It’s HOT Out There! Some warnings and ways to protect your dog under our Summer Sun!

We’ve probably all seen it. We get out of our car in a store parking lot, and somebody has left his dog in the car with the windows rolled up.

Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles. We’ve heard the excuses: “Oh, it will just be a few minutes while I go into the store,” or “But I cracked the windows...” These excuses don’t amount to much if your pet becomes seriously ill or dies from being left in a vehicle.

The temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes. In 20 minutes, it can rise almost 30º F...and the longer you wait, the higher it goes. At 60 minutes, the temperature in your vehicle can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70-degree day, that’s 110 degrees inside your vehicle!

Your vehicle can quickly reach a temperature that puts your pet at risk of serious illness and even death, even on a day that doesn’t seem hot to you. And cracking the windows makes no difference.

Want numbers? An independent study showed that the interior temperature of vehicles parked in outside temperatures ranging from 72 to 96º F rose steadily as time increased.

This study also found that cracking the windows had very little effect on the temperature rise inside the vehicle. This is definitely a situation where “love ‘em and leave ‘em” is a good thing. Please leave your pets at home at home when you can...they’ll be safe and happily waiting for you to come home

Estimated Vehicle Interior Air Temperature v. Elapsed Time

Elapsed time	Outside Air Temperature (F)
	70	75	80	85	90	95
0 minutes	70	75	80	85	90	95
10 minutes	89	94	99	104	109	114
20 minutes	99	104	109	114	119	124
30 minutes	104	109	114	119	124	129
40 minutes	108	113	118	123	128	133
50 minutes	111	116	121	126	131	136
60 minutes	113	118	123	128	133	138
> 1 hour	115	120	125	130	135	140

Courtesy Jan Null, CCM; Department of Geosciences, San Francisco State University

 

....but wait, there’s more!

The risks associated with pets in vehicles don’t end with heatstroke. Just as you should always wear your seatbelt to protect you in case of a collision, your pet should always be properly restrained while in the vehicle. That means a secure harness or a carrier.

A loose, small pet could crawl down in the footwell, interfering with use of the brake or accelerator pedal. A small pet sitting in your lap could be injured or killed by the airbag or could be crushed between your body and the airbag in a collision, and a large pet leaning across your lap can interfere with your view of the road and can be injured by the air bag in a collision. Unrestrained pets could be thrown out or through windows or windshields in a collision. And not only could your pet be injured in the collision, but it might also increase your risk of collision by distracting you and taking your attention away from where it should be – on the road.

Most of us smile when we see a dog’s face happily hanging out a window, digging the ride and the smells wafting on the breeze, but this is a very risky venture for the dog for three reasons. One, it means your dog isn’t properly restrained – and we’ve already told you why that’s so important. Two, your dog is at high risk of eye, ear, face and mouth injury from airborne objects when it’s got its face hanging out the window. Three, letting your dog hang any part of its body out of the window increases the risk that (s)he could be thrown out of the vehicle during a collision, lose its balance and fall out of the open window during an abrupt turn or maneuver, or jump out of the vehicle to threaten another dog or a person.

And let’s not forget the severe dangers of driving with your dog in the bed of a pickup truck. Dogs can fall or jump from the truck bed and be injured or killed on impact, or be struck by other traffic. And just as letting your dog hang its head out of the window puts it at risk of injury from debris, a dog in a truck bed is even more exposed to airborne hazards. Using a appropriate-length tether may reduce the risk that your dog will exit the truck bed, but the tether could tangle, injure, or even choke your dog. If you must transport your dog in the bed of a pickup truck, use a secured and appropriately sized and ventilated dog kennel.

Before you put your pet in the vehicle, ask yourself if you really need to take your pet with you – and if the answer is no, leave your pet safely at home. If you must take your pet with you, make sure (s)he is properly restrained so the trip is as safe as possible for both of you.
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How To Travel the Farthest on a Single Charge!!!

Electric vehicles have been around for a while, but many drivers continue to stay away from them because of range anxiety. Some models, however, are clearly better than others. Electric vehicles on the market today come with an estimated range starting as low as 62 miles on the Mitsubishi i-MIEV and exceeding more than 250 miles on some Tesla models. Here are the electric vehicles available today with the highest EPA-rated range.

The BMW i3 BEV, starting at around $43,000, isn’t cheap, but this urban hatch but will take you a reasonable distance on a single charge. Drivers can plug the i3 into a standard 240-volt outlet to recharge the battery in just 3.5 hours. According to the EPA, the model also has the best fuel economy of any new car on the market at 124 mpg-e in combined city and highway driving. Look for plenty of sustainable materials inside the cabin, including recycled plastics, responsibly forested eucalyptus, and plant fibers covering the instrument panel and door trim.

The Chevrolet Spark EV was only available in California and Oregon before this year, but now the tiny hatch is rolling out at dealerships in Maryland. Standard features on this model include height-adjustable driver’s seat, keyless ignition and entry, heated front seats, a 7-inch touchscreen, and 10 airbags. For 2015, General Motors made the car quicker with some tweaking to the drivetrain.

The 2015 e-Golf is Volkswagen’s first all-electric car to be sold in the U.S. Although at just over $36,000 it’s not the cheapest EV on the market, it comes with plenty of standard features, including full navigation, push-button start, heated front seats, leatherette upholstery, parking sensors, and back-up camera. Because the battery pack is located below the trunk on the e-Golf, cargo capacity doesn’t suffer.

 The Leaf is the world’s best-selling electric car. Now priced at less than $30,000 before federal tax credits, the Nissan Leaf is one of the more affordable options on the market, and even the base model offers heated front and rear seats and a rearview camera. We expect a second-generation model to feature a battery with increased energy density so drivers can travel much farther on a single charge.

The B-Class comes with a Tesla-sourced battery inside, but it feels like a Mercedes in every other way. It shares much of its front-drive architecture with the A-, CLA-, and GLA-Class models but offers the most accommodating interior with room for plenty of gear. The cabin is nice and quiet so as not to mar the driving experience. Leather seats, a wood dashboard, and other surfaces embody luxury, and unique shift paddles on the steering wheel allow drivers to control the amount of regenerative braking produced at a given moment.

The Fiat 500e differs in many ways from the rest of the 500 lineup. Its torque-happy electric motor makes it particularly nimble and responsive, and it also offers a stiffer suspension to accommodate for its extra weight. The model starts at a little more than $32,000 before tax credits.

2015 Kia Soul Ev Front Three Quarter View 43 Given its unusual styling, the Kia Soul EV might not look like a serious EV. But once you drive this hatch, there’s no doubting its ability to hold a steady range. It’s surprisingly quick both in the city and on the highway, and drivers will feel comfortable thanks to the car’s low motor whine and comfortable interior.

As the base trim in the Model S lineup, the 60 version (with a 60-kW-hr battery) offers plenty of range for long-distance driving. But even the base model costs a pretty penny at more than $71,000 before incentives. Standard features include heated power front seats with lumbar, Wi-Fi connectivity, Internet radio, vinyl upholstery, and a 17-inch touchscreen.

The P85D, the most powerful car in the Model S lineup, features an upgraded 691-hp dual-motor system that takes just 3.2 seconds to zip to 60 mph. But even though the P85D is the top-of-the-line version, it doesn’t take the cake in terms of range. Prices for this upgraded model start more than $104,000.

Instead of a standard 60-kW-hr battery, buyers can upgrade to the 85-kW-hr model that offers increased range and a higher top speed than the base model. But fuel economy decreases slightly at 88/90 mpge city/highway. Supercharging capability becomes standard on this model, allowing drivers to replenish half the car’s charge in just 20 minutes.

Just like the P85D, the regular 85D features all-wheel drive and an additional motor. Along with its incredible range, this model also features top-of-the-charts fuel economy at 95/106 mpge city/highway. The annual cost to power the vehicle is estimated at just $600, or $4,750 less than a typical new vehicle on the market today.
 

In just the next few years, a number of new players will make the EV game more interesting. General Motors is bringing out the Chevrolet Bolt electric small car, which promises a range of about 200 miles on one charge. Reports say Nissan is looking to double its range on the next-generation of the Leaf hatchback. Meanwhile, Audi is boasting a 280-mile range for its upcoming R8 E-Tron supercar.

Top 10 Cars from 2015 That Could Become Future Collectibles

 When it comes to assessing future automotive classics, experts usually focus on used cars that are well over 10 years old, but what about brand new models? Here’s where Hagerty steps in, with its annual list of vehicles that stand out as likely being collectible within the next 25 years. To qualify for the “Hagerty Hot List”, a car has to be made during the 2015 model year and have an MSRP of under $100,000, with Hagerty’s collector experts giving a special preference to newly released vehicles over ones that appeared in previous lists - whenever possible. The only model that reappears in this year’s Top 10 is the Alfa Romeo 4C. Obviously, this list is for cars sold in the US market. “We hear a lot of chatter about how cars made today are boring,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty. “The cars that made this list prove there are still cars to be excited about. They are true drivers’ cars that are definitely enjoyable now, but each one that made the list has that special something that will make it a collectible in the years to come.”

 Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition
$69,685

“ Alfa Romeo returns to America after a twenty year absence with a junior supercar that boasts an impressive 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds, and a carbon fiber chassis. It oozes Italianness from every single carbon fiber making it perhaps the hottest car on a very hot Hot List.”

 BMW M4 Convertible

$73,450

“The M3 and M5 have been the go-to cars for BMW Motorsports junkies since the late 1980s. The M4 offers those fans the silky torque of a twin turbo, inline-six engine, but, perhaps more importantly, it’s the only M-car, other than the pricey M6, that can be had as a convertible.”

 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
$75,000

“The ultimate road course ready Camaro. Boasting a weight loss of 300 pounds and the LS7 V8 with 505 horsepower and 481 pound feet of torque, Chevrolet let the engineers out to play and they created a monster. Anyone who isn’t aware that we’re living in a new golden age of automotive performance has been clogging up the left lane for too long.”

 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

$78,995

“Bang for your buck is an understatement for the supercharged Z06, which may well be the all-time performance for the dollar champion. The Corvette has now entered supercar territory at a fraction of the price of the competition from Germany and Italy. “

Dodge Challenger Hellcat
$58,295

“It feels like the 1960s again. The Cold War is back and so are the muscle car horsepower wars and Dodge just exercised the nuclear option with this beast. Limited production and 707 horsepower means that the Hellcat earns its moniker. Clearly the Challenger Hellcat is here to turn fuel into noise and rubber into dust and little else. “ 

 Ford Mustang GT Performance Pack

$37,125

“Although the 50th anniversary edition will be produced in far less numbers, we at Hagerty think the GT performance package is the true driver’s car. Ford had a tough job following up the 2005-14 Mustang but they’ve done it very well (better perhaps than in 1967 when the Mustang was re-designed for the first time). Here’s to another fifty years.”

 Mazda MX-5 Miata 25th Anniv.
$33,000

“The popularity of Japanese collector cars is on the rise and the Miata has established itself as the quintessential modern roadster. With this special edition also the last of its generation, it is already sealed as a collectible with only 100 models making the trip to North America.”

 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop 

$24,950

 “New for 2015, the 2 door hardtop John Cooper Works MINI is the most powerful MINI ever produced. The performance specs are impressive, but what will have collectors drooling in the future is the attention paid to the MINI’s design concept.”

