CarMD Uses 11/11/11 to Remind Drivers There's Nothing Lucky About Being Stranded With a Car That Won't Start

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Nov. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- November 11, 2011 marks a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence of the date 11/11/11.  This day has a variety of meanings from Armistice Day to the title of a horror film.  It's also considered by some as a lucky day for special occasions such as births and marriages.  Numerologists see 11/11/11 as a master number and reminder to notice if you're on the right path with your life.  Whether or not you're superstitious, CarMD.com Corporation wants to encourage car owners to use 11/11/11 as a day to address car maintenance and "check engine" light warnings to help avoid an unlucky breakdown at an inopportune time.

CarMD also wants to use this historic date to call attention to the 11th most common car repair, according to the CarMD® Vehicle Health Index™.  "Replace camshaft position (CMP) sensor" is the no. 11 most common repair when that dreaded check engine light comes on.  The CMP sensor is critical to helping the engine run properly; it tells the car's computer where the engine is in its rotation, which helps determine the timing of the fuel injection system and when the spark plugs need to fire for proper engine operation.  It can fail over time, which is important now that cars are lasting longer than ever before.  It can also fail prematurely due to extreme heat, engine vibration, corrosion and other possible causes.  

So how do you know if your car has a faulty camshaft position sensor?  The most obvious clue is an illuminated "check engine" light.  Other symptoms include rough idling, drop in mileage, stalling when accelerating and long cranking time – particularly with cold starts.  The average cost to repair a faulty camshaft position sensor is $181, but it can cause major engine damage if ignored.

"A car's camshaft position sensor can be sensitive to extreme heat, but it's especially problematic in winter months.  Camshaft position sensor failures can lead to long cranking times and even prevent the car from starting altogether," said Art Jacobsen, Vice President of CarMD.  "This can be critical when you're in a remote area during the dead of winter.  CarMD wants to encourage drivers to minimize the risk of no-starts and breakdowns by addressing small problems and dashboard warning lights early."

Jacobsen notes that the 11th most common repair is often overshadowed by "top 10" rankings, but all car problems are important, especially when they cost the car owner time, money or risk passenger safety.  Other more common causes for the check engine light are faulty oxygen sensor, mass air flow sensor, spark plugs and a loose gas cap.   The CarMD Vehicle Health Index draws its data from more than a quarter-million repairs compiled and validated by CarMD's network of Automotive Service Excellence-certified technicians.  CarMD makes this information available to help consumers make better-informed repair decisions.  The company also markets the consumer friendly CarMD® Vehicle Health System product to help drivers catch hidden problems and diagnose check engine issues from home.

About CarMD

The mission of Fountain Valley, Calif.-based CarMD.com Corporation is to empower consumers and the vehicle market by providing the tools and information needed to make better-educated decisions about their vehicles' health and maintenance. An ISO 9001:2008-certified company, CarMD's premiere product is the CarMD® Vehicle Health System™.  The company has built the largest, most up-to-date database of diagnostic trouble codes; expert fixes and repair costs, which it uses to compile the annual CarMD® Vehicle Health Index™.  For more information about common car repair problems and costs, visit http://corp.carmd.com. For information about the company, its products and other consumer tips, visit www.CarMD.com.

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Art Jacobsen

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SOURCE CarMD.com Corporation