A Car Crash Test That’s Not So Dumb

 

We’ve all seen the films of cars driving straight into a brick wall, while airbags deploy and a computerized mannequin bounces around inside.  The only problem is, people don’t drive in straight lines and crash into a straight wall.  That’s why the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is experimenting with something called “location based” crash tests.

This doesn’t mean they smash a car up on the streets of St. Louis, instead cars are being equipped with a unique monitor that will determine where a car was positioned when modern crash avoidance technology kicks in. 

Scientists are working with engineers to constantly improve data in features that act like a second set of eyes on the road.  Some of these systems alert you when you’re too close to another vehicle, while others will even apply the brakes.  Lane departure warnings were intended to alert you when you started to drift into another lane, but the new location based tests are suggesting that one may be getting inaccurate information.

While these fancy things are designed to keep you safe, there’s no guarantee that your insurance company will be impressed.  According to insurance.com, major insurance companies don’t seem to be offering any discounts for these things.  So, it’s best to always keep your eyes on the road.

A Bit of Basic Car Battery Bathing

Remember the lowly car battery?  Not the sexiest part of a car with all those modern conveniences in new cars, but a pretty important part none-the-less.  If the battery isn’t working, nothing else happens.

Next chance you get to open the hood, take a peek at those two posts on top of the battery.  You may have to pull back the rubber covering, and if you see white powdery looking substances, you are getting corrosion.

This battery is having major corrosion issues

This is perfectly normal, and you haven’t done anything wrong.  But, you do have to get it off of there.  Before you do anything, be sure to protect your eyes.  There’s a chance some nasty stuff will fly around and you don’t want that in your eyes.  A cheap face mask is also a good idea.

Step 1 is to remove the terminals.  Depending on your battery, you’ll probably have to get a wrench or pliers to do the job.  Start with the negative side, and loosen the nut on the wire connecting the terminal.  You shouldn’t have to turn it too much for it to easily slide off.  If the corrosion has things stuck, try to gently wiggle from side to side to get it to move.  Be careful, because if you pry or pull too hard, you could pull the terminal right off, and that will mean a new battery.  Next remove the wire on the positive side the same way.

Step 2.  Cleaning. There are many options at car parts stores that you can purchase and they all work quite well.  They are mostly just baking soda and water, so there’s nothing wrong with mixing up your own batch.  Put the mixture on the terminals and the wires so it saturates well.

Step 3 requires a simple wire brush that’s not too stiff, and also not too big.  Scrub off the terminals and the wires until the corrosion is gone. 

Step 4.  Put the positive wire back on the terminal and tighten up the nut, then do the same for the negative wire. 

You’re done!  Good job! Of course, we here at U.S. Automotive suggest a full electrical check every two years...this is more than just your battery. Schedule an appointment for the electrical check-up today!

Burn Up or Burn Gas? The A/C Dilemma

As soon as the temperature goes up, the air conditioning goes on.  But, what is the cost of that comfort?  

Anything you switch “on” in your car will make your battery work harder, and that battery is getting its juice from that expensive gas you put in the tank.  So, should you keep the air conditioning off and the windows down?  The answer is… maybe.

At slower speeds, you are doing yourself and your mileage a favor by having the windows down.  But, those savings seem to go away as you go faster.  In fact, one study done in 2005 by Edmunds suggests that having the windows down while driving over 55 miles per hour burns the same gas as driving at 55 with the windows up and the air conditioning on.  Having the windows down causes drag on your car, and that burns more gas.

To help save gas and make sure your air conditioning is running properly, be sure to service the system once a year.  Also, try to park in shaded areas and leave the windows open.  Finally, when you are in town driving in stop-and-go traffic, put the windows down and turn the A/C off. 

Spring into Summer with an Air Conditioner Repair or Tune-Up

We know, we know. Spring has only just begun, and here we are already talking about summer. But now really is the time to get your air conditioner tuned up or repaired. Yes, now.

Get your Air Conditioner checked now!

We promise we haven’t been hitting the bottle. We’re not a few trucks short of a convoy. We just see every year how common it is for people to wait until summer to discover there’s trouble afoot with their A/C.  Most really wish they’d taken the smaller expense and less time to get a quick diagnostic checkup or minor repair before the proverbial you-know-what hit the fan.

