Consumer Reports is out with its annual list of top cars, trucks and SUVs, and electrified vehicles dominate.

Winter weather can leave your car dirty and less safe, especially if it's a newer model that relies on cameras and sensors.

It’s expected that the market will return closer to “normal” tendencies before the pandemic changed everything.

On this day in 1920, the way people drove was changed forever when a Detroit traffic cop installed a four-way, tri-color traffic signal on Woodward Avenue in Detroit.

Electric vehicles are not as reliable, on average, as hybrids or regular gas-only cars, Consumer Reports' reliability survey finds.

During a presentation of the car, Alef Aeronautics CEO Jim Dukhovny said the car has eight propeller motors and can both drive on the street, and take off and fly vertically over traffic.

Bags of frozen vegetables sold under the Kroger brand name are recalled because they may be contaminated with listeria and make people sick. See what other consumer alerts made the list in this week's Consumer Roundup.

The extreme heat is taking a toll on cars as drivers deal with tire blowouts and drained batteries.

Buying a new car can be expensive enough. Consumer Reports says you should try to negotiate or avoid certain dealer fees.

It’s the first fully electric vehicle that can both fly with vertical takeoff and drive on roads to receive U.S. government approval, according to the company.

In recent months, automakers such as Ford, Tesla, BMW, Volkswagen and Mazda decided to remove AM radio from new electric cars.

New crash tests of top-selling small cars show back seat passengers need better protection in a crash.

Car prices are up and and so are interest rates. So, is it best to buy or lease your next vehicle?

Seven of Consumer Reports' Top 10 picks for 2023 cars, trucks and SUVs are hybrids or electric vehicles.

Freezing temperatures have arrived, and while we won’t need an ice scraper, you will need to ensure your vehicle is ready to handle the weather.

Consumer Reports' newly-released vehicle reliability report favors hybrids and sedans. Toyota, Lexus and BMW rank as most reliable brands in recent survey about new vehicles.

There were more than 41,000 traffic deaths in 2021 alone, but experts are creating solutions. Don’t miss the innovations keeping drivers and pedestrians safe.

In this triple-digit heat, the inside of your car can get stifling hot. The first step to cooling it off quickly is to get moving, according to auto experts.

Consumer Reports has some tips to get your car to 200,000 miles or beyond.

But compared to recent times, exactly how much have activities such as recycling, dieting or using electric vehicles changed or evolved?

As wireless carriers begin shutting down old 3G networks, millions of connected cars may lose important safety features.

It seems like you hear about it more and more these days: The extreme lengths people are going to in order to buy a new house; how much it costs to fill up the gas tank; and what we’re spending at the grocery store.

If you’ve been to the gas pumps lately, or even listened to any news outlet, you’re likely well aware that gas prices are at a painful high.

It’s no secret: Traveling by vehicle has gotten pretty pricy recently.

Consumer Reports' annual list of its top picks for SUVs includes budget to luxury vehicles, hybrids and a new electric model.

It’s no secret: Traveling by vehicle has gotten pricier this year.

When it comes to drivers running over animals by accident, a lot of attention is rightfully focused on deer, since they are the animals that are run over the most nationwide, resulting in the most damage to cars, according to this website.

Car battery prices have been rising over the past decade. Consumer Reports investigates reasons for the price hike and suggests some ways to save.

It’s no secret: Traveling by vehicle has gotten pricier this year.

Relying too much on your miles-to-empty dash display and waiting to pull over to gas up is risky, according to a new AAA study.

Ah, the burning question everyone wants to know the answer to: How far can your vehicle really go on empty?

Ever wonder what exactly mechanics are looking for under the hood of your car when you go in for an inspection?

New monarch butterfly conservation license plates will be available to Texas motorists starting Monday.

An average of 38 children die in hot cars each year. New radar technology in cars could help prevent tragedies.

Are you in the market for a new vehicle?

No one ever thinks it will happen to them, but a record 53 children died of heatstroke between 2018 and 2019, after being left in a vehicle.

SAN ANTONIO – The old-fashioned full-service fill-up is getting a modern technology tweak as a West Side business launches a new app and gasoline delivery service. Now, the auto parts and repair business is shifting gears and rolling out an additional service. What fueled the concept was what the entrepreneurs said they were hearing from people: they didn’t like dealing with auto repair or getting gas. You select the type of gas you need and then place the order,” said Chief Technology Officer Piyush Prakash, who developed the app. “You basically pay the same price that you would pay at the gas station,” Black said.

SAN ANTONIO – If you’ve got the itch for a new car, truck or SUV, Consumer Reports’ annual list of its top picks may help steer you. Consumer Reports is out with its recommendations on new models based on more than 50 track tests as data on predicted reliability, owner satisfaction and safety equipment. “We put thousands of miles on each test car and actually evaluate them for how people actually use them in their day-to-day lives,” said Mike Quincy, auto editor. “To make CR’s list, the vehicle must come standard with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.”Toyota made a strong showing with three on the list. Here is their list of top picks in various categories:

The pandemic didn’t just send Costco members flocking to stores for toilet paper, canned goods, and disinfecting wipes in 2020, but rather vehicles through the big-box chain’s car-buying program. Even as car sales as a whole took a dive, Costco members bought more than 689,000 new and used vehicles through the its auto program last year, a 12% increase over 2019 sales according to Business Insider. Costco attributes that bump to an increase in the amount of “limited-time” member-exclusive deals with brands like Audi, Chevrolet, and Volvo. All you have to do is go to the Costco auto program webpage and you can browse the available vehicles, calculate monthly payments, and read reviews. Once you provide your contact info and Costco membership number, you can go to participating dealership and you can buy or lease the vehicle with the Costco discount.

But Acosta says his business is not the only one affected by the thefts. Acosta says those companies should have a protocol to ensure that stolen parts are not being sold to them. The Universal City Police Department says they have had two reports of similar thefts last week from an apartment complex parking lot. “So, if everybody kind of works together, we can probably kind of weed them out.”The Kerrville Police Department reported five similar reports of catalytic converter thefts in the last two weeks. Acosta says from his experience Chevy Trucks, Ford Explorers, Ford Escapes and diesel trucks are the easiest targets.

Can a car make you happy? But will the car that spark joy for you be the same for your partner? For the South, it was the Ford Expedition; in the West, the Tesla Model S; and in the North, the Toyota Avalon. Millennials liked the Subaru Ascent; GenXers, the Tesla Model S; Boomers, the Ford Expedition; and the Silent Generation, the Genesis G90. The more you spend on a car, the more likely you are to be satisfied with it!

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. Hertz is selling off its fleet of cars after a slump in the rental car business caused the company to file for bankruptcy in May. The company must sell 182,521 vehicles between June 1 and Dec. 31, 2020, according to a United States Securities and Exchange Commission filing. ABC13 in Houston crunched some numbers earlier this summer and found that the Hertz fleet is listed at an average discount of 12% or more. Looking for a new or used car?

Recently, several have turned to a new strategy taxing electric vehicles. But a Consumer Reports analysis shows why this could create new problems for people looking to buy a clean, efficient car. In fact, even if electric vehicles really took off and were much more popular, they would contribute only about 1 percent of the needed funding. Consumer Reports says all-electric cars can significantly reduce maintenance and fuel costs, not to mention lower emissions and pollution. To see all of CRs ratings on electric vehicles, go to CR.org.

Even considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to people driving less and working from home more, the risk of hot car deaths remains high. Thats according to AAA, which is urging parents to be extra cautious as the pandemic has changed our routines. Summer-like temperatures have arrived, and the inside of a hot car can be fatal. The boys death follows 52 hot car deaths in 2019, and a record 53 deaths in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The majority of hot car deaths, at 54%, according to AAA, happen because someone forgets a child in a car.

Even though life, in some ways, has started returning to normal, it’s safe to say that many of us still aren’t driving our cars as often. Whatever the case, Susan Reed, of Kalamazoo, has some advice for you: Take your car out every day, even if it’s just for a quick spin around the block. “Rodents ate my car,” Reed told Zak Rosen, the host and creator of “The Best Advice Show.”It wasn’t a cheap repair, either. But you’ll definitely want to make sure you’re driving your car at least semi-regularly. “The Best Advice Show” is a product of Graham Media Group.

Hertz is selling off its fleet of cars after a slump in the rental car business caused the company to file for bankruptcy. The company, which has been renting cars since 1918, filed for bankruptcy in May, according to CNN. ABC13 in Houston crunched some numbers and found that the Hertz fleet is listed at an average discount of 12% or higher. Looking for a new or used car? More than 1,700 vehicles are currently listed on Hertz car sales.

SAN ANTONIO While many of us arent driving the same number of miles as we used to, we may still need a car. So what happens if for one reason or another you need to buy a vehicle during the coronavirus pandemic? As Consumer Reports explains, you may actually be able get a great deal on a new or used car right now. If your car lease is about to expire, CR has this advice: Not everyone is going to be comfortable starting a new lease right now, so reach out to the dealer, because many are waiving fees on lease extensions. You may be able to stay in the car youre familiar with for another few months.

And what if your car won’t start because of a dead battery? To revive a dead battery, first make sure each car is in park or neutral -- and turned off. Then, connect one end of the cable to the positive terminal of the donor battery, and then connect the other end to the positive terminal of the dead battery. Let the dead battery charge for a few minutes, and then turn the ignition on the vehicle of the dead battery to see if it starts. This only applies if you:a) Have someone to take you to a repair shop or the store right away to buy a new battery.

Here are five tips to avoid problems that can come up with sitting vehicles:Make sure to run your car every once in a while. But just in case a car isn’t being used or a two-car household has turned into a one-car household where the other vehicle is just sitting idle, running the car is still vital. Gas does degrade over time, and in some cases, it will go bad in less than two months if a car remains idle. In addition to running the car, treating it with fuel stabilizer can extend the life of your car’s gas. If the gas already is bad, there are ways to remove the bad gas from the tank, according to itstillruns.com.

SAN ANTONIO – The Toyota manufacturing plant in San Antonio will undergo some major production changes in the next couple of years. The Tacoma has been built in San Antonio since 2010. Toyota to invest $391 million to expand San Antonio plantBeginning in 2022, the plant will build the Toyota Sequoia. The production changes are not expected to affect employment at the San Antonio plant, which currently has 3,200 employees. The San Antonio plant will continue manufacturing the Toyota Tundra.

If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Copyright © 2020 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and pubished by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings.

If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. Copyright © 2020 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and pubished by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings.

LAS VEGAS – Kia showed off a new all-electric SUV concept Monday that it hopes will have a range of 238 miles on a single charge. That number is significant since, just a few years ago, mass-production electric vehicles were doing well if they hit 100 miles on a single charge. Full Screen 1 / 9 2018 Kia Niro EV ConceptFor Kia, the concept vehicle unveiled this week at CES in Las Vegas is called the Niro EV Concept. It also has a light-up panel instead of the traditional air intake, since electric cars don't need as much cooling ability as traditional gasoline-powered cars. 2018 Kia Niro EV ConceptThe company's YouTube channel also has a video touting other future-minded ideas, like separate sound zones for front and rear passengers, a touchscreen interface integrated into the steering wheel and technology to make the pillars on the sides of the windshield seem transparent.

U.S. auto sales dipped for the fifth month in a row in May, with a 0.5 percent decrease and more than 1.5 million vehicles sold, The Associated Press reported. General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Hyundai and Toyota reported decreases in sales last month compared to May 2016. IHS Markit analyst Tom Libby told the AP that despite good economic factors, like low unemployment and gas prices, there could be a decrease in auto sales for all of 2017. The past two years saw record sales of about 17.5 million vehicles, which analysts say could account for the lack of demand, the AP reported. Libby's firm reduced its 2017 sales forecast from 17.4 million to 17.3 million, the AP reported.

Simple checkups and regular maintenance can help you avoid repairs that can cost thousands of dollars and potentially be more than what the car is worth. Fluids, fluids, fluidsAccording to Mark Larsen, a franchise training manager for CarX, there are three major parts of a car that can be the most costly to repair. "Any major engine, transmission or trans axle/rear end repair are the most expensive, easily. "Either light -- the coolant light or engine oil light -- if either one of them come on, you better be pulling over and stopping what you're doing." Any good auto shop has a checklist to inspect for you, including transmission fluid.

Booster seats: If your small dog wants to sit in the front seat of your car, a booster seat might be a good option. This seat will allow your small dog to look out the window while still being safely restrained in the seat. Vehicle restraint harness: One variation of a vehicle restraint harness, the Roadie, was developed by a man after he and his dog were in a car accident. Vehicle partitions: If you're taking your dog on a longer road trip, you might want to consider a vehicle partition. Designed for larger cars like SUVs, partitions will allow your dog to have his or her own space in the car.

Do you find yourself bumping into furniture, or straining to have a simple conversation with another person in the room? Often, once we plunk our furniture down in a room, it never really moves again. Next, Plan Your SpaceOnce you've gotten rid of the extras, you will have more room to breath and to create new arrangements. Or, if you have an open kitchen/family room combination and a separate dining room, have you ever considered turning the family room area into a large dining area and the dining room into a quieter space for television watching or reading? If you don't do much formal entertaining, the dining room likely sits empty most of the time.

Carolina hemlock (tsuga caroliniana)This evergreen pine grows quickly up to 60 feet tall and 25 feet wide. Cimmaron green ash (fraxinus pennsylvanica)This member of the olive family grows about three feet per year, reaching 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Golden weeping willow (salix sepulcralis)These big round trees can grow up to 10 feet a year, and reach 50 feet tall and wide. Silver maple (acer saccharinum)Silver maple trees can quickly grow to 80 feet tall and 50 feet wide. Swamp oak (quercus palustris)This pyramidal oak can grow up to 70 feet tall and 50 feet wide.

Passive solar design, also known as climatic design, effectively uses abundant solar power without panels or other mechanical systems. Passive solar principles should be applied to new, energy-efficient construction. Simple retrofits can also boost the passive solar capacity of any home, with windows, walls or dedicated passive solar rooms. Also consider dark, heat-absorbing floors (particularly stone, concrete, or other masonry) to make any passive solar design more efficient. Passive solar energy can be used without solar panels or other devices.

As the weather gets colder you need to start preparing your pool for winter. One key step is to put the cover on your pool. Before placing the cover on your pool you should first inspect it. Some tears can be patched with specific patches for pool covers, otherwise heavy tape might also work. If the tears in your cover cannot be easily mended, then it is probably time to consider buying a new cover.

These inspections, created by Environmental Service Professionals (ESP), perform:- Moisture and mold inspections. - Energy audit inspections- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) inspections- 203-point standard home inspections- Indoor air quality inspectionsCEHIs also cover allergen screening, radon, lead testing and other environmental testing as requested by the homeowner. For example, a mold and moisture inspection can reveal wet or damp areas caused by roof leaks or cracked pipes, a problem that costs insurance companies $3 billion every year. In addition to retaining property value, inspection companies are currently working with mortgage lenders to provide interest rate discounts for those homeowners who finance 10 years of annual inspections in their mortgages. To save homeowners even more money, companies are working with insurance companies to give annual discounts on homeowners' insurance policies to those who participate in the annual inspection program.

Less than 8 percent of house fires and less than 6 percent of fatal house fires occur in each of the summer months. By contrast, more than 12 percent of fatal fires and more than 10 percent of all house fires occur in December and January. Nonetheless, the percentages still translated to an estimated 16,000 house fires in June 2008, including 60 fatal house fires. More than 17 percent of grill fires happen in July, and another 39 percent of grill fires happen in May, June and August. Grill fires cause 34 injuries per 1,000 incidents, compared with 10 injuries per 1,000 incidents for fires in general.

However, even dry, native plants need plenty of water to become established in the first season or two. A lack of water also discourages richer soil, and ancient mountain glaciers scraped away loamy topsoil and left rocks in their wake. High-altitude water and soil conditions contribute to limitations on growing some plants. Soil temperatures are just peaking in October. ConclusionAll these warnings about water, soil and weather shouldn't scare away gardeners.

By Linda Merrill, NetworxIf you're thinking about adding curb appeal to your house, you're probably thinking about gussying up your front stoop or porch. And if you're thinking about adding curb appeal to your front stoop or porch, you're probably considering adding some planters. Plant stands and decorative planters are often used by professional home stagers to artfully accentuate architectural details of a house. And, of course, you still need curb appeal in winter! For a list of seven all-season, all-weather planters that are durable and stylish, go to Networx.