CNET Roadside Assistance 015: Keep those wipers at mid-stride

Hello folks it's roadside assistance I'm Brian Cooley this is signature -- Wayne Cunningham. It's one good one Stephen -- at the controls and this is the show. Oh how are we answer your questions about cars and and actually also about driving law to -- with. With trivia question or discussion we're having about it whether it's legal to turn right on a red from all the right turn lanes and talk more about that moment. But in case you're new to this show were only -- let's see here our fifteenth episode today. This is the show there's a variant offshoot of car tech live which you -- -- well we kind of broke off all the Q&A into a separate shows that you're new to -- -- your first time. Welcome to it. First question comes in the -- guys via email from Pedro in -- got a 2010 FX 35 with the hard drive stereo nav system the music box. And how he has a wired connection to his iPhone four -- using the cable to plug it in but he wants to go Android and there's no really way to cable on Android intelligently it's just -- -- right. Right now well -- must there is that my sources -- mass storage device. Well. Which through the US people and dough in half the cars don't recognize. Those -- about 45 -- 6 yeah and I am right I get it to work on two cars of the cars that we've been testing and -- an entry into things he -- showing up as a USB Europe and -- I mean it worked in it is yet to have that perfect storm. You -- union in very quickly going into the union when the USB enough. Is gonna do that -- otherwise if -- take too long in the -- -- you -- amounted to an invalid by its. About time the what happened when I tried to hook up an Android device to sync. My Droid two doesn't show up as a USB device and I'm gonna push some -- an operating it is says this device might -- -- -- actually app that automatically. Whenever -- in the USB connection automatically put your phone to the -- mood yet but even there and that the arts of the question he has here is if he goes to a Bluetooth streaming device you that's what he does -- Android in. To his FX 35 head unit. How does he get it so he has metadata. And not just streaming of the audio and transport controls what's the magic formula he's got -- happens lot of folks -- start to think about that well that the magic formula is your own path to output via Avian TP formation. The audio video remote control pro right -- the -- amenity over that which actually I don't think it's built into Android. It took to the will. There -- a couple of different Bluetooth stack these TCU's of the room. Bluetooth stack that different from the one built into the core in Ireland though it's -- -- was not a standard right it'll Bluetooth standard is. Kind of hot math you can and -- you can use whatever chunk of whatever you wanna use. So again you have to have. Your phone support the three but no one died three standard would actually completely support the one that standard which -- and the metadata in your car stereo have to completely support the one that threes standard to receive the manatee that. It is largely AD RC yeah -- wanna be largely -- -- -- to complete -- within the Bluetooth which is actually a Bluetooth three I don't business part of Bluetooth right. So it's like the reversion within a version -- that independent of the -- because you can have Bluetooth. To that's okay well what do you think -- -- aux cable. That will give you the -- -- -- noted that but it'll work and unfortunately none of this information is published. So I can't really find out -- what -- what his -- 35 has or what my what respondents trial and error and I think we've only seen a handful of units that'll do it. Yeah I've seen it work with the couple Blackberry phones via. My Droid two is good about putting out -- and what's the car we just -- in both of them one of them has the Bluetooth streaming that worked out really well the metadata -- popping up. Regularly -- but that's just one follow. Bright ones that like -- -- so there are so here's the keys are going to be intrigued by this you're looking to buy new car take your phone to the show room. -- right there and try stream at the only way to really find out yet. Yep my feeling out with his FX 35 is this won't be a very. Advanced Bluetooth stack because infinity has had that. That that infotainment system for for a little while now they really haven't changed them in about year four -- -- so I wouldn't expect that to be update. It appeared that the other thing is that there is little bit of injury stuff coming from the -- fear that if is that blue Google's actually mentioned that in the next version of Android next generation -- -- the ice cream and which. There's actually gonna be more of a focus on getting -- response to actually work with crap. So there you actually going to be a little bit more robustness to that Bluetooth connection a little bit more robustness. To that USB connection. So that the -- phone can work. Much in the same way that Apple legal outlook on it still working with external hardware to more uniformity right as the ability is largely already there that people want but it's not uniform exactly and you may start seeing the show up in the next generation of Android phone emulator so he should hold off perhaps -- -- -- this jump. He doesn't say what kind of phonies are we have on iPhone four you haven't given -- to jump yet. It really depends on what phones are gonna jump to -- -- -- landing on. But the very least to when there's ice cream sandwich due out do we know we only this year okay so still -- this year not like and 22 aren't so that it does anyone away for Pedro it's actually turning out to be a -- -- question as much as the cart to a question. Hold off and that's -- that what is that to dot for that the three dot. One way. -- now would it could gingerbread this could really. Did you -- -- and then there's three one was just -- -- is even more gingerbread. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- So 202 -- three. That's right yeah honeycomb is 3 dot I am -- -- this is why Android needs adults who they haven't decided what -- content -- his revision number maybe three got something it. Google this we will be. You guys have gotta run better heard over the Android mask as it is a mess at the wonderful capable mess and this is one of the examples. Let's take a look now at -- -- actually to a voice mail. This one comes in about using data with all these new functions in cars that tethered to your Smartphone it's a good -- -- -- But that it card. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- On the ball. And lower. -- Day. During. A boat -- Caught -- It. Well. He's gonna or mixing metaphors here -- know exactly -- -- asking now. Yet -- if for example if you use something like pioneer at Rhea which is actually just using the app find your phone via a -- regular data plan as the happy than actually going anywhere defending. Information somewhere else for the apps running on your phone. -- -- just like regular data usage and assist echoing the interface to the pioneer app radio right okay now if you use something like. Which one of the auto makers have that thing where you can have what the Wi-Fi hot -- your car. -- Lincoln. Or it's got that -- Norma -- my mortality and yet and they view something like that where you're actually connecting your. Smartphone via Wi-Fi in using its Indian -- -- you you can -- The. Yes that's -- right on the add new Twitter and tune system where you well -- Have an Apple have the -- app on your phone. It doesn't that doesn't involve tethering because it just uses that data app is just a normal data plan. Those are I believe those that are but either way you're using your phone's data. -- what you're doing it they're folded up paying for the connection of the tether your paying for the connection from the cloud the phone in all instances but right now I mean it depends on and how would using. The -- a lot of times. Who uses forwards like think services via in the discount the voice collected dial up -- always call the the only ones -- do that there's no data no one -- I don't -- like that. If you're -- -- on star. OnStar does some phone based stuff right. What I think they actually move data over when it was basically a modem yet basically easier for development but -- accounts with all of but assume you're going to need an unlimited data plan or you just really really close attention to it now you know. You know if if you for example put. A Motorola zoom in your dashboard. And used that. As your car stereo when you tethered your Motorola Droid 2 it. Then you'd be using tethering because the -- -- coming into your phone -- -- going somewhere else -- as much a question about how your company or your carrier is breaking out the data that's part of your data. Bucket or if it's part of your new tethering but because of the using two separate billing items right right. There are combined into one like four gig usually get two gig to have gave whatever it is of unlimited data -- -- BS anyway and you add the two gig of most whose -- give you in the tethering but if you're going to the hot spot -- data's unlimited that the public prostitute case and that it's. Kind of unlimited but slower here's how you can tell. If you have to connect your phone to your car using Wi-Fi -- If you don't it's not -- -- got to view them Bluetooth. Not nearly enough billions going over that connects exactly exactly that's that's that's -- that's okay that's that makes it clear when you know which of your buckets are using but then again it depends on your carrier they'll let you put combine those into one. Like I think my Verizon plan got a hot swap -- with two gig and I've got to -- unlimited data or whatever the data plan is and this is one bucket of four gigabytes of bits I think. Doesn't matter if I use it whether it's in the tethering mode or the native browsing mode it's just -- for -- I bought but I don't know I've never hit the limit. So while they're -- a problem that's the other question is. With audio you're unlikely at the limit if you do and I've always than you would do stick an iPad on the headrest and make that you -- -- payment system if you're streaming video. Different deal right you're gonna use at -- pretty quick this one comes in from let's say. Kevin -- doesn't have -- -- sub note here that. Before you to that the toughest -- come yes do you have his beloved -- 2001 Dakota quad cab for a seven passenger dumping. So he says I'll go kicking and screaming into a minivan if it's my future if I have to do the Dakota has about as little tech -- there is so. He wants to LeapFrog totally into a high tech car. I'm looking for a