The Allstate Blog » Jody DeVere, AskPatty.com

Winter Driving Hazards (That Aren’t Ice and Snow)

Jody DeVere, AskPatty.com — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:00:03 +0000

The weather outside is frightful -- or so the song goes -- and we don't need to tell you to be careful out there. Rain, snow and ice are road hazards we're all familiar with, but they're not the only insidious forces at work as you brave the winter roads! There are winter driving dangers that aren't so obvious. The following tips may help you spot and avoid these dangers. Visibility I'm not talking about being able to see through blinding snowfall if you're driving during a nor'easter (try not to do that, though). I'm talking about your ability to see the road, and other drivers' ability to see you, on a cold, clear evening. First, do yourself (and other drivers) a favor, and take the time to de-ice all of your windows and mirrors. Next, when is the last time you changed your headlights? Headlights don't only need replacement with they burn out – they tend to dim over time and can impair your ability to see the road, which can be a problem in any season but a critical flaw during winter. Finally, once you've got a good, bright set of headlights, use them! I don't mean only at night, but also in twilight and anytime the weather is misty, gray or snowy. You want to make sure other drivers can see you through the gray haze that sometimes accompanies cold weather. Battery Failure How old is the battery in your car? If the answer is more than three years, you may want to think about replacing it. Cold weather can impair an aging battery's ability to start your car, especially when temperatures dip below freezing. If you're not buying a new battery, consider giving your current battery a once-over to see how it looks. Check the lead connections for corrosion and clean them as needed with a wire brush. You may consider investing in a portable power source, which can deliver the juice needed to jump-start your car should you get stranded – and, at the very least, never leave home without a set of jumper cables. Tire Pressure Tire pressure should be checked monthly, but this is doubly true in colder weather. Cool temperature changes air pressure, and tires with plenty of air in the summer will show less pressure in winter simply due to the change in atmospheric pressure. When inflating your tires, use the pressure indicated in your manual, or on the label inside the driver's side door. Never use pressures indicated on the tire sidewall. Salt With winter comes road treatment, which usually means rock salt or a salty brine sprayed on roads. While this is very effective at keeping the roads safe from ice, salt is also quite corrosive and can damage your car's finish if left for too long. Regular visits to the car wash are highly recommended to keep this stuff from doing too much damage. And don't neglect the undercarriage: A lot of road muck ends up on the undercarriage, which is easy to overlook, so do your best to clean under there, too. Remember, once rust takes hold, it's like a cancer eating at your vehicle's body, frame and critical parts. Keep the corrosive beast at bay with diligent cleaning. The Cold It goes without saying that where there is snow and ice, there are freezing temperatures. And the cold isn't just a danger to your car, it's a danger to you. It's an unpleasant thought, but should you become stranded in your vehicle, a couple of blankets and a car emergency kit stowed in your trunk could make all the difference. (A standard car emergency kit will probably include an emergency blanket, but some nice, downy comforters will work too.) If you're heading out on the road, practice good winter driving safety: Make sure others know your travel plans and route, travel with some canned food and bottled water with you in the car cabin, and remember that while they're very handy, sometimes gadgets like cellphones and GPS fail, so try to pack a good old-fashioned road map – just in case. We hope these tips keep you warm and safe on the roads this winter. Drive safely out there! Jody DeVere is the CEO of AskPatty.com, Inc., a website, blog and marketing agency providing automotive education to female consumers.

Bark & Ride: How to Road Trip Safely with a Pet in the Car

Jody DeVere, AskPatty.com — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:00:43 +0000

You understand car safety. You always make sure people are buckled up, keep your cell phone tucked away, obey traffic laws, and you can secure various models of children’s car seats with your eyes closed (and one hand behind your back). But, here's a question: what happens when you bring your pet along for the ride? Pet travel safety is as important as human travel safety – if you're in an accident, your pet is as likely (or more likely, in many cases) to be seriously injured as you are. Here are some valuable tips on preparing for a road trip and traveling safely when your pets are in the car.

