Winter is quickly approaching, and it is important to not wait to late to get your vehicle ready for the adverse driving conditions that winter brings. It is very important to install winter tires. A common misconception is that All Weather tires will do the job, but this is not true if you live in an area with snow and ice. Winter tires will give you that extra traction, braking and handling you’ll need to confidently drive during the cold months. Unlike all weathers, they have specialized rubber compounds and tread designs to handle the cold temperatures. The tread remains flexible to prevent snow buildup and help with traction on ice. Tests that have been conducted on ice show that even at 15mph, vehicles equipped with winter tires stopped from 1/2 to a full car length shorter than identical vehicles on all season tires.

All Season tires are not designed to be optimal in one specific weather condition. They are meant to be adequate in all weather. To be able to handle different types of weather, compromises have to be made. The tread design of an all season tire is not as aggressive as that of a winter tire and is also not as flexible in the cold. An all season tire’s tread will quickly get packed with snow and you lose traction. Another common misconception among SUVs and other 4WD vehicles’ drivers is that a 4 wheel drive vehicle provides them with the safety measures they need when driving on the ice. This deadly misconception has no grip on reality whatsoever. A 4WD vehicle will help you get started from a full stop and will slightly help you around corners, but will certainly not help you to stop or slow down the car any faster.

If you do not own winter tires, don’t wait too long with your purchase decision as this might severely affect your mobility. Early winter storms can sometimes result in hot demand that leads to a shortage or even a complete sold out of winter tires in specific locations. You may be wondering what is the best time to install your winter tires, and for what duration should you have them installed. This primary depends and your local weather. One thing is for sure, don’t wait for the very last minute and have them installed beforehand. A good guideline for installing your winter tires is once the temperature is regularly 10 degrees Celsius or less, and they should be removed once the temperatures are consistently higher than 10 degrees Celsius. This will ensure that they do not wear prematurely in warmer weather, but you shouldn’t get caught by surprise.

The growing trend in car safety is one of the biggest segments in the auto industry today. While vehicle safety has made amazing strides within the last few years, there is a constant push for better technology and safer cars overall.  Technologies such as airbags , anti-lock brakes, and stability management systems, have become more and more common and are now standard or available on almost every car sold in North America. As with most other technologies, these safety systems were first introduced in higher end models, eventually tricking down to more mainstream automobiles. So while the higher end models now have even more advanced safety, these are likely to become mainstream too.

There are two types of safety systems in every car. First are the active safety systems. These devices are designed to get us out of trouble and avoid an accident in the first place. Anti-lock brakes, traction control, and stability systems, are active safety systems as they can help us before an accident even occurs. The second type is known as passive safety systems. A passive safety system protects us once a vehicle has been engaged in an accident. These include airbags, seatbelts, and crumple zones. Airbags, seatbelts and other passive safety systems must work together. Airbags for example, do little to help you unless you’re wearing a seatbelt. Seatbelts are considered the foundation of passive safety.

Another part of car safety that has come far is the structure and design. This is the true root of a safe car. High-strength steel can reduce the chance of an impact intruding on the passenger compartment, reducing the chances of serious injury. A smart design will distribute the energy from an impact around the passenger cell, rather than directly into it. The goal is to reduce the deformation of the passenger compartment. High strength steel is very effective at keeping the passenger compartment of an SUV intact during a rollover.

The bottom line with vehicle safety is to remember that, while vehicles themselves have many more tools to keep the driver safe, no system, no matter how advanced, can compensate for an alert driver behind the wheel.

Car accidents can happen anytime, any day, and in any driving situation.  Even the safest drivers are at risk of accidents. Even if an accident is minor, say a slow speed fender bender, they can often create confusion. The most important thing to do is stay calm; this will help immensely to keep control of the situation.

The first step, an obvious one, is to make sure you and your passengers are ok, if possible move as far off the roadway as you can, and turn on your hazards. The next step is to call 911; even in a minor accident where no one is visibly injured, it is important to complete a police report. Look over any damage to the vehicles involved, but never admit fault. Let the police and insurance companies determine this.

Always approach the other driver involved in a calm manner. Although this can be difficult, as an accident can ruin your day, yelling at someone will do no good, and only make a bad situation worse. Vise versa, if the other driver is irate and rude, do your best not to bow to his level. Sometimes responding with a calm voice will make them realize how they are acting. Once the police arrive exchange vital information with the other driver involved in the car accident. Write down the name, address, phone number and license numbers of all drivers and witnesses, particularly those who were not riding in a vehicle involved in the accident. Ask for the name of the insurer and policy number of all drivers involved in the car accident.

