Headrest adjustments are critical

The most commonly-neglected safety feature on all cars is the headrest. I suggest that headrests be checked and adjusted every time you get in the car, just like putting on a seat belt.

Headrests, when properly positioned, could save your neck and head from SERIOUS injury—even in a 10-15 mph crash—especially if you are hit from behind (takin' it in the tailpipe).

HOW TO ADJUST THEM? Make sure that your headrest is adjusted to where the middle of the head touches first when you lean back slightly and does not contact your neck (see photo at right). Have someone look at you sitting in the seat to make sure.

Don't forget the passenger headrests as well. The next time you get in the car with your spouse or child, look over and check it for them and make an adjustment if needed. It takes just a few seconds and could save them a lifetime of painful injury. They'll love you for it!

Seat belts: clean and fast

Ever get frustrated with the seat belts in your car? Does it get twisted or is it slow to retract sometimes, especially during the winter months?

I have read many "service bulletins" about seat belt issues, and most involve slow retraction. Some car makers have issued repair kits to help the belt slide through the pivot by your shoulder, but alas.

There is a simple way to improve the belt's performance. WASH IT !

No kidding, it works. Here's how to wash a seat belt:

• Mix two capfuls of "Gentle Wash" or "Woolite" per gallon of warm water in a 3-5 gallon bucket.
• Cover your seat with a trash bag and some towels. Place the bucket on a towel on the seat or in a milk crate. (If your car sits low enough, the bucket might rest on the ground outside the door.)
• Extend the belt as far as it it will go and use a clothes pin or two to hold it in the extended position.
• Dump the belt into the bucket and hand wash with a washcloth or your hands. Use NO STIFF BRISTLES that might damage the webbing. Soaking is OK for grease or stains.
• Rinse with a clear water rinse. Pat dry with a towel.
• Lay the still-extended belt across the steering wheel or shifter to dry for 1/2 hour in the sun. Even if not completely dry to the touch, the belt will not be harmed by returning to service when damp. They dry very quickly.
• Finally, inspect the belt for cuts or excessive fraying, then remove the clothes pins and enjoy a faster seat belt !

Learn more about how seat belts work by slipping and retracting >>
See statistics on how seat belts save lives >>

Blind spots and good mirror adjustment

Properly adjusted mirrors can reduce dangerous blind spots in your driving. It may feel a little strange until you get used to them...then after a while, you can't drive with them mis-adjusted.

Here is my method (the lazy way) for good blind spot removal.

1. While in the drivers seat (adjusted to fit you), slightly lean sideways toward the center of the car and move your eyes to look out the right side (passengers side) mirror. If you can see the side of your car in the reflection, the mirror is set incorrectly.  Adjust it outward until your car just barely disappears. Good, now the other side.
2. Again, while sitting up straight, lean your head toward the glass of the drivers door and move your eyes to look out. Can you see paint? Adjust it outward until your car just barely disappears.
3. With your side mirrors adjusted properly and together with the center (inside rear-view) mirror, you can get a much better view of what is in the lane on either side of you AND you won't have to crank your neck.

Like me, this may be hard for you at first. I was one of those drivers who turned their head and shoulders and cranked their neck at every lane change. Now I know that properly adjusted mirrors can save me a trip to the chiropractor AND make me a safer driver.

Safely stow your cargo

During even a low-speed car crash, everything loose in your vehicle flies around. Even small objects, such as groceries or sports gear, keep moving after the initial impact during a crash. Seat belts and air bags hurt bad enough! That 4-pound laptop doesn't have to add anything to the equation.

Never, ever leave anything on the rear dash (package shelf). Not only is this a visibility impairment while driving, but those objects take aim straight at occupants' heads and necks.

The safest way to stow cargo is to place any heavy objects in the trunk. Other bulky items can be secured with seat belts in empty seats. Put items on the floor instead of the seats. If you drive an SUV, use the provided tie-down hooks or add-on netting to secure loose stuff.

As a rule of thumb, if it would hurt when thrown at your head—stow it !

Jump starting

Jump starts can be messy with potential for toxic battery explosion. Jump starts can be and dangerous and cause severe damage to the car's electrical system that could cost thousands of dollars to repair. AVOID JUMP STARTS as much as humanly possible. When the car needs a new battery, just buy one!

Save lives. Ditching unsafe cars...

"Just because it's fast and cute/cool,
that doesn't mean it's safe." - Norris

If you own one of the following cars, it is my opinion that you NOT FIX IT. I say "ditch it" and move on to something safer and more durable.

• Mitsubishi ECLIPSE, (any year)-- I know it is a favorite of the younger male driver but it's not safe or durable. If you don't believe me, ask a Fireman or Emergency Med Tech about what happens in a 35 mph or faster crash, then ask them which cars are the worst! I personally won't ride in one or work on one, and if you own one—please have it crushed when you are done with it so no one else could be hurt by it.
• Other "disposable" cars are the small, short, light cars like the NEON, JUSTY, EXCEL, SAMURAI, COLT, BRAT, JETTA. The only reason to keep a car that is not up to modern '97 or newer specifications is in the case of a classic or antique car—and even then it should not be your daily driver.
• Just remember—if you're in a crash with a '97 or newer mid-sized car, they might walk away and you might not ! There are exceptions to this statement. SAAB, for instance, has been an industry leader in vehicle safety since the late 1980s.
• When deciding to fix or sell, check out safety ratings at IIHS.

Young drivers and vehicle monitors

Vehicle monitoring is not a new thing. Large fleets and trucking companies have routinely used vehicle monitors for many years now. But you may have heard about those sneaky little "black box" units that can be installed on a car to review trip information and set limits with your young driver.

How do they work?

The data recorder receives output signals from the car computer, and stores them for review or download later. They connect to the universal OBD II (on-board diagnostic v.2) connector called a DLC (data link connection). The DLC and associated software in the car's computer was originally designed to allow technicians to communicate with the car for diagnostic purposes. These data recorders are designed to fit most 1996 and newer cars. BMW is one car that was late in providing this feature and it's not available until the 2000 or 2001 model year.

Learn before you buy! The less expensive monitors are limited in features and easily unplugged by the driver—and while unplugged, the recording stops. The nicer, more expensive units have tons of features like printable charts and graphs or an internal clock that will tell the parent when it was unplugged and for how long. These monitors can also be "hard-wired" and hidden so the teen driver is unaware of its presence and location.

I recommend the full-featured "AutoWatch" vehicle data recorder.  I use their professional-level scanner in the shop for diagnostics and am very pleased with its stability and performance.

Read through the AutoWatch consumer information and then contact Norris for more information on how a recorder might work for your vehicle !