If you live in a state where snow and ice covers the ground each winter, you're probably well aware of just how necessary it is to de-ice the roads. Since the 1930s, when salt was originally realized to work for this purpose, agencies have been using this tried and true method to keep roads safe for driving. Salt works because of its natural ability to melt ice without adding too many harsh chemicals to the environment. But salt is, as we've all seen evidence of, quite corrosive and over time, it can cause vehicles to rust, shortening their life spans.
Beginning in 1976, NACE International (formerly the National Association of Corrosion Engineers), based in Houston, Texas, routinely started to study corrosion rates on older vehicles. At that time, 90% of vehicles six years old or older had rust damage. Most of that rust could be attributed to de-icing (although living near bodies of salt water where the air has a higher salt content was also a key factor).
Manufacturers of automobiles saw a need to improve cars being sold in coastal areas and the snowbelt region of the United States. They started to make improvements which included stainless steel exhaust systems; anodic electrodeposition primer; galvanized steel wheelhouses; crystal-size phosphate for better corrosion resistance; anti-chip body coatings; weatherpac electrical connectors; and two-sided pre-coated steel products.
The combination of these improvements aided in reducing rust perforation from 90% in the mid 70s to only 20 percent in 1980. Further work on rust prevention reduced the amount of rusty 6-year-old cars to only six percent ten years later. The significant developments in rust-prevention that were responsible for this drop, also led to improved corrosion warranties.
The key to making sure you're not one of the six percent is to buy a car with a better-than-average anti-corrosion warranty. Warranties tell you something about the confidence a manufacturer has in the car it produces, because if they started losing money on warranties, they'd change the warranty to average out their costs. For example, Isuzu offers a 6-year/100,000 mile warranty against perforation from corrosion. That's 20% better than the typical 5-year warranty. If you aren't certain that you'll trade your vehicle in or sell it after five years, it's better to purchase one with a better warranty to keep you protected.
Improvements to vehicles in the area of perforation-prevention have had other positive effects. Not only does it help the consumer by extending the life of the vehicle, it also allows scarce dollars for highway maintenance to be used for something other than the development of alternative de-icers. Those dollars can now be spent on road maintenance (which reduces accidents and fatalities), more snowplows to clear roads more quickly after intense periods of snowfall, and on additional laborers which reduces unemployment and improves the economy.
Arming your car with a good anti-corrosion warranty means you needn't worry about driving on salted streets. You can rest assured that your vehicle is protected. And with de-iced streets, your vehicle can more effectively protect you and your passengers.
So I've looked long and hard for a way to teach them to overcome these obstacles (or any obstacle, for that matter) and get the work done. Then I found an article by motivational speaker Roger Reece, called "Go Around the Mule."
In the article, Reece compares obstacles to mules. He says, "Mules have three key characteristics:
"(1) They will completely stop your progress. They seem to wait until you're moving full steam ahead, and then step out in front of you to block the path to your goal.
"(2) They're stubborn. When you attempt coax them to move, they ignore you. When you try to move them out of the way, they plant their feet and refuse to budge.
"(3) They don't go away. They seem determined to keep you from achieving your goals.
"When a mule steps out in front of you to block the achievement of your goal, you essentially have four options:
"(1) Abandon your goal. You can rationalize that the goal isn't really important, or you can simply give up and feel defeated. This is a common response to mules, especially for people who are in the early stages of working toward a goal. Hopefully, you're committed to achieving your goals and have the determination to overcome any obstacle.
"(2) Wait for the mule to go away. This will generally lead you back to option one, because if the obstacle is truly a mule, it won't go away. Goals, properly set, include milestones and are time-sensitive. The longer you remain in a stalled condition waiting for a mule to move, the more milestones you'll miss, and eventually you'll be forced to admit failure.
"(3) Move the mule out of the way. This will also generally lead you back to option one, because if it's really a mule, you won't be able to move it. One of the most common pitfalls in attempting to achieve a goal is getting de-focused. Trying to move a mule is a totally frustrating experience, and you'll dissipate your energy in the process. If you want to succeed, you've got to keep your eye on the goal and not on the mule. Remember, your objective is to achieve your goal; not to move the mule.
"(4) Go around the mule. This is easier said than done, because it's the mule's nature to completely block the path to your goal. Keeping your eye on your goal, you simply concede that the mule is truly a mule and will not be moved. Therefore, you find another path to the goal."
While this truth isn't always applicable (there are times when a mule must be moved), it usually is true for the simple excuses most kids find to get out of work. So the next time your children tell you they can't do something, ask them if they've got a mule in the way. They'll look at you kind of funny until you explain it. But from then on, anytime you hear "I can't" you can ask, "Why, got a mule in the way?" They'll know what you mean and that they need to get to work.
Both Sheryl Walters & Steve Kroening are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Sheryl Walters has sinced written about articles on various topics from Advertising Guide, Home Management and Parenting. Most truck buyers opt for a . But newer model Isuzu models. Sheryl Walters's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.
Steve Kroening has sinced written about articles on various topics from Investments, Asthma and Health. Steve Kroening writes for Success magazine and also publishes Wisdom's Edge. You can get Biblical tips on health, finance, relationships, parenting, and success, delivered to your email inbox every week. Simply visit. Steve Kroening's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.