Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Feb 8, 2012, 7:59 am
Tires wear down as you drive, gradually losing their ability to grip the road properly - which means that winter tires aren't better than all-seasons in bad weather if they don't have enough tread. Read all about my worn-tire experiences in Metro by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Feb 2, 2012, 6:47 pm
I spent a day on a winter driving course with Michelin, checking out the upcoming X-Ice Xi3 tire. Keeping a car on the straight and narrow in nasty conditions requires paying attention and knowing what to do, and the course helped me brush up for the drive home. Read all about it in the Toronto Sta...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Feb 2, 2012, 6:28 pm
The Toronto Star asked me to list my picks for midsize and full-size SUVs from the models currently available. You can find the midsize SUVs by clicking here. Find the full-size ones by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Jan 27, 2012, 1:39 pm
Chrysler had record players, Studebaker ended its days in Canada, and BMW started as an aircraft company. I've compiled ten fascinating facts about autos for the Toronto Star, and you can find them by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Jan 27, 2012, 1:11 pm
The Mazda5 a nifty little car and a great alternative if you occasionally carry a full house but don't want a full-size minivan. You can read my review of the 2012 version in the Toronto Star by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Jan 27, 2012, 1:05 pm
Although electrified vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf are marketed to the public, the most likely place for any widespread adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles is with commercial fleets, for several reasons: they travel enough miles to make back the purchase price faster, the vehicl...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Jan 25, 2012, 6:16 pm
New technology is under development that can tell if you're planning on running a red light, and send out a message to other vehicles in the intersection so they can warn their drivers about your boneheaded move. Read all about it in my Driving Force column in Metro by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Jan 24, 2012, 10:33 am
In the news today: a U.S. company has developed a cellphone application that taps into GPS and navigation systems to warn drivers if they are approaching such dangers as stop signs, train tracks, school crossings or hazardous conditions while they are talking on the phone.  If you get a text...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Jan 24, 2012, 8:53 am
It's handsome, it's fun to drive, it's comfortable, but it's a lot of money. Read my review of the 2012 Nissan Altima 3.5 Coupe in Autos.ca by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Jan 22, 2012, 12:32 pm
The Automobile Protection Association, a Canadian consumer advocate group, sent its representatives to the Montreal Auto Show to take in the sights. Once away from the concept cars and all-new-model reveals, one headed over to Honda's booth and took a closer look at the 2012 Fit ... and foun...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Jan 18, 2012, 3:55 pm
Tire Review magazine is looking for the top independent tire dealers in Canada and the United States, and nominations are open for its Top Shop awards. The winners will be shops that stand out in such things as customer service, business management, community involvement, appearance and innovation. ...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Jan 18, 2012, 8:51 am
A vehicle's platform used to mean a stand-alone frame, which would then have the body bolted to it. Today, "platform" is more of an engineering term for a vehicle's structural design, allowing automakers to turn out a variety of vehicles that look and perform differently but share the basic underpin...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Jan 13, 2012, 6:49 pm
I've finally had a chance to get all the work out of the way and reflect on the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, which I attended last week. My feet still hurt - that is one big show. I was there in the years when it was ridiculous, when automakers drove cars through windows, brought celebrities out o...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Jan 13, 2012, 6:32 pm
The Toronto Star had several writers wandering around, me included, and I was sent out to report on compacts and subcompacts revealed at the show. There weren't many of them, but I found 'em (the Dodge Dart ended up in another writer's story) and you can find 'em by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Jan 12, 2012, 8:09 pm
My friend and colleague James Bergeron puts his thoughts together on his blog, DriveSideways, and it's a great resource for reviews, information and automotive musings. Click here and check it out!
