The promise of AI chatbots lies in their seemingly infinite wisdom and asking them any question you can think of—plus the simpler stuff, like writing a thank-you note, crafting a cover letter, or even having a spoken conversation. However, there are limitations. I’ve previously turned to ChatGPT to test out its personal finance expertise, only to be told: “As an AI language model, I cannot provide financial advice or make specific investment recommendations…you may want to consult with a financial advisor who can provide personalized advice based on your individual financial situation and goals.” In other words: Don’t go to chatbots to make financial decisions.

Now, however, H&R Block has released a new AI chatbot specifically for your tax questions—an arena where, in the past, I’d say AI should not be trusted. Using conversational AI, this virtual tax expert can answer many of your common tax questions and supplement your understanding of the tax process, and it seems surprisingly useful.

What to know about H&R Block’s AI tax assistant

To reiterate, I’m hesitant to use AI when it comes to any sort of financial guidance. After all, as ChatGPT itself explains to users: “The system may occasionally generate incorrect or misleading information and produce offensive or biased content. It is not intended to give advice.”

Here’s where this AI Tax Assist is different: H&R Block promises is that its AI model does not randomly pull information from the internet. Instead, the company says that it trained the chatbot only on H&R Block’s library of tax laws and refined with the help of its many accountants, lawyers, and other tax professionals. Plus, the chatbot will point people to a human tax expert for more personalized advice, if needed.

How to use the H&R Block AI chatbot

H&R Block said that while AI Tax Assist is not available on the free version of its app, it will not increase the prices of its subscription tiers that will have access to the conversational AI platform. Paid plans start at $35. 

The chatbot is designed to feel like a natural conversation, allowing you to phrase questions conversationally instead of needing to use specific keywords. You can use this tool to help explain tax forms you may need to file, eligibility for certain credits and deductions, estimated payment requirements, and much more. It can also provide helpful definitions for tax terminology you may encounter.

For instance, you can use the chatbot to ask questions specific to your situation, like, “What can I deduct as business expenses as an Uber driver?” Then you’ll be provided with a list of allowed deductions, as opposed to having to search through painfully dense IRS resources.

Between keeping track of paperwork, making sure you don’t miss any deductions, and getting accurate answers to your questions, taxes are always a headache. By supplementing self-service options like H&R Block’s chatbot, you can get more done on your own, saving time and money on your taxes. And as a final reminder, you’re probably eligible to file your taxes for free.

Source: LifeHacker – This AI Tax Assistant Actually Seems Pretty Useful

With the likes of Starfield, Diablo IV, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, among others, 2023 been a very good year for video game releases. With so many games to choose from, it would be understandable if Alan Wake 2 flew under your radar. But if it did, I have good news for you: this is the best time to buy the award-winning horror shooting game. Currently, you can get Alan Wake 2 on PC for $26.79 (originally $49.99) from Epic Games and get Alan Wake Remastered for free. But it’s not as straightforward as you might think.

About the Game of the Year nominee

When someone has car trouble on TV or in a movie, the scene typically shows the character pulled over on the side of the road, standing in front of their vehicle’s open hood, watching smoke billow out. Regardless what viewers know about cars, that dramatic visual suggests that the car has overheated.

But just because people are aware of the possibility of their car overheating doesn’t mean they know how to tell if it’s happening or how to handle the situation. That’s why Lifehacker enlisted the help of some expert mechanics to walk us through the signs that your car is overheating, and what you should do next.

The signs a car is overheating

When we talk about a car overheating, we’re really referring to the engine overheating. The good news is that your car isn’t going to go from everything running as it should, to smoke (or more likely steam) coming out from under the hood in an instant. First, there will be clues that something is wrong. “When you’ve been around cars as long as I have, you get familiar with the signs of an engine running hot,” says Robert Walden, a longtime mechanic and founder of Vehicle Freak.

But before we get into those, we should point out that these signs are based on some of the most common scenarios and is not an exhaustive list. Plus, as John Lin, a mechanic and the owner of JB Motor Works points out, “different car makes and models may have other specific needs or symptoms.”

Generally speaking, some common signs that a vehicle is overheating include:

You smell something sweet

If your car is beginning to overheat, you may notice a sweet, warm smell, or see a vapor. “This is antifreeze, and will likely be the first symptom that a closer look may be required,” Andy Saari, A.S.E. certified master technician and founder of Nexedge Technician, says. When a car is running properly, we’re not able to smell its various fluids while driving, because they’re busy keeping the car cool, Lin explains. “So, a smell [of fluids] could indicate [that] they’re leaking onto hot parts of the engine,” he says.

A high reading on the temperature gauge

Most traditional temperature gauges don’t include numbers, but instead represent a range from cold to hot (C to H), with the hot end of the scale usually shown in red. “The temperature gauge pushing into the red zone is a dead giveaway—time to back off and give that baby some breathing room,” says Walden.

A dashboard warning light or indicator

Temperature gauges, like the ones described above, are no longer standard in every vehicle, Saari points out. Instead, your check engine or temperature warning light might light up or start to flash, according to Lin. Some vehicles also have a dedicated low-coolant light; if it turns on or flashes, it’s a sign that your car is in danger of overheating.

Strange sounds

According to Walden, if you hear knocking or rattling noises while driving, it probably means that the parts in your car’s engine are in desperate need of oil’s lubrication.

You smell something burning

The scent of an overheating engine isn’t always sweet. According to Michael Dominguez, a certified master mechanic and the founder of Car Fixer Guide, you may also get a whiff of “an unusual smell, like burning rubber or hot oil.” When you notice either of those odors—or the smell of burning plastic—”that’s hot components in the engine bay reaching their limit,” Walden explains.

Weak or sputtering engine

If you notice your engine sputtering and lacking power when you hit the gas, it could be a sign of a problem with your car that’s causing it to overheat, says Walden.

The hood is hot

If you’ve pull over and gotten out of the car, carefully touch the hood. “If the hood feels like a frying pan, with heat wafting up in visible waves, trouble’s brewing under there,” says Walden.

Steam coming from under the hood

Lastly, if you notice what Walden describes as “clouds of steam billowing out from under the hood,” you need to take action as soon as possible.

What to do if your car is overheating

If you recognize one or more signs indicating that your car is likely overheating, it’s important to act immediately. “Understanding and responding correctly to overheating can prevent significant damage to your vehicle and ensure your safety on the road,” Dominguez says. Here’s what to do:

Pull over as soon as you can

Once you suspect that your car is overheating, pull over to the side of the road as soon as you have the opportunity to do so safely, Dominguez, Lin, and Walden all point out. Then “shut off the engine immediately, before it boils over or gets damaged,” says Walden, but “don’t even think about opening the hood till it’s cooled down.”

Turn off the AC and turn on the heat

For a variety of reasons, it’s not always possible to pull over immediately upon realizing your car might be overheating. So while you’re looking for somewhere to stop, Lin recommends switching off your air conditioning and turning on your heat. In fact, Saari and Walden advise cracking the heat up to the highest setting. “This can help draw heat away from the engine,” Dominguez explains. “However, this is a temporary measure and shouldn’t replace stopping and addressing the issue.”

Adjust your driving and route

While you’re looking for somewhere safe to pull over, Lin says that “driving a bit slower and avoiding steep inclines can help.”

Your car might self-adjust

As technology advances, cars getting better at self-regulating—including when it comes to engine temperature. “Modern vehicles have a self-protection mode built into the computer that helps protect the engine in the event it begins to overheat,” Saari explains. “It usually involves shutting down cylinders to reduce engine temperature, and power.”

When this happens, the car may eventually shut down completely, says Saari. “The engine fan will also likely sound much louder than normal, because it will be running at its highest speed,” he adds.

