How To Determine If a Toll Fees Text Is a Scam

According to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division (MassDOT), these toll text scams, or smishing messages, are targeted toward EZDriveMA customers. The message generally indicates that the recipient has failed to pay a toll and directs them to a URL where they can pay the fees.

A popular example of the scam’s text reads, “Pay your FastTrak Lane toll before January 8, 2025. To avoid fines and retain your driver’s license, you can click on the link to make payment,” followed by a bit.ly link that the user can’t identify the destination of from within the text.

MassDOT has emphasized that “EZDriveMA will never request payment by text” and “all links associated with EZDriveMA will include www.EZDriveMA.com.” So, if you receive a text message indicating that you owe money for tolls with an unidentifiable link, you can safely assume it is a scam.

What To Do If You Receive a Toll Text Scam

MassDOT confirms that the FBI is aware of the toll text scams andstresses the importance of reporting these messages to theIC3. Make sure that your complaint lists the number that sent you the phony text and the website it directed you to.

Once you’ve submitted the complaint, the FBI suggests that you log into your EZDriveMA account through the real website to check your account. You can also call the customer service line with questions at (877) 627-7745. Finally, once you’ve reported the scam and checked your account, you should delete the phony message from your device.

What To Do If You Engage With a Toll Fees Text Scam

Sometimes, a scam text seems legit until you click on it. If you do follow the link in one of these smishing texts or share any of your personal information, MassDOT and the FBI recommend that you “take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts,” as well as “dispute any unfamiliar charges.”

Keep yourself safe by checking your bank and credit card statements, changing your passwords for everything related to your EZDriveMA account, and considering utilizing a free credit monitoring service.

Source

MassDOT Alerts Customers of EZDriveMA Scam, Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division, 2024.

The post How Toll Text Scams Are Targeting Drivers appeared first on Family Handyman.

How Often Should You Wash Your Towels?

If your towels smell, you’ve definitely waited too long. Your weekly reset list might include washing your towels, which is good! A week is the maximum amount of time you should go between washings. However, according to the American Cleaning Institute, you should wash them after 3-5 uses.

Should I wash towels in cold or hot water?

Defer to the fabric care tag on your towels to decide what temperature water to use to wash them. The symbols there will tell you the water temperature and dryer temperature to dry them at so that you can clean them while also prolonging their lives. Often, if you’re washing with bleach, you should use a hotter water temperature.

Should I wash towels with vinegar?

Vinegar is a great cleaning agent, but it’s not the same as bleach. Towels come into contact with your bare skin, so it’s a good idea to clean them with a strong disinfectant, especially if you’re sick or are currently reckoning with a fungal infection.

Can you wash towels with clothes?

It depends. Ideally, you want to wash your clothes with a gentle detergent, while you should opt for something focused on disinfection for your towels. If you’re in a pinch, you can wash them together. But to get all of your items as clean as possible while still following the care instructions on their tags, you should separate out your towels.

Can I wash towels with sheets?

Just like with clothes, it depends. Your sheets may be labeled with different care instructions than your towels. If you’re able, it’s best to keep them separate so that you can focus on extending the life of all your items. Plus, depending on how big your laundry machines are, you may be unable to fit all your bedding and towels in the same load.

How Often Should You Replace Towels?

While it may be tempting to get colorful towels for each season or an assortment of neutral ones to match your bathroom decor every time you redo it, that’s actually not necessary. If your towels show major signs of wear or don’t seem to dry you off thoroughly, it’s time to replace them. Otherwise, as long as you’re cleaning them properly, they’re still good to remain in rotation.

Source

Laundry Basics, American Cleaning Institute

The post How Often Do You Really Need To Wash Your Towels? appeared first on Family Handyman.

Why Are Ford Vehicles Being Recalled?

The NHTSA brief warns that “high-pressure Fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power.” The pump failure seems to be due to “biodiesel deposits” that “may form on the pump drivetrain roller components.” Unexpected loss of drive power is incredibly dangerous because it can increase the risk of a crash while driving.

Read the list of impacted vehicles very carefully to see if yours is one of the affected vehicles.

Which Ford Vehicles Have This Fuel Pump Defect?

Nearly 300,000 2020-2022 Ford vehicles have this fuel pump defect and have been impacted by this recall.

The list includes:

• 2020 F-Super Duty F250
• 2021 F-Super Duty F250
• 2022 F-Super Duty F250
• 2020 F-Super Duty F350
• 2021 F-Super Duty F350
• 2022 F-Super Duty F350
• 2020 F-Super Duty F450
• 2021 F-Super Duty F450
• 2022 F-Super Duty F450
• 2020 F-Super Duty F550
• 2021 F-Super Duty F550
• 2022 F-Super Duty F550
• 2020 F-Super Duty F600
• 2021 F-Super Duty F600
• 2022 F-Super Duty F600
• 2021 F-650
• 2022 F-650
• 2021 F750
• 2022 F750

If you own any of the Ford vehicles on the list, look for the owner letters Ford will send out in mid-January, and refrain from driving your vehicle as much as possible until you’ve had it repaired.

What to Do if You Own an Impacted Vehicle

Ford “dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge,” according to the recall brief. If your car is on the list, call your local Ford dealer as soon as possible to set up an appointment for a repair to rectify this problem. The repair is free, and the risk of crash is too high for you to safely put it on the back burner.

If you have further questions after reading your owner letter or don’t want to wait to get more information, you can contact Ford directly by calling Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Be sure to clarify that you’re asking about Ford recall number 24S78.

You can also reach the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236. Their campaign number for this recall is 24V957000.

Source

The post Ford Recalls 300,000 Trucks Over Dangerous Fuel Pump Defect appeared first on Family Handyman.

How Are Recycling Materials Sorted?

According to the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), sorting recycling materials is a multi-step process. Once items are picked up from their bins and delivered to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), there’s a pre-sort process to remove any non-recyclables mixed in. Then, the items get sorted by type.

The APR explains that plastics are “sorted into types using optical sorters.” They clarify that employees still check to prevent machine error. The different types of plastic are then gathered together into bales and sold to recycling facilities. Once at a recycling facility, the APR continues, the plastics are ground down and then sorted again.

Why Does It Matter If The Cap Is On?

The APR explains that different plastics have different densities. During the sorting process at the recycling facility, separating things out in a tank of water allows dense plastics to separate from the ones that float. Once ground up and dropped into the tanks, caps “often made of HDPE plastic, float to the top of the float-sink tank.” Bottles, on the other hand, are often “made of PET, [and] sink to the bottom of the tank.”

Generally, the recycling center will utilize both types of plastic. So, keeping the caps on the bottles when you toss them into the bin allows them to travel safely together until it’s the appropriate time to separate them.

Is This Always True When Recycling Plastic Bottles?

As with most things in life, the answer is “sometimes.” If you take your bottles to a recycling center, you can ask the staff there what the best practice is. This way, you can save them time and ensure that your items are recycled as efficiently as possible. If, however, you toss things in the recycling bin and let the trash trucks handle it, you should assume that keeping the caps on when recycling plastic bottles is best.

Source

The Plastic Recycling Process, Association of Plastic Recyclers.

The post Why You Need to Keep the Cap on When Recycling Plastic Bottles appeared first on Family Handyman.

@facesbyadi

This hack has saved so many of my Tupperware friends. Try it!!!! #fyp #cookingvideos #cookinghacks #lifehacks #hacks #stainremover #foryou #foryoupage

original sound – FacesByAdi

What’s The Hack to Get Stains Out of Tupperware?

Generally when my Tupperware gets stained, I soak it in a hot water and dish soap mixture to coax the stains off of the plastic. But FacesbyAdi’s hack claims to be faster. To get stains out of Tupperware, the TikToker recommends putting water, soap, and a paper towel in the stained dish. Then, put the lid on and shake it vigorously for 40-60 seconds. When FacesbyAdi takes off the lid and pours out the soapy mixture, the Tupperware container looks as good as new. The stains have vanished entirely.

Why Does This Hack Matter?

Plastic Tupperware stains quite easily, and these stains are a pain. They’re not technically a safety issue but stained dishes do look a little unsightly. Plus, leftover stains can make the dishes feel as though they aren’t clean enough. Is that reddish color harmless or is it a bit of oil that will go rancid? Getting the stains all the way out gives you some peace of mind, plus it will make your kitchen look a little more put together when you’re packing up leftovers for your guests to take home.

What Makes This Hack Work in Theory?

Heat helps to loosen up stains, and soap is lipid based. That means that it is drawn to other lipids, like the oil in the sauce stain on your containers. The agitation from the shaking builds up soap bubbles quickly and ensures that the mixture hits every square inch of the stained container. So in theory, these pieces combining together should pull stains off easily.

Does This Hack Actually Get Stains Off Tupperware?

The jury is out on whether or not this hack works. There’s also debate over whether it works better than simply soaking your Tupperware containers or leaving them in the sun to bleach. The video never explains why the paper towel is included. Some commenters guess that it’s there to absorb the grease, but that’s never confirmed. And several commenters seem to be convinced that the stained container is sneakily swapped out for a clean one at the end of the video.

The post This Viral Video Shows How to Get Stains Out of Plastic Containers the Easy Way appeared first on Family Handyman.

AT&T describes its fiber network as “the network of the future.” According to the AT&T website, “Fiber optic internet is a form of broadband that uses a network of bundled tiny glass fibers called fiber optic cables to deliver internet service via light waves.” Fiber networks are much faster than traditional copper line services, which is why AT&T is prioritizing it. To focus on it, the company says it “is actively working to exit its legacy copper network operations across the large majority of its wireline footprint by the end of 2029.”

How is AT&T Landline Service Changing?

By cutting its copper network operations, AT&T will be phasing out landline service for customers in all states except California. The company has been trying to phase it out in California as well and has faced hearings in San Mateo County over this.

For many counties in California, AT&T is a “Carrier of Last Resort.” This means it “provides basic services such as free access to 911 and Telephone Relay Service, which allows persons with hearing or speech disabilities to place and receive telephone calls.” These services are a fail safe when regular cell service isn’t sufficient.

When is AT&T Landline Service Changing?

Expanding a fiber network and eliminating copper wire service for most of a country doesn’t happen overnight. AT&T says they’re planning on finishing this transition by the end of 2029. Assuming they stay on this timeline, that gives current landline customer just about 5 years to find an alternative for their landline service.

What Does This Mean for Customers?

By the end of 2029, AT&T customers will have to either switch to a provider that offers landline service in their area or see if the new fiber network will handle their needs, even in rural areas or during emergencies. Satellite phones are a possibility as well, though they often come with their own costs.

There is still the possibility that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could overrule this change or that other states may push back the way California has. But unless that happens, customers don’t have many other options.

Sources

• AT&T: T&T Outlines Strategic Plan to Drive Sustainable Growth and Enhanced Shareholder Returns (2024)
• County of San Mateo: County Demands Answers as AT&T Seeks to Cut Landline (2024.
• AT&T: “What is fiber optic internet?”

The post AT&T To Stop Landline Service Everywhere Except This One State appeared first on Family Handyman.

How Does This Hack Work?

There are plenty of theories on why this hack might work, and most of them have something to do with how house flies see. According to pest control service Orkin, house flies have compound eyes that “can recognize even the slightest movements in a wide field” and “detect and react to movement at a quicker pace than species with simple eyes.” So if a house fly sees something moving, it will react to the potential danger much faster than a human could.

So, how does this relate to pennies and a bag of water? It has to do with reflections. Putting pennies in a bag of water creates a lot of reflective surfaces. When sunlight hits the water, it refracts. Adding pennies into the mix means that light has many more surfaces available to bounce off. So, the theory goes, having all that light interacting with a house fly’s sensitive compound eyes probably either overwhelms the fly or leaves it thinking there’s a lot of movement and that the area isn’t safe.

Does the Penny Bag Hack Actually Work?

Snopes has fact-checked this theory but came back with inconclusive results. Some folks swear it works, but others see no difference in the results. For example, this hack has been tested multiple times, including on Mythbusters, where it didn’t work. Still, Snopes pointed out that testing it in a controlled studio setting differs from testing it in natural light.

While it isn’t a proven pest control hack, there’s no harm in trying it yourself. It’s relatively cheap to set up, and if you have kids it can even be a fun science project for them to try with you. There’s even a few variations of this hack that you could try if you’re so inclined. You could compare just a plain bag of water, a bag with one penny, a bag with several coins, and others with other shiny inclusions such as foil.

Source

• Snopes: “Do Water-Filled Baggies Repel Flies?” (2009)
• Orkin: House Fly Eyes

The post Why People Hang Pennies in a Bag of Water Outside Their House appeared first on Family Handyman.

Why Is There a Jeep Renegade Recall?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Chrysler is recalling some of their Jeeps due to an issue with the reverse lights. The “incorrect rear bumper light assembly” was installed on the affected vehicles. The brief warns that “incorrect reverse lights may have reduced visibility.” This poses a large threat as reverse lights are supposed to “alert pedestrians and other drivers that the vehicle is backing up,” and having them malfunction “increas[es] the risk of a crash.”

Which Jeep Renegade Vehicless Are Being Recalled?

The NHTSA recall brief states that Chrysler is recalling over 2100 2021, 2022 and 2023 Jeep Renegades. If you own a Jeep with that model and year then there’s a high chance that yours is one of the impacted vehicles. Limit your driving, especially at night, until you are able to get the problem remedied. We may take our reverse lights for granted at times, but if they’re malfunctioning you’re at a very high risk for a crash.

Remedy

If you own one of the impacted Jeeps, keep an eye on your mailbox for the owner letter. Chrysler has said that it will be mailing these out in late January. The letter will have further information as well as instructions on the repair process. Chrysler has said that owners can take their vehicles to the dealership for an inspection. If their reverse lights are faulty, they will be replaced free of charge.

If you have more questions or don’t want to wait until January to get more information you can call FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Be sure to mention that you are calling about FCA recall number D7B. You can also call the NHTSA Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236. If you call this number, you’ll need to reference NHTSA Campaign Number 24V918000

Source

The post Jeep Renegade Recalled Over Reverse Lights Issue appeared first on Family Handyman.

Which Christmas Tree Light Controllers Are Recalled?

Mr. Christmas controllers from Walmart and Cracker Barrel and the Wondershop controllers sold at Target are all included in this recall. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), these wireless controllers have a lever or switch component as well as “a separate white receiver that plugs into an outlet and into which the tree’s holiday lights are plugged.”

The router is a “white wireless receptacle that is plugged into an outlet contains the words ‘Mr. Christmas’ and one of these three model numbers printed on the white receptacle: 39611, 39612 or 39630.”

As for the switch component, the one from Walmart and Cracker Barrel “is shaped like a green, red and white peppermint candy with a candy cane on/off lever, and displays the words ‘Christmas Light Controller.'” Meanwhile, the option sold at Target “is shaped like a square on/off switch box with green, red and white balls, and displays the words ‘Tree Lighting Switch.'”

Why Are These Controllers Dangerous?

The USCPSC has received multiple reports of the routers for the Christmas lights controller overheating, hence the recall. Thus far, there have been 10 reports of overheating and one fire. Thankfully, there are no reported injuries at this time.

What to Do if You Have a Recalled Controller

If you’ve purchased a Christmas lights controller included in the recall, stop using it immediately. Currently, there is no fix for the defect. Instead you’ll have to return yours to the store you purchased it from in order to get a full refund.

Per the USCPSC, you can contact “Mr. Christmas by phone at 800-489-6328 any day of the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT, email at recall@mrchristmas.com or online atwww.mrchristmas.com/recall orwww.mrchristmas.com and click on the ‘Recall’ hyperlink on the bottom of the webpage for more information.”

Source

Mr. Christmas Recalls Wireless Decorative Tree Light Controllers Due to Fire Hazard, United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2024.

The post Christmas Tree Light Controllers Sold at Major Retailers Recalled Over Fire Risk appeared first on Family Handyman.

Prepare Your Trunk Space Ahead of Time

This may seem like obvious advice, but before you leave home, you should have your trunk prepared. This may mean doing things like emptying your trunk as much as possible before you go, but it can also mean putting down or even removing seats and consoles-more on that later. Your goal is to have as empty and open space as possible so that you’re not left scrambling in the parking lot when your packages are inevitably bigger than you initially thought.

How to Load Your Stuff Properly

Much like packing or playing Tetris, you need to think strategically about how your items will fit together. If you’re hitting multiple stores and driving between them, You’ll likely have to rearrange things a few times as the day goes on. Heavy stuff should go on the bottom so it doesn’t crush the delicate items you might pick up. But after that, start loading from biggest to smallest.

Look carefully at all of your packages. Square and rectangular boxes will fit together quite nicely in almost any arrangement that your trunk space allows for. But oddly shaped items have to be planned around. If they’re small, you can get away with tucking them between other boxes. However if you’re gifting something large and oddly-shaped, it may have to go in first.

Take Advantage of Any Bonus Compartments

Many cars come with bonus compartments. Pockets in the back of seats, center consoles with storage, cubbies in the trunk, and-if you’ve installed it- perhaps even a roof rack or roof bag. Depending on how large these compartments are, you may be able to squirrel away quite a bit in them. Try to get smaller items and oddly shaped packages in these compartments wherever possible so that the larger items can fit nicely in the main area of the trunk.

If you’re confident in your ability to tie down items to a roof rack safely or to load them into the roof bag, you can also fit some items up there, which will free up your trunk space for the trickiest and most demanding packages. If you go this route, try to plan your shopping ahead of time so that your roof items can be the last things you have to purchase and load. You don’t want to navigate extra parking lots and city streets with a roof load if you don’t have to.

Put Down the Back Seats

Sometimes, you’re purchasing a very large gift for someone. If that’s the case, the trunk space on its own likely isn’t sufficient. Familiarize yourself with the levers on your rear seats. If you’ve got a more open trunk, like my Subaru does, you’ll just have to flip your back seats down. They may lay entirely flat, but even if they don’t, it probably won’t be a problem. Or you may be able to remove them entirely! Other car models have fully enclosed trunks. If this sounds like your car, you may have to look for a keyhole to unlock the back seats.

Once you’ve laid the seats down, you should have plenty more square footage to work with. Continue to follow the Tetris-like rules for loading: biggest stuff first, look for ways to get items to fit together so there’s no empty space wasted, be creative and patient.

Keep Your Trunk Space Organized Year-Round

Finally, if your trunk is organized all the time, you’ll have a much easier time shopping during the holidays. There are a few essentials you should always have in your car: a fire extinguisher, an emergency tire repair kit, etc. These should be gathered into a single box. This way, they don’t take up the whole trunk. Plus, they won’t slide around recklessly while you drive.

If there are other items you want to keep in your trunk regularly, like reusable shopping bags or an umbrella, think about how to store them securely. Consider utilizing a trunk organizer to keep them contained and leave plenty of space for groceries, luggage, or shopping bags.

The post 5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Car’s Trunk Space appeared first on Family Handyman.

Tetris Road Sign Color

According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), there are several factors that go into the design of a road sign. Different colored road signs convey different types of information. Yellow signs, like the Tetris-shaped road signs, convey some kind of warning about the road ahead.

Tetris Road Sign Shape

Just like color plays a role in the meaning of a sign, shape is important, too. Stop signs are supposed to be the only octagon signs on the road so that you can quickly recognize the shape as well as the color and apply the brakes. Pentagons are used for school crossings and triangles for yield signs. Most other signs are squares or rectangles, so you’ll have to rely on the color and symbol to know exactly what they convey. Diamonds (like the Tetris-shaped signs) are for warnings.

What Does the Tetris Road Sign Mean?

Finally, we get to the symbols. Not all road signs have lettering on them, which is true in the case of Tetris-shaped road signs. They’re almost always yellow diamonds, which means they’re a warning sign.

Tetris road signs are warning you about an unusual intersection coming up ahead. The exact shape of the “Tetris piece” is meant to represent the road you’re on. So a cross or plus-sign-shaped symbol means a four-way intersection is coming ahead, while a symbol with three legs is a three-way intersection.

There’s also a special case: the T-shaped symbol. If your Tetris-shaped road signs look like this, it means you’re approaching a T-intersection. You cannot continue straight because the road ends, so you’ll have to turn either left or right.

Once in a while, you may run into a special case, maybe the road you’re on is unusually shaped, and the city has commissioned a custom sign. But running into those is rare, and with the information here, you can decipher the meaning if you need to.

Source

Signs, Signals, and Parking Pavements, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

The post Tetris Road Signs Explained: The Message Behind the Blocks appeared first on Family Handyman.

What is Lake-Effect Snow?

Lake-effect snow is snow that is caused by and falls in areas near lakes, so it most commonly impacts states near the Great Lakes, like New York, Oregon, Michigan, Montana and more. This snow falls heavily compared to other types of snowfall. The National Weather Service (NWS) estimates it at 2 to 3 inches of snow per hour or more. This is quite a dense snowstorm compared to typical snowfall, where you only get a light dusting or an average of 2 inches over the course of the day.

Winds affect where the snow falls relative to where it was created, so this kind of snow isn’t limited just to the lake and the immediate surrounding area. With strong enough winds, the clouds can cover larger distances before they start to release the snow.

For example, you won’t find this snowfall in Los Angeles, which is too far from the regions that get cold enough. But you may find it in quite a large radius relative to the lake that generated it.

What Causes Lake-Effect Snow?

As its name suggests, lake-effect snow is caused in part by lakes. As you may remember from physics class, water retains heat much more than air does. So when cold air passes over the Great Lakes, the warmth of their waters makes its way into the lower atmosphere. Once there, it interacts with the cold air and forms clouds full of snow. These clouds generally are narrow bands. They’re not the wispy clouds you might see on a summer day, nor the incredibly fluffy clouds that are characteristic of thunderstorms.

When Does the Lake-Effect Snow Happen?

Lake-effect snow is a special case, and as such doesn’t happen all the time. The lakes only impact the precipitation like this before they freeze over. This is because if they’re frozen, they aren’t emitting the heat from the water that creates those heavy clouds. So typically this kind of snow falls earlier in the winter. However, in places where the lakes don’t freeze over, this snow can happen throughout the winter.

Source

What is a Lake Effect Snow?, National Weather Service.

The post Lake-Effect Snow: What It Is and Why It Happens appeared first on Family Handyman.

@warped.yt Gopro Inside a Dishwasher P.2 #fyp #dishwasher #how #howitworks #whatsinside original sound – Warped

Initial Rinse

The cycle starts with filling and rinsing. The dishwasher has several spigots that shoot water up. These spigots are on multiple arms that rotate to ensure that the water doesn’t miss any portion of the dishwasher. This initial rinse helps spray the dishes from multiple angles, ensuring no food gets left behind. The first rinse is similar to what you might do if you were handwashing. It scrapes off the large chunks of food and gives a quick first rinse so that the soap can reach down to the sauce and oils and break them down properly.

Soap Dispenser

Once the dishes are decently rinsed, the dishwasher dispenses the soap. Then, it continues to rinse with water, but with much more water and more intense water pressure. The footage looks similar to what you might see during a heavy rainstorm. As you watch the video, this is perhaps the most satisfying part: you can see the bulk of the mess come off the plates. Everything that the first rinse loosened but didn’t remove is fair game for the soap rinse.

Draining

The dishwasher drains a few times during the cycle. Doing this at multiple points instead of just at the end ensures that miscellaneous food bits and oils aren’t spread to other dishes. It also does a final drain at the end of the cycle. This way, you don’t flood your kitchen when you go to put the clean dishes away.

Final Takeaways

Watching footage of the inside of a dishwasher during its cycle also illuminates why there is a correct way to load the appliance. If you’ve packed your dishes too close together, the water can’t get to them, and food will stay caked on instead. So, if you’ve been noticing that your silverware is coming out dirty or your bowls still have residue on them, reconsider how you load them in and how tightly you cram dishes in.

The post Watch What Happens Inside Your Dishwasher When You Run It appeared first on Family Handyman.

Why Is GM Recalling Some of Its Vehicles?

