Suzuki Helps Decode Car Jargon In Celebration Of "Learn A Foreign Language Month"

When buying a new vehicle, consumers can easily become confused by the acronyms, new safety features, and technology terms. To honor December as "Learn a Foreign Language Month," the awesome PR folks at Suzuki sent us a list of decoded car terms found on Suzuki vehicles. While I was reviewing it, I realized that Suzuki's not the only car company who has an alphabet soup of technical automotive terms, so I threw in a few other terms from other manufacturers.

Acura's Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) uses a radar unit mounted inside vehicle's front grille to monitor vehicles ahead and detect potential rear-end collisions. The system will alert the driver when the likelihood of a collision increases with an audible chime and a flashing alert on the dashboard, and should a collision prove to be imminent, will help reduce the impact on front occupants by cinching up the front seatbelts and even applying the brakes.

Acura's CMBS system works alongside an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which uses that same radar unit to set a defined distance between the car and the vehicle in front of it. The ACC system continually adjusts the vehicle's speed by automatically applying gas or brakes to maintain a safe and consistent following distance. This type of cruise control is becoming standard in many top-of-the-line vehicles, from Acura to Audi and from Mercedes to Volvo.

Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system has a lot of letters and a very technical explanation, but basically the system works to ensure that power goes to the wheels which have the most traction, and helps keep them from spinning so the car has more secure handling when roads are slippery.

Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI) is a complicated knob-and-button system utilized to perform such functions as changing the radio station or operating the navigation system. It's similar to BMW's iDrive joystick system, and both require a careful review of imposing technical manuals to perform what might be otherwise simple actions.

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is a type of automatic transmission that changes seamlessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This is different from other mechanical transmissions that only allow a few different distinct gear ratios to be selected. A CVT transmission can provide better fuel economy than other systems as it enables the engine to run at its most efficient revolutions per minute (RPM) for a range of vehicle speeds.

Electronic Stability Programs (ESP) usually work in combination with traction control to help ensure vehicle stability when cornering, accelerating, driving on slippery road conditions or conducting emergency maneuvers. The system can selectively apply individual brakes to control oversteer and understeer to help the driver maintain control during extreme - or emergency - maneuvers. Controlling any or all of the brakes on the vehicle provides the driver with maximum responsiveness, control and enhanced accident avoidance capabilities.

Ford's Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) uses oil pressure to adjust valve opening and closing events for better fuel economy and emissions, along with optimized cold-start operation and improved off-the-line acceleration vs. conventional engines.

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a navigational system utilizing satellites and computers to determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver and provide exact location information and directions.

Suzuki's Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (i-AWD) assists with traction in inclement weather, delivers enhanced cornering capabilities, and provides power to the rear wheels with acceleration. This safety and performance-enhancing feature is more typically found among luxury sport sedan offerings.

Hopefully this primer to complicated automotive alphabet soup will help unlock a new language for you!

By Brandy Schaffels
AskPatty.com Editor

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Nothing Better than Hanging Out with the Girls During the Holidays

The Women’s Automotive Association International (WAAI) presented the prestigious Professional Achievement Award to three automotive industry women during its annual awards dinner during the LA Auto Show media preview days.

This year’s honorees were Robin Pisz, national interactive marketing manager for Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Sales; Theresa Haven, manager of the marketing communications campaign management division, Honda Motor Co.; and Anna Zornosa, general manager for Dealix.com, a division of Cobalt.

Presented annually since 1997, the Professional Achievement Award pays tribute to professional women in recognition of their commitment, professionalism and success in the automotive industry. “These women embody qualities well worthy of recognition, and we are privileged to honor their achievements,” said Lorraine Schulz,, CEO and Founder of the WAAI. “Not only are they successful and accomplished in their careers, they are also leaders in business and their communities, and serve as role models.”

The event was a highlight for my holiday season and was so pleased to present these women with the Professional Achievement Award and congratulate them on this much-deserved honor.

In November I moderated a panel for the Mercedes Ladies and Women's Automotive Association International called: "Strategies for Success" at Mercedes-Benz USA. The key note speaker was Jo Ann Rose, President, Network Sales for CBS Television Network and one of the Hollywood Reporter's 100 Most Powerful Women. Her story was inspiring, entertaining and made me laugh at myself.

