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Motor 1
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘How Bad Is This?:' Woman Opens Up Her Gas Tank. Then She Sees What Her Son Stuck Inside. Is it Fixable?
Kids do the darndest things. Sometimes it can end up costing their parents big bucks. It can happen in an instant. You're taking care of a child, and one moment they're playing peacefully, and the next they've cut their sibling's hair, taken a sudden fall, or shattered one of your coveted knick-knacks. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . In a viral video with more than 1.1 million views, mom Leigha Barth ( @watersmagic ) shared the not-so-great surprise her son left in her car. In the TikTok, Barth appears to be at a gas station about to pump when she notices something weird in the fuel hole. When she takes a closer look, Barth notices something strange that isn't usually there—a small stick stealthily inserted by her son when she wasn't looking. 'Welp…any advice?? My son put sticks in my gas tank. I did NOT get all of it out,' she says in the text overlay. In the caption, she asks mechanics, 'How bad is this?' What Should She Do? Getting something in your gas tank is definitely concerning, but this isn't necessarily a worst-case scenario. The severity depends on several factors: the size of the debris, how far it's traveled into the system, and whether your car has been driven since it happened, according to several car forums . Trending Now 'Just Beware:' Woman Buys A 2025 Nissan Rogue. She Says This One Feature Can Be Risky If You Don't Pay Attention 'I'm So Sorry For Wasting Y'all's Time:' Woman Notices a 'Burning' Smell in Her New Car. The Mechanic Says Something Unexpected Most modern fuel systems have built-in protections. There's typically a fuel pickup screen at the bottom of the tank that's designed to catch debris before it can reach the fuel pump. The fuel filler neck also has some natural barriers that prevent larger objects from reaching the actual tank. What you should do: Don't start or drive the car until you've addressed the issue: Try to remove what you can see using long tweezers, needle-nose pliers, or similar tools; and Get professional help if you can't remove all the debris or if any has fallen deeper into the tank. If organic material like wood breaks down in gasoline, it could create smaller particles that might clog filters or damage fuel system components. In worst-case scenarios where debris reaches the fuel pump or injectors, repair costs can range from hundreds to over a thousand dollars. Many people have dealt with kids, or perhaps a jilted ex , putting various objects in gas tanks. Often the debris can be removed without major expense if caught quickly. The key is acting fast and not driving the vehicle until the problem is resolved. A professional mechanic can assess whether the tank needs to be dropped and cleaned or if simpler removal methods will work. DIY or Take It to a Mechanic? People who reacted to Barth's post had conflicting suggestions about what she should do. Some were more serious than others. 'Get rid of the kid for sure,' a top commenter joked. 'Shrink the kid and make him fish it out. Call Rick Moranis or Wonka ASAP,' another added. A commenter who identified themself as a mechanic reassured Barth that it might not require professional assistance. 'Get what you can out, any of it that makes it to the tank isn't going to hurt anything. The pump will be fine. The filters wont clog up from that, the pump won't be affected, you can drive it where ever you need to go,' they wrote. 'I would even let my wife drive with the kids if this was our car is how little of an issue it is as long as you get enough out of the filler neck to allow gas to pump in normally. Get one of the skinny grab thingys from Harbor Freight or somewhere similar to get down in there and get any visible pieces out.' More From Motor1 'Completely Misses the Point:' Germany Slams the EU's Gas Car Rental Ban Idea 'So Do Not Forget It:' Lamborghini Owner Says This Is How Much Gas Caps Are. So Why Isn't It Attached to the Car? 'If He Acts Like That From Rejection in Public…:' Female Motorcyclist Gets Hit on by Man at a Gas Station. Then She Rejects Him 'Disaster for Me:' Hyundai's Sports Car Boss Mourns The Loss of Gas Hot Hatches Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
![‘I'm Not [an] Expert:' Man Gets in a Honda Civic. Then It Starts Making This Mystery Noise When He Puts It in Reverse](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.motor1.com%2Fimages%2Fmgl%2FzxA306%2Fs1%2Fhonda-civic-on-road-l-man-with-long-hair-shares-what-happened-when-he-shifted-gears-on-his-civic-c-honda-civic-steering-wheel-r.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Motor 1
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
‘I'm Not [an] Expert:' Man Gets in a Honda Civic. Then It Starts Making This Mystery Noise When He Puts It in Reverse
