Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Buick Achievers Awards 1,100 Scholarships Nationwide
General Motors Foundation and Buick name 2012 recipients during NBC News’ Education Nation Summit in New York City
NEW YORK – The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program, funded by the General Motors Foundation, today announced scholarships totaling approximately $4.2 million to 1,100 recipients during the NBC News Education Nation Summit in New York City.
The students, who come from all 50 states, were honored for excelling in the classroom and the community. They will receive financial resources to pursue a college degree within the areas of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), or other related fields of study.
As one of the largest in the country, the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is noteworthy because it grants 100 students up to $25,000. The grants are renewable for up to four years and one additional year for qualified five-year engineering programs.
Additionally, 1,000 students receive a one-time $2,000 award. By the end of 2012, the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program expects to have provided nearly $13 million to help students attend school. Eligibility was expanded this year from first-time college-bound students to include current undergraduates.
The GM Foundation hosted five of the 2012 national recipients at Education Nation, where they participated in the first-annual nationally televised Student Town Hall moderated by MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry. The students, Saad Amer; Medford, N.Y. (Harvard University); Denney Choi; Gardena, Calif. (University of California – Berkeley); Carmen Gil; Miami, Fla. (University of Florida – Gainesville); Thomas Jones; Orange, Tex. (Freed-Hardeman University) and Melissa Rey; Chesterfield, Mo. (Pomona College/Caltech), joined in conversations about today’s educational system, sharing ideas and concerns about the rising cost of a college education.
“Students are graduating today with more than $25,000 in debt, hindering them with years of financial burden,” said GM Foundation President Vivian Pickard. “Through the Buick Achievers Scholarship Program, the GM Foundation is able to alleviate some of those financial hurdles, while fostering the growth of the next generation of leaders for STEM-related fields.”
The program comes at a time when there are less than 1,500 math and science graduates for every 100,000 employed 25- to 34-year-olds in the United States, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. In fact, the United States ranks 27th among developed nations where college students receive undergraduate degrees in science.
This year’s recipients represent every state in the nation. Additionally, 527 of the students are the first in their family to attend college while 73 recipients come from military families.
For more information about the Buick Achiever Scholarship Program, to view the complete list of 2012 recipients, or to register for an e-mail notification when the next application window opens, please visit www.buickachievers.com.
About the GM Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.
About Buick
Buick is a modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors with thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models, including the Enclave crossover, LaCrosse sedan, Regal sport sedan, Buick Verano sedan and the all-new 2013 Encore crossover
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Great Reviews for Beck & Masten Buick GMC
This was my second purchase from Mike in two years. I had a wonderful Christmas Eve experience with the purchase of my first vehicle from Beck and Masten! My husband's and my expectations were met this time with the trade in we wanted to do. Both experiences were fun and the easiest and less painful car purchases I have ever made. Mike and the staff go out of their way to please and make you comfortable. The staff is very friendly and there is a family atmosphere at this dealership. Mr. Gomez made wrapping up the deal easy and speedy. The ladies in the accessory department were very friendly and helpful also! An A+ experience! I have had very good experiences with the service department and body shop also over the past 2 years! Can't wait the see you all in your new building!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Nine New Models in Next 12 Months for Buick and GMC
Product surge comes amid third year of consecutive retail sales gains for both brands
2012-09-20
DETROIT – Buick and GMC told dealers today that it will introduce nine new or significantly updated models in the next 12 months, starting with the new Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV and GMC Acadia crossover SUV this fall.
The new Buick Encore small luxury crossover, which will be priced at $24,950 including a $750 destination charge, arrives in early 2013. A Buick Regal luxury sport sedan, Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan, GMC Sierra and Sierra HD full-size pickups, as well as GMC Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUVs will arrive next year.
In addition to these nine models, GMC will offer luxury-appointed Denali versions of its four upcoming vehicles and a new 2.0L turbocharged powertrain will be available in the Buick Verano this year.
By the end of 2013, the oldest non-commercial models in a Buick/GMC showroom will be the Buick Verano luxury sedan and GMC Terrain small SUV. Verano has been in dealer showrooms for less than a year and has gained sales volume every month since launch. Terrain arrived as a 2010 model and is on pace for its best sales year ever in 2012. A new Denali luxury trim level recently was added.
GMC also announced the return of the GMC Canyon midsize pickup as an all-new model to be built in Wentzville, Mo. Arrival timing will be announced later.
"While we continue to make strong progress in fuel economy gains on our full-size trucks, we know that there is a group of customers who want the functionality of a truck but may not need full-size pickup," said Tony DiSalle, vice president of Buick and GMC Marketing. "We believe that introducing a new, agile and efficient mid-size Canyon will meet the needs of many pickup buyers."
Buick and GMC have grown together as distinctly different but complementary brands. Together, they have sold more than 400,000 vehicles so far this year, a pace that should allow each brand to achieve a third consecutive year of sales gains.
"We're not only selling more vehicles, we're bringing new customers to the Buick and GMC showroom," said Brian Sweeney, vice president of Buick and GMC Sales and Service. "Both brands report more than 40 percent conquest sales. Buick was the only automotive brand in the United States to reduce the average age of its buyer during the past five years, and GMC continues to attract more female buyers and – with Denali vehicles – more import and luxury owners.
Overall, General Motors will have 70 percent all-new or significantly refreshed products across its four U.S. brands in 2012-2013.
Monday, September 24, 2012
How To Survive the Top 10 Driving Emergencies
To earn a private pilot's license, one must show proficiency in overcoming emergency situations. But a motorist gets a license by demonstrating little more than a well-executed three-point turn and parallel parking. The first time a typical driver is truly asked to demonstrate accident-avoidance expertise, lives are on the line.
In this three-part series, I'll offer tips on how to survive driving emergencies. These I learned — often the hard way — as a racecar driver, vehicle and tire tester, and high-performance driving instructor.
In this first part, I'll explain how to survive tire failures and stuck throttles. In Part 2, we will tell you how to make an emergency stop and how to drive around an emergency with the help of ABS. Part 3 will explain what to do if you run off the road and will also teach you how to manage sliding front tires or skidding rear tires. And if you think you already know how to handle these emergencies; trust me — you don't.
Emergency #1: Tire Blowout
To survive a tire blowout, pretend you're the bad guy in a police chase: Push the gas and drive straight ahead. The shotgun-blast noise of a tire blowout makes most law-abiding drivers do exactly the wrong thing: attempt to slow down quickly and get off the road. With a rear-tire failure, any turning at high speed will likely result in a crash.
I've taught hundreds of drivers how to correctly handle a tire blowout: I sat in the passenger seat and exploded a gaping hole in the tire with plastic explosive. Not one lost control. Here's how they did it.
If a tire blows:
- Squeeze the gas pedal for a couple of seconds. This puts you in control of the car and directs the car straight down the road. It also prevents you from committing the mortal sins of braking and turning. After a couple of seconds, gently and smoothly release the accelerator pedal. The drag force of a completely flat tire is so potent that pushing the gas will not allow the vehicle to go faster.
- Most importantly, drive straight down your lane. Keep your feet away from the brake (or clutch).
- Allow the car to coast down to as slow a speed as is safe (30 mph is good). Engage your turn signal and gently turn toward the shoulder of the road that's on the same side as the blown tire: This lessens your chance of losing control and will make the tire change safer. If the situation requires, you may ever so lightly squeeze the brakes.
Almost all highway blowouts and tread separations occur with the car traveling in a straight line on a very hot day at high speeds with an underinflated tire. The repeated flexing of an underinflated tire causes the failure. Check your tire pressures!
Emergency #2: Tread Separation
Though the recovery techniques are nearly identical, a tread separation is more dangerous than a blowout. This is where the tread rubber and underlying steel belt partially or completely come off the tire. This creates a giant Weed Eater with a blade of steel-backed rubber spinning around at about 1,000 rpm. It'll scythe through the fuel tank, brake lines, inner fender panels, rear seats, side windows and, of course, flesh and bone.
An impending tread separation is usually announced by a consistent thumping noise, which will increase to a slapping sound, and then a metal-tearing jackhammer pounding. Sometimes this process takes days, other times only seconds. If you hear this, immediately slow down and take the tire to a professional for inspection. If you can see damage, put on the spare before proceeding.
If the tread begins to fly off:
- Squeeze the gas pedal for an instant and gently release it.
- Drive straight down your lane.
- Allow the car to coast down as much as is safely possible. You will likely have to apply the brakes lightly in order to reach a safe turning speed.
- Engage your turn signal and smoothly turn toward the shoulder of the road that's on the same side as the damaged tire.
Another reason why tread separations are more dangerous than blowouts: When the tread leaves the tire, the bad noise stops and some people think the car has magically cured itself. But instead of rolling along on grippy rubber, they're riding on fabric. Polyester will offer little grip when they take that next freeway off-ramp.
Emergency #3: Stuck Throttle
Thanks to things like loose floor mats and a poorly placed racecar throttle cable, I have experienced stuck throttles. Although this will be a rare occurrence for most drivers, if your engine starts racing away uncontrollably, it must be stopped immediately.
Take these actions:
- If the engine started racing when you pushed the brake, release the brake. If the engine stops racing, you were actually pushing the gas by mistake.
- Put the transmission in Neutral (and/or push in the clutch). Don't worry about the engine when you shift into Neutral: Engine speed limiters on modern cars will prevent damage. And it's OK if you get Reverse: The engine will either stall or act as if it were in Neutral.
- If you can't get Neutral, switch off the ignition as a last resort. Today's cars don't allow the key to turn to the locked position if the car is not in Park, and the car will be much harder to steer once the engine is off since the power-assist will not be working. Fortunately, with the engine off, there's still plenty of reserve braking power to stop the car. Of course, if the car is equipped with a newfangled keyless ignition, getting Neutral may be your only hope.
If you're a passenger in this situation and the driver fails to act, you can reach over and put the car in Neutral or switch off the engine. But to have any hope of acting properly with a stuck throttle, both driver and passenger must practice first. Find a training partner and an empty parking lot. First practice with the car stopped, just to make sure you know the drill. Move the shift lever from Drive to Neutral. Then turn the key off. Next, restart the car and accelerate to no more than 10 mph, then push the gas pedal to the floor (to simulate a stuck throttle) and hold it there through the rest of the exercise. Immediately, put the car in Neutral and switch off the key. Repeat the process but with the passenger working the shifter and key while you're still in the driver seat. Then, swap seats and repeat.
Emergency #4: Sudden Acceleration
Also called "unintended acceleration," this is identical to a stuck throttle...except it's not a mechanical failure but rather the driver accidentally pressing on the gas. As an instructor, I have had numerous panicked students push the gas in the mistaken, but unshakable, belief they were on the brakes. (Left-foot brakers more familiar with automatics frequently push the clutch.)
Know this: In every well-maintained modern car, the brakes will easily overpower the engine. If you're truly pushing the brakes as hard as you can, the car will stop even with the engine going full speed.
The corrective actions for sudden acceleration and a stuck throttle are identical. Check the list above.
Part 2 of this series will cover emergency stops (with and without antilock brakes) and avoidance maneuvers. Part 3 deals with running off the road, front skids and rear slides.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Buick Ambient Lighting Warms Cabins with Cool Tech
Technology introduced on LaCrosse evolves with Enclave debut this fall
DETROIT – Ambient interior lighting, which uses discreet LED light guides to accent interior design cues and set a mood in a vehicle’s cabin, is increasingly popular. Buick has been a trend-setter in this space since the LaCrosse luxury sedan introduced the technology to its segment in 2009.
Every 2013 Buick features discreet Ice Blue lighting to set a comforting cabin mood. In vehicles like the Verano luxury sedan and the Regal luxury sport sedan, lighting comes from hidden sources in the vehicle headliner. In the LaCrosse and the redesigned 2013 Enclave luxury crossover SUV, the lighting is more dramatic with a soft line of light illuminating the sculpted edge of the wrap-around dash.
Like the Enclave’s Nuance leather upholstery, which is similar to materials used for high-end home furniture, Buick ambient lighting finds its inspiration from home interior design.
“If you look in a modern, high-end home at night, the major light sources like TVs are complemented by soft, evenly distributed interior lighting,” said Chris Fusco, interior experience manager for Buick Design. “Likewise, we’re creating a warm, inviting driving experience at Buick by tying the bright output of gauges and our IntelliLink connectivity touchscreens together with soft, Ice Blue lighting spilling out from hidden sources.
“As in-car displays grow in number and detail, the harmonizing role of ambient lighting will grow more important,” said Fusco. “Large display screens really stand out in a cabin, especially at night, so adding additional light sources creates a balanced, more luxurious cabin.”
Buick’s execution of ambient lighting enhances the sense of interior spaciousness LaCrosse and Enclave customers say they want, and it also draws attention to the cabin’s sculpted surfaces. An added benefit of ambient lighting is that it makes cupholders and other features more visible at night, potentially reducing the time a driver’s eyes are off the road.
According to Harris Interactive’s AutoTECHCAST survey, blue is the most appealing ambient lighting color by a large margin – 73 percent favorable versus 41 percent favorable for amber, the second-most desirable color. The same survey indicates that the center console, instrument panel and cupholders are the top three preferred locations for lighting.
“Buick’s signature blue hue specifically has a calming effect thanks to its lower color saturation, which we feel is more comforting to the eyes,” said Fusco.
Buick’s cabin lighting relies on a combination of design and engineering. Once the LED guides are integrated within the lines of the interior, precise lines must be cut for the light to shine through while adhering to the tight build quality required of a luxury vehicle. Aiming the light strips and programming the right level of luminosity provides a soft flow of light that appears suddenly and slowly fades into the night.
Ambient lighting will play a key role in Buick’s design signature in coming years as engineers develop new LED possibilities with new materials and methods. Today, it’s part of an extensive technology suite for LaCrosse, which offers standard eAssist fuel efficiency technology and IntelliLink voice-activated connectivity. The 2013 Enclave arrives in dealers this fall with standard ambient lighting, the industry’s first front center air bag system, and IntelliLink.
Buick is a modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors with thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models, including the Enclave crossover, LaCrosse sedan, Regal sport sedan, Buick Verano sedan and the all-new 2013 Encore crossover. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.com, on Twitter @buick or at www.facebook.com/buick.>
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
GM Plans to Hire About 10,000 IT Workers Over Five Years
General Motors Co. (GM), as part of its effort to increase its internal information technology abilities, said it will hire about 10,000 workers over the next three to five years.
The first part of that effort was announced today with GM saying it will hire as many as 500 people at a new computer center in Austin, Texas.
While GM is still crafting its total technology hiring plan, “it’s clearly a large base as you would expect from a global company,” Randy Mott, GM chief information officer, told reporters today on a conference call. Asked if GM would be hiring more than 10,000 workers, he said it would be within “that range but less than that.”
GM selected Austin because the Texas capital has a population with computer skills, the Detroit-based automaker said today in a statement. The Austin area is the home base to technology companies including Freescale Semiconductor Ltd. (FSL) and Dell Inc. (DELL)
“We look to the innovation centers to design and deliver IT that drives down the cost of ongoing operations while continuously increasing the level and speed at which innovative products and services are available to GM customers,” Mott said in the statement. GM expects to open four centers, he said on the call.
The Texas center opened this week, Alan Adler, a GM spokesman, said in an e-mail.
Mott was hired by Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson in February. Akerson wants to update GM’s computer and accounting systems as he reorganizes the company around global functions and brands, two people familiar with the thinking have said.
GM plans to bring most of its information technology work in-house, Mott has said. GM does about 10 percent of IT work internally. Mott plans to boost that to 90 percent.
GM gained 4.1 percent to $23.37 in New York, the highest closing price in more than four months.
To contact the reporter on this story: Tim Higgins in Southfield, Michigan at thiggins21@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Jamie Butters at jbutters@bloomberg.net
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
2013 Buick Enclave -- modern style and advanced technology define new luxury crossover.
DETROIT – The Buick Enclave – the top-selling three-row luxury crossover SUV in the U.S. market – gets updated for 2013 with new styling, more standard equipment, added safety technologies and IntelliLink connectivity for a suggested retail price of $39,270 including an $825 destination charge.
The 2013 Enclave will offer three different equipment groups, all with standard content including a seven-inch Color Touch radio with IntelliLink, high-intensity discharge headlamps, Rear Parking Assist, a Rear Vision Camera, remote start, a power liftgate and other luxury features. Every 2013 model also comes standard with the industry’s first front-center air bag, which is designed to protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes.
An Enclave with the Leather Group adds leather-appointed upholstery, heated front seats, an eight-way power passenger seat, memory seat settings and Side Blind Zone Alert with Cross Traffic Alert starts at $43,285. Radar sensors monitor surroundings and alert the driver when a vehicle is in a blind spot or when a vehicle is approaching from either side while the Enclave is in reverse.
The available Premium Group includes all standard and leather group equipment, along with standard 19-inch chrome clad wheels, articulating headlamps, a Bose premium audio system, cooled front seats, power-folding side mirrors and a power tilting/telescoping steering column for a base price of $46,450.
Enclave offers 7- or 8-passenger seating choices with no added cost for either. Additional options vary among equipment groups, but all Enclave models can be equipped with all-wheel drive ($2,000), navigation ($$795-1,540) and a trailering package ($525).
New LED daytime running lamps and LED-accented taillights add design and technology on the Enclave’s exterior, while new ambient interior lighting adds a cool Ice Blue glow to the cabin.
Dual-flow dampers at the front of the vehicle are among the Enclave’s chassis refinement advancements. These new components provide a smoother ride and improved handling by controlling suspension dampening across a broader range of driving conditions.
“The original Enclave was a catalyst for the Buick, defining the brand’s high standards of design and refinement,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of Buick Marketing. “The new 2013 model takes another step forward with a bolder look and advanced technologies.”
Buick is a modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors with thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models, including the Enclave crossover, LaCrosse sedan, Regal sport sedan, Buick Verano sedan and the all-new 2013 Encore crossover. Learn more about Buick cars and crossovers at www.buick.com, on Twitter @buick or at www.facebook.com/buick.>
Monday, September 17, 2012
Football season is upon us! Brush-up on your tailgating knowledge!
Here are the best tips from professional tailgaters on how to throw the perfect tailgate party yourself, as well as tips to help you become the ultimate tailgater:
Make a Tailgating Checklist
To ensure nothing gets left at home, make a list of things you need to take to the tailgate party. Be sure to put your game tickets on the list too!
Have a Tailgating Theme
Think up a creative theme for your tailgate. If it's Thanksgiving, bring a turkey. If it's Christmas, bring a tree. Or, base your theme and decorations on the opponent. For example, you might have Cajun food against the Saints, Philly cheese steaks against the Eagles, or fish against the Dolphins.
Dress for the Occasion
Dress appropriately for several hours outdoors -- and be prepared for drastic temperature changes. And don't forget to wear comfortable shoes.
Show Some Tailgating Team Spirit
Show your team spirit... Wear team colors. Tailgaters are usually the biggest and best fans! After all, to become the ultimate tailgater, you'll want to stir up some tailgater's envy!
Timing is Everything
Get there early. You'll want to arrive 3-4 hours before game time to beat the crowd and claim your turf. And, plan to stay late so as to not miss a moment of the post-game enthusiasm.
Location, Location, Location
Set up your tailgate party near a grassy area, or bring a roll of Astroturf to set up at the end of the row -- for a more comfortable atmosphere with lots of room to socialize. Parking at the end of a row can also give you more partying space.
Tailgating in Parking Lots
Serious tailgaters choose a parking lot that has a view of the stadium if on-site parking is not available. Since the stadium is your Mecca, you need to be able to see it so you can bow to it occasionally.
Mark Your Spot At The Tailgating Party
A flag or team pennant on a tall pole helps people locate the party and makes a statement of team spirit.
Seating Arrangements
Don't worry about bringing chairs for everyone. Those who want to sit will bring their own chairs.
Generating Power
Serious tailgaters bring a small generator for powering a TV, stereo system or electric space heater during cold weather games.
Timing the Eats
Make sure your food is ready 1 to 2 hours before game time, so you have enough time to eat, clean up and find your seat in the stadium.
Put out the Fire
If you're using a charcoal grill, bring along extra water to douse the embers and a plastic garbage bag to put the cold coals in.
Be Smokey's Best Friend
Make sure that you have some way of extinguishing and throwing away your hot coals. Whatever you do, dispose of firewood or charcoal briquettes properly. Some stadiums have a designated place for hot ashes, but do not dump them in the grass or in trash bins.
Garbage In, Garbage Out
Bring your own lawn-size trash bags, because there never seem to be enough garbage receptacles on hand.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Would you like to see this Buick convertible come to the states?
Once languishing Buick had new life breathed into its sails during GM’s restructuring and part of that was an expanded lineup, the latest of which might be a convertible.
Two teaser images are floating around courtesy of the brand’s Vauxhall subsidiary in Europe. Recent reports are suggesting that Vauxhall could get it’s first convertible since the 1930s which could then be shared with Buick. Despite the teaser images, there doesn’t seem to be any plan for the car to appear during the Paris Motor Show later this month.
Bringing the car stateside would make sense for at least a couple reasons. First, Chrysler is selling the 200 as a hardtop convertible without any real competition from a domestic brand. The Opel Cascada would be slightly larger than a BMW 3 Series convertible, but realistically it wouldn’t compete with it.
Instead, it would be going toe-to-toe with the 200, which currently sells in the top five cars for Chrysler including all of its subsidiaries. Granted, that number includes both the sedan and convertible models, but the fact remains that Chrysler is being allowed to sell it relatively unanswered.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
13 things you should keep in your car in case of emergency
When I was growing up, I noticed that my dad kept the trunk of his car well-stocked with supplies. A lot of the equipment in his car was for his job busting poachers as a game warden, but most of the things he packed in his trunk were for emergency situations.
And there were plenty of times when my dad was able to put his trunk equipment to work.
For example, about 20 years ago my dad was driving home to Oklahoma from New Mexico in his old burgundy Caprice. Just outside of Groom, TX, near the famous leaning water tower along I-40, a hellacious snow storm hit. It was a complete white out, so my dad had to pull over until things settled down.
But things didn’t settle down until a day later.
My dad had to spend the night in his car in the middle of nowhere while a blizzard roared outside. But because he had the forethought to prepare for situations like this, he was able to keep warm with some blankets and avoid ravaging hunger with some MREs
Many of you will be hitting the road this holiday season to visit family, so I consulted my dad, Tom McKay, and asked him what supplies he thinks every man should keep in his car. Here’s his suggested list.
1. Fully charged cell phone. Cell phones have significantly cut down on your chances of being stranded on the side of the road, but don’t count on it as your only line of defense. I’ve been in plenty of rural areas where my cell phone was only worthwhile for playing pong. In addition to you main phone, have a backup one that you can use to call 911. Any old cell phone will do, even if it’s not activated. Cellular carriers are required by law to complete 911 calls from any cell phone. Just throw that old Nokia cell phone from 1999 into your glove compartment and keep it there.
2. Jumper cables. You walk out to your car after a long day of work, stick the key into the ignition, give it a turn, and…. click, click. Crap! You’re going to be late to your kid’s football game! You then look up and notice you left the dome light on all day. It happens to the best of us. Car batteries die, so be ready with a set of jumper cables. And even if you never suffer a dead battery, it’s always good to have a set of jumper cables so you can help a damsel (or dude) in distress who needs their car jumped.
3. Flashlight. Good for providing light at nighttime when 1) putting on a spare tire, 2) jump starting another car, or 3) exchanging insurance information with the clueless driver that rear ended you at a stop light. Get a Maglite and you can also thump would-be car jackers in the head with it.
4. Roadside flares/reflective triangle. When pulled over on the side of the road, you’re basically a sitting duck, hoping that other drivers don’t turn the situation into a clip for one of those extreme video shows. It’s especially dangerous to be hanging out on the side of the road at night. Ensure that you and those around you are visible when you pull over to the side of the road by using road flares or at least a reflective triangle. The old school flaming flares seem to be harder to find these days as people switch to LED “flares.”
5. MREs. You never know when you’ll be stranded for long periods of times in your car. If you’ve ever driven out West, you’ll know that it can be hundreds of miles until the closest source of help. Unless you’ve built up a tolerance for extended periods of fasting, keep some MREs or granola/power bars in the back of your car to munch on while you wait for the tow truck to come.
6. Warm blankets. Tom can tell you firsthand why warm blankets are a must. It got pretty dang cold in his Caprice that night. But blankets have uses that go beyond emergency situations. It’s always good to have a blanket in the car for snuggling with your gal while you cheer for your team on a cold fall night or for laying it on the ground for a picnic.
7. Ice scraper. Don’t be the chump that’s out there scrapping their windshield with a credit card at 5AM in the morning. A good ice scraper will set you back just a few bucks, and it will make clearing your windshield much easier and much faster.
8. First aid kit. Whether you’re cleaning up a head wound filled with glass shards or fixing a boo boo on your two year old, it’s good to have a first aid kit. You can always buy one, but putting together your own in an Altoids tin is more fun.
9. Water bottles. For when you’re stranded in Death Valley in the middle of the hottest heat wave on record… or for any other time your car decides to break down on you. Or, for after you’ve left a concert and you’re so dang parched!
10. Tow strap. I don’t know how many times my dad saved my butt with this thing back in high school. Towards the end of my blue ’92 Chevy Cavalier’s (aka, “The Smurf”) life, it would just stop running and no amount of cable jumping would help get it started. For moments like these, my dad busted out the tow strap. You just attach one end of the tow strap to the front of the car that you want to pull and the other to the hitch on the back of your car. The stranded driver stays in the dead car, puts it in neutral, and steers and brakes while it gets towed to its destination.
11. Folding shovel. There are a couple of instances where a folding shovel might come in handy. The first is when you get stuck in the snow or ice. You can use the shovel to dig some snow out and place some dirt under the tire to get more traction. The second situation is when a car tire gets stuck in a hole or something. You can use the shovel to dig about and create some ramps to help get your car unstuck. Also, it can be used as an improvised weapon, Green Beret-style.
12. LifeHammer. When you’re trying to escape from a sinking car, this little piece of plastic and metal can be the difference between life and death. Use it to break your window, cut your seatbelt and make your escape.
13. Portable air compressor. My dad feels like this was the best purchase he made for the car. When your tire is leaking but hasn’t totally blown out, instead of putting on a spare, you can use a portable air compressor to get back on the road. The compressor fills your tire up enough to allow you to drive to a repair shop to get it fixed. It plugs right into your cigarette lighter. Bonus use: no more paying 75 cents to fill up your tires at stingy gas stations.
There are kits you can buy that have a lot of this stuff in them, but I personally think it’s satisfying to assemble your own cache of supplies. And you can put together a better choice of things.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Monday Maintenance Tip: Safely Avoiding Potholes
Damage from potholes doesn’t stop at tires. In a blink of the eye, you can experience $1000 of damage, possibly more, when your car hits a pothole – it’s possible to impair your car’s shock absorbers, suspension system, struts, rims and alignment as well. According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the average additional vehicle operating costs due to rough roads in 2007 was $400, with higher costs experienced in places including Baltimore ($589), Concord, NH ($656), Dallas-Fort Worth ($512), Los Angeles ($746), New Orleans ($622), New York-Newark ($638), Oklahoma City ($631), San Francisco-Oakland ($705) and Tulsa ($703). Deteriorating roads and general inflation since 2007 likely pushed these costs higher.
But there are things you can do before, during and after hitting a pothole. A preventive strategy is more about preparation, driving skills and reacting appropriately when a pothole sneaks up to surprise you. We suggest you approach it on three fronts, as follows.
Adopt smarter driving practices
You can reduce damage with vehicle preparation and driving with good sense:
- Check your tire pressure to keep it at the tire manufacturer’s recommendation. If a tire is too soft, it handles poorly and in a sudden bump may rupture if the wheel rims pinch it against the jagged edge of a pothole. Over-inflated tires are more susceptible to damage as well.
- Have a clean windshield! Your field of vision is critical.
- Observe the traffic ahead of you – if other cars are swerving and stopping, it’s because of a problem in the road.
- Beware of puddles – what might look like a little surface water might have a nasty, deep and sharp-edged pothole lurking below.
- Reduce your speed on roads that are prone to potholes. Slower hits generally involve less damage, a simple matter of physics.
- Stay focused and pay attention to the amount of traffic in front, behind and alongside you. You might be able to avoid potholes but do not want to cause an accident while doing so.
React quickly, intelligently when a pothole is upon you
Assuming you drive defensively – and do not tailgate, which restricts your ability to anticipate potholes or sudden braking by the vehicle in front of you – here is what to do if you are just about to hit a pothole:
- Brake only lightly, if at all. And do something counterintuitive by letting off on the brakes entirely the moment before impact. Clamping down on your brakes at higher speeds not only tempts rear-end collisions but also compresses the front-end suspension system, increasing the damage.
- Hard braking can actually cause greater contact between the tire and the pothole where it might otherwise glide over it.
- Do not swerve in a last ditch attempt to avoid the pothole. Aside from creating a hazard for vehicles immediately behind and beside you, you risk hitting the pothole on an oblique angle, which can cause more damage to the tire, wheel rim and alignment than if you hit it perpendicularly.
Reduce the damage in the aftermath
Post-impact, the right moves can at least limit the extent of the damage:
- Immediately pay attention to whether or not you have a flat tire. If so, minimize how much you drive on it, pull off the road as soon as you can do so safely where you can change the tire to your spare. This will minimize the damage to your wheel rim.
- Even without a flat, there may be preliminary damage. At your next stop, check tire rims to see if they were bent, if there is visible cord material or bulging. This could fail later while driving.
- Note if your car pulls to one side without corrective steering. This suggests the wheels are out of alignment and need mechanical attention.
In most municipalities, you can and should report potholes to the streets department – use a smartphone app such as SeeClickFix or SaveMyTire.com, or the local 3-1-1 or other call-in line. You might also be compensated for your loses if that pothole was reported previously and left unfixed, however rules for this are determined on a city, township or county level.
Courtesy of Pothole.info
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
GM Leads Industry Evaluation of Rear Impact Crash Dummy Tests led by award-winning GM safety engineer could help determine future use of BioRID
The dummy, called BioRID, was designed by Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden, for seat restraint assessment. It is distinguished by its sophisticated spinal column with 24 vertebra simulators that allow it to sit naturally and demonstrates humanlike neck movement in rear-end collisions.
To gain acceptance, BioRID needs to deliver repeatable, reproducible test results, which is considered integral to the design and evaluation of vehicle safety.
GM crash test engineer Barbara Bunn recently developed and conducted tests to evaluate the ability of different BioRIDs to produce consistent measurements when subjected to identical tests. The United States Council for Automotive Research in May recognized Bunn for her execution of the test matrix.
“The test matrix Barb developed will be helpful to the industry for determining BioRID’s future, and demonstrates GM’s commitment to advancing crash test dummy technology and procedures for evaluating vehicle safety,” said Gay Kent, GM general director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness.
To create the test matrix, Bunn, who chairs the Occupant Safety Research Partnership’s Rear Impact Dummy Task Group, collaborated with engineers from Chrysler, Ford and Humanetics Innovative Systems, which manufactures the BioRID. She designed the construction of a crash simulator sled to simultaneously test four BioRIDs. She worked with safety engineers from Porsche, Volkswagen, Daimler, Chrysler and Ford to determine seating postures and other test criteria.
The tests subjected the dummies to a low-speed rear impact simulation in nearly identical seats, and collected measurements of crash forces on areas such as the upper and lower neck. The team compared its measurements to data from similar tests conducted by other automaker labs in Europe and provided its findings to regulators worldwide for consideration.
BioRID is one of many so-called anthropomorphic test devices, or ATDs, the formal name for crash test dummies. GM routinely tests with a wide range of adult male-, female- and child-size ATDs that house sophisticated data collection sensors, capable of generating status reports 10,000 times per second.
GM engineers analyze data from physical crash tests and computer simulations to understand how a vehicle, its safety systems and occupants respond during a crash. These data help engineers look for ways to enhance vehicle safety.
The efforts are evident across the GM’s product lineup. For the 2012 model year 14 Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles have been named 2012 Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which includes rear impact testing among its criteria for Top Safety Pick. Eleven 2012 models have received 5-Star Overall Vehicle Scores in U.S. New Car Assessment Program testing administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“The execution of the BioRID test matrix couldn’t have been done without a strong spirit of collaboration,” Bunn said. “Ultimately, every automaker wants to improve the crash dummies that we use to design safety into our vehicles. That way, all of our customers will benefit in the long run.”
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