An investigation of the Infiniti M45 has been launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding the fuel gauges of the 2003-2004 M45′s. The investigation was prompted by consumer complaints about the fuel gauge readings being inaccurate.

According to NHTSA there have been 43 reports filed concerning faulty gauges in the luxury sedan. Of these, 23 cases report drivers running out of fuel despite the gauge not reading empty. The action taken by the company depends on NHSTA’s preliminary report which will focus on the scope and frequency of the problem. If the gauges are found to have major internal issues it could result in a consumer safety recall of the vehicle.

At least that’s the findings from the JD Power and Associates Asia Pacific 2011 China Vehicle Dependability Study, which has just been released.

Long derided by outsiders as shoddily built cars, employing copied technology from more established automakers, the JD Power CVDS (now in its second year), shows that Chinese domestic vehicles are improving in terms of reliability.

In 2011, the dependability study reported some 218 problems on average per 100 vehicles in the Chinese market, an improvement of some 80 problems per 100 cars over the previous year. Domestic brands in that country were rated overall at 309 problems per 100 vehicles, representing an improvement of some 135 pp 100 over 2010.

The gains in quality were largely due to a reduction in problems relating to vehicle exterior and engine/transmission components, as well as significant strides in the minivan sector (which saw a reduction of some 265 problems per 100 vehicles).

The 2011 China New Vehicle Dependability Study comprised evaluations from some 11,676 original owners of vehicles bought between June 2008 and August 2010, representing some 33 different cities across the country and 137 individual vehicle models from some 57 different brands (including Chinese and imported makes).

The most frequent issues cited by customers that took part in the study, included engines losing power when the A/C system was engaged, noisy brakes, poor fuel consumption, smelly HVAC vents and broken or poorly functioning windshield washer/wiper systems.

[Source: JD Power]

The Lamborghini Aventador has inspired yet another flashy accessory that fans of the supercar will have to keep an eye out for – the Avenger Vertical Tourbillon Watch.

Designed by Marko Petrovic, this timepiece is still in the concept stage, but pictures of the Avenger Vertical Tourbillon promise great things from this luxury watch. Outfitted in black and orange, this watch takes style cues from the Aventador’s engine. Its face is styled after the Aventador’s engine cover and even features an engine roll bar. Holding it in place is a tire tread-like wrist band.

Since it’s still just a concept, there are no official specs, prices or a release date. But if it’s anything like its inspiration, it will be expensive and exclusive. We’ll keep you posted on updates and availability when they become available.

[Source: Top Speed]

The last thing you want to do on a cold and snowy morning is spend 10 minutes chiseling the ice off your car’s windshield (especially if you’ve forgotten your gloves inside). Save your frostbitten fingers with the AlphaTherm Windshield Washer Fluid Heater System.

Boasting the ability to make short work of frost and ice from your car’s windshield, this system shoots out a stream of heated washer fluid that makes snow scrapers a thing of the past. The system connects to the car battery, which in turn heats the internal chamber and warms the washer fluid to 125º – 135º F in 30 seconds. Just one little squirt and the heated fluid instantly melts ice, helps clear frozen spray nozzles and unsticks wiper blades (it also gets rid of bugs, grime, road oil, streaks, bird poop and glare). While you’re driving, use it to deice windshield wiper blades and cut through ice build up.

You can use any kind of washer fluid with the AlphaTherm Windshield Washer Fluid Heater System and it’s easy to install yourself. Order it for $77.95 from Amazon.

[Source: Oh Gizmo!]

November 22, 1963 was a very dark day in America’s history. John F. Kennedy, who was America’s 35th President, was shot and killed while his convoy made way through the heart of Dallas, TX.

On this fateful day, the ambulance that took his body to Air Force One, is now being auctioned off at the 41st Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, in Scottsdale, AZ.

While the incident took place in 1963, the vehicle used was titled as a 1964 Cadillac Hearse. This hearse has the chassis number 64Z000050 and was built by the Miller-Meteor Company. The hearse, which was owned by the O’Neal Funeral Home, was called to the task to carry the President’s body.

This vehicle is given the lot number 1293, and it will get auctioned between Jan. 15 – 22 at West World of Scottsdale. Last year, a Pontiac ambulance which transported President Kennedy’s body from Air Force One to Bethesda Naval Hospital was sold at Barrett-Jackson for $120,000, despite many believing it to be a fake.

Porsche has put to motion an international Youth Development Programme to foster young drivers as the German automaker prepares an expansion of its racing involvement and its entry into the LMP1 class at Le Mans for 2014.

Beginning with the coming 2012 racing season, two young drivers will receive the title “Porsche Juniors” and will receive Porsche support in the Carrera Cup Deutschland series. Porsche will provide these young talents with a large portion of the season’s budget and will allow them to choose a team to work with. In addition, a Junior Coach will assist the two drivers with their physical training outside the circuit as well as mentoring within.

If the young drivers deliver results, they will advance to the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup series, the fastest international one-make series, for their second year. On top of financial support, the sophomores will receive fitness testing with constantly adapting training plans plus media training to fulfill sponsor obligations. Also, Porsche will select new Porsche Junior prospectives to fill in the newly vacated spot in the Carrera Cup Deutschland.

According to Hartmut Kristen, the Head of Porsche Motorsport, “With our long term Youth Development Programme, we continue the extremely successful tradition of the Porsche Junior Team. For us, supporting talented youngsters is an investment in the future. In line with our LMP1 project, we want to expand our driver lineup. After all, aside from our works commitment in prototype racing, we don’t want to neglect our GT racing activities and we also want to support our customer teams with works drivers in the future.”

Heavily involved with supporting young drivers since 1997, Porsche Junior alums include Timo Bernhard, Marc Lieb and Patrick Long. Time will tell whether Porsche will find its Le Mans winning driver for its 2014 return.

Cadillac released its third teaser video for the 2013 ATS, their compact sport coupe. In the video, Cadillac engineers explain why they have focused their efforts so closely on gathering data at the Nurburing track, saying they can gather more data in one lap at “The Ring” than in twelve at any U.S. track.

Dave Mikels, energy and powertrain integration engineer, tells us that the car will experience full compression loading and being airborne during a lap. What that really speaks to is the company’s dedication to the ATS and making it a true performance machine.

With the Detroit Auto Show coming up next month, expect more details on the ATS very soon.

You can watch the video below

Rob Dyrdek, MTV-reality and action sports-star, decided to do something no man has successfully done in a car. Out at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, Dyrdek strapped himself into an all-new 2012 Chevy Sonic and performed a kickflip in it – that’s a 360-degree rotation in mid-air.

This was of course part of MTV’s Fantasy Factory and they were onsite filming for season five’s premiere, but of course other people were also on hand to capture the quickly executed stunt to share with us before the show’s premiere. This is also a good marketing move for Chevrolet and their new Sonic, since Dyrdek is a self-proclaimed Chevy guy.

Check out the video of Dyrdek becoming the first man to successfully kickflip a car after the break.

[Source: DUB Magazine]

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There’s nothing entirely revolutionary about an app that reminds you where you parked your car, but the guys looking to finish their “Find My Car Smart” app wants to revolutionize the process involved.

Currently the vast majority (all) of the apps require you to launch the app after you park your car, mark it on your map and is entirely dependent on how strong your GPS signal is. Find My Car Smart on the other hand will integrate the new Bluetooth 4.0 technology found in Apple’s iPhone 4S in order to track where your parked your car.

The project is looking for funding in order to acquire and program a large order of Bluetooth Smart Devices so that they can be offered at an affordable price. Essentially, the Bluetooth Smart device is a USB-powered Bluetooth adapter and when your vehicle is shutoff, the app will detect the Bluetooth device powering down and automatically start the GPS and save your car’s location. From there, you only need to fire up the app to find your car.

Even though the app is up on the iOS App Store, it doesn’t do much without the Bluetooth Smart device and the programming it needs. So pledge today and help get this off the ground if you’re one of those people always wandering the mall parking lot looking for your car.

[Source: Kickstarter]

Nissan is set to debut their all-new Pathfinder Concept at the upcoming 2012 Detroit Auto Show, ushering in what they’re calling the next-generation SUV.

The 2013 Pathfinder will take all of its predecessors’ traditional SUV hallmarks and merge them into a new platform and “dramatic new aerodynamic body” according to Nissan. It will offer seating for seven, plenty of cargo room and thoughtful technology throughout the vehicle. The all-new Pathfinder is scheduled to go on sale in Fall of 2012, and the four-wheel-drive Pathfinder Concept is a preview to what the next-generation production Pathfinder will be like.

For now, all we have is a teaser to stare at which clearly shows quite a bit of curves and sleek lines on the Pathfinder Concept – let’s just hope Nissan didn’t take too much from the Juke’s styling manual with the new Pathfinder.