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Yark Automotive Group gives largest donation in partnership history to Make-A-Wish

2012-01-31T08:06:00.000-08:00

Yark Automotive Group gives largest donation in partnership

history to Make-A-Wish

TOLEDO, OH- Yark Automotive Group will donate its largest check yet to the Make-A-Wish Foundation NW Ohio Region.

On January 26^th at 9am in the Yark Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Showroom on the Central Avenue Strip, Doug Kearns, Yark Automotive Group Vice President, will present a check for $19,335.00 to Eric Slough, the Executive Director of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

As part of an annual event, Yark Automotive Group donates a portion of every vehicle sold and serviced in the month of December to the Make A Wish Foundation. This year’s donation is the largest amount presented by Yark since the partnership began 8 years ago and represents a grand total given in excess of $130,000. This donation will help grant approximately 4 wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions in our region.

“It is such a honor to be able to make such a difference in a child’s life and we are proud to be partnered with such an amazing organization as Make-A-Wish,” said Kearns, who also sits on the regional MAW Board. “We have had the pleasure of having Make-A-Wish family recipients involved in our efforts here at the dealership to show the importance of Make-A-Wish. It is truly a special organization.”

Yark hosted the Halko Family at its Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealership promoting the Make-A-Wish Holiday CD for anyone who test drove a car. Kaylee Halko, an 8 year old girl who suffers from Progeria, was also featured as the voice of Virginia in “Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus” on the Holiday Wishes CD. Later the same day, Yark Automotive invited the Fineske family, who’s son Jackson is recovering from brain cancer, to speak at their annual Holiday Party about the families Wish and how amazing the experience was for them and for Jackson. Both families were instrumental in making Yark’s efforts a success.

Yark Automotive Group has partnered with Make-A-Wish as part of its Community Partner Mission. That mission is ‘to be a good corporate citizen supporting organizations dedicated to uplifting the people and community where we live.’ To learn more, visit Yark’s Community Partnership pages at www.yarkcommunity.com. Yark Automotive Group is conveniently located at 6019 West Central Avenue, a half-mile east of I-475. Yark Chevrolet is located at 9830 Rt 64 in Whitehouse, Ohio. Visit Yark online atwww.yarkauto.com.

Founded by Jim Yark in 1981, Yark Automotive Group has grown from 50 employees and less than $20 million in sales to more than 300 employees and annual sales of over $225 million. For the last 17 years, Yark Automotive Group has been the Largest Volume New & Used Vehicle Dealership in Northwest Ohio & Southeast Michigan showcasing 9 vehicle franchises: BMW, Nissan, Subaru, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, & FIAT. Yark Automotive Group is a Better Business Bureau Torch Award Winner for Marketplace Ethics.

The Yark family is originally from Toledo and both Yark brothers, Jim and John, graduated from local high schools and The Ohio State University. After acquiring the organization in 1981, Jim Yark, Owner & President implemented a detailed business plan and grew the dealership to include its 9 franchises, 6 Pre-Owned vehicle lots, a body shop, a car rental company and the area’s largest retail and wholesale parts department. Today, the business continues to grow and the family tradition continues with 4 of the Yark children now working in various positions within the company.

2012-01-05T09:04:00.000-08:00

Top 10 Reasons Chrysler Group Had a Great 2011

Chrysler Group and its brands ended 2011 on a high note -- with December seeing our best sales volume of the year: 138,019 vehicles sold, for the 21st straight month of sales growth.

For all of 2011, Chrysler sales were up 26% from 2010, at 1,369,114.

But why?

Why was 2011 such a good year? Well, we may not have all the answers but think a Top 10 list might be a good place to start.

10) CEO Sergio Marchionne's consistent fashion sense, which gets far more media attention than it should, provides a subtle sense of corporate stability.

9) Dodge Durango: Back after a two-year hiatus checking out Europe, working out and hitting the books, it was welcomed back with open arms. Its 51,697 SUVs sold was the driving force in Dodge brand's 18% growth in 2011. Durango is made at our Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit.

8) Jeep® Grand Cherokee: In its first full calendar year as a redesign (the 2011-model year version was introduced in May 2010), the most-awarded SUV ever was our #2 seller for 2011 (127,744 sold, up 51%), with December being its best month of the year with 17,346 sold, a 36% jump over 12/2010. Like the Durango, the Grand Cherokee is made at JNAP.

7) SRT Brand -- where high-performance meets high-luxury. After a relatively quiet few years, SRT was reborn as a stand-alone brand in the summer. With VP of Design Ralph Gilles appointed to lead SRT as president, the Dodge Challenger SRT8 was joined by Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8 and Grand Cherokee SRT8. The SRT family will grow again with the 2013 SRT Viper later this year.

6) Jeep Wrangler: When you think Jeep, you usually picture a Wrangler. Sales of the Toledo, Ohio-made icon surged during the last half of 2011 to the point Wrangler challenged Grand Cherokee for the Jeep lead. After another strong month in December (11,415 in sales, up 39%), Wrangler finished the year with 122,460 sold. Good for a 30% increase from 2010.

5) Ram Pickup: Durable, reliable, hard-working workhorse of the company, Ram pickup trucks are consistently our #1 selling vehicle. In December, Ram pickup had its best month since March 2008 with 26,013 sold; up 12% from 12/2010. For the year, sales were up 23% to 244,763 trucks sold -- making it the #7 selling vehicle for the year.

4) Chrysler 200 / Born of Fire: What a way to start a year!! The two-minute TV spot that debuted in February helped spark a renewed self-confidence in Detroit, started the Imported from Detroit Project, and helped drive sales of the new Chrysler 200 all year long. The 200, made at our Sterling Heights (MI) Assembly Plant, finished 2011 with 87,033 cars sold, far more than the 38,620 Sebrings sold in 2010.

3) Chrysler Group employees, contractors, suppliers and vendors. While Sergio Marchionne leads the way, it takes everyone connected to the company to do their job to the best of their ability to ensure the company founded by Walter P. Chrysler continues to prosper.

2) Chrysler Group dealers: They've faced some tough times just like we have, and have survived. They're out in front, working with and trying to help customers with sales and service. The fate of Chrysler Group and our dealers are intimately intertwined.

And the #1 reason Chrysler Group had a great year....the nearly 1.4 million people in the U.S. who put their faith in us and purchased a new vehicle. The company, our dealers and supply chain would be non-existent without your support and confidence in us.

Thank you.

Images
Top
SRT family (L to R) 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8, Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Bottom
2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Arctic

Source: Chrysler Blog- By Mike Driehorst- 01.05.12

The Detroit Auto Show will showcase Mopar's Chrysler 200 Super S & the Dodge Charger Redline

2012-01-02T09:27:00.000-08:00

The 2013 Dodge Dart is a big deal for Chrysler, so it makes sense that the majority of the company's attention at the Detroit Auto Show will be focused around the new C-segment sedan. But since the automaker doesn't want to blow its whole show presence on just one vehicle, its Mopar tuning arm has stepped in to create two new vehicles for show-goers to ogle – the Chrysler 200 Super S and Dodge Charger Redline.

In its stock form, the Chrysler 200 certainly isn't going to win any design awards, but we'll admit it: Based on these pics, the Super S looks good, at least from the front. The Super S Stage One kit adds visual flare in the form of a front chin spoiler, satin chrome fog light trim, satin chrome grille surround and a new mesh grille design. What's more, there are new side sills, black chrome badges and bespoke 18-inch "S" alloy wheels, a trunk lid spoiler, satin chrome rear light bar and a matte black lower diffuser with integrated exhaust openings.

Want some performance to back up that new look? There aren't any real power upgrades for the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, but the Stage Two kit adds a coil-over suspension, cold air intake and cat-back exhaust. Chrysler says Super S packages will be available on 200S models starting sometime later this year.

Moving on up, the Charger Redline shows off three different Mopar tuning kits that will also be available later in 2012. Stage One adds a full-width carbon fiber chin spoiler to the Charger's aggressive front fascia, 20-inch Black Envy wheels, carbon fiber door scoops, a three-piece carbon fiber rear spoiler (pictured, right) and a roof graphic in matte black. We've had a chance to see the Charger Redline in person, and truth be told, we don't find it terribly attractive – especially the tacked-on side vents and spoiler. Though it traces its look to the anything-goes 1970s Mopar models, we'd prefer to just leave the decidedly handsome Charger alone, at least, aesthetically speaking.

The Stage Two and Stage Three performance upgrades, on the other hand, we'll take. Stage Two incorporates a cat-back performance exhaust, a front-tower cross-brace and tower brace caps, along with high-performance Mopar brake linings. But what we really want is Stage Three, which includes a high-output version of the 426 Hemi V8 crate engine – designed for racing use only. In addition to delivering 590 horsepower – 220 more than the standard V8 Charger – the engine weighs 100 pounds less than the standard cast-iron crate version. Too bad this setup isn't approved for use on public roads.

Source: autoblog

Yark Automotive Group Celebrates the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the month of December

2011-12-28T11:13:00.000-08:00

Yark Automotive Group celebrates the Make A Wish Foundation NW Ohio Region this December! For each vehicle purchase, Yark Automotive donates a portion to the Make A Wish Foundation. This is the 8th consecutive year Yark Automotive Group has teamed up with the Make A Wish Foundation to raise money to grant wishes to children with life-threatening conditions. To date, Yark has donated over $110,000 to the local chapter.

On December 17th, Yark hosted a special Test Drive Event to celebrate Kaylee Halko, a local Make A Wish recipient. Any vehicle that was taken on a test drive that day, the customer received a copy of the Make A Wish Holiday Wishes CD and Yark made a donation to the foundation. This CD is compromised of local talent reading and singing holiday classics.

The 'Holiday Wishes' CD features local artists like Kyle White, Ramona Collins, Pat Dailey and special guests like Chrys Peterson, Jamie Farr lend their musical talents while Fox Anchors Laura Emerson and Shaun Hegarty read the story of Frosty the Snowman.

In addition, our special guest Kaylee Halko, contributed to the CD reading, "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus' with Crystal Bowersox, and she was on hand to sign autographs and our Yark Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram store. Kaylee is a 6 year old girl who suffers from Progeria, a rare genetic condition wherein symptoms resembling aspects of aging are manifested at an early ago. Kaylee and her family were granted a wish of making Kaylee a star. Her talents and wish landed her on the Holiday Wishes CD for Make A Wish.

Join Yark Automotive Group and Make A Wish Foundation and help in sharing the power of a wish this holiday season. Yark's Make A Wish campaign ends this Saturday, December 31st. To learn more about how you can help "share the power of a wish" contact us today.

Yark Automotive Group is conveniently located at 6019 West Central Avenue, a half mile east of I-475 on the Central Avenue strip. Visit us online at www.yarkauto.com

Yark Automotive Group awarded the Better Business Bureau's Highest Honor

2011-11-11T13:26:00.000-08:00

TOLEDO, OH Yark Automotive Group was awarded the 2011 Winner Better Business Bureau Torch Award on Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 at the Annual BBB Torch Award Luncheon.

The BBB Torch Award recognizes businesses and organizations in Northwest Ohio and SE Michigan that maintain a solid commitment to conducting their business practices in an ethical fashion. Other factors that are assessed are the businesses‟ current BBB rating, fiscal responsibility, excellence in customer care and consumer leadership.

Yark has been a finalist for this prestigious award 2 previous years taking home the top honor this year. Yark‟s commitment to treating customer‟s fairly and ethically in their everyday business practices, having a strong commitment to educating their employees on ethics and ensuring all employees „do the right thing, even when no one is watching, even if it costs us money‟ were foundations for receiving this award.

“It was a privilege to accept this award on behalf of the collective organization, our employees, our management teams and our partners that work with us tirelessly to provide a world-class experience for our customers,” said John Yark, company President. “We simply could not be viewed by the people who purchase or service their vehicles with us as an ethical business unless each and every one of our employees believe that doing the right thing, every day is how we should do business.”

The BBB will automatically forward the winners of Torch Award to the International BBB Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics competition where Yark Automotive will compete with all local Torch Award winners from across the US and Canada.

“The Torch Award says a lot for everyone in our company,” said Yark. “We truly believe our employees are the backbone to our customer experience and without them, without having the best employees,, we would not be able to give our customers a world-class experience.”

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Founded by Jim Yark in 1981, Yark Automotive Group has grown from 50 employees and less than $20 million in sales to more than 300 employees and annual sales of over $200 million. For the last 16 years, Yark Automotive Group has been the Largest Volume New & Used Vehicle Dealership in Northwest Ohio & Southeast Michigan showcasing 9 vehicle franchises: BMW, Nissan, Subaru, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, & FIAT.

company and the area’s largest retail and wholesale parts department. Today, the business continues to grow and the family tradition continues with 4 of the Yark children now working in various positions within the company.

Jim attributes his success to the people in the organization; “Anybody can get a piece of ground and maybe a car franchise, but clearly, we have found fabulous people! Our employees have strong customer awareness, a good sense for the car business, high ethics, stability and positive attitudes.”

Shift into Gear with Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ram Apparel this Fall Season

2011-10-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

With Autumn at our door step, it's time to slip on warmer gear! Why not sport your favorite brands?
These items are not only fashionable but comfortable as well! Browse through the wide selections of hats, parkas, fleece jackets, long sleeve tees, backpacks and more! Christmas is just around the corner, so watch out for great deals for these fantastic gift opportunities!

Below are a list of websites with affordable and reasonably priced Chrysler brand gear! Also, feel free to give us a call too! Our Yark parts department associates can order just about anything you may need :)

Chrysler Gear
Dodge Gear
Jeep Gear
Ram Gear

www.yarkauto.com

Introducing the 2012 Chrysler 300...

2011-09-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

Mix character and conviction. Add in luxury and pride you can notice from down the street. Top it off with an eight-speed transmission that gets 31 miles-per-gallon. This combination of luxury and efficiency comes from only one place in the world. Introducing the 2012 Chrysler 300.

Did you know that New Dodge vehicles have a 5 Years/ 100,000 Miles Powertrain Limited Warranty?

2011-09-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

While you're out shopping for your next vehicle, you should definitely consider the amount of coverage your new vehicle has.

Did you know that New Dodge vehicles have a 5 Years/ 100,000 Miles Powertrain Limited Warranty? This warranty covers the cost of all parts and labor needed to repair a covered powertrain component- engine, transmission and drive system.

Coverage also includes free towing to the nearest Dodge dealer, if necessary.

The warranty is transferable too, so when you decide to buy a new Dodge during the warranty period, the new Dodge owner will still be covered without any hassle.

Plus, Dodge has a 3-year/36,00-mile Basic Limited Warranty that provides bumper to bumper coverage for your vehicle, from the body to the electrical system.

See how Dodge stacks up to the competition:

For more information on Dodge Warranties, visit www.dodge.com

Dodge Car Chase Commercial

2011-05-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

Mother’s Day is Right Around the Corner…but what to do?

2011-05-04T10:07:00.001-07:00

Every year at this time, we all think about Mother’s Day, whether it’s well in advance or very last minute. Sometimes coming up with the perfect Mother’s Day gift can become overwhelming. Should we give a card? Oh but wait, we did that last year. And the year before. And the year before. So what are some other ideas that are outside the norm?

Idea #1. Cook your mom breakfast. Moms like when they don’t have to be the only ones preparing the meals. Wake up before your mom does. Start with a cup of coffee or orange juice then start cooking a delicious meal; fruit, eggs, waffles, French toast, pancakes, bacon and the list could go on and on. Regardless, it’s the thought that count. Enjoying a breakfast with your mom that you personally cooked is all that will matter in her mind. For a list of top 20 recipes, visit AllRecipes.com. If you choose this option, happy cooking!

Idea #2. Mother’s enjoy their children’s’ company. Take your mom to the movies. You might not get to spend as much time with her as you’d like and she might not have the time in her daily routine to relax and see a good movie in theatres.

Idea #3. Plan an activity for just you and your mom. It can be as simple as an interview. Sit down and ask her questions about her birth, childhood and what she did for fun. Ask her how she did in school or what her favorite subjects were. Did she have a favorite job? And why?
Ask her what it was like when you were born. What were the sequence of events like and how did it change her life? End the interview by telling her how much you appreciate and love her. For more activities, visit Kaboose.

Idea #4. Give a small, yet meaningful gift. Get a photo printed of you and your mom. Or, the entire family. Have each family member write a personalized note on the back of the photo then buy an inexpensive picture frame to put it in. Put the photo in with the note facing up. Then after your mom reads it, tell her to flip the photo over so she can see the image. This is a small, inexpensive gift with a lot of meaning. For other gift ideas, visit gifts.com to see the top Mother’s Day gifts.

Idea #5. Unfortunately, not everyone can be with their mother’s on their special day. In this case, send a card. Want to get more creative? Visit Pro Flowers for flowers, gift baskets and sweets to send. The options are endless. You can choose from items such as a sweet mix basket, team time for mom basket, truffles, Mrs. Fields Day Bites, “The Reasons I Love Mom” truffle box, bath & body spa basket, brownie pops, fruit basket and much more. This site is a good option for those of you that can’t be with your mom but want to get creative.

