Autumn Leaves Present Driving Hazards

 Blog, Car Safety Information, Car Service Tips, Interesting Facts  No Responses »
Oct 122010

Fall is the picture-perfect time of year when many drivers take to the road to view the autumn colors. The leaves are beautiful to see, but when wet or in piles on the roads, they present driving hazards unique to the season. The Car Care Council reminds drivers to prepare for fall driving conditions by having their vehicles’ tires, brakes and wipers checked before heading out on the road.

“Drivers should be aware that wet leaves on the road surface can make stopping difficult, and piles of leaves can obscure potholes, curbs and street markings,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Add to these hazards the fact that road conditions can change from ideal to miserable in a matter of minutes, and what you have is a potentially dangerous situation.”

Tires can affect the car’s ride, handling, traction and safety, and are a critical connection between the car and the road in all types of driving conditions. To maximize tire life and safety, check the inflation pressure and the tread depth, and inspect the sidewalls for cracks or punctures. As a general rule, tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles and balanced.

The brake system is the car’s most important safety system. Brakes are a normal wear item for any car, and brake linings, drums and rotors, as well as brake fluid, should be checked at each oil change.

To help ensure the performance and safety of wipers, blades should be replaced every six months or when cracked, cut, torn, streaking or chattering. Windshield wiper fluid should be checked monthly and only washer fluid should be used.

SOURCE Car Care Coucil

Posted by admin at 1:33 PM  Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

Lights and Wipers Play Major Role in Safe Driving

 Blog, Car Safety Information, Car Service Tips, Interesting Facts  No Responses »
Oct 112010

With fewer daylight hours in the fall and winter, it’s important to make sure your vehicle can be seen by others and your visibility is not compromised. Fall Car Care Month in October is also National Headlight Safety Month, the perfect time for a safety inspection of your vehicle’s lights and wipers, according to the Car Care Council.

“As the days get shorter, your vehicle’s lighting system becomes more important to the safety of you and your passengers,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “From the driver’s seat you may not notice a light that isn’t working, so be sure to inspect your car’s lights at every oil change. At the same time, inspect and replace wiper blades so you can see clearly when wet weather hits.”

Lights and wipers play a major role in safe driving, as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen. The wiper system keeps excessive water, snow and dirt from building up on the windshield, maintaining clear visibility. The lighting system provides nighttime visibility, signals and alerts other drivers, and supplies light for viewing instruments and the vehicle’s interior.

Lights are normal wear items that require periodic inspection and replacement. In addition to replacing dimming, rapidly blinking and non-functioning lights, the following tips can help keep you safe:

  • Keep headlights, tail lights and signal lights clean. External dirt and debris can dim operational lights from being seen by others.
  • Make sure that your headlights are properly aimed. Miss-aimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road.
  • Don’t overdrive your headlights; you should be able to stop inside the illuminated area, otherwise you are creating a blind crash area in front of your vehicle.
  • If there is any doubt on whether or not your headlights should be on, turn them on. Lights not only help you see better in early twilight, they also make it easier for other drivers to see you.

Many factors can accelerate the replacement interval of wipers, including operating conditions (winter conditions are tough on wiper blades), frequency of use, material and type of wipers and sunny weather. In fact, wiper blades can deteriorate faster and need more frequent replacement in desert states.

Some states have laws that require the headlights to be on with the wipers. If you detect any problem with your car’s lights or wipers, have them checked out at once. Keep your vehicle’s lights properly cared for to help ensure a safer ride and keep the road ahead well lit.

SOURCE Car Care Coucil

Posted by admin at 9:00 AM  Tagged with: , , ,

Keeping Vehicles Running Well… Today & Down The Road

 Blog, Car Safety Information, Car Service Tips  No Responses »
Oct 052010

Keeping vehicles running well-today and down the road-is routine maintenance.  However, a recent survey by the Car Care Council found:

• 38 percent of cars had low or dirty engine oil.
• 54 percent had low tire pressure.
• 28 percent had inadequate cooling protection.
• 19 percent needed new belts.
• 16 percent had dirty air filters.
• 10 percent had low or contaminated brake fluid.

Here is a recommended Service Interval Schedule:

MONTHLY
• Check Engine Light On
• Cleaning
• Lights
• Tire Inflation and Condition
• Windshield Washer Fluid

EVERY 3 MONTHS/3,000 MILES
• Automatic Transmission Fluid
• Battery and Cables
• Belts
• Check Engine Light On
• Engine Air Filter
• Engine Oil and Filter
• Exhaust
• Fuel Filter
• Hoses
• Lights
• Power Steering Fluid
• Tire Inflation and Condition
• Windshield Washer Fluid

EVERY 6 MONTHS/6,000 MILES
• Automatic Transmission Fluid
• Battery and Cables
• Belts
• Chassis Lubrication
• Check Engine Light On
• Polish
• Engine Air Filter
• Engine Oil and Filter
• Exhaust
• Fuel Filter
• Hoses
• Lights
• Power Steering Fluid
• Tire Inflation and Condition
• Windshield Washer Fluid
• Wiper Blades

Posted by admin at 3:38 PM  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Power Windows: Keeping Your Kids Safe

 Blog, Car Safety Information, Child Safety  No Responses »
Sep 302010

Children can hurt themselves with power windows.  Many kids are injured when a window closes on their finger, wrist, or hand.  Some kids have been strangled by power windows.

Prevention Tips:

  • Never leave your children alone in a vehicle for any reason.
  • Teach your children not to play with window switches.
  • Teach your children not to stand on passenger door arm rests.
  • Properly restrain your children in car seats or seat belts to prevent them from accidentally activating power windows.
  • Look and make sure your kids hands, feet, and head, are clear of windows before raising the windows.
  • Never leave the key in the ignition or in the “on” or “accessory” position when you walk away from your car.
  • If available, activate the power window lock switch so that your children cannot play with the windows.

What you need to know, now:

All new vehicles will have “pull to close” switches, which, as their name indicates, require you to pull up on them to close the window. Older vehicles may have window switches that a child can accidentally step or put weight on, easily causing a window to close.

Some vehicles have power windows that automatically reverse when an object (such as your child’s arm or neck) is in the path of a closing window.  Check both the individual vehicle rating pages on www.safercar.gov and your owner’s manual to see if a vehicle is equipped with this safety technology.

Source: NHSTA

Posted by admin at 12:49 PM  

New Denali Models Lead The 2011 GMC Acadia Lineup

 Blog, Car Reviews, Car Safety Information, GMC  No Responses »
Sep 292010

A new, premium Denali model joins the GMC Acadia lineup for 2011, adding a new dimension of luxury and exclusivity to this popular crossover. It brings the distinctive Denali design elements, including a chrome honeycomb grille and monochromatic exterior color cues, along with exclusive fascias, high-intensity discharge headlamps and unique interior features.

‘The GMC Denali models have come to stand for luxury and exclusivity, and that’s just what customers will get in the new Acadia Denali,’ said Lisa Hutchinson, GMC product marketing director. ‘The decision to develop an Acadia Denali was made quickly within the new GM in response to customer and dealer demand for a Denali version ever since the launch and success of the Acadia.’

Indeed, the Acadia continues to win over customers. In a still-recovering market, Acadia sales were up nearly 45 percent in the first quarter of 2010, making it second in brand sales to only the broad Sierra range of trucks.

Acadia Safety

Acadia’s 360-degree safety system helps protect passengers before, during and after a crash. A strong structure is the foundation, while a wide stance and low center of gravity helps reduce the likelihood of a rollover. Acadia’s structure is reinforced in numerous areas with high-strength steel, including a stiff steel cross-car beam welded across the floor between the B-pillars. It also uses dual-phase steel in select areas, such as the lower engine compartment rails. Dual-phase steel is strengthened in the paint oven and offers easier formability, reduced mass, greater strength and better crash energy absorption than most high-strength steels.

Acadia is equipped with six standard air bags: two dual-stage frontal air bags for the driver and front passenger; two seat-mounted side-impact air bags in the first row; and two head curtain side-impact air bags that cover all three seating rows. The head curtain side air bags are among the longest air bags in any production vehicle.

