NHTSA Audit Highlights Apathetic, Disastrous Problems

It sounds like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is a mix between the pointy-haired boss from Dilbert and a spaced-out pot head, and we’re a high school girl who keeps getting back together with her boyfriend, because he said, “I would never cheat on you…again.” Come on, baby, the NHTSA headquarters is in New…

Chevy Offers Free OnStar Services for Winter Protection

Chevrolet is offering up to three free months of OnStar coverage this winter Just in time for winter’s worst, Chevrolet is offering drivers up to three free months of OnStar protection. “These services can help Chevy customers drive with confidence during some of the most dangerous times to be on the road,” said Paul Edwards,…

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Four Frightening Urban Legends That Involve Cars

Halloween has grown from a single, magical night into something of a season unto itself. Each year, we flock to theaters and couches to watch frightening cinema classics or the latest horror hits, visit haunted attractions for the sole purpose of being scared by strangers in masks, and gather around bonfires to regale one another…

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Is Go-Karting Safe?

Photo: Pixabay For thrill-seekers, go-karting is the perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon. Even I dabbled in the hobby in my younger years and found it to be a great time. However, its high-speed nature and numerous moving parts can pose some risks. So, it seems worth asking: just how safe is go-karting? Safer…

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The Vintage Chevys in The Last of Us

Photo: Julie Mac via CC Set in a bleak, post-pandemic world, The Last of Us is widely considered to be one of the best games of all time. Since its sequel was released just over a week ago, it seemed like an appropriate time to look back at some of the vehicles that litter its…

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I Binge-Watched All Four of Michael Bay's “Transformers” Films and Survived

I guarantee that the next movie will end with Optimus Prime delivering some kind of speech Believe it or not, it has been 10 years since the first live-action Transformers movie hit the big screen. That’s an entire decade of gratuitous slow-motion shots, robots turning into General Motors vehicles, and, of course, explosions. What’s more,…

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2018 Mazda CX-5 a Top Safety Pick+ IIHS Recipient

A month after the 2018 Mazda CX-9 earned a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, its compact cousin has also received recognition, this time from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. When equipped with the Adaptive Front-Lighting System, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 earned a 2018 Top Safety Pick+ rating. As of…

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2017 Ford F-150 Overview

Last year, Ford F-Series pickup trucks were the best-selling vehicles in the United States with 780,354 units moved. However, the American automaker was not satisfied with just offering the same truck again for the 2017 model year and has announced several updates regarding the new Ford F-150. Available in Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew configurations,…

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Chevy Sonic Named 2015 Top Safety Pick by IIHS

2015 Chevy Sonic General Motors announced today that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the midyear 2015 Chevy Sonic a 2015 Top Safety Pick. “Customer safety is of utmost importance to Chevrolet, across all segments” said Jeff Boyer, vice president, General Motors Global Vehicle Safety. “The Sonic receiving this designation is a…

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2015 Ford Flex Overview

2015 Ford Flex In the competitive crossover segment, it can be difficult to choose the right vehicle to fit your needs. The 2015 Ford Flex offers consumers the perfect combination of space, versatility, and features—wrapped up in a funky exterior design that can’t be ignored. What’s New for the 2015 Ford Flex The 2015 Ford…

2017 Jeep Compass Overview

If you love the Jeep brand, but don’t have a ton of money to spend, the 2017 Jeep Compass is a great way to break into the brand’s lineup. This affordable compact crossover has Jeep’s good-looks and above-average off-road capability that makes it extremely appealing. While it might be on its way out of the…

Windshield vs. Hand Sanitizer: A Cautionary Tale

Keep this stuff away from your windshield. You’ll thank me later… Photo: Pixabay via CC Have you ever done something of questionable rationality in order to give your vehicle a quick fix? Something that you hoped would work but, deep down inside, you knew would likely backfire? Chances are, if you’ve ever owned a vehicle,…

2022 Jeep Compass Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2022 Jeep Compass earns the Top Safety Pick from the IIHS Photo: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Jeep has its first 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick with the new Compass. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced that the Compass qualifies for the award when equipped with select LED headlights. Shopping for a New…

2016 Cadillac SRX Overview

2016 Cadillac SRX Photo: © General Motors The 2016 Cadillac SRX is five-passenger luxury crossover with a starting MSRP of $37,605. The 2016 SRX has already earned a five-star safety rating from the federal government, and it also comes equipped with a more-than-capable 308-hp V6 engine. The 2016 Cadillac SRX comes in four trims: Standard…

Mercedes CES Concept Will Be a Semi-Autonomous Lounge Room

We are a little more than a week away from the kickoff of the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where Mercedes-Benz Chairman Dieter Zetsche will deliver the keynote address and pull the cover back on a semi-autonomous vehicle concept. Built with LG’s Advanced Drive Assistance System, the Mercedes CES concept will be…

Car’s Interior Temperature Still Puts Kids at Risk in Spite of Cooler Weather Outside

Summer is a distant memory but the threat of heat still exists even with outside temperatures cooling down. “CR testing showed that even when it was 61 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the temperature inside a closed car reached more than 105 degrees Fahrenheit in just one hour, an extremely dangerous and potentially fatal level for a…

2017 Ford Fusion Earns IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+

Ford has been playing up the numerous upgrades that make the 2017 Fusion the best one yet—from the Fusion V6 Sport’s computer-controlled shock absorber system that helps mitigate damage from potholes to the Fusion Energi’s 610-mile range on a full tank and a single battery charge to the fancy, fancy, fancy new cup holders. Now,…

Cute but Deadly: Wombat Scurries onto Road

9News The typical animals drivers see on American roads are deer, opossum, and raccoons. However, in Australia, native animals such as koalas, dingos, and emus are often the disastrous victims of road incidents. It is estimated that 1 in 7 road accidents involve wildlife there. With kangaroos as the animal most involved with car crashes,…

A Gearhead's Review of Netflix's “Buddy Thunderstruck” Show

Photo: Netflix, Inc. Netflix has become known for its adult-oriented shows and movies, but the online video streaming service has produced a myriad of original children’s programming, too. Last year, Netflix released the first season of Buddy Thunderstruck, a stop-motion animated show about a truck-racing, anthropomorphic dog. Children and adults will enjoy watching Buddy Thunderstruck,…

2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Overview

If you like the practicality of Hyundai’s models but think they’re a bit boring for your taste, the 2016 Hyundai Genesis Coupe might be what you want. More than just a two-door version of the brand’s luxury sedan, the Genesis Coupe is a sporty, high-performance vehicle with an identity of its own. The Style of…

Model X Recalled, Proves Tesla Isn’t Perfect

The Tesla Model X has been recalled for an issue with its third-row seat Photo: Don McCullough Well, it has happened again. Tesla is officially recalling another vehicle. Last year, the luxury carmaker underwent a massive recall for the Model S when it was having issues with its front seatbelt. Now, the luxury carmaker has…

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French Army Buys 1,000 Ford Rangers for Fleet

The new Ford Ranger There are really any number of bad France/America jokes that one can make when approaching the news that the French Army has opted to replace 1,000 of its fleet of Peugeot P4 jeeps with new Ford Rangers. They would almost all build upon the widely-held belief that the French are some…

Speeding and Distracted Driving Are Among the Top Causes of Dangerous Accidents Involving Teenage Drivers

Dangerous driving habits are leading to more teens involved in fatal accidents The time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day has been repeatedly dubbed the “100 Deadliest Days,” due to the fact that the number of fatal accidents involving teen drivers increases exponentially during that time. Many of these accidents are caused by a…

2017 Chevrolet Volt Overview

Meet the LA Auto Show 2016 Green Car of the Year, improved. The 2017 Chevrolet Volt takes the 2016 model’s 53-mile electric range and 42 mpg combined gas motor, adds a few optional technology features (hello, adaptive cruise control), and rolls it all out nationwide. Meet what many believe to be the best plug-in hybrid…

Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents

You can avoid a fatal crash by following easy steps In the U.S., more than 90 people die in car accidents every single day. Car crashes are becoming more and more of a problem in the world today, especially since they are such a huge cause of fatalities. It’s important to identify the causes and…

2016 Cadillac ATS-V Model Overview

When you hear the name Cadillac, two words come to most people’s minds: Style and luxury. The 2016 Cadillac ATS-V delivers on these fronts equally in both its Sedan or Coupe design and each is capable of more than 450 horsepower, 400 lb-ft of torque, and comes complete with all the interior comfort that the luxury…

2014 Ford Fusion Overview

2014 Ford Fusion The 2014 Fusion will see only a few minor changes with a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine option and new features, such as inflatable rear seatbelts, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats. 2014 Ford Fusion Exterior  With a sleek silhouette and distinctive styling, the 2014 Fusion model has a more modern…

Toyota Seat Selfie App Helps Promote Seat Belt Wearing

Fastening your seatbelt can greatly reduce your risk of crash-related injury or death There’s a reason why seat belts exist. They help reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half. But many drivers—particularly young ones—are neglecting to wear seat belts. In an attempt to increase seat belt usage, Toyota has developed an app called…

2017 Buick Verano Overview

The 2017 Buick Verano is a small luxury sedan that aims to deliver a premium experience in a compact package. There are some upsides and downsides to that philosophy: the Verano isn’t quite as spacious as some of its competitors, but where it lacks in room it compensates with better fuel economy and slightly more…

6 Google Doodles Involving Cars & Drivers

A couple days during each week week, you’ll notice that Google.com’s standard multi-colored word-based logo has been replaced by an artistic, sometimes-kinetic scene redesigning the company’s letters. These Google Doodles pay homage to historic figures, inventions, and milestones and direct people to learn more about the special achievement by clicking on the illustration. Some of…

IIHS Top Safety Pick Status Awarded to 2018 Kia Soul and Sportage

2018 Kia Soul Photo: Kia When equipped with high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights, the 2018 Kia Soul and 2018 Kia Sportage are worthy of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+), the organization’s most impressive distinction. In addition to the highly advanced high-intensity discharge headlights, the 2018 Kia Soul and 2018…

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2016 Chevrolet Spark EV Overview

Photo: © General Motors Lately, when it comes to Chevrolet‘s electric lineup, it feels like all the attention is going to the plug-in hybrid Volt or the upcoming long-range EV, the Bolt. However, we shouldn’t forget that there is more to the Chevy green lineup than these two–there is the Volt’s subcompact cousin, the Chevy…

10 Scariest Cars in the World

Here at The News Wheel, we’re huge Halloween fans. Although we’ll be hard at work delivering the latest automotive news today, tonight you’ll find us handing out candy to trick-or-treaters, checking out our local haunted houses, or even attending Trunk or Treat festivities with our families. But before we do all that, it’s time to…