The 2012 Dodge Durango looks to build on last year’s success. For the 2012 model year, the Durango added optional second-row captain’s chairs with a center console. For our Car Seat Check, we tested a Durango with a three-seat bench in the second row, making it a seven-seater. For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted to a comfortable position for a 6-foot driver and a 5-foot-8 passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant seat and convertible seats are installed behind the passenger seat. We also install the infant seat in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and convertible in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. Here’s how the 2012 Dodge Durango did in MotherProof.com’s Car Seat Check: Latch system: The Durango has two sets of lower Latch anchors in the second row’s outboard seats. The anchors are easy to find, but a little hard to use with traditional Latch connectors because the seat cushions around them are difficult to move out of the way. We found the anchors to be easier to use with our convertible car seat’s rigid Latch connectors. There are three tether anchors midway down the second row’s seatbacks. The third row doesn’t have any lower Latch anchors, but it does have two tether anchors about two-thirds of the way down the seatback. The anchors are partially covered by flaps that bridge the gap between the cargo floor and the seatbacks. Booster seat: Our high-back booster seat fit well in the Durango’s second row. We were able to work with the Durango’s fixed head restraints by reclining the seatback, so it wouldn’t interfere with our booster’s fit. The seat belt buckles are on stable bases, but they sit low in the seat cushion, making it easy for the booster to ride over the buckle. The third row’s seat belt buckles are on stable bases that sit much higher than those in the second row. The booster seat also fit well in this row. Convertible seat: In the second row, the forward- and rear-facing convertible fit well. This was surprising because the second-row seats don’t slide forward and back as they do in competing three-row SUVs. The forward-facing convertible (photo below) also fit well in the third row, where we used the seat belt to install it. Infant-safety seat: This rear-facing seat also fit well in the second row. How many car seats fit in the second row? Two. We were able to fit our three car seats in the third row, but they were tightly wedged against each other, making it difficult for a child in the booster seat to buckle independently. How many car seats fit in third row? Two Editor’s note: For three car seats — infant-safety seat, convertible and booster seats — to fit in a car, our criterion is that a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat.
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The Ford Explorer has long been a family favorite in the SUV market, but as consumer priorities changed from “recreational capabilities” to “passenger hauling” the Ford Explorer lost some of its customer base to competing crossover vehicles. Last year the Ford Explorer switched from a truck based SUV to a car based crossover platform and the results have been impressive. New for 2012 is an optional four cylinder turbo charged engine that has the performance of a 6 cylinder and the gas mileage of a four cylinder. Long gone is the heavy truck based body on frame construction. The new 2012 Ford Explorer features a carlike unibody chassis that results in a smooth, refined crossover feel. The 2012 Ford Explorer is available in three trim levels. Here is a review of the models and specs.

• Base- Standard equipment includes cruise control, 17 inch steel wheels, six way power driver seat, roof rails, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, privacy glass, integrated blind spot mirrors, MyFord trip computer, and a six speaker cd sound system with auxiliary audio jack. The standard engine is a 3.5 liter V6 that puts out 290 horsepower and 255 pound feet of torque. Front wheel drive and a six speed automatic transmission are standard. The turbo charged 2.0 liter “EcoBoost” four cylinder engine is optional on all front wheel drive models which produces 237 horsepower and 250 pound feet of torque. The two wheel drive V6 engine achieves and estimated 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The optional turbocharged four cylinder however, achieves 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Standard safety equipment includes trailer sway control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, stability control, traction control, and MyKey, which allows parents to specify limits for vehicle speed and stereo volume. For insurance the 2012 Ford Explorer earned a top rating of “good” from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety.

• XLT- Adds automatic headlamps, fog lamps, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 18 inch aluminum wheels, rear parking sensors, upgraded cloth interior, keyless entry code pad, Sync, and satellite radio. Option packages offered for the XLT include the “Rapid Spec” suite that adds dual zone climate control, rear view camera, and an eight speaker sound system. The “Driver Connect” package includes an auto dimming rear view mirror, MyFord touch electronics controls, and the Sync services upgrade. The “Next Level Rapid Spec” package includes all the former but adds heated front seats, leather interior, an eight way power driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support, and a six way power passenger seat. Stand alone options available on the 2012 Ford Explorer XLT model include a blind spot warning light system, dual panel sunroof, tow package, rear seat entertainment system, power lift gate, and a navigation system. All other standard safety equipment remains the same.

• Limited- Combines the XLT “Rapid Spec” equipment with 20 inch alloy wheels, remote start, 110 volt power outlet, keyless entry/ignition, and a 12 speaker Sony sound system with HD radio. Two additional “Rapid Spec” packages add a navigation system, ventilated front seats, power lift gate, power folding third row seat, and an eight way power passenger seat. The “Safety Focused Rapid Spec” package includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning system, automatic wipers, collision warning and brake support, inflatable seatbelts for second row outboard passengers, automatic parallel parking system, and xenon headlamps. All other standard safety equipment remains the same. Please consult the Ford online auto brochure for more details.

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Wow! It’s been an insanely hot summer for many of us across the country. During such hot summer months, spending time in the family car can range from totally unpleasant to outright dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s administrator David Strickland says a child left in a car can die from hyperthermia even if the temperatures outside the vehicle are as low as 68 degrees. While we are all hopefully aware of these dangers and would never leave a child in a car … ever. Not even to run into Starbucks; yes, I’m talking to you, mom in the white SUV at my Starbucks next to the King Soopers in Castle Rock, Colo. A car’s interior can get quite hot even while driving around. That’s why I’m especially appreciative of the rear air vents in the 2012 Mazda5 I’ve been test-driving with my family for the bulk of this year. I recently received an email from a dad who’s interested in purchasing a 2012 Mazda5. He wanted to know if it had air vents in the rear to help keep his infant daughter cool. It seems all the padding in her child-safety seat makes her hot, which in turn makes her cry, which in turn makes driving during the summer unbearable for all. Rest assured, Concerned Daddy. The 2012 Mazda5 does have air vents located in the rear of the center console for second-row passengers. My kids are able to reach down and change the airflow at their will to either low or high (or turn it off altogether). The temperature defaults to the temperate I’ve set up front for the driver and front passenger. The controls are also fairly easy for the driver to reach as well if your kiddos can’t quite make the stretch. Passengers in the third row, however, will have to rely on the good will of the second-row passengers to direct some airflow their way. Does your car have air vents for the rear-seat passengers? If not, tell us in the comment section below any tips or tricks you use to help avoid overheated kids in the car. Consult manufacturers auto brochure for exact specs.
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For brave parents with deep pockets, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class could be their family hauler. This four-seat coupe starts at $113,150 for the CL550 we tested. With leather seats and real wood trim, this car should be for well-behaved children only.  For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted to a comfortable position for a 6-foot driver and a 5-foot-8 passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant seat and convertible seats are installed behind the passenger seat. We also install the infant seat in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and convertible in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. Here’s how the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 did in MotherProof.com’s Car Seat Check: Latch system: The CL550 has two sets of lower Latch anchors that sit behind leather flaps. The anchors are easy to access. There are also two tether anchors on the rear shelf behind the backseat’s head restraints. The sloped roofline and fixed head restraints make it hard to see the tethers, but once the plastic covers are removed, it’s not too difficult to hook the tether strap. Booster seat: We were unable to coax our high-back booster seat under the fixed head restraint, so it was pushed forward a little bit. The seat belt buckles are on stable bases that should be easy to use for kids in boosters. Convertible seat: The fixed head restraint also caused problems for the forward-facing convertible. Unlike the booster seat, we couldn’t fit the convertible’s back under the head restraint. This caused the car seat to be pushed forward a little, but not so far forward that the car seat was off the bottom seat cushion. To fit the rear-facing convertible, we had to move the front passenger seat forward a few inches. The front passenger had enough legroom to sit comfortably. Infant-safety seat: We had to move the front passenger seat all the way forward when installing the infant seat. However, this still didn’t leave enough room for the car seat, so we angled the passenger seatback forward. Once the car seat was installed we were able to move the front passenger seat back a bit. While we were able to move the seatback a bit backward, it wasn’t enough to create a comfortable seating position for the front passenger, who complained about sitting so upright. How many car seats fit in the second row? Two Editor’s note: For three car seats — infant-safety seat, convertible and booster seats — to fit in a car, our criterion is that a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat.
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The new CC shares it’s, platform, dashboard design, and engines with the previous generation Passat, which helps to set itself apart from your average midsize sedan on the market this year. Performance is great and the sleek styling design makes it nice to look at also. The only drawbacks for some may be the limited space in the back seats and that it only has seating for four passengers.

The 2012 Volkswagen CC is available in six trim levels. Below is a breakdown of equipment and specifications.

