In its latest New Car Ratings and Reviews 2006 edition, Consumer Reports highlighted the most important safety features and convenience amenities that new cars must have. These features make a big difference in the overall value and satisfaction new car buyers derive from their purchase. In fact, Consumer Reports advocate that new car buyers should rather choose to purchase new cars with the following attributes and features.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – ESC helps the driver hold control of his car especially when negotiating a turn. Cars with ESC have 30% fewer single-vehicle accidents compared to cars without it.

Anti-lock braking system (ABS) – ABS is very important in controlling the vehicle when under heavy braking. It also helps reduce stopping distance on slippery pavement.

Side and head protection air bags – doors and side panels absorb very little crash energy, leaving passengers very vulnerable in the event of side impact. Air bags provide protection by providing a cushion between the passengers and the vehicle’s structure.

Backup systems – a car’s blind zone can pose some safety problems. Back up systems typically detects any object, displays an image on a dashboard screen or alerts the driver of an impending collision.

Steering Wheel Controls – Now, you can adjust cruise control, audio, and climate control settings without taking your hands off the steering wheel or your eyes off of the road.

Windshield wiper blades play a very important role in maintaining clear visibility of the road ahead. They keep precipitation, dust and other road debris off the windshield. However, it was found out that at highway speeds of 65 to 75 mph, conventional wiper blades actually tend to lose contact with the windshield surface. This drastically lessens the wiper blade’s ability to keep rain, snow, dust and other road debris away from the windshield. However a new technology in wiper blades will greatly improve their functionality in various weather conditions and highway speeds – Bracketless or beam blades.

Bracketless or beam blades are the newest technology upgrades in wiper blades. This new type of wiper blades feature a bracketless design, allowing the wiper blade to conform to the contour of the windshield snugly and with uniform pressure along the entire length of the wiper blade. This allows the wiper blades to clean the windshield surface more evenly and quietly even at highway speeds. Bracketless wiper blades doesn’t have the rigid external steel frame and multiple joints in conventional wiper blades that apply pressure only on specific points.

“With the blade curved at a precise radius along each millimeter of length, this new design creates what we call ‘tension memory,’ which provides a snug fit to the curvature of the windshield, with the aerodynamic wind spoiler creating a downward force similar to rear spoilers on automobiles. To put it simply, bracketless blades distribute pressure uniformly along the entire length of the blade, for a more clean and consistent wipe while the enclosed tension springs are protected from snow and ice build-up during winter”, says Otto Stefaner, group product manager of Consumer Products, for Bosch, the largest OE makers of bracketless wiper blades.

This is the first upgrade in wiper blade technology in almost 80 years. About 35 percent of European vehicles are now equipped with bracketless or beam wiper blades and it is estimated that by 2010, 40 percent of vehicles in the U.S. domestic market will have bracketless wiper blades. Something as simple as new wiper blades can really help make driving safer by ensuring good visibility in any type of weather condition.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) in cooperation with the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA) recently released the results of a survey, aimed to identify the top car troubles for the year, conducted on almost 6,500 vehicles by various AAA clubs and their affiliate facilities. The number one vehicle problem encountered throughout the year turned out to be tire pressure.

Apparently, most of the cars surveyed had either under or over-inflated tires. Auto technicians emphasize that drivers should regularly check tire pressure since low pressure in tires can hasten wear and increase fuel consumption; too much pressure can also trim down traction. Tires should also be properly aligned to ensure longer tire life and improve fuel economy.

The second most common vehicle problem was engine oil that was low or needed changing. Low engine oil level will cause the engine to work more thus usually wearing out its top or overheat. A regular oil change will solve this problem. Clogged air filters were another important vehicle issue last year. Replacing dirty air filters ensure a better air flow through the engine and improve its fuel economy and engine efficiency.

Another vehicle part that was most commonly overlooked last year was the windshield washer reservoir and fluid. Windshield washer fluid is vital to ensure good visibility and safety. The fifth most common vehicle issue identified was insufficient or dirty engine coolant. It is very important to maintain a safe engine temperature by regularly replacing depleted or dirty engine coolant. This protects cooling system’s metal parts from corrosion and wear.

Other vehicle issues that were identified include antifreeze protection; battery cables, terminals and clamps; wiper blades; transmission fluids; and tire tread. If you notice nearly all of these common vehicle issues are very basic and can be easily avoided if drivers take good care of their vehicles. Regular check-ups, maybe at least once a month, can help reduce wear and tear, breakdowns and even accidents that can imperil the vehicle and its passengers.

In 1999, Ford began improving the compatibility of its large vehicles such as SUVs in collisions with cars by introducing an innovation called the BlockerBeam. This is Ford’s unique frontal enhanced underride crash protection system. The BlockerBeam is designed to make contact with the frame rails, in the event of a frontal collision with a car, and prevents the car from sliding under the higher-riding front bumper of the Ford vehicle. Upon impact, the L-shaped brackets bend to disperse the force of the crash. This reduces further intrusion into the passenger compartment of the car as well as reduces the risk of serious injury to the car’s passengers.

This invention proved to be successful in reducing the number of fatalities in front and side impact collisions between cars and SUVS or Pickups. Lowering the ride height of an SUV or pickup also reduced the passenger-car driver deaths in similar accidents. This was the result of the study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Meanwhile, in an effort to further reduce fatalities in collisions between SUVs/Pickups and cars, Ford pledged along with other automakers to lower their SUVs and full-size pickup trucks or install energy-absorbing beams underneath the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle.

