Automotive Safety

Proper vehicle safety requires specific attention to tires - to inflation pressure, tread depth, and general tire condition. Over inflated tires run the risk of explosive decompression (they can pop). Under inflated tires have a higher rolling resistance and suffer from rapid tread wear on the edges of the tread. Excessive tire wear will reduce steering and braking response. Tires worn down past their safety margins and into the casing run the very real risk of rupturing. Tire inflation pressure and tread depth should be checked regularly in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Certain combinations of cross ply and radial tires on different wheels of the same vehicle can lead to vehicle instability.

Tires should be repaired only at experienced tire repair shops, and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

US tires have 'wear bars', or "Tread Wear Indicators" (TWI) molded into the grooves of the tire. When these become flush with the tops of the remaining tread, the tire is at the legal limit of normal safety and must be replaced.

Dangers of aged tires

Research and tests show that as tires age, they begin to dry out and become potentially dangerous, even if unused. Aged tires may appear to have similar properties to newly manufactured tires; however once the vehicle is traveling at high speeds the tread could peel off, leading to severe loss of control and perhaps a rollover.

Many automakers recommend a six year limit on tires and several tire manufacturers have called for tires to be removed from service 10 years after the date of manufacture.

You don't have to live in a wintry climate to encounter icy roads and hazardous roadways. In temperatures at or just above 32-degrees, a thin layer of water can turn to or cover ice, causing extremely dangerous, slippery driving conditions.

KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

Not all cars respond the same to icy, slippery roads. For that reason, knowing how to handle your vehicle and how it responds in various weather conditions is important. AAA recommends that motorists practice slow-speed maneuvers on an empty snow or ice covered parking lot. You should also page through your owner's manual, familiarizing yourself with your vehicle's braking system and tire traction.

DISTANCE FACTOR

The most important thing to remember when driving on slick roads is that you must travel, steer and brake more slowly than usual. The distance needed to stop on ice is twice as long as that you would need to brake under normal driving circumstances. This means you should keep at least a three car distance from the vehicle directly in front of you.

BLACK ICE

Black ice is defined as ice that remains on roadways that are not subjected to direct sunlight. Black ice commonly forms on roads that wind around lakes and rivers, in tunnels, on overpasses and in highly shaded, rural areas. Black ice is almost invisible to the naked eye. Be especially leery when driving your car into shaded areas, and slow your vehicle down during your approach.

EXTRA SLIPPERY

Certain areas of roadways, because of location or lack of direct sunlight, are almost always more hazardous than others. Use extra caution when driving on bridges, overpasses and tunnels.

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE

Front wheel drive vehicles handle better than rear wheel drive on slippery roads because the weight of the engine is on the drive wheels, which helps to improve your traction.

REAR WHEEL DRIVE

Because there is virtually no weight on the rear wheels of your car, vehicles that operate by using rear wheel drive tend to slide from side to side during turns on icy roads. Cars and light duty truck owners can place bags of sand or kitty litter in the bed of the truck or trunk to help balance the weight, and distribute it equally.

KNOW YOUR BRAKES

Your owner's manual will provide information about your braking system. Not all braking systems are the same. Find out which type of brakes your vehicle uses and then, follow the safety steps below. ABS Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) offer significant advantages on slick roads, if used correctly. To operate ABS effectively, motorists should apply steady pressure to the brake pedal during the entire stop. ABS will automatically pump the brakes, if necessary, to keep the wheels from locking. Never manually pump ABS brakes yourself. Apply only steady pressure continuously until you come to a complete stop. NON-ABS If you don't have ABS, you should gently apply pumping pressure to your brakes during slippery conditions. Do not apply steady pressure to your brakes. Standing on your brakes will only cause wheel lock, and may result in your car spinning out of control.

LEARN TO HANDLE SKIDS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE

The biggest problem facing most winter drivers is skidding on slick, icy or snow covered roads. It is possible to steer out of a skid! Once you feel your car begin to skid, slowly remove your foot from the accelerator, until you feel your wheels regain traction control. (Do not attempt to brake!) As your vehicle's tires grab the road, slowly turn the steering wheel in the direction you want your front wheels to go.

REAR WHEEL DRIVE

When you begin to spin, remove your foot from the gas pedal. Slowly steer in the direction you want the car to go. If you are still skidding out of control, counter-steer until your vehicle is pointing in the right direction. Never apply steady pressure to the brakes.

TIPS

You can improve your VISIBILITY by clearing all snow and ice from your vehicle. Be sure to remove ice and snow from hood, roof, trunk, turn signal lights, tail and headlights, windows, mirrors and fenders. Use your LOW BEAMS when driving in an ice or snow storm. You'll have better visibility. Allow for greater STOPPING DISTANCE during snow and ice storms. In order to bring your car to a safe stop, you must allow 8-10 seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you. Remember that POSTED SPEED LIMITS are only to be followed during ideal weather conditions. Slow down while driving on snow or ice. When driving UPHILL on ice, pick a path that will allow the most traction. Monitor vehicles in front of you and steer clear of areas where they spin wheels or slide backward. Unpacked snow will give most vehicles sufficient uphill traction. To maintain control on CURVES and TURNS, reduce speed just before the turn. Any sudden acceleration or deceleration during a turn will send you into a skid. NEVER brake while driving on ice. If you are approaching a patch of ice, brake during your approach. Applying pressure to your brakes while on ice will only throw you into a skid. Maintain your TIRES. Tires that are in proper working condition and are adequately inflated provide better traction. Travel GENTLY. Everything you do on icy roads will affect how your vehicle handles the situation. Move slowly. Turn slowly. Brake slowly. Sudden changes can cause your car to spin out of control.

EMERGENCY WEATHER KIT

Having a well stocked emergency kit in your car can help to save your life and make you more comfortable during breakdowns, accidents and long waits. Your kit should include: Battery jumper cables First aid kit Shovel Basic tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver and knife) Blankets Extra clothing (hats, socks, boots, mittens) Flashlight Bag of sand Cellular phone or CB.

Driving “defensively” just doesn’t seem to cut it anymore. There are some measures you can take to ensure your safety. There’s a lot to avoid out there, but you can steer clear of trouble by just relaxing and taking things easy. This is meant mostly for freeway gridlock, the most challenging and frustrating form of traffic. What you’ll find is that the majority of other drivers out there are “brakers” – people who speed up to slowing traffic and have to hit their brakes. A good way to ease traffic, both for yourself and other drivers, is to put a large gap in between your car and the one in front of you. It’s a pretty basic rule of driving, but it’s often forgotten among all of our high performance vehicles, cell phones, SUVs and hectic lifestyle. However, it’s the one thing that can prevent an accident as effectively as anything else. The recommended space might be one car length per 10 miles-an-hour. It’s better to have at least double that, especially if you’re traveling at 60 mph or faster. Just imagine the car in front of you stopping instantly, as if it hit a brick wall. Would you collide into it, or would you be able to stop in time? The biggest problem that arises from leaving a good-sized gap is other drivers riding too close behind you. Don’t worry about them. Try to be courteous and get out of the fast lane if you’re not keeping up. If you are and you simply have a long gap in front of you, let the other driver stress out and try to get around. It’s just another person wanting to hurry up and wait. This brings up another point of good driving. If ever there is a conflict developing with another driver, let it go. Don’t gesture back. Don’t race or swerve or suddenly hit your brakes. It’s not worth risking lives over a little road rage. You’ll find if you relax, leave a big gap in front of your car and plan your maneuvers, you’ll enjoy the smooth ride. You can often find “cushion zones” in the herds of cars flying down the freeway. If you keep your speed right -- not too slow and not too fast -- you can ride in these zones and have all three, four or six lanes to yourself. This is especially true for long road trips on the interstate. When traffic is stop and go, try to get a large gap in front again and go slowly. By pacing yourself, you can roll through the stop-an-go pattern by just going slow. It can be much less aggravating. It also helps ease traffic as the cars behind you are not seeing brake lights or hitting their brakes as much. It’s also easier on your car and the environment. Just remember that there are real people in the other cars, even though they might just seem like obstacles. By relaxing and respecting the rules of the road and not rushing yourself, the ride is much more enjoyable, no matter where you’re going.

Hot Summer Driving

Driving in hot weather: Inspect the auto radiator for leaks and check the fluid. Check all hoses for possible cracks or sponginess. Make sure all connections are tight and leak-free. Test the thermostat for proper operation. If it does not operate at the proper temperature, overheating could occur. Inspect the fan belt for cracks and proper tension. Belt slippage is a common cause of boilovers. It also drains electrical power. If loss of coolant has been a problem check for water seepage on the water pump around the engine block. Don't turn off the engine when the temperature warning light goes on. If stuck in traffic, shift to neutral, and race the engine moderately for 30 seconds at two-minute intervals. Shut off the air conditioner to avoid further overtaxing of the cooling system. Turn on the heater for a few minutes, it may help. If the radiator continues to overheat, drive the car off the road, turn off the engine and raise the hood. Wait at least half an hour before removing the radiator cap, then do it very slowly and carefully, with the help of a towel or thick rag. Keep your face turned from the radiator. If your car has the see-through overflow catch tank, replace any loss of coolant. Don't touch the radiator. If the fluid level is low, restart the engine while adding cool or warm water as the engine idles.

Road Safety Guide

You never know when you will be driving and your car will decide that it’s time to break down. If this happens, especially while driving on a lonely road, it can be frustrating and dangerous. The following is a list of items that you should always have in your car. It would be a good idea to keep a box in your trunk just for these items. If you find yourself in this kind of situation, you will have everything that you need in one place. Check the items at least every two months in case that you need to replace batteries or anything else. Blanket (in case it gets too cold) Spare tire in good condition and a jack Extra gas in proper gas container Booster cable Set of small tools (sockets, pliers, lug wrench) Charged cellular telephone Paper towels Aspirin Raincoat or umbrella Water for drinking and/or for engine Working flashlight Antifreeze Non-perishable foods like chips and pretzels Motor oil, transmission oil, and break fluid - If you develop a slight leak, you can add enough to get you to a safe area or the nearest station. (If you don’t know where or how to properly refill, have someone teach you the proper place and/or way to do this.) Flares - For alerting other drivers of your stalled car, this can prevent many accidents from happening. Windshield wiper fluid - During the winter months your car will get splashed with salted water from the streets, this can cause your windshield to become blurry to the point of not having any visibility. This coating of salt water cannot be removed without windshield wiper fluid. Should you find yourself in this situation, the first thing to do is to call for help, i.e. police, tow truck, or emergency road service club if you belong to one. You should also call a family member to let them know of your situation. Next, if the problem is something that you can take care of like changing a tire, (which you should know how to do, if you don’t know make it a point to have someone teach you how to do it), adding antifreeze if your engine is too hot, or adding gas if you ran out, do it and you can be on your way. If this is the case remember to call the persons that you spoke to and let them know that everything is okay. Even if it’s a minor problem always call for help, you have to alert someone of where you are, you never know what can happen while you are checking the car. It is always better to be safe than sorry, therefore, someone needs to know of your location. If, on the other hand, the problem is not something that you can take care of yourself, take a look at your surroundings to see what type of area you have been stranded on. If there is a public restaurant, a coffee shop, or a store nearby that you can go in to wait until help arrives, then that would be your best bet. Lock your car, raise the hood, and make sure that you take your cellular phone with you at all times. If there are no visible safe public places around and depending on how you have assessed the location, you can wait inside the car, get anything you need from your emergency box, lock the doors and wait inside the car. If this ever happens to you, you will be thankful that you decided to be prepared. The kit that you put together will be a great help in keeping you comfortable from the cold, the rain if you must be outside the car or have to walk somewhere, from hunger, and especially from being in an area with no public telephones. Most people are not prepared for this and the experience can be very frustrating. You may not be able to avoid car breakdowns but you can make the situation a lot less stressful if you have the basic emergency needs. Also, if you have children and travel with them often you may want to add a few things to make their wait less uncomfortable. Having chips and/or pretzels for children to munch on will help to keep them at ease. Adding a couple of toys or a favorite book will keep them distracted while waiting for help to arrive. Don’t get caught unprepared.

How To Be A Safe Driver

All of us have a responsibility to be safe drivers. But even the most careful drivers can take easy preventative steps to help make them even safer drivers. If you become one of these drivers, and commit to do the following things, you may save your own life or the lives of others. Keep Your Visibility High Many accidents each year are caused by two elements of nature: sun and rain. All of us have driven on roads that putting the rising or setting sun right in our wind shields or rear view mirrors. But in sunny weather, most of us do not think about the hazards of low visibility. Yet sun can be more blinding than the worst sun or rain. That is why everyone should have a pair of sun glasses in their cars or on their person at all times. As for rain, making sure your windshield wipers are in good working order is the most important step. Another problem comes when the rain stops but mud or water spots are caked on your car's windshield. Always carry a rag or towel in your car to clean up these hazards to visibility. Let Others See You As important as watching out for other drivers is, it is also important to help other drivers to look out for you. One great way to do this is to leave your headlights on, even during the day. Studies have shone that day running headlights increase visibility and reduce accidents. Many new cars have this feature automatically, but for older cars, drivers should take it upon themselves to turn those headlights on, especially on windy two lane roads. Calm Down Most of us would never drive drunk. But did you know that driving while extremely upset is just as bad. If you are extremely angry, sad, nervous, or sick, you cannot pay proper attention to your driving. And even when you can pay attention you drive with less skill. If you experience any of these conditions, postpone your trip. If you are already on the road, pull over to a safe place and get your bearings. Lost time will be MINIMIZED by avoiding potentially deadly accidents. Back Off One of the biggest causes of accidents is following too close. Yet following the car ahead of you too close is senseless: it can result in being ticketed, it is dangerous, and it doesn't get you anyplace any faster. Always leave more distance than you think you should have to between you and the car in front of you. And in the rain, double that distance. Keep Away Distractions Cell Phones, Automated Direction Systems, Newspapers, Razors… all of these things are an accident waiting to happen in the car. Driving requires one's full attention. So communicating, eating, reading, or doing anything else in the car that isn't driving is a big hazard. Even if you think you drive perfectly fine while doing these things, you are still less able to compensate for the mistakes of other drivers when your full attention isn't directed at defensive driving. Use these tips to help make a safer road for all of us out there. And always remember, whatever else you do when you drive, always buckle up.

Before winter sets in it would be a good time to have a general tune up done especially of the car’s engine. This will ensure that such items as the ignition, the carburetor, fan belts, are in good working order and won’t necessarily present any problems later on.
While having this done, it would be a good thing to have the battery checked to see if perhaps a new one is needed.
Also a good time to have spark plugs checked, and replaced with new ones if that is necessary. Checking cables to these plugs also will ensure they, too, are in good working order.
Replacing the air and fuel filters again will ensure that these won’t present a problem later on.
If this hasn’t been done, also replacing or adding more antifreeze to the cooling system. Depending on how long the antifreeze has been in the cooling system, it might be a good idea to drain the old fluid, and then replace it with a mixture of antifreeze and water.
Snow tires will be required in the cold climate areas. If the vehicle is front wheel drive, then front snow tires will be needed. If the vehicle is rear wheel drive, then mount the snow tires at the rear. Ensure they are inflated to manufacturer’s specification. Or have chains put on in those areas that are known for their heavy snowfalls.
Windshield washer fluid is a must especially during the winter driving months. Check periodically to ensure that there is enough inside the reservoir. Doing this often will alleviate running out of this fluid when you need it the most, in sloppy weather when windshields are splattered with mud, making driving all that more difficult.
It is a good idea to keep certain supplies inside the trunk of the vehicle on hand, which would be devoted to winter driving. These will come in handy whenever forced to drive through snowbound unplowed roads where the possibility of getting stuck is much greater. The items recommended are sand or even cat litter for gaining traction beneath the tires on icy roads. A medium shovel to help dig oneself out in case of getting stuck in a deep snow drift. A supply of nonperishable foods, such as box of crackers, canned good, and a can opener and a few eating utensils in case the roads do become impassable and there is no quick rescue.
Also, it is good to have on hand warm blankets, flashlights, and extra batteries, as well as a cigarette lighter or matches. The matches should be kept inside a metal container to keep them dry. One use of the matches might be to thaw out any locks that may become frozen. Although by lubricating the cylinders inside a lock with graphite (found in auto supply stores) will help prevent these locks from becoming frozen in the first place.
There is nothing more frustrating than windshield wipers that don’t work properly when cleaning off the windshield. Ensure these are working properly, and if they are too worn to do their job, then replace them with new blades.
Ensuring the windshield defroster as well as the rear window defogger/deicer if present is all working properly will help make driving in bad weather conditions not only safe but also less frustrating. By taking the above precautionary measures before the winter sets in, you will help alleviate most of the foreseeable problems down the line. Also, doing this will help make winter driving not only safer for everyone on the road, but also a little less stressful for all those involved.

Carjacking - stealing a car by force - has captured headlines across the country. Statistically your chances of being a carjacking victim are very slim, and prevention actions can reduce the risk even more.

Why is Carjacking a Problem?

