Wednesday, January 27, 2021

New Crash Tests Show Modest Speed Increases Can Have Deadly Consequences - IIHS News


Drivers want to save time, and local transportation agencies want to improve traffic flow, but at what cost? With posted speed limits increasing on roadways around the country, a vehicle’s ability to protect drivers in crashes is in doubt.

Small speed increases can have huge effects on crash outcomes, as shown in new crash tests by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Humanetics. The safety organizations conducted crashes at three different impact speeds (40, 50 and 56 mph). They found the slightly higher speeds were enough to increase the driver's risk of severe injury or death.

Sunday, January 24, 2021

What is ABS? - CarSpeak by Cars.com


What is ABS stand for? What does ABS mean? CarSpeak from Cars.com breaks it down for you. We brought our employees in front of the camera to help define automotive terms and keep you informed.
ABS stands for Anti-lock braking system.

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

If Combustion Engines Have A Future, What Is It?


Spark-ignition (SI) and compression ignition (CI) engines have been around for a long time, and they each have their unique problems and challenges. If we want more efficient engines, with cleaner emissions, we're going to need improved technologies and methods. 

Low temperature combustion promises greater efficiency with better emissions. Recent examples include homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI), premixed charged compression ignition (PCCI), and reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI). How do these combustion techniques work, and how do they improve efficiency and emissions? Check out the video for all the details!

Friday, January 15, 2021

How To Avoid Pothole Damage


Driving through a seemingly innocent hole in the road could result in costly car damage. Before you end up at the auto shop in need of suspension repair or wheel replacement, know the five best ways to avoid pothole damage

1. Check Tires

Frequently inspect your tires to ensure they are properly inflated and do not have significant wear. If you hit a pothole with worn or underinflated tires, there is a greater risk of wheel or suspension damage. Inflate tires according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure levels. Find this information on the door jamb sticker and in your owner’s manual. Do not use the pressure levels molded on the tire sidewall. To check the tire tread depth, insert a quarter upside down into several tread grooves. If the top of Washington’s head is visible, it’s time for new tires. How to properly check tire tread

2. Inspect Suspension

Make certain struts, shock absorbers and other suspension parts are in good condition. Changes in vehicle handling, excessive vibration or uneven tire wear can indicate damaged or worn parts. Have a certified auto service technician inspect the suspension if you suspect a problem.

3. Look Ahead

Stay alert and check the road ahead to avoid potholes. Stay focused on the road and avoid distractions. Before swerving around a pothole, check your surroundings so you do not collide with another vehicle or endanger nearby pedestrians or cyclists.

4. Slow Down

If you cannot avoid a pothole, reduce your speed safely. Check the rearview mirror before braking abruptly. Hitting a pothole at higher speeds greatly increases the chance of tire, wheel and suspension component damage. Releasing the brakes just before hitting a pothole allows the wheel and tire to roll through the depression and helps minimize potential damage.

5. Beware of Puddles

Drive cautiously through puddles as they may be deep potholes filled with water.

What to Do If You Hit a Pothole and Suspect Damage

Get a Vehicle Inspection. Hard pothole impact can knock the wheels out of alignment and affect steering, or dislodge wheel weights, damage a tire or wheel, and bend or even break suspension parts. Have a qualified mechanic check the wheel alignment if the vehicle pulls to the left or right. Have the suspension inspected if you notice any new or unusual noises or vibrations.

Article Source: https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/how-to-avoid-pothole-damage

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Have You Ever Wondered What is a Clear Coat? – Ask Meguiar’s


So, what is a clear coat? The top clear coat portion of a base coat/clear coat paint system is a transparent layer of paint that is designed, not only to create gloss for the base coat, but also add a layer of protection to that base coat.

While clear coats certainly add vibrance and protection, they’re also very sensitive to abrasion and can magnify the appearance of swirls and scratches. So, it’s very important that you always use products that are designed for clear coat technology along with clean and fresh accessories like car wash mitts and microfibers to minimize any chance of creating swirls.

Monday, January 11, 2021

Understanding IIHS Headlight Ratings


About half of all fatal crashes in the U.S. occur in the dark. To address the problem, IIHS began rating headlights in 2016. For model year 2020, about 1 out of 5 headlight systems tested earned a good rating.

Sunday, January 3, 2021

How Cars Communicate With One Another | Consumer Reports


Technology is allowing more and more vehicles to communicate with each other on the roadways. Consumer Reports’ expert explains what V2X is and how it works.

Friday, January 1, 2021

Tire Blow Out Reaction Tips


Tires are the most important part of your vehicle and unexpected blows outs happen almost everyday! Watch this video to find out the two key steps to keep you safe in the event of a tire blow out.