Car Chick

Ford Offers Feng Shui Design Concepts to Create a Calm, Organized Vehicle

With rising gas prices, fuel economy is becoming increasingly important. But what if there was a way to keep good energy flowing inside the vehicle as well?

It's called feng shui – the words sound exotic, mysterious. But in truth, feng shui is simply the art of placement. Originating in China more than 3,000 years ago, it’s considered a way to bring harmony as well as organization into your environment – whether that’s a home or a vehicle.

The principles of feng shui suggest your environment reflects every aspect of your existence – from finances to relationships, to knowledge to career. There are many different ways to practice this ancient art and a wide variety of applications. However it’s practised, the basic aim is the same – to create calming, positive surroundings.

“Some people raise their eyebrows when they hear the word feng shui” says Dawn Simpson, a design consultant in Ottawa and owner of Simpson Design & Decor. “People think feng shui is a design gimmick, but in fact, designers use feng shui principles to design and arrange structural elements such as furniture, buildings and even cars.”

Consumers spend so much time on the road these days, staying relaxed can only be beneficial. And with a vehicle that offers as much interior feng shui, taking the next step toward peace and harmony just makes sense.

“During my studies at the Carleton School of Industrial Design 12 years ago, my classmates and I were asked to design what we envisioned the Ford Focus to look like in 2010. Although this was an industrial design project, we incorporated the same elements and principles of interior design: line, colour, shape, texture, form and value.”

Here are a few general feng shui design tips to incorporate into your vehicle just as you should in your home:

• The No. 1 enemy in feng shui is clutter – no matter where you are. The most dramatic thing you can do to shift and change the way ch’i behaves is to get rid of the clutter, whether it’s in your home, your car, your office or workspace. Over time, clutter creates pressure, depression or tension. “Keep your car clutter-free,” adds Dawn. “I organized my trunk just like my closet at home and I throw out garbage as soon as I can. Nothing’s worse than a bad smell or sticky, dirty seats to dampen your mood.

 

• Add some ch’i enhancers to the interior of your vehicle. A ch’i enhancer is something that promotes well-being through the senses. Of course you don't want anything that distracts your vision while you're driving, but instead use your other senses. Maybe you hang small chimes in your vehicle. Pick a calming essential oil if you're stressed, an enlivening one for a quick pick-me-up, or an antibacterial one for a quick wipe down. “I'm sensitive to perfume and sprays, but I love it when my car smells fresh and new” said Dawn. “I use a laundry scented spray or Febreeze. Because I'm sensitive, I spray it quickly around the car then shut the door to allow the scent to settle.”

 

• “In feng shui design, color is very important,” says Dawn. Ford’s Technical Leaders of Design discovered there are shades of yellow that stimulate parts of the brain, bringing clear-headed, decisive action, while green, on the other hand, affects the nervous system, causing us to breathe slowly and deeply, helping the heart to relax by slowing the production of stress hormones. Red will likely evoke the strongest emotions, be that passion or anger. Dawn recommends choosing a car color that balances your personality. “My car colour is a bright blue called Dyno Blue Pearl. In Ford’s news release called “What your car colour says about you” blue means I'm calm and composed, while being conservative yet loyal, but have a mind of my own. I think that fits me to at ‘T’.” Ford vehicles also offer a palette of ambient or detail lighting that allows drivers to customize the interior of their vehicle based on their mood.

 

• Symbols are also important in feng shui. It doesn't even have to be something visual – just something the driver knows is there. It can even be something tucked in the glove box. For example, flowers symbolize energy, beauty and grace. The traditional mystic knot is one of the most often used symbols in feng shui. Being a combination of six times the infinity symbol, this feng shui knot symbolizes a long and happy life full of good fortune. Then there’s the Buddha. When you have a busy, hectic lifestyle – which is the expression of active/yang feng shui energy – it is very important to focus on creating a peaceful/yin quality of energy in your space.

Great deal on 2011 Toyota Corollas available April 30

The beautiful spring weather may have you thinking about a shiny new car! If a Toyota Corolla tops your wish list, Car Broker Nishad Kassim of www.Cars4U.com contacted us about a great deal on 2011 Toyota Corollas. Here are the details:

• 2011 Toyota Corolla CEs with the C-Package Automatic
• Approx. 20,000 to 25,000 kms
• Approx. 10 cars, mostly grey and silver with some white and red (no black)
• Price: $14,799 (included remaining Toyota factory warranty that can be extended for additional charge)
• Financing is available.
• Available April 30, 2012

The 2011 Corolla is spacious, safe and well-equipped. As testament to their quality and reliability, 80 percent of all Toyota Corollas sold in Canada over the last 20 years are still on the road today, and more than 1 million have been sold in Canada alone since 1967.

