News Briefs
NADA Recommends Air Bag Deactivation
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) recently filed comments with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommending that vehicle manufacturers be allowed to install cutoff switches for any air bag on a new vehicle and provide retrofit cutoff switch kits for vehicles now on the road.These comments were in response to NHTSA's January proposal to allow vehicle dealers and repair businesses to deactivate air bags upon customer request. NADA feels that cutoff switches would help to maximize vehicle safety of all passengers. Otherwise, drivers would have to choose all or nothing, even though the benefits of air bags outweigh any risks in the majority of cases.
The cutoff switches proposed by NADA would be operable by the ignition key, and remain off until reactivated by the device. The driver would have to take deliberate action to turn off the air bag and then to turn it back on. When deactivated, a light on the dashboard would be visible to all passengers and say, "AIR BAG OFF." Total deactivation of the air bag would only be allowed under special circumstances after an evaluation by NHTSA.
Chrysler to install air bag cut-off switches
Chrysler Corp. has decided to install cut-off switches for passenger-side air bags in some models that have no back seat, according to a report in USA Today. Ford installed cut-off switches in some 1996 models without back seats. Chrysler changed its position to give customers an option that does not involve disconnecting air bags.O2 Sensor Checks Reduce Emissions
A study commissioned by the Robert Bosch Corp. suggests that de-graded oxygen sensors are a major cause of harmful hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, especially in fuel-injected vehicles. The study also found that replacing all degraded oxygen sensors nationwide would reduce total HC and CO emissions more than all other automotive repairs combined - HC would be reduced by 23 percent; CO by 33 percent. The results of the study show that more than half of all vehicles failing HC or CO emissions have degraded oxygen sensors.American Standox Supports ASAMI
American Standox will participate as a $250,000 Founding Sponsor in the Automotive Service Association Management Institute (ASAMI). Standox's sponsorship is in conjunction with the continuing sponsorship of one of its parent companies, Sherwin-Williams.ASAMI is an educational foundation established by the Automotive Service Association (ASA) to develop the business management skills of its members.
Snap-on Acquires Half Of Mitchell Repair Information Division
Alldata's exclusive distribution agreement with Snap-on ended Jan. 1, 1997. Five days later, Snap-on announced that it had acquired a 50 percent interest in the Mitchell Repair Information Division of The Thomson Corp. The jointly owned company will operate as a new entity under the name, Mitchell Repair Information Company. The arrangement provides Snap-on with access to Mitchell's vehicle repair database.ASE News
- The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) have created the Continuing Automotive Service Education (CASE) program, an in-service technician training provider certification program. The standards were developed to ensure that providers' training activities resolve an identified need; communicate outcomes clearly; deliver content dependent on the intended audience; evaluate its effectiveness; and that the results of the evaluation are linked to future training activities. Certification involves a two-step process including an application and on-site evaluation. The program is currently being piloted by a variety of training providers.
- ASE has launched its Web site on the Internet (http://www.asecert.org). The site is designed for consumers and industry professionals.
- An eighth test - Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems (T7) - has been added to the Medium/ Heavy Truck Technician Test Series. It will be offered for the first time during the Spring 1997 test administration. The deadline to register for the May tests is April 4.
Cooper Donates To Schools
Cooper Automotive has donated almost $20,000 worth of products and teaching aids to the automotive training program at Whitmer High School in Toledo, Ohio. Several months ago, a St. Louis college received a similar donation. A company spokesperson said donating products is a way to support the efforts of vocational schools, and more donations will be made to other institutions.ASA Main Page || AutoInc. Main Page
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AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLV No. 3, March 1997