What Makes Brakes Work?

One pedal makes it go, and the other one makes it stop - but how much do you really know about your brakes? They’re critical to keeping your car on the road and your family safe. In fact, brakes use a lot of interesting technology to ensure that you always stop when you press the brakes. Here’s a quick explanation from How Stuff Works:

We all know that pushing down on the brake pedal slows a car to a stop. But how does this happen? How does your car transmit the force from your leg to its wheels? How does it multiply the force so that it is enough to stop something as big as a car?
When you depress your brake pedal, your car transmits the force from your foot to its brakes through a fluid. Since the actual brakes require a much greater force than you could apply with your leg, your car must also multiply the force of your foot. It does this in two ways:

• Mechanical advantage(leverage)
• Hydraulic force multiplication

The brakes transmit the force to the tires using friction, and the tires transmit that force to the road using friction also.

Learn more about your brakes and read the original article here: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-types/brake.htm

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can be dangerous for more than just your car. When you allow distractions to take you away from the process of driving, you can put yourself and your family at risk. Unfortunately, there are many things today that can cause distractions in the car, from cell phones and mp3 players to children and food. The next time you’re driving, make sure you avoid distracted driving by following these tips from eHow:

1. Avoid talking on your cell phone. Some states require you to pull over when using your cell phone while driving.
2. Never multi-task while driving. Do not do things like adjusting your radio, compact disc player or GPS unit.
3. Do not read while driving. When you need to read or use a map, pull off the road.
4. Avoid taking your coat off or changing clothes while driving.
5. Put makeup on, comb your hair and shave before leaving your house or office. These things should never be done while driving.
6. Avoid eating or drinking while driving.
7. Keep music at a reasonable level. Listening to music that is too loud or using headphones or earplugs while driving can be distracting and can prevent you from hearing emergency vehicles sharing the road with you.
8. Avoid lighting up or putting out cigarettes, or dealing with falling ashes while driving.

Read the entire article here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2043250_avoid-distractions-driving.html#ixzz2IGgJ0A1Tqx4M

Does Your Car Color Reveal Your Personality?

Many people enjoy picking out their favorite color when they’re buying a new car. However, the color of your car could reveal more about your personality than you thought! Here are what a few common car colors could be saying about you:

Gold: Warm, Intelligent, Glamorous

Gray: Neutral, Sober, Practical

Dark Green: Well-Balanced, Trustworthy, Traditional

Light Green: Organic, No-Fuss, Understated

Dark Blue: Confident, Credible, Authoritative

Light-Mid Blue: Calm, Faithful, True

Brown: Powerful, Unique

Beige: Natural, Down-To-Earth

Black: Powerful, Classic, Elegant

White: Pure, Pristine, Direct

Silver: Futuristic, Prestigious, Elegant

Red: Sensual, Dynamic, Outgoing

Learn about what other colors could say about you and read the original article here: http://bit.ly/Kqr9EV

Happy New Year!

Driver’s New Years Resolutions

Since it’s almost 2013, it’s time to decide what habits you want to make (or break) going into the new year! Make 2013 the year you resolve to stay safe when driving. Try following these 10 New Year’s safety resolutions from Consumer Reports:

1. Always buckle up. Seat belts save over 12,000 lives a year by protecting passengers from hitting hard vehicle surfaces or being ejected from the vehicle in a crash.
2. Not use my cell phone behind the wheel. In 2010, over 3,000 people died in crashes related to using a cell phone or texting while driving. Put the phone down or pull over to use it.
3. Never drink and drive or drive drowsy. Over 10,000 people die in drunk driving car crashes each year. If you plan on drinking, make sure you have a designated driver or hand over your keys.
4. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists. Pedestrians make up 12 percent of all motor vehicle deaths each year and bicyclists about 2 percent. Drivers need to be especially diligent around crosswalks and remember to look both ways for bikes even on one-way streets.
5. Drive the speed limit. Speeding is a factor in about one-third of all fatal crashes.
6. Wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Studies show that the use of motorcycle helmets is 42 percent effective at preventing deaths and 69 percent effective at preventing head injuries.
7. Model good behavior when driving children around. Children learn from their parents. Don’t show them bad habits.
8. Always use a proper car seat. Children under age 8 should be secured in a proper car seat and all children under 12 should be in the back seat.
9. Stop at red lights. Red light running killed 676 people and injured 113,000 in 2009 and most of those killed were occupants in other vehicles. Stop at red lights and slow down on yellow.
10. Maintain your vehicle and tires. Performing regular tire checks and routine maintenance will help to ensure your vehicle will stay in optimal condition.

Read the original article here: http://bit.ly/vnfxkR

How Do Turn Signals Work?

Your turn signal can not only notify other drivers of your intentions, it can help pedestrians know what you’re planning to do. If you fail to signal, you could put your car and its passengers in danger. Want to learn more about the interesting technology behind your signal? Read more:

In the American southeast, which up until recently was comprised mainly of small towns, it's said that drivers don't use their turn signals because everyone knows where you're going anyway. Turn signals may be the most underutilized device on a car. Yet signaling is one of the most important actions you can take as a driver, warning other drivers of your impending moves to minimize hazardous surprises. You might not see a car in your blind spot, but that car's driver might see your turn signal start to blink before you move into his lane. Failing to signal may be the cause of quite a few accidents, and is probably a big source of "road rage" as well.

Get the full article here: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/turn-signal.htm

5 Simple Ways to Drive Safe in the Snow

Going dashing through the snow this holiday season? Make sure you’re ready for anything winter has to throw at you by following these tips from the NHTSA:

Keep yourself and others safe by planning ahead before you venture out into bad weather.

• Check the weather, road conditions, and traffic; plan to leave early if necessary.
• Don't rush! Allow plenty of time to get to your destination safely.
• Familiarize yourself with directions and maps before you go, and let others know your route and anticipated arrival time.
• Keep your gas tank close to full. If you get stuck in a traffic jam or in snow, you might need more fuel to get home or keep warm. Note: To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning when stuck in snow, be sure to keep your vehicle's exhaust pipe clear of snow and ice, run your vehicle only in the open with the windows partially down, and run it only long enough to keep warm.
• If road conditions are hazardous, avoid driving if possible. Wait until road and weather conditions improve before venturing out in your vehicle.

Carry items in your vehicle to handle common winter driving tasks such as cleaning off your
windshield as well as any supplies you might need in an emergency. Keep the following on hand:

• Snow shovel, broom, and ice scraper.
• Abrasive material, such as sand or kitty litter, in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow.
• Jumper cables, flashlight and warning devices, such as flares and markers.
• Blankets for protection from the cold.
• A cell phone, water, food, and any necessary medicine (for longer trips or when driving
• in lightly populated areas).

Read the full article and get more tips from the NHTSA here: http://1.usa.gov/XLk5La