Memory Seats

Seat adjustment is the number-one source of strife in my otherwise-peaceful marriage. Whenever I drive my wife’s car, she accuses me of screwing up the seats and mirrors. I retort that if she didn’t have them so screwed up in the first place, I wouldn’t have to correct them. The punch line is that we’re the exact same height. No wonder why Kim Kardashian’s marriage to basketball player Kris Humphries didn’t last.

Memory seats eliminate this argument by “remembering” each driver’s preferred seat and mirror positions, restoring them at the press of a button. Most cars have at least two memory settings, a few have three, and some cars will even store each driver’s preferred radio presets. With memory seats, marital bliss is just a button-press away.

Dual-Zone Climate Control

After talking with friends, it seems that my wife and I are not the only couple with temperature-compatibility issues. I believe in slow acclimatization: On a hot summer’s day, I go easy on the air conditioning so that I won’t die of sudden heat-stroke when I get out of the car. My wife, on the other hand, likes to crank the A/C until icicles form on her eyelashes. It’s the opposite in winter; I prefer just enough heat to avoid hypothermia, while she feels the car isn’t warm enough unless she can feel her bone marrow melting.

Dual-zone climate control addresses this problem by allowing the driver and passenger to set the temperature on their own side of the car. It’s not the perfect solution; you are still riding in the same car, but it at least allows each occupant to choose between an arctic blast and a sirocco without their partner having to suffer.

Active Cruise Control

Choosing the proper following distance can be a source of strife for couples. Some drivers feel that if you can distinguish the car ahead from other objects on the horizon, you are too close; others prefer to position themselves close enough to the vehicle in front to reach out and take paint samples from the bumper.

Active cruise control is a rather ingenious device that works like regular cruise control, but uses radar or sonar to detect vehicles in front of you. If it senses a car ahead, it automatically slows your car to match the speed of the one in front, and some cars will even initiate a panic stop if the driver ahead slams on her brakes. On most systems, drivers can set the distance between their own car and the one ahead, which eliminates the “You’re following to close” or “You’re not following close enough, you’re letting everyone in and we’ll never get there” argument.

Navigation

Ladies, please don’t ask me to explain the male aversion to asking directions. The urge to guide ourselves without outside help is hard-wired into us, like the urge to hunt and gather and the urge to assemble flat-pack furniture without reading the directions. All three generally lead to failure and argument, which is why GPS navigation systems are such a wonderful addition to the modern relationship.

GPS (the Global Positioning System) uses satellites to pin-point the car’s location and built-in maps to select a route. Because GPS always knows where the car is, it can compensate for the wrong turns, without the need for the self-emasculation that comes when we stop and ask for help. Hint: If your partner objects to you programming the GPS, you can always say “I know you know where you’re going, honey, I just want to see the name of that street with the pretty garden that we always pass by.” My wife uses this line and I buy into it every time.

Separate Cars

A car is more than a transportation appliance; it’s a microcosm of how we want to live our lives. Some people like to keep their cars neat, clean, and factory-fresh, while others see them as a rolling receptacle for empty latte cups, used Kleenex, and the occasional rotting banana peel. (My wife falls into the latter category. If you put a scraping from her Honda’s floor mats in a petri dish, you could grow a whole new civilization.)

If you and your partner suffer from incompatible neatness standards, there’s a good chance you’re silently driving each other around the bend with your devotion to, or complete disregard for, sanitary motoring. (This also applies to couples who can’t agree on freeway traffic vs. surface streets or fashionably late vs. ridiculously early.) If that describes your relationship, the best investment you can make is to have two separate cars. One partner can wallow in filth while the other admires his or her reflection in the dashboard, and never the twain shall meet.

We hope you love our logo as much as we do. Most of the time, it’s the VroomGirls in their little sports car, hair and scarves flying in the wind, trailed by a multi-hued plume of exhaust. For special times of the year, we have a little fun changing it up. You can always find the variations we’ve used on this page.

Valentine’s Day

As the owner of Great Bear Auto Repair and Auto Body Shop in Flushing, New York and founder of www.WhatWomenAutoKnow.com, Audra Fordin doesn’t believe in mincing words.
When we asked her how it’s like to be a woman in the automotive business, she quipped, “It’s just like being a man! At least, that’s my perspective. I get questioned from time to time, but once they smell a little motor oil on my breath, we get down to business with no problems.”
Fordin, who bought the shop from her father fifteen years ago, is continuing a long tradition. Great Bear has been a family business since 1933. And we just love it that a woman is the boss at this repair shop.

It’s obvious that Fordin knows her stuff. On a recent edition of AutoLab, a radio show based out of NYC that Fordin frequents, a listener called in about his car’s faulty electrical system. The novice was trying to fix the problem himself. She was quick to offer, “If you needed heart surgery, would you go to an expert or do it yourself? The same goes for your vehicle.”

We asked the business woman and mother of three young kids, who signs her emails “Mechanically yours,” some questions:

What are 5 questions that people ask most about their cars?

I’ve been in the business since I was a kid, and I’ve heard it all. The most asked: Why is my car making that sound? Did I pay too much for that repair? How do I know if there’s enough pressure in my tires? Did I even need that repair? Is it hard to change a tire?

How can we learn more about our vehicles without getting under the hood?

The first way is to have an understanding of the basics for your ride. Every car is different, that is why every car comes with its own manual with the specific language or dialect the fits your vehicle’s year, make, and model. I equate it to learning a different dialect. Once you learn to speak the same language as your car’s manual, you can be in control.

Reading a manual? Ugh!

If you want to be empowered, the manual is the way to go! You don’t have to read it page-by-page; just thumb through it. Most of your questions can be answered with a few flips of the pages. Sure, there’s a lot that’s not relevant, but you only need to find your specific problem.

What about minor repairs?

The manual lists repairs that can be taken care of by you. There are instructions for small problems like fuses, bulbs, or wipers in the book. But watch out, the stuff that’s more complex can lead to trouble. If you screw up with a fuse, put in the wrong head light, or put your wiper blades on backwards, you are not going to blow up your car. When it comes to something more intense, go to an expert.

So, what’s the best way to find a trustworthy mechanic?

If you’ve done your homework with the vehicle’s manual, it will be to your benefit. Walk into a mechanic with confidence. Let them know that you’ve paid attention to where the issue seems to be coming from or when it’s happening. Knowing that an owner is really in tune with their vehicle will freak out the shady mechanics. They don’t want a problem when they hand you the bill. If you walk into a shop and they don’t want to hear your thought process, that’s not the place for you!

Does women’s intuition work in this situation?

Yes. You can trust your instincts as far as feeling comfortable in an environment. But know that every body shop has different ways of practicing. For instance, you’ll want to know beforehand if there is a consultation charge or if they will give you a free appraisal. Think about it like dropping your computer off at a repair shop. You want to know upfront if there’s a fee for finding the problem.

In the not so distant past, the eco-friendly crowd and the fashionistas weren’t exactly seen at the same parties. If you were of the green persuasion, your fashion choices might include hemp-hued accessories and reusable grocery bags. Your label mania didn’t go much further than the Please Recycle! arrows that adorned your favorite organic cotton tee. And cars? Well, that would be a tiny, bare bones electric or hybrid type thing, or maybe one of those retro-fitted boxy diesels that can run on yesterday’s french fry oil.

The fashion crowd just couldn’t be bothered. What self-respecting supermodel could be expected to walk all the way to the curb in those Jimmy Choos to just to toss an empty $200 champagne bottle into the recycle bin? “Locally grown” wasn’t the tag fashion slaves were hoping to see in the latest new Hermes Birkin bag. And the Miranda Priestlys of the world had eager young interns to make sure they were never photographed within 100 feet of a low emissions vehicle.

Fashion’s Next Generation

But those days are changing, thanks to innovative minds at companies like Lexus, and young, forward thinking designers like Marcia Patmos , John Bartlett, Johnson Hartig. In the midst of fashion week, Lexus and the Council of Fashion Designers of America unveiled the winners of the Lexus Eco-Fashion Challenge, a competition among fashion designers to produce couture that is on the cutting edge of fashion while implementing sustainable production standards. The entries were judged by fashion’s elite from instructors at Parsons The New School for Design and Marie Claire. The winners were each awarded $25,000 to develop a collection. Lexus chose to fund the competition because of its commitment to eco-consiousness. The luxury car marque has four hybrid vehicles in its 2012 lineup.

This year’s hood ornament could be next years’s statement jewelry!

But what does eco-conscious fashion mean, exactly? Hint: it’s not all green. Far from just paying well-glossed-lip-service to earth friendliness, a minimum 25 percent of the collection had to be produced in an environmentally friendly manner. Many of the competition proposals included components such as recycled plastic, reclaimed wood, minimal packaging, and non-chemically treated fabrics, such as vegetable-tanned leather, and of course animal-friendly faux fur.

“Seeing the winning collections come to life on the runway is truly a thrill for us at Lexus,” says Brian Smith, vice president of marketing at Lexus. “Lexus is encouraging sustainable lifestyles that don’t sacrifice style or luxury. We’re proud to support these industry thought-leaders as they share our passion for accelerating change in their respective field.”

What An Aphrodisiac!

Here’s my dilemma with dating. I drive cars for a living — about 70 brand new cars a year ranging from cheap and cheerful Fiats to fast and furious Lamborghinis. And when I show up on a first date my car reveals more about me than I think, according to experts. Deep down I know it’s true. I see it in their eyes instantly. When a guy catches a glimpse of my ride, especially if it’s a $100,000+ Jaguar everything changes in a split second. His eyes light up and I know there will never be a second date.

Dress The Part

“Cars mean prestige and impressing people” says sassy sex therapist Sue McGarvie, who reveals I’m taking the wrong approach. I should be embracing my expensive car, even if it’s a loaner. “If I was showing up with a $100,000 Jaguar I’d be super feminine. I would play that juxtaposition. You’re going to drive them all nuts. You come out looking over-the-top feminine – lace and pastels. This is the time to put on the false eyelashes, the nails and the seams running down the back of your leg. It’s about being really powerful, but sweet and feminine. Guys don’t know what to do with that – they’d be completely fascinated.”

Now, the same holds true if you drive a chick car like a Smart Fortwo or a Fiat 500C. “If you’re in a really girlie, pink car wear black leather. That’s the thing that makes you unforgettable,” says McGarvie.

Is Bigger Better?

A woman at the wheel of a big truck is a turn-on for guys. “Guys are immediately thinking they can put a blow up mattress in the back,” muses McGarvie. “Men think about sex every 6 minutes, so they’re immediately thinking this is a make-out car. This is the car to go down to the lake and fool around in – this is paradise by the dashboard lights!”

Girls also dig guys who drive trucks. “There’s a lot of women that think pick up trucks are sexy. The guys who drive trucks are pretty confident in themselves. They are very down to earth and practical,” says McGarvie. Still she prefers a guy who has the confidence to drive an eco car instead. “I remember the sexiest guy in a car. When the Sens were playing the Anaheim Ducks and Scott Niedermayer, the captain, a good Canadian boy, drove the Prius. All the other guys were in Lamborghinis trying to show off their testosterone and he was so comfortable in his skin that he could drive a green car. What a cool guy! How cool was that? That was way sexier than any other guy in a sports car,” confesses McGarvie.

Is That A Ferrari In Your Garage, Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?

There’s nothing wrong with guys who drive exotic cars like Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Maseratis, but they could be a little self absorbed, she warns. “It’s telling me you have so much disposable income. My next question is how much philanthropy do you do? Because if you’re going to spend more than $100,000 on a second or third car I hope to God you’re donating to a charity. The sexist thing would be a Porsche with a charity bumper sticker. How friggin’ sexy is that? You give to charity, but you have a Porsche, fun!”

At the opposite extreme are guys who drive 2 wheels instead of 4. “Vespas are really cool – I think women should drive them. I think guys look weenie on them unless you’re a crunchy granola guy. If you’re into crunchy granola guys who are long, sensitive poets — I always say that’s a real low period sexually – those guys don’t always know what to do — unless you’re into that and meeting him at a vegetarian vegan restaurant, I wouldn’t bother.”

We Do Love The Bad Boy

And if the two-wheeler is a Harley-Davidson, approach with caution. “It’s this idea that women like bad boys. The guy with the Harley or the muscle car – sometimes they’re fun, but I tell women be careful who you spend too much time in the backseat with because you’ll get too attached. Men are way more interested before you have sex. Women are way more interested after because they start pumping out hormones like Oxytocin. If you start bonding with the guy with the Harley or muscle car, your brain starts building attachments because once you’ve slept with him that’s what happens. Do you want to build an attachment with a guy who is kicking it right now, or do you need to find the guy with the leather interior in a BMW? That’s not to say the muscle cars and Harleys aren’t fun every now and then. But I think most women don’t do one-night stands well.”

Penolope Pitstop Was Hot

For women driving a run-of-the-mill Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, or Toyota Corolla you can still impress guys with your wheels, well, your skills, if you drive a stick. “I drove a three-on-the-tree. It had a shifter on the column – what a pain it was to drive, but all the guys were impressed. If she drives a stick the guys are like WOW! It’s the Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman – she could shift the car. That’s impressive!”

Clean Up That Mess!

Besides keeping the exterior of your car clean, guys especially should take note of their car’s interior before picking up a date. “A car reflects who you are. So if it’s overflowing with ashtrays and your car is a disaster and smells bad, it’ll turn her off. Women don’t want to drive in a pig mobile with women’s panties or those stupid garters you get at weddings – that’s so tacky,” says McGarvie. But it’s a balance — don’t go overboard. “The guys who have a really pristine car, who say don’t you dare put any dirt in my car, those kind of guys drive me nuts. I think those guys are too foofy,” says McGarvie.

An you thought a car was just a vehicle to get you from one place to another.

I went to three malls today, upping my Mall Visit Total for this century to three. No, wait, that’s not true. I’ve shopped at various malls over the years. I just haven’t parked in their garages. And now I remember why.

It all started, as so many Saturdays start, with Bloomingdale’s. They were having a crazy one-day sale on suitcases and I needed a new carry-on bag since the one I’m using bears the logo of a flop TV show I worked on in 1996 and I don’t need another reason for nerds to talk to me in the airport. Mind you, I still have the duffle bag from the flop TV show I worked on in 1994 and a tote from the flop TV show I worked on in 1999. Anyone see a theme here, beyond “flop television loves luggage”?

Beating The System

I know some mall-parkers’ strategies involve grabbing the first spot you find or even the spot closest to the exit but I like parking as close to my destination as possible. The more direct my route, the less chance I have of impulse buying a Le Creuset roasting pan that weighs 35 pounds soaking wet.

Which means I spend a lot of time getting honked at because I stop to read every sign painted overhead hoping for directions or at least a clue as to where my store is. See, I get completely disoriented underground; if you and I ever need to tunnel out of prison together, you lead the way, I’ll do the shoveling with my spoon.

At long last I found the Bloomingdale’s elevator. Now the goal was to find the perfect spot for me and my car. Some people I know are like fisherman who stand still for hours hoping for a trout to cruise by: they pick a spot in the garage and idle, confident that someone will materialize to back out of the perfect parking space. And yes, of course, sooner or later someone will, but what if the drivers of those parked cars are watching all 9 hours of “Shoah” or competing in a mall-walking marathon? I don’t have that kind of time.

After another 10 minutes of driving around and never taking my eye off the Mothership (the Bloomingdale’s elevator), I found a suitable spot.

One challenge met, so many more to conquer

I have a friend who takes a picture of where she’s parked her car whenever she’s at the mall but – and I know how nuts this sounds – my sister and I have a superstition that if you take a picture of your car, you’ll get in an accident. I said it was nuts.

Another friend writes her location on her parking stub but that feels a little like wearing an “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” life alert bracelet. Yes, it’s smart and wise and yes, it may be needed in the future but can’t I ask my brain this one little favor? No, I can’t remember what Pi equals and I couldn’t tell you the plot – or even the name – of the last book I read but “P1, Blue”? Even I can remember that for 30 minutes.

When I got to the escalator, I turned around to study the posters, reminding myself that when I come back down, I turn left at the poster of whichever celebrity is now endorsing Proactive acne wash.

After all that, this particular Bloomingdale’s doesn’t have a Home Shop and no, I do not want a spritz of “Fancy” by Jessica Simpson, ow ow ow, that was my eye.

Off to Mall 2

This one has festive little lights over every parking spot, red for taken, green for available. So in addition to reading signs for Bloomingdale’s and dodging people texting… what? “I’m in da grg”? I’m like a subterranean Magi , only instead being guided by the Star of Bethlehem I’m guided by teeny, mostly malfunctioning mall lights. Potato, potahto.

It’s then that I see my worst nightmare: a woman with giant shopping bags wandering forlornly through aisles of parked cars aiming her key remote and hoping to hear a chirp. Look! She’s perking up, is that her silver Prius?! Alas, it’s not; it’s one of the 40 silver Prius’s’s’s’s’s in the row. Suddenly I was back in the year I was so proud for having finished all my shopping that I treated myself to a frolic through the Container Store where I marveled at what they’re doing with bottle brushes these days and then suddenly had the pang: “I have no idea where I parked. And I circled so many times I don’t even know what level I’m on. “

Remember how scared Tom Hanks was when he woke up on that island in “Cast Away”? That’s how I felt, only I also had to go to the bathroom.

Mall 2 was a success. Bloomingdale’s had I what I needed plus it was entertaining to see a husband not my own get so bored that he began to bowl with roll-away luggage, complete with the three step approach, the bowler’s lunge and the fist pump when he made a strike, meaning he knocked over a display of animal-shaped luggage tags.

Finding my car again was a breeze because I used a handy mnemonic device of my own making to remember Elevator Near Ann Taylor Level One Green Four: “Eat Nectarines And Tangerines, Let Oranges Grow Fur. “ And yes, it would’ve been easier to just remember where the hell I parked but where’s the fun in that?

