I Re-wrote Instructions for ‘What to do After an Accident’

After a collision your mind is a mess, when it needs to be laser-focused.

The objective is to gather as much information as possible. Past advice suggests sketching and jotting notes, but instead, I say use your phone to document. The following is a set of instructions.

Print this list & stuff into glovebox:

– turn on “Location Services” so GPS coordinates will be attached to all photos
– photo EVERYthing, take like 100+ photos
– along with a 360º of the damage, photograph drivers’ licence and plates, tires, external conditions
– video witnesses, video interactions with the other driver
– use the voice record app while you walk around, narrating what you see

I hope you never have to use this list.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line: 

The second last paragraph, the list of external conditions to take note of.

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Why All Bumpers are Starting to Look the Same

It’s not that our tastes are changing.

It’s because safety regulations now say a car’s front end must better protect a pedestrian in case of an accident, thereby limiting design and styling possibilities.

Read it online at Autonet.ca

Favourite line:

Put the phone down while crossing the street. Or use my trick and make eye contact with the driver. Because regardless of how the bumper is styled, it wins the showdown every time.

Cars hurt guys.

This all-new 2015 Chrysler 200, is a good example of such bumpers.

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What Driving a Luxury Car is Really Like

I canNOT find the photo of this column?! Vanished. Sorry! From memory, and very basically:

It’s not just buying a luxury car,
it’s the increase in accompanying costs…

I mean like big luxury, like $6-figures+

Insurance goes up and it’s premium gas only. You find yourself parking at the back of lots, because repairing damage on a luxury car gets up there quick; parts and labour costs increase, and there’s less business that service such vehicles. And OMG if you crack a splitter.

2015 Jaguar XKR Coupe

5.0 L, V8

510 hp and 461 lbs.ft

Starting at: $109,125

This one: $118,000 

But ohhh to own a machine so fine.

Read it online at Autonet.

 

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A Test: Use only Voice Recognition to Control a Car

This week I conduct an experiment:

Automakers are touting, “control the car using just Voice Recognition, so it’s hands on always!”

So for 1 week, try to drive without removing my hands from the steering wheel, ever.

Rely solely on the wheel’s buttons to operate the cabin controls, and infotainment system.

(Conclusion: can’t)

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

Regardless of how you’re operating the infotainment system, your focus and attention are still taken elsewhere. 

Test conducted in a 2015 Chrysler 200.

About pairing my phone to a car for the 1st time – here

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Touring the Ford F150 Factory

It was a rare opportunity that photos were permitted while touring Ford’s assembly plan in Dearborn, Michigan.

Where the F150s come from.

Natural light streams in through skylights, and there are no uniforms – employees can wear whatever they wish.

There are 1,000 workers on the floor at any time, and the place runs 24-hours/day.

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

There are robots workers too, and the two that install windshields even have names – Bumper and Blinker. 

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