Previews & Trends
Midyear Auto Intros: Around the Corner
Luxury, utility and fuel economy are the key attributes in a crop of early 2014 vehicles.
Certified Preowned Buying Guide
Haven’t thought about buying a certified preowned vehicle? Think again.
Consumers Digest’s 2013 Automotive Best Buys
Forty-three recommendations across 12 categories.
Inner Space: Exploring New Design Features
Vehicles are getting smaller, so automakers are getting creative to produce more interior space.
April 22, 2013—Apple iPhone 5 owners will have a new accessory option—a car.
April 16, 2013—Ford Motor and General Motors will co-develop nine- and 10-speed automatic transmissions that the automakers plan to use in future vehicles.
Refrigerators: The Newest Space Stations
Enhanced versatility is the rule of the day.
Playing All the Angles: High-Performance Dishwashers
The latest dishwashers are quieter, use less water and have more wash options than older models did.
Range Hoods: Under-Cabinet • Chimney • Downdraft
Today's strongest models might need makeup-air systems.
April 22, 2013—General Electric’s newest front-loading washing machine also can dry your clothes.
April, 12, 2013—What are the germiest kitchen products? You might be surprised by the answer.
Making The Grade: Best Buys In Educational Software & Exceptional Apps For Kids
You can’t count on the availability of CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and downloadable programs beyond 2013.
Streaming A/V Gear: Making the Right Connections
Streaming-video boxes deliver more features than ever.
Prime-time: Universal Remotes
Tweaks to the latest models include Internet protocol.
May 6, 2013—U.S. Cellular will start to sell the Apple iPhone later in 2013, according to multiple news reports.
May 1, 2013—Internet companies increasingly take steps to block law enforcement or government agencies from getting access to your personal data, according to a report by an Internet privacy-rights group.
Whole-House Air Purifiers: Efficiency Report
You should be wary about claims of overall effectiveness for whole-house air purifiers.
Home-Security Services: Under Surveillance
A lack of regulation can lead to unlicensed workers installing home-security systems.
Pouring It On: Innovative Kitchen Faucets & Sinks
The latest faucets have higher spouts than ever before.
April 26, 2013—AT&T is the latest telecommunications company to launch a home-security and home-monitoring service.
April 10, 2013—Homeowners who reported foreclosure or loan-modification errors that were caused by mortgage-service companies will receive settlement checks beginning April 2013.
Energy Drinks: Monster Claims, Empty Promises, Marketing to Children
Consumers aren’t any closer to understanding what exactly is in energy drinks.
High-Tech Hearing Aids: Hearing Is Believing
As technologies change in hearing-aids, consumers still must navigate a maze of confusion when it’s purchase time.
Home Fitness Equipment: A New Interactive Experience
Ellipticals • Exercise Bikes • Home Gyms • Treadmills
May 10, 2013—Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to consume Juices Inc. juice products or other beverages.
May 10, 2013—Three members of a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee are looking into the safety of an ingredient that’s used in muscle-building supplements.
Waterparks: Is Public Safety Going Down the Tubes?
Because of a lack of nationwide regulation, waterpark visits might be an accident waiting to happen.
Amusement Parks: Top Attractions, Hottest Rides & Best Values
Excitement is on the rise. So are admission prices and fees.
Car Rental: How to Avoid Being Taken for a Ride
Disputes over damage claims and questionable tactics when companies rent recalled vehicles can spell trouble for you.
May 17, 2013—Viking River Cruises plans to expand to ocean and sea voyages in 2015.
May 1, 2013—A new study says 4,400 children are injured each year on amusement-park rides.
Making The Grade: Best Buys In Educational Software & Exceptional Apps For Kids
You can’t count on the availability of CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and downloadable programs beyond 2013.
High-Tech Hearing Aids: Hearing Is Believing
As technologies change in hearing-aids, consumers still must navigate a maze of confusion when it’s purchase time.
The Fleecing of America’s Elderly
Government could do a lot more to protect seniors.
May 6, 2013—Senior citizens who have questions about identity theft can submit questions to Federal Trade Commission on May 7, 2013, as part of an agency workshop that will be broadcast on the Internet.
March 11, 2013—Federal Trade Commission exposed another company for allegedly ripping off senior citizens.
Swing Shift: Backyard Playsets Evolve
You’ll want more space and you’ll spend more money to add horizontal climbing bars to your playset.
Grass Seed: Turf Wars: Separating Fact from Filler
It’s unclear whether grass-seed manufacturers’ claims about their products are accurate.
Grounds Keepers: Top-Rated Lawnmowers & Tillers
There are more zero-turn-radius riding models than ever before, and you’ll find more cordless electric walk-behind lawnmowers.
April 5, 2013—The first Cub Cadet electric-powered zero-turn-radius riding lawnmower will arrive in stores this month.
March 25, 2013—This spring, you can buy a riding lawnmower that cuts grass and saves gasoline—sort of.
Reality Check: Third-Party Bill-Payment Services
Third-party bill-payment services, though desirable in theory, still are in their infancy.
Financial Forecast: Smart Money Moves for 2013
Expert Picks • Investments • Interest Rates • Real Estate
The Truth About Estate Sales
An unqualified agent might take no security measures at an estate sale, which makes it easier for someone else to steal.
May 6, 2013—Senior citizens who have questions about identity theft can submit questions to Federal Trade Commission on May 7, 2013, as part of an agency workshop that will be broadcast on the Internet.
April 19, 2013—The wireless telecommunication industry’s voluntary guidelines that are designed to prevent cellphone users from getting unexpected overage fees appears to be effective, according to Federal Communications Commission.
Energy Drinks: Monster Claims, Empty Promises, Marketing to Children
Consumers aren’t any closer to understanding what exactly is in energy drinks.
Home-Security Services: Under Surveillance
A lack of regulation can lead to unlicensed workers installing home-security systems.
Counterfeit Cuisine: The Dangers of Food Fraud
How you end up paying too much for the wrong species of fish or for corrupted versions of olive oil or maple syrup.
Think twice before you take your computer to the nearest repair specialist. Many people are scammed by technicians who are moved more by profit than principle.
You might face more than the grief of the loss of a loved one: grave desecration and double-sold plots.
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Haven’t thought about buying a certified preowned vehicle? Think again.
Read More
Forty-three recommendations across 12 categories.
Read More
Vehicles are getting smaller, so automakers are getting creative to produce more interior space.
Read MoreLuxury, utility and fuel economy are the key attributes in a crop of early 2014 vehicles.
Information and entertainment systems are more connected than ever before in the latest crop of concept vehicles.
Although the most fuel-efficient vehicles help you to pay less at the pump, they also increase the overall cost of vehicle ownership.
Automakers are trimming excess vehicle pounds, downsizing their engines and adopting technologies such as turbocharging.
Today’s car-top carrier models can be attached and removed more conveniently and securely than their predecessors were.
High gasoline prices and stringent fuel-economy standards won’t push the automotive market into uniform drabness.
Manufacturers are increasing their number of sport UTVs at higher prices than ever before.
Low-rolling-resistance tires soon might be standardized.
Labels designed to provide a better comparison of how much fuel and energy vehicles consume tend to oversimplify the differences.
Use this tool, then negotiate from a position of strength.
A large amp doesn't mean best car-audio performance.
Don’t expect to find great deals on new motorcycles, but you will find new technologies that are geared for speed and improved safety.
Pricing on all models and options, complete standard equipment listings, expert reviews, reports on rebates/incentives and more.
Mainstream electric cars have hit the road, but price, range and a lack of recharging stations relegate them to a select market.
V8 engines are being packed under the hoods of increasingly fewer cars, and new small-engine technology comes at a higher cost.
Purchase incentives carry consequences for consumers. No-cost upgrades and free maintenance can take their toll on your wallet.
Eliminating interference increases these devices' range.
Better fuel injection in small scooters makes them faster.
Computerized diagnostics create obstacles for consumers.
A system to prevent unintended acceleration is coming. Emerging now: safety systems that are designed to prevent collisions.
Motor oil brands that claim to do more than deliver basic protection for your engine are sliding down a slippery slope.
More-sophisticated systems turn your vehicle into an entertainment and navigational hub.
The government is pouring billions of dollars into promoting ethanol, but evidence is mounting that it actually damages the environment and fouls up your engines.
Automakers might rise from their slump in 6 months, which would close the door on generous incentives and remarkable deals.
Longer car warranties might not translate into a better deal.
April 22, 2013—Apple iPhone 5 owners will have a new accessory option—a car.
April 16, 2013—Ford Motor and General Motors will co-develop nine- and 10-speed automatic transmissions that the automakers plan to use in future vehicles.
April 15, 2013—Fiat’s first electric vehicle to be available in the United States will cost $32,500.
April 10, 2013—Drivers will see some price relief at the pump for the rest of 2013, and prices could drop even more in 2014, according to a report by the federal government.
The Chrysler Town & Country appears to be marked for extinction, so it doesn’t come as much of a surprise to us that the other shoe has dropped for the Volkswagen Routan, which is built upon the same platform.
Automakers continue to increase the number of gears that are in their vehicles’ automatic transmission.
As automakers add more sensors and lane-assist features to keep you aware of possible hazards in front of or to the side of you, Mercedes-Benz is looking behind you.
An increasing number of companies are looking to cut the amount of time that you spend in a vehicle dealership.
Automakers are rushing to slash prices on their electric vehicles to try to spark more sales.
May 15, 2013—Subaru recalled 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that were manufactured from Feb. 15, 2012, through June 15, 2012.
May 13, 2013—Triumph Motorcycles recalled 2012 Explorer and Explorer XC motorcycles because the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) data that’s listed on the certification label is wrong.
May 13, 2013—Chrysler Group recalled 2008–2012 Jeep Wrangler vehicles that were manufactured from Feb. 1, 2007, through Oct. 10, 2011.
May 13, 2013—Chrysler Group recalled 2006–2010 Jeep Commander vehicles that were manufactured from Jan. 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010, and 2005–2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles that were manufactured from Feb. 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010.



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