But Ford already made headway into this safety measure by introducing the BlockerBeam underride protection system in the Excursion model. The Ford BlockerBeam is basically a hollow cross member hat is attached to the frame 2.5 inches underneath the bumpers and 6.5 inches behind the conventional front bumper. The system allows the large Ford vehicle and a car to share the energy during a collision, instead of the smaller car absorbing the most of the crash energy.

The BlockerBeam is currently available in the Ford F-250 and the Ford F-350 Super Duty models as well as the Volvo XC90 and the Land Rover Range Rover and LR3. Meanwhile, Ford chose to lower the frame rails and improve compatibility with cars on other SUVs and pickups such as the Ford Expedition, Explorer, Freestar, F-150, Mercury Mountaineer, Mercury Monterey, Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln Mark LT, and the Volvo XC70.

As the consumer demand for safer and better cars increase, a plethora of safety gadgets and gizmos have been introduced. Dozens of safety options are available ranging from airbags, warning systems, navigation systems, and other innovations. Although most of these technologies are definitely helpful and valuable as a “lifesaver” in any vehicle, some are nothing more than expensive gadgets that actually do little to ensure the safety of the vehicle’s passengers. Money Magazine reported on the two sides of auto safety gadgets: those that are more of a distraction than an aid and those that have proved to be really useful in any vehicle.

Most of these safety technologies come standard in new vehicle models while some are offered as pricey safety options packages. The report listed the safety options that are really useful and are worth the cost. The must-haves include side and side-curtain air bags, electronic stability control, winter tires with rear-view monitors, pre-collision systems, and active braking as highly recommended. Meanwhile, adaptive headlamps, lane departure warning systems and night vision are touted as life-saving but are actually nothing but pricey distractions.

Today’s cars are well-equipped to protect drivers and passengers in the event of a frontal collision. However, the risk is far greater in side impact collisions since only a thin door is between the passenger and an oncoming vehicle. Side and side-curtain air bags greatly improve your safety and protect your upper body and head from injury in side impact collisions. Side air bags are now offered as a standard option in recently introduced cars. Unfortunately, in most car models you will still have to pay extra for these air bags.

Electronic Stability control or ESC prevents skids before it happens. It uses motion sensors and software to detect skids and applies the vehicle’s existing anti-lock brakes and adjusts the throttle to restore your control of the vehicle. This is especially useful for SUVs which are difficult to handle in emergencies and have a high tendency to rollover.

Winter tires are very important for driving in the snow. Another safety innovation that is worth considering is the rear-view monitor. This provides you with a view of the area surrounding your car displayed on a monitor on the dashboard. This proves to be useful when backing up to avoid running over anything you might overlook. However, rear-view monitors will set you back by several thousands of dollars.

On the other hand, some expensive safety gadgets put in the cool factor to a vehicle but actually do nothing to improve safety, and instead can cause distraction on the part of the driver. Adaptive headlamps, which pivot in the direction you turn the wheel, do nothing to enhance nighttime view. Meanwhile, lane-departure warning systems are more of a nuisance than a necessity. Nighttime vision systems that display objects beyond the range of headlamps on dash mounted screens can distract drivers from the more important job of watching the road ahead.

All these equipments were invented with the safety and security of the vehicle’s passengers in mind. However, with the prices of these products in the range of thousands of dollars as additional options, you should reconsider and think carefully before deciding to purchase. These may not be worth your investment. However, some do play an important role in protecting your safety while driving. These options are the ones that can really save your life.

Seatbelts of the future are expected to be more female-friendly thanks to an innovation, called the S-Clip, introduced through a collaboration between MIRA, a leading automotive engineering facility and Sheila’s Wheels, a new car insurance brand targeted at women. Engineers at MIRA have unveiled the new seatbelt designed specifically to accommodate a woman’s curves.

The S-Clip changes the route of the belt and takes it down the middle of the chest, between the cleavage, instead of cutting across the breasts. The device minimizes the discomfort that current seatbelt design causes due to flattening of the chest and rubbing on the neck.

It has been reported that almost 92 percent of women tamper with their seatbelts or do not wear them at all due to the discomfort it causes This puts women passenbers and drivers at risk in case of collisions and other accidents. The S-clip can significantly improve the safety of women and reduce discomfort on their part while in a vehicle. The device has already been subjected to crash test dummy safety checks with positive results.

Sheila’s Wheels and MIRA is now on talks with car and restraint manufacturers and hopes that the innovation will catch on. “Women come in all shapes and sizes and it’s great that seatbelt comfort can now be seen in a similar way to a bra or a dress fitting. We hope this device aids women to wear their seatbelt in the correct manner in more comfort”, clarifies Lisa Bingley, project engineer at MIRA.

Last December, Ford finally settled, after years of arguments, a class action lawsuit filed by Ford sedan owners who had problems with their intake manifolds. The settlement required the Dearborn, Michigan based automaker to pay each sedan owner who had to replace their car’s intake manifolds at least $735 for those without a receipt; those who have a paid receipt, meanwhile, will get a full refund.

Ford will reimburse owners of certain Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models who had to replace their intake manifold within seven years of ownership. The class action lawsuit covered more than 1.8 million vehicle models including the various model years of the Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, Lincoln Town Car, Mercury Cougar, Ford Thunderbird, Ford Mustang and Ford Explorer.

The intake manifold is a pipe that brings a mixture of air and fuel into the engine’s cylinders. Apparently, the intake manifolds of these models were prone to premature cracking which led to harmful coolant leaks and expensive engine damages. Ford vehicle owners who have had this kind of problem are asked to take their vehicles to a dealer by March 16, 2006 and obtain reimbursement whether or not they have a receipt. If you are one of those consumers affected by these defects, visit your nearest Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers now or call 1-888-826-3047 for more information.