New Car Data Privacy Concerns, Could Chemicals In Your Car Make You Sick? A Peek Behind The Dealership Sales Curtain, Plus 2024 Ford Maverick and 2025 Ram 1500 Rebel Test Drives

May 17, 2024

Dear CarPro Family,

Hello my friends, here we are past the midway point of May already. You may have had to endure storms and dangerous weather this time of year, so just a reminder to stay weather aware at all times. We have another packed newsletter for you, and some quite unusual items for you to absorb, so don’t miss anything below.

More privacy issues pertaining to your car have arisen. Domestic violence is rampant in the United States and growing. Can your car help an abuser or stalker track you? One U.S. Representative has a legitimate concern about it. In the same article, two U.S. Senators worry that law enforcement can turn over information to the authorities on you without a warrant, and names the car companies that worry them the most. The next story raises concerns over flame retardant chemicals in the seats of your car and what is emitted into the air you breathe in your car, especially when it gets hot outside.

In another story that will have you scratching your head, Hertz charged a very loyal customer a $277 gas fee when he returned his Tesla all-electric vehicle. Where did the gas go? In a peek behind the car dealer curtain, has it ever crossed your mind how many prospective buyers a car dealer has to talk to in order to sell a car? You can find out below.

We also have Kim Komando’s Tech Tip of the Week. This week America’s Digital Goddess offers up tips on cleaning your computer keyboard (I’m guilty of this) and she tells you how to eat out for free! I also encourage you to sign up for her informative and entertaining newsletter, I learned a lot of new things this week.

In reviews this week, I have two very different pickups! The 2024 Ford Maverick all-wheel drive XLT and the beautiful 2025 (my first 2025) Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x4 Rebel edition, a real stunner!

Today, we remember Kailee Mills. We brought you this story 6 years ago just after the beautiful 16-year-old was tragically killed when she undid her seat belt for a split second to take a selfie with some friends. I hope you’ll share the story if you have young ones in the family so they can see how fast a life can be snuffed out. Also, check your reaction times below! As we age, we aren’t as quick as we used to be, so see how you are doing with a quick and easy test.

In advice today, I have tips for buying from a private seller, something that happens millions of times a year in America. You need to stay safe and not lose your money to a scam. I also share with you 10 bad habits as they pertain to your car, and you want to avoid them all.

We have another True Story from a Former Car Dealer below. This is a series of 40 stories written by me. Some are really funny, some are incredibly sad. I really peel back the curtain on my career highs and lows in the car business, and also share a lot of personal information. I hope you’ll take a minute and read these each week, I truly believe you’ll enjoy them. #20 is titled: The Shaguar. Ever see the movie Austin Powers’ Goldmember? In the opening scene, a beautiful Jaguar is being chased. I bought that exact car once upon a time. How I got it, and what condition it was in is an interesting and entertaining story. I still see this car on a regular basis, even after selling it.

Plus, lots of other information you will enjoy, including our videos of the week we talk about on the air all the time! If you have never been to our FAQ page, take a minute and peruse the categories, something there will interest you for sure.

You’ll find the following stories and more info as you scroll down the newsletter:

We so appreciate all of you who take this newsletter and listen to the show every week. We know that without you, there is no CarPro Radio Show. So always let us know when we can help you. If you have not been there lately, take a look at our website, www.carpro.com, it changes all the time!

Have a terrific week. See you on the radio!

We spent a lot of time in March covering what data your car keeps on you, and what was done with that information. There are legitimate concerns over car companies selling your driving habits to 3rd parties that in turn, sell the information to insurance companies that can cause cancellations and premium increases.

If you are new to the newsletter and did not see our original car privacy article, you can catch up here →
A week later, we learned more, GM reversed course, and we followed-up with this article →

Now, much more serious concerns come forward on two fronts:

Could your car help an abuser find you?
Can your car expose info about you to the authorities?

Read more→

Well, here’s one more thing to worry about with your car: Exposure to flame retardant chemicals in your seats, especially when it gets warm inside. According to a study released last week in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, "vehicles are likely important sources of human exposure to potentially harmful flame retardants”. These chemicals are added by car manufacturers to seat foam and other materials to meet a federal flammability standard set more than 50 years ago in 1971.

