That’s right! If you didn’t already realize it, the Popes (past and present) have been big Mercedes-Benz fans. Rumor has it that Pope Benedict XVI will be getting a new plug-in hybrid Mercedes-Benz M-Class. The popemobile has been based off of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, as well as the G-Class in the past, and it looks like this time around, His Holiness is ready to go green! But will he? Read on for more details, courtesy of The New York Times.

Never mind the fact that Mercedes-Benz spokesman, Dan Barile declined to comment about the Pope’s recent special order; if history repeats itself, we’re sure the popemobile will be a Mercedes-Benz! But will it be an M-Class hybrid? Reports are saying that the vehicle’s powertrain will be similar to the Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 plug-in hybrid concept that was on display at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show. That means the new popemobile would be packin’ a 10-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, 60-horsepower electric motor and a V-6 gasoline engine to boot.

Ever since the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II, Popes have had to travel in more secure vehicles. The current popemobile features a tall, bullet-proof glass cabin. The Pope enters at ground level and is then raised by hydraulic lift into the secure cabin.

We here at Ray Catena of Union sure hope the Pope’s next ride is, in fact, a Mercedes-Benz M-Class hybrid. If you’re interested in riding in style like the Pope (well, sort of), visit our NJ Mercedes-Benz dealership and test drive a Mercedes-Benz M-Class today!

For the full article, click here.

Our NJ Mercedes dealership loves all of the Mercedes-Benz mbrace services. They’re all  very convenient and  keep you and your family safe, which at the end of the day is all that matters. Below you will find information and videos on the three services offered in mbrace: Safety & Security, Navigation & Destination Planning, and Convenience. Take the time to browse the information and videos and find out why Mercedes-Benz vehicles are “The Best or Nothing”.

Source: MBUSA

The next generation of groundbreaking in-vehicle services from Mercedes-Benz, mbrace offers peace of mind 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by keeping you connected to the assistance you need, at the moment you need it – with expanded and enhanced features. It’s backed by industry-leading expertise. It’s accessible in your vehicle, online or through the new mbrace Mobile Application. It´s your world, from your car.

Mercedes-Benz mbrace helps protect you, your loved ones and your vehicle on the road. Advanced, embedded technology provides timely response in the event of an emergency…even to the point of calling for help if you are unable.

Take some time and check out all the mbrace services offered:

* Safety & Security
* Navigation & Destination Planning
* Convenience

For more information about mbrace services click here.

Driver safety is very important to our NJ Mercedes dealership along with all Ray Catena dealerships.  We want to make sure each and every one of you are practicing safe habits on the roads. We found the following article on Ezine and it really made us think about our driving habits. Please take the time to read these common mistakes people make while driving to reduce your risk of getting into an accident.

You can depend on Ray Catena Motor Car to provide you with useful information you need to buy a new or used Mercedes-Benz, and deliver exceptional service throughout the life of your vehicle.
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Do You Make These Mistakes While Driving?

By Steve Luebke

When it comes to driving, there are a number of common mistakes the people tend to make from time to time that sometimes lead to dangerous or even fatal accidents. As a driver, It’s important to be aware of these common mistakes in order to reduce your risk of getting into a bad car accident. Here is an overview of some of the most common mistakes made by drivers on the road today:

1. Being overconfident despite poor weather conditions: Many drivers forget that poor weather conditions require you to drive more carefully than you would in ideal conditions. It’s extremely important to understand that you need to alter the way you drive when traveling during snow storms, rain storms, foggy weather, or on icy roads. The worst accidents are ones that occur as a result of people driving too fast through poor weather conditions. Driving too fast through a rain storm can lead to fatal accidents, because your ability to abruptly stop in time to avoid hitting another vehicle is greatly reduced. This is because of the fact that the surface of most roads changes depending on things like rain and ice. Always remember to pay attention to poor weather conditions, and be on alert for other drivers who might not be paying close enough attention.

2. Not paying attention to the road: Distracted driving is dangerous. Texting, emailing, talking, and even eating while driving can lead to dangerous accidents on the road. It’s important to remember that no matter how familiar you are with the route you take each day, you should still focus 100% of your attention on the road and your driving in general. The best way to ensure that you will have a safe driving experience is to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

3. Following another vehicle too closely: It’s always important to keep your distance when driving behind another vehicle, especially when you’re traveling on highways. A good rule of thumb is to allow about one and a half to two cars of space in between you and the car in front of you. Allowing for this much space will prevent accidents from happening. When you have enough space in front of you, you have enough time to stop in the event of an emergency.

4. Not using lights: One of the biggest mistakes drivers make is not using lights when they should. As a driver, you should understand that it’s important to use your lights even if it’s not dark or raining. Having your lights on will help other drivers have an easier time seeing you, and can prevent you from getting in unnecessary accidents.

5. Driving aggressively: Driving aggressively can significantly increase your chances of getting into an accident. All drivers need to obey the rules and regulations of the road, as well as go out of their way to respect other drivers on the road. Driving aggressively on busy roads is dangerous. Make sure you always drive safely and within the speed limit of the road you are driving on.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Luebke

New Jersey and many other states are getting slammed with this winter weather! Taking every precaution while driving through ice and snow is extremely important. If you don’t already have 4-wheel drive, you’re probably wishing you did! Many Mercedes-Benz models come equipped with the Mercedes 4MATIC All-wheel-drive system and we’ve got some AWD knowledge to share with you.

Source: eMercedesBenz.com

The Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC AWD system is a full-time 4-wheel drive system. Understanding the 4MATIC difference:

Part-time 4-wheel drive operates in two-wheel mode unless the AWD drive is turned on by the driver. Part-time four-wheel-drive systems should only be operated on loose surfaces such as dirt, gravel or snow.

Full-time 4-wheel drive is All-wheel-drive, all the time. The Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC AWD system is a full-time all-wheel-drive system. The front wheels rotate faster in turns, allowing the vehicle to be driven on paved roads without binding the drivetrain and forcing the wheels to slip or skip. This, handling is much better with a Full-time AWD system such as the Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC.

The Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC AWD system is very beneficial when it comes to safety due to a number of factors, including; an electronic four-wheel traction control system that limits wheel spin, a multi-plate “breakaway” clutch, and rear-biased power distribution.

4MATIC is standard on all five families of Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicles: G, GL, GLK, R and M-Class models, as well as the CL550 coupe. 4MATIC is also an option on certain C, E and S-Class sedans.

For the full article, click here.

]]> http://blog.raycatenamercedes.com/2011/02/winter-safety-mercedes-benz-4matic/feed/ 0 http://blog.raycatenamercedes.com/2011/01/safety-tips-for-women-driving-alone/ http://blog.raycatenamercedes.com/2011/01/safety-tips-for-women-driving-alone/#comments Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:45:14 +0000 Mercedes-Benz Edison http://blog.raycatenamercedes.com/?p=3244

Driving alone can be nerve-wracking for some individuals and any motorist driving alone has to be careful.  Unfortunately female drivers have to be especially careful and aware of their surroundings because they can be targeted for crimes such as carjacking, assault, etc.  We came across this AOL Autos article and thought it would be great to share with our readers. Check out these safety tips and share it with the all the women in your family.
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All motorists need to be careful on the highway, but female drivers of all ages, unfortunately, have to be doubly vigilant to avoid becoming victims of crimes while driving, including carjacking, sexual assault, robbery and worse. The following are some tips to help keep women safe while getting from here to there.

Got a beef with a roadhog? Let it be.

“For road ragers, don’t engage,” says NYC cabbie Mellisa Plaut, author of “Hack”, an account of her driving adventures. “Don’t even look at someone who’s trying to get your attention in an angry way. Just drive on, or turn. The worst thing you can do is get into a fight. It never leads to anything good. Don’t get your ego involved.”

Pay attention

Keep your sound system at a reasonable volume when driving in cities and neighborhoods, and don’t space out or check your text messages at every stoplight. Carjackers and robbers rely on the element of surprise, so if you’re keeping eyes and ears alert to what’s going on outside your vehicle, bad guys don’t have a chance to sneak up on you.

Secure your vehicle as you would your home

You wouldn’t leave your front door unlocked and your windows open at home, so get in the habit of securing your car the same way. Keep doors locked when you’re driving, and windows raised. If anyone approaches your window asking for directions or money in slow or stopped traffic, take a quick glance around your vehicle to make sure you’re not being distracted by one half of a team. Crack the window an inch or two instead of opening it all the way if you decide to speak to a stranger.

Be vigilant in parking lots

When shopping, put your money away at the cash register, walk with purpose to your car and don’t accept “help” from strangers. Have your keys out and be ready to open your vehicle and secure packages, get in the car, close and lock the door and drive away. “Don’t approach your vehicle if a van or other large vehicle that wasn’t there before is parked next to it,” says Road and Travel’s Jessica Howell. “Find a security guard to walk you to your car. If a security guard isn’t available, look for a nearby couple and ask for an escort. Most people will be happy to lend a moment and ensure your safety.”

Don’t assume an unmarked vehicle with a flashing light is a police officer.

If the car attempting to pull you over doesn’t look like an official vehicle, keep driving, turn your inside light on and pull over only in a well-lit, populated area. Do not get out of your car, and angle the vehicle so you can drive away quickly if need be. Crack the window, ask to see the officer’s ID and pay close attention to his clothes—are they worn? Do they match? If not, put up your window, drive away and call 911.

Source:  AOL Autos

Mercedes-Benz was rewarded by Euro NCAP with two awards for its anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE.  PRE-SAFE is linked to the Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Program (ESP), as well as other driver assistance systems, whose sensors can detect critical driving and traffic situations and information to the electronic control units within a matter of milliseconds.  Check out the video below to learn more!

Here is a video we found over at Mercedes-Benz TV’s YouTube.  The video discusses the Mercedes-Benz safety feature PRE-SAFE package.   Mercedes-Benz vehicles traditionally provide the highest standard of safety.  In this feature you will see how the PRE-SAFE package helps to meet this claim.  It utilizes Active Safety Systems such as ESP and radar sensors in order to identify these critical situations.  Based on accident research two-thirds of all accidents are preceded by skidding or breaking.  PRE-SAFE essentially provides the vehicle with reflexes in order to improve passenger protection.

This fall get ready to welcome the restyled 2011 CL-Class featuring state-of-the-art radar, camera, and sensor technology!  The CL-Class encompasses the latest and greatest of Mercedes-Benz safety technology including features like Attention Assist, Pre-Safe Brake with automatic emergency braking, and Night View Assist Plus with Pedestrian Detection.  Continue on to read what these features entail thanks to eMercedesBenz.

Active Lane Keeping Assist

Using a multi-purpose camera mounted in the windshield and a computer that analyzes the images, Active Lane Keeping Assist recognizes lane markings and alerts the driver by simulating rumble strip vibrations in the steering wheel (via an electric motor) if the car drifts from its lane unintentionally. Should the driver fail to react to this warning, the car intervenes by gently braking the wheels on the opposite side of the car. The unequal distribution of braking forces causes a yaw movement which helps the driver to stay in their lane. Active Lane Keeping Assist makes use of the existing ESP® (Electronic Stability Program) system to apply the brakes and maintain vehicle control.

Active Blind Spot Assist

The second innovation on the 2011 CL-Class, Active Blind Spot Assist, monitors both blind spots alongside the vehicle using close-range radar sensors. When a vehicle is detected, a yellow warning triangle is illuminated in the corresponding side-view mirror. Should the driver disregard this warning and activate the turn indicator, the warning triangle changes to red and an audible warning also sounds. If the driver continues to ignore these warnings and moves dangerously close to a neighboring vehicle, the system activates corrective braking intervention to the wheels of the opposite side of the vehicle. Like Active Lane Keeping Assist, the yaw movement helps correct the car’s path or minimize the consequences of a collision.

For full article click here.

Let’s put an end to distracted driving! This article has some startling facts about teen drivers and the use of cell phones.  I’m pretty sure we all can agree that we want to keep not just our teen drivers safe, but our entire family as well.  Please talk to your teens about safe driving habits. I propose we turn off the cell phone while in the car!

Cell Phones and Teen Drivers

By Joseph Devine

As teenagers get closer and closer to driving age, many parents are left wondering how they will be able to afford a new, high-cost insurance premium in order to ensure their new driver. Teenage drivers almost always face high insurance premiums because insurance companies see them as “high risk.” Statistically, inexperienced teen drivers are likely to engage in risky behaviors, leading to accidents due to:

• -  Seat belt use. Teens are the least likely of any age group to wear seat belts.
• -  Drunk driving. Teens are likely to engage in risky drinking behavior, or to share rides with another teenager who has been drinking.
• -  Hazard identification. Teens may underestimate the danger present in certain situations, and are less likely that older drivers to adequately assess dangerous situations and know how to properly handle them.

Extensive cell phone use is one high-risk behavior exhibited by teen drivers. Not only are teens likely to talk on their cell phones while driving, but they are also likely to send and receive text messages. Texting while driving is an increasingly common and highly dangerous behavior, since a person usually takes his or her eyes away from the road in order to read and type text messages.

Cell phone use while driving, especially texting while driving, can result in accidents with dire consequences. About 2,600 fatalities and 330,000 injuries each year can be attributed to cell phone distraction. Other startling facts about cell phone use include:

• -  Cell phone use dramatically slows a driver’s reaction times and mimics those of a drunk driver. Drivers speaking on cell phones are 18 percent slower to react to brake lights.
• -  More than half of all teens report that they have witnessed another driver texting.
• -  More than one-fourth of American teens aged 16 to 17 admit to texting while driving.
• -  43 percent of American teenagers aged 16 to 17 have talked on a cell phone while driving.

Parents, teachers, and other adults have a responsibility to talk to teenagers about dangerous driving behaviors. Adults should encourage teenagers to ensure their own safety and that of their friends and others on the road.

You can keep your teen’s car insurance rates low by talking with them about safe driving habits, such as never driving while texting or talking on the phone. In addition, insurance companies often provide discounts to good students, since high-performing students exhibit maturity and therefore are statistically less likely to get involved in accidents.

For more information about car insurance rates in the Chicago area, visit the website of Chicago car insurance agents Insure on the Spot.

Joseph Devine

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine
http://EzineArticles.com/?Cell-Phones-and-Teen-Drivers&id=3526700

We’ve got some exciting news!  The Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan earned 2010 top safety pick awards, from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety!

The award recognizes the vehicles that earn the top rating of good for front, side, rollover and rear crash protection, and that have electronic stability control, which is standard on Mercedes-Benz E-Class models.  This is the first time the E-Class has earned the Institute’s Top Safety Pick award, which applies to all E-class models built since March 2010.  How many of you folks are driving around in our Top Safety Pick luxury sedan?

To read more about this click here.