Category: Articles & Commentaries

Discussions on topics of interest to drivers concerning things they may not understand about their vehicles as well as articles on the future of the auto industry.

Tesla rear door back-up open issue prompts @NHTSA follow-up

Tesla door We’ve now sent a second letter to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), this time concerning a Tesla rear door back-up open issue. We did this earlier when we could not figure out how to access Rivian rear door latch mechanical back-up. Regular mail is the only option available in cases such as …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/03/tesla-rear-door-back-up-open-issue-prompts-nhtsa-follow-up/

Many changes found in Ford emergency start review

Emergency start A full review of Ford emergency start or back-up start procedures found four new back-up slot locations. Expedition, Ranger and Transit Connect models all have additional back-up slots, seen below. Emergency or back-up start procedures are needed when the battery in the key fob dies or when there is electrical interference causing difficulties. …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/03/many-changes-found-in-ford-emergency-start-review/

Emergency steering indicators separated from collision warnings

Steering indicators Our Collision Warning Indicators page had grown to be far too cumbersome for easy navigation. To help ease the page’s congestion, we separated Emergency Steering Indicators (right) and gave them their own page. We had already made separate pages for Rear and Side Collision indicators to facilitate this change. We have also been …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/03/emergency-steering-indicators-separated-from-collision-warnings/

Ford emergency entry review for 2026 finished

Ford entry A review of 2026 models of Ford emergency entry procedures, made necessary in the event the battery in the key fob dies or there is signal interference, did not find a single change. In fact, it’s going on a decade since the company made any changes at all. The only wrench in Ford‘s …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/03/ford-emergency-entry-review-for-2026-finished/

SNL gets laughs out of serious door handle issues

Door handles We’ve railed for years about door handle issues, which are really about electronic door latches. But, we can have a sense of humor about the whole thing and Saturday Night Live managed to have some fun them. Our issues with electronic latches centers on being able to get out if power is lost. …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/03/snl-gets-laughs-out-of-serious-door-handle-issues/

Subaru hits nearly 70,000 owners with park outside warning

Park outside Some 69,153 Subaru Hybrid vehicles have earned a park outside warning and a recall due to a potential fuel leak and the resulting fire risk. The issue is a possible insufficient seal on the fuel cap, and includes 51,707 2025 Forester Hybrid vehicles produced between November 28, 2024 and December 05, 2025 . …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/subaru-hits-nearly-70000-owners-with-park-outside-warning/

The Ray Highway, a Vehicle to Everything project, to go national

The Ray logo

Vehicle to Everything Since 2019, The Ray Highway has served as a proving ground for transportation innovation. Now, that Public-Private-Philanthropic Partnership (P4) between the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), The Ray, and an expansive Vehicle to Everything (V2X) ecosystem of technology partners and roadway users, will advance to the national stage. The Federal Highway Administration …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/the-ray-highway-a-vehicle-to-everything-project-to-go-national/