2018 Ford F-250 Super DutyDerek McNaughton / Driving Ford is recalling more than 56,000 Super Duty trucks in Canada because, in a collision, the seat belt pretensioners might spark and cause a fire, the automaker said mid-December.Some 56,112 examples of Super Duties built between October 2015 and October 2019 are affected in Canada, part of a total 547,538 trucks recalled across North America altogether. In some of these trucks, the front seat belt pretensioner could throw off excessive sparks during a collision, possibly igniting the vehicles carpeting or carpet insulation around the B-pillar. Ford has, in fact, already received one report of a post-collision interior fire happening in just this way.Dealers will correct the issue by adding a foil tape over the carpeting and insulation in the area that could
Origin: Ford recalls more than 56,000 trucks in Canada over fire risk
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Ford recalling more than 5,500 Rangers in Canada over faulty taillights
Ford is recalling more than 5,500 Ranger pickups in Canada over taillights that may not work properly.The recall covers trucks from the 2019 model year, and applies to some 78,264 Rangers globally specifically, 5,564 are affected in Canada.On those affected trucks, the rear lights may function intermittently or simply not work due to badly installed or misaligned terminals.This means the position lights, brake lights and turn signals may not illuminate fully, reducing the visibility of the truck to other road users.Dealers will repair the issue by adjusting the terminals. This marks the fifth recall for the Ranger this year, its first model year on sale in Canada, which suggests Ford is still working out the bugs on the new
Origin: Ford recalling more than 5,500 Rangers in Canada over faulty taillights
More than 10,600 Fiat 500s recalled in Canada over rollaway risk
The 2018 Fiat 500 Spiaggina 58, a limited-edition retro-inspired convertible. Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 10,600 older Fiat 500 cars in Canada over a transmission issue that could pose a rollaway risk.Some 10,627 cars from model-year 2012 and 2013 are part of the campaign, which covers a total 72,761 cars globally.On affected vehicles, shift cable bushings could degrade prematurely due to heat and humidity, separating the shift cable from the transmission and keep it from shifting into the selected gear; that means in PARK, the vehicle could roll away.In fact, FCA is aware of three minor accidents potentially related to the issue, though none resulted in any injury. Customers should be wary if they notice loose shifter movement, but as a precaution should always select the parking brake
Origin: More than 10,600 Fiat 500s recalled in Canada over rollaway risk
Ford recalls more than 30,000 new trucks in Canada over a fire risk
2019 Ford F-150Handout / Ford Ford is recalling more than 30,000 new F-150 trucks in Canada because an improperly attached battery terminal fastener could lead to the engine stalling, the brakes power assistance failing or even to a fire.Some 30,073 F-150s from model years 2019 and 2020 are affected here, as well as about 135,000 units in the U.S. Specifically, the issue is with trucks built between June and October in the Dearborn or Kansas City plants.On affected vehicles, a fastener on the positive terminal of the battery may not be attached properly; if left alone, this could lead to the engine losing power and then stalling, or to the brakes and steering losing their power assistance.While there is also an increased risk of fire, the company has yet to receive any reports of incidents related to this defect. Ford also issued a battery-fastener-related recall on older Lincoln MKX SUVs that may have led to three fires so far.In Canada, that recall concerns 5,253 MKXes from model years 2016 and 2017 equipped with the 3.7-litre V6; and just under 50,000 of the same in the U.S.A fastener on the battery terminals in affected vehicles could short circuit if it contact a transmission cable mechanism, increasing the chance of a fire. Ford says its received three reports of fires likely attributable to the issue, though none resulted in accidents or
Origin: Ford recalls more than 30,000 new trucks in Canada over a fire risk
GM recalls more than 600,000 vehicles for unintended braking issue
2017 GMC Sierra HDGMC GM is recalling more than 600,000 vehicles worldwide for a software issue that can cause the brakes to activate on their own.The vehicles affected are four-wheel-drive trims of the 2014 through 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra; and 2015 through 2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe and GMC Yukon models equipped with the 5.3-litre V-8 and a 3.08 rear axle ratio.The issue involves the programming of the system designed to stop the wheel speeds from varying significantly. The wheel speed sensor can fail, causing the opposite side wheel to brake, pulling the vehicle to one side and increasing the risk of a crash.Vehicles with the problem will be inspected, and have their Electronic-Brake Control Module updated. No accidents have been reported yet, but the problem is potentially deadly as it involves the braking system.GM says the risk can be eliminated by driving in two-wheel-drive mode until its brought into a dealership to be fixed properly. Some 653,370 vehicles are affected worldwide. GM has not provided the NHTSA with a timeline for providing the updated software to notifying owners or dealerships, but that information should be coming shortly.To see if your vehicle is affected, visit the Chevrolet recall centre
Origin: GM recalls more than 600,000 vehicles for unintended braking issue
Ford recalling more than 23,000 SUVs in Canada for seats that cut
2017 Ford Explorer Ford is recalling some 23,380 Explorer SUVs in Canada because the sharp edges of the front seat frames have been cutting passengers hands as they reach down to adjust it.In North America, a total of roughly 338,300 Explorers from model year 2017 equipped with power seats are affected by the issue.The sharp seat frame edges have led to Ford so far fielding some 31 reports of people cutting their hands as they reached down between the power front seat and the center console, the automaker said September 13.Dealers will add flocked tape to the exposed edge and tab on the inboard side of the power seat frames. Ford told customers that, in the interim, they should use caution and avoid contact with the seat frame edge until the repair is
Origin: Ford recalling more than 23,000 SUVs in Canada for seats that cut
James Ruppert: Two fuels are better than one
I know this sounds pretty obvious, but apparently UK drivers now consider what actually moves their purchase – the powertrain, to anoraks – to be the most important factor during the purchasing process, according to automotive video and retail company CitNOW. Once upon a time, there was just one option, petrol, and it would only be diesel if you drove a lorry or a taxi. But these days, there are all sorts of exciting options and 43% of motorists now view the choice between petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles as the most important factor. So despite what our road testers might tell you, it’s what goes in the tank that is important. But the thing is there are overlooked sources of motive power. Liquid petroleum gas: I’m a fan. Not enough of a fan to buy one. My biggest problem is always who actually did the installation, which is not a simple thing to get right. Mind you, dual-fuel manufacturer conversions were a thing a decade or so ago. Let’s start with an easy one, a Ford Focus 1.8 FFV Style from 2010. It is £2999, but the hassle of finding any E85 ethanol fuel should put you off. Never mind, because Volvo also did the dual-fuel thing. But with gas. The 70-series Volvos are around by the handful and seem like the no-brainer buys, but you need to read the descriptions carefully, study the documentation and ask serious questions. I did pass on a 2005 V50, which didn’t seem to have a fully functioning gas system, but it was still £1500. However, a 2003 V70 with over 200k miles and recent tyres and some brake work at £750 seemed like value. A 2003 XC70 with added all-wheel drive was a lot more of an estate and another 200k on the ledger was a strong £2600 but I’d like to think that would be money well spent. And finally, a 2001 C70 2.4T, which may not have been an official dual-fuel but at £750 seemed to be worth the risk as it did look jolly tidy. Searching for LPGs throws up not only thirsty classics, but also rather a lot of Bentleys, in particular a Continental or two – the ‘affordable’ Bentley with more friendly running costs. One such was a 2011 example with just over 50k miles and it was the facelifted model, too. All for £46k and half-price fuel. That was a coupé, but most seem to be convertibles from around £54k and above. There are alternative and less polluting fuels that don’t cost a fortune and rely on you stopping every 150 miles for a couple of hours. The future, certainly for canny used car buyers, is still some way off… What we almost bought this week Citroen AX 1.0 RE But for a repainted front wing, this 1989/F-reg AX looks to be in remarkably good condition. It has done only 53,000 miles and its second (previous) keeper bought it in 1994 so knows most of them. Light, fun to drive and cheap to run, the AX was popular with penny pinchers and young drivers alike. And now it’s a classic. Tales from Ruppert’s garage The Baby Shark is back. It has been away for a couple of months and I am not quite sure what has been done to it. That’s because I haven’t paid for it. My garage are like that: “Make sure that it starts and runs properly and then come back.” Well, after I collected it, I used it for a run in what turned out to be a monsoon. It starts first time every time now and runs like a top. They didn’t change the carb, just the fuel pump and a proper tune. Lots more details and a breakdown of expenses to come. Reader’s ride Good to hear from Nick Williams, who enjoys these pages and, in particular, the cheap and practical used cars we feature: “Sending you a couple of pics. One is of my wife’s 2004 Honda Civic 1.6 SE auto. We’ve had it since 2007. Every year, it sails through the MOT. “It has covered only 56,000 miles but is worth very little. Never lets us down, brilliantly reliable and 40mpg around town. Great torque-converter automatic gearbox and cheap to run, too. Civics of this vintage are brilliant.” Next time: Nick’s ride. Readers’ questions Question: I can’t decide whether to finance my new car on a PCP or HP. Can you explain the advantages and disadvantages of both? Jack Finnis, Bude Answer: Regardless of pros and cons, your attitude to ownership will probably be the clincher. If you believe a car is like a mobile phone, to be disposed of when a better one comes along, a PCP is for you since it’s structured to make that possible. If you’re wedded to the idea of ownership free of nannyish mileage restrictions, HP is the way forward, although you won’t own the car until you’ve made all the repayments. A PCP looks cheaper but you’re always making repayments. With an HP deal, once the car is paid off, you aren’t. John Evans Question: On the odd occasion I get a puncture, I just replace the tyre but a friend says it might be possible to have it repaired for less expense. Is he right? Darren Goodhew, Burnley Answer: If the tyre hasn’t been damaged or driven for any great distance, it is possible to repair it.
Origin: James Ruppert: Two fuels are better than one
17 Pets who love cars more than their owner
A Jack Russell behind the wheel of a MiataGetty There’s nothing quite like cruising with the windows down, music up and the warm summer breeze whipping your hair around. It’s a glorious feeling and one that Canadians truly appreciate given the blip on the calendar that is summer.But as much as we enjoy this feeling of freedom behind the wheel, some domesticated dogs – and, yup, even cats – might have us beat. We scoured the hashtags of Instagram to find some of the furriest and funniest co-pilots to inspire the next road trip with your best four-legged buddy. The #travelpets captured in these 17 photos prove that there are some animals who love a good rip down the highway, if not more than a ‘w-a-l-k’. Who says dogs can’t smile? View this post on Instagram Mila LOVES car rides ! #adoptedandloved #evergladesangelsdogrescue #bullyadvocate #bullyrides #bullyawareness #americanbully #americanbulldogsofig #bulldog #bullylovers #bullypitbull #pitbulladvocate #pitbully #pitbullawareness #pitbulladdict #bullyaddict #carride #dogswholovecarrides #floridadog #outthewindow #mamamila #dollysdreamfoundation #rescueadvocate #rescue #rescued #rescuedogsofinstagram #rescuedandloved #rescuelove #rescueloverepeat #happydog #dog A post shared by Mila (@mila_03122019) on Jun 5, 2019 at 4:27am PDTMila the American bulldog is a rescue who thinks the people who gave her a second chance are the very best — but thinks car rides are even better. Just don’t tell mom and dad.Best. Day. Ever. View this post on Instagram Happy HUMPDAY!!! Tips to stay cool with the 100 degree scorcher today: 1. Stick head out of sunroof 2. Let tongue hang out 👅 3. Repeat as necessary . . . #carrides #sunroofselfie #dogswholovecarrides #chocolatelabmix #storminnorman #dogsofinstagram #humpday #wednesdaywisdom #labsofinstagram #labradorretriever A post shared by Myles Norman (@myles_and_norman) on Aug 29, 2018 at 6:40am PDTWhy bother with the passenger window when you have an entire sunroof to pop your head out of?A weiner behind the wheel. View this post on Instagram The only King in town 👑😏 You’ll never find another like me! Collar: @thesupremepawsupply Jacket: @fuzzyard Car: @bmw M 650 A post shared by 👑The King Of Dachshunds 👑 (@kingkingsley__) on Jul 1, 2019 at 3:22pm PDT“Hold my leash, I’m driving.”Best dog in the Galaxie. View this post on Instagram As soon as I saw the car, I had to take photo, the dog just made it better. . . . #denverdogs #dogsincars #denver #doglife #carlife #classiccars #cars #chevy #chevyimpala A post shared by Tim (@therealyoink) on Jul 4, 2019 at 12:10pm PDTThe whole “car ride” thing isn’t nearly as fun when it’s parked. Still, we dig this doggo and this ’67 Ford Fairlane 500.All of these guys. View this post on Instagram They love car rides ❤️ #dogsofinstagram #jakecharliesophieandabbie #fourdogs #carrides #dogswholovecarrides A post shared by Lindsey Bruce (@lindseydbruce4) on Feb 27, 2019 at 2:20pm PSTSo, who actually called shotgun? Outdoor adventure enthusiast in transit.Paws up if you’re ready for a road trip!Ruiners of black seats. View this post on Instagram Where going hooman? We drive. #dogswhodrive #gsd #driving A post shared by Andy Whiting (@andrewwhiting8) on Jul 6, 2019 at 2:07am PDTHope there’s a lint roller in the glovebox. Porsche enthusiast. View this post on Instagram I wanna be this dog. #doggie #porsche #doginaporsche A post shared by Brooke Vande Zande (@brooklyn_photo) on Dec 15, 2016 at 9:04am PSTKeep your paws and tails inside of the vehicle at all times.Furry Ferrari fanatic. View this post on Instagram #balu #ferrari #fan #maranello #488spider #ferraridog A post shared by Pushstart Test Drive Maranello (@pushstartmaranello) on Sep 29, 2017 at 7:36am PDTThe iconic Prancing Poodle. A well-travelled cat. View this post on Instagram #sundaymorningcoffeerun #catsincarsgettingcoffee #catsincars #windinmywhiskers #roadkitty #catsofinstagram #cats_of_instagram #deafcatsofinstagram #deafcat #whitecatsociety #whitecat #catstagramcat #catstagram #meowstagram #stagramgroup #lovemeow #cat_features #catfeaturesdaily #pleasantcats #catconworldwide #catstercats #moderncatmagazine #prettykittykhaleesi #thedodo A post shared by Khaleesi (@prettykittykhaleesi) on Jul 7, 2019 at 2:04pm PDTThis is the kind of cat that converts dog people into cat people.Good boys in the back. View this post on Instagram Minnie, Forrest, Tilly, Siku Bailey 🐾 #dogsincars #woof #dogfriends #puppals #nissanrogue #bostonterrier #miniaussie #aussiesofinstagram #bullmastiff #bullmastiffpuppy #malmute #husky #bichonfrise #dogwalker #dogwalking #puppylove #bestjobever #happydogs #playdateswithdogs A post shared by Puppy Love London Dog Training (@puppylovelondon) on Jul 3, 2019 at 4:10pm PDTHow many dogs in a trunk are too many dogs in a
Origin: 17 Pets who love cars more than their owner
Street-racing Dodge Vipers in B.C. show off more horsepower than skill
In this week’s installment of “Just Because You Can Afford the Car, Doesn’t Mean You Can Drive It,” we have an offering from Surrey, B.C. RCMP there will be using video posted to Twitter to track down what happened when two Dodge Vipers went head-to-head – almost literally – in a drag start off a light gone wrong. The video, posted Monday evening, reveals two freaked-out people in the car with the camera.The red Viper, to the right, takes a left turn into the black Viper almost directly off the light. Maybe one driver thought he was at a drag strip, the other at NASCAR? Either way, all that throttle was under a very inexperienced foot.Warning: The video features foul language.Watch the clip: you can hear the unmistakable sound of two high-powered cars acknowledging their intent as the light turns green. B.C., like many jurisdictions, is introducing more speed cameras and harsher penalties, and much of it is because of drivers like these. These two clowns were on Highway 10, but as you can see, this route is in Surrey at an intersection and is much more residential than freeway. The fact they’re doing this at 7 pm makes it lethal to more than just the idiots behind the wheels of the two cars.While police aren’t saying at this point if the vehicles were racing or not (they didn’t get far enough off the light before the red Viper handed in his race card) they are saying they will be analyzing the footage taken from a car behind the crash. Just another reminder everything you do is no doubt being recorded, and will be used against you.Take it to the track,
Origin: Street-racing Dodge Vipers in B.C. show off more horsepower than skill
Porsche sells no more than two duplicate sports cars per year
2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS A point of pride for most gearheads is the ability to claim their car is unique to another example of the same make and model. This helps to explain why we gravitate towards the aftermarket catalog after hauling home a new ride.After all, why should a person who only knows where the gas goes drive the same exact same machine as someone who knows the firing order?Porsche, king of raking in option-sheet profits, seems to realize this. In an interview with U.K. outlet Autocar, the automakers Zuffenhausen plant manager said the brand sells no more than a pair of identical 911 or 718 models annually. This is great news for gearhead fans of the brand, especially the anoraks who memorize VINs and option codes.Here in Canada, the company offers a spellcheck-vexing program called Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. It offers buyers a wide range of options for customization, starting with a consultation with a panel of design eggheads. Contrasting seat colours, detailed trim packages, even decorative stitching is on tap. Feel free to click that link to check it out, but know that your productivity will suffer for the rest of the day. All this is, of course, in addition to the minefield of mechanical options one can fit to a 911 or 718. Sure, the guy down the road might also have one in Guards Red, too, but did he select the rear wiper? Of course not. His doesnt have the Sport Chrono Package either, an unforgivable omission. Toss in other interior and exterior frou-frou (leather-trimmed vents and painted washer nozzles, for example) and one begins to understand how Porsche can make this claim.With Porsches level of customization, theres little chance youll see yourself at the next
Origin: Porsche sells no more than two duplicate sports cars per year
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