A quieter car we haven’t seen or heard. A more economic fuel user we haven’t seen either. The extremely comfortable driving experience is also one of the best we’ve experienced. All these qualities and more make the 2017 Toyota Prius a real dream car. Maybe that’s why this universally known and loved hybrid gets five star reviews so frequently and is one of the most popular of all the quiet, fuel efficient cars.

The Prius is the standard by which hybrids are measured. It’s been around since the 1990s and is considered to be the first mass-produced hybrid electric automobile in history. There have been over six million of these great cars sold worldwide and the quality and performance of the Prius has only gotten better with the passage of time. Prius, by the way, is a Latin word that means “to go before”, or “first’, and that, of course, is what Toyota usually does – it does things before other manufacturers do them.

The 2017 Toyota Prius is no different; it is first among all hybrids and besides its ability to get you 52 mpg in combined driving (electric motor and gas engine) it can hit 60 miles an hour in less than ten seconds. That may not seem like het speed to some people but it is extremely fast for a hybrid electric car.

The comfort level of the Prius is incredible. It seats five very easily with plenty of head, leg and shoulder room. It comes standard with 15-inch wheels, LED running lights and taillights, heated mirrors, automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and ignition, height adjustable driver seat, dual 4.2-inch driver information screens, tilt and telescoping steering wheel,  60/40 split folding rear seat, rear view camera, voice recognition with Siri Eyes Free, auxiliary audio jack, a CD player with a six-speaker audio system and USB port, among other things. Standard safety equipment includes automatic high beams, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning and intervention.

The 2017 Prius also comes standard with anti-lock brakes, front side airbags, along with passenger seat cushion airbags, driver knee airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Brake testing shows the Prius stopping to a standstill from 60 miles an hour in 120 feet, which is great for its class. This dream car can be seen at Atlantic Toyota.

Volvo XC90 in Tallberg, Sweden 

For 90+ years, Volvo Car Corporation has been producing quality automobiles known the world over for their durability, safety and reputation for innovation. Since 1927, when the first Volvo rolled off the assembly line in Gothenburg, Sweden (albeit backwards, at first, because the differential was improperly installed), this has been a car company obsessed with the safety of its drivers and passengers.

Volvo has been an automobile manufacturer of numerous “firsts,” many of them safety oriented but also firsts in other areas as well. Volvo was the first foreign car company, for example, to build a manufacturing facility in North America, which they did in 1958. Their Canadian operation produced vehicles in Nova Scotia for the next 40 years and some of their models were even designed by Quebec-based stylists. Volvo has designed a car to meet your needs and you can find the model that better meet your expectations by visiting the cards dealer HGregoire.com.

Other firsts include the company’s breaking from their 90+-year of engineering cars featuring only internal combustion engines in favor of all-electric and electric/diesel hybrid vehicles. They are the first major automobile manufacturer to have decided to go “all-electric,” with all of their planned models beginning in 2019 featuring electric motors, either alone or in combination with an internal combustion engine (hybrid).

Additionally, with Volvo now owned by Chinese car manufacturer Greely Automobile (since 2010), Volvo looks to be the first company that will be selling Chinese cars in North America! Although they haven’t yet announced which car built in their Chinese factories will be the first to make its way to the U.S. and/or Canada, some hints have surfaced that it may be the S60L model.

Important Automotive Safety Contributions

Some of the more important contributions Volvo has made to improve safety in the automotive industry include:

• The invention of the three-point seat belt in 1959. This invention has been called the single most important safety improvement to passenger vehicles in history, credited with saving more than one million lives and countless serious injuries. Three-point seat belts are now standard equipment in just about every car manufactured in the world.
• Volvo engineered the first rear-facing child restraint seat in 1964 and later developed a special child booster-seat.
• The invention of the seat belt reminder-alarm in 1972.
• The development of SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) in 1991, making side airbags standard equipment of some Volvo models beginning in 1995. 1998 saw the introduction of the head-protection airbag, which soon became standard equipment on all new Volvo models.
• Also in the 1970s, Volvo invented something called the “Lambdasonde,” which can now be found on nearly every gas-powered car made. This is a small oxygen-sensing device responsible for reducing the amount of dangerous exhaust emissions by as much as 90%.

