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Feds Probe Complaints of Fuel Spills in 2007-'08 Jeep Wrangler

Edmunds-The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into consumer complaints of fuel spills during refueling in an estimated 223,000 2007-'08 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.08/31/2010.

FAIL: BMW X5 Jump Stunt Takes a Turn for the Worse - Literally... [Video]
Carscoop-We're not quite sure what the driver of this dark colored BMW X5 SUV (or at least it looks like an X5) was trying to do here, but something tells us that performing a 180-degree flip and crashing into an electricity / telephone pole wasn't part of the plan / stunt.08/31/2010.

Used Car Values at Highest Level in 7 Years
Automotive Digest-Used car prices climbing and pool of available models is drying up
Report: NY Hydrogen station used by GM explodes, closes airport
Autoblog-Hydrogen faces a number of challenges when it comes to supplanting gasoline as the world's transportation fuel of choice, one of the largest of which was underscored by two small explosions at a Rochester, New York refueling station yesterday.08/27/2010.

Scientists Hack Into Cars' Computers -- Control Brakes, Engine

ABC News-If sending a spurious "low pressure" messages doesn't sound exactly like Mission Impossible, the work of other researchers yielded potentially more-serious vulnerabilities. 08/27/2010.

Garmin Nuvi GPS recalled over fire risk - Suzuki threatened?
Autoblog-Garmin has recalled a total of 1.25 million portable GPS units for a possible fire risk, with 796,000 of those sold here in the United States.08/27/2010.

Continental Creates App That Ties Into Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
Edmunds-Add checking your tires' air pressure via your smartphone to the growing list of automotive-related apps, thanks to Continental's Filling Assistant. The app, which isn't yet available, will tie into a car's Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to provide an air-pressure readout on a smartphone.08/27/2010

Is the Prepaid Traffic Ticket a License to Speed or a Safe-Driving Message?
Edmunds-If you routinely drive over the speed limit -- or you have a loved one with a lead foot -- here's an idea for you: the prepaid traffic ticket, which was inspired by Monopoly's get-out-of-jail cards, according to the founder of Prepaid Traffic Tickets, Keith Kelly 08/27/2010.


Top 10 Back-to-School Cars
Automotive Digest-
Autoblog-The summer of 2010's recall hit parade continues unabated today, with General Motors having just announced that it is asking 243,403 owners of its 2009-2010 Lambda crossovers to bring their three-row haulers in for inspection. The culprit? Second-row seat belts in select Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook CUVs have "failed to perform properly in a crash."08/17/2010.

NHTSA investigates Kia Soul over steering complaint
Left Lane News-Click link for story 08/17/2010.

Video: Bear steals car for peanut butter sandwich, trashes interior
Having food in your car is usually a bad idea, as leaving your lunch on the seat can make the whole interior stink, or, even worse, attract bears. One Colorado teen recently learned this lesson the hardest way possible, as a peanut butter sandwich left on his back seat attracted a black bear with the unusual skill of grand theft auto. 07/15/2010.

Swedish man may pay largest speeding fine ever
Just because major portions of the German Autobahn have no speed limit doesn't mean you can drive as fast as you want anywhere in Europe. Where there are posted restrictions, most European countries take speeding very seriously and levy hefty fines. The latest case in point is a 37-year-old Swedish man who was clocked at 180 miles per hour on a motorway between Bern and Lausanne in Switzerland. 07/15/2010.

Savvy Shopper: Test Drive Your Dealership Before You Commit
It seems that many consumers assume that going to a car dealership will be like shopping at a big-box store -- every experience is going to be basically the same. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although dealerships proudly display the badge of the cars they sell, they are independently owned franchises that are not controlled by the manufacturer. This means that when you car shopping, you never really know how you're going to be treated. 07/15/2010.

Honda to reprogram 90K Civic Hybrids due to battery failure
Honda Motor Company has announced a new technical service bulletin (TSB) aimed at reprogramming the computers in some 90,000 Civic Hybrid models after discovering that the factory tuning could result in premature battery degradation 07/15/2010.

Video: No (invisible) monkeys were harmed in the making of this Dodge commercial
Ah yes. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. We here at Autoblog happen to be all for the ethical treatment of animals. And we're people... allegedly. But we're certainly not all fully in tune with the fine men and women that make up PETA. And we also happen to think that PETA sometimes goes a wee bit too far in their efforts to make man equal to beast... or is that the other way around? 07/15/2010.

Toyota and Lexus combine to capture 73.9% of hybrid sales in July
Last week, we informed you that sales of the Toyota Prius had sharply dropped off this July, falling some 30 percent from the reported numbers a year ago, yet Toyota was pleased with the results. While it seemed rather odd that Toyota was satisfied with a drop in sales, the fact that the Cash for Clunkers program kicked off in July of 2009 helped to make some sense of the decline.  07/15/2010.

Whitacre leaving General Motors
UPDATED--Ed Whitacre is stepping down as General Motors Co. CEO on Sept. 1. He will be replaced by Daniel Akerson, who joined the GM board in July 2009 after a long career in telecommunications. 07/15/2010.

