Consumer Reports articles from July 2008

Consumer Reports archives from July 2008

The road to better health care.(Work overview)
July 1, 2008... Many Americans get too little health care; others get the wrong kind. We're paying for tests that aren't medically justified, surgery that's unneeded, and medical errors that are costly and sometimes deadly. You've told us much the same thing...

Warm-weather wines.(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2008... If balmy temperatures have you thinking about wines for summer sipping, you're in luck: We tested 49 wines and found 16 satisfying choices, nine of which cost $12 or less. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Recommended wines include two refreshing...

Financial safety nets.(agencies that insure bank deposits and investments)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Given today's headlines, you may wonder who protects your money in case a financial institution goes under. Here's information on the entities that back up various types of accounts: Bank or thrift. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp....

A kiss for lasting LIP color.(lipsticks)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Women needn't pay a lot for long-lasting lip color. We tried four products that are applied in two steps--color, then gloss--and claim to last 8 hours (Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in Place Lip Duo, $24) or up to 16 hours (Cover Girl Out-last...

6 tips for flying on time.
July 1, 2008... Delays and cancellations have already made 2008 an annus horribilis for airline passengers. And since summer is the airlines' busiest season, tougher times may be coming. (One omen: There were more delays in the summer of 2007 than in the...

What's wrong with plain water?(new-age and enhanced bottled drinking water)
July 1, 2008... Call it Cola Wars redux: A recent TV spot for Propel Fit, a vitamin-infused water from the maker of Pepsi, slams a product resembling VitaminWater, by Coca-Cola, for having 125 calories per bottle. (Propel has 25.) The competition's customer...

Best digital photo frames.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... A digital picture frame could be the answer for anyone tired of seeing the same old photos on the mantel, because it can change pictures automatically. Just plug a frame into a power outlet, insert your digital camera's memory card, and pick...

Long-lived fruits and veggies?(Debbie Meyers Green Bags for fruits and vegetables)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... The claim. Debbie Meyer Green Bags "prolong the life of your fruits and vegetables" by absorbing and removing the ethylene gas they release, which accelerates rotting. They're sold at www.greenbags.com; 20 bags cost $10 plus $6.95 shipping. ...

Web coupons.(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... In "How to Slash Your Grocery Bills" (May 2008), you suggest clipping coupons, and there is a reference to Web sites. From my experience, many supermarkets will not accept Internet coupons. This is because of fraud. I have written to Web sites...

Pricey tires.(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... In the June 2008 Up Front article "Consider a Snappier Prius," I see no mention of the fact that the 16-inch tires for the Touring model are performance tires and thus more expensive to replace than the base version 15-inch tires. I realize...

Chilly reception.(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... "Have You Heard?" (January 2008) discusses converter-box coupons. I purchased two boxes at Wal-Mart using my coupons. The boxes didn't work, so I returned them. Wal-Mart can't give me back the $80 value of the coupons, and the government won't...

Soft touch.(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... In the "Top Detergents" article (Up Front, May 2008), for top-loading machines you give Tide 2X Ultra Concentrated with a Touch of Downy a top Rating. However, more and more fabric-care labels warn not to use fabric softener because it destroys...

Insured insurance.(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... You say in your May article "Savings: Where to Stash Your Cash Now" that the FDIC insures up to $100,000 per bank account. This is only partially right. You and your spouse can open a revocable trust account with your children as the...

Light speed.(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2008... There are two disadvantages to compact fluorescent lights that you didn't mention in the May 2008 Up Front. One is the approximately 3-minute warm-up that most of the bulbs experience before coming to full brightness. The other is their...

Correction.(Correction notice)
July 1, 2008... In "Beware of Overusing Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers" (June 2008), we meant to say that nonprescription pain relievers, not prescription pain relievers, are so ubiquitous you might think they're harmless.

Salmonella found in chicken and dry cereals.(Serenade Foods frozen chicken breasts)(Malt-O-Meal puffed rice and wheat)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Serenade Foods frozen, stuffed raw chicken breasts and Malt-O-Meal puffed rice and puffed wheat cereals are the latest products to raise concern about contamination with salmonella. The chicken items include "Cordon Bleu" and "Buffalo style"...

Consumer Reports articles prompt two recalls.(LawnBott robotic mower)(Broil King's gas grill models Signet, Sovereign, and Sovereign XL)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Soon after we judged the LawnBott robotic mower Not Acceptable because its blade still rotated after we lifted the mower off the ground, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled it. CONSUMER REPORTS' tests of the mower, published...

