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/theres-a-new-king-crab-in-town/
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/
Solid-state battery Karma Automotive, Inc. and Factorial, Inc. have announced the launch of the first solid-state battery production program in the United States for passenger vehicles. The pair will integrate Factorial’s FEST® battery technology into Karma’s next-generation vehicle platform, beginning with the all-electric Karma Kaveya super-coupe scheduled to arrive on American roads in late 2027. …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/karma-factorial-to-build-first-solid-state-battery-powered-ev/
Top 10 automotive picks On the heals of its auto manufacturer rankings, Consumer Reports (CR) has released its top 10 automotive picks for 2026. Familiar names, such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Camry, abound. Plus two Subaru models, the Forester and Crosstrek, and two Ford models, the F150 and Maverick, make the grade. Making …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/cr-drops-its-top-10-automotive-picks-for-2026/
Consumer Reports As they do each year, Consumer Reports has released its list auto manufacturer new vehicle rankings, with Subaru remaining at the top, followed closely by BMW. The latter then ranks first among luxury brands. The group rated cars from 31 brands on reliability, owner satisfaction, safety, and road-test scores. Their list ranks car …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/02/consumer-reports-auto-manufacturer-rankings-for-2026-released/
Frozen key fob I had an interesting conversation with a friend recently. She thought she had a frozen key fob. The fob stopped working without warning and she realized the fob had been sitting on the floor of the vehicle’s center console, which was really, really cold. So, she rubbed the fob in her hands …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/01/will-a-frozen-key-fob-still-work/
Tires Tires have been a big focus of late: I’ve replaced all four and followed that up by clipping a curb and needing to replace a tire within just a few weeks. Now, Consumer Reports offers up a good guide on tire replacement, with a discussion of whether to replace just two or all four. …
Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2026/01/always-mount-your-best-tires-on-the-rear/
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 …
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