Use a safety harness or a secured carrier. Don't leave your dog or cat unsecured in the car. A spooked cat will head straight for the pedals. Dogs can also be unpredictable. And, though it's unpleasant to think about, an unsecured animal will become a projectile in the event of a crash. If you think it's important for humans to buckle up, then it should be doubly important for your animals. Pet retail stores have many varieties of travel harnesses available for dogs, and soft-sided carriers for smaller dogs and cats which can be easily secured in cars, and are approved for airline use as well. Tip: Make sure you get your pet used to the harness before you leave on a big trip.

Don't forget the water. If you're road tripping, your pets are going to get thirsty. And they don't get the privilege of springing for the big Slurpee when you fill up the tank. Bring along water in a travel container or bottle so your pet’s thirst can be quenched and so he can stay cool.

Eat before you leave. It's a good idea to make sure your fuzzy friends eat a full meal three to four hours before you leave on your journey. (Pets aren’t immune to car sickness.) To avoid a choking hazard, don't feed them inside the moving vehicle, even if it is a long drive. And plan to stop every few hours to give your pet a chance to do his business.

Don't abandon your pet! Don't leave your pet alone in a parked car on a hot or cold day. Even with the windows down, a car becomes a furnace or fridge pretty quickly. If you have to step inside for a minute while Fido waits in the car, leave the AC on! Many of us are guilty of just cracking the windows – but ask yourself how comfortable YOU would be in that car with the window only opened a crack?

Papers, Please! Having a collar with up-to-date ID tags should be step one of responsible pet ownership, but that goes double when traveling. Tags, a microchip, or other method of identification could save the life of your pet. Plus, don't forget vaccination records and other such documents from your vet. If your best friend gets ill while you're traveling, you're going to need them, and some states require proof of vaccination at certain interstate crossings. While that's not a common problem, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Finally, if you find you like traveling with your pets, consider investing in rubber floor liners and plastic seat / door covers, to help keep the mess of pet travel to a minimum. Hopefully these tips will help get you there and back again with your furry companion safely; we wish you many wonderful journeys in the future!

Jody DeVere is the CEO of AskPatty.com Inc, a website, blog and marketing agency providing automotive education to female consumers.

How To Spot A Shady Auto Mechanic

Jody DeVere, AskPatty.com — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 10:00:30 +0000

Learn the signs of a dishonest car shop and avoid getting scammed when you go in for repairs

Taking a car to a new repair shop is an exercise in trust. But, unfortunately, not all car mechanics are as honest as they should be. We all know the stereotype: grease-soaked coveralls, tobacco-filled mouth, oily cap (worn backwards), filthy hands. Finding a good car mechanic can be a grueling task. To help you weed out the good from the bad, we've compiled a list of things to look out for when you take your car in for repairs. If your mechanic starts raising any of these red flags, it's probably time for a second opinion.

Watch for the Scare Factor. When a mechanic says things like “I wouldn't drive this car another mile” or employs other scare tactics to discourage you from leaving the lot, it's probably a good idea to do just that. After all, the car got you there; it'll likely make it down the street to another garage.
Look for Certifications. ASE certification, or seals of certification from ASA, AAA and other auto industry groups should be prominently displayed in a reputable shop. These seals inspire a sense of trust and tell you that the shop owner takes his reputation seriously. If you don't see these kinds of certifications on display, ask why.
Question, Question, Question! Ask how long they've been in business. Ask for alternate recommendations. Ask about the equipment. Any mechanic who says “I don't need fancy equipment” should be avoided. Go ahead: Ask, ask, and ask. A reputable mechanic will have the answers.
Get It In Writing. Never sign a blank work authorization form. Always get a written estimate before you put your mechanic to work. And don't forget to ask about warranties! Any decent mechanic should guarantee his work.
Don't Do Double Labor. If a mechanic is going to charge two labor costs, ask how long the total job will take. Some will charge you double labor even though they can essentially perform both tasks at the same time.
Ask for Your Old Parts Back. This seems frivolous, but getting back your old parts will ensure that they were indeed replaced—and in need of replacement in the first place.
Don’t Take No for an Answer. No, your check engine light shouldn't be on all the time. And it isn't “probably a loose gas cap.” Any mechanic who shrugs off an indicator like this should be dropped—fast. If the check engine light is on, there's a reason. And you should find out what it is.
Don't Fall for the Flush. We see this one all the time. Coolant flushes and power steering flushes are commonly offered by quick lube shops and touted as necessary repairs. But check your owner's manual: Chances are your fluid was designed to go 100,000+ miles without needing a flush. Also, fuel injectors never need to be cleaned by a mechanic (there are additives for that). This falls under the category of car care you can do yourself.
Consult Your Dealer! Sometimes, a faulty part will be covered by a warranty or recall, and can be repaired by the dealership for free. Run a check before you give a mechanic the go ahead.
Do Your Homework. Shop around. Get a second opinion. Hey, Google it! Just because a mechanic shows you metal shavings from your transmission doesn't mean it's done for. (Those metal filings are probably a result of normal wear.) A little bit of due diligence will help keep you safe, your car in tip-top shape, and those shady mechanics at bay.