'03-'04 Toyota Corolla, Matrix/Pontiac Vibe.(product defects)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Driver and front-passenger door power window glass bolts might loosen and come off, door glass might separate from window regulator, bind, and shatter when operating windows. Models: 662,178 Toyota Corolla, Matrix, and Pontiac Vibes. ...

'99-'05 Volkswagen Passat.(product defect)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Vehicles with automatic transmission produced after 6/14/99 might have underbody heat shield that can become damaged and contact exhaust system, which could result in a fire. Both automatic and manual transmission vehicles (in 1.8T engines)...

'06-'08 Hyundai Sonata.(product defect)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Vehicles with advanced air-bag system with occupant classification system (OCS) in right front seat might misclassify a small adult as a child, and cause air bag not to inflate in an accident. Models: 393,714 Sonatas. What to do:...

Points mania: with just about every retailer and credit-card issuer offering a rewards program, you might wonder which, if any, are worth the bother. The answer: not many.
July 1, 2008... Our key rings, wallets, and purses are so crammed with rewards cards these days that making even the simplest purchase can involve a frantic shuffle at checkout time. Let's see, is it my Visa that will give me 5 percent back on this purchase or...

Overdose of debt: lenders push risky credit for everything from cancer care to Botox.(finance services for medical procedures)
July 1, 2008... When you're buying a new car or a plasma TV, you're on guard against high-pressure sales pitches and finance schemes that benefit the seller's bottom line rather than yours. But such tactics are probably the last thing you'd expect at a...

Best digital cameras: our new tests reveal the real superstars.(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2008... Most digital cameras today have megapixels galore, a large LCD, and fairly long battery life, and take fine pictures in good light. Still, there are significant performance differences among models in our tests. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Point-and-shoots: they may be good, but there's room for improvement.(digital cameras)(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2008... Virtually all digital cameras shoot decent pictures under most conditions, our latest tests confirm. But more than 10 years into the digital-camera revolution, those tests also reveal that few models do what we took for granted from inexpensive...

WI-FI memory card.(Eye-Fi SD memory card for digital cameras)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... What it is. The Eye-Fi is a $100, 2-gigabyte, SD memory card with a built-in Wi-Fi transmitter. It lets a digital camera send photos wirelessly to a Windows-based or Mac computer or directly to online services such as Facebook and Flickr....

A Printer for shutterbugs.(Epson Stylus Photo R1900, photo printer)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... What it is. The $550 Epson Stylus Photo R1900 is a specialty printer for the serious photographer. It prints borderless photos up to 13x19 inches, panoramas up to 13x144 inches (using rolled paper), and on printable CDs and DVDs. CR's...

Serious camera phones.(Samsung FlipShot)(Sony Ericsson Cybershot)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... What it is. The Samsung FlipShot (top) and Sony Ericsson Cyber-shot K850i have camera features most camera phones lack, such as flash and autofocus. The $150 FlipShot has panorama-shot mode and can set ISO from 100 to 400. The $500 K850i has a...

Reliability & repairs: don't pay for an extended warranty or for some fixes.(digital cameras)
July 1, 2008... Digital cameras are among the more reliable products we track in annual product-reliability surveys conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Fewer than 10 percent require repairs in their first three or four years of life....

Snapshot printers: the best let you print summer photos on the go.(photo printers)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2008... With summer a peak season for photography, you might be considering a compact snapshot printer. These photo specialists are typically about the size of a hard-cover book, making them easy to pack in your luggage for a road trip. Many run on...

SLRs: performance is high, but can vary a lot.(single-lens reflex cameras)(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2008... Even the lowest-cost single-lens reflex cameras are faster and can handle most challenging conditions better than point-and-shoot cameras. But our latest tests still found real performance differences among the 16 SLRs we tested. ...

Cheap chills.(saving energy and money when using air-conditioning equipment)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Electricity prices tend to rise with the temperature, but you can trim your energy bills and still stay comfortable. Here's how to use less air conditioning and cool your home more effectively: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1 Use fans more....

How to use the Canada Extra section.(Work overview)
July 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...

Air conditioners.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Report: page 34; Ratings: page 35 Eight of the 17 small, 3 of the 9 midsized, and 3 of the 11 large air conditioners are available, including 1 of the 9 Quick Pick models. KEY NO. PRODUCT PRICE OVERALL SCORE ...

Point-and-shoot cameras.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Report: page 20; Ratings: page 26 Three of the 13 tested subcompact, 7 of the 16 compact, and 2 of the 11 super-zoom cameras are available, including 6 of the 12 Quick Pick models. KEY NO. BRAND & MODEL PRICE...

SLR cameras.(single-lens reflex cameras)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Report: page 29; Ratings: page 31 Seven of the 10 basic SLRs and 5 of the 6 advanced SLRs are available, including all 3 of the Quick Pick models. KEY NO. BRAND & MODEL PRICE OVERALL SCORE ...

Digital frames.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Report: page 9; Ratings: page 9 Four of the 5 tested digital photo frames are available. BRAND & MODEL PRICE OVERALL SCORE HP df800 $170 74 Smartparts SyncPix SPX8 180 71 Samsung...

Snapshot printers.(photo printers)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Report: page 28; Ratings: page 28 In previous reports of printers, we've found that most brands we test are sold in Canada. In lieu of a Ratings chart, we list here the brands of printers with the phone numbers and Web sites where you can...

2006 Lexus models.(product defects)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Incorrect fabrication process might cause fuel lines to crack. That could result in a vehicle fire, causing injury or death. Models: 1,734 Lexus GS 300, Lexus GS 300 AWD, Lexus IS 250, Lexus IS 250 AWD, Lexus IS 350 vehicles. What to...

2005-2008 Acura RL.(product defect)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Power-steering hose might deteriorate prematurely, causing hose to crack and leak power-steering fluid. Power-steering fluid leakage onto hot catalytic converter will produce smoke and might lead to underhood fire. Could result in property...

2007-2008 Honda Fit.(automobile recall)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Wire harness for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) and the Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) is routed underneath the carpet on the driver's side floorboard. Road salt from driver's shoes might melt, penetrate the carpet, and leak...

2001-2002 Chrysler models.(vehicle recalls)
July 1, 2008... Ignition/park shift interlock system might become inoperable. Vehicle might move out of park position, although ignition key has been removed or is in the lock position. Also, the ignition key could be removed even if the shifter has not been...

2007-2008 Volvo XC90.(vehicle recall)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Climate Control Module might receive "Shut-down signal" after ignition key is inserted. If that happens, climate control functions will not be available, which might decrease driver's visibility and cause a crash. Models: 2,300 vehicles....

2006-2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara.(vehicle recall)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Ignition/park shift interlock might become inoperable. Shifter might be moved out of park with key removed. Vehicle might roll away, possibly causing property damage, personal injury, or death. Models: 4,464 vehicles. What to do:...

2008 Volvo XC70.(vehicle recall)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Some vehicles fail to conform to requirements for tire selections and rims. Information located on the rear driver's side door pillar does not contain the wheel size information. Models: 1,695 vehicles. What to do: Have dealer provide...

2007 Toyota Tundra.(vehicle recall)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... On four-wheel-drive vehicles, rear drive-shaft slip yoke might break. Models: 2,464 vehicles. What to do: Have dealer inspect and, if required, replace the propeller shaft.

2005-2007 GM models.(vehicle recalls)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Drive axle differential seal might leak. That might prevent vehicle movement, and the wheels might lock while vehicle is moving. That could result in loss of vehicle control. Models: 20,153, 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS, 2005-2007 Cadillac SRX,...

2004-2006 Volvo models.(vehicle recalls)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Insufficient sealing of fuel pump electronic module might lead to water ingress corrosion. Models: 4,600 2004-2006 Volvo S40, 2004-2006 Volvo V50 vehicles. What to do: Have dealer replace and relocate fuel pump electronic module.

Small sedans.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Report: page 50; Ratings: page 51 All of the tested small sedans are available in Canada. MAKE & MODEL PRICE RANGE ACCELERATION (SEC.) 0-50 KM/H 0-100 KM/H COMPACT SEDANS ...

Contact info.(consumer electronics companies)(Directory)
July 1, 2008... How to reach manufacturers in Canada. Canon 800-652-2666 www.canon.ca Ceiva 877-692-3482 www.ceiva.com Friedrich 800-541-6645 www.friedrich.com Frigidaire 800-668-4606 www.frigidairecanada.ca Fujifilm 800-263-5018...

Ceiling fans help cut cooling costs.(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2008... Unlike air conditioners, ceiling fans won't lower a room's temperature or remove humidity. Save energy and money by using ceiling fans and turning off the air conditioning or by turning up the A/C's temperature a few degrees and letting the fan...

Air conditioners cool comfort.(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2008... Readers tell us that nothing seems to sell out faster than a top-rated air conditioner on a hot day. So in addition to nine Quick Picks, we've included reviews of six popular brands. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] All 37 air conditioners in...

Decking & stains work-saving choices.(deck-construction materials and wood stains)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2008... About 80 percent of homeowners who install decks use real wood. But our latest tests show that synthetic planks can offer lasting good looks with less upkeep. Some stains can also trim your workload even if you use wood. [ILLUSTRATION...

Too much treatment? Aggressive medical care can lead to more pain, with no gain.
July 1, 2008... For many consumers and their doctors, good health care means seeing as many specialists as you want. It means undergoing frequent rounds of diagnostic tests, such as CT scans, to make sure everything is going well. And when you're seriously...

Anger control harness its healing power.
July 1, 2008... How well you control your anger has a powerful impact on your body's ability to heal, according to a recent study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Researchers at Ohio State University gave...

Fresh breath for 12 hours?(SmartMouth, mouthwash)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... "Wake up with fresh breath every day!" say print ads for SmartMouth. But does the mouthwash, $11.50 for a 15-day supply, really provide "12-hour fresh breath," as the ads promise? There's a "reasonable basis" for such claims, the National...

Your debt 8 benchmarks for borrowing.(financial planning and debt management)
July 1, 2008... Those who are financially well off might be tempted to turn the page. Don't. Debt problems can stalk anyone, especially in a slowing economy. "We have doc tors, lawyers, and stock brokers on debt-management plans," says David Jones, president...

Best fuel economy for the buck.(automobiles)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2008... If you want a car with great gas mileage and must make every dollar count, this list shows recommended cars with the lowest price per mpg. To create it, we divided the overall mpg for each vehicle we've recently tested by the price we paid for...

Gas-saving gadgets don't work.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Don't be tempted to buy devices that claim to improve fuel economy. We've tested several over the years and haven't found any that met its claims. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our tests included the Fuel Genie, Platinum Gas Saver, and...

Paying for premium gas can be a waste of money.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Many people use premium gasoline thinking that it's better for engines than regular. That can be a costly misconception. Regular gas typically has an octane rating of 87, while premium is rated at 91 to 93. But octane grades don't...

Used cars: best in fuel economy.(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2008... These affordable and reliable vehicles got some of the best results in our real-world tests. UnDer $10,000 Model year Overall mpg Honda Insight (manual) 2000 51 Toyota Prius ...

Tires can help save gas.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Don't overlook your tires when it comes to saving fuel. Underinflated tires, for instance, require more energy to roll along, which eats up more gasoline. They also cause a tire to wear more quickly. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Use a tire...

Summer travel: 5 ways to make your fuel take you farther.(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Map it out. Plan your route in advance to minimize the miles you need to drive and to help you avoid getting lost. While paper maps work fine, an Internet map, mapping software, or a GPS device makes it easier. A GPS unit can also help you...

Gas-saving sedans: the refined Elantra SE beats the very thrifty Corolla.(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2008... With record-setting gas prices and an ailing economy, more people are turning to small cars to ease the strain on their budgets. The good news is that you don't have to make as many sacrifices as before. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Even...

3 things you should know about your food.(hormones in milk and meat from genetically-engineered animals)
July 1, 2008... The cattle industry and related agribusiness interests seem to think that an uninformed consumer is their best customer. Consumers Union disagrees. You deserve answers to the following questions about your milk and meat: ANY ARTIFICIAL...

Beating the heat.(ceiling fans)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... "Casablanca... Mistralaire.... The very names of some ceiling fans evoke intriguing tropical locales," we said in 1982. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ceiling fans haven't changed much. Though they cost slightly...

Reality check.(ingredients listed on food label)(Humor)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... Real strawberries? Yup, freeze-dried strawberries appear midway through the ingredients list. But what's farther up? "Strawberry flavored apples." In other words, there are unreal strawberries, too. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

What's old is new.(ingredients listed on food label)(Humor)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... "Since 1835, Lea & Perrins has been the one truly authentic brand of Worcestershire Sauce," the bottle notes, with "only the finest ingredients sourced from around the world to produce a flavor unmatched for over 170 years." A reader wondered...

Ever heard of John Adams?(error in advertisement)(Humor)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... He was the actual President No. 2 and was said to have been somewhat vain. So he would have been honked off to find that he was replaced by Jefferson in this ad for a bust from the United States Commemorative Gallery, "a private gallery not...

Black hole award.(junk-mail humor )(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... This unsolicited mailing was remarkable not only for its attempt to rope in a nonsmoker but for its waste of paper. The "bold new pack" inside the nesting boxes was empty except for a coupon--for one full pack. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Grows like a ... weed.(advertisement for tree)(Humor)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... According to this ad, the Royal Paulownia tree ($3.98) is "one of the most incredible sights in all of nature!" It also "zooms another foot higher every time you water it!" But do you want it to? The Plant Conservation Alliance lists this...

Why is this woman smiling?(advertisement for credit card protection program)(Humor)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... We doubt she's anticipating the "certain things" cited in this pitch for Macy's Credit Protection Program, which include losing your job, being hospitalized, becoming disabled, being deployed by the military services, and receiving "a terminal...