Rental car companies targeted for renting recalled (but unrepaired) vehicles
Two consumer safety advocacy groups are targeting car rental giant Enterprise -- owner of Alamo and National -- saying it is putting consumers in jeopardy by renting cars that have been recalled but have not been repaired. 07/15/2010.

Cars hacked by researchers through wireless tire pressure monitors
We heard the first reports of researchers proving that you could hack into automotive electronic systems earlier this year. That work was based on tapping into the OBD-II port normally used by mechanics for reading diagnostic codes. That method of car hacking, however, is of limited value to cyber criminals because it requires having physical access to the underside of a car's dashboard.07/15/2010.

KBB: Ford most considered car brand, Hyundai makes big jump
Hyundai was one of just a few companies to come through the automotive meltdown of 2009 relatively unscathed. The Korean automaker managed to keep sales up while others faltered thanks to a quality, inexpensive product lineup backed with a stout warranty. Now it looks like those very factors are beginning impact the number of car shoppers who would consider hopping into a Hyundai. According to the Kelly Blue Book Market Intelligence Brand Watch study, the company has risen to the fifth most non-luxury brand considered by car shoppers. The move effectively kicked Nissan out of the top five for the first time in years. 07/15/2010.

For the Kid in You: A Giant Wooden Car with Chrysler V8 on (Where Else) eBay
Oh, ebay, if it weren't for you how would people even have the opportunity to get rid of the crazy things they build? This is a custom-built 2009 wooden car that is billed as "very rare" and was supposedly built by a furniture builder / car enthusiast. Oh, and get this: it's located in Hickory, North Carolina.07/15/2010.

Rural Driving Statistically Much More Dangerous
Think $41,000 Steep For A Chevy Volt? One Dealer Wants $20,000 Premium!

Gouging Season Begins as Limited Initial Volume All But Guarantees Supply-Demand Imbalance

We know how the same is played - consumers are always happy to take a car dealer to the cleaners but resent it when the dealer wants a premium for a hot car. 

Savvy Shopper: The Three Danger Areas for Prospective Volt and Leaf Buyers
The specter of price gouging reared its ugly head this week, when a Los Angeles dealer said it was asking $20,000 over the sticker price for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, which has a base price of $41,000. While dealers selling the 2011 Nissan Leaf, at a base price of $32,780, may follow suit, no reports of gouging have surfaced yet on that car. The only thing surprising about the twenty grand markup for the Volt was the actual amount. Cars that are in demand have often commanded a premium. But price gouging is only one of three danger areas you will likely encounter when shopping for a popular new model. 08/07/2010.

Maintenance Minder: A Con-Fusing But Money-Saving Repair

In a recent blog I wrote that changing your own fuses is one of the few repairs you can do yourself. I put that statement to the test recently and want to suggest a few tips for making it even easier. Minor difficulties aside, the fuse box should be the first place to look for an easy repair so you don't pay for a larger repair when it is a simple and cheap fix.08/07/2010.

Video: A 367mph jet-powered yellow school bus

An Indianapolis team has shoehorned a Phantom fighter plane’s jet engine into a standard yellow school bus to create a monster machine capable of hitting 367 mph – while guzzling 150 gallons of rocket fuel over just a single quarter mile run.08/07/2010.

PSA: Renting a car may result in unexpected speeding ticket charges

The people at MSN Money have unearthed a little known stipulation in rental car contracts that allows the manufacturer of speed and red light cameras to directly charge your credit card if you're caught breaking the law. How? Big name rental agencies like Hertz, Avis, Advantage and Budget have an agreement with a company called ATS Processing Services to share renters' credit card and personal information. ATS operates a fair portion of the traffic enforcement cameras in the U.S., and when a rental car gets popped running a red light, the company immediately checks to see who was renting it at the time and charges his or her credit card. Oh, and they ding you for a $30 administrative fee.08/07/2010.

Report: Man convicted in fatal crash set free with Toyota sudden acceleration appeal

Koua Fong Lee, the man who was convicted in 2006 of killing three people when his Toyota Camry struck a vehicle at a stoplight, has been acquitted of any crime. Lee served a total of two-and-a-half years in prison after his defense attorney failed to adequately show that he had been applying the brake on his vehicle the whole time. In the wake of a number of unintended acceleration claims on similar Toyota vehicles and increasing outcry for his release (including a big ABC News feature), Lee's case was reopened. In four days of testimony, his new counsel had a series of drivers who had experience unintended acceleration in their Toyotas take the stand. Eventually, the presiding judge heard enough and released Lee prosecutor dropped the charges against Lee.08/07/2010.

Video: Lowrider loses its bounce

We'll admit that we're not exactly up-to-date on the rules or goals of a lowrider hop off. It's been awhile since we dusted off the Monte and threw down, but the last time we checked, flipping the car wasn't part of the plan. Unfortunately, the gentleman in the video after the jump must have missed that memo. In the quest for ever more height for his remote-controlled monstrosity, his Chevrolet goes shiny side down after a few epic bounces. Impressively enough, the car doesn't flip the easy way. Oh no. Instead of just rolling over and playing dead, the big coupe goes vertical before falling on its head.08/07/2010.

