owners – Engine Icon https://engineicon.com Latest car news and advice blog Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:07:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://engineicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/cropped-ME_favicon-1-32x32.png owners – Engine Icon https://engineicon.com 32 32 Flooded Car? FAQs for Affected Owners and Shoppers https://engineicon.com/flooded-car-faqs-for-affected-owners-and-shoppers/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:37:20 +0000 https://engineicon.com/flooded-car-faqs-for-affected-owners-and-shoppers/

Quick Facts About Cars Damaged in Floods

  • If your car insurance includes comprehensive coverage, you’ll likely be covered. If not, FEMA may cover the loss.
  • Never drive a flooded electric car. Leave it where it is and call your insurer.
  • In most states, selling flood-damaged cars is illegal without proper disclosure.
  • Be wary of buying a car with flood damage. Some vehicles are sold across state lines before being registered as damaged goods.

Catastrophic rain events, hurricanes, and tropical storms, along with the resulting flooding, can damage and destroy vehicles, sometimes beyond repair. Do not attempt to start your if it has been flooded; you could cause more damage. Electric vehicles (EVs) also need special care. Use this resource to guide you through the process and help you start recovering and finding a new or used vehicle.

Remember, replacing your vehicle takes time and patience. Looking for a comparable vehicle could prove difficult in today’s market conditions. Car shoppers, even those searching beyond the affected regions, must be careful to avoid purchasing flood-damaged vehicles from unscrupulous parties. These vehicles could pose safety risks and costly hidden problems, such as electrical issues and rust, that could show up later.

Whatever your circumstances, you’ll find essential resources and information on identifying damage, understanding insurance types, assessing whether repairs are possible, and navigating the car-buying process. 

Affected Vehicle Owners: Here’s What to Do

Read on for frequently asked questions about flood vehicles.

Does Car Insurance Cover Flood Damage?

Yes, it typically will if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage. Take photos and call your car insurance company to determine your next steps.

Will FEMA Pay for My Flooded Car?

Potentially. According to FEMA, “Federal disaster assistance may help fill the gaps for those whose coverage does not pay for any or all storm-related damage costs.” If FEMA doesn’t cover the damage, your other options include getting help from the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program or applying for a low-interest loan from the United States Small Business Administration (SBA).

What Happens if I Don’t Have Car Insurance?

If you didn’t purchase comprehensive car insurance, consider the FEMA, ONA, and SBA options. If nothing comes of it, or you live outside the declared disaster area, you’ll likely need to hire a qualified mechanic to assess the cost of repairing the damage on your own.
Once you know how the flooding affected your car, you can move forward with getting your vehicle repaired or replaced.
If nothing else, it can’t hurt to open the doors and windows (if you can), give the interior a thorough going-over with a wet vacuum, and perhaps even pull up the carpet to help dry out the car and prevent mold growth.

Can a Flooded Car Be Fixed?

It depends. According to State Farm, “Submersion of a vehicle in salt water, which is more damaging than fresh water, increases the chances of corrosion. Start drying out your vehicle as quickly as possible, and contact a towing service to get it back to higher ground. Oil, transmission fluid, and lube may need draining before a tow.”
Other insurers like Progressive say that “minor flooding that’s quickly drained can often be repaired.” However, many insurance companies consider a car a total loss if the water level reaches the dashboard and damages electronic components. Also, if a vehicle sits in water for extended periods, the insurance company may consider it totaled. In Florida, electric cars began catching fire after a hurricane in 2022 caused them to be sit in floodwaters.

Is It Illegal to Sell a Flood-Damaged Car?

It depends. In most states, selling cars damaged in floods is illegal without proper disclosure. However, some vehicles are sold across state lines before being registered as damaged goods.

How to Tell if a Car Has Been Flooded

To find out if a car received flood damage, check the vehicle history report from AutoCheck or Carfax. They offer free flood-risk checks using the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can also visually inspect a vehicle and look for tell-tale signs like foggy headlights or rust. If you can’t tell or are unsure, consider getting a professional vehicle inspection. Knowing the vehicle’s actual condition and history helps ease your mind.

What Happens If a Leased Car Is Flooded?

If you leased a car, comprehensive insurance would likely cover your vehicle. You can go through the same process of calling your insurer and filling any gaps with FEMA and other federal programs, if available to you. Check your lease agreement to find out the exact specifications.

