Guardrail Damage Ahead

Safe Driving, Tips and HInts
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Terry Ross, Flikr Creative Commons

Anybody else notice the profusion of orange, diamond shaped signs that read “Guardrail Damage Ahead” springing up all over the state? Anybody else notice the profusion of distracted drivers springing up all over the state? Do you think there might be a correlation? According to TXDOT, there were 100,825 distracted driving caused crashes in the state of Texas in 2014. That’s a fraction over 276 crashes due to distracted driving every DAY. Heck, Texas only has 254 counties, and some of them have almost nobody in them, but if you spread these 276 DAILY crashes equally over Texas, then it gets even more ridiculous. 3214 of those crashes resulted in serious injury, 468 resulted in death.

I suppose the new billion-dollar industry for our state is guardrail repair. Those poor guys setting those first half dozen posts, are probably shrugging their shoulders knowing they’ll be back in a week or so to pull up the sheared off posts they just installed and install 5 or 6 new ones. I bet they feel like the Texas Highway Maids, or like parents of toddlers. As Bob Parr, Mr Incredible, said in the movie The Incredibles, “I just cleaned up this mess, can we keep it clean? Like, for 10 minutes!?”

Last month was National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the ramped up ad campaigns continue to remind us to arrive alive,  to talk and text later, as well as publish handy statistics like I used at the beginning of this blog. I don’t think the problem is awareness though. How can we miss the fact that the leading edges of a large proportion of guardrails are damaged? How can we miss the fact that guardrails themselves are springing up near every creek or drainage crossing? How can we miss all those poignant lists of final texts before the crash that are scattered about social media? I think the problem is one of feeling like it can never happen to us, because we’re the kings/queens of multitasking. Fact is though, busted guardrails don’t lie. Do that road crew a favor. Help them have a slow day. Keep your phone in your pocket and your eyes on the road.

Fastest Buick Ever?

Buick, Just for Fun
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Rex Gray, Flikr Creative Commons

(WARNING! This intro is tongue-in-cheek)There was a time in America when manufacturers built what folks called “muscle cars”. Decades-long arguments have raged ever since, over this one or that one, which was faster, which was cooler, which was the easiest to modify. You know, gearhead stuff. The kind of subject that makes the wife/girlfriend’s eye glaze over more or less instantaneously.

Well it all sort of came to a head back in 1984. You see there was this magazine called “Popular & Performance Car Review” which published a list of “Fifty Fastest Musclecars”. Now where that particular list created a massive uproar among the gearhead community was in listing the 1970 Buick Skylark Gran Sport Stage 1 as the third fastest musclecar behind the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427, and the 1966 Corvette 427.

The Hemi/MOPAR crowd was fit to be tied. They all started hollaring about how everybody knows that Buick stands for “Big Ugly Import Car Killer” and that the only folks that drove a Buick anyway were all sucking back the Geritol and looking for a place to cash their Social Security checks. The Buick community of course started singing the Etta James hit “At Last” and high-fiving each other because there it was in print that the Buick’s weren’t just grandma’s grocery getter.

To settle all the hubbub, the editor of Popular & Performance Car Review arranged to have a 1/4 mile race between a ’70 Buick GS Stage 1 and ’70 Plymouth GTX a at the Gainesville Raceway. The Buick ran at 12.30 and the Plymouth at 13.03. Much like in politics, all the race did was increase the hubbub and harumphing. One side accused the other of running high performance parts and special motors, the other side was shaking it’s head and saying “Nope”. And like the western TV shows of old, the Buick gunslinger was the fastest draw in the west and was repeatedly challenged to a duel to find out who was faster. That day in 1985 however, the 1970 Buick Skylark Gran Sport Stage 1 was the fastest musclecar on the track.

The GMC That Won The War

GMC, Just for Fun
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Lee Chatfield, Flikr Creative Commons

If you have ever seen ANY movie about World War Two from the propaganda “buy more bonds” flicks of the actual war years all the way to Brad Pitt’s movie “Fury”, you have seen at least one GMC CCKW truck. The original famous “Deuce-And-A-Half” (2 1/2 ton) workhorse truck of the US Army.

As the first truly mobile modern war, the Second World War armies were absolutely dependent on movement and supply. With the frontlines never very static for too long, the troops and gear had to be moved from place to place with a modicum of speed. Believe it or not, the German Army was still largely horsedrawn, and the Italians loaded gear on the backs of donkeys, but the US Army’s donkeys were largely built by GMC.

By war’s end GMC had produced over half a million of the Deuce-And-A-Half in a number of variants, from specialized radio vehicles to fire engines, flatbeds, anti-aircraft vehicles, and even as mobile dental vans. The weird designation “CCKW” can be decoded as: C = designed in 1941, C = conventional cab, K = all wheel drive, and W = dual rear axle. They were powered by the GMC 270, which was a 91hp straight six which drove all six wheels up to a whopping 45mph which when you’re fighting in Europe is a better sounding 72km/h!

The legendary GMC truck served in both WWII and Korea, and played a huge role in the victory of the Allies in Europe. After the invasion of Normandy, these trucks formed what was called the “Red Ball Express” and kept the troops supplied with whatever materials were dumped on the beaches. Without a vehicle as hardy, as easily modifiable as the GMC CCKW, we would have had a very hard time in dislodging the Nazis from Europe.

These days you still see a fair number of these venerable old trucks in pastures or parked behind rural fire depts, some are still in use as water tenders and logging trucks, while others (pictured above) are being lovingly restored to their former glory.

Buick Regal, NASCAR Champion

Buick, Just for Fun
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Kazuma JP, Flikr Creative Commons

I remember watching stock car races on TV with my granddad and uncle at my grandparent’s house back in the late 70’s and early 80’s.  The races were popular, but not the spectacle that they are now. It seems like ESPN started broadcasting them on the new “cable TV” in 1980 or ’81, but we were still watching them on NBC SportsWorld, because the only racing you could get on CBS WIde World Of Sports back then was Grand Prix.

In the 1981 Winston Cup season for example, you saw Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison trading victories back and forth with an occasional Richard Petty or Cale Yarborough upset. The funny thing about that ’81 season though…it was dominated by the Buick Regal! What set the Regal apart from the Pontiac Grand Prix, the Chrysler Imperial, the Ford Thunderbird, the Chevy Monte Carlo, and the Olds Cutlass which are the other makes and models raced that year, was pure aerodynamics.

GM had dictated that all it’s cars in the series would be powered by the Chevy 358 small block, so the only way for the Buick Regal to set itself apart from the herd, apart from the nut behind the wheel, was in airflow. The Regal featured a fairly raked windshield, the double sloped grill, and smooth side panels all the way down the car. The combination of smooth airflow over the body, the 358 under the hood, stunningly good handling on the track, and a talented butt in the seat, brought home 12 wins and 21 finishes in the top five, and even more Regals in the top 10, across the 30 race season.

Darrell Waltrip won the Winston Cup championship in a Buick, Bobby Allison came in second in a Buick, Harry Grant came in third in a Buick, Terry Labonte came in fourth in a Buick, Ricky Rudd came sixth in a Buick, and even The King, Mr Richard Petty placed 8th in his only season driving Buicks.

So when you see that beat up Buick Regal driving down the street, remember this: it may be 34 years since the Regal’s heyday but there my friend, goes a former thoroughbred.

 

Buick Built The World’s Fastest…

Buick, Just for Fun

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…TANK! Yes indeed, Buick was the sole builder of the M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer which was introduced as a prototype at the battle of Anzio in Italy early in January of 1944, but it wasn’t until the invasion of France that the M18’s really hit their stride. The Hellcat had the distinction of being the fastest tank in the world until the turbine powered M1 Abrams was introduced in 1980. That’s 36 YEARS of being the fastest armor on tracks!

Over 2500 M18’s were built, with every single one built by Buick. They saw service all through the European theater from January 1944 until the end of the war, as well as on mainland China and throughout the Pacific, although with the lack of Japanese armor the M18’s were more used as direct fire support for the infantry in demolishing bunkers and as mobile armored shields.

Now a word about their speed. They were the only tank in any army to be able to reach up to 57mph. They achieved this by sacrificing weight in armor, meaning they were sitting ducks in a stand-and-fight slugging match with other tanks. Where they absolutely shined was in fast hit-and-run ambushes where they could use their speed to outmaneuver slower German tanks and bring the M18’s stout 76mm cannon to bear very successfully against enemy tanks lightly armored sides and rear.

After the war they remained in service, and saw action in the Korean conflict. The Yugoslavian army used them after they were refurbished by Brown and Root in the 1950’s and even saw service in the 1990’s during the Croation/Serbian/Bosnian/Hertzogovinian wars. I mean, Venezuela STILL has 75 M18’s in service or reserve!

