Latest news with #TheAutoWire
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Dodge's Electric Car Has Been Recalled For A Hilarious Reason
Read the full story on The Auto Wire Dodge is recalling its electric car, the Charger Daytona, for a hilarious reason involving software, not the hardware. Yes, we're talking about the vehicle like it's a computer or phone because in a way it's more akin to that then the preceding Dodge hasn't sold many of these so-called 'electric muscle cars' so it only has to recall just under 8,400 of them. Unfortunately, for reasons we don't really understand, this update can't just be done in an over-the-air download. After all, that would be the big advantage to driving a giant iPhone on wheels – a lot of things you fix either by turning off and back on or through automatic updates that start when it's plugged in overnight. The recall centers around a safety regulation the Dodge Charger Daytona violates. More specifically, the violation falls under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 141 'Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.' In other words, the Dodge is too quiet for pedestrians to hear. That's especially problematic for the blind, but it's still a safety risk for everyone else. The issue is the amplifier on the outside of the EV might not make any noise thanks to a software problem. We get it since in the past we've been walking through parking lots only to be startled that a Tesla suddenly backs out of a spot with no warning or is following right behind us, making no noise. If you're one of the unfortunate few who have bought or is leasing a Dodge Charger Daytona EV, your local dealership should be able to take care of this software problem. At least it should be able to, although we've heard some dealers struggle doing anything with these things. Too bad it isn't just an over-the-air update. Image via Stellantis Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Minnesota Political Assassin Is A Police Impersonator
Read the full story on The Auto Wire People are shocked to learn the assassin who shot two members of the Minnesota legislature was a police impersonator. We wish we could say we're shocked, but after covering many cases of police impersonators, we know how dangerous they can be. Not only was 57-year-old Vance Boelter reportedly dressed like a cop when he approached his victims, video footage of his Ford Explorer being towed down the road shows it certainly look like a police cruiser. While it doesn't have 'Police' or a badge/shield emblazoned on the doors, it looks like an unmarked cop car. Not only does it have the push bar, it's obviously a Ford Police Interceptor SUV with the black steel wheels and polished caps, spotlight, plus a lightbar on the roof along with strobing blue lights behind the windshield. Even to a seasoned member of law enforcement this vehicle would be hard to distinguish as not belonging to a cop. Not surprisingly, Boelter worked for a private security company called Praetorian Guard Security Services LLC, reports News Nation. We've seen quite a few police impersonators who work as security guards. In fact, many security firms outfit employees with vehicles and uniforms that look a little too much like what police use. This is why some call those guys 'rent-a-cops.' While the tragedy in Minnesota is just that, a tragedy, there's a solid takeaway for the average person. Police impersonators are real and some have the equipment to be pretty convincing. We've even covered some who confused a group of real cops. When it comes down to it, trust your gut. Real police officers will understand if you call 911 to ensure they are in fact a cop and not some lunatic impersonator. Image via AlphaNewsMN/X Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford Maverick Recalled For A Ridiculous Reason
Read the full story on The Auto Wire It's another week and the Blue Oval has yet another safety recall, this one for the Ford Maverick compact truck. The issue that's been announced via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is small and ridiculous, but owners will still have to take their pickup to a dealership for the again, even though the recall has been issued, Ford doesn't exactly have a fix for the problem. We've seen this with the Blue Oval and other automakers lately, but they eventually come up with some sort of solution. Although sometimes Ford has to then issue a recall to fix recall work done before – that's another issue entirely. For this recall, it applies only to 2025 Ford Mavericks, with 63,898 of them affected. For some reason, only on that model year are the retaining clips for the airbag indicator light having problems. They 'may be loose or dislodged' says NHTSA, which then means you wouldn't know if the airbag in your cute little truck is deactivated. That's a safety risk because you don't know the safety device isn't armed and ready to explode in your face during a crash. It's also a violation of federal regulations, so it has to be fixed. We wonder how many 2025 Maverick owners will just skip this recall until they inevitably have to take their vehicle in for another safety recall. Don't act like that isn't coming, because it definitely is. Plus, we don't know when Ford will have a repair for this airbag indicator light's clips. It might be in a few weeks or maybe a few months, but hopefully not that long. Likely, a lot of people won't see this recall as something so urgent. After all, it's not like your vehicle driving forward when they're supposedly in reverse gear. Image via Ford Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Los Angeles Rioters Trash, Burn Robotaxis
Read the full story on The Auto Wire In case you haven't heard, there's been quite a bit of rioting in Los Angeles and Waymo robotaxis have become targets. This isn't the first time we've seen the driverless cars stopped and trashed by angry mobs, although in the past we've only seen it happen with maybe one or this seems to be at least several of the Jaguar I-PACEs bristling with pricey sensors. Now all of that is destroyed to make a political point. We wonder if Waymo will continue to operate in certain areas if this is how its vehicles are treated. 🚨 LINES OF CARS are now burning in the streets of Los Angeles, and police are LETTING IT HAPPENNOBODY IS NEED MARINES, NOW! — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 9, 2025 Other vehicles were also graffitied, trashed, and burned in the Los Angeles riots. One video uploaded to X shows a man smashing the windows of an already graffitied autonomous taxi, using a bike lock to do the damage. Onlookers film the act while other robotaxis burn just a few hundred feet away. 🚨🚨BREAKING VIOLENCE: a Waymo has been lit on FIRE while several others are completely vandalized I am on the ground now FOLLOW FOR UPDATES | LA riots — Cam Higby | America First 🇺🇸 (@camhigby) June 9, 2025 We can only assume that one, after getting tagged and the glass busted out, was destined for a similar, fiery but mostly peaceful fate. A videographer caught how at least one of the robotaxis was set on fire. One of the rioters put an American flag on the center console, then lit it on fire, we assume to let everyone know how much he hates the United States, taking out the vehicle with it. BREAKING 🚨: Protestors light an American Flag on fire in an attempt to light another WayMo vehicle on no police or firefighter response to the fires. Things are quickly Ángeles, CA — Anthony (@AnthonyCabassa_) June 9, 2025 There are theories that the rioters hailed the Waymo robotaxis using the app on their phones, then destroyed them. We can't confirm if that's true or if the vehicles just happened to be in the area of the rioting. What we do know is autonomous cars are often attacked and destroyed in riots. Theories about why that is run the range, from protestors seeing them as symbols of capitalism or the wealthy class. JUST IN: Rioter holding a Mexican flag stands on a demolished Waymo car.'The streets in LA officially belong to the rioters.' - @ — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 9, 2025 We're not huge fans of autonomous taxis, but if people want to use them that's their business. Destroying them because you're not getting your way seems like toddler behavior to us. People are asking why the police aren't stopping this. Well, the Los Angeles Police Department already put out a statement about the riots, saying they 'remained peaceful.' We guess if you ignore the problem, you don't have to solve it. HAPPENING NOW 🚨: A protestor waves a Mexican Flag in front of a burning WayMo vehicle. Multiple vehicles have been destroyed, no police presence in this affected Angeles, CA — Anthony (@AnthonyCabassa_) June 9, 2025 There was an incident caught on camera of some California Highway Patrol officers caught under an overpass as rioters above pelted their cars and tried to hit officers with rocks, electric scooters, and other items. 🚨 #BREAKING: California Highway Patrol officers have now been cornered and are TRAPPED UNDER AN OVERPASS as vioIent insurrectionists launch rocks and expIosives at themLAPD is NOWHERE to be GUYS NEED HELP, @realDonaldTrump! Newsom is leaving them to DlE! — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 9, 2025 One rioter even tried lighting the CHP cruisers on fire from the overpass. So that's where the police are while Waymo loses who knows who many robotaxis, along with all the other damage done to Los Angeles. Police are trapped under an LA overpass and rioters are now lighting their police cars on fire from the bridge above them: — Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) June 9, 2025 It's not clear exactly how much one of these Waymo Jaguar I-PACEs cost the company. Estimates are that on top of the $72,000 MSRP there's about $130,000 to $150,000 in equipment added to the electric cars. Those are estimates, so the amount could be significantly higher, but we would be shocked if it were lower. In other words, this is costing Waymo or the insurance company covering the robotaxis. Image via X Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Dodge Challenger Fleeing Trooper Wrecks Out At 160 MPH
Read the full story on The Auto Wire Running from police is a dumb and selfish thing to do, but this Dodge Challenger driver learned that lesson the hard way. Dashcam footage obtained from Arkansas State Police shows the Mopar muscle car flee from a traffic stop, only to wreck out at 160 mph, ejecting the not entirely sure what the initial stop was for, but we're going to guess it was speeding. In the footage, you can see the trooper is sitting blacked out on the side of the highway before he flips on his lights, then pulls over the Challenger. As you already know, the guy did the dumb little trick of waiting until the trooper was walking up to his vehicle before he sped off, tires squealing. The guy must've thought with the higher-powered muscle car, there was no way the trooper could catch him. For the first while in the footage that seems correct. The suspect driver gets off the main highway and turns on a dark, rough rural road, speeding along like a demon. At one point, the pursuing trooper catches air, which seems to scare him. But he presses on, seeing the Dodge's taillights in the distance. Not that we're fans of when criminals black out while running from police, but this would've been a great time for that trick. Of course, the guy might not have been able to see where he was going. The chase continues on a much nicer two-lane road. That smoother surface must've given the suspect more confidence, because he pushes the Mopar to 160 mph. Even on a well-lit, multi-lane interstate with no traffic around that's a dangerous proposition. After all, at that speed if you make one wrong move, you're done for. The guy does and his muscle car leaves the roadway behind, exploding into thousands of pieces. He must've not been wearing a seatbelt, because the trooper couldn't find the driver for a while. As backup arrives, troopers figure the driver took off on foot. But they later find him, deceased. We guess the guy really didn't want to go back to prison and he made sure he didn't. Image via Police Pursuits/YouTube Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