seven passenger vehicle with the best tech possible in the thirty to 40000 dollar range he's looking and explorer to start. But he knows that my Ford touch is a little complicated right now. And explore the -- did a good place to start there -- considering the price seen but at the size of the car he wants. I -- -- go to an older stylus to be like a suburban they still make those that alien and it's it's more minutes -- go back. That's right has a lot of as a LeapFrog what the wrong direction that it. -- also the Chevy Traverse that's one of the new breed of crossover vehicles. Three euros and seven passengers you know and that will. -- GM's coming out with some pretty interest -- technology lately the might link. It's -- stuff. And -- Enough that I think that -- a little. Slower on that news -- while that's not gonna be in the traversed right away in -- Malibu gets it first right Malibu and now I think the equinox as well these so. My mind -- the -- particularly -- there quite yet but I'm -- he's been getting some pretty decent tech. So not -- cap and text up there almost anything he gets is gonna be a wave big jump over what you do what I am FM radio. And a dot matrix display mean literally. 01 Dakota. CD player maybe maybe if if that but just that as a back up. Probably Toyota highlanders another option is for the size and price he's looking -- ups. Tech and there's not super it's solid but it's not -- to -- yes all of the work it's fine it's not a disappointment anyway. Any major way this is exit the hardest part about this is that such a crowded field. There are so many options for those -- of you know. Compact SUVs or chunky crossovers. Yeah I mean -- -- India fiftieth out of the where you know -- -- on the dollar. But it really detect -- thanks -- he -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- It's not that dirty and I think I think I broke it just putting it up. It was unbelievable what -- those we'll fix it before -- gave it back. If it -- -- we got it a what's gonna fix it for our but it acute. Pneumonia in a group of young men and one of those those. Those big long -- -- Jack -- the that I flap tips bachelor's fervor for head arrests but that -- and they would hurt if you get something. -- would be better than your head no law against but not much unbelievable disaster of the -- does one not to get serious in the third row. Is victor Laurie literally sitting on the floor -- -- -- -- and cardboard aren't here yet. What does that down and displayed his arms around my need it's all -- amazed at night right now it's eight inch -- that I it's like unbelievable recently it'll snap I thought this is -- humble it was a joke. So that's what -- you don't -- -- you can take one out of the field of twenties and here's the great side note this is from Kevin. From blue ball Pennsylvania he says PS -- -- blue ball -- -- it's next to bird in hand. Intercourse Pennsylvania and is part of the greater paradise regional asset that. Okay Google Maps immediately here we go -- I have to be elected to include I can't write a little sad that that's the pub India in blue balls or whatever else -- Okay so paradise. Pennsylvania let's zoom in here. Okay -- paradise. What's missing is towns called blue ball blue balls seriously and OK if you -- -- -- like like that Cingular and it looks blue. A -- It sees right so there is a -- is blue ball -- -- even better here's gap. It keeps getting better. What also we'd -- look -- here's Eden. It's the states like a big long comedy routine and that -- -- county -- -- -- I went yeah office was in Pennsylvania. That's that explains all of it. Wow this is a trip. Internet you have to -- from if you of their yesterday's upfront that could not -- it and the -- say yes it's called blue ball yes it's in Paradise Valley and yes opera crime -- so thank you for that -- -- -- your question was fine but your geographic lesson was really cool but you'll come back just a minute quick -- break we're gonna come back with a question about isn't. Add to leave your wipers parked mid stride that's coming up as roadside assistance continues. Hello folks welcome back to cnet's roadside assistance our help and how to podcast from the CNET car tech teams -- Brian Cooley. Wayne Cunningham and Antuan Goodwin and we've got Steve and -- -- at the controls can do you know your emails which by the way come in -- car tech at cnet.com. Gets to all of -- so it'll find the right person. Craig writes in from he's in Portland. Says get a lot of rain here yes you do wife and I were discussing is it okay to leave the wipers on when you turn the car off you know in -- Kind of -- midway on the glass. Builder Wednesday suddenly were must newer cars Mozilla's artists aren't that -- -- -- return to the the down position so he's gonna cards at least a few years old. If you think it's good for that parks the -- funny way you know kind of bent over and pressed against the glass. I think the real problem here began encountering here is if those that the sticky if there's something like maybe rain or snow gets anonymous special -- -- but to pollen are still there in the opposition and so they gets. Or -- they stick to the windshield at all. When the motor has to move them that's gonna -- -- And yet. It's cleaner down in the well when he said. -- Maine might be better off there especially in the winter if you park and they get snowed on the lot of cars doesn't -- -- about the little melting wires down where they park -- so it can loosen up so before they start to move but you can be -- all bets are off. Again it would bring distort the rubber blades that happens anyway. Wiper blades are. At this point the lowest tech thing in the car they have not -- an improvement on the in my lifetime. They still go bad really quick. Like the new -- that are -- -- and there's a big difference there have liked instead of like the two arms they have like. Continuously. Idea. Still it energy -- what happens. They innovative wings automatically in which government labs in what happens in the end same damn thing one part of it gets bit funny and that part glides over the glass without -- at I get a streak of -- The doesn't get rubbed off it's like -- can't you figure this out. Even the back of the seventy's they had some cars that when the wipers came down the arm -- a little -- and it lifted the blade also -- in mid air under the cap all of the hook it. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Anyway you have most modern cars are gonna figure this out mother cartridges can and that kind of distorting your wiper -- -- -- -- -- expense that wouldn't be too worried about unless you know you're in the -- an area where you get stuck in a weird position with the snow in the ice here's -- -- comes in from John Houston. Economy exits the -- and 99 Town Car -- -- -- -- -- horns on the -- I just want to know what -- the best rear wheel drive cars available today in the market in terms of value and reliability is gonna 99 Town -- classic you know limo to a car. I was has lasted me well until now I wanna I I -- -- -- along time to longevity the reliability -- priority for him as well as smooth and comfortable ride. He -- say -- but that's putting me. I wanna get -- hybrid. But I doubt their reliability and cost in the long run like when he has the car in ten years. Would always do for this guy rear wheel drive kind of one does not as odd as it once was coming back a little you have to go to -- luxury makers really there that. Rim brands now for rear wheel drive and that's you know you're Infiniti Lexus. -- he's -- the Genesis that's that's a new car right that I would qualify. I'm trying to think you know in the -- as far as board and shabby and all that they've really. -- really have many -- -- cars that in the M. You know sports cars -- they don't mean the mustang that's it yeah -- front. Fusion -- the little guys are all flawed criminal. -- what Paula -- via. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- And it down car. And it doesn't need an all wheel drive -- in Texas and now this event is -- is not a whole lot of people need animals that tungsten so yeah it's going to be a kind of an -- -- -- -- -- it's not -- be -- -- -- the won the -- low -- range for the most -- -- but I -- if he's already -- -- Lincoln -- -- already. -- like higher scale -- those pricey car then it's Yahoo! deal now. Yeah he's really baby it it's like a 5000 dollar used car at -- -- -- -- all that great car but. He's while he wants to go. Maybe mid thirties Infiniti G 35 37 is a good choice so much smaller than -- -- -- -- smaller to. Nice ride -- all wheel drive. Hot car he'd go up to the Infiniti M 37 to. You know nothing's gonna feel like -- town -- got very adamant that nothing is gonna have that big spacious open thing unless you buy an LS -- an -- was even those don't feel as big as a Town Car into a car is last of its air. They don't make them anymore although they do they're actually -- there just -- to just -- goes off right now. Replete with indicate -- you did not know which is from real driver all wheel drive. You know I do like the a Lexus LS 460 that's beautiful that's a comfortable being -- are beautiful looks reply and dad you can get decent mileage on the freeway. Because it's got an eight speed transmission so it's it's in a really talking here even though it's -- Four -- -- the you can still get -- Town -- dude. It's 48000 dollars a particular caught its way overpriced and they -- 48 ground for a -- advocating while classic. Cloth pads and I don't epithet when -- -- filter McCarthy overly worth of sports and. I'll tell you what you what I would do I would go out there and I would go by on going eBay I got a little mile. Crown -- -- -- keep ago. They make -- him until last month the -- the -- Do that -- another ten years and rebellion -- tech currently. That's -- that's another option it's not -- we normally like to -- around here where I'm a guy who's going to get eight mile -- the -- hybrid TC might that be looking at lower fuel or better fuel -- you -- us so they'll be uploaded to -- the -- at that which you look at the -- so folks of voicemails and emails send an end card to roadside assistance prevented -- take a look at -- -- cars in a minute but I wanna remind you out of future emails and car tech at cnet.com. And to call -- and leave a voicemail. Like are guided to the question -- tethering data we love those that 866401. Scene at 8664012638. It's a toll free call into a voice mailbox at the talk to anybody in godly hour of the day -- -- -- -- that was making me crazy just call me your thoughts. Com and if you're -- we get him a bonus point system for -- and 866401. CNET leave your thoughts in your questions for us here on car tech live. But we always -- car tech -- our oh by the way of our our last question comes in at. -- -- and say hey guys I wanna know what -- are asking -- as well -- all of -- what are your daily cars. So we would -- -- last couple weeks we just got a schedule now we're gonna roll these out. We're gonna put up while slide shows albums of what we actually drive put our money where our mouth is over the course of -- depriving block ads sometimes of embarrassing results sometimes not. Who's going up first is that you only -- -- okay on June 7 will be launching the Cooley -- slide show all the cars I've driven up until today who's upset and one that June 14. Okay -- will -- ought roughly how many cars we talk about five. Okay I got about six or seven -- you go up on the 21 yet and got about a ones matter to let them have a lot of -- are sent in these three slide shows so we're gonna tell you about those next week. When my slide show -- of Columbia wheel gone live by the and so -- will be so when -- all the -- we've actually -- what -- we actually spent our own money on nothing could say more about the cars that we think are worth buying. Let's wrap it up with -- -- outlaw cars -- you send in photos of cars that are unbearably stupid or embarrassing we put -- up on our site. While god hears us -- XEU with the full -- treatment. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- When you get this stuff I mean I'm asking users Cingular got a country squire and one side would -- coming off so I gotta get new -- -- on -- that sticker answers and I don't need them they'll want shock. Me is the look hard to me this is -- this is final but looks like he's got actual. Relieved molding on which I think he might have gotten at the lumber store Saturday. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- He's a man after my own heart though I gotta say to have a mere country squire on the total packets with -- -- I'm always come in from all what happened was jaguar are you kidding me. Look at this beautiful X XK who. And he's done like what is it's like a like -- paint job. It looks like -- an artwork its current economic burden. On the hood here to what took firebird do yeah that's it reminds via the -- them right transit -- via. In Brooklyn of course that. That that's an odd thing to be viewed -- -- helped me is that a spoiler people on the back what is that oh yeah. And with that part. About you return to avoid the pain it I think he's tacked on a spoiler off some other cards up on stilts it's not a -- it's actually sticking up in -- after market ruler -- and wow. It's kind of nicely done. You know it's -- a body shop charged him some box and it's. It's not like it's sloppy to -- -- but it's not attractive at -- anybody got his friend easily -- -- -- -- -- Joey you know we did it. Joey did -- beautifully and yet he's got a spray -- he didn't mind a good thing. Our last walk -- -- look at this week and invite you -- look at all of them at go -- tech dot cnet.com this is actually. Exactly what's gonna be would it be meet this weekend I wanna put a new -- and I just want the Toyota pick up underneath it. This is actually comment kinda cool like this next you because the got rid of the mini me. -- I think you outline what let's get our beautiful and one -- -- inflammatory yet. Sorry we excellent very good deal and we with Pelham last week -- -- better outs. -- caravan but what did he do to it means into a diagram. -- cut into a pick up yet. Now he didn't. Oh yeah he did -- look at this. I like it particularly good job -- you have you get the glad I waited a -- -- kind of curved around the pillars nicely with that the glasses and work experience of the road he did all right it's got a regular -- -- -- write -- -- he's gonna gusting to our idea of my hometown of isn't what you guys -- -- when you boys did this. There's no two ways about it live rear bumper cut in league got got a little rough yeah I mean it likely that if the -- the yeah it's on the advantage of the weird because of the top of the night and he got the rubber tread from the how from the home improvement store -- -- included -- contact cement but did it did a good job cut in the exhaust pipes much early mustang style opera like that that's cool. Nice job overall thought I like the large windows to larger window large side windows lot of visibility yet this is actually one of the best worst carve rivers. Now it -- -- still back there. -- well I didn't totally cool Subaru -- that thing. Bevy of bad acts and they're all kind of lower -- leaves and on the elements money particularly Ugly -- there's -- perfectly -- truck back there aren't right. A at a garden variety accord and -- there's like an -- -- what suburban park next to it. I swear it's gonna Campbell paint job I can't tell but I just know it does -- -- the lot of -- piled up next of the house we have a whole lot of stuff he's got plenty of parts to make another one and there -- -- law -- -- of -- great fun -- -- people do with cars and be glad it's not you that's a car tech dot cnet.com our show -- through there that's it for roadside assistance join us again next week for car tech live and roadside assistance -- And follow us on Twitter in the meantime I'm Brian Cooley BR IA NC double OLEY Wayne is Wayne C underscore SF and Antuan is -- doing anti GOO. We will see you next week -- --