Traffic Safety Expo Is Like SEMA For Safety Equipment, And It's Filled With Cool Tech That Keep Roads And Workers...
The American Traffic Safety Services Association’s Traffic Safety Expo in Houston showcased a suite of new safety technologies aimed at reducing fatalities in road‑construction zones, which claim 50 to 150 lives annually. Highlights included the Alpha Overwatch LiDAR‑based intrusion alarm, deformable water‑filled crash cushions, and work trucks equipped with automated debris‑clearing and cone‑setting features. Demonstrations emphasized how these tools protect both workers and drivers by detecting hazards and absorbing impacts. The expo positions these innovations as the next wave of protective infrastructure for the nation’s highways.
The Clever Engineering Of Shipping The Chevy Vega By Train
Chevrolet’s 1971 Vega was marketed as an inexpensive compact, but its reputation suffered due to quality issues. To keep overall costs low, GM partnered with Southern Pacific to create the Vert‑A‑Pac railcar system, which allowed up to 30 cars per...
How To Prevent Engine Block Hot Spots
Engine block hot spots are isolated overheated areas that can damage heads, gaskets, and internal components even when coolant levels appear normal. They typically arise from air pockets, weak radiator caps, improper coolant mix, or detonation caused by low‑octane fuel...
Yes, Size Affects Performance (We're Talking About Spark Plugs)
Spark plug size is critical to engine performance, with each vehicle engineered for a specific thread diameter, reach length, hex size and seat type. The article outlines how to measure these dimensions—thread diameters of 10 mm to 18 mm, reach lengths from...
Why Toyota Ditched The Blue Badges For Its Hybrids
Toyota has phased out its iconic blue‑halo hybrid badge, replacing it with a new HEV logo and a blue‑dot emblem that signals the company’s Beyond Zero electrification strategy. The change coincides with the launch of a more powerful fifth‑generation Camry...
Why This One-Off Steel-Bodied Corvette Looks Suspiciously Ferrari-Esque
The Corvette Rondine is a one‑off 1963 split‑window Corvette restyled by Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina, swapping fiberglass for steel and adding European design cues. Designed by Tom Tjaarda, it blends Ferrari‑like rear styling with a refined front while retaining the C2’s...
How Bridgestone Tires Stack Up Against Michelin According To Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports’ 2026 tire rankings placed Michelin at the top, with all eight of its tested models earning the coveted recommendation badge. Bridgestone, once a market leader, slipped to 10th place out of 30 brands, and only six of its...
Chevy Introduced Turbocharging To The Masses With A Car Ralph Nader Hated
In 1962 General Motors took turbocharging mainstream by releasing two distinct models—the Chevrolet Corvair and the Oldsmobile Jetfire—each with its own forced‑induction system. The Corvair employed a straightforward bolt‑on turbo from TRW, while the Jetfire required a special engine additive,...
Here's How Much A 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Has Depreciated In 5 Years
The 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric has lost 62.5% of its original MSRP after five years, dropping from $34,250 to roughly $12,850. Nearly three‑quarters of that loss (47%) occurred in the last three years, making its depreciation steeper than the 2021...
What's The Difference Between An Idler Pulley And A Tensioner Pulley?
Idler pulleys and tensioner pulleys are essential components of a vehicle's belt system. An idler pulley simply guides the serpentine or timing belt, keeping it aligned and preventing slippage. A tensioner pulley applies the necessary force to keep the belt...
How Bosch's Magneto Ignition Device Made Spark Plugs Possible
Bosch’s 1902 magneto ignition device eliminated the need for bulky car batteries, enabling the company to develop the first practical spark plug. The spark plug’s reliable electric‑arc design, introduced by Gottbog Honold, powered early racing victories and sparked demand for...
The Biggest Pros And Cons Of GM's Vortec Engines
GM’s Vortec engine family, launched in the mid‑1980s, became a staple in Silverado, Sierra, Suburban and Yukon trucks thanks to its vortex‑induced airflow and solid small‑block heritage. Early models delivered respectable horsepower, good fuel economy and long service lives, with...
Was The Ford Explorer Sport Trac Too Early For Its Own Good?