According to the NHTSA brief, some GM vehicles are experiencing malfunctions with the tailgate’s electronic gate-release switch. This switch “may short circuit due to water intrusion,” causing the tailgate to unlatch while in park. This is dangerous because “an unlatched tailgate may open and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.”

Which GM Vehicles Have These Tailgate Issues?

Over 130,000 GM vehicles have been recalled due to this tailgate issue, including the:

• 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500
• 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 3500
• GMC Sierra HD 2500
• GMC Sierra HD 3500

GM will mail letters to the affected owners in mid-January 2025. So, if you own one of the vehicles on this list, keep an eye on your mailbox. The owner’s letter will have more information.

What To Do If You Have a Recalled GM Truck

Per the NHTSA brief, GM “dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge.” So don’t delay; get this remedied as soon as you can. If you don’t want to wait for your letter, or if you have further questions, you can contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Be sure to clarify that you’re calling about recall number N242469160; it’s an expansion of NHTSA Recall 24V-060.

In the meantime, if you have one of the affected GM vehicles, be sure to double-check your tailgate every time you get into the car until the issue has been remedied. Limit your use of the car as much as possible until then. You don’t want to be the reason for a pileup on the highway or a crash on the way home from the hardware store.

Source

The post GM Recalls Thousands of Trucks to Fix Tailgate Safety Risk appeared first on Family Handyman.

Overall Desires

According to the NAHB survey,there are two overarching trends regarding the features that new home buyers look for most. First, buyers are opting for smaller homes than in previous years. Smaller doesn’t necessarily mean small, however. The survey reports that “home buyers are looking for homes around 2,070 square feet.”

The second thing buyers are looking for is “personalization and authenticity.” Gone are the days of cookie-cutter homes being the big draw. People want to be able to put their own stamp on their home rather than living in a pre-set template.

The post These Features Are What New Home Buyers Wants Most In a House appeared first on Family Handyman.

Classic Elegance

Classic elegance is the first of the interior design trends for 2025 that Fishburne identifies. “This timeless trend emphasizes high-quality, classic decor that feels like a lasting investment and will transcend time,” Fishburne begins. She explains that classic elegance focuses on personal style rather than rapidly changing trends. Homeowners who embrace this often opt for “pieces that reflect their taste by modernizing artisanal and handcrafted pieces with a new color or finish.”

She also notes that “formal dining rooms are making a comeback, aligning with the rise of broken floor plans and the desire for spaces dedicated to family connection.”

If you want to embrace this in your home, Fishburne recommends opting for “warmer, bolder colors that balance the minimalism of the 2010s, or try color drenching a monochromatic approach.” She also suggests “rich textures, tactile fabrics and durable materials like warm or dark complex stones mixed with wood finishes complete the look, growing more beautiful with time.”

The post Design Forward: 4 Must-Know Interior Trends for 2025 appeared first on Family Handyman.

Why Are Hyundai Vehicles Being Recalled?

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), Hyundai is recalling vehicles due to “a damaged printed circuit board.” This damage prevents the backup cam footage from displaying, which limits visibility. Parallel parking, three-point turns, and even just basic safety checks are harder to do without the backup cam footage.

The NHTSA brief explains that this failure means that the impacted vehicles do not “comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, ‘Rear Visibility.'” As such, these vehicles are not as safe to drive as they should be. “A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver’s visibility and increases the risk of a crash,” the brief warns.

Which Hyundai Vehicles Are Recalled?

The faulty backup cams have affected over 226,000 Hyundai vehicles so far. If you own any of the following Hyundai vehicles, yours may be one of them:

• 2021 Santa Fe
• 2021 Santa Fe HEV
• 2021 Elantra
• 2021 Elantra HEV
• 2022 Santa Fe
• 2022 Santa Fe HEV
• 2022 Elantra
• 2022 Elantra HEV
• 2022 Elantra N
• 2022 Santa Fe PHEV

Hyundai will send letters to the affected owners in mid-January 2025, so keep an eye on your mailbox just to be safe. If you already know that you have one of the Hyundai vehicles with a faulty backup cam, exercise extra caution when driving it. The limited visibility may have a larger impact than you think.

What’s the Solution?

Hyundai dealers will replace the faulty backup cams free of charge. Once you’ve gotten your letter and know for sure that your vehicle is impacted, you can schedule an appointment for your car to be serviced. If you don’t want to wait for the letter, or still have questions after reading over it, you can call Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. The number for this recall is 271. You can also call the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236; this recall is NHTSA campaign number 24V879000.

Source

Rearview Image May Not Display/ FMVSS 111, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2024.

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Christmas Tree Safety

Having a real Christmas tree is an exciting part of the holiday season. It makes your home smell like fresh pine, and there’s a magic to picking out and bringing home your perfect tree. But live trees can also pose some safety risks. The best way to keep your tree fresh is to water it regularly. This slows down the drying-out process and helps to reduce the chances of the tree catching fire.

The problem is that the tree’s water bowl is at the bottom of the tree, buried underneath branches, lights, ornaments, and presents. Trying to water it can be a mess at best and potentially dangerous at worst. And the fuller the tree is at the bottom, the harder this process can be. On

Christmas Tree Watering Hack

In order to simplify the watering process, Richards suggests finding an old cardboard tube that is long enough to reach the bowl in which your tree is mounted. Try to find a thick one, ideally from old wrapping paper. If it’s thin, like the kind that comes inside paper towel rolls, you’ll only be able to use it a couple of times before it gets too soggy and loses all structural integrity. You’ll also want one that’s on the longer side, so you don’t have to bend down. If you can find one long enough to stand upright while it’s in the bowl, that’s the best option.

Once you’ve got your tube, simply stick it between the branches and into the water bowl. Then, you can pour water down the tube and into the bowl. This way, you don’t have to get down on your hands and knees under the tree and risk knocking it over. Nor do you have to risk spilling water on presents, ornaments or even worse, lights. Be sure to keep tabs on the amount of water in the tree bowl, and also check to see how dry your tree is feeling so that you can stay on top of the watering schedule.

The post Struggling to Water Your Christmas Tree? Try This Simple Trick appeared first on Family Handyman.

We’ve broken down the meaning behind the symbol, what systems in your car may be affected, and what to do if you have this light come on on your dashboard.

What Does the Lightning Bolt Symbol on My Car Mean?

The lightning bolt symbol on your dashboard is a warning about your electronic throttle control system (ETC). As the name suggests, the ETC system controls your throttle. This is important because there are several features in your car that are governed by your throttle. As Damiaan Domiv writes in Controlling an Automatic Valve, the ETC system “make[s] it possible to integrate a cruise control system, to do traction control, or it can even be used for pre-crash systems or other systems that require torque control.”

Essentially, this system gives you more precise control over the different features that utilize the throttle than you would get from the gas pedal alone. This is great when it functions properly, but when it’s damaged, it’s a big problem. If you see a lightning bolt on your dashboard, stop driving your car as soon as possible. If the ETC system isn’t working, those aforementioned features probably won’t work either. This can be dangerous, so this is the kind of problem that should be repaired sooner rather than later.

What’s the Best Way to Fix My ETC System?

You may be tempted to try to repair your ETC yourself, but that may not be wise. As frustrating as it is, this is the kind of fix that is best left to the professionals. Because the ETC works with multiple features of your car, the indicator light doesn’t tell you exactly what’s wrong. Rather, it alerts you that there’s a problem somewhere in the system.

Unless you have a lot of hands-on experience in car repair, and the right equipment to diagnose which part of the ETC is failing, you’ll be safer calling your mechanic to diagnose and address the problem.

Source

Controlling an Automotive Valve. Damiaan Dimov. 2024.

The post Why the Lightning Bolt Icon on Your Car Dash Signals Trouble appeared first on Family Handyman.

Which Ford Vehicles Are Recalled?

According to the NHTSA, Ford is recalling almost 2,500 of its “2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine.” If you own one of these vehicles, keep an eye on your mailbox, as Ford will soon mail letters to the impacted owners. You can also plug your VIN into the NHTSA recall listing to check right away.

Why Are These Ford Vehicles Being Recalled?

Ford announced a recall of these vehicles due to “a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.” A leak like this is very dangerous. The NHTSA brief explains that rapid oil leaks “can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.” Furthermore, leaking oil “in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.”

Limit your use of the vehicle as much as possible until you can get it inspected and repaired. Car fires are incredibly dangerous, and driving a car with a rapid oil leak when you don’t need to isn’t worth the risk.

What’s To Do If My Vehicle Is Recalled

Ford will inspect the engine cup plug alignment on the impacted vehicles and, if they find any problems, they will replace the plug free of charge at a Ford dealership. Make sure to get your vehicle inspected as soon as possible; rapid oil leaks are not to be taken lightly. For your own safety, get this repair handled as early as you can.

The owner letters regarding this recall will have more information about the recall and the proposed repair, so be sure to read yours thoroughly. However, if you still have questions or don’t want to wait, you can call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Be sure to mention that you’re calling about recall 24S70. You can also call the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236; their campaign number for this recall is 24V851000.

Source

The post Ford Recalls Thousands of Cars Over Fire and Engine Stall Risks appeared first on Family Handyman.

Fortunately, most of today’s cars have a handy gas tank locator if you know where to look.

What is a Gas Tank Locator?

In short, a gas tank locator is a symbol or icon that shows you what side of the car your gas tank is on. This way, you know which pump at the gas station is the right one to park at and fuel up. Sure, you can usually work around it if you make a mistake, but it’s so much easier to line yourself up hassle-free if you remember the correct side from the start.

Where is My Gas Tank Locator?

Your gas tank locator is on your dash. The exact placement varies from car to car, depending on where your fuel gauge is. But it will always be right next to the gas pump icon.

You’re looking for a small arrow next to that pump. Once you find it, it’s fairly straightforward to read. The direction the arrow points tells you what side of the car your tank is on. So if it points to the passenger side, like in my Subaru, your gas tank is on the right. Conversely, if it points to the driver’s side, your tank is on the left.

Troubleshooting

Some of the newer cars on the market have a lot of information you can cycle through on your dash, including an estimate of how many miles are left in your tank. If you’re looking at this display and you see an arrow, ignore it. That’s not your fuel gauge, and therefore, it is not the gas tank locator. It is simply the car estimating how far you can go until you absolutely need to fuel up again.

Once you know where to look, you’ll never have to worry about ever again pulling into the gas station the wrong way. Whether you’re driving a new car or a rental, you’ll be set for easy fuel-ups.

The post The Gas Tank Locator Trick You Might Be Missing appeared first on Family Handyman.

What Hyundai Vehicles Are Being Recalled?

Hyundai is recalling roughly 35,000 vehicles this time around. If you own a 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe hybrid, then your vehicle is probably included in this recall. Keep an eye on your mailbox, as owners impacted by the recall will recieve a letter from Hyundai in the next couple of months confirming that your vehicle is in need of repair.

Why Are These Hyundai Vehicles Being Recalled?

According to the NHTSA brief, the impacted vehicles are having electrical issues. Specifically, “the overhead console rear sunshade switch knob may not be fully recessed.” This is a problem because faulty switch knobs “can result in unintentional closing of the sunshade.” This problem means that the impacted Hyundai vehicles “fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, ‘Power-Operated Window, Partition and Roof Panel Systems.'”

Until you can get this issue repaired, exercise caution when using your sunshade. The NHTSA warns that “a sunshade that closes unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.” Encourage any children you have to avoid playing with the switches and to keep their hands well clear of the sunshade at all times. It’s best to minimize use of the sunshade entirely until you can get your vehicle repaired.

What To Do if You Own a Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai says that dealers will replace the faulty switches free of charge. The company will mail letters out to affected owners in early January 2025 further explaining the problem as well as the proposed repair.

If you don’t want to wait to receive your letter, or if you have further questions about this recall, you can also call Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. If you call in, be sure to mention that you’re asking about Hyundai recall number 270. You can also check with the NHTSA for more information. Their safety hotline number is 1-888-327-4236, and the campaign number for this issue is 24V843000.

Source

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Most people who complain that Adirondack chairs are uncomfortable are just using them wrong.

What Are Adirondack Chairs?

Adirondack chairs are a distinct style of outdoor chair. They have tall backs and wide arms, so they look like a fantastic choice for lounging in your yard. What separates them from other lawn chairs out there, however, is the legs. On an Adirondack chair, the rear legs are much shorter than the front legs. They also attach to the seat at an obtuse angle, whereas the front legs form a right angle. This means that when the chair is sitting on flat ground, the seat pitches back

@watchautumn Thank you, Adirondack Chair.. Sorry I doubted you.. #adirondacks #adirondackchair #themoreyouknow original sound – Autumn | Millennial Money

Why Are Adirondack Chairs So Uncomfortable?

To put it bluntly, if your Adirondack chairs are particularly uncomfortable, it’s most likely because you’re using them wrong.

As TikToker Autumn (@watchautumn) explains in her video above, the design of the legs pushes the seat up at an awkward angle. And it’s exactly this odd angle that makes so many people write off these chairs as uncomfortable. But fear not! It’s very easy to use these chairs the right way. And once you do, you’ll understand why they’ve been a staple of yards for such a long time.

How to Properly Sit on Adirondack Chairs

Autumn begins her video by explaining that she bought some Adirondack chairs and immediately found them uncomfortable. She says that her backyard is flat, and so the shorter back legs left her sitting in a very uncomfortable position. But then someone alerted her to the fact that Adirondack chairs get their name from the Adirondack range in New York, a famously mountainous and hilly part of the country. These chairs are designed to accommodate hills and mountains, letting people still sit out and enjoy the scenery.

Autumn then explains that when she moved her Adirondack chair to the hill in her backyard, with the rear legs higher up on the hill, the design choices suddenly became clear. Now, those shorter legs balance out the slope of the hill, leaving you sitting upright at a right angle, just like other lawn chairs do.

So, if your Adirondack chairs have been sitting on flat ground, move them onto a slope so they’re angled downward. Suddenly, you’ll find that they’re much more comfortable than you originally thought.

The post Think Adirondack Chairs Are Uncomfortable? You’re Using Them Wrong appeared first on Family Handyman.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released a brief containing more information about the recall and the proposed repair. We’ve parsed the recall brief to make it easy for you to find the important information.

Which GM Trucks Are Being Recalled?

GM is recalling roughly 460,000 of its diesel engine trucks, including the:

• 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
• 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
• 2020-2022 GMC Sierra 1500
• 2020-2022 GMC Sierra 2500
• 2020-2022 GMC Sierra 3500
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
• 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
• 2021 Suburban
• 2021 GMC Yukon
• 2021 GMC Yukon XL

If you own any of the 24 vehicles listed above, please avoid driving them as much as possible until they’ve been repaired. No errand is worth risking your safety and life, nor the safety and lives of other people on the road.

Why is GM Recalling These Trucks?

According to the NHTSA brief, GM is recalling these trucks because “the transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.” If the rear wheels lock up, you are at a very high risk of being involved in a car accident.

What’s the Solution?

GM dealers will, at no charge to owners, install new transmission control module software. In addition, “GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve.” So you can rest assured that the repairs won’t be a financial burden. Don’t let that concern stop you from getting this repair.

GM will mail letters to impacted owners in early December with more information. If you want clarification after reading the letter or don’t want to wait, you can also call customer service. If you choose to do this, be sure to clarify that you’re calling regarding recall number N242454440.

• GM customer service: 1-888-988-7267
• Cadillac customer service: 1-800-458-8006
• GMC customer service: GMC 1-800-462-8782
• Chevrolet customer service: 1-800-222-1020

Source

The post 400,000 GM Trucks Recalled Over Risk of Wheels Locking Up appeared first on Family Handyman.

Walking on Ice the Right Way

Iowa State University (ISU) includes a tutorial on their Winter Weather guide. You’ll need to adjust almost everything about the way you normally walk, so be sure to familiarize yourself with all of the advice and practice it when you can do so safely.

Clothing

Start by adjusting your wardrobe slightly. While heavy coats with warm pockets might be good for your hands, your center of gravity will be adjusted, and you won’t be able to land as safely. Don’t ditch the coat; just add mittens, hand warmers, or any other option that will keep your hands warm but also out of pockets and at the ready.

Gait

Next, you need to adjust your gait. ISU recommends that you “take short steps or shuffle for stability.” You also need to shift your center of gravity so that your feet are perpendicular to the ground the whole time. To shift your center of gravity, bend slightly forward so that it’s directly over your feet. Instead of walking forward normally, shift a little side to side so that you can keep the bend and keep your feet flatter. If you feel like a penguin, you’re doing it right.

Falling Safely

Sometimes, falling is unavoidable. In these instances, it’s imperative that you understand how to fall safely so you can minimize the likelihood of serious injury or even death. Older people and those with limited mobility should practice fall safety regularly anyway, but everyone should know the basics.

Above all else, protect your head and neck. ISU recommends that you “bend your back and head forward to avoid hitting your head against the ground.” In addition to protecting your head, you should try to land carefully. “If you fall, fall with sequential contacts at your thigh, hip, and shoulder,” according to ISU. And as tempting as it may be, don’t brace with your arms. You’re much more likely to injure your wrists or elbows than you are to spare yourself other injuries.

Source

Winter Weather, Iowa State University

The post The Secret to Walking On Ice Without Slipping Is So Simple appeared first on Family Handyman.

What Caused the Original Honda Vehicles’ Engine Failure?

When Honda recalled vehicles due to engine failure last year, the NHTSA brief warned that “the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.” This problem was due to a manufacturing error. Damaged engines might “run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.”

Sources

The post Is Your Honda at Risk? 1.4 Million Cars Investigated for Engine Problems appeared first on Family Handyman.

Your dishwasher door should have a hatch on it with several compartments. This hatch is the detergent dispenser. Here’s a rundown of what each compartment is for.

Dishwasher Main Compartment

The compartment within the detergent dispenser that you’re probably most familiar with is the main compartment. This is the largest compartment, where you can load your pods or liquid detergent before running the cleaning cycle.

You must fill this compartment each time you run a load. If you use dishwasher pods, then the amount of detergent you’re using is pre-measured. If you prefer liquid detergent, check both your dishwasher manual and the instructions on your detergent of choice to confirm that you’re using the correct amount for each load.

Pre-Rinse Compartment

The pre-rinse compartment is the narrow compartment next to the main compartment. It’s designed to hold extra detergent if you feel that you’re running a particularly heavy load and want to ensure your dishes come out sparkling. This detergent gets dispensed in the beginning of the cycle, before the main compartment detergent is dispensed to prep your dishes.

Just like the main compartment, you need to fill this every time you run a load of dishes. It’s generally only wide enough for liquid detergent, not pods. So if you are a dedicated pod user but don’t want to run a load twice when it’s extra dirty, consider keeping a small bottle of liquid detergent on hand for those rare but heavy loads.

Rinse Aid Compartment

Finally, your detergent dispenser has a rinse aid compartment. Despite the similarity in their names, the pre-rinse and rinse aid compartments do very different jobs. Unlike the pre-rinse compartment, the rinse aid compartment does not hold detergent. Rather, it holds rinse aid, which helps the dishes dry much faster and with far fewer spots.

Also unlike the previous two compartments, the rinse aid compartment does not need to be filled up each load. Simply fill the compartment and it will automatically dispense a little of the rinse aid at a time. Keep an eye on it and top it up when it gets low.

The post Here’s What Each Dishwasher Compartment Is Actually For appeared first on Family Handyman.

We’ve parsed the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) brief about the recall to bring you the details. We’ve also gathered instructions for what to do if you own one of the affected devices. Read on to learn how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe during the cold months.

Which Space Heaters Are Recalled?

As of Nov. 7, 2024, over 512,000 GoveeLife and Govee smart electric space heaters have been recalled in the United States. An additional 48,000 in Canada are also included. Recalled unit numbers include H7130 (including the H7130101 variation), H7131, H7132, H7133, H7134, and H7135. These heaters are black and white. They vary in height from nine inches to 26 inches, depending on which model you purchased.

According to the USCPSC, retailers selling these heaters include Amazon, Govee and TikTok Shop. They were available from September 2021 through September 2024 and sold for between $30 and $150.

Why Are These Space Heaters Being Recalled?

The impacted devices pose a fire hazard as they have dangerous overheating issues, which can lead to burns and small fires. So far, there are 113 reports of these space heaters overheating, including seven fires and one minor burn. The USCPSC brief expands on this, saying, “Testing determined the smart electric space heaters do not comply with the voluntary industry safety standard, UL 1278, posing an overheating and fire risk from wireless control features.”

What Do I Do if I Own One of These Space Heaters?

If you have one of the space heaters included in the recall, you must contact the manufacturer. If you submit your information correctly, you’ll receive a refund. The USCPSC brief says to “unplug the electric space heater, cut the power cord, and send an image of the destroyed electric space heater, the manufacturers label and SN Code on the bottom or side of the unit to GoveeLife or Govee through the link https://recall.goveelife.com/heater-recall.”

Source

GoveeLife and Govee Smart Electric Space Heaters Recalled Due to Fire and Burn Hazards; Imported by Govee, United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2024

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What’s the Hack?

The latest CleanTok hack has to do with where you put your dishwasher pods. According to many users, it’s more efficient to toss the pods in the bottom of the dishwasher or in the silverware portion instead of the detergent dispenser.

Their reasoning is that residue from the pods can damage the dispenser. They also fear that the residue will build up and stay on your dishes or cause clogs in the plumbing. By keeping the pods in the center, these TikTokers argue, the pods will dissolve better, and the risk of a clog will be much lower.

Where Is the Best Place for Dishwasher Pods

Individual machines may vary, so it’s always best to double-check your dishwasher’s manual to confirm its instructions about where to put dishwasher pods. But as a general rule, the pods will work best when they’re put in the detergent dispenser. Familiarize yourself with your machine and it’s manual. Unless your machine has a dedicated pod slot, use the detergent dispenser.

Maytag’sinstruction manual explainsthat the pods have a coating that dissolves when it comes into contact with water. By putting them in the detergent dispenser, you can ensure that the pods dissolve at the right point in the dishwasher cycle for maximum efficiency.

The manual even directly addresses some of the TikTokers’ concerns, saying, “Although some believe that throwing a pod in the dishwasher protects your dispenser, pods are designed to dissolve when they touch water and may not work if not properly dispersed via the dispenser.”

We can’t stop you from trying the hack out for yourself. But dishwasher manufacturers, who are the experts on this subject, say that you’ll be making your pods less effective, and your dishes won’t come out as clean as they would if you used the pods correctly.

The post You Should Never Do THIS With Your Dishwasher Pods appeared first on Family Handyman.

What Mazda Vehicles Are Being Recalled?

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), Mazda is issuing a recall of “certain 2024-2025 CX-90 and 2025 CX-70 vehicles equipped with a Dash Electrical Supply Unit (ESU).” An estimated 80,915 vehicles have this problem. If you own one of these vehicles, keep an eye out for a letter from Mazda. The manufacturer will be sending out letters to owners in December 2024 with more details as well as further instructions regarding repairs.

Why Is Mazda Recalling These Models?

These Mazda CX-90 and CX-70’s dash electrical supply unit (ESU) is malfunctioning and the issue rears its head when you turn on the car. “During vehicle startup, the defroster, seat belt warning, 360 view monitor functions, and the PHEV high-voltage battery cooling system may not function properly.” In addition to being inconvenient, the NHTSA brief warns that “an ESU that does not function properly increases the risk of a crash.”

Exercise extreme caution around your vehicle until you can get it repaired. Minimize using it as much as you are able. The risk of a crash should not be taken lightly. And don’t delay getting the repair once it’s available. Schedule it for your earliest possible time.

What to Do If Your Mazda Is Recalled

Owners will have to go to their local Mazda dealerships to get this ESU malfunction remedied. According to the NHTSA brief, “Dealers will reprogram the Dash ESU with improved software, free of charge. ” Mazda will mail out letters to affected owners starting Dec. 30, 2024.

If you have further questions about this recall or are uncertain about any of the information contained in the recall brief or the letters, you can call Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 or the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 and mention that you are calling about recall number 7124J.

Source

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