A Tire Service Agreement That Delivered as Promised

I'm not usually an extended-warranty person. I've turned them down on washers, dryers and all kinds of electronics. But when I bought tires in December 2008, I did buy the "life of the tire service agreement" that Discount Tire Centers was selling for $14.90 per tire. And today, I'm glad I did. 08/07/2010.

Japanese inventor makes gas and brake one pedal

The interface between human and machine are often as much art as they are science. A prime example is the way automobiles are controlled, in particular acceleration and braking. While nearly all vehicles over the last several decades have used a pair of adjacent foot pedals to manage those operations (with a shrinking proportion using a third for manual clutches), a third setup hasn't gained any traction in the marketplace. 08/07/2010.

When Police Officers Die in Crashes, They're Often Not Wearing Seatbelts

Even if they're driving nice new police cars like the Caprice you see above, law-enforcement officers may not be practicing what they preach (and write tickets for) when it comes to seatbelt use. The lapse has had deadly consequences. Officers' deaths in car crashes jumped 80 percent between 1980 and 2007, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) analysis of data from the FBI and NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Crashes are now the leading cause of death for police officers on the job.08/07/2010.

Errors Found in Toyota Event Data Recorders

Stay prepared for 'early suicide' attempts by your vehicle

I don't think that your car will have an opportunity to drive through the "Pearly Gates" when it finally utters its last exhaust note, but there are many items of value to have with you in case it attempts an early trip to the barbed wire-gated junkyard before you're ready to let it go. 07/31/2010.

Helping you through the maze of modern car technology

Perhaps this has happened to you:You take your car in for service or repairs and are told that you need to have a thingamajig replaced. You don't understand a single word that he utters. When you are presented with a quote for the repair, sticker shock sets in.07/28/2010.

What to do when the dreaded engine light goes on

You're driving down the road and glance down at the instrument panel. A light is on: the image of an engine. Your mind fills with dread as you envision the pile of money it'll cost to repair the problem.07/31/2010.

Warnings not always given for vehicle failures

There are many systems on later model cars that will sometimes give you early warning signs, alerting you that a problem is looming on the horizon. If you pay attention to items like minor fluid leaks, odd noises or odors, it may save you from a costly breakdown. 07/31/2010.

Archive Gallery: The Electric Car, 1916-Present 

It's shaping up to be a big year for electric cars, with Chevrolet's Volt and Nissan's Leaf due before 2010 draws to a close.Which makes it as good a time as ever to remind ourselves that the idea of an electric car is far from novel; in fact, it's been a persistent, tantalizing puzzle for automotive engineers hoping to eliminate gasoline from the equation for over a century. And there's no better place to track the history of the electric car than in the complete 07/31/2010

BP Fish Oil Plus (puppet satire).
Need we say more?
07/31/2010.

Video: Sunday! Sunday!! Sunday!!! Witness the incredible ManEater funny car!

If you aren't terrified on some primordial level of the funny car drag racing class, odds are it's only a matter of time before natural selection comes a-callin'. Most funnies run a variation on the 500 cubic-inch, supercharged big-block formula while slurping down nitromethane/methanol fuel by the drum. No one's exactly sure how much power these suckers dish out, but estimates in the 8,000 pony range are typically considered conservative. Yeah. Wrap your noggin around that one for half a second. The whole concoction is designed to hold together just long enough scoot down the eighth or quarter mile, so it should come as no surprise that accidents happen.7/31/2010.

Savvy Shopper: How to Handle Repairs to the Car You Want to Sell
We always hear the advice that you should take a used car to a mechanic for an inspection before you buy it. But this process can be a bit thornier than you expect, as I found out recently when my son sold a family car. It made me think the whole process through more completely and prompted me to balance my recommendations for both buyers and sellers. 07/31/2010.

New Toyota Recall for 373,000 Avalon Sedans and 39,000 Lexus LX470 SUVs in the States
Another day, another recall-nightmare for Toyota Motor Corp. This time, the Japanese automaker said it was recalling around 373,000 of its 2000-2004MY Toyota Avalons, and approximately 39,000 of its 2003-2007MY Lexus LX 470s in the U.S. for unrelated problems concerning steering parts that may be defective.
7/31/2010.

Driverless vehicles headed from Serbia to China

As of July 29th, two electric vans embarked from Belgrade, Serbia on a three-month road trip to Shanghai, China. Along the way, they will have to manage stop-and-go city traffic, extremes in weather, and even some stretches of off-road driving. All this would be a great test for their electric drive system, but the researchers from Italy’s VisLab put this expedition together mainly to test something else: their driverless vehicle technology. While each of the vans in the VisLab Intercontinental Autonomous Challenge (VIAC) will have passengers in the back seats, ready to take control if necessary, they will normally have no one at the steering wheel.7/31/2010.

Nissan reveals new object detection, rear-collision avoidance systems [w/video]

Vehicles from an increasing number of automakers are becoming more aware of their surroundings than the drivers that operate them. The latest is Nissan, which has announced several new safety technologies set to be added to its lineup, including a Forward Collision Avoidance Assist Concept. The system works like similar systems from other manufacturers including Acura, Lexus, Ford and Mercedes-Benz, but evolves the concept even further.7/31/2010.

2011 Chevrolet Volt's Gas Engine Requires Premium Fuel

DETROIT — General Motors on Thursday confirmed the tiny 1.4-liter gasoline engine in the 2011 Chevrolet Volt will require premium fuel — at a significant price premium over the cost of regular fuel. 07/31/2010.

Sounds About Right: San Francisco spending $25M to determine how much parking should cost
If you reside or frequent a large metropolitan area, you're probably all too aware of the cost to park your vehicle. In cities like New York or Chicago, you can pay upwards of $30 or more for a full day of parking. To make matters worse, even with astronomical costs many drivers can't even find an open spot. 07/31/2010.

Man spends nearly $200,000 to win right to park truck in his own driveway [w/video]
Beware of the home owner's association. Considered this country's most basic, ruthless unit of government, HOAs are typically organized and manned by retirees with little better to do than tell you what to do with your property – something A.J. Vizzi recently learned the hard way. When Vizzi purchased his home in Odessa, Florida, he was told he would be allowed to park his Ford F-350 Super Duty in his home's driveway, even though the neighborhood's rules forbade keeping vehicles anywhere other than the garage. The truck didn't fit in the home's garage.07/31/2010.

Volvo XC90 reportedly under NHTSA investigation for intermittent lighting failures
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is investigating older Volvo XC90 models for potential faulty electronics that could cause the headlights and turn signals to fail. So far, the government isn't aware of any crashes resulting from the fault, but 21 owners have filed a complaint. The defect manifests itself on 2004-2005 XC90 SUVs, and NHTSA says that 93,487 vehicles are potentially impacted by the problem.07/31/2010.

Nissan to moisturize occupants with breathable vitamin C in new autos?
The automotive landscape is changing quickly with a raft of smaller, more efficient autos coming to market. We're even on the verge of mass-market electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf. The bogey has shifted and will continue to shift over time, so Nissan is aiming to get ahead on the changes of tomorrow. The Japanese automaker issued a press release Wednesday to inform the world that it is working on a "Health & Well-Being" concept to make driving in a Nissan safer and healthier than ever before... and we can see some out of the box thinking showing through.07/31/2010.

ATNMBL - the concept car with no steering wheel, brake pedal or driver's seat

A design studio based in San Francisco has produced a conceptual vision for an autonomous passenger vehicle for the year 2040. Able to comfortably seat seven people, the designers see the Autonomobile taking care of all that tedious driving from A to B while those onboard sit back on the curved sofa and watch a movie, play games or catch up with the news on a large touchscreen display. And if the mood calls for some refreshments, the vehicle can even take care of that too.07/31/2010.

Toyota recalling 412,000 vehicles in U.S.
TOKYO — Toyota is recalling nearly half a million cars, most of them large sedans sold in the U.S., for problems that can cause the steering wheel to lock up. It's the latest indication that the automaker is still struggling with vehicle problems even as it works to overhaul quality control. 07/31/2010.

Kelley Blue Book Offers Abilty to Sell Cars on Facebook

Seller's Toolkit catapults traditional private-party sales methods into 21st century

With no official word from the DOT or NHTSA on its findings in the case, the WSJ's sources have been called into question. According to an unnamed NHTSA spokeswomen speaking with Just-Auto, "The story was planted by Toyota. Toyota is the source – yes we know that for definite [sic]. It is [the] Toyota PR machine. We knew they were going to put it out."07/18/2010.

Toyota 'not anywhere near close' to answers

NEW YORK — Toyota Motor Corp. does not plan to release the results of its probe into complaints of unintended acceleration until the government finishes its own investigations, a Toyota spokesman said Thursday. 07/18/2010.

Caught on Camera: Near Miss Deer... 

It's not the most elegant car leap we've seen on tape, but at least this deer lived another day to tell its survival tale. Watch the video after the jump.
07/18/2010.

Toyota to fix 735,000 defective vehicles 

Toyota has faced a record number of vehicle recalls over the last few months, but the Japanese automaker has finally found a way to put an end to the situation – stop calling them recalls.07/18/2010.

Ford Beefs Up SYNC to Reduce Driver Distractions

Ford adding features to SYNC to reduce driver distraction

DIY Video: How to Sink a BMW 3-Series in a Flooded Road 

Ever wonder why drivers are cautioned to avoid roads covered in water during a flood or flash flood, even if the water depth appears low, and find another way to reach their destination (even if that means traveling a longer distance)? Well, here's why... Watch what happens to the driver this BMW 3-Series saloon when he attempts to cross a flooded road in New Zealand in the video after the break.07/18/2010.

What Would George Jetson Drive? – 

Flying cars are the stuff of dreams, and after nearly five decades of constant reruns, it’s clear that The Jetsons is at fault. So that begs the question—sort of, but not really—what would George Jetson, American male of the future, drive if he were alive (and real) today? 07/18/2010.

Toyota gets a boost, but still losing ground

Confounding critics, the Japanese manufacturer has long asserted that two recent recalls resolve problems with so-called sudden acceleration, going so far as to challenge some owners claiming their Toyota products have raced out of control. 07/18/2010.

Study: It's actually safer to drive on holidays
We may have one less excuse not to visit the in-laws this holiday season. According to the National Motorists Association and State Farm, driving on the holidays may actually be safer than jumping behind the wheel on a normal day. The insurance agency recently took a look at the number of claims it received on seven separate major U.S. holidays – the Fourth of July, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Easter, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas – and found that on average, those days had 2,350 fewer accidents than non-holidays. 07/23/2010.

Volvo P1800 coupe nears 3 million miles
Irv Gordon is the proud American owner of the highest mileage vehicle on the road today – a 1966 Volvo P1800 – a car which has accumulated over 2.8 million miles to date. 07/23/2010.

Drivers of GM vehicles will be able to control car features via smartphone

Fiat developing two-cylinder 100 mpg 500 hybrid? 

Just days after Leftlane brought you news that Fiat has developed an 85 horsepower, 107 lb-ft of torque turbocharged TwinAir two-cylinder engine for the 500, a new report is suggesting that Fiat will develop a mild hybrid that will utilize the same engine, with the addition of an electric motor. 07/14/2010.

What a police car wrapped around Superman might look like

The word "miraculous" scarcely describes the survival of a Santa Maria, California police officer who wrapped his Ford Police Interceptor around a tree Sunday morning. It's what the local Police Chief calls the "worst accident he's seen in 35 years."  07/14/2010.

Chevy Volt battery system gets 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty

General Motors will offer buyers of its Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty on the lithium-ion battery's 161 components.07/14/2010

Toyota says data show drivers stepped on the wrong pedal
Toyota Motor Corp. says data from black boxes it has inspected show that many drivers were pressing on the throttle, not the brake pedal, during unintended-acceleration events.07/14/2010.

Report: Toyota says Corolla/Matrix steering issue not a defect, will offer fix to complainers
Back in February, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiated an investigation of 749,685 2009 and 2010 model year Corolla and Matrix vehicles for a potential steering issue. And while we haven't heard much from the government agency regarding this issue, the Detroit Free Press reports that Toyota has indicated that the problem is not a safety defect and thus doesn't warrant a recall. Instead, the automaker will provide a free fix to customers who claim to have an issue. 07/14/2010.

Subaru recalling nearly 74,000 2010 Outback and Legacy models over wiring issue

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Subaru is recalling 74,000 2010 Outback and Legacy models built between February 16, 2009 and April 12, 2010. It seems that a bundle of wires located behind the steering wheel can develop stress cracks and eventually break. If this happens, some vehicle functions with controls on the steering wheel – such as the horn, cruise and radio controls, paddle shifters and even the driver's airbag – could fail.07/14/2010.

Tech Tuesdays: Ford Adds "Do Not Disturb" Feature to the Nex-Gen Sync
Ford has announced that it will add a "Do Not Disturb" feature to the next generation of its Sync system, called  MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch, which are set to debut on the 2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX. By activating the feature via a touch-screen button, a driver can block incoming calls and text messages from a Bluetooth-connected phone.07/14/2010.

Internet Car Scams: To Outsmart the Crooks, Shoppers Must Be Vigilant

The Council of Better Business Bureaus is warning consumers of another outbreak of an Internet car-selling scam. The crooks are using the names of real automotive businesses to steal money from car buyers. (It happens to Edmunds.com: The company's name has been used by scammers to give an air of legitimacy to their phony car-selling schemes.) 07/14/2010.

Not Just Any Dummy Can Get Into the Smithsonian

On Wednesday, General Motors is formally donating one of its Hybrid III Anthropomorphic Test Devices, commonly known as crash test dummies, to be part of a permanent collection of auto safety artifacts to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. If he could talk, H50-1 might have shared his career highlights thusly before he left the Milford Proving Ground for the nation’s capital.07/14/2010.

Most dangerous times, places to drive

An important part of defensive driving is make good choices about when and where you drive. To help you minimize your risk, we've compiled some useful facts. Putting them all together suggests that you run the least risk of a fatal crash by driving on Christmas Day between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. The risk is even lower if Christmas falls on a Monday. 07/14/2010.

Lottery Winner's Brand New Audi R8 Goes up in Flames
Like the old saying goes, you win some, you lose some. In this case, Connecticut Powerball winner Rahul Patel, saw his one-week old Audi R8 destroyed by fire. According to a report from the Connecticut Post, Patel was driving the German sports car in Fairfield when he suddenly noticed smoke coming out of the engine compartment.07/14/2010.

