Zipper Merge: A Rude Move That Speeds Up Traffic Flow

Zipper MergeMinnesota is in the midst of construction season, and with construction comes lane closures. As if driving in the Twin Cities around rush hour wasn’t painful enough, the presence of construction often means that some lanes may be blocked off.

Odds are you’ve ran into this situation before, either because of construction or if you’ve tried heading downtown during rush hour when the carpool lanes are flowing out to the suburbs. Up ahead you can see that three lanes are becoming two, or worse, two lanes are becoming one. You’re then faced with a choice: Get in the lane that will remain open and wait in line, or zip up the closing lane and cut in 100 feet from the orange barrels. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, you’re actually doing the people behind you a favor if you speed ahead and cut someone off at the merge point.

Ok, so maybe the verbiage of “zooming up” and “cutting off” another person make you seem like a bad guy, and you’ll likely endure a few evil stares and the occasional horn if you appear to budge a row of patiently waiting cars, but the Minnesota Department of Transportation said this style merge – called a Zipper Merge – can reduce backups by 40%.

The Zipper Merge

According to MN DoT, when preformed successfully, the Zipper Merge can greatly reduce wait times for all parties involved. If cars evenly fill the lanes and begin merging alternatively at the point of construction, drivers can continue without hitting the breaks.

“I’ve been amazed at how consistent the flow is,” said Ken Johnson, a Minnesota State Work Zone, Pavement Marking, and Traffic Devices engineer . “You don’t have to put your foot on the brake at all. You just coast ahead and take turns at the merge point.”

That said, if traffic flow in constantly flowing in one lane, motorists will want to merge over earlier to avoid being the one that sends brake shockwaves to all the drivers behind them.

Minnesota first began openly advertising the Zipper Merge in the early 2000s, and it’s recently found another advocate in Washington. Advocates for the Zipper Merge in Washington said that it’s not easy to get drivers to view those in the closing lanes as allies, not line-cutters.

“There can be a weird idea going through people’s heads of, like, ‘Oh, these people are cheating, cutting in line!’” Washington State Department of Transportation representative Travis Phelps said. “Well, it actually lets traffic flow if you can let folks in. Play nice. Treat traffic like a team sport. You gotta play the assist role. It’s gonna help lessen the backups.”

Related source: ARSTechnica

More Minnesotans Opting For Electric Cars 

Electric Cars MNMore Minnesota families are searching for an electrical outlet instead of a gas station after a summer road trip.

The Star Tribune recently published a story on the surge in electrical cars, saying that Minnesota is one of the more popular states for hybrid vehicles.

“According to the Electric Power Research Institute, the state had about 2,400 electric plug-in vehicles as of 2013. Per capita, Minnesota is among the top 10 states with the highest number of electric vehicles in the county,” the Tribune uncovered. They also noted that sales of electric vehicles have risen more than 500 percent nationwide over the last two years.

Adding Charging Stations

One of the biggest reasons electric car ownership in Minnesota is booming is because many cities are adding charging stations that makes it easier for drivers to stay charged. Minneapolis added 36 charging stations near downtown parking ramps back in May, and they dish out electricity at an extremely affordable rate. The city charges $0.80 an hour to recharge, and most cars are fully charged within four hours. Essentially, a person can fully recharge their car for a modest $3.20 in electrical fees.

But Minnesota didn’t stop there. Back in May the state instituted a law that requires companies to offer discounted to drivers who recharge during non-peak hours. The new law will go into effect in 2015.

“This law is a win-win-win,” said J. Drake Hamilton, science policy director for an advocacy group called Fresh Energy. “It’s a significant savings to the customer, an extraordinary market opportunity for electric utilities and timely action for Minnesota.”

At Affordable Auto, we can service your electric car if it needs a tune up. We can handle most tasks, but be sure to give us a call if you have questions about your car issue. We want to get you back on the road as quickly as possible, so don’t hesitate to contact us today.

 

 

 

Minnesota Window Tint Quiz

Window tinting mnWith summer in full swing, many Minnesotans are considering tinting their car windows in an effort to keep their car cool when the temperatures rise. We specialize in window tinting, and while some people prefer to tint their windows on their own, you’ll want to make sure you stay in line with the law. We know the laws when it comes to window tinting in Minnesota, but let’s see if you can pass the Window Tinting Quiz!

Before we begin, we want to quickly explain Visible Light Transmission percentage. VLT is the amount of visible light the window allows in. So if a window has a VLT of 80%, the window allows 80% of light in. Along the same lines, a window with a 10% VLT only allows 10% of visible light to pass through the window.

1. You can tint your car’s front windshield in Minnesota, but only if the Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percentage is 90% or higher.

A. True

B. False

2. On a passenger car, the VLT percentage for the front and back side windows must be at no less than _____ VLT.

A. 90%

B. 75%

C. 50%

D. 25%

3. On a passenger car, the VLT for the rear windshield must be at no less than _____ VLT.

A. 90%

B. 75%

C. 50%

D. 25%

4. On a larger vehicle like an SUV, truck or minivan, the VLT for the rear windshield only needs to be above _____ VLT.

A. 60%

B. 50%

C. 30%

D. 20%

5. Car windows cannot reflect more than a certain percentage of light. This is so drivers don’t blind one another with super reflective windows. Under Minnesota law, windows can’t reflect more than ______ of light.

A. 50%

B. 35%

C. 20%

D. 10%

6. Since window tinting isn’t a perfect science, Minnesota law gives drivers a little leeway when it comes to tint and light reflection laws. All drivers must be within state regulations of VLT and light reflection within:

A. +/- 2%

B. +/- 3%

C. +/- 5%

D. +/- 8%

7. Three vehicles are specifically mentioned in the Minnesota Statute as being allowed to have more tint on their rear and side windows. Name one of the exempt vehicles. (Bonus points for correctly knowing all three!)

Answers

Here are the answers to the quiz questions.

1. False, no tint is allowed on the front windshield. 2. C, 50%. 3. C, 50%. 4. D, 20%. 5. C, 20%. 6. B, +/- 3%. 7. Police car, Limousine, Hearse.

We hope you enjoyed the quiz, and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you want to have your windows tinted!

Top 5 Summer Auto Repair Tips

Oil Change MNAlthough the July 4th holiday is in the rearview mirror, summer is still in full swing and that means more miles on the odometer. Before you go on your next adventure, consider these five car care tips that will keep your car in top shape during the hot summer months!

Oil Change – Regular oil changes are one of the best ways to keep your car running in pristine shape. You don’t need to change your oil every 3,000 miles, but try not to go over 5,000-7,000 miles between changes. Old oil or dirty filters can reduce your car’s efficiency and gas mileage.

Check Your Coolant – Check your coolant reservoir to make sure you are at the appropriate level. If you are low or out of coolant, there may be a leak in one of your hoses. If your car can’t properly get rid of excess heat, it can overheat and cause major issues. The summertime is usually filled with hot temperatures, heavy traffic and constant running of your air conditioner, all which cause your car to work harder. Make sure it has the ability to properly cool itself.

Brake Check – The summer months are free of snow, so it’s often the time when people drive the fastest. Greater speeds means it’ll take more time to bring your car to a halt, which can be problematic if your brakes are worn. Have a mechanic take a look at your brake pads and rotors the next time you bring your car into the shop, and keep in mind that you should replace your pads every 20,000 miles and your rotors every 70,000 miles.

Battery Basics – The cold Minnesota winter left many people in need of a jumpstart at one time or another, but heat can be just as damaging as cold weather on a battery. The excess heat can speed up the chemical reaction inside a battery, causing your battery to become overcharged. An overcharged battery can shorten the lifespan of your battery, meaning you may have to grab a replacement earlier than planned. Good battery maintenance involves keeping the terminals clean, making sure the battery is secured while moving and properly securing the battery cables.

Tire Maintenance – You’ve probably taken your winter tires off of your car by now, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook regular tire car. Hot summer temperatures can increase your tire pressure, so make sure your tires are properly inflated. Now is also a good time to try the Penny Test to see if you have a healthy amount of tread left on your tire!

Related source: How Stuff Works

Car Repairs in Minnesota Cheaper Than Most

Cheap Car Repair MNBack in January we wrote a post on how Minnesota was among the cheapest states for auto repair. Although the findings were based on 2011 data, we’re happy to contribute to a statewide auto industry that puts its customers first. After all, we don’t call ourselves Affordable Auto for no reason!

Just this week, CarMD.com came out with updated figures, and although average repair costs in Minnesota have increased since 2011, nationally we moved closer to the bottom of the list of states with the most expensive repairs. Back in 2011, 18 states boasted cheaper average repair costs for “check engine” light issues. Today, only 17 states have cheaper average check engine repair costs!

To calculate the data, CarMD looked at two average check engine light costs, the cost of parts and the cost of labor. The national average cost of parts was $235.26, while the national average cost of labor was $157.23, for a total of $392.49. Not surprisingly for a state that ranks well among states with the cheapest auto repair, Minnesota comes in south of both of those averages. On average, parts are $10 cheaper and labor is $5 in Minnesota, putting the state $15 cheaper than the average for regular check engine light maintenance.

