“2012 NADA/ATD Convention & Expo Highlights – Woman’s Viewpoint”

By Paula Lombard As Originally Posted by Ask Patty.com

There are many wonderful talented women in the auto industry holding important roles in the dealership arena. Women can make a difference in this industry. They are smart, hardworking, can think outside of the box and genuinely want to make a difference in the outside world!  There is story upon story of successful women who fought hard to get where they are today. Two women that stand out to me is Tammy Darvish Vice President of DARCARS Auto Group. I read Tammy’s book and it gave me an insight to dealers that I had not known and I have been in the automotive industry for 21 years!  Another woman I had the pleasure to meet is Cherie Watters, General Manager of three dealerships in the Los Angeles area. Cherie won the Women’s Automotive Spirit of Leadership Award. During the downturn Cherie went to work one day and found the dealership where she worked had shut their doors. A year later Cherie found a buyer for another dealership and opened Puente Hills Hyundai with all of her team following her!  She now is General Manager for three dealerships.

I attended the PCG Digital Marketing Strategy Conference as well as the National Automobile Dealers Assocation convention with Jody DeVere CEO of AskPatty.com recently.

My impression of dealers and experiences with dealerships as a consumer has not been positive. I have many stories of how I was treated as a women and as a customer by several dealers with unsatisfactory customer service. So my perception going to this conference was more on a negative view.

What I saw and learned over the past several days is you cannot judge a book by it cover.  What I found is many dealers want to have the best customer service to all of their customers no matter what the demographics are. They make a concerted effort to try and understand what will make a customer happy. The are placing emphasis on the experience of you buying the car. Yes,the car is important, but what is going to make the customer feel different about the experience of purchasing a car from my dealership.

TIME IT LUBE 60 JAN 6 2012 - Take a listen- our friends at Time-It Lube go on air with a special PINK message! With nine stores in Shreveport-Bossier City, LA one in Natchitoches, LA, one in Haughton, LA, and four in Texas, Time-It Lube has grown to be a recognized leader in the fast lube industry. Visit http://www.timeitlube.com to find out more!

National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.® Rated Number One Breast Cancer Charity by America’s Premier Charity Evaluator

Frisco, TX. – (February 2, 2012) Charity Navigator, America’s premier charity evaluator, recently awarded the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF) its highest 4-star rating.  The rating is based on NBCF’s ability to responsibly manage its finances and operations.  In addition to a perfect score for its accountability and transparency, NBCF received the highest point total of any breast cancer charity rated by Charity Navigator.

“This ‘exceptional’ designation from Charity Navigator differentiates National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust,” says Ken Berger, President & CEO of Charity Navigator.

Through its National Mammography Program, NBCF addresses the growing concern of over 50 million uninsured people in America by providing free mammograms and diagnostic services in all 50 states.

“We partner with some of the best hospitals in the country and make sure these facilities have the capacity to continue treatment after an abnormal finding or diagnosis of breast cancer,” says NBCF Founder & CEO, Janelle Hail.

NBCF has joined hands with partners to bridge the gap between women and medical facilities nationwide to provide diagnostic care.

“Gannett and USA TODAY are committed to making a difference every day in the lives of the consumers we serve,” said Gracia Martore, president and CEO at Gannett.  “As a trusted advocate and problem solver, NBCF shares our commitment to serving the greater good through its dedication to helping save lives by increasing awareness about early detection.  We congratulate NBCF on receiving Charity Navigator’s highest rating.”

NBCF has become a stabilizing force in the lives of hundreds of thousands of women who have reached a crossroad in their lives and need a helping hand to get across the bridge.

“We at Hanes greatly value our partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation,” said Sidney Falken, Chief Branding Officer, Hanes.  “We are proud to support their efforts to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education and we send our most heartfelt congratulations to them on being awarded the coveted four-star rating by Charity Navigator for eight years.”

“We are proud to be Charity Navigator’s highest-rated breast cancer charity as we celebrate our 20^th anniversary this year,” says Hail.

About the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.®

Recognized as one of the leading breast cancer organizations in the world, the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s (NBCF) mission is to save lives through early detection and to provide mammograms for those in need.  NBCF provides women help for today and hope for tomorrow through its National Mammography Program, Beyond The Shock®, Early Detection Plan, MyNBCF online support community, and breast cancer research programs.  For more information visit www.nbcf.org.

About Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org)
Charity Navigator is the largest charity evaluator in America and its website attracts more visitors than all other charity rating groups combined. The organization helps guide intelligent giving by evaluating the Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency of nearly 5,500 charities. Charity Navigator accepts no advertising or donations from the organizations it evaluates, ensuring unbiased evaluations, nor does it charge the public for this trusted data. As a result, Charity Navigator, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization itself, depends on support from individuals, corporations and foundations that believe it provides a much-needed service to America’s charitable givers. Charity Navigator, can be reached directly by telephone at (201) 818-1288, or by mail at 139 Harristown Road, Suite 201, Glen Rock, N.J., 07452.

The same can be said about your vehicle. Do you consider what you are putting in it? You depend on your vehicle to get you where you need to go, so it’s important that you use the proper fluids. Every car is different, so it’s necessary to check the recommendations in your owner’s manual.