Ford introduced the Explorer Sport Trac in 2001 as a body‑on‑frame midsize pickup that combined the Explorer SUV’s cabin with a small cargo bed. The model captured roughly 20‑25% of Explorer sales but was discontinued after the 2010 model year...
Here's How Dyno Tests Actually Work
The article explains how chassis dynamometers work, converting wheel torque and rpm into wheel horsepower while capturing additional data like air‑fuel ratio and boost pressure. It highlights variables such as sweep time, correction factors, ambient conditions, and tire wear that...
How Dodge Transformed The Viper From Twitchy Beast To Predictable Handler
The first‑generation Dodge Viper (SR‑I) was praised for raw power but plagued by harsh suspension, tramlining and lack of electronic aids, making it difficult to control. In 1995 Dodge introduced the SR‑II, stiffening the chassis, swapping to aluminum suspension parts...
Here's What Happens To All Those IndyCar Tires After A Race
IndyCar teams consume more than 5,000 Firestone tires each month, with up to 1,200 used during the Indy 500 weekend. Firestone does not sell these custom tires; instead, it leases them to teams and retrieves every tire after each session....
Yes, You Can Wrap Your Keys In Aluminum Foil To Prevent Car Theft, But There Are Better Ways
Keyless entry fobs offer convenience but are vulnerable to relay attacks that can extend their range and allow thieves to unlock vehicles remotely. While wrapping a fob in aluminum foil can attenuate the signal, tests show it works inconsistently across...
What's The Difference Between Honda B-Series And K-Series Engines?
Honda’s B‑Series engines, iconic in the 1990s, are lightweight, belt‑driven units ranging from 1.6 L to 2.0 L and prized for plug‑and‑play swaps into older Civics and Integras. The K‑Series, introduced in the early 2000s, features a chain‑driven cam, i‑VTEC variable timing...
McLaren Reveals That A Software Glitch Bricked Lando Norris' Battery
McLaren disclosed that a software glitch irreparably damaged Lando Norris' Mercedes energy store, forcing a withdrawal from the Chinese Grand Prix. The failure consumes one of the three batteries allocated per driver for the season, and a replacement would incur...
Florida Man Crashes Ford Mustang Through Airport Fence, Nearly Hits A Taxiing Plane, Then Tries Entering It
A 58‑year‑old Florida man, Brian J. Parker, drove a Ford Mustang through the locked perimeter gate at Daytona Beach International Airport, entered a secondary runway and came within inches of a taxiing aircraft before exiting his car to attempt boarding...
We Need To Escape Our Family Hauler For Something Bigger! What Car Do We Buy?
A Dayton family is outgrowing its 11‑year‑old Ford Escape and seeks a three‑row SUV with second‑row captain’s chairs, a $40‑$50k budget, and no Ford or minivan. Automotive experts recommend three distinct options: the Honda Pilot Elite trim for reliable practicality,...
Cuban Man Converts Polski Fiat To Run On Charcoal To Get Around U.S. Oil Blockade
The United States reinstated a comprehensive oil embargo on Cuba in early 2026, cutting off the island’s access to refined gasoline and diesel. With fuel stations shuttered, Cuban motorists have turned to a patchwork of improvisations that date back to...
18-Year-Old Metro Detroit Pothole Filler Shows The City How To Do Their Job
An 18‑year‑old Dearborn Heights resident, Ali Chamy, bought asphalt patch from Home Depot and filled a pothole on Cherry Hill Road, posting the effort on TikTok where it went viral. The video caught the attention of newly elected Mayor Mo Baydoun, who...
2026 Hyundai Kona Limited Has Bougie Features For Budget Buyers, But Doesn't Offer Driving Fun
The 2026 Hyundai Kona Limited arrives as a subcompact crossover priced at $36,385 for the top‑trim AWD model, packing upscale amenities such as ventilated front seats, a Bose eight‑speaker system, a 12.3‑inch digital display and full‑speed adaptive cruise control. It...
9 Cool Cars Powered By GM's Legendary 3800 V6
The GM 3.8‑liter 3800 V6, introduced in 1988, became a cornerstone of reliability, powering more than 25 million vehicles until its 2008 discontinuation. Engineers continuously refined the engine, adding balance shafts, fuel injection, and supercharged variants that pushed output from 160 hp...
What's The Most You Can Tow With A Porsche Cayenne?