Complementing the air bags is GM’s rollover sensing system, which can preemptively activate the side-impact air bags if sensors determine a rollover is imminent. In the event of a rollover, the air bags stay inflated longer to provide increased occupant containment.

Source – GMC

Posted by admin at 9:00 AM  Tagged with: , ,

15 Things You Can Do To Help Your Teen Driver

 Blog, Car Safety Information, Child Safety, Slideshow, Teen Drivers  1 Response »
Sep 242010

This is not about cars.  It’s about our future.

Did you know that three out of four teen say their parents would be the best influence in getting them to drive safely?

The following 15 tips will guide you as you help your teen become a safe driver.

  1. Define your role in helping your teen become a safe driver.
  2. Limit your teen’s driving alone in adverse weather conditions and at night until the teen has sufficient driving skills and experience.
  3. Limit how many passengers they can have in their car.
  4. Enforce that everyone in the car must wear their seatbelt – EVERY TIME!
  5. Pre-determine what behavior/circumstance will result in loss of your teen’s driving privileges – and let them know what that is!
  6. Keep all vehicles well-maintained. Well maintained vehicles are safer.
  7. Have your Teen sign a Parent-Teen Driving agreement.
  8. Prohibit drinking and eating in the car.
  9. Never allow headphones while driving.
  10. Teach your teen to anticipate road hazards.
  11. Choose the right vehicle! Don’t get them a car than they can handle.
  12. Set a good example.  Kids are always watching what you do!
  13. Have your teen take an annual defensive driving course after obtaining their license.
  14. Have your teen understand what steps to take in case of an accident.
  15. Make sure that BOTH you and your Teen understand your State’s Driving Laws (Graduated Driver Licensing Law, Cell Phone Law, Seat Belt Law, Underage Drinking Law, Motorcycle Helmet Law)
Posted by admin at 9:00 AM  Tagged with:

It’s Child Passenger Safety Week!

 Blog, Car Safety Information, Child Safety  No Responses »
Sep 202010

While installing and using child safety seats may appear to be easy enough, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that close to 3 out of 4 parents do not properly use child restraints … and therefore that child safety seat may not protect your child the way it should.

Parents and caregivers are urged to verify that their child safety seats are properly installed and correctly used.

On September 25, 2010, Certified technicians will be available to inspect and verify – free of charge – your child seat installation.

Click HERE to find the inspection station nearest you!

Posted by Lisa Copeland at 9:00 AM  Tagged with:

“Parents Worry About All The Wrong Things”

 Blog, Car Safety Information, Child Safety, Interesting Facts, Teen Drivers  2 Responses »
Sep 142010

According to NPR’s recent report based upon a study conducted by author Christine Barnes, author of “The Paranoid Parents Guide”, parents worry about “all the wrong things!”

Here are parents top 5 worries when it comes to their children:

  1. Kidnapping
  2. School snipers
  3. Terrorists
  4. Dangerous strangers
  5. Drugs

However – according to FACTS – here are the top five parents should be concerned about:

  1. Car accidents
  2. Homicide
  3. Abuse
  4. Suicide
  5. Drowning

Barnes says that the huge discrepancy between “worries” and “reality” are because parents fixate on rare events when they internalize horrific stories they hear without stopping to think about the odds.  “I’d love it if every news story came with a little warning at the bottom that said, ‘Even though this is very tragic, this is 1 in 10 million, 1 in a million or 1 in 20′, ” says Barnes.

Since Car Accidents are #1 on this list, I’ve been sharing information that all parents will find helpful.  Please refer to them here:

Ignorance Is NOT Bliss: Staggering Statistics On Vehicle Accidents

15 Things You Can Do To help Your Teen Driver

Top 10 Food Offenders

Before You hand Over The keys, Hand Over The intelligence

Teen Driver Safety Series

Posted by admin at 9:00 AM  Tagged with: , ,

Ignorance Is NOT Bliss: Staggering Statistics On Vehicle Accidents

 Blog, Car Safety Information, Teen Drivers  1 Response »
Sep 082010

With the increasing number of cars on US roads each year, vehicle accidents have – unfortunately – become a common sight.  I’m posting these staggering statistics in hope that making people aware about vehicle accidents trends will reduce these numbers in the United States.

