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.

Ford “humbled” by EV progress in China, and remains on track to switch to hybrids

EV progress in China In an interview with Walter Isaacson at the Aspen Ideas Festival and reported by Business Insider, Ford CEO Jim Farley, speaking on EV progress in China, “It’s the most humbling thing I have ever seen. Seventy percent of all EVs in the world, electric vehicles, are made in China.” Not only …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/07/ford-humbled-by-ev-progress-in-china-and-remains-on-track-to-switch-to-hybrids/

VESS is restored to the Niro, with a twist

VESS module

VESS is restored I’ve fussed with and complained about the Kia Niro Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS) for months and had disconnected it following the video linked here. But this left potential liability issues and so VESS is restored while adding a disconnect switch following the instructions from another video linked below. The issue is …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/07/vess-is-restored-to-the-niro-with-a-twist/

What happens when the Niro is charged to 100%

Niro range

Charged to 100% A bit ago, I noted that Kia recommends charging the Kia  Niro EV to 100% once a month. So, I charged to 100% two days ago with astounding results. For the record, I don’t put many miles on the car and will likely only charge to 100% every other month. First note …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/07/what-happens-when-the-niro-is-charged-to-100/

New video posted on Kia EV jump starting

EV jump starting Today we posted a new video on our YouTube channel describing Kia EV jump starting. With it, we made a new playlist, calling the video the first of what we hope will be a series of videos on the topic. In truth, its the second, but we didn’t realize the first one …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/07/new-video-posted-on-kia-ev-jump-starting/

New symbols page added for Smart vehicle symbols

Smart vehicle symbols We’ve added a new page for Mercedes-Benz Smart vehicle symbols. It remains a work in progress, as we have the newer electric cross over vehicles to add. However, we thought that what is on the page is useful for drivers of existing Smart Fortwo vehicles. And there are some newer vehicles already …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/06/new-symbols-page-added-for-smart-vehicle-symbols/

12-volt EV battery issue crops up again

12-volt EV battery #InsideEVs did a piece a day or two ago about someone who was locked out of their Tesla while on a road trip far from home. It turned out to be a dying 12-volt EV battery. Yes, you read that correctly — electric vehicles (EVs) still have a 12-volt start battery. It …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/06/12-volt-ev-battery-issue-crops-up-again/

Smart back-up start page is now live

Smart back-up We now have a the full set of Smart back-up options, one to get inside and another to get started if the battery in the key fob dies. The Mercedes-Benz and Geeley joint venture is now focused on electric vehicles (EVs), namely the Smart 1, Smart 3, and Smart 5 line of crossover …

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Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2025/06/smart-back-up-start-page-is-now-live/