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I guess I am extremely frustrated because I've performed what I consider due diligence and still our car seats were not, in my opinion, safely installed until we added the Mighty Tite to the equation. Perhaps our vehicle(s) are unusually difficult to install a car seat. And perhaps our seat expert person was not highly competent.
Overall, I still think the Mighty Tite is doing lots of good and very little bad. Yes, it's a heavy unit and I suppose it could come loose and serve as a projectile in an accident. However, I consider this possibility very remote and, due to the location of the unit - next to the side of the car seat, near the bottom seat cushion - not likely to strike someone directly (I suppose it could ricochet). Perhaps I have no idea about which direction things can fly around in a vehicle crash, but from a logical standpoint I can't envision a scenario in which the Mighty Tite would fly off and hit my little girl, my wife, my dog, or me.
As for Mighty Tite damaging seat belts... Yes, it does seem to grip the belt very tightly. I've removed it after a few weeks of continuous use, and the belt is somewhat deformed due to the pressure, but no fraying or other signs of permanent damage.
I'm wondering how a Mighty Tite could somehow damage a seatbelt by overtightening, etc. Is the implication that you can get the seat belt tighter with the Mighty Tite than without? That's the only way I could see that the Mighty Tite could damage the seat belt. Or does Mighty Tite somehow exert different forces/stress on the belt that does not exist when the belt is simply tightened through normal means (even if it's just as tight as with the Mighty Tite)? This is an area of concern I had not thought of prior to
caviller's previous post.
Even though the auto manufacturers or the government may not be specifically recommending Mighty Tite, my understanding is that they are NOT recommending against using it, either. So I don't necessarily consider this a condemnation of Mighty Tite.
Finding a highly qualified installer/checker is easier said than done, in my experience.
That is definitely re-assuring information on the air bag issue. It looks like common sense will prevail. The focus of my letter was going to be about having the same configuration that new vans will have.
My guess is that the recall will not be public, but more likely "silent". I understand that such things exist, and accept that the stigma of a published recall is something Kia does not want. Once the dealers are tuned up (meaning they have the tools and the training), owners may receive a second letter providing notice of the option to those of us wanting the tweak. It may also just show up as a TSB.
Either way, mission accomplished. I think I speak on behalf of the forum when I say that I appreciate Bluedevils time on this matter.
My salesman is having his regional manager call the port to see if any Sedonas meeting my requirements are due. Hopefully I can snag a Canadian EX (ha, ha). Keep your fingers crossed, mine are...
Mid-April schedule is a very impressive schedule, I sincerely hope that Kia takes all the time it needs to retest the revised program and won't introduce new problems.
Like hoyahenry, I would prefer a full-blown recall. But I can deal with some sort of a silent recall or a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB). Come to think of it, isn't a 'silent recall' a TSB? I'm not sure if there's a difference.
As for seatbelt damage, I have no personal experience. I used one at the conference and have seen it other times, but have not had one for long term testing. I will venture a guess that the mechanical advantage you gain with the ratchet system may indeed allow parents to install it too tightly. The general rule is that a carseat is adequately installed when there is less an inch or less of movement front-to-back or side-to-side when the carseat is held at the base where the seatbelt is routed. Making it tighter beyond that will have diminishing returns. I think the implication is that a device like this might make it much easier to over-tighten a carseat. I suppose the risk is that if you keep ratcheting even after there is no play left in the belt, you risk damage to the force limiting devices or the retractor. One could argue that this may also be the case for an overzealous person installing a seat without such a ratcheting device.
If you post your city state, there's a small chance I might be able to refer you to someone in your area personally. In most cases, I would recommend the NHTSA fitting station database also published by seatcheck.org:
http://www.seatcheck.org
1-866-SEAT-CHECK
Many fitting stations will have a senior checker or instructor, though you may have to ask specifically if you are unhappy with the help given to you by another technician. You can also find specific technicians with this utility:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/Contacts/index.cfm
Peter M. Butterfield
Executive Vice President and COO
Kia Motors America, Inc
P.O. Box 52410
Irvine, CA 92619-2410
Dear Mr. Butterfield:
This letter is in response to your correspondence to me dated March 20, 2002, regarding my Kia Sedona minivan. Thank you for taking the time to explain the recent crash test results. I was, of course, pleased to here about the very favorable NHTSA crash test results and the generally favorable IIHS offset crash test results. I am quite concerned, however, about the results of the 5-mph bumper test conducted by IIHS. Specifically, I cannot reconcile Kia’s position regarding the test results with its post test conduct.
You state in your letter that your engineers determined that the airbag deployed as a result of vibrations initiated by the damaged bumper. You go on to state that your engineers believe the vibrations were “unique to this test.” Yet, you also state that Kia is instituting a production running change in the airbag system to prevent this from happening again in subsequent tests.
While I commend Kia’s decision to take steps to prevent this from happening in similar tests, I would like to know what Kia has done to ensure that the low mph deployment will not occur in “real life” situations in vehicle that have already been sold to consumers. For example, an obvious step might be for Kia to conduct low mph bumper tests of its own. Were such tests conducted? What were the results? Alternatively, Kia could simply recall the Sedonas it has sold and implement the change to the airbag system that it is incorporating in its production line.
