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How A Few Accidents Made Cars Safer

 

When you think about cars, you might picture powerful engines, shiny paint, and stylish designs. But some of the most important features in your vehicle today didn’t come from careful planning, they started with slips, spills, and a few surprising turns of fate. Little mistakes that ended up making driving a lot safer.

A Little Kitchen Mishap

Charles Goodyear had been struggling to tame natural rubber. It melted in the heat and cracked in the cold, completely unreliable. One day while experimenting, he dropped a mix of rubber and sulfur onto a hot surface. Instead of turning into a sticky mess, it charred but stayed strong and springy. That accident became the process of vulcanization, the foundation for the tough, weatherproof tires that grip the road under every car today. Today’s tires go even further: engineered tread patterns, silica compounds, and built-in pressure sensors all work together to keep drivers safe on wet, snowy, and scorching roads.

A Broken Flask

A French chemist once dropped a glass flask that had been coated with a thin plastic film. To his surprise, it cracked but didn’t shatter into dangerous shards. That stumble inspired the idea of laminating glass with a protective layer, which evolved into the safety glass in every windshield. Modern windshields don’t just stay intact in a crash they also block UV rays, reduce noise, and even host sensors for lane-keeping systems and heads-up displays.

The Cylinder Surprise

While working with gases used in refrigeration, chemists left a cylinder pressurized overnight. When they opened it, the gas was gone, replaced by a slippery, waxy solid coating on the inside of the container. This new material was polytetrafluoroethylene, better known as Teflon. It later found its way into seals, hoses, and coatings that reduce friction and prevent dangerous leaks in engines. Today, advanced materials like this make sure engines run smoothly and reliably, even under extreme conditions.

I Can See Clearly Now the Rain Is Gone…

Mary Anderson once noticed a streetcar driver leaning out and stopping constantly to wipe rain off the windshield by hand. She thought: there has to be a better way. Her swinging arm with a rubber blade was the first windshield wiper. Now, cars use rain sensors that automatically adjust the wipers so drivers can focus on the road.

Objects in Mirror May Appear Closer…

At the Indianapolis 500, a driver wanted to race without a passenger to watch his back. He strapped a small mirror to his dashboard, giving birth to the rearview mirror. That quick fix is now a high-tech feature, often equipped with blind-spot monitoring, auto-dimming glass, and rear cameras.

A Soft Landing in a Hard Crash

After a close call, an engineer imagined using compressed air to soften the blow inside a car. His sketch of an inflatable cushion turned into the first airbag concept. Today’s airbags deploy in milliseconds, adapt to crash severity, and even include side-curtain versions that protect everyone in the vehicle.

A Cat’s Gaze in the Dark

A road engineer noticed how a cat’s eyes reflected headlights at night. That little observation sparked the invention of reflective studs for roads known as “cat’s eyes.” The idea grew into reflective lane paint, LED markers, and adaptive headlights that turn with the steering wheel, all designed to keep night driving safe.

Cars Are Safer Today

Cars may have roots in chance discoveries, but it’s no accident that modern vehicles are safer than ever. What began as dropped flasks, overheated rubber, and odd observations has become:

  • Tires engineered for grip in any weather.

  • Windshields that stay intact under impact.

  • Wipers and mirrors that do the thinking for you.

  • Airbags, sensors, and cameras ready to protect you in milliseconds.

We know cars aren’t just machines, they’re the result of human creativity, trial and error, and the constant push for safety. That’s why we’re proud to offer vehicles packed with the latest safety features, designed to keep you and your family secure on every trip. Explore our car inventory, estimate your vehicle’s value with our trade-in tool, or get pre-approved quickly with our credit application

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What NHTSA’s Safety Rating Delay Means For You

Buying Smart While Staying Safe

When you’re shopping for a used car, safety is often the first thing on your mind and for good reason. That’s why so many buyers look to the 5-Star Safety Ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) when comparing vehicles.

Recently, NHTSA announced that its planned update to the 5-Star Safety Rating system originally scheduled for 2026 models will now be delayed until 2027. At first glance, this might sound like a complicated government decision. But for used car shoppers, it actually brings good news.

 

Current Ratings Still Count

Because the updated standards are postponed, all vehicles on the market today are still measured by the existing criteria. That means a 2019–2025 vehicle with a 5-star score remains just as trustworthy today as when it was tested. For anyone shopping used, this stability is reassuring: your car’s rating won’t suddenly feel “out of date” in the next year or two.

