More than 7.4 million Toyota vehicles are being recalled worldwide—the largest ever since 1996—because of bad power window switches, said Toyota Motor Corp. The driver's door-mounted switches may have a "notchy" or "sticky" feel to them during operation. And if drivers use oil or other lubricants to correct the problem, the switch assembly could melt, emit smoke or even cause a fire.

Toyota says the sticky window switches are found in the following models of Toyota cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks:

• 2007 to 2008 Yaris (approx. 110,300)
• 2007 to 2009 RAV4 (approx. 336,400)
• 2007 to 2009 Tundra (approx. 337,100)
• 2007 to 2009 Camry (approx. 938,100)
• 2007 to 2009 Camry Hybrid (approx. 116,800)
• 2008 to 2009 Scion xD (approx. 34,400)
• 2008 to 2009 Scion xA (approx. 77,500)
• 2008 to 2009 Sequoia (approx. 38,500)
• 2008 Highlander (approx. 135,400)
• 2008 Highlander Hybrid (approx. 23,200)
• 2009 Corolla (approx. 270,900)
• 2009 Matrix (approx. 53,800)

UPDATE: Oct. 11, 2012
And according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the sticky window switch issue also affects an undisclosed number of 2009 Pontiac Vibe hatchbacks, General Motor's mechanical twin to the Toyota Matrix.

Toyota says it has not received any reports of injuries or accidents due to the faulty window switches. But approximately 2.5 million Toyota vehicles in the U.S. and another 240,000 in Canada may be affected by the issue. Approximately 1.4 million vehicles each in China and Europe may also have sticky window switches, said a Toyota spokesman.

The companies expect to notify affected owners in North America later this month to bring their vehicles in to dealerships for a free inspection and, if needed, an application of special fluorine grease.

Toyota had the largest global recall of more than 10 million vehicles for unintended acceleration in 2009 and 2010.

According to the official NHTSA recall notice (Campaign ID #: 12V491000), concerned consumers can call the toll-free Toyota Customer Experience Center (800-331-4331) or GM's Pontiac Customer Care (800-762-2737) for more information.

Sources:
Recall: 2009 Pontiac Vibe / 2007-09 Toyota (various models) - Power window switches [NHTSA]
Voluntary Recall of Certain Vehicles For The Driver's Side Power Window Master Switch [Toyota]
Toyota to recall 7.4 million vehicles globally on power window glitch [Automotive News]

A safety warning for nearly 90,000 Graco Classic Wood Highchairs has been issued by U.S. and Canadian safety agencies today. The high chairs from Graco have seats that may become detached from the wooden base and present a fall hazard to infants, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Consumer Reports' experts test dozens of models of baby high chairs every year. As part of its evaluation for inclusion into our High chair Ratings (available to subscribers), testers check if they meet the voluntary safety standards of ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials).

But since these standards are not mandatory, our experts say consumers shopping for a baby high chair should "Push contenders around to see how well they hold their ground. A chair should feel stable and sturdy, not wobbly. Look for a high chair with a wide base for stability." (For more shopping and safety tips, read Consumer Reports' free buying guide to baby high chairs.)

Graco has received 58 reports of seats loosening or detaching from the base of its Classic Wood Highchairs. Nine incidents of children falling as the seat detached from the base have been reported, including one report of an infant receiving a concussion in Canada.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled high chairs and contact Graco (toll-free: 800-345-4109, website: Www.gracoBaby.com) for a free repair kit.

The recall affects all Graco brand Classic Wood Highchairs with model numbers 3C00BPN, 3C00BPN TC, 3C00CHY, 3C00CHY TC, 3C00CPO or 3C00CPO TC printed on a label on the underside of the seat assembly.

The Graco high chairs were sold at Babies R Us, Burlington Coat Factory and other retail stores nationwide and at Target.com and Walmart.com and other online retailers between September 2007 and December 2010 for about $130.

Sources:
Graco Recalls Classic Wood Highchairs Due to Fall Hazard [CPSC]
Recall: Graco Classic Wood Highchair [Health Canada]
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Yokohama Tire is recalling nearly 11,000 of its Avid Touring S vehicle tires due to "improper geometry," according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The production flaw could lead to cracks in the tires' sidewalls and a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash, said the agency.

Only one size—215/65R16 98T SL—of the all-season tires are being recalled, and no deaths or accidents have been reported to the NHTSA or the Yokohama company.

Consumer Reports has tested and rated the Yokohama Avid Touring S tires. And while we found its dry braking performance "impressive," there were much better performing all-season tires in our Ratings. See our free online tire buying guide for help in choosing the correct tires for your vehicle.

Yokohama says it will contact affected owners and dealers on Oct. 20 and replace the defect Avid Touring S tires for free.

For more information, consumers can call the Yokohama Tire Corp toll-free at 800-423-4544.

Source:
Recall: Yokohama Avid Touring S tires - Sidewall    Campaign #: 12T025000 [NHTSA]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a safety investigation into the 2005 Honda Pilot sport-utility vehicle after a consumer complained the SUV would suddenly stop without touching the brake pedal.

Safety engineers with the Office of Defect Investigations at NHTSA believe the possible fault with the SUV's anti-lock brake systems may be tied to the electronic stability control, or ESC. The control system, standard on the 2005 Honda Pilot, automatically activates when sensors detect slippage or other unstable movement.

ODI has identified 185 related complaints in its database, but there have been no reported injuries or accidents due to the odd brake behavior. ODI investigators will work with Honda engineers to determine if an official safety recall of the estimated 88,000 Pilots are needed. In 2006, Honda modified its system with a fault detection algorithm and other countermeasures, but NHTSA advises that the newer ESC modulator is not backwards compatible.

If you have a vehicle safety issue, you can complain to the NHTSA on its website: www.SaferCar.gov. Also, read Consumer Reports' advice on how to file an effective vehicle safety complaint.

Sources:
Investigation: 2005 Honda Pilot - Anti-lock brakes    Action #: PE12028 [NHTSA]
Government Investigates 88,000 Honda Pilots for Faulty Brakes [NY Times Wheels Blog]

Investigators with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have opened a preliminary evaluation into 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe sport-utility vehicles after receiving reports that the steering column may come apart, resulting in a complete loss of steering capability.

NHTSA's Office of Defect Investigation has received one report from a consumer alleging a steering column fastener became loose in their Hyundai Santa Fe. The SUV was nearly two-years old with 33,000 miles. The ODI says it has also received a report from Hyundai of a similar incident with another 2011 Santa Fe.

There have been no injuries or accidents reported with either of the incidents reported to NHTSA. Engineers with ODI and Hyundai will work jointly to determine the cause of the Santa Fe's steering problems and, if necessary, an official safety recall will be issued.

Sources:
Investigation: 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe - Steering column    Action #: PE12029 [NHTSA]
NHTSA investigating steering problem in Hyundai Santa Fe [Associated Press via ABC Action News]

More than 7.4 million Toyota vehicles are being recalled worldwide—the largest ever since 1996—because of bad power window switches, said Toyota Motor Corp. The driver's door-mounted switches may have a "notchy" or "sticky" feel to them during operation. And if drivers use oil or other lubricants to correct the problem, the switch assembly could melt, emit smoke or even cause a fire.

Toyota says the sticky window switches are found in the following models of Toyota cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks:

• 2007 to 2008 Yaris (approx. 110,300)
• 2007 to 2009 RAV4 (approx. 336,400)
• 2007 to 2009 Tundra (approx. 337,100)
• 2007 to 2009 Camry (approx. 938,100)
• 2007 to 2009 Camry Hybrid (approx. 116,800)
• 2008 to 2009 Scion xD (approx. 34,400)
• 2008 to 2009 Scion xA (approx. 77,500)
• 2008 to 2009 Sequoia (approx. 38,500)
• 2008 Highlander (approx. 135,400)
• 2008 Highlander Hybrid (approx. 23,200)
• 2009 Corolla (approx. 270,900)
• 2009 Matrix (approx. 53,800)

UPDATE: Oct. 11, 2012
And according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the sticky window switch issue also affects an undisclosed number of 2009 Pontiac Vibe hatchbacks, General Motor's mechanical twin to the Toyota Matrix.

Toyota says it has not received any reports of injuries or accidents due to the faulty window switches. But approximately 2.5 million Toyota vehicles in the U.S. and another 240,000 in Canada may be affected by the issue. Approximately 1.4 million vehicles each in China and Europe may also have sticky window switches, said a Toyota spokesman.

The companies expect to notify affected owners in North America later this month to bring their vehicles in to dealerships for a free inspection and, if needed, an application of special fluorine grease.

Toyota had the largest global recall of more than 10 million vehicles for unintended acceleration in 2009 and 2010.

According to the official NHTSA recall notice (Campaign ID #: 12V491000), concerned consumers can call the toll-free Toyota Customer Experience Center (800-331-4331) or GM's Pontiac Customer Care (800-762-2737) for more information.

Sources:
Recall: 2009 Pontiac Vibe / 2007-09 Toyota (various models) - Power window switches [NHTSA]
Voluntary Recall of Certain Vehicles For The Driver's Side Power Window Master Switch [Toyota]
Toyota to recall 7.4 million vehicles globally on power window glitch [Automotive News]

A safety warning for nearly 90,000 Graco Classic Wood Highchairs has been issued by U.S. and Canadian safety agencies today. The high chairs from Graco have seats that may become detached from the wooden base and present a fall hazard to infants, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Consumer Reports' experts test dozens of models of baby high chairs every year. As part of its evaluation for inclusion into our High chair Ratings (available to subscribers), testers check if they meet the voluntary safety standards of ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials).

But since these standards are not mandatory, our experts say consumers shopping for a baby high chair should "Push contenders around to see how well they hold their ground. A chair should feel stable and sturdy, not wobbly. Look for a high chair with a wide base for stability." (For more shopping and safety tips, read Consumer Reports' free buying guide to baby high chairs.)

Graco has received 58 reports of seats loosening or detaching from the base of its Classic Wood Highchairs. Nine incidents of children falling as the seat detached from the base have been reported, including one report of an infant receiving a concussion in Canada.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled high chairs and contact Graco (toll-free: 800-345-4109, website: Www.gracoBaby.com) for a free repair kit.

The recall affects all Graco brand Classic Wood Highchairs with model numbers 3C00BPN, 3C00BPN TC, 3C00CHY, 3C00CHY TC, 3C00CPO or 3C00CPO TC printed on a label on the underside of the seat assembly.

The Graco high chairs were sold at Babies R Us, Burlington Coat Factory and other retail stores nationwide and at Target.com and Walmart.com and other online retailers between September 2007 and December 2010 for about $130.

Sources:
Graco Recalls Classic Wood Highchairs Due to Fall Hazard [CPSC]
Recall: Graco Classic Wood Highchair [Health Canada]
Subscribe now!
Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products.

As fall heralds in cooler weather, it's time to think of ways to save on your utility bills by conserving energy around the house. Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumers Reports, and the nonprofit Green America, are holding an online video contest for parents and kids to show how they save energy at home.

You can show how your family is energy-efficient by submitting a video of your children --and pets-- at CutestEnergySavers.org. You have until October 22 to enter. Online voting starts October 23. Prizes include a $250 grand prize, a free subscription to Consumer Reports, and a free Green America membership. For more details watch the video below.

One way you can program energy savings into the winter months is by installing a programmable thermostat. That way you're not heating the house when you're not in it. We've tested 30 thermostats, of which 10 were top picks in our Ratings.

Replacing even a few incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs or LEDs will help you save on energy. Plus our appliance and television tests reveal how much it costs to run a refrigerator or TV per year, and which appliances use more energy than others—or more than they should. For more energy-saving advice read 15 energy-saving tips, and test your energy IQ.

"Saving energy at home is something that every family member can play a part in, no matter how young," says Shannon Baker-Branstetter, policy counsel for Consumers Union. "This contest is a fun way to be creative and show off how you stay energy efficient, which is good for the planet and good for your wallet."

Sources:
America's Cutest Lil' Energy Savers [Consumers Union]
Green America and Consumers Union to Launch "America's Cutest Lil' Energy Savers" Energy-Efficiency Contest [Green America]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a safety investigation into the 2005 Honda Pilot sport-utility vehicle after a consumer complained the SUV would suddenly stop without touching the brake pedal.

Safety engineers with the Office of Defect Investigations at NHTSA believe the possible fault with the SUV's anti-lock brake systems may be tied to the electronic stability control, or ESC. The control system, standard on the 2005 Honda Pilot, automatically activates when sensors detect slippage or other unstable movement.

ODI has identified 185 related complaints in its database, but there have been no reported injuries or accidents due to the odd brake behavior. ODI investigators will work with Honda engineers to determine if an official safety recall of the estimated 88,000 Pilots are needed. In 2006, Honda modified its system with a fault detection algorithm and other countermeasures, but NHTSA advises that the newer ESC modulator is not backwards compatible.