  • There are more than six million car accidents each year in the United States.
  • A person dies in a car accident every 12 minutes and each year car crashes kill 40,000 people.
  • The leading cause of death for individuals between 2 and 34 years old is motor vehicle crashes.
  • Someone is injured by a car crash every 14 seconds and about two million of the people injured in car accidents each year suffer permanent injuries.
  • Over 25% of all drivers were involved in an auto accident in a five-year period.
  • Almost 50% of all drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 are texting while driving.
  • Excessive speed is the second most common cause of deadly auto accidents, which accounts for about 30% of fatal accidents.
  • Car crashes cost each American more than $1,000 a year; $164.2 billion is the total cost each year across the United States.
  • Car accidents are the leading cause of death for kids between 2 and 14; About 2,000 children die each year from injuries caused by car accidents.
  • Wearing a seat belt is 44% more effective at preventing death than riding unrestrained.
  • Each year, almost 250,000 children are injured in car crashes, meaning nearly 700 kids are harmed every day.
  • Car accidents are the leading cause of acquired disability nationwide.

The saddest thing about these accident statistics is that they could have easily been avoided had drivers been paying more attention to driving and less to other activities

Posted by admin at 8:00 AM  Tagged with: ,

5 Causes Of Vehicle Rollovers & Ways To Avoid Them

 Blog, Car Safety Information, Child Safety, Portfolio, Video  1 Response »
Sep 012010

Rollovers are such violent, complex vehicle accidents.  Every time I have driven by one – and especially when I only see one car – I ask myself…  What in the world could have possibly happened??? This prompted me to do some research and I was surprised by the information I found!

Did you know that nearly 85% of all rollover-related fatalities are the result of a single-vehicle crash?

Did you know that over 90% of the vehicles in fatal, single-vehicle rollover crashes were involved in routine driving maneuvers??

Rollover Types

There are 2 basic types of rollover: tripped or un-tripped.  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows that 95% of single-vehicle rollovers are tripped. A tripped rollover happens when a vehicle leaves the road, starts to slides sideways and digs its tires into soft soil or strikes an object such as a curb or guardrail.  In this situation, the high tripping force applied to the tires can cause the vehicle to roll over.

Occurring about 5% of the time, un-tripped rollovers happen mostly to top-heavy vehicles during high-speed collision avoidance maneuvers.

5 Causes

More than other type of crash, a rollover reflects the interaction of the driver, road, vehicle and environmental factors.

  1. ROUTINE DRIVING:  NHTSA data suggest that over 90% of the vehicles in fatal, single-vehicle rollover crashes were involved in routine driving maneuvers – going straight or negotiating a curve. This highly suggests that driver behavior (distracted driving) plays an important role in rollover crashes.
  2. Speed:  Approximately 40% of fatal rollover crashes involve excessive speeding.
  3. Alcohol:  Nearly 50% of all fatal rollover crashes involve alcohol.
  4. Vehicle Type:  Any type of vehicle can rollover!  Tall, narrow vehicles, having a higher center of gravity, are more susceptible to rollover if involved in a single-vehicle crash.
  5. Location:  Almost 75% of fatal rollovers occur on rural roads; they tend to be undivided, without barriers and allow a speed limit of 55mph or more.

Minimize Risk & Injury

You can minimize risk and injury by understanding the following proper car maneuvers.

  1. Gradually reduce speed if your vehicle goes off the road.
  2. Do not over-correct your steering as a panic reaction.
  3. Take extra caution when driving on rural roads.
  4. Maintain properly inflated, good tires.
  5. Do not overload your car, especially when using roof racks.  Check the vehicle’s manufacturer’s instructions & weight limits!
  6. Don’t be a distracted driver.  Stay off the phone, don’t text and leave the meals at home!
  7. Wear your seat belt at all times.
  8. Don’t drink and drive!

Take a look at this video below and be safe!  We all need you!

Posted by Lisa Copeland at 9:00 AM  Tagged with: , , , , ,
 Older Entries  Newer Entries
© 2012 Buying Cars HER Way Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha