We all know our phones and tablets are listening in. We shrug, click “agree” on a user agreement we didn’t read, and move on to the next screen. Guess what? Your car also collects information, and not just your taste in music. These four-wheeled privacy vacuums are hoovering up far …
Your vehicle’s model year (MY) is more than just a marketing tactic. There is an actual reason behind it. Early in automotive, especially just prior to World War II, model years were used to create urgency for consumers to buy. Especially in the post-war “keep up with the Joneses” consumerist …
In late-model vehicles, there may be an accessory battery separate from the starting or main battery. This accessory battery usually has the same maintenance interval as the vehicle’s main battery and is recharged from the alternator in the same way. If your vehicle has an accessory battery, it’s likely not …
Dashboard warning lights are triggering, while often being cryptic. It’s like the lights sing us that Michael Jackson song. “You know I’m bad. I’m bad. You know it.” The question is: is it “get an appointment at the mechanic” bad, or “pull over immediately or your car is toast” bad? …
In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed new requirements for child safety seats, including new side impact regulations. After modifying test procedures, testing, re-testing, asking for public comment, and testing some more, the new regulations are about to go into effect. Read more at CarTalk.com.
Wiper blades are out of sight and out of mind until one misty, snowy, or rainy night when suddenly you rely on them to stay alive. Perhaps the easiest of all DIY jobs, replacing your wiper blades offers instant satisfaction. Streaks disappear, the glass seems clearer, and you won’t hear …
New cars are getting increasingly complex. If you’ve been in one lately, you’ve likely noticed that big, tablet-sized touchscreens are replacing the buttons and knobs most of us are used to. With each passing model year, vehicles are becoming more like rolling smartphones than traditional transportation. And it needs to …
