That Simple Car Wash Could End Up Costing You More Than You Bargained For
Everyone enjoys a great looking car, but many consumers are unaware of some every day habits that can harm your paint finish. Keeping your car in shape helps to avoid costly damage down the line, which is why Meguiar’s®, the world’s leading surface care company, wants car owners to know how to protect their cars. Meguiar’s reveals six common ways consumers neglect their cars, and easy routine changes to help prevent each.
1. “Using Dishwashing Detergent to Clean the Exterior” – Most household detergents are formulated to strip everything off the surface, including the wax protection on your car. While this might be great for your dishes, your car is now defenseless against the elements. Meguiar’s suggests using a pH balanced car wash product, like Meguiar’s Gold Class Shampoo and Conditioner, that removes loose surface dirt and debris without damaging the car’s surface.
2. “Parking Under Trees” – Although it’s tempting to take advantage of parking in the shade, it’s actually one of the most damaging things you can do to your paint finish. The damage caused by items falling from above like tree sap and bird droppings, is actually greater than leaving your car in the sun, because sap and bird droppings, if not removed quickly enough, can permanently damage your paint finish.
3. “Neglecting Headlights” – Dull, hazy, and oxidized headlights are the first giveaway sign of a neglected car. Not only are they unattractive, they can also be a safety concern as they make it difficult to see the road ahead and avoid potential hazards. To maximize the brightness of your headlights, try using Meguiar’s Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit™.
4. “Leaving Spilled Food and Drinks” – Forgetting to clean up spills is not only unsightly, it can also lead to permanent stains and unpleasant odors in the interior of your car. Meguiar’s recommends leaving a few terrycloth towels and Quik Interior Detailer™ in the trunk in case of emergencies. Cleaning up spilled food right away is key to getting the entire stain out. To tackle any foul odors, Meguiar’s recommends also having a bottle of Odor Eliminator handy.
5. “Using Just One Bucket" – By using just one bucket when washing, you end up transferring dirt back onto the car, which can create swirl marks and defeats the purpose of your wash. Meguiar’s suggests using two buckets: a plain water bucket for rinsing the wash mitt and a wash solution bucket for retrieving fresh suds to continue cleaning. Using a Grit Guard in each bucket also helps to trap loose dirt particles, preventing them from transferring back onto your car.
6. “Using Too Much Product on Your Vehicle” – When applying wax to protect the surface of your vehicle, a common mistake is to use too much product in one application. Not only is this wasteful of the product, but it also creates extra work when removing the product. To get the most out of your wax, Meguiar’s suggests a single uniform thin layer of wax. If you are worried about coverage or protection during tough winter months, a second uniform, thin layer may be applied.
This month featured the country’s most revered auto show NAIAS’, Detroit Auto Show. Upon first thought of the show chills of excitement made me giddy to be able to see the latest models for 2012 and beyond. Car manufacturer’s attended from across the globe and provided more than enough options when it came to new vehicles coming soon (or within the next year) to local dealerships. The theme from the major auto players seemed to be adding diversity to vehicles so they could perform at multiple levels. The line-up was immense while advances in safety, and technology were very clearly enhanced.
The show was also a way for manufacturer’s to show they have not only been listening to consumers but they have been heeding the call and meeting their needs. One of the most buzzed about vehicles at the show (which has been kept tightly under wraps) was the new fully redesigned Ford Fusion. No longer a big brother version to the Focus, the Fusion is now completely its own unique car. It has midsize sized feel with a streamlined and sporty vibe. The Fusion will be offered with eco-options such as the pure electric Energi and the Fusion Hybrid models which will be released in Fall. The coolest aspects of the Fusion Energi is that it takes half of the time to charge an Energi than most other electric cars within its class and it more than doubles the amount of electric drive time.
Ford then continued to show their eco-friendlier side by announcing they will be launching six electric and hybrid cars releasing this year to early next. They are the Ford Focus, Fusion (standard, hybrid and Energi), C Max Energy, C Max Hybrid, and Ford's Transit Connect Van. Fusion Hybrid designers say they look to the release and the capabilities of the hybrid in achieving up to 47 miles per gallon later this fall.
You always have a ‘choice,’ even where something simple is concerned – even something as simple as your car’s engine air filter. Say you’ve been driving around without having changed your car’s engine air filter in a while. You can choose to buy one for $15-20 and install it yourself or perhaps with the helping hand of a friendly parts store clerk. Or, down the road, you may find yourself shopping for a laundry list of parts and a reliable repair shop.
Under these circumstances, your shopping list could include:
Piston rings - $120
Full gasket set - $175
Connecting rod bearings - $80
Main bearings - $80
Machine work - $600
Repair shop labor to remove/reinstall engine and parts - $1,200
We're not talking about purses, jewelry, and other such things. No, today we're asking about vehicle accessories. All those little extras that make your vehicle a little safer, a little more handy, or just a little more you. Whether it's extra lighting, luggage racks, spoilers, utility accessories like hitches, or little touches like bug shields, accessories are what make your car uniquely yours, and we want you to tell us all about it.
Take the Izmocars / AskPatty Vehicle Accessories survey and tell us all about your accessories - don't like accessories and tend to shy away from the extras? Tell us about that, too! We want to know what makes the women of the Ask Patty Nation ticks when it comes to accessorizing your rides.
Plus - have an idea for the next big "thing" in car accessories? Is there a gadget, trinket, or concept that you have been dying to see for your own car? This is your chance to share your big idea. You never know, you may just provide the spark that creates a whole new trend in vehicle accessories!
Wow, it's hard to believe, but it's true: we are officially into single digits on our "days until Christmas" countdown. A little more than a week remains until tinsel time, but there's still time to bring you one last Holiday Gift Garage post, this time focused on the one person we haven't shopped for yet: YOU!
We've done the kids, and we've done the pets, now it's time for us to look at some great automotive themed gifts that will make your holiday a little bit brighter, and maybe a little bit safer, too. Let's get to it!
The CarMD Vehicle Health System - Check engine light on? It's one of life's deepest mysteries - what, oh what could that light possibly mean? Is it your gas cap? A sensor of some sort malfunctioning? To find out, you'll have to take it to a mechanic and have it scanned, or - you could do it yourself, at home. CarMD uses the same sophisticated technology your mechanic uses, but was designed for everyone to use. It does not matter whether you know a lot about cars or don't have a clue. The CarMD Vehicle Health system will not only tell you what that check engine light means, it'll also tell you how much you can expect to pay for a repair, not to mention empowering you with the ability to diagnose and even fix simple problems yourself. It even does emissions testing, so you're not surprised come inspection time.
The Wagan Heated Seat Cushion - Some people have heated seats in their cars already. I very much enjoy being in the passenger seat with those people during the winter, because my own car doesn't have that feature. If you're in the same boat, stop hitching lifts to keep your behind warm and treat yourself to this heated seat cushion. Apparently I'm not alone, because it's one of the most wished-for automotive items on Amazon today - and at $20, it's a no-brainer, really.
Jump-n-Carry Jumpstarter - No one wants to be stuck, especially not in winter. If you get stranded with a dead battery it's either find a good samaritan to give you a boost, or wait for a friend, family member, or roadside assistance to arrive... and if it's the latter, you'll be waiting a while. This jumpstarter can get you back on the road quickly and painlessly - it jumpstarts your own engine! A must have for any vehicle emergency kit.
Craftsman NEXTEC Inflator - A perfect companion piece to the jumpstarter, this will keep those tires ready for the road. Powered by a 12.0 Volt Die-Hard® Lithium-Ion battery for enhanced performance and longer shelf-life, this unit's powerful, adjustable air pressure quickly inflates objects all the way up to 200PSI! Fill up a variety of inflatable's including pool toys, sports equipment and yes, vehicle tires. Simply use the up/down arrows to set the desired PSI on the digital screen and it will do the rest. Once the desired PSI is met the inflator will automatically shut off to prevent over inflating.