Safety First

When Volvo earned the patent for the first automobile three-point seat belt in 1959 they could have enjoyed the benefits of that invention while other car manufacturers continued to employ the then-standard lap belt, which was certainly inadequate in protecting automobile passengers in the event of a collision. It’s been speculated that lap belts often cause more injuries than they prevented. Because Volvo believed the safety benefits of the newly developed three-point seat belt were so significant, they made the decision to open up the patent to allow other car companies the ability to utilize the belt design in their own manufacturing processes. This fit in line perfectly with Volvo’s main driving force of “safety first.”

Things You May Not Have Known

While some may believe the word “Volvo” is Swedish, it’s actually Latin and means, “I roll.” The name was chosen by the founders of the company who were originally in the ball bearing business, producing automotive ball bearings prior to founding their car company. The Volvo logo, which consists of the word “Volvo” emblazoned on a circle with an arrow pointing up and to the right, is believed by some to be the symbol for the male gender. It’s actually an ancient ideogram that stands for “iron” and also represents Mars, the Roman god of war. Company founders were looking for a strong, powerful image.

Volvo has come a long way in 90 years and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. They continue to innovate and to shape their image with successful design, manufacturing and marketing efforts.

A red Ford Model T. Picture coschedule.com

Some of the myths concerning cars are just wrong but they’re around anyway. You have undoubtedly heard many of these here:

You should wash your car with detergent

Nope. This is actually one of the worst things you can do for your car’s wax finish, as it could very well strip it off! Instead, use a special car-wash liquid. This liquid is made to clean without taking off the wax! Ask the folks at this Canoga Park, CA Jeep dealer for details on the specific kind of cleaner to use!

Insurance for red cars is expensive

Why are red cars pricier to insure?  As the myth says, “Red cars have more accidents!” Well, have you ever bought insurance for a vehicle? Was there any point when the agent asked what color the car was when you wanted a quote? Insurance agents get asked about this all the time. From an insurance point of view, vehicle color makes zero difference but the red car myth seems to live on.

Gas pumping + cell phone usage = Vehicle explosion

Not true! There have been rumors going around, saying that wireless signals will ignite fuel vapors. However, according to the Federal Communication Commission, scientific testing couldn’t prove a dangerous link between fuel vapors and wireless phones.

Large cars are safe, but small cars are not

Most drivers think that their huge SUV (with average handling and a rollover-prone high center of gravity) is safer than a compact car. These SUV drivers forget that the safety of modern-day cars involve tons of safety technology like high-strength steel, energy-absorbing crumple zones and many airbags, not just mass. The myth continues, though, and it likely accounts for many SUV purchases each year.  No wonder as a nation that we consume so much petroleum; it’s all the “safer” SUVs cruising down the streets.

Model T Fords could only be black

This is a myth that has been dispelled by Ford Motor Company itself many times. We suspect that the myth that the vehicle “only was available in black” comes from the reality that close to 12 million of the 15 million total Model Ts made were black. However, the truth that the Model T was manufactured in many different colors, which included blue, red, grey and green.

Every 3,000 miles, get an oil change!

The 3,000 rule goes back to when engine oils were less refined than in the modern day, and got dirty faster than they do now. In the present day, engines are better, oils are better and almost no manufacturers recommend an oil change every 3,000 miles. Just don’t ask the guys down at Jiffy Lube for their opinion. They’re going to tell you that this is silly and to stick with the 3000 mile rule. And to go to there for the oil change.

Many myths regarding cars have been around for many, many decades. They have been hard to debunk, and we hope you’ve enjoyed this article!

EPA Fuel Economy sticker. Picture wnyc.org 

Myth: A new air filter will make for a more efficient car

If you have an older vehicle with a carbureted engine, then this is true. However, with today’s vehicles replacing the engine might only improve engine performance, not fuel economy.

