http://www.thecarconnection.com/tips Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:02:58 -0500 Tips and Advice -- find out how to maintain, service, insure, wash and wax, and change the oil in your car with tips from TheCarConnection.com. Lifestyle/Fashion http://static.thecarconnection.com/website/tcc-feed.jpg http://www.thecarconnection.com/tips http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1039302_do-volvo-infiniti-accident-avoidance-systems-make-a-difference http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1039302_do-volvo-infiniti-accident-avoidance-systems-make-a-difference Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:56:00 -0500 A number of luxury vehicles--and a few other tech-focused models like the 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Ford Taurus--now offer features designed to warn you when you stray from your lane, whether due to inattention or drowsiness, or might not notice what's in your blind spot. But typically these systems often come as part of technology packages ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1039004_gm-to-work-with-national-federation-of-the-blind-on-2011-chevy-volt-sounds http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1039004_gm-to-work-with-national-federation-of-the-blind-on-2011-chevy-volt-sounds Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0500 Since at least 2007, advocates for the blind have been concerned about the lack of noise from hybrids running in electric mode. The imminent arrival of all-electric cars like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and the 2012 Nissan Leaf has only raised their level of alarm. Now General Motors has announced that the engineers developing the 2011 Volt will ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038556_iihs-picks-the-safest-new-vehicles-for-2010 http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038556_iihs-picks-the-safest-new-vehicles-for-2010 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:24:00 -0500 The coveted Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) used to be quite exclusive--and a way for safety-conscious shoppers to narrow down their possibilities to a few top-rated vehicles in a segment. But since 2007, the number of Top Safety Picks has roughly doubled each year, going from just 23 ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038477_side-pole-crash-test-part-of-tougher-nhtsa-ratings-for-2011 http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038477_side-pole-crash-test-part-of-tougher-nhtsa-ratings-for-2011 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:51:00 -0500 To put it bluntly, crash-test results in their present state can be frustrating for shoppers. Take a look either at crash-test ratings from the federal government or from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and you're bound to be confused by the sheer number of vehicles that have all garnered top ratings. For some types of ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038361_chevrolet-aveo-the-most-toxic-new-car http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038361_chevrolet-aveo-the-most-toxic-new-car Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:41:00 -0500 Do you avoid drinking out of clear plastic water bottles, using antiperspirants with aluminum, or cooking in non-stick pans? Use a water purifier and ionizer everywhere you go, always buy organic, mind your cold-water fish list, and have your tap water checked yearly? If so, we've found either a new source of anxiety in your life or a handy ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038328_2010-subaru-legacy-better-bumpers-cut-repair-costs-says-iihs http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038328_2010-subaru-legacy-better-bumpers-cut-repair-costs-says-iihs Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:24:00 -0500 The stylish and delicate-looking front and rear bumper areas of most new vehicles are, just as they appear, damage-prone and expensive to fix, even from minor parking-lot-speed impacts. However the new 2010 Subaru Legacy fares well; in the latest round of bumper evaluations from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), it gets one of ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038317_bmw-pushing-for-smart-traffic-lights-to-aid-fuel-efficiency http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038317_bmw-pushing-for-smart-traffic-lights-to-aid-fuel-efficiency Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:09:00 -0500 Creeping along from red light to red light on your way from a major sports event or concert, or stopped by every red light on the way home late at night, on empty roads, you've probably wondered why traffic lights in the U.S. aren't a little more adaptable. The short answer: they're not at all smart, and at least here in the U.S. they're ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038195_2010-toyota-yaris-cheapest-new-car-with-stability-control http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1038195_2010-toyota-yaris-cheapest-new-car-with-stability-control Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:00:00 -0500 It's not surprising at all that the smallest, least expensive vehicles typically get short shrift on features. You won't find power windows or mirrors, central locking, air conditioning, or even sound systems on some of the most affordable versions of the cheapest models. But while most automakers also skimp on safety features for these most ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037982_how-to-make-hands-free-calls-safer-at-speed-move-voices-around http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037982_how-to-make-hands-free-calls-safer-at-speed-move-voices-around Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:17:00 -0500 The dangers of distracted driving are top of mind these days, what with recent studies on the risks, a Department of Transportation summit meeting, and even automakers speaking out against it. A Congressional bill would cut highway funding to states that do not ban using handheld devices behind the wheel, as 17 already have. Ford now tout ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037900_traffic-fatalities-continue-to-drop-to-record-lows http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037900_traffic-fatalities-continue-to-drop-to-record-lows Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:39:00 -0500 We have some good news. The federal government has released an early estimate of traffic fatalities for the first half of this year, and the results are positive, with overall fatalities down about seven percent versus the same period last year. Even adjusting for the fact that people are driving a lot less, the fatality rate is showing ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037884_fords-inflatable-seat-belts-are-finally-ready-to-roll http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037884_fords-inflatable-seat-belts-are-finally-ready-to-roll Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:46:00 -0500 At the 2001 Detroit auto show, Ford debuted some intriguing technology: airbag-enabled seat belts. After years of additional testing and refinement, it appears that the devices are finally ready for prime time. They'll soon be available as an option on next-gen Ford Explorers; afterward, they'll debut in Europe and other markets. While we're ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037810_cell-phone-vehicle-control-coming-soon-to-sync-and-onstar http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037810_cell-phone-vehicle-control-coming-soon-to-sync-and-onstar Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:09:00 -0500 The iPhone-remote-controlled "Spirit of Berlin" Dodge Grand Caravan that we posted about just earlier today is pretty wild. In case you missed, it you'll want to check out the video clip demonstrating almost full vehicle operation, from the much-loved Apple handset. To a soundtrack by Yello, of course. Then you'll probably also want to recall ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037741_downside-of-gps-navigation-systems-trucks-hitting-bridges http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037741_downside-of-gps-navigation-systems-trucks-hitting-bridges Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:15:00 -0500 Navigation systems using GPS seem to be behind a whole host of bad behavior. They lead BMW drivers to the brink of cliffs, and now they're causing truck drivers in New York State to drive into bridges. The engineering magazine IEEE Spectrum reports that GPS devices are directing truckers, especially out-of-state drivers unfamiliar with the ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037654_chrysler-recalls-rear-wheel-drive-cars-for-front-wheel-issue http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037654_chrysler-recalls-rear-wheel-drive-cars-for-front-wheel-issue Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:02:00 -0500 If you drive a late-model rear-wheel-drive Chrysler or Dodge car--a 2010 Dodge Challenger, for instance--you'll want to take note of this one. Chrysler has issued a recall of select 2009 and 2010 model-year rear-wheel-drive vehicles for a problem that might lead to the front wheels falling off. Apparently, some of these models left the Brampton, ..]]> http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037463_sfpd-to-go-lightly-on-drivers-without-licenses-ruckus-ensues http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1037463_sfpd-to-go-lightly-on-drivers-without-licenses-ruckus-ensues Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:53:00 -0400 Many police departments around the U.S. impound the cars of drivers caught behind the wheel without a license. But starting Sunday, San Francisco plans to abolish that policy, calling it unfair to illegal immigrants. Mayor Gavin Newsom, police chief George Gascón, and supervisor David Campos (himself a former illegal immigrant) all agree that ..]]>