3M Scotchprint Wrap Film - Want to make your ride a little more distinctive? More affortable and less permanent than paint, this awesome wrap film is the perfect way to customize your car for a day, a year, or more. Choose from a variety of finishes, textures and colors including carbon fiber, that off a unique, head-turning look. You can get a sample, more info, and installation instructions at 3M's website.
MADD Virgin Drinks- If you're attending holiday parties and driving, please remember to do so responsibly. To help you keep yourself and your family safe, MADD presents a series of virgin beverages that allow you to participate in holiday cheer without any of the ill-effects. These virgin drinks are all 100% alcohol-free, and varieties include champagne, merlot, chardonnay, mojito, pina colada, margarita, and even a virgin lager. Remember, at the holidays and every day, buzzed driving IS drunk driving and one small step can and will save lives.
The AskPatty team of women Jody DeVere CEO, expert women Amy Mattinat of AutoCraftsmen of Vermont, Bogi Lateiner 180 Degrees Automotive in Phoenix and automotive senior editor Diana Claussen were in full force for SEMA, the TIA Global Tire Expo, I-CAR and AAPEX last week, covering all the female-friendly events, products and news!
Female-Friendly Awards and Event Highlights:
Scott Williams, president of Lex Brodie’s Tire, Brake & Service Co an AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly® clientsin Honolulu, was named Tire Business’ 2011 Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award winner. I was in attendance when Scott won this well deserved award Oct. 31 at the Tire Industry Honors event sponsored by the Tire Industry Association during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. He was presented with a medal symbolizing the spirit of giving and a $1,000 donation to two charities, Hawaii’s Institute for Human Services, which supports homeless in the area, and the Lex Brodie’s Tire Co. Foundation, which provides donations to Hawaiian schools.
Attended and supported the Collision Industry Foundation 2nd Annual Gala Fundraiser to benfit Crash Hunger on November 2nd at teh Las Vegas Hilton, a joint donation and volunteer project to combat hunger in the USA. While also raising awareness for hunger initiatives, during the month of February members of the collision industry will be asked to donate their time at local food banks. AskPatty.com donated a beautiful Passchal.com travel bag for the silent auction.
Congratulations to Audra Fordin, one of our AskPatty.com automotive expert women, of Great Bear Auto Shop, named the first “Female Service Shop Owner of the Year.” The announcement was made at the 2011 Car Care Council Women’s Board reception Tuesday evening. Audra Fordin educates women on car care in Flushing New York through a weekly radio call-in show called “The Auto Lab” and through her website, www.womenautoknow.com.
Great News! Continuing to broaden its outreach to women, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced during SEMA its plans to expand its partnership in 2012 with AskPatty.com Inc. Cooper Tire, which began a relationship with us this past July, will continue to engage women customers through AskPatty’s growing educational interactive platforms, social media and online outreach. The Findlay-based tire maker cited research showing that 74 percent of American women feel automotive marketers could understand them better—“a concern that Cooper Tire is working to change by developing female-targeted brand messages with a focus on tire maintenance and education,” the company said. Cooper said its continuing partnership “highlights the importance of tire maintenance and education, especially for busy women.
Jody Devere CEO AskPatty.com spoke on 'What Women Want' at the TIA Global Tire Expo SEMA educational sessions and was also named the 2011 winner of the SEMA Businesswomen's Network annual Athena Award, established to honor an industry person (male or female) or company for outstanding contributions to women in the automotive aftermarket, during the SBN Breakfast on Thursday November 3rd.