One gear change. One brutal clunk. No test drive necessary. An independent car dealer caught the troubling moment when a car shifted into reverse with far too much noise and a shake. That noise and shake are an example of why you should be cautious before buying a car at auction. In a clip that's been viewed nearly 500,000 times, creator Black Blaze Motors (@ reveals why they decided not to buy a Honda Civic that was up for auction. 'I'm no expert in transmissions, but it kind of sounds like a transmission problem,' the creator says after shifting the car in and out of reverse a few times. Each time, the vehicle makes a noise and shudders. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Some courageous buyer wasn't scared off, however. Black Blaze Motors noted in the comments that the Civic with more than 200,000 miles sold for $2,200. A Honda With Problems A loud clunk when shifting is never a good sign, especially if it comes with a jolt strong enough to shake the car while it's still parked. According to the comments, one of the most likely explanations for the Honda Civic's issue is worn or broken engine or transmission mounts. These rubber components are responsible for holding the powertrain in place and dampening vibration. When they degrade over time, the torque from shifting into gear can cause the engine to twist or lurch, leading to a noticeable thud or shake. It's a moderate issue that won't necessarily leave you stranded, but if ignored, could cause damage to other components. Replacing mounts typically costs anywhere from $300 to $700, depending on the vehicle and labor costs. Another potential issue, especially for rear-wheel-drive vehicles, is excessive drivetrain slack or worn U-joints. When U-joints wear out or become loose, they can create a snapping or clunking noise as torque transfers through the driveline. This problem can compromise driveability or even safety if the driveshaft fails under load. The fix generally runs between $150 and $500. The problem could also lie within the transmission itself. This is a more serious issue. Harsh engagement when shifting can indicate internal wear, valve body failure, or solenoid issues, which are far more costly to address. Repairs range from $500 to several thousand dollars for a full rebuild or replacement. There's also the simple possibility of low or dirty transmission fluid. Trending Now Honda Says It's Forced to Kill The Civic Type R In Europe Woman Walks Up to a Brand-New Ford Lariat. Then She Learns it has a New 'Luxury' Feature Automatic transmissions rely on fluid for both lubrication and hydraulic pressure during shifts. When fluid is old, burnt, or running low, it can result in delayed or harsh gear engagement. Fortunately, this is one of the easier fixes, with a flush and refill typically costing up to several hundred dollars at most. If your car jolts or makes a loud noise when shifting, don't shrug it off. That initial clunk could be the first sign of a problem that worsens over time. In many cases, a quick inspection can reveal whether you're dealing with something simple, like dirty fluid, or something more serious, such as broken mounts or internal transmission wear. Should You Buy at a Car Auction? The clip reinforces that car auctions can offer tempting deals, but they're also not for the faint of heart. Whether you're shopping at a public auction like Copart or a dealer-only event like Manheim , strategy matters. The upside? Auctions can offer below-retail pricing, especially for vehicles with cosmetic damage, high mileage, or salvage titles. According to Black Book , many dealers source their inventory this way, marking vehicles for resale on traditional lots. That margin can become your savings if you know what you're doing. But the risks are real. Most vehicles are sold as-is, with no test drive and often no guarantee of mechanical soundness. That clunk in the TikTok video is what you might not notice until you've already placed the winning bid. Even experienced buyers can be caught off guard by undisclosed flood damage, missing airbags, or title issues that don't show up until after the paperwork is signed. Experts recommend running the vehicle identification number (VIN) through services like AutoCheck or Carfax ahead of time and checking whether the auction provides pre-sale inspection reports or arbitration options. Some auctions also let you bring a mechanic or pay for a third-party inspection, but this varies by location. In short, car auctions can be a treasure hunt or a mechanical minefield. Bring your research, set a firm budget, and always assume you'll need to spend more than just the hammer price to get a vehicle road-ready. Black Blaze Motors did not respond to an inquiry sent via TikTok comment. Honda didn't respond to an email. We will be sure to update this if either replies. More From Motor1 Man Spots Chihuahua in a Ford With the Engine Off and Windows Rolled Up. What Should He Do? Woman Starts Her GMC Denali SUV. Then It Sputters Out 'Do People Not Read the Owner's Manual Anymore?': Woman Buys New Honda. Then She Tries Filling It Up With Gas Toyota Math: 9 Million EVs Are Just as Polluting as 27 Million Hybrids Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Auto Blog
