{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 108 - Special Bolts","description":"Episode 108 Welcome to the automotive podcast that saw its shadow and will have more shows for 2026! Thanks for listening.  To join in on the fun of the show, just email us at info@throwinwrenches.com or post a review on itunes to be heard worldwide!  Sponsors Fort\u2019s Toyota of Pekin PATREON - Thanks to our Patreon supporters.  Welcome new members!  I need to do the rundown with the magic mirror-like romper room! Musician Preshows  Itunes Premium -  people love it!  Full integration into your Apple Podcast app.    Projects What should I do? Taco 4runner LC I put a deposit on a motor for the Fury.  I also keep buying parts for small projects in the hopes that I keep myself busy this year doing stuff instead of sitting on my ass. Things like heat control valve rebuilds, exhaust system for the Volvo.  Brother got his injectors cleaned & fixed for his \u201885 Cavalier. Wayyy cheaper than new injectors.   NEWS: World: BMW\u2019s Screw That No One Else Can Turn While Mercedes aims to make cars easier to repair, BMW has patented roundel-shaped screw heads that push owners to dealer-only servicing and repairs. Daniel Donabedian @autoblog Key Points BMW patented a roundel-shaped screw head requiring a special, brand-specific tool. The design prevents owners and independent mechanics from servicing some car components. Competing brands like Mercedes-Benz are making vehicles easier, not harder, to repair. BMW has never been shy about doing things its own way. Sometimes that results in clever solutions, like gaining access to Tesla\u2019s Supercharger network. Other times, it produces ideas that sound brilliant on paper but prove far less friendly in the real world, like the glorious but famously temperamental S85 V10. BMW\u2019s latest screw patent leans firmly toward the latter. While the new screw head design is undeniably clever and unmistakably BMW, it appears purpose-built to keep ordinary owners well away from working on their own cars. What makes this more frustrating is that the competition is moving in another direction. Mercedes-Benz, for example, has recently spoken about redesigning future vehicles to be easier to repair, not harder.   US Congress introduces \u2018SAFE Exit Act\u2019 targeting Tesla door handles after claiming 15 deaths Elektek   A new bill has been introduced in the US House of Representatives today that specifically targets the design of electric vehicle door handles, with the sponsor explicitly calling out Tesla and Elon Musk. The bill, dubbed the \u201cSecuring Accessible Functional Emergency (SAFE) Exit Act,\u201d aims to force automakers to install easy-to-find manual releases in case of power failure. We have seen a trend in the auto industry, mostly led by Tesla, to move toward electronic door latches. Instead of a mechanical linkage that physically unlatches the door when you pull a handle, a button or sensor sends a signal to an actuator that pops the door open. While this allows for frameless windows and smoother aerodynamics, it creates a safety concern: if the vehicle loses power, like in a severe crash, the doors can stay locked unless there is a mechanical override. Sony Honda Mobility\u2019s Highlight at CES\u00ae 2026     On January 5th (local time), ahead of the show\u2019s public opening, Sony Honda Mobility held its first standalone press conference at CES\u00ae Media Day. The company shared updates on AFEELA 1, which is scheduled to begin customer deliveries later this year, and introduced a new prototype, AFEELA Prototype 2026, making its public world debut. At this conference, in addition to presentations by three of our company\u2019s executives, three guest speakers from our partner companies and other organizations took the stage to discuss how the future of mobility will expand through collaboration with AFEELA, as well as their expectations for our brand. Beginning January 6th, the SHM booth opened to the public, offering an immersive look into AFEELA\u2019s core principles: Autonomy (evolving autonomy), Augmentation (expansion of the body and space-time), and Affinity (collaboration with people and symbiosis with society). The exhibit features the AFEELA 1 pre-production model in all three exterior colors (Tidal Gray, Calm White, Core Black), alongside the newly revealed AFEELA Prototype 2026. Together with exhibitions by Sony Group companies, partner collaborations, and sustained-focused displays, the booth illustrates how AFEELA is evolving beyond a vehicle into a connected mobility platform and Sony Honda Mobility\u2019s vision for the future mobility. National: Jamie L. LaReauDetroit Free Press Jan. 7, 2026, 7:02 p.m. ET THAT SITE IS PREMIUM,,,  So, where we are at autoblog Ford Wants to Turn Your Sun Visor Into a Head-Up Display Head-up displays or HUDs were meant to simplify driving, but Ford may have found a very unconventional way to rethink them. Jan 3, 2026 10:00 AM EST   By Pablo Salapantan