Ask our experts

Credit agencies won't fix a minor glitch on my credit report. What can I do?

Dave Allee
Denver

You can dispute incorrect personal data, such as your name, address, or Social Security number, and information that's not about you. If your dispute involves such an error, you may add up to a 100-word statement about the matter to your credit report. But it's legal for a credit report to contain some out-of-date information, such as an old balance amount, as long as that detail was correct on the reporting date. And credit bureaus don't have to fill in missing information if your creditor doesn't disclose it.

Why does the fuel-economy information you publish frequently differ from what carmakers indicate?

Ron Lewis
Jeffersonville, IN

Consumer Reports does not rely on the EPA figures manufacturers use, which are measured in a laboratory. We calculate fuel economy by driving in three different tests and averaging those results to get an overall number. Our technicians splice a precise electronic fuel meter into a car's fuel line. Then our experts drive under stop-and-go conditions to replicate city driving, on the highway at a constant 65 mph, and for a 150-mile trip over a variety of roads.

What's the best way to determine the right-sized high-definition TV for a room?

Jane Wampler
Jacksonville, OR

Determining the optimal size of a TV set depends on how far away from the screen you usually sit. A basic rule of thumb is to multiply that number by seven: If you sit 6 feet from the TV, a 40- to 42-inch set would be a good choice; if that distance is around 8 feet, a 56-inch model would work. These are general guidelines—many Consumer Reports readers have said they wish they'd bought a larger set.

I plan to buy an electrostatic precipitator, which you say can generate ozone. Should I be concerned about ozone if my home has a good ventilation system?

Bob Burch
Henderson, NV

Ozone generation should always be a consideration when you're selecting an air purifier. No matter how well a ventilation system works, it can't eliminate ozone, especially when an electrostatic precipitator constantly generates it. So it's better to choose a product that doesn't generate ozone. First consider a high-quality furnace filter, which might suffice and will cost a lot less than an electrostatic precipitator.

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