Happy New Year!

Read more »

What Your Car Color Says About You

Do you drive a red car? If so, you could be sensual, dynamic, and outgoing. The car color you choose says a lot about who you are - after all, if you’re going to purchase a new, top-of-the-line vehicle with all the bells and whistles, it should be in a color you like. What you may not know is that other people will pick up different vibes from the color you choose. Here’s what the color of your car could say about you:

Gold: Warm, Intelligent, Glamorous
Gray: Neutral, Sober, Practical
Dark Green: Well-Balanced, Trustworthy, Traditional
Light Green: Organic, No-Fuss, Understated
Dark Blue: Confident, Credible, Authoritative
Light-Mid Blue: Calm, Faithful, True
Brown: Powerful, Unique
Beige: Natural, Down-To-Earth
Black: Powerful, Classic, Elegant
White: Pure, Pristine, Direct
Silver: Futuristic, Prestigious, Elegant
Red: Sensual, Dynamic, Outgoing

Learn about what other colors could say about you and read the original article here: http://bit.ly/Kqr9EV

Read more »

Highmark First Night 2013 Is Coming!

What are you doing this New Year’s Eve? It’s not too late to get your buttons for Highmark First Night 2013! This cultural institution happens throughout downtown and is chock-full of musical performances, dance lessons, magicians and other fun, family-friendly activities. There’s even a parade and a fireworks show. Why plan a New Year’s Eve party when you could bring all your friends and family to Downtown Pittsburgh?

All events are free with the purchase of a button. You’ll need to make sure you display it prominently on your coat or outfit. Some events that have limited seating also require vouchers, but these are free. You simply need to register and print them online to get into the events. Each button-holder is entitled to four vouchers - make sure you get one for every member of your group.

Avoid this mess and stress that comes along with planning a party and head to Highmark First Night 2013 instead! Check out their website for more information about activities and to learn where to buy buttons.

Read more »

Keep Your Ford Sparkling Clean This Season

A Ford truly shines when it’s sparkling clean. If you’re interested in showing off the beauty of your card, check out these tips straight from the manufacturer on how to keep your car in great condition:

Removing sticky spots
Bugs, bird droppings and other sticky gunk should be removed as soon as possible. If you aren’t able to get to the spot before it dries and don’t have Motorcraft® Bug and Tar Remover on hand, try removing it with a soft cotton cloth and a bit of cooking oil or grease. Then be sure to clean the area with soap and water afterward to remove the oil.
Exterior cleaning
Hose off any accumulated grime, especially in the wheel wells and under the bumpers. Scrub your vehicle with a clean sponge and Motorcraft® Detail Wash. Rinse, then dry it with a terry-cloth towel. Wax your car with Motorcraft® Premium Liquid Wax.
Paint touchups
To fix chips or scratches in your paint, you’ll need to find the correct color of touch-up paint. This information is usually located on a sticker in your driver’s-side door or in your Owner Guide. If you can't immediately apply (or get) the paint, dab the chip or scratch with some clear nail polish. The polish will prevent corrosion under the paint and resultant rust.
Cleaning windows and mirrors
Traditional ammonia-based glass cleaners can leave streaks that become blinding in bright sunlight. Instead, use a non-ammonia-based automotive glass cleaner, such as Motorcraft® Ultra-Clear Spray Glass Cleaner or a mild mixture of water and vinegar.

View the original article and get more tips on Ford’s site here: http://bit.ly/RB9prD

Read more »

Do you have to change the oil every 3,000 miles?

If you check your car's user manual, you'll probably find you've been changing your oil more often than you need to, at least according to the people who designed your car. Most carmakers abandoned the 3,000-mile (4,828-kilometer) interval long ago, opting instead to advise their customers to go 5,000 or 7,500 miles (8,046 or 12,070 kilometers) between oil changes [source: MEMA]. Some people even go 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers) or more without any guilt -- or damage to the engine.

The 3,000-mile guideline dates back to a time when motor oil wasn't quite as advanced as it is now. It used to be that if oil were left in the crankcase too long, it would start to degrade, causing a buildup of sludge [source: Torbjornsen]. But over the years, as tailpipe-emissions regulations have changed, so have engines and the oils that keep them running smoothly. Today's motor oils don't break down as quickly. Under ideal driving conditions, some synthetic oils can go about 25,000 miles (40,233 kilometers) [source: CIWMB].

Of course, driving conditions are seldom ideal. Lots of idling, stop-and-go traffic, extremely hot or cold weather, humidity and towing can all decrease the lifespan of engine oil. Plus, every car is a little different. The interval that is perfectly fine for one car could be way too long for another. So in reality, very few drivers will go 25,000 miles without an oil change, even if they spring for high-grade synthetic oil. And most of them shouldn't, although some can go 10,000 without a problem [source: CIWMB].

And yet most people still aim for 3,000-mile changes, perhaps because they don't know it's excessive, or perhaps because they adhere to an extreme better-safe-than-sorry principle. The result is millions of extra dollars wasted on oil changes and millions of extra gallons of oil potentially polluting the environment.

The best advice, then? Ignore the oil industry and go by your car's user manual, which will probably advise an interval of 5,000 miles or more. You'll save some money -- and possibly keep the world a little greener in the process.

Read more: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/vehicle-maintenance/change-oil-3000-miles.htm

Read more »