Who Would Have Thought You Could Drive Like THIS in a HYUNDAI?

We came across this video on youtube that features a team of highly skilled drivers executing an amazing array of synchronized driving stunts in a bumper-to-bumper squadron of Hyundai vehicles.

To what sounds like a Yanni soundtrack, these vehicles execute an astounding assortment of driving stunts, including 360-degree and reverse-360-degree spin turns at high speed, synchronized side-slidig parking exercises in forward and reverse, for eight minutes of truly amazing driving.

I spent the entire video with my jaw open and what might have appeared to be a big cartoon bubble over my head that said "OMG! Who knew they could do THAT!?"

Don't Forget to Drive your Corvette to Work on Friday, June 27!

Friday, June 27th, 2008, is the 8th Annual "Drive Your Corvette To Work Day," sponsored by Mid America Motorworks. In honor of "Drive Your Corvette To Work Day," Mid-America invites Corvette enthusiasts across America to make "America's Sports Car" their commuter car for the day.

"Drive Your Corvette To Work Day is held on the Friday closest to June 30th, when the first Corvette rolled off the assembly line in 1953 in Flint, Michigan. We encourage every Corvette owner to drive his or her car on June 27th because it is the perfect way to say 'Happy Birthday' to America's favorite sports car," says Mike Yager, founder and "Chief Cheerleader" of Mid America Motorworks, the world's leading supplier of Corvette parts and accessories.

Each year, Mid America Motorworks promotes "Drive Your Corvette To Work Day" among Corvette owners and clubs, with their simple goal to have as many Corvette owners as possible drive their car to work that day. Ladies, don't miss your chance to declare your love for  your Corvette!

Have you experienced the joy of live traffic updates?

I'm not sure what it's like for drivers in other cities, but as a resident of Los Angeles, I know I can't go anywhere without checking SigAlert.com before hitting the freeway. Unfortunately, the minute I turn off my computer, I'm out of touch with the constantly changing traffic landscape, and the radio traffic updates don't help much when stuck in a snarl and it's nine minutes away from the next update. In-dash navigation devices are great for plotting a route, but it's when you're connected to the very latest in technology that you are able to really experience the benefit of LIVE traffic updates.

It was behind the wheel of a Cadillac CTS provided to AskPatty for editorial evaluation that I first experienced XM LIVE traffic: I was on the 101 Freeway when a lovely woman's voice spoke to me to warn of an traffic jam at an upcoming street. The passengers in my car were astounded! A touch upon the nav screen revealed colored lines and alerts to demonstrate various speeds and levels of traffic delay. It was like having our own traffic angel in the car with us.

Well INRIX promises to take live traffic even further with a new product it calls "Total Traffic Fusion," the first traffic data service that intelligently combines real-time, predictive, and historical traffic information for over 800,000 miles of roadways across the United States.

How Far Would You Go for Free Gas?

With gas prices continuing to rise, everyone’s looking for ways to save a little cash. People are selling their bigger vehicles for anything more fuel efficient. More city dwellers are taking advantage of public transportation when they can. And here’s an even more creative solution: selling advertising on your car in exchange for free gas.

Freegashelp is a site that matches advertisers to drivers. In exchange for a bit of space on your car, you get monthly gas cards. You can earn anywhere from $25 up to $200 per month depending on the type of ad.

There are some requirements, though. Your car has to be in good shape. And you have to drive at least 1,000 miles per month and you may be called upon to prove how much you drive.

Change Your Oil, Grant a Wish

Most of us have heard of the Make-A-Wish® Foundation and how they grant wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. And if you've ever wanted to help, but just weren't sure how, we've found one small way you can make a difference.

Our cars regularly need oil changes. If you visit your local Midas shop from now until June 28 and purchase a Midas Touch® Maintenance Package ($34.95), Midas will donate $5 to Make-A-Wish®. The package includes an oil change*, tire rotation and 45-point courtesy check.

Midas will donate up to $400,000 to help make a child's wish come true. You can find out more about the program at MidasWish.com.

You have to get your oil changed anyway, right? So why not help a sick child? If you'd like to find other ways to help, Make-A-Wish® is always looking for volunteers to help grant a wish every 40 minutes in the U.S.

As a mom, I hate to think of kids having any type of life-threatening illness. Organizations like Make-A-Wish® that give them some joy, and some time to just be a kid, are priceless.

AskPatty's Jody DeVere to Speak to National Association of Women Business Owners

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) will present a fun and informative program on how to get the most out of blogging. The speaker is our very own president of AskPatty.com,  Jody DeVere, and her topic is "Blogging is here to stay." She should know!!

The meeting will also include the introduction and installation of the new NAWBO Jody has more than 25 years of achievement as a successful entrepreneur focused on sales and marketing leadership including ten years developing Web-based business solutions across diverse industries. She is currently president of the Women's Automotive Association International, the premier women's organization for women automotive professionals, a member of the Car Care Council Women's Board, a member of the California State Advisory Board for SkillsUSA, chairperson of the United Spinal Motor Sports Committee and a member of the SEMA Businesswomen's Networking Association.

The June 9 program is open to the public and will take place at the Embassy Suites Hotel--Denver Southeast, 7525 E. Hampden Avenue, Denver. Registration opens at 11:00 a.m.  Program ends at 1:45 p.m.

The cost to attend is $35 for members and $45 for non-members; lunch is included. For questions, call 303-758-0838. Early registration is now closed, but late registrants and walk-ups can still attend for an additional $10 fee.

To register, click here: http://www.nawbodenver.com/progandevents.asp

AskPatty's Jody DeVere to Speak At Ladies Who Launch LIVE!

AskPatty's very own President Jody DeVere will be part of the "Queens of the Web" panel at the "Ladies Who Launch LIVE" event in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 31.

About Jody:
We know that many women love cars, love the excitement of GETTING a new car, love the new car smell, and love driving that car off the lot. But what many women HATE is everything that has to be done to get to that point, which is where Jody becomes our hero. As the CEO, president, and co-founder of AskPatty.com, Jody helped AskPatty.com become a Web site geared toward helping women with everything automotive.

About the Day:
Put your power suits and briefcases in the closet and get ready for a reality-altering day. Honor yourself by exploring your feminine entrepreneurial and creative potential at "Ladies Who Launch LIVE!" The event will be held on Saturday, May 31, from 9am to 4pm at Dermalogica, 1535 Beachey Place, Carson, CA 90746. The cost is $165.00 to pre-register (must be reserved by May 31, 2008) or $200.00 at the door. To make your reservation, send an email to kmudrick@ladieswholaunch.com right away!! There will be plenty of free parking at the venue.

You're invited to a day to connect with other inspiring women to grow dreams, businesses, and creative projects and to reignite any idea that has taken a back seat. Learn from our experts about launching a business, starting from scratch, pitching the press, balancing a busy life, creating rewarding relationships, and living the life you want.

Driver Safety: When Driving Drunk Becomes Deja Vu

Police are experiencing an odd sense of deja vu after a Truckee, California woman crashed her car just north of Lake Tahoe while allegedly under the influence. That’s because she crashed her car in the exact same spot five months previous. Both times, her blood alcohol content was well over three times the legal limit.

The 23-year-old woman was so intoxicated that she had trouble standing or walking. Her blood alcohol level was initially measured at .346. Do you know what California’s legal limit is? It’s .08. Last time, her BAC was .380. If convicted of a second offense, this young woman could face up to 10 years in prison and fines in excess of $2,000.

The reports didn’t mention other cars, so at least no one else was hurt. But such a high BAC means so much more than drunken driving. It means excessive drinking and the inability to make good decisions. This young woman is lucky that she didn’t ruin someone else’s life or kill herself.

On my way home, again.

I'm typing this on an airplane on my way home to Los Angeles, marveling over where my travels have taken me within the last week:

More than 8000 miles on three airlines (Northwest, American, Frontier), six different airports (Los Angeles 4x, Chicago Midway 2x, Las Vegas McCarren, Denver 2x, Chicago OHare, and Detroit 2x), and a total of eight separate planes (On Friday, I identified each animal emblazoned on the tails of my four Frontier flights; I've since forgotten their cute names, but the animals were a wolf, a rabbit, an elk, and a moose). Needless to say, I'm a little travel weary.

My job as an automotive journalist and blogger has provided many opportunities to travel; auto shows, vehicle product reveals, and educational conferences take me away from home about once a month. This week, I had two short trips bookended around Mother's Day: The first was the "Marketing 2 Women" conference in Chicago, and the second was an overnighter to Detroit to co-star in a short Prestone video in which I offer female friendly advice to help moms get their cars and families ready for summer road trips.

While the opportunities are exciting enough on their own, Monday's flight brought a whole new adventure to traveling.

Another Chance to Focus on the Music and Win Free Gas, iTunes, and Apple iPod Nanos!

So Kim and Seana, those two music-loving Ford-focus-travelling- Sync-using singer songwriters have assembled all their travel adventure videos at a giant Kim and Seana YouTube video page (http://youtube.com/user/kimandseana), and have offered our readers another chance to win some more cool prizes.

It’s been several months since Kim and Seana began their journey, and along the way, they posted dozens of webisodes and oodles of informal blogs documenting their drama as they drove around the nation pursuing music and fun, traveling from New York to Chicago to Nashville to Orlando to her ultimate gig at the Hard Rock Cafe in New Orleans. Along the way, the two young ladies made valuable contacts in the entertainment industry, visited famous musical landmarks, and discovered new musicians. And they made the contacts they needed to break into the music industry themselves, and begin production on Kim’s first CD.

As you might recall, Ford sent the perky duo off in a Sync-equipped Focus to connect them to their adventures, and the sporty little car costars in many of their online webisodes helping the pair communicate with family and friends along the journey, and providing the soundtrack to their roadtrip - one voice command at a time.

What Not to Haul in your Car

File this under “things not to do.” A man in Texas was stopped after he made a couple of U-Turns and almost hit someone. And when the Texas Highway Patrol approached William Eric Johnson’s car, the officer couldn’t believe what he saw. There was a 6-foot alligator in Johnson’s back car window.

Not only was the alligator just hanging around in the back window, it wasn’t restrained in any way. No ropes, no tethers, no tape around its jaws. While the patrol officer later stated that the gator looked pretty content, they didn’t take any chances and called a professional to help remove the animal.

Johnson claimed that he saw the gator on the side of the road and was just taking it to a friend’s pond. But he was also caught with some items stolen from his employer’s son’s home, so police probably weren’t sure what to believe.

California Wireless Laws - What Happens After July 1st

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has written a Frequently Asked Questions  (FAQ) document to field questions about the new wireless telephone laws that go into effect on July 1, 2008. Let's take a look at some of the information they have provided.

There are two laws going into effect on July 1. The first addresses drivers over the age of 18. These drivers can use a hands-free device to operate their phone while driving. There is a provision for emergencies, so you can use your phone to summon help, even if you don't have a wireless device. The second refers to younger drivers. Motorists under 18 may not use their phones at all when driving. Passengers are exempt from the requirements to use hands-free devices.

If you're convicted on a violation, the first offense is $20 and subsequent convictions are $50. It's a reportable offense, but you will not receive DMV violation points. It will, however, show on your driving record.

There is no grace period for the law, so have your wireless device in use by July 1. In fact, it's best to get into the habit now so you don't have to worry if you forget when the law takes effect.

T&T Honda, the Premier Canadian Ask Patty Certified Female Friendly Dealership, Sponsors The Calgary Woman's Show

T&T Honda, the first Certified Female Friendly dealership in Canada, is a proud fifth-year sponsor of the 2008 Calgary Woman's Show - A Fair to Remember.  Certified Female Friendly sales staff will be on hand to showcase several of Honda's world-class vehicle models. 

The Calgary Woman's Show is a consumer trade show dedicated to the female consumer.  Now in their 26th year, the longest-running woman's show in Canada, the exhibition promises to be THE event of 2008 and one not to be missed.  In addition to T&T Honda, there will be exhibitors from a variety of industries, with such highlights as six fashion shows featuring local boutiques, celebrity appearances from the cast of the Young and the Restless, and the vocal stylings of local singer/songwriter Alanna Clarke accompanied by guitarist Brady Side.

Recent statistics show that women control 85% of consumer spending in Canada.  The Calgary Woman's Show is an exceptional marketing opportunity that targets this very powerful demographic.  Since its start in 1983, it is the best-attended event for women in Western Canada.  The exhibition provides women with a fun environment to explore new ideas and products in a warm, friendly and casual atmosphere.

Volkswagen Launches New "Das Auto" Campaign

Volkswagen of America has launched a new advertising campaign called "Das Auto," which, for non-German-speakers, means "the car." 

The campaign, which launched last week and was playing practically nonstop over the weekend, introduces the world to the company's new spokesvehicle Max, an iconic, quirky, talking 1964 black Beetle. In each spot, Max has candid conversations with notable figures from pop culture in a talk-show setting, with discussions that focus on Volkswagen's intuition on what it is the people want.   

Guests include supermodel Heidi Klum (she makes Max blush),   pop and TV personality David Hasselhoff (Max makes him blush),  Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy, NASA astronaut Richard Searfoss (in his spacesuit),   music-sharing innovator Shawn Fanning (weighing hip vs legal),  and former basketball coach Bob Knight (Max makes him angry).  The collection of 30-second spots will air throughout the month of April. I must have seen them at least a dozen times over the weekend, including this one with the hunky David Hasselhoff:

Shell "Autotude" Survey Reveals Interesting Insight Into What People Think About Their Vehicles and Driving

A recent Shell "Autotude" survey reveals some interesting things about what American drivers think of their autos. Besides proving that many Americans view their cars as more than just a piece of machinery, the survey showed there are regional differences in drivers' "autotudes." While much of the country views their cars and trucks as simply a way to get from point A to point B, drivers in the Farm Belt states (from North Dakota down to Kansas and Missouri), the Outer South (from Texas to Virginia), and New England say they actually enjoy and look forward to driving. (They didn't ask me, and I agree, though I'm not in any of those regions.)

Here's what respondents divulged (and my own opinions in italics, as well):

Vehicles have personalities, too.
The survey said respondents described their autos with language once reserved for children and pets. Two out of three American drivers believe their cars have a personality and most respondents agreed that they had a "strong emotional bond" with their vehicles (56 percent). Additionally, more women (66 percent) than men (56 percent) feel their personality is similar to their vehicles'. And 21 percent even admitted to patting their dashboards like a pet. (Yes, I DO talk to my car, pet its dash, and imagine that it drives better because it is happy when it is clean and full.)

Blogger Bossy takes an Excellent Road Trip

It's only been a couple weeks since Blogger Bossy waved goodbye to her husband, kids, and an enormous breed of canine she calls her "lap pony," and embarked upon a stunt titled "Bossy's Excellent Road Trip."

Bossy has embarked on a five-week journey across the United States in order to meet a nationwide collection of blogging friends she knows solely through her comment section -- saying they have become like family to her -- and because Saturn is sponsoring it by loaning her one of each of their five models of cars in which to travel.

Let's hear it for 10,000 miles in the Astra, the Aura, the Outlook, the Sky, and the Vue! Woo Hoo! (Note to Bossy, we love you, but as automotive bloggers, we need to let you know that you keep saying they're from Saturn's Hybrid line, but only the Aura and the Vue are available with a hybrid powertrain. The other three are just fun Saturn cars.)

Chevy Supports Autism Research

April is Autism Awareness Month. Autism Speaks and Chevrolet announced a month-long promotion to help raise up to $1 million to create greater awareness of autism, a disorder now found in one of every 150 children.

