A few days ago, Petron Corp. Philippines revealed that the alternative fuel, E10, had harmful effects on vehicles. Corrosion, which was pointed out as the main culprit that could pose severe threats to a car’s fuel and gas intake parts, were attributed to other factors such as the use of previous types of fuel and inferior replacement parts. This was what Department of Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes revealed in the light of the fear that the celebrated E10 fuel may be doing more harm than good for vehicles.

According to the DOE secretary as well, the purity of local ethanol was 99.8 percent, just above the 99.3-percent standard. This may seem like an answer but the number of car owners complaining about the E10 ethanol fuel may be something to consider as well. If the case were for just a couple of motorists, then this excuse could be accepted. However, that is just the thing; there are no definitive numbers to actually pinpoint if majority of car owners using the E10 fuel have indeed had problems with it.

Finally, the E10 ethanol fuel was claimed to likewise help clean fuel tanks. Now this seems contradicting if you tie it up with the motorist claims. If actual numbers of complainants can be shown, the actual judgment on whether the E10 is good or bad for cars can be adjudged. But for now, it has been a battle of opinion which is not resolving anything as far as this issue is concerned.

Image Courtesy: Petron Fuel Success

(Source) Philippine Daily Inquirer

Tags: alternative fuel, car owners, corrosion, culprit, department of energy, doe secretary, e10 ethanol, e10 fuel, energy secretary, ethanol fuel, excuse, fear, few days, fuel tanks, judgment, motorists, petron corp philippines, philippine daily inquirer, purity, replacement parts

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Kia has recently iussed a recall for their Optima sedan of the model years 2001-2004 and effects up to or over 36,538 vehicles.

Don’t fret yet as the recall only concerns vehicles sold in the following states:

Connecticut

Delaware

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

New Hampsire

New Jersey

New York

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Rhose Island

Vermont

West Virginia

Wisconsin

District of Columbia

These states were singled out as they were all deemed to have a high rust threat level due to the use of road salt.

Anyways, the recall says that internal corrosion of the front subframe could lead to the connection of the lower control arm coming seperated which could lead to wheel misalinghtment, stress in steering or increased tire wear.

As always, Kia and the NHTSA say to go to your local Kia dealer for an inspection and a repair if necessary.

Read (Autoblog)

Tags: corrosion, optima, Recall, safety, sedans, subframe

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Hyundai and the NHTSA have recently announced not one, not two, not even three, but four separate recalls for four seperate problems.

First up is the motherload, affecting over 500,000 vehicles from 2005-2008. Apparently, these units all share a potential problem with their stop lamp switches that could cause brake lights to not light up when the brake pedal is pressed.

Second, affecting almost 200,000 vehicles from 1999-2004 is a problem exclusive to states that salt their roads to melt ice. Apparently, these vehicle’s front sub-frames are sensitive to this salt and could potentially cause the lower control arm to separate from its mount. Yikes.

Third, affecting over 170,000 vehicles from 2001-2003, is another problem exclusive to states that salt their roads. Due to excessive corrosion caused by the salt these vehicle’s lower control arms have the possiblity of failure.

Lastly, affecting 85,000 vehicles from 2001-2003, is again for the salty states and deals with the rear trailing arms of the vehicle’s suspension failing due to, again, excessive corrosion.

Hyundai is telling everyone who meets the criteria to head to their local dealers where their vehicles will be inspected and repaired if need be.

Tags: corrosion, Recall, safety, salt

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About 214,500 Lexus vehicles that were sold in the United States are set to be recalled owing to some ethanol fuels with low moisture content may corrode the internal surface of the fuel delivery pipes. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) in the combination meter may illuminate over time and the corrosion may create a pinhole in the fuel delivery pipes resulting in fuel leakage.

Lexus dealers will replace the fuel delivery pipes with newly designed components. No other Lexus or Toyota vehicles are involved.

Lexus will inform owners of the involved vehicles with a Safety Recall notification via first-class mail beginning late January. Owners are requested to contact their local Lexus dealer for diagnosis and repair at no charge.

The models said to be affected include GS300/350, IS250/350, and LS460/460L sold from 2006 to 2008.

(Source) PR Newswire

Tags: corrosion, ethanol fuels, fuel leakage, is250, Lexus, lexus dealer, lexus dealers, lexus vehicles, malfunction indicator light, moisture content, Toyota, toyota vehicles

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