Road Sister

Give the Gift of Zip

My love for Zipcar really has no bounds.  In fact, I've been a fan and supporter of the company for years. 

I first heard about Zipcar approximately seven years ago when a friend of mine who lives in Los Angeles told me about a car service he would occasionally use which let him rent by the hour. Since I live in the Midwest in an area that didn't (and still doesn't) offer anything remotely similar, I was intrigued.  After doing some research on the company and asking about a hundred questions, I concluded that Zipcar is a service that is truly needed in so many different communities, from big cities to small metro areas, regardless of the population.

Now, with the cost of education continuing to rise and today's generation of graduates struggling to pay off student loans, 2013 grads are probably looking for options to get them from point A to point B - and all without piling on even more debt. 

A survey conducted by Zipcar found that when asked what 2013 graduates are most looking for, more than 68 percent of respondents stated grads want financial stability over other choices. When asked about graduate transportation choices, the survey found:

65% of graduates do not own a car.
49%of graduates do not plan to bring a car with them to their next endeavor after graduation.
Nearly 70% believe graduates would benefit from joining a car sharing service.
Graduates' biggest concerns about owning a car post-graduation are parking availability and cost.

The Millennial generation carries the most debt and is one of the most underemployed in years.  Two-thirds of college seniors who graduated in 2011 had student loan debt, with an average of $26,600 per borrower. Meanwhile, unemployment for young college graduates remained high at 8.8 percent in 2011.

After years of hard work, today's graduates are faced with large amounts of student loans to repay beginning immediately after graduation. Many recent graduates aren't able to afford the high cost of car ownership - and the last thing they need is to pile on even more debt.

Says Zipcar President Mark Norman:

"Giving 2013 graduates a Zipcar membership provides them with all of the access and convenience of a personally-owned car, without the high price tag, associated loans and hassles, and gives them a powerful head start on the road to affordable, sustainable living."

Zipcar has offices in 21 major metropolitan areas, and is also available on over 300 college campuses throughout the US.

As younger drivers increasingly opt out of car ownership due to the costs associated with gas, insurance, parking and maintenance, members of Zipcar have reported saving an average of $600.00 per month - or more than $7,200.00 per year, compared to owning a car. At a time when gas prices and insurance premiums are high and car ownership in big cities and on college campuses is not always feasible, Zipcar can deliver a cost-effective and hassle-free transportation solution. 

For members of this year's graduating class who will not have access to their own personal transportation, I think giving them the gift of Zip is an awesome idea!  You can purchase a  "Zipcertificate" - which is available online at www.zipcar.com/grad.  Zipcertificates start at $50.00 and can be redeemed for Zipcar membership, as well as an unlimited number of driving credits to put toward vehicle reservations.

Every Zipcar reservation includes the costs of gas, insurance and 180 miles of driving per day, and hourly rates start from $8.50.  Reservations can be made online or by using Zipcar's iPhone or Android applications, and Zipcars can be reserved for as short as an hour or for up to four days. 

For more information on Zipcar, check out www.zipcar.com.

Former NASCAR Driver Dick Trickle Found Dead

Various news outlets are reporting that former NASCAR driver Dick Trickle was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Thursday afternoon.

He was 71.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said they received a call - believed to be from Trickle - who said "there would be a dead body and it would be his." Authorities tried to call the number back, but no one answered.

Trickle's body was said to have been found near his pickup truck at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Boger City, North Carolina, which is located approximately 40 miles northwest of Charlotte.

Said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France:

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Dick Trickle on his passing today. Dick was a legend in the short-track racing community, particularly in his home state of Wisconsin, and he was a true fan favorite.  Personalities like Dick Trickle helped shape our sport. He will be missed."

Trickle competed in more than 300 Cup races, and won two Busch Series races.  He joined the Winston Cup series, and in 1989, earning Rookie of the Year when he was 48. 

While NASCAR doesn't keep track of short-track records, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Trickle won more than 1,000 short-track races throughout the country. He was a seven-time winner in the regional ARTGO Challenge Series in the late 1970s and mid 1980s, and also captured the ASA AC-Delco Challenge Series in back-to-back years in 1984-85 before turning to Cup racing.

Sad, sad day.

Six Rules To Help Teens Stay Safe Behind The Wheel

In a survey commissioned by USAA, 81 percent of parents put reliability first when choosing a vehicle for their teens, followed by a high safety rating. The good news is that teens also want cars with the latest safety features.

Says Shelby Fix, 21-year-old daughter of automotive expert Lauren Fix, and a safe-driving advocate, automotive journalist and also known as The Car Coach 2.0:

"Being safe is the new cool. There are cool colors and options, but side-impact air bags and hands-free devices - that's what's in the new, cool cars."

