Winter Do's and Dont's

Safe Seasonal Driving Tips From Ford 

So we've been giving you tons of winter tips, and with good reason. The winter has been mild in Buffalo so far, but we all know the snow coming.  So no harm in being prepared for the inevitable.  

Ford recently published their list of "Do's and Don'ts" for winter driving, and we thought we'd share a few with you. Some seem obvious, but are not any less important.  

DON’T try to melt ice from your windshield by pouring hot water on it. Using hot water can crack the windshield.

DO wash your car regularly to remove salt and dirt from the roadways.

DON’T let road grime prematurely age the body of your vehicle by neglecting to bathe it.

DO apply even pressure when braking in slick conditions if your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes. Keep in mind anti-lock brakes do not shorten stopping distance, but they do help you maintain control.

DO turn the steering wheel in the direction of the slide when driving on snowy or icy roads until you gain control. 

DON’T forget to clean snow and ice off your headlights and tail lights as well.

There are plenty more, visit Ford for the full list.  If you have any suggestions, let us know. Be safe out there! 

The Best Safety Measure? Safe Driving Education

Mercedes-Benz To Launch Teen Safe Driving School 

Parents, is there an easier way to sell your teen on going to driving school than "you get to learn how to drive in a Mercedes." Probably not.  

The company that pioneered stability control, brake assist and traction control is taking the ultimate safety measure- safe driver education.  Mercedes-Benz USA will open one safe driving school in Los Angeles then eventually more across the country.  

"The skills required to simply get a license do not fully prepare young drivers to meet the demands of the road. Mercedes-Benz recognizes this issue and as a result is creating an educational program for the U.S. that is based on the best teaching methods and tools available," said Alexander Hobbach, Senior Manager, Daimler AG.

Mercedes already runs a program like this in the UK, with great success.  

4,500 students have enrolled in the program. Amongst those who already obtained their driver's license and participated in the program, had a first-time pass rate of 79 percent on their driving tests – nearly double the U.K. national average of 43 percent.

Not bad right?  

Even better, the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy is negotiating with local DMVs across the country over integrating its program with the existing mandatory process to create an all-encompassing program.

So stay tuned, but when this does hit, your teen might actually be happy to go to driving school! 

Toyota's Youth Safe Driving Initiative

Automaker Offering Safe Driving Classes For Younger Drivers Across The Country

Toyota is doing more than just saying they support safe driving, they're taking the next step.  

Toyota continues to offer its FREE advanced teen driving skills program, “Toyota Driving Expectations.”  Since 2004, more than 14,000 teens and parents have been educated and empowered to become safer drivers, as well as learn firsthand about the dangers of distracted driving.

In today's technology driven society, distracted driving is becoming more of an issue.  In an effort to prepare young drivers with crucial safety knowledge, Toyota Driving Expectations goes beyond what is taught in standard driver education classes, putting teens behind the wheel to face challenging, real-world scenarios in a secure environment.

The classes focus on these specific situations:

• Learn defensive driving skills and accident avoidance techniques
• Identify the dangerous driving situations that they encounter daily
• Understand vehicle dynamics and safety features
• Experience firsthand the dangers of distracted driving and understand the relationship between distraction and reaction time

“Toyota is dedicated to supporting both teens and parents in developing safe, responsible driving habits and protecting them on the road,” said Michael Rouse, Toyota’s vice president of philanthropy and community affairs.

Beginning with the October events, Toyota Driving Expectations will be presented in cooperation with long-time partner Bass Pro Shops.  Given that, there are no current plans for a safe drivin class in the Buffalo area.  Should that change, West Herr is the place to check for all things Toyota in Buffalo. 

Now Is The Time To Buy A Toyota

Find Amazing Deals On Toyotas In Buffalo

Toyota has extended their incentives until August, and that means savings all around to consumers.  Toyota's National Clearance Event is going on now and the deals wont last much longer.  

A full list of deals can be found here on the Toyota website, including a very special offer for military personnel: 

Find Toyota deals near you

In certain areas Toyota is offering zero-percent APR financing for up to 60 months on the 2011 Camry. Some areas are also offering free maintenance on all new Toyotas for two years or 25,000 miles.  Again remember to click the link above to find the best Toyota deal for you. A beautiful new Toyota Corolla.

