Tech and the Auto Industry

 

Today the use of technology is prevalent throughout society and it is only continuously growing. Car companies are partnering with major companies to develop technology so the driver can use their mobile devices to interact within their vehicles. The tool that is already used for many of everyday tasks is now finding a way to help people along their commute.  Many new vehicles feature a GPS system, hands free communication, and the ability to sync music, but the development is only continuing to move forward.

The question that will be an issue for car companies and the public is how this may become another distraction for drivers. While many benefits outweigh the negatives the possibility of dangers it may cause to drivers on the road is always a concern to consider. What do you think of the development of this technology? Do you think it will better assist drivers or cause additional problems on the road?

5 Facts About Kids and Car Safety

 

Kids are the future of our nation, the bubble gum popping and bike riding youths of the new world.  Keeping them occupied in the back seat of a moving vehicle is difficult enough.  Today, in our weekly blog, we describe 5 facts about kids and car safety. 

1.)     Most accidents happen near home: Most accidents occur on residential, rural roads that are local, during a routine trip to the grocery store or day-care center.  No matter what, always buckle your child into their seat, even if the drive is two minutes away.  "Always buckle your child up, no matter how near or far you're going," says Marilena Amoni, associate administrator for research and program development at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). "And never forget to use your own seat belt. Kids watch everything that you do, so it's important that you set the right example."

2.)     Kids are at more risk than babies and toddlers: If your child is between 4 and 8 years old, they are more likely to be hurt in an accident than their smaller counterparts.  Most parents strap their infants into rear facing car seats, but only 20% of kids between 4 and 8 ride in booster seats as safety experts recommend. Some children even sit in the front seat before 13 years old.  Children are the safest in the backseat, putting them far away from the impact of a frontal crash.

3.)     SUVs aren’t safer: It’s BIG, bad, and menacing, but SUVs are no safer than ordinary sedans.  They’re more likely to rollover.  The safest vehicles are low to the ground and larger (station wagons).

4.)     A car does NOT have to move to be dangerous: Parked cars are also, surprisingly deadly.  As many as 220 children per year are killed in non-traffic auto accidents.  Some are strangled by a window when they’re leaning out, inadvertently leaning on the rocker-type power window switch.  Other children, when alone, release the emergency brake, setting the car in motion.  Finally, at least 30 kids die each year when their parents leave them in the car and they suffocate from overheating. "Children should never, ever be left alone in an automobile -- not even for a minute," says Terrill Struttmann, executive director of Kids in Cars, an education and advocacy organization he and his wife started after their 2-year-old son was killed by a car set in motion by two kids playing alone inside.

5.)     Kids don’t need to be inside a car to be hurt by one:  nearly 400 children are killed each year when they’re hit by an automobile.  ALWAYS keep an eye on your little ones, no matter how many times you’ve warned them to stay out of the streets.  A survey conducted by Safe Kids Worldwide found that a majority of drivers speed in school zones, and that nearly a third violate stop signs in neighborhoods where there are kids.

Do you have any tips of your own?  Feel free to comment below:

The Age Old Question: Manual or Automatic

Hm…that’s what comes to mind when you’re posed with this question.  Manual…you begin to ponder, imagining yourself as a speed demon.  You’re Evil Knievel reincarnate as your car reaches gut-wrenching speeds, your hand fixated on your gearshift as you weave through traffic.  Picturing Automatic is another animal.  You can enjoy the relaxation of not shifting gears, leaving more focus to the road and your surroundings.  The car ride is less work on your skills and more about maintaining a smooth ride.  So, when posed with the question of Manual Vs. Auto, which is better?  In today’s blog we discuss the differences and let YOU decide…

Manual

If you’re in search of power, Manual transmission is definitely the way to go.  For example, an automatic equipped Dodge Neon has a reported 0-60 MPH time of approximately 10.5 seconds.  The same Neon when equipped with a 5-speed manual has a reported 0-60 time of 8.1 seconds; a huge difference.  The acceleration offered from a vehicle with a manual transmission is usually higher, because of the precise shifting the car encompasses. 

Manual transmissions also excel at fuel economy.  Most new Automatic cars have an EPA rating of only 1 or 2 MPG less than the same model car with a manual transmission.  So, you’re not saving TOO much with a manual, but it is a small difference. 

When it comes to maintenance, most manuals require less service than their automatic counterparts.  The clutch disc in manual transmissions does need to be replaced on occasion. There are many factors that determine how long a clutch will last such as driving style, the material the clutch disc is made of, and the amount of city vs. highway driving. Clutch replacement is often a labor intensive task and can cost several hundred dollars if performed at a repair shop. 

Automatic

Automatic cars are easy.  There’s no clutch or shifter to control.  That means city driving is a breeze and commanding steep terrain is simple.  There’s no ‘rollback’ with an automatic car while its in drive, giving you more energy to controlling your car on the road.  If you live in a busy city its also beneficial because of stop-and-go traffic.  An automatic takes away the worry of shifting gears, leaving an open hand to perform a small task.  Since automatic cars only require one shift “D”, while driving forward it has a wider appeal.  So, if two people were sharing a vehicle after its purchase no learning would be required.  If one person couldn’t control a manual transmission it could be easier for them to stick with an automatic. 

Some cars offer a “best of both worlds” style known as manumatics.  The term differs from brand to brand, but the vehicle could begin in automatic and be shifted into a manual mode that allows control through the gears like a regular manual without the hassle of a clutch.

Automatic cars also have a higher resell value.  The appeal for an automatic is much larger than that of a manual.  Thus, becoming an easier seller for when you trade-in your vehicle.

So, we’ve given you the facts.  What will you choose??? What do you prefer?  Feel free to comment below:

How to Prepare Your Car for Long Term Storage

So, you’re running out of room in your front yard, garage, mother’s house, friend’s condo, cousin’s yard, and anyone who’s tired of seeing one of your vehicles in their personal space.  Now, you’ve decided to store your extra vehicle.  You envision yourself riding of in it in the future, hair flowing, top down, and want to ensure that it’s taken care of.  In today’s blog, we’re discussing what tips to follow to maintain your vehicle for long-term storage.

Check your paperwork:  make sure you renew your registration, or set a reminder when the time is near so that your car is good to go when you’re ready to drive it.

Service your vehicle: Always make sure that your vehicle’s engines and fluids are in good shape before you store your vehicle for a long period of time. Also, fill windshield washer fluid, coolant, transmission, brake fluid, and make sure you fill your car with gasoline.

Clean the interior/exterior: Throw away trash, vacuum the seats, wash the windows, wax the car and even have it detailed if possible. 

Fully charge battery:  make sure your battery is at OPTIMAL power.  Also, if you’re storing your vehicle for more than six months, disconnect it from the power source and keep the battery somewhere temperate and dry.

Do you have any tips to add?  Feel free!

Storing your car for a long period of time?  Follow these tips to ensure its good to go when you’re ready:

Top 5 Things Drivers HATE

To begin today’s blog, lets paint a vivid picture of what could, or has, happened during your morning commute.  So, there you are, slowly sipping your morning coffee, the morning dew and the soothing sounds of your favorite band create a cozy safe haven on your way to work.  Your hands are on the wheel, and you’re focused.  Then, out of NOWHERE some (EXPLETIVE) swerves into your lane, causing you to spill your coffee and react swiftly to avoid injury.  In your panic-stricken state, you’ve managed to avoid an accident.  In that moment you look up to watch the person that swerved into your lane speed by, oblivious to what he had just done.  Your keen eyes focus in on him long enough to realize he was updating his Facebook status.  WOW.  In today’s blog, we asked our community for the top 10 things people HATE when they’re driving. 

Tailgaters – people that creep behind closely to your vehicle in a stop and go motion.  Usually they’re in a rush to go nowhere.

Texters – either they’re updating their Facebook status, tweeting, sending a text or writing their monologue; these individuals are causing HUGE accidents.  This can all be avoided by focusing on the commute at hand!

The “no signal when turning lanes” Guy – this person is infuriating.  They change lanes without looking or indicating.  All of this to arrive at a red light with nowhere to go.

Rubberneckers – there’s always that one person that stops an entire highway to gawk at something of interest.  A pretty billboard, a traffic accident, who knows?  Either way they’re ANNOYING and troublesome for those pressed for time.

The Makeup Queen – this young woman (or man for that matter) is applying an entire face of makeup while operating a motor vehicle.  This is a HUGE no no. 

So, do you have any to add?  What really grinds your gears?

Staying AWAKE Behind the Wheel

Hey, Fans.  Here at the dealership, we make your well being a huge factor.  By creating and maintaining a safe environment for you, we give you the chance to feel comfortable in coming to see us for a vehicle.  Any questions regarding vehicle maintenance and safety can be answered quickly and efficiently.  We wish we could be with you every step of the way after your purchase, but we know that most commutes occur alone.  That’s why we’ve compiled some details of staying awake behind the wheel.  We’ve all driven home tired, even when we know we shouldn’t be.  By following these rules, you can avoid turning a bad situation into a catastrophic one.  

1. Get a Good Night’s Sleep! – Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to good driving habits.  Eight hours is the usual requirement, but almost a third of adults receive less than 6.
2. Learn and Heed Warning Signs of Fatigue – experiencing wandering thoughts? Yawning repeatedly? Find yourself dosing off periodically?  Take a break and re-adjust yourself.
3. Drive with a Passenger – if you can, have someone accompany you on the drive home.  That way, you can engage in conversation and avoid dosing off.  
4. Schedule a Break – on long trips, every 2 hours or every 100 miles, take a break to stretch and catch your bearings before you continue to your destination.

Feel free to add your own tips!

We’ve all driven home tired, even when we know we shouldn’t be.  By following these rules, you can avoid turning a bad situation into a catastrophic one.  

Annual Summer Maintenance Checklist

Summertime is here!  Small children are parading the streets with a sense of pride and enjoyment, parents are scrambling to avoid the heat by hibernating near air-conditions and consumers nationwide are looking forward to the faint smell of charred BBQ.  This summer, we’re running down our checklist of car maintenance tips for our customers.  In today’s blog, you’ll find a quick list of services we can provide that will help you maintain the life of your vehicle and ensure a smooth summer this year. 

Radiator Flush – Coolant is important to your radiator and should be replaced accordingly. 

Replace Air Filter – This should be replaced twice a year.  It only takes us a few to complete the change.

Tire Check – summer traveling IS the rainy season.  Try and make sure that your tires are up to snuff.  Ask us about the tire pressure and we can provide a thorough breakdown.

Replace Wipers – When’s the last time you replaced your wipers? This is important for wavering summer rain.

Inspect Your Brakes - It's a good idea to inspect your brakes twice a year just to be sure everything is up t snuff. Car safety should always be a top priority. Go ahead and check your brake fluid while you're at it.

Check Your Battery – Corrosion buildup can happen quickly.  Check your battery posts and cables to ensure you’ll have no starting problems.

Come in today for a maintenance check and we’ll be happy to help!!!

How To Change A Flat Tire

Imagine driving you car down a rural road on your way home from work.  Your favorite song is blaring on the radio, and you finally feel a sense of ease from a busy day.  At your favorite part of the song, you hear a loud pop, then the slow roll of a popped tire as you cruise to the median.  First, you make sure that you’ve steered clear of any hazards.  Then, you realize that your front left tire has become a disheveled piece of rubber.  Hands on your hips, foot tapping the ground, you take a long sigh, but not one of relief, one of frustration.  Darn! A flat tire.

Now, if you own a vehicle with run-flat tires or a low tire pressure warning system, you most likely won’t have to deal with these frustrations, if you don’t own those options, you’re in luck.  We’ve got a step-by-step guide to helping you change that tire.

1.    Get your tools – find your car’s spare tire, jack and tire iron.  The spare is usually in the trunk under the floor mat, or in a minivan mounted on the back of the tailgate or underneath the vehicle.

2.    Check air pressure- if you have an air pressure gauge check the tire’s pressure on the spare, hopefully it should be fine.

3.    Remove flat tire- MAKE SURE CAR IS IN GEAR OR PARK, and that the emergency break is set. Also, make sure your car is on a flat surface.

4.    Use the tire iron- (the L shaped bar that fits over the wheel lugs) to loosen each lug.  They are usually very tight, so use a little force, they should loosen after a couple tries.  Leave the lugs loose and move the jack under the car (shown on directions of jack).  Raise the jack until it contacts the car’s frame.  Continue to expand it.

5.    Once the tire is completely raised off the ground, remove the wheel lugs completely.

6.    Take the spare tire and line it up over the wheel studs, you’ll have to hold up the tire and try to line up the holes in the wheel. One tip is to balance the tire on your foot while you move it into position.   Once done, the lugs should screw on easily. Once each of them is snug and you can't tighten them any further by hand, use the tire iron to finish the job.

7.    Lower the jack- carefully, and then pull the jack away from the vehicle.  Once the spare tire is on, carefully lower the jack. Pull the jack away from the vehicle. The final step is to tighten down the lugs completely. The reason you tighten the lugs now is that the tire is on the ground and it won't rotate around like it would if it was still hanging in the air. 

Congrats, you’ve just changed a flat tire!!