Nick's tip 22 - The Future's So Bright

Back in the 80s, there was a popular song called, "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades." by the band Timbuk3. It's a silly song, but I was reminded about it this summer with a number of people asking me about tinting the windows of their cars.

Tinting is marvelous stuff. It can help you stay cool. It can help protect you against nasty ultraviolet rays. It can even improve your privacy.

But, tinting also has a dark side (all puns intended.) Tinting your windows can possibly affect your vision and your ability to operate your car safely. And tinting can also annoy police and highway patrol officers into writing you a ticket.

I actually had this experience a number of years ago. I had purchased a beautiful pre-owned sedan that the previous owner had tinted. And I was pulled over by a highway patrol officer and given a ticket. They required me to remove the tinting, go to the highway patrol to show them it was removed, and, of course and always, pay a fine.

So what are the requirements? This is from the CHP's website at http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html.

Can I put after-market tinting on the windows of my vehicle?
The main requirements for legal window tinting in California are:

1. The windshield and front driver's side and passenger's side windows cannot receive any aftermarket tinting.

2. If the rear window of a vehicle is tinted, the vehicle must have outside rearview mirrors on both sides.

The law prohibits any person from driving any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied upon the windshield or side or rear windows, with certain limited exceptions.

However, legislation signed into law effective January 1, 1999, exempts from the above prohibition specified clear, colorless, and transparent material that is installed, affixed, or applied to the front driver and passenger side windows for the specific purpose of reducing ultraviolet rays. If, as, or when this material becomes torn, bubbled or otherwise worn, it must be removed or replaced.

This is probably another example of not-what-you-were-hoping-for, similar to the tip about front license plates. http://nickstips.blogspot.com/2006/12/nicks-car-tips-3-front-license-plate.html. Hope you find it useful all the same.

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nicks Car Tips # 21 Clunkers and Mileage Kings

Hello!

It's been a very exciting time for those who are interested in moving to more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly cars.

· The "Cash for Clunkers" program has passed to become law now as the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS).

· And we've just received an update from Lexus about the EPA gas mileage for the new Lexus HS250h hybrid.

The CARS program means that if you have a car that is less than 25 years old, has a combined EPA rating of 18 miles per gallon or less, is in driveable condition, and has been continuously registered and insured to the same owner the full year before trading it in, your car may be eligible for a credit of 3500 or more to help with your purchase of a new vehicle. You can learn more about it by going to the official program website at http://www.cars.gov/.

There are a few things to know about the program. Most importantly, the law was just passed, and the NTHSA is just now starting to put the systems and processes in place to make it work. It will be some time before it's ready to use. If you are interested in learning more as we get more details, let me know, and I can keep you up to date with the lastest developments.

If you are considering a new car purchase, you may want to explore with us whether we can do something for you now with the car as a trade that will make it worth getting the car you want even before the CARS program is available.

And now, this just in:
The following EPA information for the MY10 HS 250h will be posted on the HS250 Monroney Labels (window stickers). This is a sneak peak that hasn't even been released to the press yet. And we've been told that people who have been driving the prototypes have reported even better mileage than what is shown below.

35 MPG Combined
35 MPG City
34 MPG Highway

Please keep in mind that:
• 35 MPG City is 85% better than average Near Luxury car
• 35 MPG Combined is 59% better than average Near Luxury car
• HS is the best luxury vehicle in terms of MPG

And one last inside secret for today. If you're going to be in the Bay Area and are interested in the new HS250h, please save the date of July 28th in the evening for a special sneak preview of the car. You're welcome to let me know if you're interested, and I'll forward you the venue information as we receive it.

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nicks Tips #19 When Bad Things Happen to Good Cars

Hello 

The simple fact is that sometimes bad things happen to good cars.  A few days ago, my wife had an accident in our Lexus.  My wife is an excellent driver.  But there are some drivers out there who aren't quite as excellent.  I imagine you've noticed something similar from time to time.

I'm delighted to say that the car did what it was supposed to do to protect my family.  And I'm not so delighted to recognize that we have some clean up work to be done.   So what are the first things to do when you've been in an accident?  Here are a few suggestions:

1. Carry a disposable camera in your car.  If your batteries in your digital camera happen to be out, this will give you a reliable alternative for taking pictures of your car, any other cars involved, the location of the accident, time of day and anything else that might be helpful.  Also, before you forget the details, write down a few notes, as objectively as you can, about what happened.  It's an emotional time, and that makes it hard to remember all the details later, so try to do it the same day.

2. Exchange all the information with the other drivers - names, drivers license, insurance company, policy numbers, and contact information, license plates, make, model and year of the other cars.  Even if it seems as though no significant damage has been done, or the other driver is suggesting not involving the insurance companies, it's very difficult to get this information afterward.  Better a little too much information that not enough.

3. It's good manners and just plain human to express concern about how the other people are doing.  This is not the same as admitting fault.  At the same time, don't be too quick to say that you're not injured.  There are some types of injuries that can occur during an accident that are not plain at the time, but can be debilitating days later.

4. Do call for police, especially if any damage or injuries have occured.  Make sure that you speak directly to the police officer who is completing the report to present your side of the story.  Get the report number from the officer before he or she leaves the scene so you can get a copy later.

5. If there was more than 750 dollars of damage. or if anyone was injured or killed, complete and file a copy of the DMV SR1 report form with the DMV.  You can find a copy at this link.  http://dmv.ca.gov/forms/sr/sr1.htm  This report must be filed within 10 days.

And then come the more tedious issues.  Does the damage to the car cost more to repair than the car is worth?  What are your insurance policy's coverages?  Read through your entire policy to find out whether you have coverage for what the car was worth, or for the replacement cost.  Does your policy cover rental cars while your car is repaired or replaced?  What are the insurance company's requirements about factory parts?

Sometimes insurance companies can take a while to finish the setllement.  In the meantime, because you may be needing a new car, there are often things that we can do at the dealership to make the transition pretty straightforward.   You're always welcome to call or write when ever I may be of help.

While I usually I hope you find these tips useful, this is one tip I hope you never need.

Best wishes for safe driving!