In this age of technology, we’re constantly seeing cool new gadgets and gizmos all across the automotive industry. Some technologies are for convenience and entertainment, while others attempt to actually make the driving experience safer. All have their pros and cons.

One controversial technology is Ford’s SYNC with MyFord Touch voice-controlled/steering-wheel-controlled driver interface, which uses a smartphone-supplied Internet connection to access and control various applications (ranging from entertainment to news to navigation to phone communications). Catch up on news or sports, call a friend, and retweet someone’s happenings while keeping your hands on the wheel.

Ford believes this technology increases driver safety by minimizing some distractions that could take your eyes off of the road (such as tuning the radio or thumbing an entry into your smartphone). However, some experts feel these non-driving activities are inherently dangerous distractions regardless of whether you’re participating with your hands or with your voice.

“Without a doubt the new technology that we have has created a lot more opportunity for distraction,” Robert Sinclair Jr., the New York spokesman for AAA has said. “These devices do not increase safety. The biggest distraction by far is the cognitive.”

Mr. Sinclair goes on to explain that driving itself is a multitasking activity, and when drivers are not keeping their focus on the road, their mind will be distracted. “The distractions that do exist are very mentally distracting, especially when it comes to checking social networking sites. We find all of this very disturbing.

“Going on Facebook or sending a Tweet is engaging in a complex conversation that should absolutely not be done while driving.”

He is not alone. David Strayer, Professor of Cognition and Neural Science at the University of Utah, says, “Some activities such as listening to the radio are passive, but others such as texting and checking Facebook are not. The mind can only do one thing at once when driving – it’s been long published in scientific journals. People who say that in-car technology is not distracting to drivers just don’t know the science of the brain.”

Other not-so-new technologies can be a distraction as well. Many states now have laws against texting and some states ban talking on the phone while driving. Even using your vehicle’s navigation system can be dangerous if you’re taking your eyes off the road to use it. The Department of Transporation made an interesting point: taking your eyes of the road for just 4.6 seconds at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded.

And for the first time ever, federal officials have recently issued guidelines for automakers to reduce distractions in their in-car electronics systems. The Department of Transportation regulations suggest that vehicles should be designed to not permit outgoing texts, Facebook messages or tweets while a vehicle is in motion. They feel off road glances related to device operations should be limited to 2 seconds or less.

Not all technology is bad, of course, and even the SYNC system discussed above has literally been a life saver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends many new technologies for crash avoidance and crash protection.

In the end, drivers are responsible for controlling their vehicles, regardless of the technologies that are available. Those defensive driving skills we learned long ago still apply, and we have to minimize or eliminate distractions and keep our eyes – and minds – on the road.

TruckChamp.com offers many accessories that can help make your driving experience safer and more convenient. Check out our Nerf Bars and Tonneau Covers categories for easier access to your truck and better protection of your cargo. Also see out our TruckChamp and BestInAuto brand side view mirrors. Some mirrors have embedded LED turn signals that will help other drivers see your intentions, our Blue Sky Glass can reduce the intensity and glare from headlights behind you, and some of our mirrors have built-in heaters that keep your rear view clear of fog, ice and frost.

First, let’s not make it too easy for them.  Lock your vehicle.  By inviting thieves into you unlocked car, you’re just making it so much easier for them to get their job started.

Park in well-illuminated, high foot-traffic areas.  Theft can happen almost anywhere, but it’s not as convenient for someone to steal in highly visible, well-lit places.

When shopping, store your packages covered or (better yet) in the trunk.  Make a habit of putting your packages in the trunk as soon as you get to your car (instead of transferring them to your trunk at your  next stop – where you’re effectively announcing to any onlookers that you’re leaving something potentially valuable in the trunk).  Of course that’s true for any valuables, not just gifts or packages.  Don’t tempt the thieves with visible cash or other goodies.  Be conscious of mail you might have around too (you don’t want to wind up with a stolen identity in addition to your stolen car).

