Car Chick

Electric Vehicles are Fun to Drive

So much for range anxiety. A new study of people given a test EV (electric vehicle) found that every single one of them was happy with it as their primary car, says Michael J. Coren of Fast Company in "It Turns Out Electric Vehicles Are So Fun To Drive, You Won't Want To Go Back".

It can seem crazy to think that electric vehicles will replace gasoline engines anytime in the near future: range anxiety, charging times, price, and plain old inertia are all touted as deal-killers. But a new study found that drivers actually preferred their electric car over their conventional clunker (or even a Porsche and Lexus in some cases) after a trial program leasing 450 electric Mini E's to drivers in Los Angeles, New York, and New Jersey…

Read the entire article…

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.

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.

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!

Wash Your Car Anywhere with GOclean Waterless Car Wash

When the weather heats up and the sun is shining, you want your ultimate accessory to shine too! But many people don't know that municipalities across Canada have introduced bylaws that prohibit residents from washing cars in their driveways. Many Torontonians’ car washing hands are tied by a full ban on driveway washing.

The laws are designed to prevent dirt, soap and chemicals from entering storm drains and/or to limit excess water use. Other cities in Canada don't have full bans, but rather have implemented other barriers to washing your car at home such as usage-based billing (higher rates for water at peak hours) or day-of-use restrictions (can only wash car on specific days) and some cities may limit water use based on lower water levels or peak season.

For those who live in these restricted areas, or in apartments or condos without washing facilities, one of the newest products on the market is GOclean Waterless Car Wash from Canadian Tire. GOclean is a new, easy-to-use waterless car wash product –- just spray, wipe and shine. It is completely biodegradable with a wash, wax, polish and protect in one application that doesn't need any water. You can get 10 washes from one bottle, and you can save up to 500 litres of water, depending on the size of your vehicle.

Available exclusively at Canadian Tire stores across the country, GOclean Waterless Car Wash costs just $14.99.

Are Canadians Driving Blind?

A recent poll conducted by Canadian Tire suggests that when it comes to driving in reverse and blind spots, Canadians are not very confident on the road. A Canadian Tire-commissioned survey found 38% of drivers avoid backing into parking spots for fear of hitting something. And 25% of those polled say they've been involved in or witnessed an accident where one car was in reverse. Women report feeling more apprehensive than men when it comes to reversing, with 51% confessing they avoid it versus 25% of men. (Or are women just more honest??)

“Ninety per cent of all driving decisions are made by what we see, but as our survey shows, once Canadian drivers shift into reverse they feel like they are driving blind,” says Andrew Davies, Vice President, Automotive, Canadian Tire. “Driving effectively and safely in all directions is critical to keeping our roads and driveways safe and Canadian Tire offers a range of easy-to-use products designed to optimize visibility around the vehicle to improve road safety.”

With the introduction of new back-up and blind spot-assist devices available in Canadian Tire stores, the technology needed to establish better rear visibility is accessible to everyone, not just those with luxury vehicles.

I recently attended the “Back-up  Challenge Obstacle Course” hosted by Canadian Tire to showcase the suite of Yada automotive-safety electronics available exclusively in Canadian Tire stores across the country. These include:

Yada Rearview Mirror Back-up Camera and Speakerphone which allows drivers to see what’s behind their vehicles while also providing a hands-free device for cellphone use.

Yada Dash Mounted Back-up Camera attaches to any car’s dash quickly and easily, providing a clear image of objects behind the vehicle while in reverse.

Yada Back-up Sensor System easily installs on the rear bumper and alerts drivers with a series of beeps when obstacles are nearby.

Yada Blind Spot Assist System enhances driver awareness with a visual heads-up display and audio alarm notifying drivers of objects in the blind spot.

Each device can be installed easily at home or at your local Canadian Tire store.

I first drove around the course in a vehicle without the technology. It was very difficult to see the bins set up to mark the parallel parking spot, and the tires I backed up through for the obstacle course. There was also a space to simulate a narrow driveway complete with tiny two-wheelers and children’s toys, and I could not see these at all in the rearview mirror.

I then drove a minivan equipped with the rearview mirror back-up camera. The camera mounts on the rear licence plate of the car, and when you put the car in reverse, a TV screen appears at the left side of the rearview mirror. Suddenly everything below the rear window of the van was visible. The device is also equipped with guidelines to show the position of the vehicle.

This device was helpful in providing “eyes” in places your mirrors simply can't reach. But I can see the technology would take a bit of time to get used to in order to use it effectively. And as the experts I spoke with suggest, back-up and blind spot assist technologies are designed to be used as a complement to your own driving skills, not as a substitute for checking your rearview and side mirrors and your blind spot.

June is Auto Safety Month at Canadian Tire, so visit the web site for deals on these devices. And please, drive safely.