There’s That Mustang

Vehicles of virtually every type and make have been steadily growing over the past ten years. “Entry level” cars by companies like BMW are almost the same size nowadays as a mid-size car from a decade ago. One of the consequences of vehicle sizes expanding is that parking now is harder than ever.

Nowhere is this gigantism more visible than in the pickup truck segment, where even previously ’small’ trucks like the Dodge Dakota have inflated until they now dwarf their predecessors. In turn, full-size trucks have fought their own battle of the bulge, getting heavier, wider and taller. Toyota has not been immune to these market forces. The first generation Toyota Tundra was a mid-size pickup marketed to the full-size crowd, and when Toyota realized that they could cram more buyers into a larger vehicle, the 2007 Tundra re-design greatly increased the capacity of the truck in almost every dimension.

Size may have its benefits, but it has its downfalls as well. The biggest problem with bigger vehicles is that parking has become a lot harder. Sitting behind the wheel of a new Toyota Tundra, it might be hard to gauge just where the truck begins and ends. To make things easier, vehicle designers have introduced “parking assist” as an aid to drivers struggling with parking their new vehicles.

On most vehicles, “parking assist” is a system of sensors in the front and/or rear bumper that create an audible “beep” when your vehicle gets close to an obstacle. Depending on the system, the beeps will begin when you’re about 6 feet away, and then increase in frequency until you get about 6 inches away, when the beeps will become a continuous tone. This is a great feature - it can really help with parallel parking, as well as warning you if something small (i.e. a fence post, a mailbox, or even a small child) is near your vehicle. But how does it work?

The system works using a set of “eyes”, or special sensors, mounted in the vehicle’s bumpers. The sensors regularly transmit highly focused sound waves from the bumpers, which are reflected back towards the sensor whenever they hit a solid object. Since sound travels at a fairly constant speed through air, a computer can calculate the distance between the bumper and object based on the amount of time it takes for the signal to return to the bumper. Submarines using active sonar underwater employ the same basic principle, although water transmits sound better than air, which results in better range for the submarine sensors.

Although the sensors can effectively detect stationary objects such as parked vehicles and garage doors, they’re not sensitive enough for smaller mobile objects, such as animals or children. These objects might not generate a warning beep, or at least not consistently. Therefore, drivers still need to use caution and be aware of their vehicle’s surroundings when parking. Parking assist, also called parking sonar, is definitely a useful tool, but is not a replacement for a careful driver.

High-end luxury cars have started to move on to the next generation of parking assist systems, which use a video camera and complex computer program alongside the sound sensor system. The result is more accurate input to the vehicle, which instead of merely warning drivers close to an object, will actually steer and park the vehicle for them. This is very useful with parallel parking - you just have to let the car control the steering, gas and brake. What interesting and amazing technology we have these days!

Many debate whether or not original automobile parts or aftermarket parts are better when a vehicle must be repaired. Some may believe that the original parts are better since they are made by the manufacturer, but others claim that the aftermarket parts are equal to or even better than the original parts. So which is it? Is it just a matter of opinion or is there fact to either one of these claims?

There may be one factor that affects whether or not a repair shop may use the original or aftermarket parts and that is state regulation. Each state has different regulations regarding which parts can be used on a vehicle. This is because the state regulates the insurance industry and if the state allows, the insurance company you are with may allow the use of aftermarket parts, which could play to your advantage. You may or may not be asked permission, depending on your state. Then again, there are situations in which you can make the decision yourself, especially if the insurance company is not involved.

Original parts

It is fair to say that some original parts are up to par and some are not. Many times a vehicle breaks down because of something that is wrong with the original parts. This is also true when a recall occurs. This may deter an automobile owner from using the original parts if they have that choice. If it is a recall that is leading to the replacement of the part, the dealership making the repair or replacement will use what they are instructed to use.

But when you go to a local parts store, you are usually given options as to which parts to use. They will more than likely quote you the price of an economy part that will save you money, the original part that is just like the part you are replacing, and a more expensive part that costs more because it is of a better quality. Some people may go for the original part since it was made by the manufacturer, but is that always the best way to go?

Aftermarket parts

Let’s look at the other two parts: the economy part and the part that is more expensive. These are aftermarket parts. There are many aftermarket parts at the economy price that perform well and sometimes this performance can be equal to or better than the performance of the original. Then there is the more expensive aftermarket part, which more than likely performs better than the original. You can possibly get a longer life out of that aftermarket part than you can the economy part or the original. It may cost more, but the cost is usually not a significant amount more than the original part.

What it comes down to is that the price difference becomes worth it because you will not have to replace the part as quickly as you did the original part on the car. These parts also frequently come with guarantees or lifetime warranties so that you can have the part replaced for free if it prematurely fails.

The benefits

So it is fair to say that purchasing an aftermarket part is more cost-effective than buying the exact same part that failed. Unless modifications have been made by the manufacturer to keep that part from failing in the same way, you can count on the part failing in the same manner as it did the first time. You can save yourself many headaches by investing in the aftermarket part that has made improvements on the failures of the original.

A speeding ticket itself isn’t a costly matter- with most being only mildly or moderately expensive. The real kicker comes when insurance companies find out about the speeding ticket. After this occurs, the only hope a consumer has is to fight the speeding ticket in court. Luckily, there are a few ways to do so and win.

A nice technicality to keep in mind is the fact that if an officer can show up to a court date in which the driver obtains to contest the speeding ticket, the driver will usually win the case automatically. Rules differ depending on location, but this is an easy way for the majority of drivers to get off their speeding ticket with minimal effort. This is very true in the Summer, where vacations are taken even by cops- and missing a court date can’t be avoided.

Sometimes the best way to avoid a speeding ticket is to remember to never admit guilt. Officers like to ask the question, “Do you know why I pulled you over?” and typically get a self-incriminating response. They can then record this, and present it in a court case to prove one’s own guilt. As a result, consumers should always remain passive when answering questions, and save the real answers for the court room.

If the driver is dedicated enough, they can brush up on their law skills and request information from the officer he or she may not have. For instance, requesting details on when the speed radar used was last calibrated or even how the officer was trained on the device can yield results that might help the driver’s case. Often times, information like this may not be available, and the driver stands good chance to win the case.

Drivers don’t always have to suffer higher insurance premiums. If they do get a speeding ticket, and there is no possible chance of showing innocence, some areas allow for driving school to be enrolled in. This will essentially wipe the speeding ticket from one’s record, but it costs extra and the expense of the speeding ticket is also to be paid. On top of this, it also requires a full Saturday to complete in most areas.

The best way to avoid a speeding ticket altogether is to avoid speed traps. Speed traps seek to trap drivers in unfair speeding ticket cases. As an example, a driver might be driving downhill and the speed limit may change by 10-20 miles per hour. If this occurs, the driver can’t safely stop without applying much pressure to one’s brakes. Most drivers will slowly put on their breaks, but then find out that a cop was waiting for this very event, and then get a speeding ticket as a result.

In Conclusion

No one likes a speeding ticket, but there are ways to get out of them if enough effort is exerted. Everything from driver schools to fighting the ticket in court can help erase the ticket from one’s record completely. But then again, driving passively and safely can avoid the situation in the first place.