Monday, April 28, 2014

Safe Driving Tip #14: Space & Speed Management



A professional driver explains why it's important to keep enough space between your vehicle and another one. These tips are from Ford Motor Company's Driving Skills for Life program, which is designed to help young drivers improve their skills in four key areas that are critical factors in more than 60% of teen vehicle crashes, hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management and speed management.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Inside IIHS: Crash Test Photography



"Inside IIHS: Crash test photography" explores what it takes to produce the high-quality, slow-motion footage needed to learn exactly what happened in a crash test and to communicate those findings to the media and the public.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Are Extended Car Warranties Worth It? | Consumer Reports



Extended car warranties are good for carmakers. But Consumer Reports' survey shows most people never use their extended warranty and those who do spend more on the warranty than they save on repairs.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Safe Driving Tip #13: Seat Belt Use



A professional driver explains how to fasten your seat belt properly. These tips are from Ford Motor Company's Driving Skills for Life program, which is designed to help young drivers improve their skills in four key areas that are critical factors in more than 60% of teen vehicle crashes, hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management and speed management.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Spring Car Maintenance

If you think winter weather is hard on you and your family, just imagine the toll it takes on your car each and every day. After months of travelling through snow, sand and salt, you may not even be able to remember what color your car is, let alone what it feels like to have it look all shiny and clean.

When the weather warms up it's time to give your car a fresh, clean look, and while you're at it, make sure the winter months didn't do any internal damage that may cost you a lot of money to fix later on.
Packing your car with an emergency winter weather kit is a great idea, but once the snow is gone the kit should go too. Don't clutter your car with an extra snow shovel, ice scraper, sandbags and whatever else you certainly won't need now that the weather is more hospitable. This will not only free up space, but will also get you better gas mileage if you're not toting around unnecessary items.

As long as you're de-cluttering your vehicle, now is a good time to wipe down the interior and get rid of the layer of dust that has settled on everything. And really, let's find out what color this car is with a really good exterior wash and wax as well. Make sure whether you wash the car yourself, or get it done professionally, pay attention to the undercarriage of your car where rust-causing salt and sand were slopped all over during the winter months.

Get that warm-weather check over. Fill your wiper fluid, coolants, and check your car's other fluids to prevent overheating and other nasty problems.

You also should check to make sure winter didn't wipe out your windshield wiper blades. Make sure the rubber part is still stuck to the plastic or metal, therefore ensuring your wipers will work to maximum effect.

Winter is also very hard on your tire tread. With a wet, rainy spring coming up shortly after winter leaves, a good tire tread is very important. Tires with 2/23rd of an inch of tread or less are dangerously balding. To test how much tread a tires has, take an upside down penny and place it in the center of the tread in the thickest part of the tire. If you can see the hair on the top of Lincoln's head then your tread is too worn. If the penny sinks down as far as Lincoln's forehead your tires are still good. Of course you could also use a tread depth gauge that is somewhat more scientific. Air pressure is also an important thing to check as long as you're checking your tires. Maintaining the proper air pressure will help improve your gas mileage and keep your car handling safely.

Avoiding the pot holes that cold weather creates isn't always easy, yet each time you dip into a pothole, the inner workings of your car are jostled and tested. Therefore, a good internal inspection of certain parts is a good idea. Belts and hoses are particularly vulnerable to temperature changes, and brakes and suspension are affected by uneven terrain, so these are good parts to take a closer look at for cracks and other damage.

One thing you don't think about after the weather warms is your car's battery. Even though the bitter cold won't be affecting the battery any longer, corrosion and filth that built up over the winter still may have taken a toll. After the hard work your batter put in over the winter it doesn't hurt to clean and test it now.

A few simple tests and cleanings can keep your car running smoothly through the seasonal transition.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_J_Junge

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8387226

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Safe Driving Tip #12: Objects in the Vehicle



A professional driver explains where you should place objects like your purse within your vehicle for optimum safety. These tips are from Ford Motor Company's Driving Skills for Life program, which is designed to help young drivers improve their skills in four key areas that are critical factors in more than 60% of teen vehicle crashes, hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management and speed management.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Small Overlap Crash Test Stymies Most Midsize SUVs - IIHS News



Small overlap crash test stymies most midsize SUVs; 2 models from GM earn the only good ratings in class

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Chevrolet Equinox and its twin, the GMC Terrain, are the only midsize SUVs out of nine evaluated to earn a good rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's small overlap front crash test, which continues to challenge manufacturers more than a year and a half after its introduction.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Safe Driving Tip #11: ABS Braking



A professional driver explains the differences between braking with Antilock Braking Systems (ABS) and standard braking systems. These tips are from Ford Motor Company's Driving Skills for Life program, which is designed to help young drivers improve their skills in four key areas that are critical factors in more than 60% of teen vehicle crashes, hazard recognition, vehicle handling, space management and speed management.

Friday, April 4, 2014

U.S. To Require Rearview Technology In New Cars | Consumer Reports



Automakers must install rear-visibility technology, such as backup cameras, in all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds by May 2018. Consumer Reports shows how new car design has made visibility a serious safety issue.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

The Hidden Dangers of Old Tires | Consumer Reports



Paul Walker's death highlights the dangers of aging tires. Even with low miles, old tires present a safety risk. Consumer Reports tells you how to check your tires.