software

For today's car-owners, over-the-air updates are a great thing--except when they aren't. Some Lexus owners have learned that the hard way, thanks to a software update that's been crashing vehicles' navigation systems. Reports about the problem vary, but several owners complain that it's bricked the...Read More»

Apps freezing or crashing, unexpected sluggishness, and sudden reboots are all, unfortunately, within the normal range of behavior of the software in our smartphones and laptops. While losing that text message you were composing might be a crisis for the moment, it’s nothing compared to the...Read More»

Last spring, we asked an important question: "Do You Really Own Your Car?" According to Auto News, one federal agency has now provided a definitive answer, which will make tinkerers and tuners happy -- if the decision doesn't get upended by federal law, that is. HOW WE GOT HERE For as long as there...Read More»

The auto world seems hyper-sensitive to hacking these days -- and rightly so. Good-guy hackers have exposed numerous vulnerabilities in today's telematics systems, which could be exploited to frustrate drivers, pilfer personal information about owners, or worse. But are these worries just growing...Read More»

Back in July, the auto world was riveted to a story about two guys in St. Louis, Missouri who'd hacked into a Jeep Cherokee via its Uconnect software. A few days later, Jeep's parent company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, recalled 1.4 million Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles to prevent others...Read More»

Earlier this week, we reported on a vulnerability in Chrysler's Uconnect system that allowed two hackers to remotely control a Jeep Cherokee. (They could've chosen any number of vehicles from a wide range of automakers, but determined that the Cherokee was best suited for their demonstration.) To...Read More»

When it comes to cars, there are plenty of reasons to buy instead of lease. For starters, when we buy, we're making a capital investment. Though that investment will depreciate over time, we'll still get a chunk of our money back. Also, even in the increasingly rent-friendly, ridesharing economy...Read More»

Ford Motor Company is recalling roughly 65,000 Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, and Fusion Energi sedans from the 2014 and 2015 model years. According to a statement from the automaker, the recall is meant to fix a software problem that could allow vehicles to roll away under certain conditions. ALSO SEE...Read More»

Last week, the internet was abuzz over a software update -- namely, Apple's release of iOS8. But on Friday, electric car company Tesla announced a substantial software update of its own, and some of the new bells and whistles are even more interesting than those found on iPhones. The new operating...Read More»

Remember those AT&T commercials from the mid-1990s -- the ones that asked, "Have you ever sent someone a fax...from the beach?" They envisioned a future of instant gratification, and many of their predictions have come true. (Except no one sends faxes anymore. Thankfully.) But one thing those...Read More»

New and redesigned models occasionally stumble getting out of the gate. Sometimes, they have trouble finding the right tone for their marketing campaigns (as was initially the case for the Chevrolet Volt). Other times, real-world conditions reveal mechanical, electrical, or design flaws, which can...Read More»

Like it or not, car tech is changing. And as that technology changes, so does the way that we maintain and service our vehicles. As proof, look no further than a problem currently affecting the 2013 Chevrolet Volt. According to the Detroit News, General Motors has begun contacting owners of the...Read More»

Following a chorus of criticism of its MyFordTouch system, Ford has upgraded the software for the 2013 model year--and will make the upgrade available for all vehicles that have been sold with earlier versions. The company is continuing to make MyFordTouch available on its lineup of new vehicles...Read More»

According to an article published in the SaskatoonStar Phoenix over the weekend, a programming error in the City of Saskatoon's parking meters allows drivers to park free under a specific circumstance that is becoming ever more widely known and exploited (and with the article's publication, likely...Read More»

It's no secret that cars have become increasingly dependent on computers, and there's no sign of that trend slowing anytime soon. But are computer hackers a threat to today's drivers? Antivirus software manufacturer MacAfee seems to think so. MacAfee has issued a report called "Caution: Malware...Read More»

Honda has issued two very different recalls for two very different vehicles: the 2006 Honda CR-V and the 2011 Honda CR-Z. Combined, the two recalls affect nearly 86,000 vehicles on U.S. roadways. The 2006 CR-V's problems center around the power window master switch. Due to a design flaw, the...Read More»

Just a few weeks ago, Volvo recalled a number of 2010 and 2011 models for a problem with the driver's side airbags. Now, the Swedish/Chinese automaker is recalling some of those very same vehicles again due to a software flaw that could cause unexpected stalling. The models affected by this latest...Read More»