This is the Superior Auto Group’s introduction to airbags and their efficacy. A lot of the information you may already know, but some of it you may not
As we all know an airbag is much like a heavy-duty plastic balloon that inflates fully within fractions of a second during a collision. A deployed airbag protects the driver or passengers from injury by limiting and cushioning movement during a crash.
One of the biggest things to remember is that the airbag was designed to be used in conjunction with a seat-belt. The seat belt holds the person in place so that the airbag provides maximum protection. A lot of people, too many in fact, believe that just having an airbag will protect them fully. This is simple not the case. Without use a a seat belt, the airbag can actually be a hazard.
Airbag restraint systems have been around for quite some time and therefore vary greatly in the types of technology they use to deploy the bag. Also when airbags started to be used back in the late 80s they where only placed in front of the driver and mounted on the steering wheel. Nowadays these supplemental inflatable restraint systems will include side and passenger deployment systems to protect many if not all passengers. Even the driver side airbag in most cases now has an added knee diverter or sometimes referred to as the knee bolster bag.
AIRBAG SAFETY AND SERVICE
Now that we have a brief review of the overall airbag picture let’s talk about what to do after a collision when it comes time to replace the deployed units to assure that they are ready to do their job again once all vehicle repairs are completed.
It is highly recommended to replace airbag system components with original equipment manufactured replacement parts. Aftermarket parts may appear to be less expensive and yet interchangeable, but internal differences may result in inferior occupant protection.
The factory installed fasteners, screws and bolts used to fasten airbag components have a special coating and are specifically designed for the airbag system. Your body shop should use the specialized fasteners and they should not be substituted for regular or standard grade fasteners.
You should make your body shop aware that you expect all of your airbag components to be replaced with brand-new parts that were made by the vehicle’s original manufacturer.
Failure to make your shop clear on this might make them think its okay to use recovered junkyard parts or less expensive and possibly inferior aftermarket airbag parts.
As part of the repair process an interior detail is usually performed and is recommended before the family begins to use the vehicle as usual. The Powder residue emitted from a deployed airbag can cause skin and sinus irritation. This is especially true for people that are sensitive to airborne irritants.
When you get back in your vehicle and turn the key from the off to the run position your airbag or SRS light should light up maybe even flash and then go out. This is a bulb check and a self-diagnostic routine that is performed by the body computer.
If there are any problems with the supplemental inflatable restraint system the indicator light may show a malfunction by staying on. You can visit my other website Auto-Facts.org for more information about airbag warning lights.
Airbag Technology Continues to Develop
I recently read that Siemens VDO has developed sensors that listen to an auto crash to determine the location and severity to determine how best to deploy the airbags and seat belt restraints.
According to the company, with the Crash Impact Sound Sensor (CISS) technology, “the airbag deployment can take place up to 15 milliseconds earlier than with conventional systems. The result is a considerable increase in driver safety.” That’s great news!
What do you think? Helpful info on airbags? Have any stories on how your airbag deployed to your benefit? Share them with Superior.
Often times here at Superior, we get asked a lot of questions. One recent question was asked by the daughter of one of our service customers. Why did the windshield “spiderweb” instead of break? You have windows all throughout your home or apartment, and if ever broken one (guilty here on a few occasions), you know that when they shatter, glass goes everywhere.
Hopefully you’ve never been involved in an auto accident, but if you have, you probably noticed that car windows don’t cave in very easily. Why?
Safety glass!
So, what makes safety glass different? Safety glass is made up of several layers of glass – usually two or more – and a thin layer of clear, plastic film which is sandwiched between them. This film helps keep glass from flying everywhere when broken which could cause injury to you, or any other occupants in your car.
Safety glass was first used in cars in the late 1920s, and before that, the car windows were made similar to those windows found in your home. Ouch! According to glasslinks.com, the safety glass in cars today can withstand three times the impact velocity of standard windshields.
Most side and rear windows in cars are made from a tempered safety glass. This tempering process can strengthen glass up to 10 times that of un-tempered glass. It involves heating the glass and contouring it as it heats. While very strong, tempered glass can break, but when it does, it shatters into rounded, smaller pieces that are less likely to injure someone.
You learn something new every day, don’t you? If you have any comments or questions, feel free to post them here or swing by any Superior location.
I wonder how many Cars in Cincinnati are used as roving battery chargers for our phones, mp3 players, GPS and a whole host of other little gadgetsWell maybe not.It seems that every time I get in my carI immediately plug in my phone for charging. Is this a good thing? It doesn’t matter if my phone or iPod is fully charged or flat lined, I will plug it in for the ride home just to be sure it’s not going to die on me later while I am already at HOME!! I started paying attention to how long it was taking my phone or iPod to charge up and for some reason it seems they charge faster in the car then they do at home. Why is this? Is this even true or am I seeing things? Well I did some research and this is what I found:
Once a standard internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle gets up to operating speeds, it produces more energy than can go to the wheels thanks to losses from heat and friction. And, since it’s the engine that sends energy to the power outlet in the car (via the battery), does it make sense to charge your gadgets during your commute rather than at home, using energy that would otherwise be wasted? There is no simple answer, but the way that some new vehicle powerplants are changing means it’s going to be more and more likely that you’ll want to charge up on the road, even if you live in a solar-powered house.
One reason it’s hard to answer the question right now is that, while an engine is capable of producing much more energy than it uses to cruise, it doesn’t necessarily produce that energy at all times. Thus, plugging in a gadget adds a bit of load to the engine, but probably a lot less than running the headlights, heater or defogger. So if you drive a normal vehicle powered by an ICE, keep plugging that iPhone into the wall.
The trick comes with newer vehicles that have brake energy regeneration. In these cars, the difference might actually be negligible because they use an intelligently-controlled alternator that only charges the car’s battery when the car is slowing down and it’s the battery that supplies juice for your gadgets. Thus, the engine isn’t taxed with spending fuel to keep the battery charged. Over the next few years as regenerative braking becomes more common, getting some gadget energy from your car will at least help reduce your home energy load.
Tell your Cincinnati car dealer what you think. You still want to plug in at home or on the road?
So Nitrogen in your tires….That sounds odd. Cincinnati car dealerships are seeing a lot of requests for nitrogen filling options for their tires. Not sure what the fuss is about? Are you wondering what it can do for your tires? Well nitrogen filled tires are not necessarily the latest, but the could be greatest craze right now. Did you know that nitrogen is all around us? Of course you did, you passed 8th grade science. Technically speaking, the air we breathe is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and small amounts of other gasses. Science class over.
So what’s this big hubbub about nitrogen? Well, actually, nitrogen is said to have many advantages over oxygen when it comes to tire inflation. Nitrogen enhances handling, improves fuel efficiency, extends tire life, provides cooler running tire temperatures and can keep you safer on the roads….. Overall, filling up with nitrogen won’t hurt and may provide benefits. It’s really up to you to decide what you’d rather have. It is important to note that nitrogen is more expensive than ai (as air typically costs nothing)r, so be prepared for tha added expenset. But here’s the deal on that too. the added expense. You see, nitrogen particles are bigger than those of oxygen so they don’t pass through the tire wall as easily. Check out the diagram.
Here are a few stats on Nitrogen.
Maintain proper tire pressure with nitrogen, and you’ll see these three primary benefits:
• Increased Fuel Efficiency – Correct tire pressure keeps the manufacturer’s recommended “contact patch” on the road. This lessens the rolling resistance and maximizes fuel efficiency.
• Longer Tire Life – When it comes in contact with other materials, oxygen causes oxidation. Oxidation can make rubber brittle and cause it to lose tensile strength. In addition, at high temperatures and pressures, oxygen reacts and damages inner tire liners and belt packages; nitrogen does not.
• Increased Safety – Under-inflated tires cause 90% of blowouts. Nitrogen provides more reliable pressure for reduced blowout potential. Go to getnitrogen.org for more info.
Check out this video with Jay Leno on Nitrogen filled tires. Yes. Jay Leno.
Looking for a shot of nitrogen? Give your Cincinnati car dealer a shout and we can probably help out.
While you and your new car dealership in Cincinnati may consider you a good driver, there are times when you may go a little bit faster than the law allows. Of course being the responsible driver you are you’ll usually correct this when you find yourself exceeding the speed limit. However there will be times when you don’t catch your speeding quick enough and get caught by a speed trap.
Speed traps are established in areas where speeding is a common occurrence, of course they’re the prime spots where you feel like you may be able to get away with it. The thing that makes them successful is that they can surprise drivers who do not know where they are. However, there is now an app to help you prepare for when one approaches.
It’s called Escort Live and it uses up-to-the-second information from other users to let you know if a speed trap is approaching. With the connectivity available from smart phones, this app is able to upload it’s information into the cloud with it’s specially designed Blue Tooth cable to warn other drivers. Not only is it good at warning you about speed traps, but it can warn you about red light cameras as well. The app is available for both Android and iPhones.
People think that having an app like this means that they can break the law easier, but it reality it enables you to monitor your speed and drive safely. Many speed traps are located in smaller towns along highway routes, and that is what makes them effective. You should never go faster than the speed limit, but during a long road trip or a drive through a small town, it can be easy to not reduce your speed, or miss a speed limit sign. Be sure to always follow the rules of the road, and keep this app on to be a good reminder to monitor your driving through speed traps.
Safe driving is important, and with the weather starting to change you need to be extra careful to take care of yourself and new car, Cincinnati.
In the world of smart phones and wi-fi hot spots, it is more and more common to stay connected than ever before. This has extended from laptops and other digital devices into your car. Gone are the days of staying up all night before a road trip planning out the fastest route with a highlighter and a road atlas. Now, all it takes are a few pushes of a button and you can get anywhere. Driving through new areas doesn’t mean that you have to search in futility for a radio station that plays the music you want to hear. Well, until now these kinds of things meant several different devices. One company called Parrot has decided to change all of that.
Parrot has created a new after market stereo that has all the functionality of a GPS system, internet radio, and more in one simple compact device. It will allow drivers to use online maps, plan road trips, tell you weather forecasts, compose text messages or emails by voice, and give you access to over 50,000 internet radio stations. This all in one unit will not only get all of the clutter off of your dash, but it will also make your driving life easier. The best part about the Parrot stereo is that it will also interface with many Android phone apps.
Coming out in October, this will make a perfect Christmas gift this holiday season for the person who spends a lot of time behind the wheel and on the road. Getting around in your car is becoming easier with these new internet and satellite connected devices, and this product puts them all in one sleek looking passage. If you are looking for the perfect all-in-one then this device may be for you, and if you are also looking for a new car be sure to come into Superior Cars.
Accessorizing your car is a great way of showing off your unique personality to anyone else on the road. From custom paint graphics to after market wheels and rims, you have the right to transform any car you buy into its own unique snowflake. But sometimes it can get a bit out of hand, and your car or truck passes from cool and unique to just plain weird. While of course all of this is subjective, there are some accessories out there that will make you scratch your head and wonder, “Who would spend money on that?”
So what are these outrageous add-ons that are looking for your unnecessary dollar? Here’s a selection from a top ten list that carinsurancequotes.net compiled.
Fake Bullet Holes: Plastering fake bullet holes all over your hoopty is pretty gangsta, and may even prevent you from encountering more road rage incidents — who wants to mess with someone who’s already apparently survived multiple gun fights? But, if you’re driving a car that you actually care about, one that you might even drive to work, then why would you sacrifice its appearance for a few laughs (which are, by the way, at you)? The other extreme is those personalized decals that represent each member of your family that are on every other minivan or SUV.
French Fry Holder: Sixteen years ago, no state had an obesity rate higher than 20%. Today, all but one state have surpassed that benchmark — Colorado, is teetering on the edge at 19.8%. It’s safe to say that items such as the car French fry holder, akin to the cup holder, haven’t helped. The inconvenience of driving no longer has to limit your gluttony, and you can eat at a much more efficient rate. Gone are the days of using your cup holder or legs to hold them in check, which, in all honesty, is good for road safety. We’ll never stop people from eating while driving.
Scented Tires: After miles upon miles of pounding the pavement and coming into contact with things such as bloated animal carcasses, your tires tend to accumulate a not-so-pleasant smell — one that you’d never notice unless you got on all fours and put your nose against the rubber. To most people, this is a non issue. To others who never skip the details, it’s something that must be addressed. In 2008, Kumho Tires, a company based in South Korea, released a lavender-scented tire called the Ecsta DX Aroma. Priced at $81, it blended synthetic oils into the rubber compound, maximizing viscoelasticity. Perfect for your Challenger or Camaro SS.
So feel free to add or modify your car however you see fit. Just remember, car accessories can become addicting, and before you know it you are buying expensive aromatic tires. If you are looking for a new car to accessorize, then be sure to come into Superior Cars.
It’s amazing to see technology progress so quickly before our eyes. A decade ago, GPS units changed the way that we get around in our cars, and Tom Tom has made a new device that adds even more break through technology to the average GPS. While getting from one place to another is still the primary function of GPS devices, companies are using new mobile technology to allow you to know what to expect along the way. Knowing upcoming traffic, weather, and up to date construction zones will allow you to be prepared for any experience along your route, and the new Tom Tom Go Live 1535 does just that.
Consumer Reports has a great article on where the future of GPS devices are headed with this brand new unit coming out in the near future.
Of course, it could be argued that all dashtop navigators are intended for travelers, but this one bundles a few interesting features and a real twist with the applications. For example, the Twitter app allows the user to send a pre-set message when they leave announcing a destination, and the device can send an update, with an adjusted arrival time, as necessary. The function is option, and despite the implied distraction the name “Twitter” implies, as described, this is a one-way means of communication, not a means to follow a Twitter feed.
This traveler-targeting navigator includes maps for Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Starting at $250, the well-equipped device has upscale features such as lane guidance, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice recognition. Lifetime maps are included.
So if you are in the market for a better, faster, more connected GPS unit than the one that you currently own, be sure to keep your eyes open for this new device coming in the fall. If you want to match it with a new car to get around town in, then come into Superior Cars.
We all like cranking up the stereo and driving with the windows rolled down some times. Sure, it’s not great for every occasion, but the feeling of a bumping bass can be enough to satisfy that urge for short periods of time. Most people who upgrade their cars with a premium audio system will put a few sub woofers in the trunk between ten and fifteen inches to get plenty of boosting power for their ride. Well, there are some people who build cars that are packed to the gills with speakers and sub woofers, and they probably wouldn’t be used to listen to some tunes while cruising down an open road.
Cars like these are made for competitions to see who can get the most bass and sound out of their car. In the video below you’ll be able to see what 40,000 watts of bass power can do. It’s a hair raising experience!
While some people may like having enough bass to sound like a bomb going off, it is definitely not for everyone. If you are looking for a new car with a great sound system, that will still allow you to actually enjoy your music, then be sure to come into Superior Cars.
Keeping your car clean and organized is usually easier said than done. When it is time to clean out your car, one of the places that is often missed is your glove box. The glove box usually becomes the place where you throw all the little things that you don’t have room for, and with its small size, usually becomes stuffed with papers and items and becomes hard to close. So what should you keep in your glove box?
Let’s start with the must have items. These are the things that every car should have, and keeping it in your glove box is a great way of staying organized. The first is your car’s owner manual, which is where it comes when you buy your car. These are already made to fit perfectly in the glove box, and this is where it should stay. The next is a small pad or paper and a pen. If you get into an accident, or want to keep track of your car’s maintenance and fuel schedule, these two items can really come in handy. Keep a printed out list of emergency contacts and medical information. If you get in a bad wreck and are unresponsive when you are found, this will really help out emergency personnel treat you. Finally, keep your insurance information in the glove box. If you get pulled over you’re going to need this, and it’s best to have it in a secure place so you don’t have to tear apart your purse or wallet looking for it.
Those are items you really need to have with you, but you still have room for convenience items to help you get through your driving day. If you go through a drive through, put any extra unused napkins in there to help clean up messes. The lame can go for a lent roller if you have pets that you like to travel with. Crumple up a few small plastic grocery bags to be used as little garbage bags to help you clean out your car after hauling around the kids to school and soccer practice. If you have enough room left over, then a flash light can really be helpful if you are having car issues during the night.
Be sure to not over-stuff your glove box and to keep it clean and orderly so you can get access to all of these items quickly and easily. Also, don’t keep your title in your glove box, or anywhere else in your car. While this is a common practice, if your car gets stolen, then you also have lost your proof of ownership with the car. If you are looking for a new car with plenty of glove box space, then come shop at Superior Cars.
The Superior Automotive Group and Mike Albert Direct have been serving Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky since 1928. We care about you, your cars, your safety, and our community.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask and any suggestions are always welcome at SuperiorAutomotiveGroup@gmail.com
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This is the Superior Auto Group’s introduction to airbags and their efficacy. A lot of the information you may already know, but some of it you may not
