Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
We answer viewer questions this week, including: the best vehicle for a 14-hour road trip, why automakers have eliminated spare tires, debunk a myth about self-driving cars, and explore the pros and cons of all-weather tires. We also discuss the best ways to learn your vehicle's new features, with or without a dealer's help.
Have a question for our experts? Send it to TalkingCars@iCloud.com to be featured on a future episode.
Consumer Reports experts: Mike Quincy, Steve Elek, Jeff Bartlett
📝 SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
1:24 - Question #1 - Paul from St.Paul, MN: Which car brands make the best self-driving systems?
8:31 - Question #2 - Paul: Where did all of the spare tires go?
15:25 - Question #3 - Darnley from Yonkers, NY: What’s the best car for a 14-hour road trip?
18:30 - Question #4 - Noah from Richmond, VA: Do all-weather tires live up to the hype?
23:57 - Question #5: Steve from TN: What’s the best way to learn about the new features on a car, when you don’t buy from a dealer?
🌐 LINKS:
Car Features to Help You Stay Safe on the Road: consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/cars-and-features-to-help-you-stay-safe-on-the-road-a1543711001/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Clearing the Confusion About Advanced Car-Safety Feature Names:
consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/clearing-confusion-about-advanced-car-safety-feature-names-a1035752654/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Some Newer Cars Are Missing a Spare Tire: consumerreports.org/cars/tires/some-newer-cars-are-missing-a-spare-tire-a9928775934/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Consumer Reports’ Tire Selector Tool:
consumerreports.org/cars/tires/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
We answer viewer questions this week, including: the best vehicle for a 14-hour road trip, why automakers have eliminated spare tires, debunk a myth about self-driving cars, and explore the pros and cons of all-weather tires. We also discuss the best ways to learn your vehicle's new features, with or without a dealer's help.
Have a question for our experts? Send it to TalkingCars@iCloud.com to be featured on a future episode.
Consumer Reports experts: Mike Quincy, Steve Elek, Jeff Bartlett
📝 SHOW NOTES:
0:00 - Intro
1:24 - Question #1 - Paul from St.Paul, MN: Which car brands make the best self-driving systems?
8:31 - Question #2 - Paul: Where did all of the spare tires go?
15:25 - Question #3 - Darnley from Yonkers, NY: What’s the best car for a 14-hour road trip?
18:30 - Question #4 - Noah from Richmond, VA: Do all-weather tires live up to the hype?
23:57 - Question #5: Steve from TN: What’s the best way to learn about the new features on a car, when you don’t buy from a dealer?
🌐 LINKS:
Car Features to Help You Stay Safe on the Road: consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/cars-and-features-to-help-you-stay-safe-on-the-road-a1543711001/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Clearing the Confusion About Advanced Car-Safety Feature Names:
consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/clearing-confusion-about-advanced-car-safety-feature-names-a1035752654/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Some Newer Cars Are Missing a Spare Tire: consumerreports.org/cars/tires/some-newer-cars-are-missing-a-spare-tire-a9928775934/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
Consumer Reports’ Tire Selector Tool:
consumerreports.org/cars/tires/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT
