Latest news with #carSafety
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Devon Citroen owners 'isolated' after airbag safety recall
Some car owners in Devon have said they have been left "isolated" after their Citroen models were recalled due to a faulty the parent company of Citroen issued a stop-drive action for 120,000 of its vehicles in the UK last week following a fatal accident in France last of those affected is Anthony Hobbs, from Plymouth, who said his Citroen DS3 was a "lifeline" for him as he suffers from a number of mental and physical health 62-year-old said: "It's like going through Covid all over again when you are all tied down and you can't see anybody, you can't do anything." Stallantis said the lead time for the replacement varied by retailer with some taking a few days and others woman in Somerset was told the repair could not take place until next year."I don't know what I'm going to do, I can't stay in the house," Mr Hobbs has contacted a local garage is waiting for a date when the repair can take place. New mum Saffron Alton-Barker's Citroen DSD3 is currently parked on a drive near said the loss of her car has left her "isolated" in a rural area, and unsure of how long it may take to put said: "We have tried really hard to get an answer about the timeline. I have completely failed to get an answer."The person I spoke to at the Citroen Exeter garage was trying their best, but he said to me essentially they can't give me a timescale because they haven't got the part."Stellantis said all C3 and DS3 models built from 2009-2016, as well as a handful of DS3s produced from 2016-2019 should not be driven until airbags produced by the now defunct Japanese supplier Takata have been is the latest development in a long-running saga which has led to the recall of an estimated 100 million cars worldwide over the past decade. The company said: "To increase our repair capacity further, work is ongoing on introducing additional airbag replacement sites at convenient locations as well as repair at home options."It is inevitable, with such a large number of vehicles affected, that customers will be inconvenienced in the short term."
Android Authority
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Android Authority
Botslab Prime Day deal: The excellent G980H 4K Dashcam is an essential car accessory and is now 41% off
Whether to provide evidence for an accident investigation, to keep you and your car safe while driving, or just to capture the next viral TikTok, dashcams have quickly gone from a luxury accessory to an essential car safety device. And few do it better than the Botslab G980H Dash Cam. The Botslab G980H Dash Cam is a next-generation smart car camera system designed for discerning drivers, rideshare operators, and safety-conscious families. It comes with true 4K front recording, 1080p rear imaging, and numerous safety features to provide a peaceful experience, on and off the road. And this Prime Day, the G980H Dash Cam is cheaper than ever! Here's everything you need to know. True 4K front and 1080p rear cameras – Sharp detail at any time of the day or night A dashcam can be packed with features, but if it doesn't get the basics right — capturing high-quality video — none of those extras will matter. Luckily, that's definitely one of the many areas in which the Botslab G980H Dash Cam excels. The G980H's front camera features a 4K resolution, a Sony IMX415 sensor, f/1.5 aperture, and a 170° FoV, so you're getting plenty of high-quality detail no matter the time of day or night, or whether it's sunny or raining. You won't have any trouble capturing crucial information, like the car maker, model name, license plate number, and road signs. The broad field of view ensures there are no blind spots, with the front camera able to capture up to six lanes. The rear camera is just as capable. Packed with a Sony Starvis sensor, you get video in 1080p resolution and a 150° FoV. Like the front camera, the rear camera works in any lighting condition and captures a wide field of view to ensure complete coverage. The best part is that you can rotate the rear camera by 360°, so you can set it to either record video out the rear windshield or in-cabin. The latter is ideal for rideshare operators who want to ensure their safety and protect themselves from unruly passengers and against unfounded complaints. Come rain or shine, day or night, you'll enjoy sharp detail and high-quality video, no matter the situation, with the Botslab G980H Dash Cam. ADAS brings excellent safety features while driving The G980H isn't just about recording video to collect evidence in the event of an accident. Instead, it actively helps you avoid mishaps with ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistant Systems). This feature includes a variety of warning systems to keep you and your car safe while on the road. The first is the Pedestrian Collision Warning. As the name suggests, this feature warns you if a pedestrian is crossing the road while in a spot where you might not be able to see them. It can detect pedestrians up to 33 feet away and works at speeds of up to 25 mph. The G980H can also detect a variety of vehicle movements. It