Chinese auto makers CNN reports that Donald Trump has hinted at a path to Chinese auto makers selling vehicles in the US. The country has access to Canada’s auto market but US tariffs and national security concerns are currently major impediments. But, in a speech in January at the Economic Club of Detroit, he said …
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.
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/latest-appropriations-bill-shines-a-light-on-headlight-brightness/
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/chinese-auto-makers-in-the-us-market-the-door-has-been-cracked-open/
What to do if a system is accidentally activated
Accidentally activated I accidentally activated Lane Keeping Assist in the Kia Niro a few days ago, inadvertently hitting the button on the steering wheel shown to the right. I soon began to feel the steering wheel resist my attempted movements. Again, I had hit the button inadvertently and had no idea what was going on …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/what-to-do-if-a-system-is-accidentally-activated/
There’s a new King Crab in town
King Crab GMC‘s Hummer gave us CrabWalk mode, and now adds an enhancement the company calls King Crab mode. In CrabWalk (right), the rear wheels are turned at the same angle as the front wheels, which enables the vehicle to move diagonally. Also, the mode can be engaged at speeds less than 2 km/h (1.2 …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/theres-a-new-king-crab-in-town/
EPA ends credits for auto start/stop systems — too many reports feature the wrong system
Auto start/stop The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a new rule finalized in February 2026 that eliminates all “off-cycle credits”, which includes credits tied to auto stop/start systems. But it’s important that the system in question is properly understood. Off-cycle credits First a word on off-cycle credits. These are systems innovative, energy-saving technologies …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/epa-ends-credits-for-auto-start-stop-systems-too-many-reports-feature-the-wrong-system/
Three new GMC emergency start processes added
GMC emergency start A review of GMC emergency start processes for 2025 and 2026 models finds three new emergency back-up start processes. These processes are necessary in the event that the battery in the key fob dies or if there are radio signal interfering with the fob. In what has to be a true frustration …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/three-new-gmc-emergency-start-processes-added/
Transportation unemployment rises in January
Transportation unemployment The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the transportation unemployment rate in the U.S. was 4.4% in January 2026 according. The transportation sector unemployment rate rose 0.8 percentage points from 3.6% in January 2025. The numbers are not seasonally adjusted. These numbers are now updated at the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/transportation-unemployment-rises-in-january/
Latest appropriations bill shines a light on headlight brightness
Headlight brightness The Soft Lights Foundation reported recently that headlight brightness is (hopefully) to get some amount of attention from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As the organization notes, its only a suggestion, but its a start. We’ve covered this topic twice, here and here. It comes in the form of an amendment …
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