What to do if you find yourself driving during a flood

We at FXCaprara VW care about the safety of our friends, family and clients.  We wanted to talk about protecting yourself if you should encounter a flood.  It is our hope that this weeks blog gives you some solid insight on what to do if you should find yourself driving in a flooded area.  Remember Safety First! 

Here are some facts that you may not have known about floods:

Driving Flood Facts

§  Call 311 if you are evacuating your home during a flood or receive flood damage

§  Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.

§  A foot of water will float many vehicles.

§  Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.

§   More people drown in their cars than anywhere else.

§  The road may be washed out below the water surface.

§  Your car may stall or get stuck in the water, and then get pushed off the road. Once off the road, cars often start to roll, making escape impossible.

Check both home owners and auto insurance policies to ensure that you are covered for any loss or damage.  Not all policies cover flood damage.

Never try to swim to safety if you can find a safe and secure structure that you can be protected until help arrives.

We never can predict the future but we can prevent most accidents.

Please remember to stay safe and if you should have any questions on safety features for your auto don’t hesitate to contact us. 866-578-8233

Safety Hints on driving in the rain.

Rain is essential.  It helps vegetation flourish, provides nutrients to soil, and is an overall integral part of life here on Earth.  But when it’s hitting your windshield and the pitter-patter of raindrops causes you to clench your teeth, it’s time to take precaution.  Rain can be attributed to thousands of car accidents a year.  Accidents can be preventable by drivers who weather (pun intended) the conditions of the road, using their intuition and defensive driving skills to stay safe during their commute.  When the road is wet, a film is created on the asphalt, causing your tires to lose traction.  Another problem during a downpour is your perception.  You can’t see as far into the distance as normal, so this decreases visibility of other cars and the road itself.

In today’s blog, we discuss some options to driving safely when the roads are wet.

Be careful when it rains after a dry spell.  Engine and oil grease cake up on asphalt over time.  When this is mixed with rainwater, it can cause the road to be extremely slick. 

Allot more time for your commute.  This allows for a steady drive to your destination.  The last thing you want to do is rush, it also compensates for delays, flooding, and unexpected accidents.

No Cruise control!  If you go into a hydroplane, there’s a slight chance your car could accelerate.  Reaction time is crucial and you’ll need your foot close to the pedal at all times.

Turn on your headlights.  This helps you see the road, and also lets motorists see you.  Blasting your high beams however can prove detrimental.  It can obscure your view further, reflecting water droplets in the air. 

Hydroplaning.  The first rule to avoiding the dreaded hydroplane is to avoid braking suddenly or turning the wheel, which can cause your car to spin or skid off of the road.  According to Edmunds: “Release the gas pedal slowly and steer straight until the car regains traction. If you must brake, tap the brake pedal (unless you have antilock brakes, in which case you can put your foot down).”

Defog your windows.  Rain causes your windshield to fog up fairly quickly.  Turn on your defrosters and make sure you're A/C is turned on.  Most vehicles climate control systems will automatically engage the A/C when the windshields defrost is selected.  

These small hints can heed huge results.  If you have any questions on safety maintenance on your vehicle please let us know how we can help.  or visit our website  http://www.fxcapraravolkswagen.com

Tips on Buying a Car For Your College-Bound Teenager

With the new school in full swing your teenager or college-bound student may be asking you for a car. Selecting the right vehicle can become quite challenging, especially when their preferences can be quite different from yours. The automotive repair experts at Shade Tree Garage, in Morristown, New Jersey, have created a list of tips to keep in mind when purchasing a new vehicle for your teenage driver.

Dan O’Connor, Service Advisor at Shade Tree Garage says, “When purchasing a vehicle for your teenager, you’ll want to look at safety, affordability and reliability. If you evaluate each of these areas carefully, you will be confident you’re getting the best vehicle you can for the money you want to spend.” Here’s O’Connor’s list of tips.

1. Safety - According to AAA, automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. “Because safety is of primary importance, it’s critical to choose a vehicle that has the latest safety features designed to prevent crashes and minimize injury,” states O’Connor. Any vehicle considered should include features like anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, electronic stability control, adjustable/locking head restraints, and airbags.

2. Affordability - Insurance costs, fuel and maintenance will all affect the affordability of a car. According to O’Connor, “A lot of times a car might look great and be in your price range, but the owner is selling it right at the time it will need a lot of maintenance work done, like new brakes, tires, or the major service. Quality automotive repair shops, like Shade Tree Garage, can perform a pre-purchase inspection to let you know if the vehicle is safe, reliable and priced right.”

3. Reliability - Of course you want to know the vehicle won’t break down the first time your teen takes it out on the road. It’s a good idea to order the vehicle’s CarFax report. You should also determine if there’s a warranty for the vehicle. Again, you may want to have an automotive repair expert perform a pre-purchase inspection. In doing so, you’ll know the vehicle you are thinking of purchasing is roadworthy, mechanically-sound and equipped with operational safety components.