that go unrepaired each year. Sometimes vehicle owners are at fault for not getting repairs. But some safety experts say automakers and federal regulators share the blame because they haven’t developed a better system to track whether a vehicle has in fact been repaired.
U.S. Keeping Crash Data Secret, Officials Backtrack on Safety Disclosure Amid Suit by Tire Makers
Federal auto safety officials are backtracking on a pledge to give consumers access to detailed data on which cars and trucks may be linked to deaths, injuries and property damage. The reason: Tire makers have sued to prevent its release.
Ford Wins Suit Against Shareholders
A federal court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Ford Motor Co. stockholders, accusing Ford of hiding data on the safety of Ford Explorer tires. The plaintiffs claimed Ford omitted information concerning alleged dangers of Explorer models equipped with Bridgestone/Firestone ATX tires when making statements about the quality and safety of the vehicle.
Info on Car Safety Off-Limits to Public
The federal agency that oversees auto safety has decided — based largely on arguments from automakers and their Washington, D.C., lobbyists — that reams of data relating to unsafe automobiles or defective parts will not be available to the public. Specifically, the government has banned the release of car and truck warranty-claims information, customer complaints and early-warning reports about defects from dealers, automakers and rental car companies, even if media outlets or other groups push for it under the Freedom of Information Act.