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Jan 11, 2012, 8:26 am
Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne - who came to the company when Fiat took the reins - is not happy with unionized auto workers. Speaking at the Detroit Auto Show, Marchionne said that the current union system of hourly wage increases isn't going to cut it, and instead, he wants a system o...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Nov 2, 2011, 12:09 pm
It may be a sports car company, but Porsche is into saving fuel just as other automakers are. One of its tricks is a new coasting function that provides better fuel economy when cruising. Read all about it in my Driving Force column in Metro by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Nov 2, 2011, 12:04 pm
There are some very good direct shift gearboxes on the market, but this is not one of them. Read all about it in my review on Autos.ca by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Nov 2, 2011, 11:57 am

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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 30, 2011, 7:09 pm
With so many cars, so many ratings, so many numbers, how do you compare them? I got a tip on a new website, Find the Best, that's putting together a database that includes such information as horsepower, fuel economy, price and ratings. It's primarily U.S. information but there's a lot of stu...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 30, 2011, 9:46 am
... and praise the all-new Saab 9-5. June 18, 2010 - ... 4X is launched. December 21, 2010 - Saab announces an agreement to sell its ... expect their pay. September 2011 - Saab files for voluntary reorganization. The court ... from Youngman. October 20, 2011 - Saa...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 30, 2011, 8:29 am
... Ford Ford Focus, Subaru Impreza and Volkswagen Beetle. I suspect the overall Car ... ,000 - Kia Optima, followed by the Volkswagen Passat TDI, Toyota Camry, Mazda5, ... Under $50,000 - Hyundai Veloster, then Volkswagen Jetta GLI, Kia Optima SX, ... twenty-nine thousand dollars? SUV/CU...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 28, 2011, 7:21 pm
The 2012 models are coming in, but there are still many 2011s on the lot. What should you buy? My editor at the Toronto Star asked me to name my choices for small cars under $21,000 and SUVs under $40,000. You can find the cars by clicking here; find the SUVs by clicking here.  If yo...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 28, 2011, 7:13 pm
Toyota sent me out to drive the Tacoma pickup truck, which has received some updates for 2012. They're relatively minor; the main point was to remind buyers that as many automakers leave the compact truck market, the Tacoma's still around. You can read all about it in the Toronto Star by clicking he...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 26, 2011, 6:35 am
Topping up tires is a necessary job, but it's one that few people like to do (me included!). It may one day be a thing of the past, thanks to a new tire device that Goodyear is developing: a tiny one-way valve that takes advantage of a tire's flexibility to pump air in while you're driving. Read all...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 26, 2011, 6:30 am
Overall, a vehicle's seats are among the most important items in it - it's where you spend your time - and they have to be carefully engineered to provide support, keep the occupant safe, and look good. I spoke with a Mercedes-Benz engineer to find out how it's done. Read all about it in Metro by c...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 19, 2011, 1:36 pm
Many drivers who have the money to buy new cars are moving toward their senior years, and automakers know it - they're designing vehicles with these buyers in mind. You can read about how Ford does it in my "Driving Force" column in Metro by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 18, 2011, 5:21 pm
Two for the price of one.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 15, 2011, 7:16 am
There are some lovely spots to visit in Ontario, and when I had a Fiat 500 as a test car, I decided to find some of them. I went out in search of interesting stuff out in the area of St. Jacobs, Ontario and found all kinds of things. You can read about it in the Toronto Star by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 15, 2011, 7:10 am
As I do each year, I trekked to the Antique Automobile Club of America's Fall Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania in early October. It includes what's believed to be the world's largest antique-car flea market, along with a huge car show. My editor asked for something on luxury cars, and so I had a look a...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 13, 2011, 5:14 am
I initially drove Nissan's NV work van on a short press event; this time around, I had it for a week. It's pretty impressive, especially with all the features that were designed to make the workday easier. You can read all about it on Autos.ca by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 12, 2011, 7:55 am
The company has a new head office in Ontario, built to the environmental standards of LEED. I got a tour of the place recently and wrote about it in my Driving Force column in Metro, which you can find by by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 7, 2011, 3:54 pm
