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When should seat belts be replaced?

In Inspection, Maintenance, Safety by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

It’s a routine part of our driving experience: get in the car, grab the seat belt, and click it into place.

For most drivers, using this safety feature has become a habit. 

And if you have a newer vehicle, the alert system makes it nearly impossible to leave the belt unbuckled. 

We have become so accustomed to these reliable items that it can be hard to imagine them not working correctly.

As vehicles age, seat belt problems can develop.

What seat belt problems can occur?

Whether our technicians are performing a courtesy check or state inspection, looking over the seat belts is part of the process.

What are we looking for? 

Our technicians keep an eye out for fraying seat belts. Belts can become frayed over time (or if a dog chews on them).

Volkswagen Tiguan seat belt fraying.

Volkswagen Tiguan seat belt fraying

It’s also important that the seat belt light is working the way it’s supposed to. The light (which recognizes the belt is in use) should be able to turn on and off.

We want to make sure the retention on the buckle side is accurate and consistent.  

The seat belt retractor needs to be in good working condition, as well. If the belt comes out but doesn’t go back in, that’s a problem.

Another item we check is a safety latch. If the seat belt comes out too fast, it’s supposed to lock into place because that simulates a sudden stop during an impact.

What do we check during the Virginia State Inspection?

Our inspectors look for a few concerns when examining seat belts during a Vehicle Safety Inspection.

They check the belt’s condition and confirm it’s installed correctly. We make sure an approved kind of belt is used, as well.

How do we fix seat belts?

We fix seat belts with an O.E. replacement. The standard is to get them from the dealer. There are no aftermarket options. 

Every once in a while, we will need to find a used seat belt because no one makes them. 

On a couple of occasions, we have worked with a company that rebuilds seat belts. In those cases, that was the only option.

How often should seat belts be replaced?

For some car parts, it’s recommended to replace them after a certain number of miles or period of time.

Seat belts, on the other hand, usually last a lifetime. You only need to get new ones if something is wrong.

Why is it important for your seat belt to be working properly?

You need to have a functioning seat belt for a couple of reasons.

First of all, checking the seat belt is part of our Virginia State Inspection process. If there’s a problem, the car may not pass the state inspection.

But it’s not just about getting through this yearly requirement. Having a seat belt that is in good working order improves your safety.

Your seat belt is what keeps you from going through the windshield in case of an accident or when you have to stop at the last minute.

If your seat belt is looking a little worse for wear or it’s not working as designed, bring the vehicle by a shop or ask an automotive professional to look into it during the next maintenance service.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Manassas, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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When is it unsafe to drive your vehicle?

In Inspection, Safety by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Safety is top of mind as our shop services vehicles. Whether our technicians are performing maintenance or taking care of needed repairs, we want to make sure customers are driving off in a safe car.

Sometimes, when vehicles are brought in or as we’re inspecting them, we find that they are unsafe to use.

How do I know when my car is unsafe to drive?

A reliable auto repair shop will be able to tell you during a visit if your car is unsafe to drive. But you may be out and about and have some concerns.

Here are some situations that would impact a car’s safety:

  • Defroster not working
  • Flashing check engine light
  • Fluids low or leaking
  • Lights out
  • Low brakes
  • Low tire tread
  • Mirrors missing
  • Seat belt issues
  • Secondary rubber or chords showing
  • Steering and suspension problems
  • Tire belt separating

Defroster not working: To maintain visibility, the defroster needs to be working properly.

Check engine light on Ford F-150.

Check engine light on Ford F-150

Flashing check engine light: You should avoid driving a vehicle if the check engine light is flashing, because it can mean that there’s an engine problem. Ignoring this issue may lead to catalytic converter damage.

Fluids low or leaking: Brake fluid and power steering fluids are your two main safety fluids. It’s important that they aren’t low or beyond their usable life.

Lights out: Are there problems with any of the lights? This includes headlights, brake lights, and turn signals.

Empty brake fluid reservoir.

Empty brake fluid reservoir

Low brakes: When inspecting vehicles, our technicians make sure the brake pads aren’t getting too low and the brake rotors are thick enough.

Low tire tread: The tread depth will determine how much traction the tire has. It needs to have at least 2/32 of an inch to pass the Virginia State Inspection, but some manufacturers might recommend replacing them sooner.

Mirrors missing: Another item we check is the review mirror to confirm that it isn’t missing.

Seat belt issues: Frayed and missing seat belts are also a safety concern.

Secondary rubber or steel chords showing: If a tire isn’t replaced when the secondary rubber or steel cords are showing, the tire could blow out.

Steering and suspension problems: You will want to make sure the steering and suspension components aren’t missing or damaged. Some examples include ball joints, tie rod ends and control arms.

Tire belt separating: Belts are another part of the tire we keep an eye on. We worked on a Ford F-150 that wasn’t safe to drive because the belt was separating on one of the tires. The technician wasn’t able to take it on a test drive because of the tire, which needed to be changed.

Playing it safe

These items are just some safety issues we may run into at the shop.

A lot of them are checked during the Virginia Safety Inspection. They are included in our courtesy inspection, as well.

Problems can also crop up in your daily life.

If you’re driving or about to get behind the wheel and you aren’t sure if your vehicle is safe to drive, reach out to an auto repair shop for an expert’s opinion.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Manassas, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Why is my defroster not working?

In Safety by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Between snowy days and cold, rainy evenings, a car defroster comes in handy on many occasions.

When this feature isn’t working, our visibility decreases and could lead to unsafe circumstances. It can also result in a failed Virginia State Inspection.

How windshield defrosters work

You may be surprised to know that your vehicle’s air conditioning plays a role year-round, not just during the warmer months.

The a/c can actually help you out when you hit the defrost button. 

As the car is getting up to operating temperature, the air warms up and gets deflected onto the windshield, drying up the condensation.

What can cause defroster problems?

Snow on car windshield.Have you noticed that your defroster isn’t working the way it should?

The problem could be rooted in the a/c system. If your air conditioning isn’t working, the defrosting process is going to take a lot longer and won’t be as effective.

Here are some possible causes behind defroster problems:

Malfunctioning air conditioning compressor: It’s possible that there’s an issue with the air conditioning compressor, which helps defrost the windows quickly.

Low coolant: If you have low coolant, a lot of times that will prevent the thermostat from opening, reducing the flow of coolant through the heater core.

Mode door actuator going bad: The blend door motor might not be directing airflow to the windshield.

We recently worked on a Honda Pilot where the defroster mode wasn’t working. The air wouldn’t switch from the main vent to the defroster vents. 

One of our Master Technicians used a scan tool and saw that there was a code for an open or short in the mode control motor circuit. Through diagnostic testing, he learned that a mode door actuator had failed.

Freon leak: The air conditioning may not have enough freon to run properly. Leaks can occur at gaskets, fittings and other areas.

Wiring problems: Sometimes, more complicated problems can keep the car ac and defroster from working properly. 

Earlier this year, the air conditioning and heat stopped blowing on a Chevy Colorado, even though the blower motor and other components had been swapped out. When we took a deeper look at the issue, we found that there was bad ground to the blower motor.

Other issues: Something could also go wrong with the defroster button on electronic systems. Problems with the AC controller or a bad thermostat could impact the defroster, as well.

Fixing the defroster

If your windshield defroster isn’t keeping up with the fog or melting any ice that has accumulated, schedule an appointment with a nearby auto repair shop.

While you can open up the windows or buy a defroster, those methods should be for emergency situations. You will need insight from an automotive expert to pinpoint the problem.

There are some reasons why we recommend a heater as a temporary solution. If you’re plugging in a defroster, you’re drawing on the 12 volt system of the car. A circuit could get overloaded. Plus, it’s a loose item in the cab that might hit you if you’re in an accident or you slam on your brakes.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located near Lake Ridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Are you doing illegal things while driving?

In Safety by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

A lot happens behind the wheel. In order to safely reach their destination, motorists need to monitor other road users and be prepared to take action at a moment’s notice.

An important part of using the road is avoiding doing illegal things while driving. So, what’s considered illegal? We’re here to provide some examples, some of which you may not know about.