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Watch As This Mom's Kia Telluride Touchscreen Starts Smoking
Kia is still investigating the exact cause of the problem. This Isn't The First Telluride Fire Risk A smoking car usually indicates burning oil, an imbalanced air-fuel mixture, or nothing more than condensation during a cold start. But in the case of one Kia Telluride owner, smoke was coming from a much unlikelier source: The infotainment screen. A West Virginia mom named Heather got the nasty surprise when she started her Kia Telluride, before posting the video on TikTok, where it has already amassed over 1.3 million views and thousands of comments. This particular issue applies to a pre-2023 Telluride which still had the standalone touchscreen, not the dual displays. 2025 Ford Maverick: 4 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to think twice Watch More So, what caused this unusual and disturbing problem in this Telluride, one of America's most popular three-row SUVs? Short Discovered Within Infotainment System Source: Kia After getting her SUV towed to the dealership, someone from Kia confirmed that a short in the infotainment system resulted in the smoking experienced by Heather. However, this is not a detailed analysis, as the dealership needs to ship the relevant old components to Kia to run diagnostics and find out exactly what went wrong. In the meantime, Kia is replacing Heather's entire infotainment system. It's just as well that Kia cars come with one of the best warranties in the industry, and based on Heather's update, we assume the system will be replaced without any charge to her. Obviously, a situation like this poses a fire risk, which Heather was all too aware of when she sternly asked her son to stay clear of the smoking Kia. 'At this point, I'm not in a hurry to get my car back,' said the mom. Kia Recalls Certain Tellurides For Fire Risk The FWD Kia Telluride gets a combined 23 mpg, while the AWD model gets 21 mpg. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Almost exactly a year ago, Kia announced a recall for over 460,000 Tellurides manufactured for the 2020 to 2024 model years. This pertained to an urgent fire risk due to a power seat motor that could overheat. According to the recall, a fire could start whether the car was parked or driving. Prior to this, in 2022, another recall for a tow hitch harness on some Tellurides also posed a fire risk. Neither of these recalls appear to be directly linked to the smoking infotainment screen, but they do point to a trend of electronic gremlins in the SUV. We searched for other examples of Tellurides with smoking touchscreens, but could find none, indicating that Heather's example may have been an isolated incident. Touchscreen Bugs Not Uncommon Replacing physical controls with a touchscreen interface increases the likelihood of things going wrong. The 2024 Vehicle Dependability Study by J.D. Power named infotainment as the single most trouble-prone category, with drivers having many issues with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity and voice recognition. Worse still, a frozen touchscreen in some cars will stop the driver from accessing the majority of controls, as manufacturers embed more and more functions in ever-larger touchscreens. Fortunately, nobody was injured in the case of this mom's touchscreen starting to smoke, but the end result could have been a lot worse. Source: Kia About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Motor 1
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Man Buys $70,000 Ford After Dealership 'Played With the Numbers' for Him. 2 Years Later, He's Speaking Out
A man is being open and honest about his buyer's remorse two years after purchasing a 2023 Ford Explorer. The internet is predictably divided on the subject. 'This is my two-year review of my $70,000 mistake here,' TikTok user @silverbackgreybeard said to start the video, which he posted on Sunday. 'Purchasing this vehicle in 2023 just because I needed a vehicle, and walking in and letting them play with the numbers for me.' The on-screen text reads, 'My $70,000 first new car in my 40s.' Whether you've fallen on financial hard times or simply made poor decisions, bad credit can severely restrict your ability to finance a vehicle. Car buyers in this situation will generally pay higher interest rates over a longer loan period to overcome this challenge. That's how a 2023 Ford Explorer that starts out at approximately $40,000 can quickly turn into a $70,000 car note. To make matters worse, @silverbackgreybeard is already noticing several problems with the SUV in the short time he's owned it. What's Wrong? 'Since the two-year warranty is up, I started doing all the maintenance myself,' he said. 