Car Chick

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.

2011 Recycle Drive, September 26 to October 1, 2011

CAA South Central Ontario and Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) have teamed up to drive responsible recycling.

Join CAA and OTS for a new eco-friendly initiative: the 2011 RecycleDrive. From September 26 to  October 1, visit any participating CAA Car Care Centre or AARS garage and we will properly recycle your old batteries (automotive, household and marine), oil and tires for FREE!

The first 100 Recyclers will get a FREE pack of yard waste leaf bags at each participating location!

And, CAA Members can enter for a chance to win:

• Set of 4 new winter tires
• 5 free oil changes
• Set of recycled rubber car mats

Visit the 2011 RecycleDrive page on the CAA web site for participating locations and some conditions.

And while you're caring for the environment, don't forget to enter the CarChick.ca GoClean Waterless Car Wash Giveaway – the contest ends tomorrow, August 31!

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 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!

Why You Need to Attend Girls Night at the Garage

On the evenings of May 26 and June 16, about a dozen women gathered in the garage of AutoNiche Women’s Auto Repair Service in Markham, for "Girls Night at the Garage". We were all anxious to learn more about what’s under the hood of our cars. The clinics were hosted by Emily Chung of AutoNiche and Anna He, Dana Young and Rachelle Cooper from Sweetie Girl Racing, ladies who love to drive and who are very knowledgeable about all things auto.

In the first session, we learned that maintenance is key and your owner’s manual is your best guide to keeping your car in top shape -– take it out of the glove box, curl up with your favourite beverage and have a read!

We discussed how often the engine oil needs to be changed, and all about the other fluids that keep your car running smoothly –- brake, transmission, coolant, power steering and more. We talked tires, how often they need to be changed and how wear patterns can indicate other vehicle issues. Stay tuned for more details on these topics in upcoming posts.

In the second session, we had the opportunity to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty, participating in several maintenance jobs. We got under the car to check out the exhaust system, helped with an oil change, inspected the hoses, topped up the fluids, rotated the tires, measured the tire pressure and brake wear, and learned about the role of ball joints, tie rods and shocks.

I think every women who owns a car needs to attend Girls Night at the Garage or another car care clinic. A little knowledge can go a long way when it comes to your car. By understanding the purpose of and steps involved in different maintenance procedures, how various parts of your car work, plus the potential problems and how to identify them, you can be more confident when you take your car in for servicing -- and avoid being taken for a ride. By investing just a couple of hours of your time, you could save a bundle of cash in unnecessary maintenance and repairs. And, it’s just a lot of fun!

The next event is scheduled for Thursday, July 26. If you have questions or would like to register, please contact AutoNiche by email at info@autoniche.ca or phone 905 205 0228 during shop hours.

Girls' Nights at the Garage – May 26 and June 16

Women’s car care clinics…for women by women!

In celebration of Car Care Month, join speakers Emily Chung from AutoNiche and Dana Young, Rachelle Cooper and Anna He from Sweetie Girl Racing for two evenings of car care clinics and high octane fun!

These clinics combine Emily’s technical know-how and the Sweetie Girls’ fiery passion for all things automotive. This powerhouse team of car enthusiasts will help you get comfortable with your car from the inside out.

Topic 1: Basic Car Care and Maintenance
Thursday, May 26, 2011 from 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tired of feeling the pinch in your purse?
Regular preventative 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.

Topic 2: Safety & Emergency Procedures
Thursday, June 16, 2011 from 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Afraid of getting stranded with your car breaking down on a lonely road?
We'll show you essential skills to get you prepared for emergency situations. Whether it be a dead battery, flat tire, or vehicle collision, we'll walk you through the proper steps to take to ensure you're ready for the road’s ahead. BONUS – we'll also talk about child car seat safety and common mistakes people make when installing them.

Tickets:
$20 in advance
$25 at the door

Plus: Refreshments and snacks
$10 AutoNiche gift certificate
$10 SGR gift certificate
Door Prizes and Giveaways

To register call 905-205-0228 or email info@autoniche.ca

AutoNiche Auto Repair Service
1-19 Laidlaw Blvd, Markham, ON L3P 1W5

Spring Car Care Checklist

Your vehicle has survived the harsh winter and with the lure of long weekends, cottage getaways and summer road trips, it's time for a spring tune-up so you don't get left at the side of the road.

Our friends at CAA South Central Ontario recommend:

• Seasonal maintenance check-ups.
• Give your vehicle a thorough cleaning to remove salt and sand accumulated over the winter.
• Clean under the hood; shampoo the engine and wheel wells.
• Check all lights to ensure they are in good working order, including the headlights, brake, reverse, turn indicators, hazard lights and license plate.
• Remove winter tires and install all-season tires.
• Make sure your tire pressure is within factory specifications. The vehicle’s owner manual will have recommendations and the information can also be found on the drivers’ door jam or glove box.
• Always keep your mirrors and windows clean.
• Check your wiper blades and replace if they are worn or damaged. Wiper blades are critical for safety, only have a life span of about 12 months.
• Change your oil every 5,000 km or 3 months (whichever comes first) and keep fluids like brake, coolant and windshield washer topped up.

CAA Car Care Centres are ready to help you with all your vehicle maintenance needs – and now you can save with this special offer. Until May 31, CAA Car Care Centres are offering great discounts on Spring Maintenance Packages that include a 30-point inspection.

To download your coupon, click on
http://www.caasco.com/automotive/auto-repair/ccc-spring-savings.jsp.