Florida is facing a class-action lawsuit from drivers who have been ticketed for attempting to warn other motorists of hidden speed traps. According to WTSP 10 News, Eric Campbell was recently cited for just that, despite the fact that there is no law against using one's headlights to communicate with other drivers. The officer who ticketed Campbell used Florida State Statute 316.2397, even though the courts ruled that the police were wrongfully applying the law to crack down on vehicle-to-vehicle communication in 2005. Now Campbell wants his $100 ticket refunded and $15,000 in damages.
Since 2005, over 10,429 drivers have been cited for flashing their high beams, and if Campbell wins his case, Florida could be facing over $1 million in ticket refunds. But that's nothing compared to the $156.4 million the state could have to pay out if each driver is awarded $15,000 each. Hit the jump to take a look at news report on the lawsuit.
If you own a Cadillac Escalade, you better keep one eye on it at all times. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), the Escalade is still the apple of a car thief's eye. The large luxury SUV is six times more likely to be plucked away by thieves than average. If you happen to have the truck-like EXT Escalade, you're in even worse shape since 14 out of every 1,000 vehicles insured wind up with a theft claim.
On the flipside, if you're the proud owner of an Audi A6 then you can rest easy. Car thieves aren't hunting for your particular mid-size luxury sedan.
Mazda Motor Corp. has canceled production of its RX-8 rotary engine sports car, citing falling sales and stringent global emissions standards.
Production in Hiroshima, Japan, ended in early July and global sales of the car will conclude later this year.
The RX-8 and the three generations of the RX-7 that preceded it have long been the foundation the brand's fun-to-drive aura. The car's high-revving 1.3-liter, twin-rotor rotary engine produces 232 hp at 8,500 rpm--a big punch in a relatively small package.
But Mazda sold just 1,134 RX-8s last year, a 49 percent decline from 2009. Sales through July this year were down another 21 percent.
The RX-8, which has a base price of $27,590, including shipping, peaked at 23,690 sales in 2004. But the first-generation RX-7 surpassed 50,000 units throughout the early 1980s.
Mazda's U.S. dealers had 300 units in stock as of Aug. 1 for a 118-day supply, according to the Automotive News Data Center.
Mazda pulled the RX-8 from the European market last year after the car failed to meet local emissions standards. Without volume from Europe, Mazda couldn't justify selling the RX-8, a Mazda source said.
Exporting vehicles from Japan also has become more difficult. The yen's rise vs. the dollar was a major reason why Mazda's North American operating losses from April through June grew nearly threefold to ¥7.9 billion, or about $97.6 million, from the same quarter last year.
This isn't the first time that Mazda has dropped its rotary engine sports car from the U.S. lineup. The RX-7 was pulled after the 1995 model year. A rotary-powered car didn't return to American showrooms until the 2003 introduction of the RX-8.
And the RX-8's demise may not be the end of the rotary engine at Mazda. A source says engineers in Hiroshima are still working on the next generation, 1.6-liter rotary engine, code-named 16X, that is said to have lower emissions, better fuel economy and more power.
When unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, the 16X had an enlarged elliptical shape for the combustion chamber and an enlarged eccentric center stroke in the rotor. Mazda also planned direct-injection fuel delivery in a rotary engine for the first time.
But the 16X project has been on the back burner since the financial crisis. The company chose to focus its r&d resources on its fuel-saving SkyActiv technologies that debut later this year.
Still, Jim O'Sullivan, CEO of Mazda North American Operations, said "the rotary is alive and well within Mazda." While declining to comment on the progress of the 16X, O'Sullivan said: "We are studying what's the best way to come back to the market with the rotary."
By Shawndrea Thomas FOX2now.com August 22, 2011
BRIDGETON, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com)
Rapper Lil' Wayne says "the Lou was good" but he had to get nine stitches after a skateboarding accident". Lil' Wayne was in St. Louis performing at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Sunday night. Some time after that the rapper was skateboarding at an area skate park when he got a gash over his left eye.
According to a woman in the DePaul Health Center emergency room, she saw a rush of people come into the E.R. When she saw Lil' Wayne rushed by, she asked what happened.
Shortly after he was brought in, Lil' Wayne and his entourage left DePaul Hospital. He later tweeted, "The Lou was good but I busted my head at the sk8park! 9stitches! Gnarly gash over my left eye! Luv the people."
How's this for bold? Congresswoman Michell Bachmann, a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination who won the Ames Straw Poll last weekend, has just stated that one thing we'd get with a Bachmann Administration is -ready?- cheap gasoline. According to Politico she said:
The day that the president became president, gasoline was $1.79 a gallon. Look at what it is today. Under President Bachmann, you will see gasoline come down below $2 a gallon again. That will happen.