Shelby raced go-karts at age 7 and was raised on crash-test ratings. She grew up hearing the mantra of a mother who loves cars, but loves her kids more - "You can replace cars, but you can't replace a child." That's why the decision parents and teens make together about the first set of wheels is so crucial.

She's learned six key factors to look for:

1. Newer cars with newer technology. A used car may lack the technology that could save your child's life. In addition to electronic stability control - which helps drivers keep control of the vehicle - and side-impact air bags, base prices for newer cars are including built-in rearview cameras and park-assist systems.

2. The right size. Avoid sport utility vehicles, which have higher rollover rates and can prove tougher to maneuver; and tiny cars, which may offer less protection in a crash. Shelby recommends moderate-size vehicles for more stability and easier, more predictable handling.

3. Sedan style. Don't give your teen more power than he or she can handle. "Even though sports cars have a strong performance image, a lot of accidents are speed-related," Shelby says.

4. Crash-test ratings. Check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Picks each year on its website, www.iihs.org.

5. Accident history. If you're in the market for a used car, get a vehicle history report. It can alert you if a car's been in an accident or damaged in a flood.

6. Mechanic's signoff. Have an Automotive Service Excellence-certified mechanic check the vehicle to make sure the used vehicle you're purchasing is a good one.

Check out the vehicles that made USAA's 2013 Top 10 for Teens list. They had to be USAA Preferred vehicles and have an MSRP below $25,500. In addition, each vehicle's safety, reliability, insurance cost and overall value were considered.

The cars are:

1. Dodge Dart

2. Dodge Avenger

3. Honda CR-Z

4. Chrysler 200

5. Honda Insight

6. Volkswagen Golf

7. Hyundai Elantra

8. Nissan Versa

9. Kia Optima

10. Chevrolet Malibu

Give Mom a Clean Car for Mother's Day

Between running errands and shuffling kids to and from school and practice, moms have very little time to clean out the papers, water bottles, crumbs, fast food wrappers and other items that accumulate in the family car, so surprising mom with the simple gift of a clean car will probably not only make her smile, but can also lessen driving distractions.

To get started, remove any clutter from inside the car, including items that have accumulated in the trunk that can add extra weight and reduce fuel efficiency. The next step is to thoroughly clean and vacuum the interior and wash the windows.

When washing the outside, include the tires, wheels, underside and fenders to eliminate any road salt or grime. Wheels and tires should be cleaned with a mitt other than the one used to wash the body. This will avoid contaminating the vehicle's paint with debris from the wheels and tires.

The vehicle should be washed in the shade and with a product sold specifically for cars. The Car Care Council recommends washing one section of the vehicle at a time, thoroughly rinsing away the soap as you go. Work your way down toward the front, sides and rear of the vehicle. Clean the fenders and bumpers last since they will have the most dirt and grime that can contaminate the wash mitt.

The car should get a final rinse by removing the spray nozzle from the hose and letting the water cascade down the surfaces of the vehicle. To avoid water spots, dry the vehicle with a chamois or other product made for drying.

The last step is to wax the car according to the manufacturer's instructions for application. Waxing should be done out of direct sunlight and every six months. It goes a long way toward protecting the vehicle's finish and makes subsequent washes easier.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the "Be Car Care Aware" consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers.

For more information, visit www.carcare.org.

Aerosmith And Toby Keith Join Star-Studded Lineup For Harley-Davidson's 110th Anniversary Celebration In Milwaukee

Labor Day in Milwaukee will be firing on all cylinders as tickets for headlining performances during Harley-Davidson's 110th Anniversary in Milwaukee - which includes superstars Toby Keith, Aerosmith and Kid Rock - go on sale at www.h-d.com/110tickets today, Monday, May 6 at 8:00 a.m. CST.

Ticket prices start at $24.50.

Toby Keith will perform Thursday, August 29, while Aerosmith takes the stage on Friday, August 30. Kid Rock closes things out on Saturday, August 31. Each headliner will be hosted at Marcus Amphitheater, which is located on the south end of Milwaukee's Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest Grounds).

In addition to the headlining performances, the Harley-Davidson 110th Anniversary celebration in Milwaukee will feature more than 60 bands who'll take to the festival stages of Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest Grounds) Thursday, August 29, through Sunday, September 1, 2013.

Bands scheduled to perform include ZZ Top, Bret Michaels, Doobie Brothers, Dropkick Murphys, Lupe Fiasco, Common, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Gaslight Anthem, Cowboy Mouth, and Brantley Gilbert.

Two ticket packages are currently available, offering access to the Summerfest Grounds for all three days of festival stage performances. Additional 110th Anniversary Celebration activities in Milwaukee include fan-organized rides, a massive parade, activities at the Harley-Davidson Museum, parties at participating Harley-Davidson dealerships and street parties around the city.