Myth: You should rely on EPA fuel economy window stickers

EPA fuel economy estimates exist to provide prospective vehicle buyers with a uniform way of comparing the MPG of many cars. In truth, “Your mileage will likely vary.” There are many variables to consider, which include how people drive and even the type of gas put in the car! In essence, don’t rely on these EPA stickers!

Myth: Small cars get better fuel economy

This used to be true many years ago, but not much now. Fuel-saving technologies including direct injection, turbocharging, low-rolling resistant tires and multiple ratio transmissions. All these technologies make average sedans very fuel efficient.

Myth: Letting a vehicle warm up is great for gas mileage

This was true in the old days when cars had carburetors but not today.  Today’s cars have fuel injectors that have been made to warm up as soon as the vehicle is fired up. It is true an engine needs to reach an ideal operating temperature for the ideal fuel economy, but vehicle makers say to let the engine warm up whilst you drive.

Myth: A vehicle’s fuel economy decreases with age

If a vehicle is about 10 or so years old, is it becoming less efficient?  According to the EPA, there’s no truth to this speculation. Older vehicles don’t offer lower fuel economy. One argument you could make, however, is that purchasing a new, more efficient vehicle could get you higher gas mileage but there is nothing wrong with continuing to drive an older car!

Myth: Manual transmissions are more efficient than automatics

That is not true anymore! Some of the advanced automatic transmissions today offer the same gas mileage as their manual competitors.  Automatic transmission technology has evolved a lot throughout time. With a number of gear ratios and lock-up torque convertors, automatics are efficient devices these days.

Myth: Premium gas provides better economy than regular

There is no benefit when using premium fuel over regular.  Premium gas usually has higher octane numbers and is meant for use in higher-compression engines.  There is nothing added that makes the gasoline’s efficiency any better.  If your vehicle is made to run on regular gas, then we would like you to use regular gas.  It will be cheaper gas too.

Myth: Some additives make for better fuel economy

Well, there are tons of products that say they do. These are additives to the fuel and some for your engine oil. Some testing labs have concluded in all cases that we know of that there is little truth to the claims.

Thank you for the General Manager at this Jeep dealership for her help with this article. If in the Thomson, GA area, be sure to check them out!

Picture courtesy roadsafetyuae.com

What is Defensive Driving?

When a driver seeks out potential problems before they happen, then he or she is driving defensively. After all, it is important to drive safely, and, in that process, you’ll save money, time and lives.  How do you drive defensively? That’s a great question, with a complex answer. We asked the sales Manager at this Wilmington, DE Ford dealer about this, and as a result we have compiled some defensive driving tips below! We hope that you learn some things from this interesting article!

1. Stop at red lights and stop signs. This might be a given, but the main reason why people collide at intersections is because somebody failed to stop for the red light or stop sign. Your best bet is to slow down upon approaching any intersection to try and avoid such an accident.
2. Cut down on distractions. We know this is said easier than done, however, it’s important to consider. Cars have multiple features now like on-board computers, GPS units and touchscreens. It’s important to not allow these great gadgets to interfere with watching the road ahead.
3. Keep room in between your car and the car ahead of you. When it is 5pm and you want to get yourself back to the house, it’s tempting to practically hit the car ahead of you. However, make sure that you have enough space in case you have to abruptly stop.
4. Be visible. You may think you’re visible by being in a car but what we are talking about is using your lights and signals. Use the car’s turn signals, because you want other drivers to know when you are turning. Fix headlights that don’t function right away, because drivers might not be capable of making out your vehicle without them in inclement weather or at night.
5. Look out for oncoming cars. If you’re on a 2-way street, particularly if you are riding a motorcycle, always watch out for the traffic in the opposite lane.  All you need is a truck or car cut in front of your vehicle whilst you’re taking a left and you will have an accident.  If you’re on a motorcycle, it could cut your life short.
6. Ensure that you have good vision. If you’re supposed to wear prescription eyewear, then you must it -those glasses were prescribed for a reason. Sometimes you can’t find your glasses but without them you could cause an accident, and if the officer does not see you’re wearing your glasses or contacts you could be fined or have your license revoked.

Whether you have possessed a license for awhile or are a new driver, you had likely heard about “defensive driving” before coming across this article. Nonetheless, it’s important for every driver to practice driving defensively. It may take some practice, but through doing it you’ll be a safer vehicle operator.

Pinyon Mouse – Courtesy of the National Park Service and Sally King. Sourced from Wikicommons Media. 

Every year, mice and other critters crawl into vehicles and cause millions of dollars in damage. It may have never happened to you but ask any mechanic about “mouse damage” and they will likely have a few horror stories to tell. Bottom line: mice may look cute but unless you like torn upholstery, chewed wires, terrible smells and other damage – you don’t want them living in your car.

Solutions

So, what can a car owner do? The problem with answering this question is that are there are a lot of potential solutions. Some tactics discourage them from even taking up residence in your car, and others trap or kill them once they have. For this article, we collected a number of solutions that have been known to work.

Deterrents

By far the best solution to keep Chip and Dale out of your vehicle is to use a deterrent that keeps them away. Here are a few techniques that are alleged to work well:

1) Moth balls (Paradichlorobenzine) definitely keep rodents out of your car but they are a poisonous substance. Some people suggest putting them in some old socks, and then placing the socks under car seats and under the hood. Just be careful that small children and pets can’t get at them.

2) Peppermint oil applied on cotton balls or small swaths of cloth will keep animals out of your car too. Peppermint oil is strong smelling and allegedly repugnant to rodents. Thankfully peppermint oil is pleasant smelling to most humans and isn’t a poisonous substance. Give it a try and see if the scent is too strong for you.

3) Human hair and animal hair. Some say they have had good results by putting human or animal hair tied in bundles under the seats and hood. The theory is that when rodents come into contact with hair, they sense the presence of “predators” and then scurry elsewhere.

4) Some people swear by using laundry dryer sheets, such as the “Bounce” brand.  These sheets have a strong fragrance and can be easily stashed under car seats or other places in your car. If you try this method, replace the old sheets with new ones every few months.

6) Our friends at Reedman-Toll Chevrolet of Springfield, a local Chevrolet dealer in Springfield, PA, suggested this one: cayenne pepper! That’s right, cayenne pepper sprinkled around the vehicle and under the hood. Pepper of this type is actually used in some the commercial spray products on the market, so you know it has been proven effective.

Typical Rodent Damage – in this picture a rodent has gnawed through one wire of a Jeep wiring harness. Once opened, moisture enters and corrodes the internal copper wiring. Eventually the wire will fail. Photo Courtesy of: Don Wright, Senior A/V Technician at Concord Coachlines, Concord, NH.

Poisons

Rat poisons have been around for decades and are a very effective way to kill rodents. When rats and mice eat the tasty (at least to them) little pellets, they die within an hour or so. There are two serious drawbacks with rat poisons, though. First, if a predator eats a rodent that has rat poison in its stomach, the predator will likely be poisoned too. For example, think twice about using rat poison if you have pet cats around. Second issue: if a rodent dies in some a hidden space inside your vehicle, you will be treated to a rotting cadaver smell for several weeks. (Chances are high that your passengers will complain.)

Pet Deterrents

Obviously, having a family cat who has access to where your car is parked is an ideal mouse solution. Cats are excellent rodent hunters and most can easily catch several mickeys a night. Just be absolutely sure that when you go to start your car in the morning that you know where your cat(s) are. Cats have a habit of climbing up into warm engine compartments, especially when it’s cold outside, and getting entangled with accessory drive belts. If you start the car with a kitty in there, the results won’t be a pleasant.

Trapping

Then of course, you can catch the little devils yourself. The first line of defense is the familiar spring-based mouse trap. These iconic devices have been used for more than a century and work quite well. Their operation is pretty simple too. Some people believe this is still the most effective method of dealing with mice and rats.

Another type of rodent trap is a “glue trap.” These devices use a thick, gluey adhesive designed not only to attract mice but to keep them stuck there permanently. Glue traps, which are widely available at hardware stores, supermarkets and many big box stores, have several advantages. First, they won’t snap on your fingers when setting them up; they are disposable; and they can catch more than one mouse at a time.

For those who would prefer less violent methods to trap their rodents, there are also humane “HavaHart” traps that capture the animals alive and unharmed. These are available in most hardware stores. After capture, be careful of releasing the little guys in open fields, though. That makes them highly visible to flying predators like hawks and owls, which sort of negates the “humane part” when they become lunch.

Havahart Mouse Trap – Courtesy of Túrelio. Sourced from Wikicommons Media.

Electronic Devices

Yup, there are electronic solutions too. Some plug into wall sockets, some into car lighter receptacles, and there are even some solar-powered models. Every device works a bit differently but the general idea is to send out rodent-disturbing signals that keep the little guys away from your car. These signals could be high-frequency audio tones, deep vibrations, or even flashing lights. The nice advantage to these electronic devices is that they are all human and pet safe.

Summary

In this article, we have investigated many techniques to keep the rodent invaders at bay but which should you use?  Well, that’s the difficult part because it all depends on your particular circumstances. Some of the variables are: the type of rodent, the climate in your area, the frequency of using your vehicle, the proximity of rodent and whether you park your vehicle inside or outside. No single tactic seems to work for everyone, but many people fighting the mouse wars have tried several techniques and found one that works for them. Some have even discovered that using a combination of two or three strategies at the same time is the best possible plan. Good luck!

Car safety enthusiasts usually caution that airbags are to be used at the same time as seat belts. Seat belts are still needed because airbags used to work only in front-end collisions occurring at more than ten miles per hour. Only seat belts could assist in side accidents and swipes (although side-mounted airbags are common these days), rear-end collisions and secondary impacts. Although more technological features are emerging, airbags still are only effective when used with a seat belt.  Read on for more information about how airbags evolved, and how they work!

A Quick Low-Down on Airbag History

When vehicle makers began putting seatbelt contraptions in vehicles in the 1950s, people were concerned about getting “trapped” in their vehicles when accidents happened. Despite early beliefs, however, a number of states have adopted seatbelt laws today, to make it so that at least people under age eighteen need to wear them. This is what this SRT dealer in City of Industry, CA told us when we called to see what they knew about seatbelt laws.

Around the same decade that seatbelts came around, airbag device patent applications did. As early as the early 1950s, John Hedrick from the U.S and Walter Linderer from Germany filled out applications for patents. Hedrick obtained a patent—U.S Patent #2,649.311–for his “safety cushion assembly for automotive vehicles,” while Linderer’s German patent #896312 was for a compressed air system that was released by either bumper contact or the driver. In 1968,  Allen Breed invented a “sensor and safety system.” This was the first electron mechanical automotive airbag unit on the planet, and the true beginning of your modern-day airbag.

In 1971 Ford built an airbag fleet just to experiment. A 1970s Chevrolet automobile had airbags in cars sold only for U.S government usage. A couple decades or so later airbags—and most certainly airbags for the front passenger and driver–became mandatory in each passenger vehicle. Most all controversy of the airbag went away as time passed.

How Airbags Work

Like seat belts, the concept of an airbag–an inflated pillow that serves as protection in an accident–was controversial. An airbag’s goal is simply to slow down the passenger’s forward motion down during an accident.  The process starts with signals from motion sensors.  When one of the sensors detects a big collision-level force, the car’s airbag inflation system receives an electrical pulse from it. Typically, that ignites a charge that creates a warm blast of nitrogen gas to drive the airbag out from its storage site.

It didn’t take long to learn that an airbag’s force would hurt those who are too close to it, particularly children. Experts agree that children aged twelve and under should ride buckled up in a correctly installed, age-appropriate car seat in the back seat . There are ways to deactivate airbags, and we’ll get to that right now. You cannot usually deactivate your airbag without installing a on-off switch. However, if an on-off switch is not yet available from the vehicle manufacturer for your car, the U.S government can authorize airbag deactivation on a case-by-case basis in various situations.

Automotive makers have put gloveboxes in cars for a number of decades. Some gloveboxes that are an opening in the dash just above the feet of the front passenger, but the large majority have doors, that with a simple twist or push of a pushbutton latch, will open or close.  Today, most glove boxes can be locked so valuables can be safely stored.

The “glovebox” name comes from the compartment’s original purpose – glove storage. In motoring’s early days, many car models were open; meaning that they had no tops, or just had partial convertible tops.  With cars like these, a car operator’s hands could be subjected to fast-moving air’s cooling effects, and this could get uncomfortable.

Historians trace the start of glove boxes to the Packard Motor Company, which made items like the modern-day gloveboxes in the 1900s. The term “glove box” isn’t universal, though. In Britain, they are referred to as “cubby holes.” In the Northwestern United States, glove boxes are “jockey boxes”.  “Glove compartment” is an alternative term in the western world.

For decades, glove boxes had internal lights that turned on when one opened up the unit.  This was a great help to those who had to dig around in the glovebox at night to get documents or other items. At least the team at this Roswell, GA Dodge dealer thinks so!

In the 1960s and 1970s, glove boxes came with an embossed area on their doors. When one folded down the embossed area, cups could have been placed on the door.  However, these shallow impressions didn’t stabilize cups well when cars were being driven. It’s a logical conclusion to say they these soft drink stabilization attempts lead to the design and implementation of the cup holders you see in almost all cars these days.

And glove boxes have received technology features, too. For the 2008 model year, Dodge put “Chill Zone” glove compartments in their Avengers. The Chill Zone was a big refrigerated storage bin in the passenger’s side upper dash.  The Chill Zone had many folding doors and could hold up to four twelve-ounce cans of a soda of your choosing. Also, Nissan has glove compartments on some vehicle models. Targeting young drivers, the Sentra sedan and Rogue SUV both have glove compartments deep enough for laptops. That capability has been put in cars to help drivers who would like a secure and safe place to secure their laptops while driving.

As you can gauge, a glovebox’s purpose has changed throughout the years.  You do not need gloves to drive anymore, so gloveboxes serve as a predictable space in a vehicle for item storage.  Today, glove boxes have turned into the place to store automotive documents, such as car registrations, and other things.  As for the automotive future, it is hard to tell where we may see the glove box evolve, but we are only able to predict that they’ll be around for a long while!

Today’s vehicles run a lot longer than they used to. It wasn’t long ago that a car with 60,000 miles on it was “getting old.” Today that is just 1/3 of the way through your average cars useful life. This is due to a ton of engineering advances and designs but the point is that cars can last a long, long time today -that is with proper maintenance! Here’s what to know:

Things you can do yourself

There are several maintenance items that you can perform yourself that will help keep your car running well.

• Change wipers when they are worn
• Vacuum the interior and keep it free of debris (keeps animals out)
• Clean up spills right away and consider a good steam cleaning occasionally
• If you have a leather interior, maintain it with a good leather conditioner (twice a year)
• Check tire pressure of all tires (including the spare) once a month
• Keep your windshield reservoir filled with window washing solution

What your mechanic will do

Your mechanic will know the maintenance schedule for the important maintenance items on your car. If you have your car repaired at an independent repair shop, you may want to keep track of maintenance items yourself.

• Change oil and oil filter routinely as per manufacturers recommendations
• Keep all fluids topped off properly
• Replace coolant and flush the coolant system at the appropriate mileage
• Replace spark plugs at the appropriate mileage
• Rotate tires as recommended by the tire manufacturer

Especially important maintenance items

We have two maintenance items here flagged as “especially important.” Both of these just require that you simply pay attention to them and take action if necessary.

 #1 – Repair any paint scratches before they rust.