The 2026 Porsche Cayenne lineup retains a maximum towing capacity of 7,716 pounds across most variants, matching the original 2003 model. While the high‑performance Cayenne Turbo E‑Hybrid drops to 6,614 pounds, it boasts 729 horsepower and a 0‑60 time of...
What To Do If A Dealer Won't Let You Take A Test Drive
Dealerships are increasingly refusing test drives or demanding credit checks before letting a buyer behind the wheel, especially for higher‑priced models. A soft credit inquiry, which many dealers use, does not impact a consumer’s credit score, while a hard inquiry...
Class 6 Vs. Class 8 Semi Trucks: What Are The Differences Between Them?
Class 6 and Class 8 trucks are differentiated primarily by gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), with Class 6 covering 19,501–26,000 lb and Class 8 covering 33,001 lb and above. The higher GVWR of Class 8 vehicles brings additional axles, tires, and more stringent regulatory requirements. Both classes...
When Did Automakers Start Offering A Smokers Package Instead Of The Lighter And Ashtray?
Automakers began dropping factory ashtrays and cigarette lighters in the mid‑1990s as smoking rates fell. Chrysler led the shift in 1994, replacing the ashtray with a pop‑out cupholder and covering the lighter socket with a removable rubber plug. The change...
ZF 8 Speed Vs. Aisin 8 Speed Transmissions: How Do They Compare?
The article compares ZF’s 8HP and Aisin’s AA80E eight‑speed torque‑converter automatics, tracing their origins to the 2008 Lexus IS F and 2009 BMW M3 respectively. Aisin’s first‑generation unit delivers 100 ms shift times and 406 lb‑ft torque capacity, while ZF’s later design is...
GM Patents A 'Daisy Chain' Charger To Juice Up Multiple EVs At Once
General Motors has filed a patent for a daisy‑chain charging system that links a single high‑power DC fast charger to multiple low‑power access points (LPAPs). Each LPAP can feed an electric vehicle, allowing two cars to charge from one station...
Buying Giorgio Armani's Bentley Is The Most Stylish Way To Spend A Hundred Grand
Giorgio Armani’s 1996 Bentley Brooklands, a deep‑royal‑blue, parchment‑trimmed luxury sedan, is slated for auction at RM Sotheby’s Monaco. Only 153 left‑hand‑drive Brooklands were built that year, and the car bears Armani’s original license plate. The pre‑auction estimate ranges from €45,000...
The OG Four-Door Porsche Sports Sedan Wasn't Even Built By Porsche
The Porsche Panamera’s roots trace back to a one‑off 1967 four‑door 911 built by a Texas dealer and custom fabricators, not Porsche itself. The dealer, William Dick, commissioned Troutman & Barnes to cut, weld, and add factory doors to a...
Do Dirt Roads Even Have Speed Limits?
U.S. states all impose a default speed limit on dirt, gravel or sand roads that lack posted signs, with limits ranging from 20 mph in New Jersey to 55 mph in Pennsylvania and Wyoming. Municipalities can modify these defaults after conducting speed studies,...
Chevy LT1 V8s: A Comparison Of Three Small Blocks
Chevrolet has applied the LT1 badge to three distinct small‑block V8s, each reflecting its era’s engineering priorities. The 1970 LT‑1 produced up to 370 hp with a solid‑lifter cam and high compression, becoming a collector’s holy grail. The 1992‑1997 LT1 introduced...
The '80s Car Feature That Would Fit Perfectly In The AI Hellscape Of Today
Chrysler’s 1983 Electronic Voice Alert (EVA) was an early in‑car voice system that announced door, seatbelt and fuel status with pre‑recorded messages. Today’s AI‑driven Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) echo that concept, delivering real‑time alerts that many drivers find intrusive....
Are Used Porsches Reliable? Here's What The Data Says
Recent data shows modern Porsches are generally reliable, with the brand ranking third among premium cars in the 2026 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. The iconic 911 earned the title of most dependable vehicle in 2019, 2021 and 2022, while...
Saab's Scariest Car Is The Twin-Engined 93 Dubbed The Monster
Saab’s 1959 "Monstret" was a laboratory twin‑engine prototype built on the 93 chassis, pairing two 748 cc three‑stroke engines to deliver roughly 138 hp. The front‑wheel‑drive car reached 122 mph in testing but suffered extreme understeer and torque‑steer due to the front‑heavy layout....
Jack Nicholson Drove A Hydrogen-Powered Car Before Green Energy Was Cool
In 1978 Jack Nicholson appeared on television driving the H2‑4 Chevy, a Chevrolet Impala converted to run on hydrogen, touting a claim that the fuel could cut 58 % of city air pollution. The project was financed by Consumers Solar Electric...
Dead Cadillac Lyriq EV Leaves Baby Locked In Car
A 2024 Cadillac Lyriq in California trapped a one‑year‑old for nearly 30 minutes after a 12‑volt battery fault disabled its retractable door handles. OnStar and the MyCadillac app could not unlock the vehicle, and the family turned to ChatGPT, which...
8 Of The Rarest Chevy Corvettes – And What They're Worth Today
The article spotlights eight of the rarest Chevrolet Corvettes, ranging from the inaugural 1953 model to the limited‑edition 1996 Grand Sport, and details their current auction prices. Early examples like the 1953 Corvette now command over $200,000, while ultra‑rare variants...
Low-Tension Piston Rings Provide Serious Benefits For Automakers
Low‑tension piston rings have become standard in most new cars since the early 2000s, delivering notable friction reductions and efficiency gains. Internal friction from rings can consume up to 15% of brake horsepower, and a Hot Rod test showed a 6.8 hp...
What Is A Dual-Mass Flywheel And Why Do Automakers Use Them?
Dual-mass flywheels (DMFs) consist of two separate discs connected by springs, replacing traditional single-mass flywheels in many manual and dual‑clutch transmissions. They absorb torque pulses, cutting vibration, noise, and harshness, especially in high‑torque diesel or small‑cylinder gasoline engines. While DMFs...
IIHS Will Begin Rating The Safety Of Cargo Vans, Work Trucks, And Other Commercial Vehicles This Spring
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced it will debut occupant‑protection safety ratings for cargo vans, work trucks and other commercial vehicles this spring. The initial ratings will assess equipment such as airbags and advanced seatbelts, with crash‑avoidance testing...
Hyundai Casper Lounge Is A Gussied-Up Electric City Car That I Need Like I Need Air To Breathe
Hyundai unveiled the Casper Electric Lounge, an upscale trim of its compact city EV. The model adds genuine leather seats, a 10.25‑inch screen, ventilated front seats and a premium sound system, plus bold 17‑inch alloy wheels. It is powered by...
Porsche Cayenne Ultra EVO Pre-Runner Is Ready To Take On The Desert With 650 HP And 8 Extra Inches Of...
Eurowise Offroad has unveiled the Cayenne Ultra EVO, a limited‑edition, carbon‑widebody transformation of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. The remodel boosts output to roughly 650 horsepower and 750 lb‑ft of torque, adds eight inches of width, and features a bespoke long‑travel suspension...
The FBI Is Buying Your Location Data To Find Out Where You Drive
The FBI has confirmed it is purchasing real‑time location data from commercial data brokers to track American motorists. Director Kash Patel told Congress the bulk data has yielded valuable intelligence, though specifics were not disclosed. By acquiring the information through...
Hertz Will Rent You An Ineos Grenadier If You Felt Your Vacation Was Too Comfortable
Hertz announced that it will add the INEOS Grenadier to its rental fleet at select U.S. airports this spring. The rugged, boxy SUV targets travelers seeking a more adventurous, off‑road experience than a typical economy car provides. Hertz’s SVP of...
Soaring Gas Prices Could Send Buyers Crawling Back To EVs And Hybrids
Rising gasoline prices, now hovering around $100 a barrel, are prompting some consumers to reconsider electric and hybrid vehicles, echoing past oil‑price shocks. In the U.S., analysts say prices would need to reach roughly $6 per gallon before a sizable...
Porsche Penske 963s Will Race At Sebring With '90s Throwback 911 GT1 Livery
Porsche Penske Motorsport will field its 963 hypercar at the 12 Hours of Sebring dressed in a retro livery that mirrors the 1996 Porsche 911 GT1. The paint scheme celebrates Porsche’s 75th anniversary, Team Penske’s 60th, and a 30‑year Mobil 1...