When to know before you repair or replace a broken washing machine
Weโve all been there. The washer sounds like a jet engine and then suddenly stops mid-cycle. Itโs the age-old question every homeowner will face. To repair or to replace? Consumer Reports has what to consider before you fix or nix.
Trained sensory panel, experts pore through 26 olive oils to find truth on its taste, health benefits
Olive oil is a popular choice over other oils because of its supposed health benefits. But are those benefits real? Consumer Reports pored through the research to find the truth about its reputation and tested 26 olive oils to find the best tasting.
Why you should ask about โdestination feeโs before purchasing a new vehicle
DETROIT โ When you buy a new car, there are usually a lot of fees you have to pay. Included in that fee is a destination fee, which is the charge for delivering the car from the factory to the dealership. He said Stellantis in particular has had destination charges go up. READ: What Stellantis means for jobs, future prospects in Metro DetroitโWhen assessing vehicle pricing, we do not look at any single element of the pricing equation. There is no requirement that a destination fee be included in advertising.
Mazda No. 1 in Consumer Reports 2020 auto reliability survey
DETROIT โ Mazda beat traditional winners Lexus and Toyota to win top honors as the most dependable auto brand in Consumer Reports' annual reliability survey. Mazda took top honors for the first time in the survey, which this year included Consumer Reports organization members who own more than 300,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2020. Consumer Reports said that the Ford Explorer SUV, redesigned for the 2020 model year, is among the lowest-scoring models of any manufacturer with transmission, electronic, and engine issues. Only the company's Model 3 small car was rated as reliable and recommended by Consumer Reports. Nearly half of the new models have much worse than average reliability, Consumer Reports said.
Most drivers say safety tech has saved them from crashes
Scott Olson/Getty Images(CNN) - Most drivers with advanced auto safety technologies in their cars say the features have helped keep them out of crashes, according to a new survey from Consumer Reports. Such safety systems use a variety of cameras and sensors to detect other vehicles, pedestrians and lane markings. Of car owners whose vehicle had this technology, 60% said it had helped them avoid a crash. Rear cross traffic alert systems, which alert drivers to vehicles approaching from either side as the vehicle is backing up, were credited with avoiding crashes by 52% of vehicle owners. The systems should be standard equipment on every new car, said William Wallace, a safety policy advocate for Consumer Reports.
Distracted driving : It's not just cell phones
DETROIT โ These days it seems everyone is on a mission to stop people from texting and talking on the phone while driving. While those habits can be hazardous, drivers have also spotted a long list of other disturbing, distracted driving behaviors. Their responses covered a wide variety of dangerous choices drivers are making while on the road. Take a look at this list:Applying makeupBreast feedingBrushing teeth, flossingChanging clothesChanging a diaperDog in the lapEating cereal with milkEating spaghetti or noodlesFingernail paintingHolding a babyPlaying a musical instrumentWatching videoWhile some of the behaviors might make you laugh in disbelief, distracted driving is a serious issue. READ: Teens take part in anti-distracted driving programFor drivers 15 to 19-years-old involved in fatal crashes, 21 percent of the distracted drivers were fiddling with their cell phones, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.