Ya Gotta Love Larry!

Anyway, I was out of Mall 2 and home in no time when my husband surprised me with movie tickets. Any activity where Rasinettes are involved is fine by me until I realized that the only movie theater Larry likes is… in Mall 3. I won’t name it but since it opened twelve years ago I’ve always called it Death Mall 2000. And I’m being kind.

Why is she complaining, you’re thinking, she’s not driving and that my friends, is the problem. Mall garages and I don’t get along but mall garages and my husband are at war. And if you think war is hell, try war from the passenger seat when you’re starting to feel carsick.

I beg Larry to let me drive but he promises that this time, he’ll be fine. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have reminded him of the last 40 times he’s said that including last Saturday when he almost got into a fist fight with a traffic cone.

When the first spot in the entrance level wasn’t available, Larry Had Had It. “We’ll just go to the bottom and park where we always park,” he growled and I felt the color drain from my face. Well, I felt L’Oreal’s color drain from my face but you get what I mean. He floored it.

Once Larry has his garage destination in mind, he’s a man on a mission. Level 5 or bust. Never mind that there are spaces a-plenty on Levels 2, 3 and 4. Never mind that Level 5 is really deep and we live in earthquake country. Larry’s always delighted that there are so many empty spots down here in the last circle of Hell. It’s then that I realize that the only person on earth more claustrophobic than I am is my husband. It’s hard to take 5 Up escalators when you’re sweating like a pig and having trouble breathing but we did it.

Oh and I’d already seen the movie. But the Raisinettes? Dee-lish.

Hard to believe but it was just 50 years ago that Vail opened for its first ski season. Conceived by Pete Seibert, a skier who trained in Colorado during World War II, and local rancher Earl Eaton whose sheep ranch was transformed, Vail was modeled after storybook European ski towns, like St. Moritz and Staad. (Not surprisingly, St. Moritz is its sister city.) Though the town has a well-deserved reputation for attracting the rich and famous, it also has plenty to do for couples and families on a budget.

When To Go

Winter is the most popular time of year in Vail, thanks to phenomenal skiing conditions and other snow sports. But in the off-season, basically when the snow melts and until it magically reappears, bargain hunters will find gorgeous hillsides blanketed in wildflowers, and bargain rates at hotels and restaurants. So don’t rule out a spring or summer visit to Vail.

Getting There

Vail is 100 miles east of Denver, Colorado via Interstate 70. As you cruise along, you’ll go through the Eisenhower Tunnel, which runs under the Continental Divide in the Rockies, and pass defunct mining towns, which offer kitschy tours if you’re so inclined. Shoppers beware: the Silverthorne outlets http://www.outletsatsilverthorne.com/ are an hour into the drive (about a half-hour before you hit Vail).
I-70 can be congested if you travel at peak times from Denver (between 2 and 6 p.m. on weekends), so opt for off-peak travel times. If you go during the winter, make sure you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, or at least chains for your tires, in case the highway gets nasty (which it can during big snow storms).

Where To Stay

Wanna play like the celebs? There are places that cater to that. The Four Seasons http://www.fourseasons.com/vail/ is synonymous with luxury. This beautiful lodge has easy family activities for tots and teens, a pool, spa, fitness center and a ski concierge who will wax your skis, warm your boots and will serve you muffins fresh from the oven. A cocktail or their gourmet hot chocolate by the fire is a must. (Winter rates start at $695/night.) If an upscale boutique hotel is more your style, book at The Sebastian http://www.thesebastianvail.com/, which is ideal in winter thanks to its ideal location and ski-in, ski-out access. (Winter rates start at $600/night, with a four-night minimum required.)

For a middle-of-the-road option, check out Gore Creek Properties http://www.gcpvail.com/ for condo and home rentals that start at $250 per night. This is a great idea for larger groups that want to prepare and eat meals at home. There are also less expensive accommodations, especially for the adventurous type. Have you ever wanted to snowshoe or cross-country ski to a yurt? You can do that. Several establishments cater to yurt and cabin stays; check out Leadville Back Country http://www.leadvillebackcountry.com/index.asp, which is $115/night for the entire yurt during winter weekends. ($105 during winter weekdays; $75 and $65 for off-season weekends and weekdays, respectively.) See more about Leadville under What to Do.

Where To Eat

Like you might imagine, Vail, winter home to the glam set, has the requisite number of stellar dining spots. Renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa recently opened Matsuhisa Vail http://www.matsuhisavail.com/ in the Solaris Residences in Vail Village. The menu features Japanese and Peruvian fusion (how many times can you say you’ve had that?), with signature items such as Black Cod with Miso and Colorado Lamb with Peruvian chili sauce. Terra Bistro http://www.vailmountainlodge.com/terra-bistro/ at the Vail Mountain Lodge focuses on locally sourced dishes that are as tasty as they are healthy. Kelly Liken, of Top Chef season 7 fame, has a namesake restaurant http://www.kellyliken.com/ also in Vail Village, with inventive yet approachable cuisine. The three-course meals are $74 (in winter) and feature choices from the appetizer, main course and dessert menus. Don’t miss the Vail Farmer’s Market http://www.vailfarmersmarket.com/, held Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the summer (mid-June through mid-September). Dozens of food stalls sell flavored popcorns, house-made ice creams and baked goods, and giant turkey drumsticks; there is something for everyone. Best of all if you’re on a budget, you can keep your meal ticket to $10 per person.

What To Do

Take a day trip to Leadville (less than an hour’s drive from Vail), which is home to Colorado’s highest peak, Mt. Elbert (14,443 ft.). History buffs in your party will enjoy exploring the area’s rich 19th-century mining camps, as well as visiting Camp Hale, where the army’s elite 10th Mountain Division ski troopers trained beginning in 1942. Try snowmobiling at Camp Hale http://novaguides.com/snowmobile-tours.php for a unique way to see the area. For the return drive, loop down to Summit County to mix up the scenery. Other nearby ski villages, including Aspen, Breckenridge and Beaver Creek can be a fun day excursion with shopping and restaurants.

But back in town, there is enough to keep even the most active person satisfied. In the winter, aside from skiing, there is ice skating at the Solaris, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and Adventure Ridge http://www.vail.com/activities/adventure-ridge.aspx on Vail Mountain, which has ski bikes, tubing and a gondola (that’s open year-round). Vail is a family-friendly destination with plenty of activities for children of all ages. If you’re more the lounge lizard than the ski bunny, have a hot toddie or a margie at Los Amigos, and watch skiers descend the mountain. If you’re up on the mountain, a meal at Game Creek restaurant can be a fun experience: you take a Snowcat ride from the gondola to this mountaintop chalet, where you can enjoy decadent food like pork belly, elk and scallops.

If you come to Vail when the snow has melted, there is still plenty to keep you occupied. Hiking becomes the de rigeur sport after the snow has gone. A real treat is booking time with hiking guide Ellen Miller http://www.womenontopoftheworld.com/html/everest.html through the Vail Athletic Club http://www.vailathleticclub.com/vail_outdoors.html. She’s the first American woman to ascend Mt. Everest twice in as many years. She’s inspirational, motivating and knows her clients’ limits, but isn’t afraid to push you a little. Adventure Ridge also hosts summertime activities like horseback riding, mini golf and lawn sports. You can try paddle boarding, kayaking, rafting and tubing down Gore Creek. Ford Amphitheater is the place to be at night. This outdoor pavilion hosts dynamic dance and music shows throughout the summer, including free concerts each week. You can bring in your own food, or buy snacks and a bottle of bubbly there. (See the calendar here http://www.vvf.org/vvf/info/venues.entertainment.grfa.aspx for more information.) And finally, Vail Village in itself is a charming place to wander around, checking out shops, eateries and plaques explaining the town’s history. No matter when you go and what you want to do, Vail is one destination worth driving to.

As a native Angeleno and a child of the American car culture, the automobile has always been a central part of my lifestyle. At only twelve-years-old, I spent weekend afternoons working alongside my big brother Tony in the family garage. With Johnny Mathis, Chubby Checker and The Chordette’s “Mr. Sandman” as our soundtrack, we took apart and cleaned many a grungy carburetor. This hobby lasted a couple of years, superseded only by my interest in filing and painting my fingernails. By then, I knew enough about cars to use the information to start conversations with cute boys.

Being the first girl born into my family, I was fortunate to have been gifted a small fund by my grandfather. The fund matured over the years, and when I turned sixteen, I used it to buy my first car. What I really wanted was a Facel Vega coupe, a French import like the one driven by Dean Martin, but instead I became the proud owner of a used black Chevy Impala with a red interior. Though it wasn’t a small, sporty car like my schoolmates had, the Impala got me where I needed to go – the carhop. The place to be at the time was Dolores’ Drive-In on Wilshire and La Cienega. My friends and I went there almost every day after school. We ordered Cherry Lime Rickeys and, most importantly, drove around to see who else was there. On the special days when we had just received our allowance, we sprung for an order of Suzie-Q French fries and JJ Burgers.

