Understanding The Airbag

Ever since it was developed, the airbag has created a special role in the automotive industry in terms of features for car safety. According to some recent crash tests, airbags indeed can save a persons life during vehicle collisions. Let us discuss more about airbags, find out how it works, and discover the benefits it could offer.

An airbag is a flexible, inflatable object that contains air or some other gas. It is also called the Air Cushion Restraint System (ACRS). Airbags can actually absorb the impact taken from a car crash by creating a cushion thus reducing the injuries of the vehicles occupants. The airbag system consists of three substantial parts: the airbag module, the crash sensor, and the diagnostic unit. Each part plays a significant role during a car crash. The airbag module is the one that contains the lightweight fabric that inflates during collision. Basically, there are two airbag modules located in a conventional vehicle like the new Lincoln Town Car, the driver airbag module and the passenger airbag module. The driver airbag module is located at the center of the steering wheel while the passenger module is dramatically placed at the instrument panel.

Because vehicles can have one or more crash sensors, they are located in different areas either at the front of the vehicle near the bumper or in the passenger compartment area. The crash sensor works as a triggering device that measures the deceleration, which is the decreased velocity of a car or the rate in which the car slows down. The sensor is activated during the car crash which actually is the force that was generated in the front or rear of a car.

The last part of an airbag system, which is the diagnostic unit, acts as a condition sensor for the airbag. It measures the preparedness of the airbag in case of a car crash. The diagnostic unit activates when the cars engine is turned on. It checks the airbag if it is in good condition and ready to use. If certain problem occurs, a warning light is activated and signals the driver that the airbag is malfunctioning and needs to be fixed.

During its peak of development, airbags only focus on frontal impacts. It cannot absorb impacts generated from the rear and side of a vehicle thus making it an ineffective safety device for rollovers and side impacts. However, with the latest trend in the automotive industry along with the new technological safety features, vehicles are now equipped with rear, side, and even curtain airbags to protect its occupants from injuries during car collisions. Who knows what other benefits and updates will airbags offer in the future?

 

Top 5 Chauffeur Cars in the World

Chauffeur driven cars are the epitome of luxury automotive travel. Yes, owning a Lamborghini or Ferrari is special, but travelling in a chauffeur driven car is the pinnacle of wealth. Below are the top 5 chauffeur cars in the world. So if you are a chauffeur company who wants to know which car is the best for your fleet or you are an aspiring millionaire who just wants to make a mental note when you do have the money to splurge, the below list should help.

1. The most luxurious car in the world at the moment is the Maybach, it costs a staggering 260,000, which is more than most houses. It’s like a luxury cruise liner on wheels with a 5.5 litre, V12 engine and weighing in at almost 3 tonnes it can go from 0-60 in 5.5 seconds. Celebrities such as Simon Cowell and P Diddy both own a Maybach. As standard they come with massaging chairs, rear view camera, cooled cup holders and a full entertainment system. So if you run a Californian or London chauffeur service buying a Maybach for your fleet is the best you can get.
2. Next is the Rolls Royce Phantom it’s a British institution which used to scream aristocracy now everyone from footballers to Russian Oligarchs owns one. As a chauffeur car they are ideal for every occasion and are very popular as wedding cars in London. They cost around 250,000 with a 453 BH (break horsepower) V12 engine, which goes from 0-60 in just 5.7 seconds. Interesting luxury items include a 26 speaker sound system with full entertainment system, refrigerator and rear seat tables.
3. The Bentley Continental Flying Spur has always seemed to come in second fiddle to the Rolls Royce, but the Flying Spur is a very special car in its own right. They cost over 120,000 and come with lavish wood interior finish, air conditioning and a very comfortable ride. The engine is an earth shaking 6 litre V12 with a top speed of 200mph. This again is a very popular wedding and chauffeur car for CEOs who want their luxury cars to have a bit more power and acceleration.
4. The Mercedes S 600 is one of the most popular luxury chauffeur driven hire cars around today, they are the upper echelon of executive travel. At only 87,000 it might seem like toy car compared to the Maybach and Rolls Royce, but the S 600 is indeed a very nice sedan. It delivers a blistering 500 BH with 12 cylinders and a 0-60 time of a not to be sniffed at 6.8 seconds. They are a common feature of most London chauffeur service companies and sit in the garage of many high powered executives.
5. The fifth choice is a difficult one. You could go for a BMX 7 series or Lexus 430. However, in this case the Audi A8 has to take it. It has recently won The Chauffeur Car of Year award. Audi has really improved its game over the last 12 years and successfully penetrated the luxury saloon market. The Audi A8 is an ideal chauffeur car for formal occasions and business meetings. It’s not as flash as the other cars but is certainly an elegant and well presented car. They cost around 60,000 and deliver an impressive 320 BH.

A chauffeur driven car is about luxury, convenience and making a statement. The above cars certainly perform well in all of these categories.

 

Tips For Winter Driving

Winter driving can be hazardous and stressful. Wind, snow, ice and blizzard conditions increase the normal dangers of driving. There is a lot you can do before the winter driving season and during a storm to protect yourself and your family.

Before winter arrives, have your car inspected to be sure it is ready for the road conditions. You can do this yourself or take it to a qualified mechanic. Check the battery, wipers and fluid, thermostat, brakes, ignition system, antifreeze, exhaust system, lights, oil level, heater and defrosters. Make sure everything is in good working order to keep you safe throughout the cold weather.

Check your tires to be sure they are road ready. Install tires that are appropriate for the driving conditions. In moderate amounts of snow, all weather radials will do the job nicely. If you live in a climate where you experience a lot of snow, consider snow tires. These have better tread to deal with snow and ice.

Prepare an emergency kit to keep in the back of your car. This will ensure that you are prepared in the event that you get stuck in the snow. Things to include in the kit:

Ice scraper
Small broom
Small shovel
Kitty litter or a bag of sand (to give traction if you get stuck in snow or ice)
Blankets or a sleeping bag
Flashlight with batteries
Flares or warning triangles
Plastic bags
First aid kit
Tool kit
Jumper cables
Bright cloth to use as a flag
Help sign for back window
Extra hat and gloves
Food and water to sustain you if you get stuck
A book, Bible or Prayer Cards to keep you busy and calm in the event you get stuck.
Charged cell phone (always carry this, especially in the winter)

Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times. This adds weight to the car and will ensure that you wont run out of gas in the event you get stuck.

Driving in the Snow

Pay attention to the weather forecasts and road conditions in the winter months. If the weather is bad, stay home if at all possible. If you must venture out, travel in the daylight. You are more likely to find help if you get stuck during the day. Never warm up your vehicle in the garage. This releases carbon monoxide, which is toxic and can kill you.

When driving, always wear your seatbelt. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun reflecting off the snow. Know your car and how it handles in the snow. Features like traction control and antilock brakes can be useful in bad weather conditions. Know how these work and if your car is new, practice driving it in a snow covered parking lot before venturing out on the road.

Take it slow, especially in icy conditions. Dont tailgate and be sure to allow a safe distance between vehicles. Do everything slowly, stopping, accelerating and turning. Leave plenty of time and space to maneuver. Sliding and skidding usually happen when turning, stopping or accelerating. Going extra slow will ensure your safety.

If the visibility is low, slow down even more. Consider getting off highways and driving even slower. This will take you out of the path of large trucks that can cause accidents. Use only your low beams, as your high beams will reflect back off the snow and wont increase your visibility. Turn on your hazard lights to be sure other drivers see you.

In the event your car gets stuck, dont get out. Put up the hood and tie your cloth to the antennae. This will make you more visible to emergency vehicles and other drivers. Keep the windows, air grill and tail pipe clear of snow. Wrap up in blankets and huddle up with passengers to stay warm. Run the heat for fifteen minutes each hour to keep from freezing. Move your body around to stay warm.

Keeping your car clean throughout the winter is important. Salt on the roads is important for safety, but will wreak havoc on the finish. If left on for long periods, it can cause rusting. Wash your vehicle weekly to remove salt and wax to protect the paint. Salt also leaves a coating on your headlights that can impair their operation. This will make you less visible to other vehicles. New Lite Headlight Cleaner and Restorer will return the lights to like new condition.

 

The Best Ways To Test Out A Luxury Car

Luxury cars offer drivers the smoothest, most comfortable rides and have some of the most advanced engineering of any vehicles on the road. Many drivers and passengers alike wish that they could experience these beautiful driving machines, but only a select few people can count themselves lucky enough to own these exquisite cars that cost quite a pretty penny. If you are contemplating the purchase of a luxury car, you will want to be certain that your money is well spent.

Although there are plenty of consumer guides to luxury cars that can give you important information about things like safety statistics and gas mileage for various models of cars, there are a few things that no guide can tell you. Some of those things include which luxury cars design is most suited to your driving style; which cars controls will be the most intuitive for you to use; and which car will be the most satisfying for you to drive. This means that you will want to spend some time behind the wheel of your luxury car of choice before you sign on the dotted line.

There are two ways to try out a luxury car before you buy. One is to take a test drive, and the other is to take out a short term rental on the car you are considering purchasing. Each of these choices has its own advantages and disadvantages. A test drive is free, which makes it more attractive to many drivers. A rental can cost quite a bit of money, even if you only rent the luxury car in question for a week or a few days. However, a test drive is rarely more than half an hour long, which can severely limit the kind of experience you can have in the car you are considering the purchase of. A rental offers a longer time frame that will allow you to really get to know the ins and outs of your potential car, allowing you to make a truly informed decision. With a rental, you will be able to travel the streets you normally traverse through the course of your day. This will give you a realistic picture of what it would be like to navigate and park with the luxury car you are contemplating.

Although in this way a rental is highly preferable to a test drive, a rental isnt always a practical or possible choice. Often, consumers who are comparing different luxury cars are interested in the hottest, newest cars on the market. These kinds of vehicles are often in great demand, which means that they are not likely to make it onto the lot at your local rental outlet. In these cases, try to get your dealer to allow you a longer test drive than the average customer. Occasionally, a salesperson will be willing to let you try a luxury car for up to twenty four hours. So even if a rental isnt an option, you may still be able to give the car a thorough spin around your neighborhood.