New Female-Friendly SEMA / AAPEX Products:
The AutoTex PINK PLUS wiper blade was launched and is the optimal wiper replacement for drivers who are both concerned with ensuring safety through improved visibility on the road and making a bold statement. A high quality, molded rubber wiper blade with aerodynamic, pink colored steel frame, and polymer sleeve that meets or exceeds Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) specifications, AutoTex PINK PLUS wipers are perfect for all-weather conditions and are guaranteed to be nearly 100% compatible with vehicles using existing metal wiper blades. In addition, AutoTex PINK donates a portion of every windshield wiper sale to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
ESCORT Inc, the leading manufacturer of premium automotive electronic accessories and maker of the world's best radar and laser detectors, announced at the 2011 SEMA Show the release of the new ESCORT Live™ the social network for the road where drivers share live alerts with other drivers so everyone in the network can drive smarter.
ESCORT Live™, now available directly from ESCORT, uses Bluetooth technology embedded in SmartCord Live™ cords and a unique app for the driver’s smartphone. When alerts are detected, they are transmitted to the ESCORT Live™ “cloud” and then broadcast across the ESCORT Live™ network, notifying drivers of potential ticket threats. In addition to these live alerts, ESCORT’s industry leading Defender® database of fixed position cameras and speed traps is also provided.
The patented PASSPORT iQ™, the world's first and only driving accessory that integrates radar/laser detection and GPS navigation, and also provides important driving information, such as speed traps and speed limit data, in a single compact device. I recently reviewed the PASSPORT iQ™ and now call 'her' Lola and don't drive without her! Check out the new Limited Edition Passport 9500ix Susan G Komen version that benefits breast cancer.
The SEARS Craftsman brand unveiled several new products to the Craftsman NEXTEC line of tools for 2011 that I think are great for women, powered by the same interchangeable, compact and lightweight 12-volt DieHard lithium-ion battery. Each tool allows the user to perform various tasks around the home, in the garage and on-the-go. From charging your phone to inflating a flat tire or cleaning out your car, Craftsman’s new NEXTEC tools have you covered.
Our FAVORITE PICK the Craftsman NEXTEC Inflator: This very small light-weight digital inflator utilizes powerful, adjustable air pressure that quickly inflates objects from 0.5 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 200 PSI, allowing users to inflate a variety of objects such as vehicle tires, pool toys, sports equipment and more. The Craftsman NEXTEC Inflator (29641) retails for $39.99 as an add-on tool without the battery or charger.
Craftsman NEXTEC Multi-Purpose Work Light: This florescent work light has a clear poly carbonate lens to direct and focus light, eliminating shadows or blinds spots on the workspace. The lens contour throws light forward and outward to provide a full range of 320 degrees of light. The work light has a long-lasting, 13-watt, 300 lumen ENERGY STAR®-rated fluorescent bulb that lasts 1.75 hours on a single charge.The Craftsman NEXTEC Multi-Purpose Work Light (2966) retails for $29.99 as an add-on tool without the battery or charger.
Craftsman NEXTEC Vacuum: This dual stage vacuum cleaner uses a Gore® filter that is reusable and dishwasher safe. A powerful vortex suction quickly and easily removes dirt and debris from automobiles, the workbench or common household items such as blinds, draperies and furniture. The Craftsman NEXTEC Vacuum (29642) retails for $49.99 as an add-on tool without the battery or charger.
Each of these new products will be available at Craftsman.com, K-Mart and Sears stores nationwide. For more than 80 years, Craftsman has developed innovative products. To learn more about Craftsman’s assortment of innovative hand tools, power tools and lawn equipment, visit www.craftsman.com, www.facebook.com/craftsman or one of the many Sears or Sears Hometown Stores nationwide.
Teen Safety!
Took a great test drive with Mitsubishi Motors North America to demonstrate Scosche’s cellCONTROL in a moving vehicle the All-New 100% Electric-Powered Mitsubishi i with an Impressive EPA Rated 62 Mile/98 Mile LA4 Mode Range and 112 MPGe Rating arriving in 2012.
Scosche’s Safe Driving System helps parents monitor their teen drivers by automatically disabling the most distracting functions of a smartphone including handheld phone calls, texting and emailing capabilities. As the vehicle begins to move, cellCONTROL will automatically connect to the users phone via Bluetooth to disable distracting functions. The system is completely tamper proof and will automatically alert the system’s administrator with any removal, deactivation or other misuse.