A few years later, when I was out of high school and wanted to appear sophisticated and grown up, I parlayed my way into my dream car. It was a Silver Corvette with a very hard-to-find matching silver interior. Unfortunately, my dream was short lived. After owning it for just four days, I drove it out to the Santa Clarita Valley to visit the set of a young television writer and producer I was dating. His name was Aaron Spelling and, because he was the boss, I was allowed to park on the set instead of in the crew parking area. As it turned out, crew parking would have been a better parking choice. To my horror, a huge sound boom accidentally fell onto it, leaving a gaping hole in the hood.

Aaron had the car repaired, but just days after getting it back, the Corvette proved to be too much car for me. One evening, Aaron and I were in a caravan driving down hilly Loma Vista Drive in Beverly Hills when I accidentally hit the brakes and spun into a 360-degree turn. It was a stunt worthy of one of Aaron’s shows. Luckily, no other cars were involved and I wasn’t hurt. Still, Aaron followed me all the way home and insisted I sell the car, which I did. For the next few years I settled for driving a sedan owned by my parents. It was a bit mature for my taste at the time, but definitely solid and safe.

I also took my turn driving Aaron’s Cadillac. He preferred big, long cars. This particular car was very presidential and had two early model car phones installed in it. There was one phone up front and another in the back. Each must have weighed a hundred pounds and still somehow, someone managed to break into the car and run off with one of them.

Once Aaron and I were married in 1968, we had fun buying new cars together. One of our first purchases was a two-seater Mercedes 280 SL Roadster. It was a very romantic car for a newlywed couple and we kept it for almost a decade.

In 1979, we indulged in a Series 1 Clenet – a hand-crafted, limited edition roadster made nearby in Santa Barbara, California. It was classic and absolutely beautiful. We thought of it as an investment, a sort of “starter car” to becoming collectors. Ironically, after driving the car a few times, I remember saying to Aaron, “This car is a piece of junk.” We didn’t drive the car much but when we did, people literally followed us home.

Driving around in such a distinctively designed car really highlighted for me one of the unique facets of Los Angeles. On any given day in this eclectic city of ours, you might see an eco-friendly Prius stopped at a light on Sunset Boulevard next to a million dollar Bugatti sports car. In Los Feliz, I’ve seen a number of refurbished Thunderbirds cruising alongside families driving their Volkswagens and Chrysler minivans.

I must confess, much to the dismay of our Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa who pointed out that Angelenos are addicted to the one passenger vehicle, I have been indulging in rediscovering our vast city by car. Since moving to a condominium, my drives along the Wilshire Corridor, excursions to the Nokia Plaza downtown, and sunset trips to the end of Route 66 at the Santa Monica Pier have become more meaningful. Approaching the stunning Disney Concert Hall or gazing up at the Getty Center from the 405 Freeway, I marvel at how sophisticated my home town has become.

Yes it’s true, the streets and freeways of our sprawling metropolis are the most congested in the nation. That being said, we must remember that Los Angeles is not a Chicago, Boston or New York City. Our vast city stretches from the ocean to the mountains and offers many enviable escape routes from the suburbs as well as the concrete. Our cars are not simply a mode of transportation or part of our daily commute. They are a reflection of our city’s cultural diversity and rich terrain.

Somebody recently asked me what kind of car I would buy today. Truth be told, the teenager in me still wants something small and sporty where the doors open up like wings. And yet at the end of the day, the luxury I cannot live without is a car with a window for my dog Madison’s head to stick out of on our way to the dog park.

Remember the “Seinfeld” episode where George thinks he’s just bought Jon Voight’s Chrysler Le Baron? It’s funny for two reasons. One, the Le Baron isn’t exactly luxe wheels fit for a celeb, and two, it seems possible because it’s such an innocuous choice of vehicle for an actor who doesn’t seem to care about bling. Well, now it appears fiction becomes truth.

Sarah Michelle Gellar’s first new car – a 1995 Chrysler Le Baron – is for sale on Craigslist. And the car’s savvy current owner isn’t missing a beat to play up this Le Baron’s celeb provenance.

Such a regal name for such a dud of a car. The Chrysler Le Baron actually was beloved by many when it was new. But it didn’t age well, as you can see by the Craigslist photo. All starving artists should take heart from Gellar’s experience…it gets better! We’re guessing Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s current ride is altogether posh.

The teal blue Le Baron convertible showed up for sale on Craigslist this week for $2,995. David Letterman’s writers learned of the listing and alerted the talk show host, who teased Gellar mercilessly about her choice in cars when she appeared on his show earlier this week. Gellar was horrified that the car’s current owner had plastered her photo above the listing, and was using her name to sell the car for nearly twice its market value.

