Category: Safety

Is It Safer To Be In A Bigger Or Smaller Car During A Collision?

Everyone assumes that a bigger car is automatically safer when it comes to a collision because of its size. A larger and heavier weight car is just going to survive a crash better than a smaller car.

Adjustments, modifications and technological advances have somewhat altered that assumption as major improvements made to both larger and smaller cars have proven that there are advantages with both. There will obviously be increased safety with a larger car, particularly a newer one. What’s important is determining whether a larger or smaller vehicle is going to meet safety requirements, eliminate risks and meet driver adaptability and needs.

Modern Cars

Safety features in newer or modern cars, no matter the size of the car, contain elements that reduce the chances of injury or death. Some vehicles have upgraded features as well as standard features. The standard features in newer cars include:

Airbags – (front, side, rear, curtain airbag) Most of these airbags are found in even the least expensive of newer cars.
Sensors and cameras for backing up – They help in avoiding rear-end collisions and are found in new cars from 2018
Blind Spot – A sensor or camera in a newer vehicle acts as a warning to inform a driver that there is another car next to them when maneuvering to make a lane change.
Electronic Stability – This is a control device that helps to stabilize a vehicle when it goes into a slide or spin. It helps to control a vehicle in the event of a rollover accident. This type of stabilizer was once only available in luxury vehicles but is now found in most every vehicle since 2012.
Reinforced roofs – A reinforced roof will provide safety with a roof cave-in.

Weight, Size, and Height

A larger car is going to be heavier and able to take the impact of a collision more effectively than a smaller car. The larger the size and weight of a vehicle, the less damage will be incurred in an accident. Hoods on larger and newer vehicles are also able to better withstand the brunt of damage from head on collisions. The hood on a larger sized vehicle has considerably more area than a smaller car’s hood and can take the crumbling and crushing effect that happens in front-end collisions. A smaller vehicle is much less likely to endure the aftermath of a front-end accident. The front of a vehicle is the one area that is going to take the impact, and a larger vehicle can much easier sustain that type of damage.

In thinking of the height of a vehicle, a larger vehicle’s center of gravity is going to be higher, which can be risky when it comes to rollover accidents, while a smaller vehicle is usually going to be lower. A rollover accidents is less likely to occur with a smaller car, but there is the chance of a smaller vehicle skidding and sliding under another vehicle (large semi-trailer truck) from the back and creating an underride accident, which is usually deadly.

Momentum

A vehicle with a lot of weight is going to have an increased momentum and will have more difficulty slowing down. In the case of an accident with a smaller car, the force of the larger vehicle will significantly impact the smaller one and cause it to propel as well as damage it. The impact will most likely cause severe damages and injuries to any driver and passengers. Risks are definitely higher when a larger vehicle collides with a smaller one.

Larger and Smaller Vehicle Considerations

There are many things to take into consideration when determining the safety of a bigger or smaller car. What’s important to know is that a larger, newer vehicle is going to withstand a collision better than its smaller counterpart, but there are considerations to be made with smaller vehicles as well. They are usually less expensive, get good gas mileage and are easier to operate, particularly for a novice driver. Remember with all new vehicles, large or small, technological features have increased their overall safety, so the risks are a whole lot less than with any sized older vehicle.

If you are not sure about the safety of your current vehicle, or a new one, and are unsure of the effects a collision could have on either, complete the online contact form, and a collision expert will get back to you with the answers you need to better understand the safety of your vehicle.

Is Technology Making You A Worse Driver?

Cars are now equipped with almost as much technology as our homes, much of it designed for our safety. By May of 2019, all new cars and small trucks in Canada must be equipped with backup cameras, something that will not be too far off in the United States as well. Automakers are working to make automatic braking standard by 2022. There is significant research that these types of technology reduce crashes but experts are finding that there is now a generation of drivers who are too dependent on technology, believing those tools will fully protect them.

Blind Spot and Lane Change Warning

Driving instructors are particularly worried blind spot and lane change warning technology. Many are finding that drivers no longer check over their shoulder or in the rearview mirror when changing lanes in cars that have those options. Some drivers also believe that a car equipped with the lane change warning allows them to continue texting behind the wheel. A study conducted by the Intelligent Design for Adaptation, Participation and Technology (iDAPT) found that lane-keeping skills of drivers dropped in cars with lane change protection technology.

Safety Adjustments

It is not a new theory that cars with safety feature technology can lead drivers to drive less carefully. Studies have found that when people drive cars equipped with anti-lock brakes, they drive faster, follow others more closely and hit the brake later. Other studies have found that as drivers become accustomed to safety features, they become lazy, take more risks and depend far too much on the safety feature to step in if they make a mistake.

Understanding Safety Features

One of the most important things to remember is that, although safety features provide additional protections in a vehicle, they have their own limitations. For example, backup cameras also have blind spots so it is important to walk around your car to be sure there is nothing behind you before backing up. Never use only the backup camera for guidance as the camera cannot see things coming at the car from the side or corners. Sensors can be faulty which is why drivers should never fully depend on safety features like blind spot and lane change warnings or automatic braking features. In addition, it is important to understand how your safety features work before you leave the dealership in a new car. One study found that 37 percent of drivers with lane change or blind spot technology turned off the systems because of false alarms, irritation or misunderstanding how they work.

In one study, 30 percent of those asked said that they believed their cars were so advanced they could almost drive by themselves, a scary statistic in today’s world of busy highways. If you need to understand the safety features of your car, schedule an appointment today by calling or filling out the online form.

6 Common Reasons Your Car Vibrates

Most any car owner at one time or another experiences car vibrations or shaking. It can come out of the blue or it can be a long-standing problem that gets worse over time. The shaky feeling might be barely noticeable at first, or it could be an intense and teeth-jarring experience. For any driver, vibrations are a hard nuisance to deal with and should be looked into, whether the vibration seems minor or is more significant. You don’t want to wait as any more involved vibrations can indicate an expensive fix. So, don’t procrastinate about seeking a professional’s opinion. There are reasons as to why a car vibrates and here are 6 common ones as to why it happens.

1. Brakes

Your brakes could be the culprit with vibrations and shaking. The clue is that the vibration occurs and escalates as the brakes are applied. The parts that are likely affected are the brake rotors (disks). Rotors are the heavy metal disks that the brake pads are mounted to, which help to slow down a vehicle. These metal disks receive a great deal of pressure along with a lot of hard wear as well as exposure to heat through friction that occurs through everyday use. The heat and wear on a rotor can cause it to warp and become uneven. The wear and unevenness can be minimal but when it gets to the point that a rotor is uneven and distorted in its consistency, and the brake pads can’t grip properly, it’s possible that brake vibration will be felt.

Other brake related vibrations could occur due to a brake caliper that is immovable or stuck. Calipers are fastening devices and the brake pads are attached to them. The calipers exert a push on the pads to take hold of the rotors once the brake pedal is depressed. Sometimes, one or the other calipers can get stuck. Shaking as well as pulling to the side can occur when this happens. This is one problem that requires attention.

2. Engine

Though a rattling or vibrating engine should be of concern, most of the time it is not as worrisome as vibrations in other areas of a vehicle. A sign that an engine may be causing vibrations can be recognized through an unevenness in the vibration. There can be shaking and jerking when accelerating, or while driving at certain speeds for a certain amount of time. It could also happen once an engine has warmed up.

Engine vibration problems could be caused by bad or damaged spark plugs, or the spark plug wires, both of which could need adjustment or replacement. If the vibration isn’t from the spark plugs or wires, it could be the fuel or air filter. When either one of these becomes blocked or dirty, an engine will be short on fuel and oxygen, which can result in vibration and a rough and uneven ride.

3. Tires

Old, worn, uneven, unbalanced, bald and dry tires are often the cause of vehicle vibrations. Tires aren’t the most enduring parts of a vehicle and if tire air pressure, rotation, wheel alignment and suspension concerns are ignored, tires are going to have a shorter lifespan and are capable of causing shaking and vibrations.

Separated tread is another more serious cause of tire vibration and is often the result of overinflated tires. If tire tread separates, immediate attention is necessary, which usually means replacement.

4. Wheel Alignment

Wheel alignment is not necessarily the direct cause of shaking or vibration, but if the alignment has not been done according to specifications, it can cause related shaking problems. All vehicle wheels need to be aligned correctly and if the alignment is out of sync because of bad driving and minor and major accidents, the alignment is going to be compromised. Tire wear and a shaky steering column are also strong indicators of wheels that may require alignment.

5. Engine/Motor Mounts

Engine or motor mounts are what hold an engine in position. They secure the engine to the vehicle’s frame. Motor mounts are made of metal and rubber that are connected to the frame. The rubber within the motor mount helps to soften the engine vibration while the metal provides the structure. Motor mounts can wear out and the embedded rubber wears more quickly than the metal and loses its cushioning effect. This can eventually cause shaking and vibration. The motor mounts will likely need to be replaced to alleviate the shaking and any structural damage that may have occurred.

6. Axle/CV Joints

A damaged axle can be serious business. Vibration can be caused by a bad or damaged one that can result in suspension vibration. Axle damage can result from a minor or major impact, from accelerating and hitting speed bumps, potholes, and curbs. The damage won’t make itself known right away. Once the shaking starts, it will likely get worse, especially at increased and higher speeds. Any axle issues should be addressed immediately.

Other vibrations can occur through worn CV joints. They are found at the ends of the drive axles and are encased in a rubber boot. They function to retard dirt, grime, and other debris and keep the axle grease in place. If they are torn or the seal of the rubber boot is broken, the damage will occur from loss of the grease and entrance of dirt and other debris into the area. With CV joint damage, suspension vibration can occur. If a CV joint is causing shaking or vibrations, there may be clicking or thumping noises at turning points.

Vehicle vibrations can be extremely annoying as well as of concern, and the 6 common reasons given here should alert most any driver to what to look for and examine on a vehicle when vibrations are disruptive and unmanageable. If your car is experiencing vibrations and shaking and you’re not sure what to do, complete the online contact form and an expert will get back to you with the information you need to help diagnose the problem.

How To Stop Windshield Wipers From Squeaking?

Your windshield wipers are a critical safety component of your vehicle, yet we rarely ever think about them until we need them. Then, it begins to rain and we click on the wipers only to deal with an incessant squeaking that can drive you crazy. The noise is not the only problem, however. Windshield wipers that squeak could be putting additional strain on the mechanisms that make the wipers work and they could stop working altogether. There are many reasons why your windshield wipers could begin to chatter or squeak. If they do, these five steps may help eliminate the problem.

Low Windshield Washer Fluid

If the surface of the windshield is too dry, the wipers will squeak. If this is the issue, adding moisture to the windshield should eliminate the squeaking. Check your windshield washer fluid to be sure it isn’t low and use the liquid to keep the windshield wet.

Hard Wiper Blades

If your wiper blades grow to hard, they could chatter or squeak when you use them. You can soften wiper blades by spraying them with WD-40. You can also use a cloth soaked with rubbing alcohol. Spray or rub the blades until you feel them soften in your hands. If you choose to use WD-40, be sure to clean the blades or they will leave residue on your windshield.

Windshield Wax

There are products designed to keep water from collecting on your windshield. If you apply one of these products, like Rain-X, and find that your wipers began to squeak, clean the windshield wax from the windshield and try the wipers again. If the squeaking stops, you may want to avoid using those products on your windshield.

Wiper Assembly

Weather affect the tension of a wiper assembly. Snow build-up or extreme heat can either loosen or tighten the assembly. Wiggle the wiper arm and see if it moves too much or if it feels excessively tight. If either of these is true, adjust the assembly and this could resolve the squeaking.

Clean the Wipers

When wipers are dirty, they can malfunction. You can clean your wipers using a paper towel and glass cleaner. While you are cleaning the wipers, check the windshield for damage caused by road sand or salt. If your windshield is damaged, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

There is the possibility that the squeaking is due to windshield wiper blades that need replacing as well. If you are dealing with squeaking windshield wipers and can’t find the cause, call or fill out the online form today to schedule an appointment.

Understanding Tire-Pressure Monitoring Systems

Who would have thought that monitoring tire pressure would be included in newer vehicle operating systems? Knowing you had low tire pressure usually meant getting out of your vehicle, reaching for your tire pressure gauge, if you had one, and getting to an air hose or compressor, or one of those pressurized air cans and inflating your tires to their recommended pressure.

Federal Guidelines

Though checking tire pressure is still done the same way with older vehicles, federal stipulations, like the 2000 TREAD Act were put into place due to rollover incidents involving certain vehicle models and particular brands of tires. So, any vehicle that is in the 2008 or newer range is now equipped with a tire-pressure monitoring system or TPMS.

How it Works

The TPMS system works through sensors that are regularly monitoring tire pressure. There is a symbol on the instrument panel of a vehicle that indicates when tire pressure is seriously low. It is represented by the following symbols. Included with the symbols is associated information and instruction concerning tire pressure.

Symbols

the cross section of a tire
an exclamation point symbol
an upper view of a card with all tires exposed

Information

A TPMS warning light will come on when a tire goes below 25% of its recommended tire pressure.
The warning light should not be used as a replacement for checking tire pressure on a regular basis. Any checking should be done for the recommended pressure level for the particular tire.
Some drivers have difficulty recognizing the low tire-pressure warning light on the instrument panel, or they simply do not check it at all. The device is only effective if drivers know the light and are attentive to their proper tire pressure.

Instructions

Tire flexing can occur with under inflated tires, which produces heat. That heat can be damaging to a tire in general and to the chemical makeup within the tires themselves. If you want to avoid tire flexing, don’t allow an under inflated tire to go unchecked.
Tire pressure must be thoroughly checked during warmer months to avoid the breakdown of tire fibers, plus any high speed driving should be limited, as it can also affect a tire’s condition and performance.
Low tire pressure is a safety concern but it also diminishes fuel savings and also causes tire wear. Tire pressure should be checked at least once a month and a vehicle owner should not completely rely on their TPMS to do it for them. Investing in a good tire pressure gauge is also important.
Recommended tire pressure for newer cars is usually found on the driver’s side doorpost or in the owner’s manual for the particular car model. If the vehicle is older, it can be found in the console lid, the glove compartment, the lid of the trunk or the fuel tank cap.

