Auto Magazine

Work Hard, Play Hard: Top Vehicles for Maximizing Your Fun

by Anica Oaks on 2015/04/27 in Auto Collection with Comments Off

Although an old clunker will get you from point A to point B, the fun factor is virtually non-existent. Some drivers desire a tad bit more excitement on their daily commute. Here are some of the top vehicles for maximizing your fun.

Dodge Challenger Hellcat

If you are a true thrill seeker, the 2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat will definitely get your adrenaline pumping. With the use of a supercharger, the Challenger Hellcat’s ultra-potent Hemi engine is able to pump out a monstrous 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. During performance testing, this exhilarating muscle car was clocked at a top speed of nearly 200 mph. In an effort to make the Challenger Hellcat handle like a true sports car, it also comes standard with adaptive suspension dampers. A computerized gauge cluster enables the driver to easily view the car’s performance data.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

For years, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been known for its amazing off-road capabilities, rather than highway performance. However, the new SRT model delivers the best of both worlds. Not only can the Grand Cherokee SRT tow up to 7,200 pounds, but it is also one of the fastest SUVs on the planet. In terms of power, a 475-horsepower Hemi engine enables the Cherokee to accelerate like a race horse. A specially-tuned AWD system enables this sporty Jeep to obtain excellent traction on the road.

Ram 1500 Black Express

Trimmed in black, the Black Express is a special edition of the 2015 Ram 1500 pickup truck. With a total of 395 horsepower on hand, the muscular V-8 engine emits a thunderous rumble. Some of the styling enhancements include 20-inch black wheels, projector headlights, and LED turn signals. This exclusive pickup truck can be seen at dealerships such as Expressway Dodge.

Chrysler 200S

First introduced to the automotive world in 2014, the new Chrysler 200 is one of the most fun-to-drive sedans on the market. In fact, the 2015 Chrysler 200 was recently named the Rocky Mountain Car of the Year. While all versions of the 200 are designed to deliver a pleasurable driving experience, the S model is especially exciting. Equipped with a sports-tuned suspension system, the 200S carves the road with precision. A variable valve timing system enables its Pentastar V-6 engine to pump out an impressive 295 ponies.

All four of these automobiles will deliver constant excitement. No one deserves to drive a boring vehicle.

Dangerous Driving Habits You Need to Stop Right Now!

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/24 in On the Road with Comments Off

There are certain habits that should just not happen on the road. Safe driving is for the benefit of every driver out there, not to mention their passengers. While on occasion, we’ll all have a bad day or make a few mistakes, efforts should be made every time you get into a car, to follow the rules and drive appropriately. Here are some of the most common examples to stay away from.

Texting

With the advent of cell phones, texting has shot to the top of the list for causes of crashes. Some of those accidents end in fatalities which is even worse. Whoever, is on the other end of a text can wait until you can safely reply.

Talking

Talking is a distraction that can wreak havoc while driving. You should always be aware of your surroundings while talking on the phone or to a passenger. If you’re going to have a heated discussion, save it for later. Try to concentrate on the road and save all phone calls for when you can talk freely.

Eating

Eating while driving is never a good idea. Even if you are crunched for time during a lunch break, it’s worth waiting until you reach your destination before you scarf down your food. Potential accidents are avoided, and you can actually taste what you had for lunch. You can also avoid potential spills that could cause you to loose control.

Turn Signals

The drivers around you are not mind readers. A habit of using turn signals should be employed when changing lanes, and making turns no matter where you are. Like the safety belt, turn signals are a feature that save lives and decrease property damage from accidents due to no communication.

Stop Signs

Get out of the habit of rolling stops. As Keyser Defense reminds, drivers are required to come to a complete stop, followed by looking both ways before proceeding. As children we learned how to cross the street using an invisible stop sign. Use this strategy even more carefully while behind the wheel and always be on the lookout for animals or pedestrians.

Tailgating

Tailgating is the main cause of rear-end collisions. The three second rule is a trick that can help you remain a safe distance from the car in front of you. An exception is in inclement weather. According to a Minnesota Assault Defense lawyer, you should use judgment on how much additional space is needed by increasing the three second rule to an appropriate marker.

Speeding

Most of us don’t realize the actual science in determining speed limits. However, there are times when a curve comes up, and you better understand. Drives with straight shots can encourage drivers to speed, but this is a deceiving habit not to indulge in.

Accidents for any reason can lead to court costs, defense attorney fees, increased insurance rates, and worse. Being an alert and considerate driver will protect you and your property as well as every other car on the road.

Article Bio:
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.

Keeping Cool: Six Tips for Working on Your Road Rage

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/22 in On the Road with Comments Off

In the blink of an eye, road rage can lead to a dangerous or even violent encounter between two drivers. In order to remain safe, you must try to keep a cool head while at the wheel. If you find yourself constantly on edge and furious during your daily commute, maybe it’s time to look at some ways to keep a cool head. Here are six tips for working on your road rage.

Have Empathy

Although you may be upset by the actions of another driver, it is important to remember that people do make mistakes. Most motorists do not purposely try to irritate other drivers. In the event that someone accidently cuts you off, try to give the person the benefit of the doubt.

Get Enough Rest

Before hitting the road, make sure you have gotten plenty of rest. Tiredness tends can lead to some very cranky drivers. Drivers who suffer from a lack of sleep are certainly more likely to experience road rage. Instead of attempting to drive while exhausted, take a power nap to re-energize your body. A little extra rest will quickly enhance your mood.

Relaxing Music

Many drivers enjoy listening to upbeat types of music such as rock and hip-hop. However, researchers have found that mellow music tends to calm your nerves. If you encounter a traffic jam on your daily commute, listening to a soothing song may help you to relax.

Take a Deep Breath

Breathing has a major impact on your ability to remain calm. Unsurprisingly, a tense situation will cause your heart to race as well. Your goal should be to breathe as normal as possible. After dealing with a scary incident on the road, take a deep breath to get your emotions under control, check your event calendar to remind yourself you’re not in a hurry, and stay safe.

Do Not Play the Role of the Police

While another driver may upset you, it is not your responsibility to make a citizen’s arrest. Of course if you spot dangerous or reckless drivers, they should be promptly reported to the police. You have a right to be concerned for your personal safety. If you happen to get injured by a negligent driver, be sure to contact a personal injury lawyer.

Time Management

As a driver, it is important to manage your time wisely. By leaving home a tad earlier, you will not have to rush to your destination. When commuting to school or work in the morning, it is not uncommon to get stuck behind a school bus, or an elderly driver. You may even be forced to take a detour because of a car accident.

Use these tips to control your road rage and find inner balance with your time on the road. Acting aggressively will not help the situation.

Six Must-Haves You Should Get Before Your Next Road Trip

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/17 in On the Road with Comments Off

For many families, there is nothing quite as fun as going on an extended road trip. Spending time with the people you love on the open road is a great way to bond and broaden your horizons at the same time. While road trips are usually great, they can quickly go wrong if you are not properly prepared. These are the six things you must have before you head out on your next road trip.

Maps

It may be easier to get directions from a GPS, but they do not always work. If you are traveling to remote destinations, then a GPS will probably not work at all. Since you do not want to be without directions, it is always a good idea to carry maps.

Emergency Kit

Unpredictable things are bound to happen on your road trip, so you want to be prepared. Keeping an emergency kit with you will make sure you are ready for anything. You should keep non-perishable food, warm clothing and first aid items in your emergency kit.

Entertainment

Every long road trip is going to have a few dull moments. Bringing movies, music and games should help keep you entertained for most of the trip. You should also be sure to have enough drinks and snacks on hand to keep you alert during long hours on the road.

Spare Keys

Losing your only pair of keys is the last thing you want to happen. It may take days for you to get some help, so you absolutely must have a spare set of keys. If two different people carry a set of keys, then you should never have to worry about being stranded.

Camera

You are going to see and do amazing things on your road trip, and the best way to capture all of your favorite moments is with a camera. Taking pictures of everything will help you remember your great trip forever. If you are trying to pack light, consider using your phone as a camera.

RV

If you have never experienced a road trip in a RV, then you are truly missing out on a great experience. Taking a nap on a real bed or watching a movie while on the road are amazing benefits that you can only get with a RV. The extra space will also come in handy if you are traveling with several people. Whether you buy or rent an RV, it can make your vacation experience much better.

Road trips are an unforgettable experience, so you need to make the most out of your great trip. If you have these six things on your next road trip, then you should have the time of your life.

Informational credit to Fretz RV.

A Look at How Toyota’s Virtual Reality Simulations are Helping Teens avoid Distracted Driving

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/04/13 in Toyota with Comments Off

Oculus Rift was originally developed by the independent company Oculus VR, bought by Facebook in March 2014 for $2 billion, as a virtual reality headset so that hardcore video gamers could sling frag grenades in award-winning games like Doom 3. Toyota has now repurposed the Oculus Rift headset for something else—to exterminate distracted driving.

Teen Drivers Ignore Perils of Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), for teenage drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2011, nearly one in five were distracted by the use of a cell phone. "This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted," said the NHTSA. An Automobile Association of America study investigated 1,700 teenage car crashes caught on tape and went even further; 58 percent of accidents, it said, involved distracted driving.

TeenDrive365 Seeks to Reduce Distracted Driving

On November 18, 2013, Toyota launched a campaign to end the ignorance and apathy surrounding distracted driving. "TeenDrive365" aims to foster teenage responsibility and parental guidance, a methodology based on the results of a national study conducted by Toyota in collaboration with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. The campaign includes training videos, a $15,000 grassroots video contest, driving advice from racing superstars like Antron Brown and JD Gibbs, a safe-driving contract and now, with the addition of Oculus Rift, a distracted driving simulator.

Toyota Uses Virtual Reality to Combat Distracted Driving

First unveiled at the Dallas Auto Show in March 2015, the simulator, built in partnership with 360i, invites teenagers to hop behind the wheel of a stationary car, don a headset, and drive down a city street. Raucous passengers, sirens, text messages, flocks of birds and other stimuli compete for attention. In this driving test, there are no second chances.
Almost 80 percent of participants have said they would reduce distractions because of their simulator experience. Teenagers and parents alike are learning that, unlike in a video game, there are no multiple lives.

Consider the Lessons Learned

While you might think this simulator program is just a marketing ruse, consider the types of things that teenagers gain from stepping inside a driving test like this:

Distracted driving escalates. Read one text message or open one bag of chips, and the distractions multiply.
Driving is leadership. A driver’s hands hold the lives of his or her passengers. Should those hands be grasping the wheel at 10 and 2, or "liking" a friend’s selfies?
Distractions decrease response times. Teenage drivers often believe in their infallible reflexes. A billboard and bent bumper later, that myth is expunged.
You get to watch your BFF fail. Watching a friend shatter her windshield leverages the power of peer pressure for the greater good.

Thanks to Toyota’s innovative TeenDriver365 campaign, the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset is doing more than helping gamers destroy virtual demons. As the program continues, teens will be able to grasp the gravity of distracted driving, and make their own resolutions for safe driving in the future.

The information for this article was provided by a DUI attorney in Los Angeles.