The panelists included: Nichole Braggs, Sales Operations Manager, Mercedes-Benz, Trudy Hardy: Manager, MINI Marketing,Rory Hepner, Manager, Field Operations,Mercedes-Benz and Judith Schumacher, Owner, Schumacher Chevrolet & Gearheart Chevrolet. 

Mercedes-Benz partnered with  "Dress for Success," a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive and work in life for this event.

They collected job-appropriate women's suits, skirts, pants, shoes, jewelry, and handbags that are in good condition and attire  appropriate to wear to work and something you would still feel comfortable wearing to an interview yourself. The donations went to the "Dress for Success" Career Center and Professional Women's Group.

Nothing is more invigorating for me than to spend time with powerhouse women, listen to their stories, get business, career advice and tips.  These two events really filled my craving to just hang out with the girls, I spend so much of my time with the guys in my role. Felt like I had a tune-up and now have a fully charged battery for 2010.

Congratulations and my fondest wish for much success to all these amazing women in 2010. You are all beacon of light to women working and aspiring to become leaders in the auto industry.

Visit my Flickr Sets "Mercedes Ladies Event Photos" and "Women's Automotive Professional Achievement Awards".

Winter Driving Safety Tips

With the recent rainstorms in Los Angeles, it's clear that Winter has arrived across the country.  While many Californians think colder weather just means it's time to swap flip-flops for boots, those who live in frostier climates know that the presence of sleet and snow on the road means your vehicle needs some tougher treads. 

Switching to Winter-grade tires isn't just smart in theory; it can save you real money and even your life. Crash rates spike during the October through February time frame, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  In 2007, 738,000 crashes occurred in rain, sleet or snow.  Most resulted in costly property damage, and on average, one in three involved an injury or fatality. 

"Those numbers are needlessly high," says Matt Edmonds, vice president at Tire Rack,  America's largest independent tire tester and a leading resource for consumer tire information. "A little caution, a little research, and most importantly the right 'footwear' can mean the difference between wintertime gripping and slipping."  A team of test drivers at www.tirerack.com/winter conducted real-world research for consumers on the company's test track, a sheet of ice at a hockey rink, and even the demanding winter test courses of Sweden to uncover how the latest tire technologies from multiple manufacturers perform in the snow and on ice.  In addition, consumer-generated feedback from thousands of drivers adds valuable data on different types of terrains, road surfaces, altitudes and other variables that can impact a tire's performance.

Get the Proper Footwear:
To help educate drivers to prepare for a stress-free winter behind the wheel, the Tire Rack testing team suggests you choose the right footwear for your car, saying function, not fashion, should dictate your choice.  

• *    Winter Tires - Only Winter tires are designed to excel and provide maximum traction in the colder temperatures, slush, snow, and ice that many parts of the country experience for three or more months a year. Winter tires start with deeper tread depths to obtain maximum traction. Like snow boots, purpose-designed Winter tires offer maximum traction and control in cold, snow, and ice. Tire Rack tests prove that Winter tires offer up to 21 percent more traction than All-Season tires.
• *    All-Season Tires - All-Season tires are for the drivers of passenger cars and minivans, as well as some small SUVs and pickup trucks who want dependable tires that provide all-season versatility, including traction in light snow, but face true winter conditions rarely.
• *    Summer Tires - For anyone lucky enough to live in parts of the country where winter conditions mean nothing more than cooler temperatures and rain, Summer tires are the best option.

A set of dedicated Winter tires can start as low as $300 for a set of four, and can last three or more winter seasons, depending on your driving habits.  That's significantly less than most insurance deductibles and potential rate increases should you have a winter driving-related collision.  Resting your regular tires during the winter season also increases their lifespan, saving you even more money in the long run.

Besides proper tires, drivers will want to consider these additional Winter driving safety tips:

Holiday Gift Guide for Kids and Teens

We've given you guides for Him and Her,  now here's a guide to help you gift the younger drivers in your family. No matter their age or driving level, we've got something here to please all your car-loving kids!

Just because they're too young for a driver's license does not mean they're too young to have cars of their own! Porsche solves that dilemma with a Baby Porsche push-along car ($129),  Cayenne pedal car ($279),  or awesome 911 pedal car that features a steering wheel with horn and engine sounds ($359)!  If you don't want to encourage such go-fast tastes so young, consider the Mini Cooper Baby Racer for $85, the Mini Convertible Pedal Car ($195), or an entire selection of Mini die-cast collectibles (from $20 for 1:87 scale replicas to $88 for 1:18 scale replicas) available through your local Mini dealer.

Need help getting the little ones motivated and moving? Children's Miracle Music is a fun musical game that allows parents to press a button to see their family happily and quickly to perform chores and tasks.  The game also gets families ready and in the car ON TIME in the mornings and into bed ON TIME at night, with a nurturing musical program that also teaches them to love others.  This fun musical game helps teach your kids to manage time and stay organized, while also helping improve their self esteem and motivation. On sale at www.ChildrensMiracleMusic.com for a special holiday price of $39.95.

Kelly Williams, a graduate of Teachers' College at the University of Toronto, has skillfully combined her two passions, teaching and car racing, to carve out a career as a respected educator and leader in the automotive industry, and has recently published "Kelly's Garage," the latest e-Book in the FUNdamentalsforWomen.com Series.  Kelly has established herself as a leader in the automotive industry by providing Ladies' Car Care Clinics, support to manufacturers in new vehicle launches, and BMW Driver Training. She has appeared on several TV shows, including host of "Mechanical Chicks" on Global and "Canada's Worst Driver" on Discovery Channel, where she was one of the panelists. Her e-book, "Kelly's Garage" contains useful information and tips for drivers and car owners (as well as new drivers and potential car owners). Discounted for the holidays for $13.99; plus for every e-book sold, Kelly Williams will donate $1 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.

New drivers need practical guidance on car and tire care, so ensure their safety and help them be better educated about maintaining their car with these two must-have gadgets from Tire Rack! Some 20 million vehicles have at least one bald tire, according to the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration.  In addition, 1 in 3 drivers don't know how to check if their tires are bald. While U.S. coins can be used to estimate remaining tread depth as a tire approaches the end of its useful life, the established method of measuring remaining tread depth in the U.S. is with a gauge that reads in 32nds of an inch (other countries measure tread depth in millimeters). Dill's Digital Tread Depth Gauge displays tread depths in millimeters, inches, and fractions at 1/32 increments. Suitable for measuring brake shoe and pad wear as well, the gauge's large LCD display also makes it easy to read. The Dill Digital Tread Depth Gauge is available from Tire Rack for $19.00.  


This compact and space-saving Accutire Digital Pencil Air Gauge is an awesome choice for the young driver on the go.  With this light, compact pencil-shaped air gauge tucked into their backpack, even the busiest teenager should be able to check their tire pressure once a month (as recommended for best tire performance and lifespan).  For those with limited space in their backpack, a steel pocket carrying clip is available. The Accutire Digital Pencil Air Gauge is easy-to-use and available from Tire Rack for $8.95.

Want to be sure you always know where your new driver is going and want to be sure he or she did it safely? Then here are two important devices you'll want to keep in their car. The first is the Zoombak universal A-GPS locator, a battery-operated device about the size of a pager, which sends notifications of its location every 15 minutes and displays those notifications in a breadcrumb trail on an online map. The device can even send you text messages when it arrives at certain locations. As described by David Pogue in his detailed review of the product,  "you can define up to five "safety zones": addresses or other points with a radius that you specify. You might define a 200-yard circle as OurHome and a two-mile region as CollegeCampus. Once you've done that, you can set up automatic, free alerts for those locations. When your trackee enters or leaves one of these zones, you get a text message, an e-mail message or both saying, for example, "Chris has arrived at IrresponsibleFriendsHouse." The battery lasts about five days or 150 location pings, and it will alert you via text message or email when it's running low. The device itself costs less than $100, and an annual tracking subscription costs about $155. That's a small cost for the huge peace of mind of always knowing where your kid is. 

