2014 Hyundai Elantra Limited on 2040-cars

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Are old airbags killers?

Takata airbags may not be the only ones with some very serious problems. A new report from TheDetroitBureau.com claims that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened its second investigation into bad airbag inflators, and this time, they aren't from Takata. The focus of this latest case is on the airbag inflators in some 500,000 older Chrysler Town and Country minivans and Kia Optima sedans, all of which come from ARC Automotive. While the Takata case looks at problems stemming from the engineering and production process, the ARC investigation focuses on the age of the inflators. As TDB explains, airbag inflators are essentially what the military refers to as shaped charges, sort of like Claymores (for fans of the Call of Duty series). In combat, they blow up in a specific direction, protecting those behind the explosion, although in the case of airbags, the explosion "[creates] a precise rush of hot gases" that inflate the bags. NHTSA's worry is that with the increased average age of today's vehicles, years and years of being bounced, jolted, and shaken about and exposed to often-radical temperature changes have altered the nature of the explosives in these vehicles, causing too big of an explosion. "It may be a reasonable assumption that as these things age they deteriorate." – Analyst George Peterson "It may be a reasonable assumption that as these things age they deteriorate," analyst George Peterson told TheDetroitBureau.com. NHTSA boss Mark Rosekind backed up aging angle. "Cars are lasting on the road a lot longer than ever before," Rosekind told TDB, adding that seals could start breaking down. "Is aging now an issue? That's part of the investigation going on." NHTSA has only identified two "incidents" so far, although according to Center for Auto Safety Director Clarence Ditlow, there's genuine concern that there could be additional unidentified cases. "Could we have missed more? That could be the case," Ditlow told TDB, citing the misidentified deaths in the Takata investigation. Ditlow was quick to point out that, even in older vehicles, airbags are much more likely to protect than harm. "No one is saying you should disable your airbags," the safety advocate told TDB. "You're far more likely to be helped than hurt by one if they go off." At least one automaker, meanwhile, has already been advised of the investigation by NHTSA and is checking its airbags.

Woman drove her Hyundai Elantra 1 million miles in five years

Imagine driving 200,000 miles in a year. That's about 14 times more than the average American driver logs in a year, according to federal government statistics, and it adds up to almost 548 miles per day — if you literally drive every day. Now, imagine doing it for five straight years. Not behind the wheel of a semi truck, but a gray 2013 Hyundai Elantra. All on the original powertrain. That's the story of Farrah Haines, of Olathe, Kan., who managed to log 1 million miles on her Elantra — inexplicably fitted with some kind of grille guard — from her job delivering auto parts and products. Her feat is the equivalent of driving from her home outside Kansas City to Milwaukee ... Every. Single. Day. "I figured I love to drive, so I might as well turn it into a career," she says in a video Hyundai made about her. Since the odometer would simply roll back to zero after hitting 999,999 miles, Hyundai replaced it and forged its first-ever 1 Million Mile Emblem to display in the instrument panel. It's now an official Hyundai part. Haines also got a commemorative license-plate frame announcing her membership in the 1 Million Mile Club. But the bigger prize came later, when the automaker surprised her with a brand-new 2019 Elantra, this one in red. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Hyundai says it ran a number of tests to validate the odometer reading on her 2013 Elantra, with engineers poring over engine casting numbers, service records, wire harnesses and motor mounts — even her mileage records for her two jobs, plus Carfax and VIN reports. It determined the achievement is legit. "The key is to prioritize regular maintenance and to have a quality vehicle," Haines says in a statement. According to the above video, she gets her oil changed every two weeks. We admittedly don't know much about Haines or her jobs, but in the video, she says matter-of-factly that she drives 24/7. That's obviously an exaggeration, but still. With two jobs, and the staggering driving requirements outlined above, we can't help but wonder whether this is a cautionary tale about the gig economy buried in a feel-good story. So, Farrah — congrats on the new car? Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2017 Hyundai Equus spied testing in the Arctic Circle

The camouflaged next-generation Hyundai Equus has been picked off everywhere from South Korea to Colorado to Sweden, and our spy shooters caught it again in the Arctic Circle. The second generation, unveiled in 2010, continued to raise the luxury tide for the brand and it looks like the third generation will do the same again. Outside we predict another evolution of the brand's Fluidic Sculpture design under the eye of head designer Peter Schreyer, but this version will go in a direction that looks like it will be known only by its details; the side window opening, at least, has gone totally conservative, but we're told the are some very slick headlights up front and a "chrome-rich front fascia." Underneath, it will lose weight by being built on a lightweight derivation of the current BH platform that includes more high-strength steel and aluminum. The 5.0-liter V8 will get more power and better fuel economy, and rumors are that the 3.3-liter V6 could eventually play a role here with some forced induction assistance. An eight-speed transmission might come with its launch next year, but a ten-speed transmission is on the way, working in RWD and AWD guises. Related Video: