1.) Seatbelt Safety
Seatbelts can prevent the most gruesome injuries and even prevent deaths in severe accidents. It is also the law. Never forget to buckle up. Prepare for the worst, so the best can come!
2.) Distracted Driving
The CAA has put together a list of the odds of crashing/ almost crashing when the driver is actively distracted.
Photo Courtesy of: http://distracteddriving.caa.ca/education/crash-odds.php
Top Canadian Brands of 2014
The list of Canada’s top automakers of 2014 was released this past week and the single brand winner for the year of 2014 was Ford. Combine Ford and Lincoln brands to create the Ford Motor Company, and the entire company just barely edged out the Chrysler Group/ FCA by only 1,819 vehicles. The Chrysler Group, which is now officially named the FCA US LLC, supports the brands of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo. In 2014, FCA US LLC was able to sell 290,004 Canadian vehicles. That amount is nearly 30,000 more than the amount of vehicles they sold in 2013, which makes FCA US LLC the most improved quantitative automobile manufacturer for 2014.
Image courtesy of:
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2015/01/canada-auto-sales-brand-results-2014-year-end.html
Top Canadian Car of 2014
It comes to no surprise that the Honda Civic was Canada’s best selling vehicle of 2014. This victory for the Honda Civic puts the car at a 17-year win streak, which is quite interesting considering it makes the Civic the highest selling vehicle in the entire 21st century. A total of 66,057 Honda Civics were sold last year, which means approximately 181 new Honda Civics were sold everyday around the country. All together, 43% of Hondas sold in 2014 were Civics. Honda nailed it on the head when they called their 2015 Honda Civic “Classic and cutting edge, all at the same time.” It seems as if this perfectly describes what the consumers loves about this vehicle. The Honda Civic seems to be reliable to people because of its classic history and it also improves and comes out with relevant advances every year.
http://www.honda.ca/civic_sedan
General Motors has recalled over 90,000 full-size trucks and SUV’s to end 2014 and begin 2015. The recall is due to a faulty ignition binding in some vehicles. Each recall is based off of the individual VIN number of the vehicle. Any GM owner can check in their vehicle’s VIN number at this link https://recalls.gm.com/#/. Also, GM delivers letters to all customers affected within 60 days of the recall. The recall is just one of many to top off a dreadful year for GM in 2014. This specific recall that was first reported on December 23 was the last of 84 separate recalls in 2014. For the safety of drivers and pedestrians alike, it is urged that all potential VIN’s be checked immediately for recall.
The list of affected vehicles includes the following:
Michelin is currently producing their new innovation and it will revolutionize the car industry. Pretty soon the flat tire will be a thing of the past. Michelin has created the ‘Tweel’, which is the combination of both a wheel and tire. The design has a center hub made of steel, which is surrounded by poly-resin spokes. The spokes conform to the ground level underneath, whereas the Tweel deforms in a sense. The average tire will pop under severe pressure and change from the ground level, but not the Tweel. The Tweel changes its structure because of the spokes that are being used, instead of air. Also, the rubber tread lasts up to 3 times longer than the average tire. This new creation is being put into mass production and will be used on everything from cars, to ATVs, to John Deere lawnmowers, to construction vehicles. This technology will undoubtedly create a shift in the development and use of the tire in the car industry.
Check out the Tweel’s Durability here!
Learn More at michelintweel.com!
Most drivers assume that a car will naturally develop clouded, yellowheadlights after being on the road for a few years or more. This is a result of wear and tear on the vehicle headlights, and not a natural occurrence. Drivers don’t have to live with unattractive, cloudy, or dim headlights. They can take care of this problem with a few commonly found products and some time. Of course, drivers are able to take their cars to an auto detailer or mechanic to have their headlights resurfaced.
However, it is possible to do this at home with some small effort. Before heading out to the store to purchase the products needed to clear up a cloudy headlight, make sure of the specific cause of the problem. Drivers will usually only need sandpaper, headlight lens polish, headlight lens sealer, water, detergent, and a clean cloth. There are plenty of places to find these products, including a hardware store, car parts store, or on the auction site, eBay.
Drivers will soon learn that there are a number of causes of clouded headlights. Each cause has a different corrective option to clearing up the clouding and making the headlights bright and shining again. Once the driver has determined the problem that has led to a cloudy lens, it can be fixed. All drivers need to do is take the time to apply the corrective fix to their headlight lenses.
The most common cause of a clouded headlight is oxidation from the polycarbonate lens simply being exposed to the oxygen atmosphere of our planet. In addition, these lenses develop numerous fine cracks when exposed to UV radiation, making the clouding appear even worse. The lenses appear yellow and cloudy when this happens. Luckily, the oxidation occurs only at the top layers of the headlight lens and this can be fixed with some effort and a bit of sandpaper.
Headlights can also become cloudy in response to heavy road damage when small rocks and debris fly up and pit the polycarbonate lenses. When a car travels down the road at high speeds, its wheels kick up lots of small gravel. This gravel can impact the front end and headlights of the car traveling behind it. Road damage looks like numerous small dents and pits in a polycarbonate lens and a white, frosted appearance. It can be repaired with some care and polishing if not too bad.
A car that had been on the road for a while will usually develop a thin film of dirt and chemicals. Over time, this mixture can become hardened and be difficult to remove with a quick rinse at the car wash. This film is opaque and can dim the lights or even make it hard to see on the road. A more involved washing with some oil, detergent, andnail polish remover will help get this film off the headlights.
Sometimes, the inside of a headlight develops condensation from high moisture content in the trapped air. When the vapor condenses inside the headlight and collects on the polycarbonate lens, it can scatter the light pattern, diffusing the light on the road. This makes water condensation an unsightly problem and a potentially hazardous one. Fixing the headlight requires opening up the assembly and clearing out the water.
As oxidation is the result of exposure to the elements and UV radiation, often the easiest way to get rid of the problem is to remove the top layer of the headlight assembly. This is done using successively finer grades of sandpaper. Drivers will want to clean their headlights with plenty of soapy water and allow them to dry. Purchase masking tape, 900 grit, 1,000 grit, and 1,200 grit sandpaper, and a plastic lens polish and sealer.
Mask off the area around the headlight lens with the masking tape to protect the car paint. Drag wet 900 grit sandpaper across the lens in a left and right motion. Continue this process until the entire lens is dull and frosted. Sand the lens again with the 1,000 grit sandpaper. Make sure to keep this paper wet too. Continue sanding the lens with this grit until it feels smooth. Move on to the 1,200 grit sandpaper last, sanding the lens until it feels smooth over the entire surface. Keep the sandpaper wet as you work.
Rinse off the headlight lens and allow it to dry completely. Buff the surface of the polycarbonate lens with the headlight polish on a microfiber towel. Continue buffing the lens in a circular motion until the entire surface is smooth and clear.
Rinse off the headlight lens again with clean water and allow it to dry. Apply a layer of lens sealer to the surface of the lens in a left to right motion using a brush or clean towel. Allow the headlight to dry for about ten minutes.
Drivers have other options to clear up headlights depending on the cause of cloudiness. Headlights with some pitting and frost from road damage can be polished with atoothbrush and toothpaste. There are gentle abrasives in toothpaste that will help sand the polycarbonate. Rinse off the toothpaste, allow the lens to dry, and then cover with a lens sealer. Clean a film of dirt and chemicals from the headlights with some cooking oil to loosen the dirt, clean with water and detergent, and remove any stubborn layers with nail polish remover and some scrubbing. Drivers can end with a light buffing using the car lens polish.
(Source: eBay Motors)
Must-have Winter Accessories
The freezing temperatures and snowstorms are back. Dreading your commutes for the next three months? Don’t! There are lots of ways to make your driving bearable in winter conditions. Take advantage of great vehicle accessories that keep you and your car warmer and safer. These are only a few of the essentials you must have:
Remote Car Starter
From the warmth and comfort of your window, start you car without having to lace up your boots and put on your jacket. From price ranges between $80 and $500, there are several options to upgrade your cars ignition system to become remote.
Engine-block heater
With extremely cold climates, an engine-block heater will help prevent your car from not starting. By warming up the coolant or the oil, engine-block heaters give you the boost you need to get your car started. This helps prevent wear and tear that can come after a cold start. There three types of engine-block heaters. They either install in the lower radiator hose, directly on the engine block, or directly in a heater hose. It is recommended to have it professionally installed.
Seat Heaters
If you’re considering buying a new car, look for seat heaters. These make your commute more comfortable and enjoyable. The most convenient way to enjoy the luxury of seat heaters, without taking the risk of having them installed below your seat covers, is to use heaters that simply fold over the seats. These work great and are often less expensive.
Winter Tires
Winter tires can range in price anywhere from $200 to $1000 for a set of four depending on manufacturer and model. As the snow is falling, winter tires are one of the most important features for safety. It is an extremely necessary investment to make for your car whether you drive a 4 wheel drive truck or a small compact car. All-season tires can work well, but with strong snowfall, real winter tires will help you tremendously. See our other blog posts with more information on winter tires.
Heated Wiper Blades
Are your windshield wipers not cutting it anymore? (read blog below) If you need to upgrade your wipers for winter, heated wipers will be your best bet. This added performance is well worth the price compared to normal windshield wipers. Heated wipers won’t get clogged with snow or ice, allowing your visibility to be the best possible.
All Season Floor Mats
Floor mats can help with comfort and interior appearance. It helps maintain grip and can prevent a wet car floor. There are important things to note when buying all season floor mats – You must periodically clean the mats and below them as mud and snow will still get stuck between the mats and the floor. You should always check with your manufacturer for floor mats that will fit best. Using floor mats that don’t fit correctly could risk slipping and interfering with gas or brake pedals.
Winter Weather Emergency Kit
Kits are widely available on the Internet or at your local auto store. You can buy kits already compiled or buy individual items you think you will need. Here are just some examples:
– Ice scraper and snow brush
– Gloves
– Paper Towels
– Jumper Cables
– First-aid kit
– Small shovel
– Tire chains
– Sand
You never know what could happen while driving in a snowstorm and having an emergency kit is important.
Do you do anything else with your vehicle to remain safe and comfortable? Let us know!
There are advantages to both used and new cars, review the details and find out what’s best for you!
New Cars
For some people, buying used isn’t an option; they want a brand-spanking-new car.
Used Cars
If you’re not married to the idea of buying a new car, used vehicles have their own appeal:
More than 1.5 million of annual car crashes associated with poor driving conditions are caused by weather. These lousy driving conditions lead to an estimated 7,000 people being killed each year and 800,000 more injured. Don’t be a statistic, follow these tips for safe driving during the winter:
Want some great gift ideas? Here’s a list of some awesome and important must-have items that your friends and family are sure to love!
These ideas may not be the most exciting at first; but they are very practical. It’s definitely a gift where someone will be thankful they have it when they need it.
Car Repair and Maintenance
– Spare Tire (jack & tire iron) You never know when a flat tire might happen, it’s always smart to have a back up. If you need a lesson on changing a tire – reach out for help!
– Tire inflator and sealer
– Jumper cables
– Tire pressure gauge
– Duct Tape and WD40
– Spare fuel tank
– Emergency Kit
Safety and Survival
– First aid kid
– Flashlight
– Multi-tool
– Matches or Fire Starter
– Energy bars
– Water Bottles
– Weather radio
– Seat belt cutter
– Flares or reflective triangles
– Maps
– Ice scraper
– Blankets
– Cardboard (for getting tires grip when stuck in mud or snow)
Other essentials
– Paper towels
– Tissues
– Spare change/emergency money
– Change of clothes
– Mobile car charger
Have any other ideas? Let us know!
Take a second to learn about the design, types and competitors of snow tires, then make the decision yourself!
Design
From tread pattern to physical make-up, snow tires are designed for your car to handle better in the snow. For instance, winter tires are made with a much softer rubber, allowing them to retain their flexibility in colder conditions. That, combined with the unique tread pattern allows you to grip that slick road, steer and stop much better than you would with regular tires. Essentially, they are just all around better in winter conditions.
Types
Now, when looking at winter tires, you’ll encounter studded, and studless tires, and it is important to know the difference.
Studded tires will dig into the icy, slick road, providing more traction, but they can also cause substantial road-damage when the road is bare. In fact, studded tires are even outlawed in certain regions.
Studless tires implement a different, more technical approach. They rely on flexibility, tread depth, and tread design to grip the road. These designs, combined with the fact that they do not cause road-damage, make studless snow tires the preferred snow tire for many winter drivers.
What About All Season Tires?
All season tires are designed to handle in all conditions, but are not optimized for any specific condition. Think of all-season tires as sneakers and snow tires as heavy-duty snow boots. It is possible to walk down a snowy, icy sidewalk wearing sneakers, but it’s a lot easier and safer to do it with proper snow boots.
