BLIND SPOT DETECTION MADE EASY

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) just announced that all new light vehicles must have rear view visibility systems by 2018.  Of course this means the price of a new vehicle just went up again.  Certainly required blind spot detection is soon to follow.  I remember when I was teaching my teenage sons to drive, I was always uncomfortable with them glancing over their shoulders to check for traffic in the “blind spot”.  But that’s what their driving education taught, so what right did I have to contradict them.  Still, how is it a good idea for the driver to take their eyes off the road in front of them?  Despite the cost, maybe electronic blind spot protection is a good idea?  Not necessarily.   

Actually, we have blind spot detection in our cars right now and we probably didn’t even know it.  The best part is that it doesn’t cost us a penny more. 

While buying a new car with yet another electronic device that could potentially need repair is not at the top of my list, I did test drive a new Toyota Avalon recently with blind spot detection and thought it was really cool.  An amber icon flashed in either of the side mirrors when a passing car was detected.  It certainly was cool, but is it really necessary?  Not according to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).  They advise that the perfect solution to blind spot detection is as simple as adjusting both the left and right side view mirrors out from the car’s body, losing sight of the car as a reference and covering the void of the blind spots.  

A recent article in Car & Driver caught my eye and summed up the issue nicely: 

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-to-adjust-your-mirrors-to-avoid-blind-spots

It’s so simple, it’s stupid!  Angle the side mirrors out away from the car until they just barely overlap the vision seen by the rear view mirror.  This past weekend I took a 500 mile road trip, so I gave the idea a try.  Like most other drivers, initially I was uncomfortable without seeing my car as a reference, but the more I drove, the more it made perfect sense.  I passed the hours by experimenting with both side mirrors, fine tuning their positioning to optimize coverage of the blind spots.  A car is in my rear view mirror.  As the car begins to pass, it’s in plain sight both in the rear view and the side mirror.  Just as the passing car leaves my side mirror, I see it for real in my peripheral vision.  Each stage of this coverage overlaps nicely.  No gaps in seeing the passing car, no blind spots.  I now have perfect 360 degree vision around my car. 

I don’t need blind spot detection and neither do you.  We’ve had it free for years.  Once you get by the slight learning curve of not seeing your car as a reference, you’ll love it.  There’s no going back for me, no more driving blind.  It’s blind spot detection made easy.     

Check out these links for more information:

 

http://www.wikihow.com/Set-Rear%E2%80%90View-Mirrors-to-Eliminate-Blind-Spots

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lDK4R3DjEM

BACK-UP CAMERA: How did I survive without it?

“How did I survive without it?”  That’s a question that I now ask daily.  A smart car buyer doesn’t just dive into a purchase.  Hours and days of research are required to ensure that you not only pick the right car, but that you are sure that it has the right options.  I have found that it’s actually a good idea to buy more than you think that you need (or want), so that you grow into the car, providing years of happy motoring. Before the recent purchase of my new Toyota, I spent months researching and assessing both myself, and the myriad of vehicle choices and their options.  As I mulled over what I wanted, as compared to what I needed, I decided that there was one item that was mandatory for me: I must have a back-up camera. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jJEmVlELew

According to Edmunds.com, through USA TODAY, “A majority of 2013 model cars and light trucks -- 53% -- have a standard backup camera, and 79% have one available, standard or as an option.”  Although temporarily stalled in governmental red tape, back-up warning systems may soon be required on all vehicles.  I know that with every car that I’ve owned, it’s been a challenge to see behind.  Whether backing or parking, maneuvering safely has always included guess work and luck.  Now, with the available technology of an affordable camera in a car, the guesswork is gone making backing much safer. 

I love my back-up camera.  How did we survive without it?  

As a regular user, I have found the following:

PROS:   
1) The driver can safely see if someone or something is directly behind the car.

2) You now know when to stop before impact.

CONS:   
1) The camera’s vision is impaired by reflections, either from daytime sun or lights at night.

2) Moisture and road debris can fog or fully obscure the image.

3) The image distorts the perception of depth, making the use of the reference guide bars essential.  
Blue = 3 feet, Red = 1.5 feet.

For me, the pros of safety easily out weigh the cons.  I find that I don’t use the camera for positioning the car.  For that, I still rely on the rear view and side mirrors.  But the back-up camera is essential for seeing obstacles behind the car and it provides a fool proof guide of when to stop.  How did I survive without it? 

   

maineautomall.com On-the-Air

As you know, maineautomall.com lists all types of cars and trucks for every type of buyer.  Male, female, young or old, maineautomall.com has your next ride.  We’ve been having a little fun lately exploring some of the types of people using the website, through television commercials.

Here are the latest:

Family:

https://vimeo.com/101001711

Computer Dating:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03tbmURJum4&feature=c4-overview&list=UU-wJjJhLLfO0KWh0G7ztL5w

Video Game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjOVl_NSliY&feature=youtu.be

4 Wheeling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OGZyHqTF9E&feature=youtu.be

OLD Matt:

http://youtu.be/BCgdYBkgFOk

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