What to keep in your car in case it overheats

Whether you already stock your vehicle with emergency supplies or you’re putting your first kit together, here’s what the experts we interviewed recommend keeping in your car to ensure you’re prepared if it ends up overheating:

• Basic set of tools, like this one from Stalwart ($14.71)

• A gallon of prediluted coolant, like Valvoline Multi-Vehicle 50/50 Prediluted Ready-to-Use Antifreeze/Coolant ($20.17)

• Distilled water

• An engine coolant additive, like Red Line Water Wetter Super Coolant ($11.89)

• LED flashlight or headlamp, like this one from Energizer ($10.40 for two), which is also water resistant

• Owner’s manual

• First aid kit, like this one from YIDERBO ($12.91)

• Extra phone charger

If you’re starting from scratch, you may want to purchase a complete car emergency kit. Saari recommends the Everlit Roadside Emergency Kit ($64.95). “It has a warning triangle and a blanket, along with other items that may be helpful in different situations,” he says.

Source: LifeHacker – What to Do If Your Car Is Overheating, According to Mechanics

Considering everything that can go wrong with your car, running out of gas is among the most frustrating, because it’s also one of the most preventable. But when you’re out driving and notice your low-fuel light is illuminated, what can you do to make sure the gas you have will get you to the next gas station?

I talked to a few mechanics to find out the best ways to conserve fuel when you’re running on empty, and to gauge how far you can expect your remaining gas to take you. “We’ve all made mistakes and let the tank get too low,” says Robert Walden, a longtime mechanic and founder of Vehicle Freak, but your mistake doesn’t necessarily need to result in a walk to the nearest gas station.

How far can you drive on empty?

The good news is that unless you’re driving a fairly old car with an analog fuel gauge, “once the low-fuel light comes on, you will probably see a distance to empty mileage that is usually fairly accurate,” says Andy Saari, an A.S.E. certified master technician and founder of Nexedge Technician. But fairly might not be good enough if you aren’t sure how far you are from a gas station—and while your electronic gauge will give you a better idea of how far you can get on your remaining fuel, Saari says this number can fluctuate depending on the driving conditions.

It’s hard to determine precisely how many miles a car can drive on “empty” or with the low-fuel light on, but generally speaking, you’ll typically make it another 30 to 50 miles before your vehicle stops, says John Lin, owner and head mechanic at JB Motor Works. though once again, this can vary with the car’s model, fuel efficiency, and other factors.

“Idling is the least fuel efficient method, since you’re burning gas and not going anywhere,” Saari explains. “This is why many of today’s vehicles have an auto start-stop feature, which under certain conditions, will shut the engine off at stop signs or when idling.”

How to conserve fuel when you’re almost out of gas

In the event that you’re running low on gas while driving in an isolated area, or stuck in traffic with no fuel station accessible, here are a few strategies for making the fuel you have last as long as possible, courtesy of the mechanics I interviewed:

Turn off the air conditioning

When every ounce of fuel matters, switching off the air conditioning may help reduce engine load, says Saari. However, he says that another common suggestion—turning off your car’s stereo—won’t make any difference in your fuel usage. “The energy usage will be insignificant,” he notes.

Avoid rapid acceleration

If you notice that you’re running low on gas, you may be tempted to increase your speed to get to a gas station faster, but Walden warns against that. “Take it easy on the gas pedal, and avoid speeding up too fast, which wastes gas,” he explains. “I know being late can make you hit the gas, but going slow saves fuel when the tank is low.”

Keep your speed down

While we’re on the subject of acceleration, Lin recommends avoiding driving at high speeds, noting, “Your vehicle’s fuel efficiency decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 miles per hour.”

Avoid hard braking

Along with rapid acceleration, slamming on the brakes can also burn more fuel than necessary, Lin says.

Avoid unnecessary stopping and starting

Smooth, steady driving without frequent stops and starts helps to conserve fuel, says Michael Dominguez, a certified master mechanic and the founder of Car Fixer Guide. “Adjusting your route to minimize stop-and-go traffic is also beneficial,” he adds.

Ultimately, it’s best not to make driving with your low-fuel light on a habit. “[Doing so] frequently can potentially harm the fuel system, as debris or sediments which normally settle at the base of the tank may get sucked into the fuel pump and damage it,” Lin says.

Source: LifeHacker – Five Ways to Conserve Fuel When You’re Running on Empty