Don’t leave an extra set of keys in the car or in a magnetic container under the car.  Thieves who are good at their job can be pretty good guessers when it comes to finding your clever hiding spots.

Remove your electronics whenever possible.  Take that GPS device or stereo faceplate with you, or at least hide it away.  Be aware of marks on windshields from suction GPS mounts.  If you can see the mark, they can see it, too.  And if they see it, they might be tempted to break in to see if that GPS is waiting for them in the glove box.  And if you do leave the GPS in the car, make sure you don’t program the “home” location to your own address.  Thieves who have enjoyed stealing your vehicle might consider visiting your home for a second helping of your generosity.

It should be obvious to not leave your car running unattended while you shovel, let the car warm up or just run back inside the house to get something your forgot.  Even if it’s just for a moment, it only takes a moment for someone to slip into your nice, warm, already running vehicle.  In some states, it’s actually against the law to leave your vehicle running and unattended, and if your insurance company finds out you did this, they may deny your claim.

Consider getting a good alarm or GPS-based recovery system, but be cautious of using window stickers that identify exactly what system you’re using.  Knowledgeable thieves might be very familiar with your type of system and know how to disable it.

Take a few precautions like these to minimize your chances for theft during the holidays (and throughout the year).  The general idea is to not make your vehicle the easiest or most convenient one to steal.  Keep it visible, keep it locked, keep valuables concealed.  Encourage the thieves to move along to one of the many other vehicles that are easy to steal.

1. Save money by using reusable materials. Instead of disposable plates, utensils and cups, buy items you can reuse.  It’s not only gentler on your wallet but also good for the environment.

2. Buy ahead of time and buy in bulk for better savings. By purchasing in advance, you’ll have time to shop for the best deals and take advantage of coupons and sales.  Buy in quantity for better savings, taking advantage of wholesale clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club for bulk foods and supplies.

3. Why buy when you can borrow? Save some money by borrowing chairs, coolers, tables, canopies and even grills from your friends and neighbors.

4. Find less expensive games. Don’t pay full price for those expensive official cornhole games with the team logo.  Instead, search for games online at auction or classified ad sites and save a bundle.

5. The more the merrier! Share the good times as well as the costs by inviting more friends.  Everyone can chip in some cash so you’re not stuck with the whole bill.  Or better yet make it a potluck and ask everyone to bring a dish to share.

Towing mirrors are special because of the way the glass is shaped. According to Wikipedia, in a flat, everyday glass mirror, also known as a plane mirror, objects appear at their true size—an exact replica of the subject being reflected. Towing mirrors, on the other hand, are convex in shape, resulting in a wider field of view. Can’t remember those terms from high school algebra class? Here’s your long-awaited chance to use math in the real world, starting with a simple orange sliced in two.

Imagine half of an orange lying flat on the table so all you see is its skin. This half is convex in shape, like an eyeball in its socket. Now imagine the orange’s skin is covered in mirror glass; the reflective surface bulges toward the light source. Contradictorily, the orange half would be considered concave—receding from the light source—if flipped over, as if you were walking into the entrance of a cave.

For non-commercial drivers towing items such as boats and trailers, even another car, towing mirrors are handy must-haves for the exact same reason why concave and plane mirrors simply do not work for towing: the dreaded blind spot. Nothing is more important than safety or accident prevention; the correct towing mirror ensures a clear line of sight when passing another vehicle or changing lanes. Big rigs especially utilize towing mirrors because without them, they wouldn’t be able to make wide turns and they’d most likely sideswipe into other vehicles on the road. That sign on the back of a truck reading “If You Can’t See My Mirrors, I Can’t See You” is really very true; you’re in the driver’s blind spot and you might get run off the road.

A February 2006 Consumer Reports article adds that the height of an SUV or pickup truck “creates large blind zones below the rear window and the hood.” Also, “according to Kids and Cars, which works to improve child safety around cars, some 90 children die each year when drivers, sometimes parents, back over them while they are hidden” in a vehicle’s blind zone.

