Don’t Let a Scratch Put a Ding in Your Day!

A beautiful, unblemished paint job is the mark of a well-kept vehicle.  If you take pride in your car, keep your vehicle looking pristine for years to come with these easy tips:

1.  PARK AWAY FROM STORES. Take the time to park a few places away from the entrance to a store - and away from other cars in the parking lot. This avoids the most common source of dings - doors being opened carelessly.

2. AVOID SCRATCHED CARS. After all, they got that way somehow. And you don't know whose fault it was. The driver of a scratched, bent-up car isn't as likely to be careful about your car either.

3. DON'T PARK ON THE STREET. The more people there are driving by, the higher the possibility for a scratch or a ding.

4. DON'T PARK UNDER CERTAIN TREES. Avoid parking under pine trees, or other trees that drop branches, cones, sap and litter. Birds in these trees can also drop, well, their own product.

5. AVOID CERTAIN CAR WASHES. Some car washes use automatic whirling brushes; some of these haven't been changed in a long time and could harbor debris and garbage. Use brushless car washes, or do it by hand instead.

6. DRIVE IN THE CENTER LANE. On a freeway, oncoming traffic can throw debris into the left lane (in the US, where we drive on the right side of the road). Staying in the middle lane avoids this to some degree, as well as trash on the right side of the road.

7. STAY OFF OF UNPAVED ROADS. These are covered with loose stones and gravel. The gravel can fly up and hit your car. If you can, find an alternate route.

 

Check out the whole article here for the complete list of tips: http://www.ehow.com/how_5388723_avoid-dings-scratches-cars.html#ixzz1nKgZRAUy

My BMW Remote Now Available!

The My BMW Remote App is now available as a free download, via the Apple iTunes store. It allows eligible BMW customers to operate remote features for their vehicle by using their mobile Apple device in combination with BMW Assist.

The My BMW Remote App features:
• Remotely locking and unlocking of doors
• Locating the position of your parked vehicle on a mobile device
• Sending Google® Local Search results to their vehicle
• Sending a command to the vehicle activating the horn or flashing the headlights

This App is available for use on Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices with iOS 4.0 or newer and an active internet connection.
To use the features of the App, the customer must have an active BMW Assist Safety Plan subscription. There are no additional vehicle hardware or vehicle software updates required to use My BMW Remote with the vehicles below. The features available in the App will vary, depending on the vehicle model. Please refer to www.bmwusa.com/apps for information about downloading My BMW Remote, configuring the App, and using it with applicable vehicles.

Laurel Highlands Polar Bear Plunge at Quemahoning Reservoir

It takes a hearty soul to jump into a freezing Pennsylvania lake in February and pay money to do it. But that’s what organizers of the first official Laurel Highlands Polar Plunge are counting on.
On Saturday, if people donate to Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, they can go jump in a lake. Last year, in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Special Olympics, 40 sturdy individuals took part in a plunge at Quemahoning Reservoir near Boswell. Men and women wearing everything from swim trunks and bikinis to tuxedoes and costumes stepped or plunged into the freezing water.
Paula Eppley-Newman, Polar Plunge chairwoman and veteran participant, was so impressed with the turnout she decided to return to the reservoir and make the plunge the official kickoff for the region’s Special Olympics Winter Games, which begin Sunday across the Cambria-Somerset region.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. and people will have an opportunity to enjoy Plunge Town, which will feature free food, warm beverages, music and games prior to the 1 p.m. immersion. For folks who want to help but are not yet ready to plunge, organizers are encouraging them to raise a minimum of $50 for a “Too Chicken to Plunge” donation. “Too Chicken to Plunge” members will receive their own “Too Chicken” long-sleeved T-shirt. Organizers are asking people to just walk in and out of the water.

“Even if you put one bare foot into the freezing water, then you have officially taken the plunge,” Eppley-Newman said. Eppley-Newman called last year’s plunge exhilarating.
“It was the most awesome fun ever,” she said. “I have rheumatoid arthritis, and my family thought I was nuts for doing this, but actually it was fun and exciting.”
There will be heated changing tents and bonfires for plungers and spectators to enjoy. Last year, it was necessary to use chain saws to slice through 15 inches of ice. But, because of unseasonably mild temperatures, that may not be a problem this year.

“Quite frankly, we’re disappointed that there may be no ice on the lake,” Eppley-Newman said. “We will be offering people an opportunity to participate in beach volleyball.”
It is common for people participating in ice-cold swims to do it while wearing costumes.

For that reason, Eppley-Newman said the organizing committee has adopted a Mardi Gras theme this year. “I anticipate that we will be seeing costumes that will relate to warm breezes, spring flowers and palm trees to add to the atmosphere,” she said. The committee hopes to draw between 300 to 400 people and raise nearly $100,000. “We have set lofty goals, and if we don’t reach that figure, it will give us a number to shoot for next winter,” she said. Although billed as a novel fundraiser, the focus is on helping raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics.
A contingent of hearty Special Olympic athletes also will take part in the plunge. Every participant is required to register.

What: Laurel Highlands Polar Plunge.
Where: Quemahoning Reservoir near Boswell.
When: Plunge takes place at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Registration: Visit  www.specialolympicspa.org/polar-plunge or at 9 a.m. Saturday.

 

Read more: http://tribune-democrat.com/events/x2009899498/Go-jump-in-a-lake-Laurel-Highlands-Polar-Plunge-at-Que-to-raise-funds-for-Special-Olympics

2012 BMW 650i Named Featured Vehicle of the Month for February by NADAguides.com

Great news for the 2012 BMW 650i!

NADAguides.com, the leading online provider of new and used vehicle pricing and information, announces the 2012 BMW 650i sports coupe as the Featured Vehicle of the Month for February. Completely redesigned, this third generation BMW 650i offers a striking new design, a wider, lower stance, a more fuel-efficient and powerful V8 engine, a more driver-focused dashboard, state-of-the-art technology and more. For those shopping in the premium coupe segment, the BMW 650i stands out as a world class grand touring car, which makes it a perfect choice for the NADAguides.com Featured Vehicle of the Month for February. 

NADAguides.com analysts were impressed with the driving performance and handling of the BMW 650i, in particular the engine's responsiveness and the ride comfort. The new design, featuring a longer chassis and wider track, provides excellent road holding and superior control and handling. The 4.4 liter twin turbo V8 engine generates 400 horsepower and can be mated to an 8-speed Sport Automatic gearbox or BMW's traditional 6-speed manual transmission.     

Along with its performance capabilities, the BMW 650i also offers state-of-the-art technology as expected. NADAguides.com analysts were especially impressed with the innovative BMW ConnectedDrive function, which includes a host of driver assistance technology such as Automatic High Beams, Lane Departure Warning, cornering lights, Active Blind Spot Detection, Rear and Top View cameras, Parking Assistant and a new, three-dimensional, full-color Head-Up Display that is projected onto the windshield. 

Troy Snyder, Director of Product Development at NADAguides.com:  "Totally redesigned, the new BMW 650i is the perfect combination of stability, handling and quickness while offering the grandest touring experience. Luxury coupe car shoppers in the premium segment will appreciate the perfect blend of a sharp, tight and tasteful interior, premium technology amenities and an unbelievably smooth, yet powerful V8 engine. The 2012 BMW 650i offers an exciting driving experience, earning it a spot as our Featured Vehicle of the Month of February."

Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMWNA LLC: "The 2012 BMW 650i is a perfect harmonious blend of personal premium luxury and outstanding performance that defines and excites its segment with impressive value unmatched by its competitors."

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/02/4234719/nadaguidescom-names-the-2012-bmw.html