Consumer Reports articles from January 2008

Consumer Reports archives from January 2008

Got an older TV? Read this.(Have You Heard?)
January 1, 2008... If you get TV reception through an antenna, as roughly 42 million U.S. homes do, things will change for you in February 2009. That's when television broadcasters will stop sending analog signals and will switch to all-digital broadcasting....

Dishwashing detergents: a foam licks the liquids.(Trends)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Procter & Gamble says its Dawn Direct Foam breaks grease into particles and absorbs them before they're rinsed off, keeping grease from other dishes. And it was best in our tough tests of 12 detergents (the rest are liquids). But the initial...

An eggs-planation.(talk THE talk)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Why did the consumer cross the road? Perhaps to avoid the bewildering array of eggs in the supermarket. To help, we've hatched a lexicon. Note that specialty eggs (organic, omega-3, and such) usually cost more than others. Although large eggs...

Easier ways to give.(Charities)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... More and more charities are accepting donations through a monthly credit-card charge or electronic bank-account withdrawal. If your chosen charity doesn't, you can go to www.networkforgood.org to schedule recurring payments to thousands of...

Nitrogen and tires.(CLAIM CHECK)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... The claim. Filling tires with nitrogen instead of air is supposed to keep them fuller longer. (Tires that are correctly inflated give the optimum fuel economy and tire wear and are more durable.) Some tire retailers and car dealers offer a free...

Sparkling wines: drink a toast to good value.(Trends)
January 1, 2008... Here's something to celebrate: You needn't spend $40 for a very good sparkling wine. Two of the pricier, big-name Champagnes, Perrier Jouet and Veuve Clicquot, were bested by sparkling wines costing as little as $10. Our Ratings are based...

Supermarket of the future?
January 1, 2008... Bloom, a chain of Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern supermarkets owned by Food Lion, is designed to create a "convenient, hassle-free, and novel shopping experience" that lets shoppers get in and out fast, navigate easily, and sidestep long lines....

Buying electronics.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2008... The November 2007 special electronics section was comprehensive except that it missed a very good way to save money: The store's matching-price policy. We purchased an LCD HDTV, and my husband spotted a sale on the same TV in the store flyer...

Digital cameras.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2008... I teach entry-level digital photography. I read your November article on digital cameras and was amazed that your Ratings page didn't comment on whether a given camera had an optical viewfinder. I've watched students try to compose photos...

Costs of medicine.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2008... One thing missed in "Treatment Traps to Avoid" (November 2007) is the practice of insurance companies and Medicare Part D providers, through their Pharmacy Benefit Managers, to receive "rebates" if you use particular drugs from certain...

Haggling hints.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2008... I love the "How to Bargain" article in November's issue. A few years ago we needed a new kitchen floor. We went to the local dealer and picked out the tile. They came and measured, then gave us a price for the entire job. The price seemed a...

Winter woe.(Your Letters)(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2008... In your November 2007 article "Winter Blues," you report that people who live in Northern latitudes are more likely to develop seasonal-affective-disorder symptoms such as sadness, carb cravings, weight gain, and sleepiness. This sounds a lot...

Correction.(Correction notice)
January 1, 2008... The Ratings chart with the October report on space heaters contained incorrect information. The EdenPure Quartz Infrared 1000 heater has an overheat-protection feature, and the machine does not have multiple heat settings.

NiCad battery chargers pose risks of burns and other injuries.(Recalls & Safety Alerts)(Alltrade Tools)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Alltrade Tools has recalled 800,000 battery chargers sold with Kawasaki-branded power tool kits because they can make the battery pack overheat and melt during charging. The pack could also break apart during use, and the plastic shards could...

Chrysler sebring/dodge avenger.(VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... On certain vehicles equipped with 2.4-liter engines, engine coolant may be drawn into left radiator cooling fan motor connector, which can cause electrical short circuit and result in engine compartment fire. Models: 102,042 Chrysler...

Fisher controls International gas regulators.(HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Gas can leak from regulator's flanges when flange screw heads break, posing a fire or explosion hazard. Products: 144,000 gas regulators sold to gas supply system dealers and utilities nationwide from 3/07 through 6/07. Regulators were...

Lithonia lighting light fixtures.(HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS)(Nickel End Wrap fluorescent ceiling light fixtures)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Wire inside light fixture could be loose, posing an electrical shock hazard. Products: 50,000 Nickel End Wrap fluorescent ceiling light fixtures sold at Home Depot from 6/07 through 8/07 for $40. Model number is "New 2 32 120 RE BN" and...

Kahoot products Cub Scout badges.(CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Surface paints on badges contain excessive levels of lead, violating federal lead paint standard. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause serious adverse health effects. Products: 1.6 million Cub Scout Totem Badges sold at...

Dunkin' Donuts glow sticks.(CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Glow sticks are not properly labeled with a warning that the cap and lanyard can detach, posing a choking hazard. Also, the lanyard poses a strangulation hazard to young children. Products: 1 million pink and orange glow sticks given away...

Evenflo Triumph child seats.(CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Seats have mechanical attachments to hold down cloth cover. A child could pull back cloth cover and access foam liner underneath, break off a piece, and potentially choke on it. Products: 723,214 Evenflo Triumph child restraint systems with...

Starbucks children's plastic cups.(CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... If cup is dropped, it might break and leave small parts or sharp exposed edges that can pose a choking or laceration hazard to young children. Products: 250,000 cups sold at Starbucks stores nationwide from 5/06 through 8/07 for $6. Four...

Real or fake?(conterfeit merchandise)
January 1, 2008... Whether it's adulterated medicine that can kill you, bogus batteries that can burn you, or wannabe Guccis that simply wear out fast (though you may look stylish for a while), counterfeit merchandise is everywhere. In 2006, a record year for...

Electronic gifts for the holidays.(Buyers guide)
January 1, 2008... DIGITAL CAMERAS -SLR- * Nikon D40x $750 * Nikon D40 $550, CR Best Buy Excellent choices for a camera to grow with, and both give you access to Nikon's extensive lens selection. The D40x has a 10-megapixel sensor and can shoot...

On their own: far from a remedy, insurance for individuals is a world of pain.(HEALTH CARE)(Survey)
January 1, 2008... Imagine that shopping for a new car worked like this: If you really didn't need the auto and lived two blocks from work, any dealer would sell you a car for a song. If the commute was 50 miles, much too far to walk, no one would sell you a car...

Best medicines for less: we compare drugs for what ails America.(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2008... GlaxoSmithKline spent $52 million between 2005 and 2006 advertising the diabetes drug Avandia and increased sales by 20 percent. But older diabetes drugs that cost much less are equally effective and probably safer. Alzheimer's drugs that...

Best cell phone deals: get the most satisfaction and the least grief. some 47,000 readers tell you how.(Survey)
January 1, 2008... Cell-phone service seems to stubbornly resist improvement. The Annual Survey of Cell-Phone Service conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center found that fewer than half of respondents were completely or very satisfied. That...

How to use the Canada Extra section.(canada extra)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Every month, Canada Extra provides Canadian pricing and availability information about products tested for that issue. The Ratings in this section are based on this month's reports, but they narrow your choices to the products that are sold in...

Profiles of the providers and more.(CELL PHONES)
January 1, 2008... Canada has different cell-phone providers than the U.S., but the carrier network technologies (GSM and CDMA) are the same in the two countries, and so are many of the phones for sale. Here's a rundown of the major carriers in Canada, along...

2007 Dodge nitro and jeep wrangler.(recalls)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... "On some vehicles" Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) was programmed with software that might allow engine to stall under certain conditions. That might cause a crash. Models: 8,800 vehicles. What to do: Have dealer reprogram the...

2002-2006 Suzuki aerio.(recalls)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Retaining clip that secures the gear shift cable can contact lever housing if excessive force is used when shifting to first gear. Repeated shifting in this manner can cause the retaining clip to break. The shift cable can become disconnected...

2007 Mazda MazdaSpeed3.(recalls)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Number 4 engine mount bolt (left side) might loosen due to rapid acceleration. Engine mount might pull out or break. The driveshaft might become detached, causing vehicle to lose propulsion and therefore increasing the risk of a crash. ...

2007 Honda Civic.(recalls)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Tire and Loading Information Label was printed with incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) data. Information printed affected labels for Civic LX model, which weighs less than the Civic EX Model. Labels...

2006-2007 Chevrolet Optra.(recalls)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Piece of safety belt lower buckle might break off and become lodged in the buckle assembly. Could prevent a person from using the safety belt system, resulting in an increased risk of injury to occupant during a crash. Models: 9,120...

2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000K7 motorcycle.(recalls)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Idle Speed Control (ISC) valve might malfunction. Valve might remain in open position on start-up and cause no load engine speed as high as 5000 rpm. Operating under this condition could result in a crash. Models: 486 vehicles. What...

2002-2005 Honda motorcycles.(recalls)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Front fairing wiring harness connector ground terminals might overheat and melt. This might result in loss of lighting or engine power which could result in a crash. Models: 1,842 2002-2005 Honda VFR800, 2002 Honda VFR800A2, 2003 Honda...

2006-2007 GM models.(recalls)(Buick Allure, Buick Terraza, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Grand Prix, Pontiac Montana SV6, and Saturn Relay)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Safety belt reminder light for driver's seating position does not illuminate when key is insert in ignition following remote start. Audible chime for driver's seating position will not sound if driver and frontseat passenger enter vehicle after...

2004-2005 GM models.(recalls)(automobiles)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Engine throttle might stick in an open position due to throttle body icing in temperatures near or below-20 degrees Celsius. If throttle sticks open while vehicle is in motion, a crash could occur. Vehicle might experience this condition even...

2007 BMW X5.(recalls)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Float switch which is attached to brake fluid reservoir cap could fail at high temperatures and might not trigger low fluid warning lamp. Models: 1,009 vehicles. What to do: Have dealer replace brake fluid reservoir cap.

2006-2007 Honda models.(recalls)(Acura CSX, Acura CSX Type S, Honda Civic Coupe, and Honda Civic Sedan)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... ABS wheel speed sensor O-ring seal might allow water to enter rear wheel bearing and eventually cause damage to bearing. In time, wheel bearing could become loose, which could cause bearing to overheat. That could result in separation from...

2006 Honda Civic hybrid.(recalls)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Excessive amount of silicon grease was applied to telescoping mechanism of the steering column during assembly. As a result, oil can separate from the grease and form droplets onto brake light switch. This might cause brake light to fail, or...

2005-2007 Ford Freestar.(recalls)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Vehicles might fail to comply with requirements of CMVSS 108--Lighting Systems and Retroflective Devices. Daytime Running Light (DRL) system is inoperable. Normal headlamp function is not affected. Models: 252 vehicles. What to do:...

2007-2008 Chrysler models.(recalls)(Jeep Commander and Jeep Grand Cherokee)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Front brake calipers were improperly manufactured and could break under certain operating conditions. Models: 1,400 2007-2008 Jeep Commander and 2007-2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. What to do: Have dealer inspect and, if required,...

1997-2001 Nissan Models.(recalls)(Infiniti QX4 and Nissan Pathfinder)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Inadequate coating of fuel filler tube assembly could allow water to penetrate past coating and cause rust. In areas with heavy concentrations of road salt in winter, corrosion might occur, which could result in perforation of the tube. Fuel...

2008 Dodge Avenger.(recalls)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Front door latch cable might become partially unseated from interior release housing. Latch might stick in unlatched position or the lock function might become inoperative. Models: 7,300 vehicles. What to do: Have dealer add a...

Canada Extra on the Web.(suvs and minivans)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Report: page 50; Ratings: page 51 All of the tested SUVs and wagons are available in Canada. within types, in performance order. MAKE & MODEL PRICE RANGE ACCELERATION (SEC.) ...

Cell phones: we rate 60 standard and smart models.(CELL PHONE)(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2008... Cell phones of all stripes now offer some of the attributes of Apple's iPhone, which dazzled consumers when it arrived just six months ago. New feature-laden smart phones include the HTC Touch, the T-Mobile Wing, and the recently released...

Headsets: best Bluetooth picks, including stereo models.(CELL PHONE)(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2008... Bluetooth, the technology that allows cell phones to be used with wireless headsets, continues to appear on more phones. Using a Bluetooth headset is much more convenient than being tethered to a wired headset or fumbling for the phone when...

Gift returns new rules require new tactics.(Money)
January 1, 2008... Don't feel guilty about returning that singing mounted fish your cousin bought you. He might be returning your gift, too. About 40 percent of Americans take back at least one gift after the holidays, says the National Retail Federation. If...

Risky pills supplements to avoid.(Health)
January 1, 2008... Consumers who turn to dietary supplements to avoid the risks and potential drug interactions of pharmaceutical drugs might unwittingly court problems. From January through September 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued nine...

Owner satisfaction best & worst models.(Cars)(Survey)
January 1, 2008... For the fourth straight year, the Toyota Prius hybrid is the top car for owner satisfaction. Ninety-two percent of Prius owners who responded to our survey said they would definitely buy or lease one again. The Prius is followed closely by the...

People movers: the Toyota Highlander is tops among 3-row SUVS. Redesigned Chrysler minivans prove disappointing.(3-ROW SUVS)(sport utility vehicles)(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2008... The redesigned Toyota Highlander is now the highest-scoring midsized three-row SUV in our Ratings. It topped a field of 14 vehicles in this class, slightly edging out the Honda Pilot and the more expensive Acura MDX. But because it's too new...

Playing catch-up: Chrysler's redesigned minivans are improved, just not enough.(AUTO TEST EXTRA)(Grand Caravan SXT and Town & Country Limited)(Product/service evaluation)
January 1, 2008... The redesigned Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country are better than the models they replace. Despite some notable new features, though, they haven't risen to the level needed to compete against better models from Japan and South...

Wireless carriers lock out consumers.(View point)(phone locking)
January 1, 2008... Beth Granger of Port Washington, N.Y., was among the first to rush out and buy an iPhone when they hit the market. She loves the sleek new device but hates her forced marriage to AT&T, iPhone's exclusive service provider. Although she had been...

Catching the action.(then & now)(video cameras)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... We've come a long way from the video camera gear at left, featured in our September 1985 report. The toprated JVC camera (list price: $949) had to be plugged into a portable videocassette recorder (sold separately for $700 or more). We noted at...