Things You Should Know About Crash Tests

You think, what are the odds? But what you may not realize is that there’s an average 3,287 deaths due to car crash every day. This is the reason why car manufacturers spend money on crash tests among other things in car production. Crash tests could mean the difference between life and death.

So, if you’re currently looking for a car to purchase, you might want to consider a manufacturer that takes their crash test seriously. Car grooming services in Singapore are good when your car needs a touch up, but it’s also wise to take the actual car’s quality into consideration.

While there’s probably some truth about crash tests as just an excuse for engineers to smash things to see what happens, there are still a lot of innovative and life-saving ideas that come out of it.

But they’re also a fascinating part of a carmaker’s work that has yielded concrete, life-saving results — Toyota says traffic fatalities crept up in Japan during the 1980s as the vehicle population climbed, only to fall again once stricter crash test standards were introduced. So here are some of the things they learned.

Most Collisions That Happen Are Almost Always Due To Speeding

Most of the time, speeding is involved in car accidents. Despite that, many motorists seem to take this for granted since speeding is still prevalent on the road. Let’s understand more about this issue and hopefully realize the importance of paying attention to the speed limit. This is because there are a lot of reasons that makes people speed up like being tailgated, always in a hurry, not knowing the speed limit in the area, peer pressure, and even trying to get through yellow lights. But you’d also be surprised to know that some people’s measurements when it comes to stopping distances are always off.

You may be thinking that you could hit the brake quickly when you need to. The thing is, you may be surprised that it actually takes time. Yes you could step on it fast, but it may not be fast enough to prevent a collision.  Stopping distance is actually a total of:

Thinking distance—distance traveled while the driver notices the hazard and applied the brake and;

Braking distance—distance traveled before the vehicle comes to a full stop.

Future Safety Improvements Are Made With The Help Of Crash Tests

Right now (and in the foreseeable future) the emphasis on safety equipment is to make airbags "smarter." The most recent advancement in safety equipment is known as a smart air bag. These airbags can deploy with different speeds and pressures, depending on the weight and seating position of the occupant, and also on the intensity of the crash.

In the future, we'll see seat belts that will also sense the weight and position of occupants and adjust the tension and maximum force accordingly. Technology is enabling carmakers to design and manufacture safer, smarter vehicles, and consumers clearly endorse this trend as reflected in buying patterns. It may take wrecking lots of cars and crash test dummies, but the information gained from automotive crash tests means you and your loved ones may survive an automobile accident with little or no injury.

The Crash Test Sounds Like A Bomb Just Exploded

The ones portrayed in the movies are hardly comparable to the deafening blast the crash test makes. It’s not even due to the metal and glass, but the airbags going off literally sounds like a bomb going off because airbag inflators use powerful explosives!

They Kind Of Exaggerate It A Bit

Toyota today does its own 90km/h smash. Unrealistic? Not really. When you come to think of it, it’s actually better to try for the worst case scenario so car manufacturers can improve their car’s quality. This way the vehicle doesn’t easily get damaged even at the slightest impact. But then car grooming is still a good idea even for a few scratches.

Each Crash Dummy Costs S$1.3 Million

Yeah, that’s an awful lot of money. But quality comes with a price, especially where cars are involved. Knowing that simply suggest the production budget of the movie Thor since that’s the price for the most expensive THOR dummy.

Sometimes Carmakers Use More Than One Dummy A Day

Heart breaking, I know, but that’s just on big carmakers. Toyota at technical centers worldwide, for that matter, smashes an average of four new vehicles a day. That’s a lot of tiny i-Road to full-size Toyota Lorries going in one day.

They Include Virtual Dead Bodies In The Test

THUMS or Total Human Model for Safety is a piece of software developed by Toyota. It acts like “body” during a crash test to gain information that will help improve safety of any driver or passenger in case of a collision.

