Newsletter
Cars Of The Future
By Staff Writer
If you were to ask someone in the 1940s about what automobiles would look like in the year 2011, chances are you’d get a revelation about flying cars and hover bikes, rather than one about hybrids. It just goes to show how many possibilities existed back then and the advancements that we have made to get us where we are today.
Car technology is continuously evolving, becoming more efficient, stylish and precise to better serve a growing population of drivers. But in order to understand where we are going, we need to look back at where we’ve been.
While things like flying cars may have been straight out of a science fiction movie 70 years ago, we look at that idea as a real possibility today. So where did such an idea come from? Many flying car aficionados attribute the earliest design of a flying car to Glenn Curtiss.
In 1917, Curtiss unveiled the first attempt at a car/plane fusion. His aluminum Autoplane sported three wings that spanned 40 feet and a motor driven by a four-bladed propeller at the rear of the car. The Autoplane never truly flew, but it did manage a few short hops. From then on, the idea of a flying car was implanted into the minds of people everywhere as a futuristic means of transportation.
Another favorite farfetched automobile idea from the past is the underwater car. Showcased as the pinnacle of top-secret engineering in films like James Bond: The Spy Who Loved Me, the underwater car quickly became an attention-grabber for those interested in future car designs. It wasn’t until 2008 that an actual model of an underwater car was developed.
Rinspeed, a company that specializes in car modification, introduced one of the first underwater concept cars the world has ever seen. Built around a Lotus Elise, the sQuba can “fly” underwater and has zero emissions. An electric motor provides rear-wheel drive while on roads, while two propellers in the stern and two jets drive in the bow propel the "amphibious" vehicle underwater.
These are just two examples of futuristic cars turned reality, which were once speculated to be nothing more than science fiction. However, these examples are extreme visions of automobile advancement. Much more progress has been made in the past century, contributing to modern car performance that we take for granted on a daily basis.
Water repellant glass, regenerative brakes, and carbon fiber parts are some of the elements that are on the cutting edge of future technology today. While these pieces of technology may not garner the attention of flying or amphibious cars, they are certainly turning heads in the automotive industry.
Imagine driving through the rain going 60 MPH, even a light drizzle feeling like a full-on downpour at this speed. Your windshield wipers are flashing back and fourth, clearing your field of vision each time they make a pass. However, in between the swipes of the blades, the glass becomes obstructed due to oncoming rain, making it harder to see. It can be a terrifying situation for even the strongest drivers.
In today’s modern automotive world, there’s a solution to this problem, and it lives on the cutting edge of glass technology: water repellant glass. It may not seem like a noteworthy advancement in science, but water repellant glass has gained the attention of car manufacturers everywhere. This glass literally disperses water by itself, quickly enough to keep your windows transparent during the cycle of wiper blade swipes.
Are water resistant windshields not cool enough for you? How about a braking system so smart that it stores the kinetic energy of braking and uses it in the future? That’s right, instead of grinding down your brake pads, some modern cars actually absorb and translate that energy used during braking to help you stop faster in the future. It’s not only lifesaving, but represents a breakthrough in modern physics.
So where are we in the automotive world? We have certainly progressed in technology over the years, but we’re still not driving flying cars through the air, leaving us somewhere between science fiction and scientific advancement. One thing’s for sure—the future of cars is an endless array of possibilities.
Could we still see flying cars? Does the technology even exist? The efforts of past inventors and engineers have certainly paved the way for some hopeful possibilities. Paul Moller is one of the prime candidates to conquer hover car technology. Moller has spent 40 years and millions of dollars developing his Skycar, and is now very close to developing the first mass-marketed flying car. He believes this vehicle will be mass-produced for as low as $60,000 in the near future.
What about a car that is powered by an alternative fuel source that yields no emissions? We are talking of course about a hydrogen-powered car, the likes of which have only been speculated on thus far. By harnessing the power of combustible hydrogen, scientists believe that they could eliminate fossil fuels from the automotive industry and reduce emissions to next to nothing. How’s that for an advancement in car technology?
With the possibilities of the future dependent on the progress of the past, prospects appear to be exciting for what comes next in the world of cars. We’ve managed to create some of the coolest science fiction cars of the past, while simultaneously advancing technology that helps drivers everywhere. How long until the cars we dream about become a reality, and what will drivers of the future envision? Only time will tell.
The Importance of Getting Your Transmission Checked
By Staff Writer
Most drivers rely very heavily on their vehicles, and lost time and money due to unexpected repairs can be a major inconvenience. That’s why regular maintenance and inspections by a reputable auto technician are necessary to ensure a vehicle is running correctly and efficiently. Before making the daily commute or taking a summer road trip, it is important to have vehicles checked for problems, such as transmission issues, to avoid untimely breakdowns in the summer heat.
