Findlay Automobile Club

Transcription

Findlay Automobile Club
Edition
Spring
Findlay Automobile Club
2014
FEATURES
2 Vehicle Recall
3 Discover Italy!
4 A Whale Of A Tale
AAA FINDLAY AUTOMOBLIE CLUB
5
6
7
8
Singing Rails
Tips on Insuring a New Home
Racing and Auto Safety
Spring Car Maintenance
Discover
Italy!
-3100
-3100
2
PLEASURES
Findlay Automobile Club
Spring Edition, 2014
Motorists: What You Should
Know about Vehicle Recalls
Every year, hundreds of thousands of vehicles are recalled
for a variety of reasons, ranging
from minor issues covering a
relatively small number of vehicles, to a single recall affecting
millions.
In 2010, a record 14.9 million vehicles were recalled by
manufacturers, according to the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), the
federal agency that oversees
recalls.
Although vehicle recalls are
relatively common, many consumers aren’t exactly sure how
the process works. In most cases,
recalls are initiated by the manufacturer without any prompting
by government. Manufacturers
often will discover a problem
through their own testing or
from dealerships and service
centers that have received complaints from vehicle owners.
But consumers have a significant role to play in the recall
process, as well. Many recalls occur as a direct result of a government investigation into consumer complaints. NHTSA’s Office of
Defects Investigation, or ODI, is
responsible for conducting investigations into consumer complaints and administering safety
recalls. The agency screens more
than 40,000 complaints per year
from consumers, and over the
last three years, ODI investigations have resulted in 450 recalls
involving 20 million vehicles.
“It’s important that consumers know their information
is being reviewed daily,” said
ODI Director Frank Borris in a
recent interview with AAA. “The
Defects Assessment Division, or
what I call the front line, reviews
every comment that comes into
ODI from all channels – mail,
telephone, email and online – on
a daily basis. They also scan
Internet forums for discussions.”
There is no set number of complaints that NHTSA must receive
before it opens an investigation,
he added. “If we receive a number of similar multiple complaints about the same vehicle,
we may open an investigation.”
Not all defects are related
to the vehicle’s overall safety.
Non-safety-related defects
include items like air conditioning, entertainment systems and
ODI’s Investigative Process
Screening: A preliminary review of consumer complaints
and other data related information
Petition Analysis – An analysis of any petitions calling for
a defect investigation and/or review of safety related recalls
Investigation – The actual investigation
Recall Management – The effectiveness of the recall
ordinary wear of vehicle equipment such as brake pads, batteries and exhaust systems. Vehicle
owners may not be notified of
these types of defects directly, so
motorists should ask about them
when they have their vehicle
serviced.
Safety-related defects include
items such as steering components, windshield wiper assembly systems, air bags that deploy
unexpectedly and child safety
seats that contain defective components that create injury risks.
“Once a safety defect decision
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is made by ODI staff,” Borris
explained, “by law the manufacturer has three options for correcting the defect. We call them
the “three R’s: repair, replacement or refund.”
The Consumer’s Role
Getting consumers to react to
a recall notices remains a challenge. An owner’s perception
of risk is pivotal to how quickly
consumers act. ODI works closely with manufacturers to ensure
notifications include the necessary information and are written
in plain English. For example,
calling a fire a “thermal event”
AAA FINDLAY
AUTOMOBILE CLUB
may be technically correct, but it
is not consumer friendly.
One helpful website is NHTSA’s SaferCar.gov, which provides detailed information about
vehicle safety ratings, current
recalls, and additional information about vehicle-related items
such as tires and child passenger
safety seats. The site also has
an interactive form for reporting defects or filing complaints.
NHTSA is also developing plans
to collect consumer complaints
via mobile devices.
Consumers who think their vehicle has a defect should report it
immediately via the SaferCar.gov
