Preventing Auto Theft

The restaurant is dimly lit; creating an ambiance that is both inviting and tasteful.  You bite into your steak, looking through the window outside as you measure the flavor of your first bite.  It’s then; you see a shadowy figure huddled by the drivers’ side of your car.  You watch, as if in slow motion, as the individual quickly enters your car via force and drives off in your brand new car.  The scariest moment during theft is watching your hard earned vehicle being taken by someone who wanted a quick buck.

            In today’s blog, we discuss some solutions for protecting your car from theft.  Theft begins with opportunity, as we all know.  The thief sees a opportune moment to strike.  Diminish these opportunities by being prepared.  An alarm system is a good beginning, however most thieves have a full understanding of most theft systems.  Here are some ways to protect your vehicle:

Obviously, you should never do any of these things:

• Leave the windows down or the sunroof open;
• Leave the keys in the ignition, or someplace else in the car such as under the visor;
• Leave the car running and unattended, even for only a few minutes;
• Leave car unlocked

NEVER!

• Don't leave your spare key somewhere a thief is likely to look, like magnetically stuck to the exhaust pipe or sitting on top of the tire;
• Only leave the ignition key with the valet, and make sure that the key to the glove box is a different cut;
• When you park on the street, turn the front wheels sharply into the curb and always use the emergency brake;
• Disable the car in some way, either by removing the electronic ignition fuse or by some other method;

Stolen vehicles are usually sold as parts because it’s more difficult for police to track hundreds of vehicle parts, as opposed to an entire car.  Want to keep your car immune from theft?  Consider these options:

• Ignition and fuel kill switches;
• Floorboard, gearshift, tire/wheel and hood locks;
• Vehicle tracking device
• If you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle, back into the driveway; if you have a front-wheel drive vehicle, drive straight into the driveway;
• If you have a garage, clean it out and park your vehicle in there, and always lock your garage doors;
• Install a motion-sensor light or alarm system on your garage doors;

We hope that we provided some great tips for you, guys.  Have a great week! Feel free to share any experiences you might have had, or additional tips.  Thanks!

 

“What in the World is “Hypermiling”?

The focal point of personal funding woes begins at the pump.  Our recent blogs have discussed what precautions you can take to avoid high gas prices In lieu of rising gas prices; a select few have decided to go the distance.  Literally.  Some individuals have been getting above 65 mpg. Is this a typo?  With LASIK eye surgery I can honestly say it’s not.  Hypermiling has become the newest craze and in today’s blog, we delve into what it is and how it’s done.  Oh, and as a precaution: DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME!

Hypermiling is an unorthodox technique for increasing your mpg.  These techniques include coasting for blocks with the car engine tuned off, driving at or below the speed limit, pumping up tire pressure far beyond recommendations and carefully manipulating the gas pedal to avoid fuel-burning excess.  Options also include keeping the air-condition turned off, and the window cracked slightly.  Hypermilers also carry a journal that records their daily commute, gas consumption and mileage.  All in an effort to avoid the ever increasing price of gas. 

Hypermiling has become a niche, with websites dedicated to the cause.  Driving Safety advocates forbid some of their habits, but applaud others.  Some Hypermiling habits are very dangerous.  “Turning the engine off while coasting can, in some cars, leave the driver without power steering or brakes and allow the possibility that the steering wheel will lock up. Drivers can endanger themselves and others if they go too slow for the pace of traffic.” The list goes on.   

However, some Hypermilers ARE safe.  They obey all traffic laws and mix city and highway driving in a combination of strategic and gas saving options.  Using a truck for a windbreak is dangerous, but safer Hypermilers stay the recommended distance while still maintaining a saving of mpg by putting safety before mileage. 

Drive Safely!

How Electric Cars Work

We enjoy electric toasters, electric music players, and occasionally the electric slide (for the musically inclined, of course).  Now, electric cars have peaked our interest with promises of aiding the environment and saving on gas money.  Many have thought about the purchase, but how do they work?  In today’s blog, we touch on the subject of so much popularity. 

First, they create less pollution than gas-powered cars, and are environmentally friendly.  Vehicle power is derived from an electric motor.  These motors use electricity in place of gasoline to power the vehicle.  Electricity is fed to the motor, creating a magnetic field.  That magnetic field causes a tightly wound coil to rotate while spinning the axle of the vehicle, turning the tires for motion. 

Electric cars are literally ‘plugged in’ to juice up the engine.  Electric cars with a battery use an electrical outlet to charge before they are operated.  Another way is the hydrogen fuel cell. Fuel cells work when pure hydrogen combines with oxygen to create electricity. The only byproduct of hydrogen fuel cells is water. Yet another way is a solar power. Solar panels on a car collect energy from the sun and store it into the car's battery for later use.

Electric cars are great for the environment.  They produce less noise pollution and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.  Innovation and technology will continue to change and adapt to the times making electric cars a great alternative. 

Top Vehicle Innovations of the Century

Flying cars have always been something we would like to see in our lifetime, but…for now, we’ll have to settle for some really cool, helpful, innovations.  Cars have gone a long way since the Ford Model-T and in today’s blog we discuss some of the most influential technologies to date.

1)    Fold-flat rear seats – Honda’s foldaway seats in the late 1990’s took the concept of space saving to another level.  Seats that tuck out of the way are much easier to deal with than those that have to be removed.

2)    Electronic Stability Systems – introduced by luxury manufacturers BMW and Mercedes-Benz in 1995, this computerized system applies the car’s brakes or cuts the throttle to keep the car going where you want it.  This maintains car stability, working within the car’s limitations.

3)    DVD Players – In 2002 Honda and Saturn introduced the DVD player, children in the backseat of minivans rejoiced.  Innovation?  Very much so.  DVD players were shrunk and fitted into vehicles, providing a smooth comfortable ride, minus the bickering siblings in the background. 

Do you have any innovations you would like to add to the list?  There are countless other options available, add yours now!

How a Smartphone Helped Avoid a Speeding Ticket

Imagine driving steadily on the open road, the highway providing a non-stop avenue to your destination.  The weather is brisk, your favorite song is on the radio and your smartphone is in the passenger seat.  Then, a flashing light impedes your rear-view vision.  Your heart races, your palms are clenched on the steering wheel and your knuckles are white with fear.

          

A young man was pulled over for ‘speeding’ while a smartphone app ran simultaneously on his phone.  The app: My Tracks, measures your location and speed, so he was able to offer his traffic judge documented proof that he was driving within the speed limit.  He also asked the officer when he last calibrated his radar gun, when he was unable to answer, the judge ruled inconclusive evidence of speeding.  The young man walked away scott-free! His smartphone app sealed the deal while his additional experience allowed him to walk away unscathed. 

The My Tracks App is only for android phones, but there are also GPS tracking apps for apple (GPS speed, Speed tracker).  It might not work every time, but if you’re going on a long drive that’s heavily policed, try utilizing one of these great tools.  One young man was able to prove his innocence, when he received a speeding ticket, with his Smartphone!