Moms Need Eyes on the Sides of Your Head When Driving

Susan Docherty, the new North America Vice President, Buick-Pontiac-GMC Channel, gave me a sneak-peek of the the 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan that will make its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan 12th. With the Buick Enclave a smashing sales success in 2008, the redesigned-from-the-ground-up Buick LaCrosse will surely please women car buyers as the LaCrosse is the second offering from Buick as part of their product renaissance. I can't wait to test drive this beauty.

“The new LaCrosse was created with great attention to detail, craftsmanship and advanced technology,” said Susan Docherty, Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice president. “It builds on the success of Enclave as the next step in Buick’s transformation. And, as with Enclave, our goal is to attract a whole new buyer to our dealerships for LaCrosse.”

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan will feature all wheel drive, a suite of advanced intelligent personal technologies and safety features, and a choice of two fuel-saving V-6 engines. LaCrosse production will begin this summer at the Fairfax Assembly facility in Kansas City, Kansas, and be in dealer showrooms in late summer. Randy Cunow Buick-Pontiac-GMC is located in Kansas City, Kansas, and is an AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly dealer and hopes to give you a test drive in the all new LaCrosse this summer!

The most amazing feature of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan is the Side Blind Zone Alert System. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 830,000 vehicles annually are involved in crashes related to unsafe lane changes. Often, it’s because drivers fail to see vehicles in the side blind zone. GM’s Side Blind Zone Alert System (SBZA) – available in the 2010 Buick LaCrosse – can help avoid this dangerous and costly situation.

SBZA uses radar technology to cover a zone of about one adjacent lane from both sides of the vehicle, or 11 feet (3.5 m). The zone starts at each side mirror and extends back about 16 feet (5 m). When the system is engaged, an amber symbol – located in the outside rearview mirror – illuminates. This serves to let drivers know that following vehicles in the adjacent lanes are entering their side blind zone.

The system is not designed to detect vehicles outside of the side blind zone that may be rapidly approaching, or detect pedestrians, bicyclists, or animals. It’s designed to ignore infrastructure – such as fire hydrants or parked cars. In addition, the system displays do not come on while the vehicle is approaching or passing other vehicles – unless these vehicles stay within the detection zone for more than 2 seconds. SBZA can be turned on and off by the driver.

Click Here to Watch the Video about GM's Side Blind Zone Alert System

A Rear Shade Option available to protect your precious cargo during naps too!

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse Luxury Sedan competes with the Lexus ES350, Avalon, Chrysler 300 and Acura TL and will be offered in these 10 yummy colors:

Quicksilver Metallic
Midnight Blue Metallic
Summit White
Gold Mist Metallic
Carbon Black Metallic
Red Jewel Tintcoat
Silver Green Metallic
White Diamond
Storm Gray Metallic
Mocha Steel Metallic

For more info go to:

http://www.buick.com

Note: GMAC Financing, with new tarp funds in hand, can help finance you with on a new car loan with a credit score of just 621!

Jody DeVere
President and CEO
http://www.askpatty.com
http://www.carblabber.com

Accessible Taxi Service for Wheelchair Users in New York City

The United Spinal Association (www.UnitedSpinal.org) encourages wheelchair and scooter users in the New York City metropolitan area to call 311 to request a wheelchair-accessible taxi via the new Accessible Dispatch Program.

This system links passengers who use wheelchairs with accessible vehicles through a central dispatcher. Residents and visitors to NYC can call 311 for a pre-arranged service. 311 connects the passenger to a dispatcher who collects the passenger's pick-up location and communicates electronically with participating drivers. The closest available driver accepts the dispatch and picks up the passenger.

The fare for an accessible cab trip is the same as the metered rates for all New York City yellow taxis. The Accessible Dispatch System is for passengers who use wheelchairs or scooters only.

Safety Tips to Avoid Rainy-Day Wrecks

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, nearly one million vehicle accidents a year occur in wet weather. Many of these rainy-day wrecks are caused by motorists failing to appreciate the vast difference between driving in wet and dry conditions, says Peter Cunningham, a championship winning race car driver who tours the U.S. for Firestone, teaching driving skills and discussing the importance of proper tires.

"To drive safely on wet pavement, you have to recognize the demands that you, your vehicle and your tires face," Cunningham says. "It's very different than driving on dry pavement, but many motorists fail to change techniques and attention. That's when many wet weather accidents occur."

Cunningham's wet weather driving tips include:

Slow down.
As your speed decreases, the tire footprint (the amount of the tire's tread contacting the road surface) increases, providing better traction. You also reduce the risk of hydroplaning should you run into deeper water puddled on the road.

Maintain a safe distance.
Even with a good wet weather tire, be prepared for longer stopping distances on wet pavement. Since other cars may not have proper tires for wet weather driving, be extra alert at stop signs and red lights.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, nearly one million vehicle accidents a year occur in wet weather. Many of these rainy-day wrecks are caused by motorists failing to appreciate the vast difference between driving in wet and dry conditions, says Peter Cunningham, a championship winning race car driver who tours the U.S. for Firestone, teaching driving skills and discussing the importance of proper tires.

"To drive safely on wet pavement, you have to recognize the demands that you, your vehicle and your tires face," Cunningham says. "It's very different than driving on dry pavement, but many motorists fail to change techniques and attention. That's when many wet weather accidents occur."

2009 New Year Driving Resolutions from the Car Connection

The Car Connection came up with a great list of 2009 New Year Driving Resolutions I just had to share them with our readers.

• Buckle up yourself and your children properly. No single thing can prevent more highway accident injuries and deaths than belting in, especially for children and small adults.
• Concentrate on driving. If you must use a car phone, have it professionally installed in your car. If you must eat on the road, pull over for fifteen minutes so you’re not balancing a 64-ounce drink in your lap while doing 70 mph on the highway.
• Stay in control. Aggressive driving isn’t only happening in commutes. If someone irks you or makes threatening moves, don’t challenge them: slow down and blend into saner traffic. If necessary, drive to the nearest police station for your own safety.
• Become a mirror-checker. Not for makeup or hair, but for the flow of traffic. You can see a lot of incidents coming your way if you scan your mirrors — rearview and side mirrors — every half a minute or so.
• Pass left, drive right. The left-most lanes are meant for passing. If you’re not passing or not completing a pass in less than a minute, move over and let others by.
• Park with a conscience. Other people’s cars deserve the same care you’d give your own. If a space is too tight to open your doors comfortably, find another one.
• Learn how to stop in a hurry. While anti-lock brakes are standard or available on most cars today, many drivers still aren’t familiar with how they work. If you’ve got a car with them but have never experienced them in action, find a local parking lot and feel them working.
• Create some breathing room. The proper following distance of three car lengths is almost nonexistent in today’s traffic-clogged commutes. But on the open road, there’s no reason to travel tightly packed, convoy-style. Open some space between your bumper and the car ahead, and you’ll cut the risk of being a statistic.
• Pay attention to flashing lights. Whether it’s an emergency vehicle, police car, or a fellow driver flashing to pass, pay heed and pull right.
• Change lanes safely. Miss your exit? Need to make the next right-hand turn — but you’re in the left lane? Don’t move across three lanes of traffic, or cut off other drivers — wait until the next opportunity, go back, and try it again.

Great tips and a big thank you to the Car Connection for sharing:

http://www.thecarconnection.com/article/1000827_driving-resolutions

NOW is the Perfect Time to Buy a Car!

Regardless of all the doom and gloom you might be hearing about the economy, NOW is the perfect time to buy a new car.

As we enter the new year, automakers are leaving behind one of the most miserable years in their history, reporting dreadful December figures demonstrating double-digit drops in sales as credit markets tightened and consumer confidence sank. Just yesterday, @TomWhiteJr  reported that most auto sales fell around 30 percent (Toyota -36.7%, BMW -35.9%, Honda -34.7%, Ford -34.4%, GM -31.2%, Nissan -30.7%), though Chrysler was hit hardest, with a giant 53.1% drop in vehicles sold in December 2008.

“Why is this good news?” you might ask? It’s not, at least, not exactly. It was not good news for auto dealers who are sitting with unsold inventory on their lots. It was not good news for manufacturers who have had to idle their plants so their dealers can clear out some of that aging inventory. But it is good news for consumers who are ready to buy, because it means those cars are there right now, just waiting for somebody to take them home to a nice warm garage. And tons of deals to encourage consumers to come look at them.

WAAI Honors Four Women During NADA 2009 in New Orleans

The Women's Automotive Association International is honoring four outstanding women at the Spirit of Leadership Award Reception & Lunch during the NADA Convention, Saturday January, 24th, 2009.


Monica Emerson Executive Director - Corporate Diversity Chrysler 

Executive Director - Corporate Diversity Chrysler
Monica E. Emerson is the former Executive Director of the Global Diversity Office at Chrysler LLC. She held the most senior level position for diversity and inclusion at Chrysler since 1996.
Read Monica's Bio Here (pdf)

Sarah Fisher

IndyCar Series and Indianapolis 500 driver Read Sarah's Bio Here (pdf)

Ellen McKoy Senior Director, Dealer Relations at SEMA. Executive Director of SEWA

Senior Director, Dealer Relations at SEMA. Executive Director of SEWA
Read Ellen's Bio Here (pdf)

Judith Schumaker
Principal, Schumaker Chevrolet

About the Spirit of Leadership Award

Established in 1999, the WAAI's "Spirit of Leadership" award is presented annually to professional women in the automotive industry in recognition of their significant accomplishments in their profession, community, and family. These women have dedicated their life to their profession and to giving back to others; and they serve as mentors and are role models to us all. Sustained superior performance, community involvement, influence and support of other women within the automotive industry are just some of the qualities these women possess.

A Spirit of Leadership award is given for three automotive business sectors: 1) manufacturer, 2) dealership, and 3) supplier. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone you know for this award, nominations for 2009 are due by October 31, 2008 to Lorraine Schultz (fax: 248-646-6721; e-mail: lhswaai@aol.com).

Spirit of Leadership Award Reception & Lunch during the NADA Convention
Aboard the Creole Queen
New Orleans, LA
Boarding 11:30, Embark 12:00 noon
Lunch and Award Ceremony
Debark 2:00 pm
Ticket and additional information available on our website at www.waai.com WAAI Tel: 248.646.5250 Fax: 248.646.6721 LHSWAAI@aol.com

10 Top Tips to Help You Sell Your Car Yourself

Yes it is true; selling your car yourself will get you the most money in your pocket. But, realize that it can take several weeks or months to sell a car. So don't be discouraged if you don't get any inquiries right away.

Don't worry about putting any repair work into the vehicle. You will never recoup the money. Just be honest about what it needs to the next owner. Most people who are purchasing a used vehicle expect to spend money on repairs or maintenance service.

Do worry about cleaning your car inside and out! This can make a HUGE difference in getting your car sold. Clean out your "stuff" from the door pockets, glove box, ashtray, cubbyholes, and under the seats. Don't want to clean it yourself? Take it to a professional car detailer and pay approx. $100 - $150.

Do you know when to worry if your car is smoking?

Thanks to trustmymechanic.com,  we know that smoke coming from the tailpipe is not necessarily good news, but it does not mean the engine needs rebuilding, either. Here are the three most common types of exhaust smoke, with tips about what could be causing it, and suggestions on how to deal with it.

White Smoke
White exhaust smoke is caused by water and or antifreeze entering the cylinder, and the engine trying to burn it with the fuel. The white smoke is steam. If white smoke is present, check to see if the proper amount of antifreeze is inside the radiator and the overflow bottle. Also check to see if antifreeze has contaminated the engine oil.

Blue Smoke
Blue exhaust smoke is caused by engine oil entering the cylinder area and being burned along with the fuel air mixture. As with the white smoke, just a small drop of oil leaking into the cylinder can produce blue smoke out the tailpipe. Blue smoke is more likely in older or higher-mileage vehicles than newer cars with fewer miles. Using thicker weight engine oil or an oil additive designed to reduce oil leaks might help reduce the amount of oil leaking into the cylinder.