Stick vs. Automatic: An Infographic

Most of us probably don’t think twice about the kind of car we drive: we either drive a stick shift or an automatic, we get from point A to point B, and we got about our day.

Would you have ever guessed, then, that statistics can estimate other characteristics of yours depending on whether you drive a stick or automatic? For example:

●     Manual drivers are more likely to prefer grapes, raspberries and bananas while automatic drivers are prone to strawberry, cherry and pineapple

●     Manual drivers prefer Richard Pryor while automatic drivers like Tina Fey and Ricky Gervais

●     Manual drivers like “The Newshour with Jim Lehrer", “Face the Nation” and “NBC Nightly News” while automatic drivers like “Anderson Cooper 360”, “Today” and “The Situation Room”

These quirky facts and many, many more can be found here, in infographic form!

Some Car Accidents Are Stranger Than Fiction

Let's be honest: we, the American people, love to drive. How can we not? Although accidents happen, driving is a major part of our culture, and the automobile is a symbol of many things we value in America.

When accidents do happen, they’re not fun. At the same time, sometimes they’re downright strange. What do we mean when we say strange? Well...

·       A bull found in a garage in New York rammed a woman’s car when she honked at the animal, and also chased the vehicle down the street as it sped away.

 

·       A truck driver managed to accidentally ignite his cab while driving and cooking.

·       A woman once got her vehicle stuck on a stairwell after mistaking a subway entrance for a parking garage.

Want to read about other bizarre accidents or get more information on the three we mentioned? Click here to read the original article on the DMV’s website.

Can You Identify Cars By Their Sound?

 

When dealing with cars, most of us recognize a car by a number of physical characteristics. We recognize basic exterior designs, brand symbols, and so forth.

Some people, though, can actually recognize a car by its sound. That’s right: just based on the sound of a revving engine, some people know exactly what car is coming up behind them as they walk along a sidewalk near a busy road.

 

In an article on jalopnik.com, the editors write that for car enthusiasts, “there's a whole world of exhaust sound. It's a game you can play to see if you can recognize a car with your eyes closed. There's very little as satisfying as picking out a big block muscle car before it even turns onto your block.

I could argue that car noises are under threat today. High-performance luxury cars are playing to a more comfort-oriented audience, and the new BMW M5 is so quiet, the engineers make up engine noise that pipes in through the speakers. The current 'car of the future,' the Tesla Model S is electric. All you hear on the street is tire noise.

But there are still plenty of fantastic exhausts to pick out. Can you ID all of these cars without looking?"

What do you think? Can you identify cars based on sound alone? Click here and head to the main article to watch all 10 videos and find out!

When Is The Most Dangerous Time To Drive?

Every driver knows the basic ways they can both prevent and increase their chances of escaping injury in an accident. They know that they should drive more slowly in bad weather, always wear their seatbelt, be aware of the other drivers on the road around them, and so forth.

But sometimes even the most careful of drivers can find themselves in an accident. And now, statistics are adding another layer to the puzzle by revealing what times of the day or year are the most dangerous to drive. Would you have guessed that the most dangerous time to be on the road, going by statistics, is a Friday in September between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.?

Just remember: this doesn’t mean that drivers can relax every other day of the year. An accident can happen at any time while you’re on the road; it just so happens that statistics show that accidents are more likely to happen at certain times, and that some days require a little extra caution on the driver’s part. That’s not bad information to have on hand!

Check out this great infographic to get more statistics on when car accidents are most likely to happen.

Seven Summertime Auto Myths Debunked

 

With summertime just around the corner, many drivers are probably ready to get in gear (no pun intended) and hit the road. Roadtrips and weekend getaways are both popular things to do in our freetime.

Of course, both require keeping your car in working order, and doing this can be tricky because of the number of myths that seem to float around year after year about summer car care. To help know what advice is sound and which to ignore, we recommend checking out this blog post from Popularmechanics.com, which dives into the most common summer car care myths:

Seven Summertime Auto Myths Debunked

The added heat of summer driving places a strain on your car's cooling and electrical systems. Batteries don't live as long in high underhood temps, and the extra heat and pressure places a strain on hoses and belts. High speeds and hot pavement are also tough on tires and brakes. These are all good reasons to give your vehicle a good checkup before leaving on that vacation road trip, starting with checking the tire pressures and all the fluids. But are there good ways to prevent overheating (not you—the car)? Do you really need antifreeze in your radiator all summer? Should you use heavier oil? There are plenty of old wives' tales, advice from distant relatives and just plain weird stuff you read on the Internet that confuse drivers. Here are some real facts about summertime and your car.

Learn how to care for your car properly this summer by reading the full Seven Summertime Auto Myths Debunked article on Popularmechanics.com.

Tips For Driving Safely This Spring

The worst of winter’s hazardous driving conditions may finally be behind us, but don’t let that fool you! There are still plenty of things drivers need to watch for on the road. Here are a few things drivers should keep in mind as they begin their journey into the spring season: 

●      Monitor evening temperatures. If you live in an area that still has some snow, be prepared to deal with possible icy patches. Especially if that snow melts during the day and refreezes at night!

●      The end of winter means the end of hibernation for a number of animals. Be ready to watch for an increase in the number of critters trying to cross the road.

●      Warmer weather means an increase in the number of cyclists and motorcycle riders on the road! Be cautious and triple-check your blind spots to avoid an accident

●      Fluctuation in temperature during the changing seasons means road deterioration! Be vigilant. Focus on your driving, keep your eyes high, and be careful when it rains: the water can mask just how deep any potholes may be.

Check out Esurance’s page for more information on how to drive safely during the spring: http://www.esurance.com/driving-tips/spring-driving

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee

There has been a whole lot of hub-bub about the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee. People seem to miss the old look and feel of the classic Jeep Cherokee XJ, but maybe it’s time to let go of a classic and try something new. After all, welcoming the new can be refreshing, surprisingly fun and ever, well... fuel efficient. This article explains the 6 reasons why the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee is better than the XJ.

http://bit.ly/13y08v9