In fact, making an investment in the regular monitoring of a vehicle’s transmission can save days of repair work and hundreds of dollars in repair bills down the road.
Regular transmission maintenance and paying attention to transmission abnormalities will prolong the life and efficiency of a vehicle. While certainly not always associated with transmission problems, a car’s check engine light should never be ignored. Transmission failure may trigger the light, and immediate inspection will prevent any further damage.
Transmissions may also experience crunching or shaking. In a car with a manual transmission, the car will make a harsh grinding noise while the clutch is engaged and gears are shifted. This can result from an overused clutch, and requires an immediate replacement. Automatic transmissions may experience shaking or jerking as gears shift, indicating a problem.
Vehicles may also experience an incorrect response. With a manual transmission, gears are sometimes shifted, but fail to receive the appropriate amount of power or momentum. An automatic transmission may have a problem when the transition takes time to shift between park and drive.
Often overlooked by car owners, transmission fluid should be monitored and changed on a regular basis to help avoid serious transmission problems. The fluid lubricates the moving parts of the transmission, allowing smooth operation and limited heat generation. Neglecting to monitor your transmission fluid levels may cause the transmission to stick, damaging parts and requiring expensive replacements.
The age, make, transmission type and how often the vehicle is driven help technicians determine how frequently the fluid should be changed and if an additional coolant is required. Drivers can also determine how often a change is needed by checking the fluid with a dipstick once a month. The fluid should have a red color and a sweet smell, but when the fluid turns dark and has a burning odor, it is time to take the vehicle to a reputable technician for an inspection and most likely the fluid replaced.
In addition, when checking fluid levels, it is a good idea to inspect the area where the vehicle is parked overnight for fluid leaks. Cracks in the seals around the transmission are common with older vehicles and will eventually cause the transmission to malfunction. If there is a leak, the red or brown fluid will drop onto the ground and form a puddle near the front or the back of the transmission where the seals are located.
Transmission repairs can be costly, and so catching them early saves drivers both money and unexpected time sitting in the repair shop. If a problem is detected, it is important to have it repaired quickly to avoid further damage. Transmission repair is specialized work, so it’s important to take your vehicle into a reputable repair shop with plenty of transmission experience. Taking a vehicle directly to an expert technician guarantees drivers a quality repair and the most affordable price.
When a transmission requires serious repairs, a vehicle owner can either replace the transmission or have it rebuilt. A new transmission is certainly the pricier option, but to save money, many technicians will be able to rebuild your existing transmission. The job is often done at a relatively low cost, with reasonable repair time.
Transmission repairs result in inconveniences and a loss of time and money for drivers, but regular maintenance and inspections will keep cars on the road and out of the repair shop, all at your ultimate convenience.
The Dangers of DWF: Driving While Fatigued
By Staff Writer
While everyone knows the dangers associated with drunk driving, there are many out there who are unaware that a sleep-deprived person behind the wheel of an automobile is just as dangerous. And while there may be laws against driving under the influence, it is much more difficult to stop people from driving while they’re tired. The law only extends so far, so it’s up to accident data to get the word out about how detrimental driving while fatigued can be—data that is both staggering and alarming.
In order to understand why fatigue accidents happen, we must first understand how our body reacts to sleep, or more importantly, the lack thereof. In many ways, it’s a feeling similar to being drunk: reflexes are dull, reaction times are shortened, and vision can be impaired. When presented with a quick thinking situation or a sudden, abrupt change in driving style, fatigued drivers are often put at a disadvantage that could wind up being fatal.
Monotony can also play a huge role in how drivers react to fatigue. Say, for example, that a person suffering from lack of sleep is driving on the interstate at night. His windows are up, the radio is on and he’s sitting comfortably as he drives. Because of the lack of cars on the interstate at night, the driver’s attention level has dropped, and after awhile, his comfort segues into a drowsy state of consciousness. It’s only a matter of time before this drowsiness becomes sleep.
Statistics show that this person is almost certainly headed for disaster, whether it’s a collision with another car or the loss of control leading to an accident. However, other circumstances of fatigue-related accidents aren’t this clear-cut. Many involve the aforementioned characteristics of a drunk driver and could easily be avoided with proper sleep. No bigger example can be presented than that of long-haul truck drivers and their susceptibility to fatigue-related syndromes.
Because of their long, consecutive hours and familiarity with driving over long distances, truck drivers have been the subjects of observation when it comes to fatigue-related driving accidents. In fact, data from a 2003 to 2005 study from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration about sleep deprivation and driving is directly based off of the risks that many truck drivers face. The conclusion of this study clearly attributes an increased number of accidents to lack of sleep, indicating that fatigue-related crashes increased significantly after eight straight hours of driving.