No one knows for certain, but some explanations include:

It's a crime of opportunity - a thief searching for the most vulnerable prey. Sometimes it's the first step in another crime.
For some young people, carjacking may be a rite of passage, a status symbol, or just a thrill.
Cars, especially luxury ones, provide quick cash for drug users and other criminals.
Sophisticated alarms and improved locking devices make it harder for thieves to steal unoccupied cars.
It's easy to buy, steal, or barter for guns in this country. And a pointed gun makes a powerful threat.
More teens and adults commit crimes of violence than ever before.
Intense media interest may have created "copycat" carjackers.

Anywhere, Anyone

Most local and state criminal codes don't define "carjacking." It's reported as either auto theft or armed robbery. This means that no solid statistics exist on time, place, and victims.

Though carjackings can occur anytime, a sizable share appear to take place during the late night hours.
Carjacking isn't just a problem in large cities - it happens in suburbs, small towns, and rural areas.
Carjackers look for opportunity. They don't choose victims by sex, race, or age.

Golden opportunities: what do carjackers look for?

Intersections controlled by stop lights or signs.
Garages and parking lots for mass transit, shopping malls, and grocery stores.
Self-serve gas stations and car washes.
ATMs (automated teller machines).
Residential driveways and streets as people get into and out of cars.
Highway exit and entry ramps, or anyplace else that drivers slow down or stop.

The "Bump and Rob"

It works like this. A car, usually with a driver and at least one passenger, rear-ends or "bumps" you in traffic. You quickly get out to check the damage and exchange information. Either the driver or one of the passengers jumps in your car and drives off.

If you're bumped by another car, look around before you get out. Make sure there are other cars around, check out the car that's rear-ended you and who's in it. If the situation makes you uneasy, memorize or jot down the car's tag number and description; signal the other car to follow you. Drive to the nearest police station or to a busy, well-lighted area.

If you do get out of the car, take your keys (and purse or wallet if you have one) with you and stay alert.

Reduce Your Risk

Getting In

Walk with purpose and stay alert.
Approach your car with the key in hand. Look around and inside the car before getting in.
Be wary of people asking for directions or handing out fliers. Trust your instincts - if something makes you feel uneasy, get into the car quickly, lock the doors, and drive away.

On the Road

Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up (at least part-way, if it's hot and you don't have air conditioning), no matter how short the distance or how safe the neighborhood.
When you're coming to a stop, leave enough room to maneuver around other cars, especially if you sense trouble and need to get away.
Drive in the center lane to make it harder for would-be carjackers to approach the car.
Avoid driving alone. Go with someone whenever possible, especially at night.
Don't stop to assist a stranger whose car is broken down. Help instead by driving to the nearest phone and calling police to help.

Getting Out

Park in well-lighted areas, near sidewalks or walkways. Avoid parking near dumpsters, woods, large vans or trucks, or anything else that limits your visibility.
Never leave valuables in plain view, even if the car is locked. Put them in the trunk or out of sight.
Try to park in a garage with an attendant. Leave only the ignition key, with no identification.
Even if you're rushed, look around before you get out and stay alert to the surroundings.

If It Happens to You...

If the carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon, give up your car. Don't argue. Your life is worth more than a car.
Get away from the area as quickly as possible.
Try to remember what the carjacker looked like - sex, race, age, hair and eye color, special features, clothes.
Report the crime immediately to the police.

Take Action

Work with Neighborhood Watch groups, law enforcement, automobile club, and other concerned groups to get the word out about carjacking prevention. Try a special flier, a community forum, posters.
Make sure that driver education classes talk to teens about preventing carjacking and other auto theft.
Call the local radio station and ask the manager to air carjacking prevention tips during commuting hours.
Ask your insurance agent or company to put carjacking and other auto theft prevention information in notices and bills.
Enlist parking lot owners, shopping mall security, and transit authorities to print and distribute educational materials with carjacking prevention tips.
Place carjacking prevention fliers or brochures in the waiting rooms or dealer service departments, auto repair shops and gas stations.
Ask your state's Motor Vehicle Administration to display carjacking and auto theft prevention advice - posters, handouts, etc.- in its offices and distribute prevention tips in all mailings.

What Are Air Bags and How Do They Work?

- Stopping an object's momentum requires force acting over a period of time. When a car crashes, the force required to stop an object is very great because the car's momentum has changed instantly while the passengers' has not. The goal of any supplemental restraint system is to help stop the passenger with as little damage to the passenger as possible.

- What an air bag wants to do is to slow the passenger's speed to zero with little or no damage. The constraints that it has to work within are huge. The air bag has the space between the passenger and the steering wheel or dash board and a fraction of a second to work with. Even that tiny amount of space and time is valuable, however, if the system can slow the passenger evenly rather than forcing an abrupt halt to the motion.

- To accomplish its magic, there are three parts to an air bag

The bag itself is made of a thin nylon fabric, which is folded into the steering wheel or dashboard or, more recently, the seat or door.
The sensor is the device that tells the bag to inflate. Inflation happens when a collision force equal to running into a brick wall at 10 to 15 MPH occurs. Sensors detect the crash using a mechanical switch that closes when a mass shifts and an electrical contact is made. Electronic sensors use a tiny accelerometer that has been etched on a silicon chip.
The air bag's inflation system uses the rapid pulse of hot nitrogen gas from the chemical reaction of sodium azide (NaN3) and potassium nitrate (KNO3) to inflate the bag.

- The inflation system is not unlike a solid rocket booster. The air bag system ignites a solid propellant and it burns extremely rapidly to create a large volume of gas to inflate the bag. The bag then literally bursts from its storage site at up to 200 MPH -- faster than the blink of an eye! A second later, the gas quickly dissipates through tiny holes in the bag, thus deflating the bag so you can move.

- Even though the whole process happens in only 1/25th of a second, the additional time is enough to help prevent serious injury! The powdery substance released from the air bag, by the way, is regular cornstarch or talcum powder, which is used by the air bag manufacturers to keep the bags pliable and lubricated while they're in storage.

How Do I Stay Safe With An Air Bag?

- It didn't take long to learn that the force of an air bag can hurt those who are too close to it. Researchers have determined that the risk zone for driver air bags is the first two to three inches of inflation. So, placing yourself 10 inches from your driver air bag gives you a clear margin of safety. Measure this distance from the center of the steering wheel to your breastbone.

- If you currently sit less than 10 inches away, you can adjust your driving position in the following ways:

Move your seat to the rear as far as possible while still reaching the pedals comfortably.
Slightly recline the back of your seat. Although car designs vary, most drivers can achieve the 10-inch distance even with the driver seat all the way forward by slightly reclining the back of the seat. If reclining the seat makes it hard to see the road, you can raise yourself up by using your car's seat-raising system (not all cars have this!) or a firm, non-slippery cushion to achieve the same effect.
Point the air bag toward your chest, instead of your head and neck, by tilting your steering wheel down (this only works if your steering wheel is adjustable).

- The rules are different for children. Air bags could seriously injure or even kill an unbuckled child sitting too close to the air bag or who is thrown toward the dash during emergency braking. Experts agree that the following safety points are important:

Children 12 and under should ride buckled up in a properly installed, age-appropriate rear car seat.
Babies in rear-facing child seats should never ride in the front seat of a car with a passenger side air bag.
If a child over a year old must ride in the front seat with a passenger side air bag, put the child in a front-facing child safety seat, a booster seat, or a correct fitting lap/shoulder belt and move the seat as far back as possible.

- When you are involved in a frontal collision somewhere in the neighborhood of at least 12-15 mph, a number of things happen very quickly. The sudden deceleration of your vehicle causes 2 SENSORS to send an electrical signal to the diagnostic module. The diagnostic module self tests to confirm that a crash event is taking place, then it allows the signal to trigger the airbag deployment.

Kids in back
Don't put a rear-facing restraint in the front seat. Starting with the first trip home from the hospital, put an infant in the center back seat. Make sure the rear-facing restraint is tightly secured to the vehicle with an adult safety belt and the baby is buckled snugly in.

If there's no choice but to put a baby in the front seat, then an on/off switch for the passenger airbag is essential. But before you do this, remember the back seat is safer. Even without airbags, kids riding in back are much less likely to be killed. Now riding in back is even more important because it keeps children away from inflating airbags.

When babies outgrow their rear-facing restraints, they should graduate to forward-facing ones or booster seats attached to a vehicle's back seat with an adult safety belt. As kids later graduate to adult belts, proper restraint use still is essential. Don't put the shoulder portion of a belt behind a child or under the arm. And don't let a youngster do this, either, because it compromises protection. A lap belt should be positioned so it's low and snug across a child's hips, not up over the abdomen.

Older kids should continue riding in a back seat. Only if there are too many children to put them all in back should a child be allowed to ride up front. Then make sure the seat is all the way back and the child is securely buckled and sitting back in the seat. Leaning forward to, for example, fiddle with radio dials can put a child at risk. If you worry about keeping a child sitting back, you may wish to consider getting an on/off switch for the passenger airbag.

Adults: buckle up and sit back
It isn't your size, gender, or age that determines risk. It's position in relation to an airbag. Most adults can virtually eliminate the risk by buckling up. Neither short women nor elderly drivers are especially vulnerable if they use safety belts and sit at least 10 inches from the steering wheel.

Belted drivers potentially at risk of serious airbag injury are those sitting very close to the steering wheel. But the same drivers would be at risk without airbags because they're likely to hit the steering wheel hard -- usually with the face -- in a serious crash. They can reduce the airbag risk without sacrificing the benefits by sitting back and away from the wheel.

Most drivers, even short ones, can get at least 10 inches from the steering wheel and still reach the pedals. The problem often is that drivers sitting closer are leaning forward instead of sitting back in their seats. They need only sit back. The few who cannot get 10 inches from the steering wheel and still comfortably reach the pedals may wish to consider pedal extenders.

On/off switches for airbags
The federal government has set criteria for the very few cases when airbag on/off switches may be needed to avoid injury risk. But getting a driver airbag switch makes sense only when someone -- for example, a very short person -- has tried various positions and cannot comfortably drive while sitting back and away from the steering wheel. A woman late in pregnancy who cannot get her abdomen away from the steering wheel also may wish to get permission for a switch based on medical need. But remember that in a serious crash without an airbag, sitting so close to the wheel means a high risk of hitting it.

Most 1998 and later cars will have redesigned airbags with less powerful inflators that reduce injury risk. In these cars, there's probably no need to get an on/off switch for a driver airbag even if you cannot get 10 inches from the wheel. Still, it's best to sit back and away from an airbag.

On the passenger side, there's no significant airbag injury risk for belted adults sitting back in the seat. The risk for infants and children can be eliminated by ensuring they ride in a back seat, properly restrained. The back is safer anyway.

So should you even consider getting an on/off switch for a passenger airbag? Rarely -- for example, when an infant with medical problems requires constant observation and the driver is the only other person in the vehicle. Then there might be no choice except to put the baby up front, and the airbag would present a risk. Of course, paying constant attention to a baby distracts from driving and involves its own risks.

Another group is parents who transport too many infants or small children to put them all in back and are concerned about keeping the child in front sitting back and away from the airbag. In this case, you may wish to get an on/off switch. If you do get one, remember to use it correctly. Remember to turn off the airbag when an infant or child must ride in front.

The decision about airbag on/off switches should be made with the facts in mind. Then it becomes clear that getting a switch rarely is necessary. Just take the simple precautions spelled out here to eliminate the potential risk.

Airbag Checks

What you can do for your Airbag System?

When you get in your vehicle and turn the key, look at the dash to find your Airbag or SRS light.
It should come on for 7-10 seconds and then go out. This tells you all is well with the Airbag System.
If the light does not come on, HAVE IT CHECKED. After all, it could just be a burnt out light bulb.
If the light does not go off after this period (usually 7-10 seconds) there is a problem
If the light comes on while you are driving, it also needs attention.

You need to take it to a repair shop that has the equipment to diagnose and repair the problem.

- Supplemental Restraint Systems cannot be repaired at home. This is not a challenge. Hand held Diagnostic equipment that may read the error codes and may be able to clear them to reset your system are around $3000-$6000. This does not include the cost of the software involved.

- In addition to the front Airbags, the car companies are putting Airbags in the doors for side impacts that are not covered by the primary Airbags. They are putting them in the seats for the drivers and rear passengers as well. This increases the cost as well as the complexity of the systems.

- Since 1990 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is responsible for vehicle safety rules and statistics relating to vehicles, found that of 19 drivers killed by airbags, only five (5) of them were wearing seat belts and two of them were determined to be unconscious before the airbag deployed.

- All new passenger cars were required to have driver and passenger air bags by Sept. 1, 1997 and all sport utility, minivans and light trucks will be required to have them a year later.

Crash Sensors

- Crash Sensors are the devices that work with the control module to discriminate between crash and non-crash events. These sensors measure the severity of the impact. They are set up so that sudden "negative
acceleration" will cause the contacts to close, sending a signal to the control module which checks for a signal from the rear sensor which must arrive first to activate the Airbag(s). It is important to note that at least 2 of these sensors must signal a crash before airbag deployment.

Air Bag On-Off Switches: Questions and Answers

What does the final rule allow? Beginning January 19, 1998, the final rule allows repair shops and

dealers to install "on-off" switches that allow air bags in passenger cars and light trucks to be turned on and off in appropriate circumstances. Dealers and repair shops cannot perform this work without an authorization letter from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Vehicle owners can get this authorization letter by filling out a request form developed by NHTSA and sending it to the agency.

Who can get an on-off switch? Vehicle owners can get on-off switches installed for one or both air bags in their vehicles if they (or users of their vehicle) fall into one or more of four specific risk groups.

For both driver and passenger sides:

Individuals with medical conditions where the risks of a deploying air bag exceed the risk of impacting the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield in the absence of an air bag.

For the driver side, in addition to medical conditions:

Individuals who cannot position themselves to properly operate the vehicle with the center of their breastbone at least 10 inches back from the center of the driver air bag cover.

For the passenger side, in addition to medical conditions:

Individuals with the need to transport an infant in a rear-facing child restraint in the front seat because the vehicle has no rear seat, the rear seat is too small to accommodate a rear- facing child restraint, or because it is necessary to constantly monitor the child's medical condition.

Individuals with the need to carry children between I and 12-years-old in the front seat because the vehicle has no rear seat, the consumer must carry more children than can be accommodated in the rear seat, or because it is necessary to constantly monitor a child's medical condition.

These are the only four groups that are eligible for the installation of on-off switches.

How can most people ride safely with air bags? Most people can take steps that will eliminate or at least significantly reduce any risk without turning off air bags and losing their protection. The main source of risk is proximity; an air bag needs space to inflate. Move your seat rearward, and tilt your seat back - as a driver, you should ride at least 10 inches (measured from the center of the steering wheel to your breastbone) from the air bag cover if you can do this while maintaining full control of your vehicle. Passengers also need to sit at least 10 inches back from the air bag. Wear your seat belt, and remove any excess slack in the belt. Insist that children 12-years-old and younger ride in the back seat. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in front of an air bag.

Who is at risk from air bags? Very few people. Almost everyone is safer with an air bag than without one. There is a serious risk only if you are very close to the air bag cover (within 2-3 inches) when the air bag deploys.

On the driver side, if you are one of the relatively few people unable to get back at least 10 inches from the air bag cover (measured from the center of the steering wheel center to your breastbone), you may be a candidate for an on-off switch. At progressively shorter distances, the chances of being saved by an air bag decreases and the chances of being injured by it increases. The distance below 10 inches at which you might consider getting an on-off switch varies from vehicle model to vehicle model, because the risk is affected by differences in the design and performance of different air bags and crash sensors. The vast majority of people who currently sit less than 10 inches from the steering wheel can achieve that distance by moving their seat to the rear as far as possible (while still being able to comfortably drive the vehicle) and/or tilting the seat back slightly. If you cannot maintain at least a 10-inch distance from the air bag, despite your best efforts, you may wish to contact your dealer or vehicle manufacturer for advice about additional ways of moving back from your air bag. If you still are unable to come close to achieving the 10-inch distance, you may wish to consider getting an on-off switch. Since air bag performance varies among vehicle models, you may wish to consult your vehicle manufacturer for additional advice. If you do get an on-off switch, leave the air bag turned on for all drivers who can get back at least 10 inches.

If you are a driver with a medical condition, you should only turn off your air bag if you have been advised by a physician that an air bag poses a special risk to you and this risk outweighs the increased risk that your head, neck or chest will hit the steering wheel or dashboard in a crash if your air bag is turned off. Hitting these components can occur even if you are using your seat belt.

At the recent National Conference on Medical Indications for Air Bag Deactivation, a group of physicians considered all medical conditions commonly cited in letters to NHTSA as possible justifications for turning off air bags. The physicians did not recommend turning off air bags for many relatively common medical conditions, such as pacemakers, eyeglasses, angina, emphysema, asthma, breast reconstruction, mastectomy, previous back or neck surgery , hyperacusis, tinnitus, advanced age, osteoporosis and arthritis (if the person can sit at a safe distance from the air bag), or pregnancy. The physicians recommended turning off an air bag if a safe sitting distance or position cannot be maintained by a driver because of scoliosis or achondroplasia or by a passenger because of scoliosis or Down syndrome and atlantoaxial instability .The physicians also noted that a passenger air bag might have to be turned off if an infant or child has a medical condition and must ride in front so that he or she can be monitored. To obtain a copy of the recommendations, call the NHTSA Hotline or see the NHTSA web site.

Older drivers should follow the advice given above for all drivers.

On the passenger side, all children up through age 12 belong in the backseat. But, if you must place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag, get an on-off switch and turn the air bag off. Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an activated air bag.

If children 12 years and younger must sit in the front seat, first ensure that they use seat belts and/or child restraints appropriate for their size or weight. Then, move their vehicle seat all the way back. If these steps are taken, the risk of injury from the air bag will be substantially reduced. However, since children sometimes lean far forward or slip out of their shoulder belt, placing themselves in danger, you may wish to consider getting a switch and turning off the air bag. Since air bag performance varies from vehicle model to model, you may wish to contact your vehicle manufacturer for advice.

Passengers with medical conditions should follow the advice above for drivers with such conditions.

People not in any of the above groups will be worse off if they turn off their air bag. This includes the vast majority of teenagers and adults. By turning off their air bags, they will increase their chance of death or serious injury in moderate or high speed crashes.

What if I'm pregnant? Should I disconnect my air bag? No, not unless you are a member of a risk group. Pregnant women should follow the same advice as other adults: buckle up and stay back from the air bag. The lap belt should be positioned low on the abdomen, below the fetus, with the shoulder belt worn normally. Pull any slack out of the belt. Just as for everyone else, the greatest danger to a pregnant woman comes from slamming her head, neck or chest on the steering wheel in a crash. When crashes occur, the fetus can be injured by striking the lower rim of the steering wheel or from crash forces concentrated in the area where a seat belt crosses the mother's abdomen. By helping to restrain the upper chest, the seat belt will keep a pregnant woman as far as possible from the steering wheel. The air bag will spread out the crash forces that would otherwise be concentrated by the seat belt.

How do I get an on-off switch? If you are interested in having an on-off switch installed in a vehicle you own or lease, you first need to get a copy of NHTSA's information brochure, Air Bags and On- Off Switches: Information for an Informed Decision, and the accompanying form, Request for Air Bag On-Off Switch. The brochure and request form are available at many sources, including NHTSA's web site (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov), many new car dealers, state motor vehicle departments, all AAA clubs, and many other organizations. You also can obtain them by calling NHTSA's toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393. Read the brochure carefully before filling out the form; you may decide that an on-off switch is not appropriate for you. If you decide to request an on-off switch, you must fill out and submit the request form to NHTSA. The mailing address is provided on the form. You will need to certify on the request form that you have read the brochure and that you (or other occupants of your vehicle) fall into one or more of the risk groups for the air bag(s) for which you request a switch. If the form is properly and completely filled out, NHTSA will then send you an authorization letter that you can take to your dealer or repair shop.

You should check with your auto dealer or repair shop to see whether an on-off switch is available for your vehicle. Also, you should be aware that dealers and repair shops will not be installing on-off switches before January 19, 1998. Even after this date, it may take a while for switches to become available for all vehicles. You should also ask how much the switch will cost. If a switch is available and the dealer or repair shop is willing to install it, give the- authorization letter directly to- the dealer or repair business. After the dealer or repair shop installs the on-off switch, it will return a form (which will be included with the authorization letter) to NHTSA indicating to the agency it has done the work for you.

Why must I submit the request form to NHTSA? Why can't I just ask a dealer or repair shop to install an on-off switch? We decided to require this step to emphasize the importance of taking seriously the safety consequences of installing an air bag on-off switch. In addition, prior review of requests will enable the agency to monitor directly, from the very beginning, the implementation of the regulation and the effectiveness of educational efforts to promote informed decision making about air bag on-off switches.

Why can't I get an on-off switch now? Why must I wait until January 19, 1998? Manufacturers are just beginning the process of tooling up to produce on-off switches in volume. They need time to make switches, get them to their dealers, and for the dealers to get ready. In addition, NHTSA and other safety groups will be conducting educational efforts to provide consumers with information on on-off switches, and who should (or should not) consider them.

What if no switch is available after January 19,1998? If the manufacturer of your vehicle does not make an on-off switch for your model, you can check with a dealer or repair shop to see whether an "aftermarket" company (a parts manufacturer other than the vehicle manufacturer) makes a switch. If there is an aftermarket switch for your model, a dealer or repair shop can install it for you. Note that there are Federal requirements governing on-off switches; for example, they must be operated by a key and be equipped with warning lights to indicate when an air bag has been switched off.

Can consumers get their air bags deactivated instead of installing a retrofit on-off switch?

Generally, no. If a retrofit on-off switch is available from the vehicle manufacturer for a particular vehicle, eligible consumers desiring to disable their air bags must have a retrofit on-off switch installed; a dealer or repair shop cannot simply deactivate (or disconnect) the air bags. If a retrofit on-off switch is not yet available from the vehicle manufacturer for a particular vehicle, NHTSA will authorize air bag deactivation on a case-by-case basis under certain circumstances. If a retrofit on-off switch is available only from an aftermarket company, NHTSA still will authorize air bag deactivation for eligible people.

Under what circumstances will NHTSA allow air bag deactivation? If the vehicle manufacturer does not make an on-off switch available for a particular vehicle, NHTSA will authorize deactivation for the following reasons:

A rear-facing infant restraint must be placed in the front seat of a vehicle because there is no back seat or the back seat is too small for the child restraint (passenger air bag only).
A child 12-years-old or younger must ride in the front seat because the child has a condition that requires frequent medical monitoring in the front seat (passenger air bag only ).
An individual who drives (or rides in the front seat of) the vehicle has a medical condition that, on balance, makes it safer to have the air bag(s) turned off (driver and/or passenger air bag, as appropriate). Each request based on a medical condition must be accompanied by a written statement from a physician unless the request is based on a medical condition for which the National Conference on Medical Indications for Air Bag Deactivation recommends deactivation.
Drivers who must sit within a few inches of the air bag (typically because they are extremely short-statured, i.e., four feet, six inches or less) (driver air bag only)

These circumstances apply to me. How do I get an authorization from NHTSA to deactivate my air bags? Write a letter to NHTSA, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-1000. Requests also can be faxed to (202) 366-3820. Include: (1) the name and address of the vehicle owner or lessee, (2) the reason for the deactivation request, and (3) any supporting documentation (for example, a letter from a physician for all deactivation requests based on medical conditions for which the National Conference on Medical Indications for Air Bag Deactivation has not recommended deactivation. The physician's letter should not only identify the particular condition, but state that, in the physician's judgment, the condition is such that the potential risk of air bag deployment outweighs the risk of an air bag not deploying in a crash.). If the request concerns a child that must ride in the front seat to enable the driver to monitor the child's medical condition, the supporting physician's statement must identify the condition and state that frequent monitoring by the driver is necessary.