News Editor   New-Age HUD? Modern cars are generally dominated by tech, which has become the new barometer for how special, safe, or cool a car is. There are some technological features, though, that are not only cool but also convenient and safe. Head-Up Displays (HUDs) were invented as a means to help drivers keep their vision straight on the road without any impediments to their vision. First used in Fighter jets, HUDs display all the relevant information through a projection in the windscreen that the driver can see. It shows speed, vehicle condition, and, in some cases, even map settings. But it appears that Ford wants to take HUD tech to another level. Alongside an adjustable HUD from last year, the Blue Oval has invented another one \u2013 and it\u2019s as ridiculous as it looks.   Ford\u2019s Taking It Literally Ford has just filed a patent for its own definition of the HUD, specifically patent no.20260001397 filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on January 1, 2026. Car giant Hyundai to use human-like robots in factories  BBC Osmond Chia Business reporter Hyundai Motor Group says it will roll out human-like robots in its factories from 2028, as major companies race to use the new technology. The South Korean firm showed off Atlas, a humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on Monday. Hyundai says it "plans to integrate Atlas across its global network", including a plant in the US state of Georgia that was involved in a massive immigration raid in 2025. Other firms that have said they will use humanoid robots in their operations include Amazon, Tesla and Chinese car making giant BYD. The Atlas robots will gradually take on more tasks, said Hyundai. The firm owns a majority stake in Boston Dynamics, the technology company famous for Spot the robot dog. Atlas, which is designed for general industrial use, is being developed to work alongside people and autonomously manage machines. Hyundai said the robots will help ease physical strain on human workers, handle potentially dangerous tasks and pave the way for wider use of the technology. The firm did not say how many robots it would initially deploy or how much the project will cost. Speaking at CES, Hyundai's vice chair, Jaehoon Chang, acknowledged concerns that human workers could lose their jobs to robots. But he said people will still be needed to train the robots, among other roles, the news agency Reuters reported.   Hyundai Santa Cruz Appears Headed For Early Retirement Milos Komnenovic Mon, February 2, 2026 at 3:30 PM CST Add Yahoo Autos on Google   designed to meet demand for smaller, more urban-friendly trucks, is expected to exit production as sales continue to fall short of expectations. While the model gave Hyundai its first serious foothold in the highly competitive U.S. pickup segment, the company is now shifting its attention toward larger, more traditional, and commercially safer truck designs. According to reporting from Automotive News, Hyundai is expected to end Santa Cruz production earlier than its previously planned second-quarter 2027 end date. Local:   Rivian\u2019s Deliveries Fell in 2025\u2014Now Its Next EV Has to Succeed Rivian saw deliveries fall 18% in 2025 following a record-setting year, underscoring the importance of the more affordable R2. Jan 5, 2026 10:15 AM EST By Rex Sanchez News Editor When the Rivian R1T arrived on the scene in 2021, the California-based EV maker appeared poised to continually raise the bar for the future of electric vehicles. However, like many EV brands, Rivian was hit hard by a sudden market shift \u2013 an impact that has since been reflected in its 2025 delivery figures. Rivian, which currently sells EVs only in North America, said on Friday that it delivered 42,247 vehicles last year, representing an 18% decline from its record 51,579 deliveries in 2024. The company also reported 9,745 deliveries in the fourth quarter, roughly 3,500 fewer than in Q3. While the decline may appear concerning at first glance, it was largely expected following the loss of federal EV tax credits last September. With EV models becoming increasingly expensive, Rivian appears to need its upcoming R2 to regain momentum and broaden its appeal. The R2 is a mid-size electric crossover positioned to rival the Tesla Model Y, with its deliveries expected in the first half of this year. The model represents one of several attempts by automakers to address growing demand for relatively affordable EVs, alongside forthcoming offerings such as the Slate Truck. Pricing will be a critical factor in the R2\u2019s success. The model is expected to start at around $45,000, placing it squarely in the same price range as a Tesla Model Y Premium RWD.   