Would you guess that Honda offers the highest number of American-made cars offered in the U.S.? Probably not. But more than that, their models are designed specifically for the American market. Just consider today’s subject, the all-new, redesigned 2023 Honda HR-V. Read More ⇒
When it comes to performance and affordability, I love a good sedan. Read More ⇒
Hot temperatures are scorching much of the United States, breaking records ahead of the official start of summer. Read More ⇒
Q: “Dad,” said my son, “I bet nine out of 10 Teslas do not have a front license plate.” I must admit, I had never noticed this before, but after he alerted me, I started to pay attention. Sure enough, I’d say 90% of the Teslas I observed did not have a front plate. That is illegal in Minneso… Read More ⇒
Tesla reported the vast majority of crashes involving automated driver-assist systems that have been disclosed to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, according to new figures from the regulator that it says are too limited to draw any safety conclusions. Read More ⇒
Q: When I press down the gas pedal of my 2012 Toyota Camry, sometimes I get no response. I have to jiggle the pedal before the engine will respond. One articulate mechanic explained that there is no mechanical linkage between pedal and carburetor, and the problem must lie in the computer. He… Read More ⇒
WARREN, Michigan — The Cadillac DPi-V.R prototype won the last IMSA Weathertech sports car race on Belle Isle, outpacing the rest of the field Saturday with its rib-rattling V-8 engine. Cadillac revealed its intention Thursday to return to an all-new downtown circuit in 2023 with an all-new,… Read More ⇒
WASHINGTON — Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co., Stellantis NV and Toyota Motor Corp. sent a letter to congressional leaders Monday urging them to lift the 200,000 customer cap for existing electric vehicle tax credits. Read More ⇒
Well, it’s about time. Read More ⇒
Q: I own a 2014 Toyota Camry XLS equipped with a smart key starting system. I occasionally couldn’t start the car. My private mechanic as well as a Toyota service manager suggested changing the battery in the remote control. This seemed to work for a few days. They suggested holding the remo… Read More ⇒
Spend an afternoon driving the Ford F-150 Lightning around the vineyards and redwood-shaded back roads of California wine country and the pickup’s considerable power is apparent. What makes the electric version of America’s best-selling vehicle a potential game-changer, though, is not its ac… Read More ⇒
Q: My first turbocharged vehicle was a 2003 Volvo XC90 with a 5-cylinder engine. The owner’s manual stated that the engine should be warmed up to allow the turbocharger to come to temperature before driving and let the turbo cool down for a couple minutes before shutting the engine off. I no… Read More ⇒
With a number of new electric vehicles entering the U.S. market, auto shoppers are more likely than ever to consider going electric, according to a J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Electric Vehicle Consideration Study released May 26. Read More ⇒
Maserati is among the most legendary names in Europe, yet for most Americans, its name elicits vague notions of its heritage or, more commonly, blank stares — and with good reason. Read More ⇒
SAN ANTONIO — Ford birthed its electric vehicle program in late 2017. It’s no coincidence the date dovetailed with first deliveries of the Tesla Model 3. Read More ⇒
Q: As the car market transitions to more electric vehicles, what will traditional car service stations do since all the service needed by internal combustion engines will be replaced by a big battery? Read More ⇒
Tesla Inc. customers might love the carmakers’ nifty keyless entry system, but one cybersecurity researcher has demonstrated how the same technology could allow thieves to drive off with certain models of the electric vehicles. Read More ⇒
CHARLEVOIX, Mich. — Like a Great Lakes passenger ship, the bow of my Cadillac Escalade cut through the fog of an April snow shower. Sure-footed, diesel-powered, on autopilot to our port of call. Read More ⇒
Q: My 2014 Buick Regal positive battery terminal develops corrosion and gets very hot every couple of years and will not crank the engine. I have to remove the battery cable, clean corrosion powder off the terminal and cable end, then reconnect the positive cable terminal before the engine w… Read More ⇒
Oh rats! Dear readers, please indulge me. My comments first, before the questions. Every spring I get numerous emails about squirrels, mice, groundhogs (they prefer to be called woodchucks), rabbits and unidentified chewing critters. And every year, when I answer one reader’s query, I get sc… Read More ⇒
Manufacturers these days enjoy the craze of fulfilling their lots with an assortment of vehicles for all types of consumers. From sedans to SUVs to off-road machines, the joyfulness of consumer loyalty is at an all time high. Read More ⇒
With used car prices skyrocketing, new-car inventories delayed for months, and the lingering stay-closer-to-home trend of COVID-19, car lovers are increasingly shopping online. Read More ⇒
Q: On an AWD vehicle, do front brake pads wear faster than rear brake pads since more weight is carried by the front wheels? Read More ⇒
Subaru knows its people, who are among the most loyal to any automotive brand. They love their Outbacks, Foresters, Ascents and WRXs. They are also among the most environmentally conscious, dog-friendly, off-roading auto owners around. They take their kids to school and hike on the weekends.… Read More ⇒
Ford Motor Co. continues to see production impacts tied to the global semiconductor shortage and other supply-chain constraints. Read More ⇒