Paint scratches tend to appear out of nowhere. People brush up against your car in parking lots; people open doors next to you and bump your car; hail, road gravel and sand – they all contribute to paint scratches.

When scratches occur, it is quite important to get some touch up paint over them before the underlying metal starts to rust. While nothing says you can’t put any color paint on your car, it will look better with paint that matches your car’s factory color. You can get touch up paint that matches your car from various sources. For an “exact color match,” go to your car dealer. They may have to order it but it will be an exact color match. For convenient “approximate match,” go to your local auto parts store. They will have a rack of small touch-up paint bottles some of which should be very close to the color of your car.

#2 – Know when your timing belt needs changing

A critically important maintenance item involves your engine’s timing belt. The timing belt (or chain) in your car’s engine connects the crankshaft to the camshaft and it controls the timing of the valves. Timing belts are made of rubber and if they break, they can cause engine damage. Thanks to Federico Kia of Wood River, a local Kia dealer in Wood River, IL, we have the complete story: There are two types of engine designs: interference and non-interference. If you have an interference engine and the timing belt breaks, you will do massive damage to it because pistons will slam into moving pistons. Vehicles that don’t have an interference engine will not suffer any damage when a timing belt breaks. It will just stop running.

Important note: when you have your timing belt changed, ask your mechanic to: change all the accessory belts, change the water pump, and flush the cooling system too. This will save you money in the long run since your mechanic will have to remove all the accessory belts anyway to get to the timing belt. The same logic goes for the water pump. While the timing belt is being changed, the labor is already included.

Summary

Instead of buying a new car, you can keep your old car for a bit longer if you maintain it properly. Sure, there will be some repair bills along the way but that’s just part of the process. Drive that old car for a few more years and then you are good and ready for a new car.

Ford Model T

The automobile is synonymous with American life. Look around, shopping malls and office buildings were all built with car travel in mind. The emergence of the car as a consumer product has changed the United States landscape.  But, how did the car become so essential in American life?  Why not subway systems, trains, or other kinds of public transportation?  It was a matter of timing…and pioneers like Henry Ford.

It is difficult to think of a time when there weren’t roads in North America, but that is how it was. Up until towards the end of the 19th century, there were very few roads, and many people traveled via horse-drawn coach on what were basically big pathways. By the century’s turn, coaches started to fade in popularity and railroads became the main method of travel over long distances and it wasn’t long before the U.S has many railroad lines. In cities, streetcars and subway systems also emerged, changing residents’ lifestyles by offering them the chance to easily get around.

Between 1900 and 1915, the number of cars in America jumped from only 8 thousand to more than 2 million. This is what happened according to this Temecula, CA RAM truck dealership. The person given the most credit for this increase in automobiles is Henry Ford, who founded the Ford Motor Company.  It is said that Ford coined the term “assembly line. Ford also applied mass production principles to the process of building automobiles. Because of this, the Ford Motor Company built 14 million Model T Fords between 1913 and 1927. This is one car for every ten Americans; a concept that was almost impossible to believe at the time.

By the early 1930s, cars were becoming an important part of American life and there were so many companies making automobiles.  Before long, America’s very structure was beginning to be shaped by this consumer product.  Perhaps the top indication of that came in 1956, when President Eisenhower signed the Interstate Highway Act. The Act created more than 42,500 miles of highways across the country. This cemented the dominance of the automobile as a component of what it means to live in the United States.

Nowadays, with oil’s rising price driving the cost of gasoline up and up, many drivers are seeking out alternative transportation means. People who’ve moved out to the suburbs to avoid urban living, for example, are now think about moving closer to their jobs in the city in order to save money at the gas pump and cut down on commute time. Will this begin a downward trend in automobile ownership?  It doesn’t seem likely.  America is a car culture and is likely to stay that way for decades to come.  What we are seeing now is a shift in what passenger vehicles are used for.  As people move closer to the city and look to drive less, the automobile only gets used less than before for casual travel and more for specialized travel such as holidays or trips to visit family. There is really no question about this.