Ask any engineer, it’s hard to beat a winning power/weight ratio. With it’s 450hp radial aircraft engine, brilliant suspension system designed by Buick, and the lowered weight of less armor than it’s counterparts the M10 and M36, the M18 was the sportiest vehicle on tracks. Heck, it’s still the sportiest thing on two tracks powered by a reciprocating engine! I dare say the M18 has a chance to see it’s 100th birthday and still see examples in operational condition, a very big tribute to the men and women at Buick who designed and built the Hellcat as well as the men who served inside them.

How old do you have to be to be TOO old to drive?

Safe Driving

How Old is Too Old to drive?

Yes, I know that nothing is more touchy than discussing age and age related topics. Particularly when it’s time to suggest that maybe a loved one shouldn’t be driving because they are too old. Now, there’s no doubt that this topic is going to set me up for the inevitable, “You can pry my keys from my cold dead fingers” type comment, but this is a very serious subject that you may one day have with your parents or grandparents. The reason?

Elderly drivers now account for nearly 20 percent of all motorists, according to the Government Accountability Office. And that number isn’t shrinking in the coming years, because those who make up the first wave of the huge baby-boom generation turned 65 this year.

According to a recent survey from The Hartford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s AgeLab, almost 1-in-10 adults are now worried about an older family member’s driving.

There’s little argument that driving for the elderly is the last bastion of their autonomy, so suggesting that it might be time to give up their keys won’t be easy without a fight. You are in luck though, as the American Association of Retired Persons has produced an online course, titled “We Need to Talk.” It helps family members understand the emotional connection to driving and gives suggestions on how to talk about when it might be time to hang up the keys.

20 things to look for:

• Decrease in confidence while driving
• Difficulty turning to see when backing up
• Easily distracted while driving
• Other drivers often honk horns
• Hitting curbs
• Scrapes or dents on the car, mailbox or garage
• Increased agitation or irritation when driving
• Failure to notice traffic signs or important activity on the side of the road
• Trouble navigating turns
• Driving at inappropriate speeds
• Uses a “copilot”
• Bad judgment making left turns
• Delayed response to unexpected situations
• Moving into wrong lane or difficulty maintaining lane position
• Confusion at exits
• Ticketed moving violations or warnings
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Car accident
• Failure to stop at stop sign or red light
• Stopping in traffic for no apparent reason

If mom or dad is still resistant to giving up the keys, then you will probably have to educate yourself on the guidelines set in place by many states. In fact, many states have medical review boards consisting of health care professionals who advise on licensing standards, and in individual cases, where a person’s ability to drive safely is in doubt. They will take into consideration any history of crashes or violations, reports by physicians, police, and others — state licensing agencies may require renewal applicants to undergo physical or mental examinations.

There is no doubt that this type evaluation is embarrassing for everyone who has to go through it, however you must remember that, one day, you too will probably be at the end of this line.

It goes without saying that determining the age that you or a loved one should hang up their keys not only varies on a case by case basis, but also will prove to be more heart-wrenching than you may think.

If you’ve recently had to suggest that your parents or grandparents consider their driving status can you offer any advice for the rest of us? I’d love to hear it.

Need a new car, check out used first!

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Let’s face it; when living in Texas, it is virtually mandatory that you own a car. Here in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, that is especially true. With a limited public transportation system and long distances to cover to get to wherever you need to go, you are going to have a difficult time with travel without a reliable car.

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to purchase, own and upkeep a brand new, fresh off the lot vehicle. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t own a reliable used vehicle. In fact, when you decide to buy a used vehicle, you are already taking a step in the right direction. “Why is that?,” you ask. Or, maybe you are thinking, “…but I don’t want to inherit someone else’s problems”. The fact of the matter is that a major advantage of buying a second-hand car is its lower price. The moment a vehicle leaves the lot as a “new” car and is driven on the streets, its value drops immediately. That’s just the way it is, although some automobiles are driven for only a few years, their prices are considerably less than the exact same car sitting on a dealer’s lot.

This is good news for the savvy used car buyer. Looking for a car that has just come off lease is an excellent way for you to get more car for less money. In fact, you are going to have more choices, with more of the options that would probably be way out of your budget if you bought the car new. Having more choices is great because it introduces more makes and models which means you won’t have to settle for an inferior vehicle or one you just can’t learn to love.

OK, so you’ve saved cash off the top just because you went the used car route. Where else are you going to save a few bucks? Good question.

In Texas, (as in every other state) you must carry insurance on your vehicle. You are responsible, at bare minimum, to carry liability insurance. On a new car, fresh off of the lot, your insurance coverage is automatically going to be on the higher end of the payment spectrum. Buying a used car will help keep some of the insurance costs down. This is a good thing, especially with gas prices continuing to climb.

