New Technology: “If Cars Could Talk”…Literally

If your car could talk, besides “wash me”, what would it say? Would it ask you to ease on the brakes once in a while?  What about a nice new quart of oil?  Would traffic be smoother if cars could communicate with each other?  The Department of Transportation hopes to answer this question this summer.  In August, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans to have 2,800 cars, trucks, and buses on the streets of Ann Arbor, all fitted with technologies that will alert drivers to road hazards, sudden stops, and blind spots.

“The reason why we are so excited about this is, is that this technology, when fully deployed, can address up to 80 percent of crash scenarios involving not-impaired drivers,” said, NHTSA administrator David Strickland.

Many cars use proximity sensors to alert motorists to nearby hazards, but in this case the augmented vehicles will use traditional GPS and a wireless broadcasting method similar to Wi-Fi to communicate.  The DOT has nicknamed the concept “Connected Vehicle Technology”, allowing cars to communicate directly with each other.

According to ABC News: “NHTSA drivers showed reporters how the system could detect an oncoming car around a blind corner. In another scenario the system notified its driver of a car that had suddenly stopped in their lane several vehicles ahead, beyond the motorist’s view.  NHTSA said the proximity sensors in many of today’s vehicles would likely have failed these tests without having direct line-of-sight contact.  NHTSA says Connected Vehicle Technology should also allow commuters and local governments to view traffic information in real time.”

The project will cost about $15 million, with funding split between the federal government and the state of Michigan. 

What Happens When You Get Your Car Detailed

We all know that when you get your vehicle “detailed” that the end product is a shiny version of your dirt laden, gummy worm sticky, dust ridden commuting machine.  What we don’t know is the exact process and precision that goes into making your car brand new again.  In today’s blog, we explain the steps that car detailer’s make to make your car a shining reflection of your ideal driving machine.

Car detailing helps retain a higher resale value for your vehicle. 

Detailers start with the exterior.  This involves cleaning and creating a shine to the car’s paint, chrome trim, windows, wheels and tires. Products can include: detergents, detail clay, wax, polishes and a variety of applicators and special cloths.

The exterior paint begins with cleaning, polishing and protecting. Cleaning the car starts by removing all foreign surface particles from exterior surfaces by washing it.  Polishing refers to using mechanical polishes by hand or with a machine and specific polishing pads that remove microns of clear coat from a vehicle to remove fine scratches and swirls from a paint surface produced from improper washing or drying technique.  Protecting involves the application of a protective wax that prevents foreign matter from adhering to the surface of the vehicle. 

The interior detailing includes cleaning the compartments, dash areas, windows, panels and seats.  Vacuuming is standard and steam cleaning and brushes may be used to remove stains on upholstery. 

Keep that shine going!!!

Top 5 Instagram Pics Picked by Our Staff

Here are the Top 5 Instagram Pics picked by our staff.

@xxmohammad01

@bushwackerinc

@memo_charmeur

@xxmohammad01

@xxmohammad01Instagram

The Best Automotive Instagram Profiles of 2013

Are you on Instagram?  Yes?  Maybe? No?  Well, for the 100+ million users Instagram has siphoning through its content on a daily basis, you’ve most likely heard of it.  Instagram is a fast, beautiful and fun way to share your life with family and friends via a picture or video.  You’re also able to add filters to your content to transform the look.  In today’s blog, we’re listing the TOP automotive Instagram users.  These individuals eat, sleep and breathe gasoline.  They’re tuned into the latest trends in automotive and provide a bird’s eye view of the automotive landscape.  Check it out:

Vossen Wheels - @vossen

Vossen is the quintessential wheel shop.  They create gorgeous photos with different makes and models accented by their beautiful rims.  It also reveals a unique lifestyle by Vossen employees as they create dynamic videos, prank each other and reveal their undying passion for the automotive industry.

Dave Nickerson - @davenickerson2

Dave Nickerson is a professional photographer of everything automotive.  He’s also an auto aficionado with a passion for high-end cars.  He captures the beauty of vehicles in still shots taken with his iPhone, revealing behind the scene shots from countless photo shoots.

Ken Block - @kblock43

Ken Block is a legend in the automotive competitive circuit.  He’s known for events like the X Games, WRC, Rally America and more. 

Auto Kings - @autokings

Autokings is a crowd-sourced Instagram profile with a wide range of vehicles.  Manufacturers range from Ferrari, to Honda to Jeep with a feeling of random automotive bliss.