Today, said the average price for a gallon of gas is $3.58 per gallon, says the American Automobile Association.
The devil, of course, is in the details, and Bachmann did not explain how she would get the price of fuel down. She's a supporter of drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but doesn't seem to actually understand how much oil experts think is there. Then there's the fact that opening up ANWR wouldn't reduce prices as the pump quite that quickly (if at all). In 2008, the Energy Information Administration said :
Additional oil production resulting from the opening of ANWR would be only a small portion of total world oil production, and would likely be offset in part by somewhat lower production outside the United States. The opening of ANWR is projected to have its largest oil price reduction impacts as follows: a reduction in low-sulfur, light crude oil prices of $0.41 per barrel (2006 dollars) in 2026 for the low oil resource case, $0.75 per barrel in 2025 for the mean oil resource case, and $1.44 per barrel in 2027 for the high oil resource case, relative to the reference case.
Oh, and then there's this. Still, a return to $2.00/gallon probably sounds good to some voters, right?
Many car owners shy away from routine maintenance, heading straight to the repair shop instead. Letting your mechanic do the dirty work while you run errands is the easy option, but it often costs more. You're just as qualified to do some repairs, so why not keep your car on the road and some cash in your pocket? Basic Car Maintenance
The building blocks of vehicle maintenance are simple. Pay attention to these details, and you can save money down the road.
Your Car's Maintenance Schedule
It's important not to skimp on routine service. Your owner's manual tells you when to take your car in for a checkup. Note the intervals when fluids need to be changed and when belts and brakes should be inspected, and act accordingly.
Check under the Hood
You may not be a mechanic, but you can check under the hood and make sure your vehicle's fluids are in good shape. Most owner's manuals show the location of dipsticks for the engine oil and transmission fluid and markings that tell you if you're low on brake fluid, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid. If fluid levels are low, fill them to the proper level with the correct fluid.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Properly inflated tires have two benefits: they last longer and optimize fuel economy. Look in your owner's manual, or on the driver's side door jamb, to find out how much air should be in your tires. Use a tire pressure gauge to check your tires weekly. Most gas stations have a pressure gauge and an air tank. All you have to do is stick in quarters and pump.
DIY Replacement Car Parts
Replacing simple car parts is easier than you think. These components are easy to replace, and a repair shop might markup parts and charge you an hourâ??s labor to do the work. You could save around $55 just by changing your own headlight, for example.
Replace Your Wipers
Replacement Wipers for 2005 Honda Accord
Shop Estimate: $16 - $30
Store Price: $11
Replacing worn windshield wipers is a snap. But it isnâ??t just
important vehicle maintenance, itâ??s also crucial for your safety when
bad weather hits.
1. Most auto parts stores have a book in the windshield wiper section that will tell you which type and size to buy.
2. To swap the blades, pull the wiper arms away from the
windshield until you feel them lock into place. Youâ??ll see a small tab
on the wiper assembly that locks the wiper blade onto the arm. Depress
this tab to unlock the blade and pull off your old wipers.
3. Line the new blade up with the connection on the wiper arm.
Youâ??ll notice that the wiper arm is probably shaped like a hook where it
connects to the new blade. When you attach the new blade, let the hook
face the plastic clips on the new wiper blade. Move the hook over the
clip and pull up until you feel the new wiper blade snap into place.
Lower your new wiper back onto the glass and repeat the process on the
other side.
Change Your Battery
Replacement Battery for 2005 Honda Accord
Shop Estimate: $88 - $151
Store Price: $96
If you turn the key and here a clicking sound, but your car wonâ??t
start, thereâ??s a good chance that youâ??ve got a dead battery. However,
if your battery is really drained you may not hear anything. As a
general rule, most batteries last about four years. If youâ??re battery is
younger than that, you may just need a jump start, but if itâ??s older,
it may be time for a replacement.
Fortunately, changing your battery is quick and easy. Pop the
hood and locate the battery. Then, using a wrench, disconnect the
negative terminal, followed by the positive terminal. Remove the old
battery and put the new one in its place. Connect the positive terminal
first, then the negative. Close the hood and youâ??re all set.
Changing Light Bulbs
Headlight Replacement for 2005 Honda Accord
Shop Estimate: $62 - $85
Store Price: About $30 - $50
Changing burnt-out bulbs on your vehicle is easy if you take your
time and have a few simple hand tools. Consult your ownerâ??s manual
because there are usually instructions on how to replace your vehicleâ??s
lights. Then, head to the lighting section of your local auto parts
store. Most have a catalog that you can use to find the correct lights
for your carâ??s year, make and model. To replace taillights you may have
to remove a panel or two inside your vehicleâ??s trunk to access the
bulbs. Headlights are usually accessible after you pop the hood.
Know Whatâ??s Wrong with Your Car
Sometimes maintenance isnâ??t as obvious as a burnt light bulb or
an old windshield wiper, but there are several ways to discover whatâ??s
going on under the hood. As always, start by consulting the ownerâ??s
manual. On some cars, something as simple as a loose gas cap can cause
the check engine light (CEL) to come on. Burnt-out light bulbs or low
tire pressure can trigger other sensors.
Search for Answers
Unless you drive an exotic car, thereâ??s a good chance that
someone else has experienced the same maintenance issues as you. Hop
online and youâ??ll likely find articles and car-specific forums to help
you tackle simple maintenance. Hereâ??s an example, which outlines how to replace the taillight in a 2005 Honda Accord.
Head to the Auto Parts Store
Auto parts stores are often a source of free advice when your car
is displaying a CEL or having electrical issues. Most major chains have
a scanner that can tell you why a CEL is displayed and clear the code
if necessary. Itâ??s known as an OBD-II scanner, which stands for on-board
diagnostics. A staff member will hook the scanner up to your vehicleâ??s
computer and tell you why the light came on.
CEL Diagnosis for 2005 Honda Accord
Shop Estimate: $92 - $118
Store Price: Free (at most chains)
In addition to diagnosing your vehicleâ??s engine, most auto stores
can also analyze your electrical system using a voltage meter. Theyâ??ll
hook it up to the battery and have you start the car. Then, the meter
will analyze the performance of your battery and alternator, telling you
if thereâ??s any cause for worry.
Charging System Diagnosis for 2005 Honda Accord
Shop Estimate: $92 - $118
Store Price: Free (at most chains)
Maintain Your Vehicle
Donâ??t be afraid to take care of your car yourself. Not only will
you save cash, but youâ??ll also be better informed if something needs
repair down the road.
The 2012 Toyota Yaris is set to enter production this month, and next year's model will carry a base price that's $960 more than the 2011 model. Toyota says that the new Yaris will come with more than $1,000 of additional standard equipment, making it comparable to a 2011 model equipped with the Convenience Package, which adds features such as a four-speaker CD stereo system and a heavy-duty heater and starter.
Consumers can expect new Yaris pricing to go into effect on August 31. The base MSRP will range from $14,115 for the L grade three-door liftback with a five-speed manual transmission to $17,200 for the SE grade five-door liftback with a four-speed automatic transmission," writes Toyota in a press release.
Additional price increases will also affect 2012 Tundra, Sienna and Sequoia models. Toyota says that the 2012 Sequoia will see an overall price increase of $239, while Tundra and Sienna models will cost $348 and $174 more, respectively.
While the Sienna enters the 2012 model year unchanged, Tundras and Sequoias will get more standard equipment. All 2012 Sequoia models will come with Toyota's Trailer Sway Control system, which uses the vehicles brakes to bring a trailer back under control. Models in Platinum trim will also get a blind spot monitoring system standard. However, Platinum-trimmed Sequoias will also see a larger price increase. Motor Trend says, "The Sequoia Platinum will get a $500 price increase from $59,065 to $59,565."
New standard features on the 2012 Tundra include daytime running lights, heated mirrors and a Cold Area Package, which adds features such as a heavy-duty battery and starter. Additionally, Tundras in Limited trim will also feature a backup camera as standard equipment.
Shoppers considering a new Sequoia can expect the new pricing to go into effect on August 29, while price increases for the Tundra and Sienna will begin on Sept. 1 and Sept. 6, respectively.
Car seats are undoubtedly a must-have if you want to keep your child safe in the car. Yet, as with so many other things, they can hide surprises that you might want your child to avoid. In this case the surprise is chemicals that, according to HealthyStuff.org, possess "known toxicity, persistence, and tendency to build up in people and the environment." They include bromine, chlorine and lead, among others.
Some of the seatmakers, such as Graco, earned spots on both the best and worst lists. Although the best and worst performers in the tests earn a numerical score, the tests don't indicate the exact amount of the detected chemicals. Things have gotten better, though, with average car seat rankings improving by 64 percent since 2008.
You can find the press release with more details after the jump, and all of the tested seats HERE
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The Chrysler Group is recalling about 300,000 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans to fix airbags that might deploy without warning.
The recall covers vans built for the 2008 model year.
Chrysler says water could leak into the airbag controller from a faulty drain grommet in the ventilation system. Chrysler previously recalled these vans to fix the problem with the grommet.
There have be no reports of crashes or injuries as a result of the airbag issue, Chrysler says.
