BUY LANEFX AND SAVE |
Christmas Gift Ideas
For Car Lovers
‘Tis the season, as they say, when we start dreaming up wish lists and dropping hints to our loved ones. For the automotive enthusiast or anyone
on the go, here are some holiday gift ideas to make it a very merry Christmas.
Satellite Radio ($50 and up for radio, subscription $10-15/month)
Becoming more popular all the time, satellite radio is a wonderful gift idea for anyone spending large chunks of time on the road. Portable models can fit onto any vehicle and offer excellent
sound quality through your car’s speakers. With hundreds of channels of listening options, satellite radio is the gift that keeps on giving (provided you keep up with the subscription
fee, of course).
MP3 Player Attachment ($30-99)
For another audio option, consider an MP3 dock. Most plug into your car’s cigarette lighter and transmit an FM signal through the vehicle’s stereo with little to no sacrifice in
sound quality. Some will even recharge your MP3 player during playback. Some models limit the choice of available FM signals, while upscale versions have more options and clearer transmission.
Self-Heating/Cooling Travel Mugs ($15-35)
Does your coffee lose its steam on those long commutes? Is the ice in your soda melting too quickly during the summer? Try a mug that plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter to heat or
cool your beverage as necessary. Most have multiple temperature settings and will emit a small beep when the desired level has been reached.
Roadside Emergency Kit ($35-85)
On the more practical side, another gift idea (and something that should be in the trunk of every vehicle) is an emergency kit. These
supply collections typically include necessities such as jumper cables, a flashlight, and work gloves, but many kits with even more to offer. Some will have a heavy-duty tow rope, first aid
equipment, flares, and a tire pump. Most kits are packaged in a convenient carry-all and don’t take up too much space. If you have a younger driver or live in an unforgiving climate a
roadside kit is a gift that can be a lifesaver.
Portable JumpStarter ($50-125)
No one likes getting stranded with a dead car battery, which have a habit of letting you down at the worst possible moment. A portable JumpStarter can prevent that hassle. Typically less than
20 pounds and about the size of a toaster, JumpStarters vary in available battery life and power, and most need an overnight recharge every couple of months. Some include gauges that display
how much charge they have left to offer, or indicate just when recharging is necessary.
Digital Key Chain Tire Gauge ($5-25)
For a handy stocking stuffer, consider a tire gauge that doubles as a key chain. Tires not inflated properly can hinder a vehicle’s handling capability, increase tire wear, and potentially
be a safety hazard. They will also detract from your vehicle’s gas mileage. These keychains connect to your tire’s air nozzle
and show their psi with a digital display. Check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s recommended pressure and adjust accordingly.
Remote Starter (Key-FOBs $20-70, Installation varies)
During these cold winter months, a remote starter is an enviable amenity. Sitting cozily in your home, you can ignite and warm your engine before venturing out into an early morning blizzard.
You can buy a remote starter at most auto parts stores but you may need to take your vehicle to a mechanic or dealer to have the transmitter installed.
GPS Navigation System ($200-700)
Portable global positioning systems have been out for a couple of years and have improved in reliability and ease of use. Most provide software updates to account for changing traffic patterns
and are very handy when traveling. More upscale models offer a voice-prompted navigation aid and their maps have more detail. Some systems can also self-adjust their screen’s brightness
based on outside weather conditions. For anyone that is “directionally challenged”, a GPS can be the most useful Christmas gift around.
Automotive gifts are both practical and fun, and some can even keep you out of harm’s way. Treat your favorite road warrior (or yourself)
and above all, have a great holiday. AutoExtra.com: We’re all you need.
|
The Blind Spot Problem is Becoming Quite Pervasive
Growing Demand for a Practical Solution Seen With Consumers, OEMs and Tier 1 Supplier Community.
The advanced Blind Spot Detection solutions market is now emerging with industry indications of considerable upside, starting with MY06 and MY07 vehicle line-ups.
At Drivaware, we have dedicated considerable product development resources to create, develop and production-ready three innovative Blind Spot Detection systems. While other companies are focused
on producing car gadgets, we are focused on the efficiency
of the system in terms of driver awareness. Two of these solutions are entirely original innovations, never seen before in the automotive marketplace. More broadly however, each Drivaware Blind
Spot Detection solution has a compelling first-to-market advantage in its respective technology.
What You Can't See in Your Mirrors Can Hurt You
The blue car's driver sees the green car through his mirrors but cannot see the red car without turning to check his blind spot. Blind spots, in the context of driving an automobile, are the
areas of the road that cannot be seen while looking forward or through either the rear-view or side mirrors. Blind spots can be eliminated by overlapping side and rear-view mirrors, or checked
by turning one's head briefly, or by adding another mirror with a larger field of view. Detection of vehicles or other objects in blind spots may also be aided
by systems such as video cameras or distance sensors, though these are not common in automobiles sold to the general public. |
Double Lane Change Increases SUV Rollover Risk
Drivaware reports on a new double lane-change test that is designed to stimulate an emergency maneuver to determine SUV handling. The test is important because the more controllable and secure
a vehicle is when pushed to its handling limits the better chance the SUV occupants will avoid an accident. In situations where an obstacle is in the way, due to the compromising nature of SUVs
in general, steering around it can cause the vehicle to go out of control and result in an SUV rollover. Double lane-change SUV rollovers are more common than passenger cars because of the higher
center of gravity that makes SUVs more prone to rollover, especially if swerving abruptly.