Do you have any to add?  Feel free in the comments below!

The Dangers of Texting and Driving (2013 Edition)

You’ve heard it all before.  Texting and driving should not mix.  We’ve all been ridiculed and yelled at for checking our phones in the HOV lane, dashing passed a red light while flicking our phone and having full blown conversations via MMS.  Texting and driving is DEADLY.  This isn’t a filtered blog with soft-spoken words, it’s a PSA for those who drive while browsing and texting on their phones.  We’re providing some scary facts on WHY LOL can lead to RIP.  Please be safe out there, fans! We care about ‘ya!

·      In 2011, at least 23% of auto collisions involved cellphones.  That’s 1.3 million crashes.

·      Five seconds is the average amount of time your attention is taken away from the road.  So, if you’re traveling at 55 mph, this equals driving the length of a football field without looking at the road.

·      77% of young adults are very or somewhat confident that they can safely text while driving.

·      55% of young adults claim it’s easy to text while they drive.

·      Teens who text while driving spend 10% of their driving time outside of their lane

·      48% of young drivers have seen their parents drive while talking on a cell phone.

·      1 in 5 drivers of all ages confess to surfing the web while driving.

·      Texting while driving increases the risk of accident 23.2 times over unimpaired driving.

·      Texting while driving results in longer response times than even drunken driving. While an unimpaired driver can respond quickly to changes in traffic and begin braking within half a second, a legally drunk driver needs four additional feet to begin braking—and a driver who’s texting needs 70.

Drive safely!

Our Favorite Instagram Photos of the Month

Every once in a while, we’ll find some really awesome photos that deserve some recognition.  These photos embody the style and panache we aim to achieve with our vehicles.  In today’s blog, we’re providing our FAVORITE Instagram photos for the month of May.  Vote for your favorite below!

http://statigr.am/p/466520165577151468_206114627

mopar_motors

http://statigr.am/p/466513053844921171_352785149

patrickrhayden

http://statigr.am/p/466501278985195910_341342915

jltanselle

Preventing Auto Theft

The restaurant is dimly lit; creating an ambiance that is both inviting and tasteful.  You bite into your steak, looking through the window outside as you measure the flavor of your first morsel.  It’s then; you see a shadowy figure huddled by the drivers’ side of your car.  You watch, as if in slow motion, as the individual quickly enters your car via force and drives off in your brand new car.  The scariest moment during theft is watching your hard earned vehicle being taken by someone who wanted a quick buck.

            In today’s blog, we discuss some solutions for protecting your car from theft.  Theft begins with opportunity, as we all know.  The thief sees a opportune moment to strike.  Diminish these opportunities by being prepared.  An alarm system is a good beginning, however most thieves have a full understanding of most theft systems.  Here are some ways to protect your vehicle:

Obviously, you should never do any of these things:

• Never leave the windows down or the sunroof open;
• Never leave the keys in the ignition, or someplace else in the car such as under the visor;
• Never leave the car running and unattended, even for only a few minutes;
• Never leave car unlocked

• Don't leave your spare key somewhere a thief is likely to look, like magnetically stuck to the exhaust pipe or sitting on top of the tire;
• Only leave the ignition key with the valet, and make sure that the key to the glove box is a different cut;
• When you park on the street, turn the front wheels sharply into the curb and always use the emergency brake;
• Disable the car in some way, either by removing the electronic ignition fuse or by some other method;

Stolen vehicles are usually sold as parts because it’s more difficult for police to track hundreds of vehicle parts, as opposed to an entire car.  Want to keep your car immune from theft?  Consider these options:

• Ignition and fuel kill switches;
• Floorboard, gearshift, tire/wheel and hood locks;
• Vehicle tracking device
• If you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle, back into the driveway; if you have a front-wheel drive vehicle, drive straight into the driveway;
• If you have a garage, clean it out and park your vehicle in there, and always lock your garage doors;
• Install a motion-sensor light or alarm system on your garage doors;

We hope that we provided some great tips for you, guys.  Have a great week! Feel free to share any experiences you might have had, or additional tips.  Thanks!

The worst experience is watching someone drive away in your hard earned vehicle.  If a thief sees an opportunity, he’ll take it with relentless force.  In today’s blog, we’re delving into the protective nature of the average individual, and providing some great tips on avoiding auto theft. 

We all have an appreciation for the vehicles that transport us daily.  In today's blog, we've decided to provide some tips on protecting that asset.  Check it out!