Vibrating Car Seat Pinpoints Location of Vehicles in Blind Spots

Wearing a seat belt most important safe driving virtue Sensor system alerts drivers to free parking spots

It’s a frustrating situation. You’re aimlessly circling the blocks, hoping to stumble across a free parking space, but with no clue as to where such a space might be. Well, as we so often like to say here at Gizmag – “A new invention could change that.” Researchers from Spain’s Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) have helped develop a system that detects free parking spots, then guides drivers to the closest ones using a process that’s reportedly better than GPS.07/10/2010.

Ford recalls 33,728 Transit Connect vans
Ford will be recalling all 33,728 Transit Connect vans sold in the U.S. in order to meet compliance with federal crash standards after National Highway Traffic Safety Administration testing revealed the vehicle was in non-compliance.07/10/2010.

Chrysler, Ford recalling SUVs, vans

WASHINGTON — The government says Chrysler is recalling about 22,000 sport utility vehicles and trucks to fix brake tubes that could lead to the loss of brake fluid.Ford Motor Co., meanwhile, is recalling more than 30,000 2010 Transit Connect vans to replace pushpins holding the liners above the driver's head. The company says government testing found it failed to meet federal standards protecting the head.07/10/2010.

Toyota Safety and Quality Seminar: Day Three

Peter Wolf, an automotive brake-development engineer turned freelance writer, is in Japan for Edmunds.com, covering Toyota's safety and quality seminar. After already surviving not one, but two grueling days of safety presentations, here's his dispatch from the seminar's third day. Details are after the jump.07/10/2010.

Wrap It Up: Ford unveils new body kits, graphics and accessories for Fiesta

Ford has given Fiesta buyers a chance to turn their purchase into something a little unique. The company is offering a number of customization options for the new pint-sizer, including a rash of interior options and exterior graphics. For starters, the car can be equipped with a number of interior lighting accents, including an illuminated shift knob and door sill plates, or LED mood lighting for the cup holders and foot wells. Outside, Ford will be happy to set you up with an aggressive body kit and rear spoiler, for a price.07/08/2010.

Rental car companies ignore recalls [Video]
Rental car companies across America hold fleets of hundreds of thousands of vehicles, which now been shown to contain countless vehicles that have been named in safety recalls, yet left untreated.07/08/2010.

$25 Billion More for GM and Chrysler?

A joint consideration by both the U.S. Treasury Department and the Department of Energy is coming close to approving $25 billion in loans for GM and Chrysler, intended to fund the retooling of plants to produce more fuel efficient vehicles.The loans have been in the works for some time, as the funds would be pulled from a 2008 allotment which was set aside then by the Department of Energy. Leftlane reported in May that the loans had been partially distributed to various automakers, but GM was still seeking $14.4 billion and Chrysler was seeking $8.55 billion.07/08/2010.

Automakers Offering Body-wrap Graphics in Lue of Custom Paint

Building on the company’s previous Minivan Pledge campaign, Chrysler has announced a 60-day money-back guarantee on most 2010 Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep models.Launching today at dealerships across the country, the program allows buyers to return a new vehicle within 60 days if they aren’t happy with the purchase. Additionally, Chrysler will make the first two monthly payments for the customer, up to $500 per month. 07/08/2010.

Sponsored Post: Enter Shell’s Fuel My Passion Contest and Sweepstakes for a Chance to Win an Audi and Free Gas!
Hey, car enthusiasts! Do you have a special bond with your car or truck? Shell is inviting you to enter the Shell V-Power Fuel My Passion contest and sweepstakes for a chance to win great prizes like Shell V-Power premium gasoline for five years plus a brand-new Audi S5 or Q7 or a Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide motorcycle. 07/08/2010.

Chrysler to make 1st two payments on new cars
Chrysler will pay up to $500 per month for a total of $1,000 on most vehicles. Customers also get the option of taking $3,000 to $4,000 in cash or making a "regret-free" purchase, in which they could return any new vehicle within 60 days if they're not satisfied. Other July incentives include zero-percent financing on most Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep vehicles. All the deals are set to end Aug. 2.  07/08/2010.

California ends hybrid HOV-lane access

Following a five-year run allowing owners of select hybrid vehicles to apply for special access stickers that would permit them to travel in High Occupancy Vehicle (carpool) lanes, despite the lack of a passenger, California has not stopped accepting applications for hybrid vehicles. 07/08/2010.

GM eliminates 2,000 dealers, will end year with 4,500 showrooms

A little more than a year ago, General Motors had in excess of 6,000 dealerships across the country. In the viability plan GM submitted to Congress the automaker stated it would shut down 400 dealerships every year, shedding 1,600 of them by 2012. The General said it eventually wanted to get down to 4,000 showrooms at some point in the future. According the the latest reports, GM is well ahead of its own schedule: it will have just 4,500 dealership by the end of this year, a 1,650-site drop from last year. 07/08/2010.

Used Car Corner: Program Cars and Salvage Cars

When buying a used car, you have a variety of sources to choose from. Most of the time, folks buy from a dealership or a private party seller. In the case of the dealership purchase, the car is usually a trade-in or something the dealer bought at auction. And when you buy from a private party, it could be from the first owner or the fifth owner. If you're looking for a well-maintained used car, you might want to consider program cars. On the other end of the spectrum, you might also be tempted to consider a salvage car, what with its enticing bargain pricetag and seemingly "as good as new" condition. 07/08/2010.