One car on the list is Toyota's hybrid, The Prius.  The Prius has received excellent reviews and ratings including this recent piece:

"At 50 MPG, The Toyota Prius is a game changer," said the Los Angeles Times. "The car feels like the same humble, humming people pod, only lacquered with a bit more confidence and esprit."

While fuel efficiency is key, safety is always first when it comes to cars.  Luckily for consumers, no other brand has more 2010 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick Awards than Toyota.  Safety awards include:

• 2011 Avalon- Top Safety Pick for large models
• 2011 Sienna- Top Safety Pick for minivans
• Toyota Highlander- Top Safety Pick
• Toyota Corolla- Top Safety Pick for small cars
• Toyota Venza- Top Safety Pick for midsize SUVs

Toyota also reports that they spend $1 million per hour on research and development of new safety initiatives for their vehicles.

For deals on new and used Toyotas in the Buffalo area, visit West Herr online or in person today.  We have two Toyota locations, Williamsville and Orchard Park. 

Get a deal today and remember, its not just a Toyota, its a West Herr Toyota. 

Ford's Latest Safety Innovation

Curve Control Technology Will Prevent Accidents On Turns

Government crash data says  that approximately 50,000 crashes annually in the U.S. involve driving too fast on a curve.  Ford safety researchers decided to do something about it.

The Ford Motor Company recently introduced a new innovation called Curve Control, which is designed to help drivers maintain control of their vehicles when taking a curve too quickly.  Curve Control will launch 2011 Ford Explorer and will be offered on 90 percent of the company’s North American crossovers, sport utilities, trucks and vans by 2015.

“Ford’s Curve Control technology senses a potentially dangerous situation and reduces power and applies brakes more quickly than most drivers can react on their own," said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering.

Curve Control senses when a driver is taking a curve too quickly and rapidly reduces engine torque and can apply four-wheel braking, slowing the vehicle by up to 10 mph in about one second.

The patent-pending system works by measuring how quickly the vehicle is turning and comparing that with how quickly the driver is trying to turn. When the vehicle is not turning as much as the driver is steering – also known as “pushing” – Curve Control activates.

Cischke said the designers specifically had freeway entrances and exits in mind when they designed curve control, as drivers often have too much speed in those situations.  The technology is effective on wet or dry pavement.

Soundbites about the technology taken from an interview with Ford's Brake Control supervisor Dave Messih can be heard here. 

When 2011 Ford Explorers hit Buffalo, West Herr will be there.  If you want to know more about Curve Control or other Ford products, visit us online today.

Parents Rejoice: Ford Educating Young Drivers In Fresh Ways

Automaker Provides Youth Driven Initiatives To Keep New Drivers Safe

Getting a teenager to absorb anything involving "safe driving" can be difficult, but luckily for parents Ford is taking a new approach with their "Driving Skills For Life" (DSFL) campaign.   With such methods as Facebook campaigns, web simulations and live interactive instruction, Ford is finding new ways to reach the youth audience. One of the many online web sessions available to new drivers through DSFL

One testimonial on the DSFL site said:

I just wanted to say "thank you" for the outstanding training program and for the professionalism of the instructors. My son Matt had a great time AND learned new and valuable driving skills. Your methods and approach left a "positive" lasting impression on my son. Thanks for offering this superb program in the Tucson area! Eric AZ

Saying that today's new drivers are web savvy would be a gross understatement.  Ford realizes this and has made the DSFL site engaging with loads of shareable content.  Aside from a video series of driving tips, they even even have a full safe driving class conducted by musician Kate Voegele. 

Ford also travels the country for hands on instruction.  They allow new drivers to test out driving situations in a safe and controlled environment. Here are some highlights from an instructional event held last year in Michigan:

The DSFL social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter have over 3000 followers total and are growing by the day.  They recently launched a contest that awarded savings bonds to students who came up with the best original song about safe driving. 

On top of the youth driven ideas, Ford's DSFL campaign gives parents and educators tools to teach proper safe driving.  They also offer tips on eco friendly driving and ways to share all the information across the web. 

"Our goal with DSFL is to provide teens with skills for safe driving beyond what they learn in standard driver education programs," said Ford representatives.

Driving Skills for Life is something every driver should at least look at. For more information visit the following sites:

http://www.facebook.com/FordDrivingSkillsForLife

http://www.drivingskillsforlife.com