Quick Cash Auto Blog

While this blog mainly focuses on cars, trucks, SUVs and more, it’s important to mention another vehicle that is often found on many roadways: the motorcycle. While it may be easy to pass motorcycle operators off as less important, the fact is, motorcycle operators are entitled to the same rights and subject to many of the same traffic laws as everyone else. In fact, some states have even enacted certain laws to protect motorcyclists from accidents and injury.

One of the most important times to watch out for motorcyclists is during inclement weather. If you operate a traditional automobile, you’ll typically be able to drive in these conditions with the benefit of a windshield, heat and four wheels of traction and control. Unfortunately, motorcyclists don’t have these luxuries, and many of them are subject to the elements. As a result, motorcyclists may not have the visibility you do while on the road, meaning automobile drivers need to always be watching out for quick lane switches, slower speeds and more.

Another reason to watch out for motorcyclists is speed. A motorcycle will typically be able to gain higher acceleration speeds when compared to a traditional vehicle, but braking speeds may differ. A four-wheeled vehicle has the added benefit of more tires, all of which assist it in stopping. A motorcycle, on the other hand, usually only employs brakes on one wheel. Because of the balance of a motorcycle, this can make it harder to bring to a safe and complete stop, meaning vehicle operators need to be aware of motorcycles in front of them, behind them and at intersections.

Due to their smaller size, motorcycles may also be harder to see. While passing vehicles on a busy highway, you may miss a motorcycle in the non-passing lane, potentially causing an accident. The best advice to avoid such an accident is to always pay attention to your surroundings when driving, and drive at the speed limit or slower. Because most motorcycles only employ one headlight, drivers need to also watch out for motorcycle safety at night. If a motorcycle only has one headlight, it may appear as a four-wheel vehicle with one headlight in the dark of night, causing other drivers to misjudge their distance.

Legally, motorcycle operators may have different rules and laws to follow, depending upon the state in which they are operating. If you are a motorcycle operator, or if you’re concerned about motorcycle safety, please take some time to research the laws in your area to ensure safe and efficient roadways.

Traditional car seats are made to accommodate children that fall into a healthy weight range. If your child is larger than an average child his age, what can you do to keep him safe in the car? As bigger kids become the rule rather than the exception, there are car seats being made that can keep your larger child safe on the road.

A 2006 study published in the medical journal Pediatrics highlighted the need for car seats with higher weight limits. The study showed that nearly 300,000 children between the ages of one and six were too heavy for traditional car seats, which required their parents to use a seat not approved for their height or body type. Using a car seat that is not designed for your child’s body weight is unsafe and cannot protect him during an accident, so car seat manufacturers have started to offer car seats that will keep this growing demographic safe.

Listed below are car seats available for larger children:

• Britax Frontier 85 Combination Booster Car Seat

This car seat is convertible to accommodate a child weighing up to 85 pounds in the car seat mode, and up to 120 pounds in booster seat mode. Features include a 5-point harness system that keeps children secure and safe. The seat has been shown to be effective in side impact type accidents.

• Orbit Baby G2 Infant Car Seat

For infants, this car seat has a higher weight range than other comparable seats, accommodating infants up to 30 pounds. The prior version of this car seat only held infants up to 22 pounds, but Orbit changed the design to keep even larger infants safe.

• Maxi-Cosi Pria 70 Convertible Car Seat

Like the Britax car seat, this seat can be used as both a car seat and a booster seat. Used as a car seat, the Maxi-Cosi seat can accommodate a child weighing up to 70 pounds. Once converted to a booster seat, the weight limit is 100 pounds.

Just because your child is larger than average doesn’t mean that you have to settle for an unsafe car seat that isn’t designed for him.

The battery pack in the Chevrolet Volt, an all-electric vehicle, has been shown to catch fire on impact during serious accidents, causing concern and prompting government investigation into the issue. Crash-tested vehicles are being closely monitored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to pinpoint the issue. So far, two batteries in Volts involved in the government crash tests have caught fire following the test.

General Motors, the manufacturer of the Chevrolet Volt, stated that the vehicle is no less safe than any other vehicle on the road, both during normal operation and following an accident. The government was made aware of the issue with the battery pack six months ago, when a Volt in storage that had been involved in a crash test three weeks prior caught fire, causing damage to the vehicle and vehicles in the immediate area.

The fires in all three of the cases had taken place after a crash test that simulated a side impact into a narrow object, such as a tree or a utility pole. While there are nearly 5,000 Chevrolet Volts currently on the road, no such incidences have been reported as a result of an actual road accident.

So far, there has not been a decision regarding recalling the vehicle for a mandatory replacement of parts. Because the vehicles are equipped with OnStar technology, General Motors would be notified immediately if there was an accident involving a Volt, and specifics concerning the cause of the accident and combustion in the battery pack would also be passed along to the car manufacturer.

The Volt is the only electric vehicle that has had reported problems with the battery pack, but the battery fires have cooled public opinion in regards to electric vehicles. To try to encourage the sale of electric vehicles, the government has required that electric vehicle manufacturers follow more stringent rules regarding crash testing in the future. Information specifically concerning battery packs must be reported to assure that the battery fires do not become a common occurrence.

In the case of an accident while driving an electric vehicle, a driver should do the same thing as they would in a gas-powered vehicle: get out of the vehicle and travel a safe distance away before calling for help.

Over half a million Toyota vehicles are being voluntarily recalled by the company worldwide due to steering issues. The recall is the latest in a two year string of recalls affecting over 14 million Toyota vehicles, further marring the reputation of the once popular car manufacturer. The trouble for the company started when reports were made two years ago concerning some models of Toyota accelerating out of control. Although studies found that the acceleration issue was likely operator error rather than a manufacturer mistake, the recall still significantly damaged the reputation of the company.

Toyota, a car manufacturer based in Japan, has already had a severe dip in sales due to shortages of parts directly linked to the tsunami that hit Japan in March of this year. Profits have slipped nearly 20 percent between July and September because of the parts shortage.

Another natural disaster is likely to cause trouble for the already suffering car manufacturer; Toyota uses many suppliers in Thailand, where flooding has caused significant damage. The company also maintains three assembly plants in Thailand.

Car industry experts note that the continued hardships for Toyota coupled with massive recalls could cause irreparable damage for the car manufacturer. Once known for their high quality, affordable vehicles, Toyota is now known for the headaches that go along with owning a vehicle that ends up on a recall list. Despite the company’s attempts to rectify issues by promptly recalling vehicles and repairing the problem, consumers are turned off by the negative safety implications of numerous recalls.

Vehicles affected by the latest recall include the 2004 Avalon; 2004 and 2005 ES330, RX330, Camry, Highlander, Sienna, and Solara; 2006 Highlander HV; and 2006 RX400h. The issue involves a belt connected to power steering becoming detached, making steering difficult for the driver. Although the issue affects a large number of Toyota vehicles, no injuries or accidents have been reported in relation to the steering issue.

Those owning any of the Toyota models mentioned above can visit the company website to learn more about the recall. In most cases, owners of affected vehicles will simply have to take their cars in for an inspection at a dealership. If a problem is detected during the inspection, the affected part will be replaced as parts become available.