Tesla's Leader of Optimus Humanoid Robot Program Leaves Company
The leader of Tesla Inc. 's Optimus program is leaving the company, according to a person familiar with the matter, injecting uncertainty into the humanoid robot effort that Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk sees as a significant part of the future business.
Milan Kovac, the head of engineering for Optimus, informed colleagues on Friday that he is departing effective immediately, said the person, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. Ashok Elluswamy, who leads Tesla's autopilot teams, will take over responsibility for Optimus, the person said.
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Motor 1
8 minutes ago
- Motor 1
'Don't Waste Money:' Expert Shares Which Fuel Additive to Use Based on Your Car's Problem. Then He Shares How to Use It
Fuel additive fatigue is real. With dozens of brightly labeled bottles lining the aisles of AutoZone and Pep Boys stores everywhere—promising smoother rides, better mileage, or cleaner engines—picking the right one can feel like a guessing game. A viral TikTok video cuts through the noise, offering a symptom-based guide to choosing the right additive without the hype. Chris Stone (@chrisfrombeachside), vice president of Beachside Auto Parts in Daytona, Florida, says he recorded the video to help unfamiliar motorists make the best choice when selecting from the dizzying array of products promising to turn their vehicle into a fine-tuned machine. Stone's advice resonated with his audience. Hundreds shared their preferred additives, asked for additional information, and wrote comments thanking him. As of this writing, his post has been viewed 1.2 million times. How Do You Choose and Use the Right Additive? Between bold claims, cryptic acronyms, and engine diagrams that look like they belong in a textbook, it's easy to feel like you're flying blind. Instead of hype, Stone offers plain-language advice: Choose the product based on your symptoms, like hesitation, rough idle, ticking, or knocking, and you'll have a better shot at actually solving the issue. Trending Now 'I Bet You Didn't Know This:' Woman Discovers This Little-Known Perk to Driving A Subaru. Then Her Order Comes in the Mail Man Says He Bought a Nissan Frontier Because of These Standard Features. Should You Consider the Same? If your car is sluggish off the line, Stone advises trying AMSOIL P.I. Burning oil at startup? Marvel Mystery Oil still has a place in the modern garage, according to Stone. And for engines showing signs of knock or ping — especially in turbocharged vehicles — he recommends Royal Purple Max Clean to smooth out combustion. He doesn't stop at recommending products. Stone shares a useful technique for effectively using a fuel additive . He says that for most fuel system cleaners, you should wait until your tank is under a quarter full, pour the additive in, and then drive aggressively (within legal limits) to circulate the treatment effectively before refueling. This helps the cleaner come into more direct contact with injectors and combustion surfaces, increasing its effectiveness. Of course, fuel additives aren't a magic fix. If you've got a check engine light or ongoing performance issues, it's best to get a professional diagnostic. But for routine maintenance, especially with older or high-mileage vehicles, the right additive can play a useful role in keeping your engine running smoothly. When Should You Use an Additive? Most mechanics and product manufacturers recommend using a treatment every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. However, that interval can vary depending on fuel quality, engine design, and driving habits. High-mileage vehicles, cars frequently driven in stop-and-go traffic, or those using lower-quality fuel may benefit from more frequent use. Drivers who use high-grade gasoline may find they need additives less often. This doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't use a fuel additive if you always buy premium. While many premium fuels contain detergents to keep injectors clean, dedicated fuel system cleaners tend to offer higher concentrations of active ingredients like PEA (polyetheramine), which can clean deeper into the intake valves and combustion chamber. This can be especially helpful for older engines or cars with unknown maintenance histories, where carbon buildup may already affect performance. It's also important to note that compatibility matters. Not every fuel additive is designed for every engine type. Some are explicitly formulated for gasoline engines, while others are safe for diesels or compatible with ethanol-blended fuels. Hybrids and direct injection engines may also have different needs or tolerances. Always check the label for your engine type, and avoid assuming that any additive is one-size-fits-all. The wrong product can reduce effectiveness at best and cause damage at worst. Another point of confusion for many DIY car owners is whether it's okay to mix multiple additives in the same tank. The short answer is no, unless the manufacturer explicitly allows it. Most companies advise using just one additive per treatment cycle to avoid unintended chemical interactions or dilution of key ingredients. It's best to wait until your tank is nearly empty, add the recommended dose, and then refill, following label instructions closely to ensure safe and effective results. 'There's a lot of marketing out there, but nobody knows exactly what's good for what,' Stone told Motor1 over the phone. 'They all claim the same things, but they're all made differently and they have different values for different drivers.' More From Motor1 Here's Why Your Fuel Mixture Is Just as Important as Your Oil Mixture It's Incredible How Badly Low-Quality Fuel Can Damage Your Engine 'That's Obviously a Villain Car:' Man Spots Honda Fit in Parking Lot. Then He Notices the Back 'Making It Personal:' Man Buys 'Lemon' Ford F-150 From Used Car Dealership. Then He Decides to Get a Custom Wrap and Warn Buyers Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