Different Types TPMS

Two different types of TPMS systems are utilized in newer vehicles that include:

Indirect TPMS is a less expensive system that utilizes anti-lock braking with a wheel-speed sensor. It is set up to detect the rotation of one tire and whether it is moving faster than the other three tires. A tire that is under-inflated will be smaller and will move faster to remain in step with the other tires. This means of determining under-inflation is not as effective as a direct measuring system.

Direct TPMS does actually measure tire pressure and it is an accurate system. A gauge is applied to the tire valve or tire wheel. The gauge transmits a signal to the vehicle’s computer system. The data output concerning the pressure is then clarified through a low or high line unit. The high line system’s sensors are in the wheel wells of the vehicle and will display separate pressure for each tire. Low-line systems are built in lower cost vehicles and will only elicit the warning light for low pressure. The vehicle driver will have to determine on their own exactly which tire is low, Obviously, the best systems are those that show pressure for each individual tire, and a high-line system is easier to deal with as well as more accurate.

Understanding tire-pressure monitoring systems doesn’t have to be complicated, but if you are unsure of the different types of monitoring in newer or even used vehicles, complete the online contact form, and an expert in TPMS will get back to you with the information you need to better understand the choices available to you.

How Do Back Up Cameras Work?

Whether or not you have noticed, back up cameras (or rearview cameras) are one of the latest innovations to help drivers back their way out of a bad spot or their own driveway to prevent back up issue accidents and other mishaps. These cameras are now part of every new car coming off the assembly line and have been mandated by federal law for all new cars, vans, trucks and any other vehicles that have a weight of less than 10,000 pounds.

Essential Mirrors

Rear view mirrors have been an essential part of most any motorized equipment for over a hundred years. Mirrors, whether for rear or side viewing are, of course, useful, but they do have their disadvantages. It is difficult to see right behind a vehicle at a lower level, plus there is no mirror positioning for wide-angle viewing. With these mirror limitations, thousands of deaths and injuries have occurred and that includes backover accidents with various objects and tragic occurrences with young children.

How Back Up Cameras Work

Back up cameras operate on a fairly simple basis, yet they are quite advanced and continue to progress in their technical aspects. They work through a camera that is placed at the back of a vehicle. The camera action is initiated when a vehicle is put in reverse. An image is sent to a screen monitor at the front of the vehicle that displays what is happening on the outside. The image that is produced is quite intricate as it transmits a mirror image to the screen in a way that the orientation or positioning of the image is exactly as it should be in determining what is or isn’t behind a vehicle. The image that is shown or displayed on the screen is in the correct placement so no mistakes are made with steering in the wrong direction when exiting an area.

The backup cameras are actually installed on the rear of the vehicle in several different locations. They can be found in the rear decorative trim of a vehicle where they are obscured and not that easy to see. They might also be concealed within the bumper, by the license plate area, in the tailgate of a truck or SUV, or in the lid of a vehicle trunk. Those cameras are directed in a downward position to give the most optimal view behind the vehicle. The cameras also contain lenses that are wide-angle, which give an inclusive image as opposed to a normal rear view mirror that is a feature of older vehicle models.

Monitor Mounting and Types

The monitor can be placed anywhere in a drivers line of vision, though most newer cars already have built-in screens that have multi-functional uses for navigation, entertainment viewing, climate control and other activities. This same screen or display is also used for a backup camera system. Other types of displays rely on a section of the rearview mirror itself as a display, which is a good feature as drivers are used to looking in their rear view mirrors, but this type of monitor has image limitations and is not comparable to a larger screen.

Early monitors and aftermarket camera systems were colorless but almost all models in use today have color displays that are considered high resolution and high definition cameras. In addition, many luxury vehicles have night vision capacities built into their backup display systems. Backup systems are also available for older model vehicles and can be manually installed.

Some Disadvantages

The disadvantages with backup camera systems are few but there are some operational issues, which can be alleviated with simple maintenance. Here are some of the glitches that include:

poor image quality – can be caused by road debris, snow, mud and dirt. Simply clean the camera lens with a soft cloth.
wireless systems – (usually found on aftermarket camera models) may cause interruption or matching or pairing problems with a signal. Incompatibility issues usually occur because of purchasing the camera and monitor apart from one another.
malfunctioning camera – should be repaired by an expert technician
not a guarantee of complete safety – back up cameras are not a total replacement for mirrors. Regular mirrors should still be used as should the action of turning around and observing on all sides and the rear of a vehicle
not using the system negates any benefits – warning alarms within the system help to trigger use

If you are interested in finding out more about back up cameras and how they work, simply complete the online contact form and an expert will get back to you with the information you need.