Ask our experts

Why does my smart phone battery drain so quickly even when I'm not using it?

Ruchi Airon
Teaneck, NJ

Battery drain can be caused by "push" updates for incoming e-mail and texts, the use of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and even poor reception, which causes your phone to continuously try to connect with a cell tower. To maximize battery life, turn off the phone when you're not using it. Or put it in "airplane" or standby mode (in which you can still run apps) and set a longer interval between push updates. Those controls are in the Settings or Tools menu.

Is there really an over-the-counter pill you can take in place of sunscreen?

Robert Smith
Salem, NH

The pills you're referring to are Heliocare ($40 to $60 for 60 capsules) and SunPill (about $14 for 30 tablets). They contain antioxidants, including a fern extract that's been shown in some studies to help protect skin against UV-induced cell damage that causes wrinkles, age spots, and precancerous skin changes. Even so, take the pills in addition to sunscreen, if at all, our medical experts say. And note that because they're supplements, not drugs, you have no guarantee of their safety, purity or potency.

Can I get clothes clean by washing them in cold, not warm or hot, water?

Jennifer Giamundo
Smithtown, NY

Yes. Some detergents are made especially for cold-water use, including a top performer in our tests, Tide 2X Ultra for Coldwater. Today's formulations contain more than just detergent; enzymes, for example, help remove soil. Check your detergent's instructions for optimal water temperatures.

How can I tell whether the brake-override system recently installed in my car works properly?

Bax Smith
Hillview, Newfoundland

Take your car to a safe location where there's no traffic. Starting from a stop, press on the gas pedal with your right foot so that the car accelerates forward. It's not necessary to go fast—Toyota's override system, for example, works at any speed over 5 mph. Then, with your right foot still on the accelerator, press firmly on the brake pedal with your left foot. The brake-override system should cut engine power and allow the car to be easily stopped.

Can you recommend any companies that offer identity-theft protection?

Burl Moody
Normal, IL

Not really. We assessed 24 identity-theft-protection products and found dubious value. They often charge for things you can get free, such as quarterly fraud alerts. Most don't provide a security freeze of your credit report, which is highly effective against new-account fraud. And they don't protect much against stolen credit or debit cards and check fraud, which make up more than 70 percent of identity theft.

Send your questions to www.ConsumerReports.org/askourexperts.