A lot of car crashes could have been avoided if the market has come up with the car safety feature backup collision intervention/auto stop sooner. Detecting what’s behind you, hearing an audible alert and seeing a flashing light indicating its oncoming direction, and a system that counteracts failure to act by pushing back on the accelerator could have not just saved lives but as well as the 0 and trouble. But with the help of crash tests more and more information will be learned and who knows, we might just live in a world where collisions hardly ever happens—  hopefully.

Car Tools You’ll Want And Need In Your Garage

Car repair is not a job to take lightly. So whether you’re a seasoned mechanic or a regular car owner who wants to take charge in his own car troubles, you need to invest in tools that you can rely on through thick and thin. Here are the top tools that you want and need in your garage.

Milwaukee Cordless Impact Wrench, 18.0 V

When trying to grip or apply torque on things like nuts and bolts, you need a reliable tool like this especially when a compressor or air tank and hose aren’t available. But since this is a rechargeable cordless impact wrench do not expect it to apply the same kind of torque a pneumatic model can. However, it has enough energy to handle axle shaft nuts.

Proto Sealed Head Air Ratchet, 3/8” Drive

An air ratchet wrench is more powerful version of your trusty handheld socket set. But the best thing about this is that it’s lightweight and compact that you can get it into tight places in your car and get those tough nuts loosened.

Mac Tools Spinflex Flex Head Ratchet

This rugged 30-tooth design is for maximum durability, it has a low-profile switch, and its design allows users to slide comfortable grip on its handle so that when released from locked position it converts ratchet to a speed handle. No more struggle when reaching for tight nooks and crannies in the car’s engine bay when you’re in the middle of car repair.

Steelman STE97202 Wireless Chassisear Kit

The problem with a traditional stethoscope is that you can't use it while you're taking a car for a test drive. This is why having Steelman is such an ease to have when you’re trying to diagnose certain problems in your car. This one comes with a transmitter that you can attach to the problem area which allows you to hear noise changes better even when you’re driving the car.

Craftsman 17-Piece Standard & Metric Flex Socket Set

Once you’re faced with a car repair that requires you to get into tight spaces without disassembling other parts to get there, you’d be thankful you decided to invest in this set. This is especially known for nickel-chrome plated socket and precision machine which is perfect for loosening or tightening bolts or nuts. 

Chicago Pneumatic CPT-7748 Air Impact Wrench

With a maximum of 922 ft-lbs of torque and 1200 blows per minute, this impact wrench can do even the toughest rusted bolt there is. No wonder this is known for its quality and reliability.

Mityvac MITMV8500 Hand Vacuum & Pressure Pump Kit

For those who are determined to take on car repairs on their own, this kit is a must buy. It will make your life easier when dealing with brake bleeds or vacuum tests. It comes with all the necessary attachments and accessories that will allow you to handle any type of vehicle or components, and can quickly switch between applying vacuum and pressure too.

Gearwrench 81229 3-Piece Offset-Handle Ratchet

Mechanic’s knuckles often take a beating when getting into odd spaces under the hood. If you want to avoid looking like you beat people for a living because of your knuckles this bent-handle ratchet is your new best friend. Reaching spark plugs became easier too because of this guy’s deep-well sockets. 

SK Hand Tools 1/4-In.-Drive Thumbwheel Ratchet

Trying to get to a connector under the dash with a big-handled tool is a surefire way to lose your patience and get nothing done because there’s just no way it’s gonna happen. This SK Hand Tools have a knurled rim that's easy to grip and can fit almost anywhere. Goodbye frustrating attempts to take on this task with the wrong tool.

Torin T82040 Trolley Jack With Jack Stand And Creeper

When you’re faced with a car repair which calls for going under the car, the most important thing is to have a secure tool that will hold the car in place. This guy right here includes a comfortable creeper to get you around while you’re under there and trolley jack and jack stands which are all rated to two tons and are easy to adjust. This jack stand and creeper is definitely a keeper!

