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What Does IIHS Stand For And Why Are They Important?

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Avoid buying an unsafe vehicle or see how safe your current vehicle is by reviewing information provided by the IIHS. Knowing how vehicles perform in IIHS tests can help you avoid the ones likely to cause injuries, property damage, and death when an accident occurs. autobahn-performance.com gathered information about the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, what their organization represents, and how their influence has consistently improved vehicle safety since their creation. What Is The IIHS? The IIHS is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The IIHS, an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization, founded in 1959, was initially intended to support highway safety efforts by other agencies. By 1969, the institute had been reinvented as an independent research organization with the mission to reduce deaths, injuries, and property damages resulting from motor vehicle crashes. IIHS research looks into: • Human Factors – behaviors • Vehicle Research – s
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When Should My Car’s Shock Absorbers Be Replaced?

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Are worn-out shock absorbers robbing you of a smooth ride in your car? By knowing when to replace them, you can prevent the anxiety of a bumpy ride and several mechanical problems down the road. autobahn-performance.com gathered information about when shock absorbers should be replaced, signs they have failed, the damage they can contribute to over time, and their purpose. When Should You Replace Your Car’s Shock Absorbers? Shock absorbers, unlike other vehicle parts, do not have a set expiration date or set mileage. Depending on the amount and under what conditions you drive, they can last far past the 50,000 mile standard. The following are indicators that your shock absorbers need to be replaced: Bumpy Ride – When your shock absorbers are nearing the end of their useful life, the ride in the vehicle will become bumpy. In fact, as this worsens, you will feel nearly all defects or imperfections on the road. Especially hard drops off of speed bumps. Braking Problems – Ineffect
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Why Does My Car Windshield Keep Fogging Up?

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Stop your fogged up windshield from obstructing your view of the road or causing an accident. Knowing why your windshield is fogging up will aid you in determining how to clear it up quickly. autobahn-performance.com  gathered information about why windshields fog up and what steps you can take to stop it from reducing your visibility while operating a vehicle. Why Do Windshields Fog Up? The following are factors that can lead to a reduced or completely obstructed vision from a fogged-up windshield: Temperature Differences – Moisture condenses on your windshield when there is airborne moisture inside your car, and the glass is colder than the dew point. The dew point is the temperature where moisture condenses and dew, fog, and mist form. Did you know that the more passengers you have in your vehicle sharply increases the likelihood and intensity of your windows fogging up. Their body heat and moist breath can quickly provide the moisture needed for condensation to form. Tip:
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7 Signs You Need New Tires

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Your old or balding tires could result in loss of control of your car, a collision, or severe injury. By knowing when to get new tires, you can take action to avoid flat tires, potential accidents, and expensive repairs. autobahn-performance.com compiled the following list of signs that tell you when to get new tires for your vehicle, and pro tips to help you check them regularly. 1. Your Tires Are Bald – Low Tread The surface of a tire that contacts the road is called the tread. When the tread wears down to the “wear bars” or reaches 2/32”, your tires need to be replaced. You can determine this measurement quickly by performing a penny test. Tip: Place a penny in the valley of your tire’s tread with Lincoln’s head straight down into the tire. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tire tread is below 2/32” and are bald. Wear bars are small strips of rubber located deep in the tread valley that indicate (once the tread wears down to their level) when a tire should be rep
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Why Are My Brakes Squealing?

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Avoid causing expensive car damage by failing to address your squealing brakes. Brakes can squeal, squeak, or grind for a number of reasons, some of which must be addressed immediately for your safety on the road. autobahn-performance.com gathered information about why your brakes may squeal, squeak, and grind, and how to get them fixed. Reasons Your Brakes Squeal, Squeak, and Grind When the most powerful system of your vehicle (your anti-lock brake system ) starts to squeal, squeak, or grind, it’s an indication that something is wrong and should be checked out. The following are some of the reasons your brake system may squeal, squeak, or grind: Worn Brake Pads – When the friction material on your brake pads wears down, the steel backing of the brake pad makes contact with the rotor (disk) producing a squeal and/or grinding sound. According to cars.com Some brake pads are equipped with a wear indicator that makes contact with the rotor and emits a high pitched squeal when it
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Why Is My Car Engine Smoking?

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Avoid neglecting your car’s smoking engine and facing a total loss and no transportation. There are many reasons why your engine is smoking, each of which will require your immediate attention. autobahn-performance.com gathered information about why an engine may start to smoke, what the color of the smoke may indicate, and why it is urgent to have your car fixed as quickly as possible. My Car Is Smoking There are several reasons that your car’s engine is smoking. It is a common assumption that an engine starts smoking because it is overheating. If your car is overheating, the smoke may be caused by any or a combination of the following: • Melting wire casings • Shorts caused by bare wires in contact with each other • Superheated built-up residues on the engine block • Overheated oil, transmission fluid, or brake fluid An overheating engine is a sign that the coolant system has failed. Other reasons may be that your engine or transmission is not lubricated or functioning prope
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The Volkswagen Group Subsidiaries and Brands

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The Volkswagen Group is one of the largest companies in the world, responsible for some of the most recognizable vehicle brands on the road today. autobahn-performance.com gathered information about the Volkswagen Group, its brands, and subsidiaries. Volkswagen in History Founded by the Nazi lead German Labour Front in Wolfsburg, Germany, 1937, Volkswagen was owned by the German government and originally carried the name “Volkswagenwerk” which translates to “The People’s Car Company.” You may be surprised to learn that the Beetle (the company’s first vehicle), known as the Type 1, was commissioned by none other than Adolf Hitler. The Type 1 rolled off the assembly line in 1938 and was designed by the Austrian automotive engineer, Ferdinand Porsche (yes, the founder of the Porsche car company). Already widely popular in Europe, it was in 1949 that Volkswagen entered the U.S. market. In that first year, the automaker sold a whopping 2 (two) units. Initially marketed as “Victory W
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