Cars are an integral part of our daily lives. But there’s a lot we don’t know about our trusty vehicles. Would you like to impress your friends and family with some weird, but true facts about cars? Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting facts that you’ll want to share.
A Nation of Car Lovers
It’s no secret that Americans love their cars. With more cars than any other nation, nearly one for every person in the country, our love affair with the automobile has a long history. Many enthusiasts would argue they know their car inside and out. But there are plenty of strange facts about cars that even the most dedicated gear-head may not know.
1. The first speeding ticket was for 45 miles per hour
Way back in 1902, a crazed driver was clocked at 45 mph and issued a speeding ticket. In the early days of the car, posted speed limits were quite rare, since horse-powered buggies didn’t move that fast. Those rare few who owned cars could travel at full speed. The old habits took some adjusting once speed limits started appearing in 1901 at 12 mph.
2. It would take six months to drive to the moon
Gazing into the night sky, the moon sometimes looks almost close enough to touch. If you hopped in your car and put the laws of physics on hold for a while, it’d only take about six months of steady driving at 60 mph to reach the Moon.
3. Cars had cassette players until 2011
Many cars today are already missing CD players, but remember cassette players? They stuck around well into the 21st century, surviving as optional equipment in the Ford Crown Victoria all the way until 2011.
4. Dirty cars are a crime in Russia
It’s easy to let your car get a bit dirty from time to time, particularly in slush-ridden winter climates like Russia. But you’ll want to get it cleaned as soon as possible because your dirty car could land you a hefty ticket in Russia thanks to a rule buried deep in their driving laws.
5. The $1 million speeding ticket
The largest speeding fine ever issued stands at a cool million dollars. It was issued to a wealthy Swedish man driving in Switzerland who was clocked at 180 mph. His fine was due to a unique Swiss law, which calculates the fine based on your income. Ouch.
6. Safety agencies wanted to ban radios in cars
Stop the music! When Chevy first introduced the world to the car radio in 1922, many safety agencies petitioned to have them banned. They claimed putting music in cars would be far too distracting for drivers.
7. Internal combustion cars were once the green alternative
At the peak of the horse-drawn carriage, major cities had a big pollution problem: dead horses. When you mix that with the mountains of manure they created, the first automobiles were praised as the environmentally responsible alternative.
8. Hybrid cars are over 100 years old
We think of hybrid and electric technology as new in cars, but there is a long history of automakers experimenting with both. The first production hybrid car was unveiled way back in 1900, However, they had a gas engine and electric motor hubs. It was designed by then 18-year-old Ferdinand Porsche, the father of the man who would eventually found the company we know today.
One Very Unsurprising Fact: Protect My Car Is the Way to Go
There’s one fact about cars that isn’t weird and hasn’t changed with time: cars that have gone past their warranty still need protection from costly surprise repairs. You can use extended warranties from Protect My Car to cover most of the costs of expensive maintenance. Keep the car you love on the road longer with an extended car warranty. Knowing you have coverage with a Protect My Car extended warranty should bring a smile back to your face.
There Are Lots of Surprising Things About Cars, But Repairs Don’t Have to Be
Cars are made up of over 30,000 parts, of which 80 percent are recyclable. There are lots of fun and weird facts about cars even the most passionate fan may not know. But the biggest surprise of all may be the feeling you get knowing you get protection from high repairs bills with extended car warranty coverage from Protect My Car.
Protect My Car is a vehicle service contract provider, also referred to as extended car warranty provider, with multiple coverage plans for new and used vehicles with low to higher mileage to help meet your needs and budget. Protect My Car customers work directly with the company for customer service, claims administration and contract financing. No middleman or the need for third-party approval. All Protect My Car Plans include best-in-class claims and customer support, 24/7 roadside assistance, free oil changes and tire rotations and the exclusive PMC Rewards Plan, providing daily deals, giveaways, coupons, and thousands of ways to save money every day. Protect My Car has a 30-day money-back guarantee.