Are Your Tires in Dangerous Condition?

Good tires are one of the most important aspects of safe driving.  Hands down.  Sean Kane, president of Safety Research and Strategies, Inc. explains an aging tire to an old rubber band. "If you take a rubber band that's been sitting around a long time and stretch it, you will start to see cracks in the rubber," says Kane, whose organization is involved in research, analysis and advocacy on safety matters for the public and clients including attorneys, engineering firms, supplier companies, media and government.

Cracks in the rubber develop over time and can appear on the surface and inside of the tire, as well.  This cracking can cause the steel belts in the tread to separate from the rest of the tire. Improper maintenance and heat can accelerate the process.

How Long Does a Tire Last?

Lifespan differs and there is no guideline on tire aging, but tire manufacturers like Continental and Michelin say a tire can last up to ten years, provided you get annual tire inspections after the fifth year. There’s no way to put a date on a tire because there are several factors that affect the life of the tire:

·      Heat

·      Storage

·      Conditions

·      Use

How to Determine Your Tire’s Age

All you need to know is the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number.  Tires manufactured after 2000 have a four-digit DOT code.  The first two numbers represent the week, while the second two represent the year.  If a tire has the code 1109, it was made in the 11^th week of 2009.   After finding the tire’s birthdate take a look at the rubber.  Look for tread distortion, hairline cracks in the sidewall, and vibrations in the dynamic properties of the tire, could be cause for alarm. 

For more information, come in and see us.  We’ll do an extensive tire inspection and let you know the exact status of your tires.

How A Car Engine Works

Ever wondered how an engine truly functions? Check out this animated info graphic that shows the complete running process for a gas and electrical engine.

Infographic designed by Jacob O'Neal

Keep Your Lil’ Ones Safe: Car Rules to Abide By

Remember being strapped in what resembled a parachute harness, in the abysmal backseat?  You’re next to an annoying sibling who feeds off of the pleasure he/she receives when giving you a “wet willy.”  You’re helpless because you can hardly move forward in your newly revamped booster seat, as it crushes your shoulders back into the seat.  It’s the most uncomfortable seat known to man, and at 5 years old it’s like a cage to a wild animal, but when it comes down to it, you’re safe.  Thousands of children’s lives are jeopardized in car related accidents.  In today’s blog we provide a couple tips to keeping your lil ones safe.   

1.    SUVs aren’t safer: It’s BIG, bad, and menacing, but SUVs are no safer than ordinary sedans.  They’re more likely to rollover.  The safest vehicles are low to the ground and larger (station wagons).

2.    A car does NOT have to move to be dangerous: Parked cars are also, surprisingly deadly.  As many as 220 children per year are killed in non-traffic auto accidents.  Some are strangled by a window when they’re leaning out, inadvertently leaning on the rocker-type power window switch.  Other children, when alone, release the emergency brake, setting the car in motion.  Finally, at least 30 kids die each year when their parents leave them in the car and they suffocate from overheating. "Children should never, ever be left alone in an automobile -- not even for a minute," says Terrill Struttmann, executive director of Kids in Cars, an education and advocacy organization he and his wife started after their 2-year-old son was killed by a car set in motion by two kids playing alone inside.

3.    Kids don’t need to be inside a car to be hurt by one:  nearly 400 children are killed each year when they’re hit by an automobile.  ALWAYS keep an eye on your little ones, no matter how many times you’ve warned them to stay out of the streets.  A survey conducted by Safe Kids Worldwide found that a majority of drivers speed in school zones, and that nearly a third violate stop signs in neighborhoods where there are kids.

Do you have any tips of your own?  Feel free to comment below:

Improve Health While Driving

The average American spends approximately 101 minutes a day driving.  Many times we get stuck in serious traffic or we find ourselves having to wait at endless lights.  Have you ever thought to yourself, that you could be doing 9 million other things instead of just sitting in your car?  Do you like to multi-task? Are you procrastinating on taking better care of your health?  Well, I have the solution.  I will help you make better use of your drive time and improve your health while keeping your eyes on the road.  Here are 10 things you can do while driving that can help increase your health, making you stronger while sitting behind the wheel.

Chin and Neck Exercises

Do belly Busters

Spine Stretchers

Tension Tacklers

Best time to drink your water

Moisturize your cuticles

Drink you smoothies and juice instead of soda

Steering Wheel Isometrics

Park further away

Meditation

You can firm up that chin and neck by using a rubber or foam ball. Place the ball below your chin and below the larynx. Hold the ball in place with your hand, and use your chin to press down on the ball. Squeeze the ball gently downward with your chin. Do as many repetitions as you are comfortable with, stopping before your neck muscles get tired.

While driving, pretend you’re zipping a tight pair of jeans. Pull your belly button toward your spine and your lower belly away from your waistband. Hold, engaging your abs.  Up the intensity, quickly exhale 20 times. As you breathe out, contract your lower abs even harder to pulse them in and out.

While stuck in traffic, grip the steering wheel with your hands at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and round your back. Take a breath and release. This stretches the area between the shoulder blades and mid-back.

While stuck at a red light, tilt your right ear down towards your right shoulder. Relax your shoulders and breathe into the left side of your neck, stretching the left side of your neck. Hold for 10 seconds.  At the next light, repeat on the other side.

Steering wheel isometrics can really create a great workout, without you having to set aside 20 minutes during your day. With isometrics, you can use your body’s own resistance, but you can also employ stationary objects in your exercises such as a steering wheel that can heed some great results.

We know that water is essential to our health and if you aren’t doing this already, try to always have bottled water in your car.  You can easily get the required amount of hydration if you make this a habit.  The other option is juice or smoothies for your daily fruit or vegetable intakes.  There are several delicious versions located at places like gas stations and Starbucks.

Other areas that require healthy attention are our hands. Try moisturizing your cuticles by using a moisturizing lip balm.  This can really help make your nails grow and keep your hands looking lovely.

Of course the obvious isn’t so obvious sometimes. Instead of rushing to find the perfect parking spot; park further away and walk brisk to get a little bit more cardio in.  Heck, if you have the time-do laps around the parking lot!

Driving can be stressful but it can also create Zen. To practice Moving Meditation you must fully accept where you find yourself. Divest yourself of all expectations and standards of technique and take that clear, observing, unobserving, unobstructed state of being, and keep on driving!

These tips will not only improve your health and keep you fit, they will also make your drive time seem more productive.  Pssssst…give it a whirl and pass it on!

Sharing the Road with Truckers

Remember that kid in grade school who used his size and authority as a weapon for malice?  It was the snot nosed kid that bullied everyone just because he was bigger?  Yeah?  That’s how I feel sharing the road with 18-wheeler’s.  Without putting every truck driver in the proverbial box, many of them are great drivers and very courteous, but I can’t help but feel my heart rate increase when I’m sharing the highway with one.  In today’s blog, we discuss some things to avoid when sharing the road with truckers.

1.    Riding in trucker blind spots – Trucks have huge blind spots to the right, rear, and left side.  The worst thing a driver can do is chug along in the trucker's blind spot, where he cannot be seen. If you're going to pass a truck, do it and get it over with. Don't sit alongside with the cruise control set 1 mph faster than the truck is traveling.

2.    Never, ever, ever try to sneak into a small gap and then brake and make a turn.  Trucks need 3 times the distance to stop!  Always give yourself more room. No assistance in lane changes – BAD IDEA.  If a trucker is indicating he wants to change lanes, leave room for them to do so.  You can indicate your willingness by flashing your lights. According to "Sharing the Road," a booklet distributed by John Deere Transportation Insurance, the three most common types of accidents involving heavy trucks involve the following:  Crashes caused by the truck's inability to stop in time.2) Crashes caused by a motorist trying to pass a truck on the right while the truck is making a right-hand turn. Also known as the right turn squeeze.3) Crashes caused by a motorist riding in the trucker's blind spots. Use the following rule of thumb: If you cannot see the truck driver in his mirrors, he probably cannot see you.

Be careful, guys! See you soon!