We live in a society that has experienced auto-manufacturing debacles ranging from the Ford Pinto’s exploding gas tank to the Ford Explorer/Firestone disintegrating tire mess. Kia is a relative new comer, at least in the United States, to this arena. I ask you to consider doing more than making a change to the vehicles you will produce in the future. I ask you to take steps to alleviate my concerns, and the concerns of other Sedona owners, about the safety of the vehicle we purchased from your company.
Thank you for your attention.
Very truly yours,
Andrew K. Williams
Also, your theories about overtightening with Mighty Tite seem sound.
Personally, when I tighten a car seat without a Mighty Tite, there is still several inches of play in each direction. I knew this was unacceptable, but wasn't sure what to do about it until I heard about Mighty Tite.
http://www.umtri.umich.edu/
Anyway, I do have have contact information for instructors in Dearborn and Southfield, though I prefer not to post their information publically for spam reasons. Unfortunately, I do not know anyone in the area personally, so it may be easier to scout through those links and find something most convenient for you. Please drop me an email to the address in my profile if you want the other contacts. Thanks!
Incidentally, I'm of course a little partial to the discussion forums at http://www.car-seat.org . I'd be happy to respond to questions there if they become too off-topic for this forum.
I look forward to Kia's firm reply and at least a TSB if not a full recall on the air bag issue.
I also hope they send each owner another letter outlining any plans for adjusting/fixing the air bags on already produced vehicles. - Greg
1) On take off at times there is a slight hesitation. This is present in several Sedona's and KIA has a fix out for it
2) Rear heat on all the time, blowing out hot air on your legs.. This is also present in several Sedona's and Kia has a fix out for it as well. A door is installed.
3) They also found a slight leak in the power steering hose. AGAIN, several Sedona's have this problem. So a new power steering hose is on order.
I called the first two problems to the dealer's attention and as soon as the fix was available they called. The 3rd problem they brought to my attention.
Dealer service should be a high consideration when purchasing a vehicle, especially one our for the first year.
I am very happy with my van and heads up service from my dealer.
You must have lot's of time on your hands buddy.
If you ever get bored I've always wondered how many strands of carpet are in my Sedona compared to an Ody, maybe you could help me out?
Since someone posted the issue in the past, the high speed wipers are slower than others I have used, but they are effective. At the high speed setting they don't slap at the water and splash it around as I experience elsewhere. Just my impression.
Hit a pretty large puddle at 40 mph or so with the right tire. Vehicle track was straight and true with only a minor rightward pull in the wheel.
I was soaked when I got in the car at one point, I fired up the heat without the front defrost and it the fog build up on the windows was pretty thick very fast. Moved the control to up/down defrost and it cleared up in record time.
Only other thing to note was that the rear window wiper intermittent time is a bit fast, so while driving, it tends to wipe a dry window even in a deluge. Probably want to avoid that to lengthen the life of the motor and just depress the control periodically. The washer juice does not flow, but the wiper wipes one series. I don't know if that exercises the washer fluid motor with any ill-effect since the fluid doesn't flow.
I will look again for it. here's the link to the photo http://www.highwaysafety.org/srpdfs/sr3703.pdf
Another question.. when I turn the knob to redirect the heat whenever I change from having it come out at my feet to have come out to defrost the windows the ac (green light) always comes on and I then have to depress it to shut off the AC... is this normal ??
P.S... I'm drinking tea today : )
There is a KIA memo (bulletin) out on this to the dealers. Just ask your service dept about it.
Others have noted that this is a good thing in the winter time because operating the a/c is unnatural, and bad for the a/c system. Running the system periodically lubricates the system including the seals and gaskets as oil in the fluid is circulated during operation. All in all, a good, normal thing.
The dealer did not adjust the tire pressure prior to our purchasing the minivan.
Does anyone have a similar story? The 47 psi was verified by using 3 tire gauges (two digital and one analog). 47 psi is even more than the maximum pressure stated on the side of each tire.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I would much rather have the dealer properly set the tire pressure than shine the hood ornament!
I should have checked our tire pressure every week, but have been a slacker.
We've now driven 1,500 miles on severely overinflated tires. Glad that nothing happened to the tires (or us and the other drivers we encountered on the road) - maybe some excess wear in the center of the tire.
Now that we have the correct pressure in each tire, the tires actually look a little underinflated. Maybe it's because I got too used to the way they looked overinflated.
Thus endeth the lesson....
That is quite different from what the letter said (it mentioned only a 'production running change'). I hope the lady on the phone knew what she was talking about. It would probably be a good idea for someone else to call and verify this (I don't feel like calling back). I need to call my dealer and see if they have heard the same thing.
Is this the kind of proactive step you were expecting from Kia, or were you expecting something more?
mfbono - it's normal for the a/c to go on with the defrost as bluedevil so accurately described. In older cars we owned, we used to turn the a/c on with the defrost ourselves to accomplish the same purpose. Works like a charm.
I agree with bluedevil that a proper tire pressure leaves the tire looking slightly flat. I'm always resisting the urge to pump it up a little.
Please be careful.
There is no worse feeling than to expect to be accelerating across traffic into lane of vehicles and not moving. Unless it is the feeling of a large vehicle smashing broadside into your vehicle because the hesitation slowed you down.
It only took a few minutes to take care of. Do it on your next Oil change or service.
This may be the cause of the slight "shuddering" while idling. I'd ask a Kia service technician what the idle is supposed to be set at.
... Greg
This is the recall information for the (Korea)Carnival not the Sedona in USA in 2001:
8. Kia Motors to recall Carnival, Carens
The Construction and Transportation Ministry said on January 9 that Kia Motors would recall its Carnival and Carens models as defects were found in both models. Chains of the Carnivals' oil pumps could break during rapid acceleration and deceleration. The Carens' engines could stop suddenly while the vehicle is running due to problems of fuel ratio. The recall will affect 100,331 Carnivals manufactured during December 1997 - June 2000 and 10,060 Carenses produced between June and December 2000. Kia will inform owners about the recall and make the necessary changes free of charge at its maintenance shops. Repairs of the Carnivals and the Carenses will begin from January 31 and January 20, respectively. (01/10/2001)
The kit comes with everything. I removed the jack compartment door, temporarily removed jack holder, and installed in the body, lots of stirofoam already there. There is a plug under the driver side corner that allows the three cables from the sensors to enter the van. I ran the speaker cable in the opening with the rear seat belt. Mounted the speaker on the rear panel facing the front. It tested real good the first try. I put a little tike buggy in the drive way. From the van you can not see it but backing up it started to sense it at 8ft, 5ft,3ft, 2ft 12in. It was very accurate. So far the wife is happy and we will tell with time how well it lasts.
I recommend the system, total price was 187.00.
1. Drain plug is 17mm.
2. Van sits a little too low to change oil with wheels on ground. I had to use my plastic ramps.
3. Drain plug is easily identifiable.
4. Oil filter is vertical. Location is a little tricky. It's not too hard to get at, but there's a wide metal bar/brace about 4 inches below the bottom of the filter. This made for a little mess when I removed the filter. Also, the filter is within a couple inches of some sort of belt. This seems like a bad idea-- oil on an engine belt would generally be a bad thing, right? The filter location is definitely inconvenient.
5. Nice clean layout under the vehicle. A couple extra skid plate-type items that I would expect on an SUV but not on a van. To me, this is a good thing.
6. If you're curious to have a look underneath the plastic engine cover, use a ratchet/socket instead of a drill or screwdriver. I removed the 6 plastic engine cover screws by sticking a 10mm socket on a 3/8" drive ratchet with 3" extension. Previously, I had tried to remove these screws with a drill with poor results-- screws did not loosen and instead the notches in the screw head began to strip.
That cover gives the engine a clean, classy look. There's lots going on under there (coil packs instead of spark plug wires ?), and it's nice to have it all covered up, both for visual and safety reasons.
Purolator L14459, apx $3-$4
Purolator Pure One PL14459, apx $5
STP D362/S2808 $3 at AutoZone
Bosch 3312 $5.49 at AutoZone
Deutsch S2808/D362 $3 at AutoZone
Mobil 1 M104 $10 at Murray's, $12 at AutoZone
Kia brand filter, $4.95 at my local dealer
My recommended filter
I used a Purolator Pure One PL14459, which is a very well-regarded filter and a solid bargain at 5 bucks. This is the same Pure One filter for our 1998 3.5L V6 Isuzu Trooper. Several Trooper owners on Edmunds are using the PL24458 Pure One filter, which is larger but has all of the same important characteristics according to Purolator. I will probably switch to the larger PL24458 next time.
My recommended oils
My new oil of choice is Chevron Supreme; for the Sedona I'll probably use 10W30 year-round here in southeast Michigan. It's available in an API SL grade in various weights. It is made with hydrocracked base stocks, which basically qualifies it as a 'synthetic blend' in layman's terms. At $1 or so a quart, this is an outstanding bargain. I'm aware of one other major-brand oil that's available in SL grade, made with hydrocracked base stocks (the same sort of stuff that some synthetics use), and costs about a buck a quart: Citgo Supergard. Both Chevron Supreme and Citgo Supergard seem to be great bargains.
I will be switching our other 2 vehicles from Mobil 1 synthetic to Chevron Supreme as soon as my supply of Mobil 1 is depleted.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
hoyahenry, did you say that the AC can be switched off manually when the fan is in Defrost mode, even though the "default" is for the AC to be on when fan is in Defrost mode? This would be the optimal design, and not one I've seen previously on any vehicle.
My preference is to be able to switch the AC on or off, manually, in any fan setting. Our Isuzu Trooper works this way. Our Ford Contour does not, and I find it quite annoying to a) be unable to switch off the AC when fan is in defrost mode (sometimes AC is not necessary) b) be unable to switch the AC on regardless of the fan mode I've chosen.