SAFETY FIRST

SAFETY FIRST

No automobile is 100 percent safe or collision-proof. An experienced and unimpaired
driver is the most important safety features in any car. Never drive when you are:

Influenced by drugs or alcohol.
Ill or emotionally upset.
Fatigued - especially around your normal bedtime.

Keep your car in safe operating condition. Carefully read the owner's manual that
comes with your car and follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.
Visually inspect tires, lights and fluid levels at each refueling. Make sure your spare
tire is inflated and pack a first-aid kit and flares in your trunk.

Make sure every person in your vehicle buckles up.
Correct and consistent use of safety belts is the best safety measure you can adopt.

BUYING TIPS

In 1994, the average cost of a car in the United States was $18,000. For a financial
decision of this magnitude, consumers need to be prepared when they enter the showroom.

Do some research. Check buying guides to narrow your choice in models and options.
Buying guides also help pinpoint prices.


Make safety a priority. Safety features such as air bags, anti-lock brake systems
and side-impact protection should be tops of your list. Also check for important safety
elements such as a right side mirror or a three-point safety belt system that has
adjustable shoulder belt anchors.

A weighty decision. Crash data show that heavy cars offer more protection than light
cars equipped with the same safety features.

Simple safety checks. During your test drive, make sure that head restraints, roof
structure or windshield designs do not interfere with your visibility. Look for interior
designs that avoid control knobs sticking out of the dash to reduce chance of injury.

Check out clones. Clones are nearly identical models built on the same platform and
marketed under a different nameplate. Prices and options vary. You could come out ahead
buying the high-end model - with standard ABS and dual air bags - instead of the low-end
model with those options added.

Shop around. Negotiate prices or enlist the help of a buying service. Investigate
financing options at the dealer and your bank or credit union. And check the fine print:
Does the contract include credit insurance, which may be available under an existing
policy you have?

Scrutinize service contracts. Does the warranty period overlap the service agreement
period? What repairs are covered and who can perform them? What is the cancellation and
refund policy?