Hatboro Auto Repair

Almost half of American drivers are women, but crash test dummies are modeled on the average male driver. The first standardized crash dummies were in the 1970s. The dummy had a plank face and androgynous features, weighing in at 171 pounds and 5’9. The automotive industry is meant to represent an average, however research from the NHTSA shows that a woman wearing her seat belt is 73% more likely to be injured in an accident than her male counterpart. They also found that 17% of women are more likely to be killed in a car crash. A woman’s body even reacts differently from a man’s during an accident. Therefore, Toyota has recently pioneered research examining body posture and maneuvers in self-driving vehicles when passengers aren’t driving. By the mid-1990s, a group of automakers petitioned together for a female dummy, and in 2003 the NHTSA created one. This female dummy represented the smallest 5 percent of women from the mid-1970s (about the size of a 12 or ... read more

Your car’s rear-view mirror serves a multitude of purposes that help keep you safe as a driver. The rear-view mirror promotes an alert driving experience by allowing you to see behind your vehicle without turning your head. By checking the rear-view mirror, you can monitor traffic and prepare for any potential dangers. It’s also helpful with parking as it gives a clear line of sight to the sides and rear of the vehicle. The rear-view mirror is a great asset when backing into a parking space, parallel parking, and exiting a parking space. All mirrors serve an essential function, and while it may seem like common sense, it’s best to educate yourself on how to use the mirrors before driving effectively. Before you begin a trip, check all of your mirrors, and adjust them accordingly. Most people attempt to adjust their rear-view mirror or their side mirrors while driving; this can prove to be distracting and dangerous. Take time to understand your specific vehicle&rsquo ... read more

Covid-19 is still a major concern and is expected to remain a threat for a while. Since this isn’t a time to slip on safety precautions, most people are still wearing a mask to protect themselves and others. Whether it’s a surgical mask, DIY mask, or an N95 mask covering your nose and mouth is critical when you’re out in public. While most people understand the necessity of wearing a mask while in public, some people question what “public” actually means.  Back in April of this year, a New Jersey woman crashed into a power pole while driving. The driver had no influence of alcohol or drugs in her system before that. And it’s believed that she passed out due to driving while wearing her N95 mask for too long. The N95 mask resulted in insufficient oxygen intake and excessive carbon dioxide intake. The New Jersey driver had been wearing the mask for several hours outside of her vehicle before driving in Lincoln Park. This left many wondering how n ... read more

We understand how dreadful and downright stressful a vehicle breakdown can be. It usually happens unexpectedly and at the worse of times. While we know this isn't a situation you want to find yourself in, being prepared and ready for the situation is the best way that you minimize the stress of the instance and be safe while you figure out what to do next.  Understand the next steps to take when dealing with a car breakdown can help you get out of the situation quickly and get your car repaired and back on the road without too much hassle. Plus, the more you know, the safer you can handle the situation so that you aren't put at even more risk on the road when you break down on the highway or a busy street. If you find yourself dealing with a car breakdown, remember the following:    Turn on your emergency lights as soon as you can! This will indicate to other drivers on the road that something is wrong and will allow others to take precaution when driving arou ... read more

Owning a vehicle goes beyond just driving it to and from your destination each day. With owning a vehicle comes a responsibility of taking care of your car and making sure that it drives dependably. Here at the most common vehicle missteps in maintenance to avoid to save you money and hassle:  Don’t ignore your check engine light. If you see your vehicle’s check engine light turn on and stay on, it is time to have your vehicle inspected. You may not know the severity of the issue, and if it is a major problem, it can get progressively worse and more expensive if you ignore the warning and continue driving.  Always change your oil and other fluids on time. Forgetting to get an oil change can have dire consequences, including leading to irreversible engine damage and corrosion. Engine damage is extremely expensive, so staying on top of your vehicle’s oil changes will protect your wallet. Other key fluids need to be replaced at certain intervals, including br ... read more

At Dempster's Quality Car Care, we understand that the current state of our world is scary and uncertain. With the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the past few weeks, many changes have been made and orders put into place to stop the spread of the virus and keep as many people healthy as possible. While you may be scrambling to wash your hands regularly and sanitize surfaces, we encourage you not to forget about your vehicle. Whether you are still traveling to work or just using your vehicle to go to the store for supplies, be sure that you are sanitizing your vehicle.  The most important areas to sanitize in your car are the steering wheel, door handles, gear shifter, emergency parking brakes, and middle console controls. Also, we recommend sanitizing your blinker, wipers, locks, and window controls. You should do this any time your enter your vehicle. According to health officials, COVID-19 can live on surfaces for up to 3 days. Try to avoid touching your face, nose, or mouth ar ... read more

Most modern vehicles are equipped with intelligent computer systems that keep track of your vehicle's operation. If something goes wrong, your vehicle will let you know by illuminating a warning light on your dashboard. This will indicate that it has detected an issue with a system, depending on what warning light has turned on. Lets look at some of the most important warning lights and what they indicate.  ABS warning light - this is the anti-lock braking system warning light, which means that there is something wrong with this system. The ABS system helps to keep your wheels from locking up when you brake hard. Airbag warning light - tells you that one or more of your airbags is malfunctioning.  Battery warning light - this shows that your battery or a component of the starting or charging system is faulty. Brake system warning light - your vehicle has detected an issue with your brakes.  Check engine light - an issue has been detected with a component within ... read more