Subaru WRX STI Launch Edition 
$38,190

“With a stiffer body, advanced suspension and a turbocharged Boxer four cylinder the STI is quite literally a factory built rally car that you can drive off the showroom floor. The smile inducing acceleration is simply intoxicating, and the very limited release Launch Edition will be loved by collectors and rally fans for years to come.”

Volkswagen Golf R

$36,595

“4Motion” all-wheel drive, 292 horsepower, 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph make the all new VW Golf the most powerful VW hatchback to date. With a 2.0L turbocharged inline 4 this VW is bound to excite collectors now and in the future. It’s the Golf that GTI fan boys and girls have been begging VW to build.”

2016 Chevy Malibu Will Come With Teen Driver Monitoring System

So the next generation of Chevrolet Malibu, which is due to debut at the New York Auto Show, in April, will feature a teen driver monitoring system. This will allow parents to set various parameters and keep track of their kids’ driving habits.

Since the new Malibu will come equipped with the latest pieces of active safety tech, it will be able to provide detailed information: how many times the autonomous braking intervened, or was about to and even the number of stability control interventions.

The car can also be set to automatically mute the radio until seatbelts are fastened and provide a visual and audible warning when exceeding a certain speed.

It’s been deemed necessary to have such a system because statistics say teen drivers are three times more likely to die in a car crash than those in their 20s. Chevrolet hopes that with this system in place, parents will be able to more accurately gauge their children’s safety level and their driving skill – it promises to offer more peace of mind.

Apple CarPlay To Be On 40 New Cars This Year From 'Every Major Automaker'

If you're shopping for a new car this year, you're about to have plenty of choice if Apple CarPlay is on your must-have list of features.

At Apple's big event Monday, CEO Tim Cook said the CarPlay infotainment system would be available on 40 models from "every major" automaker by the end of the year. So far, this includes the 2016 Volvo XC90 and various models from VW, Audi, Hyundai, Honda and even Ferrari.

A notable omission is Toyota, which said last month it has reportedly not committed to supporting either CarPlay or Google's Android Auto. Both are systems that present smartphone-like interfaces onto the central screen in cars to make it easier to control functions your phone would, like navigation, search, calls and messaging.

Cook's statements come roughly a year after the system was first announced and the first automakers started partnering up with Apple. There are already aftermarket systems form Alpine and Pioneer, for example, that come with CarPlay. Expect to hear of more automakers backing either CarPlay or Android Auto or both in the near future.

Great News for Black 2015 Chevrolet Silverado Fans

If you like your 2015 Silverado black, and you don't like the Z71 configuration, Chevrolet now offers an optional Black Out package just for you.

The package includes 20in black painted aluminum wheels with 275/55 all-season tires, tinted glass and black bow-tie logos. The price for this extra punch of black is set at $1,595 and is available immediately for regular- and double-cab Silverado 1500WT models. Prices start at $28,895.

Chevrolet is keen to offer more customization options than ever before for its popular truck and who can blame them? The Silverado looks so cool in black so, yeah, let them do it.

Did we mention that the only color available is black?

Iveco is Working on Your Next Post-Apocalyptic Escape 4x4 Truck

Interested in a mighty off-road utilitarian vehicle? Of course you are, according to Iveco.

Forget about Raptors, Land Cruisers, Defenders and other publicly known hardcore off-roaders. If you want your off-road experience to reach stratospheric levels of excitement and don’t have a fortune lying around for a G63 AMG 6x6, then chances are that your options would include only one vehicle, the mighty Unimog.

Apparently, Iveco wants to change that, judging from the latest spy photos we got our hands on. It looks like the Italian company is testing a 4WD, jacked-up version of its Daily van in cold weather conditions. Iveco is known for its trusted workhorses in Europe and apparently wants to add one more, super cool variation in Daily’s numerous versions.

With its really small overhangs and huge ground clearance, this Iveco looks like a serious tool for everything: from exploring the arctic landscape to transferring precious cargo after the road stops to surviving a future zombie apocalypse.

So what do you think? Is Iveco on to something we might have missed?