Guest blogger Jody DeVere is the CEO of AskPatty.com Inc, a website, blog and marketing agency providing automotive education to female consumers.

6 Steps to a Greener Car Wash at Home

Jody DeVere, AskPatty.com — Wed, 30 May 2012 13:06:34 +0000

Whether you drive a perky hybrid or a well-loved clunker, there’s a greener way to wash your own car. Of course, from a standpoint of water use, commercial car washes are the “eco-friendlier” option (they tend to recycle and reuse the water). But there are steps you can take to lower the environmental impact of a car wash at home. Here’s how to wash a car and come out ahead.

Get out of the driveway. Bring the car from the driveway into the yard. This will help prevent the runoff – and all the gas, oil, tar and other particulates on your vehicle - from draining into your storm sewers. Of course, if you don't want the chemicals of conventional cleaners seeping into your yard, you’ll want to opt for natural cleaners (some options below).
Put away the paper towels. Washing with paper towels is needlessly wasteful. But there’s no need to buy shop towels or packets of ‘heavy duty’ paper towlettes. Rip up some old t-shirts, use an oversized sea sponge, or repurpose fraying washcloths from your closet. Many old fabrics can be upcycled and used again and again.
Step away from the hose. Leaving the hose on throughout the washing process can waste gallons and gallons of water. Find yourself a couple of good-sized buckets and fill them up—this is all the water you need. If your hose has an automatic shut-off trigger, you can keep it around and gently mist the car to rinse.
Consider waterless. You can put that hose away altogether if you consider a waterless car wash product over a traditional car cleaner. Just apply and wipe off, conserving water and eliminating runoff entirely.
Try a greener cleaner. If waterless isn't your thing, there are a number of natural car wash products on the market that won't harm the earth with runoff (pure castile soap makes a great car wash soap; it cuts through grime), but if you really want to get hands on…
Make your own car wash. A 50/50 mix of vinegar and water will give your car a lasting shine; it also works on glass and chrome (but may tarnish some aluminum alloys). A coating of vinegar and jojoba oil will protect interior vinyl and leather surfaces (though, in the case of waxed interior surfaces, you’ll want to use hot water; vinegar will strip away the wax). This is also a good time to clean car stains: car seats and carpets will benefit from a refresh. Want to take your DIY cleaners to the max? Your 50/50 vinegar-water mix can also be used as a natural washer fluid!

We hope these tips inspire you to spend a day taking care of your car – and the earth – with a green car wash. Spring is the perfect time for keeping clean, and green!

Guest blogger Jody DeVere is the CEO of AskPatty.com Inc, a website, blog and marketing agency providing automotive education to female consumers.

Brighten the Night with Proper Headlight Maintenance

Jody DeVere, AskPatty.com — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:09:44 +0000

You may think that you’re in good shape as long as your headlights power on when you need them, but that’s only partially true. Sure, working headlights are preferable to the alternative, but riddle me this: Are your headlights bright enough? Is your visibility impaired? Allow me to enlighten you with a few headlight maintenance tips (and yes, I’m afraid this article is probably going to be full of light-related puns). Bear with me, though, the heart of the matter will, um, outshine them.

Check Your Lenses

The first thing you should do when checking your headlights is look at the lenses. Are they crystal clear, or do you see some fogginess and yellowing? Headlight lenses naturally become cloudy over time and diffuse the beams of your headlights, which not only impairs your visibility, but makes you harder to see too! In this case, a headlight restoration kit may do you a whole lot of good. Consumer Reports recently tested a range of headlight restoration kits from makers like Sylvania, 3M and the infomercial darling, Fast Brite.

Check for Brightness

Your headlights may work but, because they naturally dim over time, you may be due for a replacement pair nonetheless. Luckily, there’s an easy way to check. Park on a level surface five feet from a building wall or your garage door, and turn your headlights on. The pools of light from your headlights should be nice and bright white. If they seem yellow or dim, it’s time to yank those bulbs and replace them.

Check for Focus

When you’re checking for brightness, you’ll also want to consider if the beams are aimed well: They should be hitting the same height on the wall. If they’re aimed too low or too high, your headlights are likely to create a blind spot for other drivers, hindering their ability to see you and the road. Potholes are a common cause of misaligned headlights: ask your mechanic to adjust them.

Always Replace in Pairs

If one headlight goes dim and you replace only that one, you’re going to have one bright headlight and one dimmer one. Avoid this trouble and replace both lamps at the same time, to ensure even illumination while you’re on the road. Of course, headlights aren’t the only lamps on our car that need to be in proper working order. Check out those taillights, brake lights, turn signals, running lights, and any other points of illumination on your vehicle to make sure everything’s nice and bright. In closing, one more thing: If there’s any doubt about whether you should have your headlights on (even during the day), turn them on. Remember, they’re not only there to help you see—but to help other drivers see you! Drive safely out there, and may all your road trips be bright!

Jody DeVere is the CEO of AskPatty.com Inc, a website, blog and marketing agency providing automotive education to female consumers.

Overlooked Car Care You Can Do Yourself

Jody DeVere, AskPatty.com — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:09:44 +0000

When it comes to car maintenance, most of us know the broad strokes: oil changes, tire rotations and the like. But there are likely a few pieces you just don’t think about. April is National Car Care Month, and the simplest car components to maintain are sometimes the most critical. Luckily, there are three routine tasks that you can take on yourself.

Belts

Your vehicle may have a number of belts under the hood, especially if it’s an older car (you may remember seeing a tangle of them in your family car growing up). Most newer cars, however, have simplified the mess down to two belts. The serpentine belt (or S-belt) is an inch-wide black belt with little ridges running along the side. It provides power to almost everything in your engine: the air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, and cooling fan to name a few. To inspect the S-belt, look for little cracks (which happen naturally as the belt wears and can weaken it). Replacing the S-belt is an easy and pretty affordable piece of preventive maintenance that could save you a bundle down the road. The timing belt is even more critical. It’s a belt with lots of little plastic notches on it, which allow the crankshaft to turn the camshaft. In other words, it makes your engine “go.” If the timing belt fails, your engine stops dead. That sounds pretty scary—and, well, it is—but the good news is that timing belts are pretty resilient little guys. Still, like any other moving part, they do wear over time and should be checked, if not replaced, at around the 50,000 mark.

Hoses

Engine hoses haven’t simplified as much as belts—there are a number of them. But, thankfully, you don’t really need to know what they all do to check them for damage and weak spots. When your engine is cool (that’s important—those hoses get hot!), lightly squeeze the hoses and feel for “squishy” spots, especially near the clamps. The hose should be firm, but not completely hardened either. Visually inspect for cracks and, when in doubt, have your mechanic take a look too. Replacing a hose before it fails saves the inconvenience of it going down unexpectedly, and could prevent further damage to your engine.

Finish

Yes, that means the outside. Keeping your finish properly maintained means more than just looking good. Your finish is your car body’s only defense against the enemy of everything metal: rust. Rust will spread through your car like cancer if you don’t protect your finish. It’s critical to wash your car and use a cleaner wax regularly to avoid corrosion. You should also keep your vehicle’s underside as clean and dry as possible. Look for foreign materials, including salts, road oil, tree sap, bird droppings and chemicals, and remove them as soon as possible.

Guest blogger Jody DeVere is the CEO of AskPatty.com Inc, a website, blog and marketing agency providing automotive education to female consumers.

