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!

J.D. Power Awards Honda of Canada Mfg.

We have more good news resulting from the 2013 J.D. Power Awards.  Honda of Canada Mfg. Plant in Alliston, Ontario has been awarded the bronze plant ranking for North/South America in the 2013 J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey. Not only has the plant been recognized individually, but the Honda Civic, Canada’s best-selling vehicle for the last 15 years won for initial quality in the compact car category.  Honda CR-V and Ridgeline also placed first in their categories for initial quality.

Betty Jones, Quality Division Manager for Honda of Canada Mfg was quoted the following: “These results are validation of the dedication of our Associates…our Associates work exceptionally hard to produce the best possible quality for our customers, so it is encouraging to see those efforts reflected in this year’s results.  We are particularly thrilled to see Civic win its category because the 2013 Civic has some significant changes from its predecessor.”

This annual survey, now in its 27th year, closely measures the number of problems on 2013 vehicles reported after 90 days from purchase and ran from February to May of this year.   This survey had many updates, including more consumer feedback with particular focus to newer technologies such as: lane departure warning, navigation and voice activated systems.

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: Honda Canada, autos.jdpower.com

Honda, McLaren And The FIA Formula One (F1) World Championship

You may have heard already, but Honda is partnering once again with The McLaren Group to participate in the FIA Formula One (F1) World Championship for the 2015 season.  On the McLaren website, they announced their delight about the “new multi-year Formula 1 technology partnership with Honda, which is reuniting an association that became one of the most successful and powerful in Formula 1 history during the 1980’s and 90’s.”Formula One Announcement 002

With shared responsibilities, Honda will be responsible for the development, manufacture and supply of the power unit, including the engine.  McLaren will be responsible for the development and manufacture of the chassis as well as the management of the new team – McLaren Honda.

New F1 regulations have only furthered Honda’s excitement since it will inspire improvements to both the efficiency of a combustion engine and energy management technologies such as hybrid systems, something that Honda helped pioneer years ago. Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co Ltd., had the following to say: “Ever since its establishment, Honda has been a company which grows by taking on challenges in racing.  Honda has a long history of advancing out technologies and nurturing our people by participating in the world’s most prestigious automobile racing series.”  There is sure to be more exciting news in the upcoming months from this restored racing partnership.  For the latest updates, continue to follow us at Hamilton Auto Blog.com or visit us at www.imagehonda.com

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: Honda News http://hondanews.ca/en/news/release/Honda-to-Participate-in-the-FIA-Formula-One-World-Championship Canada

McLaren http://www.mclaren.com/formula1/inside-the-mtc/mclaren-honda-reuniting-one-greatest-partnerships-formula-1-history/

Get Behind The Wheel And Donate to The Walk to Fight Arthritis

Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC will be holding our “Drive for a Cause” event on May 10th and 11th, 2013 at our Queenston on the Mountain dealership.  This event will provide individuals the opportunity to support a great cause and test drive one of our exciting 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet, Buick or GMC vehicles.  These vehicles include: the re-designed Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Malibu, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia, as well as, the new Chevrolet Trax and Buick Encore.

For each test drive taken during the two day event, Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC will donate $25 to The Arthritis Society on behalf of that individual. The dealership’s goal for this event is to donate $4,500.Small Logo

Here are some facts regarding Arthritis in Canada:

4.6 Million Canadians Have Arthritis

·         4.6 million, or one in six, Canadians aged 15 years and older report having arthritis. By 2031, approximately seven million Canadians (one in five) are expected to have arthritis.

·         Arthritis can strike anyone at any time, regardless of age, physical condition or ethnic background.

·         Two-thirds of those affected with arthritis are women.

·         Among all causes of disability in Canada, arthritis ranks first among women and second among men.

 Arthritis Society

For more facts and figures click here or visit The Arthritis Society at http://www.arthritis.ca

The event runs Friday, May 10th from 9am-8pm and Saturday May 11th from 9am-5pm.  For more information, please contact Queenston on the Mountain: 2260 Rymal Road East, Hamilton, ON 905-528-7001 or visit us at www.queenstonchev.com

On Sunday June 9th, 2013 Queenston Chevrolet Buick GMC and Image Honda will be participating in the annual Walk to Fight Arthritis at the Royal Botanical Gardens.  If you are interested in participating in the walk or making a donation please visit our team pages and register.

For Queenston Chevrolet, click here
For Image Honda, click here

By: Amy Cochren

Have Taken A Look At the New 2013 Buick Encore?

The All New Buick Encore is the newest addition to the family at Queenston on the Mountain! And we are excited to announce that it has finally arrived!

This luxury crossover SUV comes standard with a 1.4L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine. With a long list of available features, you can choose what model suits your life best.

From Buick Intellilink and Quiet Tuning technology to the standard 10 air bags and elegant design of the Encore – the whole package is quite impressive.

You can visit us at http://www.queenstonchev.com or call us at Queenston on the Mountain
(1-888-390-3481) to book a test drive in the All New Encore.

 

A Built In Vacuum…In Your Car! (HondaVAC)

You’re cleaning out your car and are struggling to get the vacuum to reach the back! No wait, you’re cleaning out your car, but you don’t have a vacuum? Say goodbye to your frustration as Honda has introduced the HondaVAC.  Yes, Honda has created the first in-car vacuum, which will make its debut in the all-new 2014 Honda Odyssey.    This vacuum is exclusive to the Touring trim adding to the already impressive styling, unmatched safety ratings and top of the line features and technologies the Odyssey has always been known for.HondaVAC

Along with Shop-Vac, Honda has created a powerful vacuum that comes with nozzle accessories that are neatly integrated into the rear-cargo area.  With powerful suction capabilities and a hose that can reach every corner of your vehicle, you won’t have to worry about your children making a mess or your dog shedding anymore.  With an electric motor, you can use the HondaVAC continuously while the engine is running.  Alternatively, you can use the vacuum for up to eight minutes while the car is turned off.

The 2014 Honda Odyssey provides additional standard technology on the Touring edition such as; keyless Smart Entry with Push Button Start, an SMS text messaging function, and HondaLink featuring Aha Mobile Interface.  If you would like more information on HondaLink , please visit our previous blog and video.

If you would like more information on the 2014 Honda Odyssey or any Honda vehicle, please visit us at www.imagehonda.com or call us at 1-888-375-5914

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: Honda Canada