Distracted driving has become a major problem. Drivers can easily become preoccupied by talking to other passengers, helping their children, or using technology. This pulls their attention away from the task at hand and increases their chance of getting into an accident.

In 2020, more than 3,100 people died because of distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Around 424,000 people across the United States were injured as a result of distracted driving in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Some types of distractions are listed below.

Examples of distracted driving

Texting

In Virginia, it is illegal to hold a handheld device while driving. However, that doesn’t stop travelers from using them to perform various tasks, such as texting. Some of us have seen people swerving and – when we pull up next to them at a light – notice that they are typing out a message, even with children in the car.

Recording TikTok videos

Using social media is another task people perform while behind the wheel. TikTok has grown in popularity over the years. So has many of the trends associated with the platform. To be a part of it, some people will record TikTok videos while driving. 

Eating and drinking

It doesn’t seem like there’s enough time in the day and, sometimes, we use driving as our chance to catch up on tasks, especially when we’re running late. A lot of people will temporarily take their eyes off the road to eat or drink something.

Focusing on your appearance

Are you having a bad hair day? Is your makeup smudged? These are some concerns we may have when heading to a presentation for work or trying to look our best for someone special. So, we tend to do them on our way to our destination.

Illegal activities aren’t limited to distracted driving. There are also various tasks that are performed on the road when drivers aren’t looking at a screen, or taking care of their physical needs.

Other illegal things while driving

Speeding through school zones

We see it all the time – motorists driving quickly through school zones, despite the flashing yellow lights indicating that the speed limit is 25 miles per hour. Remember, during the times listed on school zone signs, the reduced speed comes into play. 

Not clearing your windshield

We were a bit surprised to find that having a dirty windshield is against the law. But it makes sense when you think about it. Not having a clear windshield makes it more difficult to see and is, therefore, unsafe.

Hanging items from the rearview mirror

A lot of people have things – graduation tassels, for example – hanging from the rearview mirror. Like a large crack in the windshield, it’s illegal to hang objects from the mirror because it’s obstructing the driver’s vision.

Trash on the side of the road.

Throwing items out the window

If you’re paying attention, you may see litter on the side of the road. Throwing items – whether it’s cigarette butts, fast food containers or dirty diapers – out the car window is another illegal thing that people do, sometimes without even thinking about it.

Driving without a front bumper

There are many components your vehicle needs for you to drive it legally. You’re supposed to have a front and rear bumper that is rated for a certain crash and mile per hour. Putting up a 4-by-4 board may not be legal in your state.

There are some ways you can drive more safely (and legally). 

Steps you can take

We’ve explained a lot of things that are illegal to do while driving. But is there anything that can be done to better protect yourself and your passengers? Here are a few things you can do to make your travels less distracting and more safe:

  • Create rules for yourself and your kids to follow when you’re behind the wheel
  • Get an app that lets people who are calling you know that you’re driving
  • Make sure that you can see clearly while driving and your vehicle is following Virginia safety inspection standards

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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What can cause an airbag light to come on?

In Safety by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Airbags are an important safety feature that protect you and your family in case an accident occurs.

Sometimes, the airbag light will come on. This occurs whenever the airbag system senses a problem. 

The light can turn on for a few reasons.

What can cause the airbag light to turn on

Airbag module is damaged: An airbag light can turn on if the airbag module, which stores information, is damaged because of rain or flooding. If this is the case, the airbag module will need to be replaced.

Airbag backup battery needs recharging: Has your car battery died recently? If so, the backup battery for the airbags could have drained with it. The issue may become resolved when the car battery is charged, or the airbag backup battery might need to be recharged. 

Sensor not working: There are various sensors connected with parts of a car, including the airbag. For example, some vehicles have a sensor that measures the weight in the passenger seat. If a sensor is going bad, the airbag light could be triggered.

Bad airbag clock spring: Vehicles have an airbag clock spring that links the steering wheel with other components, such as the airbag. The airbag clock spring could stop working properly.

Other problems that may trip the airbag light include a broken wire and a bad resistor in the seat belt buckle.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.