Car airbags may only have one function – to keep you safe from harm during a car accident – but they are harder to replace than you might think. Airbag configuration and deployment vary not only from model to model, but from year to year. Manufacturers are always working to improve the safety in their cars and adjusting deployment sensitivity and force. So, can car airbags be replaced?

Can Car Airbags be Replaced?

The short answer about whether car airbags can be replaced is that it depends. Some vehicles have curtain or side airbags which further complicate the question. Some newer cars even have knee or rear airbags to reduce your chances of injury during a collision.

Airbag replacement, then, is a multi-layered question. While the component can be physically replaced, you’ll need to know whether or not the rest of the affected in addition to the installation makes the vehicle as safe to drive as it was prior to your car accident. After all, your airbag isn’t the only part that is damaged during a car accident. Damaged steering wheels, steering wheel covers, and other damage to the vehicle’s interior are just a few of the things to think about when your airbag has deployed during an accident. Your replacement airbag may also need to be reprogrammed depending on the year of your vehicle.

Add to all of this the complicated question of where the replacement airbag is coming from, and you’ve got even more variables to consider. If you have to purchase a replacement airbag, then make sure you’re buying a new component and not one from a salvage yard. Parts from used cars may not be in good condition and can be damaged during the removal process.

Whether your airbag can be safely replaced depends on a multitude of factors and should be considered on a case-by-case basis. T3 Atlanta recommends that you do not attempt to replace an airbag on your own, and that you should call a certified mechanic for your safety.

Do Car Airbags Expire?

The answer to whether car airbags expire or not is more complicated than it may seem. The short answer is yes: car airbags can expire. We discuss the longer answer below.

Car Airbags in Newer Vehicles
Newer vehicles are equipped with airbags that do not expire, or at least, not quite. The airbags are designed to last for the life of the vehicle.

Vehicles manufactured after 1998 and after are equipped with dual front airbags, which are different than dual-stage airbags.

• Dual front airbags: Two separate airbags for the driver and passenger.
• Dual-stage airbag: A single airbag that deploys in two separate stages, improving safety for the vehicle’s occupants.

Whether your car has front, side, rear, or any other type of airbag, the airbags in newer vehicles generally won’t need to be replaced for as long as you have the vehicle.

Car Airbags in Older Vehicles
Older vehicles generally feature airbags that work on a different system – if they have airbags at all. The first airbags appeared in the 1970’s. With the technology being so new, manufacturers at the time were uncertain how long airbags could last and still be effective.

Standard recommendations at the time were to have the airbag inspected every few years to ensure that the component was still in good working order. Over time, manufacturers recommended that airbags be replaced every 10 – 15 years. Even this figure depends on the condition of the car, the type of airbag, and the components used during the manufacturing process.

Replacing airbags in older cars is tricky because replacement older airbags may have expired, been removed improperly from a salvage yard, or the component itself is faulty.

Car Airbag Repair at T3 Atlanta

If you have recently been in a car accident or have an older vehicle, you may be looking to have your airbag replaced. If you have a Lexus, Toyota, Nissan, or Infiniti, call T3 Atlanta! Your safety is our top priority. We’ll consult with you and advise the best course of action to replace an airbag for your specific situation.

Parking brakes are essential for manual vehicles, and can also be helpful for their automatic counterparts by preventing needless wear and tear on the transmission. A stuck parking brake may not be a common occurrence, but it’s a massive inconvenience when it does happen. Knowing what to do if your parking brake gets stuck will save you time and hassle.

What to Do if Your Parking Brake Gets Stuck

Parking brakes are a separate system from your main driving brakes, and there are many reasons that they can become stuck. It’s not always possible to know the exact cause of the problem. Try these solutions and see what works for you.

Engaged Too Hard or Engaged Too Long

It’s possible that an overly enthusiastic pull on your parking brake can cause it to become stuck. In this case, the parking brake has become clamped against the brake shoes too hard and may actually require a professional to unstick.

Similarly, a parking brake that has been engaged for too long – such as if the vehicle has been placed into storage or hasn’t been used for a season – can become stuck in place and require professional intervention.

