Summertime Cruising Convertible Safety

The drop top is not your Daddy’s Buick and you’ll find it’s a loud, bright, beautiful, zestful, windy, car jacking world out there when the lid comes off of your car. Of course I had to say that last word no one wants to hear because that can potentially be your worst nightmare for an otherwise perfect day of motoring. When in city traffic it’s a good idea to keep the side windows up and of course the doors locked. Surprisingly the windows are a detouring factor for evil doers and it makes things harder than just grabbing your hair and snagging you right out of your seat belt. Also when stopped at lights be sure to leave enough room in front of you for a potential drive off escape if needed. Even though it’s a perfect day outside, choose when to and when not to drop the top based on where you are and where you are going. We tend to have the “nothing is going to happen to me” attitude which will lower you guard. The great thing about most modern convertibles is the ease of lowering and raising so use that to your advantage when the time calls for putting the top up for those “just in case” situations. I was taught a valuable lesson, and almost lost my wife, my car and my sanity one night while visiting Florida. My company was having a convention and my wife and I decided to drive the new convertible as we figured it would make a great summer road trip. Once in Florida it was nightfall, we didn’t know the area, the top was down, and we pulled in to a convenience store. Without thinking I left the car running, wife inside, and planned to be in and out of the store. I was at the check out counter in about a minute and watched the guy in front of me check out and walk outside. Thinking nothing of it, I bought my items and walked out the door toward my car only to see that the guy that was in front of me at the counter was walking back toward me from the direction of my car. As I passed the other guy my wife had a horrified look on her face so I hurried my pace toward the car. Once inside she recounted to me the events as viewed from the car and her perspective. She watched the mystery guy walk from the store, look at her, then my car, then me inside the store, and began walking toward her. About what would have no doubt been his point of no return he took one more look inside at me and apparently assessed whether I was close enough, or maybe big enough, and he decided it wasn’t a good idea and turned around. From then on it was top up, doors locked and she comes with me. Now I can’t top that story of potential loss with advising you to stay back from gravel haulers so rocks don’t pepper your face. Nor can I tell you to protect yourself from sunburn and to wear sunglasses. I can’t tell you not to flip the darn thing because your noggin will hurt the next day. I can’t tell you to make sure you don’t have a business file in the back seat without a binder clip on it. I can’t tell you not to park under trees where the birds hang out. I can’t tell you that the hard water pressure during a car wash can damage your rag top. I can’t tell you allot of things. But what I can tell you is put the top up when you leave the car and don’t do what I did. The truth is, I experienced all of the above in my convertible but with no loss of fun, loved ones or my own life, and that’s a great thing. I also learned to be respectful of a drop top on a great day and know when to eclipse the sun and squelch the breeze when needed. Category:Home › Autos • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 2 • You should never use after-market auto parts when maintaining or fixing your car • Should a new car be rust-proofed? • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 1 • Five safest cars in North America • How to ensure your teen drives safely after getting a license • Pros and cons of using an hydrogen generator for your car • DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil