Autoblog

A study by AutoBild reveals that modern crumple zones can actually hide serious damage to a car's structural integrity because of the way they're designed. There are two issues: the first is that crumple zones don't just deform in the case of an accident, they are now constructed to bounce back into shape after the collision; the second is that crumple zones are now so large, by government mandate, that crumple zone deformation might extend to points quite distant from the actual impact. By returning, even partially, to a pre-accident state, it is claimed that inspectors and mechanics might not realize how much damage has actually been done, nor exactly where.

AutoBild used a laser to assess the integrity of a car that had been in an accident. Hidden underneath bodywork that was only mildly scuffed they discovered a buckled frame. According to the magazine, a visual inspection even by an experienced mechanic wouldn't discern the damage. In fact, unless a mechanic was using a specialized and expensive machine to ascertain the extent of the damage, it probably wouldn't be caught. It is akin to the issue with helmets, wherein an accident that only scratches the helmet can render it useless. However, it's much easier to replace a Shoei for a few hundred than an entire car because of a fender bender. .

[Source: Auto Express]

We can't imagine how many safeguards had to be ignored and incompetent people employed to allow such a thing to happen, but somehow last Wednesday a Super Petroleum gas station (no pic available, generic station at right) in Holbrook, MA had its underground tank for regular unleaded accidentally filled with diesel fuel during a routine delivery at 3AM. Three days passed before the mistake was realized, during which time 45 cars expecting good ole' 87 octane were fed diesel fuel.

The Enterprise reports that some cars made it 20 miles before they stopped dead in the street while others didn't make it out of the station. Local mechanics that received the windfall of business from the error eventually figured out what was going on and three days and 45 downed cars later the damage came to a halt. Fortunately, affected car owners are reporting that the gas station has been paying for each vehicle to be repaired or performing the repairs itself. Station owner Dana Watson is even filling each car repaired by her Super Petroleum mechanics with a fresh tank of gas. She might want to double check what she's pumping this time.

[Source: Boston Herald via Kicking Tires]