On the road to cleaner air with air-purifying concrete
Although much of the focus of pollution from automobiles centers on carbon emissions, there are other airborne nasties spewing from the tailpipes of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. These include nitrogen oxides (NOx). In the form of nitrogen dioxide it reacts with chemicals produced by sunlight to form nitric acid – a major constituent of acid rain – and also reacts with sunlight, leading to the formation of ozone and smog. Everyone is exposed to small amounts of nitrogen oxides in ambient air, but exposure to higher amounts, in areas of heavy traffic for example, can damage respiratory airways. Testing has shown that surfacing roads with air purifying concrete could make a big contribution to local air purity by reducing the concentration of nitrogen oxides by 25 to 45 percent.07/08/2010.

2011 Dodge Challenger priced on NADA site... big price increases on the way?
Interestingly, if NADA's numbers are accurate, MSRPs have climbed substantially – a couple thousand dollars across the range. A base 2010 Challenger SE with the 3.6-liter V6 presently retails for $23,695, according to NADA, a 2011 needs $2,310 more, coming in at $26,055. The Coupe R/T jumps by $1,910, from $31,610 to $33,520. Get the R/T with the J Package and 20-inch wheels and pay $3,085 more, at $36,500, or go for the R/T Classic and pay $2,460 more than for a 2010, at $37,400. The 2011 SRT8 is $1,921 more, at $45,601. All prices include the $750 destination charge.07/08/2010.

Report: Infiniti to double fuel mileage with next hybrid
Up to this point, Nissan has relied on hybrid technology purchased and licensed from the undisputed leader in hybrid vehicles. That would be Toyota, naturally. But the two Japanese automakers will be moving in separate directions in short order as Nissan has developed its own hybrid powertrain technology, and unlike most other automakers, Nissan's system will debut powering a rear-wheel-drive machine wearing the Infiniti badge.07/08/2010.

Report: BMW Z4 and Mazda3 face NHTSA scrutiny over power steering failures
Following all the criticism federal regulators received earlier this year for letting Toyota safety defects go unaddressed, everyone is taking a closer look customer complaints. The 2007-9 Mazda3 and the 2003-5 BMW Z4 are both being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration following consumer complaints about a loss of power steering assist. Three Mazda crashes and one BMW accident are being blamed on the steering issue. 07/08/2010.

Toyota Cites Contamination for Lexus Engine Flaw

Toyota knew about faulty engines over three years ago
DETROIT — Toyota Motor Corp said on Tuesday it had received reports more than three years ago of faulty engine valve springs at the center of a U.S. recall of nearly 139,000 luxury Lexus vehicles it announced last week. 07/08/2010.

GM Sells More Cars in China Than in U.S.

GM sold more cars in China so far this year than it has in the U.S.GM's China sales from January through June totaled 1,209,138 units. The automaker aims to sell 2 million units this year. 07/08/2010.

Five Easy Car Repairs You Can and Should Do Yourself
The idea of doing anything mechanical fills some car owners with fear and trembling. But there are at least five or six things nearly everyone can do themselves to avoid repair bills and save money. AutoMD assembled a list, and we have our own thoughts on this subject, plus plenty of DIY articles and videos to help shade-tree mechanics. 07/08/2010.

The future of refrigeration could be magnetic

In the future, your refrigerator might keep your food cold by using a magnet. Not only would it use less power and run quieter than your current fridge, but it also wouldn’t contain any hydrofluorocarbons, gases which can add tremendously to the greenhouse effect if not properly disposed of. It all comes down to something called the magnetocaloric effect, wherein a changing magnetic field within a material causes it to get colder. It definitely holds promise, although scientists first have to figure out just how the thing works.07/08/2010.

Audi Cam streams video of your repairs
Handing your pride and joy over to a service tech is a nerve fraying experience. While the vast majority of service personnel out there are well trained, courteous and quick about their work, there are bad apples in every bushel, and you never know exactly who's getting their hands on your keys. Audi is looking to put some of that worry aside with a new program that the company is calling – brace yourself – Audi Cam.07/08/2010.

BREAKING: 10,000 Chevrolet Volts in 2011, 30,000 in 2012

During a live video webchat this afternoon, Tony DiSalle, marketing director for the Chevrolet Volt, announced the production volumes for the first two years. General Motors plans to build 10,000 Volts by the end of the 2011 calendar year, with another 30,000 units coming in 2012. There will be a relatively slow production ramp up during the first year as the automaker learns to build the Volt as well as well as picking up lessons from cars in the field. 07/04/2010.

America, the automobile and the 4th of July
The first internal combustion-powered automobile was not invented by an American (thank you, Karl Benz). But we did invent the motorcycle (coal-powered), air brake, AC motor, stop sign, tractor, assembly line, automatic transmission, muffler, tow truck, bulldozer, car radio, tracked amphibious landing vehicle, stock car racing, cruise control, carbon fiber, the integrated circuit, satellite navigation, airbags, catalytic converter, The Mars Rover and even the Segway. In other words, we didn't invent the automobile but we did contribute much of the technology that makes it what it is today. 07/04/2010.