For more information, please contact Nishad Kassim, Sales and Leasing Manager, Cars4U.com at nkassim@cars4u.com.

CAA Worst Roads Campaign – Cast Your Vote by April 24

You are driving along, minding your own business when all of sudden you hit a pothole. Before you know it you are hit in the pocketbook with hefty repair costs to your vehicle. Damage caused by crumbling pavement or traffic congestion can mean repair bills ranging from $60 - $3,000.

To help motorists with this frustrating and often expensive issue, CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) has launched its 9th Worst Roads campaign.

“We want to know the worst road you have driven on in Ontario. Whether the issue is congestion, potholes, road signs, traffic lights or pedestrian and cycling safety, we want to hear from you,” said Faye Lyons, Government Relations Specialist, CAA SCO. “Your votes make a difference.”

“Over the years, CAA’s Worst Roads Campaign has been successful in creating awareness about the importance of our infrastructure to the Ontario economy, public safety and our quality of life,” said Rob Bradford, Executive Director, Ontario Road Builders’ Association. “When the public speaks, governments listen and the Worst Roads Campaign provides a way for the public to make its concerns known about our growing infrastructure debt.”

Help pave the way for safer roads – cast your ballots for the worst roads in Ontario at www.worstroads.ca until April 24th. Nominate as many roads as you like, but you cannot vote for the same road twice.

In 2010, Toronto roads held eight spots on the Top 20 Worst Road list. Since then, five of those roads have been or are scheduled to be repaired.

Meanwhile, due to the tremendous success of the initiative here in Ontario, the Worst Roads Campaign is also being rolled out in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

CAA SCO sponsors Eco-Drive Showcase at the Canadian International AutoShow

With gas prices in the GTA hovering around $1.27 per litre, drivers are looking for ways to improve their vehicle’s fuel efficiency while saving money at the gas pumps.

At this year’s Canadian International AutoShow, CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is sponsoring the Eco-Drive Showcase featuring clean and fuel-efficient vehicles and technologies. Visitors can test their eco-driving knowledge and skills in the DriveWise simulator and can enter CAA’s “Drive to Win” contest for a chance to drive off in AJAC’s Canadian Car of the Year.

“Motorists have a responsibility to help sustain the environment. Drivers making small eco choices such as combining trips, reducing highway speed and car-pooling can lead to significant changes that will help reduce the negative impact on the planet,” said Nick Parks, President & CEO, CAA SCO.

CAA’s Top 5 Eco-Driving Tips:
• Keep tires properly inflated and service your vehicle regularly.
• Remove excess weight such as roof racks, when not in use, and items from your trunk.
• Reduce highway speed; use cruise control. Fuel consumption increases above 90 km/hr.
• Avoid jackrabbit starts and hard braking.
• Combine your trips to save fuel and time; consider car-pooling.

CAA SCO is working with Plug’n’Drive Ontario to promote the use of electric vehicles (EV) as a way to reduce environmental impacts and educate consumers on fuel-efficient technologies. The benefits of an EV include:
• Significantly lower CO2 emissions
• Significantly lower fuel costs
• Lower maintenance costs
• Use local electricity instead of oil
• Safe and fun to drive

“By charging at night when both electricity prices and emissions are lowest, the EV driver can 'fill up' for less than $2 and at the same time reduce their CO2 emissions by about 90 per cent compared to a gas powered car,” said Cara Clairman, President & CEO, Plug‘n’Drive Ontario. “The Eco-Drive Showcase sponsored by CAA gives consumers a fantastic opportunity to view these amazing cars in one place and to learn more about how EVs are good for the environment and your wallet.”

Meanwhile, CAA members can save $5 on the price of admission to the AutoShow when purchasing tickets online www.caasco.com/autoshow.

Show your ride a little love this Valentine’s Day!

Our cars take a beating through the winter, so taking a little time to prepare both yourself and your car for the coming months can yield almost unlimited rewards and can save you a lot of money on costly repairs, says Ford of Canada.

Drivers can show their vehicles the necessary tender love and care to ensure a happy, healthy and long-lasting relationship, thanks to these top tips from Canada’s leading car company.

Keep the wheels of love turning. Be sure to give wheels and tires the attention they deserve.