During April, visitors to Autism Speaks can take a virtual test drive of the 2008 Chevy Malibu. Each virtual test drive contributes to the $1 million goal, which goes to support Autism Speaks’ mission of increasing awareness of autism and funding research. Participants in the virtual drive will receive a free 30-day online trial of XM Satellite Radio.

Autism is more common than pancreatic cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It impairs a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others. It occurs in all racial, ethnic and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys thank girls. A new case is diagnosed every 20 minutes.

Sleepy? Truckers Can Blame it on Being Overweight

A recent article at USA Today reports that obesity may be what causes some truckers to doze while driving. On April 7, the medical review board of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will finalize recommendations about truckers and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which people constantly reawaken for lack of air, says Maggi Gunnels, the agency's director of medical programs. The board is considering requiring truckers who have obstructive sleep apnea to get treated before certification.

People with OSA wake up frequently because the disorder causes their airways to partially close. The constant awakening -- once every minute or two in severe cases -– prevents restful sleep and makes them unusually drowsy during their waking periods. According to a blog at SheKnows.com, an estimated 7.5 million drivers nod off behind the wheel in any given month! In fact, statistics show 37% of all drivers admit that they have dozed off while driving.

"In the United States, approximately 5,600 people are killed annually in crashes involving commercial trucks," Pack said in an article at Consumer Affairs.  "Falling asleep while driving is an important factor in serious crashes involving commercial vehicles, prompting the question, why?" asks Allan Pack, director of the Center for Sleep and Respiratory Neurobiology at the University of Pennsylvania and adviser to the medical review board, who claims that obesity is a major contributor to OSA.

Women In Trucking Celebrates Milestone First Anniversary

Women In Trucking (WIT) -- a non-profit organization created to encourage the employment of women and assist in promoting a more female-friendly environment for those already in the trucking industry -- recently celebrated its one-year anniversary and hit a record one thousand corporate and individual members.

"Our rapid growth confirms what we've known all along," said Ellen Voie, WIT chairwoman, "that an association like this was long overdue! With a very active board combined with enthusiastic members we firmly believe we can make a difference in the trucking industry. One of our goals when we started WIT a year ago was to have a thousand members before the end of our first year.  We've met that goal, and now we hope to double again within the next six months."

Women in Trucking was officially founded on March 12, 2007 as a means to encourage women to consider a career in the trucking industry, but to also provide a platform to voice the successes and struggles of those women already in the male-dominated field. WIT strives to promote women’s accomplishments and minimize obstacles to their career growth and development.

Ladies, Share Your Car-Buying Stories!

Consumer Reports ShopSmart magazine is exploring an article and is looking for women to share their car-buying stories  (http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2008/04/women-shoppers.html) as part of their research. If you're a woman who has recently negotiated a great deal on a new or used car, they would love to hear your story!

Did you buy online or walk in to dealership? How did you research your purchase? How did you go about negotiating? What troubles did you encounter and how did you overcome them?

The Consumer Report editors are looking for a quick synopsis of your experience -- good and bad –- as well as any tips you wish to share. They’ve created a discussion in their Cars forums where you can share your story with other shoppers. Or, if you prefer to contact them directly, there is information in that forum on how to do so. Please know that if they are particularly interested in something you share, they may wish to speak to you directly, so be sure to let them know if you would welcome being contacted by a Consumer Reports reporter.

Girl Scouts USA Wants to Know: What's a Girl's Automotive Opinion?

Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) is asking young girls across the nation share their opinion on the topic of "Women and the Automotive Industry." Moms, grab your girls. Girls, go get your moms!

As part of their "2008 On The Road Driver's Ed Contest," GSUSA is inviting Girl Scouts from age 14 to 17 to picture themselves as a big shot in the automotive industry and asks them: "How would you get girls in high school interested in choosing the automotive industry as a career path? How would you reach out to them and what messages would you use?"

Girls who wish to participate in the contest should express their point of view in an essay of 300 words or less. The winning entries will be published in an upcoming Girl Scout publication, not to mention that the winner and three companions could be off to the races to see some industry women in action!