The Best and Worst

The data also provided a best and worst list for states when it comes to auto repair. The five cheapest states for car repair are:

1. Nebraska – $323.57

2. New Hampshire – $336.85

3. Vermont – $339.50

4. Michigan – $339.63

5. New Mexico – $351.86

On the flip side, these five states ranked as the most expensive states for check engine light repairs.

1. North Carolina – $426.45

2. Massachusetts – $424.55

3. Delaware – $423.91

4. New Jersey – $421.90

5. Virginia – $421.49

For more information on how the states stack up against one another, check out the data from CarMD.com.

Auto Industry Sets Recall Record

Airbag recallWith Monday’s announcement that auto retailers planned to recall roughly three million vehicles due to airbag issues, the auto industry has set the record for the number of recalls in a year, and we’re not even to July.

According to the most recent announcement, the car companies BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda and Nissan will be recalling vehicles equipped with airbags made by the Takata Corp. Automakers said a defective explosive charge in the airbag could potentially send metal shrapnel flying at occupants during a crash.

The airbag recall has already affected three million cars, and that number will likely increase. The conservative estimate means that car companies have recalled 31.4 million vehicles in the U.S. this year, breaking the previous annual record of 30.8 million set back in 2004.

The depressing record is even more concerning when you consider 2014 isn’t even halfway over yet. Researchers believe that number could approach 50 million if trends continue.

Who The Recall Impacts

Honda is recalling the majority of the vehicles during the latest recall. Reports estimate that Honda will recall two million vehicles, including 2001-2007 Accords, 2001-2005 Civics, 2002-2006 CR-Vs, 2002-2004 Odyssey vans, 2003-2007 Pilots, 2003-2011 Elements.

Nissan said they plan to recall 228,000 vehicles, mostly the Infiniti FX35 and Pathfinder. Ford and Chrysler announced that they are conducting a “field action” in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to determine which vehicles may be affected. Mazda said they would offer a “special service program” for 34,600 vehicles affected by the recall. It’s uncertain which BMW vehicles are affected.

The NHTSA said the propellant used in the inflation system has the potential to burn too quickly. If that occurs, the canister housing the propellant can explode, causing metal shards to spray into the cabin.

The NHTSA said three people were injured as a result of the malfunction in 2013. A subsequent review found that at least six similar instances occurred in hot and humid regions like Florida and Puerto Rico. Investigators are trying to determine if the weather plays a significant role in the malfunction.

To see if your vehicle has been recalled, visit the company’s website. Here are links to see if your Honda or Nissan has been recalled.

Storms Damage Cars Across Southern Minnesota 

Hopefully you were able to get your car in a garage this weekend, but if your vehicle was an unfortunate casualty of a falling tree branch, let Affordable Auto Service get it looking like new again.

According to KSTP, several vehicles were damaged by the storm and more than 100,000 homes lost power as windy conditions swept through the area. Measurements taken at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport recorded wind speeds of nearly 70 mph. You can see pictures of a few of the damaged cars below.

The St. Paul Fire Department had a busy day as the storms knocked down branches and power lines into Saturday night. Officials said that the SPFD responded to more than 60 weather-related calls during a two-hour span Saturday afternoon. The majority of the calls were for downed power lines.

Tree branch car
Photo by E. Fulton Silvernale on Twitter @EFSilvernale
Tree car
via Rob Olson @RobOlsonFox9

Auto Glass Repair

One of our specialties is fixing cracked and damaged windows. If your car looks anything like the cars in the above pictures, we may be able to help.

If you simply have a small chip in the glass, we can have you back on the road in no time. If the chip is smaller than the size of a quarter, we can repair it in 30 minutes or less. If you have any additional chips, those take about an extra 15 minutes to repair. Since a large portion of an auto repair bill is for the time spent working on your car, why not visit a shop that can fix the problem quickly?

In the event that the windshield is beyond repair, we can remove the damaged glass and do a full replacement. Our two men repair teams can install a new windshield in about 90 minutes, and we’ll come out to your home to do the replacement. We don’t want you driving into our shop if you can’t see out the window!

So if your car was damaged by the storm, or if you think it’s about time you fixed that ding in your windshield, give us a call today. We’ll be more than happy to help!

Related source: KSTP

Auto Repair Shouldn’t Be Like Pulling Teeth

Best auto garageA recent study of over 2,400 car owners likened the car repair process to that of going to the dentist, a statistic we find downright depressing.

