Bumpers Have a BIG Job!

If you drive either a Civic or CR-V from Honda Salisbury, then you can rest easily at night knowing that your auto brand cares enough about your safety to pay special attention to your bumpers.  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety took SUV and car pairs from seven different auto brands and put them in 10 mph fender benders with one another.  While we do not have results for the vehicles found at Chevrolet Dealer Medina, if they are anything like their domestic competition over at Ford then the results were costly and unattractive.  There are laws in place that require the bumpers on passenger cars to be between a height of 16 to 20 inches above the ground.  However, the SUVs, trucks, and minivans from Chevrolet Dealer Westlake and every other auto maker out there do not have any bumper height regulations in place. 

The IIHS tested these vehicle pairs so that one vehicle was standing still and the other one was traveling at only 10 mph.  The most expensive repair occurred when the Toyota Corolla sedan rear ended the Toyota RAV4 SUV; a total of $9,867.  The car sustained only $3,852 worth of damage while the SUV sustained $6,015 worth of damage.  This was because the car struck the spare tire on the back of the RAV4 rather than the bumper, and the spare tire is not designed to have that kind of force applied to it.  Bumpers actually do serve a purpose and their construction is meant to absorb impact so that the rest of the vehicle is not damaged. 

The other brands tested against each other were Ford, Honda, Nissan, Kia and Hyundai, Dodge and Jeep, and Volkswagen.  The two that had the best results were when the Honda CR-V rear ended the Honda Civic; a total of $2,995 damage resulted.  The other lowest cost repair was when the Kia Forte rear ended the Hyundai Tucson for a total repair bill of $3,601.  On average, the repair costs were higher when the car struck the SUV, and that is because there would be significant damage to the internal engine components of the car as it slid underneath the SUV. 

iihs bumper, iihs bumper crash, suv bumper laws, car bumper laws

2 Scariest Roads!

The cars at Gaithersburg Acura Dealers might be trendy and luxurious, but they sure won’t protect you in the event of a random accident on the road.  There are some scary places across the country to drive, and it doesn’t matter if that cute little Acura RL Woodside vehicle comes with all-wheel drive or not because some roads are just known for being dangerous.  The best advice you can get is to drive carefully and pay attention to your surroundings.  Then you can find great deals at Rhode Island Used Cars for your next purchase. 

The hands-down most scary place to drive is probably on U.S. 550 in Colorado between Silverton and Ouray.  This highway is known as the “Million Dollar Highway” and truck drivers have a united opinion that it is the most dangerous place to be driving in America.  The lanes are narrow, the road is twisty, and being high up in elevation adds to its treacherousness.  Winter time brings more than its fair share of avalanches and some of the hairpin turns do not even have guardrails to protect you from the steep cliffs and mountain passes.  If you can take an alternate route, it might be worth it!

On the opposite side of the country in Florida is U.S. Highway 19.  According to NBC and Dateline a few years back, this stretch of highway is the most dangerous in the entire country.  The main area to watch out for is the stretch between Pasco and Pinellas County.  The death toll was calculated for a five year period and it was found that 262 people were killed and a shocking 100 of those were pedestrians!  There really is no lesson to be learned here except that drivers need to be aware if they are coming into an area that is frequently dangerous or has accidents.  Pay attention to the road cautionary signs and drive extra safely if you are not familiar with an area. 

Million Dollar Highway, scary roads, Dateline scary roads

If You Don't Keep Up With Your Car Maintenance, Just Run It Into A Tree

Making sure that your car is in good shape, all of the time is not difficult. All it takes is preventive maintenance to avoid the hassle of taking it to a repair shop when the engine suddenly dies or the lights in the control panel light up. Bradenton Auto body staff would be more and happy to assist consumers with different tricks of the trade to maintain your car.

Peoria Volkswagen and Orillia Volkswagen encourage consumers to invest an little time in researching different tips for keeping car maintenance on an Volkswagen or any other vehicle.

Before going out for a drive, it is wise to check the brakes, the tires, the oil and the steering system to make sure that everything is normal.While driving the car, you hear a sound or noise that was not there before, take it to your mechanic or local repair shop to have it checked.

Have the mechanic check all the parts or the of the ignition system for usual nosie, for example: check the spark plugs as their condition is a very good indicator of how the engine is performing. They should be changed every 100,000 miles but there is no harm in checking them every 30,000 miles just to be sure that everything is alright.

The rotor and distributor cap are made up of plastic, which deteriorate over time due to wear and tear. To make sure that not causing any problems when starting the vehicle have them checked.

The filter acts as a deterrent against rust and other harmful objects that may disrupt the performance of your vehicle. There several filters such as those for oil or fuel. These filters should be checked frequently – about every 3,000 miles.

The car’s mileage can be checked by calculating the amount of fuel purchased and the miles driven as shown by the odometer before and after fueling. If there is a sudden change in the number of miles per gallon, be concerned and take the car to the repair shop for analysis.

In the event that the car’s sensor lights come on, pull the car over to the side of the road. Then call for help. There is a possibility that the problem can be remedied there or it may have to towed to a repair shop.

Even if a car come with better and smarter engines, the possibility of something going wrong is still there. By taking every precaution, the driver can get to the place where he wants to go safely.

Which Has The Best Safety Features: Malibu or Matrix?

The 2011 Chevy Malibu, much like the Dodge Challenger at Dodge Dealer Flagstaff, is a mid sized sedan, and is a great family car. This sedan comes equipped with the latest safety technology that includes, driver and passenger airbags, front side and second row side airbags, and head protection for both front side and second row sides. Also they have side head curtain airbags. As for it's general safety features on the Malibu, it comes standard with side guard door beams, safety roll bar, trunk anti trap device, and panic button, and alarm remote. For your child's safety, the Malibu has child safety door locks. When it comes to theft prevention, and the safety of your vehicle when you aren't occupying it, this sedan comes standard with vehicle anti lock out device, selective locking and unlocking, and valet lock out. Another useful system for if in the case your car is stolen, is the vehicle theft tracking and notifications.

The 2011 Toyota Matrix is newly up to date on it's safety features. A lot like the Ford Fiesta of Knoxville Ford Dealers, the Matrix has it's standard front advanced airbags with occupant classification sensor, front seat side impact airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags. When Toyota thought about safety in the Matrix, they went above and beyond their expectations. They incorporated side impact door beams, energy absorbing steering column, and a direct tire pressure monitoring system, all into this new Matrix. For safety that adjust to your height, Toyota made a three point seat belt for all positions, front pre tensioiners, front force limiters, and front adjustable shoulder belt anchors. When it comes to child safety, the Matrix has child protector rear door locks, and the lower anchors and top tether anchors, also known as the LATCH system. This system is a way to secure a child safety seat to the vehicle using straps from the child safety seat that connect to special metal anchors in the vehicle. You can find this system in must vehicles, like the ones at Hartford Hyundai.

Aftermarket Bumper Safety and CAPA

A lot of us like to save money on our Centre Ford vehicle by using aftermarket parts in the event of an accident.  Many consumers think it is perfectly safe to use an aftermarket bumper, grille, fender, or other cosmetic part.  Your car from Albany Honda Dealers comes with a set standard of parts that have been rigorously crash tested.  When you put on a foreign part from a mass producing company, there is no way to know if those parts are as safe as the original.  While some parts of your car truly are cosmetic and you can save a lot of money at Burton Ford Dealers by opting to upgrade your entertainment components through aftermarket companies, some pieces that you choose to replace should be from the original manufacturer. 

One of the most important pieces on your car in terms of safety is the bumper, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has been telling consumers this since 1987.  The bumper is one piece of equipment that has a significant role in keeping you and your passengers safe.  The IIHS and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spend a lot of time, money, and resources when they perform their crash test ratings.  That fact alone makes them a trusted source and someone we will believe.

The IIHS is suggesting that aftermarket bumpers can be perfectly safe and will hold up in a crash as well as the original provided that the aftermarket is made identically to the original.  This means that there needs to be the same material used, the same dimensions all around, and the same construction assembly process.  This is entirely possible and the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) has begun setting standards and giving their stamp of approval to the products that match the original manufacturer parts.   

iihs capa, nhtsa, iihs aftermarket parts safety, aftermarket part safety, capa bumper

Safe Driving Tips for Children;

There are many things to consider when you are driving infants or small children even in a vehicle purchased from a Nissan Oakville dealership or other that has safety features. Not following proper safety tips for children can lead to a serious injury in an accident or worse, and following the proper tips can result in your child being properly protected in an accident. Even vehicles purchased from a BMW Dealer Inglewood with excellent safety features require you to follow safety protocols in order to protect children.

Before driving your vehicle purchased at Glencoe Toyota, check out the recommendations by the NHTSA about how to drive safely with children in a vehicle. If you have an infant that weighs less than 20-22 pounds, or who is less than one year old, the infant should ride a seat facing the rear of the vehicle. This protects the infants head in the case of an accident and back as well. The seat is placed in a 45 degree reclining angle.

Children that are over one year old and between 20 to 40 pounds can ride with a forward facing position with straps and a booster seat. Children that weigh over 40 pounds should have the straps removed and the seat is used as a belt positioning booster. Children that weigh between 40 to 80 pounds should ride in a belt positioning booster seat. These are used with a lap and shoulder belt across the child, and the shoulder belt should fit snugly on the child's chest.

Booster seats can be used until the child can sit on their own with their back against the cushion with their knees bent over the seat cushion edge and with their feet on the floor. Children who are age 12 and under must be properly restrained in the back seat. The child seat instruction manual may have different directions and it should be read before you make any choices, and also read the vehicle's manual for instructions on how to set up child safety seats with your particular vehicle.

2011 Volkswagen Beetle Safety Features.

The 2011 VW Beetle, located at Denver Used Cars, now has some of the best safety features than most in its class. Almost like the Toyota Matrix, which locks when you put it in gear, the Beetle will automatically lock once you reach about 8 miles per hour. This keeps passengers safe inside the cabin. Just pull the handle twice to unlock the doors or press the unlock button. With i'ts iconic round shape, it gives you a stronger feeling of strength and rigidity for safety. Almost like the Ford Fiesta's rounded shape at Auto Repair Alexandria.

The new advanced airbag features includes side airbags in front along with head airbags. The Toyota Prius, has these same airbag features in the front just a few more in the back. The VW Beetle comes standard with signal mirrors. The signal mirrors have blinkers built right into them. This helps vehicles to the left or right of you know when you're turning or changing lanes much more easily. As an added bonus, its easier to spot when you've left your blinker on.

To help prevent other injuries, this car comes with the deformable steering column which is designed to actually collapse upon impact. With the immobilizer 3, which is part of the theft deterrent system, allows the vehicle to start only if a key with the appropriate coding is inserted into the ignition. Some other standard features are the daytime running lights, trunk release, electronic stability control, 4-wheel ABS, and a tire pressure monitor. You can find the tire pressure monitor in most cars at Butler Mazda.

Ford and the Largest Recall Ever!

Luckily, some of the latest recall news doesn’t pertain to the vehicles at Aiken Chevrolet Dealers, but there is a good chance you could find one of the affected models in their used car inventory.  For the past ten years’ worth of vehicles, Ford Motor Company is recalling several of their models.  While you probably can get them fixed at Master Buick GMC Repair, if you contact Ford customer service they will direct you where to go to seek service.  The problem is related to a leaky cruise control switch that could catch on fire.  If that happened, you would definitely have to seek repairs at a shop like Collision Center Augusta, but we don’t know how much they could really help you. 

The truly bizarre thing in this recall is that the vehicle could spontaneously catch fire, even if the vehicle is parked and unattended!  When the cruise control switch leaks, the fluid drips into the antilock brake systems.  Once there, it is only a matter of time before the vehicle will burst into flames.  It has happened in the past, and Ford continues to urge people to check the VIN of their particular Ford to see if it has been repaired or not.  As of right now, out of 14 million vehicles that were part of the recalls, there are still 8.4 million out on the roads driving today that still haven’t been serviced.

The specific models include the larger vehicles; E Series, F Series, Rangers, Explorers, and Windstars.  The affected model years range from 1992 up until 2003, so you will want to be overly cautious.  This is good advice for anyone who has purchased a used car because you have no way of knowing for sure whether a vehicle has been repaired from a recall or not.  That is the problem Ford is encountering right now.  People have bought these older model vehicles for a very inexpensive price, and they don’t even think that a recall might still be in effect.

14 million ford recall, ford recall windstar, ford recall cruise control

Defensive Driving Tips

In order to stay safe in the city or on the highway when you are driving your Honda Civic Coupe Oakville, you should practice defensive driving. Defensive driving is multi-faceted, and there are many ways for you to avoid accidents by practicing it. Being aware and practicing defensive driving with your vehicle purchased from Dayton Toyota or any other dealership will help you prevent accidents and reduce the severity of accidents should they happen. Even if you are driving a vehicle loaded with safety features like those sold at Kansas City Kia Specials, you should practice defensive driving.

One important tip to consider when you are driving is to be aware of vehicles that have slowed down or stopped. This becomes even more important when you are turning to perform a shoulder check or turning away even for a brief second. A vehicle that was ahead of you can quickly slow down, and you must be watching the road at all times if you are in close proximity to a vehicle nearby you. You should not perform a shoulder check unless you have adequate space between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you to avoid a potential rear end collision.

Another important safety tip to consider is to be aware of animals while driving. Deer and other animals can cause serious collisions resulting in injury and serious damage to an automobile. It is important that you are aware of animals crossing the street, and to improve your reaction time you should drive the speed limit. When you are on the highway at night and there are no oncoming cars you should use your high beams so that you have more reaction time to unexpected animals and so that they can see your vehicle from a further distance. Practicing these and other defensive driving tips will help you avoid accidents.

Safety Features on the Latest Model Cars

The Mazda 6 of Mazda Oil Change has a pre crash safety system that detects on coming obstacles, alerts the driver and if necessary, automatically applies the brakes and pretensions the seat belts to reduce the risk of injury. The radar cruise control system uses a radar sensor to measure the speed and distance of the vehicle in front and automatically controls acceleration and deceleration to maintian a preset distance. Both systems are available as a factory installed set option on the 25ex grade and the 25z grade with automatic transmission.

The 2011 VW Jetta at Peoria Volkswagen, has an anti lock braking system known as ABS, hydraulic brake assist, electronic stability control, anti intrusion side impact door beams, and daytime running lights. As for the air bags in the Jetta, this car features driver and front passenger airbags, driver and front passenger side thorax airbags and driver and front passenger side curtain airbags. For safety that adjust to your height, the Jetta comes with 3 point safety belts in all seating positions with emergency lock re tractors, also comes with front and rear out board pretensioners with load limiters, front height adjustment, rear center safety belt inerlock, rear seat Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children also known as the LATCH system, and child safety rear door locks. To add to all those safety features, the Jetta also comes available with tire pressure monitoring system, collapsible steering column, a trunk escape handle, and a dual note horn.

As For the Chevy Equinox at Chevrolet Dealer Wichita, the safety of this vehicle has advance technologies to help you avoid collisions including the stabilitrak electronic stability control system with traction control and roll over mitigation, available all wheel drive and four wheel anti lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution. For protection during a collision the Equinox has features like the steel safety cage, six airbags (ten with roll over sensors), and the LATCH system. The equinox comes standard for the first six months with OnStar. In a crash, built in sensors can automatically alert OnStar even if you can't respond.

Be Safe This Winter!

As winter months are approaching, it is important to remind ourselves how to drive safely in snow and ice.  Truth be told, your new car from Chattanooga Ford Dealers can be equipped with every gadget and safety gizmo in existence, but driving in snow and ice is always unpredictable.  There are some simple things you can do to keep your new car from San Diego Toyota Dealers in good working order for the winter months.  And if after reading these tips and you don’t feel comfortable driving in the snow, then don’t!

One of the easiest and most beneficial things you can do to winterize your car from Stamford Nissan Dealers has to do with your wipers and tires.  First, clean your windshield inside and outside, making sure to apply a Rain-X type solution to the outside to help the water bead up.  Opt for the tougher windshield wipers and fill your wiper fluid with fluid that won’t freeze.  Go to your local tire store and make sure you have 6/32-inch tread on the tires; typical tires have 10/32-inch tread, which is too shallow for snow.  Your safety is worth the extra money for snow tires! 

While driving, it is most helpful to be familiar with the area.  Some places around your town are slightly higher in elevation and are likely to freeze first.  Snow isn’t as dangerous to drive in as ice is.  Pay special attention while driving over bridges or though intersections, as these areas tend to get icy first.  Also, keep an eye out for shady spots because they will be icy until the sun hits them.  Hitting black ice is one of the scariest things drivers will encounter, and the best thing you can do is to remain calm.  Don’t over-correct your steering or you will crash once you are past the black ice. 

snow ice driving tips, winter driving tips, safe driving winter

Safety Features of the 2011 New VW Beetle

The 2011 VW Beetle now has some of the best safety features than most in its class. Almost like the Toyota Matrix at Lexington Toyota, which locks when you put it in gear, the Beetle will automatically lock once you reach about 8 miles per hour. This keeps passengers safe inside the cabin. Just pull the handle twice to unlock the doors or press the unlock button. With this VWs Iconic round shape, it gives you a stronger feeling of strength and ridgidity for safety. Almost like the Ford Fiest's rounded shape at St. Cloud Ford Dealers. The new advanced airbag features includes side airbags in front along with head airbags as well. The Toyota Prius at Seattle Toyota Dealerships has these same airbag features in the front just a few more in the back as well.

The VW Beetle comes standard with signal mirrors. The signal mirrows have blinkers built right into them. This helps vehicles to the left or right of you know when you're turning or changing lanes much more easily. As an added bonus, its easier to spot when you've left your blinker on.

To help prevent other injuries, this car comes with the deformable steering column which is designed to actually collapse upon impact. With the immobilizer 3, part of the theft deterrent system, this system will allow the vehicle to start only if a key with the appropriate coding is inserted into the ignition. Some other standard features are the daytime running lights, truck release, electronic stability control, 4-wheel ABS, and a tire pressure monitor.

Safety Features of the Infiniti QX56

The new and improved Infiniti QX56 now comes equipped with some of the newest, and safest safety features. You might think with all these features, that the QX56 might be way over your budget range, but you can find this SUV at used car dealer Manchester for a lot cheaper than the brand new ones. It comes standard with the Infiniti Advanced Airbag System (AABS) includes dual-stage supplement front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors which adjust their inflation rate depending on crash severity, seat occupancy and seat belt usage. This system is much like the system used in the Chevy Traverse at Chevrolet Dealer Louisville. If the front-passenger seat is empty, a sensor will deactivate the air bag. Most of the newer Honda Accords do this as well. You can compare the two systems at Honda Dealer Louisville.

Driver and front passenger seat comes with mounted side impact supplement air bags, it also comes with roof mounted curtain side-impact supplemental airbags with rollover sensor for outboard occupant head protection for all three rows. For even more head protection, the front seat has active head restraints also known as AHR.

For safety that adjusts to your height and weight, there is 3-point height adjustable front seat belts with pretension and load limiters, drivers seat emergency locking re-tractor (ERL), passengers seat ERL and automatic locking re-tractor (ARL). The third row also comes with the 3-point seat belts with both ELR and ALR. Front row seat belts with pretensioner, load limiters and seat belt reminder. The second row also has the 3-point adjustable seat belts with ELR and ALR.

For more driving safety, the QX56 has the electronic brake force distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS). Ever find yourself almost in an accident due to not being able to see out of your blind spots? Well this infiniti has the Blind Spot Warning system. It helps alert the driver to a vehicle that your car detects in the blind spot area.

The QX56 comes standard with the intelligent cruise control, distance control assist (DCA), and vehicle dynamic control (VDC) with traction control system (TCS). For extra brake safety, it has the slide-away brake pedal assembly. Thanks to the Auto hazard warning signals, in the event of the airbags being deployed, the hazard lights will be turned on automatically.

When it comes to the safety of your tires, the QX56 has tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) with individual tire pressure display and tire inflation indicator.

Most importantly, the QX56 comes with Child safety features as well. Its equipped with child safety rear door locks, and comes with Snug Kids, which is the online guide to selecting and correctly installing a child restraint seat for you Infinti automobile. It also has the LATCH system also known as the lower anchors and tether for children, and it helps simplify proper installation of compatible child restraint seats.

Latest GM Recall: 2009 and 2010 Chevrolet Impala

In recent news, there has been a recall early last week by the GM company for the 2009 and 2010 Chevrolet Impala's for a possibly safety defect on the seat-belts. While most will go ahead to their dealer or car repair Costa Mesa, others may have had enough of this recall business altogether. After all, surely not all car companies have faulty vehicles that miss the fine-tooth comb inspection we all wish every car had, but Smail Pontiac Cadillac GMC does deserve some slack at the same time. Not all car dealerships deserve the brunt end of what the manufacturers are not providing for their consumers.

Cars like Nissan Altima Coupe New York can be more reliable, but it really is just a matter of picking the needle out of the haystack when it comes to the automotive industry and finding the right car company and car. In this case, the 2009 and 2010 Chevrolet Impalas are not the right needle. 322,409 to be exact, are not the right needle--the amount of Chevrolet Impalas that are being recalled.

Most do not realize that there may be a safety hazard, and while there haven't been any injuries or deaths related to this safety belt issue, it is still a very serious matter that you want to treat with caution. The best way to handle such is to either wait for your letter in the mail that should be arriving around October 25th explaining the situation in a more formal matter, or just stop by your nearest Chevrolet dealer and they will check both front seat-belts for you.

What most dealers are looking for is an installation problem with the front seat-belts webbing that may have not been properly secured to the lap-belt anchor pretensioner that is mounted to the side of the seat. This is a safety problem because if a crash were to occur with these faulty seat-belts, the anchors may separate in a crash and thus cause injury to the passengers within the car.

If the dealers find an error with the original installation then manufacturers have instructed the dealers service departments to re-install the anchors free of charge and to also make sure any repairs related to the condition are also to be done free of charge. We will keep you posted with the recall as more news is released.

