Blog / Safety

New Brake Laws

You Need New Brakes

Automobile technology shifts and changes from one day to the next. Despite all the recent advancements in the world of car safety, there are still a lot of people out there driving vehicles without the newest in brake technology. Read more here to find out why the NHTSA thinks you need new brakes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has a list of recommended safety measures that all car designers must consider in the creation and testing of their vehicles. As of Thursday, the NHTSA took notice of the awesome advancements that have been made in the braking technology of newer cars and added crash imminent braking and dynamic brake support to their New Car Assessment Program.

While these technologies have been available for a little while now, it is usually only a safety feature offered in the higher end vehicles. As the average person is not very often in the market to buy a high end vehicle, the NHTSA decided to recommend that these new brake technologies be included in all new cars, and not just the ones that cost an arm and a leg. This was done with the hope that safety features like this would be included in more affordable cars and would then encourage consumers to buy safer vehicles.

Crash imminent braking, as its name suggests, uses sensors in the car to determine when a car is about to get into an accident. It then deploys the brakes if the driver has not already, to try and minimize the impact of the crash. Dynamic brake support steps in as a part of this system. Studies showed that often, when cars get into a crash, many drivers either didn’t have the chance to apply the brakes, or did not apply them fully. Brake support would collaborate with the crash imminent braking to make sure that if the brakes were fully, and not just partially, applied prior to a crash to minimize the impact.

It won’t be long until the NHTSA makes these type of technologies more of a mandate than a recommendation, but for now we can be happy that someone is looking out for the everyday average joe.

 
Posted in:

Related Posts

How do I change a flat tire?

How to change a flat tire Knowing how to change a flat tire is an important skill to have, but many people don’t think about it until they have a flat that needs changing. Read on to learn how to change a flat tire so that you know what to do if you ever get a flat on the road! more Read More: How can I camp in my car? Steps to change a flat tire The most important thing to do first is to make sure that your vehicle has all of the necessary tools to fix a flat. Most vehicles have these items already, but double-check to be sure! Items you will need include a jack, a lug wrench, a fully-inflated spare tire and your owner's manual. Other items that are handy to have include work gloves, a flashlight, a blanket (to kneel on), reflective triangles and/or a reflective vest (in case you get a flat at night). Then, follow these steps to change your tire! Pull over in a safe location and turn on your hazard lights Apply the parking brake Remove the hubcap and/or wheel cover Loosen the lug nuts but do not remove completely Place the jack under the vehicle and raise it Remove the lug nuts Remove the flat tire and mount the spare Tighten the lug nuts with your hand (not too tight!) Lower the vehicle so that the tire is on the ground but not with its full weight and tighten the lug nuts completely Lower the vehicle the rest of the way and replace the hubcap or wheel cover Schedule a Service Appointment Here! For all your automotive needs, come to Palmen Buick GMC Cadillac today!

How does ABS work?

What is an Anti-lock Braking System? Nearly every new vehicle comes equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), but many people aren't sure exactly what it does or how it works. While nearly everyone understands that it is a safety feature to help keep you safe on the road, it can be more helpful to be able to recognize the signs when ABS is activated so that you know what is going on in your vehicle. Check out this video explaining how ABS works and how it helps you stay safe! more View Our Inventory If you have questions about your vehicle or are in need of service or repairs, come on into the service center at Palmen Buick GMC Cadillac!

Why Can't We Reuse Airbags After Car Accident

So, you got into a fender bender. You might not have felt like you were in any real danger, but your airbags were deployed. You car tries to protect you, but replacing airbags can be expensive. Read on and we'll give you an idea of how airbags work, and whether it's possible to avoid replacing them after an accident. more Read More: Safety Tips and Tricks How Do Airbags Work? Saving lives is important, and airbags in our cars have prevented life-ending injuries for thousands of people since they were created. The bag itself is made from a thin nylon that is folded into the steering wheel (or other side panels in the car). There is also a sensor that measures the force of your car during a collision and tells the bags to deploy. The other part is the inflation system, which is a combination of chemicals that create hot nitrogen gas. The combination of sodium azide and potassium nitrate reacts to create the gas, thus inflating the bag and quickly deflating afterwards (through holes in the bag). Because the chemicals can only react once, new, intact airbags must be put into the car after every collision to keep you and your passengers safe and sound next time you get into a tough spot! Check This Out: Service Center Coupons! Schedule Airbag Service and Repairs Kenosha WI If your car needs new airbags, feel free to contact the experts at Palmen Buick GMC Cadillac of Kenosha. We would love to get your car back in ship shape!