site or through NHTSA’s Vehicle
Safety Hotline, 888-327-4236 or
800-424-9393. You can also mail
complaints to:
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration
Office of Defects Investigation
(NVS-210)
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590
Romantic Getaway
1550 Tiffin Ave., Findlay,
OH 45840-6855
Phone: (419) 422-4961
Fax: (419) 422-5620
www.AAAFindlay.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sat. 9 a.m.-noon
Closed Sun. and Holidays
E-MAIL ADDRESSES:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
CHAIRMAN, Jerry E. Hawkins
VICE CHAIRMAN, Dan Campling
TREASURER, Greg Rakestraw
SECRETARY, Kurt Heminger
TRUSTEE, Tom Buis
AAA Findlay Automobile Club Pleasures, Volume 4, Number 1 (USPS 002549) (ISSN 1933-4591) is the official
publication of the Findlay Automobile
Club, 1550 Tiffin Avenue, Findlay, OH
45840-6855 as of the Spring (March),
2011 edition. It is published four times
annually by Findlay Automobile Club.
Periodicals mail postage paid at Findlay,
OH and other additional mailing offices.
Subscriptions: members $1.50 annually
included in principal membership dues.
For Information: Contact Findlay
Automobile Club office.
Postmaster: Send address changes
to AAA Findlay Automobile Club Pleasures, 1550 Tiffin Avenue, Findlay, OH
45840-6855.
Change of Address: Allow six weeks
advance notice. Send new address and
mailing label from latest issue to AAA
Findlay Automobile Club Pleasures,
1550 Tiffin Avenue, Findlay, OH
45840-6855
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1739 Tiffin Ave. • Findlay • (419) 424-9363
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Visit participating AAA offices, AAA.com/travelmoney, or call 1-866-674-9622.
10280 US 224 West • Findlay • (419) 424-3100
(Updated with TourBook info. Valid thru April 2014.)
Terms and conditions apply.
Cards issued by MetaBank™, member FDIC,
pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.
Findlay Automobile Club
Spring Edition, 2014
3
PLEASURES
Discover Italy!
Be enamored by Alberobello and its strange
white dry-stone trulli
structures with conical
roofs, or try the medieval city of Siena. Also
stop at sun-drenched
Sorrento, where you can
saunter through Piazza
Tasso and Corso Italia
with its glamorous bou-
tiques and cafés.
Tours to Italy should
include a visit to the
exotic Isle of Capri for
the dramatic Faraglioni
Rocks, as well as the
quaint village of Anacapri and busy Capri
Town, where the rich
and famous sip cappuccinos.
AAA’S TRAVEL EXPERTS
Home to the greatest classical art, most
sought-after
fashions
and
globally
adored
food, Italy is a dream
destination for anyone
planning a European
tour. Boasting neverending ancient ruins,
gothic structures, Byzantine temples and medieval castles, Italy pays
homage to significant
historic periods such as
the Roman Empire and
the Renaissance. When
it comes to the beloved
Italian cuisine, from authentic pizza to mouthwatering desserts, the
specialty dishes of each
region will delight you.
Featuring some of the
most romantic cities on
earth including Rome,
Florence and Venice
as well as Tuscan vineyards,
snow-capped
Alps and Mediterranean
beaches, Italy tours have
it all.
Italy’s capital, Rome,
offers a wealth of history. On a holiday in
Rome you can admire
St. Peter’s Basilica and
Michelangelo’s miraculous Sistine Chapel or
cross the Tiber River to
the Forum and Circus
Maximus, where chariot
races once roared. Here
find the mighty Colosseum where you can relive
the stories of the gladiators!
Beyond Rome, a tour
of Italy offers a plethora of diverse towns and
cities, all with unique
attractions. In magical Venice, savour the
sights and sounds of
St. Mark’s Square before floating under the
Bridge of Sighs and past
the Doge’s Palace on a
gondola ride along the
Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge. Over the
Rialto, visit the lively
fish market, which has
existed for centuries
and perfectly fits the
intense rustic charm of
the ‘sinking’ city of Venice.
Tuscany is the king of
Italy for food and wine
though, especially in the
charming town of Greve
where you can taste a
plethora of excellent
Chiantis and browse the
finest food shops in Europe. Sit back and relax
in rural Tuscany where
you can really appreciate Italy’s sensuous surroundings.
Milan is a must-see
for enthusiastic shoppers. A fashion capital
of the world, Milan is
home to the headquarters of some of the leading fashion designers.
Don’t miss Leonardo d
Vinci’s famous mural of
The Last Supper in the
Church of Santa Maria
delle Grazie.
Savour a ‘true pizza’
in its hometown of Naples, also gateway to
Pompeii, where you can
spend an entire day exploring the remains of a
town petrified and preserved by the eruption
of Mount Vesuvius in
AD 79.
A Pisa holiday is just
as incredible as you’d
imagine; the famous
Leaning Tower in the
Square of Miracles will
beat any photos you
may have seen. Also
visit Assisi for its basilicas with their Giotto
frescoes, and in pretty
Florence explore the
Duomo, Giotto’s Bell
Tower, the Baptistery,
Signoria Square and the
statue of David.
Beyond Italy’s prosperous realms of history and art, there’s
plenty to keep you busy
in the great outdoors
too. The grand Abruzzi
Mountains, Brenta Canal lined with Palladian
villas and the rolling
hills of Umbria will all
leave you spellbound as
will the Adriatic coast,
Gulf of Salerno and the
Apennines, which are
staggering in beauty.
The best travel agents know the travel business is more than
booking hotels and cruises. It’s building relationships.
BARB BRADNER, Travel Agent
bbradner@aaafindlay.com
In the travel industry for more
than 30 years, Barb is a leader
in travel bookings. Clients are
amazed at the detail and ideas
she is able to provide them.
DENNIS MCDANIEL, Travel Agent
dmcdaniel@aaafindlay.com
A travel agent for more than 30
years, Denny is well traveled.
His dedication and commitment
to AAA members are the reasons
his clients keep returning.
MICHELE RETTIG, Manager
airlines@aaafindlay.com
With more than 20 years
of experience in the travel
industry, Michele can assist
with all your travel needs.
Contact her today to help plan
your next dream vacation.
AUTO TRAVEL COUNSELORS
travelbycar@aaafindlay.com
NANCY
HENSON
Counselor
BILL
MAYS
Counselor
GAYNELL
TROIANO
Manager
No matter where your journey takes you, AAA Travel is your best
source for the industry’s widest range of products and services.
Contact us today.
E-mail your friendly
AAA Findlay Travel
agent or call us at
(419) 422-4961
4
PLEASURES
Findlay Automobile Club
Spring Edition, 2014
A Whale of a Tale:
SeaWorld celebrates 50 years with a
In 1964 Southern California
became the site of a new variety
of theme park. Situated on
just over 20 acres of Mission
Bay property — with only a
few dolphins, sea lions, and
a handful of other attractions
— SeaWorld® San Diego first
opened its doors.
In its first year of operation
the
new
park
attracted
approximately 400,000 guests,
and, over the course of the
next five decades, became
one of the most synonymous
experiences with “America’s
Finest City.”
SeaWorld
Parks
&
Entertainment, which operates
12 parks within the United
States, is continually adding
new attractions, educational
programs, and conservation
efforts
to
its
existing
lineup of mammal-centered
experiences.
From Sea to Shining Sea
To
commemorate
this
golden anniversary, all three
SeaWorld parks — including
Orlando and San Antonio
— will kick off an 18-month
celebration March 21. From
new performances, including
a new evening Shamu® show,
to seasonal extras, such as
the summertime fireworks
displays, SeaWorld has an
entertaining 50th birthday
party in store.
In addition to the current
attractions, be on the lookout
for new experiences. The
Surprise Squad, known for
their energetic entertainment,
will be delighting unsuspecting
onlookers with a wide range of
special gifts and prizes at all
three parks.
In San Diego, the addition
of Explorer’s Reef — a new
ocean-themed
entrance
plaza
featuring
saltwater
and freshwater touch pools
containing
5,000
marine
creatures — will coincide with
this year’s new festivities.
The park will also feature
a collection of sea-themed
sculptures made from ocean
debris. Created by Washed
Ashore, a nonprofit artisan
Sensible
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group, these larger-than-life
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the importance of the ocean
habitats as well as the need
to protect the marine animals
that call them home.
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• Paul
Davis Emergency
Services, 2447 Tiffin Ave. Findlay, Restoration
Srvs. 10% off any job up to $300
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









 
 




 

 



1-800-Flowers
FTD
Magellan
Sprint











1-800-GOT-JUNK
Gap Outlet
Napa
Starwood






AAA
Prescription Savings
Geek Squad
New York & Company 
Sylvan Learning Centers



 






Amtrak
Gray Line
Newport Audiology Centers
Tanger Outlets




 Shoe Source  
Atlas
/ Smart Move
Hard Rock Cafe
Target Optical

 Payless






 
 Vision
Republic Factory Stores


Banana
Hampton Inn 
Pearle
The Parking
Spot 

















Best Western
Hertz 
Penske
The UPS Store






Blue
Nile
Hilton
Reebok.com
Thrifty







 












  Hyatt

Dell 
Reebok
Rockport Outlet 
TravelCenters
of America








Sears

DIRECTV
Landry’s Group
Universal Orlando



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

 
 
 Optical






Dollar
Lenscrafters 
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Universal Studios Hollywood
 











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




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
Extra
Space Storage
Six Flags

 Marriott














































 AAA.com/discounts




















Valid AAA membership
required.
apply.
Visit AAA.com/discounts
for complete offer details.



 Some restrictions










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





 








Findlay Automobile Club
Spring Edition, 2014
PLEASURES
5
Singing Rails:
An Amtrak trip to Memphis yields time to both slow down and rev up.
As the train slipped across
the midwest, the fog created
halos around the lights while
the region’s less-attractive
aspects faded. It’s not unlike the effect unhurried train
travel has on life in general really, making everything seem
dream-like. But travelers want
to explore on vacation, too, so
adding a one-city visit courtesy of an Amtrak Vacations Rail
Getaway is just the ticket.
Whistle Away
Maybe it’s age or geography
or culture, but to many Americans, a train whistle still calls
of adventure and romance. My
husband and I signed on for a
short trip from Toledo, with
a three-day/two-night stay in
Memphis, Tenn. We upgraded
for the overnight from and to
Chicago in a roomette—the
“ette” part being key here.
Roughly 6 feet long by 3 feet
wide, the roomette stacks two
beds bunk-style, and a person
has to be spry to access that
top bunk. A peaceful night’s
sleep isn’t really to be had
here, so we considered it part
of the adventure.
However, the roomette is
balanced with a coach section so far superior to any seat
in air travel, it’s ridiculous.
Coach seats are wide, recline
deeply, and have foot and leg
rests. We’re talking Barcalounger—seriously. Plus, there
are electrical outlets at each
pair of seats, a snack car and a
full-service dining car, no long
lines or security stations, and
no carry-on luggage restrictions. And when the ability to
indulge in a good book, play
games with the kids or watch
the passing scenery from the
observation lounge is thrown
in, well, what’s not to like?
Home of the Blues, Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll
One would be well-advised
to rest up before hitting Memphis because of the myriad opportunities on tap. We decided to focus on the downtown
area, which is handily serviced
by the engaging Main Street
Trolley system and gets visitors within a few blocks of everything.
Memphis, as most everyone
knows, is the birthplace of
music that changed the world.
Beale Street is world-renowned
for the blues; Graceland is the
last home of Elvis, King of
Rock ’n’ Roll; Stax Museum
recounts the creative cosmos
of soul. The city boasts these
options, plus rock music’s Sun
Studio, Gibson Guitar factory
tours and Orpheum Theatre
stage shows. For those with a
desire to hit only the musical
high spots, the Smithsoniancreated Rock ’n’ Soul Museum
(admission with the Amtrak
deal, too) covers all the bases.
Rock ’n’ Soul celebrates the
sounds that fueled my babyboomer generation, beginning
with the music’s early-1900s
genesis, when the blues and
country music of rural folk
blended with church
gospel music. When 7
million rural citizens
moved to the cities in the
Depression-era
1930s
looking for work, the
music came with them
and evolved when it met
urban blues and jazz.
Memorabilia
here
range
from
Minnie
Pearl’s Grand Ole Opry
costume, B.B. King’s
Lucille guitar and a
Wurlitzer Bubbler jukebox to
Ike Turner’s first piano, Isaac
Hayes’ diamond-and-emerald
grand-piano watch and, of
course, a sparkly Elvis stage
costume. And the music is everywhere—visitors can listen
through the provided headsets
for hours.
The unique environment that
was Memphis brought black
and white musicians together
for one purpose—to make music first for themselves and
then for others. In a segregated society that drove the
races apart, Memphis blended
them.
Once visitors’ hearts and
heads are nostalgia-laden, it’s
time to stroll Beale Street to
soak in the music in person.
Visitors can name their pleasure, and it can be found here.
Seek, Find, Dine
Music isn’t downtown Memphis’ only option. Next door to
Rock ’n’ Soul is FedExForum,
home of the NBA Memphis
Grizzlies. And also on Beale
is a mainstay since the street’s
founding—A. Schwab general
store, just made for browsing
and filled with everything from
souvenirs to hats to ukuleles.
Meanwhile, two blocks north
is AutoZone Park—home to
the St. Louis Cardinals’ AAAaffiliate, the Memphis Redbirds—and the famous Peabody Hotel, where the crowd
swells at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
to watch the famous, incredibly short Duck March. A
quick hop south on the trolley
brings visitors to the National
Civil Rights Museum, which
recounts in precise, poignant
detail Martin Luther King Jr.’s
assassination and the history
of civil rights.
Those who find hunger calling here in the South Main
Arts District will discover delicious options within a few
blocks any direction: Central
BBQ (repeatedly voted local
favorite), the 1919-established
Arcade restaurant (famous as
a TV and movie film site and
Elvis hangout), and Gus’s
World Famous Fried Chicken
(never the same “heat” two
days in a row). Back north is
a more upscale eatery with a
twist—former-silent-movietheater-cum-restaurant
The
Majestic Grille, where we dug
into crusty bread and wildmushroom tortellini while
watching Popeye cartoons.
Wandering a tad southwest
will bring the curious to the
National Ornamental Metal
Museum, nestled alongside
the Mississippi River. The
only national museum devoted
exclusively to fine metalsmithing, the Metal Museum is a
delight. After being astounded
by the small, intricate pieces in
the gallery and entranced with
the large-scale pieces on the
grounds, I was ready to take
up the hammer and learn the
craft myself—lessons in the
on-site foundry also available.
Three action-packed days
followed by that slow, insular
train travel going home made
just about a perfect getaway.
Planning Your Trip
For more information on an
Amtrak Vacations Rail Getaway, visit www.amtrakvacations.com/rail_vacations/railgetaways. To learn more about
Memphis, call (888) 633-9099
or visit www.memphistravel.
com. For travel-planning assistance, contact your local AAA
Travel agent or AAA.com/
travel.
6
PLEASURES
Findlay Automobile Club
Spring Edition, 2014
Tips on Insuring Your New Home
So you’ve been pre-approved
for a mortgage, researched the
schools and now you’re on a
search for that perfect home.
One thing that should be added
to the to-do list is to consider
the insurance implications of
buying a specific house.
In
the
excitement
of
acquiring a new home, AAA
suggests that you keep the
following questions in mind.
For example, if the house
you’re eyeing is located in
a flood zone, you’ll need a
separate
flood
insurance
policy, which you’ll need to
budget a few hundred extra
dollars for. If it’s close to the
coast then you may also need a
wind policy.
You should also get a copy of
the house’s claim loss history,
which comes in the form of a
CLUE report from your AAA
Insurance agent. The CLUE
report is similar to a CARFAX
report for automobiles. These
reports provide information
on the number and types of
homeowner insurance claims
that have been filed on the
property. This report would
show potential red flags, such
as previous water claims, and
if theft or vandalism have
been a problem. If an incident
shows up on the CLUE report,
you’ll want to make sure this
has been remedied prior to
purchasing.
AAA Insurance states some
other factors that will influence
your insurance include the
house location, the type of
construction and its condition.
You should also consider:
• Age of the home. Older
homes tend to have features –
plaster walls, ceiling moldings
and wooden floors – that are
more expensive to replace and
may ultimately raise the price
of your insurance.
• Plumbing, heating and
electrical. The older the
systems, the more likely fire
or water damage will occur.
If recent upgrades have been
made, it will be easier to get
insurance.
• Quality and closeness of fire
department. Your insurance
premiums will typically be
lower if you live near a fire
department with a top rating
that staffs firefighters fulltime.
• Disaster-resistance. If the
house is built with products
that stand up to disasters
– like hail-resistant roofs and
windstorm shutters – it could
cost you less to insure.
• Location. You always
hear location is key in real
estate. It’s also important in
determining your insurance
premium. It could cost you
more if you leave near the
coast or a river. If you live in
an earthquake-prone area, it
will mean getting a separate
policy, as is the case with
flooding.
If you are in the market
for a new home, remember it
will more than likely be the
largest investment you’ll make
in your lifetime. Protecting
it properly will take the help
of a professional insurance
consultant. We’re here to help.
Contact your AAA Insurance
professional at 419-422-4839.
DISCOUNT
TICKETS
AVAILABLE
FOR MEMBERS
AT AAA
Because she never
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6/30/14
6/30/14
6/30/14
Mother’s Day done right
To learn more, visit participating AAA
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call 1-800-674-9622 �
Purchase fee of up to $6.95. Monthly inactivity fee of
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Stolen replacement card fee of $5.95. Gift Cards are valid
only in the United States. Visa® Gift Cards are issued by
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Carmike Cinemas
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Zoombezi Bay
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All tickets prices subject to change some
attractions open on a seasonal basis only.
Contact your local AAA office for height /
age restrictions and pricing.
Findlay Automobile Club
Spring Edition, 2014
7
PLEASURES
Racing & Auto Safety:
Contributions by Auto Racing to Passenger
Vehicle Safety
In 1903, AAA sponsored
road races, rallies and longdistance runs to showcase
the safety and reliability of
the cars of that era. Many
of those innovations made
their way into the passenger
vehicles available to the public. Subsequent technological
breakthroughs continue to affect the vehicles we drive today, and those we will drive
in the future.
Though auto racing is inherently dangerous, there are
many advances in safety that
have saved lives, both on the
track and in the vehicles we
drive every day.
Rearview Mirrors – In
1911, Ray Harroun was able
to drive in the Indianapolis
500 using a rearview mirror,
rather than depending on the
mechanic to tell him when
cars were about to pass.
Tires – Road and track racers pioneered rubber compounds and radial technology
improvements, contributing
to better traction and control
for current model cars and
trucks. Formula One® designers, racing under all weather
conditions, developed tires
specific to rainy conditions.
Run-flat tires have been used
by NASCAR® and similar
racecars for more than thirty
years.
Traction and Stability Control – Developed in Formula
One® racing, these control
the position of the vehicle
and the traction of the drive
wheels. If a vehicle begins
to experience understeer
or oversteer, power can be
added or released to help the
driver bring the vehicle back
under control. These systems
are now available on cars and
trucks worldwide.
Hydraulic Brakes – Invented
in 1918 by Malcolm Loughead,
the hydraulic brake system
was more effective and more
reliable than the mechanical
systems they replaced. First
used in the 1918 Duesenberg,
these brakes enabled drivers
to drive faster, because they
could stop more quickly with
less effort. By the end of the
1920s, similar brake systems
were standard equipment on
most higher-priced cars.
Vehicle Seats and Air Bags
– Though front air bags have
been available for thirty
years, side airbags just recently have become available
on many vehicles. Side crashes, measured by onboard
computers during auto races,
determined that occupants in
crashes of this type incurred
impact to the shoulder area.
These data provide input into
side body airbag and seat de-
sign to limit injuries in this
type of crash, a technology
that translates directly into
protecting occupants of passenger vehicles.
Safety Belts – Required for
cars in 1965 and light trucks
in 1972, safety belts were derived directly from auto racing experience. First required
at the Daytona 500 in the late
1940s, the technology has
progressed from simple lap
belts used then to sophisticated five-point harness and
head restraint systems in use
in motorsports today. The
three-point lap and shoulder
restraints available in today’s
cars and trucks are a direct
descendant of earlier racing
restraint systems. Three-
point harnesses, first offered
by Volvo in 1959, are responsible for saving over 150,000
lives since.
Crumple Zones – Around
the body of a vehicle are
points specifically weakened,
by design, to absorb the forces of a crash before vehicle
occupants receive the impact.
Materials used and the loca-
tions of these zones are a result of experience gained in
racing.
As the motorsports industry continues to move toward
a safer environment for participants and spectators, the
motoring public will continue
to benefit from advancements
in vehicle and driver safety
systems.
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10270 W US 224
FINDLAY, OH 45840
419-422-4839
insurance@aaafindlay.com
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8
PLEASURES
Findlay Automobile Club
Spring Edition, 2014
Spring into Car Maintenance
Spring is officially upon
us. That means many of us will
travel around the U.S. in the
coming weeks, and months, and
our vehicles will be expected to
transport us safely and reliably.
Fortunately, today’s cars are
more reliable than ever. To
ensure that wonderful reliability,
and make sure you have
adequate tread. You can find
the recommended air pressure
in your owner’s manual or on
the placard inside the door
jamb. Check the pressure
when your tires are cold
(driven less than one mile) if
possible. Tread depth can be
engine. It provides a slick
barrier
between
internal
engine parts, keeping them
from coming in contact with
one another. Follow the vehicle
manufacturer’s recommended
intervals, replace the oil filter,
and use the recommended type
and viscosity of oil.
B a t t e r y /
Charging
System:
AAA Car Care has
the equipment to test
your vehicle’s battery
and charging system
and detect electrical
issues before you
end up stranded. We
can even tell if your
battery is getting
weak, allowing you
the
opportunity
for
a
proactive
replacement.
it’s important for you to take
the lead with these four easy
maintenance checks.
Tires: Inflate your tires
to the vehicle manufacturer’s
recommended air pressure
checked by inserting a penny
into a tread groove. If you can
see Lincoln’s entire head, it’s
time for new tires.
Oil: Engine oil is the
lifeblood of your vehicle’s
Wiper Blades/
Fluid: Your ability to
see your surroundings
has a major influence
on
safe
driving,
particularly in the rain.
Properly functioning
wiper blades combined with
washer fluid allow you to keep
your windshield clean and
clear. So if your blades are
streaky, replace them.
Take your vehicle to your
trusted AAA Car Care location
for a checkup. Our certified
technicians will visually inspect
many of your vehicle’s vital
statistics you can’t see at the
house. These checkups don’t
take very long, could save you
lots of money and aggravation,
and help keep your travels safe
and pleasant.