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Mortgage interest tax deduction: How it works and when it makes sense
When you file your income tax returns each year, the mortgage interest deduction (MID) can be one of the most valuable benefits of homeownership. Or it can be worthless. That contradiction exists because the value of the MID depends on whether your itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction, and that depends on how much mortgage interest you paid during the year, your other deductions, and your standard deduction for your filing status and the tax year. Sounds complicated? Well, it is. This embedded content is not available in your region. Dig deeper: What is mortgage interest? In this article: Is mortgage interest tax deductible? How to claim the home mortgage interest deduction Should you buy a home to get the mortgage interest deduction? FAQs Mortgage interest is generally tax deductible. However, you should be aware of some important rules, limits, and exclusions before you claim this deduction on your tax returns. The federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) limited the MID to interest paid for the first $750,000 of mortgage debt for loans originated after Dec. 15, 2017. Previously, the limit was $1 million of mortgage debt. For married couples filing separately, those limits are cut in half. The TCJA continued to allow mortgage interest for both a primary residence and a second home to be deducted, but the new law excluded interest paid for home equity loans or home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) unless the funds were used to build, buy, or make significant improvements to the home that secures the loan. Previously, interest paid for up to $100,000 of home equity debt could be deducted regardless of how the funds were used. The previous rules are still important because the TCJA is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2025. After the 2025 tax year, the previous rules will again be in effect unless Congress extends the TCJA MID provisions or makes other changes to the MID. To claim the MID, you'll have to itemize your deductions on your tax returns. Itemizing can be complicated and generally makes sense only if your deductions exceed your standard deduction, which is available if you choose not to itemize. For the tax year 2024 — which you will file in 2025 — the standard deduction for most taxpayers is $14,600 for individuals, $29,200 for joint tax filers, and $21,900 for heads of household. Those amounts are "indexed" (i.e., adjusted) for inflation, so they can and typically do change from year to year. Before the TCJA changed the rules at the end of 2017, the standard deduction for most taxpayers was $6,500 for individuals, $13,000 for joint filers, and $9,550 for heads of household. The higher amounts will be in effect until the TCJA through the 2025 tax year unless Congress extends the standard deduction provisions of the law or makes other changes to the standard deduction. Since the standard deduction is indexed for inflation, it's impossible to predict in advance what the amounts will be for 2026 or subsequent years. If you itemize your deductions, you may be able to deduct some or all of your property tax as well as your mortgage interest on your tax returns. The property tax deduction could help you boost your itemized deductions to exceed your standard deduction and make itemizing worth the effort. There's also another reason the value of your MID may vary from year to year: With a typical fixed-rate mortgage, the interest portion of your monthly mortgage payment — the part that may be tax-deductible — gets smaller as a portion of your payment over time. A smaller deduction may diminish your tax savings. The MID is part of the federal tax code. State tax codes typically also allow this deduction. Special rules may apply if you rent out your home for part of the year or use part of your home as a home office for business purposes. As a general rule, the more income you earn and the bigger your mortgage is, the more valuable the MID may be for you if you itemize your deductions and your itemized deductions exceed the standard deduction for your filing status for a given tax year. That said, the MID shouldn't be a reason to get a bigger mortgage — or any mortgage — if you can't afford the monthly payment or you're not financially comfortable with the payment, the other costs of owning a home, and all your other expenses. If you are going to buy a home and itemizing your deductions makes sense for you, the MID could be a nice tax-saving opportunity to take advantage of. Learn more: 8 tax deductions for homeowners This embedded content is not available in your region. It depends on how much housing debt you have. For most borrowers, you can deduct interest payments on up to $750,000 of home loan debt in 2024 — including your primary mortgage and any second mortgages, such as home equity loans and HELOCs. 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