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/2026/04/ripped-off-by-chargepoint-check-the-costs-first-before-charging-new/
Headlights. We saw an item in InsideEVs and had to do some digging. A Chinese auto maker has teamed up with a local tech company to create headlights that can project full color movies on a wall or screen in front of them up to 100 inches wide. This was seen at the Huawei Qiankun …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/04/chinese-tech-firm-takes-headlights-where-no-one-has-gone-before/
Inside door handles. There was another mention in the press about flush electronic door handles and that China would be banning them in 2027 (or 2029!). While following up on this, I was struck by the fact that the bulk of the discussion revolves around those handles being difficult to use or failing outright. But …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/04/electronic-door-handles-the-problem-is-inside/
March unemployment. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS) reports that the transportation sector unemployment in the U.S. was 3.4% in March 2026. The rate fell 1.2 percentage points from 4.6% in March 2025. The data is supplied by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and has not been seasonally adjusted. The unemployment rate is the …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/04/march-transportation-sector-unemployment-down-compared-to-2025/
Red or yellow. Consumer Reports (CR) published an article on the use of red or yellow turn signals — “Why Do Some Cars Have Red Turn Signals and Others Yellow?” Curiosity drew a read, which turned out to have a truly serious side. While regulations in the States allow either, a National Highway Traffic Safety …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/04/cr-asks-red-or-yellow-turn-signals/
Auto Show. Aside from the Pandemic years, we missed the New York International Auto Show for the first time in 15 years. We had a press pass but the timing was impossible. There has been a forced move during all this. The original building is to remodeled and no one was offered a new lease. …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/04/we-missed-the-auto-show-in-new-york-this-year/
Key fob battery Given that half our focus is on the key fob battery, I’ve kept several in my kit, including two CR 2032 batteries. They happen to fit the Kia Niro fob. So, when replacing the Niro‘s fob batteries I started with those that in my possession. Neither of them worked. Why? Well, they …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/04/an-important-lesson-or-two-on-key-fob-battery-life/
Ripped off by ChargePoint: check the costs first before charging new!
ChargePoint. Currently there is not an at home charge option for my Kia Niro, and I noted two Level 3 ChargePoint chargers set up at my local Kia store where I was ordering a part. No one in the store knew what it cost was per kilowatt hour (kWh) but it would save me a trip …
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