Prevent Teenage Driving Distractions

Teenage drivers may frequent places like Auto Repair Indianapolis more often than they should be doing.  Young drivers are more distracted than they were even ten years ago, and the rate of teenage drivers who admit to driving while distracted is astonishingly high.  Sure, we still see drivers of Palm Bay Mercury Grand Marquis driving while talking on their cell phones, and it is that exact kind of behavior that makes teenagers think it is ok to do.  There is nothing scarier than driving next to a new driver who is busy trying to text and drive while it is pouring down rain.  No matter how safe the vehicles are at Burlington Volkswagen, if the driver is distracted, then an accident is going to occur, and it is one that could easily be prevented.

Last month, AAA, Seventeen Magazine, and the Department of Transportation held National Two-Second Turnoff Day.  On September 17th, young drivers were urged to take a mere two seconds and turn off their cell phones before starting their vehicle’s engines.  When a survey conducted by AAA and Seventeen Magazine found that 86% of teenagers admit to driving while distracted and that 84% of them realized it was dangerous behavior, there is an obvious disconnect going on.  We all know that teenagers operate under the belief that they are invincible, but parents and other adult drivers on the road need to be good role models.

According to a representative at AAA, taking your eyes off the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of having an accident.  For teenagers who are of driving age, motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death.  The surveys conducted also revealed that 36% of teenagers are aware that their distracted driving caused them to have a near-crash and 28% admit to texting while driving.  An impressive 60% admit to talking on a cell phone while driving.  It is frustrating to hear these statistics given the amount of vehicles that come equipped with Bluetooth or some other hands free system. 

teenage drivers, teens texting driving, driver distraction

NHTSA Ratings More Stringent

Out of 34 of the new 2011 car models tested under the new NHTSA crash test rating system, only two earned a perfect five stars: BMW 5 Series and Hyundai Sonata.  That doesn’t mean that your older car from Wayne Mazda Financing that did well in their relative year crash test wouldn’t do well in the new ones or that your vehicle is any less safe.  Out of the 34 cars that have been tested so far, the Nissan Versa received only two stars, the Toyota Camry received three, and the remaining 22 received four stars.  All of this is good news for places like Dodge Butler Rebate because the new crash test scores will help auto engineers make their vehicles even safer than before. 

It can be confusing looking at the crash test ratings while you are shopping at Peoria Chevrolet.  We are no longer able to compare straight across the board the ratings from 2010 to 2011.  A model that got a perfect 5 stars in 2010 is likely only going to get 4 stars for the 2011 model year.  The new car is not less safe, but too many vehicles were getting perfect scores all the time.  While that is good news for consumers and auto engineers alike, it also means that the test was too easy and was due for a face-lift.

The main changes to the crash test ratings include issuing a vehicle an overall score of one through five stars.  Also, a side-pole crash has been included in the data.  This new test will give engineers a new way to look at data rather than the traditional T-bone accident.  The NHTSA is incorporating a wider selection of shapes and sizes for the test-dummies.  The different size dummies will alert engineers to more areas of weakness in the event of a crash. 

new NHTSA, NCAP, crash test ratings 2011

Theft Prevention Tips!

Now that you have finally bought that new car from Hartford Chrysler Jeep that you've been wanting for the past few months, you will want to keep it safe.  Besides the usual routine maintenance, there are some easy to do tips and tricks to help prevent your car from being stolen.  It is estimated that approximately 1.2 million vehicles are stolen annually in the United States, and that statistic includes vehicles from Worcester Nissan and other dealerships.  So keep reading and pass on the advice to your friends.

The best advice to prevent theft of any vehicle, including the ones from New York Hyundai, are to park it in your secure garage at night.  Many of us store tons of other items in our garages besides our car, but when you purchased your home you likely didn't plan on using the garage to store old junk (like you are doing now).  So, clean it out and start protecting the second most valuable asset you will likely purchase in your lifetime.

Another simple thing you can do is to make sure there are no valuable items visible in your vehicle.  There is no reason to taunt thieves passing by your car.  Use the trunk, glove compartment, or the under the seat bins that many cars come with or you can purchase after-market.  Many vehicles these days come with some kind of anti-theft system already installed.  If your car is older or doesn't come with one, consider installing an alarm system. 

In case your vehicle does get stolen, it would have been in your best interest to make sure that your VIN (vehicle identification number) is written on the inside of your hood, trunk, and car battery.  These items are some of the first to be scrapped by thieves trying to make some extra money, but if the VIN is written on them, it might act as a deterrent so that your car will be in one piece when you get it back.  Lastly, make sure you park in a well-lit area and lock your doors each and every time you leave your vehicle unattended.

theft prevention, car theft prevention, auto theft prevention, vehicle theft prevention

Rollover Accident Prevention Tips.

There are so many things to take into consideration when you are purchasing a new vehicle.  Main topics of concern usually revolve around price, amenities, fuel economy, and safety.  That last one is a huge topic for the cars at Volvo Nashua; the Swedish auto maker has been known for making some of the safest vehicles on the roads, even before all the fancy technological advances were put into effect.  Safety ratings can be a huge selling point, especially for families or parents of teenage drivers.  One of the newest features to be rated by the crash test groups is how well a vehicle does in a rollover accident.  If you have an older car from Toyota Scion Salt Lake City, you won’t have a scale to compare how well your car does in crash tests.  The rollover test went into effect for 2010. 

People who drive a boxy steel beast from Dodge Chrysler Fort Worth may not be overly concerned with how their cars do in a rollover accident, but rollover crashes are some of the worst possible.  It is true that your type of vehicle is going to be the major indicator of safety during a rollover accident, more so than other types of collisions, it still isn’t the only thing to take into consideration.  Rollover accidents tend to involve just one vehicle and usually reflect some sort of environmental situation.  However, tall and narrow vehicles like SUVs will have higher centers of gravity than small cars, so they are more prone to rollover accidents. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration compiles data so that consumers have a trusted source for information.  They estimate that 75% of fatal rollover accidents happened in areas where the speed limit was set to be higher than 55 mph, and that 40% of the fatal rollovers happen when the driver is excessively speeding.  Another factor is drinking and driving; alcohol impairs your physical capabilities and motor skill judgment.  

rollover accidents, rollover accident prevention, safe driving advice

Volvo's Pedestrian Detection.

What can you buy for an additional $2,100 from Volvo that you won't find on any of the cars from Nissan CT?  Pedestrian Detection, which is part of the technology package available on the 2011 Volvo S60.  The cars that you can buy from Chevrolet Detroit are loaded with safety features like stability and traction control, air bags, and anti-lock brakes.  But, the new technology that Volvo is putting on their best selling S60 sedan is even better and smarter than the previous City Safety system that was installed on the cars.  City Safety would detect vehicles that were either stopped or slowly moving and would apply pressure to the brakes at speeds below 9 mph to avoid a collision if the driver wasn't doing anything to stop the car. 

With a starting price of $38,550, the Volvo S60 costs a lot more than many of the cars you can get from Honda St. Louis.  If you look beyond the price of the S60, you will realize how much value is tied up in the Swedish automaker's mid-size sedan.  The 2011 S60 now comes standard with City Safety, but the Technology package mentioned earlier offers a lot of features wrapped up in one.  In addition to Pedestrian Detection, drivers will enjoy other safety technology features like adaptive cruise control and collision lane departure warning systems.  The only thing missing is auto-pilot!

Pedestrian Detection will bring the vehicle to a complete stop when it has been traveling at speeds below 22 mph.  Once the brakes are applied, the car will stop with a few feet to spare in front of the pedestrian.  The sensors are tied into the car's computer that has been uploaded with 10,000 images of what human shapes might look like.  As long as the person is above 32 inches tall, the system is supposed to work flawlessly. 

volvo s60, 2011 volvo s60, volvo s60 safety, volvo pedestrian detection

Ford's new safety?

Before you buy any where make sure you check out all of the amazing deals and great prices at Suzuki Reading. Also make sure you check out GM Saginaw for all of their great deals on an amazing line up of vehicles.Ford is bring safety to a whole new level once again. Ford is bring safety back, and they are doing it in a way that no one else does. The new airbags proved by ford are made to help reduce injury in case of a frontal automotive crash. Make sure you check out the amazing line up of vehicles for great prices at Honda Pittsburgh.

Ford is once again raising the bar of safety, and this time the pressure is up to you. These airbags have the technology to increase or decrease the pressure. It is proven that different pressure ranges work better for different heights and weights. These airbags are made to adjust to reduce the injury to every age group. These airbags also come with a built in curve. This curve is made into the airbag to help reduce injury to the rib cage and chest.

These airbags will be premiered on the 2012 Ford Focus. These airbags are only the latest update to the Ford Safety family, and from the looks of things it wont be going any where for a long time. This safety feature is one of the top of the line safety products. It can help protect you or your family in case of a frontal automotive crash.

Over all you can't go wrong with a little bit of extra safety. This safety feature is perfect for any one, and any size family. It gives you the benefit of knowing that you are safe on the roads, and this extra safety feature is unlike any you have ever come across before. This safety feature wont give you sticker shock.

Just Take Your Crosstour Across Town To The Dealership For Your Recall!

Let's just go ahead and take all our vehicles back to the manufacturing plant and get new ones. Well, at least for the Ferrari Italia 458, the recalls on that, the company just replaces it, if it has caught on fire. Well, Honda has another recall, no its not the windows this time, just the airbags. You, know the one thing to keep you safe, could cause major injury reports say. Honda is another automaker that has had an excellent reputation. "Oh, if you buy a car, go Honda." MMM, no and even Toyota's most devoted, has purchased a vehicle other than them, according to reports. People question loyalty when safety and too many issues come about, and rightfully so. Cincinnati Ford Dealers have their loyal, most devout consumers, so any issues are solved instantly.

Honda has recalled the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour front passenger airbag. Over 3300 Crosstour airbags module do not meet federal regulations. Ouch, I say it once again, I thought engineers went to school for all this? Apparently, the test for front passenger airbag deployment with an unbelted six year old crash kid dummy, isn't up to standards. Well, technically in America you are not allowed to have children that young in the front seat and even to be unbelted, it's against the law. But everyone knows there is always some knuckle head that is out there that will, then want to sue the cow out of the company. Is this why some people stand behind their German automakers like that of Peoria VW?
The Honda Accord Crosstour does not just have this safety issue that is not rated number one, IIHS test for the rollover received a marginal for roof strength, basically a rollover. Some people think, "Will I really roll over my car?" Yes, it is easier than you think, fast driving, a deer on the highway and poof you're slamming breaks, steering one way, then jerking the opposite. Then, well,you end up in a ditch rolled over, back on the wheels and the roof caved in because the metal cannot hold its own weight even briefly.

Either, further testing needs to be done on new releases before they hit the showroom floor, or something has to give about these automakers banking cash on the consumers. Just to say "Oh, hey, can you bring that brand new vehicle back in? We actually have to fix what wasn't built right." Frustrating, sometimes profits do get in the way.

Cars Too Safe?

You likely know most of the safety features that came with your car from Shreveport Mercedes-Benz.  But, have you ever stopped and wondered if those features are actually making you more or less safe than they claim?  Technology development is definitely a work in progress, and engineers are constantly learning what does and doesn't work.  Think about the standard feature air bags that come in cars from Louisville Honda.  When they first came out, people were getting injured because of faulty deployment or being too small to sit up front.  The injuries were researched and new laws were released saying that children and smaller passengers were safer in the backseats, but air bags are responsible today for saving many lives.

It can be scary to think how much the cars at Memphis Chrysler Dodge have evolved over time.  What used to be purely mechanical has switched over to electronic and computerized systems.  Some consumers complained that it felt like their brakes in their hybrid vehicles weren't working.  What was actually happening was that the brakes were working just fine, they just feel different in a hybrid because the energy produced from braking is converted into power for your vehicle. 

One safety feature that is common in Toyota, Audi, and Kia models is the push button ignition.  While it is an anti-theft device, it may cause panic for some drivers during emergencies.  Say that you need to quickly turn your vehicle off; most of us would reach for a key in the ignition switch.  The button technology would cause panic and people might quickly and repetitively push the button when really what you do is hold it for a few seconds to turn off the engine in an emergency.  Other features like heated windshield wiper fluid and side mirrors that defrost have been recalled for the potential to cause fires.  Ultimately, our vehicles are safer; but are they becoming too smart for their own good?  

vehicle safety technology, too advanced technology safety, car safety tech

Senior Safety Tips.

Getting old is a part of life that is truly unavoidable.  Sure, you can do lots of things to help you look younger, but you can't stop the aging process.  Many Americans know a family member or friend who they feel might be a driving hazard, even if they are driving a vehicle from Miami Cascadia Dealers.  There are plenty of safe car choices at New York Ford Dealers for buyers to choose from.  It is estimated that senior citizens are involved in 6,000 auto accidents per year, and those are the fatal kind of accidents; fender benders aren't tallied by age.  It is normal to be scared of having your driving privileges taken away, but there are some things that we can do for our loved ones to make their driving experience safer for everyone. 

The first thing seniors need to do is go visit an eye doctor.  You certainly can't safely drive that new car from Dallas Cadillac Chevrolet Dealers if you can't see.  There are lots of corrective procedures that can be done, and usually it is as simple as updating the prescription.  Also, you may need special driving glasses.  Your current bifocal or trifocal glasses aren't always suited for driving needs.  After you are done at the eye doctor, check in with your primary care physician or pharmacist to see if any of your prescription medications can impair your ability to drive.

It is also true that we shrink a bit as we get older.  It may be necessary to get pedal extensions or even a booster seat so that senior drivers can safely drive their vehicle.  If you are in the market for a new car, don't jump right into the comfortable luxury cruisers.  It may be easier to get in and out of the taller new crossover type vehicles.  Plus, you usually sit higher and the smaller frame makes parking and maneuvering through traffic easy. 

senior citizen driving, senior safe driving, senior driving tips

Recalls Is The Responsibility Of Recent VP Resignation!

Just when you think things will die down, it's another recall. Kia has just issued recalls on four models worldwide due to fires. Kia Motors America said the faulty wiring harness could cause a short that then will start a fire. Kia Motors Corporation Vice President Chairman Jeong Sung Eun decided to resign recognizing the responsibility of the major recalls. He was in charge of the production division. Last week it was Ferrari with the 458 Italia with recalls. The Ferrari would catch on fire due to adhesive that would overheat. It seems like the engineers should catch this, isn't that what they go to school for? In this case, the VP resigns, to try and save the company's name. In that sense, just about every automaker has a recall now and then. Ford Dealers just had a recall on their older model Windstar due to corrosion. VW Dealers even has their small list of recalls to deal with also.

Kia recalls are aggressive but they have watched Toyota's roller coaster and do not want to follow in those footsteps. The recall includes a staggering 85,900 vehicles worldwide. Ouch, I am sure that has to hurt. In the U.S. alone, about 35,000 Kia Souls and Kia Sorentos from the 2010 and 2011 line ups. Then it doesn't end there, the company will recall about 18,000 Soul, Sorento and Borego models in China. The reason for that recall is due to the circuit board problems. Kia does have their hands full, with fulfilling their promise to consumers and fixing the issues at hand.

Shopping for a vehicle can somewhat become exhausting when trying to find the "perfect car". The recalls, safety and fuel economy is enough to keep your brain bouncing like a racket ball. For consumers, we have to deal with the recalls because we already bought the vehicle, just remember how your manufacturer treats you during your visit to the dealer. Will it take the dealership too long to fix it, will you be able to receive a rental or loaner? If they have all the intentions of keeping you number one, even though you're the fiftieth customer, that's the automaker to stick with.

Ford: A Safe Choice for Years!

The safety ratings of a vehicle are hugely influential in how successful the vehicle sales will be.  When people are comparing the cars from Jackson Honda with the other models at nearby dealerships, some of the vehicles have become so similar that you truly have to dig deep to figure out which one is best for you.  The cars and SUV line up at New Orleans Honda is usually a safe choice, but Ford Motor Company has been earning perfect scores for crash test ratings for quite some time now.  In an effort to save drivers money, the Ford Five Hundred is only available as a used model but it got the highest rating for crash tests!

Available from 2005 through 2007, the Ford Five Hundred earned perfect scores from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as well as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  Keep in mind that both agencies incorporate some kind of rollover crash test that was not performed on these older models because the rollover test is new for 2010.  The Five Hundred is not near as large as the Fort Lauderdale Sprinter Vans, but this five passenger vehicle is spacious enough.  It shares a platform with the Volvo S80 and also inherited safety and comfort from the Swedish influence. 

The full length side curtain airbags became a standard feature in 2007 and were an option prior to that.  Optional upgrades were pretty advanced for 2005, and drivers could get an in dash navigation system, sensors in back for parking assistance, and a DVD player in the back seat for the little ones.  Families were big fans of this spacious vehicle due to its low pricing and incredible safety ratings.  Ford was able to offer its consumers a comfortable alternative for an SUV for families that needed more space.

ford five hundred, ford safety, ford five hundred safety

Auto Safety in the Snow;

With the snowy season coming up in a few months, it will be more important for drivers who bought a new or used Dodge vehicle from a Dodge Dealer Washington or other dealer to pay attention to the safety recommendations for driving in the snow. Driving in the snow is not a simple task, even with a vehicle that is built for snow such as the Toyota Tundra which can be purchased from a Toyota Dealer Boston. There are many vehicles that have features like four-wheel drive that make them easier to drive in the snow, but that does not mean that you can ignore snow safety tips.

Also check out Honda Dealer Birmingham businesses for some of the latest Honda models that are built for harsh weather and are also equipped with the latest safety features. If you are looking to purchase a vehicle for the snow, be sure to take into account the fact that you will need one with good tires and one that is equipped with features like four wheel drive if available. You might consider purchasing a model with front wheel drive as opposed to rear wheel drive which is more difficult to drive in snowy weather.

The important thing to do is to increase your following distance and leave enough room to stop in the case of an emergency. Many times accidents occur because someone ahead of you braked too soon and required you to react quickly but you were unable to respond in time. Ice can cause your vehicle to skid and snow also has the same effect on tires. If you have enough following distance, you will have plenty of time to react to unexpected events. Also, look out for other drivers who are following to closely behind you and try to keep your distance ahead of them if possible, but focus more on how closely you are following behind others.

Labor Day Tips!

Labor Day is a busy time of year, and that means more people are on the roads.  There are some things you can do to be safe as you travel for one of the last times this summer!  Also, Labor Day is a time of great sales, so people who are in the market for a new vehicle should go to a place like Denver Land Rover Dealers to see what specials are being offered.  Some dealerships also do contests, and Fort Worth used car dealers is a great place to get a fantastic deal on a used vehicle. 

So before you load your family into your family Bradenton CX-7 to take off on your last vacation of the summer, take a few moments and make sure you car is in good working order.  Check all your fluids, get your oil changed if you are driving a long distance, and have the tires checked out.  Nothing like car trouble to ruin a family trip!  The National Safety Council estimates that this is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, and that approximately 368 people will die due to a traffic accident over the three day weekend.  Those are not good numbers!  They further estimate that there will be 19,900 injuries from traffic accidents!  Make sure your whole family is wearing their seat belts!

Check to make sure you have the GPS unit with you or your trusty map.  Use one of the dash mounts for it or have the front seat passenger help you navigate around unfamiliar areas during your travels.  When you are on the highways, be cautious of the truck drivers.  The highways are essentially their office, and no one likes it when someone rude comes to your office, so drive friendly.  Lastly, plan out your trip as much as you need and have a great last summer trip!

labor day driving, holiday driving tips, labor day safety

Safe Driving?

Before you buy any where make sure you check out all of the amazing deals and great prices on modern luxury at Hattiesburg Honda Dealers. Also keep in mind to check out some of the amazing deals and great prices on a amazing line up of vehicles at Washington Dodge Dealers. Safe driving has fallen behind the curve, and not by the automotive companies. Each automotive company offers a unique way of dealing with safety, but each automotive company is not responsible for how you drive. Also keep in mind to check out all of the amazing deals on a great line up of vehicles at Boston Toyota Dealers.

Nine out of ten a automotive crashes are caused by the driver. It is not due to a safety problem with the vehicle. In fact into days market there are huge numbers of vehicles that are some of the safest ever made. The only problem is the driver, and this includes drivers of all ages.

Newer drivers tend to get into more accidents, because they are more worried about talking on the phone or rocking out. However, many older drivers get into accidents as well. Many of the more experienced drivers slack on the safety rules because they are more comfortable driving. They believe that because they have more years of experience that they can bend the rules.

The safest way to drive is by sticking to the rules, and this goes for drives of all ages. Stop trying to beat the yellow light, and slow down and brake. While some of the rules might seem like they are slowing you down keep in mind they are there for your protection as well as the protection of the other drivers.

Child Passenger Safety Week!

It may be a bit early to start reporting this, but the more times you see it the more likely you are to take advantage of this great service being offered.  The week of September 19 through September 25, 2010 is "Child Passenger Safety Week" through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  Sure, Labor Day is also coming up and the cars offered at Pittsburgh Nissan Dealers on outgoing 2010 models may monopolize your time.  But for those people who carry children in their vehicles regularly, you really should take some time to make sure that everything is in good working order.  According to the NHTSA, three out of four child safety seats are improperly installed; that is 75% of seats in American that could cause injury to your precious cargo.

If you bought your car from Philadelphia Ford Dealers it shows you are concerned with things like quality, value, and safety.  Ford models are a great value, crafted from the finest materials, and consistently exceed crash test rating requirements.  Parents are encouraged to take their Ford Escape Inventory or other primary driving vehicle to one of the seat inspection stations on September 25, 2010.  There are thousands of locations across the country that will help parents and guardians make sure that their child safety seat is properly installed.

From the website, you can find special features like requiring a Spanish or other language safety seat technician.  Also, parents are encouraged to check their local newspapers for information on local events that will be happening.  This is a completely free service sponsored by this government agency and dedicated volunteers at the local level.  All levels of safety seats can be inspected; rear facing, forward facing, booster seats, and even seat belt usage for minors.  Children tend to be accident prone enough all on their own; it is our job to keep them safe when we can!

NHTSA, car seat safety, child car seat safety