'One thing I noticed right off the bat was that my cabin air filter was filthy. They hadn't changed it in the two years we've had it.' The clip then cuts to him pointing to the trim on the rear bumper. 'Right here, it's already starting to change color. It's making me angry,' he said. And, finally, he noted, 'Several pieces of chipped paint within the first 5,000 miles. And I brought it up, and they told me the paint was not under warranty. They also told me that by Ford specs, they were allowed to have these all over the car.' Commenters Slam the Driver In the comments section of the video, plenty of viewers offered their own opinions on his story. Not all of them are positive. 'Brave of you to put yourself out there on this one, geez,' wrote one person. 'Rough comments. #Karma.' 'Any man paying $70,000 for a Ford Explorer should not be giving ANYONE advice on ANYTHING,' wrote a second person. 'Rock chips are not covered under any manufacturer warranty,' wrote someone else. According to ConsumerAffairs , this user is mostly correct. Warranties are generally intended to help you with mechanical or electrical issues or manufacturing defects. If a paint chip happened as a result of regular road wear, the warranty will likely not cover it. If the paint peels due to a manufacturer's error, the warranty may cover the cost of repair. Of course, it's important to check the warranties on your vehicle to make sure. A factory warranty may cover certain paint defects caused by other repairs. An extended warranty may also cover certain paint-related damages. It's always important to read the fine print before you sign any contracts. Motor1 contacted @silverbackgreybeard via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We've also reached out to Ford via email for comment. We'll let you know if either party gets back to us. Now Trending 'The Best Or Dumbest Thing I've Ever Done': Woman Buys $500 Toyota Tacoma. Then She Takes It Off-Roading Volvo Superfan Explains Why They're 'One Of the Best Cars' Under $5K For Teens. He Might Be Onto Something Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
‘Lemon' leaves family stranded and ignored
OPELOUSAS, La () — Usually, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. However, that isn't the case for an Opelousas woman, who was given a lemon when she purchased a car as a graduation gift for her son. Now her mother is speaking out after the dealership she says her daughter purchased the vehicle from, stopped all communication once they were made aware of the car not working. Abbie Young says her daughter purchased a vehicle out of Iberville Parish on May 6. It wasn't until May 17 that the car was delivered to her home when the dealership drove the actual vehicle without any paperwork, title or license plate. It was then discovered she was sold a lemon when it stopped running twenty minutes after it was delivered. 'This vehicle should have never been sold,' said Young. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Young says the night of her grandson's graduation, family and friends gathered around to witness her grandson drive off in his new car. But, when the car started there was a strange noise. 'My brother was the one who noticed it,' she said. 'That's why he told him to take it around the block, to check it out and see.' Jerry Freeman, Abbie's brother says he told his nephew to take the car around the block to test it out after hearing a continuous knock with the motor. After a few moments, it stopped in the middle of the street and had to be pushed back into the driveway. 'The motor just wasn't right. I'm no full-blown mechanic, but I know enough when something ain't right,' he said. In addition to the vehicle not running, Young says the radio they were told would be replaced never was. She says her daughter saved nearly $9,000 to purchase the vehicle, only to have expired tags and no paperwork other than a receipt as proof of purchase. She says her daughter was taken advantage of. 'They found out what she wanted to pay, and they gave her a lemon,' she said. Young says it's unfortunate what her daughter is dealing with and wants the issue resolved now. She says all her daughter wants is to be refunded the nearly $9,000 so she can purchase a working vehicle for her son. 'All this business has to do is pick up the phone, talk to her, come get the vehicle, see what's going on with it, and then offer her another one, or give her money back,' said Young. News 10 contacted the dealership and was able to speak with an administrative assistant who transferred us to a voicemail. As of news time we have not heard back from a representative of the dealership. Miles Perret celebrates 25-years of service with Birthday Bash, Games of Acadiana 'Lemon' leaves family stranded and ignored Disney offering Disney+, Hulu subscribers new perks, discounts Cat who survived 400-foot Utah canyon fall adopted by rescuing pilot Abbeville addresses weekend noise and safety complaints on St. Peter Avenue Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
