Child-Focused Safety Features For The Interior Of Your Vehicle – Part 1

car safety

Most family-friendly vehicles come with a long list of child-focused safety features, but what do they all mean? We have put together a short list of vehicle safety features that you might want to consider when purchasing a child-friendly vehicle. A lot of the features listed below do come standard, but what roll do they play in your family’s traveling safety?

3-point belts: A 3-point belt is a ‘Y’-shaped arrangement, similar to the separate lap and sash belts, but unitized. Like the separate lap-and-sash belt, in a collision, the 3-point belt spreads out the energy of the moving body over the chest, pelvis, and shoulders.

Safety belt pre-tensioners: Reduces slack that may exist in a seatbelt system at the moment of a collision.

Shoulder belt height adjusters: Simply aligns the seat belt comfortably away from the neck of the passengers when properly positioning the height of the seat belt.

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Top Tethers for Children) Rear Seats: Also known in Canada as, LUAS (Lower Universal Anchorage System). LATCH is a way to secure a child safety seat to the vehicle using straps from the child safety seat that connect to special metal anchors in the vehicle. LATCH consists of lower anchors and top tethers, which are built-in to your vehicle, and connecting hooks that are built-in to your car seat. Lower anchors are used instead of the vehicle’s safety belt to secure the child seat to the vehicle. Tethers are used in addition to the lower anchors or the vehicle’s safety belt to secure a forward-facing child safety seat to the vehicle.

Vehicle LATCH Anchors:
Lower Anchors: These are a pair of metal “u-shaped” bars that are often hidden in the crack of the vehicle’s seat.

Tether Anchors: These are metal rings that are found behind each rear vehicle seat.

OnStar In-Vehicle Communications and Assistance Service – Subscription-based communication that provides customers with peace of mind through auto security and safety features -these include:

Automatic Crash Response
Emergency Services
Crisis Assist
Stolen Vehicle Assistance
Remote Door Unlock
Roadside Assistance
Remote Horn and Lights
Turn-by-Turn Navigation
Hands-Free Calling
Vehicle Diagnostics

Sliding rear seat: The rear seats have the ability to slide back and forth to give more leg room or more rear cargo space.

Tinted glass: Solar-absorbing tinted windows that are UV-filtered to limit children’s sun exposure.

Driver and Front Passenger Frontal Air Bags: Front air bags that help restrain the driver and front passenger in moderate to severe front impact crashes. Dual-depth units automatically adjust the deployment of the air bags based on the severity of the collision, the seat position and other factors.

Airbag Deactivation: The purpose of the switch in the OFF position is to disable a frontal air bag in order to transport occupants who are at increased risk for air bag-related injury due to age, size, or medical condition.

Head Curtain Side Impact Airbags: Seat-mounted and head curtain air bags help provide additional protection in moderate to severe side impact crashes.

ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System): ABS helps the driver maintain proper vehicle steering control during hard braking, even on slick surfaces. ABS is standard equipment on most GM and Honda vehicles.

Hill Start Assist: This system prevents the car from rolling when trying to pull away on an upward or downward incline. The system engages automatically when the vehicle is at a complete stop on an incline. It then acts to hold the car stationary for two seconds after the brake is released giving the driver time to apply the throttle.

Some other convenient features to consider when buying a vehicle with children are: Steering wheel mounted audio controls, DVD entertainment with headphones, auxiliary audio input jack, USB ports, flat-folding rear seats, fold-flat front passenger seat, remote start, cargo area security net, halogen headlamps, fog lights, cup holders, extra lighting, keyless entry, Bluetooth and a large storage area.
We hope you enjoy all the excitement that comes with selecting a new vehicle for you and your family. Remember to ask your sales associate what features are standard and which are optional when you are selecting a vehicle. Give yourself peace of mind and leave our dealerships knowing your family is safe and secure.
Coming soon- PART 2: Child focused safety features for the exterior of your vehicle.

photo credit: http://www.mymetroparents.com

2015 Honda HR-V Compact SUV

Spring has finally arrived…and we are already excited for the winter? I know, right now you’re saying we’re crazy, but it’s only because we are excited about a new sub-compact vehicle that Honda is set to launch next winter. The 2015 Honda HR-V will be joining the all-new 2015 Fit this winter as Honda expands its small car line-up. This new vehicle will be positioned below the CR-V in both price point and size.
HR-V-Front-3_4
Like the all-new Honda Fit, the HR-V is sharp looking and takes on a character of its own. Its unique centre tank layout will make it extra spacious for passengers and more versatile for the owner. Standard on the new SUV is the exclusive “Honda Magic Seat”, which will give you the option for multiple seat configurations and the capability to fold the second row seating completely flat. Dave Gardner, vice- president of sales and marketing for Honda Canada Inc. said, “both the Fit and the HR-V demonstrate how great things can come in small packages, and no one does this better than Honda.” With all the HR-V has to offer, we couldn’t agree with him more!

The HR-V will appeal to first time car buyers and those individuals who are loyal to the Honda brand. We at Image Honda can’t wait for it to arrive on our showroom floor and we are even more excited to let you experience all it has to offer. Make sure to follow us at Hamilton Auto Blog for the latest on the HR-V and everything Honda. As always, if you are interested in any of the vehicles in our award winning line up, please visit us at www.imagehonda.com or call us at 905-561-4100 today!

Reason`s Why You Need to Consider the 2014 Buick LaCrosse

Buick has long been associated with luxury, reliability, affordability and style. It is precisely these traits that have made Buick the oldest American brand of automobile. We have seen many models come and go throughout the years, but the LaCrosse has always proved to be a favorite.

Image

This year, Buick has updated the flagship LaCrosse, giving it a slightly new look and adding some luxurious features. The basic frame of the car remains the same, however, there were modifications made to the suspension.

In terms of styling, the front features a new waterfall grille and an update to the rear end. The 2014 LaCrosse also features new wheel designs that are sure to garner attention. The inside of the vehicle takes on a new look and feel with numerous revisions such as: new 8 inch reconfigurable TFT screen and restyled centre stack. Newly available is the option to purchase the New Ultra Luxury Package. The package provides you with semi-analine leather upholstered seats, arm rest and door panels. This leather is the same leather that is used in Aston Martin vehicles.

New and exciting to the 2014 LaCrosse are the Xenon High-Intensity Discharge Headlights that wrap around redesigned LEF Taillights linked with chrome moulding for added style.

When it comes to safety, the 2014 LaCrosse provides you with a number of options to keep you informed and alert no matter the situation. The available options include:

Forward Collision Alert: Senses when you are approaching a vehicle too quickly, alerting you with audio and visual warnings.
Adaptive Cruise Control System: Helps the driver to maintain a safe following distance.
Side Blind Zone Alert and Lane Change Alert: This feature will alert you with a prompt, which is visible in your rear-view mirror. It also alerts you when a vehicle has entered your blind spot or is quickly approaching in the lane beside you.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: This alert shows a view of the area behind the car on the colour touch screen. It also notifies you when an object or person is about to cross the rear of the car from either side.

With all the 2014 Buick LaCrosse has to offer, it’s no wonder we’re selling so many. The luxury and affordability of this vehicle outweighs all others in its class. Come and see us at Queenston on the Mountain today and take advantage of our loyalty programs and current offers. We would be happy to schedule you a test drive in the 2014 Buick LaCrosse. Visit us at www.queenstononthemountain.com or call us at 905-528-7001.

It’s Coming Soon…The Redesigned 2014 Honda Fit!

There is a lot of excitement at Image Honda as we await the arrival of the newly designed 2015 Honda Fit, coming this summer. Unveiled at the Canadian International Auto Show last month, the Fit awed everyone with its complete redesign, sporty interior and advanced technology and safety features.

The 2015 design features a new grille and redesigned headlights. Adding to the already sporty appearance, there is the addition of larger 16” tires. The reflectors, LED taillights and chrome tailgate garnish are a nice touch, giving it a bolder look. This new Fit is slightly shorter and wider, creating more passenger room and leg room.

For the first time, this 2015 will offer an available moon roof and leather-trimmed seating. Complete with the exclusive Honda Magic Seat, passengers will be given the option of multiple configurable seating positions. Also made available are: smart entry with push button start, heated side mirrors, heated front seats, LaneWatch display and a 7 inch Display Audio Touchscreen interface with HondaLink and smartphone connectivity. Enhanced features, such as Bluetooth connectivity and a multi angled rear-view camera, will give you that little bit of added comfort.

The newly debuted direct-injected 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine will produce 130 HP at 6500 rpmt 114lb-ft. of torque. “Engine output is increased by 13 horsepower and 8 lb.-ft,” when compared to the previous engine. With better fuel economy than its predecessor, the 2015 Fit will be one of the best, if not the best, in the sub-compact segment. The Fit is also expected to earn top Safety Scores from U.S. NHTSA and IIHS, including a NCAP 5 Star overall vehicle score.

As you can see, the 2015 Fit is one vehicle you’ll want to be sure to test drive. Be sure to visit www.imagehonda.com or subscribe to Hamilton Auto Blog for the latest in Honda News and to stay up-to-date on the release of the newly re-designed 2015 Honda Fit.