Extech Sound Level Meter #407732 on 2040-parts.com

Ford future products: New vehicles get lighter, faster and move upscale

Ford Motor Co.'s future-product focus is on improved fuel economy by making its vehicles smaller and engines lighter without sacrificing performance, safety or luxury. It also wants to push the Ford brand more upscale to capture customers orphaned by the shutdown of the Mercury brand, and to attract new buyers with more product offerings. Ford has said 90 percent of its North American nameplates will be available with direct-injection turbocharged EcoBoost engines as standard equipment or as an option by 2013.

Chrysler recalls some vans, cars and SUVs for airbag problem

Chrysler announced two recalls last week, both for the potential of improper airbag deployment. On certain model year 2013 Chrysler Town & Country minivans, Dodge Grand Caravan and Ram C/V Tradesmen models, a software error could result in the wrong airbag deploying in the event of a crash. For example, a left-side impact would cause the right-side airbags to deploy.

OnStar 'ignition block' disables stolen vehicles

OnStar, General Motors' in-vehicle safety and communications system, has launched a service to keep car thieves from starting a vehicle that has been reported stolen. As of July 20, three stolen cars had been disabled by the technology, called "remote ignition block." The feature is available on select 2009 and 2010 GM models. Subscribers must report their vehicles stolen to police officials and request assistance from OnStar, which then sends a signal that prevents the car from restarting.