The bottom line is that when looking for a new car, it doesn’t have to really be new…just new to you. Doing some serious research and conferring with your dealer about your budget and what you’d like to have in your driveway will not only save you money and time, but you’ll have a car you can be proud of. More importantly, you’ll have a car you can rely on.

If you have any questions about buying a used vehicle: What you should look for, what your should expect etc., give me a shout. I’d be happy to help!

 

Fort Worth and Dallas New Car: Know your ABC’s

Insurance, New Cars, Safe Driving, Tips and HInts, Used Cars, , , , , , , , , , ,

I was running out for lunch the other day and I noticed something during my trip that I thought I needed to write about.

Let me first start by saying that in the late 80’s automakers began installing airbags in cars for safety reasons, and there’s no doubt that over the past 30 years airbags have saved thousands of lives.

However, it is important to note that airbags are designed to protect average-sized adults…not young children.  I know we’ve all heard it, but airbags can pose a serious risk to children who ride in the front seat.

In fact, according to research conducted by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, “children exposed to airbags during a crash are twice as likely to suffer a serious injury”.  The American Academy of Pediatrics states, “children under the age of 13 are safest seating in the back seat of a car”.

The following are some safety guidelines for children riding in a car.

  • Infants seated in a rear-facing safety seat should never be placed in the front seat of a car that has an airbag – When the airbag engages, the force of the airbag is directed right at the infant’s head as it comes out of the dashboard.
  • Children seated in a forward-facing child should not be placed in the front seat of a car that has an airbag. – Again when the airbag engages, the child’s head is in the path of the airbag as it emerges from the dashboard.
  • Remember for children 13 and under: The safest place to be in a car is the back seat.
  • For children ages 13 and up riding in the front seat remember:
    • All children should wear a lap/shoulder belt.
    • Move the front seat as far back as possible from the dashboard.
    • Make the sure the child doesn’t lean forward.
    • Have the child sit upright against the seat at all times.

Note: Engineers are constantly improving airbags to improve safety.  Known as 2nd-generation or de-powered airbags, these airbags are still NOT designed for children.  Children are best protected in the rear seat.

If you have any questions about child safety in your vehicle, don’t hesitate to contact me at Freeman Grapevine. You can even swing by, and we’ll show you thee proper way to install your child safety restraint systems.

 

Tire Tread Depth For Maximum Safety

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Understanding tire tread wear and being able to read the signs of overuse, or excessive wear is extraordinarily important  in ensuring you are driving on the safest tires possible. I’ve written about it before, and no doubt you’ve read other articles on safe tire tread depth. But today I want to find out, specifically, how much tread is needed to safely bring your car to a complete stop?

Check out the video below. This will answer the question above.

A poorly maintained set of tires is nothing to mess around with. You have to always remember that they are they only things that are between you and the road. Stopping power just isn’t in your braking system, your tires must have enough tread available to actually grip the surface you are on. You can never tell when you are going to have to use emergency, or evasive maneuvers while on the road. Even a simple trip to the store can potentially be hazardous if your tires aren’t properly maintained.

Time for a new set of radials?  Freeman Grapevine has the tire you need for less than you think.

How To Evaluate Your Shock Absorbers

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Okay, Dallas Fort Worth, how do you know when  you need replacement shocks? The rule of thumb is every 50,000 miles, but it could be sooner, or even later. Your shock absorbers are an often overlooked but vital aspect to your Freeman Grapevine Buick, or GMC.

Checking your shocks is actually a very simple thing to do. In fact, it is something you can do yourself  fairly easily. Replacing shocks takes a little more technical “know how” and the right tools, but can also be done at home.

One way is by visual inspection. Inspect each shock absorber for fluid leaks, which show as dark stains in the road grime that collects on its body and mounting points. Examine the body for deep dents, and the piston rod for signs of pitting or rusting

How is your car handling while driving? For example, after hitting the bump does your new car, or truck continue to bounce up and down? If the answer is “yes”, then you will almost certainly need new shocks. Paying attention now, because shock absorber degradation may happen gradually and then worsen over time until. In fact, if you wait too long you can damage other parts and components of you car.

It is important to replace worn out shocks is because they are responsible for keeping your tires in contact with the road. Worn shocks will permit the tires to completely lose contact with the roadway. This can be especially dangerous if you hit a dip or a bump during a high speed corner. Good shocks will also help to minimize body roll, also very important during cornering.

If you think that your shock may be worn and just can’t figure it out on your own, swing by and we’ll take a look at them. Freeman Grapevine can recommend the right ones.