Shop Talk- Goodbye to a friend of many years

Good luck to Mike Launder in his new, greener pasture

We’d like to take a moment this month to say goodbye to Mike Launder, a friend and co-worker for more than 8 years.  Mike is (was) one of our top ASE-Certified Master Mechanics, solving complex vehicle problems affecting drivability, safety, or usability.  He earned all 8 A.S.E. Certifications, an L-1 Advanced Engine Certification, and recognition as one of three 1991 Motor Magazine “Techs of the Year”.

In his 2010 “Tech Spotlight” article Mike talked about the importance of keeping up with the latest automotive technology, saying he thought the future belonged to the techs and shops that were ready to make the commitment to change with the times.   This appreciation of the cutting edge of the automotive world led to his departure… Mike left for a position with Tesla Motors working on the next generation of electric vehicles.

Mike is an excellent tech and has been a valuable member of our team, and we already miss him.  We hope the challenges of his new job will be worthy of Mike’s amazing talents, and we wish him every success.  Good luck, Mike!

FREE Carwash season is almost over

We can’t do it for minor services like oil changes, but for larger services you’ll get a free carwash to make up for our dusty lot.  Hurry, though, this year’s Free Carwash Season ends September 15.

We need your 2014 calendar nominations!

Believe it or not, we have to start in August in order to have our annual shop calendar done in time for the holidays.    Is there a group you work with, care about, or benefit from that you’d like to see included in our calendar?  Nothing against the big national charities, but we’re looking for small, unnoticed, local groups that could benefit from letting Portland know about their existence.  If you can think of any, please email our Calendar Coordinator Charles at Charles@tomdwyer.com.

Tell your friends! 

Some people incorrectly assume (especially during our busy summer season) that we have all the clients we can handle.  Not so!  We depend on a constant stream of new clients to maintain a healthy business.  If you like what you’ve found at Tom Dwyer, please tell someone or write a review.  Your support and referrrals mean the world to us.  Thank you!

Latest Automotive Recalls 

Automobiles are just like any other product; occasional flaws in manufacture or design can cause problems once they leave the factory.  When an issue is identified the manufacturers and government work hard to bring the vehicles back in for refit or repair, but not all recalls make the front pages.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a constantly updated list of recalls from every manufacturer.  The last month’s recalls are below, but clicking the button at right will take you to the full list at the NHTSA website.

• August 8: 680 various Piaggio motorcycles from 2012-2013, Recalled for a manufacturing fault that could cause the rear suspension to suddenly collapse.
• August 7: 2,864,670 Fastec door handles for recreational vehicles from 2006-2013, Recalled for deadbolts that jam, making it impossible to exit the vehicle.
• August 7: 33,021 Ford C-Max vehicles from 2013, Recalled for failure to comply with safety standards for Occupant Protection in Interior Impact. In the event of a crash, an occupant could be at an increased risk of an injury.
• August 7: 7,782 Nissan Versa Notes from 2014, Recalled for rear seat bolts that were possibly manufactured incorrectly.
• August 7: 7,707 Nissan Versa Notes from 2014, Recalled for missing bolts that may compromise the vehicle body’s integrity during a rear impact.
• August 6: 2,561 Suzuki GSX1300RA Hayabusa motorcycles from 2013, Recalled for faulty Anti-Lock Brake Systems.
• August 6: 80 Lotus Evora supercharged vehicles from 2011, Recalled for potential rupturing of the engine oil cooler hose, increasing the risk of a fire.
• August 6: 843 Chevrolet Silverado trucks and GMC Sierra trucks from 2014, Recalled for air bags that may not fully inflate.
• August 6: 652 Honda Trailer Hitch Harness Kits for 2014 Acura MDX vehicles, Recalled for incorrect wiring of the trailer brake controller, causing loss of power to the brakes and increasing the risk of a crash.
• August 5: 150 Winnebago motorhomes from 2011, including the Vista and Itasca Sunstar models, Recalled for incorrect tire pressure and wheel rim size labels that could lead to tire failure.
• August 5: 1,887 various Triumph motorcycles from 2012-2013, Recalled for faulty Anti-Lock Brake Systems.
• July 24: 235 Honda CTX700 motorcycles from 2014, Recalled for faulty Anti-Lock Brake System.
• July 22: 100,000 various Michelin tires, Recalled for a perforation in the sidewall which could lead to loss of pressure while in transit.
• July 22: 305 Mitsubishi Sport Outlanders from 2013, Recalled for potential damage to the brake and/or tire line.
• July 22: 232 Kuryakyn handlebar/risings for Honda Goldwing GL 1800 motorcycles, Recalled for screws that may break after installation, causing the handlebars to separate from the motorcycle.
• July 19: 1,659 Honda Accords with Low Emission Vehicle ratings from 2013, Recalled for risk of fire from improper sealing between the fuel pump and the fuel tank.
• July 19: 3,900 Yamaha XVS950CU (Bolt) motorcycles from 2014, Recalled for engine stalling from melting wiring harnesses.
• July 18: 184 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravans from 2013, Recalled for air bags that may not deploy.
• July 18: 74 Toyota Yaris vehicles from 2012, Recalled for a potential short circuit which could disable the power steering assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
• July 17: 543 Dutchmen travel trailers from 2013-2014, Recalled for risk of fire from propane supply hoses which may leak and start a fire.
• July 16: 45,961 Chrysler Ram 1500 4×4 trucks from 2013, Recalled for a faulty ESC system due to a software malfunction, which could result in a loss of control.
• July 16: 4,458 Chrysler Grand Cherokees equipped with premium headlights from 2014, Recalled for faulty parking lights.
• July 16: 1,058 Chrysler Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks from 2013, Recalled for an incorrect bolt attaching the track bar to the frame, potentially resulting in the vehicle pulling to one side and causing a crash.
• July 15: 36 Augusta RV FLEX recreational trailers from 2013-2014, Recalled for power awning motor assembly screws that may shear and cause the awning to unfurl while in transit.
• July 11: 870 BMW F700 GS and F800 GS motorcycles from 2013, Recalled side stand switches that could remain engaged while riding – increasing the risk of a crash.
• July 11: 2,250 Monaco RV motorhomes from 2011-2014, Recalled for faulty water tank mounting systems that can fail causing water tanks to fall off while in transit and cause a crash.
• July 9: 12,569 Ford vehicles from 2013, including the Taurus and Explorer, Recalled for child safety locks that may deactivate without warning.
• July 8: 442,481 Chrysler vehicles from 2011-2013, including the Sebring and Jeep Liberty, Recalled for the active head restraints not deploying in the case of a rear collision.
• July 8: 224,254 Chrysler vehicles from 2013, including the Town & Country and Grand Caravan, Recalled for a software error that may cause the wrong airbags to deploy in the event of a crash.
• July 8: 70 Spartan Motors Chassis Metro Star and Gladiator emergency vehicles from 2013, Recalled for seat-belt pretensioners and airbags that may inadvertently deploy while in transit.
• July 8: Eldorado National-Kansas Amerivan Toyota Sienna vans from 2011-2013, Recalled for possible damage to the fuel filler neck, which could result in a fire.
• July 8: GM Chevrolet Volts from 2012, Recalled for the front brakes which make lock up and not release during an ABS, ESC, or traction control event.
• June 24: 1.56 million Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokees from 1993-1998 and Jeep Libertys from 2002-2007, Recalled for fuel tanks at risk for leaking, potentially resulting in a fire.