Opinion ID: 1111879
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Adequacy of Warning

Text: Whether a particular warning was adequate is a question for the trier of fact. Stapleton v. Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., 608 F.2d 571, 573 (5th Cir. 1979); Brownlee v. Louisville Varnish Co., 641 F.2d 397, 400 (5th Cir.1981); Dougherty v. Hooker Chem. Corp., 540 F.2d 174, 179 (3d Cir.1976); LeBouef v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 451 F.Supp. 253, 257 (W.D.La.1978); Berry v. Coleman Systems Co., 23 Wash.App. 622, 596 P.2d 1365, 1369 (1979). The determination of whether a warning is adequate depends upon a balancing of considerations including, among other factors, the severity of the danger, Marshall v. Beno Truck Equipment, Inc., 481 So.2d 1022,1032, (La. App. 1st Cir.1985) writ den., 482 So.2d 620 (1986); the likelihood that the warning will catch the attention of those who will foreseeably use the product and convey the nature of the danger to them, Andries v. General Motors, 444 So.2d 1180, 1183 (La. 1983); Bituminous Casualty v. Black & Decker, 518 S.W.2d 868, 872-73 (Tex.Civ. App.Ct.1974); Spruill v. Boyle-Midway, Inc., 308 F.2d 79, 87 (4th Cir.1962); Wolfe v. Ford Motor Co., 6 Mass.App. 346, 376 N.E.2d 143, 147 (1978); Seley v. G.D. Searle, Inc., 67 Ohio St.2d 192, 423 N.E.2d 831, 837 (1981); the intensity and form of the warning, Shell Oil v. Gutierrez, 119 Ariz. 426, 581 P.2d 271, 280-81 (App.Ct. 1978); Broussard v. Continental Oil Co., 433 So.2d 354 (La.App. 3rd Cir.) writ den., 440 So.2d 726 (1983); and the cost of improving the strength or mode of the warning. Dougherty v. Hooker Chem Corp., 540 F.2d 174, 179 (3rd Cir.1976); Broussard, supra at 358. See also cases touching on several of these factors: Chappuis, supra; Walker v. Maybelline, 477 So.2d 1136 (La.App. 1st Cir.) writ den., 481 So.2d 1333 (La.1986); Quattlebaum v. Hy-Reach Equipment, Inc., 453 So.2d 578 (La.App. 1st Cir.) writ den., 458 So.2d 474 (1984). See Sales, Duty to Warn and Instruct For Use In Strict Tort Liability 13 St. Mary's L.J., 521, 551-56 (1981); Restatement of Torts 2d § 402A, comment K. In the present case neither the trial court nor the court of appeal reached the question of whether the warnings were adequate. We must decide the issue as a trier of fact from the record established by the evidence adduced at trial. Consequently, it is important to distinguish our discussion in this regard from statements of law, because it is possible that another reasonable trier of fact could reach a different conclusion, just as it is possible that we might reach a different result as a trier of fact in a catalytic converter-warning case presenting a dissimilar trial record. The manufacturer's expert, an engineer employed full time by the company, testified that the severity of danger created by the risk of a fire caused by the Firebird's catalytic converter was not great. He testified that if the automobile's engine were functioning properly, as Lonnie Bloxom's was, it was highly unlikely that the converter would generate enough heat to ignite hay or similar combustibles. He acknowledged that the operator's manual contained two warnings stating: Do not drive through, idle, or park your car over combustible materials, such as grass or leaves. They could touch the hot exhaust system and ignite. However, he said that these warnings originally were included in the manual when a California law requiring warnings on sun visors was passed in response to reports that catalytic converters had caused forest fires. He testified that the law was later repealed and the sun visor warnings were discontinued; however, the company retained the manual warnings as a precaution against whatever risk might be caused by the converter. The plaintiffs did not call an expert witness on the subject of the characteristics and propensities of the catalytic converter-exhaust system. Based on the record in this case, we conclude that the possibility of fire caused by driving, idling or parking the Firebird over combustible materials was not so great, when balanced with other pertinent factors, as to require a warning on the sun visor or elsewhere on the product itself. However, based upon the trial court's finding as to the cause of the fire and the testimony by the defendant's expert, we find that, although the possibility of such a fire is small, the potential consequences are quite serious, and that a warning commensurate with this danger should at least be set forth in the operator's manual. Our examination of the operator's manual convinces us that it does not present warnings of sufficient clarity and intensity to adequately communicate the nature of the danger and the means of avoidance to those who will foreseeably use the automobile. The owner's manual consists of a booklet containing 106 pages divided into multitudinous sections of fine print. The manual's cover indicates that it contains important operating safety and maintenance instructions. However, the safety instructions are not separated or designated as such in the manual. The sections containing the warnings at issue are reproduced as follows: STARTING AND OPERATING 2-5 Air Cleaner Your car receives its power from a mixture of gasoline and air. The air enters the engine through the air cleaner. A dirty air cleaner element lessens engine performance and can waste fuel. So, its important to replace the air cleaner element (filter) at required intervals. (See the Maintenance Schedule folder.) Air Conditioner If your car has an optional air conditioner, use the Economy (Vent or Heater) positions whenever possible. The air conditioner compressor is not on in these positions and the reduced engine load can improve fuel economy. Engine Maintenance An engine that is properly maintained will provide better fuel economy than one that is not. One misfiring spark plug will cut fuel economy quite a bit, and will make a difference in the amount of pollution emitted from your car. Excess Weight Fuel economy is related to the work the engine must do. The heavier the load, the more fuel it takes to run your car. Keep weight to a minimum by taking out any luggage or cargo when it is not needed. Tire Inflation Underinflation not only causes needless wear of the tires, but can also waste fuel. It's a good idea to check tire pressures often and, for the best fuel economy, keep your tires inflated to the highest pressures shown on the Tire Placard on the left door of your car. Wheel Alignment Improper toe alignment will cause the tires to roll at an angle, which will result in faster tire wear. It takes power to overcome this improper alignment which, in turn, wastes fuel. STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS ANTI-THEFT STEERING COLUMN LOCK The anti-theft lock (ignition) on the right side of the steering column has five positions:  Accessory - You can use some electrical accessories when the engine is not running. To engage this position, push in the square-head key and turn the top of the key toward you.  Lock - Normal parking position. It locks the ignition and prevents normal use of the steering wheel and shift controls. The ignition key cannot be turned to Lock and removed until the shift lever is moved to P (Park) on automatic transmission models (Reverse on manual transmission models).  Off - You can turn off the engine without locking the steering wheel and shift controls.  Run - Normal operating position.  Start - Cranks the engine. If you have trouble turning the key to unlock the ignition, first be sure the key is pushed in all the way. Then, try to turn the steering wheel as hard as you can in the direction the wheels are turned. At the same time, turn the ignition key with as much effort as you can apply with your hand. Do not try to use a tool of any kind to apply more force on the lock knob, as this could break the knob. NOTICE: Do not drive through, idle, or park your car over combustible materials, such as grass or leaves. They could touch the hot exhaust system and ignite. PARKING When leaving your car unattended:  Firmly apply the parking brake. Do not use the transmission as a substitute for the parking brake. SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 5 1 CAUTION: As with any machine, take care when making any check, doing any maintenance, or making any repair, to avoid being injured. Note that some of the materials in this vehicle may be hazardous if used, serviced, or handled improperly. Improper or incomplete service could also lead to the car itself not working properly which may result in personal injury, or damage to the car or its equipment. If you have any question about carrying out some service, have the service done by a skilled mechanic. REPLACEMENT FASTENERS During car maintenance, any fasteners used to replace older ones must have the same measurements and strength as those removed, whether metric or customary. (The numbers on the heads of metric bolts and on the surfaces of metric nuts show their strength. Customary bolts use radial lines to show this, while most customary nuts do not have strength markings.) Fasteners taken from the car should be saved for re-use in the same spot when possible. Where a fastener cannot be used again, take care to choose a replacement that matches the old one. For information and help, see your Pontiac dealer. CAUTION: This car has some parts dimensioned in the metric system as well as in the customary system. Some fasteners are metric and are very close in dimension to well-known customary fasteners in the inch system. Mismatched or incorrect fasteners can result in damage to the car or possibly personal injury. MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE For owner convenience, a separate folder has been provided with your car which contains a complete maintenance schedule. It also briefly describes the safety, emission control, lubrication, and general service that your car requires. The Maintenance Schedule folder is supplemented by this section of the Owner's Manual, as well as a Warranty Information folder also furnished with your