We’ll admit that rolling down your window will help in case of emergency and buy you some time. Is the windswept look still in these days? Even for that big meeting or big date? How about the sweaty-faced, ring-around-your-armpits look? If you can pull it off, more power to you. But to save you on time, money, and antiperspirant, we’d like to gently suggest you take a moment today to see how your AC is faring. Here are some of the common signs of trouble:

·         Blowing hot or warm air instead of cold air

·         Oil on the air conditioner’s components

·         Paint damage, rust, or off-center drive hub on the compressor

·         Squealing or slipping drive belt when A/C is on maximum

·         Temperature or blowing power fluctuates or rapidly cycles on and off

·         Can’t generate or maintain the minimum temperature setting or a temperature 40 degrees below the outside air

Usually A/C trouble is related to a low level of refrigerant. We can identify the reason for the diminished level or for anyother problems with your air conditioner’s performance. And we can get it back to being the reliable workhorse it’s meant to be. Then? Well, then you can go for the windswept look only when you really feel like it. Just remember we’re here for you when you need us, hopefully before you’ve broken a sweat.

Driving in Bad Weather

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The most predictable thing about the weather is that it is completely unpredictable.  If you have an upcoming road trip that may take you into unfamiliar parts of the country, The American Red Cross has some handy things to think about.

First, get an idea of what the weather will be like for the entire route.  Sometimes we get so excited about the weather at our destination, we forget to check the forecast for our trip.  See if there is any bad weather between your home and your destination, and try to time your departure to avoid it if possible.

Another important idea, let your friends and family know your travel plans and your travel route.  Set a couple benchmark locations during the trip to “check-in” so others know where you are.  Don't let the gas tank get too low, either

If the skies turn ugly and a storm starts during your trip, slow down, turn your headlights on, and try to exit as soon as you can.  Waiting the storm out for a short time is always a better choice than risking an accident.  The safest place is in the car with your seat-belt on.  If you are surrounded by heavy lightning, keep your hands away from metal both inside and outside of the car.

Finally, if you find yourself in a tornado, your best bet is to stay in the car with the seat-belt on.  Keep your head below the window and put a blanket over your head.  If you can safely get noticeably lower than the roadway, you should get out of the car and lie down covering your head at all times.

Keep some snacks, water, blankets, and flashlights in your car... stay safe... and then don't forget to use sunscreen when you get to your destination!

Here are some other handy tips:  http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Severe-Weather-While-Driving---How-to-Stay-Safe

Cleaning the Stuff That’s Cleaning the Exhaust

One of the most common engine problems also has one of the scariest names.  Exhaust Gas Recirculation System Failure.  Wow!  That sounds serious!

 Indeed, it’s nothing you want to happen to your car, but fortunately there’s an easy way to keep this common problem away. 

Here’s what’s going on:  Your exhaust system is trying really hard to keep pollution out of the air.  In fact, your car is actually cleaning up pollution before it ever leaves your car.  Believe it or not, there’s a little factory in your exhaust system that is trying to lower harmful pollutants.  As it is doing this, carbons start to build up and could bring this system down, and you’re out $700. 

Here’s how to stay away from that.  Every 30,000 miles or so have a professional fuel system cleaning.  It shouldn’t cost you more than $150 at most, and you will be sure to extend the life of the very thing that makes your car go.

Auto-Braking For Bicycles

Bicycles sharing the road has been a debate for cities large and small for a very long time.  Love ‘em or hate ‘em, nobody wants to hit ‘em. 

Enter Volvo.

At the Geneva Motor Show, the Swedish car company known for safety, has unveiled a new system that will keep both motorists and bicyclists safe.  In what is an enhancement of automatic braking systems already in place in many Volvo models, this new system will actually scan for bikes that are riding parallel to the car.  A spokesman for Volvo explains that “if a cyclist heading in the same direction as the car suddenly swerves out in front of the car as it approaches from behind and a collision in imminent, there is an instant warning and full braking power is applied.”

For the past few years Volvo has been equipping cars with automatic braking that will detect a pedestrian or another vehicle, with great success.  This new innovation will be welcome in dense urban areas where bike and car collisions are all too common, and it will add a measure of safety in suburban and rural areas where kids risk darting in front of vehicles.

Will the day come when cars will detect dogs, squirrels and deer?  Perhaps.  Each advancement like Volvo’s takes us one step closer to the day when we have driver-less cars. 

How much would YOU trust a car that automatically brakes?