The aspect of SUV safety has most often focused on risk of rollover. The National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has said the rate of SUV rollover
is two to three times greater than a passenger car. Height of a SUV makes the vehicle more top heavy than one that sits lower, which is why consumers interested in purchasing a SUV are advised
to choose one lower to the ground if not needing a vehicle with high ground clearance.
Accident avoidance is an important aspect of vehicle safety and the ability to sharply swerve to avoid hitting an object or a person. In a SUV, the sudden cornering forces or double lane-change
can cause the SUV to tip onto two wheels and cause it to rollover. Especially after the Ford/Firestone SUV rollovers in 2000 left hundreds dead and even more injured, focus on SUV safety, like
double lane-change SUV rollover risk, greater.
When shopping for an SUV, check for the availability of a blind spot exposure system, such as LaneFX. In addition to rollover resistance technology and such a wide range
of vehicle options, becoming informed consumers can reduce safety risks. |
Don't Be Blind Sided by Your Blind Spot!
Unlike other "radar" detectors, LaneFX has no learning curve. LaneFX is a WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) system that uses what you already use - your
vehicle's side mirrors - to show you what's in your blind spot zone. With its extensive customization options, LaneFX adapts to your driving style, not the
other way around.
Don't forget: your mobile electronics retailer is best for installing your LaneFX system, but not factory systems like Volvo BLIS or ValeoRaytheon. Don't settle for the
nerdy car gadgets, get LaneFX and get the latest driver safety technologies. Lane change or merge with the latest blind spot mirrors and auto safety
technologies.
RELATED TOPICS:
- radar detectors
- mobile electronics
- latest gadgets for drivers
- Auxiliary blind spot convex mirrors
- Audi Q7
- Volvo BLIS for S80 and XC90 SUV
|
Steering Wheels Get More and More Buttons
The steering wheel is quickly become the control center for the entire vehicle. Auto manufacturer's are using the steering wheel to add new buttons and controls for everything from controlling the radio
to switching gears. USA Today reports that many cars already have 10 to 15 different buttons on the steering wheel:
The fingertip frenzy isn't just about luxury cars, either. Sure, the $73,750 Range Rover SUV offers 10 buttons or toggles, not including the horn. And the $49,100 Acura RL sedan
has 16, in addition to two thumb paddles for manually changing gears. But Toyota's humble — albeit fully-loaded — $26,040 Prius gas-electric hybrid sedan includes 15 places to mash a thumb
into the steering wheel.
Automakers say the buttons help motorists keep their fingers on the wheel instead of having to fiddle with dials and knobs on the dashboard, making driving safer.
Many more steering wheel control buttons are expected in future vehicles. USA Today's article said the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class will "let drivers control the volume and play list of their Apple iPod
digital music players from the steering wheel." But voice commands are coming as well which may make these buttons less important. Why press a button when you can just say "Window Washers On.
Maximum Speed." Auto manufacturers will have to caution to keep these steering wheel buttons and voice commands from getting out of hand. |
More Great Gifts For Car Nuts
Car nuts are tough bunch to understand. Here's a great way to delight them this holiday season.
When they start talking about autos, technical terms such as “co-efficient of drag” and “horsepower per liter” come up. The conversation is spirited. Eyeballs roll. Girlfriends
leave the room. Allegiances are hotly debated. Are you a Porsche lover, or do you prefer Ferraris? New cars or classic cars? Ford trucks or Chevy trucks?
For people who don’t care about cars or don’t understand their loved ones’ obsessions with them, picking out gifts can be a daunting task. Case in point: Executives who love
cars are particularly hard to shop for, because their station demands a luxurious--but appropriate--gift. If you’re not sure what to get your car-obsessed dad, be warned: A new keychain or
an Exxon Mobil (nyse: XOM - news - people )
gift certificate is not going to thrill him.
To help you please even the pickiest auto enthusiast, we have compiled a list that includes such affordable items as the 30th-anniversary edition of Bruce
Springsteen’s Born to Run, as well as Porsche’s new, $120,000 911
Turbo supercar.
If you’ve got the cash, you can always give an actual car as a gift. Multimillionaire entrepreneurs who bleed 93-octane blood will be lusting after the Mercedes-Benz SLR
McLaren (not cheap at $450,000), but the Daimler Chrysler (nyse: DCX - news - people )
Maybach 62 sedan with handcrafted features such as customized leather interiors and monogramming is slightly more affordable at $390,000.
But there are plenty of just as fancy auto-related gifts that are more reasonably priced. Ferrari (nyse: FIA - news - people )
makes chronographs, BMW has a line of clothing and golf accessories and Aston Martin makes chessboards.
It’s also possible to properly indulge kids who love cars. Forget Matchbox. These days, you can buy your son or daughter an $875 toy
Ferrari--an electric car that drives and has a working horn--and give the kid a head start in developing proper cornering, braking and accelerating techniques.
Make no mistake: The world of the car nut can be a world of extravagance and privilege. You may not understand your loved one’s interested in motoring, but that shouldn’t stop you
from pampering him or her. |
|
[
and Media Library ]
MADE IN U.S.A.
