Automobile Pathfinder

GENERAL RESOURCES

Glossary of Automotive Terms
http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inauto-auto.nsf/en/h_am00614e.html

This site provides a listing of the most common automotive terms, including jargon. It’s set up using an easy-to-browse alphabetical style. The definitions are easy to understand. It’s a great place to start to get a feel for basic automotive terms.

How Stuff Works Online
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm

If you want to know how a car works, this is the place to go. This link will take you to the general automotive page, which tells you how an engine works. At the top of the page is a table of contents where you can scroll through other parts of the car to learn more. The diagrams are really detailed, and are cinematic with lots of moving parts.

Safe Car Guide
http://www.safecarguide.com/gui/nee/cars.htm

This is another site that’s easy to browse. It provides a brief description of different classifications of cars. The site is geared towards people who are shopping for cars and are concerned about safety. It’s detailed, and contains some other useful links.

Statistical Review of the Canadian Automotive Industry 2005
http://canadaonline.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=
canadaonline&cdn=newsissues&tm=5&gps=155_5_1020_565&f=00&tt=
14&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/inauto-auto.
nsf/en/am01723e.html

A 44 page document (in PDF form) that gives statistics of automotive sales in Canada and abroad. It breaks down sales by company and type of car. It’s long, but this link will take you to a table of contents so you can focus in on what you’re looking for. At the end is a listing of all manufacturing plants in Canada and their contact information.

Canadian Driver
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/news.html

Canadian driver is considered ‘Canada’s Online Auto Magazine’. This link will take you to the latest news portion of the website, which is updated daily. It usually contains between 8-10 stories on new models, innovations and general stories in the industry. It also has an archives section in the sidebar for old story searches.

COMPANIES

Ford Canada Online
http://www.ford.ca/service/ourOffers/english/default_flash.asp

Ford is considered the first of the ‘Big Three’ in Canada. This link takes you to a section of their official site that lists all of their latest models. Simply place your mouse on the model you’d like to see. A picture then comes up with specifics about the car or truck.

General Motors Canada
http://www.gmcanada.com/english/home/index.html

GM is number two in Canada’s ‘Big Three’ car companies. This site is GM’s main page. You will immediately see a listing of their various cars and models. It’s highly visual. Everything is accompanied by a picture. Just point and click.

Chrysler Canada Online
http://www.daimlerchrysler.ca/en/index.html

Chrysler rounds out the ‘Big Three’. This website provides a list of all their cars and divisions and a similar, easy-to-navigate format.

Internet Auto Guide Online
http://www.internetautoguide.com/10-1/auto-recalls.html

This site allows you to search for automobile recalls for most major companies. The companies are listed alphabetically. When you click on the one you want, it’ll take you to a new listing that has every make and year for that company, going back as far as 1980. After you make a selection, you’ll see a picture of the vehicle, the ID number attached to it and a summary that details the reasons for its recall.

LICENCES, LAWS AND GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS

License Types
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/classes.shtml

A link within the Ministry of Transportation. It provides a table that lists the various sorts of licenses in Canada, and then describes the vehicles associated with them.

Driver’s Handbook Online http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/

The entire government handbook is provided through this website. On the right hand side is a listing of the chapters, so you can easily skip between the sections you want. Sections include: Getting your Driver’s License, Safe and Responsible Driving, Traffic Signs and Lights, Keep your License, Your Vehicle and the Level Two Road Rest.

Young Drivers of Canada
http://www.yd.com/content.aspx?path=stream538+item72710

Young Drivers is Canada’s largest driving school. The link that’s provided takes you to a page that walks you through different levels of licensing, what you will be tested on, their restrictions and how you go about applying for your license. There is also a variety of links available on this webpage. Pay particular attention to the “Driving Tips” and “DriveFit” links on the left-hand side. Driving tips has useful information for driving in summer and winter conditions. Drivefit is an at-home, PC-based program designed to improve your driving skills. You can download the demo for free.

Canada Safety Council
http://canadasafetycouncil.org/

An online quiz you can take that involves penalties and laws concerning impaired driving. I received only 1/5. After you take the quiz you can click at the bottom to see a full explanation of the answers. After you do the quiz, be sure to click the link “Impaired Driving” in the right column. This takes you to their official site that deals with impaired driving issues, including blood/alcohol limit, legal drinking age and safety precautions.