car. Read all three publications for a full understanding of your car's maintenance needs. To obtain a replacement Maintenance Schedule folder, see the order form in the back of this manual. CATALYTIC CONVERTER The catalytic converter is an emission control device added to the exhaust system to reduce exhaust gas pollutants. The converter contains a ceramic material coated with noble metal catalysts. To prevent contamination of the catalysts, unleaded gasoline must be used. Unleaded gasoline also reduces combustion chamber deposits and exhaust system corrosion. The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline will cause the converter to lose its effectiveness for emission control. SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE 5-2 To help prevent damage: 1. Keep your engine properly maintained. Engine malfunctions involving the electrical, carburetion, or ignition systems may result in unusually high converter and exhaust system temperatures. Do not keep driving your car if you detect engine misfire, noticeable loss of performance, or other unusual operating conditions. Instead, have it serviced promptly. A properly maintained engine will help avoid malfunctions that could damage the converter. It will also help provide good emission control and gasoline economy. See the Maintenance Schedule folder for information on inspecting and maintaining the engine, exhaust system, and other components. 2. Do not drive through, idle, or park your car over combustible materials, such as grass or leaves. They could touch the hot exhaust system and ignite. 3. Do not push or tow this car to start it. This could damage the converter. Disregarding this information could damage the catalytic converter, the vehicle, or nearby property. C-4 (COMPUTER CONTROLLED CATALYTIC CONVERTER) SYSTEM Your car may have a special emission control system, called the C-4 (Computer Controlled Catalytic Converter) System. All new cars purchased in California have this system. Some cars purchased elsewhere may have this system if the car has a 3.8 Liter V-6 engine. (To find out if your car has this system, turn the ignition key to Run but do not start the engine. If a Check Engine light on the instrument panel comes on, your car does have the C-4 System.) The C-4 System monitors the exhaust stream with an oxygen sensor. Based on sensor signals, the electronic control module adjusts the carburetor air-fuel ratio as needed. An oxygen sensor maintenance reminder is included in the instrument panel on models without a 5.0 Liter (Engine Code H) V-8 engine. The word EMISSIONS will appear in a window in the speedometer face at the intervals outlined in Section C of the Maintenance Schedule folder. The EMISSIONS indicator serves as a reminder that the oxygen sensor must be replaced with a new sensor. Such replacement is necessary in order to maintain the correct operation of the emission control system. The indicator must be reset as part of this service. A CHECK ENGINE light on the instrument panel will come on during engine starting to let you know the bulb is working. (The light will stay on a short time after the engine starts.) If the light comes on while driving, service to the C-4 System may be required. Contact your Pontiac dealer as soon as possible for an inspection of the system. Continued driving without having the C-4 System serviced could eventually cause damage to the emission control system. The safety instruction on page 847 is labeled notice and is included in a section entitled STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS and subtitled Anti-theft Steering Column Lock. The safety instruction appears at the end of the section which is otherwise devoted to instruction on operation of the ignition switch and steering column lock. Therefore, a reader could easily overlook the notice or fail to construe it as a warning of a serious danger related to a hot catalytic converter. Although the safety instruction on page 849 pertains to the exhaust system as well as the catalytic converter, it is placed in the midst of detailed instructions on operation of the catalytic converter. In fact, it follows a long section describing how malfunction of the engine or other parts may cause unusually high converter and exhaust system temperature. Thus, this section as a whole could easily lead the reader to believe that a car with a properly operating engine presents no risk of fire caused by a hot converter-exhaust system. The safety instructions fail as adequate warnings because they are easily confused with operating or maintenance instructions. They do not make clear whether the danger exists with respect to properly operating engines. They are not separated, labeled or prominently displayed as warnings in a way commensurate to their importance to a user's safety. More important, the message they contain does not communicate with clarity that the hazard warned of is a danger to the user's life and limb, not just to the vehicle, and the warning lacks the directness and intensity commensurate with such a danger.