It seems as if April Fools Day was just here yesterday, and now the end of the month is quickly approaching. So, before April slips away, let us take this opportunity to remind you about some not-so-foolish things. Like how important it is to wear your seatbelt and other ways you can improve your safety as well as the environment. Consumer Reports reminds us that driving can be dangerous and seatbelts are an ...
Continue Reading "Ask Patty Blog Carnival Week Around the Auto World: April 23" »
by Amy Mattinat I read in Road & Travel magazine that the average American still prefers driving SUVs, Vans, Trucks and Luxury Sedans with relatively strong engine performance to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. OK, I admit I am one of them. I feel safer driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle in the winter. I enjoy having a truck around to cart cumbersome, heavy loads. And when I am on a long road trip, I ...
Continue Reading "About Those Gas-Guzzlers" »
Ask Patty has rounded up all the important articles out there that touch on Earth Day friendliness and has compiled it all here for you today. So let's curl up together and watch Al Gore's movie and like Breanne, our eMarketing Manager always says, "Let's save those Polar Bears!" Recycle Old Car Batteries, from WTOPnews.com: Calling all dead car, truck, boat and motorcycle batteries. It's time ...
Continue Reading "Earth Day is Here! How To Have a Positive Effect on the Environment" »
What could truly be better than a large convention center filled with spa treatments, fancy soaps and lotions, purses, super-cute summer clothes, ultra-fluffy bathrobes, and chocolate-covered marshmallows? Um. Nothing. Seriously. Unless maybe a date with Orlando Bloom or Ewan McGregor was thrown in. Hey, to each his own right? Well the Del Mar Head-To-Toe Women’s Expo was all that (without the sexy Aussie and ...
Continue Reading "Live From the Head-to-Toe Women’s Expo: New 2008 Saturn Vue is H-O-T" »
You heard me. As if Ask Patty didn’t have enough going on – what with our Female Friendly dealers and Dream Car search tool – she up and decided to get herself a virtual life. Ask Patty is officially active in Second Life, and we don’t mean just walking around and hanging out either. We have a full-fledged shop/store/lounge built on Pontiac’s Motorati Island and oh man, is it cool! See here is ...
Continue Reading "Ask Patty Gets a Second Life" »
According to GM info, their tire and wheel engineers develop GM-exclusive Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) specifications for each vehicle engineered in North America to ensure tire performance, handling, and durability under a variety of driving conditions. Additionally, major tire manufacturer engineers work together with GM's tire and wheel engineers during the validation process. GM uses this research partnership ...
Continue Reading "Proper Spring Tire Maintenance a Must" »
Ask Patty is always trying to get you the most up-to-date information on safety and any automotive news possible. We found this great article from LoJack that talks about the best ways to prevent your car from getting stolen or vandalized. There are three important steps to keep your vehicle safe from theft. Once you know them, you have a chance to help teach your parents what they should do to keep your ...
Courtesy of AC Delco Preventive maintenance typically implies looking under the vehicle's hood; often, though, it's the chassis underneath the vehicle that's overlooked. According to the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), underperformed vehicle maintenance in the American automotive aftermarket industry is more than $50 billion annually. Brakes, shocks and struts, and chassis ...
Continue Reading "Underneath is Often Overlooked: Check the Vehicle Chassis" »
Due to some unusual holiday on the East Coast, the deadline for your Income Taxes has been extended until today, April 17. If you're not done with them yet, don't stop now! Finish your taxes, then come back to read the AskPatty carnival. Otherwise, step right up to enjoy our collection of female friendly automotive links. The five senses - hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch - are important for learning about ...
Continue Reading "Ask Patty Blog Carnival Week Around the Auto World: April 17" »
Courtesy AC Delco Mothers teach their children that the five senses - hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch - are important for learning about the world around them. These same senses can also help moms - and women in general - with vehicle maintenance According to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), women now represent 65 percent of the customers who take their vehicles in for ...
Continue Reading "Women: Use Your Five Senses for Vehicle Maintenance" »