A cigarette smoke-soaked car is a pretty gross thing (to most humans) and getting it out is a chore. But by sprinkling a few common household ingredients around it, baking soda and charcoal powder, you can cut it down pretty effectively and cheaply. [More]
cars
American Auto Manufacturers Sweep Awards At Show
By 1.11.11
Even though the 2011 Chevy Volt insisted it was an honor to just be nominated, you could just tell she had her eye on that shiny North American International Auto Show car of the year trophy. She had her acceptance speech ready in advance, kept shooting the evil eye at Nissans and Hyundais, and besides — could you believe that gown she wore? [More]
Wind Broke My Car, Toyota Warranty Guy Blows Smoke
By 12.28.10
All it took to turn Bobby’s Toyota Highlander into a mess was a gust of wind. The incident damaged the door’s functions, but Toyota has determined that the vehicle isn’t covered under warranty because the damage was caused by outside forces. [More]
Electric Cars Will Have To Tell You They're Coming
By 12.22.10
“Meep! Meep!” Quiet electric and hybrid cars will be forced to do something like that to alert pedestrians they’re coming under a new act passed by Congress. [More]
Toyota Must Fork Over $32.4 Million More In Fines
By 12.22.10
The thrashing continues for Toyota, which has had to recall more than 11 million cars since the Fall of 2009 thanks to myriad problems, including bum gas pedals and steering relay rods. The car company has coughed up $16.4 million in government fines, and now will pay $32.4 million more. [More]
Check Your Blind Zones When Test-Driving A Car
By 12.3.10
Even if you do happen to have an eye installed in the back of your head, every car has a blind spot behind it, and the dangerous possibility of running over low-to-the-ground animals and children in that massive blind spot. While rear-view cameras in vehicles are becoming more common, they’re still more of a luxury add-on than necessary safety equipment. [More]
History's Most Dangerous Cars
By 12.1.10
If you’ve ever ridden in a Ford Pinto, congratulations — you’ve survived a ride in possibly the least safe car ever invented. [More]
650,000 Prius Hybrids Need Water Pumps Fixed
By 11.30.10
Toyota is going to pay to fix the water pumps on 2004-2007 Prius hybrids starting in December. The pumps can glitch, causing the car to overheat and lose power. [More]
Dealership Sells Car To Elderly Man With Dementia, Who Then Dies After High-Speed Chase
By 11.23.10
Police are seeking criminal charges against two car salesmen who sold a 67-year-old wheelchair-bound man with dementia a new truck. He died later that day after suffering a heart attack, following a high-speed chase with police in his new vehicle. [More]
Nissan Leaf Scores 99 MPGe EPA Rating
By 11.23.10
People have been wondering how the EPA would rate the Nissan Leaf. The normal “miles per gallon” didn’t make sense because the car uses electricity, not gas. The results are finally in, and the vehicle has scored a 99 MPGe. That stands for “Miles Per Gallon equivalent.” [More]
Volkswagen: $71 Billion Says We'll Be The World's Biggest Automaker By 2018
By 11.22.10
German auto manufacturer Volkswagen is sick of sucking the exhaust of the world’s auto industry leaders and is throwing a $71 billion-sized brick on the gas pedal to try to take the lead. [More]
Don't Worry About The Economy, People Are Buying Pickup Trucks
By 11.18.10
Everything is going to be just cupcakes, at least judging by how pickup trucks are selling. [More]
Gas Station Chain Slapped With $30 Million Verdict For Shortchanging Drivers
By 11.10.10
A jury handed down a $30 million verdict agains gas station chain Sun Mart for leaving their customers a little light at the pump. The Texas Department of Agriculture found in an investigation that the chain was routinely shortchanging customers with improperly calibrated pumps. [More]
Used SUVs & Trucks Costing More Than New Ones
By 11.10.10
In a counter-intuitive turn of events, the way the market is now, a used SUV can end up costing more than a new one. [More]
Insurance Agency Stops Me From Saving Money On My Windshield Deductible
By 11.5.10
Guy’s windshield lost a battle with a flying rock, and his insurance company gave him a similar cold-cocking when he tried to find a way to save some money on his deductible. His Sate Farm insurance agent said he wasn’t allowed to repair the windshield through a company that promised him $50 off his upfront costs. [More]
Watch Out For The "Dirty Filter" Mechanic Scam
By 10.27.10
When we asked you to tell us your car mechanic scam stories, by far the most common mentioned was “dirty air filter trick.” The mechanic shows the customer a dirty air filter and charges them for the part and installation. The trick? it’s actually a prop filter they keep around to snooker unwary drivers. [More]
Consumer Reports 2010 Car Reliability Survey: Who Makes The Best Cars?
By 10.26.10
Our gear-head bros at Consumer Reports have published the results of their Annual Auto Survey and there’s good news for General Motors, whose numbers showed considerable improvement. Still, no U.S.-based car makers were able to beat out either Honda or Toyota for reliability. [More]
Avoid High Octane Gas To Save Money At The Pump
By 10.25.10
Those higher-octane gas choices sit there at the gas station, looking down their noses at you and daring you to throw down the extra cash in order to buy the very best for your car. But unless you drive a high-end vehicle with a manual that specifically recommends the higher-octane fuel, you’re most likely best off with regular unleaded. [More]