Many Used Cars Already Have “Future” Features

Even though the government won’t officially include them in ratings until 2027, many late-model used cars already come equipped with advanced safety technology. Depending on the year and trim level, you can find features such as:

  • Blind-spot monitoring  helps spot vehicles you might not see in your mirrors.

  • Lane-keeping assist gently corrects steering to help keep you centered.

  • Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection  added peace of mind in city driving.

  • Adaptive cruise control  maintains a safe distance automatically on the highway.

These are the very features regulators will highlight in a couple of years. Smart shoppers can enjoy them today often at thousands less than the cost of buying new. Browse our latest selection here: Shop Our Inventory.

Value That Lasts

Since the new safety criteria won’t apply until 2027, a used car you buy now won’t lose its credibility on resale. In fact, vehicles already equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems may hold their value even better as demand for those features grows. Thinking ahead about equity? See what your current vehicle is worth: Value Your Trade.

We Help You Shop Smart

Our team can also help you identify which models in our inventory already include features that align with the next generation of safety standards.

Prefer to get a head start from home? You can streamline your visit by starting a secure financing application in minutes: Apply for Financing.

The Bottom Line

The NHTSA’s delay in updating safety ratings may sound like a technical detail, but here’s what it really means: today’s used cars remain a safe, reliable, and value-packed choice. With many pre-owned vehicles already equipped with features regulators will soon highlight, there has never been a better time to consider buying used.

Next step: Explore our certified pre-owned options, schedule a test drive, and let our team help you find a vehicle that fits your budget and your peace of mind.

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First-Time Car Buyer’s Guide

What You Need to Know Before Visiting the Dealership

Buying your first car is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming if you’re not sure where to start. The good news? With a little preparation, the process can be simple, smooth, and rewarding. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you feel confident before walking into the dealership.

1. Set Your Budget

The first step is deciding what you’re comfortable spending. Think about a monthly payment that fits your lifestyle , something you can manage without stretching your finances too far.

Remember, the cost of a car isn’t just the sticker price. You’ll also need to account for taxes, title, and registration fees, and you may want to plan for optional protections like extended warranties or service coverage.

If you have a vehicle to trade in, that can help lower your monthly cost or reduce the amount you need to finance. Even a small down payment can make a big difference.

Loan terms vary, too:

  • Shorter terms = higher monthly payments, less total interest.

  • Longer terms = smaller payments, more interest over time.

To get a better idea of what works for you, try our loan calculator. And when you’re ready, you can also apply for financing online.

2. Research Your Options

Since you’re shopping for a used car, narrowing down the options is key. Used vehicles come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges, and finding the right fit starts with thinking about your lifestyle needs:

  • Do you commute long distances? Look for fuel efficiency and comfort.

  • Have a family? Space and safety ratings may be top priorities.

  • Need something for work or outdoor activities? Durability, towing capacity, or all-wheel drive could be important.

  • Running errands around town? A smaller, easy-to-park car might be the best fit.

You can start your search right now by browsing our used car inventory. Once you have a shortlist, the test drive is where everything comes together. Sitting behind the wheel, checking visibility, and trying out the controls will tell you far more than any spec sheet.

3. Understand Financing Basics

Financing a used car doesn’t need to be complicated. A little preparation goes a long way:

  • Get preapproved if you can. Knowing what you qualify for helps you shop with confidence. Start here: apply for financing.

  • Understand loan terms. Shorter terms come with higher payments but less interest overall; longer terms mean smaller payments but more interest across the life of the loan.

  • Know your credit score. This can affect both approval and interest rates. Even if your score isn’t perfect, dealerships work with a wide range of customers to find workable solutions.

  • Make a down payment. The more you put down upfront, the less you’ll need to finance which helps reduce your monthly payment.

Not sure how the numbers will shake out? Use our loan calculator to explore different scenarios. And remember, our finance team is here to walk you through the details step by step.

4. What to Bring to the Dealership

Coming prepared makes your first visit smooth and stress-free. Here are the basics:

  • Driver’s License – required for test drives and paperwork.

  • Proof of Insurance – needed before you can finalize a purchase.

  • Payment Method – whether that’s a down payment or full purchase funds.

  • Trade-In Items (if applicable) – such as your title, keys, and any essential documents.

Having these ready will save you time and keep the process moving quickly.

We're Here To Help

Buying your first used car doesn’t have to be intimidating. By setting a budget, researching your options, understanding financing, and bringing the right documents, you’ll be well-prepared to find the vehicle that fits your life.

Start browsing our used car inventory, test out numbers with our loan calculator, and when you’re ready, apply for financing online. We’ll be here to help you every step of the way.

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