Backup Cameras Ruled a Necessity for Future Vehicles

A change in automotive necessity brings a safer future for our Checkered Flag families.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will soon require all vehicles sold in the U.S. to be equipped with rear-view cameras.

After years of delays, NHTSA issues backup camera rules
By  Pete Bigelow  (Edited here for length.  See full article at source link below.)

Cars being sold in the United States must come equipped with a backup camera by May 2018.

Federal safety regulators finalized a rule requiring the installation of rear-view cameras Monday morning after years of delays. They believe the law will reduce the number of pedestrians killed each year when they are accidentally backed over.

Roughly 200 people are killed and 14,000 are injured in such accidents every year in the United States, and slightly less than half the victims are children under age five too small to be seen from the driver's seat. A government analysis has shown that about half of the victims could have been saved by a backup camera.

Safety advocates hailed the finalization of the standards Monday, which came one day before the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit was scheduled to hear a lawsuit brought by safety groups seeking to compel a final ruling in a years-long process.

"This has been such a fight," said Janette Fennell, the president and founder of KidsAndCars.org, a nonprofit organization that advocates for safer vehicles for children. "But we're ecstatic to hear the news."

The rules apply to all vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 pounds, including trucks and buses. Cameras must show a field of view that encompasses a 10-foot by 20-foot zone directly behind the vehicle.

Data shows that backup cameras have already been popular with consumers. They're included on slightly less than half all new models sold today, and a NHTSA analysis concluded they'd be available on 73 percent of all vehicles covered by the rule by 2018 anyway.

Source: [autoblog.com]

Checkered Flag carries dozens of vehicles that come equipped with rear-view cameras (back-up cameras).  For available more information about rear-view camera availability, contact our Norfolk or Virginia Beach dealerships at (757)687-3447. 

Do I Really Need to Purchase GAP Insurance?

Most likely, at the end of your purchase day here at Checkered Flag Hyundai, a finance manager will present you with a list of additional coverage options for your new vehicle.  Now, there are many reasons you may or may not choose to purchase these options.   One thing is for sure.  You should at least have basic knowledge about some things before you sign on the line.  In my opinion, one of the most important decisions is whether or not to purchase GAP insurance. 

GAP insurance
A quick guide: What it is, how it works, and whether it's right for you
By Aaron Gold, About.com Guide

GAP insurance covers the difference between what the car is worth and what you owe on the car. It comes into play if the car is stolen or totaled (damaged to the point that repair would cost more than the car is worth) while the owner is still making payments.

How GAP insurance works

Let's say you buy a new car for $20,000. You put $500 down and your payments are $350 per month. Six months after buying your car, it is involved in an accident and totaled.

Your collision insurance company determines that your six-month-old car is now worth only $16,500. They will pay you that amount (less your collision deductible if the accident is your fault). You've made six monthly payments plus your down payment, for a total of $2,600; you still owe $17,400 on the car. In a case like this, GAP insurance would pay the $1,100 difference between what collision insurance covers ($16,500) and what you owe on the car ($17,400). If you did not have GAP insurance, the extra $1,100 would come out of your pocket. (Note however, that if your insurance company determines that your deductible applies, that money will come out of your pocket -- GAP insurance won't cover it.)

GAP insurance for lessors

In the case of a lease, even though you aren't buying the car outright, you are responsible for the cost of the car if it is stolen or totaled. Because lease payments -- and therefore the amount of money you have tied up in the car -- is significantly lower, the difference between what you have paid and the value of the car can be huge -- therefore GAP insurance is much more critical for a lease. In fact, many lease contracts require it.

GAP insurance for buyers

For buyers, GAP insurance only makes sense if you expect to be "upside down" on the car (you owe more than it is worth). If you made a low down payment, if you bought a car that depreciates rapidly, if you have a high interest rate or if you rolled over other costs, such as money owed on a trade-in, into your new-car payments, gap insurance makes sense. Most buyers, particularly those who made a healthy down payment, will always be right-side-up on the car, and therefore don't need GAP insurance.

Who should buy GAP insurance?

People who are leasing a car or who expect to owe more than the car is worth for a significant amount of time.

Who should not buy GAP insurance?

Buyers who have arranged their down and monthly payments so as to ensure that they won't be "upside down" on the car for any significant period of time.

End of article.

For more information about GAP insurance, see your salesperson and finance manager at any of our Norfolk and Virginia Beach car dealerships.  Call (757)687-3447 to set up your test drive today. 

Article source: [cars.about.com]

How to Get the Most Out of Your Test Drive at Checkered Flag Hyundai

We are lucky here in Hampton Roads for a number of reasons.  One of those is our quality local newspaper, which most of our Checkered Flag customers subscribe to, The Virginian-Pilot. 

And one of my favorite sections?  Drive, of course. 

The following is a test drive guide for a customer looking to purchase a new car or truck in Hampton Roads.  As a car person, and a car customer, I believe this is a fantastic step-by-step guide to making sure that car or truck in front of you is truly the right one for you- before you sign on the dotted line. 

I recommend printing out the following guide and bring it with you for your test drive at our Norfolk and Virginia Beach new car stores. 

How to take the ideal test drive  By Larry Printz
The Virginian-Pilot

After days, weeks or months of pondering, consideration and research, you're ready to test drive that new car or truck. For most people, it's literally a spin around the block. But it takes more than that to decide of a new vehicle is the right one. Here's what you should do:

1. Before you go

If you know where the car dealer is located, plan your driving route for the test drive, giving equal time to local streets and highways. Make sure you travel over rough roads as well as smooth, so that you can judge ride quality. Be sure to choose a narrow street to turn around in, so that you can judge turning radius. Also, find a spot to parallel park the car or truck. Finally, try these maneuvers with your current vehicle first as a point of comparison.

2. On arrival

Take a deep breath and relax. It's easy to be swayed by the sheet metal. Don't be. Remain focused on the task at hand: finding your new ride.

3. Take a good look

It's easy to fall in love; it's harder to see flaws when you do. So cast love aside. Be sure to look closely at the exterior. Examine the quality of the sheet metal, checking for waviness in any body panels. Look at the body panels; are they aligned correctly? Consider how smoothly the paint is applied, checking for flaws or scratches.

4. Try it on for size

Climb into the vehicle: Is it easy to get in and out? Once inside, adjust the seats, steering wheel, shoulder belts and mirrors. Consider the driving position: Are you comfortable? Are your legs and back well supported? Can you see out easily? Can you reach all of the controls without stretching? Rest your hands and arms as you would while driving. Are the surfaces they are resting on padded and comfortable? Also, is there a comfortable spot to rest your left foot?

If you have a child safety seat, try fitting it into the new car or truck.

5. Please touch

Look at the instrument panel. Are the controls easy to understand and operate at a glance? Now's the perfect time to try the audio, navigation, phone and infotainment systems. If any systems can be controlled by voice command, try it out to see if it responds to your voice. Some voices work better than others.

6. Hauling it

Consider the storage space. Cupholders aside, does it hold the items you normally carry in your vehicle? Check the trunk or cargo hold. If you normally transport a wheelchair or other bulky items, take them along to see what fits. If you haul a bicycle, ask about a bike rack or see if it fits in the vehicle. Also, while you're back there, check out the size of the spare tire - if it has one. Some vehicles no longer do.

7. Put it in gear

Now is the time to consider how well the car performs. Make sure your expectations are met in these areas: accelerating from a stop, merging onto an interstate and passing another car. When merging, turn on the air conditioning full blast. Does it sap engine power?

On manual transmission cars, you'll want to see how the clutch and gearbox feel. On cars with a dual-clutch transmission, you'll want to see how quickly the transmission responds to gear changes actuated by the paddles mounted on the steering column.

An empty street can be used to judge braking ability; a rough street can let you see how well the suspension copes with sub-par pavement.  Make sure the car responds quickly to emergency maneuvers without undue body lean or loss in traction.