Big Improvement in 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep's redesigned Grand Cherokee much improved over predecessor
It is a credible premium midsize SUV amongst pricier foreign models
New design 3.6L Pentastar V-6 has 290hp but only gets 16 mpg city
Optional 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 adds power but at worse fuel efficiency 07/04/2010.

Proper Tire Inflation Essential to Safety, Fuel Economy
Severely underinflated tires could reduce gas mileage more than 3.3%
Proper tire inflation saves 8-9 cents/gallon at the pump
Underinflated tires wear out faster, have reduced load-carrying, loose grip in turns 07/04/2010.

Cars.com launches interactive map of Muscle Car areas
The muscle car war is raging, with the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang jockeying for the title of top pony car. The Dodge Challenger is no slouch either, with a pair of new engines rumored for the 2011 model year. Our friends over at Cars.com are celebrating the recent success of America's reborn pony cars with an extremely neat interactive map that illustrates the towns most interested in a particular vehicle. The color-coded map differentiates the models, and you can click on any circle to see the percentage above average. The bigger the circle, the larger the search disparity. 07/04/2010.

Volt production numbers, patriotic trip announced
Volt takes a trip
The road trip, to be called “Freedom Drive,” will see the Volt start in Austin, Texas, and end in New York City. The automaker is using the road trip to show the “freedom” owners of the Volt will enjoy, making a case for the Volt to be the only electric vehicle that can perform as the family’s primary car.07/04/2010.

Science Panel Holds First Gathering on Unintended Acceleration Research
In Washington Wednesday, that panel - the National Academy of Sciences' Committee on Electronic Vehicle Controls and Unintended Acceleration - is having its first meeting to tell the public how that's going. 07/04/2010.

Cars with wings may be just around the corner
The company Terrafugia, based in Woburn, Mass., says it plans to deliver its car-plane, the Transition, to customers by the end of 2011. It recently cleared a major hurdle when the Federal Aviation Administration granted a special weight limit exemption to the Transition.07/04/2010.

Savvy Shopper: 10 Years of Driving a Used Car Kept Money in My Pocket
Ten years ago, while researching an article on used-car bargains, I bought what was then a 1-year-old 2000 Mitsubishi Galant ES. As the years went by, the car went from me to my wife to my oldest son and then my youngest. Last week, after the car had sat for months at the curb, we sold it. And as I got ready to hand it off to the new owner, I looked at the plump envelope of service records and realized that I had a great opportunity to total all my driving and ownership costs for the last 10 years.07/04/2010.

Hyundai powers up its hybrid strategy
More than a decade after the launch of the Toyota Prius, the world’s best-selling hybrid-electric vehicle, the Korean carmaker is just getting ready to dip its toe in the alternative power market with its first gasoline-electric vehicle, a version of its popular new Sonata sedan.07/04/2010.

Chevrolet: 10,000 Volts in 2011, 30,000 in 2012; Launch Regions Expanded
Chevrolet has expanded the number of initial launch regions for the Volt and announced more detailed sales plans for the car. New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Austin, Texas, were added to the list of  markets in which the Volt will initially be available, joining California, Michigan, and Washington, D.C.  While wider sales and the ramp-up of production won’t occur until early next year, California, Washington, D.C., Austin, and New York will see a few Volts trickle in by the end of this year. The Volt will be available across all 50 states and Canada by mid-2012. Chevrolet says it expects to build 10,000 Volts in 2011 and 30,000 in calendar-year 2012. 07/04/2010.

Ford's June Sales Up 13% from Last Year as Fiesta Hits the Market
Ford reported sales in June were up 13 percent from a year ago as its much ballyhooed Ford   Fiesta went on sale. Ford sold 175,895 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo brand vehicles in June. Ford recently announced it will discontinue Mercury by year-end. It is in the process of selling Volvo to China's Geely 07/04/2010.

Toyota says 270,000 vehicles have faulty engines.
TOKYO — Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday about 270,000 cars sold worldwide — including luxury Lexus sedans — have potentially faulty engines, the latest quality lapse to hit the automaker following massive global recalls of top-selling models.07/04/2010.

VW Bluesport green lighted?
Previously thought to be dead in the water, Volkswagen has reportedly given the green light to a production version of its Bluesport concept. The Bluesport project was believed to be stalled due to infighting within the VW Group. According to Auto Express’ inside sources, VW brass has finally given the production nod to the Bluesport sports car. The VW Bluesport concept first debuted at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show. 07/04/2010.

74-MPG City Car Makes a Smart Look Big
The British engineer finally unveiled his T.25 City Car, the Lilliputian runabout he’s spent three years developing. Although the 74-mpg T.25 and its T.27 electric sibling recall the microcars of post-war Europe, it’s quite advanced. Beyond using a tubular steel frame, composite materials and a canopy that opens like a Lamborghini’s doors, the T.25 will use a manufacturing process said to tremendously reduce capital, space and materials.07/04/2010.