will let you know when a car stopped in front of you moves ahead by more than 6.5ft, which is perfect if you're distracted at a traffic light or stop sign, or in bumper-to-bumper traffic. On the other hand, the Headway Collision Warning sends an alert if you're less than 16ft behind a car and moving at more than 19 mph. You'll also get an alert if you drift off the center of the road and accidentally cross a lane marker. Finally, the G980H also features a Driver Fatigue system that automatically sends an alert every two hours to ensure you are paying attention to the road. It serves as a helpful reminder to take regular breaks if you've been driving all day as a rideshare operator or on a long road trip. 24/7 parking surveillance with theft protection Installing the G980H Dash Cam is really easy. Simply plug the cameras into the car's auxiliary power socket (cigarette lighter port) and conceal the cables. However, if you opt for the hardwiring route using the optional hardwire kit, you can add a security feature: parking surveillance with theft protection. Even when the car is off and parked, the front and rear cameras will automatically activate when they detect any motion, impact, or suspicious activity, and send you an alert. It's an excellent way to keep your car safe from theft or vandalism and collect evidence of an accident while you're away from the vehicle. Smart connectivity features include 5GHz Wi-Fi and built-in GPS The Botslab G980H comes with a 64GB SD card, but since you're recording video in such high resolutions, that might fill up quite quickly. Luckily, Botslab's excellent companion app makes it easy to video, transfer, and save important footage. Switch the device to 5GHz Wi-Fi to get 10Mbps data transfer speeds, which will not only make extracting video a breeze but also provide a faster and more stable connection for live playback when viewing videos through the app. The dashcam also comes with a built-in GPS that integrates with Google Maps. It's a useful way to pinpoint the location of a traffic incident or get detailed trip reports that include the trip duration, average speed, route information, and more. Built for any weather Instead of using a lithium-ion battery when the device needs extra power to save files and shut down, the G980H uses a super capacitor. The super capacitor ensures safer power management and a longer lifespan compared to traditional batteries. With a working temperature range of -20°C to 70°C, the G980H can operate reliably in any weather condition, including situations where a regular battery would degrade. It's not just about the time of day, but the G980H will work well at any time of the year as well. This Prime Day is a great time to buy the Botslab G980H Dash Cam A dashcam is as essential a car accessory as any other, and if you were waiting to make your purchase, Botslab's Prime Day sale is the perfect time to pick one up. With 4K front and 1080p rear cameras that provide crystal-clear video in any lighting or weather condition, a slew of helpful driver assistance features, enhanced security features, and easy installation, the Botslab G980H is among the best 4K dashcams available. It was already in the budget-friendly category for 4K dashcams. And for Prime Day, Botslab is offering a whopping 41% discount on the G980H Dash Cam, reducing its price to just $99.47.
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Travel + Leisure
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Travel + Leisure
Travelers Won't Get in an Uber Without This $9 EMT-approved Safety Tool—and You Can Get It at Amazon
You put your life in a stranger's hands every time you get into an Uber or Lyft. Though uncommon, incidents from car accidents to kidnappings have happened at the hands of taxi and rideshare drivers, so erring on the side of caution when you're in one doesn't make you over the top or paranoid—it makes you smart and prepared. This $9 car safety item allows you to reclaim a tiny bit of control when you're in the backseat. It's a two-in-one car escape tool that's so small and portable it fits on your key ring. The gadget can slice through a seatbelt and break a car window, and reviewers, including EMTs, say it's a lifesaver they never travel without. Car windows are made of thick tempered glass that is specially designed to resist cracking and breaking. It takes immense force or a special tool to shatter it. Resqme's trademarked device shatters tempered glass with a spring-loaded steel spike that activates by pushing it against the surface. The body also features a razor-sharp knife edge protected by a plastic cover that doubles as a keychain. When you pull that plastic cover off, you can use the sharp edge to cut through a jammed seatbelt. A safety tool like this is essential to have on hand for several reasons. In the case of a car accident, you can use the tool to dislodge yourself and escape the vehicle—it's been used in vehicle fires and accidents on water. The brand says even first responders carry the device, and that it 'saves a life, on average, every 15 days.' One EMT said they are 'never without one' after their boss was caught in a car fire and needed to free his sons from the backseat. 'If he had had a window punch, he may have been able to gain entry to the vehicle and rescue them,' they wrote in their review. Unfortunately, not all rideshare drivers are prepared for these types of situations. Resqme says, 'As much as we would love for all Uber and Lyft drivers to carry a Resqme, sometimes, you must take matters into your own hands. Ensuring you carry your easily portable Resqme ensures you can escape in case of an accident, saving yourself and possibly your driver.' The spike works best when it is positioned at a corner of the window, where the window is the least flexible and most likely to shatter. The spike resets and can be reused. In addition to car accidents, the tool can be used in sketchy situations where you might need to escape an ill-intentioned driver. In some cases, the driver can actually detain passengers using child door and window locks, preventing them from getting out of the car or flagging down help. A reviewer said that after having 'a scary encounter in a vehicle,' they carry the tool to ' never feel helpless again … whenever I'm in a car or taxi.' Others agree it's a must-have for riding in Ubers, Lyfts, and cabs. Sadly, the tool will not make it through TSA at the airport—indeed, many have had theirs confiscated—because of the exposed blade, but you can fly with it in a checked bag. It'll give you peace of mind while you're traveling in unfamiliar countries and destinations where you might not speak the language. For a tool so valuable, it's surprisingly only $8 to $10 at Amazon, where it has about 62,000 five-star ratings. From another popular window hammer tool to pepper spray, a personal safety alarm, and an anti-theft money belt, find more car safety tools to keep in your vehicle and take on rideshare trips with you, below. At the time of publishing, the price started at $9. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Motor 1
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘Do Not Leave Your Car Out in the Heat:' Woman Says It's So Hot Her Grandmother's Buick's Tires Exploded. Is That Possible?
Having a car involves a fair share of weather-related worries. Rain makes the roads slick, ice can send you skidding, and fog cuts down your visibility so that you can't see more than a few feet in front of you at times. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . While we may know to slow down when it's wet, not to use cruise control in the rain, and to turn the headlights on in the fog, many may be unaware that even a hot sunny day can cause a serious, and dangerous, weather-related driving condition. What Can Heat Do to Your Car? In a viral slideshow with more than 180,000 views, content creator @princessblubbergyatt shared the shocking thing she says that happened to her grandma's Buick . 'It's so hot in Ohio that my grandma's tire literally exploded from the heat,' the text overlay on the TikTok reads. On this day, there was an extreme heat watch in Ohio, with temperatures projected to reach up to 93 degrees. The real feel was in the triple digits. 'What da fawk,' @princessblubbergyatt adds. From the photos, you can see that a lot of damage was done by the sudden explosion. Not only did the tire come apart, but the hood and the fender ripped apart and peeled away. In the caption, @princessblubbergyatt warns that you should avoid leaving your car in direct sunlight. 'Don't leave ur car in the sun,' she writes. Can Heat Make Tires Explode? Trending Now 'How Bad Is This?' Woman Hears a Clink While She's Driving. Then She Pulls Over and IDs the Real Source of the Problem 'It Saved Me Money:' Woman Goes to Discount Tire for New Tires. Then She Pulls Out Her Costco Card When a tire gets too hot, the air inside it expands, increasing the tire pressure. The pressure of the air can tear through a tire's surface and lead to an explosion, explains. Heat is the most common reason tires explode. Other reasons include inflating your tire to the wrong PSI (pounds per square inch), particularly under inflating; driving recklessly; and having faulty tires. Blowouts are still quite rare, however. 'From 1996 to 2002, tire blowouts only occurred in 6.5% of the cars that represented more than 80% of the vehicles involved in crashes,' reports. While this is a rare occurrence, in 2017, there were 738 fatalities due to tire blowouts. That's why it's important to make sure your tires are in good condition, properly inflated, and not to drive recklessly. How Much Do Tires Cost? One tire, depending on the type, can cost anywhere from $50 to $1,500. Smaller tires generally cost less. For example, tires for 12-inch to 15-inch wheels will usually be in the $80 to $150 range, while those for 18-inch to 26-inch wheels range from $140 to $500, NerdWallet reports. The labor will run you about $50 to $300 on average. Nearly $2,000 for tires, if you're paying on the high end for both parts and labor, may seem like a lot. But a large bill for routine car maintenance is preferable to getting in an accident. 'It Had to be Over-Inflated' People who commented on @princessblubbergyatt's post weren't convinced that heat was the only reason her grandmother's tire exploded. 'That thing had to be overinflated lol. Remember to go off the PSI on the door of the car not the tire,' a top comment reads. '(Grandma talks) I don't understand why it went flat I blew it up to 100%,' another person joked. 'Yeah tires don't just explode bc of heat, it had to be over-inflated,' a third speculated. Motor1 reached out to @princessblubbergyatt for comment via TikTok direct message and comment. We'll be sure to update this if she responds. More From Motor1 Buick Is So Big in China It Has Its Own Sub-Brand This Electric Buick Concept Looks Absolutely Beautiful 'It Saved Me Money:' Woman Goes to Discount Tire for New Tires. Then She Pulls Out Her Costco Card 'Anybody Got Any Idea What These Are?' Mechanic Works on a Customer's Truck. Then He Sees Something Unusual on the Tire Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Motor 1
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘EVERY IMPALA DOES THIS:' Mom Gets in 16-Year-Old Son's Chevy. Then It Starts Making This Noise
Every parent dreads the moment their precious baby becomes a licensed driver. Mom of three Ashley Augusta (@theashleyaugusta) recently came face to face with an even bigger fear: their child driving in unsafe conditions. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . In a TikTok Augusta posted earlier this week, her 16-year-old son is driving a Chevrolet Impala that is making a loud and consistent knocking noise. The text overlay says that Augusta first heard the sound the day before. Her son was unbothered by it, however. 'His response? 'Oh, it will stop in about 30 seconds,'' the overlay reads. Augusta says her son seemed to have 'not a care in the world,' despite the alarming sound. The TikTok has 9.7 million views as of this writing. Is It an Impala Thing? Trending Now Volvo Superfan Explains Why They're 'One Of the Best Cars' Under $5K For Teens. He Might Be Onto Something Teen Driving Dad's Toyota Supra Busted Going 132 MPH In Florida People familiar with Chevy Impalas said that the sound is typical for the model. One who says they formerly owned an Impala joked that they have 'unresolved trauma' from the sound. Some offered advice to fix the sound, which most believe is caused by the climate control system. 'Ummmm I instantly knew that was an Impala because my son's car does it too lol. We figured ours has to do with the buttons with AC,' a comment with more than 100,000 likes reads. 'Every Impala does this. You could get it fixed and it'll do it again in 4 to 6 months. Easy way to prevent it? Turn AC off 45 seconds before you turn off car,' another advised. 'It's the blend door actuator located behind the glove box. The part will run about $45, generally easy to replace yourself just look up a YouTube video! Had to do this twice with my Impala,' another speculated. Over a dozen people also opined that the problem is the blend door actuator. What Is a Blend Door Actuator? A blend door actuator is a small motor that controls your car's climate control system. It's a plastic box small enough to fit in one hand that has gears inside. When you turn the knob to increase or decrease the temperature or fan, the signal goes through the blend door actuator. The device also controls the defrosters and other vents, Wrench explains. Some newer cars have two blend door actuators, one for the front seats and another for the back. While it's safe to drive around with a busted blend door actuator because it doesn't affect how a vehicle drives, the noises and lack of temperature control can make for an uncomfortable and highly irritating ride. It costs between $436 and $581 to replace the blend door actuator on a Chevy Impala, Repair Pal reports. Many commenters said replacing the part is simple enough to do at home, and it'll save you a lot of money. A YouTube instructional video describes this as a "VERY common issue" on Impalas. " It's almost always the recirculation door actuator," creator Daniel Jaeger (@DanielJaegerFilms) adds. How to Fix a Loud Tapping Noise on Chevy Impalas Mom's Real Concern In a follow-up video, Augusta thanks the people who tried to help diagnose the issue. She also says they know what's wrong with the vehicle, but doesn't say exactly what. She says that what concerned her most about the issue was her son's nonchalance about it. It's a good rule of thumb to always find out why your vehicle is making a new sound or driving differently. Depending on what the issue is, not doing so could lead to an even bigger problem or risk causing a car accident. In the case of the Impala in Augusta's TikTok, it could also make driving deeply unpleasant. 'Why would he not care?' Augusta wonders in the post. 'That would drive me crazy, all that ticking. I would lose my ever-loving mind.' Motor1 reached out to Augusta for comment via TikTok direct message and comment. We'll be sure to update this if she responds. More From Motor1 Big Chevy Barn Find Sees Camaro, Impala, Square Body Pickup Collecting Dust Tupac's 1961 Chevy Impala Restored, Turned It Into True Lowrider Modern Chevy Impala Coupe Rendering Needs To Happen In Real Life Chevy Impala Dies Today, 62 Years Since The Original's Launch Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