Here is what you need to know about the many fluids that will keep your vehicle healthy:

Gasoline It’s what your car needs to keep running, but it can be confusing when you pull up to the pump. There are usually three different grades of gasoline – 87, 89, 91 – and you may think that choosing the higher number would be better for your vehicle, but that’s not necessarily the case.

For most cars, regular octane (87) is the recommended gasoline. In most cases, using a higher octane gas offers no benefit and it costs more! So unless your owner’s manual recommends higher octane fuel, stick with regular gasoline.

Motor Oil

Motor oil is what keeps your engine working. It is vital to choose the right one, but there are so many options available, it can be perplexing. The most important thing to know is what your vehicle manufacturer recommends for your engine. You can find the recommendation in your owner’s manual and usually on the oil cap near the oil dipstick in your engine compartment. You’ll find something like 0W20, 5W20 or 5W30. Also, it should meet the standards of the American Petroleum Institute (API).

Once you know your numbers, then you have to decide what type of oil to use:

Premium conventional oil is the standard motor oil. It is made from mineral oil and is recommended for most passenger cars. It is the least expensive option, but typically doesn’t last as long as synthetic or synthetic blend oils.

Full synthetic oil is made for high-tech engines. Synthetic oils flow easier in cold weather and are resistant to viscosity breakdown so they are good for extremely hot conditions or if you regularly use your vehicle for towing. Many European models and high-performance cars require synthetic oil, so check your owner’s manual. Be aware that synthetic oil typically costs twice as much as conventional motor oil although you can go longer between oil changes. Also, because It flows easily, it is not recommended for use on vehicles with higher mileage as older engines typically have looser seals which can allow oil to leak out.

Synthetic blend oils have a portion of synthetic oil mixed with conventional oil and are effectively formulated to provide protection for somewhat heavier loads and high temperatures. This generally means they’re less volatile, so they reduce oil loss and increase fuel economy. They are also less expensive than full synthetic oil.

High mileage oil was introduced nearly a decade ago and has been popular as more and more people are keeping their vehicles longer. These oils are designed for vehicles that have over 75,000 miles on the odometer. They are a conventional oil with special additives that provide additional protection and help prevent leakage.

Choosing the type of motor oil is really a personal preference. The most important thing to remember is to use the type of oil designated by the carmaker and to change it (and your oil filter) at the recommended drain intervals. Also, make sure to choose a brand that meets the API standards. Otherwise, it is up to you to decide whether to use conventional, synthetic or synthetic blend. You can base that decision on your driving habits and how much you are willing to spend on an oil change.

Antifreeze/Coolant

Antifreeze can be as confusing as motor oil as there are different formulations from different carmakers. They come in a variety of colors so be careful to use the appropriate formulation for your vehicle. Don’t base your choice on color alone.

The most common formulation is green in color and uses ethylene glycol as a base with anti-corrosion additives mixed in. Ethylene glycol provides the crucial anti-freezing characteristics and the additives deliver the anti-rust and anti-corrosion capabilities.

Beginning with 1995 car models, most GM vehicles started coming from the factory filled with an extended-life antifreeze called DEX-COOL®. This orange/amber colored antifreeze still uses ethylene glycol as a base, but contains a different additive package than standard green-colored antifreeze. This coolant is designed to protect cooling systems for up to 150,000 miles or five years.

There are other antifreeze formulations including silicate-free for Japanese cars and phosphate-free for European vehicles. Again, it is important to check your owner’s manual to be sure that you use the proper coolant and to see when the fluid should be changed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is a specially formulated oil containing numerous additives to withstand grueling operating conditions. Just like antifreeze, there are many different types of ATFs so it is important to follow the recommendations in your car’s owner’s manual.

According to the Car Care Council, owner’s manual recommendations on transmission fluid changes vary considerably and may go as high as 100,000 miles or more. For best results, they recommend that you have your car’s transmission fluid and filter changed every two years or 24,000 miles. Always use the type of fluid specified by your vehicle’s manufacturer.

Driving conditions such as trailer towing, stop and go driving, wheel spinning in slippery conditions and driving in mountainous areas can affect the life of transmission fluid. The worse the driving conditions, the more frequently the transmission fluid should be changed.

Windshield Washer Fluid

You may not realize it, but there are different types of windshield washer fluid. Winter blends typically have some type of de-icer to help prevent freezing. Summer blends often include a bug removing solution. There are some manufacturers who offer an “all-season” blend.

If you live where it gets below freezing, make sure you are using a winter blend or one that includes a de-icer. If you go to a service provider or dealership for service, you may want to ask what type of washer fluid they use to make sure it is the winter blend. Otherwise, you may find yourself driving and when you go to use your fluid, nothing comes onto the windshield because it is frozen in the reservoir. This is not only frustrating, it can be a safety issue since you cannot see out your windshield. The fluid level should be checked every month and possibly more often when nasty winter weather persists.

When it comes to your vehicle, think of it like you do your body. The better care you take of it, the longer it will last. Vehicle manufacturers make recommendations based on your vehicle and engine type, so remember to follow those specific guidelines to keep your vehicle running efficiently.