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May 6, 2022 – Thieves want your catalytic converters at alarming rates. Claims of catalytic converter theft increased more than 1,200% from 2019 to 2021, according to the most recent data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau as reported by Carfax.
In 2021, there were 52,206 reported catalytic converter thefts versus 3,969 thefts in 2019. The number could be higher, since owners might not report the theft to their insurance provider. Either way, the staggering increase means new and old vehicles are susceptible, and owners could be on the hook for repairs and replacements that range from $1,000 to $3,000, according to the NICB.
Both sources recommend installing an anti-theft device or getting the converter etched with the car’s VIN to make it easier for law enforcement to trace. Additionally, parking in an enclosed area or garage will limit the risk of theft.
via The Car Connection
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May 13, 2022 – It’s important to know what the dashboard light is actually telling you. In some vehicles, there are separate warning lights labeled Service Engine or Maintenance Due, versus a more traditional Check Engine light.
You can find out what’s ailing your engine through the vehicle’s OBD-II port. If your main reason for buying an inexpensive scanner is to reset the check-engine light, know this: clearing the code and turning the light off doesn’t mean your issue has gone away.
Some check-engine light warnings are temporary—like loose fuel-filler cap or a rare engine misfire. It’s possible that the warning light won’t come back on after you clear the code. If the light does come on again soon, you have an issue that needs to be addressed. Failure to do so could cost you a lot more later.
via Car and Driver
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May 12, 2022 – Google says the new split-screen display will be standard for all Android Auto users, allowing them to access key features like navigation, media player, and messages – all from one screen. Previously, the split-screen display was only available to owners of certain vehicles.
“We used to have a different screen mode that was available in a very limited amount of cars,” said Rod Lopez, lead product manager at Android Auto. “Now this is available no matter what type of display you have, what size, what form factor, and it’s a really, really exciting update.”
Android Auto will also adapt to any type of touchscreen, no matter what size. Automakers are starting to get creative with the size of their infotainment display, installing everything from large portrait-style screens to long vertical ones shaped like surfboards.
via The Verge
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May 12, 2022 – Electric cars aren’t just cheaper over the long term but have cheaper total monthly cost from day one for most buyers in the United States, according to a new report from Energy Innovation.
This analysis expands on the total cost of ownership calculation – rather than looking at the entire average 12-year period of car ownership, it looks at monthly costs over the length of a six-year financing term. Since 85% of cars in the United States are financed at purchase, this is a more realistic way to view costs than by looking at the sticker price.
Energy Innovation’s analysis looks at EV vs. gas vehicle costs in every state and includes financing costs, fuel, maintenance, insurance, EV incentives, and even dumb EV fees that some states have implemented.
via Electrek
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EV Carshare in the Twin Cities
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May 13, 2022 – Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, alongside Senator Tina Smith, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and partners announced the launch of Evie Carshare, a renewably-powered fleet of shared electric vehicles (EVs) and the EV Spot Network of charging stations across Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
“Carshares continue to be an important way for people to have affordable access to transportation. Installing 70 new renewably-powered electric vehicle charging stations across the Twin Cities is an important investment in clean energy and an exciting way to expand sustainable transportation options,” said Senator Smith.
This innovative model for expanding access to clean transportation was made possible by cutting edge investments from the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Energy and the collaborative efforts between the City of Saint Paul, City of Minneapolis, HOURCAR, Xcel Energy, American Lung Association, and other local and national partners.
via St Paul Minnesota
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By Ed Pierce, Contributing Editor
While vehicle registrations can be difficult enough to manage for one vehicle, the task becomes even more daunting when you’re a company handling thousands of vehicles.
From car rental companies to fleet management companies, vehicle registration is an integral part of managing company-owned cars. These companies usually rely on tag & title businesses to ensure their vehicles are properly registered and kept up to date.
But while this field is dominated by larger businesses, there are a few smaller players that have managed to make a name for themselves in recent years.
One of the most notable of these businesses is J3 Management Group, a sister-run tag and title company specializing in serving fleet vehicles.
Founded by sisters Lora Dunton and Karla Jackson, J3 Management Group has experienced major success in the two short years since its inception, due in large part no doubt to the dynamic effort of these sisters and their families.
READ MORE
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May 16, 2022 – Federal data being released this week by the Transportation Department is expected to show another big jump in U.S. traffic deaths through 2021. Fatalities among pedestrians and cyclists have been rising faster than those within vehicles.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is directing $5 billion in federal aid to cities and localities to address the growing crisis by slowing down cars, carving out bike paths and wider sidewalks and nudging commuters to public transit under his department’s new Safe Streets & Roads for All program. “We have become far too accustomed to the loss of life and serious injuries happening on our roadways.”
“We face a national crisis of fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways, and these tragedies are preventable — so as a nation we must work urgently and collaboratively to save lives.” Buttigieg said the money “will help communities large and small take action to protect all Americans on our roads.”
via AP News
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