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Teen Driver Safety Series

Part 4

By Scott Memmer

Photos

(Enlarge photo)
The 2001 Honda Civic: a great teen car with strong crash-test scores and a legendary reputation for reliability. It should be on every parent's short list. (Photo by American Honda Motor Company, Inc.)

In our previous installments in this series, we've focused mostly on the behavior of teen drivers. We've looked at accident statistics, education, driving patterns, imbibing habits (drugs and alcohol), peer pressure and social influences. We've also examined the trends that shape the average American's relationship with his transportation, which could, in turn, influence the way a young person behaves behind the wheel.

Understanding these issues is crucial to keeping our youngest drivers out of harm's way. Still, there's another factor, often overlooked, that affects the safety of teen drivers. Specifically, what kind of car does your teen drive?

In certain instances, vehicle choice can mean the difference between life and death. Obviously, a car's crashworthiness and rollover characteristics play a vital role in protecting both the driver and occupants; but other factors, such as the condition of the tires or the status of the cooling system, can also affect a vehicle's overall dependability, and thus increase the risk of breakdown.

In this installment, our fourth in the series, let's take a look at the safety considerations to keep in mind when selecting a young person's vehicle.

Before reading any further, you may want to review Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Teenager's Car. This article covers some of the same ground, but from a slightly different perspective.

So what do you look for when shopping for a car for your teen driver?

New Cars: Clearly, when buying a new vehicle, there's less to worry about in terms of maintenance and upkeep. The main concern, then, centers around crash resistance and structural integrity. This falls into several different areas.

Crash-test scores: These play an increasingly important role in helping consumers determine the crash-worthiness of a particular vehicle. Crash-test scores give the best picture yet of the ability of a vehicle to withstand a front or side impact. Case in point: One of our editors recently attended a trade show and had to rent a car. His rental was a 2001 Chevy Cavalier, a vehicle his daughter had expressed interest in buying. When our editor returned from his trip, he immediately went on the NHTSA Web site and checked out the crash-test scores on the 2001 Cavalier. Very poor side-impact scores. As a result, the Cavalier is no longer on his list. (On the other hand, the 2001 Honda Civic, another contender, had much better side-impact scores, and has remained under consideration.) While crash-test scores are approximate, they represent an excellent appraisal of the structural integrity of a particular model. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also conducts crash testing. Use both of these sources to narrow down your choices and keep your child safe.

Rollover risk: Most people know by now that SUVs, trucks and other truck-based vehicles have a higher center of gravity and are more prone to roll over than passenger cars. NHTSA has already received funding from Congress for full-scale rollover testing and will commence testing within two years. In the meantime, you can use NHTSA's Rollover Resistance Ratings as a general guideline. Be aware, however, that these ratings are looked down upon in the automotive industry, as they are based upon a mathematical calculation rather than real-life crash testing. Still, they offer some guidance as to what vehicles to buy and which ones to avoid.

Size: On the other hand, a vehicle's size can offer protection during a collision. Big vehicles have a larger crumple zone, which can limit injuries in an accident. So what do you do? Our recommendation: buy your novice driver a non-truck-based vehicle with excellent crash-test scores and focus on defensive driving skills. Many, although not all, accidents occur due to operator error. Teaching your child solid driving skills is a gift that will last a lifetime.

Reliability: Certain models, such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, have legendary reputations for drivetrain reliability. However, they also cost more. If you can afford it, consider buying your child a model with a great reputation. It may save her from being stranded by the side of the road someday, and the added sense of security will benefit the whole family.

Used Cars: Many parents can't afford to buy a new car for their teen driver, and must instead shop in the used market. No problem, as there are a lot of great values in that segment. Here are the factors to consider when buying a used car.

Tires: Tires are a critical component on any vehicle. Think about it: They're the only place at which your car has direct contact with the road. Therefore, their condition is critical to your vehicle's stopping and handling ability. So examine them closely. Are they cracked or aging? Is there plenty of tread left, or are they worn down to the wear indicators? If so, use this as a bargaining chip with the seller, either getting them to lower the price enough to pay for a new set of tires, or, in the case of a car dealership, insisting that they mount new rubber before you'll purchase the car. You may also want to read Flat Tire Hell and Change a Flat Tire, as well as Tires: Traffic Safety Tips.

Brakes: Without a doubt, your teen will be more interested in how quickly his car accelerates versus how fast it stops. No single attribute contributes more to vehicle safety than the ability to stop quickly. Therefore, running a close second to tires is the condition of the brakes. Do they squeal or howl? If so, this could indicate uneven wear. Are the drums or rotors scored? (Disc brake rotors can be checked visually or by running your fingernail across the surface of the rotor. If either inspection turns up scoring, have the rotor replaced, not turned on a lathe. It's cheap insurance, and could save the life of your child someday. Conversely, most drum brakes require the removal of the rear wheels for inspection.) As above, use any deficiencies as leverage to negotiate a lower purchase price. Also, check out The Attack on Antilock Brakes and Fixing Antilock Brakes.

Belts and hoses: Similar to tires, hoses and belts have a tendency to wear over time. Inspect them for cracks and aging and replace them before they give you trouble.

Radiator/Cooling system: This is a hard one to check, but worth the effort. If nothing else, stick your nose under the car and see if there's any fluid on the ground. If it's clear, it's probably just melted condensation from your air conditioner, but if it's green or pink or some other strange color, it could indicate leakage from your radiator. Another test: drive the car hard and see if it overheats. If so, return immediately to the seller to renegotiate. Don't mess with a finicky cooling system: It's a good way to land your teen somewhere you don't want him -- by the side of the road. You may also want to read How To...Maintain Your Vehicle's Cooling System.

Seatbelts: Pretty obvious, but make sure all the seatbelts attach and retract correctly. Also, check their condition for fraying fabric or loose anchor points. This is the best 40-year-old safety innovation in the business.

Engine and transmission: Again, fairly obvious, but not worth overlooking. A qualified mechanic can do a compression test and other procedures to check the strength of the engine. A transmission will usually go a long time unless it's leaking, but be on the lookout during a test drive to spot any slippage or harsh shifts.

Battery: Most auto parts stores and repair facilities will test your battery for free to see if it needs replacing. It takes about five minutes. Also, you may want to read more about your car's battery to understand service and upkeep issues surrounding this inexpensive but essential component.

Although this is by no means an exhaustive list, these are the major systems to consider when shopping for a used car for your teen. Use this list as a guideline to bring you and your new driver in for a safe landing.

Of course, we've left the toughest job for you: convincing your child to be practical versus popular.

In our final installment, we'll review our Teen Driver Safety Series and offer some final tips for keeping your new driver safe behind the wheel.

We've placed links below to the three previous installments.

Previous Stories
Teen Driver Safety Series, Part One: Young Drivers at Risk
Teen Driver Safety Series, Part Two: Risk Factors for New Drivers
Teen Driver Safety Series, Part Three: The (Mis) Education of American Drivers