Ways To Save Money On Car Tires

Tires are expensive! And having to replace them more often that they should be isn’t something neither you nor your savings will be happy about. So, to keep you from going bankrupt here are some tips that will keep your priced tires in top shape.

Buy Them When They’re Out Of Season

Don’t wait for the rain before purchasing tires that are best for wet conditions because that’s when they’re at their highest price. If you want to get them at the lowest price possible then you should shop for them when they’re out of season. People typically don’t buy rain-tires during the summer because they don’t need it, so sales for those kinds of tires are low. Dealers deal with that by offering off-season tires on big discounts.

Pay Attention To Where You Park

As much as possible, avoid parking on hot asphalt during hot weather, not on gravel or dirt roads when it’s extremely cold, or leaving your car immobile for weeks or months. These conditions can break down or destroy tires.

Shop Around

Don’t just settle with a known shop because it’s where everybody buys their car stuff. Always shop around and compare price and quality. Sometimes a different store offer discounts that other stores don’t or carry better kinds of tires. Until you find the best one for your needs and budget, keep looking around.

Avoid Under Or Over Inflation

This means they shouldn’t be over inflated or under inflated. Otherwise they’ll wear out faster than they typically should and will affect vehicle handling and fuel economy. To avoid this, check your owner’s manual for recommended tire pressure and always stick to that. It’s best to check your tires’ pressure at least once a month but do it more often if you always go on long trips or you carry heavy loads all the time.

Have Them Rotated Regularly

If you’re not sure about the recommended tire rotation interval, check your owner’s manual or you do it every other time you get an oil change. Doing this regularly promotes even tread wear and helps the tire perform as designed.

Know The Best Kind Of Tires For Your Locations Dominant Season/S

Singapore is situated near the equator and has a typically tropical climate, with abundant rainfall, high and uniform temperatures, and high humidity all year round. Know what kind of tire works best for that along with your driving habits. Don’t buy a set of tires for winter which may have a lot of great performance factors but you won’t have any use for because Singapore doesn’t have winter. That’s just buying pricier tires that you won’t get the most out of.

Don’t Throw It—Patch It

Why discard a perfectly fine tire because of one hole when you can have that fixed? You’re basically throwing your money out the window if you do that. Instead of panicking like that, find a car repair center that fix punctures like that by patching it from the inside then remounts and re-balances it really well. That will allow your tire to go for miles until it’s really time to retire and replace them.

Avoid Registration Hesitation

This is an area of tire purchasing that people often overlook. These expensive components almost always come with some kind of warranty, so protect them and your pocketbook by following all the necessary steps when it comes to product registration and purchase documentation! Many tire makers offer a free 30-day test drive where you can return them no questions asked within that time frame, and many tires come with bonuses like free two-year roadside assistance, one year of no-cost road hazard protection, and a free lifetime replacement for workmanship and material defects.

Visit Car Servicing

If you notice uneven wear on your tires then they’re out of alignment. This doesn’t just lead to early tire replacement but it can also lead to other mechanical problems in your car. This means more car repair awaits you. Don’t wait for that, it’s best to take your car to a car repair as soon as you see signs of misaligned tires.

Learn How To Be A Better Driver

Do you look out for potholes, road debris, speed bumps and curves? Do you drive like you’re being chased all the time? Often find yourself driving on rough roads maybe? All of these things change your tires condition which leads to premature damage.

Nowadays, almost any information can be searched online. This means you get to learn a lot about cars and ways to improve as a driver for FREE. Not only that you got to save money on education, you also realize the importance of treating your car right and learn to drive faster.

Choose Low-Rolling Resistance Tires

Your tires are able to keep moving at a straight and steady pace because of rolling resistance. All that force necessary for the car to move eventually wears your tires out and impacts your car’s fuel efficiency. So opting for a low-rolling resistance tires definitely benefits your tires and your pocket because you wouldn’t have to spend as much on gas and replace your tires too early.

Ways To Protect Your Vehicle From Theft

As technology advanced, thieves have become more and more skilled at what they do too. So in order to protect your car from them, you have to be equally innovative; otherwise you’ll end up with no car. Here are some tips that will help counteract their ways.

Opt For Manual Cars

Majority of people nowadays no longer know how to drive a manual. If you want to feel more secure, drive a car thieves don’t know how to drive so that they won’t be interested in stealing it.

Tint Your Car Windows

Tinting your windows help keep valuable items inside your car out of plain eyesight, so burglars are less tempted to pick your car as their target. Aside from that, window tints also add an extra layer of protection for you windows because prevents your windows from easily shattering if burglars decide to break it since the film holds the glass together.

Install A Quick Release Steering Wheel

Did you know that you can get a detachable steering wheel? Oh yah! This snap-off anti-theft system will give carjackers a good struggle.  Even if they manage to break into your door locks, they still won’t be able to take your car, unless they’ve figured out a way to drive a car without its steering wheel.

Lock The Doors

You’d be surprised how many cars have been stolen because of this often ignored precaution. You may be thinking, who would leave their doors unlocked? But, apparently it happens. So, whether you’re in the car or not, always remember to lock the doors.

Hidden Kill Switches

The most challenging part of stealing a car is starting it without the key. What you can do is hide the connector so that it won’t start no matter how hard the thief hot wires the ignition. Now, the operative work is hide. Don’t just place it somewhere obvious, otherwise you just wasted your effort to outsmart the thieves and money you spent on it, considering it doesn’t come cheap.

Never Hide Keys In “Secret” Spots

No matter how much you think you’re hiding spot is clever, believe me, the thieves knows them already. So don’t risk it. Don’t leave any spare car keys inside or anywhere outside your car. If you must have a spare key, just entrust it to your wife/husband.

Attach A Giant Metal Bar To Keep The Steering Wheel From Moving

Not only that this makes potential car thief feel your automobile isn’t easy to take but it also prevents the steering wheel from moving. So even if the guy did actually try to, he won’t be able to finish the job since he can’t drive it.

Be Smart About Where You Leave Your Car

This one is pretty much another simple and obvious precaution. If you know you’re in a bad neighborhood, don’t park your car there. Choose a parking space that is well lit and is visible to security guards or any person who can watch over your car.

Don’t Leave Valuables In Sight

Your car is already hot in the eyes of a thief, leave wallet, phone, or anything of value in it and you just made your car a hotter target. Don’t make it more tempting for crooks to pursue your vehicle. It would be best not to leave any valuables inside your car whenever you have to go out and leave your car for long periods of time. Crooks will use any measure to steal things in your car once they’re set out to do it.

Make Use Of Alarm Sticker/Led

Have you noticed banks or any establishment these days with a warning sign saying “This premises are under CCTV surveillance”?  These warning signs help deter offenders from attempting since they’re aware of the tight security measures, or at least that’s what they think. There are available warning signs for cars too. This should make a thief hesitant to take his chances.

Take Good Care Of Your Car

When a car looks like it’s being looked after, thieves will know that it may be rigged with tracking devices and alarm. If so, they’ll know trying to steal it would cause a lot of trouble, making crooks less likely to even try. So make sure you take your vehicle to car servicing regularly to keep it looking sleek as well as in good running condition.

Keep Your Car In A Garage When Not In Use

What is easier to break into, a car in a garage or the one out in the open? Of course the latter! So it makes perfect sense to garage it. If you don’t have it at home, you can always rent a space. That may mean spending more money for rent, but rent fee is nothing compared to your car being stolen.

Buying a car is not a cheap investment, so getting your car stolen can really be heartbreaking not to mention infuriating. So if you would like to prevent that from happening to you as much as possible, here are some tips that you can do to protect your car as well as yourself from losing a pricey investment.