4 Car Care Tips for Extreme Weather

Jody DeVere, AskPatty.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:21:29 +0000

The weather report is in—and it calls for partly crazy skies with an unpredictable front moving in from the Pacific! Weather across the country this winter, and every year it seems, is behaving just a little strangely. Depending on where in the country you live, if you want to get through our winter months disaster-free, you’ll need to be prepared for anything. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of tips for driving in any “extreme”—take our advice and you’ll be prepared to face nearly anything Mother Nature throws at you.

Hot Weather: Take care of your battery!

Steamy hot days can take a lot out of us, but they can take a lot out of your car battery, too. When the temperatures rise, the liquid inside your battery actually evaporates, and if your battery is more than a couple of years old, you could end up stranded with a dead-as-a-doornail battery that won’t hold a charge—and may not even jump-start! If your battery is three years old or more, consider replacing it right away, because you don’t want to be stuck with a dead car on a hot day!

Cold Weather: Look at your tires!

When temperatures go down, many things can happen, but the one you should always keep at the front of your mind is that the air pressure in your tires will be lower in cold weather than in hot. It’s simple physics, really—cooler air means slower molecular motion, and that causes the air pressure to drop. Invest in a tire gauge and learn how to read it. Tire pressure affects your gas mileage, tread wear, and most importantly—safety. Take care to keep your tires properly inflated when temperatures are cooler and you’ll cruise through the cold weather cool as a cucumber.

Rainy Weather: Take care of your finish!

When storm clouds roll in and darken your day, take care that they don’t blemish your finish, too. This is more than just a cosmetic concern—water is corrosive, and encourages oxidation in the form of rust, which can weaken not only your car’s body but the frame as well, if left unchecked. Not only that, but those little drops of water act like a magnifying glass and can focus the sun’s rays against your finish, actually burning it! It seems counterintuitive, but in periods of heavy rainfall, take care to keep your car washed often and always use a wax sealant, taking particular care with the “flat” areas of the hood, roof and trunk where water is more likely to pool. After a rainy day, take care to displace any droplets left pooling on your finish. Properly guarding against water will preserve your vehicle’s structural integrity and keep it looking shiny, too.

Windy Weather: Focus on Safety

When most people think of driving in harsh weather, they may think of snow or ice. While these hazards are serious, driving in heavy winds can be just as dangerous. You may have felt heavy winds threaten to push your car sideways while driving before. When the winds pick up, take care to focus on driving safely. If you're a habitual one-handed driver (like most of us), drive with both hands during windy conditions to keep more control of the car. Don’t follow anyone too closely, especially tractor-trailers and other vehicles with something in tow. Keep a sharp eye on the vehicles around you, and drive slowly enough to allow plenty of reaction time should the wind topple a trailer or cause a car to swerve.

Guest blogger Jody DeVere is the CEO of AskPatty.com Inc, a website, blog and marketing agency providing automotive education to female consumers.

5 Green Car Components That May Surprise You

Jody DeVere, AskPatty.com — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:07:42 +0000

A certain little, green felt frog once said that it wasn’t easy being green, “having to spend each day the color of the leaves.” We sure empathize with his plight, poor little guy, mostly because it’s a pretty song, but in the human world, “being green” is easier than you probably thought.

