Not a bright idea…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is again warning consumers not to use or buy aftermarket steering wheel decals after learning of another driver who suffered severe injuries from the decorative emblem during a crash, NHTSA said this week. The driver was involved in a crash in which the air bag deployed and sent two pieces of a metal aftermarket decal with rhinestones into the person’s face and neck. (AutoInformed.com on NHTSA Consumer Alert on Steering Wheel Decorations)
NHTSA said it is aware of at least one other driver who suffered severe injury from an aftermarket steering wheel decal in a crash. In that case, the driver lost sight in one eye after the rhinestone-adorned decal dislodged from the steering wheel hitting the driver in the face.
Aftermarket steering wheel decals are made of metal or plastic and are usually covered with rhinestones or other shiny decorations. They have an adhesive back that covers the vehicle’s logo in the center of the steering wheel. In a crash, the force of a deploying air bag can turn the decal into a projectile, resulting in serious injury or death.
“Unlike the permanently affixed emblems on your vehicle’s steering wheel, these aftermarket decals can easily become dislodged when the air bag deploys. Any alterations or changes to your air bag or its cover can also cause it to malfunction.,” NHTSA said.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
NHTSA Again Warns Drivers on Steering Wheel Decals
Not a bright idea…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is again warning consumers not to use or buy aftermarket steering wheel decals after learning of another driver who suffered severe injuries from the decorative emblem during a crash, NHTSA said this week. The driver was involved in a crash in which the air bag deployed and sent two pieces of a metal aftermarket decal with rhinestones into the person’s face and neck. (AutoInformed.com on NHTSA Consumer Alert on Steering Wheel Decorations)
NHTSA said it is aware of at least one other driver who suffered severe injury from an aftermarket steering wheel decal in a crash. In that case, the driver lost sight in one eye after the rhinestone-adorned decal dislodged from the steering wheel hitting the driver in the face.
Aftermarket steering wheel decals are made of metal or plastic and are usually covered with rhinestones or other shiny decorations. They have an adhesive back that covers the vehicle’s logo in the center of the steering wheel. In a crash, the force of a deploying air bag can turn the decal into a projectile, resulting in serious injury or death.
“Unlike the permanently affixed emblems on your vehicle’s steering wheel, these aftermarket decals can easily become dislodged when the air bag deploys. Any alterations or changes to your air bag or its cover can also cause it to malfunction.,” NHTSA said.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.