Safest Vehicles for Your Kids Going off to School

GMC has long been a leader in safety innovation and part of being a leader is continuing to push the standard. It’s known that GMC has safety measures like rearview camera mirrors, advanced sensors, and adaptive cruise control, and while those features are necessary when improving the safety of a vehicle, they’ve become somewhat standard in most modern models. This leaves a lot of room for improvement and innovation. GM has delivered, with the filing of a patent for a transparent A-pillar. Its implementation would result in more control, visibility, and overall a safer driving experience for GMC owners. And while that promise is exciting it may be necessary to discuss just what the A-pillar is and the problems it has historically posed for drivers. Chances are if you’re interested in the safety potential of reimagining the A-pillar, you likely want a vehicle that’s built for safety. If that’s the case — there is no other car manufacturer like GMC when it comes to a commitment to safety. Take a look at GMCs 2022 lineup at Liberty Buick GMC and see some of the market's safest models. Understanding the A-Pillar The A-pillar is the two structure bars that are upright and frame your windshield. Essentially the two pieces that vertically connect the windshield to the car’s roof and dash. While that piece of engineering is absolutely vital when it comes to making sure your windshield is secure, it’s been known to obscure a driver’s view and create additional blind spots. The severity of the blind spot can vary from car to car, but oftentimes it increases the risk of not seeing a pedestrian, biker, or small car because they can often disappear behind these larger modern A-pillars. The blindspot the A-pillar creates is not often discussed, leaving drivers unaware of the importance of checking it, and many car manufacturers uninterested in solving the problem. The issue of the blind spot is further exacerbated when you realize that A-pillars have grown in recent years due to their ability to improve the structural safety of the car. That dynamic poses an interesting question — “How do you eliminate the risk A-pillars create while also maintaining a safe and structurally sound vehicle?” GMC’s recently filed patent seems to be the first answer to that question. The Solution GMC’s solution is to keep the A-Pillar, but eliminate the blindspot, so they let drivers have their cake and eat it too. They’re planning on doing this by making the pillar see-through, according to recently filed patents. Recent advancements in available materials seem to have made it possible to maintain structural integrity while eliminating visual barriers. While other car models and manufacturers have attempted to solve the problem through the placement of cameras and other indicators, nobody until this point had looked to reimagine the A-pillar as a whole. Here are some of the details of the innovative design taken from GMC’s patent which describe it as a — “novel fiber reinforced composite A-pillar that includes one or more designed openings impregnated with a transparent resin or composite…” If you find yourself worried about potential overexposure to the sun because of this increase in transparency, GMC already has you covered. The patent goes on to explain that the — “transparent material is selected from materials having a transmission coefficient of at least 50 percent for light in the infrared (IR), visible, ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths and a refractive index between 1 and 2 for visible light, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or an optically transparent polycarbonate." As it stands now, no model has been tapped to play host to this innovation and it’s likely that GMC will not engage in speculation. Still, it does exemplify why GMC continues to lead car manufacturers in safety innovation and further displays the brand's ability to think outside the box in order to bring the best driving experience possible to every member of the GMC family. Other Ways GMC Invests In Safety If one thing is clear, it’s that GMC is invested in the safety of its models. And while the A-pillar patent is a good example, it isn’t the only one. One of GMC’s most exciting new safety measures is its Pro Safety Package. GMC’s Pro Safety Package is a suite of features included across most of its modern models. Those features are designed to make driving easier, reduce the chances of accidents, and maintain safety for those in and around your vehicle. Below are the features that are becoming standard in every new GMC model — Forward Collision Alert: Through the utilization of cameras and sensors, GMC cars will notify you when you’re at risk of an accident. Using lights and sounds, you’ll be sure to know when an accident is about to occur, giving you a chance to brake or move away from any potential risk. Front Pedestrian Braking: Tied to GMC’s automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking is designed to stop your vehicle from hitting or injuring pedestrians that may be at risk. Automatic Emergency Braking: As mentioned above, automatic emergency braking will apply brakes in potentially dangerous situations. Typically employed after the collision alert, automatic emergency braking prevents any collisions by braking for you or allowing you to brake harder than you would in a vehicle without the feature. Lane Assist With Departure Warning: Lane assist monitors your vehicle and where it’s at on the road, keeping you in your lane and away from danger. Departure warnings let you know when your vehicle has drifted and lane assist will give you a light steering wheel movement to keep you on course. Following Distance Indicator: Following distance indicators let you know when you’re following a vehicle too closely, and likely putting yourself in a situation in which you couldn’t stop in time. Which helps