Ask Patty Week Around the Auto World Blog Carnival: February 20th

Ask Patty is back for another round! This week seems to have a theme of car repairs and going green... or at least trying to. Ever wonder how car makers decide which colors to use? We have some answers for you! Check out our helpful tips and news stories from around the auto world! Thank you to all of our submitters this week as always! Let's get ready to ride!

United Spinal Association teamed up with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) at two premier racing events at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas which drew thousands of drivers, spectators, and sponsors from across the country: The 2006 Tire Rack Solo National Championships and the 2006 SCCA National Championship Runoffs. These two events provided United Spinal an opportunity to showcase its newly developed Motorsports program. The mission of United Spinal Motorsports is to encourage people with disabilities, including individuals who use adaptive automotive equipment, to participate in competitive motorsports.

It seems that biodiesel has become a cause celebre. Actors Larry Hagman and Daryl Hannah (pictured) attended the recent National Biodiesel Conference held in San Antonio, Texas, to tout the benefits of biodiesel. In fact, Hannah has attended every conference since the first one held in Palm Springs, California in 2004. Automotive.com has the full report.

Becky of Grrrl Meets World shares about her mechanic, whom she loves. She recently had issues with her coolant light appearing and no matter what she did, it wouldn’t go away. Her mechanic gave her a little tip over the phone and voila! The light disappeared! Check out her mechanic’s tip on her blog.

Little Miss Sew N Sew talks about her beloved Kia Sorento on her blog. Her body shop was impressed at how little damage the car received after a pretty big accident. Maybe she should do a safety commercial for Kia? It’s definitely something she’s considering. Check out her story.

Car fender benders are the worst! Check out this little story from the Smapix blog: “While I was grocery shopping this afternoon, I was contacted via the overhead speaker that I needed to report to my car.  Upon my arrival I realized my vehicle had been severely hit by an elderly woman who was apparently startled after driving over a curb and hit the gas instead of her break.  My car was the first to be kissed and then 2 more.  Basically my cute little SUV was the meat in a sandwich of cars.”

Of the top six automobile-manufacturing countries in the world, the US and China are the only ones that lack universal government-backed health care. US workers expect employers like Ford, General Motors and Chrysler to provide cradle-to-grave health coverage, a significant cost burden not shared by competitors. Yale Global Online reports the details surrounding the United Auto Workers and the health coverage.

Politics in the Zeros reported about this really loooong stretch Hummer. Check it out! It’s huge! There’s a wedding going on across the street. The bride and groom arrived in a stretch Hummer. While marriages are always a festive, happy time, I’m guessing a world focused on ending global warming may need to re-think the concept that a regular Hummer just isn’t big enough.

According to Carlist.com, DuPont Automotive Systems, the largest global manufacturer of automotive car paints, did a study 15 years ago that found that 27 percent of car customers would walk out of a car dealership if they couldn’t buy the car they wanted in the color they wanted. Each manufacturer has a different method of deciding which colors they will use on their vehicles and how they will name those colors. Read the article to find out what company named their silver paint color “Hippo.”

In the long run, diesel-engined vehicles can save you money. Just look at the facts: They get better fuel economy than gasoline-powered cars and trucks, and their fuel even costs less to refine that gasoline, as well. “What’s not to like?” you may ask. The price, for one. Because of the scarcity of diesel-powered vehicles, most of the ones being offered in the U.S. wind up being pricey SUVs…check out the detailed article on Automotive.com.

That’s it for this week! Thank you for all of your submissions! Make sure to submit next week! Please remember to submit your article using the online form or by emailing Breanne at Breanne@askpatty.com.