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THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2018
CONTACT US
Erick Bengel | Features Editor
ebengel@dailyastorian.com
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SUMMER WHEELS
WHICH RIDE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Buying a vehicle is a complex decision. It pays to do your research.
T
oday’s new cars are stocked with
amazing features regarding both
safety and technology. By tak-
ing the time to research different models
before even walking onto a dealer’s lot,
you’ll have the upper hand in scoring a
great deal and buying within your means.
Using resources such as the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety’s rating sys-
tem allows you to scrutinize details to dis-
cover the safest car to bring home. This
tool is incredibly helpful for parents who
will be using their vehicles to transport
young children.
While the protection a new car offers
should be one of your main priorities,
there are other useful factors you should
research to make your buying experience
a breeze.
Find prices for the same model at dif-
ferent dealerships.
Having a firm grasp on the sale price of
a vehicle in several different dealerships in
your area might give you the edge in nego-
tiating a better price.
Don’t be afraid to tell your salesman of
the deals you find elsewhere. They might
be willing to beat the final cost or include
awesome extras to entice you into buying
from them.
You can also benefit from discover-
ing similar models in different lots around
your community.
Even if you are fixated on a certain
vehicle, you might find a type from a com-
peting manufacturer that works better for
your likes and budget.
It saves time on the lot.
When you head to a dealership, it can be
easy to get distracted by the incredible fea-
tures on vehicles you might not have con-
sidered. Try to keep your eyes on the few
models you studied and deemed appropri-
ate for your budget and lifestyle.
Making a spur-of-the-moment pur-
chase on something as expensive as a car
can have disastrous results financially.
Show your salesman you know your
stuff.
When you know the ins and outs of
the vehicle you are considering, you will
have a sense of confidence when negotiat-
ing. This is a big advantage when trying to
work out a price that satisfies both parties.
It will also help to know the trim levels
of a particular model. Rather than includ-
ing individual “extras” like in the past,
manufacturers package different features
DRIVING SAFETY: BY THE NUMBERS
While you may be an attentive and exceptional driver, don’t let yourself become convinced
that accidents won’t happen to you.
The following statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2016 Fatal Traffic
Crash Data reveal the serious dangers present each time you’re behind the wheel.
• There were 10,428 fatalities attributed to drunk-driving accidents — a four-percent in-
crease from 2015.
• U.S. roadways saw a 5.6-percent increase in fatal accidents in 2016: 37,461 vs. 35,485 in
2015.
• Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 28 percent of the overall fatalities in 2016.
• The country averaged 102 fatalities per day on its roadways; pedestrians accounted for 16
of these daily tragedies.
• There were 5,286 motorcyclists killed in accidents, 2,089 of these drivers were not wear-
ing helmets.
• Large trucks were involved in collisions which took the lives of 4,317 people.
• In fatal truck accidents, its occupants accounted for 17 percent of those who perished,
other vehicles made up 72 percent and non-occupants made up 11 percent.
• 5,987 were killed in traffic collisions; 2,222 of them had a BAC of .01 or higher.
• Seat belts were credited with saving 14,668 lives for people 5 years of age and older.
• Frontal airbags saved 2,756 lives of people 13 and older.
• There was an average of 29 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities per day.
• The nationwide seat belt usage rage is at 90.1 percent. However, 10,428 of the year’s
fatalities were unrestrained.
—Green Shoot Media
into separate sub-models. If there is a trim
that works best for you but isn’t on the lot,
see if the salesman can order you one. You
might even be able to arrange delivery to
your home.
4WD vs AWD TRUCKS
Pickup trucks are incredibly popular in
America because of their rugged ability
to haul heavy loads or act as family vehi-
cles. Their cabins are more luxurious and
spacious than ever, and safety features on
newer models are cutting edge.
A common feature in trucks is the
incredible convenience of making all the
wheels work together.
While the general operation of all-
wheel drive and four-wheel-drive pro-
vide similar results, there are major differ-
ences in how it is achieved. Understanding
the difference is important when deciding
which one is right for you.
Be sure to consult with your local deal-
ership experts to weigh each option, as
each has advantages and disadvantages.
How 4WD works
The heart of a four-wheel drive system
is its transfer case. This system of intricate
gears is used to distribute power to the front
A silver pickup truck with four-wheel drive
and rear differentials, which in turn power
each axle to turn both sets of wheels.
Four-wheel drive is typically consid-
ered a part-time system as it is not engaged
until the driver turns it on.
Older vehicles used manual-lock-
ing hubs which forced people out of their
trucks to manually unlock them before the
wheels would be freed from the front-axle
shafts. Today, most trucks feature a switch
in the cabin to easily turn it on and off.
How AWD is achieved
The major difference in this system is
that it does not require manual activation.
Instead, it is always on, waiting on cues
from sensors that sense loss of traction
and report to the computer, which deter-
mines how much power is needed to grip
the road.
Rather than relying on a transfer case,
all-wheel-drive trucks feature a center dif-
ferential to distribute power from the trans-
mission to the front and rear axles.
Advantages and disadvantages
The power of four powerful wheels
moving is extremely helpful to those who
live in areas with inclement weather condi-
tions and who use their trucks for hauling.
So which one is the best for you?
Four-wheel drive is typically consid-
ered a part-time system. If you feel you
can get by without it, driving in rear-wheel
drive provides better gas economy and less
strain on the system.
It is a great asset to enlist when trav-
eling off-road or driving through heavy
snow. However, there are many moving
parts to keep the system working properly.
Some come with expensive repairs.
All-wheel drive gives vehicles better
traction, automatic acceleration in poor-
weather conditions and impressive han-
dling on smooth roads.
One problem you might have when
traveling in heavy snow or rain is the sen-
sors in charge of switching to all-wheel-
drive might become obstructed, and no
longer able to interact with the computer.
Components of this system can also be
expensive to repair.
Be sure to understand what your truck
is capable of by consulting with local deal-
ership experts or referencing your owner’s
manual.
All-terrain pickups
It seems that vehicle manufacturers
have been so concerned with fuel econ-
omy, luxury and comfort that they forgot
about the truck enthusiasts who want a rug-
ged option to take off road.
That isn’t the case anymore as popu-
lar vehicles are getting all-terrain packages
that are sure to appease every fanatic.
If you love beefy suspensions, off-road
tires and expanded maneuverability, you’ll
be excited to know that three of the larg-
est vehicle manufacturers offer all-terrain
pickups.
CONSIDERING
AN ELECTRIC CAR?
If you’re in the market for a new car
and are looking for a complete change of
pace from the vehicles you owned in the
past, an electric car might be the breath of
fresh air you need.
There are, of course, many factors
you should consider before making the
investment.
An electric vehicle is one that’s pow-
ered by an electric motor rather than a
gasoline engine. While hybrid vehicles
are sometimes confused as electric, they
rely on fuel and incorporate a battery and
engine to boost efficiency.
An electric car plugged into a charging station
See RIDE, Page 2C