 | rad Train is the General Manager overseeing day-to-day operations of Saturn West & Saturn East for the owner Scott Davies. He joined the Wichita Saturn team in 1994 as a Sales Consultant, after 3 years he entered the Saturn Management Team. Brad is a graduate of Southeast High and Butler Community College. He and his wife Michelle have 3 children; Shelby, Andrew and Jacob. You can contact Brad at (316)219-5500, or by e-mail at bradtrain@saturnwichita.com |
Cars, Trucks, Vans & Automotive
2004-06-01 10:55:00
Best buys in safety options
: With all the safety options one can purchase on a new car, how do I know which ones are really worth the extra money?
ANSWER: It's hard to put a price on keeping your family safe. As a parent, I feel that any safety option that actually makes you safer is worth the extra money. Lets look at some of the safety options available on new vehicles.• Antilock Brakes (apx. $300-$500) help shorten stopping distances and keep the vehicle under control by allowing the driver to steer while braking. This is a relatively inexpensive feature and a great safety option. All of us who were taught to "pump the brakes" when starting to slide on wet pavement, will have to relearn the rules with antilock brakes. No need to pump!• Park-Assist (apx. $300) sounds an alarm when its radar and sonar systems detect large objects to the rear and sometimes in front and to the sides of your vehicle. If you purchase an SUV or other high-riding vehicle, it can alert you to low barriers or objects. However, do not count on this feature to detect small children behind the vehicle.• Side-Impact Air Bags (apx. $300) inflate from the doors or from the sides of the seats in the front and in some models the back to protect riders from a side impact. A great safety option for adults and older children, but the side-impact air bags could injure younger children.• Side-Curtain Air Bags (apx. $500) inflate from the doors to protect the head in the event of a side impact collision or rollover. Again, if you purchase an SUV or high-riding vehicle that is more prone to rollovers, this is a good safety option for adults or older children. • Stability/Traction Control (apx. $400-$1,000) detects, with sensors, when the vehicle is on the verge of a skid or spinout. Once detected, the sensor passes the data to computers that manipulate the brakes and throttle to regain control. It is practically unnoticeable to the driver. If you're buying a high-riding vehicle such as an SUV or minivan, where the chance of a rollover increases, this feature helps prevent the vehicle from leaving the road. It also adds a safety margin to sedans.• 4-Wheel Drive or All Wheel Drive (apx. $1,500-$2,000) Four-wheel drive systems take power away from any wheel that is slipping on pavement. All-wheel drive, which is common on cross-over vehicles such as luxury SUV's or Sport Wagons, varies the distribution of power to all four wheels based on computer calculations of where the power is most needed. Four-wheel and all-wheel drive will help you maneuver in the snow or mud, but really doesn't count as a safety option.
