Ask Patty - Automotive Advice for Women

Blind Curves: a Woman's Journey from C-Suite to Bike Seat

AskPatty - Automotive Advice for Women — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:00:00 -0700

Just in time for May Motorcycle Awareness month is a book that includes a Harley road trip about a baby boomer’s unusual journey to reinvent herself and answer, “What now?”

Beautiful, fit, happily married, and successful, former Citigroup executive and motivational speaker Linda Crill was – and saw herself – as the kind of woman who could make things happen. But after losing her husband at 57, the identity Crill held closely no longer seemed to fit. Like many of us, she found herself asking, “What now?"

Desperate for change – and in a fit of rebellion – Crill signed up for a 2,500-mile road trip down America’s Pacific Northwest coast with a group of experienced motorcycle riders. At the time, Crill had never ridden anything more powerful than a bike.

"When the unexpected occurs, the answers we are searching for are often found around 'blind curves'—the unknown,” Crill says. “This trip opened my eyes to a new way of being and became the catalyst for recreating my life.”

In her unique and insightful book "Blind Curves", Crill transforms herself and her readers by:

Tackling unexpected, unwanted, and undeserved change

How her unusual road trip tested her personal identity

Blind Curves – answering “What now?” by embracing the unknown

Her advice for reinventing yourself and breaking down doors labeled “not me”

Linda Crill is a sought-after Washington DC consultant and motivational speaker who has worked with Citigroup, Cadbury-Mott’s, Goldman Sachs, Marriott International, Inc., and several other Fortune 100 companies, universities, non-profits, and government departments and agencies. In Blind Curves, Crill describes her unusual road to reinvention and shows readers how they too can answer “What Now?” Blind Curves (Opus INTL, March 2013, $16.95) is available at www.amazon.com and other online retailers.

For more information, visit www.lindacrill.com.

Jody DeVere CEO
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Ladies' Drive: Ford's Plug-In Hybrid Fusion Energi

Donna — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:00 -0700

From the outside, the new Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid looks exactly the same as the rest of the Fusion family -- until you notice its charger port, which lights up to indicate that the battery is fully juiced.

On the inside, you get the same roomy comfort you'll find in the other Fusion vehicles. Standard features on the Fusion Energi's base model includes heated leather seats with driver seat memory and MyFordTouch infotainment system.

Ladies, if it's gas mileage you're looking for, the Energi will really make you stop and take notice. The Fusion line was already racking up some impressive mileage rankings, ranging from 25 combined miles per gallon on its all-wheel drive model with a powerful 2.0 liter engine... up to a mind-boggling 47 miles per gallon on the Fusion Hybrid.

The Energi joins the fleet with an estimated 100 miles per gallon - thanks to a one-two punch of an internal combustion engine that generates power to its electric motor once the battery loses its charge. This system is similar to the one pioneered by the Chevrolet Volt, and allows a driver to squeeze about 600 miles out of one tank of gas. And Fusion Energi has the capacity to transport five adults, with plenty of legroom.

"It shares many of the components with the Fusion Hybrid," says Mazen Hammoud, Chief Electrified Powertrains Engineer at Ford. "And really, that allowed us to maximize the synergy in our engineering and be able to provide these electrified vehicles at the lowest cost... The only differences between the Fusion Hybrid and the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid are the charger port and on board charger."

Energi's battery is different, too: It's bigger and designed to generate energy rather than power. It gives the Fusion Energi a range of 21 miles in all-electric EV mode at 195 horsepower -- which means you can rev it up to 85 miles an hour without using your gas reserves.

I can attest to the vehicle's power: Ford assigned us a city route, designed to maximize our ability to drive in EV mode. I meandered off that route and headed up a steep section of the Hollywood Hills. Energi was up to the task: I made it to the top with no lag or sluggishness, and returned with plenty of charge left -- without help from the gas engine.

Power Management in the Fusion Energi

Ford has installed a remarkable new tool in the Fusion Energi: the EV button, which allows you to customize how you use your EV range. You can choose between three distinct EV modes:

EV Now is for using the electric motor and energy from the battery only -- no matter how fast you are driving or what your accelration rate is, the gas engine will not come on.

EV Auto allows the vehicle's onboard computer to switch between driving modes for the most efficient use of both electricity and gasoline power. "Sometimes when you're driving on the highway at higher speeds, really the most efficient source of energy is using the engine with the gasoline," says Ford's Hammoud.

EV Later gives you the option of pre-selecting when the vehicle will switch into EV mode, like if you are commuting from your home in the suburbs to the city. You can choose to use the gas powered electric generator and then switch into EV driving when you get downtown.

Sam Hoyt, the woman who serves as Fusion's marketing manager, is proud of the vehicle's system for regenerative braking, which helps generate new energy back to the battery. "What's different about our car versus some of our competitiors is that you can recapture up to 90% of the energy lost due to friction. And when you're in the cars driving, you'll actually see the brake coach come on and show you how much energy you're recapturing," she says.

Another method for managing your battery power is to use the MyFordMobile app on your smartphone, which allows you to remotely pre-condition your Fusion Energi while it's plugged into its charger, so it will be the right temperature when you're ready to go (this is an awesome feature on a hot summer day). MyFordMobile can also assist you in finding charge stations and fuel-efficient ECO-routes.

Customers Demanding Cutting Edge Technology

While the Fusion Energi itself is a remarkable example of automotive technology, Ford's customers are clamoring for more. "Fusion actually has more driver-assistance technologies than any other car in this segment," says Hoyt. "You can get adaptive cruise control, active park assist, blind spot information system, the lane-keeping system, and the driver alert system that will actually monitor how you're driving and suggest you get a cup of coffee if it senses you're weaving."

Hoyt says the company was surprised when twice as many customers ordered these additional options than they had estimated. "Customers really want these technologies, which is great. But the other thing is that it helps with distracted driving. The more you can help a customer be a better driver, the safer everyone is. So we really want the driver-assistance technologies to be utilized as much as possible."

The model I drove was a top-of-the-line Titanium, with the lane-keeping system, BLIS, rearview camera, and a reverse sensing system, which beeps warnings to keep you from getting in trouble when you're in reverse. My current vehicle has enormous blind spots, so these are all technologies I want the next time I go car shopping.

The Fusion Energi is fun to drive -- but the best part might be seeing your gasoline expenditures plummet.

Donna Schwartz Mills is a Los Angeles-based writer who also contributes to CBS Digital Local Los Angeles and her personal site, SoCal Mom.

Highlighting Top New Cars and Features for 2013 and 2014

Willowdiana — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:07:40 -0700

By Diana Claussen

The Texas Auto Writer’s Association met recently at Texas Motor Speedway to choose the top cars of Texas. More than 50 model year 2013 and 2014 vehicles were available for TAWA members to drive and review during the two-day event. By the time the event was over, a few surprising models came up on the top of their winner’s list. A few of the most notable vehicles were equipped with conveniences, comfort, and safety features sure to appeal to busy women on the go.

For example, the Family Car of Texas winner, the 2013 Ford Fusion (Fusion Titanium won the Midsize car class), offers more safety features, such as active park assist, cross-traffic alert, Blind Spot Information System, and much more interior space than earlier Fusion generations.

Another favorite was the Performance Utility class winner, the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. With SRT technology this ‘ultimate’ SUV did not just provide plenty of room for families who need cargo space but also brought uber-high performance with its 470-horsepower V8 Hemi. This Grand Cherokee brings the SUV market to a whole other market – one that appreciates life in the fast lane. It also includes upgraded technology for convenience and safety such as an 8.4” inch touch-screen conveniently located for ease of use. The Grand Cherokee is also equipped with Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring and Electronic Roll Mitigation.

In the full-sized car category Chevrolet’s redesigned 2014 Impala 2LTZ features an above-average amount of airbags (10), and a standard Safety Package which, “features options such as Forward Collision Alert, Full-Speed-Range Adaptive Cruise Control, and enhanced Forward Collision Alert with Collision Mitigation Braking. The Impala 2LTZ also includes Adaptive Cruise Control which adjusts or maintains vehicle speed accordingly when set to “maintain follow distance,” per Chevrolet.com.