Sure, you recycle, you switched some light bulbs to compact fluorescents, maybe you even bought a more fuel-efficient vehicle or a hybrid—but did you know that you may be driving around in a car made of recycled materials? It’s true! Come along as Ask Patty brings you five car components you won’t believe are made from recycled materials. The Volt’s Plastics. This one’s timely as well as Earth-friendly. Chevy is utilizing many recycled materials for the plastics that make up their all-electric Volt, including tires from their Milford Proving Ground, post-consumer recycled plastics, and—get this—saturated oil booms, which were used to contain the BP oil spill. They have about 100 miles worth of the material from the Gulf of Mexico, and they’re using it to build a better automobile. Now that’s turning a negative into a positive! In the Driver’s Seat. Or actually, in all of your seats. Old clothes turn up in plenty of places—maybe you’ve found an old t-shirt under your seat—well, you’ll also find them in your seat! The 2012 Ford Focus uses cottons from recycled clothing in its carpet backing and sound-absorption materials, and both Ford and GM are using more and more post-industrial yarns, cottons and many other recycled materials in your car seat’s interior sound dampening—from old jeans to carpet. Under the Hood. While we’re on the subject of Ford, you may not believe it, but if you drive one of many Ford vehicles, including Fusion, Escape, Mustang or F-150, when you look at your engine cover under the hood, you’re looking at recycled carpets. Sound hard to believe? It’s true! Ford’s new cylinder head covers are crafted entirely from repurposed nylon gathered from old carpet. In the Engine. Next time you go in for an oil change, consider your options: The standard oil change with new oil, refined from petroleum that grows more expensive day by day, or a motor oil that is chemically identical, and happens to be recycled. Didn't know you could recycle used motor oil into brand new stuff? You sure can. The process is called re-refining, and for the lay-person, it can be compared to the process of distillation. Either way, the result is a product that is indiscernible from newly-refined motor oil, without the use of new petroleum. Products like Valvoline’s NexGen, SafetyKleen’s EcoPower and Universal Lubricants’ Eco Ultra are bringing an ever-expanding line of re-refined lubricants to consumer shelves. Right out Front. Sometimes the recycled components are hiding in plain sight. The plastic in the grille of the GMC Terrain is made from recycled soda bottles. Hyundai unveiled a concept car called the QuarmaQ (pronounced like “karmic” I presume?), a vehicle whose entire exterior skin is made from recycled plastics, and in 2010, Gordon Murray, designer of the McLaren F1 Supercar, created the T25 Supermini Car, built entirely out of recycled plastic bottles. All of it. While these last two are still in the conceptual stages, they’re definitely examples of what is to come—cars that utilize these recycled materials are smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient. And the truly beautiful thing: They keep on giving, even when it’s time for them to be returned. Ford and GM’s cars are currently 85 percent recyclable themselves, and that number will only grow larger as the innovations keep coming. So you see, little frog? Green is the color of spring! It is easy being green, if you just look a little deeper. Ask about recycled components when you’re shopping for service or a new car and you just may be surprised at what’s being done to make your ride a little bit greener. Until next time, dear reader—may your rainbow connection be a green one!

Guest blogger Jody DeVere is the CEO of AskPatty.com Inc, a website, blog and marketing agency providing automotive education to female consumers.

Fabric Fouls: Tips to Tackle the Top 5 Auto Stains

Jody DeVere, AskPatty.com — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:15:42 +0000

Whoops! Everybody knows it’s not a road trip until there’s a spill. Whether it’s a soda, lipstick, lunch, or coffee—sometimes stains happen! Knowing the best way to deal with them using natural products and without harming your car’s interior will help keep your family ride shipshape. Ask Patty is here to share with you some great tips for dealing with unexpected stains quickly and easily so you can get back on the road squeaky clean.

The Classic Soda Explosion. Soda, coffee and other liquids are the most common culprit for stains on carpeted interiors. Thankfully, they’re also among the easiest to deal with, provided you don't give them time to set in. For general stains on carpet and cloth upholstery, mix 3 quarts hot water, 1 cup vinegar and 2 teaspoons of a gentle soap. Dab up the excess and then use the mixture to get at that stain. The Old Leaky Pen. Rule number one for dealing with ink stains: don't rub! Rubbing will smear the ink and make the stain worse. Using a soft cloth, gently dab and blot the excess ink. Now here’s the fun part: Spray a little hairspray on the stain and let it soak. Yes, hairspray! Once it sits for a few minutes, wipe up with a dry towel. Repeat as needed but don’t overdo it—use fresh towels each time to keep from spreading the stain more. Alternatively, rubbing alcohol will also work. The Caked-on Crayon. This is the one moms usually don’t discover until it’s far too late: crushed, melted, ground-in crayon. Fortunately, there is a plan of attack for even this stubborn stain. First, use a dull edge, like the backside of a knife or a spoon, to get the excess crayon up. This time, spray the stain with—guess what? WD-40! Seems like a strange choice, but WD-40 will cut right through crayon. Let it sit for a bit, and then, using a small, stiff brush (a toothbrush will probably do), work on the crayon stain and then wipe the area with paper towels. Repeat until the stain’s gone. Now, if this happens in a fibrous area like the floor carpet or anywhere that isn’t flat fabric, you'll probably want to utilize a little dish soap as well. Oh, So That’s Where That Lipstick Went. Much like crayons, lipstick stains are the ones that you don’t discover until it's too late. It’s already deep in there, sometimes in your clothes, too. You’ll have to consult your dry cleaner about those trousers, but for the seat, I can help with another unexpected cleaner: toothpaste. Rub with a white, non-gel toothpaste and that lipstick stain should come right up. All Clean Now, But What's That Smell?! Ah, the phantom foul odor. All of our cars get them from time to time—the telltale sign of a forgotten food item stuffed out of sight. Finding the culprit and cleaning up is one thing—getting rid of that smell is another entirely. Products with peroxide and detergents can restore the interior and take care of the smell, but if you prefer the more natural approach, my personal favorite is baking soda. Sprinkle liberally on the offending spot (or you can make a sachet, if you want—a sock will do!) and just leave it there. In 12 to 24 hours, baking soda will take care of most odors. If you sprinkled, you can simply vacuum it up—if you went with a box or sachet, just place it anywhere else you need odor control. Now, all of these tips, of course, are for those of us with fabric and carpeted interiors. If you have vinyl and leather, you’ll have to do some experimentation. Toothpaste will usually work on leather stains, and you can try alcohol for the tougher ones, but try these methods individually on a spot that isn’t easily seen first, to ensure they don't react with the dyes. For general maintenance and cleaning, a gentle leather soap and warm water is usually your best bet for natural leathers.

Guest blogger Jody DeVere is the CEO of AskPatty.com Inc, a website, blog and marketing agency providing automotive education to female consumers.

Find the Fluid: Identifying Your Car’s Drips

Jody DeVere, AskPatty.com — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:20:30 +0000

We've all done it. We back out of the garage or parking lot and there it is: a spot! What is that? Is your car leaking oil or something else? How long has that spot been there? Well, you don't need to get out the flashlight and try to catch the leak in progress. There are six fluids that are most likely to end up spotting your driveway, and here’s how to recognize them:

Light Brown to Black: Engine Oil

It's one of the most common substances to drip from a car—the amber-to-brown/blackish color of motor oil is an easy one to spot. A little drip is likely not a serious issue—the engine oil through many gaskets and seals where a drop can seep out, but it's probably a good idea to track down the origin before a tiny leak becomes a bigger one.

Reddish and Thin or Brown and Thick: Transmission Fluid

Sometimes transmission fluid can look similar to engine oil, but is thicker and usually found near the center of the car—although many transmissions today have a reddish fluid that's thinner than oil. These drips may come from a failing transmission seal or gasket.

Reddish or Light Brown and Thin: Power Steering Fluid

You may be saying: “Wait a minute—isn't transmission fluid reddish and thin? Yep, your power steering system may use a fluid that's either identical or similar to your car's transmission fluid. So how do you tell the difference? Well, look at where the spots are. If they're around the center of the car, the transmission's probably the culprit. If they're near the front, your power steering's to blame.

Clear to Brown and Slick: Brake Fluid

This is a critical fluid. New brake fluid is mostly clear, like mineral oil, but over time can turn brown in your engine. The key characteristic to look for is its slickness—it's even more slippery than engine oil. If you find any of this, it's a sign of a serious issue that should be looked at right away.

Yellow, Green, or Pink and Slimy: Coolant

This is the easiest fluid to identify: if it's brightly colored, it's coolant! Older cars sometimes blow off a little coolant naturally when the engine gets too hot. If you have an older car, a spot of coolant could be a harmless reminder for you to add some more. Today's cars, on the other hand, recycle blowoff coolant, so if you have a late model vehicle and see a neon stain, it could be a sign of trouble under the hood.

Bonus Fluid: Clear, thin...it looks like water!

If you've ever seen a small puddle of clear water-like stuff under the front passenger side as you leave a parking spot, you don't need to panic. It looks a lot like water, and guess what? It really is water! Condensation builds up on your air conditioning hardware when you're blasting the cold air, and it causes these mystery puddles all over town.

Guest blogger Jody DeVere is the CEO of AskPatty.com Inc, a website, blog and marketing agency providing automotive education to female consumers.