Do you know who invented the world's first car?

 Karl Benz invented the first modern automobile in 1886.

Seat Belts/Safety Belts

Did you know that Edward J. Claghorn of New York was issued the first U.S. patent for automobile seats

belts?  The patent was issued on February 10, 1885 in New York.

Backup camera rule for all new cars sold in the U.S. moved back to 2015

As regulators consider giving incentives in their safety ratings for vehicles with backup cameras. The rule that would require all new vehicles sold in the U.S. to have back up cameras has been delayed until 2015. Originally the compliance deadline for the rule was for the 2014 model year.

 Automakers say that it makes sense to install backup cameras in larger vehicles  the rule would apply to all new vehicles sold in the U.S.. Automakers are concerned with the cost involved in complying with the rule. 

Before issuing a mandate more analysis of the rule's cost is needed. The agency is saying the cost would be $2.7 billion or as much as $18 million per life saved. The deadline has been delayed previously three times by the agency.

The NHTSA says that close to 300 deaths occur each year related to back-over accidents involving primarily children and the elderly could be prevented by the use of backup cameras.

Chrysler agrees to recall 2.7 million Jeeps in the final hours before the deadline.

Last week Chrysler stated that it would not comply with the recall demand, claiming that the vehicles do not have a high risk of catching fire from rear end collisions. In the final hours before the deadline Chrysler had a change of heart giving in to governments request for the recall.  If the car manufacture had not decided to comply with the recall the company would have faced the prospect of high profile public hearings.  Chrysler will not necessarily have to repair all 2.7 million Jeeps, instead of installing a steel plate of over the plastic gas tank, as requested by the Center of Auto Safety and other public interest group,  the company will simply install a factory trailer hitch to provide some protection in the event of a slow speed, rear end collision.  1999-2004 Grand Jeep Cherokees will be recalled for inspection. If the vehicles have an after- market hitch, they will replace it, however if they do not have a trailer hitch Chrysler will not install one.

Chrysler stated that it would do work on about 1.6 million of the remaining vehicles, these include 2002-2007 Jeep Libertys and 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokees.  Chrysler will only replace after-market, non-Chrysler trailer hitches, if the vehicles has a factory-installed trailer hitch no work will be done.

CAR RADIO

Paul Galvin an American invented the first car radio in 1929. The first car radios were not offered by car makers  consumers had to purchase them separately.  Paul Galvin was the head of Galvin Manufacturing Company, combining the idea of motion and radio he came up with the name "Motorola" for the companies new products.

Strobe Brake Lights

In Europe Mercedes-Benz sells cars that are equipped with brake lights that flash rapidly in response to hard braking conditions. The idea is to warn drivers traveling behind of a sudden stop from the car in front.  This feature is not available in the U.S. because government regulators say brake lights are only allowed to do one thing and that is to glow more brightly than the taillights. Flashing lights are off limits. In a trial program Mercedes-Benz did receive approval to install the strobe brake lights in a few cars, but that's all. Hopefully after the trial program is over the U.S. will see the benefit of the strobe brake lights and allow the feature in cars in the  U.S..

Chrysler recalling 14,800 Dodge Darts

Yesterday Chrysler announced it is recalling approximately 14,800 Dodge Darts due to the possibility of the vehicles engines stalling at cold temperatures. The affected vehicles were manufactured between March 1, 2012 and February 28, 2013. The vehicles affected are equipped with a 1.4 liter MultiAir turbo engine and dual dry clutch transmission. These vehicles in temperatures of  29 degrees Fahrenheit or lower may experience engine stalling, when driving this could increase the risk of a crash. Chrysler says they will notify owners of the affected vehicles. Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. 

Fun Fact

The first electric turn signal was introduced in 1938 by Buick.

Honda Odyssey minivans under investigation for complaints of a flaw in the air bag system

2003-2004 Honda Odyssey minivans are being investigated by the U.S.  Auto Safety Regulators for claims that the air bags can deploy without the invent of a crash. This Thursday 6/13/13 the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration  will start a preliminary evaluation of the Honda Odyssey the investigation will effect an estimated 320,000 minivans.  Six owners of the Odyssey minivan have filed complaints to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration stating that their air bags deployed during the course of ordinary driving conditions. No crashes were reported, however there were injuries reported due to air bags having been deployed. 

Toyota Corolla gets a make over

Thursday 6/6/2013 Toyota revealed the new redesigned Corolla at an event held in Santa Monica CA. First introduced in the United States in 1968 the Corolla is now the best-selling compact car in America. The new Corolla will go on sale in the fall of 2013. The new Corolla features sharper lines and to allow for more rear seat comfort Toyota has added four more inches to the new Corolla. Toyota predicts the new and more fuel efficient Corolla will get 40 miles per gallon on the highway making the Corolla competitive with newer non-hybrid compact cars. The new Corolla features a CVT (continuously variable transmission) rather than having four speeds as in today's Corolla the new Corolla's CVT can change gear ratios in a smooth continuous manor as the car speeds up or slows down. CVT's can be more fuel efficient than ordinary stepped transmissions. The new transmission will be available in most of the new Corollas sold in the United States. A six-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic will also be available. The Corolla S model will feature a performance tuned sport mode and with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters or using the gear selector drivers will have the ability to manually shift gears.

Toyota's recall Lexus and Prius hybrid cars

Today Toyota announced the global recall of 242,000 Lexus and Prius hybrid cars manufactured in 2009 between March and October for problems with the brakes. There is a flaw in the braking system that allows nitrogen gas to leak into the brake fluid, reducing the effectiveness of the brakes. Customers complaints are that they have to step more heavily on the brake pedal than they are used to. There are no reports of  injuries or accidents.  Japan has the majority of the recalled cars 117,000, followed by North America, 30,000 in Europe and smaller numbers in other markets.

Summertime is almost here

Did you know that 1940 Packard was the first car with an actual refrigeration system?

Ford recalls three of its 2013 models

Beginning today Ford is recalling 23 of the 2013 Ford Fusions for a steering problem. According to Ford,  the steering gears may have been built without an internal retaining clip, which could cause impaired steering and loss of steering control, possibly increasing the risk of an accident. Reportedly there are Twenty of the vehicles in the U.S. two vehicles are in Mexico and one vehicle  is in Canada. Of the twenty vehicles in the U.S. five have already been repaired. For the affected Fusions, Ford dealers will replace the steering gear.

Today Ford is also recalling two other 2013 models; the Ford Explorer for possible leaks in the fuel tanks and the Lincoln MKZ with engine block heaters for possible risk of electrical shock and corrosion.