3 Important Safety Features !

Ever since your children were born, you’ve had the unwavering confidence to protect them against all odds. Your parental skills acting as an impenetrable field against anything put in their way. You're a knight, slaying dragons that breathe fire of pestilence, laziness, and the occasional Social Media stint that your kids can’t escape. As your children get older, however, they begin to drive, literally. A 16-year-old behind the wheel is usually a scary thought; a fear for any caring parent. In today’s blog, we discuss 3 awesome options for keeping safe while you drive.

1. A Vehicle with High Crash Test Scores – this isn’t really a safety feature, but it should be something you search for in a vehicle. Look for four or five star crash test ratings for front and side impact, as well as an endorsement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The side impact test conducted by the IIHS is designed to measure the level of occupant protection when a vehicle is struck by an SUV or truck.

2. Frontal Airbags – most vehicles come with these stock, featuring sensors which consider factors like occupant size, seat position and crash sensitivity to determine the level they should inflate. Advanced airbags effectively reduce the risk of an injury.

3. Side-impact and side curtain airbags – These are mounted in either the seat backs or doors and protect the torso during side-impact crashes. Generally, they’re usually for front seat occupants, but manufacturers give you the option to have them for the backseat. These airbags span the length of the cabin and provide head protection for outboard occupants in side-impact collisions. Also protecting during a rollover by keeping everyone inside safe. A lost of crash related deaths stem from ejection for the vehicle.

What are some additional safety features you would recommend? Let us know!


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Automotive Advertising

7 Things You Should Have in Your Car

Ok, as an individual who enjoys a tidy workspace, I can understand why you wouldn’t want to be compared to the vehicle equivalent of the individuals on the TV show: “Hoarders.” We also want you to keep safe while you make your daily commute, so we’re feeling a bit conflicted. In most cases, your vehicle is well equipped with the necessary tools to run smoothly. In today’s blog, with help from The Simple Dollar, we provide a list of some extra essentials that could aid you daily.

1. Owner’s manual This should naturally be in your glove compartment anyway, but you want to make sure that it is indeed in your car.
2. Maps Keep a detailed map of the state you’re in in your car at all times – or even a current atlas if you have room. Don’t completely rely on a GPS navigation system.

3. First aid kit (and manual) This can be vital if you’re in an accident and someone has injuries. Slowing down bleeding quickly can mean the difference between walking something off and going into shock.

4. Flashlight (and extra batteries) Similarly, a flashlight is utterly essential at night if you need to change a tire.

5. Bottled water This is necessary for sustenance if you get stuck somewhere and have to wait for a while.

6. Food! Non-perishables, need we say more?

7. Umbrella stay dry, my friends.

Got anything you’d like to add to the list? Well come on down! Add your essentials below:

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Automotive Advertising

How to Change a Flat Tire

Imagine driving you car down a rural road on your way home from work. Your favorite song is blaring on the radio, and you finally feel a sense of ease from a busy day. At your favorite part of the song, you hear a loud pop, then the slow roll of a popped tire as you cruise to the median. First, you make sure that you’ve steered clear of any hazards. Then, you realize that your front left tire has become a disheveled piece of rubber. Hands on your hips, foot tapping the ground, you take a long sigh, but not one of relief, one of frustration. Darn! A flat tire.
Now, if you own a vehicle with run-flat tires or a low tire pressure warning system, you most likely won’t have to deal with these frustrations, if you don’t own those options, you’re in luck. We’ve got a step-by-step guide to helping you change that tire.
1. Get your tools – find your car’s spare tire, jack and tire iron. The spare is usually in the trunk under the floor mat, or in a minivan mounted on the back of the tailgate or underneath the vehicle.
2. Check air pressure- if you have an air pressure gauge check the tire’s pressure on the spare, hopefully it should be fine.
3. Remove flat tire- MAKE SURE CAR IS IN GEAR OR PARK, and that the emergency break is set. Also, make sure your car is on a flat surface.
4. Use the tire iron- (the L shaped bar that fits over the wheel lugs) to loosen each lug. They are usually very tight, so use a little force, they should loosen after a couple tries. Leave the lugs loose and move the jack under the car (shown on directions of jack). Raise the jack until it contacts the car’s frame. Continue to expand it.
5. Once the tire is completely raised off the ground, remove the wheel lugs completely.
6. Take the spare tire and line it up over the wheel studs, you’ll have to hold up the tire and try to line up the holes in the wheel. One tip is to balance the tire on your foot while you move it into position. Once done, the lugs should screw on easily. Once each of them is snug and you can't tighten them any further by hand, use the tire iron to finish the job.
7. Lower the jack- carefully, and then pull the jack away from the vehicle. Once the spare tire is on, carefully lower the jack. Pull the jack away from the vehicle. The final step is to tighten down the lugs completely. The reason you tighten the lugs now is that the tire is on the ground and it won't rotate around like it would if it was still hanging in the air.
Congrats, you’ve just changed a flat tire!!

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Automotive Advertising

Summer Cool!

Summer. The byproduct of pent up pubescent energy, barbequed sausage links, and strangely warm swimming pools. It’s a time of childhood freedom, family road trips, and a generous amount of suntan lotion, all wrapped into a 3-month span. Driving your vehicle during the summer months can put wear and tear on your car, the extreme heat causing internal frustration and outward sweat spells. In today’s blog, we suggest ways to keep yourself and your vehicle cool during the summer months.
Our first option is an auto shade that sets in your front window. It cools your vehicle, and protects your dash from cracking from sun damage. Make sure your shade:

• Fits your car fully
• Dark and reflective shade
• HEATSHIELD- made to conform to specific makes and models of vehicles.

Another way to drop your car’s temperature is to install a window film, or tints on your vehicle. Several companies’ make a nearly clear film that reflects U.V. and infrared rays. By keeping your vehicle temperature down, it takes less time for your A/C to cool your car down. Thus, saving you energy and promoting overall efficiency. If you have any other options to contribute, please leave a comment below. Have a great summer!