
Chevy Pickup's Vise Grip Steering Wheel Worked Until It Didn't
The latest car news, reviews, and features.
An old GMT400-era GM pickup ended up high-centered on a highway divider after it escaped its driver's control in Oklahoma City this week. When first responders came to clean up, they noticed that the truck had Vise Grip-style pliers locked onto the steering column instead of a wheel. Apparently, it doesn't work as well in real life as it did in Mad Max: Fury Road .
I have definitely seen locking pliers (Vise Grip is just the most ubiquitous brand selling these) used for steering like this on social media for comedic effect. And, yeah, I may be guilty of doing similarly sketchy stuff to move a damaged or partially restored vehicle a very short distance. But this little oopsie documented by the Oklahoma City Fire Department's Facebook page makes a pretty strong case for, you know, putting your car all the way back together before taking it out on the road.
Luckily, there were no reported injuries, so we can chuckle with minimal guilt here. And frankly, this is kind of inspiring me to make sure I've got a pair of locking pliers in all my cars in case the helm or shift knob falls off on its own. But yeah, let's stay safe out there, this could have easily gone much more disasterously. Oklahoma City FD
Seen or done any shenanigans like this to get somewhere in a busted car? Tell me about it at andrew.collins@thedrive.com.
.article-sidebar]:pt-0>
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Car and Driver
33 minutes ago
- Car and Driver
Ford Recalling 312,000 Trucks, SUVs with Brake Booster Issue
Ford is recalling another 312,120 vehicles, this time over an issue with the electronic brake booster. The recall population is split among 2025 Ford F-150, Expedition, Bronco, Ranger, and 2025 Lincoln Navigator models, with the majority—217,969—being F-150 pickups. In affected models, the electronic brake booster model can enter a faulted state while driving, creating a total loss of brake boost. Ford's year of recalls continues, with the company issuing yet another, this time for 312,120 vehicles over an issue with the electronic brake booster. The recall population is limited to 2025 models and extends to certain Ford F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger models, along with the Lincoln Navigator. Ford According to documents associated with the recall, the issue stems from the electronic brake booster (EBB) module, which can shut off either during normal driving or while a driver-assist system (ADAS) is in use. Once in this faulted state, the car won't have any brake boost until the EBB module is reset along with the car's ignition cycle. The documents confirm that as of mid-July, Ford was aware of 37 warranty claims associated with the brake boost issue. Ford is also aware of one alleged low-speed crash related to the issue. No injuries or fires have been connected to the fault, according to NHTSA documents. Lincoln The documents show that the issue arises because the EBB module is susceptible to "normal but infrequent voltage disturbances." A momentary drop in voltage and a subsequent surge can result in a spike that causes the EBB motor to power off. If the brake boost is lost, the ABS, electronic stability control, and brake cluster warning lights will illuminate on the dash alongside warning messages. The loss in boost will also likely cause a change in brake pedal feel and increased pedal travel. The remedy for the issue is a simple software update for the EBB module. Ford expects to begin rolling out over-the-air updates sometime in August, though owners will also have the choice to bring their car to a local dealership for the install. Ford will begin notifying dealers of the crash on August 11, with owner notification letters scheduled to be sent on August 25. Owners concerned that their vehicle may be involved can check on the NHTSA recalls website now. Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio


Car and Driver
34 minutes ago
- Car and Driver
Ercole Spada, Designer of the Aston Martin DB4 Zagato, Has Died at 88
Ercole Spada has died, age 88. His designs cover everything from Astons and Alfa Romeos to more accessible cars including from Mazda and Nissan. A prolific designer, he helped shape some of the best-known designs from Zagato during his tenure there. Improving on the design of an Aston Martin DB4 GT is a nearly impossible task. While the later DB5 would become the icon, thanks to the Bond franchise, the GT version of the DB4 is a stunning machine, and not to be messed with. This did not stop a young Lombardian named Ercole Spada from taking up his pen, and if he felt the weight of the task at hand, he didn't show it. He styled the DB4 Zagato, even prettier and more delicate, and a car worth millions today. Spada died last week at 88. The portfolio of his life's work extended from near-priceless collectibles to special little cars practically anyone can own. He is not as well known a designer as a Giugiaro or Gandini or Pininfarina, but his legacy stands shoulder to shoulder with Italy's best. In particular, his work for Zagato is some of that company's best. The DB4 Zagato is probably the most famous Spada design, but he also styled the Lancia Fulvia Zagato, of which some 7000 were built. Far more rare is the Alfa Romeo TZ (for Tubolare Zagato), a lightweight high-performer that's like a pint-sized, four-cylinder Ferrari 250 GTO. Spada worked for Zagato until 1970, after which he joined BMW as Munich's chief stylist. Here, he was responsible for perhaps his best-known creations, the E32 7-series and the E34 5-series. The E34 in particular is a near-timeless example of design, especially for a modern car. This generation of M5 is just a stunning machine. BMW 1988 BMW M5 (E34). Spada helped design Fords and Volvos and Lancias and even a Nissan, everyday fare as well as sporting specials. One of his more accessible designs is the Mazda MX-3, a car which is possibly due for a little more respect as an accessible collectible. With its tiny optional V-6, this little hatchback offers something of the spirit of the Alfa TZ for about what you'd pay for a used Ford Escort. Many a student of automotive design has seen and been influenced by Spada's work. His cars can fetch $10 million at auction and be displayed at Pebble Beach, or cost just barely into four figures and show up at a Radwood-style event. You have to think any car designer would be proud of such a broad and lasting career. He dared to improve on an Aston Martin, and that daring never left him. Brendan McAleer Contributing Editor Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ercole Spada, Designer of the Aston Martin DB4 Zagato, Has Died at 88
Ercole Spada has died, age 88. His designs cover everything from Astons and Alfa Romeos to more accessible cars including from Mazda and Nissan. A prolific designer, he helped shape some of the best-known designs from Zagato during his tenure there. Improving on the design of an Aston Martin DB4 GT is a nearly impossible task. While the later DB5 would become the icon, thanks to the Bond franchise, the GT version of the DB4 is a stunning machine, and not to be messed with. This did not stop a young Lombardian named Ercole Spada from taking up his pen, and if he felt the weight of the task at hand, he didn't show it. He styled the DB4 Zagato, even prettier and more delicate, and a car worth millions today. Spada died last week at 88. The portfolio of his life's work extended from near-priceless collectibles to special little cars practically anyone can own. He is not as well known a designer as a Giugiaro or Gandini or Pininfarina, but his legacy stands shoulder to shoulder with Italy's best. In particular, his work for Zagato is some of that company's best. The DB4 Zagato is probably the most famous Spada design, but he also styled the Lancia Fulvia Zagato, of which some 7000 were built. Far more rare is the Alfa Romeo TZ (for Tubolare Zagato), a lightweight high-performer that's like a pint-sized, four-cylinder Ferrari 250 GTO. Spada worked for Zagato until 1970, after which he joined BMW as Munich's chief stylist. Here, he was responsible for perhaps his best-known creations, the E32 7-series and the E34 5-series. The E34 in particular is a near-timeless example of design, especially for a modern car. This generation of M5 is just a stunning machine. Spada helped design Fords and Volvos and Lancias and even a Nissan, everyday fare as well as sporting specials. One of his more accessible designs is the Mazda MX-3, a car which is possibly due for a little more respect as an accessible collectible. With its tiny optional V-6, this little hatchback offers something of the spirit of the Alfa TZ for about what you'd pay for a used Ford Escort. Many a student of automotive design has seen and been influenced by Spada's work. His cars can fetch $10 million at auction and be displayed at Pebble Beach, or cost just barely into four figures and show up at a Radwood-style event. You have to think any car designer would be proud of such a broad and lasting career. He dared to improve on an Aston Martin, and that daring never left him. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!