Not a lot of people know that some of the safety features that have become standard in most vehicles today were actually Mercedes-Benz innovations. That's because Mercedes-Benz, rather than guarding its secrets, actually licensed its competitors to use the same technology in their vehicles. Whatever brand of vehicle you drive, if it has these features, then you have Mercedes-Benz to thank for it. Before these came around, seat belts would often be loosely worn while traveling. Every time the vehicle abruptly stops, the passenger would still slide forward in his seat before, in a way, colliding with the loose seat belt. This problem is known as "submarining." Fortunately, Mercedes-Benz developed the seat belt pretensioner, which was introduced in 1981 with its Mercedes W126 S-Class. This new type of seat belt stays snugly wrapped around you and preemptively tightens in the event of a crash. This prevents you from jerking forward. It also works in tandem with the frontal airbag by holding you right where the airbag will catch you.
The use of both a seat belt and an airbag was a step up from the previous system where the airbag was considered a replacement for the seat belt. The next time you're making steep turns on a slippery road, you'd be immensely grateful that such computerized technology exists. The electronic stability control (ESC) uses on-board computers to improve your vehicle's handling response each time you encounter difficult driving conditions. It detects each time your vehicle skids or you lose steering control, and works to setting things right by automatically applying brakes to individual wheels or reducing engine power. In 1996, Mercedes-Benz introduced brake assist (BA or BAS) with its S-Class and SL-Class models. The company's research revealed that 90% of drivers fail to apply enough force on the brake pedal in emergency situations. The brake assist system detects when you're urgently trying to stop the vehicle then automatically gives you maximum braking power. The system measures signs like how quickly you hit the brakes and how quickly you release the gas, to determine an emergency. By 1998, Mercedes-Benz made BA a standard safety feature on all its vehicles鈥攂ecoming the first automobile manufacturer to do so. Its competitors were quick to follow suit.
If your shed is made from metal, you will need a paint designed to cover metal. If your shed is made from wood, you will need a paint designed to cover wood. No matter what your shed is made from, you will need to purchase exterior paint and not paint created for interior surfaces. This is the time to choose a bright color to paint your shed. Choose a color that will draw the eye of your guest to the shed. Do not be afraid to use color. Your best option is to pick a color that will contrast against the color of your planting material. Purchase 6 LARGE potted plants. These will be used to create a lush garden appeal as well as draw the eye of the visitor to your shed. Try and purchase plants that are, or will be in a very short amount of time, at least five feet tall (including the pot). They should have a look of maturity, be lush and full in nature, and very healthy.
DO NOT purchase trees. They will grow to be too tall and eventually overpower the space. You want to create something that is at eye level. Some suggestions are flowering plants or palms. An alternative to the 6 potted plants would be to purchase climbing roses or one of your other favorite vines. Plant them in the ground and allow them to climb up both sides of the shed. Either a store bought trellis or a trellis you have created from scratch would be ideal for achieving the desired effect. Purchase decorative pots to house your large potted plants. The larger the pots the better. Keep in mind that your potted plants need room to grow so buy large, very large pots. Make sure they can withstand the changes in the outside climate. If you live in one of the northern states, your pots must be able to withstand extreme cold. If you live in one of the southern states, your pots must be able to endure heat waves.
Do not be afraid to mix and match the colors of your pots. Purchase bright colors that catch the eye from a distance and have interesting detailing on them. Do not go for plain and boring. You are trying to create the WOW factor and playing it safe is the last thing you want to do. Now is the time to take advantage of the use of color. Purchase additional planting material to fill in the gaps between the large potted plants. These should be plants that are planted directly into the ground. Plant as much flowering plants as you can squeeze into this space. The idea here is to create a lush garden along both sides of the shed. Do not worry about over-crowding, as the plants out grow the space you can dig them up and plant them somewhere else in the yard. You want your garden shed getaway to have that mature look today, not two years from now. Purchase flooring for your new shed. This is optional and should only be purchased if your budget allows.