If you have a vehicle safety issue, you can complain to the NHTSA on its website: www.SaferCar.gov. Also, read Consumer Reports' advice on how to file an effective vehicle safety complaint.

Sources:
Investigation: 2005 Honda Pilot - Anti-lock brakes    Action #: PE12028 [NHTSA]
Government Investigates 88,000 Honda Pilots for Faulty Brakes [NY Times Wheels Blog]

Investigators with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have opened a preliminary evaluation into 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe sport-utility vehicles after receiving reports that the steering column may come apart, resulting in a complete loss of steering capability.

NHTSA's Office of Defect Investigation has received one report from a consumer alleging a steering column fastener became loose in their Hyundai Santa Fe. The SUV was nearly two-years old with 33,000 miles. The ODI says it has also received a report from Hyundai of a similar incident with another 2011 Santa Fe.

There have been no injuries or accidents reported with either of the incidents reported to NHTSA. Engineers with ODI and Hyundai will work jointly to determine the cause of the Santa Fe's steering problems and, if necessary, an official safety recall will be issued.

Sources:
Investigation: 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe - Steering column    Action #: PE12029 [NHTSA]
NHTSA investigating steering problem in Hyundai Santa Fe [Associated Press via ABC Action News]

As the calendar creeps toward winter, darkness is falling sooner and the days are growing shorter. The rate of injury and death from motor vehicle crashes is higher at night. Now, more than ever, it's important to make sure you're getting the most out of your headlights.

Maintaining your headlights means more than keeping them clean. Most car headlights use polycarbonate lenses that can oxidize and develop a foggy appearance over time, greatly reducing their effectiveness. The change happens so slowly that you might not even notice it, and the deterioration can be more prevalent in sunnier areas with increased UV exposure.

With most of us keeping vehicles longer than ever, there is a fair chance that your headlights may be due for a freshening. Replacing your lenses or having them professionally cleaned are options that can easily cost $200. A cheaper alternative is to try one of the much-less-expensive cleaning products for do-it-yourselfers that have come on the market in the past few years.

We recently did just that, purchasing four headlight cleaners for testing: the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System 29008, Fast Brite Auto Headlight Restorer Kit, Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit, and Turtle Wax Headlight Lens Restorer. All promise to restore faded lenses to their former glory for $21 or less, as long as you're willing to also contribute a certain amount of elbow grease.

Results varied, but we found even the poorest performer of the bunch made a big difference in headlight effectiveness. If your car is more than a few years old, you might want to give one of our tested products a try. Fall is an ideal time to tackle the job, especially if you live in a region that'll be slipping into shorter and darker days soon.

Read our complete report "Shine up your hazy headlights."

Medicare open enrollment for 2013 begins today, October 15, and runs through December 7. Pay attention to it, Medicare people. Your pocketbook could depend on it. Daily for the next week, and at regular intervals through the end of open enrollment season, I'll be answering some of your most frequently asked questions about Medicare, starting with this one:

Q. My wife and I are not happy with our current Medicare Advantage policy. We have to get a referral for almost everything, there's absolutely no dental coverage, and the choice of eye doctors is very limited. What would be a better option, since we will be able to change our coverage in October?

A. You are already somewhat ahead of the game in that you (a) realize you have a Medicare Advantage plan, not a Medicare supplement and (b) understand that you can switch to another plan during fall open enrollment.

That's not always the case. Nearly one in four Medicare recipients isn't aware there's an annual open enrollment period, according to a national survey just out from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Even people who are perfectly happy with their current Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plans should review their coverage every year, because plans can change: doctors come and go, premiums increase, drugs come off the preferred list, or vice versa. In fact, I notice your current plan will have another name in 2013 (I can tell it's the same one because the Medicare number of the plan isn't changing).

OK, so here's what you do. Go to Medicare.gov, Medicare's consumer website, and click on "Find health & drug plans" in the big yellow box near the top. Following the prompts, enter your zip code and other information (including the drugs you regularly take, if any).

Eventually, you'll be shown a "summary of search results." Click on "Medicare Health Plans with drug coverage" to see a list of full-service Medicare Advantage plans. (A few days ago I explained how to conduct this same exercise for Part D prescription drug plans.)

I ran this search using a zip code from your county of residence in a southwestern state and by golly, you're right; your current plan has no dental or vision coverage.

The good news, however, is that there are two other plans available in your area that do offer vision and dental, as well as limited hearing coverage. Both from the same carrier, they have very high Medicare quality ratings of 4.5 out of a possible 5 stars. That means the plans are getting an extra quality bonus from Medicare that they are using either to add optional benefits (such as vision and dental) or to reduce the overall cost of the plan to members.

One of the plans charges no extra premium beyond your regular Part B premium. The, other costs an extra $25 a month. In return, it has slightly lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs and medical services. And both have lower out-of-pocket costs than your current plan. Moreover, these two plans have an annual cap of $5,000 on your out-of-pocket medical costs, versus $6,700 for your current plan.

The one caveat is that these two plans do not have a national pharmacy network like your current one does, meaning that you'll need to fill your prescriptions locally.

What about doctor availability? On the Medicare site you can directly compare up to three plans, and when I selected your current plan and these other two plans, I saw that your current plan says it has 1001-1500 "physicians and providers," compared to 4001-5000 for the other two plans. For each plan you can click on "View provider and physician network website," which takes you away from Medicare.gov and onto the plan's own website, where you can search its provider directory to judge for yourself whether it has enough doctors to meet your needs.

Here ends the lesson on why it pays to review your coverage every year.

For more information, see our Health Insurance Buying Guide as well as rankings of health insurance plans.
Got a question for me? Ask it here.

The news about fungal meningitis from steroid injections has many back pain sufferers wondering if they should now avoid the shots entirely. Our medical experts say no: The deaths and health problems currently being reported are associated with three batches of the drug made by a single pharmacy. And steroid injections sometimes do seem to help relieve debilitating back pain. But our experts also caution that the injections should be used only for specific kinds of back pain, and even then only if a number of simpler methods have been tried first and failed, and if a number of precautions are carefully followed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that as of Monday morning 200 people in 14 states have been found to be infected with fungal meningitis, and 15 have died from it. All of them were linked to a steroid product made by New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Mass. The CDC has an online map that shows the states affected and lists the clinics that received the contaminated product. The CDC also has advice on what people should do who think they might have been given one of the injections.

Our medical experts say that the injections pose other concerns, too, and offer limited benefits. "The vast majority of people with lower back pain don't need the shots," says Orly Avitzur, M.D., Consumer Reports medical adviser and neurologist. Their benefits seem limited mainly to people with lower-back pain that also travels down the buttock or leg, according to guidelines from the American Pain Society, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, and the American Academy of Neurology.

And our analysis of the shots last year found that even in those cases the shots typically provide only short-term relief, and don't do much to reduce the need for surgery or provide pain relief beyond three months. But they can help people through a particularly painful stretch, which might allow them to, for example, start an exercise program, or use them as a last-ditch effort to avoid surgery.

In addition, the shots can cause a number of side effects, ranging from minor and short-lived ones such as headaches and dizziness to rare but potentially deadly ones. Those include not only meningitis but also damage to the spinal cord, nerve injury, and an epidural abscess, which can cause incontinence, urinary retention, fever, and back pain.

For those reasons, our experts say that most people with back pain, including pain that radiates down the leg, should start with simpler measures. Those include over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, hot and cold compresses, physical therapy, exercise, and nontraditional therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and spinal manipulation.

If those measures don't help, shots might. But even then, you should take steps to make them safe. That includes getting medical clearance from your doctor and seeing an experienced practitioner.

For details, see our report Steroid injections for lower-back pain: Worth a shot? and our comprehensive guide to treating back pain.

Did you buy e-books between spring of 2010 and this past May? You could be eligible for credits of up to $1.32 per book under a legal settlement proposed between state attorneys general and a number of major publishers who were accused of conspiring to fix the prices of e-books.

Amazon notified its Kindle customers of the possible credits via e-mail over the weekend, but you'll also be eligible if you bought during the period from any other e-book retailer, including Barnes & Noble (Nook Books) and Apple (iBooks titles). No action should be needed to collect; the credits will be deposited into your account.

Don't count your e-pennies yet, however, since the settlement isn't final. Its fate will be decided in a court hearing on February 8 of next year. Until then, the payments aren't definite, and the amount isn't confirmed. The attorneys general estimate that the credit will range between 30 cents and $1.32 per title bought.

Also, you may not get a credit for every e-book you bought during the period. The settlement is expected to affect e-books from five publishers: Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Penguin, and Macmillan. While all are major publishers, the settlement omits titles you might have bought from some other large houses, such as Random House, and from a host of smaller publishers that are also selling e-books.

Also, Minnesotans will, alas, be out of the money, since the state's attorney general apparently declined to participate in the settlement.

On the bright side, this isn't the only financially beneficial outcome of the settlement: Since it was announced last month, prices have dropped on a number of titles at numerous e-book stores. Amazon's message to its customers over the weekend said it looked forward to "lowering prices on more Kindle books in the future."

Reduced e-book prices are also being accompanied by generally lower prices for e-book readers. As our Ratings of some 20 models reveal, several fine performers now cost $100 or less.

State Attorneys General E-book Settlements

This is a tale of two washers. Both are made by LG. Both top our latest Ratings. If you had to choose one, what's the difference? About $350 and the fact that it's time to come clean--are you a fan of front-loaders or totally devoted to top loaders?

The best front-loaders clean better and more efficiently than the best high-efficiency (HE) top-loaders. "The fact that front-loaders use less water than HE top-loaders means that the detergent concentration is greater in a front-loader and front-loaders generally have longer wash cycles," says Emilio Gonzalez, an engineer who runs Consumer Reports' tests of laundry appliances. "The front-loader's tumbling action can also help boost cleaning." Front-loaders spin even faster than HE top-loaders, so typically more water is extracted and drying time is reduced. And as a group, front-loaders tend to be very quiet.

That said, more than twice as many top-loaders were sold in the last 18 months, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, a trade group. Among the best washers we've tested, front-loaders usually cost several hundred dollars more than top-loaders. The front-loader's wash time can take up to 100 minutes, and while vibration isn't a problem for our highest rated models, it is possible that a front-loader's high spinning speed might vibrate too much for it to be placed near a living area in your home. And then there's the question of convenience. Does it bother you to have to stoop to put laundry in the front-loader, or do you prefer dropping dirty laundry in the top-loader?

Now about those LGs. The LG WT5070C[W], $1,000, tops our latest Ratings of top-loaders and is a CR Best Buy. This HE model offers impressive cleaning, large capacity, and a 65-minute normal wash cycle. As for the top-rated front-loader, the LG WM8000H[V]A, $1,350, was excellent at washing, is a recommended model, and offers the largest capacity we've tested. But the normal cycle time is 100 minutes. However, the TurboWash option cut wash time by about 20 minutes in our tests and delivered comparable cleaning of our eight-pound load of laundry.

For all the details on performance and features, see the results of our washing machine tests. These LG washers have matching dryers that we've tested. They're also recommended models, so check the dryer Ratings. We've noted the matching dryer on the washer model page.

Besides being located less than 75 miles apart in Wisconsin, Generac and Kohler have another thing in common. Both had their hands slapped last week by the National Advertising Division for claims they made about residential generators. NAD is a watchdog group for the Better Business Bureau and the advertising industry.

Following our blog about the NAD's decision that recommended Generac discontinue some promotional claims and modify others, the NAD called Kohler to task for telling its customers about the decision—and reportedly forwarding that blog post as well. "The procedures that govern the self-regulatory system and the participation agreements signed by all parties make clear that parties are prohibited from using NAD decisions for promotional purposes," said the NAD's press release. Yet two days later, the same investigative unit chided Generac for doing the very same thing.

The companies' disagreements in the realm of marketing claims might now die down, but the parties' legal dispute remains in high gear. It stems from two years ago, when Generac sued Kohler in federal court for patent infringement—related to Generac's method of conducting a weekly exercise of a stationary (standby) generator. Both companies' stationary generators, as shown in our Ratings for generators, run this routine procedure automatically.

By comparison, continuing court action regarding these and other charges, including counterclaims by Kohler as to the scope of Generac's patents, make the NAD action look like a schoolyard tussle.

In Consumer Reports generator tests, a stationary Kohler, $3,200, trumped an $1,800 Generac in both the delivery and quality of power. But both models made our list of top picks and the Generac was a CR Best Buy. We also named a $670 Generac portable generator a CR Best Buy. Two Troy-Bilts and a Honda also made our list of recommended portable generators.

Portable dashtop navigation devices have evolved through the years to be richly featured, affordable travel aids. As competition has seen the market whittle down to essentially three dominant brands, it has become easier for consumers to choose a good device. But we were reminded recently that a good device can be compromised by a bad mount.

In the course of our extensive testing program, we collect detailed data on the features and performance for the devices as engineers travel the greater New York City region and log hours in the lab. We also rate the mounts, looking for stability, portability, and adjustability. While this score counts for far less than the navigation performance of the device itself in the overall test score, it is a real factor for ownership. After a recent experience with a new TomTom unit, I want to encourage shoppers to look closely at our mount ratings.

In fact, let me take this a step further. There is one mount design offered by TomTom that seems extremely clever, though in reality, it proves to be quite frustrating: the ring-type mount. This is a simple concept, whereby a circular ring snaps onto the back of the device. A second ring with a suction cup attaches at a small hinge point. The result is an adjustable mount that folds flat, leaving the device to be travel friendly and even pocketable (depending on the pocket and screen size) with the mount still attached.

However, these mounts have a tendency to pop off the device and even the windshield, as I was reminded this past week with a relatively new TomTom. In the course of rotating through our latest test devices to gain real-world experience, I used a TomTom Start 45 TM. The mount simply would not stay attached to the windshield, popping off periodically while driving—a real distraction. That evening I had a passenger join me for a short road trip. Coincidentally, he is a TomTom owner, and he tried in vain to mount the device, but it repeatedly fell off the windshield or the mount popped off the device. Fortunately, he could hold it and guide me with his voice. Regardless of how good the device might be, I could not use it.

This is not just an anecdote. We've tested 28 different TomTom models recently, and the vast majority have a similar mount style. The worst offenders include the TomTom Ease, Start, XL, and XXL devices. The TomTom VIA and Go Live 1535 M mounts are similar, but they work better, because TomTom eliminated the ring that snaps onto the back of the GPS unit. The mount and GPS device are essentially one piece in this design and the attachment point is "ball-in-socket."

With a ball-in-socket design, a sphere on the mount snaps into an indentation on the device (think shoulder socket). Some such mounts use a magnet to secure the device to the mount, making it easy to remove, although adjustment can be tricky. These mounts are still compact, but seem to work better in our experience. This type can be found on the GO 2405, GO 2435, GO 2505, and GO 2535 in our ratings.

Ultimately, the solid adjustable arms from Garmin and Magellan have proven to be more dependable. Although less storage friendly, the compromise is worth it. We hope with its next-generation navigators that TomTom improves the mounts. Until then, do look closely at the ratings to ensure the devices you're considering will meet your expectations.

Yokohama Tire is recalling nearly 11,000 of its Avid Touring S vehicle tires due to "improper geometry," according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The production flaw could lead to cracks in the tires' sidewalls and a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash, said the agency.

Only one size—215/65R16 98T SL—of the all-season tires are being recalled, and no deaths or accidents have been reported to the NHTSA or the Yokohama company.

Consumer Reports has tested and rated the Yokohama Avid Touring S tires. And while we found its dry braking performance "impressive," there were much better performing all-season tires in our Ratings. See our free online tire buying guide for help in choosing the correct tires for your vehicle.

Yokohama says it will contact affected owners and dealers on Oct. 20 and replace the defect Avid Touring S tires for free.

For more information, consumers can call the Yokohama Tire Corp toll-free at 800-423-4544.

Source:
Recall: Yokohama Avid Touring S tires - Sidewall    Campaign #: 12T025000 [NHTSA]

As fall heralds in cooler weather, it's time to think of ways to save on your utility bills by conserving energy around the house. Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumers Reports, and the nonprofit Green America, are holding an online video contest for parents and kids to show how they save energy at home.

You can show how your family is energy-efficient by submitting a video of your children --and pets-- at CutestEnergySavers.org. You have until October 22 to enter. Online voting starts October 23. Prizes include a $250 grand prize, a free subscription to Consumer Reports, and a free Green America membership. For more details watch the video below.

One way you can program energy savings into the winter months is by installing a programmable thermostat. That way you're not heating the house when you're not in it. We've tested 30 thermostats, of which 10 were top picks in our Ratings.

Replacing even a few incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs or LEDs will help you save on energy. Plus our appliance and television tests reveal how much it costs to run a refrigerator or TV per year, and which appliances use more energy than others—or more than they should. For more energy-saving advice read 15 energy-saving tips, and test your energy IQ.

"Saving energy at home is something that every family member can play a part in, no matter how young," says Shannon Baker-Branstetter, policy counsel for Consumers Union. "This contest is a fun way to be creative and show off how you stay energy efficient, which is good for the planet and good for your wallet."

Sources:
America's Cutest Lil' Energy Savers [Consumers Union]
Green America and Consumers Union to Launch "America's Cutest Lil' Energy Savers" Energy-Efficiency Contest [Green America]