General Tips for Buying A New Vehicle in 2001

With an average cost of about $20,000, buying a new vehicle is an important financial decision. Check buying guides, available at newsstands, libraries, or on the Internet to learn more about standard and optional safety features. Once you know which features are standard, you can begin making cost comparisons for safety.

Find out about manufacturers' "clones," which are nearly identical vehicles marketed under different names. For example, you could come out ahead on safety buying the high-end model of a clone-with standard safety features-instead of the low-end model of the more heavily promoted vehicle with those features added as options.

In addition to crash-test data, consider all the features we've described-seat belt features, air bags, head injury protection, head restraints, anti-lock brake systems, traction control, all-wheel drive, and automatic-dimming rearview mirrors. Other important safety equipment, which is often standard, includes right-side mirrors and rear window defrosters- and, don't forget built-in child restraints.

Perform a Safety Check
Try on the seat belt and take a test drive to ensure that you are comfortable while driving the vehicle. During your test drive, make sure head restraints, roof structures, and windshield designs do not interfere with your ability to see clearly. Take the time to test drive the vehicle at dusk and in the evening to determine your comfort with the visibility provided by the headlamps. If you have an older child safety seat that is not designed to work with the new child seat attachment system, install it to check for compatibility. Make sure to read about proper use and installation in the owner's manual.

Check out the Rollovers and Side-Collision Crash Tests First
Some sport utility vehicles (SUVs) tipped over when struck in a side impact collision during testing. Since the NCAP test was not designed to measure how likely a vehicle is to rollover, NHTSA does not know if these vehicles are more prone to rollover in side impact crashes than other SUV models. Nonetheless, the tests do reinforce real-world crash experience that shows that, when struck in a side impact collision, SUVs are more prone to roll over than other vehicle types.

It should be noted that the vast majority of rollovers do not occur during side impact collisions. Most rollovers occur when a single vehicle runs off the road and is tripped by a curb, ditch, or other object or surface. Sport utility vehicles generally have higher ground clearance and narrow width (useful when operating off-road). Because of these features SUVs tend to be top-heavy, making them more likely to roll over in a crash, especially if they are carrying roof loads.

Consider Air Bags Adverse Effects
Depending on the speed at impact and the stiffness of the object struck, front air bags inflate to prevent occupants from hitting the dashboard, steering wheel, and windshield. Side air bags reduce the risk that occupants will hit the door or objects that crash through it. Front air bags for both drivers and passengers are standard equipment in all year 2001 model vehicles.

Although air bags provide life-saving benefits for the vast majority of people, there are situations in which air bag deployment can have adverse effects. These include situations when occupants are unbelted and/or are too close to the air bag when it deploys. You can significantly reduce the risk of injury from an air bag by observing the following basic safety rules:
- Buckle your seat belt 
- Keep about 10 inches or more between your breastbone and the air bag 
- Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag, even a reduced-power air bag, unless the air bag on-off switch is in the OFF position 
- Place children 12 years and under in the back seat and make sure they are properly restrained, either in a seat belt or a child safety seat appropriate for their size and weight. 

Automakers are now beginning to introduce more advanced features into air bags. For example, some systems automatically detect the presence of small children seated by an air bag, or adults too close to an air bag, and turn off the air bag for as long as necessary. Some systems automatically modify the way the air bag works for different size occupants and for different levels of crash severity. Because these systems are very new, charts only indicate that the vehicle has one or more of these features. You will need to talk with the dealer or review the owner's manual to learn which features are available for the air bags in your new vehicle.