Archive for October, 2020

Do new Ford vehicles have hands-free driving capability?

Friday, October 30th, 2020
Hands-free driver assist computer display on dash

Ford Mainstreaming Hands-Free Driver Assists in F-150 and Mach-E

Ford has been making breakthroughs in the automotive market since the very beginning. Things have come a long way since the Model T, however; nowadays, new technologies are letting drivers take their hands off the wheel as they cruise in properly-equipped machines.

Is Ford adding hands-free driving capability to its vehicles?

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Where can I hear a short scary story for Halloween?

Friday, October 30th, 2020
Cat eyes loom in darkness

Wisconsin Public Radio’s Annual Scary Story for 2020

Fall seems to have passed its peak here in Wisconsin, with many of the leaves off the trees and any semblance of warm weather becoming unsettlingly fleeting. Skies have gone grey most days as the natural world primes itself for descent into the frozen, barren caverns of Midwestern winter.

But it’s not all gloom. We find a certain charm to the way the cold months bring out new emotions and, at their best, help us to find positives in the darkness, both literal and in the sense of the bleaker elements of human existence.

Another way humans have long found charm in the macabre is through spooky stories! Wisconsin Public Radio puts one together every year, and we’ve included it for you here. Enjoy!

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Are businesses in Milwaukee exempt from wearing masks if they choose?

Monday, October 26th, 2020
Anthropomorphic bag of money walks by businesses with a mask on

Milwaukee COVID-19 Mask Laws for Business Owners

The United States is in the midst of a public health crisis. Wearing masks and practicing social distancing are the best methods that humanity has currently devised to slow the spread, save lives, and work toward an eventual solution.

However, due to a variety of factors particular to our strange modern world (of which social media is not the least), differing misguided beliefs have arisen, with some individuals doubting the feasibility of masks and even of the reality of the virus itself.

If one of these misguided folks owns a business, are they allowed to choose not to wear (or not enforcing enforce the wearing of) face masks on their premises?

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Where can I get tested for COVID-19 in Milwaukee?

Friday, October 23rd, 2020
Caution tape reads, "Stop"; a sign below reads, "COVID19"

COVID-19 Testing Sites in Milwaukee, WI

Getting tested for COVID can be a helpful way to keep yourself and others safe from the virus. Some sites are drive-thru or walk up and free for anyone, regardless of symptoms. In general, anyone with symptoms should request to be tested. Individuals are encouraged to try their primary care doctor first.

For those without transportation, there’s a free downtown shuttle to the Miller Park COVID-19 testing site. Note that masks and social distancing are required on the shuttle. Other sites can be perused via the map below. Stay safe!

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What maintenance should I perform on my vehicle during fall in Wisconsin?

Monday, October 19th, 2020
A mechanic works on the underside of a vehicle, overlayed on a backdrop of fall leaves

Fall Vehicle Care and Maintenance Tips for the Milwaukee Area

Fall has arrived. This means cooler weather, bright fall colors, and fresh, crisp leaves. Another, less-publicized aspect of fall, however, is the pre-winter ritual of vehicle maintenance.

It’s important to have one’s vehicle in tip-top condition before the winter hits. This is especially important here in the Milwaukee area, where we’re beset by both the notoriously savage Wisconsin winters and, for many of us, the rigors of city driving.

What fall maintenance should one have performed on their vehicle in order to be ready for winter?

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What enhancements is GM making to Energy Assist?

Friday, October 16th, 2020
Hand holds a phone with the Energy Assist app open on the screen

General Motors Energy Assist Enhancements for 2020

General Motors has made it pretty clear that they’re committed to an “all-electric future.” The automaker is aware that not only will this entail a full overhaul of their vehicular lineup, but it will require infrastructure upgrades across the country to make driving electric as easy and convenient as (or moreso than) driving with gas.

One way the automaker is helping ease the transition into electric vehicles is by providing Energy Assist, an app that comes standard for all Chevy Bolt owners. This year, GM brought a variety of enhancements to Energy Assist. How has GM improved Energy Assist for 2020?

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How are automakers making EVs more convenient?

Tuesday, October 13th, 2020
Man in a mask charges a red Chevy Bolt

GM Improving EV Charging Convenience On-the-Go

Automakers are starting to push EVs heavily, with many planning to electrify their entire lineups as soon as possible. But some buyers aren’t completely on board. One complaint that frequently rears its head is embodied by the old concept of “range anxiety.” Drivers worry that finding a charging station to juice up their ride will be difficult or impossible, especially on long journeys. Additionally, there’s the conception that, even if a station is found, charging will take a long time.

Overall, buyers fear EVs will simply be much more inconvenient to keep juiced up compared to gas vehicles. How are automakers like General Motors addressing this fear?

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What factors affect electric car charge time?

Saturday, October 10th, 2020
EV charging station in a parking lot

Electric Vehicle Battery Charging Factors

Some prospective EV drivers find themselves scared of the charging process. How long will it take? When choosing EV, how important are charge speeds?

Find out below how to estimate the length of a particular EV charge!

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What is a Ford E-350?

Thursday, October 8th, 2020
2014 Ford E-Series wagon on a black background

Ford E-Series Explanation and History

You may have recently found yourself checking out a big Ford vehicle parked on the side of the road, and looked closer to see what impressive member of the F-Series was being driven here. You may have been surprised to see not on “F” before the number on the side, but an “E”.

What’s the deal? Did the person owning the van simply partake in some strange emblem customization? Is this a new electric Ford work truck variation?

Actually, this vehicle is member of the (slightly) lesser-known Ford E-Series. What is the Ford E-Series?

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How much can the 2021 Ford F-150 tow?

Monday, October 5th, 2020
2021 Ford F-150 tows a boat along a highway

2021 Ford F-150 Engine-Specific Towing Capacities and More

Ford has recently released a slew of new details about its upcoming 2021 Ford F-150, and the automotive world is in a tizzy of excitement. Nearly every aspect of America’s best-selling vehicle is receiving some form of improvement. Of course, the availability of the first hybrid F-150 engine option is an especially titillating tidbit.

Some things don’t change, however, and one of these stalwart elements is the interest pickup drivers hold in towing capacities. All the bells and whistles don’t mean much, after all, if the machine can’t do the job it’s intended for.

So, where do the latest Ford developments stand in this regard? How much can the 2021 Ford F-150 tow?

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