All-new 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Earns Highest Safety Ratings in Midsize Class 2013 Accord Coupe joins Accord Sedan in earning 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from NHTSA; all Accord models now boast top overall NHTSA and IIHS safety ratings

[source:  American Honda]
The completely redesigned 2013 Honda Accord Coupe has earned the highest available safety rating – a 5-Star¹ Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The 2013 Accord Coupe is the only vehicle in its class to earn a NHTSA 5-star Overall Vehicle Score and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating with GOOD ratings in all test modes. For model year 2013, all tested Honda models have earned a TOP SAFETY PICK or TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the IIHS (only the Civic Coupe, FCX Clarity and Fit EV have not been tested).

"The Honda comprehensive approach to vehicle safety is validated by these top-level safety ratings," said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product planning and logistics at American Honda. "The 2013 Honda Accord truly excels in all areas, delivering the best overall safety ratings, while also providing exhilarating performance, outstanding comfort and top-class fuel economy."
The Accord Coupe earned the 5-star Overall Vehicle Score by garnering a 5-star rating in each seating position in the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) frontal, side-barrier, and side-pole crash test categories, as well as a 5-star rollover rating. The 2013 Coupe joins the Honda Accord Sedan in earning an Overall 5-Star Safety Rating under NHTSA's testing.

In addition to its NCAP 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score designation, the 2013 Honda Accord Sedan is the only car in its class to earn a GOOD rating in all IIHS test modes, including the Institute's aggressive, new small overlap frontal crash test. Under the IIHS' testing program, the new small overlap frontal crash test—sometimes called a "narrow offset" test—is designed to replicate what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole at high speed.

Beginning with the 2013 Honda Accord, Honda is applying the second generation of the Honda Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™ II) body structure to its models. This reinforced frontal structure further enhances frontal crash energy management through a wider range of offset and oblique collision modes.

Honda Odyssey becomes the only minivan to earn top safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA under more-stringent testing guidelines

Well, the Honda Odyssey has gone and done it now...and we couldn't be more proud at Keeler Honda!  Not only has the Odyssey won the highest possible safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) but now it has received five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under their respective more-stringent testing guidelines.  See the official press release from Honda after the jump.

The award winning Honda Odyssey is specially priced for the month of March at Keeler Honda.  You can lease the 2011 Odyssey LX for only $296/month for 36 months.  Click here for more details on the Odyssey special at Keeler Honda located in Latham, NY just north of Albany on Rt. 7.

The NHTSA issues new child seat guidelines

This article is a must read for our Keeler Motor Car parents.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration came out with new guidelines for child seats.  According to their press release, children under the age of two should stay in rear-facing carseats or until they reach the manufacturer's recommended height and weight requirement.  As a parent of a two and (almost) four year old I have to say that there would have been NO way that my girls would have fit sitting rear-faced.  Their poor little legs would have scrunched up and I can just hear the screaming and crying that would have ensued!  I did however wait until they reached the recommended weight to turn them around. 

What do you think about the new recommendations?  You can read the full press release below.

Source:  www.autoblog.com

NHTSA RELEASES NEW CHILD SEAT GUIDELINES

New Age-Focused Guidelines Help Parents Make More Informed Choices

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has revised its child restraint guidelines to be categorized by age rather than by type of child seat in order to keep pace with the latest scientific and medical research and the development of new child restraint technologies.

Under the new guidelines, issued today, NHTSA is advising parents and caregivers to keep children in each restraint type, including rear-facing, forward-facing and booster seats, for as long as possible before moving them up to the next type of seat.

For instance, the safety agency recommends using the restraints in the rear facing position as long as children fit within the height and weight limits of the car seat as established by the manufacturer. The rear-facing position reduces stresses to the neck and spinal cord and is particularly important for growing babies.

NHTSA said that its new guidelines are consistent with the latest advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics which advises parents to keep kids in rear-facing restraints until two years of age or until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat's manufacturer. There is no need to hurry to transition a child to the next restraint type.

"Safety is our highest priority," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "The 'best' car seat is the one that fits your child, fits your vehicle and one you will use every time your child is in the car."

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland pointed out that while all car seats sold in the U.S. must meet federal child restraint safety standards, he said, "Selecting the right seat for your child can be a challenge for many parents. NHTSA's new revised guidelines will help consumers pick the appropriate seat for their child."

Administrator Strickland said that parents should also consider other factors when selecting a car seat, including their child's weight, height, physical development and behavioral needs, as well the family's economics and type of vehicle.

Additional recommendations for child seat use from NHTSA include the following:

• Always read child seat manufacturers' instructions and the vehicle owner's manual for important information on height and weight limits and how to install the car seat using the seat belt or the LATCH system.

• All children under 13 should ride in the back seat.

• Children in rear-facing car seats should never ride in front of an active passenger air bag.