Lastly was the winner of the coveted Car of Texas Award which was presented to Ford Motors for their 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby. The honor not only credited the manufacturer, but was a fitting sign of respect to the late Carroll Shelby.

The complete car classes and TAWA winners are as follows:

Sub-Compact Car - 2013 Fiat 500 Turbo

Compact Car - 2013 Buick Verano Turbo

Performance Compact - 2013 Scion FR-S

Mid-Size Car - 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium

Full-Size Car - 2014 Chevrolet Impala 2LTZ

Mid-Size Luxury Car - 2013 Lexus GS 350 F SPORT

Full-Size Luxury Car - 2013 Cadillac XTS Platinum Collection AWD

Performance Coupe - 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT 392

Performance Sedan - 2013 Cadillac ATS Premium Collection

Minivan - 2013 Chrysler Town & Country Limited

Activity Vehicle - 2013 Dodge Journey Crew

Performance Utility - 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

Supercar - 2013 SRT Viper GTS

Green Vehicle - 2013 Chevrolet Volt

Best New Feature - Ford: Hands-Free Lift Gate

Best New Interior - 2013 Chrysler 300C John Varvatos Luxury Edition

Best Value - 2013 Ford Focus ST

Family Car of Texas - 2013 Ford Fusion

Car of Texas - 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

*Photography by: James McClain

Ford Wraps American Idol Season Sponsorship; Season 12 Winner Determined Tonight

Brandy S — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:43:41 -0700

Watching American Idol has been a family activity around my home for years. Each week, my son Ben and I would sit on the couch to watch (and sing along with) the weekly competition, and he often told me “Mom, YOU should try out for American Idol!” We watched pretty much every season -- including all the sponsored Ford music videos and commercials -- and always voted for our favorites.

Well, 12 years later, Ben is almost 20 and has a much better understanding of why his Mom prefers to sing along in the privacy of her own home or car. And, while we don’t watch American Idol together anymore, he still follows the show and continues to vote for his favorites. So he was quite disappointed last week when his Idol Angie Miller was sent home, leaving Kree Harrison and Candice Glover to battle it out for the American Idol season 12 crown. Ford is making it up him, however, by allowing us to attend the Finale tonight in a 2014 Ford Fiesta hatchback powered by the new three-cylinder 123-horsepower/1.0-liter EcoBoost engine. (I’ll have more about this car and Ford’s groundbreaking new engine in a separate post next week.) Look for us on FOX tonight at 8/7C, we’ll be in the sixth row!

Ford is now in its 12th season as a corporate sponsor of American Idol, having committed to the show since its debut in 2002. That first season’s final battle was between the fuzzy-headed Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson; Clarkson actually turned her first-place finish into a stellar musical career, and currently holds the record for the highest-selling album sales around the world, with more than 25 million copies. For Ford, sponsorship of American Idol has translated into increased vehicle sales, enhanced ad performance, and greater consumer awareness and affinity for the brand.

“American Idol’s high ratings make it a mini-Super Bowl every week,” Crystal Worthem, Ford Brand Content and Alliances manager, said in 2011 about Ford’s ongoing sponsorship. “The show attracts a huge audience that is able to connect with our vehicles in a fresh and meaningful way because of the custom content we have been able to create.”

AskPatty has also long been a fan of American Idol, covering the show and the Ford sponsorship in a variety of ways. We especially enjoyed the music videos that were created each week to showcase the finalists -- and Ford’s vehicles. Ford also used the show to promote contests in which Ford vehicles were often the prizes. Tonight’s American Idol finale will not only be a retrospective of the finalists’ season, but it will also share a retrospective of the weekly Fiesta Movement Idol Missions. If you want to catch up on all the season’s Missions, you can watch them here on the American Idol Mission Page.

Season 12 of American Idol and its weekly Fiesta Movement American Idol Missions may be over after tonight's finale, but you can still register for a chance to win a 2014 Ford Fiesta at americanidol.com/sweepstakes/ford until the end of the month. Your last chance to enter to win the special Ford Fiesta promotion ends at 11:59 PM ET on 5/31/13. (Be sure to read the official rules here.) And be sure to tune in to American Idol on FOX tonight to see who wins the Season 12 American Idol Crown!

May 18th is Safe Kids Day: Tips to Reduce Preventable Injuries in Your Garage or Driveway

Brandy S — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:00 -0700

Every year, 9,000 families lose a child because of a preventable injury. That’s one child every 30 seconds globally due to tragedies such as fires, falls, drownings, and car crashes. In the United States alone, nearly 9 million children are treated for injuries in emergency rooms for injuries that can affect them for a lifetime. What can you do to help reduce these preventable injuries? On Saturday, May 18, 2013, more than 100 communities across the United States will celebrate Safe Kids Day to raise awareness and funds to protect our kids.

Kids are going to explore. They fall, slip, crash, it’s part of being a kid. I will NEVER forget the moment I ran to answer my young son’s frightened screams to discover him holding up a tipping dresser with a 100-pound tube television teetering on the top, his little fingers pinched inside the drawer he was using to climb to the top. Thankfully, I arrived in time to protect him from being hurt.

But those dangers are also present outside our homes: Each year, more than 9,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for injuries that occurred while they were unattended in or around motor vehicles parked in the garage or driveway. Visit the Safe Kids Driveway Safety Page to learn ways you can prevent injuries that may occur when drivers are unaware of children near vehicles.

The moms here at AskPatty know you’re often in a hurry when you’re leaving the house, but before you get into your car to drive away, take a few seconds to walk all the way around your parked car to check for children. It happens too often that our little ones might follow us outside to say goodbye as we are leaving, and this is also a great way to protect family pets who might be lounging or also prevent backing over toys that may have been left out from earlier playtime.

If you drive a vehicle with large blindzones such as a sport utility vehicle or truck, consider installing an aftermarket backup camera. According to KidsandCars.org, up to 50 backover accidents resulting in two deaths occur every week in the United States, so adding visibility behind your vehicle will give you peace of mind whenever you’re backing up.

When it comes to safety for your children, you should know the basics: buckle up, wear a helmet, learn to swim, look both ways. Click to enlarge the image on the right to learn some lesser-known tips to make your family even safer in 7 easy steps.

Click here to use the Safe Kids Day map to find out what’s planned in your community and join in the celebration, and be sure to click to view the large size of the infographic below to learn more about Safe Kids Day.

Ladies: Just Let Him Breathe – Your Engine, That Is

AskPatty - Automotive Advice for Women — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:37:41 -0700

Hello again, AskPatty Nation! Today we're going to give you some honest, blunt relationship advice, because it's come to our attention that some of you are users. Now, we don't mean to judge, you probably didn't realize you were doing it, but you're smothering your significant other. He really needs to breathe... so change that air filter already! Of course, we're talking about taking care of your car's engine. You didn't think we meant your boyfriend, did you?

We've been talking for the past couple of months about the air inside the cabin of your car with some filtration education, and even showed you how to install your very own FRAM Fresh Breeze® cabin air filter. Today, as part of AskPatty's ongoing car care, maintenance, and advice tips, we're going to introduce you to your car's other air filter, the one that supplies healthy air to your engine.

Your engine air filter keeps dust and other particles out of the inner workings of your engine so, much like the cabin air filter, over time it'll get dirty and clogged. A dirty air filter restricts the air entering your engine, and that means your engine has to work harder. Your air filter is one item you should always replace frequently. Every 12,000 miles is a good benchmark, and the good news is it's an easy item to replace, so it's a perfect do-it-yourself job.

So, which filter is right for you? Let's take a look at the options available from FRAM:

FRAM Extra Guard® Air Filter

FRAM's flagship air filter, this little beauty sets the standard for air filter performance. Using a fancy scientifically engineered filter media for high level of protection (they won't tell me what's in it – something about national security), the FRAM^® Extra Guard^® provides twice the engine protection than average leading brands. It's recommended to change your air filter every 12,000 miles.