Jeep Creates Special 'Mojave' Desert Edition of Wrangler

2011-05-04T10:06:00.001-07:00

By Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY

Jeep thinks that the initial three special-edition Wranglers that it has introduced this year worked so well that it is going to add a fourth: the Mojave.
If you're a desert crawler, Jeep thinks this one will be for you. It features desert themes inside and out, including a sand-colored paint job that pretty much guarantees that if you ever get lost out there, no one will ever find you.

The Mojave has a special tire and wheel package meant for off-road, lizard decals and fender flares. The seats are a dark saddle-type leather with a "driftwood" accent look inside.

"The Mojave Trail is known for expeditions, exploration and a rugged environment that features elevation, sand, canyons, a river crossing and hill climbs – the perfect landscape for the Jeep Wrangler," said Mike Manley, CEO of Chrysler's Jeep brand. "By creating the Jeep Wrangler Mojave, we are able to deliver another specialized vehicle that Jeep enthusiasts will love, while drawing new customers into Jeep showrooms."
Available in Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited models, the 2011 Wrangler Mojave arrives in Jeep showrooms in June.

For original article, visit: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2011/04/jeep-creates-special-mojave-desert-edition-of-wrangler/1

Tips on How to Properly Wash Your Car

2011-05-04T10:05:00.001-07:00

Whether you’re looking to save a few extra dollars or don’t trust your car to a car wash, you may choose to wash your car in your own driveway. While home car washing may seem easy enough, there are multiple steps in the process that can make the task seem more daunting than necessary. We are breaking the process into simple steps that will have your home car wash looking as good as it did the day it left the showroom floor.

Things you’ll need: bucket, cloths, sponge, wash mitt, water hose, car wash, pre-cleaner, bug & tar remover, tire shine/cleaner, wheel cleaner/protectant, glass cleaner and paper towels.
Prep Work:
Park your car in a cool shaded area so it is out of the direct sunlight. If your car is too hot, the soap and water can dry too quickly, leaving streaks and water stains behind. Additionally, paint softens up when hot and will scratch more easily than in the shade.
If necessary, you may want to use a pre-cleaner to remove fine scratches, scuffs and swirl marks. First wash the area to be treated and apply a small amount to the affected areas with a clean, soft cloth. Let the liquid dry to a haze, and wipe off with a soft, dry cloth.
To prevent scratching and achieve the highest product possible it may be necessary to use a bug and tar remover. This will allow you to remove bugs, tar, and road grime from your cars finish. Spray the cleaner to the problem areas and wipe off with a clean, soft cloth.
Cleaning:
Tires: If you prefer a wet, shiny look to your tires you may want to use a tire shine and cleaner such as a gel or foam. Apply the product onto a sponge or cloth applicator and apply to the tires using a circular motion. When complete allow the product to penetrate for 3 to 5 minutes and lightly wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.
Wheels: To keep your rims clean and protected against corrosive brake dust and road grime you can use a wheel cleaner and protectant. First clean and dry your rims and allow them to completely dry. Then spray and completely saturate the wheel with the cleaner. Allow the foam to penetrate for 1-3 minutes and then wipe off with a soft cloth or sponge. Next thoroughly rinse the wheel and dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Body: First give your car a good rinse down with cool water in order to remove loose dirt. Next pour the recommended amount of car wash into the bucket and fill the bucket with the recommended water quantity with hot or cold water. Generously apply the soapy water with a sponge, wash mitt, or terry cloth to the body of the car, starting from the top down. When the car has entirely been soaped, rinse off and then dry immediately with a soft, dry cloth or chamois.
Glass: Finally, use a glass cleaner to clean your windows, windshields, mirrors, and side glass. The glass cleaner will remove dirt, and leave your glass streak and residue free. Spray the cleaner onto the glass and wipe dry with a paper towel or lint-free cloth. As an alternative, you can use newspaper to clean the glass to get even better streak-free results.

Top 10 Driving Etiquette Mistakes and Misdemeanors

2010-11-18T10:25:00.000-08:00

By Maureen Condon

The Lane Drifters - endangering everyone on the road!

What's your take on the Top 10 Driving Etiquette Mistakes and Misdemeanors? And what do you call the people who commit them?

Here’s my take on it! You may beg to differ, and you can do so by posting your comments at the end of this blog.

1. Lane Drifters. Drivers who don’t stay in their own lane and mindlessly drift over the white lines on the highway. Not only is this rude, it’s extremely dangerous and should be a crime punishable by high fines and misdemeanors.

2. Tailgaters. Again, rude and dangerous drivers. Tailgating causes the most serious of accidents. The worst tailgaters are so close you can’t even see their headlights!

3. The No-Win Mergers -- Drivers who merge onto a divided highway at a low speed with no regard for the cars already traveling in the right hand lane. If you wait for them, they slow down even more, and if you speed up to safely pass them, they speed up too.

4. Right Lane Dive Bombers - Drivers who merge into the left hand lane of a divided highway and immediately head directly for the far right lane, at a slow speed, with no regard for or apparent awareness of other drivers on the road.

5. Seat Belt Shirkers. People who don't wear their seat belts deserve to be fined. Let’s face it: if they get in an accident and require extreme medical services, we all pay for their arrogance in high insurance costs.

6. Left Lane Hogs. Drivers who get in the far left lane and go less than the speed limit.

7. Breakdown Lane Vigilantes. Drivers who block the breakdown lane by sticking half of their car into it, so people who legitimately need to use it can’t.

8. Deaf, Dumb and Blind Drivers who don’t pull over for ambulances, fire engines or police cars.

9. Readers, Texters and Groomers who think they can drive and otherwise multitask and not put themselves and all the rest of us at risk.

10. Space Invaders. Drivers who park so close to your car on the driver’s side, even a thin person can’t open the door and get back in the car without a can opener.

I was surprised to find there was little overlap between my list of driving annoyances and the list published by Askmen.com. However, I think their top 10 has a lot of merit too!

http://www.askmen.com/top_10/cars/top-10-driving-etiquette-mistakes_10.html

I bet you can come up with your own top 10 list, and I’d love to read it!

Unemployment Up. U.S. Highway Fatalities Down.

2010-11-18T10:23:00.001-08:00

There is a downward trend in the number of traffic fatalities nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. That’s the good news.

The bad news is that part of the reason for the decrease is the increase in unemployment. Fewer jobs means fewer commuters means fewer accidents during rush hour.

While final figures for 2009 have not yet been released, figures for the first nine months indicated the trend in fewer fatalities was continuing downward. But, even before rising unemployment numbers were helping to lower traffic fatalities, the 2008 highway death count at 37,261 represented a drop of 9.7 percent from 2007. Fatalities reported in 2008 hit their lowest level since 1961.

Besides unemployment, the current decrease in highway fatalities can be attributed to: increased use of seat belts; curtailing impaired driving, making highways safer, and maximizing vehicle safety.

Experts believe fatalities could be reduced even further, if more people practiced defensive driving -- reducing risks by anticipating dangerous situations, adverse conditions or the mistakes of others.

Defensive Driving Key to Driving Down Highway Fatality Rates

Many states require defensive driving courses for people who have caused multiple accidents, accumulated too many traffic tickets or unsafe driver points, or had their driving privileges suspended. A defensive driving course can often be taken as a way to dismiss traffic tickets or earn up to a 10% discount on car insurance.

Government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private schools have launched specialty courses that improve the public's driving skills. Popular courses include Alive at 25, DDC or Defensive Driving Course, Coaching the Mature Driver, Attitudinal Dynamics of Driving, Professional Truck Driving, and DDC for Instructors. Courses can be taken online or in the classroom.

The National Safety Council trains more than 1.7 million annually in defensive driving techniques. NSC was the first national organization to offer defensive driving programs and currently offers more than 30 defensive driving courses in all 50 states.

Don’t have time to take a course?

Here is a list of Defensive Driving Techniques from The Unofficial DMV Guide Answers, an online community-driven site dedicated to the exchange of knowledge on driver- and DMV-related topics.

• Always have an escape route in mind in case an emergency situation arises. To effectively do this, you must continually be aware of the space around you.
• Attempt to always keep a safe distance from the vehicles around you.
• Scan the path ahead of you at least 12-15 seconds. Don't just look at the space directly in front of your vehicle.
• Look in every direction before crossing an intersection, even when you have the right-of-way.
• Exercise increased caution anytime you have a limited field of vision, such as when approaching the top of a hill.
• Be aware of school buses, ice-cream trucks, mail trucks, and delivery trucks. Each represents an increased likelihood that someone may be leaving or entering a vehicle.
• Be especially vigilant in construction zones and around emergency scenes, as other drivers may not be properly focused on their driving.
• Slow down when around erratic or dangerous drivers, as they increase the likelihood that an accident will happen.
• Cover the brakes and exercise increased caution in areas such as shopping centers, school zones, toll plazas, playgrounds, and intersections.
• Automatically reduce speed when conditions warrant it, such as when driving in rain, snow, fog, or on icy roads. Be proactive, and don't fall into thinking that driving at the posted speed limit means you're driving at a safe speed.
• Be especially careful around parked cars, as someone could dart out from between the cars. Also, drivers may be opening a car door, or trying to pull out of a parking space, right into your line of travel.
• Exercise increased caution when driving on roads that are very wet or slushy as other motorists could splash your windshield, leaving you unable to see for an instant.
• Be wary of drivers with out-of-state plates or rental cars, as well as drivers who have a map out or their interior lights on. All point to drivers who may not be familiar with the area, and thus may be confused or distracted. This is especially important in areas which receive a heavy amount of tourists.
• Look out for drivers backing up into the road from a driveway or parking lot, as these drivers may have a limited field of vision.
• Watch out for slippery conditions during the first several minutes after it begins to rain, as the rain will mix with the oily residue on the road surface.
• Anticipate the worst moves that drivers around you could make, and know how to safely react to each move.
• Try to keep your vehicle as visible as possible to other drivers, and whenever you can, stay out of other driver's blind spots.
• Stay well in back of trucks with cargo that could easily spill onto the road. These vehicles could send debris flying into your path of travel, or those around you.
• Stay well behind a vehicle with an accumulation of snow of its roof, as this situation can create instant white-out conditions for anyone stuck driving behind it.
• Stay awake and alert; if you get drowsy, pull over for a break or a nap.
• Don’t be distracted by cell phones, radios, or other electronics, or by passengers in the vehicle.

For more information visit:

• http://www.dmv.org/defensive-driving.php
• http://www.nsc.org/safety_road/Pages/safety_on_the_road.aspx

Tips for Installing a Child Car Safety Seat

2010-11-18T10:22:00.000-08:00

In April, in our community blog, we offered you tips on how to evaluate and select a child car safety seat.

Now, we are going to direct you to a number of sources for tips on how to install it properly.

But first, some statistics. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nearly 80 percent of all car seats are improperly installed and used. That is a very troublesome statistic, and may to a large degree contribute to another very troublesome statistic: Automobile accidents are the number-one killer of children under 14 years old.

As anyone who has tried to install a child car safety seat knows, getting it done right isn’t easy. That’s because there are so many different model cars and car seats that the combination of the two is probably some number in the thousands.

So, it’s a safe bet there’s no set of directions specific to the combination car seat and car you are working with.

But don’t get discouraged. Help is available from a variety of sources.

Here’s a video from Edmunds.com that shows you how to install child car safety seats that have the most common configurations.

http://www.edmunds.com/flipper/do/MediaNav/articleId=104581/firstNav=Gallery/videoId=20029769

After watching the video, you can also read, in great detail, about how to install a child car seat at:

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/womenfamilies/articles/104581/article.html#

Here are a few highlights from the Edmunds.com instructions:

First, read both the car and child seat manuals carefully. Follow the car seat manufacturer's advice. If you have questions, call the car seat or vehicle manufacturer.

For a Rear-Facing, Infant-Only Seat with a Separate Base -- LATCH Install:

1. Locate the lower anchors in the back seat, or if you have an SUV, the second-row window seats.

2. Make sure the car seat lays flat against the seat's bottom and back, between the lower anchors.

3. Hook the LATCH attachment that is furthest away from you onto the anchor. Then, if possible, climb on top of the seat, putting your knee on top. Using your weight to fully compress the vehicle seat, hook the other attachment to the anchor and pull out the slack. If you can't get on top of the seat, use all your strength to push down on the seat while hooking on the second attachment.

For a Rear-Facing, Infant-Only Seat -- Standard Shoulder and Lap Belt Install:

1. Thread the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt through the correct slots, called the "belt path." If you have a convertible car seat that reverses from forward-facing to rear-facing, be careful to choose the correct path; it will be clearly marked.

