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Most parents and caregivers can’t imagine a moment when their mind could wander away from their children long enough to forget they’re sitting in the backseat of their car, but it happens in a tragic number of cases every year. Fortunately, there's a solution from General Motors.
Not long ago, to keep a car running beyond the 200,000-mile mark would have seemed about as likely as driving it to the moon. But big improvements in powertrain technology, rust prevention, lubricants, and more have led to game changing improvements in reliability and durability. Now, almost any car can make it well into six-figure territory with proper care.
Today Combi USA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of the Combi Shuttle Travel System because the car seat can disengage from the stroller. Consumer Reports discovered this problem in its tests last fall and notified the manufacturer about the problem. Combi immediately stopped selling the product, which had been available through online retailers between June 2015 and September 2016.
When Charles Henderson traded in his beloved convertible four years ago, the dealer made sure to collect the car keys, but he couldn't take away Henderson's digital access.
A security expert at IBM, Henderson knew to protect his private data, so before he waved goodbye to the car, he deleted his personal information from the built-in digital systems that guided him home via GPS, opened his garage door, and dialed up the friends in his phone book. The dealership also double-checked to confirm that he had made many of these moves, he says.
In everyday driving, you get used to what your car sounds like when it's running properly. So when you hear a noise that's unusual—a whine, creak, or squeal, for example—consider it an alert that something has changed.
I like to keep my gas tank full in case of traffic tie-ups, but is it bad for the engine not to let the old gas get used up first?
According to NHTSA, under-inflated tires can adversely affect fuel economy, lead to skidding and loss of control and hydroplaning on wet surfaces. It can also increase stopping distance and the likelihood of tire failures.
Location and price drive gasoline sales, according to a new survey by the American Automobile Association. But an extensive study also conducted by AAA, reveals that consumers would be wise to factor the quality of the gasoline in their purchase decision.
Using an independent engine testing lab that specializes in fuel analysis, AAA sought to answer the question: Is “Top Tier” gasoline worth the price? The short answer is yes.
The reports roll in with unsettling regularity: A young child is killed by exposure to extreme temperatures when left behind in a parked car.
For several years, child passenger safety advocates have appealed to automotive and child-restraint manufacturers for ways to prevent these avoidable leave-behind deaths.
Many people equate car safety with crashworthiness. But Consumer Reports believes the technology that helps you avoid the car crash in the first place is just as valuable.
But choosing a safe car can be challenging when that technology gets lost in a showroom alphabet soup of acronyms that salespeople themselves may undervalue or underemphasize.
Nodding off at the wheel isn’t just frightening—it can be fatal. Consider that at 55 mph you cover the length of a football field in 5 seconds. In fact, about one-fifth of fatal car crashes involve a drowsy driver, according to a 2014 study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, in which specially trained investigators analyzed 14,268 car crashes between 2009 and 2013.
Unless you’ve had a package stolen from your doorstep, you probably don’t give much thought to where FedEx or UPS or the U.S. Postal Service drops off a delivery.
But maybe you should. Law-enforcement agencies from Jacksonville, Florida, to Princeton, Colorado, are alerting people about package theft by Scrooge-y crooks who could make the holidays a little less merry by snatching holiday gifts from their doorsteps.
Even the best cars develop problems as they rack up the miles. Parts wear, break down, and ultimately need replacement, following the natural order for cars. But components wear at different rates, as highlighted in the chart below.
Breaking out the data from our Annual Auto Survey reveals trends among the 17 potential trouble areas. We've sorted the average problem rates at three, six, and nine years to show the prevalence of some problems and how they increase over time.
As winter approaches, many motorists will experience a low-pressure warning light on the dash or simply observe that the tires look a bit less full than they should. The main reason for this is the dropping temperatures, which cause the air to become denser and consequently lower the tire pressure. Of course, tires naturally lose pressure over time, and there can be a puncture.
Many of us try to make daily choices to reduce the amount of energy and effort it takes to live our lives. It's human nature to strive for efficiency. The benefits can be experienced daily, including having more time to spend on the things and people that matter most. Collectively, our actions can have a far-reaching impact, such as reducing energy consumption and contributing to cleaner air.
The winter months are hard on your vehicle. Cold temperatures, dirt, and road-salt residue can all cause problems. However, there are some simple checks and maintenance items you can do that will help your vehicle stay in top condition.
If your wipers are leaving streaks of water on the windshield, or if the wiper-blade rubber shows any signs of cracking or stiffness, replace them with a new set.
Whatever your reactions after a car accident (cursing might be the first), it’s vital to keep a clear head. These 10 steps could reduce the risk of further damage or injury, prevent hassles, and save you money later on.
You might want to keep this list in the glove compartment, just in case.
As you navigate the mall parking lots during this holiday season, you may think that squeezing into an open space will be your biggest challenge. Think again. That’s because parking lots are not only rife with car accidents, but they are where most mall-related crime occurs. Drivers and walkers navigating the lot are vulnerable to being hit by cars and falling prey to theft. Also, unattended vehicles loaded with packages are open invitations for break-ins.
An all-new name kick starts the growing crossover lineup with the 2017 Cadillac XT5. Replacing the dated SRX, the XT5 claims a slightly larger size with reduced weight. In the sea of Cadillac reinvention, the XT5 will have the 3.6-liter V6 engine found in the Cadillac ATS, CTS, and CT6 sedans, while also employing start/stop technology to achieve better fuel consumption. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, as well as an electronically controlled transmission shifter.
In its latest report on child booster seats, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that all 23 new booster seat models evaluated provide good belt fit, or properly positioned shoulder belt mid-shoulder and lap belt flat across the upper thighs. This is a significant improvement from the common fails in 2008, when IIHS started this program.
A recently released study on rear-facing child car seats may inadvertently be sending the wrong message to parents. The study's results, while meaningful to improving the overall safety of car seats, look at just one small piece of the puzzle, possibly causing some parents to jump to conclusions.
Simply put: Rear-facing car seats are still the safest way for young kids to ride in a car.
Cooler weather means another riding season is drawing to a close in northern regions, for all but the most hardcore motorcycle riders. And unless you count yourself as part of that hearty group, now is the time to think about proper winter storage for your bike.
Want to hear something spooky? Halloween tricks typically start before the holiday, and your car is not immune from that mischief.
Every October, goblins, ghouls, and even zombies prowl the night and "trick" cars. But these cars aren't tricked out, they're hit with broken eggs, Silly String, or smashed pumpkins. If left on the paint for a period of time, this nasty mess can cause permanent stains that are not only unsightly but can lower your vehicle's resale value.
Volkswagen is accused of—and has admitted to—circumventing the emissions control system in about 482,000 vehicles sold in the United States since 2008 with the 2.0-liter diesel engine. As many as 11 million vehicles worldwide may be affected.
In mid-September, the EPA issued a notice of violation to Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, and Volkswagen Group of America (collectively VW) for failure to comply with Clean Air Act regulations.