Drew Dowdell

Broad (and off base, I might add) generalizations such as that are of no help to the discussion.

You realize this was born out of the Toyota uncontrolled acceleration issue, right?

it's not tracked unless the owner activates the stolen vehicle locater services. and if you don't want the stolen vehicle slow down service well... this blurb from OnStar says it directly: "OnStar subscribers have the choice to opt-out of the Stolen Vehicle Slowdown service at any time by contacting OnStar if they prefer not to have this capability on their vehicle. This will not affect the rest of their OnStar services."

LTZ

Just had 3 recalls fixed on the CR-V... fairly big stuff too. Window switches that could melt, headlight switches that would fail spontaneously and you'd lose low-beams, and shrapnel in the airbag. Supposedly, reliability, quality, and durability were the reasons for buying a soulless Honda.....so why do we still have this car?

The CheersandGears.com page on Facebook is closing in on 2,000 likes. If you haven't already, why don't you like us there? If you have already, perhaps you'll share us with your car loving Facebook friends?

No, because then Apple would have wanted their branding all over the place. They are just that smug. I just spent 3 days in a Chrysler 300c rental again, the Uconnect isn't as comprehensive as CUE is, but everything works and works well. I can even activate the heated seats via the screen with my gloves on.

I wonder how well these knock-offs crash test... are they all show or is there real Audi beef under the skin?

In Pittsburgh they are dressed up to look like London taxi-cab knock-offs.

WOW did not know it went back that far, so all my onstar equipped auto's are tracked. Tracked? No. The data doesn't go anywhere. All that onstar does is notify emergency response if airbags deploy or certain sensors are tripped. (Someone with a 1000hp CTS-V tripped the g-force sensor when accelerating the car, prompting a call from Onstar to make sure everyone was ok.) But if you think about it... this is specifically what you are paying OnStar for in the first place. They record event data in a rolling log... older stuff is deleted as newer stuff is recorded, but only a fixed amount of time ranging from a few minutes up to an hour. All of the concern over this is prompting me to do an article on it though.

If you drive the General... pretty much anything that was released or updated after 1994 will have some sort of device like this...all vehicle with Onstar built in will have it.

They are cabs and transportation for severely handicapped people, nothing more.

I believe all of GM's systems run on an Android back end, so there is a solid base under all the Cadillac fluff. It seems like a solid first effort. Additionally, in spite of the initial hiccups, it does seem to be better thought of than iDrive. I doubt CUE will hurt Cadillac more than iDrive did with BMW. CUE as a system is more intuitive and people are more familiar with how smart phone screens work.

So the key question is: what models are in the 8.4% of new cars sold without them?

Exactly what I was thinking BV. They're all over downtown Pittsburgh.

Are they planning some big price reduction and new dealership rollout? Nothing like rolling into a Chrysler Dodge Ram Fiat Plymouth Jeep Eagle Mitsubishi dealer to pick up your Italian super sedan...

The mpg numbers on that engine are supposed to be very good. Shame the Malibu will still be so heavy.

How big?

The more I think about it, the more I like it. I can finally replacing the CR-V with a vehicle I actually like even though it wouldn't be the vehicle I drive every day.

"socially acceptable solution"?

I drive a 1981

most of the auto manufacturers do this already and have for years

December 10th, 2012 Drew Dowdell - Managing Editor CheersandGears.com Ford today released a fix for the recently recalled 2013 Escape and 2013 Fusion with the 1.6 liter Ecoboost engine. The recall involves a reprogramming of the computer to address a coolant pressure loss under certain driving conditions. Only VINs with the eighth character “X” on Escapes or “R” on Fusions are affected. Ford Press Release on Page 2 Ford Produces Fix in Voluntary Safety Recall of 2013 Escapes, 2013 Fusions with 1.6-liter Engines Ford today announced a corrective action to address potential engine overheating that could result in engine fires in 2013 Ford Escape SE and SEL models with the 1.6-liter engine and 2013 Ford Fusion SE and SEL models with the 1.6-liter engine Ford will make updates to the cooling system software to better manage engine temperatures during a unique overheating condition. Original cooling system design was not able to address a loss of coolant system pressure under certain operating conditions. The new software will resolve this issue Escapes equipped with the 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter engines are unaffected as are Fusions equipped with 2.5-liter and hybrid engines Ford remains absolutely committed to continuously improving and providing the highest-quality vehicles to its customers. When a potential issue is identified, Ford acts promptly on behalf of customers DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 10, 2012 – Ford Motor Company today announced a corrective action to address potential engine overheating that could result in engine fires in SE and SEL models of the 2013 Ford Escape and Ford Fusion models equipped with 1.6-liter engines. The vehicles were subjects of a voluntary safety recall announced Nov. 30. An intensive, cross-discipline engineering team at Ford worked to identify the root cause of the extreme engine overheating condition. To fix the condition, Ford will make software updates to the cooling system of the 1.6-liter engine available in the SE and SEL models of the 2013 Ford Escape and 2013 Ford Fusion. The software updates will better manage engine temperatures during a unique overheating condition that could occur under unique operating conditions. The original cooling system design was not able to address a loss of coolant system pressure under certain operating conditions, which could lead to a vehicle fire while the engine was running. “We remain absolutely committed to continuously improving and providing the highest-quality vehicles to our customers. When a potential issue is identified, we act promptly on behalf of our customers, as we did this time,” said Raj Nair, Ford Group Vice President, Global Product Development. Ford is now working to deliver the software and repair procedure to its dealers. The company will begin notifying customers so they can schedule service appointments with dealers. Beginning early next week, customers will be able to get the software update at their dealer. The time needed for this repair is less than one-half day. However, due to service scheduling requirements, a dealer may need the vehicle for a longer period of time. Until the cooling software is updated, customers driving 2013 Escape vehicles equipped with the 1.6-liter engine and 2013 Fusion models equipped with the 1.6-liter engine have been advised to contact their dealer to arrange for alternative transportation at no charge. Some drivers who have experienced high engine temperatures followed by engine fires have said that their clusters have shown the message “Engine Power Reduced to Lower Temps” or “Engine over temp, stop safely.” Some also indicated that their instrument clusters sounded a chime and illuminated a red light. Ford advised drivers who see any of these indications to safely pull off the road as soon as possible, turn off the engine and exit the vehicle. Notifications have been sent to customers affected by the recall. Customers also can see if they are affected by the recall by: Checking their 17-digit VIN, located on a label on the driver door opening, at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side of their vehicle, or on their vehicle registration. In vehicles with 1.6-liter engines, the eighth character will be “X” on Escapes or “R” on Fusions; Logging onto Ford.com, click “View Notices and Recalls” in the “Support” tab and inputting their VIN; Calling 866-436-7332 in the U.S. or 888-222-7814 in Canada; or Contacting a Ford dealer 2013 Escapes equipped with 2.0-liter and the 2.5-liter engines are unaffected. 2013 Fusions equipped with the 2.5-liter and hybrid engines are also unaffected – as are all Titanium models. View full article