If you are looking for a new way to clean the windshield, Jeep’s new Clean Sweep feature might be everything you’ve hoped for. The Mopar Parts Catalog lists the Clean Sweep accessory kit for the latest Gladiator trucks and Wrangler SUVs. What is this new feature? Let’s check it out.

What is Clean Sweep?

The new accessory package comes with new windshield wiper blades and arms. Each blade includes 12 laser-cut holes, allowing the washer fluid to spray out as the wiper moves across the windshield. To use this package, the traditional nozzles become deactivated. Once that happens, the fluid is routed into the blade tubing so it shoots at different spots on the windshield.

This fluid flow helps to create a better coverage area, so the windshield remains clear with ease. It’s supposed to clean the auto glass better than the traditional system. While other automakers have created similar designs in the past, none of them have a 12-hole setup like Jeep has created.

Jeep boasts that the new technology helps eliminate what’s known as “Blind Seconds.” This is the situation that occurs when debris smears across the windshield after some passes before finally clearing it off. With this system, off-road clearing is much easier.

How to Get Mopar Equipment

You can order the Clean Sweep kit through the online ordering form for $140. This price includes both sets of blades. Along with this feature, you can order some other equipment as well. Look for the new windshields that were introduced last year. These are made from Gorilla Glass, so you don’t have to worry about dealing with chips.

As you focus on taking better car of your Jeep, make sure you look at our Car Maintenance Checklist too. It offers great pointers to keep your Jeep in the best condition possible.

If you’ve driven past any new or used car dealerships lately, you might notice something doesn’t look quite right. Every lot seems to be suffering from a car inventory shortage, so what’s going on? As co-owner of Jones and Sons Auto Sales, I can personally vouch for trouble getting cars in stock right now. Here are some insights I’ve walked away with.

COVID-19 Link

We posted about many Coronavirus interruptions, whether it caused chip plants to shut down or car factories to halt production. This pandemic is surely where the problems began. During this time, we also started noticing trouble with the supply chain, even after facilities opened back up. It seems that production never fully recovered.

Increased Prices

With the shortage going on, car prices went way up. There were fewer cars to choose from, so consumers were paying far more than sticker price to get them. Even pre-owned vehicles went up nearly 40% due to the inventory shortage.

Supply vs. Demand

Even with the increased pricing, supply can’t keep up with the demand. It’s unclear how long we will wait until something changes. There continues to be issues keeping workers and getting supplies needed to build new cars. With the lack of new cars, pre-owned vehicles also continue to be priced higher than what most people are comfortable paying. Where does it all end?

Car Inventory Shortage: Is There an End in Sight?

It’s hard to remain positive when looking at the big picture. Unless something major changes, the auto industry isn’t poised to turn around any time soon. If anything, it might only get worse as time goes on. We project that many dealerships will go out of business in the process. For now, many of them are relying upon the service department to keep an income flowing through, but is only going to last for so long.

What are your thoughts? Are you discouraged by what you see?

You may not parallel park as often as you once did, but there are still times when it’s necessary. Thankfully, ZF, a prominent automotive manufacturer has come out with EasyTurn, that should make the stressful maneuvers much easier. What is this innovative system and how can it help you. Let’s take a look.

Understanding EasyTurn Technology

With the EasyTurn system, you gain a special strut suspension configuration that allows the front wheels to turn eighty degrees. That’s more than twice that of what’s found on most cars. This innovative system adds a special link between the steering rack and tie rod. With this design, articulation is increased for smoother turning.

ZF has already installed the unique system on the BMW i3 EV. With this system, it becomes more simple to make a U-turn. The rear wheels pivot within the provided space to show maneuverability. The EV can be backed into its space, even at an angle.

The biggest struggle ZF is going to have with this equipment is finding somewhere to put it. There’s no enough room under every hood for the wheels to move through such a large range of motion. For this reason, it’s not likely that we’ll see this included in every model anytime soon.

Perfect for the EV

EasyTurn pairs much better with EVs because there isn’t a lot of equipment under the hood blocking the wheels. In most, have an extra trunk in the front (the frunk) that could be used, if needed. It’s also possible to use motors in the wheels to eliminate the driveshaft design. With this configuration, you could also expect four-wheel-drive function.

We see a similar system in the GMC Hummer EV. This EV can turn the rear wheels ten degrees in the same direction as the front. This system allows the vehicle to drive diagonally while operating at lower speeds. GMC calls this the Crab Walk mode.

For now, ZF has no plans to add this system to any vehicle. With that said, we expect that it’s a sign of things to come with steering systems in the future.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has elevated its probe into the Tesla Autopilot feature. The agency already had open investigations regarding how this automated feature responds when coming up to emergency vehicles on the shoulder. Now the case moved to the engineering analysis because of several crashes. These crashes occurred when Autopilot was activated and the Traffic Aware Cruise Control system was on.

Tesla Autopilot Crashes

The NHTSA is examining 14 crashes total. One of these instances led to a fatality and there are 15 injuries total among them. Additionally, Tesla has reported two more occurrences. Last yet, the Autopilot software was updated so it could detect any emergency lights that were on the side of the road, even in low light conditions. However, this update didn’t involve a recall, so it’s possible not every car has received the technology it needs.

The government agency is analyzing what degree the Autopilot technology has played into these incidents. Some of the accidents could have been avoided if the driver had been in control. If so, this problem would undermine how effective the system is and its benefits.

What’s most alarming is that more than 800,000  Tesla vehicles include some form of NHTSA action since 2014. Considering these cars aren’t everywhere on the road, that’s a good majority of what’s available. That leads people to wonder if a Tesla is worth owning at all.

What’s Coming Next?

We might see a decision from the NHTSA within the next year, but it’s unclear what will happen next. In the meantime, you should carefully consider driving a Tesla. After all, many other problems exist. It’s questionable how save the EV lineup actually is.

What are your thoughts? Are you comfortable driving a Tesla or are they dangerous? Weigh in and let us know.

According to new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations, automakers must reach 49 mpg by 2026 across their entire fleets. These regulations were announced on Friday by Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation.

NHTSA Regulations Benefits/Concerns

Buttigieg claims that these new NHTSA regulations are going to save more than 230 billion gallons of fuel throughout 2050. However, these new regulations rollback the standards set by President Trump just a few years ago. They also exceed those that were established by President Obama. So, will automakers be able to meet these lofty goals?

To meet the deadline, automakers must increase fuel economy across the lineup by 8% by 2024 and 2025. Then, in 2026, the automakers must jump another 10% to reach the level required.

While the NHTSA points out that drivers could save $1,400 during the lifetime of the car that’s bought in 2029, they didn’t estimate how much more these vehicles might cost. To meet this goal, automakers will need to pump out many more hybrid and electric vehicles. It’s going to be a delicate balancing act, with many balls up in the air at the same time. We could see multiple automakers fail to meet the goal when the time arrives.

Ready to Go Electric?

There’s a lot of push-back to these regulations. Not everyone wants to drive an EV, as seen by our list showing the reasons people don’t buy electric cars.

It’s going to be difficult getting peoples’ mindsets to shift. In fact, we estimate that many people will simply keep their older vehicles and keep fixing them instead. It’s something that has been seen in other countries that have required EV cars.

Still, we would love to get your thoughts? Do you think automakers will comply or will there be pushback? Also, tell us how you think the average consumer is going to respond. We look forward to hearing from you.

It’s official – the Volkswagen Passat is the next sedan to hit the chopping block. The last VW Passat model recently rolled off the production line in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Many people are surprised to learn that the vehicle has been on American roads since 1974, but originally as the VW Dasher.

Volkswagen Passat History

The original Passat shared many of the same styling features as the Scirocco and Golf models. It was meant to appeal to a higher-end market than the Beetle attracted. In the late 1970s, Volkswagen hailed the Dasher as the brand’s luxury model.

The Dasher was first introduced as a sedan or coupe model, but both had hatchbacks. Plus, there was a wagon option, making the lineup complete with three models. It wasn’t until the third generation in 1990 that the car was called a Passat. At this time, it was only a sedan or wagon model with a transverse engine design.

In 1998, the VW Passat entered its fifth-generation by riding on the Audi A4 platform. However, problems with the American market started in the early 2000s. Customers weren’t happy with the higher price tag and the company also needed to create a larger model to appeal to the revised market. The company started assembling the Passat at the Chattanooga factory to cut expenses. This is where it remained through the last days.

What’s Happening Next?

The Passat might have ended production, but Volkswagen has plenty in store for the Chattanooga plant. All new Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs are built at this plant. Plus, it will be the home of the ID.4 EV later this year.

If you are hoping to find a mid-size sedan, you can still opt for the Volkswagen Arteon. However, we don’t foresee this model taking over the clientele from the Passat. Instead, most customers are going to choose another brand, maybe even the Honda Accord.

Due to increasingly strict emissions rules, the 2022 Ford Mustang losing a little bit of power. Both the Mustang GT and the Mustang Mach 1 will have less horsepower than the 2021 variants, even though they are powered by the 5.0-liter V8 engine.

Drop in 2022 Ford Mustang Power

The change can be found in the dealer ordering system. New GT models take a dip from producing 460 horsepower to 450, while the Mach 1 was rated at 480 horsepower and now shown with 470. In addition, both models showcase a moderate reduction in torque as well. So, why is this happening? Here’s a statement from Ford.

To meet more stringent LEV III regulatory emissions requirements, horsepower and torque have been reduced by 10 hp and 10 lbs.-ft. for 2022 model year Mustangs with the 5.0-liter V8 engine.

Previously, the Mach 1 motor was the most powerful variant of the 5.0-liter V8 every offered by Ford. However, there are no changes coming to the 760-horsepower 5.2-liter supercharged V8 found in the Mustang Shelby GT. This model remains unchanged going into the 2022 lineup.

Other Brands Follow Suit

It’s clear to see that emissions standards are getting stricter because Ford isn’t the only automaker changing lineups. Chevy recently returned the 6.2-liter V8 engine in the Corvette to meet the new standards. However, there was no drop in horsepower with these tweaks. On the other hand, Dodge wasn’t quite as lucky when dealing with the 710-horsepower Durango SRT Hellcat. Instead of trying to make the engine work, the vehicle was discontinued. You can only purchase the Durango SRT Hellcat as a 2021 model year vehicle.

What other changes will be made to our powerhouse favorites down the road? Only time will tell. As rules become stricter, we will likely see some other models fall our of the lineups. We have to become accustomed to less power if we desire fewer emissions. Maybe they should all be revamped with a DIY electric car kit instead.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra is arriving completely redesigned and enthusiasts are going to love it. The new debut occurred this past Sunday and we couldn’t be happier considering this pickup hasn’t been redesigned since 2007.

2022 Toyota Tundra Updates

What’s most noticeable is the new rear coil spring suspension, upgraded from the previous leaf-spring design. There’s also a brand-new hybrid option for the Tundra lineup.

You can get the 2022 Tundra as a Double Cab (2-door) model or a CrewMax (4-door) truck. The first includes a 6.5-foot or 8.1-foot bed, while the larger truck includes your choice of a 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed. However, all of the same trim levels should return, including the SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 and TRD Pro.

The Tundra lost it’s V8 engine for two 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 motors that provide more power. The base i-Force engine pumps out 389 horsepower, plus 476 pound-feet of torque, while the i-Force Max includes an electric motor to output 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The electric mode can provide up to 18 miles of driving range.

To get the best tow rating, you will want the SR5 Double Cab equipped with rear-wheel drive, plus the 6.5-foot bed that is rated for up to 12,000 pounds. However, even the i-Force Max can supply up to 11,500 pounds of towing capacity.

All new Tundra trucks come with the latest Safety Sense package, complete with tons of driver aids for more on-road security. The interior also comes redesigned with an available 14.1-inch infotainment system and 360-degree camera.

Off-road enthusiasts will enjoy the TRD Pro upgrades. It comes with a 1.1-inch front body lift, Fox shock absorbers, skid plates, Multi-Terrain Select traction control, all-terrain tires and a red front stabilizer bar. While pricing hasn’t been released yet, we don’t expect anything to change dramatically from last year.

Time for a New Toyota Truck

If you’ve been holding out for a redesigned Tundra, the time is upon you. With so many updates, it seems your long wait is finally over.

The Ford Mustang has been the top-selling muscle car since 2015, but will the streak remain this year? To be honest, the race to be the best-selling American muscle car is heating up and getting close. Let’s take a closer look at the current numbers.

Ford Mustang Sales Numbers

After six months of sales, the Ford Mustang is leading the competition with 31,950 deliveries. In 2020, there were 61,090 Mustangs sold, which was down nearly 16% from the year before, probably due to the pandemic. Now that everything is reopening and people are starting to spend money, it should be interesting to see if the sales figures rise anymore.

What’s interesting about the Mustang numbers is how well the electric Mach-E is doing (which technically isn’t a Mustang). Last month, the Mach-E outsold the Mustang by 2,465 to 2,240. Will this model overtake the conventional Mustang or will the muscle car pull back ahead? It should be interesting to see.

Dodge Challenger – 2nd Place Competitor

Giving the Mustang a run for its money this year is the Dodge Challenger. In fact, the margin is close, with 30,148 Dodge Challenger deliveries so far this year. This isn’t that far from the Mustang’s numbers and should cause the Blue Oval to shake a little. It should come as no surprise that the Challenger is moving up in the ranks with the latest supercharged engine and sleek style. Maybe the redesigned 2023 Ford Mustang that is coming down the pipeline will perform against this muscle car a little better. Time will tell.

Best-Selling American Muscle Car Competition

As of now, the Mustang has no other competition. In fact, the Camaro is doing so bad with just 9,881 deliveries this year, that there are some rumors going around that the Z/28 lineup might be canceled. If things continue going downhill, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to see the Camaro models expire and get replaced with an electric lineup instead. The Camaro was the previous winner before 2015, but it doesn’t seem to be a favorite anymore.

Who will reign as champion? We shall find out more as the year goes on.