Still, even at $2,995 – a seriously high sticker for this ride – it might be the least-expensive celebrity vehicle you can buy. There’s gotta be some street cred left in those wheels, right?

Airbags serve four primary purposes:

- They prevent the occupants from hitting hard objects such as the steering wheel or dashboard.
- They spread the force of impact across the width of the body, rather than concentrating a large force in a small area.
- They ease deceleration forces on the body.
- They keep the occupants inside the vehicle.

Seat belts are a vital part of the airbag system. They align the body to provide maximum protection from the airbag, plus they provide protection in crashes that are severe enough to cause injury, but not severe enough for airbag deployment.

TYPES OF AIRBAGS

Front airbags

Front airbags are mounted in the steering wheel and the dashboard, and are designed to help cushion the front-seat occupants in a front-end collision, where speeds and crash forces tend to be the highest.

Early front airbags were designed to protect heavy, unbelted occupants. This required large airbags that deployed with extreme force — enough to injure or kill smaller people, especially women and children. Airbags were downsized and “depowered” in 1998; today’s airbags use a variety of sensors to determine occupant weight, crash severity, and seat position and choose the most appropriate rate of inflation.

Knee airbags

Knee airbags are mounted on the lower edge of the dashboard, and keep the occupants’ legs (which are not restrained by the seat belt or the front airbag) from striking the dash or, worse yet, the sharp bits underneath it.

Side airbags

Side airbags, also known as torso airbags, are mounted in the outer edge of the seat itself, and are designed to protect the torso in a side collision. (Protection is also provided by metal “anti-intrusion” beams built into the doors.) Most cars have side airbags in the front seats only, but some automakers offer rear seat-mounted airbags as well.

Side curtain airbags

Side curtain airbags are usually mounted in the roof of the car, above the windows. In a side collision or rollover, they deploy downward, covering the windows like curtains. They serve two purposes: First, in a side (“T-bone”) collision, they protect the occupants heads from being whipped outside the vehicle; second, they protect the arms and head from debris if the vehicle rolls over. Unlike most airbags, which deflate right away, side curtain airbags usually stay inflated for several seconds in order to provide extended roll-over protection. Most side curtain airbags protect both front and back seats, and some three-row vehicles (7- and 8-seat SUVs and minivans) have side curtain airbags for all three rows.

Inflatable seat belts

Inflatable seatbelts have a small airbag mounted in the seat belt shoulder strap; the airbag inflates to spread the load across the occupant’s chest. A relatively recent development, rear-seat inflatable seatbelts are only offered on a handful of cars.

HOW AIRBAGS WORK

Airbags are triggered by collision sensors and accelerometers that detect the direction and severity of a crash and determine whether the airbags need to be deployed, and if so, which ones. If an airbag is needed, a device called a gas generator starts a chemical reaction that produces large quantities of gas (usually nitrogen) to inflate the bag.

Airbags are not the big, fluffy pillows we see in slow-motion TV commercials. The entire deployment process, from collision detection to full inflation, must happen in about 1/25th of a second (about half the time it takes to blink), so airbags inflate with great force, usually accompanied by an almighty bang. Once inflated, the airbags will deflate right away, and may fill the car with smoke-like powder or dust.

AIRBAG SAFETY

For small women

Because airbags deploy with such great force, sitting too close to the steering wheel when the airbag goes off can cause injury. (Sitting too close also limits your ability to turn the steering wheel if you have to swerve.) Slide your seat back far enough that your arms are only slightly bent. If you have trouble reaching the pedals, have pedal extenders installed.

For pregnant women

If you are pregnant, it is important to wear your seat belt properly. The shoulder belt should lie between your breasts and to the side of your belly, while the lap belt sits underneath, across your pubic bone. Do not position the belt across your belly! Sit as far back as you can while still being able to reach the wheel with arms slightly bent. If your belly is still too close to the wheel, it’s best to let someone else drive.

For children

Front airbags can be dangerous for children; kids should ride in the back seat until they can wear a three-point seat belt properly. If you must put your kid in the front passenger’s seat, slide it back as far as possible. Rear-facing child seats should never be used in a seat with a front airbag, as a deployment can cause lethal head and neck injuries.

Rear-seat side airbags are generally safe for child seats; check with your child seat’s manufacturer to make sure the seat is airbag-compatible. Kids (and adults) should avoid placing objects between themselves and the side airbags, or sleeping while leaning against the side airbag or the windows.