Should I Keep Making My Monthly Car Payment?

Yes, with an asterisk. Talk with your vehicle finance company. Many manufacturer-related financing arms, like Ford Credit, GM Financial, Toyota Financial Services, and Kia Motors Finance, could offer affected owners payment relief or flexible terms during hardship events.

What Should I Know About Hybrid and Electric Cars Damaged by a Flood?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website, “batteries in hybrid and electric vehicles are highly corrosive and should not be exposed to standing water.” NHTSA also says batteries could short-circuit and catch fire, even weeks after battery damage occurs. After Hurricane Ian in 2022, Florida officials reported that electric cars spontaneously caught fire.
If you suspect saltwater battery damage to your car, unplug the vehicle and talk to your insurance company to determine the next steps.

I Don’t Live Anywhere Near Flooded Areas; Do I Need to Be Concerned?

Yes. Unscrupulous parties can obtain a flood-damaged car cheaply, “clean” the title by registering it in a different state, and then sell it in another state for full value by passing it off as an unaffected vehicle.

Dealerships in affected regions may take time to reopen. You may need to expand your dealership search area. In addition, the challenging car marketplace means you’ll likely pay more for your vehicle. New car prices are at staggering highs. The challenging supply of used cars has pushed up those prices, too. For shoppers who must finance a purchase, higher interest rates can make vehicles less affordable. However, the new car loan interest rate deduction may help some buyers, provided the vehicle they want is assembled in the United States and is less affected by tariffs. Use the negotiation tips in our car buying guide before you set out.

Use these other guides to help you with your search:

Editor’s Note: We have updated this article since its initial publication. Renee Valdes contributed to the report.

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]]> GM Removed Apple CarPlay, But Owners Now Have A Way Around It https://engineicon.com/gm-removed-apple-carplay-but-owners-now-have-a-way-around-it/ Sat, 06 Jun 2026 08:48:24 +0000 https://engineicon.com/gm-removed-apple-carplay-but-owners-now-have-a-way-around-it/

The Fight for the Dashboard

General Motors made a bold move last year when it announced the removal of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from future vehicles. The automaker began gradually phasing out phone mirroring integration in 2023 as the brand aims to replace these popular platforms with its own integrated navigation and communication system. Customers were largely frustrated by the loss of their preferred interface as any drivers rely heavily on these familiar smartphone projection features for daily commuting and simple media control.

A company recently launched a plug-and-play device called EV Play to restore lost Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functions in GM vehicles. Buyers can choose between the premium EV Play Max for $425, which features advanced video streaming connectivity, or the more affordable EV Play LT for $199. Both options require only a one-time fee and successfully bypass GM’s strict manufacturer restrictions. Crucially, the device is completely reversible, will not break your factory vehicle warranty, and can easily be unplugged to take with you for use in rental cars.

Billions in Revenue and the Tesla Effect

The push toward proprietary infotainment systems ultimately comes down to massive financial incentives with automakers realizing that controlling the digital dashboard is incredibly lucrative. Developing internal software creates new opportunities for downloadable content and ongoing subscription services. Industry analysts estimate this automotive software revenue could reach up to 18 billion dollars in the coming years. Brands are trying their best to force users into these closed ecosystems to capture that massive potential profit.

GM is certainly not the only automaker playing gatekeeper with smartphone integration today. Tesla has famously refused to offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto since its inception, however, the brand recently announced it will finally be developing this integration into their cars soon. Significant delays have been going on throughout 2026 though, as buyers are still waiting for the company to deliver on this anticipated promise. This frustrating situation leaves tech hungry consumers looking for third party hardware workarounds.

EV Play


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The Lowdown

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been the most useful features in any car for me over the past few years. Having immediate access to my phone interface makes driving safer and much more enjoyable. Removing these features purely for financial reasons is highly questionable. Creating an artificial barrier just to earn more money off loyal customers feels incredibly shady. Drivers deserve the right to choose how they interface with an expensive vehicle they already purchased. However, this third party fix is not entirely perfect. Some Reddit users have found the solution to be a bit clunky in practice. They report that the experience is not as seamless as actual integrated Apple CarPlay found in other cars.