• Check your tire pressure regularly. Low pressure can result in poor fuel economy, handling, and comfort.
• It’s all about balance. Having tires balanced and properly aligned ensures they last longer. It isalso good to have tires rotated every 8,000 km to preserve their tread.
• The climate of your relationship is bound to change, much like the changing of the seasons. Tires should match the season you’re driving in. Remember, winter tires work best in cold winter conditions.

Keep that engine humming. Properly caring for your engine will help make sure it gets turned on every time.

• Check your engine oil level frequently. If the level is too high or too low, it can cause problems. Regular oil and filter changes are also very important in maintaining a healthy engine.
• Remember to replace your timing belt in accordance with your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. Generally, it should be replaced about every 100,000 km.
• Prevent overheating by checking coolant levels often. A cooling system flush and refill should be scheduled every 80,000 to 100,000 km.

Love that body. Keeping the exterior of your car clean should not be underestimated when it comes to your vehicle maintenance checklist.

• Prevent damaging rust by repairing paint chips and dents as soon as they happen.
• Wash and wax your vehicle regularly to prevent paint from fading and dulling.

Enlist a third party if necessary. Even the strongest relationships require a little help from time to time.

• Relationship counsellors and mechanics are one and the same. If things don’t feel right, don’t try and ride it out. Take your vehicle to your dealership on a regular basis to make sure things are running smoothly. Ford mechanics are factory-trained experts and can mediate and help solve any situation you may encounter with your vehicle.

Looking for a new partner to own the road with? Here are some qualities you should keep in mind:

Communication is key: Open lines of communication in relationships are of the utmost importance. The latest SYNC technology from Ford, will help you focus on the drive while keeping the lines of communication open with hands-free calling, audible text messaging and voice activated music to ensure driving safety, and satisfaction.

Unwavering trust and loyalty: Ford offers the latest in convenience technologies, making it easy to trust your vehicle. The Terrain Management System optimizes driveability and comfort as well as maximizing traction and Active park assist will help you get into those tricky parking spaces.

6 Winter Driving Tips You Can Use Today

With a blast of winter weather arriving in Toronto overnight, it seemed like a good time to remind motorists of tips for driving in challenging conditions when the roads are covered with snow and ice.

Weather conditions will vary across the country, but there are basic things drivers in every province can do to make sure they are safe on the roads. Ford is committed to being an industry leader for safety. To help Canadians stay safe on the roads, Ford is reminding drivers of the following winter driving tips:

1. Slow and steady: Remember to slow down and leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Also, avoid abrupt moves—don't stop, start, or change direction suddenly and you'll maintain better control of your vehicle in inclement conditions.

2. Goodbye cruise control: Never use the speed control in slippery conditions. If the weather suddenly becomes hazardous while cruise control is engaged, simply disengage it manually or lightly tap the brakes.

3. Get to know the safety alphabet: Become more familiar with vehicle safety features such as ABS, TC, ESC and RSC, to understand how they can help.

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): Apply firm, continuous pressure on the brake pedal and ABS may activate to help you maintain control of the vehicle. Do not pump the brakes on a vehicle equipped with ABS.

• Traction Control: This feature most often engages at low speeds. In the majority of winter driving  conditions, it is best to keep the traction control feature ON. However, in extreme conditions, for instance, deep snow or sheer ice, it may be better to turn OFF your traction control to get moving.

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC): ESC helps prevent your vehicle from skidding out or sliding laterally in slippery conditions.

• Roll Stability Control (RSCR): AdvanceTracR with Roll Stability Control. Helps to avoid a rollover in a collision situation.

4. Monitor tire wear: There are three important aspects when it comes to tires: pressure, tread wear and age.

• Tire pressure: Cold weather causes tires to lose pressure and become under inflated; meaning your safety on the road is compromised. Check your tire pressure regularly, especially when the temperature changes.

• Winter tires: The grooves in winter tires are about 30 per cent deeper than those in all-season tires, and they grip more effectively. All-season tires also start to lose their traction at around 8 degrees Celsius.

• Tire tread depth: Make sure your tires are in good condition, show no signs of irregular wear and have sufficient tread. If you see an issue, or are unsure what to look for stop by your local Ford store and have one of our tire experts inspect your vehicle to ensure you are confident and prepared for winter driving conditions.

• Tire age: Old tires can be unsafe, especially in the winter. It is recommended that tires older than six years be replaced.

5. Vehicle maintenance: Vehicles that have been regularly maintained according to their manufacturers required maintenance schedule should be ready for winter weather. If not, a visit to the local dealership to “catch up” on your required maintenance will ensure the vehicle is winter ready.

6. Read your owner's manual: All vehicles have different characteristics that will react to winter weather differently. This is a good time to check the manual for your particular vehicle's winter driving tips.

Which province boasts the most confident winter drivers?

Overall, Canadians are confident, prepared and careful winter drivers, according to a new study commissioned by Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited.

Nearly 80 per cent of Canadians say they are at least somewhat confident in their ability to drive in snowy or icy conditions and more than 85 per cent of Canadian drivers take extra precautions on the road by leaving extra space and decreasing their speed.

Other survey findings include:

• Drivers in the Prairies and married couples tend to be more confident, better prepared and more cautious drivers when compared to the rest of Canada. Albertans are the most confident winter drivers – 43 per cent say they are very confident when it comes to braving winter road conditions.
• Remember, being prepared is half the battle. Drivers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the most prepared drivers in Canada as they are more likely to pack essential and emergency tools like an ice scraper, booster cables, shovel, first-aid kit and extra shoes and clothing.
• It’s always good to have an emergency stash. Drivers in British Columbia are more likely than drivers in any other province to have extra food and snacks on-hand in case of emergency.
• Cars need “winter shoes” too. Canadians in Atlantic Canada (76 per cent) are more likely to install winter tires on their vehicles than any other province (not including provinces where installation mandatory) while less than half of Ontarians (44 per cent) do – the lowest number when compared to the rest of the country.
• Two heads are better than one. Married drivers are more cautious than single drivers when on the road:
  - 90 per cent of married drivers decrease their speed in snowy conditions versus 78 per cent of single drivers.
  - Married drivers are more likely to install winter tires on their vehicles than single drivers (68 per cent versus 51 per cent).

SGR's next Winter Driver Training Event, Sunday January 22, 2012

Now that the new year is here, why not resolve to learn how to drive more safely and ensure your loved ones are safe on the winter roads.

The next Sweetie Girl Racing Winter Driver Training event is set for January 22 at the Mosport Driver Development Track in Bowmanville, ON.

For more information and to register visit http://bit.ly/2012SGRADT1 or contact SGR.

How to Drive in Freezing Rain

After a green Christmas in Toronto, forecasters are expecting the first significant snowfall of the season. With the current rain/snow mix and temperatures fluctuating around zero, freezing rain is a definite possibility. Here are tips for driving in these dangerous conditions.

The first tip is, if you don't have to drive, stay home! Ice and driving don't mix, and in freezing rain conditions the roads become like a skating rink. If you've ever tried to walk across an ice rink, you know how difficult it is to avoid slipping. It’s the same with your car.

If you do have to drive, do so slowly and with extreme caution. Give your car a bit of gas, but avoid braking if possible –- this can just cause your car to skid and you will lose control of the vehicle.

Keep a large distance between you and the car in front of you. Since you want to avoid using your brakes, you will need to ease off the gas to slow your car which means your stopping distance will be much longer. The greater the distance between you and the other cars, the better.

Leave extra time. You'll need to drive more slowly, so leave extra time to reach your destination. Speeding just makes driving more dangerous for you and others on the road.

Respect the salt/sand trucks. In bad weather the salt and sand trucks will be out in full force. They are there to make road conditions safer so you are actually safer behind them then trying to pass them. Be patient!

Drive for the conditions. Snow tires and all-wheel drive vehicles can help in winter conditions, but you still need to drive with caution. Don't think you can speed or fly past other vehicles –- you could end up in a collision or cause one.

Use winter windshield wipers and fluid. In freezing rain conditions, the rain can freeze immediately on your windshield, decreasing visibility. Be sure to run the front window defroster and rear window defogger to help keep the rain from freezing on the windows. Windshield washer fluid with a freezing point of at least -40 degrees can also help. Winter wipers will help keep the wipers on the glass rather than running over ice that is forming.

Drive with snow tires. If you have not yet installed your snow tires, call your local garage and make an appointment! While they are designed for snow, they do have more grip in freezing conditions.

Drinking and driving don't mix

The holiday season is full of office parties and family get-togethers. With that, the chance of tying one on and driving is much higher. That is why CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is urging drivers to plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.

“Don't let yourself or someone you love become another stat. Make safety a priority this holiday season, don't drink and drive,” said Silvana Aceto, Media & PR Specialist, CAA SCO.

CAA SCO recommends these holiday safety tips:

• Arrange for a designated driver
• Don't let friends drive drunk
• Call a cab
• Take public transit
• Stay overnight
• Call police if you see a suspected impaired driver

Meanwhile, for the past six years, CAA SCO has taken part in Operation Red Nose. The campaign offers safe rides home to partygoers over the holiday season.