Here Are The 25 Finalists In Chicago\u2019s \u2018Name A Snowplow\u2019 Contest \u201cAbolish ICE\u201d and other anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement names made up nearly 80 percent of submissions in this year\u2019s contest. by Joe Ward @blockclubchicago - February 1, 2026 CHICAGO \u2014 The city has released the list of the 25 finalists in its annual \u201cYou Name A Snowplow\u201d contest \u2014 and an early fan favorite made the list. City officials on Sunday announced the list of finalists in the contest, which lets residents vote to officially name a series of city snowplows. Over 13,000 name suggestions were submitted to the contest, and one clear theme was present among the submissions. \u201cAbolish ICE\u201d and other anti-Immigrations and Customs Enforcement names made up nearly 80 percent of all submissions in this year\u2019s snowplow naming contest, Block Club previously reported. The city selects 25 names of all the submissions to advance to a public vote, which is now live and runs through Feb. 14. And yes, \u201cAbolish ICE\u201d made the list. Other snowplow name contenders include: \u201cCaleb Chilliams,\u201d \u201cChance the Scraper,\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s Time For The Plowcolator\u201d and \u201cPlowing 6-7 Inches.\u201d See a full list of finalists below. Six snowplows will be named as part of this year\u2019s contest, and residents can vote on their six favorite of the 25 finalists by clicking here. Other immigration enforcement-related names submitted for the city but not chosen as finalists include \u201cICE Breaker,\u201d \u201cICE Be Gone\u201d and \u201cNo More Mr. ICE Guy,\u201d according to a list of submissions obtained through a public records request. The \u201cAbolish ICE\u201d name also got an early nod of approval from Mayor Brandon Johnson last month, which led to an online sparring match between the mayor and Greg Bovino, who led Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago. About 50 anti-mayor name ideas were also submitted this year, including \u201cSnowbody Likes Brandon.\u201d They were not included among the finalists. The top winners of the past three snowplow naming contests were \u201cBozo the Plown\u201d last year, \u201cSkilling It\u201d in 2024 in honor of beloved retired local weatherman Tom Skilling and Mrs. O\u2019Leary\u2019s Plow in 2023.  \u201cChicagoans have once again displayed their unmatched creativity and civic pride in submitting names for this year\u2019s contest,\u201d Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallard said in a statement. \u201cWe are grateful to the community for engaging with us, and we encourage all residents to submit votes for the top six names.\u201d  The 2025 \u201cYou Name A Snowplow\u201d finalists list is below: Abolish ICE  Blizzard of Oz  Buckingham Plowntain  Caleb Chilliams  Chance the Scraper  Cheryl Scott Warned You About This  Daniel Brrrnham  Derrick Froze  Italian Ice Breaker  Its Time for the Plowcolator  Joffrey Plowlet  Kevin McPlowister  Live, Laugh, Plow  Minnie Minosnow  Monty the Piping Plower  Mueve La Nieve (Move the Snow)  Mustard, Snow Ketchup  Plow it Through the Garden  Plowasaurus Sue  Plowin 6-7 Inches  Pope Frio XIV  Stephen Coldbert  Svencoolie  This isn\u2019t Florida  Urbs in Hortsnow  Moment of Musk: Elon Musk wants to build a dirty 2nm chipmaking fab that you can smoke and eat cheeseburgers in By Anton Shilov @ toms hardware Elon Musk this week said that the chipmaking industry builds cleanrooms in the wrong way. The head of Tesla and SpaceX promised that once Tesla builds its own 2nm-capable fab, he would eat a cheeseburger and smoke a cigar in that fab. "I think they are getting clean rooms wrong in these modern fabs," said Elon Musk in an interview with Moonshots. "I am going to make a bet here, that Tesla will have a 2nm fab, and I can eat a cheeseburger and smoke a cigar in the fab." When asked whether Musk had sketched Tesla's fab in his mind and whether he found a way to protect silicon wafers from cheeseburger grease, he responded that all wafers should be contained at all times. "They just maintain wafer isolation the entire time," Musk said.   Cars of the Weak    Eric:     Daryl: 1983 VW Rabbit GTi Facebook MarketplaceGood looking  GTI. Hard to fiend most original. Has a swap  to a 2.0  no  trades cash. On hand  or no test drive   Have some extra set of original rims with new tires and  full material for the seats original  color and style  for additional cost PLEASE DONT ASK IF is AVAILABLE you be ignore Key Details of the 1983 Rabbit GTI: Engine: 1.8-liter inline-4, 90 hp, and 105 ft-lbs of torque. Features: Included specialized sport seats (often with plaid upholstery), a golf ball shift knob, blackout trim, red grill trim, and 14-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli tires. Performance: It had a 0-60 mph time of roughly 9 seconds and a top speed of 110 mph. Significance: It is credited with pioneering the "hot hatch" category in the U.S. market.  The Rabbit GTI was produced for the U.S. market for only two years (1983\u20131984) before the model was redesigned and rebranded as the Golf GTI.        ","author_name":"Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/www.throwinwrenches.com","html":"