Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don’t buckle up.
US to require passenger vehicles to sound alarms if rear passengers don’t fasten their seat belts
Category: Automotive
Motormouth: $650 to replace a headlamp
Q: I recently took my Jeep in for routine service including the replacement of the driver’s side headlamp. I know that it’s a pain to replace, but $650 to replace the bulb seems to me to be outrageous! The dealership said the HID ballast alone was about $450. I asked if I could switch to LED technology instead and was told no. Is it true that LEDs are not an option? Should I move on to an independent mechanic?
Motormouth: Should I base the oil change on mileage or time?
Q: I have a question that I haven’t seen you address before. I bought a 2018 Ford Taurus with a V-6 a few years ago. The dealership said the oil should be changed every 5,000 miles or 6 months. I don’t drive that much, so it was changed every 6 months. I now have a Honda CR-V EX-L 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder.
Motormouth: Defroster disrupts radio
Q: My main concern is if it should be any more of an issue than just a temporary nuisance I can live with. Your expert take on this?
Motormouth: Any issues with using gas blended with 10% ethanol?
A: Back in the day, fuel systems, gaskets and such were made using materials that didn’t tolerate alcohol very well. That day is long gone.
Motormouth: Can a deep-cycle battery stay in an unheated garage between trips?
Q: I live in Chicago and have a deep-cycle battery for my pop-up camper that I keep in my unheated garage between trips. I have it on a maintenance charger. Should I bring it indoors during the Chicago winter, or will the charger keep it ready (and undamaged) for next season?
Honda recalls nearly 206,000 SUVs to fix fuel filler tubes that can leak gasoline, risking a fire
Honda is recalling nearly 206,000 SUVs in the U.S. because the fuel filler neck can separate from the filler pipe in a crash, allowing gasoline to leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Electric school bus maker Lion Electric suspends operations at Illinois plant
Lion Electric, which has struggled in recent months, says it is suspending operations at its Illinois plant and temporarily laying off approximately 400 workers, in both Canada and the U.S.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares resigns as carmaker continues to struggle with slumping sales
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is stepping down after nearly four years in the top spot of the Jeep and Ram maker, which has continued to struggle with slumping sales.
Biden administration to loan $6.6B to EV maker Rivian to build Georgia factory that automaker paused
President Joe Biden’s administration announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Energy will make a $6.6 billion loan to Rivian Automotive to build a factory in Georgia that had stalled as the startup electric vehicle maker struggled to become profitable.