We brought you the tragic story of Kailee Mills six years ago this week. It is my profound hope and prayer that people with teenage drivers will take a moment, grasp this, and forward it to help others. Nobody thinks he or she will lose a child. I didn’t think so either, but I was wrong. You could be too. Kailee was in the back seat of a car and unbuckled her seat belt to take a “selfie” with the other girl sitting next to her. This is the heartbreaking story of 16-year old Kailee Mills, as told by her parents:

Remembering 16-year-old Kailee Mills →

Be sure to join us for the Car Pro Show on Saturday, May 25th, when our special guest will be David Mills, the father of Kailee Mills. Kailee would have turned 23 just two days after we have her father with us. We'll find out how her family is doing after suffering this horrendous loss, and how the Kailee Mills Foundation is doing.

You can join us at 9:35 AM Central time on the WBAP DFW show, and at 11:35 AM Central time for the nationally syndicated show.

How Many Leads Does It Take For A Dealer To Sell A Car?

I found a new study interesting information and hope you will, too. Car dealers live and die by leads. Some come from normal TV or radio ads, the newspaper in some cases, the internet, a dealer’s website, and even some from the auto manufacturers.

As a former dealership owner that actually tracked this himself, I can tell you there can be a wide variance from dealer to dealer, and even inside a dealership. Some people are better closers than others. Still, this is interesting and gives you some insight about what goes on inside a dealership.

It’s not very often you get a chance to help someone and win something special in the process. The CarPro.com | Vehicle For Good “Corvette For Vets” sweepstakes is just such an event, and it is on right now! Roll Call of North Texas and Veterans Freedom Retreat will directly benefit every time you enter! And every $10 entry gets you a chance to win a 2024 Corvette Stingray 3LT Z51 –and you know it’s RED! You’ll also get $10,000 in cash! Enter as many times as you like before July 5th! You will be helping our veterans find healing and community in the process!

DISCLAIMER: No purchase necessary to enter or win. Sweepstakes ends July 5th, 2024. Open to legal residents of the United States, EXCLUDING THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR WHERE PROHIBITED. Must be 18 years of age at the time of entry. See the official rules for more.

Besides the Car Pro Show and our weekly newsletter, my other favorite radio show and newsletter is Kim Komando’s. We are on many of the same radio stations across America. She does for her listeners and newsletter subscribers exactly what I endeavor to do: Give you useful information to keep you up to date on the latest in cars, only she does it with technology and there is nobody who does it better. Not sure how she puts out a top-notch newsletter seven days a week, but she does.

I reached out to her and asked if it would be OK to share information with you once a week with a tech tip, and she agreed. I read her daily newsletter from top to bottom, and when I see info I think you could use, I will put it here to try to make life just a little better for you.

Clean your computer keys:

Your keyboard needs cleaning — I can just tell (because mine does, too). Here are a few clever ways to get the job done.
Li’l vac: Oh, this thing is sweet — a little, blue box that vacuums up crumbs, dirt, dust and glitter from between your keys. It has a detachable nozzle so you can use it on your desk, too, and it charges via USB. It’s 15% off ($10.70).
Li’l brush: “Sweep up” this retractable laptop brush from OXO, which makes useful stuff that lasts. It has a built-in microfiber pad for polishing your screen and a cap to keep the brush clean when you throw it in your bag.
Big can: Grab a can of air to clear out every nook and cranny with a miniature windstorm. I love this stuff, and it’s cheap. This one is 20% off ($7.99). Whoosh!

Eat for free?

Any restaurant worth its salt wants to know what it's doing right and what it's screwing up — and some are willing to pay you for that info. But they can’t just judge servers and kitchen staff when they’re on their best behavior; they need someone undercover.

Enter mystery dining. Restaurants get genuine feedback and you get to eat out for free. I found out how you can have your cake and eat review it, too.

How it works

Yes, you really get your food free of charge, including tips and travel expenses, usually in the form of a voucher or gift card.

It is a job, though. You'll have to give a ton of feedback about your restaurant visit. How was the food? How was the service? What could've been better? You'll need to have an eye for detail and a good memory. You'll also need to take some photos as part of the trip.

Most of them have online portals, too. Once you’re registered and in their system, log into your account, check for available assignments, choose one to complete and upload your results.

Want to know more? I had a guy on my show who’s eaten $40,000 in free food through one of these gigs! Listen to the podcast or watch it as a video.

Who are these ‘mystery’ companies?

Mystery dining agencies act as a middleman between you and larger restaurants that pay them for intel. Here are a few of the most reputable:

Second to None has been in the biz 30 years and can get you gigs in high-end and fast-food dining. (I’m pretty sure getting paid to critique an InNOut burger is Barry’s dream job …) They also work in retail, if shopping’s more your speed.
Eye Spy CC focuses on dining and has excellent reviews from eaters who review for them. Shoppers report getting large enough budgets to go to high-end restaurants and really enjoy themselves.
Market Force is another heavy-hitter in dining and retail. Diners say vouchers usually start small, but once you’ve worked with a company for a while, you can get larger assignments and additional pay.

FYI: This is a “secret” to restaurants — but not from the IRS. If you make over $600 with any org, you must file a Form 1099 as a regular independent contractor does.

How to apply

Head to the Second to None, Eye Spy CC or Market Force websites to sign up. It's free to apply, and you'll just need to share a few details, such as your name, birthday and location.

A company might ask you to do a practice mystery shop or sample assessment to make sure you're cut out for the job. Then, you’re off to the races.

Watch out: The companies I shared are legit, but “secret shopping” scams are super common. Test assignments are normal, but a real company will never ask you to pay them to secure an opportunity.

Kim’s website is www.komando.com and if you want to get her newsletter daily: www.komando.com/subscribe / Photo Credit: Kim Komando.

This test simulates you in the driver's seat of a car. You're driving down a road, when you see a big red hand flash in front of you. You have to put on the brakes.

Then, the Reaction Time Test tells you how old you are, when it comes to driving.

The test is based on reaction times of 2,000 people ages 18 and over. The Reaction Time Test plotted their reaction times by age; it matches your reaction time to those averages.

Some of their results may surprise you. The Reaction Time Test found that left-handed people and men have slightly better reaction times than the average person.

To take the test, click here →

A few years ago, I started writing a series of True Stories From A Former Car Dealer. Over 40 weeks, I wrote about experiences I had from my days as a dealership owner. Some will make you laugh, others will make you cry. The reaction was beyond my wildest expectations.

For our new subscribers, and for those of you who may have missed one or perhaps simply forgotten the details, we’ll bring these to you in the order they were written.

In this episode, I tell you one of my favorite stories in the series. I heard about a movie company selling off the car driven by SNL alum Mike Myers in the movie Austin Powers’ Goldmember. Of course, it was a Jaguar convertible painted as a Union Jack flag. I had to have it. It was an online auction, and these were fairly rare events in 2002. I wanted the car to display at my dealership and use for charity events, parades, etc. Getting it bought was one thing, the condition I received it in was another issue.

True Stories From a Former Car Dealer #20→

If you are searching for a particular new or used vehicle, we can help you! The best news is, if you use CarPro to search, when you find the car of your dreams it will be at a CarPro approved dealership.

Best of all, it’s simple to use. Choose new, used, or certified. You can select the make and model, or find a price range you are looking at. Choose the number of miles you are willing to travel and enter your zip code.

From there, you can look through all your matches, knowing you are shopping at a dealership I have handpicked that adheres to the high standards I require.

Start your search on the front page of CarPro.com. If you don't find the car of your dreams, check back regularly.

You have 5 hours to call the show! From 9AM- 2PM Central, 7AM-Noon Pacific, and 10 AM to 3 PM Eastern, the phone numbers are:

DFW Show: 9 AM to 11 AM Central, 1 (800) 288-9227
National Show: 11 AM to 2 PM Central, 1 (800) 926-7777

Add the numbers to your cell phone; you never know when you are going to need straight talk and honest answers about everything automotive.

So, what is the CarPro Radio Show?

Confused about the car buying process? Worried you won’t get a fair deal? Wondering about which vehicle is best for you? Then tune in to the CarPro Radio Show every week where Jerry Reynolds and Kevin McCarthy will guide you through the car-buying process with confidence.

No matter where you listen to the show or which station you listen to, you have five hours to call in and ask your questions. We take calls every Saturday from 9 AM-2 PM Central time, 7 AM to Noon Pacific. The phone number is different the first two hours, then changes, so keep that in mind.

We would love to help you in any way possible! Keep in mind, we don’t take mechanical questions, but everything else is great!

