AboutThatCarBlog.com

Popularity: 9% [?]

September 8^th kicked-off the Shell V-Power “Fuel My Passion” Contest and Sweepstakes, a program allowing consumers nationwide to share their photos and “love stories,” exemplifying why they are passionate about their vehicle.

Consumers can enter to win the grand prize of free Shell V-Power premium gasoline for a year (five winners) and ten finalists will win a $250 Shell Gift Card.  In addition, participants also will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win an all-new 2010 Harley-Davidson^® Fat Boy^® Lo motorcycle.

To enter, participants can submit their stories online at www.shell.us/fuelmypassion.  Shell V-Power^® contestants will be required to submit a creative photo, with the contestant giving the “V” sign (symbolizing Shell V-Power^®) along with their ride (e.g., car, motorcycle, boat, RV, etc.), and a story up to 100 words on: “How Shell V-Power^® fuels their passion for their ride.”  The story portion of the entry can include poems, songs, “love stories” or anything else that expresses a unique or special bond between the contestant and their ride as well as how Shell V-Power^® helps fuel that passion.

Contestants can enter the contest in five different categories:

• Modified Car – Any vehicle that has been upgraded with aftermarket parts and components in order to change or enhance its properties, including styling, audio or performance (includes all tuner and custom cars).
• Motorcycle (Sponsored by Harley-Davidson^®) – Open to all types of motorcycles, inclusive of sports and chopper motorcycles.
• Sports/Luxury car – Automobiles designed for high speed and power, tight handling and/or luxury and flashy looks. Includes coupes and sedans.
• Truck or SUV – Includes trucks and SUVs of all sizes.
• Other Premium Rides – Includes any type of transportation that is driven with passion and fueled by Shell V-Power (e.g., classic car, RV, boat, etc.) but does not fit within the other categories.

There is a limit of one entry per person per category. More details on the contest are available at www.shell.us/fuelmypassion. The contest ends Oct. 6^th.

Popularity: 7% [?]

A window sticker for used cars is now available through the web site www.used-cars.com. Consumers have the ability to create in seconds, a professional-looking window sticker similar to the one that came with the car when it was brand new.

Using the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and software developed by Edict, Inc., the site gathers original feature information on the seller’s vehicle and produces a window sticker.

The Used-Cars.com Window Sticker, ready to be affixed to the window, comes complete with a detailed equipment list, including power train, safety, comfort and convenience features, the EPA fuel economy ratings, and many other items found on the original label required on all new cars.

A .PDF of the window sticker is e-mailed immediately to the consumer for printing as a hand out or email to potential buyers. A hard copy of the Used-Cars.com Window Sticker is printed on special paper by Used-cars.com and mailed at no additional charge to the buyer, who can attach it to the inside of the window, no tape required.

Consumers can get a premium window sticker for their vehicle at www.used-cars.com for any vehicle manufactured after model year 1995. The price, obviously, $19.99.

Popularity: 6% [?]

MINI USA announced today the introduction of a free app to MINI owners that allows access to roadside assistance with the touch of an icon. The new MINI Road Assist mobile application was developed by Allstate Roadside Services and is available for iPhone and select BlackBerry users.

The app connects users to roadside assistance while automatically supplying the service provider with all relevant information about the vehicle, most importantly, its exact location. Whether it’s for a battery boost or to replace a flat tire, the new MINI Road Assist app for iPhone and BlackBerry users puts control in the driver’s hand – and handset.

Perhaps the best part, it eliminates the need for lengthy conversations about vital vehicle information and location and jumps directly to sending help after a short call. This feature utilizes global positioning system (GPS) technology, pinpointing a caller’s location to help customer service representatives identify the nearest available service provider and communicating their exact location.

Once service is confirmed, the mobile app delivers the driver with the service provider’s name, an estimated time of arrival and an automated service follows up to ensure the issue has been resolved. To begin using the app, MINI owners will need to download it to their iPhone or compatible BlackBerry device.

Step-by-step instructions guide users to enter their Vehicle I.D. (VIN), name, address and other details – even uploading a photo of their MINI. When a MINI owner needs roadside help, they simply launch the app, select their service need and press the “call” button.

Their user information, vehicle location and service need are all transmitted automatically to customer service representatives – saving valuable time to get them motoring again as quickly as possible.

Popularity: 6% [?]

CarGurus.com survey finds more than half of respondents (52%) said they have used a cell phone to read/write email or text while driving in the last 12 months.

According to a July 2009 Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study, truck drivers face a 23 times greater risk of a crash or near crash while texting than when not doing so. Given the known risks of texting and reading email while driving, it seems surprising that a majority of consumers appear to be doing exactly that.

Just last month, the Senate proposed a bill (the ALERT ACT), which would ban truck and car drivers from texting or emailing while driving. Fourteen states already have laws barring texting while driving.

“Most consumers would agree that texting and emailing while you drive is dangerous. I was surprised to see that the majority of respondents admitted to distracting themselves from driving,” remarked Langley Steinert, CEO of CarGurus.com “Clearly this is not a small problem, but rather a widespread trend.”

Popularity: 6% [?]

GM seems to be stirring -- a little -- after a brief brush with bankruptcy

GM’s OnStar is expanding on its Stolen Vehicle Assistance Services with the announcement of a new technology that will give law enforcement another critical tool to help safely and quickly recover subscribers stolen vehicles.

This new technology is called Remote Ignition Block and will allow an OnStar Advisor to send a remote signal to a subscriber’s stolen vehicle to prevent the vehicle from restarting once the ignition is turned off. This capability will not only help authorities recover stolen vehicles, but can also prevent dangerous high speed pursuits from starting.

“Remote Ignition Block is a prime example of the rapid pace of technological innovation underway at OnStar. We are developing services desired by our subscribers that deliver important societal benefits as well,” said Chet Huber, OnStar president.

Remote Ignition Block builds on OnStar’s growing suite of Stolen Vehicle Assistance services which includes GPS technology that pinpoints a stolen vehicle’s exact location and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown® which can remotely slow a stolen vehicle to idle speed.

OnStar will make Remote Ignition Block is being rolled out to  select GM 2009 and 2010 model year vehicles in the U.S. and Canada.

Popularity: 3% [?]