Lastly, contact your insurance company and report the claim.  The sooner your insurance company knows about the accident, the sooner it can start working to resolve your claim. Fender benders can be scary and overwhelming. Keeping your cool is the most important step.  Remebering to get the others driver information, calling police, and contacting your insurance company are the key steps to a resolution.

In new Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests for small sport utility vehicles, the Jeep Patriot received one of the top scores. The testing was specifically focused on roof strength, in the event of a rollover.  These tests for the IIHS are new, and are in a response to a rise in rollover injuries and fatalities; the tests apply to 2009 model year vehicles. More than 10,000 people a year are killed in rollover crashes in the United States and the government has been considering tougher roof requirements for several years. However, the standards have not been significantly changed since 1973.

The institute, based in Arlington, Va., released its first results of new tests on vehicle roof strength.  Modern vehicles only need to withstand direct pressure of 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle. The rules only apply to vehicles of 6,000 pounds or less, excluding many SUVs and pickup trucks. Under the institute’s criteria, a vehicle roof must withstand a force of 4 times the vehicle’s weight to receive the top score. For the second-highest rating, a roof must withstand a force of 3.25 times the vehicle weight.

While models such as the Liberty and Chevy Equinox performed well, many small SUV models received ‘poor’ ratings.  While a new federal standard has been in the works for years, nothing has been made official.  Automakers have improved overall SUV safety with new technologies, such as electronic stability control, which is specifically targeted to prevent rollovers.  In the meantime, for those shopping for an SUV, it may be worth considering the latest crash test results and the available safety technologies in the model.

Vehicles of today may have advanced safety technologies such as curtain side airbags and traction control, yet the braking system is still one of the most important.  The fact is, brakes do need maintenance over time.  Repeated braking is obviously going to put wear and tear on components.  There are different reasons why your brakes may need some work. Crystallized brake pads and/or shoes can become hardened from heat and are no longer effective at grabbing and stopping the rotation of the brake drum or rotor. This condition usually occurs after the brakes have been overused, either because of excessive panic stops or “riding of the brake.” There is sometimes a loss of pressure from broken brake lines, which run to all four wheels. Oil or grease soaked brakes can also affect braking. Oil from the rear differential or front transaxle can get on the brakes from an oil seal that might have failed. Grease from a failed rubber boot on a front end component (such as a ball joint or tie rod) can find its way onto the brakes and cause this symptom as well. “Hot Spots” on the brake drums or rotors are hardened spots in the metal makeup of the drum or rotor that form from excessive overheating of the brakes. The pads and shoes have nothing to grip.

Knowing the signs of compromised brakes is very important.  Here is what to look for:

Loss of Brake Pedal Pressure: If the pedal is going further down than it normally does, it means the system has lost its hydraulic pressure and is likely brake fluid leakage due to failure of a brake hose or a rusted metal brake line.

Squealing/grinding occur when braking: This is usually an indication of worn or glazed brake pads. The squealing noise comes from wear indicators, which come in contact with the brake rotor when the brake pads are worn to the point of needing replacement. If you hear squealing, get your brakes checked; waiting for the grinding noise will likely end up costing more money.

Grabbing to One Side: This can happen for a number of reasons; pulling can occur from maladjustment of the brakes, a frozen brake, brake fluid leakage, frozen emergency brake cables, or oil/grease leakage on the brake shoes or pads.

Drag during Acceleration: If it feels like the brake is still on while trying to accelerate, it may be caused by the emergency brake cables.  If you do not use your emergency brake rust can buildup, causing it not to release.

The bottom line is to go with your instincts.  If it seems like your brakes are performing in an abnormal way or making a strange sound, then do not ignore it.  Beyond being unsafe, waiting will likely end up becoming more of a problem and costing more money.

Since 2000, more than 1,375 children have died in non-traffic incidents, with more than 230 fatalities in 2007 according to a group called Kids and Cars.   As there is a concerning rise of children being injured or worse by vehicles backing up, a new law called the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act is in the works to deal with “non-traffic” auto safety risks to children. The law is named for Cameron Gulbransen, a 2-year-old who died in 2002 after an SUV driven by his father backed over him.  The Act is made to protect children from being backed over, being strangled by a power window or being hurt when a car is accidentally put into gear and starts moving. There has never been a rear visibility standard for vehicles until now.  Back-over incidents now account for half of all non-traffic fatalities involving children and almost all the incidents happened on private property.

The law, also known as “Kids and Cars Act,” focuses on three auto safety issues: Rear visibility, Power windows, and Gearshifts.  Within three years the U.S. Department of Transportation must establish a standard to provide drivers with ways to detect a person, including a small child, behind a vehicle. This could be done with additional mirrors, sensor devices, cameras or other technology and may differ by vehicle. All vehicles must be in compliance within four years of the rule’s enactment. Presumably, automakers could meet whatever standard is developed either by changing vehicle design, adding technology such as cameras and sensors, or both. The DOT has 18 months to decide if power windows that automatically reverse direction if they hit an obstruction, including a child, are “reasonable, practicable and appropriate.” If so, DOT will have a year to develop a rule. If not, DOT will have to explain its decision to Congress. And by September 1, 2010, every car and truck sold in the United States must have a mechanism that prevents it from being shifted out of Park unless a foot is on the brake. This is designed to prevent children from accidentally putting a car into gear, causing it to roll. Rear cameras and back-up sensors are already optional on many new and used vehicles, so car shoppers should keep an eye out for them.

Preventing Road Rage

Drivers are not alone.  We must share the road with each other, with pedestrians, and with bicyclists.  The hustle and bustle of this modern day, the stress of jobs and the rush to get form place to place has evoked a country wide problem with road rage.  The NHTS states that road rage involves a criminal act of violence, and aggressive driving can range from tailgating to speeding to running red lights. They estimate that aggressive driving accounts for about one-third of all crashes and about two-thirds of the resulting fatalities.

Road rage comes in many forms, from yelling at another motorist to physically assaulting other drivers. As the roadways get more and more congested, drivers become frustrated.  Yet, It is a personal responsibility to reduce stress while driving, to slow down, and to remain composed, no matter the situation. There are many ways to prevent road rage. Following these tips will most likely result in a much more calm and patient driver no matter the situation.

Plan for extra time:  This starts with making morning preparations the night before, whether its kids lunches or your clothing for the next day.  Shoot for leaving a half hour earlier than you really need to leave.  The less rushed you are will less stressed you will be by backed up traffic or slow moving drivers.  When people are late getting somewhere they are more likely to speed and to lose their temper.

Avoid ‘Emotional Drives’: Use your car for transportation purposes only.  Your car should not be driven to blow off steam, and it should not be driven to prove anything, no matter how big the engine is. Most certainly do not carry on an upsetting conversation on your cell while trying to drive.

Think about your music:  Aggressive music, such as heavy metal, tends to make people aggressive.  If you are prone to these feeling, certainly don’t listen to music that would ignite them.  There is plenty of other stuff on the radio, try a comedy station for example.

Adequate Sleep:  Many adults sleep less then six hours a night, and this is not adequate sleep, it is  recommended that we get at least seven.  Tired people results in cranky drivers and less focus.

Give other a break:  If you are cut off, don’t assume the driver is targeting you.  People make mistakes, they get distracted.  A quick honk of the horn is adequate.  If you really think about it there are more problems in this world than slow or wild drivers.

Act as an example:  If you walk into a confrontation calm and well behaved, the other driver may realize how ridiculous they are acting – you never know. Just because another driver is being rude, enraged, or irresponsible doesn’t mean you have to copy him.  Keeping your cool gives you an upper hand, and sometimes dissolves a potential situation into nothing.

The Danger of Cell Phone Use in Cars

Cell phones are a known distraction for drivers, yet a large majority of people admit to using a cell phone while driving. Dozens of countries have already banned the use of handheld phones while driving. In the U.S., California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Utah, Washington, D.C. and many municipalities have fully outlawed in-vehicle handheld phone use. While some say that talking on a cell phone is the same as or less of a distraction than changing your radio station, trying to control your kids or eating — none of which is regulated of course.  Many accidents, though, are caused by driver distraction, and any form of distraction that can be reduced would improve safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) analyzed the results of over 120 cell phone studies. They found that nearly all of the studies reported that some aspects of driver performance were affected by the mental distraction associated with cell phone use. The IIHS reported that phone conversation tasks typically decreased reaction times, travel speeds, and increased lane deviations and steering wheel movements. It’s good to carry a cell phone in case of an emergency, but its best to use it while stopped. If you must use your phone on the road make sure you know its features and button locations, do not text or look up stored numbers, and try to avoid emotional or stressful conversations. Just remember, a split second of taking your eyes off the road can lead to a disaster.

Teen drivers are the number one age group that is involved in vehicle accidents.  The statistics about teens and accidents go on and on, and they are astounding.  According for The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among U.S. teens, accounting for 36 percent of all deaths in the age group.  The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than among any other age group, and per-miles-driven teens ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash.   IIHS statistics also show that 16- and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with each additional passenger.  Parents have a large responsibility in preparing their teens to drive, instead of just adding them to the family insurance policy and handing over the keys. They should know every time their child is driving and where they are going.  They should also be aware that, although one day seminars may help, it takes weeks of conversation and driving with your teen for them to be truly ready.

The number of teens on the road is increasing, and the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than among any other age group, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  Considering this, it can be expensive to add a teen driver to an insurance policy. Further more, according to a recent report from AAA, car accidents involving drivers 15 to 17 cost society more than $34 billion in medical expenses, property damage and related costs in 2006.

AAA has also been instrumental in advocating graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems that ease teens into driving in three stages: a supervised learner’s-permit period, an intermediate license that limits driving in certain situations except under supervision and finally a license with full privileges. Under GDL requirements, many states restrict teens from driving at night or with more than one teen passenger in the car. A handful of states have comprehensive GDL systems, with substantive night-driving and passenger limits and mandatory practice times for teens. But the vast majority has gaps.

This all goes to show how essential teen driver training is.  While kids spend many more hours a week training at sports, only 50 hours of driving experience is for a driver’s license in some states.   Parents, educators, and teens themselves are beginning to realize the need for more instruction before a license is obtained.  Special ‘schools’ are popping up everywhere, offering teens those extra hours needed.  Courses blend classroom and behind-the-wheel experiences.  A class may, for example, have the teens study the dynamics of driving, learn accident avoidance skills, and practice driving in emergency situations.  They are also taught how to drive in a variety of foul weather conditions.  Another key skill that may be taught is how to become more aware of traffic situations and to look far enough ahead to anticipate the actions of other drivers.  Students maneuver their own cars through a course laid out with orange traffic cones in closed parking lots. Participants repeat the exercise several times to learn from their mistakes and to improve their skills.  The ‘schools’ are often one day programs, some are free and some can cost up to a few hundred dollars. There are many steps to be taken to make teen drivers safer.  It involves not only teens themselves, but also their parents, lawmakers, and teachers.  Working together is the only way to decrease the astounding statistics surrounding teen drivers.

Crash Tests getting a much needed Revision

In 2006, 95 percent of the vehicles tested won a top four- or five-star rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), primarily because its testing methods are decades old and don’t reflect real-world crashes. This was a strong hint that crash test ratings and vehicle safety standards need to be revised. It only makes sense, as safety technology gets better every year, and as cars become safer with these technologies, testing methods must follow suit and adjust.  The new ratings program includes factors such as whether a vehicle has crash avoidance technologies such as electronic stability control, lane departure warning systems and forward collision warning systems. That data will be combined with the star ratings from the front, side and rollover tests to create a more comprehensive “Vehicle Safety Score.” These testing procedures will reduce the inflated star ratings and lead to safer cars in the future. The enhancements to the NHTSA ratings will be reflected in vehicle window stickers, providing an easier way for consumers to compare the safety of vehicles they are considering.

Safety testing for vehicles include frontal crash tests, side-impact tests and two rollover tests — one based on mathematical formulas rather than real crashes, the other a “tip up” rollover test using test vehicles. As of September 2007, all new car window price stickers were required to show the NHTSA star ratings.  The new tests were originally scheduled to be implemented 2010 model-year vehicles, but NHTSA announced a one-year postponement in December 2008 to give automakers extra time to prepare for the changes. The new tests are now scheduled for 2011 model-year vehicles. In addition to considering a new rear-collision test, NHTSA is devising changes to all three of its current tests.

One change that will occur will be in the dummies.  Currently, NHTSA’s frontal impact test belts two adult-male-size crash test dummies into the front driver and passenger seats. NHTSA will keep the current 35-mph frontal barrier test, but will revise its testing procedures to include smaller crash dummies, so women and larger children are represented. This new crash data will be used in calculating the frontal impact star rating. For side-impact test NHTSA will update its injury criteria for the chest, abdomen and pelvis. It will also add a new side-impact pole test that incorporates the smaller crash dummies. This test is designed to simulate wrapping a vehicle around a tree or lamppost. The side-impact safety rating will now be based on a combination of the pole and moving barrier test.

NHTSA conducts two rollover resistance tests that measure how a vehicle in a single-car crash responds when “tripped up” by a curb, guardrail or ditch. The so-called Static Stability tests measure the height of the car’s center of gravity and the distance between the wheels. The results are a mathematical calculation of rollover risk for a tripped car — a car that goes off pavement into loose gravel or hits a curb. NHTSA will continue to test for rollovers under the new proposals, but will not revise its testing model until it gets more crash data on the effectiveness of electronic stability control in preventing rollovers.