<description>&lt;p class="p1"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;This week, we go through the mailbag and answer audience questions, including: Is driving 55 mph really more fuel-efficient—even in a 10-speed like the Acura TLX? We break down the science behind highway MPG, explain how regenerative braking affects brake light activation in EVs like the Hyundai Kona Electric, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia Niro EV, compare jump-starting with cables vs. lithium battery boosters, dig into timing chain vs. timing belt replacement costs in models like the Honda CR-V, and help you decide whether to buy or lease a Honda Ridgeline. Plus, we highlight the best used cars for easier entry and exit, including the Toyota Crown and Subaru Crosstrek.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;SHOW NOTES&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;&lt;span class= "s1"&gt;-----------------------------------&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p1"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;00:00 - Introduction&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2"&gt;&lt;span class="s2"&gt;01:39 - Question #1:&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span class="s1"&gt;Does the old '55 mph is best' rule still work with 10-speed transmissions?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2"&gt;&lt;span class="s3"&gt;05:51 - Question #2:&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span class="s1"&gt;Can jump-starting hurt electronics—or is a lithium booster safer?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;10:08 - Question #3: Timing chain vs. timing belt: why aren't chains standard?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;13:36 - Question #4: Does regen braking trigger the brake lights?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;17:54 - Question #5: Keep my Honda Ridgeline or wait for a hybrid version?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p2"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;21:05 - Question #6: What's the best used car that's easy for seniors to get in and out of?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class= "s1"&gt;---------------------------------- &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;Most Fuel-Efficient Cars&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class= "s1"&gt;https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars-best-mpg-a1198903400/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;Jump Starter Test Results&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class= "s1"&gt;https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/jump-starters/c37102/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;How to Find a Great Mechanic&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class= "s1"&gt;https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-repair-shops/buying-guide/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;Brake Lights Can Fail to Provide Fair Warning on Some Electric Vehicles&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class= "s1"&gt;https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/brake-lights-can-fail-to-provide-fair-warning-on-some-evs-a9533519285/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;How to Make Your Car More Accessible for Aging, Injury, Disability, or Pregnancy&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class= "s1"&gt;https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/how-to-make-your-car-more-accessible-a9092978287/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="s4"&gt;?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class= "s1"&gt;https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="s4"&gt;?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p3"&gt; &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class="s1"&gt;10 Best SUVs You Can Buy Right Now&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p class="p4"&gt;&lt;span class= "s1"&gt;https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/10-best-suvs-you-can-buy-right-now-a8518508556/&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="s4"&gt;?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Talking Cars (MP3)

Consumer Reports

Are Portable Jump Starters Worth It, The Most Fuel-Efficient Speed to Drive, Timing Chains vs. Timing Belts

MAR 11, 202628 MIN
Talking Cars (MP3)

Are Portable Jump Starters Worth It, The Most Fuel-Efficient Speed to Drive, Timing Chains vs. Timing Belts

MAR 11, 202628 MIN

Description

This week, we go through the mailbag and answer audience questions, including: Is driving 55 mph really more fuel-efficient—even in a 10-speed like the Acura TLX? We break down the science behind highway MPG, explain how regenerative braking affects brake light activation in EVs like the Hyundai Kona Electric, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia Niro EV, compare jump-starting with cables vs. lithium battery boosters, dig into timing chain vs. timing belt replacement costs in models like the Honda CR-V, and help you decide whether to buy or lease a Honda Ridgeline. Plus, we highlight the best used cars for easier entry and exit, including the Toyota Crown and Subaru Crosstrek. Join CR at https://CR.org/joinviaYT to access our comprehensive ratings for items you use every day. CR is a mission-driven, independent, nonprofit organization. SHOW NOTES ----------------------------------- 00:00 - Introduction 01:39 - Question #1: Does the old '55 mph is best' rule still work with 10-speed transmissions? 05:51 - Question #2: Can jump-starting hurt electronics—or is a lithium booster safer? 10:08 - Question #3: Timing chain vs. timing belt: why aren't chains standard? 13:36 - Question #4: Does regen braking trigger the brake lights? 17:54 - Question #5: Keep my Honda Ridgeline or wait for a hybrid version? 21:05 - Question #6: What's the best used car that's easy for seniors to get in and out of? ---------------------------------- Most Fuel-Efficient Cars https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/fuel-economy-efficiency/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars-best-mpg-a1198903400/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Jump Starter Test Results https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/jump-starters/c37102/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT How to Find a Great Mechanic https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-repair-shops/buying-guide/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Brake Lights Can Fail to Provide Fair Warning on Some Electric Vehicles https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/brake-lights-can-fail-to-provide-fair-warning-on-some-evs-a9533519285/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT How to Make Your Car More Accessible for Aging, Injury, Disability, or Pregnancy https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/how-to-make-your-car-more-accessible-a9092978287/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars? https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT 10 Best SUVs You Can Buy Right Now https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/suvs/10-best-suvs-you-can-buy-right-now-a8518508556/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT