Month: September 2013

Cruise Control Reduces Speed, Increases Driver Drowsiness

Cruise controlMost cars these days are equipped with cruise control, which allows a driver to set the speed of the vehicle without having to maintain constant contact with the gas pedal. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that cruise control technology was first introduced 100 years ago. Cruise control is a useful tool for drivers, especially on long road trips, but new data out of France reveals that the convenience comes at a price.

A study by the Vinci Autoroutes Foundation found that cruise control or speed-limiting vehicles led to an increased risk that the driver would become drowsy, and it also significantly increased a driver’s reaction time.

For their study, the foundation divided 90 drivers into three groups based on their age. The drivers were then put through a driving simulator over a three-day period. They were asked to drive 75 miles each day, and in the simulator they encountered construction, a bus accident, a tollbooth, and radar. Drivers were hooked up to equipment to monitor eye movement and brain activity to aid in data collection. They were also asked to rate their level of vigilance every 15 minutes.

After looking at the data, researchers found:

  • All participants exhibited greater signs of drowsiness when using cruise control.
  • The average level of self-reported vigilance decreased significantly as time passed. The most common response at the beginning of the trip was that the participant was feeling “rather awake,” but that changed to “neither awake nor asleep” only 30 minutes into the drive.
  • When using cruise control, all drivers took longer to brake for the simulated encounters. By the end of the trip, drivers were breaking roughly 85 yards closer to the incident location.
  • Young drivers between the ages of 18-30 were the most affected by the fatigue of the trip.

Andre Dufour, the lead researcher of the study, said cruise control can help people avoid speeding tickets, but drivers must take extra precautions to stay alert.

“They help people to obey the speed limit,” said Dufour. “But you have to know how to use them.”

He added that even though the vehicle can help complete some functions normally reserved for the driver, “the person is still in charge and still responsible.”

Related source: ABC News

The Best Time to Buy Tires in Minnesota

CC image Kumho KL-78 AT Tire by David Resz on FlickrLast week, our mechanics passed along some tips for what to look for when buying tires. Now that you know what to look for, the next thing you want to know is when is the best time to buy tires.

Most people only think of buying tires when they have a flat or they notice their tread is gone, but you can actually save some money if you buy your tires at the right time. Below, we talk about the two times of year you can find the best bargains on tires.

September and October

That’s right, now is a great time to buy new tires as we gear up for another Minnesota winter. Snow and ice may be the last thing on your mind, but September and October are when many auto shops stock up on tires that preform well during the cold winter months. If this winter is anything like last year, we’re in store for at least five months of poor driving conditions.

Not only will you save some money by buying tires during the period when dealers have a surplus of stock, but similar to our related blogs on auto maintenance, the key to extending the life of your vehicle is to take steps to prevent problems from occurring, instead of fixing the end result. It’s always a good idea to buy your new tires a little earlier rather than later, as postponing the purchase could lead to a much bigger bill if your car can’t stop in time or keep you on the road during winter conditions.

March and April

If the best deals on tires revolve around the seasons, it should come as no surprise that March and April – the end of the winter months – are good times to purchase new tires.

Similar to when people gear up for the winter driving season in the fall, consumers use the springtime to prepare for the hot driving months June and July bring. Auto dealers once again stock up on tires during the spring, which means you’ll probably see more deals on tires as people begin to plan cross-country road trips and other getaways. If you bought a set of tires specifically for the winter, now is the time you’ll start to think about ditching them for a set that preforms better in the heat.

If you’re in the market for new tires, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (952) 933-0735. We want to keep you safe as the weather cools down, so let us help winterize your car by installing a new set of tires today!

Related source: About.com

Buying Tires in Minnesota? Look No Further than Affordable Auto

Tire TreadTires are an essential part of any vehicle. Much like shoes for a person, tires are the one thing between you and the ground, so it’s critical you buy the right type of tire for your car. After all, you wouldn’t play football in high heels or go for a run in sandals!

That said, picking out a new pair of shoes is probably an easier task than purchasing the right type of tires for your vehicle. When picking out tires, there are a few things to consider:

1. Tread Life – You’ll want to buy tires with a high tread life so you don’t need to buy new tires in a year or two. The easiest way to evaluate tread expectations is by examining a tire’s Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG). Every manufacturer is required by law to test its tires in order to establish a UTQG rating. The higher the rating, the longer the tread life and quality of the tire. Although the tests can’t account for all variables (like temperature, road conditions, or speed), the UTQG rating provides a good basis to help determine the quality of each tire.

2. Remember the Weather – The type of tire you purchase is directly related where you live. Say, for example, you live in Arizona or Texas. You’ll want a tire that can preform and hold tread at above average temperatures. In Washington and Oregon, they look for tires that preform well during wet conditions. Since Minnesota experiences all four seasons, you’ll want to make sure you purchase a versatile tire that can keep you safe throughout the year. Ask a technician for more information if you need help determining which tire is best for your local weather conditions.

3. Stick with what works – Before you head into the shop to purchase a new set of wheels, take a look at what you currently have on your car. If they held their tread well, consider buying the same tire model this time around. You can also peruse the Internet or ask a trained service expert which types of tires are common for your vehicle. Also, for more information about tire size and speed rating, check out this helpful article.

4. Buy a Complete Set – You’ve probably had your car in the shop on at least one occasion where the mechanic says your front tires are running low on tread. You may be tempted to buy two new tires to fix the problem, but this could actually make the situation worse. See, tire tread wears out differently for a variety of reasons. Usually, the tires on the front of your car wear out faster as they are tasked with shouldering the majority of the engine’s weight. Also, unless you always ride with a friend, your front-left tire generally wears out the fastest because of the additional weight of the driver. The less tread left on the tire, the more susceptible you are to experiencing a dangerous blowout. If you end up only buying two new tires, your car’s alignment could be damaged if they aren’t the same size as your old tires. Instead, buy four tires at a time and get in the habit of regularly rotating your tires so the tread wears evenly.

These tips can help you make your decision when shopping for new tires. Also, if you’re wondering if your current tires should be changed, check out our previous blog on preparing your car for a road trip. In that blog we provide a simple test for checking if you have a safe amount of tread on your tire.

If you’re in the market for new tires, or you simply want to talk with an experienced auto technician, give us a call at (952) 933-0735.

Related source: Edmunds.com

5 Tips for Choosing the Right Auto Repair Shop

CC image Affordable Auto ServiceWhen your car needs work, two things come to mind. You want someone who will get the repair done quickly, and most importantly, someone who won’t overcharge you for the work. But how do you know which auto repair shops are honest and which ones want to take you for a ride? Below we share five tips for picking out a trusted automobile repair center.

1) Look for Experience – This may sound obvious, but just because a business has been operating for 50 years doesn’t mean the same mechanic has been doing all the work. Check out local websites, and don’t be afraid to ask how long the head mechanics have been working on vehicles. The more experienced the mechanic, the more likely he’s dealt with the exact same issue in the past.

2) Avoid certain National Chains – Some nationwide garages can offer a quick fix for your vehicle, but similar to the first point, they don’t always have the most experience. Many of the national chains have a higher rate of employee turnover than local shops. This may not seem that important, but you’ll learn why this is crucial in the next point.

3) Price Varies – The goal of any successful business is to operate in the green, and that can be hard to do if the company has a high rate of employee turnover. The more people a company hires, the more time they need to spend on training. Who usually does the training? The head mechanics. If a company can’t service as many vehicles as normal because a few of their workers quit, or because the lead mechanics are taking time out of their day to train the new hires, the company will be operating at a slimmer margin. The shop then needs to look for a way to make up the difference, and sometimes they achieve this by charging a little bit more for parts or labor.

4) Read the Reviews – The majority of people now use the Internet to find a trusted auto dealer, and many leave online reviews. Most car repair websites will have page dedicated to their customer reviews, but it’s important to remember that the company is the one controlling what is said on the site. Instead, check out the company’s Google Review. Based on a 5-point scale, you can see what customers think about the service they received.

5) Dealer vs. Local Shop – There are a few differences between a dealer garage and a regular auto body shop. If you have a complex vehicle-specific problem, like you lost the smart key to your car and you need a new one programmed and cut, you might be better off going to a dealer who focuses on one car brand (i.e. if you own a Jetta, go to a Volkswagen dealer). On the other hand, these brand specific dealers are going to charge you a lot more to do the work, because in theory, you’re dealing with someone who only works on your type of car. If you’re getting routine or even heavy-duty work done on your car, a local garage will be your best bet. They can handle major fixes like alignment, electrical issues, engine repair or windshield repair without charging you an arm and a leg.