As far as driving safely, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for teens and young adults ages 15-20. And 82% percent of fatal crashes with 16-year-old drivers are due to driver error; 37% are due to speeding. Just plug the CarChip driving and engine performance monitor into the OBDII connector of your 1996-or-later vehicle: About the size of two nine-volt batteries, CarChip monitors what's happening under the hood and behind the wheel and continuously logs vehicle and driver performance for later review. The data can easily be downloaded to your PC and shows details of every trip including start and end time and date, distance, speed, average speed, maximum speed, hard braking, and quick accelerations. It even has a user-settable alarm for speed and hard brakes, making it excellent for new drivers who might need a gentle reminder to slow down. $119 from CarChip.com.

Happy holiday shopping! Keep your eyes open for additional gift guides at AskPatty, with great ideas for car-loving ladies,  gifts for your favorite car guy,  and pampered pets!

Century Council Reminds: Don't Drink and Drive During the Holiday Season

We've all got lots on our minds right now as we prep for the holiday season. Shopping, decorating, and planning for activities are at the front of everybody's thoughts. Here's one more important thing to think about during the Holiday Season: Last year, more than 1230 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, and 171 of these drivers were under 21.

Adding to the danger of this holiday season, 70% of these fatalities involved a driver with a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of .15 or higher.

The holiday season is a time of joy and warmth, as families come together and celebrate their good fortune. Often, alcohol is a part of these celebrations. Responsibly used, it can be a source of pleasure and relaxation for adults. Unfortunately, holiday parties and family get-togethers are also a time for drunk driving.

In order to raise awareness of the danger that drunk driving presents over the holidays, The Century Council has released a short web-based game that illustrates the danger of drunk driving over the holidays. Remember the old video game called "Frogger" in which players had to jump their frog across a river of floating debris while trying to avoid hungry alligators? When in "Holiday Hop," players help their Gingerbread family to cross the a busy highway, while avoiding drunk and crazy drivers.

You can have your chance to play "Holiday Hop" here, and in between gingerbread crossings, The Century Council will share additional facts about drinking and driving. 

Is Your Car Ready for a Holiday Road Trip?

Deep down, you know your car should be checked out before hitting the road for the holidays, but with so many other things left to do, some folks put it off. Bad idea, says the Car Care Council, especially when motorists realize that in as little as 10 minutes, they can determine if their car is ready for long-distance travel.

The 10-minute pre-trip checkup recommended by the council includes the following:

• Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.
• Check the hoses and belts that can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system.
• Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

"In a very short amount of time, motorists can identify how road-ready their vehicle is and then take steps to have the problems fixed before heading out for vacation," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "It's a small sacrifice compared to the inconvenience and potential safety hazards of breaking down many miles away from home. Plus, if repairs or maintenance are needed, they can be done by a repair shop that knows you and your vehicle."

The council also recommends that wipers and interior and exterior lighting on the vehicle be checked prior to a road trip, and that motorists restock their emergency kit. As a rule of thumb, wipers should be replaced every six months and lighting should be checked monthly.

To save on fuel costs during the trip, the council suggests that motorists avoid aggressive driving, observe the speed limit and avoid excessive idling. Gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing should be replaced to prevent gas from spilling or evaporating.

AskPatty Attends the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show

The Los Angeles Auto Show opened to the public this week, showcasing the latest new vehicles and futuristic concepts from auto manufacturers around the world. More than 900 vehicles are currently on display through Sunday, December 13, from sportscars and sedans, to crossovers, trucks, and minivans. Los Angeles is the nation's largest car market and as the first major North American auto show of the season, it will deliver a preview of how the recent changes in the industry, the environment, and the economy will ultimately affect what consumers drive. Last year's Los Angeles Auto Show practically launched the carpocalypse, so this year's event opens the auto show season with a cautiously optimistic attitude.

"This is a critical time for the auto industry and we are already seeing the manufacturers respond to the new challenges with some truly innovative products," said Andy Fuzesi, general manager, LA Auto Show.

Big news led the launch of the show with the sudden departure of GM CEO Fritz Henderson the afternoon before he was scheduled to give the shows opening Keynote speech. While he officially "Resigned," some might say he was "Made to walk the plank," and the reasons why are not likely ever to be made public. Bob Lutz filled in as the Keynote speaker on Wednesday morning.