Scosche’s Safe Driving System easily connects to a vehicle’s OBD2 port and communicates with the smartphone in the vehicle. Scosche’s cellCONTROL Safe Driving System retails for $129.95 and is available at www.scosche.com and at specialty retailers. Like the Scosche’s Facebook Page for a special 20% off promo code https://www.facebook.com/scoschecaraudio
Scosche also makes a ton of cool mobile phone accessories. OUR TOP PICK the iPhone case with a kickstand called the switchBACK g4 with Polycarbonate Case with Interchangeable Backs for iPhone 4S and 4 (Verizon, Sprint and AT&T) $29.99. For more information visit our website at www.scosche.com.
Bendix launched a "Brakes for Teen Safety” a social media campaign aimed at educating teens and their parents about proper vehicle care to keep them safe on the roads. This digital program launched in October to coincide with National Teen Driver Safety Week. It includes a series of online videos and a designated Facebook page that offers relevant tips and safety information, enabling teens and parents to post their own questions and advice.
The first two videos, “What Teens Don’t Know About Car Safety” and “The Top Five Car Care Tips for Teens,” address the importance of regularly checking and changing brakes and other components, and highlight proper vehicle maintenance habits for safe driving. They can be found on the brand’s YouTube channel and on the campaign’s Facebook page.
More SEMA / AAPEX coverage coming soon, so stay tuned.
It's finally time to put a big bow on the Turtle Wax Summer of Pride Game, which ran from July - September here in the Ask Patty Nation. It took a little time, but our September winner is finally ready to be announced - and along with him, we're going to celebrate all three of our winners from the summer.
The Summer of Pride Game was a Flickr contest that ran all summer - you can still peruse all the entries in the group pool here.
September's Winner: Jacob Humiston Jacob takes pride in many things - his ride among them - but more importantly, WE take pride in HIM, in recognition of his service to the country. Thanks for your service, and for participating in our game, Jacob!
August's Winner: Tim Osborne Tim's Flickr moniker of "MustangMan2011" isn't accidental. Over the summer he sent us photos of several of his precious Ford Mustangs, and this series with the bright yellow new-style 'stang took the cake in August.
July's Winner: Mike Brewer Mike wowed us right away with some classic cars early on in the summer - and this beautiful red Impala was crowned our first winner of the year.
Thanks to everyone who participated, and of course to our good friends at Turtle Wax for helping us bring this contest to you. The Summer of Pride may be over, but remember Turtle Wax and Do Yourself Proud all year long (follow them on Twitter and Facebook too for cool updates) - another summer's coming just around the corner, and until then, the Ask Patty Nation will be rockin' all year long.
More and more, consumers are using radar detectors to avoid the unintended ticket and to slow down for safety. Escort’s products, specifically the Passport 9500 ix and Passport iQ, are the world’s first and only combined radar detector/nav system and removes the need for two devices. The Escort Passport iQ I tested was set up to give me a quick notification when I’m entering a 25-mph school zone to make sure I’m not going too fast. It also lets me know when there are red-light cameras, so I’m extra careful there. A more aware driver is a safer driver.
It definitely made me more aware of my bad habit of over-speeding! With my Passport IQ I can now "Drive Smarter".
This is my first radar detector experience and after a fews weeks of testing I would not drive without it. I travel quite a bit as well and this unit helps make my drives so stress-free and helps avoid getting an unexpected ticket. I've named my unit "Lola" and appreciate her pleasant voice to guide me to my destination and keep my speed in check. The Escort Passport IQ gives me speed limit data and warns me when I accidentally drift too far above the speed limit. I also like having the red light, speed camera and speed trap data to remind me to be careful. The navigation does a great job getting me to my location. The graphics are easy to read at a quick glance, and it's VERY easy to use. I was surprised there were so many "speed traps" to and from LAX, a route I take almost weekly.
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