Steering You Right with Sharon Peters: Quiet App
Q: Is there an app I can get that will silence our teen driver’s phone and let us monitor her when she’s driving? I don’t have a problem ignoring the phone pings, but she, like most teens, seems incapable of doing so.
A: You’re probably referring to the DriveSafeMode app. You can get it for iPhone and Android.
The app automatically silences the phone and it allows parents to create an account that will notify them when the kid isn’t using DriveSafe Mode.
So if your teen is texting or using Facebook, Twitter or any other mobile app while in motion, you’ll get an immediate notification.
Q: I have a little corrosion on my battery posts. I wipe it with a rag every few months. But I think I should probably be doing something better by my battery. Is there some solution I should buy?
A: There are products called battery cleaner sprays (you should be able to find it for $10 or less a can) that you can buy, or you can use baking soda and water.
Just sprinkle some baking soda on both of the battery terminals and then drizzle a bit of water on the baking soda. The mixture will begin bubbling up. Don’t worry. Pretty soon the acid of the corrosion will be neutralized.
When the bubbling stops, use a small wire brush or a toothbrush to scrub for a few seconds. Then rinse with plain water. Keep the hood open for a little while so it dries completely.
When it has dried, you can wipe a little petroleum jelly on the terminals and that will slow the development of more corrosion.
Q: I think I heard on TV some brand of car is going to have an airbag on the sunroof. Is that right?
A: Hyundai got some attention at the end of December for patenting an airbag that’s supposed to protect you in a rollover accident. Some sort of sensors detect an imminent rollover and inflate the airbag to protect all the heads in the car.
There is no word on when it’ll show up.
What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.
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