2.0T Sport- Comes standard with cruise control, 17 inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, automatic wipers, automatic climate control, premium vinyl “leatherette” interior, heated eight way power seats with lumbar support, Bluetooth, automatic headlights, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, eight speaker sound system with touch screen interface, iPod interface, HD radio, satellite radio, and an auxiliary audio jack. The 2012 2.0T Sport only comes in front wheel drive and is powered by a 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound feet of torque. A six speed manual transmission is standard equipment, while a six speed dual clutch automated manual is optional. Fuel economy is estimated at 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined with the automatic transmission. The manual drops the city mpg number to 21. Consult manufacturer’s auto brochure for exact fuel ratings. Standard Safety equipment includes stability control, traction control, ABS brakes with brake assist, hill hold assist, front seat side airbags, and side curtain airbags. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2012 VW CC its top rating of “Good” for side impacts, and frontal offset crash tests.

R Line- Adds a special front bumper, fog lamps, 18 inch wheels, dark taillights, and a side-sill design. All other engine, transmission and standard safety equipment remain the same.

Lux- Adds different 18 inch wheels, brushed aluminum interior trim, dual zone automatic climate control, heated washer nozzles, fog lamps, and a navigation system while deleting the HD Radio. The six speed dual clutch automated manual transmission is standard. All engine and standard safety equipment remain the same.

Lux Plus-Adds a rearview camera, panoramic sunroof, HD Radio, mood lighting, digital music storage, wood trim, and an upgraded navigation system. The six speed dual clutch automated manual transmission is standard. All other engine and standard safety equipment remain the same.

Lux Limited- Adds adaptive xenon headlights, and different 18 inch wheels. All other engine, transmission, and standard safety equipment remain the same.

VR6 4Motion- Adds to the Lux Limited package a 3.6 liter V6 that delivers 280 horsepower and 265 pound feet of torque. A conventional six speed automatic transmission is standard. Also added are AWD, parking sensors, power rear sunshade, headlamp washers, driver memory functions, 10 speaker Dynaudio stereo, steering wheel shifter paddles, and leather interior. All other standard safety equipment remains the same.

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For 2011, the Hyundai Elantra received a redesign on both its exterior and interior. The compact car’s stylish looks are similar to its bigger sibling, the Sonata midsize sedan. The Elantra comes as a five-passenger sedan, which we tested in our Car Seat Check.  For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted to a comfortable position for a 6-foot driver and a 5-foot-8 passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant seat and convertible seats are installed behind the passenger seat. We also install the infant seat in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and convertible in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. Here’s how the 2011 Elantra did in MotherProof.com’s Car Seat Check: Latch system: The Elantra has two sets of lower Latch anchors in the outboard seats. While they are somewhat buried in the seat bight, which is where the back and bottom seat cushions meet, they weren’t difficult to access because there’s an opening between the cushions at the seat bight. On the passenger side, the seat belt buckle blocks the inboard Latch anchor. There are three tether anchors on the Elantra’s rear shelf. They’re easy to use and access. Booster seat: Our high-back booster seat fits well in the sedan. The rear seats’ side bolsters are just big enough to hold the car seat in place. The head restraint can be raised high enough to keep it from interfering with the car seat. If the head restraint does need to be removed, the rear seat must be folded to create enough space to do so. The backseat’s seat belts are on floppy bases, which can make buckling up difficult for kids in booster seats. Convertible seat: The forward- and rear-facing convertible seat fit well in the Elantra. Infant-safety seat: This car seat also had plenty of room in the sedan. How many car seats fit in the second row? Two Editor’s note: For three car seats—infant-safety seat, convertible and booster seats—to fit in a car, our criteria is that a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat. Consult manufacturers auto brochure for exact specifications.
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The compact-car segment is heating up, thanks to high gas prices. Kia’s compact car, the Forte, comes in three body styles: sedan, hatchback and coupe. For our Car Seat Check, we tested the five-passenger sedan. For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted to a comfortable position for a 6-foot driver and a 5-foot-8 passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant seat and convertible seats are installed behind the passenger seat. We also install the infant seat in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and convertible in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. Here’s how the 2011 Forte sedan did in MotherProof.com’s Car Seat Check: Latch system: The Forte has two sets of lower Latch anchors in the outboard seats. The anchors peek out of the seat bight, which is where the back and bottom seat cushions meet. All the anchors are easy to use except for the inboard anchor (closer to the middle seat) on the passenger side. Three tether anchors can be found in the rear shelf behind the backseat’s head restraints. The tethers sit under hinged plastic covers and are easy to use. Booster seat: In the backseat, the bottom seat cushion has large bolsters. While they’re big (see photo below), they didn’t interfere with the fit of our high-back booster seat. The seat belt buckles are floppy, and the large bolsters push them into the outboard seats. In our case, the seat belt buckle kept getting stuck behind our booster seat, which will frustrate kids in these car seats to no end. Convertible seat: Both the forward- and rear-facing convertible car seat fit well in the Forte sedan. Infant-safety seat: We moved the front passenger seat forward roughly an inch to create enough room for this rear-facing car seat. This seating position caused our tester’s knees to graze the glove box. How many car seats fit in the second row? Two Editor’s note: For three car seats—infant-safety seat, convertible and booster seats—to fit in a car, our criteria is that a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat. Consult manufacturer auto brochure for more info.
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Honda redesigned its best-selling Civic for the 2012 model year. It comes in two body styles—coupe and sedan, which we tested in our Car Seat Check. The sedan’s backseat is now larger, with an extra inch of rear legroom. For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted to a comfortable position for a 6-foot driver and a 5-foot-8 passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant seat and convertible seats are installed behind the passenger seat. We also install the infant seat in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and convertible in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. Here’s how the 2012 Civic sedan did in MotherProof.com’s Car Seat Check: Latch system: The Civic has two sets of lower Latch anchors in the outboard seats. The anchors aren’t visible, but they aren’t buried too deeply in the seat bight, where the back and bottom cushions meet. The cushions can be easily pushed to the side to gain access to the anchors. Three tether anchors sit under hinged plastic covers on the Civic’s rear shelf behind the head restraints. The tether anchors are easy to use, with a lot of clearance around the anchor bars. Booster seat: The Civic’s flat backseat makes it easy for a high-back booster seat to fit on it. The seat belt buckles are floppy, making them difficult for kids in boosters to use independently. Convertible seat: The forward- and rear-facing convertibles both fit well in the sedan. Infant seat: We had to move the front passenger seat forward roughly an inch to create enough room for this car seat to fit properly. This caused our front passenger’s knees to push against the glove box. How many seats fit in the second row? Two Editor’s note: For three car seats—infant-safety seat, convertible and booster seats—to fit in a car, our criteria is that a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat.
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Recall Alert: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze GM is recalling 100,308 2011 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles because they fail to comply with federal safety standards concerning the transmission and theft protection, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In the affected vehicles, the shift lever in automatic-transmission models may not accurately reflect the position of the transmission gear. As a result, the driver may move the shifter to Park and remove the ignition key when the transmission is actually in a different gear. If this happens, the driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and vehicle could roll away after the driver has left the vehicle. The vehicles in the recall were built between Oct. 6, 2009 and April 27. You can check the build date on the vehicle’s driver-side doorjamb. Dealers will inspect the transmission shift linkage and adjust the system if necessary at no charge. GM also is recalling 128,911 Cruze sedans because a bolt attaching the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear input shaft may not be properly installed, according to NHTSA. In the affected vehicles, the shafts could separate and cause the driver to lose steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. The vehicles in the recall were built between Oct. 2, 2009 and April 21. You can check the build date on the vehicle’s driver-side doorjamb. Dealers will inspect the intermediate steering shaft and steering gear assembly to make sure the bolt is fully fastened and the shaft is properly assembled. Any repairs will done free of charge. For more info on either recall, owners can call Chevrolet at 800-630-2438 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236. Recall Alert: 2001-04 Audi A6, 2003 Audi RS6, 2002-03 Audi S6 Volkswagen is recalling 5,992 Audi vehicles from the 2001-04 model years because the cars could suffer a fuel leak, according to NHTSA. The recall affects 2001-04 Audi A6, 2003 Audi RS6 and 2002-03 Audi S6 vehicles equipped with 4.2-liter engines built between June 19, 2001 and June 8, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the plastic material in the fuel tank rollover valve, combined with the bending stress from the aluminum ventilation line to the rollover valve nipple, may cause the nipple to crack. This could lead to a fuel leak that may cause a fire if an ignition source is present. You can check to see when your car was built by checking a label on the driver’s side doorjamb. Volkswagen will notify owners next month. Dealers will repair the nipple on the rollover valve for free. For more info, call Audi at 800-822-2834 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236.
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