Truck drivers are only one example, however, as anyone can feel the effects of sleep deprivation and fatigue while behind the wheel. So how can this be avoided? The steps to stave off fatigue are simple, and if followed correctly, can potentially be lifesaving.
First and foremost to avoiding driver fatigue is to be well rested before you start driving. A good night of sleep can make all the difference when you’ve been on the road for an extended period of time. Sleep also helps our bodies to restore motor function to its full capacity, along with reflexes and perception. Simply put, with sleep comes rejuvenation.
Another excellent tip to handling fatigue is to drive with a partner. This person can take over driving in shifts, allowing you to take a quick nap in the safety of the passenger seat, a technique that can be used when driving long distances. It’s also important to have someone around who can identify the signs of exhaustion should you not be able to properly identify them as they set in.
That said, the signs of fatigue can be difficult to identify, as they are commonly confused with the likes of boredom. Fatigue can begin as the inability to focus on something, which commonly includes wandering thoughts and daydreaming. This leads to inattentive driving. When a person is not focused on driving, it’s easy to become comfortable and relaxed, which often leads to sleeping behind the wheel, and ultimately an accident.
Driving while fatigued is dangerous, irresponsible, and potentially life-threatening. Doing so can endanger not only the driver, but everyone else on the road. By following simple precautions and understanding the consequences of getting behind the wheel while tired, drivers can educate themselves on how to improve their own safety and the safety of those around them.
What to Do If You're in an Accident
By Staff Writer
Car accidents are unexpected and can cause great shock, stress, and injuries. In the minutes after a crash it can be very difficult to concentrate. However, it is always important to stay calm and follow appropriate procedures to make sure you have all of your bases covered.
No matter how cautious or experienced a driver is, there is always the potential for an accident when driving, and it is best to take precautions even before you leave home. Storing emergency equipment in the glove compartment or trunk will come in handy in case of an accident. Carry a cell phone, a pen and paper for taking notes, a disposable camera to take photos of the vehicles at the scene, a card with information about medical allergies or conditions that may require special attention if there are serious injuries, and a list of contact numbers for law enforcement agencies. A First-Aid kit, flashlight, set of cones, warning triangles, and emergency flares kept in the trunk will also be useful.
Following an accident, it is very important that you collect yourself and take the appropriate safety measures. For minor accidents with no serious injuries, drivers should move cars to the side of the road and out of the way of traffic to avoid additional accidents and injuries. All drivers involved should then stop the vehicles, move to a nearby safe area, then call the police.
If a vehicle cannot be moved, drivers and passengers should remain in their vehicles with seatbelts fastened for everyone's safety until help arrives. Make sure you turn on hazard lights, and if possible, set out cones, flares, or warning triangles. This is especially important at night.
While waiting for the police to arrive, begin exchanging information with the other party or parties. Get contact information from everyone involved in the accident, including names, mailing addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. Also, make a note of the color, make and model of the other vehicles, as well as the license plates if possible. Police officers can help you and the other drivers gather this information, and often have a form for the drivers to exchange. It’s also important to get the police officer’s name, phone number, and police report number.
Documenting the accident is the next step in the process. Use a camera to record the damage to all the vehicles involved, and remember that the photos should show the overall context of the accident when they are shown to a claims adjuster. If there are witnesses, try to get their contact information. These individuals may be able to help clear up confusion if there is a dispute between drivers’ versions of the incident.
You should also follow some simple communication guidelines during the process. Don’t panic; be polite and cooperative when dealing with the police, witnesses, and the other drivers. Do not admit the accident was your fault or blame the other driver, even if he or she clearly caused the accident. It may just start an argument, and it is the job of the police to determine who is at fault for the crash. If the other driver admits it was his or her fault, make a mental note of it and later write down exactly what you remember that person saying.
Also, after the accident, write down all of the information you have gathered and facts you can remember about the crash while it is still fresh in your mind. Explain how the accident happened as best you can and draw a sketch or diagram of the collision to help your memory later on. For some accidents, it can be months or even years before the insurance companies fully resolve any claims, so take advantage of your more detailed short-term memory.
If police are not present at the accident, you should file a state vehicle accident report to help insurance companies speed up the claims process. The reports can be found at police stations and are often available as a downloadable file through a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles’ website.
Before a collision takes place, you should know the details of your insurance coverage. Learning what your policy covers only after an accident has occurred will cause stress and confusion. All insurance policies require you to notify them shortly after the accident, and so waiting to tell your insurance company about the collision will make it more difficult for the company to piece together the evidence for your claim. In the worst cases, it may even result in a total denial of your claim.
Accidents are extremely taxing situations and can take great physical and mental tolls, but knowing the proper procedures may allow you to handle these incidents with greater ease. Keep these tips in mind, and remember to stay cool and calm if you should find yourself in a crash with another vehicle.