There is a slight catch for anyone planning to buy this workaround module. A section in the EV Play FAQ page notes a potential software risk as GM might be able to disable the product feature itself through future vehicle updates. The company behind EV Play stated they will try their best to continue support and provide necessary patches. Buyers should remain aware of this ongoing digital battle before spending their money, but for now, this seems to be a reprieve for those like me who think Apple Carplay has been the best new feature in cars in decades.

Google

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]]> The Volkswagen ID. Buzz Returns With New Trims And One Big Fix Owners Wanted https://engineicon.com/the-volkswagen-id-buzz-returns-with-new-trims-and-one-big-fix-owners-wanted/ Fri, 15 May 2026 06:22:52 +0000 https://engineicon.com/the-volkswagen-id-buzz-returns-with-new-trims-and-one-big-fix-owners-wanted/

  • After skipping the current model year, the ID. Buzz will join Volkswagen’s model year 2027 lineup. 
  • It now gets a new dedicated trim for camping, with a bunch of cool features straight from the factory.
  • Volkswagen has finally added true one-pedal driving to the ID. Buzz 

The Volkswagen ID. Buzz will rejoin the German automaker’s model year 2027 lineup in the U.S. with two new trims, updated software, and revised color and wheel options. 

The electric minivan skipped MY2026 for the U.S. market, going from MY2025 to MY2027 due to low demand. Volkswagen Group of America CEO Kjell Gruner told InsideEVs at the New York Auto Show this year that the MY2025 had arrived late, so the MY2026 cars would have had a short run anyway.
2027 VW ID. Buzz Touring

Photo by: Volkswagen

Camping fans can now rejoice as Volkswagen is now bringing the Tourer 4Motion trim stateside. This model will get a bunch of features straight out of the factory, including a fold-out mattress and a platform, along with window blinds and ventilation panels. 

There’s also an “Overnight Mode” which will use the high-voltage battery to run functions like climate and the battery even when the vehicle itself is switched off. It will also come with a folding table and chair set.
2027 VW ID. Buzz Tourer

Photo by: Volkswagen

Another important addition is one-pedal driving, which will allow drivers to bring the vehicle to a complete stop using regenerative braking and without touching the brake pedal. MY2025 vehicles did not have true one-pedal driving, which was a big miss.

The ID. Buzz now also gets the automaker’s latest ID.S 6 software with improved user experience on the infotainment, including a revised navigation screen layout and a new vehicle settings page for easier access to functions. There’s also an updated App Store that will allow owners to download third-party apps like YouTube and Spotify.



2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz


43

Source: Kevin Williams/InsideEVs

There’s one more change that makes a lot of sense. The dual-tone paint is a huge part of the minivan’s personality, and now you can’t have the ID. Buzz otherwise. The ID. Buzz will now only come with dual-tone paint schemes, along with a new Candy White over Cherry Red paint option and available white wheels inspired by the Type 2 microbus.

Finally, the trim line has been revised to just four models: Pro S RWD, Pro S 4Motion (new), Tourer 4Motion (new), and Pro S Plus 4Motion.

Volkswagen hasn’t released pricing just yet, but the MY2025 ID. Buzz starts at $60,000 before destination charges. If the automaker brings the price within the low $50,000 range, it could go a long way in making the iconic vehicle more appealing.

Contact the author: suvrat.kothari@insideevs.com

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]]> Polestar report says EV owners save on ‘fuel’ https://engineicon.com/polestar-report-says-ev-owners-save-on-fuel/ Sun, 12 Apr 2026 02:26:36 +0000 https://engineicon.com/polestar-report-says-ev-owners-save-on-fuel/

A SURVEY conducted by Polestar in Australia has found that EV owners can save nearly $100 per month on fuel compared to internal combustion vehicle drivers and that most motorists do not take journeys long enough to warrant genuine range anxiety concerns based on the average WLTP range of its model line-up.

 

Data was collected from 1015 Australian motorists via an online survey between 22 December 2025 and 20 January 2026. This included 810 ICE vehicle owners and 205 EV owners.

 

Crucially, Polestar noted in a media release that the survey took place prior to recent fuel price spikes caused by conflict in the Middle East.

 

The survey found that 62 per cent of EV owners are spending under $100 per month on recharging their vehicles, with a median monthly recharging cost of $60.

 

Meanwhile, petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicle owners had a median monthly refuelling cost of $150.

