Automotive tidbits…
Here’s an interesting piece of information. Last year, six children in Maine had lead poisoning and were sickened by lead dust that was in the family car. The lead dust was not from the car itself, but instead from the lead dust that was on the parent’s clothes from their workplace. These adults worked in paint removal jobs and then didn’t change and shower before going home, causing lead dust to “shed in the cars.” Then the children would sit in their car seats, and ingest the lead dust. Scary.
VW and Audi are recalling 13,500 vehicles to fix problems with a dual-clutch transmission. All of the vehicles were built between September 2008 and August 2009. The 2009 and some 2010 Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI, and Eos vehicles as well as the 2009 Audi MY, A3, TT, and TT Roadster equipped with the S tronic transmission.
Another recall in affect is from Toyota. It is recalling about 95,700 Toyota and Scion-brand vehicles with possible brake malfunction (just a minor detail!) The recall will affect some 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles and some 2008 and 2009 Scion xD vehicles. If the vehicles have a 1.8-liter engine, there is potential for moisture to get into the brake system and freeze at low temperatures causing ice accumulation which could then weakened the power-assist to the brakes.
Car companies are now Twittering in order to inform and engage potential and existing customers. Volvo is using Twitter as well as Ford and General Motors. Interesting strategy. I wonder if it actually works to lure in customers. Free advertising.