The CarPro Radio Show is heard every weekend all over the United States, and every weekend we deliver straight talk and honest answers about everything automotive. We would greatly appreciate it if you would take a moment and tell a friend about the show.

new-markets-canva-pro-jan-11

We've recently welcomed some new markets to the CarPro Radio Network:

KTLR 890 AM/103.7 FM Oklahoma City: Sunday 4-5pm CT (replay)
The Mountain WSYY 1240 AM/ 102.5 FM Millinocket, ME:

Saturday 9AM- 12PM PT
KUFO: Portland, Oregon: Saturday 9AM- 12PM PT
Nevada Talk Network - THE Rural News Source: KELY 1230am/98.5fm, Ely; KPVM-TV 25.7, Pahrump, KAVB 98.7 FM, Hawthorne, KPKK 101.1 FM, Amargosa Valley, NV, KDJJ 94.1 FM, Fernley-Fallon all three hours live 9AM- 12PM PT
KFIR 720 AM, Sweet Home, Oregon: Sunday 4PM - 7PM PT (replay)
KBAR 1230 AM, Burley, Idaho: Saturday 6PM – 9PM MT (replay)
KACT 1360 AM, Andrews, Texas: Saturdays 7PM – 10PM CT (replay)
WDOC 1310 AM, Prestonsburg, Kentucky: Time TBD
KLXX 1270 AM, Bismarck, North Dakota: Sunday 10PM – Midnight CT (replay)

Other additions to the CarPro Show family in 2023:

B103 WOWS Indy, Indianapolis: Sundays from 7PM-10PM ET (replay)
WCED AM/ConnectFM , Johnston, PA: Saturdays from 2PM-4PM ET (replay)
KFIR 720 AM , Albany, Oregon: Sundays from 4PM -7PM PT (replay)
News Talk 98.9 The Word, Greenville, South Carolina region: Saturdays 12PM-1PM (live), Saturdays 3PM -6PM (replay), and Sundays 11AM -4PM (replay)
WQXL AM/FM 1470 AM and 100.7 FM , Columbia, South Carolina: Saturdays from 12PM-1PM ET
News/Talk 103.7 FM WEEO, Hagerstown, Maryland: 12PM -3PM ET Saturdays WEEO covers parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the Washington D.C. area.
Talk 1370, Austin: Saturdays from 11AM -1PM CT

Most of our listeners tell us that they never thought they would look forward to a show about cars. You may have friends or relatives who feel the same way in the cities below, please make them aware.

Here are the DFW markets the show airs in, times, and stations, and don't forget you can now listen to WBAP on the FM dial at 93.3 FM!

Dallas, TX: WBAP 820 AM/93.3 FM/99.5 HD 2, Saturday 9am to 11am Central
Dallas, TX: KRLD 1080 AM, Saturday 2pm to 4pm Central (replay)
Granbury, TX: KPIR 1420 AM, Saturday 11am to 2pm Central

WBAP DFW Podcast Here →
FOR ALL OTHER MARKETS, CLICK HERE→

Privacy Issues: Could Your Car Help An Abuser Find You?

Study Raises Concerns Over Flame Retardant Chemicals In Cars

NHTSA Launches Click It Or Ticket Campaign

Special Guest Next Saturday, May 25th: David Mills

Straight Talk and Honest Answers

A Peek Behind The Curtain

How Many Leads Does It Take For A Dealer To Sell A Car?

Enter To Win This 'Vette And Help Veterans!

On The Road: Test Drives

The Maverick's been a huge hit for Ford. For 2024, there's a big change under the hood.

The new 2025 Ram 1500 arrives with a new powertrain. Jerry is behind the wheel of a pre-production model!

Bumper to Bumper: Industry Newse

10 Bad Habits To Break With Your Car

Hertz Charges Tesla EV Customer $277 Gas Fee

Weekly Recalls

Kim Komando's Tech Tip of the Week!

Just For Fun: How Old Are Your Reaction Times?

True Stories From A Former Car Dealer

Miss the Show? Catch Our Podcast!

Factory Incentives

Sell Your Car Through GiveMeTheVin!

Exclusive Approved Products & Services

FAQ: Research Your Questions Before You Shop

Our FAQ page offers answers to questions CarPro Show host Jerry Reynolds is asked most frequently.

Searching for a New or Used Vehicle?

Classic Car Contest: Win An AutoHeatShield!

Videos of the Week

Subscribe to the Free DFW Newsletter

CarPro Guide To Online Car Buying

Buying a vehicle online has never been easier.Our step-by-step guide will help you buy a car from the comfort of your living room, starting with selecting your CarPro Friend.

On The Air

On the Air

Closing Message From Jerry Reynolds