No…not this halftime. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Was it even intended to be political at all? Maybe that’s a better question to ask. By now, you know the one I’m talking about, right? The Clint Eastwood “It’s Halftime in America” commercial for Chrysler. I won’t say too much about this, mainly because I want to hear what you think in the comment section below. However, I will tell you this… 

I saw the ad during the game, and I thought it was so well done that I immediately used the DVR  to watch it a second time. Same thing happened the second time around: Goose bumps on my arms. I’m not kidding. And no, I didn’t hear anything political in there. I just thought it was an inspirational message about the Motor City (finally) starting to gain some strength once again — and I thought the gritty voice of Clint Eastwood was a perfect fit. Simple as that.

 It wasn’t until the following day, when I heard some of the backlash and political commentary, that I realized that others had a completely different experience. And while the ad was pulled almost immediately from YouTube due to some type of copyright claim by NFL Properties LLC, it’s back again, and you can watch it right here, right now:

 “It’s Halftime in America” – Official Chrysler Commercial from 2012 NFL Championship Game

 So now that you’ve seen it, what do you think? Is this a political message or not? I’m sticking with my initial reaction that it’s not political at all.

 Oh, and don’t forget that you can keep up with CarStuff on our Facebook page and on our Twitter feed, too. Let us know what you think!

NASA engineers found no electronic flaws in Toyota vehicles capable of producing the large throttle openings required to create dangerous high-speed unintended accelerations. (Stefan Zaklin/Getty Images)

I’m sure by now you’ve heard the latest Toyota news: A little less than a week ago, it was announced that “NASA found no evidence that a malfunction in electronics caused large unintended accelerations.” That’s according to Michael Kirsch, the principal engineer and team lead of the study from the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.

And if you recall, reports of unintended acceleration were being blamed on three possible factors: sticking accelerator pedals, a design flaw that enabled accelerator pedals to become trapped by floor mats and electromagnetic interference and/or software flaws. In all, nearly 8 million Toyota vehicles were recalled. In the end, only two of those factors proved possible: sticking accelerator pedals and a floor mat design flaw. There simply was no evidence that a malfunction in electronics caused unintended acceleration.

So here’s my question — and it’s a question that I’m sure many of you were probably already thinking, too: Why is NASA studying car safety alongside the NHTSA? On the surface, it seems like an odd combination, doesn’t it?

But if you take a moment to think about it, you’ll realize that NASA employs some of the “best and brightest” software and electronics experts in the world. And so, according to a recent news article from NASA, in addition to the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s research into the issue, 30 NASA engineers also played a part in the ten-month study to determine the possible electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.

And now it all makes perfect sense, right? Oh, and don’t forget that you can keep up with CarStuff on our Facebook page and on our Twitter feed, too. Let us know what you think!

(Joyce Fang/The Straits Times/Getty Images)

A couple of years ago, I received an aftermarket in-car navigation system as a gift. It’s a portable   device — one that I can easily move from vehicle to vehicle, keep hidden away when it’s not in use or even take it along with me when I fly someplace new and need to rent a car. I’ve used it on local road trips, long cross-country road trips and everything in between. I think it proved itself most-valuable, however, when I was house-shopping a little more than a year ago. For awhile, I used it nearly every day to get in and out of twisty, unfamiliar neighborhood streets — definitely a helpful device to own.

If you recall, I recently wrote a post about tips for using Bluetooth in the car. One of the things I discovered was that when you search for “Bluetooth tips,” you’ll get a huge assortment of tips…buying tips, installation tips, troubleshooting tips and more. Well, as you might guess, it’s a similar situation for in-car navigation systems.

So, instead of going through all of that (and creating a huge, exhaustive list), I thought I’d just give you a few simple user tips that I’ve picked up on over the past few years:

Always pre-program your destination before you begin driving. Similar to texting while driving, attempting to enter a new destination into your GPS unit while you’re driving is really distracting — and extremely dangerous for you and other drivers, too.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the features and capabilities you’re most likely to use. In addition to all of the standard features (and even on the most basic systems, there are plenty), a lot of the newer navigation systems can get real-time traffic and weather reports (a subscription service, of course), Bluetooth compatibility, video playback and much, much more. Again, you don’t want to find yourself fumbling around with those features when you’re on the road.

Never leave your aftermarket navigation system in an unlocked vehicle. This one’s probably the most obvious, but I figured I’d include it anyway. Actually, it’s a bad idea to leave your navigation system anywhere in plain sight within your car or truck — locked or unlocked. Put it under the front seat, lock it in your car’s glove box, store it in the trunk or better yet, carry it with you instead of leaving it behind.

And one last tip that goes along with the previous suggestion: Spend a few extra bucks on a removable dash-mount for your device. Did you know that car thieves are looking for those telltale suction cup marks on your front window? That’s right, if they see evidence of a window-mounted device, the bad guys know there’s a good chance you’ve got some potentially valuable in-car electronics stashed inside.

And speaking of stashed away valuables and GPS systems, do you remember this guy and his $50,000 mistake?

Don’t forget that you can keep up with CarStuff on our Facebook page and on our Twitter feed, too. Let us know what you think!

Bluetooth technology allows the user to keep both hands on the wheel. (Photo Inc./Getty Images)

OK. So I’m guessing that by now most of you know at least a little something about Bluetooth technology, correct? Well then, at least you’ve heard about Bluetooth technology, right? Well, just in case you answered no to either one of those questions, here’s a super-fast way to get up-to-speed on what it’s all about. And if you took the time to follow that link, then you’ll understand why Bluetooth technology has been a very popular feature in cars and trucks ever since its introduction in 1998. Whether installed at the factory or as an aftermarket upgrade to your existing in-car system, connecting your electronic devices wirelessly (and automatically) has never been easier.
(I know that sounds a little salesy, but it’s true.)

But maybe you aren’t quite sure how to get the most out of your Bluetooth devices. In fact, you might be having trouble using the system at all. As Joanne Helperin, Consumer Marketing Director and Blog Editor at askpatty.com reported recently, “According to a new study by General Motors, 55 percent of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac owners aren’t taking advantage of the Bluetooth-enabled system in their vehicle.” What that really means is that there are a lot of drivers out there that are still driving while holding a phone up to their ear. It’s dangerous and, if you have a Bluetooth-equipped cell phone (which, most people do by now), it’s entirely unnecessary.

Do a quick Google search for “Bluetooth Tips” and you’ll find (as I did) that tips for using Bluetooth in your car can range from tips regarding choosing Bluetooth devices, to aftermarket-kit selection, do-it-yourself installation tips, how to get the best results from a Bluetooth system, troubleshooting the system…the  list goes on and on and on. Really.

Tara Baukus Mello, a Motor Trend Radio news anchor, wrote a short piece for CNET Reviews that seems to have all the bases covered — plus a couple of other cool tips about how to “Geek your Car,” like how to hook up an MP3 player and a GPS navigation unit. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for there, try here.

And when you’re finally ready to have a little fun with your new Bluetooth system, take a look at the HowStuffWorks.com articles listed below. Also, don’t forget that you can keep up with CarStuff on our Facebook page and on our Twitter feed, too. Let us know what you think!

A car thermometer displays an outside temperature of 102 degrees in Petaluma, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Believe it or not, there once was a time when everyone riding in a vehicle had to agree on a single temperature setting. And, of course, this inevitably led to some friction between travelers: Some preferred it cooler while the others rubbed their hands together and claimed to be freezing. Or maybe there was someone in the car who wanted it warmer while others were left sweating and sticking to the vinyl seats. Some compromise might be had by opening a window — but that often led to other issues with wind and road noise. So what’s the solution?

Find a way to let each passenger select his or her own temperature. But really, how practical is that?

Well, if you haven’t been new car shopping in a while, you might be surprised to find out that it’s actually getting to the point where dual-zone climate control systems are simply passé. (Unless you’re looking at a two-seater, in which case, a dual-zone system is perfectly acceptable.) In fact, it’s not as uncommon as you might think to find as many as three or even four separate climate zones within the same vehicle.

Each manufacturer has its own distinct method for delivering the perfect climate for individual passengers; however, they all rely on certain similar components, like additional controls in the driver’s HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) control unit, an additional HVAC control unit in the rear seating area, individual temperature sensors for each zone, lots of extra hidden ducting to carry the air where it’s needed and extra vents — lots and lots of extra vents. For example, the Lexus LX570 has 28 of them.

Here’s how the BMW 5 Series Sedan handles it. (You’ll need to select “More” in the lower left corner of the box to get to the good stuff.) And if you’re still not satisfied, here’s how the Audi A8 and Audi Q7 electronic climate control system works.

Interesting, huh? Different vehicles and different manufacturers, yet they all seem to have a similar approach.

Oh, and don’t forget that you can keep up with CarStuff on our Facebook page and on our Twitter feed, too. Let us know what you think!

The all-new 2010 Ford Taurus earned a 'Top Safety Pick' rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) based on its performance in testing. (Courtesy of Ford Motor Co.)

Let’s say that you’re shopping for a new car. What are some of the key characteristics that you’re likely to be looking for? Well, aside from appearance, comfort and performance features, there’s a good chance that you’re also looking for a car that’s safe. In fact, for some car shoppers, that’s the number one selling point. But how do you really know that you’re buying a safe vehicle?

You could ask the dealership salesperson; however, you have to keep in mind that that he or she is there to sell cars and probably stands to make a decent commission from the sale, too. You could spend some time online researching the car or truck you’ve selected; but if you happen to stray from trusted sources, you simply can’t believe everything you read on your computer screen. You could ask your friends and family; yet that choice is likely to only provide you with a bunch of confusing opinions and no hard facts. So, how are you supposed to find an unbiased, outside evaluation of a car’s safety?

One place you could look is at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Web site. Each year, the independent, nonprofit, scientific, and educational organization conducts its own crash tests in order to determine a vehicle’s “crashworthiness.” (The IIHS’s way of saying “how well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash.”) The best of the tested vehicles earn a place on the coveted IIHS Top Safety Picks list.

The institute’s ratings range from good to poor and a vehicle must score a “good” rating in all four tests — “front and side crash tests, a rollover test, plus evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts” — in order to earn a Top Safety Pick award. You can read all about the crash test details, ratings criteria and test verification if you scroll to the bottom of the page.

So, if you happen to be in the market for a (safe) new car, you might want to give the IIHS Top Safety Picks list a quick once over. You can even view lists of past winners — back to 2006 — if you’re searching for a (safe) used car.

Oh, and don’t forget that you can keep up with CarStuff on our Facebook page and on our Twitter feed, too. Let us know what you think!

The 2011 Toyota Prius (Courtesy of Toyota)

While I’m sure that we’ve talked about cruise control in the past, I thought we’d take just a few moments today to talk about a recent (but not necessarily new) variation of that original system — Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). And since it’s not all-new technology, I’ll just give you a quick description of how the system works…

Onboard radar technology maintains a pre-set distance between the DRCC-equipped car and the car driving ahead of that car. If the system detects that the vehicle ahead is getting a little too close, the speed is automatically lowered and the vehicle’s brakes are applied. If the distance between the cars is increased (or if the road ahead is clear) the vehicle will return to its pre-set speed.

In other words, it’s kind of like everything you already enjoy about cruise control, but with a bit of a high-tech, safety twist.

Mercedes-Benz was the first manufacturer to offer adaptive cruise control (ACC) — the German automaker called it the Distronic system. After that, it wasn’t long before other manufacturers brought similar systems to market: Audi, BMW, Infinity, Lexus and Jaguar, just to name a few. And for awhile, it was offered only as an expensive option on a small number of high-end automobiles. I guess that’s why I decided to mention this today.

Just like air conditioning, power locks and heated seats were once considered an extravagant luxury in a few expensive cars, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is beginning to find its way into some “everyday” cars like the new Toyota Prius and Sienna, Volkswagens, Nissans and a few others, too. Now, I don’t know about you, but I really like it when high-end technology trickles down to the lower end of a manufacturer’s new-car lineup. It gives me hope that I’ll someday have a shot at owning a car with all the bells and whistles — but at an economy-car price.

Really, just give it a few more years and…well, who knows? DRCC just might be a standard feature found on all new cars and trucks someday.

Don’t forget that you can keep up with CarStuff on our Facebook page and on our Twitter feed, too. Let us know what you think!

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Well, it’s Friday once again, and you know what that means: I get to pen another quick wrap-up of what Ben and I have been talking about on our CarStuff podcast over the past several days. So let’s get started.

I’m sure you’re aware that in some countries, you’re supposed to drive on the right side of the road, while in others, you’re expected to stay to the left. Did you ever wonder why that is? Well, in Tuesday’s episode, Ben and I take a look at the history of right- and left-side driving. Yet we don’t necessarily limit ourselves to discussing the side of the road we’re meant to keep to, either. We talk a little bit about right-hand and left-hand drive cars, too. In particular, some of the difficulties you may have when shifting from one side to the other. (Pun intended.) I think it’s good stuff. Give it a listen and see what you think.

Paying for the privilege to use a roadway? That’s exactly what toll roads are all about. Oh, and don’t forget about toll bridges and toll ferries, too. We cover it all in this episode. In fact, in Thursday’s show we talk about the long history of toll roads in the United States, including the modern technology being used to determine the rates, how the money is collected and we even tell you what the cash is supposed to be used for once it’s gathered. So, whether you call them toll roads, toll routes or turnpikes, you’ll find it all in the latest episode of CarStuff.

And that’s it. That’s what’s happening on the CarStuff podcast this week. And by the way, have you seen our Official CarStuff Podcast Page yet? We like it a lot. And don’t forget that you can keep up with CarStuff on our Facebook page and on our Twitter feed, too. Let us know what you think!

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Even though it was a short week (due to the Labor Day holiday on Monday), Ben and I were still able to get into the studio to record a couple of CarStuff podcasts that we think you’ll really enjoy listening to. What did we have to say? Well, here’s what you’ll find on our CarStuff podcast this week…

On Tuesday’s episode, we talked about Volvo’s Vision 2020 program. It’s not a brand-new program from the Swedish (or Chinese now, I suppose) auto manufacturer, but we’re beginning to really see some of the ambitious car-safety systems that Volvo promised in its new production models. So what’s the Vision 2020 program all about? You’ll have to listen to get the full details — but I guess you could read this article in the meantime (if you’re looking for a hint).

On Thursday, Ben and I talked about tractor pulls. Now whatever you do, please don’t miss this episode because the title doesn’t sound like something you’re into. We’re here to tell you that tractor pulls are more fun than you might expect. A lot more fun. Tractor pulls are basically distance competitions between modified tractors on a straight stretch of dirt. They pull a weighted sled as far as possible — usually until the wheels dig in and the tractor can’t move any farther, but sometimes stuff breaks, too. And when we say modified tractors, we’re talking about everything from simple garden tractors to antique tractors to multi-engine, flame-throwing, custom tractors unlike anything you’ve ever seen. I’m guessing that by the end of this podcast, several CarStuff listeners will be searching the internet for a local tractor pull event. At least I hope so, anyway.

And that’s it. That’s what’s happening on the CarStuff podcast this week. And by the way, have you seen our Official CarStuff Podcast Page yet? We think it’s pretty cool. And don’t forget that you can keep up with CarStuff on our Facebook page and on our Twitter feed, too. Let us know what you think!

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In the interest of time, let’s just dispense with the small talk today, m’kay? Here’s what’s happening on our CarStuff podcast this week.

On Tuesday, Ben and I talked about some unusual car stories. Now, you probably already know that I’m not going to give any secrets away here, but I will tell you this: You should listen to this episode if you really want to be stunned by some of the history that surrounds a few of the automobiles that we talk about. This is some crazy stuff — really crazy.

And on Thursday’s show, Ben really took the lead on a topic that he seemed very enthusiastic about. No, not flying cars (but I’m sure we’ll have to endure more on that topic soon). No, this time it was The Knowledge. A rigorous test for London cab drivers that takes several years to prepare for and has proven to cause a physical change in brain size. Intrigued? Well then, listen to Thursday’s episode and find out all about it.

And that’s it. That’s what’s happening on the CarStuff podcast this week. You can listen to it right here — it’s completely free. Just don’t forget while you’re there to take the opportunity to browse through some of our older episodes and give us a little feedback. You can also let us know what you think in the comment section below, or if you’d rather send us an e-mail, you can do that, too. We always read the address at the end of each podcast.

And don’t forget: You can keep up with CarStuff on our new Facebook page and on our Twitter feed, too.