And that narrow street you scoped out earlier? Now's the time to make a three-point turn and parallel park it.

8. Comfort

If you like to drive with the windows open, crank them open. Does the wind boom uncomfortably? Try the same thing with sunroofs or targa tops.

Next, seal the car shut. Is the climate control fan motor or windshield wiper noisy? Is there too much road or tire noise? Are there air leaks around the windows?

Turn on the radio. How does it sound? How good is reception quality? Can you adjust the controls quickly and easily without taking your eyes off the road?

9. One last thought

Take your time. This is something you are going to live with every day. Ensuring it's the right vehicle for you is worth the time you will spend going over the vehicle.

End of article.

Article source:  [hamptonroads.com]

The only thing I would add to the list is to make a reservation ahead of time for your test drive.  By allowing our salespeople a chance to grab your dream car and have it ready for you ahead of time, it cuts down on the time you spend at the dealership.  A test drive reservation can also keep you on track for test driving what you intend on purchasing.  While you're making that reservation, ask to test drive a similar vehicle to the model you've originally chosen. 

One more secret for our Checkered Flag customers:   Your Norfolk or Virginia Beach new car salesperson can provide you with a comparison test drive including any of our Checkered Flag brands.  That means, you don't have to deal with different salespeople all day.  Your Checkered Flag Honda salesperson can bring you down to Checkered Flag Hyundai, or any other Checkered Flag location, for a side-by-side comparison right on the spot!

$3,000 Off Hyundai Elantra This Summer

Checkered Flag Hyundai is continuing our summer Elantra special.  Right now, we are taking $3,000 off the new 2014 Hyundai Elantra. 

New 2014 Hyundai Elantra Sedan and Coupe

Includes $500 Active/Retired Military rebate, $500 loyal owner rebate from Hyundai, and $1000 bonus from Hyundai.  Not all buyers will qualify.  Tax, title, license, registration, and $599 dealer processing fee excluded. See dealer for full details.

Call our Elantra experts at our Virginia Beach Hyundai store, Checkered Flag Hyundai, at (757)687-3447 for more information or to set up your test drive.

New Virginia Legislation for Drivers Started July 1st

As of July 1st, many newly-passed laws have gone into effect in Virginia.  This year, much of the legislation will affect drivers.  Here are a few that Checkered Flag drivers should review.

From The Virginian-Pilot:

Hybrid tax

Owners of hybrid gasoline/electric cars screamed bloody murder after the 2013 Assembly levied a $64 annual tax on those vehicles as part of a larger transportation funding package. The tax unfairly penalized them for doing the right thing by helping reduce carbon emissions, hybrid owners complained.

Lawmakers heard the outcry and repealed the tax. Drivers who already have paid it for registration years beginning on or after July 1 will be due a refund.

E-ZPass fees

Motorists who pay tolls with a Virginia E-ZPass transponder no longer will be charged a monthly "account maintenance" fee.

Virginia now charges 50 cents to $1 per month for use of the electronic devices, depending on the model.

The charges have been a thorn in the side of Hampton Roads drivers who need E-ZPass transponders to get the lowest rates at the Midtown and Downtown tunnels, which were tolled beginning Feb. 1.

Regional transportation commission

A new regional entity, the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission, will be empowered to determine how to spend some $200 million per year flowing to the area as a result of new regional sales and fuel taxes levied by the legislature last year.

The commission, which has bonding and tolling authority, is composed of the mayors and county board chairs of the 14 localities in Hampton Roads and five state lawmakers.

Bicycle passing clearance

The minimum legal clearance between a passing vehicle and a bicycle will increase from 2 to 3 feet - an effort to give cyclists an extra margin of safety.

The wider clearance also applies when passing an electric assistive mobility device, moped or animal-drawn vehicle.

For additional items, see the list at the source link below.

For more Virginia transportation law information, stay tuned to Checkered Flag.com.
 
Source: [pilotonline.com]