1. Safety belt features: Safety belts have been a standard feature on cars for decades, but they’re not all created equal. You want the three-point lap-and-shoulder belts that provide the most protection, and you also want them to have safety-belt pretensioners and force limiters -- basically extra safety protectors. Finally, you want to make sure that there’s a safety belt for EVERY seat in the car.
2. Head Restraints: Head restraints have been standard since 2009. They’re important for preventing whiplash, so double check and make sure they come with your vehicle.
3. Child Safety Seats: Of course this is something you have to purchase yourself, but you want to make sure that the LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) feature suits your needs. The best way to do this is to try your child’s safety seat in the car.
4. Electronic stability control (ESC): This is the feature that corrects the vehicle's steering by selectively applying brakes or cutting power if the car goes into a skid. This feature can really reduce of getting in to an accident, so make sure that it is up to par.
1) Choose a Reliable Vehicle:
It’s important to read consumer reviews and reports. A vehicle may look shiny and be enticing with fancy features but sometimes you may end up with a lemon if you’re not careful. Always make sure that you do your research and ask for a service record!
2) Find a Mechanic You Trust:
Not all mechanics are trustworthy and will sometimes charge/overcharge you for services you don’t need. There are also many mechanics out there that are honest, hardworking and have your best interest at heart. Once you find one, establish a long-term relationship with them. Having a good go-to mechanic will save you A LOT of money in the long run.
3) Always Stay Up to Date on Your Preventative Maintenance:
This means oil changes, tire rotations, breaks, alignments, and fluid changes. It may seem expensive, but trust me; the consequences of avoiding preventative maintenance will be much more detrimental to your pocket book.
GAP stand for “Guaranteed Auto Protection”, and it’s critical for anyone who is leasing or purchasing a new car. It’s essentially an extra layer of insurance on top of your regular car insurance policy.
If your car suffers a total loss, standard coverage will provide the replacement value cost for your vehicle, or “book value”. The problem with this is that there is usually a significant difference between the “book value” of your vehicle, and your financial obligation to the leasing or auto financing company. Many times when a total loss occurs you can end up owing more than you are insured for. GAP Insurance will help cover the extra amount, so that you can get back on the road faster!
· Use the power hose to remove foreign substances: Never wipe them off with a towel or cloth; this could scratch your paint, or just smear the substance around.
· Dirt removal: If your car is dirty don’t just wipe it off. Rinse it completely first, and then focus on certain sections that may need a little more scrubbing. Dirt can leave scratches, so be careful.
· The towel: Try only to use microfiber cloth when working on your car. It is the same material used to clean glass, so you can rest assured it won’t leave any marks.
· How to scrub: Refrain from scrubbing in a circular motion. Use a straight motion, scrubbing from top to bottom.
Have you ever allowed another driver to merge onto the freeway? You’re a decent and kind person–of course you have. Do you ever find yourself getting unreasonably worked up if they don’t offer that universal two-second wave as a thank you?
There are certain unspoken rules of etiquette out on the road, and the courtesy wave is one of them. Here’s a list of the top five rules of driving etiquette we wish were required.
Turn your brights off when you see oncoming traffic. Blinding other drivers isn’t just rude, it’s dangerous.
Stop honking during traffic jams–especially at lights. We promise it won’t make your commute any shorter.
Keep your volume at a reasonable level. Hey, if you want to advertise your love for Nickelback, buy a T-shirt.
Allow other cars to merge. The freeway is not a racetrack, and if we can promise you a courtesy wave– this should be set in stone.
Stop edging into crosswalks while pedestrians are crossing. You’ve got important places to go and all those people are in your way. But alas, you must remember that as long as they are on foot, they always have the right-of-way. Always.
1. Have situational awareness. If traffic begins to slow, don’t take it as your cue to weave in and out of lanes like a speed demon. Chances are, there’s a good reason it’s coming to a halt.
2. Big Brother is everywhere, and he’s waiting for you to slip up. When you hit the road, do so with the knowledge that you are being watched. From speed traps to red light cameras to that police car parked at the bottom of the hill, all eyes are on you. Drive accordingly.
3. Leave the glitz and glamor to the movie stars. Try not to call any extra attention to yourself. A bright red sports coupe with a vanity plate and a bunch of bumper stickers is far more likely to get caught speeding than the understated beige minivan next to it.
IF YOU DO GET PULLED OVER…
The best chance you have at not getting a ticket is to be polite. Getting pulled over is a stressful event, but it’s important not to panic. As soon as panic sets in, people incriminate themselves inadvertently by volunteering information or becoming argumentative. Remember: police officers mean it when they tell you anything you say can and will be used against you in court!
General Motors is coordinating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to introduce the Belt Assurance System later this year. This feature ensures both the driver and front seat passenger of the vehicle is buckled up– before it goes anywhere. Using the same technology as the airbag system, this optional feature will activate and deactivate based on whether or not someone is in the seat. It will allow you to start the car no matter what, but if there are two front-seat passengers, the car won’t be moving an inch unless both are strapped in.
This is an optional system that will be made available on the 2015 Cruze, Colorado, Silverado, and Sierra later this year. What do you think? Should it come standard in all vehicles or is it more of a nuisance than a help? Join the conversation on our Twitter page and share your opinion!