ensure you’ll always be driving in a situation that allows for maximum control. Intellibeam: Intellibeam systems allow your vehicle to switch between high beams and regular lights depending on what vehicles are around you. This helps improve your field of vision at night while also being considerate of other drivers. As you can see, GMC’s Pro Safety Package makes use of every aspect of modern safety technology, creating a slew of features that will make your driving easier and safer. If you’re having trouble figuring out which GMC vehicle has this set of features, you can check out the digital model showroom or reach out to our qualified dealer with your question here. Liberty Buick GMC If you’re looking for safe GMC models, there’s a dealership choice that’s clear — Liberty Buick GMC. Finding the right vehicle to purchase can be nearly impossible, and if you’re committed to finding one that you and your family will feel safe in the challenge is increased. The professionals at Liberty Buick have the expertise to show you a vehicle that has all the safety features you may want, and sometimes those with even more. And while the implementation of see-through A-pillars seems like a thing of the future, a dealership that will treat you right can be something that happens right now. Schedule a showing or appointment with Liberty Buick GMC today and get the top-of-the-line innovative safety measures you’ve always wanted.

Coming up on the Thanksgiving holiday means more than preparing to down way too much food and see extended family for the first time in a year. In many areas, it’s also the perfect time to get your vehicle ready for winter weather. Not only do you want your vehicle to make it through the next few months unscathed, but you want to ensure that you and your family stay safe. Whether you’re dealing with snow, sleet, freezing rain, and/or blistering temperatures, here are some simple ways to prepare your vehicle (and yourself) for winter: Watch the Tires Having reliable tires is critical to your safety, particularly in winter weather. Once the temperature drops, it can cause your tire pressure to drop significantly. At least once a month, check the PSI in your tires and add air if necessary; typically, you can find the ideal PSI for your vehicle inside the driver's door jam. Also, check the tread on your tires. Place a penny between the threads, and if you see Lincoln’s forehead, the tread is too low and you will need to replace your tires. Furthermore, if you live in an area that gets severe winter weather, such as in the northern United States, you might consider getting winter tires. Check the Windshield and Wiper Blades Another thing you want to do is to check your windshield for any cracks, which can quickly spread once the temperature drops. Even if you spot a small crack, get it looked at by an expert as soon as you can. While you’re at it, have new wiper blades installed so that you can ensure you’re ready to drive in the elements. Inspect the Lights When driving in snow, freezing rain, and other winter conditions, it’s essential to have functioning headlights and tail lights. If your headlights have issues, it can significantly hinder you from seeing what is in front of you, especially at night. And without your tail lights or brake lights working properly, it can quickly lead to accidents with other cars. Test the Battery Cold weather is hard on batteries, and it tends to decrease their capacity. Be sure to get your vehicle's battery checked by a certified repair shop to ensure that it can hold a charge. Also, ask them to remove any corrosion from the connections and posts. Along with getting your battery serviced, keep a set of jumper cables in your vehicle as a backup plan. Give Your Vehicle a Wax Coat Road salt is essential to driver safety during winter weather. But due to its corrosive nature, it can be hard on your vehicle’s exterior over time. Adding a coat of wax can help prevent extensive damage to the exterior of your car. When applying wax, focus on the lower areas of your vehicle where salt, snow, and ice set in; this includes behind the front grille, wheels, and quarter panels. Try Winter-Grade Oil Another thing to consider when prepping your vehicle for the cold months ahead is the engine oil you use. Generally speaking, the lower the viscosity, the better during winter. So, before the weather gets too frigid or harsh, consider switching to a thinner winter-grade oil; the viscosity of the oil you are using is identified by the first number of the oil specification. For example, 5W-30 oil is ideal for winter while 10W-30 is a little too thick. Keep an Emergency Supplies Kit Even if you thoroughly prepare your vehicle for winter weather, you can’t 100% guarantee that you won’t break down on the side of the road or get stuck in the snow or ice. That’s why it’s essential to arrange an emergency supplies kit that you keep in your car. This kit should include any items you think you might need in the event that you are stranded without a working vehicle. Here are some examples of items to consider: Extra winter clothes and outerwear Gloves and boots A blanket (preferably heated) A first-aid kit Non-perishable foods and jugs of water A portable charger for your smartphone Jumper cables A basic toolkit A tire gauge and tire chains A functional spare tire A wrench, jack, and any other equipment necessary for changing a tire Conclusion Getting your vehicle ready for the cold months ahead is one of the most important things you can do for ensuring the safety of you, your loved ones, and others on the road. Check your tires, windshield wipers and blades, and exterior lights. Consider putting a fresh coat of wax on your car and changing to lower-viscosity engine oil. And pack an emergency supplies kit. Lastly, remember that it’s always a good idea to take your vehicle to your local professional. Schedule your service appointment today!

This Fall might just be the strangest return to school our children have ever been a part of, and the very thought of children carpooling to campus registers red flags immediately. But with the proper attitude and preparedness, could there be a safe way to carpool in the midst of a pandemic? At Liberty Buick GMC, we think so, and we have a few tips to follow in order to keep you and your young ones safe as they travel back to school. Whether your child is learning virtually or in-person, chances are you will be traveling more than you did over summer. And though carpooling is a great way to travel, there are specific precautions to be taken. The first step to a safe carpool is making sure everyone is aware of the situation we are in, and all are on board to work together to keep everyone safe. Begin by contacting the other passengers and drivers who will be in the carpool. There is no need to panic, but you do need to be sure everyone in the car will be wearing a mask, and there will be enough room so that each person can sit without leaning into or resting on another passenger. It’s also a good idea to have everyone involved agree to take temperatures each day before entering the vehicle. Be sure and have plenty of hand sanitizer, and make it a rule to use it before entering and again immediately after getting out of the car. Here are a few more tips from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention: (As much as possible) Try and keep from touching surfaces. Consciously taking into account what is most touched in your surroundings will help you cut down on using hand sanitizer as much. For those cases when you do have to touch something commonly handled, simply apply sanitizer or wash your hands as soon as possible. While carpooling, avoiding surfaces is especially difficult, so wearing gloves is a good idea. Clean those hands. After touching surfaces outside of your own home, be sure to use sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Or, if you would rather use soap, wash in warm water for at least 20 seconds. Reduce the size of the rideshare. Though it might cause multiple trips or even more cars on the road, it is important to create space even in confined spots. Consider cutting the limit to half of what it was before and require everyone in the car to wear a mask during the trip. Keep the ride ventilated. Weather permitting, keep windows open or cracked so plenty of air gets in and out. Good ventilation is key to keep from the spread of germs. More Safety Tips Here are a few more tips on keeping your young ones safe as you travel: Make sure car seats are tightly secured and wiped down with disinfectant between each use. When clipping in a car seat it is important to make sure it is pulled tightly against the back of the seat. Sometimes you really have to wrench on the belt, but if you can wiggle the seat back and forth with minimal effort, it’s not tight enough. When strapping your child into a car seat, be sure the top strap is pulled up to the top of the child’s chest. You should be able to fit two fingers between the top strap and the child, so it needs to be snug but not too tight to where it’s uncomfortable. Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel. No matter how badly your child is screaming for a toy he dropped on the floor of the car, do not try and reach around or turn around to grab it. If it is something your child needs at the moment, simply pull the car over and put on the hazards. It might only take a second to look back and grab that toy while driving, but it also only takes a second to completely veer into the opposite lane. The best piece of advice we have for anyone who has to travel is this: take a deep breath and let it out. Relax. You are not alone, and we will get through this! Liberty Buick GMC wishes you all safe travels.