 North American vehicle debuts at the show range from affordable and fun vehicles like the charismatic Ford Fiesta  and its near-twin Mazda 2, adorable Mini Roadster, and Chevrolet's highly-anticipated Cruze, to such ultra-luxury vehicles as Fisker's Karma electric sportscar (which is said will exude the sounds of a jet fighter from speakers in the rear bumper), the Rolls Royce Ghost, Lexus LFA Supercar, and the Spyker Aileron (which is swathed in hides from free-range coldweather cows for the most indulgent and perfect  leather - no barb-wire scratches and NO mosquito bites!).

Standout vehicles include Porsche's incredibly lightweight Boxster Spyder, Cadillac's beautiful new CTS Coupe, Buick's elegant Regal, Hyundai's new Tucson SUV (which is being built in Atlanta, Georgia, and was launched with delicious Peach Cobbler), and the legendary Morgan Aero, which combines classic Art Deco styling with modern technology. 

In addition to traditional vehicles, more than 50 new hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles are on display, showcasing hybrid, electric, hydrogen fuel cell, as well as natural gas and ethanol powered technologies. Examples of these high-tech cars include BMW's series of Active Hybrid cars, Lexus LF-Ch Premium Compact Hybrid Concept, Subaru's Hybrid Tourer, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell, Chevrolet's highly anticipated Volt extended range electric vehicle,  and Toyota's Prius Plug-in Hybrid. Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com presented the award for Green Car of the Year to the 2010 Audi A3 TDI clean diesel wagon on Thursday morning, saying "The Audi A3 TDI really defines what a 'green' car should be. At 42 mpg, it sets the bar for highway fuel efficiency in the luxury car segment. Its 50-state certified clean diesel engine is quiet, responsive, and achieves its mission without the need for exotic technologies. Plus, it's sporty and just plain fun to drive."

 Additionally, the show has a dozen futuristic concept vehicles on  display, many of which showcase forward-looking green technology, from the Audi e-tron and Honda P-NUT to the Volkswagen Up! Lite. Our personal favorite was the Mitsubishi PX-MiEV plug-in hybrid that combines both extended cruising range as well as an improved performance over gasoline-engine vehicles by utilizing a gasoline powerplant that can operate in series or in parallel with its electric motor to generate additional energy and horsepower. Yep, this electric trucklet has three modes--EV, series hybrid and parallel hybrid - promising a full-electric range of 30 miles from its lithium ion battery pack and even farther using its range extending 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine.

New this year! Downstairs in Kentia Hall, parents will be relieved to find the Kids' Fun Zone, an all-new weekend attraction that features a variety of interactive activities for kids 12 and under, including bounce houses, a kids' Jeep driving course, face-painting, Xbox driving simulators, bubble making, arts and crafts and games.

Adults are $12, children under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult, and you can download $2 discount coupons at LAAutoShow.com. Follow the LA Auto Show on Twitter at twitter.com/LAAutoShow, or visit its Facebook page at facebook.com/LosAngelesAutoShow. The show ends on Sunday, December 13, so make sure you come out this weekend to see the cars!!

(All show photography by Brandy Schaffels -- click to pop open named enlargements)

Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly Blog Carnival: December 9, 2009

Our Certified Female Friendly retailers and dealers are working overtime to offer special programs during the holidays and year-round!

Please support our Certified Female Friendly business and their efforts to share the joy of the holiday season with all their customers and communities!

The Fresno Toys for Tots program was coming up short, leaving Fresno Valley Marines in a pinch! To help them make their collection, Valley Toyota/Scion of Hanford, California,  joined with Scion to purchase $3,000 worth of toys for their community. Their deadline to contribute toys for needy families is December 18th, and collection bins are, sadly, still empty. Valley Toyota bought and donated the toys because they heard hundreds of kids would go without a Christmas if they didn't get involved. "We've already currently handed out more than four thousand toys to the Kings County community," said Matt Milligan of Valley Toyota. Find out  more about the Toys for Tots program here,  and please stop by this week to drop off your own toy donation!

Midlands Honda of Columbia, South Carolina, is also a participating dealer drop-off site for 2009 Toys For Tots!

Jon Lancaster Toyota of Madison, Wisconsin,  also supports the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, so do your part by donating a new, unwrapped toy before December 15th.

Toys for Tots has been putting smiles on children's faces since 1947. The goal of the annual campaign is that the message of hope that inherently comes with the gift motivates the children to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. Please help these Certified Female Friendly business support our troops, and less fortunate children in their community! Donate today!

J's Auto Body of Seabrook, Maryland,  is committed to providing its customers with the best quality repairs and the most reasonable prices. As part of that commitment, J's is helping the many military families of their community with a special "Military Wives Too"  coupon program offering discounts on vehicle repairs.

AutoAid & Rescue of Van Nuys, California,  has been been Awarded the AAA 100% Customer Satisfaction Award for 2009. AutoAid has received this certificate many times in years past, always scoring in the high 90's, but this year customers returned all perfect marks and the shop received 100% Customer Satisfaction!

Bianchi Honda,  the only Certified Female Friendly Honda Dealer of Erie, Pennsylvania, has earned the prestigious Honda President's Award -- marking it as one of Honda's Top Dealerships -- for the 11th time. The award is presented to top-ranking Honda dealerships across the country and recognizes excellence in all areas of operation - customer service, sales, training, and facility operation. Customer service and customer satisfaction is Bianchi's Number One Priority, and as part of this, they offer:
- Free car washes at our automatic, drive thru Express Car Wash!
- Free loaner vehicles (from Enterprise Car Rental, with service appointment)
- Free shuttle service to anywhere on upper Peach St. (Mall, shopping centers, movie theater, etc.)
- Free 3 years of state inspection with first paid oil change.

Jerry Elman, owner of Schoen Place Auto of New York, has been in the news lately for his female-friendly efforts. Jerry says he sees "our role as similar to that of a family physician because we have to trust both to tell us what's wrong 'under the hood' and to fix it. We invest the same amount of time, caring and effort into our relationships with customers as a doctor would with a patient." "Doctor" Jerry has been interviewed on local television news broadcasts  and in the Rochester Press. Plus, he is the only male member of the local Rochester Women's Network, and NAWBO. Schoen Place Auto also sends its customers an informative newsletter full of helpful tips and information. Check out the most recent newsletter here.

Clark's Car Care of Naperville, Illinois,  the goal is to develop an ongoing relationship with the customers based on trust, saying customers who receive top-quality and honest service will recommend Clark's to family and friends. Through regular referral contests, customers have a chance to win a coupon for a complimentary house cleaning.  Clark's  also offers a Free Shuttle Service for work or home pick-up.  For those customers who wait while their vehicle is serviced, Clark's offers free Wi-Fi and a Massage Chair in the waiting area.  "Most customers don't want to leave, even after their car is ready."  Clark's Car Care has always been an active member of the Naperville community, and is currently collecting food for the local Food Pantry.

An important goal for Curry's Auto Service of Northern Virginia  is to develop relationships with the surrounding communities and make to make a significant contribution to our local organizations and those in need.  Curry's Community Support Program was established to focus efforts to help those organizations, and offers a Coupon Book Fundraiser to assist schools, sport teams and charities fund their organizations.  Click here to see more details about the Auto Repair Coupon Book.

Guaranteed Transmission Service and Auto Care of Lafayette, Indiana,  will celebrate the new year with black-tie optional dinner and dancing to benefit the American Red Cross. Tickets are $50 per person; doors Open at 7:00 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. Stay for dancing, a silent auction and a special midnight champagne toast! RSVP for the special black-tie optional New Year's Eve event by December 28, and get additional info at 765-742-6975 or by emailing liz@tippearc.org

Schierl Tire and Service Centers of central Wisconsin is holding a sweepstakes to give away two tickets to see the Green Bay Packers play on December 27th! Schierl Tire and Service can perform a quick oil change, perform major repairs, or set you up with new tires!

And that's it for this edition of AskPatty's Certified Female Friendly Blog Carnival! Make sure to submit your article for our next "Automotive Advice for Women Blog Carnival" using the online form  or by emailing Ask Patty at info@askpatty.com.

By Brandy Schaffels
AskPatty.com Editor

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