The Parking Brake Line is Corroded

Corrosion is the most common cause of parking brakes sticking. The bottom of your vehicle is always exposed to the road, road salts, debris, potholes, and other potential causes of damage. Your parking brake line can become corroded from exposure, which in turn leads to a brake that is difficult to engage or disengage.

• Start your car and shift the vehicle into drive and reverse, ‘rocking’ your vehicle. The movement can help loosen some rust and free up your parking brake.
• Engage and disengage your parking brake a few times. Like the previous step, the movement could dislodge some rust.
• Inspect the parking brake cable to see if rust is present. If you have the tools to do so, you can manually pull on the cable and potentially loosen the line enough to be able to disengage the brake from the cabin.

Rust can cause a lot of problems in your vehicle, and if rust is present on one part, there’s a good chance that it’s present on other parts of your vehicle as well. You may want to have your vehicle inspected to make sure that rust doesn’t start corroding the bottom of your vehicle.

Your Parking Brake is Frozen

Ice can actually freeze your parking brake in place. While this isn’t a common problem in the Atlanta area, it’s a possibility to keep in mind if you’re traveling out of town during cold weather.

If you think your parking brake might be frozen, turn on your engine and let the car warm for 10 – 15 minutes. The heat from your vehicle should melt any ice encasing your parking brake line, which will in turn let you disengage the hand brake.

What to Do if Your Parking Brake Gets Stuck? Call T3 Atlanta!

Whether your parking brake is stuck or your vehicle is having another mechanical issue, T3 Atlanta is your metro-area resource for Toyota, Lexus, Infiniti, and Nissan vehicle repairs. We can help you unstick your brakes, perform annual inspections, and help keep your car in top shape for years to come.

Routine oil changes are a preventive maintenance item that’s usually performed several times throughout a year depending on how often you drive. Whether you are brand new at DIY oil changes or a veteran, accidents happen and an excess amount of oil could be poured into the car. You may be wondering: ‘What happens if you overfill auto oil?’

What Happens if You Overfill Auto Oil?

Automotive oil reservoirs are designed to hold a bit of extra oil to compensate for fluid expansion in warm conditions, and to help prevent damage to the engine in case excessive oil is added to the engine. As a result, half a quart may not cause any damage to your engine, but much more than that could lead to engine damage.

When too much oil is poured into the reservoir, the excess oil can be pulled into the crankshaft as it spins. The oil is mixed with air and aerates – also known as ‘foaming’ – like what you might find on your morning latte. The combination of oil and air results in decreased oil pressure as the oil pump is unable to continue pumping the oil effectively.

Can Too Much Oil Damage Your Engine?

In a word, yes. There are several things that might happen if a significant amount of excess oil is added to your engine. Your engine relies on consistent oil pressure to keep the moving parts running smoothly. Changes in the oil pressure and overall lubrication of the engine can lead to:

• Engine damage such as bent rods in the engine or collapsed valve pipes.
• Catastrophic engine failure where the engine sustains enough damage that it cannot be repaired, but must instead be replaced.
• Excess engine wear from inconsistent oil pressure over time.
• Spark plug fouling, resulting in the need to replace spark plugs more frequently.
• Excess oil deposits in the catalytic converter.

As you can see adding too much oil to your engine can cause a variety of problems. But if there’s already an excess amount of oil in the reservoir, what do you do?

My Car is Overfilled with Oil – Now What?

The most important thing to do when your car has been overfilled with oil is to drain the excess amount in the reservoir before you drive the vehicle again.

Overfilling your car with oil is a relatively easy problem to fix as long as you have the right tools. You’ll need to drain oil out of your car or have someone do it for you.

If you haven’t filled your oil yourself, you may not immediately realize that your car has been overfilled. It’s a good rule of thumb to check your dipstick after leaving your mechanic or oil change shop. If the level of oil on the dipstick is an inch or more above the recommended fill level, then your car has been overfilled and should not be driven again until oil has been drained from the vehicle; otherwise, you could cause serious damage to your engine.

Engine Oil Overfill Symptoms

It’s one thing to correct the problem if you’ve performed the oil change yourself and know you’ve accidentally added too much. But what if you took your car to a mechanic or oil change shop? Knowing the most common engine oil overfill symptoms will help you prevent damage to your vehicle.

Common signs of engine oil overfill include:

• Oil leaking from your car
• Smell of burning engine oil
• Smoke from the engine compartment
• Smoke or black exhaust from the tailpipe
• Unusual noises coming from the engine

These symptoms can overlap with other engine issues so it’s a good idea to visit T3 Atlanta if you notice any of these symptoms. We are full-service mechanics for Lexus, Toyota, Nissan, and Infiniti vehicles in the metro Atlanta area. We’ll diagnose your vehicle’s issues and get you back on the road in no time.

Most people develop a unique bond with their car. Trips are taken in, sunrises shared with, and names are given to many of these cars. Yet, not all car owners consider getting a second opinion when it’s time for maintenance on their trusty steed. With the options available to the average car owner, they really should. Here’s how to know when to get a second opinion for car maintenance.

When to Get a Second Opinion for Car Maintenance

Maybe you’ve moved away and can no longer take your car to your trusted mechanic. Maybe you have recently purchased a brand that your mechanic does not service. Whatever the reason, you’re needing repairs and not sure about the quote you received. Perhaps it’s time to get a second opinion for car maintenance.

If that odd buzzing sound or vibration has led to that dreaded high price tag repair you’ve been dreading, you shouldn’t always take that first recommendation you get from your mechanic. Newer cars are highly complicated pieces of machinery. Depending on the make and model, it’s commonplace for there to be multiple causes for a single issue, leading to confusion.

For instance, if one mechanic has recommended a new radiator, it’s worth your while to take it to another mechanic, as the source issue could be as simple as a faulty temperature sensor.

Once you have a quote from your mechanic, don’t hesitate to call around to other mechanics. Tell them what you need done and ask how much to expect to pay. This way, you’ll get a much better idea of what to expect to pay.

When it’s time to take your car in for that Second Opinion from a mechanic, it’s best to keep in mind that this recommendation isn’t just about pricing. The second opinion may end up the costlier, yet correct one in the end.

What it all boils down to is expertise and the general impression you get from these service professionals. You haven’t spent any additional money to gain the added information, and now you’re more equipped to make the decision on what’s needed next for your beloved car.

Tips for Getting a Second Opinion

You can ask for a second opinion at a doctor, so why be hesitant to ask for a second opinion about your car’s health? Getting a second opinion isn’t going to hurt anyone’s feelings. It’s all part of the profession. These tips will help you identify how to approach getting a second opinion.

• Listen to your instinct. If you aren’t getting a good feeling about what you’re hearing, then don’t hesitate; listen to that feeling! There’s a good chance that you have that feeling for a reason. Move on to another mechanic.
• Be familiar with your vehicle. With all of the resources available on the internet today, all it takes is a quick online search to get some ideas on what the problem might be. If what you’re hearing doesn’t sound right, then don’t hesitate to look for another mechanic.
• Sound like you know what you are talking about. Much like being familiar with your vehicle, sounding like you are knowledgeable about your car will help prevent you from being taken advantage of. Unfortunately, some mechanics take advantage of customers instead of guiding them to the most economical path.
• Be straightforward. Establish good boundaries early, and don’t hesitate. Know what you want, and don’t hesitate to take your business elsewhere if you feel like you are being pushed.
• Don’t hesitate to call other mechanics. Let your fingers do the walking and call around town to find out what other mechanics are charging for the quote you received. And, who knows? They might find that the problem is different than the one you were quoted for.

A lot of the customer-mechanic relationship is based on trust. Think of it like going to the doctor. You aren’t going to visit a doctor who keeps pushing medications on you and doesn’t respect your wishes. Likewise, you shouldn’t feel obligated to choose a mechanic who doesn’t respect you or your car.

Servicing Your Vehicle at T3 Atlanta

No one is looking forward to the next time they need to take their car into the mechanic for service. That said, when that time does arrive, you can be assured that the team at T3 Atlanta are comprised of award-winning experts who are prepared for any customer’s vehicle problem.

From large scale issues to regular maintenance and oil changes, T3 Atlanta offers discounted services 365 days a year for Nissan, Infiniti, Toyota, and Lexus vehicles. With two locations in the Atlanta metro area, T3 has you and your car’s best interest in mind.