dirtyDogStink

Service Bulletins for your vehicle

Friday, April 27 2007

Here's an interesting little piece of information [via Lifehacker].

A Technical Service Bulletin, or TSB, is a notification by the manufacturer on how to fix a common, recurring problem in a vehicle, but it is not a full recall. According to an Edmunds.com article about TSBs:

Most TSBs are released during the first year that a vehicle is offered or the year following a redesign…in order to address areas that might have been overlooked when designing the car.

These bulletins differ from recalls in that they are not considered safety or emissions issues and they usually apply only when your vehicle is in its warranty period (whereas a recall is “open” until the work has been performed). TSBs frequently (but not always) address a recurring problem and include illustrated instructions for repair, a list of the parts needed, the warranty status and the labor charge.

I have had my 2000 Toyota 4Runner for a year and a half now and at least a dozen times I've found the rear window down when I know for a fact it was up when I left it [going into the store or what-not]. Sure enough, here's what I found...

Look up your vehicle at edmunds.com. Note, it will also list all of the manufacturer's suggested maintenance for your vehicle based on the mileage.

~tod

tags: tsb, technical service bulletin, recall, car