To participate in the 2008 Driver's Ed Contest, Girl Scouts should submit their answers to these questions on or before midnight Easter Standard Time, April 3, 2008, by clicking on this link: www.studio2b.org/gossipyouneed/ontheroad_contest.asp All official contest entry and release forms must be completed by a parent or legal guardian who is 18 years of age or older, so be sure to grab an adult.

Ford Syncs Up With California Laws

As California prepares to go "hands-free" this summer, Ford is ready to help the 29.7 million cell phone subscribers in California with its state-of-the-art Sync in-car communications and entertainment system, developed with Microsoft. California drivers don't have to buy a new bluetooth handsfree headset to comply with the law if they already own a Sync-equipped Ford vehicle.

Ford Sync provides consumers the convenience and flexibility to bring digital media players - Apple iPods, Microsoft Zunes, and other MP3 players - and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones into their vehicle and operate the devices via voice commands or with the vehicle's steering wheel or radio controls.

"Americans, on average, commute 30 minutes each way every day, and in California, commute times are longer," said Hal Dewsnap, Los Angeles regional manager Ford, Lincoln Mercury. "Sync  helps people stay connected while minimizing distractions during their commute by keeping their hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road ahead."

New Study Says SUVs Need Stronger Roofs

Do you feel safe in the event your SUV rolls over? When you look for a vehicle, do you think about roof strength as a safety issue? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does. In a recent report the Institute concludes that more than 200 deaths in 2006 could have been prevented with strong SUV roofs.

Some automakers have insisted there’s no connection between roof strength and passenger safety. Wouldn’t basic physics make it fairly obvious that a stronger roof would be less likely to crush in a rollover accident? That seems pretty obvious to me. But there was no direct link until now.

Interestingly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t changed roof strength standards since 1971. That’s right, it’s been almost 40 years since the NHTSA updated their standards. With the proliferation of SUVs — and their propensity for rollovers — isn’t it time the NHTSA steps up? They estimate their planned updates will only save 13-44 lives a year. Well, then maybe they need to update a little further?

Buick Invites Golf Fans to Tee Off with Tiger

Who's your caddy? If you win Buick's contest, it could be none other than Tiger Woods himself. Buick, the premium international automotive brand of General Motors, is giving one lucky person an exclusive opportunity to play golf alongside Tiger Woods, the world's top golfer. Only this time, Woods will serve as the winner's personal caddy in Buick's new "Tee-Off with Tiger" online contest that runs through September 28, 2008. Don't go getting any funny ideas about running off with your caddy, ladies; Tiger is a happily married man with a lovely baby girl. That doesn't mean he wouldn't make a fine caddy, regardless!

Contestants who register at www.teeoffwithtiger.com will have an opportunity to vie for the grand prize to partner with Woods or to win a high-end collectible only Buick can provide: Woods' personal Buick vehicle - driven by the golf phenom himself - at several tournaments in which he competes during the promotion window. Every Buick vehicle Tiger drives will come with a Tiger Woods' autographed plaque, which is authenticated by Upper Deck collectibles. 

"This is going to be as much fun for me as it is for the winners," said Woods.  "I'm looking forward to sharing some golf tips, maybe a few jokes, and certainly a lot of laughs," he said.

Extraordinary African American Women Celebrated In Freedom's Sisters Interactive Exhibition

It would be difficult to imagine the course of American history without these amazing women: Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad; Rosa Parks and her brave refusal in 1955 to relinquish her seat on a Montgomery city bus; Fannie Lou Hamer and her courageous stand at a 1968 political convention. These stories of courage and commitment are among the many featured in the "Freedom's Sisters" exhibition, a collaboration between the Cincinnati Museum Center, Ford Motor Company Fund, and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES).

The interactive exhibition showcasing 20 extraordinary African American women opened its three-year national tour at the Cincinnati Museum Center on March 15, not coincidentally, during National Women's History Month. It will remain there until September 14, and will then travel to eight additional cities, including Memphis, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama; Dallas, Texas; and Detroit, Michigan. A variety of engaging, educational, and community outreach components will facilitate the involvement of local audienc