🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Plus: Is Another Chip Shortage Looming? Top 15 Best-Selling Vehicles in Q3 AND 2026 Kia Sportage Test Drive-1

October 31, 2025

Dear Car Pro Family,

Happy last day of October and happy Halloween Car Pro family! I hope no ghosts or goblins haunt you this evening, but should they throw eggs at your car, I’ve got advice on that below. If it’s going to happen, it will likely be tonight! I also have for you Halloween myths that are debunked, and a reminder that tomorrow night you get the hour of sleep back that Daylight Saving Time jacked you out of back in the Spring. I also have some pretty cool facts about DST you may not know.

On to car stuff, below I have for you the roadside assistance number for your car so you can store it in your cell phone, which is a very smart thing to do. I have the top 15 best- selling new vehicles in the 3^rd quarter, and the top-selling cars at the recent Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. Telluride lovers, Kia teases you with info and a look at the new 2027 model, do we have another chip shortage looming, and what is the Neiman Marcus Christmas fantasy car for 2025? I’ve got all that below, plus everything you need to know about The Beast, that rather ugly Cadillac that the President of the United States rides around in. I would sure like to review that one!

Kim Komando had a ton of interesting tidbits in her newsletters this week and I plucked a half dozen of them for you. Also. don’t miss Kim’s Fun Quiz, the answer is at the very bottom of this newsletter, under my closing message. I have a whole new batch of quirky and funny Quick Shift stories for you today, and don’t forget to go shopping in the Car Pro Merch shop, lots of good stuff there. Get caught up on the tariff news! In advice, I tell you why everyone should consider getting GAP insurance the next time you buy from a Car Pro Certified Dealer.

In car reviews, I have a wonderful and fuel-efficient compact SUV for you with the refreshed 2026 Kia Sportage SX-Prestige all-wheel drive. I really went in-depth with this review because so many of you ask me about this one. Amy Plemons was on assignment this week but will have an all-new and comprehensive review for you next week. If you are not used to going all the way to the bottom of the newsletter, I have a closing message every single week that I think is worthy of your reading. Today, I talk about the importance of AM radio in your car, something you may not have thought of in the past.

If you have never read my True Stories from a Former Car Dealer series, may I suggest you do so. People have loved this for a lot of years now. You’ll learn more about me than you probably want to know, you’ll roar with laughter at some, and you’ll likely get a tear in your eyes on others. They are all right here, 40 of them, carefully written by yours truly.

If you haven’t perused my FAQ page, please do. There are likely multiple articles you can use, every one of them written by me.

All of our other regular features are below including the Classic Car Contest, our radio station listings, how to connect with us on Facebook and call the show to talk directly to me, and much, much, more.

We very much appreciate you being part of the newsletter family. Without you, there is no Car Pro Show. Let us know how we can help you, and if you haven’t been to our website lately, check it out at CarPro.com. It changes daily.

Have a terrific week. See you on the radio!

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL CARPRO SHOW LISTENERS FROM
JERRY REYNOLDS, THE CAR PRO

Friends, we have been publishing the latest rules and eligible vehicles list for Tax Code 179 for over a decade. I encourage you to reach out to one of our Certified Car Pro Dealers at a CarPro approved dealership. They will help you figure out how to get the eligible vehicle you want. Note: Many automobile buyers will now be eligible to write the interest off on car loans, as a result of the “big beautiful bill” signed into law this July. The details of the rules are at the link below along with the latest on Tax Code 179.

2025 Tax Guide and List of Eligible Tax Code 179 Vehicles →

Kim’s Quiz:

Since Halloween is in the air, let’s dial up the creepiness on today’s tech trivia. Back in the 2010s, researchers discovered that smart home devices could be hacked to do something straight out of a horror movie on their own. Lights flickering, creepy music playing, doors locking … all without you touching a thing.

🎃 So, what device did hackers prove they could use to freak people out? Was it a … A) smart thermostat, B) robotic vacuum, C) smart doorbell or D) connected baby monitor? Go ahead, take your best guess. Just maybe check if your doors are locked first before checking the answer.

The answer is under my closing message at the bottom.

Interesting things I found in Kim Komando’s Newsletter

If the broom fits, fly it: Most smart doorbells let you change the tone to something more festive around the holidays. For Halloween, yes, I’m talking about a witch cackle or howl. Open your doorbell app, go into the settings and look for something like “chime tones” or “doorbell theme.” In the Ring app, it’s under Devices > Audio Settings > Chime Tones.

50 cancers, one test: So there’s this new test, Galleri, that might spot more than 50 cancers from a single vial of blood. In a 23,000-person trial, it caught way more cases than normal screenings and even guessed the tumor’s location right 92% of the time. I can’t even guess my dog’s location that well.

FDA chokes out Dechoker: A Colorado couple made $8.2 million selling “Dechoker,” a plunger-for-humans they claimed was FDA-approved. Spoiler: It wasn’t. The FDA told them to stop in 2023, but they kept selling on Amazon anyway. Now the feds have seized their cash. The Dechoker didn’t even clear airways, just mangled tongues, and it was more of a Tom and Jerry prop than lifesaving device. If you have one, throw it away.

Convert YouTube videos to text: If you’d rather read a tutorial than watch it, YouTube makes it easy. Open the video, expand the description and tap Show transcript. In the new sidebar, hit the three-dot menu and select Toggle timestamps to clean it up. Then highlight, copy and paste the text wherever you need it. Amazing.

Saved in the nick of FaceTime: Woah. A 3-year-old Michigan boy saved his mom after she collapsed from a seizure by unlocking her phone with Face ID and FaceTiming a family friend, who called 911. Little Cody’s now an honorary junior deputy, complete with badge and swag. The sheriff joked that “we’re hiring,” but maybe let him finish preschool first. Love this.

A ride to remember: After a bad skateboarding crash, Joey called an Uber instead of 911. His driver, Beni, not only took him to the hospital, but he stayed by Joey’s side all day. The two became lifelong friends. “That one act of kindness,” Joey said, “helped me see the good in the world again.” Let’s see a Waymo do that.

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1970 Plymouth Superbird. Credit: Mecum Auctions, Inc.

We have had a lot of fun with our classic car contest on the Car Pro Show Facebook page. We post the photo of a classic vehicle every Saturday morning and invite people to guess the year, make, and model. The prize: an AutoHeatShield. Official contest rules →

This 1970 Plymouth Superbird will cross the block at Mecum Auctions Dallas-Fort Worth 2025 at Dickies Arena on November 1st! Our Facebook winner this week, and winner of an AutoHeatShield, is:

CarPro listeners receive a 10% AutoHeatShield discount with the code "CarPro10".
Visit AutoHeatShield here →

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.

Our search feature is 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.

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 Todd Chambless 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 Car Pro 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.

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:
➡️ NEW!!! KRLD 1080 AM, Saturday 1pm to 2pm Central Dallas Show Airs LIVE
KRLD 1080 AM, Saturday 2pm to 4pm Central - Pre-recorded National Show
Granbury, TX: KPIR 1420 AM, Saturday 11am to 2pm Central
Listen to the WBAP Podcast (up every Tuesday)→

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All week I’ve been mulling the idea of progress—how we love what’s shiny and new, like beautiful cars, and how in the rush to leave behind the old, we risk losing something quietly vital. You might not think about it while cruising down the highway or sitting in the driveway, but the dial on your car stereo may be more than a legacy feature—it could be your lifeline. A bill in Congress called the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 would require all new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. to include an AM-band radio receiver as standard equipment. Without extra fee. Without the “upgrade.” Without assuming that streaming or Bluetooth will always be available.

You may ask, “Jerry, why do I care about AM radio in 2025?” Because every time a flood hits like in Central Texas a few months ago, a power grid fails, a storm knocks out cell towers, or wildfires silence the internet, the AM band still works. Broadcasters, safety agencies, and farm families in rural America rely on it. Local radio stations carry weather warnings, community updates, and emergency information—the kind of stuff no app reliably delivers when the power’s out and the cell network is down.

Here’s the kicker: some automakers, especially a few EV makers, have quietly removed AM radios from new vehicles. They cite interference from electric motors or cost concerns. But the result is simple—when a vehicle lacks the AM band, the driver loses a key source of information at the exact moment they may need it most.

For someone like me who’s been through storms, tornados, breakdowns, and road trips to know that “everything went dark” means more than the headlights turning off, this matters. When your phone’s dead, the cell towers are flooded, and the GPS is useless, your car stereo shouldn’t join the list of things that don’t work. This isn’t nostalgia for a bygone era—it’s a public-safety issue. It’s about keeping one reliable line open when all the others go quiet.

So here’s what you can do. Keep an eye on the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act as it moves through Congress—it already has strong bipartisan support. Let your representatives know you believe every new vehicle should include AM radio as standard equipment, no surcharge and no “stream-only” loophole. The next time you test-drive a car—especially an EV—check the radio tuner. Is AM listed? Ask the salesperson whether it’s included. If it’s missing, let the manufacturer know.

You can also spread the word. Post about it. Bring it up in your conversations. Tell your friends and neighbors why it matters. It’s not a glamorous issue, but that’s exactly why it needs everyday voices behind it. Sometimes progress moves so fast it forgets the people still depending on the basics, and the basics are what keep communities connected when disaster hits. And for full disclosure, I also own an AM radio station in Granbury, Texas—so I’ve seen firsthand how much these signals still matter when the weather turns rough or the power grid stumbles, and we fire up the Emergency Broadcast System so you and your family stay safe.

In the end, a car is more than transportation. It’s a refuge, a command center, a rolling piece of independence. Being prepared means having backup systems, and AM radio has always been that quiet safety net that just works. If we let it disappear, we’ll miss it only when it’s too late to bring it back.

So the next time you hear that faint crackle on your AM dial, think about what it represents. It’s not just a signal—it’s a reminder that some things are worth keeping, not because they’re old, but because they still work when nothing else does.

Thanks for riding along. Stay safe, stay aware, and remember: when the bars disappear, AM still works.

It's Time to Fall Back & Fun Facts!

Halloween Is Here!

What To Do If Your Car Gets Egged

Halloween Myths, Debunked

U.S. Auto Market

Tariff Talk: U.S. and South Korea Finalize Trade Agreement

Top 15 NEW Best-Sellers (ALL Models) in Q3

Past Due Auto Loans At Highest Rate In Years

Is Another Chip Shortage Coming?

Mecum Dallas-Fort Worth Is Happening Now!

Straight Talk and Honest Answers

CarPro Advice: Why You Should Consider GAP Insurance

Store Your Vehicles' Roadside Number

On The Road: Test Drives

2026 Kia Sportage SX-Prestige Hybrid

Fresh styling, an upscale feel and terrific tech updates add even more appeal to the already popular Kia Sportage.

Quick Shifts

Each week I bring you the top stories in the auto industry along with my commentary or sometimes amusing thoughts about the craziness that goes on in the world of cars.

Bumper to Bumper: Industry News

All-New 2027 Kia Telluride Debuts SoonRead more→

GM: Eyes-Free Driving Coming In 2028

Ford Worldwide Food Drive Collects 2 Million Pounds of Food

Top-Sellers At Barrett-Jackson Fall Scottsdale

The Presidential Limo: Everything You Need To Know

2025 Neiman Marcus Fantasy Car: $135,000 Baby Bugatti

Weekly Recalls

What's New For Tax Code 179 and More!

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL CARPRO SHOW LISTENERS FROM JERRY REYNOLDS, THE CAR PRO

Our Incentives Guide

Win A 2025 Ford Raptor or $50,0000!

Kim Komando's Quiz & Interesting Info

Check Out Our Newsletter Archive Page!

Classic Car Contest: Win An AutoHeatShield!

Exclusive Approved Products & Services

It's Here! The CarPro Merchandise Shop!

Subscribe to the free DFW Newsletter

Miss the Show? Catch Our Podcast!

Searching For A New Or Used Vehicle?

FAQ: Research Your Questions Before You Shop

You Have 5 Hours To Call The Show!

Where to Find Us

My Must-See Video Of The Week!

Todd's Video of the Week!

Closing Message: Why We Still Need AM Radio

All-New 2027 Kia Telluride Debuts Soon
Read more→

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL CARPRO SHOW LISTENERS FROM
JERRY REYNOLDS, THE CAR PRO