 

Following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, these savings are likely to be even more significant, with national average retail petrol prices sitting at 240.1 cents per litre as of 5 April compared to 171 cents per litre on 22 February, according to data from the Australian Institute of Petroleum.

 

The data also revealed that 84 per cent of motorists drive up to 300km per week, with a median driving distance of 158km per week. The longest journey taken by most respondents within the previous year (72 per cent) was under 500km.

 

For reference, the average WLTP driving range of Polestar’s Australian model line-up is 605km. The shortest quoted WLTP range for any Polestar model offered locally is the Polestar 5 Performance at 558km while its standard Dual motor sibling is the portfolio range-leader at 678km.

 

Of course, not all Australian EV owners enjoy driving distances in-excess of 550km.

 

The BYD Atto 1 Essential model – the cheapest battery electric vehicle offered locally with a price tag of $23,990 before on-road costs – has a WLTP driving range of 220km. However, this is still significantly further than the 158km weekly median driving distance and 73.3 per cent of 300km weekly driving distance of most respondents.

 

“High oil prices are not the problem; they are the reality of a volatile system. Electric cars change that. The cost base is lower, more stable and increasingly local,” said Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller.

 

“What used to be range anxiety is quickly becoming pump anxiety. People are moving away from unpredictable fuel costs to predictable electricity.”

 

Polestar will soon offer even greater choice for consumers looking to make the switch away from internal combustion power into an electric vehicle.

 

Earlier this year, Polestar announced a four-model expansion of its global portfolio within three years, with these new vehicles also slated for Australia.

 

These models include the Polestar 5 sedan, a new Polestar 4 SUV variant, the second-generation Polestar 2 liftback, and the yet-to-be-unveiled Polestar 7 compact SUV.

 

Australian deliveries of the Polestar 5 are expected to commence later this year, followed by the new Polestar 4 variant and the second-gen Polestar 2 in 2027, and the Polestar 7 in 2028.

 

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]]> Ferrari Brings Back Physical Buttons After Touch Controls Frustrated Owners https://engineicon.com/ferrari-brings-back-physical-buttons-after-touch-controls-frustrated-owners/ Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:35:40 +0000 https://engineicon.com/ferrari-brings-back-physical-buttons-after-touch-controls-frustrated-owners/

A Trend That Backfired

While steering-wheel capacitive touch buttons with haptic feedback offer a minimalist aesthetic and allow more functions, it didn’t take long for the technology to draw criticism. Some argue that it creates usability issues, with Volkswagen even facing a lawsuit alleging that the ID.4’s steering wheel controls led to unintended acceleration.

Ferrari also jumped on the trend with some of its more recent releases, including the Purosangue, before returning to physical controls with the Amalfi last year. One of the biggest complaints was the absence of the red, round engine start-stop button seen in older models like the 812 Superfast and 488 GTB. However, a recent post tied to a Ferrari dealer suggests the Italian marque is not ignoring owner feedback, as it introduced a new steering-wheel center retrofit featuring physical buttons.

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Ferrari’s Button Solution

Those hoping to see the iconic red engine start-stop button return may be out of luck, as the new steering-wheel center doesn’t include it like the one found in the Amalfi — the brand’s latest entry-level model that replaced the Roma. As previously reported, the product is only a wheel center, not an entirely new steering wheel. But at least it features physical buttons for functions such as the phone, cruise control, and directional arrows for navigating menus.

According to Ferrari of Atlanta, the new steering-wheel center is available only for the Purosangue and 12Cilindri. Both models are powered by the 6.5-liter F140 V12, with the Purosangue serving as the brand’s first-ever SUV. Replacing the entire steering wheel could require additional calibration and integration to ensure it doesn’t affect vehicle performance, making the physical button system the closest factory-backed solution for now.

Ferrari

Back to Basics

The dealership also claimed in the comment section that Ferrari is still finalizing a physical-button system for the 296, SF90, and Roma Spider. Pricing hasn’t been disclosed, but for most owners, cost is unlikely to be a major concern – especially considering this is only a center module and not a full steering wheel swap.

With owner feedback and the Amalfi bringing back physical buttons, Ferrari may limit the use of capacitive touch controls in its future models. One upcoming model, the all-electric Luce, is inspired by classic three-spoke steering wheels and features several retro-style physical buttons designed by former Apple head of design, Sir Jony Ive.


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