Car Chick

Show your ride a little love this Valentine’s Day!

Our cars take a beating through the winter, so taking a little time to prepare both yourself and your car for the coming months can yield almost unlimited rewards and can save you a lot of money on costly repairs, says Ford of Canada.

Drivers can show their vehicles the necessary tender love and care to ensure a happy, healthy and long-lasting relationship, thanks to these top tips from Canada’s leading car company.

Keep the wheels of love turning. Be sure to give wheels and tires the attention they deserve.

• Check your tire pressure regularly. Low pressure can result in poor fuel economy, handling, and comfort.
• It’s all about balance. Having tires balanced and properly aligned ensures they last longer. It isalso good to have tires rotated every 8,000 km to preserve their tread.
• The climate of your relationship is bound to change, much like the changing of the seasons. Tires should match the season you’re driving in. Remember, winter tires work best in cold winter conditions.

Keep that engine humming. Properly caring for your engine will help make sure it gets turned on every time.

• Check your engine oil level frequently. If the level is too high or too low, it can cause problems. Regular oil and filter changes are also very important in maintaining a healthy engine.
• Remember to replace your timing belt in accordance with your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. Generally, it should be replaced about every 100,000 km.
• Prevent overheating by checking coolant levels often. A cooling system flush and refill should be scheduled every 80,000 to 100,000 km.

Love that body. Keeping the exterior of your car clean should not be underestimated when it comes to your vehicle maintenance checklist.

• Prevent damaging rust by repairing paint chips and dents as soon as they happen.
• Wash and wax your vehicle regularly to prevent paint from fading and dulling.

Enlist a third party if necessary. Even the strongest relationships require a little help from time to time.

• Relationship counsellors and mechanics are one and the same. If things don’t feel right, don’t try and ride it out. Take your vehicle to your dealership on a regular basis to make sure things are running smoothly. Ford mechanics are factory-trained experts and can mediate and help solve any situation you may encounter with your vehicle.

Looking for a new partner to own the road with? Here are some qualities you should keep in mind:

Communication is key: Open lines of communication in relationships are of the utmost importance. The latest SYNC technology from Ford, will help you focus on the drive while keeping the lines of communication open with hands-free calling, audible text messaging and voice activated music to ensure driving safety, and satisfaction.

Unwavering trust and loyalty: Ford offers the latest in convenience technologies, making it easy to trust your vehicle. The Terrain Management System optimizes driveability and comfort as well as maximizing traction and Active park assist will help you get into those tricky parking spaces.

Winter Driving 101

Winter is on the way and it won’t be long before our roads will be covered with a blanket of snow. CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) recommends drivers plan and prepare ahead for driving in cold and snowy conditions.

Get your vehicle ready for winter:

- Have your battery tested and replace weak batteries before they fail.
- Check your tire pressure and service your brakes.
- Make sure your wipers are in good condition.
- Pack an emergency kit.
- Install four matching winter tires.

“The right time to change to winter tires is when the temperature reaches 7°C or below,” said Silvana Aceto, Media & PR Specialist, CAA SCO. “In chilly weather, all-season tires turn hard and lose their elasticity. This causes reduced traction and results in longer stopping distances.”
 
Benefits of winter tires:

Winter tires help reduce braking distance on cold, wet, ice and snow-covered roads. Depending on the speed and the weather, the braking distance of winter tires can be up to 25 per cent shorter or two vehicles lengths compared to all-season tires. 

Winter tires contain silica which is a compound that keeps the tire flexible in cold temperatures and ensures excellent grip and braking on wet roads. Silica maintains its properties in low temperatures which help to maintain a firm grip on snow and ice packed roads.

Winter tires should only be installed in sets of four. With only two winter tires, your vehicle’s handling, stability, and braking are not fully optimized.

CAA Insurance policy holders save 5 per cent on their auto insurance premium when four winter tires are installed.

For all your winter driving needs visit your local CAA Car Care Centres.

Ladies Car Care Clinic, Tuesday October 4, 2011

Join Kelly Williams and Active Green + Ross for a fun and informative car care clinic designed especially for women. The clinic will be hosted by Kelly Williams, a race and pace car driver, and TV personality.

You'll learn all about your car, as the clinic will cover a variety of topics from how to check tire pressure, the contents you need in an emergency roadside, what you need to know about oil and air filters, brakes, and various vehicular fluids, and more -– all in ‘laywomen’ terms!

Beverages and a light snack will be served, and gift bags will be presented to all attendees.

Ladies Car Care Clinic
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
At Active Green + Ross
1151 Eglinton Ave East
Mississauga, ON L4W 1K4

Seating is limited, so please call Joe Sforza (905) 629-8794 to reserve your spot -- and perhaps one for a friend.

Active Green + Ross looks forward to welcoming you to this event, and trusts you will leave feeling a little more qualified and comfortable in knowing your vehicle and how best to take care of it –- so it will take care of you!

NOTE: Please keep in mind this clinic is held in the shop area so dress warmly!

We have a Winner in the CarChick GoClean Waterless Car Wash Giveaway

Congratulations to Monica Mueller of Brampton, Ontario, the winner of the GoClean Waterless Car Wash Giveaway! The prize includes a bottle of GoClean Waterless Car Wash, micro fiber cloths and a “Not a Hoser” t-shirt.

Monica was really excited to win, for a very good reason. Here’s what Monica has to say:

“I'm a Middle School Math/Science teacher, who has always had a particular interest in Environmental Awareness and Conservation. I have been and continue to be actively involved in both large- and small-scale projects.
 
“I don't wash my car in my driveway often, but instead, prefer to take it to the car wash. Now GoClean will give me the flexibility to be able to wash my car any time, whether I am at home or on the go. If I were to wash my car the conventional way, the used water would simply flow down the sewer and eventually end up in the Etobicoke Creek. That just doesn't sit well with me.
 
“Although we do not have water restrictions in my area, the Peel Region encourages us to practice ‘Water Wise Wednesdays’, from May 1st to September 30th, by not watering our lawns and gardens (and I guess [washing] our cars, too).
 
“My 2006 Pontiac Solstice is going to look better than ever after a GoClean Waterless Car Wash, and does she ever need it! Perfect timing!”

We would like to thank Monica and all entrants, and everyone who took the time to share the contest with friends. And a very special thank you to Sunny Yashpal of GoClean for generously donating the prize pack.

Sweetie Girl Racing Events September and October

Join Sweetie Girl Racing (SGR) for these exciting events in September and October:

Intro to Kart Racing and Advanced Driving at Grand Prix Kartways
Sunday, September 11, 2011
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
 
Feel the need for speed? Come join us for a half day comprehensive racing and advanced driving course. All levels of drivers are welcome, and instructors will go through both in-class and on-track driving instruction. Not just for those looking to become the next Indy 500 racer, the course is great for improving everyday driving confidence and skills for the street. Learn more…

Advanced Driver Training at Toronto Motorsports Park
Saturday, September 24, 2011
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Team SGR is excited to present our next 2011 track event, powered by Sailun Tires. PLUS come experience the new Scion TC on a race track in the hands of a professional race car driver! Learn more…

Girls’ Night at the Garage – Basic Car Care & Maintenance
Thursday, October 13, 2011
6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tired of feeling the pinch in your purse? Regular preventive maintenance can save you from unexpected and expensive repair bills. We'll talk about the importance of maintaining your car properly and explore basic maintenance items you can do yourself. Learn more…

See GoClean Waterless Car Wash in Action!

You may know that CarChick.ca is hosting a GoClean Giveaway, featuring a fantastic GoClean Waterless Car Wash prize pack. But do you know how GoClean works and how easy it is to use? Check out this YouTube video now to see this amazing product in action!

With GoClean Waterless Car Wash, you'll save time, energy and money when washing your car. You simply spray, wipe and shine to keep your ultimate accessory looking its best.

But when you use GoClean Waterless Car Wash, you're also helping the environment. The special biodegraable formula is made from natural and organic soaps, and cleans without water. You save about 500 litres of water per use, and you don't wash harmful pollutants and toxins down storm drains as you do when washing your car with water.

Save Water! Give Water! A portion of the proceeds go to the African Well Fund, to help build wells and bring clean drinking water to communities in Africa.

Be sure to enter the GoClean Giveaway now -- contest closes August 31! And pass this along to family and friends, anyone who wants to keep their car looking great while doing their part for the planet.

How Drivers Kill Their Cars

A car is an expensive and sophisticated piece of machinery. But many drivers hop in their car each and every day and drive away without ever thinking about caring for their vehicle...until there is a problem.

"What makes those of us who drive a car every day think we are immune to mechanical breakdown?" says Tom Torbjorsen of Yahoo! Canada Autos. "And what makes us think that we can drive our vehicles indefinitely without regular maintenance?" Here are a few of the ways drivers can “kill their cars” -- from poor driving habits to ignoring the warning signs -- and how to avoid these issues.

