Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Ford engineers slam basketballs and shopping carts into cars for safety's sake]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/ford-engineers-slam-basketballs-and-shopping-carts-into-cars-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/ford-engineers-slam-basketballs-and-shopping-carts-into-cars-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/13/ford-engineers-slam-basketballs-and-shopping-carts-into-cars-for/#commentsFiled under: ,


Ford's new airbag tests - Click above for high-res gallery

One of the cool things about being an engineer is that in addition to designing innovative new features, you get to develop novel ways to test those features. The 2009 Ford F-150 and 2010 Taurus both feature a new airbag deployment system that incorporates sensors to measure the pressure of a side impact in order manage the inflation rate of the bags. The pressure-based system provides more precise data than typical accelerometers and allows the system to better resist false positives that come from incidents like rolling shopping carts in parking lots and flying basketballs.

In order to calibrate the system, Ford's engineers devised a number of simulations to evaluate these different types of impacts and how they register to system sensors. In addition to the usual slate of slamming cars and crash sleds into each other, the engineers came up with other tests like a shopping cart loaded with 110-pounds of ballast that was rammed by a robot into the car. Since the sensors are located on the bottom of the car, a steel "cat'o'nine tails" whip was also used on the underside to simulate what might happen on a gravel road. Water cannons, pumpkins and basketballs also played a part in the development. Sounds like fun to us. Check out Ford's press release after the jump and a high-res image gallery of the new testing procedures below.


Gallery: Ford airbag sensor testing


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford engineers slam basketballs and shopping carts into cars for safety's sake

Ford engineers slam basketballs and shopping carts into cars for safety's sake originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbagairbag sensorairbagsAirbagSensorfordford safety testingFordSafetyTestingWed, 13 May 2009 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan recalls nearly 250,000 Xterras, Pathfinders and Frontiers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/07/nissan-recalls-nearly-250-000-xterras-pathfinders-and-frontier/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/07/nissan-recalls-nearly-250-000-xterras-pathfinders-and-frontier/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/07/nissan-recalls-nearly-250-000-xterras-pathfinders-and-frontier/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Nissan is recalling 242,720 model years 2005-2009 Xterras, Pathfinders, and Frontiers for faulty Crash Zone Sensors (front) that may prevent front airbags from deploying in an accident. The recall is Nissan's second airbag sensor-related issue in the past three months. The last recall involved passenger cars including the Altima. This particular recall mainly effects vehicles sold in the northern half of the U.S. where heavy salt usage during winter months can corrode the crash sensor. The corrosion can then cause sensor interruption, which will cause the air bag warning light to illuminate.

To fix the problem, Nissan will replace the faulty sensors with an improved sensor. Owners of 2005-2009 Xterras, Pathfinders and Frontiers that live outside of the States where the recall is in effect will receive a 10-year extended warranty on the Crash Zone Sensors. Nissan hasn't yet set a timetable for the recall, but if your air bag warning illuminates, we'd suggest heading to your neighborhood Nissan dealer right away to get it fixed. Hit the jump to see if you live in one of the states affected by the recall. Thanks for the tip, Owen!

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Nissan recalls nearly 250,000 Xterras, Pathfinders and Frontiers

Nissan recalls nearly 250,000 Xterras, Pathfinders and Frontiers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbag sensorAirbagSensorfrontierNHTSANissanPathfinderrecallXterraWed, 07 Jan 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Chrysler Group recalling 270,000 minivans to fix airbag sensors]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/11/chrysler-group-recalling-270-000-minivans-to-fix-airbag-sensors/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/11/chrysler-group-recalling-270-000-minivans-to-fix-airbag-sensors/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/11/chrysler-group-recalling-270-000-minivans-to-fix-airbag-sensors/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



The Detroit News is reporting that DaimlerChrysler has recalled 270,000 units of the 2005 Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country minvans to fix airbag sensors that could corrode and fail to activate. The recall, however, only affects minvans that were sold in 20 states and Washington D.C. where lots of salt is used on public roads to melt ice and snow. Apparently these UF sensors have brass bushings that may corrode from road salt and crack, allowing to water to reach the sensor, which causes it to fail and illuminate a warning light on the dash.

So if you own a 2005 Dodge Caravan and live in Florida, you're probably safe. If you live in Buffalo, NY, however, you might want to visit your local Dodge dealer this weekend. The number of vehicles affected includes as many 270,958 minivans built from April 24, 2003 to February 2, 2005. We've included a list of the 20 states affected after the jump along with the recall report from the NHTSA. DaimlerChrysler will notify owners in each state and replace the brass bushings with steel ones to prevent the sensor from failing in the future. If you live in a different state than one on the list, DCX will offer you lifetime free replacement of any UF airbag sensor that fails on your minivan. If you have more questions, you can contact DCX at 1-800-853-1403.

[Source: The Detroit News, NHTSA]

Continue reading Chrysler Group recalling 270,000 minivans to fix airbag sensors

Chrysler Group recalling 270,000 minivans to fix airbag sensors originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 May 2007 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbag sensorAirbagSensorchrysler town and countryChryslerTownAndCountrydaimlerchryslerdodge caravanDodgeCaravanrecallFri, 11 May 2007 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[GM recalls Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia for faulty airbag sensors]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/23/gm-recalls-saturn-outlook-and-gmc-acadia-for-faulty-airbag-senso/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/23/gm-recalls-saturn-outlook-and-gmc-acadia-for-faulty-airbag-senso/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/23/gm-recalls-saturn-outlook-and-gmc-acadia-for-faulty-airbag-senso/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The KickingTires blog at Cars.com is reporting GM has recalled its new 2007 Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia full-size CUVs for potentially faulty airbag sensors. The problem is reportedly software related, meaning it can be fixed with a trip to the dealer and a quick patch, but every single unit sold since they went on sale in December is affected by the recall. Letters went out yesterday to owners of the Saturn Outlook and will be sent on February 28th for GMC Acadia owners.

This is not a recall mandated by the NHTSA, but rather one initiated by GM itself after the problem was discovered internally. The potentialy faulty sensor in question controls the front airbags' deployment. While this potentially faulty sensor in the Outlook and Acadia could cause injury, GM apparently caught it quickly and the fix should be cheap, easy and fast for them to apply to every vehicle affected by the recall.

[Source: KickingTires.com]

GM recalls Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia for faulty airbag sensors originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acadiaairbag sensorAirbagSensorgmc acadiaGmcAcadiaoutlookpotentially faultyPotentiallyFaultyrecallsaturn outlookSaturnOutlookFri, 23 Feb 2007 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[81,000 Honda Accords recalled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/18/81-000-honda-accords-recalled/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/18/81-000-honda-accords-recalled/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/18/81-000-honda-accords-recalled/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you drive a 2004 or 2005 Honda Accord, you might want to be a little more careful than usual. According to a letter sent to NHTSA on January 9, the sensor on these vehicles that detects the driver's position in the seat was potentially attached in the wrong place and also potentially over tightened, as well. The real issue is that the wiring to the sensor could break and cause the sensor to fail, illuminating the airbag warning light and causing the bag, in a crash, to inflate at full pressure. This could increase the risk of injury from the airbag for smaller drivers in a frontal crash.

If you own one of these cars, watch the mail for more information on how to get it repaired under the recall. If your airbag warning light is currently illuminated, you should probably take it to your local Honda dealer ASAP.

Read the NHTSA text of the recall after the jump

Thanks for the tip, silverboosted!

Continue reading 81,000 Honda Accords recalled

81,000 Honda Accords recalled originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Jan 2007 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2004-2005 Honda Accord2004-2005HondaAccordAccordairbag sensorAirbagSensorHondarecallseat position sensorSeatPositionSensorThu, 18 Jan 2007 16:02:00 EST