The Brake-Down: What To Do When Your Brakes Fail

Blind spots are dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users because these area of the road are outside the driver’s field of vision. Although many new vehicles have safety features such as Blind Spot Monitor that help alert drivers that someone or something is in your blind spot. However, this helpful feature is not in every trim level of your favorite vehicle. Also if you have an older vehicle you will probably not have the helpful safety feature. But it is important to make sure that even without this technology we are taking the right precautions to prevent blind spot accidents. In this week’s blog, we wanted to help out any driver that might struggle with blinds spots and doesn’t have this technology. Even if your vehicle has this technology it is important to always check yourself, so we suggest taking a look at the tips below the top. For more information on how to approach pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists in your blind spot check out these helpful tips and be sure to extra cautious around them. King Volkswagen's Tips To Avoid Blind Spots: Pedestrians and Blind Spots: Avoid being in a vehicle's blind spot, especially trucks and buses. Make eye contact with the driver. Otherwise, assume the driver cannot see you. Be alert at intersections, even when you have the right of way, e.g. on a green light or pedestrian crossing signal. Pay attention to the turn signal lights used by vehicles at intersections. Do not cross behind a vehicle as it could back up without noticing you. Be visible: wear bright clothing, reflective strips, etc. If you are trying to make your presence known, keep in mind that the driver cannot hear you. Walk on the sidewalk, or, if there isn’t one, on the side of the road, facing traffic. Cyclists and Blind Spot Avoid being in a vehicle's blind spot, especially trucks and buses. Make eye contact with the driver. Otherwise, assume the driver cannot see you. Pay attention to the turn signal lights used by vehicles at intersections. Be visible: wear bright clothing, reflective strips, etc. Never pass on the right near an intersection. Motorists, Motorcyclist and Blind Spots: Avoid being in a large vehicle's blind spot Do not cut off a heavy vehicle Never pass a heavy vehicle on the right at an intersection Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the heavy vehicle in front of you Pay attention to the turn signal lights used by vehicles at intersections.

It’s no question that all parents understand the importance of a car seat. But as car seats become more and more advanced the harder they are to understand, which leads to improper installations and other potentially harmful mistakes. This week we want to make sure that your little bundles of joys are safely secured in their seats to help give you the peace of mind you need to get from point A to point B! So this week are focusing on the DOs when dealing with a car seat. So take a look at our tips below and if you have any questions we will do our best to help answer them. And when installing or turning your child to front-facing, be sure to check out your seat’s instructions and your vehicle’s owners manual to see what they suggest. King Volkswagen's Car Seat Do’s: Make sure the harness-retainer clip is level with your child’s armpits. If they are in the wrong place, the straps could end up sliding off. Take your car-seat to a local inspection site so a professional can ensure the installation is correct. Choose a car-seat with a five-point harness. If you have a forward-facing seat, place the harness straps on your child’s shoulders to ensure the most protection in the event of a collision. If your child has outgrown a car-seat, try using a high-back booster seat. Studies have shown these are safer than backless ones in the event of side-impact collisions. Tighten the harness straps so they are tight enough for you to only fit one finger underneath. Safety-belts should be tightened enough so the seat is only able to wiggle less than one inch from side to side.

If you regularly drive with a child in the car, you understand the importance of a car seat and most likely the basics of how to install it. But, as car seats become more and more advanced, it may become trickier to set them up, which leads to improper installations and other potentially harmful mistakes. This week we want to make sure that your little bundles of joys are safely secured in their seats to help give you the peace of mind you need to get from point A to point B! So, below we’ve compiled a checklist of steps to take to make sure your car seat is safe and properly installed! King Volkswagen’s Car Seat Checklist: Make sure the harness-retainer clip is level with your child’s armpits. If they are in the wrong place, the straps could end up sliding off. Take your car-seat to a local inspection site so a professional can ensure the installation is correct. Choose a car-seat with a five-point harness. If you have a forward-facing seat, place the harness straps on your child’s shoulders to ensure the most protection in the event of a collision. If your child has outgrown a car-seat, try using a high-back booster seat. Studies have shown these are safer than backless ones in the event of side-impact collisions. Tighten the harness straps so they are tight enough for you to only fit one finger underneath. Safety belts should be tightened enough so the seat is only able to wiggle less than one inch from side to side