It basically comes down to common sense and taking the time to properly maintain your vehicle. If you care for your ultimate accessory, it will keep running smoothly for you. Read more...

How to Choose a Mechanic You Can Trust

A car is one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make. And the cost of keeping it running smoothly can really add up. I often tell the story of how I took my car in for an oil change and was told the timing belt needed replacing –- a $30 service turned into a $500+ repair bill! It turned out my car actually did need this service as a regular maintenance item, but unfortunately such tales -- with some unhappy endings -- are far too common in the auto industry.

The question is: how can you choose a mechanic you can trust? 

“It’s easy for all of us to say we're trustworthy,” says Emily Chung (pictured), a mechanic and owner of AutoNiche Women’s Auto Repair Service. “A shop needs to demonstrate that they are.”

Here are a few tips for finding the ultimate mechanic for your ultimate accessory.

Do your homework now. When you need a major car repair is not the time to start searching for a mechanic -– you need the repair done immediately to get you back on the road as quickly as possible.  Start your search early.

Start with smaller jobs. When you find a mechanic you like, try a smaller maintenance job first. Take your car in for an oil change or a tire changeover. Notice how you're treated, how quickly the work is completed, the cleanliness of the shop. If you like them, you can move on to bigger jobs. If not, keep looking.

Ask for referrals. When looking for a dentist, massage therapist, lawyer or other professionals, you will usually go to friends and family for referrals. Do the same thing with your mechanic. Be sure to ask about the service they receive, can the shop respond in a timely manner, if the prices are good, and why they like dealing with this particular mechanic or shop. Ask for a personal introduction -– it is natural to treat people better who you know personally.

Review your owner’s manual. Be sure to check out your owner’s manual and become familiar with your car’s maintenance schedule. That way if a shop tells you that your car requires a particular service you will know if that’s true. And if they try to push a service on you that you don't need it’s time to search for a new shop.

Know your car. The more you know about your car the less likely you will be taken advantage of. Now that doesn't mean you have to take a full auto mechanics course. But a car care clinic that covers general maintenance and explains what is involved in some of the more common repairs can really help.

Stay with the same mechanic. Once you find a mechanic or auto service centre you like, stay with them –- they are like the family doctor for your vehicle and it is helpful if they know the car’s history. “It’s beneficial to see the car consistently to establish a baseline for how the car wears,” says Emily.

 

Win the CarChick GoClean Waterless Car Wash Giveaway

Keep your ultimate accessory sparkling clean and save water – enter to win the GoClean Waterless Car Wash Kit from CarChick.ca.

You’ll receive a bottle of GoClean Waterless Car Wash good for up to 10 washes, microfiber cloths to add polish and shine, and a “Not a Hoser” t-shirt.

GoClean Waterless Car Wash is eco-friendly and can protect your car from UV rays, rain damage and scratches, while saving up to 500 litres of water per wash. If you’re concerned about the environment but want to keep your car looking its best, you need GoClean!

Enter now! Or enter via Facebook.
Contest ends August 31, 2011!

GoClean Waterless Car Wash Really Works!

At the Honda Indy Toronto earlier this month I was walking through the grounds when I came across a display featuring a dirty, muddy car. I saw the “saves water” sign and realized this was GoClean Waterless Car Wash, a product I had written about a few weeks before, "Wash Your Car Anywhere with GoClean Waterless Car Wash".

I had been curious about the product -- a car wash that doesn't use water -- and gives people living in apartments and condos or home owners in areas with water restrictions an economical way to wash their cars without wasting water. I was anxious for a demonstration, and Sunny Yashpal, the company president was more than happy to oblige.

You simply spray the product on a microfiber cloth, mist a bit on the vehicle then wipe off. The dirt and mud are quickly removed. A bit of a buff and your car is beautifully clean with a smooth finish, plus, it is protected from UV, rain damage and scratching. GoClean is eco-friendly -- you can save up to 500 litres of water per wash -- convenient, and gives a longer lasting, brighter shine.

Not only does this product help save water, but when you purchase GoClean Waterless Car Wash you can also help give water. A portion of the proceeds go to the African Well Fund dedicated to building and maintaining wells for safe drinking water in Africa.

You can find GoClean at your local Canadian Tire store or visit the GoClean web site for more details.

And stay tuned for exciting news from GoClean and CarChick.ca, coming soon!