Consumer Reports articles from December 2007

Consumer Reports archives from December 2007

Getting the lead out of our lives.(Have You Heard?)
December 1, 2007... In the first issue of Consumers Union Reports, May 1936, we reported on the dangers of lead in toys. The good news: "The fear of many mothers that cheap toys, such as are found in the 5-and-10-cent stores, are painted with poisonous lead paints...

Toyota slips, Ford gains.(PREDICTED RELIABILITY)(product reliability of Toyota Motor Corp. and Ford Motor Co.)
December 1, 2007... Despite a stellar record overall in our predicted-reliability ratings, Toyota now has three models that rate below average, according to our 2007 Annual Car Reliability Survey, in which the owners of about 1.3 million vehicles told us about...

Which Cocoa's a go?(Trends)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The best hot tastes like its name. Choose the worst from our tests, however, and you'll sip a thin reddish concoction that tastes weak and feels oily in the mouth. That's what our sensory panelists discovered when they tasted 10 cocoas prepared...

Are fast-food fries trans-fat free?(Trends)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The claim. Arby's and KFC say that their fries are free of heart-unhealthy trans fats (officially, "free" means there's less than 0.5 gram per serving). Wendy's says that a large serving has 1 g. McDonald's and Burger King list larger amounts...

Budget treadmills that work for walkers.(Trends)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Treadmills for serious runners can cost $4,000, but can the rest of the human race get away with paying $500 to $1,000? We tested six motorized, folding treadmills in that price range. The best, the Epic View, has a relatively long belt (57...

Infomercial-product gotchas.(Trends)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... We used the Internet to order 10 popular as-seen-on-TV products. Although most arrived within the promised time, our shopper found other problems: Surprise enrollment. You could be enrolled in a "club" or delivery plan. BareMinerals, which...

Incandescent vs. LED.(HOLIDAY LIGHTS)(incandescent bulbs compared to Light-emitting diodes)(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2007... Is it a bright idea to use LED lights for the holidays? We compared LED and incandescent bulbs in three sizes--mini, C7, and C9 -- determining how much it cost to light strings totaling 50 feet for 300 hours. We also exposed the bulbs to...

How to opt out of unwanted mail and calls.(Trends)
December 1, 2007... Tired of having your mailbox invaded and dinner interrupted? The World Privacy Forum has listed 10 "opt outs" to help consumers get their names and contact information off marketing lists. The nonprofit group's Web site, at...

200,000 miles.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The October 2007 report on getting 200,000 miles from a car recommends that owners consider oil-change intervals as frequently as every 3,000 miles. Yet a previous issue suggests that is a myth. Is there any evidence that having the oil changed...

Fuel-cell vehicles.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... "The Ultimate Green Machine" (October 2007) should have commented on the use of hydrogen-powered cars in cold climates. The principal emission from fuel-cell vehicles is water, and this could freeze and clog the exhaust pipe on cars operated in...

Social security.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... The information in "Social Security: When to Start Collecting" in the October 2007 issue was informative and correct, but you left out one very important piece of information. While Social Security benefits are reduced for retirees who have not...

Correction.(Correction notice)
December 1, 2007... The data in a chart with our September 2007 report "Are You Really Covered?" were based on a nationally representative sample of adults, not CONSUMER REPORTS readers.

Ground beef recalled for E. coli contamination.(Recalls & Safety Alerts)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Almost 22 million pounds of frozen ground beef products were recalled by Topps Meat Company for possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that...

Cribs and play yards recalled after deaths.(Recalls & Safety Alerts)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... One million Simplicity cribs, some labeled "Graco," were recalled because of a design flaw that led to three infant deaths and seven entrapments, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The cribs were sold at mass...

'06-07 various Dodge/Jeep models.(VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Software programmed in the ABS electronic control module might allow momentary delay in braking without warning when coasting uphill, which could cause a crash. Models: 296,550 Dodge Nitro ('07), Jeep Commander and Grand Cherokee ('06-07),...

'06-07 Honda Civic.(VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Wheel speed sensor housing O-ring seal might be improperly assembled, allowing damage to wheel bearing, especially in areas where road salt is used. If driver continues to drive with this condition, wheel bearing may fail, which could cause...

Dorel Juvenile Group (DJG) child seats.(CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... On certain DJG child-restraint systems, harness adjustment strap can loosen while in use and in a crash the child might not be properly restrained, resulting in an increased risk of injury. Products: 1,267,978 Cosco (Alpha Omega and Alpha...

Fisher-Price Geo Trax locomotive toys.(CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Surface paints on toys contain lead. Products: 90,000 Geo Trax Freightway Transport and Geo Trax Special Track Pack locomotive toys made between 7/31/06 and 8/20/07 and sold at retail stores nationwide from 9/06 through 8/07 for between $3...

New worries over lead: our latest tests find the toxic metal in more products.(CR INVESTIGATES)
December 1, 2007... Christine and Erik Johnson of Minneapolis were thrust into the role of detectives when they learned in November 2006 that their 9-month-old son, Coen, had a blood lead level about five times the national average for children under 5. His...

201 best gifts.(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2007... Whether you're shopping for people who like to cook, take photographs, listen to music,work out, or eat, we have the gift list for you.These products, culled from the thousands that CONSUMER REPORTS tested during the past year or so, all...

For the savvy shopper.(CLIP AND SAVE)
December 1, 2007... Once you've created a gift list, clip these tips and follow them to make your shopping as hassle-free as possible: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 TIME YOUR BUYING. Don't fall for Midnight Madness sales, which typically offer discounts on...

HDTV for any budget.(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2007... LCD TVs p. 26 Plasmas TVs p. 28 Rear-projection TVs p. 30 ALSO DVD players p. 32 Home theater in a box p. 34 If a high-definition TV is on your holiday shopping list, here's news that could have you smiling all the way to the store: Thanks...

More reasons to skip an extended warranty.(Exclusive TV reliability)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2007... There's mounting evidence that flat-panel LCD and plasma TVs have been highly reliable products requiring few repairs during the first three years of use. That reinforces our standing advice that you should say no to an extended warranty. ...

Rear-projection HDTVs.(Best gifts)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2007... It's worth considering a rear-projection TV if you want the cheapest route to a jumbo screen measuring 56 inches or more. Now that microdisplay TVs (which use DLP, LCoS, or LCD technology) have replaced older CRT-based sets, these once-bulky...

DVD players.(Best gifts)(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2007... With high-definition televisions becoming so ubiquitous, it might seem like a no-brainer to buy a high-definition DVD player. But there's a compelling reason to wait: Blu-ray and HD DVD are still vying to be the high-def movie format of...

Home theater in a box.(Best Gifts)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2007... Even the priciest high-definition TV can't fully convey the digital multichannel surround sound of DVD movies and HDTV programs. A home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) system is an easy way to do so. In our tests of 13 modestly priced systems, we found...

Cordless drills.(canada extra)(Table)
December 1, 2007... Fourteen of the 31 tested drills for general use, 13 of the 17 drills for larger jobs, 6 of the 16 impact drivers are available, including 8 of the 15 Quick Pick models. KEY NO. BRAND & MODEL PRICE OVERALL SCORE ...

Portable air purifiers.(canada extra)(Table)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Of the portable systems tested 16 of the 27 filter purifiers, and 8 of the 9 electrostatic precipitators are available Within types, in performance order. BRAND & MODEL PRICE OVERALL SCORE ...

Whole-house air purifiers.(canada extra)(Table)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Of the whole-house air purifiers tested, the pro-installed filter system, all 7 of the tested pro-installed electrostatic precipitators, 7 of the 15 do-it-yourself systems are available, including 2 of the 3 Quick Picks KEY ...

Toasters.(canada extra)(Table)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Four of the 5 Select Ratings toasters are available, and all are Quick Picks. KEY NO. BRAND & MODEL PRICE OVERALL SCORE 0-100 1 KitchenAid 4KTT340[WH] $60 ...

Plasma tvs.(canada extra)(Table)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Three of the 4 tested 58- to 60-inch models, 10 of the 13 50-inch models, 10 of the 11 42-inch models are available including 13 of the 16 Quick Pick models. Within types, in performance order. KEY BRAND & MODEL ...

Lcd tvs.(canada extra)(laser crystal display)(Table)
December 1, 2007... Twelve of the 14 tested 46- to 52-inch models; 16 of the 17 40- to 42-inch models; 4 of the 8 37-inch models; and 9 of the 14 32-inch models are available, including 20 of the 22 Quick Pik models With types, in performance order. KEY...

Small suvs and wagons.(canada extra)(Table)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... All of the tested small SUVs and wagon and hatchback are available in Canada. MAKE & MODEL PRICE ACCELERATION (SEC.) RANGE 0-50 KM/H 0-100 80-100 500 ...

Coffeemakers.(canada extra)(Table)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Five of the Select Ratings coffeemakers are available, and all are Quick Picks. In performance order. KEY NO. BRAND & MODEL PRICE OVERALL SCORE 1 Black & Decker SmartBrew DCM2500 $35 ...

How to reach manufacturers in Canada.(contact info)(Directory)
December 1, 2007... 3M 888-364-3577 www.filtrete.ca American Air Filter 905-672-1114 www.aafintl.com Aprilaire NA www.aprilaire.com Atmosphere 800-253-6500 www.quixtar.com Austin Air N/A www.austinair.ca Bio-Net...

All-star appliances &kitchen gear.(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2007... We culled a year's worth of testing for models that blend performance, value, and brand reliability.You'll also find Select Ratings with top choices from our latest tests of coffeemakers, toasters and toaster ovens, and kitchen knives (see page...

Wine great values.(best gifts)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2007... Merlot Our Ratings of merlot, still one of the biggest-selling red wines, serve to bust two persistent myths about buying everyday wines. The first myth is that vintage matters much for bottles in the $20-and-under price range. Several of...

Cordless drills Pricier may not be better.(Best gifts)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2007... You don't have to spend top dollar for a capable cordless drill or driver that's easy on your arms. Three of the top picks in this report cost less than $100, and 10 weigh less than 5 pounds. You'll find plenty of cordless drills priced...

Filtering the claims.(AIR PURIFIERS)
December 1, 2007... Most people buy air purifiers to ease asthma or allergies. But despite product claims, there's little definitive medical evidence that purifiers help relieve respiratory symptoms. Some may pose a threat even to healthy users. Electrostatic...

Holiday tipsWho, what, and how much.(CR Money)
December 1, 2007... Back in 1916 a curmudgeonly book titled "The Itching Palm" predicted that the practice of tipping would one day come to a well-deserved end. The author, one William R. Scott, might be surprised to know that nearly a century later the practice...

Medical devices Problems on the rise.(CR Health)
December 1, 2007... Surgically implanting a device to help a damaged organ can seem like a great convenience--or even a lifesaver. Implanted infusion pumps, for example, automatically deliver doses of drugs, replacing daily injections or pills. Tiny stents can be...

Small SUVs four contenders in this test group can't challenge the category's top performers.(SECOND STRING)(sports utility vehicles, )(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2007... Not one vehicle stands out in this month's group of four small SUVs. The offerings from Ford, Jeep, Kia, and Saturn don't come close to dethroning the best vehicles in the category: the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Forester, and Toyota...

Phone numbers & web sites.(Contact Info)
December 1, 2007... A cumulative listing of manufacturer phone numbers and Web addresses is available free in browsable form at our Web site, at www.ConsumerReports.org. AIR PURIFIERS 3M: 888-364-3577l; www.3m.com. Amcor: 866-361-2233; www.amcorgroupusa.com....

Winning a fight for stronger drug-safety laws.(View point THE CONSUMERS UNION PERSPECTIVE)
December 1, 2007... When Kim Witczak of Minneapolis talks about a new federal law that aims to make prescription drugs safer, you realize the issue is personal. "If only some of these changes were in place four years ago, I truly believe my husband would still be...

toast with that?(then & now)(manual toasters)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Before 1921, sleepy Americans burned a lot of toast. Back then, all the toasters sold in this country were manual: You had to pop up the slices yourself. If you dillydallied, your toast was, well, toast. For our March 1952 report we tested...

Military mix-up.(Selling it Goofs Glitches Gotches)(Navy and Army design)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... This door-knocker offer says, "Show your pride for our Armed Services." Just don't be picky about which service you support. As a Maryland reader points out, the knocker identified as "Army design" has the Navy design; "Navy" is Air Force, and...

Stainer or stain remover?(selling Goofs Glitches Gotchas)(Crest)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... "This Crest is specially formulated to help prevent staining," the label says. Yet the active ingredient, stannous fluoride, "may produce surface staining of the teeth." "Questions?" the box asks. You bet. We called the number provided,...

Nips are nipped.(selling Goofs Glitches Gotchas)(Nips' package shrank)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Three readers and candy fans noticed that a box of Nips shrank from 5.5 ounces to 4 ounces, but that the price they paid was the same for new and old. What really galled them was the addition of the boxed blurb. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

What a blastoff.(selling Goofs Glitches Gotchas)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... Our quick scan of a document entitled "Civil Air Patrol Intro to Space: Placing a Satellite in Orbit" leads to the conclusion that it requires a tad more thrust than could be mustered by this toy rocket, which goes "200 feet into the sky."

Hissy fit indeed.(Selling it Goofs Glitches Gotchas)(Big Fat Hissee Fit Gummy Snake)(Brief article)
December 1, 2007... "When my Grandpa bought me a Big Fat Hissee Fit Gummy Snake" for $3.50, writes a budding consumer reporter named Emory, "I noticed that the label says that it is 36 inches long." Then our enterprising correspondent saw the barely readable word...