2. Plug the latch plate (male end of the seatbelt) into the buckle (female end), then, using your weight as above, to tighten the belt. Make sure all the slack is taken out of both the lap and the shoulder. Typically, using a locking clip will give you a more secure installation.

A locking clip is an H-shaped piece of metal that comes with all new car seats or can be ordered from the manufacturer. To use one, plug the seatbelt in, make it as tight as possible, and then unplug it again while holding the belt very tightly. Wind the locking clip around the belt as close as possible to the latch plate, then plug it back in. You may have to bounce down on the seat a few times to get it closed. This won't be easy, but, if done correctly, it will give you a rock-solid installation.

3. Remember that a rear-facing infant car seat should sit at a 45-degree angle to prevent the baby from slumping and to keep his or her airway open. Check your instructions to see if your seat has an angle adjuster; if so, use it. If not, a small piece of a swimming pool "noodle" wedged under the seat is the safest way to get the same angle.

Forward-Facing Toddler Seat — LATCH Install:

1. Use your body weight to compress the vehicle seat. With a rigid LATCH attachment, simply push the attachments onto the anchor. For a flexible one, hook the attachment over the anchor. In both cases, pull the straps as tight as you can.

2. Locate the tether at the top of the safety seat. The purpose of the tether, when properly anchored, is to prevent the car seat (and thus the baby's head) from snapping forward. Different cars have different locations for the tether anchors. They can be behind or under the seat, along the rear window shelf and, in many SUVs and wagons, on the floor of the cargo bay or in the ceiling. You must check your vehicle owner's manual to be sure.

3. Hook the tether to the anchor point. Then pull tight on the belt to remove any slack. Make sure NOT to attach the tether to the sliding seat adjuster or to a cargo hook. Don't attach more than one car seat tether to the same anchor point unless your vehicle manual says it's OK.

Forward-Facing Toddler Seat — Shoulder and Lap Belt Install:

1. For a shoulder and lap belt installation, thread the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt through the appropriate belt path.

2. Buckle the seatbelt. Use your body weight to compress the vehicle seat cushion. If the child seat has a "lock-off" clip — located on the side of the seat — be sure to refer to your instruction manual on how to use it. If it doesn't have a lock-off clip, pull the shoulder belt slowly all the way out, then let it retract. If you hear clicking sounds, the seatbelt has an automatic locking retractor, and is locking itself. (Some retractors are very quiet, though — if the belt feels rigid after it retracts, the seatbelt is most likely locked.) Pull the belt as tight as possible.

3. If you can still pull out slack on the belt, you do not have seatbelts that lock automatically and you will need to use a locking clip to secure the seat. Bear in mind that emergency locking retractors are not the same as automatic ones and, despite their name, must still be locked down with a clip. To use a locking clip, unplug the seatbelt and hold it tight. Wind the locking clip around the belt as close as possible to the latch plate, then plug it back in.

4. What many people don't understand is that the lap portion of the seatbelt is the part responsible for keeping the car seat secure. The shoulder belt portion must be "locked down" if the lap portion isn't locked on its own, which is what usually happens.

5. After a car seat is installed, the seatbelt's latch plate should NOT lie against the curved opening of the car seat. If it does, try to make the buckle shorter, even if it means twisting it a full turn or two around. If that still doesn't work, your car seat might not be the right choice for your car.

6. Finally, check to make sure the car seat doesn’t move more than an inch side to side along the belt path. If it does, tighten the straps or try installing it again.

Check with the Child Seat Safety Inspector at your Local Police Station.

After all is said and done, the best thing you can do is have an expert check your installation.

You can check to see if your local police station has a safety officer specially certified in installing child car safety seats. If so, most hospitals recommend that before you even bring your child home for the first time, you drive your car with the car seat installed in it to the police station and let the expert check to make sure it is correctly installed, before you put your new baby in it.

Or, to find a Certified Child Safety Seat Inspection
Station, call your car dealer, or go to NHTSA's Child Passenger Safety section and click on the photo of the Baby in a Car Seat, then click on "Seat Inspection Stations" in the right navigational bar, or go to the National Safe Kids Campaign site. Considering the high percentage of incorrectly installed car seats, it is always best to have a professional look at it.

That way, you'll know you've done your best to protect your child, from day one, in the unfortunate event of an automobile accident.