Fri, 25 June 2021
This week we review GM's automated driving enhanced Super Cruise system, tested on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade we purchased for our test program, and discuss how it compares to the previous version, as well as competitors like Tesla's Autopilot. With the arrival of summer and temperatures rising across the US, we share tips on how to keep your family safe and cool your car quickly. We also share how to keep kids occupied during long road trips; whether older, rare cars like the Chevrolet SSR could lack replacement parts as it gets older; what to do to prevent dirt, bugs, and other debris from disabling your car's camera-based safety systems; and how the massive chip shortage might affect the build quality of 2022 model year vehicles.
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SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 00:28 - Kids in Hot Cars 06:19 - Road Trips with Kids 13:31 - GM’s Enhanced Super Cruise 20:11 - Question #1: Could older, rare cars lack replacement parts as they get older? 22:02 - Question #2: How to prevent dirt, bugs, and other debris from disabling vehicle safety systems? 24:23 - Question #3: Could the massive chip shortage affect the build quality of 2022 model year vehicles?
---------------------------------- Self-Driving System Ranking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X06tXpg7yiA
Auto Industry and Lawmakers Call for Driver Monitoring Systems to Improve Safety https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/call-for-driver-monitoring-to-improve-car-safety/
First Drive: 2021 Cadillac Escalade Proves Powerful, High-Tech, and Truly Luxurious https://www.consumerreports.org/suvs/2021-cadillac-escalade-review/
Tesla Full Self-Driving Review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQOf_F6hibk
Hot Car Fatalities Are a Year-Round Threat to Children and Pets https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/hot-car-fatalities-year-round-threat-to-children-pets-heat-stroke/ Research Shows That Anyone Could Forget Kids in Hot Cars https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/anyone-could-forget-kids-in-hot-car-forgotten-baby-syndrome/
CR’s Guide to Vacation and Travel https://www.consumerreports.org/travel/guide-to-vacation-travel/
Global Chip Shortage Makes It Tough to Buy Certain Cars https://www.consumerreports.org/buying-a-car/global-chip-shortage-makes-it-tough-to-buy-certain-cars-a8160576456/
Guide to Car Safety https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-guide-to-car-safety/
Coronavirus Resource Hub https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/
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Fri, 18 June 2021
On this week's episode, we talk about the redesigned 2022 Honda Civic, and share our first impressions on its driving characteristics, styling, and comfort. Ford has announced an all-new small pickup, the Maverick, and we discuss how it might fit into a market dominated by oversized vehicles. We also give a glimpse into our headlight testing at the track, and how halogen lights compare to LEDs. Other topics include why a truck's hood height can pose a risk to pedestrians and drivers of smaller cars; proper oil change intervals for short commutes; whether a new car that sat on a dealer's lot for months may have a risk of 'lot rot;' if turning off the A/C in a car saves gas; and our experts predict which modern cars will become classics in the future.
----------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!
From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!
We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/
Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6
SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 00:34 - CR’s Headlight Testing 03:27 - Hidden Danger of BIG Trucks 07:27 - 2022 Ford Maverick Preview 12:32 - 2022 Honda Civic First Impressions 18:12 - Modern Classics 26:50 - Question #1: What are the proper oil change intervals for short commute vehicles? 29:27 - Question #2: Could a new car that sat on a dealer’s lot for months experience ‘lot rot?’ 33:13 - Question #3: Why are battery powered cars called electric vehicles? 36:13 - Question #4: Does turning off the A\C in a car save fuel?
---------------------------------- First Drive: 2022 Honda Civic Stands Out Among Compact Sedans https://www.consumerreports.org/sedans/2022-honda-civic-review/
Preview: 2022 Ford Maverick Priced Under $20,000 With Standard Hybrid https://www.consumerreports.org/pickup-trucks/2022-ford-maverick-review-a1068008639/
Headlight Testing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOr0gqWYIu8
The Hidden Danger of BIG Trucks https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/the-hidden-dangers-of-big-trucks/
Best New Cars for Teens https://www.consumerreports.org/new-cars/best-new-cars-for-teens/
5 Things to Know About Oil Changes for Your Car https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/things-to-know-about-oil-changes-for-your-car/
How to Cool Your Car Like a Pro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4XnoSRtSAo
10 Tips to Get the Most Out of a Tank of Gas https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/10-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-tank-of-gas-a2642110189/
How to Get the Best Fuel Economy Now https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/how-to-get-the-best-fuel-economy-now/
Guide to Car Safety https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-guide-to-car-safety/
Coronavirus Resource Hub https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/
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Fri, 11 June 2021
This week we share our first impressions of the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, and discuss whether its driving dynamics and redesigned interior give it an edge in the competitive midsized three-row SUV segment. Fuel prices are going up nationwide, so we share some tips on how to maximize your car's fuel economy. Other topics include whether switching between premium and regular fuel may damage a car's engine, should Tesla disabling advanced safety features in some of its vehicles keep drivers from purchasing a Model 3 or Model Y, how to properly charge an electric vehicle to optimize its battery life, and we feature responses we received from our audience about their favorite cars they wish they still owned.
----------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!
From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!
We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/
Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6
SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 00:35 - Audience Response: Favorite Cars Ever Owned 06:20 - Tips to Improve Fuel Economy 12:32 - 2022 Nissan Pathfinder First Impressions 22:38 - Question #1: Could switching between premium and regular fuel damage a car’s engine? 26:01 - Question #2: Should Tesla disabling advance safety features in some of its vehicles keep drivers from purchasing a Model 3 or Model Y? 29:30 - Question #3: What is the proper way to charge and electric vehicle to optimize its battery life? 31:36 - Question #4: What is the best way to protect a car’s wheel from curb damage?
---------------------------------- First Drive: Redesigned 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Is a Modern Take on the Original Truck https://www.consumerreports.org/suvs/2022-nissan-pathfinder-review/
10 Tips to Get the Most Out of a Tank of Gas https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/10-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-tank-of-gas-a2642110189/
How to Get the Best Fuel Economy Now https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/how-to-get-the-best-fuel-economy-now/
Regular Gas vs. Premium Gas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdcPEk3ldzc
Tesla Model 3 Loses CR Top Pick Status and IIHS Safety Award After Dropping Features https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/tesla-model-3-loses-cr-top-pick-status-and-iihs-safety-award-a2421791602/
Why Your New Car May Not Have Everything You Want https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-driving/why-your-new-car-may-not-have-everything-you-want-a9886900049/
How to Choose the Best Home Wall Charger for Your Electric Vehicle https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/how-to-choose-the-best-home-wall-charger-for-your-electric-vehicle/
Guide to Car Safety https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-guide-to-car-safety/
Coronavirus Resource Hub https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/
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Fri, 4 June 2021
This week we discuss a variety of topics, including why a car manufacturer would change the recommended motor oil specification on a vehicle; does modifying ride height and wheel size of a vehicle affect its performance and safety; should you rush to buy a new car because the semiconductor chip shortage could leave dealer lots empty; if there's any truth to the theory that some vehicle colors are safer than others in inclement weather, and more!
----------------------------------- Have a question for our experts? Leave a comment on this episode, or reach out to us directly!
From your iOS device, iMessage us at TalkingCars@icloud.com to send a photo, video, or text directly to the Talking Cars team!
We love to feature our viewers on the show, so submit video questions at https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-talking-cars/
Subscribe to Talking Cars on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jr8wJRJyN9v8T6LC1fQQ6
SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 00:54 - Question #1: Why a car manufacturer would change the recommended motor oil specifications on a vehicle? 05:02 - Question #2: Does modifying ride hight and wheel size of a vehicle affect its performance and safety? 08:57 - Question #3: Is it possible to over tighten a child seat when installing it in a car? 12:47 - Question #4: Can overfilling motor oil in a vehicle damage the engine? 16:25 - Question #5: Should you rush to buy a new car because the semiconductor chip shortage could leave dealer lots empty? 21:28 - Question #6: Is there any truth to the theory that some vehicle colors are safer than other inclement weather? 24:19 - Question #7: Is it normal for a plug-in hybrid to be mostly driven in EV mode, and how service maintenance should be carried out in such situation?
---------------------------------- 5 Things to Know About Oil Changes for Your Car https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/things-to-know-about-oil-changes-for-your-car/
How to Avoid Common Car-Seat Installation Mistakes https://www.consumerreports.org/car-seats/how-to-avoid-common-car-seat-installation-mistakes/
Here Are Automakers’ Plans for Adding More Electric Vehicles to Their Lineups https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/why-electric-cars-may-soon-flood-the-us-market/
New Cars on the Horizon https://www.consumerreports.org/new-cars/new-cars-on-the-horizon/
Guide to Car Safety https://www.consumerreports.org/cars-guide-to-car-safety/
Coronavirus Resource Hub https://www.consumerreports.org/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-updates/
----------------------------------- Check out http://www.ConsumerReports.org for the latest reviews, tips, and recommendations and subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/1Nlb1Ez
Follow Us on Social: Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1IQ2w5q Twitter: http://bit.ly/1Yf5Fh2 Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1P37mM9 Instagram: http://bit.ly/1I49Bzo Google+: http://bit.ly/1Md3gfQ |