Apple has recruited a longtime Ford executive who helped lead safety efforts and vehicle engineering, a sign the iPhone maker is again ramping up development of an electric car. Read More ⇒
Q: President Joe Biden recently announced an expansion of the use of ethanol added gasoline. Any benefits or drawbacks? It is usually a few cents cheaper, but I wonder if I get as good mileage with the blend. Read More ⇒
Lexus isn’t letting up. Read More ⇒
Attention, Escalade and Navigator: You have just been demoted. Read More ⇒
Chevrolet expects record sales of its Bolt products this year after having to halt production and sales last summer amid a mass recall for battery fire risk on the electric vehicles. Read More ⇒
Ask nearly anyone who drives a gasoline-powered vehicle, and they’ll grumble about the sky-high prices at the pump. Read More ⇒
With its wide stance, massive tires and big honkin’ diesel engine, the original Hummer H1 was imposing to say the least. The reborn Hummer keeps that larger-than-life, go-anywhere presence intact with one major difference: It’s electric. Read More ⇒
Q: I get in the car and step on the gas and the car takes off. How does this work? How does the engine respond to my foot on the gas pedal? Read More ⇒
DeLorean Motor Co. plans to reveal its new electric concept car Aug. 18 at the Awards Ramp at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the company said. Read More ⇒
PITTSBURGH — The latest survey by AAA found 80% of Americans questioned said they would make changes and drive less due to the high price of gas. Read More ⇒
Q: I have a Chevy and it has 154,550 miles. We bought a keyed gas cap because we thought that we could protect our car from having the gas stolen. All of a sudden, the engine light went on. I went to an Auto Zone store and they did a Fix Finder report. It showed we had an EVAP, Emission Cont… Read More ⇒
The world is about to pass another important milestone in electric vehicle adoption: 20 million plug-in vehicles on the road globally, come June, according to BNEF estimates. That’s remarkable growth from only 1 million EVs on roads in 2016. Read More ⇒
A housing contractor visited my house and immediately noted the 2022 Ford Maverick tester in the driveway. Area 51 Blue paint. Base model. Steely wheels. Read More ⇒
Q: I am writing on behalf of my 94-year-old dad, who has a 2000 Dodge Intrepid with 110,249 miles that hasn’t been driven for about two years. His neighbor would like to buy the car. However, he has heard that if a car has not been used for a long time, the cylinders are dry and should be oi… Read More ⇒
Q: I’ve seen online a so-called EcoChip, which is supposed to reduce fuel consumption by up to 55%. Is this legit? Does it work? It plugs into the car’s onboard diagnostic system. Will using it void my OEM or my extended warranty? Thanks, your thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Read More ⇒
Many of us family types have lusted after the neighbor’s smart, brutish SUV and yearned for the day we can put the minivan years behind us. Sure, they’re functional and convenient for hauling around the grubby-fingered tykes, but they tend to be dull and stodgy as a school bus. Read More ⇒
The Ford F-150 Tremor is at home off-road in mud. Or on-road in a blizzard. Read More ⇒
Q: Are headlights on cars and trucks getting brighter or am I just getting older? Some makes and models seem brighter than others, including most pickup trucks. Read More ⇒
Gas prices? Pah! A few months ago, my family bought an electric car, used. A little 2018 BMW i3s. It looks weird but it drives great. Every time I pass long lines of cars and trucks waiting to fill up on $6-a-gallon gas, I admit, I feel a schadenfreude smile coming on. Read More ⇒
Q: I have a 2014 Honda Civic with 32,000 miles. During a routine maintenance, the dealer told me they spotted a leak in the rear breather cover and that it would be $650 to repair. I wanted a second opinion as the oil level was not low and I had not noticed any oil leaks on my garage floor o… Read More ⇒
The 2022 Nissan Sentra is entirely competent, but it doesn’t stand out from its rivals in any meaningful way. Sure, the Sentra’s styling makes a statement, its interior is nicely trimmed and this car is a good value, but a few notable drawbacks detract from an otherwise pleasant experience. Read More ⇒
Ford Motor Co. will separate its legacy auto and burgeoning battery-electric vehicle businesses into two “distinct, but strategically interdependent” units within the company, the Dearborn, Mich., automaker said Wednesday. Read More ⇒
Q: This morning in your column was a question concerning a 2011 Acura RDX clock error. I believe it has a GPS navigation system. On Jan. 1, 2022, the GPS time reverted back to 2002. GPS time is calculated in epochs, starting from a known date and going forward 1024 weeks. If the RDX clock is… Read More ⇒
NAPLES, Fla. — The annual Cars on 5th auto show weekend on Naples’ swank 5th Avenue main thoroughfare is a feast for the eyes. Car owners roll through the streets showing off their fancy Aston Martins, Mercedes, Audis and Lamborghinis. Read More ⇒
Q: Recently I had my oil changed on my 2018 Honda Accord Touring and, on the receipt of services rendered, the power steering fluid box was crossed out. I assume that meant it didn’t apply. I researched a little and saw it has “electric” power steering. But I found conflicting info. One plac… Read More ⇒
It’s a roar, an evil symphony of air and fuel being ingested and combusted, producing power and forward momentum that generates g-force rarely experienced outside of an amusement park ride or a rocket launch. Its purpose is to transport you, but little will prepare you for its true capability. Read More ⇒