According to the US Department of Transportation’s NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), “If you are towing a trailer that is wider than your tow vehicle, you will need extended side-view mirrors to see rear-and side-approaching traffic.”

The NHTSA also reports more than 413,000 vehicle accidents are caused by blind spot-related mishaps. Improper lane change accidents such as side-swipes damage more than 826,000 vehicles and injure more than 160,000 people each and every year. You definitely don’t want to be involved in an accident resulting in higher insurance premiums on top of what it will cost to replace or repair your vehicle.
Aftermarket towing mirrors begin from a convex shape, but there are additional features making them even better; specific types of towing mirrors for specific towing jobs. Manual and electric telescopic towing mirrors are adjustable and extendable, and are available in a heated version to eliminate frost, and also in non-heated models. They fold either manually or electronically when you need to steer into tight spaces.

There are also towing mirrors with LED lights that synchronize with your turn signal, which often catches the eye of the driver behind you faster than your regular turn signal.

Benefits of Nerf and Side Bars…

Nerf and step bars are an excellent option for many vehicles, particularly in today’s market where trucks and SUV’s are taller than before and/or are lifted due to the owner’s choice.  At TruckChamp.com , we offer only the top options in Nerf bars and step bars for any vehicle.  Nerf bars have a number of benefits and features, including:

• A smooth, safe step in any weather condition
• A customized look for your vehicle
• A number of shapes and styles
• Stainless steel options to maximize rust protection
• Side protection for your vehicle
• Work as brush guards for the off-road enthusiast

At TruckChamp.com , we also provide several benefits for our nerf bar purchasers such as:

• Limited lifetime warranties (depending on the nerf bars)
• Free freight on most orders
• No drilling required for many installations
• Free shipping on all orders within the continental US

Safety and Security

The nerf and side bars offered at TruckChamp.com come with several safety features to ensure the security of you, your family and friends, and your vehicle.

Several side and nerf bars offer a wide step with treaded pads, allowing for excellent gripping capabilities in any weather condition.  The grooved design of these pads allows water to drain from the stepping surface, so a chance of slipping is significantly decreased.  These step pads stay in place throughout the life of your nerf and side bars.

In addition to the non-slip surface, the installation of nerf and side bars provides a stable surface for anybody to step on. Heavy duty mounting brackets and hardware are included with a nerf or side bar purchase and no drilling is required with installation.  The added safety benefit exists without damaging your truck.

Photo Credit: Jabzg on Flickr

Hopefully you are lucky enough to live in the land of palm trees and beaches this winter season. But for the rest of us, winter means cold, snow, ice, and extra care for our vehicles to keep them safe and running properly. Hope these five simple tips help you out!

1. Always leave in plenty of time. Guilty of being the world’s greatest protagonist, I have to force myself, in the winter, to always head out for my destination with time to spare. Driving too fast on icy roads puts you and others at risk. You will need to brake earlier than normal, and start out slow from stop lights. Trust me, revving the engine and letting others watch your tires spinning is not considered a winter sport.

2. Keep your windshield and windows clear of snow. Of course, if you are not running late (see tip #1, above for appropriate preaching on that subject), you will have plenty of time to scrape ice off the windows, and knock snow from the vehicle. We have all seen the driver who is hunched over the steering wheel, trying to see through a 10″ clearing on the windshield. A much-deserved back ache is not the only risk here. Driving safe means having 100% visibility to the road and your surroundings.

3. Be smart and have your vehicle ready before winter! Need new tires, winter/snow wiper blades, winter blend washer fluid or brakes checked? Is your engine heating system ready for sub-freezing temperatures? You do not want to wait till it is freezing out to take care of these things. Besides, repair shops/auto supply stores will be very busy, taking care of those other people – you know, the ones who did not plan ahead!

4. Use caution on ice and snow. To avoid skidding, break gently. If you do start sliding, slowly ease up on the gas pedal and turn the front wheels in the direction the vehicle is sliding. When it is straight again, you can lightly press on the brakes, but if you do this too hard, you can go into a spin. Use the lower gears on your vehicle for extra needed traction, especially on hills. Be extra cautious on bridges and overpasses there ice tends to form first. Do not use cruise control on icy or wet pavement – it can hydroplane and you will go flying. Again, not a winter sport!

5. Have provisions on hand. Hopefully you will never need to use any of these because you are stranded or stuck in the snow. But common sense prevails and tells us (well, most of us) to be ready just-in-case. Your vehicle should have a snow brush, ice scraper, shovel, flashlight, jumper cables, warning devices and some type of abrasive material. Kitty litter is my favorite even though I do not have any cats – I just like the cute commercials on TV and figure I can help support their industry. Of course blankets, boots and gloves are musts as well. For longer trips, you should have food and water provisions. If possible, always have a cell phone and car charger for it.

With planning in advance – for yourself and your vehicle- and paying attention to the weather conditions, you can drive safely and stress-free even in winter’s harshest storms. ]]> http://www.truckchamp.com/blog/2010/12/5-tips-for-safe-winter-driving/feed/ 0 http://www.truckchamp.com/blog/2010/12/christmas-wish-list/ http://www.truckchamp.com/blog/2010/12/christmas-wish-list/#comments Wed, 08 Dec 2010 20:40:56 +0000 Judy http://www.truckchamp.com/blog/?p=569

1. Snap Tonneau Cover Starting at $179.99! Keep your truck bed and its cargo safe and protected from the elements with this top-quality, economical cover. Easy to install and remove, allows full bed access. OOPS- so sorry Facebookers! The link to this tonneau cover will not work from your FB page.  But don’t despair, Santa is patient with cyber-errors.  Simply paste this link in your post and ask your friends to click it instead!  http://ow.ly/3tkX7
2. Step/Nerf Bars starting at $127.99! Get a step up and save money with these TruckChamp brand stainless steel step bars. Easy to install, comes with all the necessary hardware. Sold in pairs for drivers and passenger sides, with molded steps pads for your safety at each door.
3. Bed Mats priced at $79.97 for all models. Give your truck bed extra thick protection with this heavy duty mat. Protect load shifts with the non-skid grid cushions. And check out the optional matching tailgate mats (sold separately).
4. Stainless Steel Bull Bars starting at $229.99. Here’s a great gift for this time of year to protect the front end of your vehicle from sliding into snowbanks, or other vehicles. These 3″ round bars are easy to install, no drilling needed.
5. Floor Mats & Floor Liners starting at $35.99. Just the thing you need to keep the snow and wet off your carpet and keep your vehicle clean. And these mats clean up easily, simply hose them off.
6. Chrome Accessories starting at $12.99. Override winter’s gloom with bright, shiny chrome accessories. From door handle covers, to hood grill inserts, to license plate frames – our accessories add a great look to stylize your ride!
7. Tail Light Guard starting at $122.99. These Westin Tail Light Guards are just the thing for winter’s hazards of car-bumps, and sliding. Great protection for the lamp, and a great look for your vehicle.
8. Du-Ha Underseat Storage starting at $161.95. Perfect for that New Year’s commitment to Get Organized! Store everything in the vehicle in a neat, clean, secure manner and stow it out of sight, safely under the seats. You’ll love the new look.
9. Mud Flaps – Mud Guards starting at $34.99.These Husky mud guards will keep your vehicle free from mud, snow, ice and slush. And they are great looking, functional and easy to install.
10. Magnaflow Exhaust System starting at $319.49. Nothing says excellence like Magnaflow. Get that smooth, deep tone and a great look with all stainless steel. Easy to install, no welding design.

]]> http://www.truckchamp.com/blog/2010/12/christmas-wish-list/feed/ 0 http://www.truckchamp.com/blog/2010/12/iconic-classic-cars-10-out-of-60/ http://www.truckchamp.com/blog/2010/12/iconic-classic-cars-10-out-of-60/#comments Sat, 04 Dec 2010 03:23:16 +0000 Judy http://www.truckchamp.com/blog/?p=526