Notably, this year’s list doesn’t include any minivans, and only two pickups made the list, despite ongoing truck tests. “That’s unfortunate, considering that minivans are marketed as family haulers, and extended cab and crew cab pickups are often used for that purpose,” David Harkey, president of the IIHS, said in a statement. Incremental changes to…
There are many reasons a shoulder might hurt, including overuse and age-related degeneration (such as osteoarthritis). But certain types of shoulder pain require medical attention. See a doctor if you think you have a fracture, dislocation, or torn muscle. Symptoms of those injuries may include immediate severe pain, swelling, bruising, numbness, or an inability to…
I mention refrigerator icemakers potentially not working for a reason. When I walked into my new house a couple of weeks after officially purchasing it, I noticed a muted sloshing. The kitchen floor appeared even more reflective than the glossy white tiles should have been. My sister, who drove me from New York to my…
“Sleeping on your stomach tends to worsen back pain,” says Nnaemeka Echebiri, MD, a physiatrist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. When your hips sink into the mattress, they force your lower back into a hyperextended or overarched position. This stresses the small joints that connect the vertebrae—known as the facet…
Keith Barry Keith Barry has been an auto reporter at Consumer Reports since 2018. He focuses on safety, technology, and the environmental impact of cars. Previously, he led home and appliance coverage at Reviewed; reported on cars for USA Today, Wired, and Car & Driver; and wrote for other publications as well. Keith earned a…
Today, owners can sometimes fix a recall themselves through an over-the-air software update. Automakers including Ford, GM, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla have previously used over-the-air updates to address product recalls. The process is just like updating a phone or computer. If a physical repair is needed, it can take weeks after an initial recall announcement for…
Even if you aren’t dealing with heavy messes, glass and ceramic cooktop surfaces can be scratched if you use something too abrasive to clean them. Opting for a product specifically formulated for these appliances is your best bet to keep them looking new. To find the best cooktop cleaner for your glass and ceramic cooktops,…
Toy companies are not required by law to list their ingredients or material makeup on the toys’ packaging, but some companies do. The Nee-Doh packages and the Schylling website say that the gel inside the Nice Cube is “Maltose” or “100% Malt Extract” (a type of sugar made from barley) and the Nee-Doh Groovy Glob…
If you’re the kind of person who gets nervous or squeamish at the doctor’s office, you might find that collecting your own samples doesn’t freak you out as much as someone in a white coat doing it. Depending on where you live and your transportation situation, at-home STD tests might be more accessible than visiting…
Our experts say that a handheld leaf blower will work well for most people, especially if you’ve got a modest yard with only a few leafy trees. Battery handheld blowers now make up the lion’s share of models that CR tests, and they’re a particularly good choice because they are lighter weight and quieter than…