Tag: Vehicle Safety

Gloves? Check. Jacket? Check. Beanie? Check. You wouldn’t go out into the cold without being prepared, right? It’s no different with driving as the days get shorter and wetter. To stay safe on the road, you need to be prepared for changing conditions.

For example, kids go back to school in the fall, so there are more pedestrians and traffic now than there were during the summer. However, that’s just one factor to account for; fall and winter also bring fog, rain, glare, low light, and the occasional snow. Here are some tips to help you prepare for whatever winter throws our way.

Fog

Fog can greatly reduce your visibility and make it difficult to spot changing road conditions, so it’s important to slow down to give yourself more time to react. You should also give yourself extra space between your car and the vehicle in front of you. You never know when you’ll need extra braking time! Make sure other drivers can see you by using your low beams. Although it may seem like your high beams would give you better visibility, they’ll cause glare that can make it difficult to see what’s ahead of you on the road.

Rain

Following too closely in the rain is one of the surest ways to get into an accident. The first rain of the year is especially dangerous because the rainwater can pool on dust, oil, and other debris that’s soaked into the asphalt, making the roads extremely slick. Be sure to give yourself an extra car length (or two) when following behind another vehicle. You’ll also want to make sure your windshield wiper blades are working well. They should clear away raindrops with a single swipe; if they’re leaving streaks or smears across your windshield or making a scraping noise, it’s time to replace them.

Glare

When the sun is lower in the sky, it increases glare, especially when you’re driving east in the morning or west in the evening. Glare can make it extremely difficult to see obstacles on the road, pedestrians, bicyclists, road signs, traffic lights, and even other cars. Get a good pair of sunglasses to keep in your car, and make sure to clean your windshield regularly.

Darker Days

Since it gets darker earlier in the fall and winter, you may find yourself driving in the dark or low-light conditions more than you did in the spring and summer. Darkness reduces our field of vision, depth perception, and ability to determine colors; it can also make you feel fatigued or sleepier than you would if you were driving during the day. Headlights from oncoming traffic can also affect your vision.

Dimming your dashboard lights can help your eyes focus better on the dark road ahead. Use your high beams only when you’re traveling through very dark areas with little visibility, and always make sure there’s no oncoming traffic or a car immediately in front of you. If you’re driving in a rural area, keep an eye out for animals that may be crossing the road. If you spot an animal, slow down as quickly (and safely) as possible; don’t swerve because this could cause you to go off the road or get into an accident.

Snow

Although we don’t get a lot of snow in Seattle, it’s always good to be prepared. The key to driving safely in the snow is to be smooth and gradual with everything you do—braking, steering, and accelerating. Jerky or abrupt movements can easily make you lose traction. As the road gets slipperier, it’s important to think ahead. Slow down more in anticipation of turns and allow three times the stopping distance (or more if there’s ice on the road). If your car starts to skid, don’t panic or slam on the brakes. Look and steer at where you want to go, not where your car is going.

The Three Most Important Things to Remember

When the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, there are more factors to consider while driving. Although every circumstance we’ve listed has specific tips to help you stay safe, here are three things that will help regardless of light, weather, or other driving conditions: slow down, give other vehicles more space, and do everything you can to increase your visibility.

Even with the most cautious driving, accidents can still happen—not to mention, storms can knock down tree limbs, and other weather- or animal-related events can happen that damage the glass on your vehicle. If your windshield or windows have been damaged or they’re affecting your visibility in some way, Lucky Dog Auto Glass is here to help. We care deeply about your safety and offer a lifetime guarantee on windshield rock chip repairs and windshield replacements. Contact us today at (253) 569-9403 for a free estimate.

Social media challenges, which have steadily increased since 2020, range from silly and benign to downright dangerous and harmful. One of the latest harmful challenges to hit social media this summer is the “Kia Challenge”—and it continues to gain momentum across the country.

The Kia Challenge is a TikTok trend that encourages social media users to steal Kias manufactured between 2011-2021 and Hyundais made between 2015 and 2021. These models are being targeted because they don’t come with an engine immobilizer, which is a piece of hardware that prevents the engine from starting if the matching chip in the key fob isn’t recognized. Fortunately, all Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured after November 1, 2021, come with an anti-theft immobilizer.

Many times, these thefts (which are mostly perpetrated by teenagers) can be done in a matter of minutes using only a screwdriver and a USB charging cable. Instructions on how to hack these models have spread so widely on the internet that Hyundai has started selling an aftermarket security kit at its dealerships. Both Kia and Hyundai have theft-prevention software updates in the works, which is expected to be available next year.

How to Protect Your Vehicle

Until the software update is available, there are a few things you can do to protect your Kia or Hyundai from theft. Installing an antitheft device, like an alarm system, can make it harder to steal your car and potentially decrease your insurance premiums. Alarm systems automatically turn on when you shut off your engine; the loud noise and lights may be enough to deter a would-be thief who’s expecting to make a quick and stealthy getaway. Some alarm systems also come with engine immobilizers. Another option is to use a steering wheel lock.

Other safety measures you can take to prevent becoming a victim of the Kia Challenge include:

• Park in well-lit areas
• Park in secure structures whenever possible, such as a garage or parking structure
• Make sure to lock the doors and close all windows
• Take your keys with you and don’t leave a spare set in or on the car
• Don’t leave valuables or other things that might attract thieves in your car

Having a GPS tracking device or vehicle recovery system in your car can also help the police locate it if it gets stolen. Unlike other types of auto theft, Kia Challenge thieves tend to use the cars for joyrides, so there’s a higher chance of recovering the stolen vehicles—although they’ve often sustained some damage.

Unfortunately, no vehicle is completely theft-proof, but taking precautions to protect your Kia or Hyundai is a good idea. There’s been a rise in vehicle break-ins in our area, and we receive several calls about it daily. Since the Kia Challenge has become so popular, the stolen parts have become very scarce, and in most cases, replacements aren’t available. If your Kia or Hyundai has been broken into, or worse, stolen and damaged, Lucky Dog Auto Glass is here to help! Contact us at (253) 569-9403 for a free estimate or schedule an appointment online.