2023 in Review
Typically at the beginning of the year, we take a look at the most visited pages and posts from the previous year — 2023 in this case.
However, Google Analytics made a major swap in August leaving us with with only five months of data, so that’s all we can report on. In truth, what we see over that period looks an awful lot like what we’ve seen in the past.
Top Pages and Posts
Of the over 1.5 million pages and posts visited, the top spot goes to a page dedicated to Jeep warning lights and symbols. And its been the top viewed page for several years running. Clearly a brand throwing too many problems at its owners 56,000 of you.
Another 40,000+ Ram owners found themselves on the site searching our Ram warning lights and symbols page, which came in at #4. Clearly FCA or Stellantis or whatever they are calling themselves these days have some work to do to improve vehicle reliability.
Jumping back to #2, we find the Check Engine Light page, representing one of the few remaining symbols that’s actually nearly universal across brands. One version is on the upper right of this article. The symbol pops up generally when an emissions control issue rears its head, as it did for nearly 50,000 of our visitors over the last five months of 2023.
Our overall Symbols page comes in at #3 with 45,000 visits. The page leads to some 800 image style symbols to search for a match.
Our Home page is at #5 with 34,500 visits. It of course, links to everything on the site.
Our pages holding Suzuki and Nissan warning lights and symbols come in at numbers 6 and 7, both with about 30,000 visits. And a symbol commonly seen in these vehicles, the Slip Indicator, comes in at #8. Models built in Japan are notorious for throwing this light when a gas cap is left loose!
Finally at #9 is the Electronic Throttle Control trouble indicator with over 27,000 visits. It gets to stand in for the myriad of newer electronic systems giving drivers newer headaches!
A final note — when an electronic system throws a light, it can often be resolved by simply restarting the vehicle. At that point its just like rebooting a computer. Exactly like rebooting a computer…
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
2024 New York International Auto Show Reflections
Who Showed, Who Didn’t
The 2024 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) was notable as much for who still didn’t show up as for what we found on the show floor.
Since the pandemic shut down the show for two years, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have yet to reappear. And while Mazda and Mitsubishi made appearances in ’22 and ’23, there were a no show this year. And from Fiat Chrysler — or Stellantis — only Jeep showed up with its outdoor test climb.
The value of industry trade shows was questioned in the wake of the pandemic. They are expensive to put on, requiring the movement of large numbers of people and vehicles and booth materials. There’s no evidence of Mercedes and BMW suffering from ignoring this and other trade shows.
Further evidence of a cut back in show attendance were the tiny booths set up by both Volvo and Audi. Barely room for a few car. For the second year in row, Hyundai took advantage of available floor space to make its own test track. The EV track (right) remained on the first level.
EVs in the Limelight
Elsewhere, EVs remain a focus of the show, clearly an attempt to acquaint the buying public with the shift to electric driving. Volkswagen’s ID Buzz (left) made and appearance. Polestar was at the show for the first time and brought its 2, 3, and 4 models. The Polestar 4 (right) won’t be available to order for another few months with deliveries expected in 2025.
Porsche featured all four of its available electric line: the Tacan, Macan, Cayenne and Panamera (left), all open and available to crawl through. As always with Porsche, the styling is impeccable.
Acura brought its first EV, the ZDX (right), but kept it locked tight. Seems a bit short sighted if you’re hoping to generate interest.
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY