AUTOMOTIVE

It’s no secret: Traveling by vehicle has gotten pricier this year.

Ah, the burning question everyone wants to know the answer to: How far can your vehicle really go on empty?

HOUSTON – Auto maker Ford is distributing masks in several Texas cities, including Houston, throughout the month of February, as part of a partnership with Ford Motor Company Fund and the United Auto Workers Union. The goal is to donate 120 million masks to at-risk communities across the country by mid-2021, an increase from 100 million in the past year. Houstonians can visit a participating Ford dealership to pick up a 20-pack of masks on Feb. 23 at no cost while supplies last. The masks are still in their testing phase and are expected to be available later this year. AdEasy-to-build air filtration kits are also in the testing phase, which supplements a room’s existing filtration system to help reduce the risk of COVID-19.

Many customers ask: When is the best time to buy a car? Model-end clearanceOne of the best times to buy a new car is whenever the new model year is released. For example, the 2021 Tiguan was just released at Volkswagen Clear Lake, so the 2020 models -- which are still new -- are now on clearance. Right now, for example, Volkswagen Clear Lake is offering 0% APR for up to six years. Paying zero interest on a new car for six years means thousands of dollars in savings, making buying a car at Volkswagen Clear Lake for well-qualified buyers a no-brainer, Lundberg said.

Even though life, in some ways, has started returning to normal, it’s safe to say that many of us still aren’t driving our cars as often. Whatever the case, Susan Reed, of Kalamazoo, has some advice for you: Take your car out every day, even if it’s just for a quick spin around the block. “Rodents ate my car,” Reed told Zak Rosen, the host and creator of “The Best Advice Show.”It wasn’t a cheap repair, either. But you’ll definitely want to make sure you’re driving your car at least semi-regularly. “The Best Advice Show” is a product of Graham Media Group.

The question: Are the waivers on car inspections and vehicle registration renewals still in place? The answer: Yes, the temporary waiver on vehicle registration renewals issued by Gov. Therefore, car inspections can be pushed back until the waiver is no longer in place. The update also says that the temporary extension on vehicle titling also remains in effect. Abbotts initial statement says that once the TxDMV notifies the public that normal vehicle registration and titling have resumed, the waiver will still remain in effect for another 60 days.

And what if your car won’t start because of a dead battery? To revive a dead battery, first make sure each car is in park or neutral -- and turned off. Then, connect one end of the cable to the positive terminal of the donor battery, and then connect the other end to the positive terminal of the dead battery. Let the dead battery charge for a few minutes, and then turn the ignition on the vehicle of the dead battery to see if it starts. This only applies if you:a) Have someone to take you to a repair shop or the store right away to buy a new battery.

HOUSTON – Support Local spotlights individual businesses challenged by the coronavirus pandemic and offers ways you can support them. Detail Car Wash offer? Detail Car Wash provides auto detailing, car inspections and drive-thru oil changes. Detail Car Wash located? Detail Car Wash is located at 10510 Jones Road.

Here are five tips to avoid problems that can come up with sitting vehicles:Make sure to run your car every once in a while. But just in case a car isn’t being used or a two-car household has turned into a one-car household where the other vehicle is just sitting idle, running the car is still vital. Gas does degrade over time, and in some cases, it will go bad in less than two months if a car remains idle. In addition to running the car, treating it with fuel stabilizer can extend the life of your car’s gas. If the gas already is bad, there are ways to remove the bad gas from the tank, according to itstillruns.com.

HOUSTON – Support Local spotlights individual businesses challenged by the coronavirus pandemic and offers ways you can support them. What services does Wood Alternator & Starter offer? Wood Alternator & Starter provides new alternators, starters, batteries, hydraulic hoses, DC motors and hand tools. We welcome commercial purchasers as well as individuals.”Where is Wood Alternator & Starter located? Wood Alternator & Starter is located at 680 Aldine Mail Route.

HOUSTON – Support Local spotlights individual businesses challenged by the coronavirus pandemic and offers ways you can support them. What services does Missouri Car Care offer? Missouri Car Care offers automotive repairs, services and inspections. Where is Missouri Car Care located? Missouri Car Care is located at 1653 Cartwright Road.

If you need help with the Public File, call (713) 778-4745. Copyright © 2020 Click2Houston.com is managed by Graham Digital and pubished by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings.

If you need help with the Public File, call (713) 778-4745. Copyright © 2020 Click2Houston.com is managed by Graham Digital and pubished by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings.

If you need help with the Public File, call (713) 778-4745. Copyright © 2020 Click2Houston.com is managed by Graham Digital and pubished by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings.

LAS VEGAS – Kia showed off a new all-electric SUV concept Monday that it hopes will have a range of 238 miles on a single charge. That number is significant since, just a few years ago, mass-production electric vehicles were doing well if they hit 100 miles on a single charge. Full Screen 1 / 9 2018 Kia Niro EV ConceptFor Kia, the concept vehicle unveiled this week at CES in Las Vegas is called the Niro EV Concept. It also has a light-up panel instead of the traditional air intake, since electric cars don't need as much cooling ability as traditional gasoline-powered cars. 2018 Kia Niro EV ConceptThe company's YouTube channel also has a video touting other future-minded ideas, like separate sound zones for front and rear passengers, a touchscreen interface integrated into the steering wheel and technology to make the pillars on the sides of the windshield seem transparent.

However, you could be using your a/c system all wrong. Your a/c works better when you're driving. This will force the hot air out of the car. Keep your a/c at the lowest temperature and only adjust the fan when you get hot or cold. It may save gas, but it also shuts off your a/c when you're at a long stoplight or stuck in traffic.

U.S. auto sales dipped for the fifth month in a row in May, with a 0.5 percent decrease and more than 1.5 million vehicles sold, The Associated Press reported. General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Hyundai and Toyota reported decreases in sales last month compared to May 2016. IHS Markit analyst Tom Libby told the AP that despite good economic factors, like low unemployment and gas prices, there could be a decrease in auto sales for all of 2017. The past two years saw record sales of about 17.5 million vehicles, which analysts say could account for the lack of demand, the AP reported. Libby's firm reduced its 2017 sales forecast from 17.4 million to 17.3 million, the AP reported.

Simple checkups and regular maintenance can help you avoid repairs that can cost thousands of dollars and potentially be more than what the car is worth. Fluids, fluids, fluidsAccording to Mark Larsen, a franchise training manager for CarX, there are three major parts of a car that can be the most costly to repair. "Any major engine, transmission or trans axle/rear end repair are the most expensive, easily. "Either light -- the coolant light or engine oil light -- if either one of them come on, you better be pulling over and stopping what you're doing." Any good auto shop has a checklist to inspect for you, including transmission fluid.

Booster seats: If your small dog wants to sit in the front seat of your car, a booster seat might be a good option. This seat will allow your small dog to look out the window while still being safely restrained in the seat. Vehicle restraint harness: One variation of a vehicle restraint harness, the Roadie, was developed by a man after he and his dog were in a car accident. Vehicle partitions: If you're taking your dog on a longer road trip, you might want to consider a vehicle partition. Designed for larger cars like SUVs, partitions will allow your dog to have his or her own space in the car.

HOUSTON – Authorities are investigating a deadly crash in Northwest Harris County. Officials say it happened when a man slammed into the back of a pickup on the 3400 block of FM 1960 around 2 a.m. Sunday. His car flipped over and he was partially ejected, killing him on scene. No one in the truck was hurt.

HOUSTON – Police believed weather played a factor in an officer-involved crash on the Gulf Freeway feeder road. Police say Saturday around midnight, a female officer was responding to a call when the car in front of her changed lanes on Tallyho Road. According to investigators, that car swerved to avoid another car, which caused the officer to lose control, skid on the wet road, and crash into the grass. No one was hurt.

HOUSTON – Police want walkers at Memorial Park to be on the lookout after a mother and her daughter were followed Wednesday morning by a man who tried to kidnap the childThe woman, who did not want to be identified, said the two were walking in the park when a man came up to them and said the girl was his daughter and that he wanted her. The woman took her daughter back to their car and they drove to the nearest police station downtown as the man continued to follow them. He finally drove off after the woman was able to flag down an officer. The woman said the man was driving a big red truck and was wearing a gray hoodie and a black hat.