Advanta-STAR Sources

The information in this material is taken from numerous sources. To reference each source in the body of the work would add too much to its bulk; therefore, this list is given as reference of the materials used.

Sources

Brochures: automotive manufacturers’ brochures, web sites, press kits, media-only manufacturer web sites, data books, technical bulletins, owner’s manuals and new model highlights and preview books.

Periodicals: Car and Driver, Road and Track, Automotive News, Motor Trend, AutoWeek, Automobile Magazine, Popular Mechanics, Consumer Reports, Consumer Guide, Kiplinger’s, Consumer’s Digest, The Complete Car Cost Guide, The Complete Small Truck Cost Guide, The Car Book, Four Wheeler, Petersen’s 4Wheel Off-Road, Open Road, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science and Trailer Life.

Marketing Research Firms: J.D. Power and Associates and Strategic Vision, Inc.

First Hand Data Gathering: Much of the data necessary is taken by Advanta-STAR employees’ hands-on inventories and investigations performed on new car dealer lots or with vehicles loaned by the manufacturer, its divisions or their agents for evaluation.

Other Sources: Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) reports, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests and bumper tests, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports, the EPA Fuel Economy Guide and the EPA Green Vehicle Guide.

Notes

NHTSA and IIHS Crash Assessments

The comparisons of NHTSA and IIHS crash assessments data are taken from the latest crash assessments published by the U.S. government and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. If one of the vehicles has been redesigned since the latest test data, a comparison is not done.

A comparison is done of vehicles of a comparable bodystyle, length and weight class. I.E. Sedan to sedan, 1/2 ton to 1/2 ton, etc. However, if vehicles of similar types have not both been tested, the closest comparison is made.

The NHTSA NCAP frontal test is performed at 35 MPH into a flat, immovable barrier. Five stars means a 10% or less chance of serious injury or death, four stars is 11% to 20%, three stars is 21% to 35%, two stars is 36% to 45%, and 1 star is 46% or greater chance of serious injury or death.

Head Injury Index is the measurement of the pressure to the dummy’s head. Figures above 1000 indicate likely serious injury or death. Chest Forces are measured in G forces, so a chest G force of 50 would be 50 times your own weight. Measurements of 60 and above indicate likely serious injuries or death. Femur loads, measured in pounds, are the forces on the dummy’s legs. Numbers above 2250 indicate serious injuries or death are likely.

The NHTSA NCAP side test is performed by launching a 3015 pound object into the side of the test vehicle at 38.5 MPH. Five stars means a 5% or less chance of serious injury or death, four stars is 6% to 10%, three stars is 11% to 20%, two stars is 21% to 25%, and 1 star is 26% or greater chance of serious injury or death.

Pelvic Injury potential is measured in G forces. Measurements of over 130 G’s indicate a high likelihood of serious injury or death. Thigh forces are measured in pounds. A thigh force of greater than 2250 pounds indicates a high likelihood of serious injury or death.

Visit the NHTSA website at http://www.nhtsa.gov for further explanations of their crash test methodology and ratings.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests are performed at 40 MPH into a deformable barrier at an offset: that is only a portion of the front of the test vehicle strikes the barrier. The subjective ratings of “Poor” to “Good” are judgments  of the IIHS and don’t have any statistical bearing on possible injuries in real-world crashes. Visit the IIHS website at http://www.iihs.org for further explanations of their crash test methodology and ratings.

Highway Loss Data Institute Injury Histories

The history of injuries is with data from the Highway Loss Data Institute. Their data is already represented in terms of the number of injury claims per vehicle registered of cars that have not been significantly altered.

Bumper Tests

Bumper tests are always compared from the same source, either Consumer Reports or the Highway Loss Data Institute. We take data from the latest version of either source. The figures represent the total of multiple tests.

Reliability

Comparisons of overall reliability are taken from an analysis of the bar charts in Consumer Reports Car Issue. Since the comparison is of numeric data taken from a graphic source, it is only an approximation. The reliability figures are only taken for cars that have not been significant redesigned or who maintain their major systems. The data from different versions of the same car are not combined since sample sizes aren’t stated. The data from Consumer Reports may not be representative since their sample is not taken universally, but from Consumers Union members, a group that may display certain differing characteristics from those of the overall car purchasing population of the United States. For models which are evaluated between annual car issues of Consumer Reports, the data is extrapolated from a five level evaluation (“Much worse than average”, “Worse than average”, “Average”, “Better than average”, and “Much better than average”).

Differing Test Results

In some comparisons, different acceleration times, braking distances, cornering forces, and other results are listed for the same vehicle. This is due to the nature of magazine tests: they are not the same, and produce different data. For these reasons, comparative data is taken from the same source.

Each car magazine or other testing source uses its own methods. Atmospheric conditions induce different results. Therefore one source may produce somewhat different results from another source, both testing the same vehicle model, powertrain and bodystyle.

Fuel Mileage

The fuel mileage comparisons are taken from the latest issue of the EPA Gas Mileage Guide, the full EPA report, as reported in manufacturer's literature or from the actual EPA mileage sticker on a representative model (whichever is available), unless otherwise noted. Some vehicles (medium duty trucks) are not tested for EPA fuel mileage. For these vehicles, fuel mileage reported during testing by magazines may be used.

Space, capacity and dimensions

All of the dimensions used are taken from measurements made by manufacturers, EPA, Advanta-STAR representatives or the measurements from automotive magazines, in that order of preference. If the measurements must be taken from different sources, they are checked with each other for accuracy, and if they differ from each other significantly, they are discarded. Interior dimensional comparisons are made with standard equipment; dimensions may change for options such as moon roof, sun roof, all-wheel-drive, full-size spare tire or others.

Standard and optional equipment

The comparisons of standard and optional equipment are taken from manufacturers’ brochures, data books, press releases, Internet sites or the latest edition of Consumer Guide’s Automobile Book.

Towing capacity

Comparisons of towing capacity are taken from the manufacturers’ brochures, owner’s manuals, data books, Consumer Reports or Consumer Guide’s 4x4s, Pickups and Vans. Never rely on these comparisons to determine what a vehicle can safely tow. Options, passengers and other cargo alter the final figures; always consult the dealer or manufacturer to determine safe towing capacities and methods for a particular vehicle.

Citations

For the exact citation of one particular fact contact Advanta-STAR, 83337 Shepherd Lane Folsom LA. Copy the page and circle the paragraph for which you want to know the exact source. Send the copied page and a self addressed stamped envelope to Advanta-STAR and allow two to three weeks for data collection and delivery. We will cite the location of the data; due to copyright laws we cannot send you photocopies of anyone’s materials except our own checklists or government publications.

Warning

As with any other publication, Advanta-STAR Consumer Research books are only as good as the latest information available. If this information is incorrect or outdated, please inform us as soon as possible, so that the error won’t be reproduced in the updates. If the data provided by manufacturers, government agencies and independent publications is faulty, our comparisons will be faulty. We take no responsibility for such faulty data, but will correct it in future editions if notified and if the error can be verified.

Because this information is time sensitive, and some is not appropriate for public consumption or advertising purposes, the publisher does not encourage or acknowledge the use of any of this information for purposes of advertising or determining the fitness of use of any automotive vehicle or product. Towing, loading, etc. should always be carried out according to the instructions of the manufacturer, only.

If present model year information is not available at the time of compilation, previous model year data may be used if there is no reason to believe any changes took place that will affect the data in the present model year. If any design or engineering changes have are known to have taken place, data from a previous model year will be discarded.

This information service is made without warranty or guarantee of correctness, appropriateness, or fitness for any specific purpose. The publishers, their distributors and customers cannot be held liable for any loss resulting from the use or misuse of this book or any of the data within it.

Advanta-STAR, the publisher of this material is not a division of any automotive manufacturer, division or affiliate, or automotive dealership or dealer group. Advanta-STAR is not owned by any automotive manufacturer, division or affiliate, or automotive dealership or dealer group and does not employ any employees of any automotive manufacturer or affiliate. The material delivered in this binder is solely the property of Advanta-STAR, and is not leased or owned in part or whole by any automotive manufacturer, subsidiary or dealership.

This material is loaned to subscribing dealerships and other clients for their use during the model year indicated on the front label. No dealer or company other than the one originally contracting for it may be in possession of these materials. Any possession by a dealer or entity other than that which originally contracted with Advanta-STAR will be considered theft of Advanta-STAR property. Any Advanta-STAR representative can repossess this property at any time it is not in the possession of the dealer or entity to whom it was originally sent or for whom it was originally intended.

Copyright and Trademark Notices

All materials delivered within this binder, or delivered for inclusion in this binder, are copyright 2006 by Advanta-STAR, and all rights of reproduction are reserved. We can be reached by mail at Advanta-STAR, 83337 Shepherd Lane Folsom LA or by phone at (877) 600-3626.

Advanta-STAR® and Advanta-STAR Consumer Research® are registered trademarks of Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, Corporation of America. Jeep® and Hemi® are registered trademarks of DaimlerChrysler. Consumer Reports® is a registered trademark of Consumers Union. Car and Driver®, Road & Track® and Open Road® are registered trademarks of Hachette Filipacchi Magazines. AutoWeek® is a registered trademark of Crain Communications, Inc. IntelliChoice® is a registered trademark of IntelliChoice, Inc. and The Complete Car Cost Guide™ and The Complete Small Truck Cost Guide™ are trademarks of IntelliChoice, Inc.