According to the research, 83 percent of consumers “feel” overcharged by the auto repair process, and women respondents said they’d rather go to the dentist than take their ride in for a tune up.

“We know that there are excellent repair shops and service centers in every city in the US, but, as this study shows, a persistent perception problem plagues the industry: consumers simply don’t trust that they are paying an appropriate price for a repair and their view of the whole experience is, generally, not a positive one,” said Brian Hafer, VP of Marketing for AutoRepair.com. “But there is good news. Consumers are going online to check price quotes and repair show reviews and are craving apples-to-apples actual job quotes. So, for shops that are pricing fairly, offering real quotes and keeping up a good digital presence, there is a real chance to improve perception –and with it, their business.”

Some of the other findings include:

  • 44 percent of women viewed the auto repair industry in a negative light, while only 12 percent had a positive view.
  • 84 percent believe a more transparent view of actual pricing quotes would be the best way to improve the industry.
  • Somewhat surprisingly, 35 percent of respondents never look at auto repair reviews before having their car serviced.
  • 98 percent of respondents said having a knowledgeable and experienced mechanic is important.

We have all those things and so much more at Affordable Auto Service. If you want a quote, you can get one over the phone or request one online right here. We have stellar reviews from customers on our social media profiles, including a great rating by members on Google+. Finally, we have mechanics with years of experiencing servicing all makes and models. In fact, six of our technicians have over 150 years of combined experience working on cars. It doesn’t get much more experienced than that!

Going to the auto repair center shouldn’t be like going to the dentist. We want to make sure you have the best possible experience at a price that won’t leave you feeling cheated. Stop on by and let us prove it.

Related source: Wall Street Journal

The Benefits of Brake Repair

Car BrakesThey say that in Minnesota, we really only experience two driving seasons – Winter and Construction. You may prefer one to the other, but something you need during both seasons is a great pair of brakes. Whether the roads are icy or you happen across a pothole repair crew, you’ll want to make sure you can stop in time to keep you and everyone else on the road safe.

Bad Brakes

There are a lot of ways to tell if you need new brakes or if there is a larger problem at hand. Does your car:

  • Make a grinding noise while stopping?
  • Seem to “pulse” or feel “herky jerky” while braking?
  • Need a lot of foot pressure to come to a complete stop?
  • Make noises while braking at high speeds, or right at the end of your complete stop.

If any of the above conditions are present, make sure you get your car into a shop right away. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse.

Pads and Rotors

As we explained in depth on a previous post, there are two main components at work while you’re braking – Break pads and Rotors.

When you apply the break, your break pads clamp down on the spinning rotor. The kinetic energy from the rotors is converted into thermal energy as the pads slow the rotor. Your forward momentum gets turned into heat as you brake, and if you brake too hard too often, you can damage your pads and rotors.

Like any car part, replacing it before it causes a bigger problem is key when it comes to brake pads and rotors. Take your car in as soon as you hear a grinding noise or feel a difference while breaking, or better yet, replace them at regular intervals. Generally, break pads should be replaced every 15,000-25,000 miles, while rotors should be swapped out every 50,000-75,000 miles.

So if you’re planning a summer road trip or just want to do more driving now that the weather is nice, make sure your brakes are in tip-top shape. Our mechanics know what to look for and can have your brakes back in perfect order in no time. For more information or to schedule a brake inspection, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Nissan Debuts Self-Cleaning Paint

The carwash may soon be going the way of the dodo.

According to Nissan, the car giant has debuted a paint that is both hydrophobic and oleophobic, meaning it is naturally resistant to both water and oils. A Nissan spokesperson said the paint effectively creates “a protective layer of air between the paint and environment.”

The paint is called Ultra-Ever Dry and was developed by a company called UltraTech International. Check out the video below to see the paint in action.

“Washing a car can be a chore – and a costly one at that. In response, Nissan has begun tests on innovative paint technology that repels mud, rain and everyday dirt, meaning drivers may never have to clean their car again,” said a Nissan spokesperson.

Currently only Nissan Europe is actively applying the paint to its cars, but it is expected to make its way across the pond in the near future. There is also speculation that Nissan plans to offer the paint as an aftermarket application, meaning the product could potentially be implemented to any car on the road.

While the repellant paint may be a hit with Nissan investors and car enthusiasts, those in the car washing business aren’t likely clamoring for the product to make its way overseas. According to The Detroit News, the car washing industry generates over $23 billion worldwide. The industry is also home to more than 130,000 workers.

No price has been set for the procedure, but industry experts expect it to run between $500-$1,000.

Related source: Yahoo.com