Car Recalls: Are They That Important?

Yes, the recalls you receive about your car are very important, don’t ignore them. Recalls can vary from a minor thing to something catching on fire. The reason those recalls are in place are not only for your safety, but of those around you as well.

If any of you have flown or watched the news in the last few weeks, you’ve probably heard about the recall on Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 with the battery that has a tendency to burst into flames. Bursting into flames is a pretty safety concern, which is why they are being recalled.

Here’s the question to ask yourself, “What could happen if I don’t address the recall properly?” The main concern is that you could be potentially putting people in danger. Vehicles are safer today than they have ever been, but that doesn't mean they're perfect.

You should always be mindful of recalls, you may or may not receive a letter detailing of a recall, but there are various online sources to see if your vehicle has a pending recall.

What should you do if your car has a recall? Simple- get it fixed. Don’t panic, and run around like a chicken with it’s head cut off. Just take it to the dealership for the repair. Even if it’s a minor recall that doesn’t impose any immediate danger, it’s still important to have it looked at. The cost is also covered by the dealership, so it shouldn’t cost you anything.

Here’s the bottom line; pay attention to the recalls, even if it’s a minor thing, just get it fixed. It will pay off in the long run, especially when everyone’s safety is at risk.

The Five Commandments of Driving in the Fall

1. Thou Shalt Leave the House Earlier

Hallelujah! It’s fall and that means that the kids are finally going back to school. Before you breakout the celebratory mimosas, remember that also means more congestion on the roads. More school buses and mini vans clogging up the roads. Not to mention all the kids walking to school, probably not paying attention to the road because they’re too busy playing Pokémon GO. Now, your kids probably won’t mind being late, but let’s avoid a phone call from the school.

2. Thou Shalt Mind the Weather

As a Minnesotan, you know that fall is one of those seasons where the weather drastically changes from day to day. One day, it's nice and warm and you’re still wearing your shorts, and the next day you’re wrapped up in every scarf, glove, and hat you can find. The three major weather players in fall are: fog, frost, and rain. Fog causes drops in the visibility. Frost is not only a pain to scrape off in the morning, but some areas of road may develop ice patches. Rain makes the roadway slippery; they make the leaves slippery causing even more trouble if you're not paying attention.

3. Thou Shalt Mind the Leaves

Ah, yes, fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The leaves are changing and falling to the earth below. Unfortunately, those leaves can cover lane lines on the road and parking space lines. And, if it rains, those little suckers make the road pretty slippery. Also, remember that people are going to flock to get pictures of those leaves and will stop in the blink of an eye to capture the moment.

4. Thou Shalt Leave Space Between You and Other Cars

Speaking of pictures, there are a few of us out there who would stop in their tracks to capture the perfect picture. Yes, some people will suddenly pull of the side of the road to take pictures. Either way, you should always keep space between you and the car in front of you. Remember what I mentioned about the changing weather? Keep that space and hopefully you won't end up in someone's trunk.

5. Thou Shalt Mind the Deer

Deer are interesting creatures, it seems they have their own set of rules. Have you ever heard the phrase "Flight or Fight"?  To a deer that phrase is "fight, flight, or freeze in the middle of road". This can be a very bad thing for your car that's heading down the road.  Always keep an eye out, especially as it gets dark.