 Not all winter tires are created equal, and the Automobile Protection Association (APA) knows it. That's why it has created a rating for winter tires, based on price, quality and performance. You can read all about it in my Toronto Star story by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 6, 2011, 7:53 pm
Turbocharging is becoming a very common engine enhancement, as automakers provide bigger-engine power with smaller-engine fuel technology. Hyundai offers it on the Sonata 2.0T, a very nice driver that can pass quite a few stations before it needs to fill up again. You can read my review in Au...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 6, 2011, 7:49 pm
Several manufacturers use systems that periodically wipe water off the brakes in wet weather, including General Motors. You can read how the system works on Cadillac in my Driving Force column in Metro by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 4, 2011, 7:59 am
 Some of the major automakers aren't just telling us about electric cars, they're putting them on the showroom floor. None of that comes without challenges, though, especially when it comes to keeping them charged. I visited the EV 2011 Conference and Trade Show in Toronto, where I go...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Oct 1, 2011, 10:31 am
Just when you think some people should know better, the news headlines come out. Al Unser Jr., who twice won the Indy 500, was arrested this week on charges of drunk and reckless driving. It seems that Unser was arrested near his home in Albuquerque (shoulda made a left turn there, Doc...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Sep 29, 2011, 2:20 pm

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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Sep 29, 2011, 9:37 am
... U.S. that turned out the largest number of new cars each year, but as it turns out, our ... ; In 2010, automakers worldwide churned out 58,478,810 cars, according to information from the European Automobile Manufacturers ... 101.6% from 2009, with over 1.2 million cars produced), Canada, Tu...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Sep 29, 2011, 8:13 am
It was a nice ride before, and now it's even better: it handles very well, the interior looks good and the venerable 5.7-litre Hemi carries over. You can read my review of the 2011 Dodge Charger in Autos.ca by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Sep 28, 2011, 5:43 pm
The Toronto Star's Wheels section, for which I write, turned 25 years old on September 27 (and a happy birthday to all!). The editor asked me to write three pieces on how cars have changed over the last quarter-century. You can find them by clicking on each one: Convenience - Keyless e...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Sep 28, 2011, 8:04 am
If your tire's low, you're wasting fuel, wearing the tire unevenly and prematurely, and if you leave it for too long it can even come off the rim. You can read all about the importance of tire pressure in my Driving Force column in Metro by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Sep 27, 2011, 4:25 pm
OnStar recently ruffled feathers - mine included, as you can read here - with a proposal to its terms and conditions that would maintain a connection between the company and your vehicle even after you cancelled the service. I definitely wasn't the only one complaining about it, and n...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Sep 23, 2011, 2:42 pm
The Wheels section of the Toronto Star, for which I write, turns 25 years old this month. I put together a story on how cars were back then compared to how they are today. You can sneak a peek at it by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Sep 23, 2011, 2:31 pm
I was on the press launch for the 2012 Scion iQ, the fourth model in Toyota's entry-level range and definitely the smallest. It's not going to be the right car for everyone, but it's surprisingly fun to drive. You can read all about it in the Toronto Star by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Sep 22, 2011, 8:31 am
The Ford Explorer is redesigned for 2011: it's now a unibody instead of a body-on-frame, and it's primarily front-wheel-drive. And overall, it works. You can read my review in Autos.ca by clicking here.
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Sep 21, 2011, 8:28 am
Good auto recyclers don't just let cars sit in the yard; they dismantle them for the value of their parts and metal. First, though, they have to take almost everything out, including the fluids, batteries and reusable parts. Find out how it's done in my Driving Force column in Metro by clicki...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Sep 17, 2011, 11:57 am
Most of you are familiar with GM's OnStar system, which connects your car to a centralized facility. Depending on the plan you have, OnStar and its operators can give you navigation directions, unlock your doors, call an ambulance if you have a crash, send you an update of your car's maintena...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Sep 15, 2011, 1:48 pm
That's the photo that's on the front page of the Toronto Star's Travel section today. And yes, it's me. Because if you're going to write a travel piece about a park in Germany where people sunbathe in the nude, well... The more tasteful online version just has a photo of my husband wit...
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Jil M. posted an article on Jil McIntosh - Sep 14, 2011, 6:13 am
 Another look at how Ford chooses the colors for its cars, this time in my Driving Force column in Metro. You can check it out by clicking here.
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