If the request is approved, NHTSA will send you a letter authorizing deactivation, an agency information brochure, labels alerting vehicle occupants about the deactivated air bags, and a form to be filled out and mailed back to the agency regarding the deactivation. You should then call your dealer or repair shop and ask whether it will disconnect the air bag. Some dealers and repair businesses have a policy of not disconnecting air bags. NHTSA cannot require them to deactivate air bags; however, most people should be able to find a qualified automotive mechanic or technician who will do the work.

NHTSA strongly urges owners and lessees to have the air bag reactivated if the condition that causes the deactivation ceases to exist, or if they sell the vehicle. If the vehicle is sold, and the air bag is not reactivated, the new owner needs to be notified.

Will NHTSA allow or require manufacturers to install on-off switches in new vehicles? NHTSA allows vehicle manufacturers to install passenger air bag on-off switches in new vehicles in limited circumstances. "Factory-installed" passenger air bag on-off switches are allowed in new vehicles only if they do not have rear seats, or if the rear seat is too small to accommodate a rear-facing child restraint. "Factory-installed" on-off switches are not allowed for the driver air bag in any new vehicle. Manufacturers are not required to install on-off switches in any new vehicle.

NHTSA decided against requiring or allowing on a widespread basis on-off switches as "factory- installed" equipment for several reasons. First, the switch is tied to a person in a risk group; the agency was concerned that extending the option of on-off switches to all new vehicles might result in on-off switches being installed as standard equipment in all new vehicles, thus resulting in on-off switches being installed without regard to whether individual consumers were at risk. NHTSA also was concerned that integrating on-off switches into new vehicles, which probably would require redesigning instrument panels, would divert resources from the development of more sophisticated air bag systems.

I am buying a new car, and want an air bag on-off switch. Can I have one installed? Yes. If you decide you want one (and you or a user of your vehicle falls into one of the risk groups), starting January 19, 1998, a dealer or repair shop can install an on-off switch in a new car or light truck, if you have an authorization letter from NHTSA. Remember, in order to request a switch, you must know the vehicle identification number of your vehicle and write it on your request form.

What about vehicles with "depowered" air bags? Can on-off switches be installed in these vehicles? Yes, you can have an on-off switch installed in a vehicle with a depowered air bag. However, depowered air bags will reduce the risk of injury caused by air bags. On the driver side, depowered air bags are expected to substantially reduce any air-bag-related risks for short drivers. On the passenger side, NHTSA believes that, with depowered air bags, there would be almost no chance of fatality to a properly-belted child sitting back from the air bag. There still would be a substantial risk for an infant in a rear-facing child restraint and for unrestrained or out-of-position children ages 12-and-under. Even if you or a user of your vehicle fall within one or more of the risk groups eligible for an on-off switch; you should consult with your vehicle manufacturer before installing an on-off switch in a vehicle with depowered air bags.

What about rental cars? Rental car companies will be able to have switches installed in their vehicles if they believe the vehicles will be used by people in one or more of the four risk groups.

Why should I leave the air bags in my vehicle turned on? Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for each age, 5 through 27 years old. Air bags reduce the risk of dying in a direct frontal crash by about 30 percent. Air bags have saved over 2,600 lives through November 1, 1997. They also have prevented a large number of serious head and chest injuries. Overall, air bags add to the protection offered by seat belts. In the vast majority of cases, adults are safer with an air bag that is "on. "

How can I get more information? Informational brochures will be available through auto dealers, State motor vehicle departments, AAA clubs, or from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration directly. You can call the agency's toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393 or you can visit NHTSA's site on the World-Wide Web at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov. Click on the air bag icon for detailed information that should help you make an informed decision about air bag use in your vehicle. Copies of the necessary information brochure and request form also can be downloaded from the NHTSA web site.

*Iautoinfo.com would like to thank the NHTSA for sending us this air-bag information*

If your car has ABS, apply firm, steady pressure to the brake pedal whenever you need to stop.

Many of today’s cars are equipped with ABS, or anti-lock braking systems, but not many drivers know how to use them properly. Re-read your car’s owner’s manual to learn more about the proper use of ABS.

If your car has ABS, the ABS logo will appear on your dashboard every time you start the car.

In the event of a skid, anti-lock brakes rely on a computer in the car to pump the brakes more rapidly than you could pump them yourself. To make the system work, apply firm, steady pressure to the brake. When the ABS kicks in, you will feel a vibration or pulsating sensation on the brake pedal. Many drivers mistakenly believe this sensation signals a fault in the system. On the contrary, it means ABS is working properly.

While the ABS is pumping the brakes very rapidly, the wheels will continue turning. This gives you control over the vehicles steering. In other words, you may be able to steer around an obstacle, such as the car in front of you.

Since many drivers aren’t accustomed to being able to steer while skidding, they over steer and risk running off the road. Be careful to turn the steering wheel just enough to avoid obstacles.

In summary, if your car has ABS, follow this braking procedure:

When you need to stop, apply firm, steady pressure to the brake pedal.
Gradually steer the car around any obstacles.
Release pressure on the brake.
Resume driving normally, but consider lowering your speed.

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