Latest news with #ScottyKilmer
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Mechanic warns drivers over fuel feature that could cost a fortune to replace
Scotty Kilmer, who has been a mechanic for over 52 years, has warned drivers about the capless fuel-filling systems that are increasingly being used in popular vehicles A leading mechanic has shed light on the potential drawbacks of capless fuel-filling systems found in many modern vehicles. Capless technology is designed to prevent motorists from mistakenly filling their car with the incorrect fuel, as the nozzle will only fit its specific design. However, Scotty Kilmer has warned drivers that a malfunctioning system could lead to a hefty bill, posing a significant financial hit for some petrol and diesel vehicle owners. The expert mechanic highlighted that repair costs could be up to twenty times higher than replacing a traditional fuel cap. In a video on his YouTube channel, Scotty said: "Today I'm going to talk about these crazy capless gas filling systems." He continued: "It looks like somebody forgot to put the cap on but no this is a capless system. Why the heck are they doing this? Basically, because they can." Scotty noted the origins of the innovation, saying: "It was a great innovation in race cars; they could put the gas in faster and go without having to wait to put the cap on. But really you're not driving a race car." He pointed out the inconvenience of repairs, stating: "Now unlike a gas cap, if it goes bad you can just go and buy another one and put it on. With these, you have to replace these assemblies. "It isn't just that they cost a lot of money, it's that you have to take a lot of it apart to access and replace them," he added. Scotty concluded with a stark comparison, "Then in some cars... you have to buy the whole assembly and it's going to cost you 300-500 bucks instead of buying a $15 gas cap." YouTube users were quick to rally behind Scotty's opinion, many voicing their dissatisfaction with the system, reports the Express. @asimpson164 wrote: "Just another system of siphoning customer money back to the dealership." @heroknaderi shared: "Hi Scotty I absolutely agree with you. This is definitely a silly design. I just stick with the standard gas cap." @matthewnelson1420 noted: "Exactly why vehicles keep getting more and more ridiculously expensive." However, there was also a contingent that spoke up in favour of the capless fuel filler, shedding light on the advantages of the innovation. @busa89 stated: "I don't know anyone who has had an issue with this lol." @richards6431 commented: "Capless tank is designed to prevent people from siphoning off gas. You need to use a special funnel to fill up from the gas can."
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers of popular cars could risk losing 'fortune' due to common feature
Drivers of certain vehicles have been warned that they could be at risk of losing a huge amount of money and being targeted by criminals for one simple reason Top mechanic Scotty Kilmer has issued a stark warning to motorists about the risks of certain modern vehicles with keyless ignition systems, potentially leading to financial losses and heightened chances of theft. He highlighted that owners of petrol, diesel and electric cars equipped with keyless ignitions could be particularly vulnerable. Kilmer noted that fobs which rely on buttons rather than a traditional key turn could invite trouble, from simplicity issues to significant replacement costs. The statement came with the caution that such keyless fobs are not only "cost a fortune to replace" but also may make the associated vehicle "easier to steal", striking a concerning note for car owners. READ MORE: Nutritionist says special coffee 'elevates energy' and 'manages stress' without crash Addressing his audience on YouTube, Scotty explained: "Today I'm going to talk about something I hate. Keyless ignition systems." His preference is clear as he added: "I like plain old keys. They very rarely break. These computer ones have a lot of ID signals in them." Discussing the potential drawbacks, he continued: "They cost a fortune to replace if you lose them, reports the Express. Unlike the plain old key, they are not waterproof. If these fall in the water or go through the wash. Goodbye." Kilmer also warns about the security implications of digital keys: "Lastly, they make your vehicle easier to steal. People can copy these signals, have one and steal your car." He contrasted this with the relative security of physical keys, stating: "With a regular key, they've got to make a copy of the key. There's no key to copy here, just a computer signal." As per CheckaTrade, getting a manual car key replaced could set drivers back an estimated £160. The financial burden increases for remote car keys, with the average cost hitting around £320. To compound matters, car manufacturers might demand even higher prices for replacement keys, with some premium brands' fees soaring into the thousands. Owners of keyless vehicles are also under threat from 'relay attacks', where criminals employ a cunning method to unlawfully gain access to cars. These crooks intercept signals from a legitimate device, such as a key fob, and relay them to the vehicle. This essentially dupes the car into granting access without the actual key present. Tracker specialists have flagged 'relay attacks' as a significant worry, given they remain the go-to strategy for thieves. Plan Insurance Brokers advised: "A Thatcham-approved vehicle tracker is worth serious consideration and on high-value vehicles, they can be mandatory for many insurers." They added: "The device won't necessarily prevent the vehicle being taken but it could enable the police to recover it."