FRAM Tough Guard® Air Filter

Strenuous driving conditions such as idling in heavy traffic, driving on dirty, dusty roads and towing heavy loads can put heavy strain on an engine, and that's where the FRAM^® Tough Guard^® Air Filter comes in. When operating in these environments, a greater-than-normal amount of contaminants can be ingested, and if the air filter does not trap these particles, they can cause damage to the engine. Designed and constructed with advanced features to capture and hold more dirt to keep engines cleaner in extreme driving conditions, the FRAM® Tough Guard® is the filter of choice for those who spend a little more time on the road than others. Like the FRAM Extra Guard® Air Filter, it's recommended to change your air filter every 12,000 miles.

Sixth Annual Jeep “Go Topless Day” is May 18, 2013

Brandy S — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:00:00 -0700

The 6th Annual Worldwide Go Topless Day for Jeep Owners is this weekend, on Saturday May 18th, 2013, and everybody is invited! No, ladies, we’re not suggesting you drive without a shirt! Jeep Go Topless Day is the day Jeep owners take the top off their Jeeps to show the world their love for their Jeep, their Jeep spirit, and the sense of fun and adventure that comes with owning a Jeep.

“It’s a Jeep thing,” those fun-loving Jeep folk say, and while others might not understand, Jeep owners love the fun attitude that comes with owning these vehicles: They nod their heads, tip their caps, and smile and wave to each other as they pass on the street. They love the outdoors, and they love their fellow Jeep owners!

So, how do you participate in Jeep Go Topless Day?

Keep your shirt on and TAKE THE TOP OFF YOUR JEEP! If you’re a Jeep owner, that should require no explanation, but even if your Jeep’s top won’t come off, feel free to join the festivities being held around the world by Jeep clubs and groups. Jeep organizations around the globe are supporting the day with picnics, trail runs, trail clean-ups, and social events. Click here to see the list of national and worldwide events and find out how you can get involved.

Take a photo and submit it to the Go Topless Day photo contest! Click here to find out how to enter. The best five photo entries will win $50 gift certificates to www.allthingsjeep.com and a FREE Limited-Edition T-shirt (also available for just $16 bucks). You can also follow Jeep Go Topless and share your photos on Facebook.

Own a Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Comanche, Commander, Compass, Liberty, Patriot, Wagoneer, or other hard-top Jeep? The fun folks at AllThingsJeep.com know you’re topless in spirit so feel free to enter their contest with photos of your hard-top Jeep. (Just think creatively when you’re taking your photos!) Want to see the photos others have submitted in the past? Then check them out in the Go Topless Day Photo Album.

You can even get a free “Go Topless Day” Bumper sticker! Simply send a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope to: All Things Jeep, GTD Sticker, Two Shaker Road, Unit F101, Shirley, MA 01464 and they will send you a cool bumper sticker for your Jeep.

Two Finalists Compete for the Crown in this Week’s American Idol Finale

Brandy S — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:12:54 -0700

Last week, the remaining three American Idol finalists competed to see who would make it to this week’s finale. As Kree Harrison, Angie Miller and Candice Glover anxiously awaited the results, a tearful conclusion revealed that it would be Angie Miller who would go home, leaving Kree and Candice to battle it out for the American Idol crown.

As part of their final weekly Fiesta Movement Idol Mission, last week’s three finalists made a surprise visit to sing with the Los Angeles County High School of the Arts (artshigh.org/index) Vocal Choir. They are a renowned group known for both their Jazz and Choral work, singing and performing all genres of music, and most recently performed at the 56th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival.

The weekly Fiesta Movement American Idol Missions may be over, but you can still register for a chance to win a 2014 Ford Fiesta at americanidol.com/sweepstakes/ford until the end of the month. Your last chance to enter to win the special Ford Fiesta promotion ends at 11:59 PM ET on 5/31/13. (Be sure to read the official rules here.)

Be sure to watch the final episodes of American Idol airing this week on FOX, Wednesday and Thursday at 8/7C. Voting for this season’s winner has never been easier: Choose between the two remaining finalists during the show and then vote online at AmericanIdol.com, on the IDOL app on your iphone or smart phone, on the American Idol Facebook page, using the toll-free numbers displayed during the show, or AT&T customers can text their vote to the text numbers displayed during the show!

This week, Kree Harrison and Candice Glover will go head-to-head in the American Idol season finale, so be sure to tune in and place your vote!