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Top car boss calls for common gadget ‘everyone hates' to be scrapped from all motors & vows to make major change
A TOP car boss has called for a feature "everyone hates" to be scrapped from all motors. Stop/Start technology, which causes car engines to turn off at traffic lights, to save fuel, has become a commonplace feature in many vehicles in recent years. 1 However, Lee Zeldin, who heads the Environmental Protection Agency in the US government, which presides over cars passing environmental tests has vowed to have the technology scrapped. "Start/stop technology: where your car dies at every red light so companies get a climate participation trophy," he said in a post on X, which has racked up over eight million views. "EPA approved it, and everyone hates it, so we're fixing it." Start/Stop technology became popular in the US due to fuel economy and emissions regulations brought in during Barack Obama 's presidency. It is not currently mandated in new cars, but has been widely adopted, due to government incentives. According to past EPA estimates, the technology can improve fuel economy by between four and five percent. However, an EPA spokesperson noted that is hasn't shown clear reductions in emissions tests. If Zeldin's plans are finalised, car makers would no longer be given incentives for installing the feature. This comes after car expert Scotty Kilmer claimed that disabling the stop/start function in your vehicle can "double the life of your engine." Speaking on his YouTube channel, Scotty, a mechanic with five decades of experience, revealed that the fuel-saving feature can increase engine degradation. Ford urgently recalls 273,000 cars over dangerous brake issue that could 'cause total failure' – two models are affected He said: "[Turning it off] is a smart thing to do. "Start/stop technology is the dumbest thing that's come out in years. "97% of the wear happens when you start the car so do you want to keep starting and stopping it? "Not if you want your car to last longer." You can switch off stop/start by using the toggle button, usually found somewhere on the dashboard. It is usually marked by a letter A with a circular arrow curved around it. This is often accompanied by a small light which, if illuminated, lets you know the setting is disabled. Social media commenters were blown away by Scotty's advice. One wrote: "I recently was driving a rental with this feature and after realizing it wasn't the car stalling at every red light I realized what was going on. "I thought this was... worse for the engine than just idling." Another added: "I test-drove a car once with that function and I found it annoying."
Daily Record
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Older drivers warned by expert to 'stop driving' for this reason
A car expert is warning elderly drivers to 'stop driving' if they are putting themselves and others at risk Top car mechanic Scotty Kilmer has stressed that drivers who are putting people at risk should get off the road. He has issued a statement regarding elderly drivers, saying that some older individuals who are "running into things all the time" shouldn't have a licence anymore. There is no upper age limit for older drivers in the UK, as motorists are often trusted to make their own decision when it is best for them to give up driving. However, many drivers are hesitant to give up their freedom and hand in their driving licence even if they know they are no longer safe behind the wheel, reports the Express. Scotty made the admission when speaking on his YouTube channel where he shares important advice to road users. Talking about a situation he had learned about he said: "The guy's daughter had to finally take the car away from him because he wasn't able to drive anymore." "You get to a point where you've got to stop driving, I mean. One of those days I'll probably be at that stage and I'll probably be infuriated, but hey." "If you're a danger to yourself and others and you start running into things all the time, it's time to stop driving." Experts in elderly care, Careline365, expressed that road users should give up their licence for several different reasons. The decision to quit for some drivers can be influenced by bad vision and poor health conditions. However, people's reaction time should be considered when deciding if it's time to give up, with road users being urged to consider whether they are just as quick as they used to be. Careline365 explained: "As we age, our reaction times slow down. It's important to be able to stay alert and react quickly to any hazards on the road." "If you've noticed your reaction times are considerably slower or you're finding traffic conditions increasingly stressful, it may be time to think about stopping driving." Motoring experts at the AA warn that reaction times tend to slow down when drivers begin to age, with road users noticing their eyesight decreasing first - which is the first sign of slow reaction time. Experts have stressed that drivers should consider seeking medical advice if they have any "doubts" about their ability behind the wheel. They stressed: "While there are more variables (including health conditions) that older drivers need to be aware of as they continue to drive, it's perfectly safe for them to do so." "As long as elderly drivers have no health concerns and have a valid, renewed driving licence, there's no reason they can't continue driving a vehicle." "If you're in doubt about your ability to drive, make sure to speak to a doctor before getting behind the wheel again."
