Articles by Mandy Eskander

In August 2006, a month after Holden released the new VE Commodore; HSV introduced its own new E-Series. It came with changes to the exhaust system and the LS2 engine gained an extra 10kW, powering it up to 307 kW.The latest E-Series engine upgrade means that the power output for the ClubSport R8, GTS, Senator Signature, Maloo R8 and VM Grange’s power output will increase to 317kW.Managing director Scott Grant believes the new engine, the LS3 is a welcome upgrade for Australia’s HSV models.“We know our customers want the latest and greatest technology in their cars” he said.“The general Motors LS3 engine continues the HSV tradition of sourcing the world for technological advancements to enhance the driving experience,” Scott Grant said.The LS3 engine built by General Motors Powertrain in North America will also be used in the new Pontiac GXP. The GXP will be built by Holden in Australia, which will export it to the United States at the end of 2008.The 6.2 litre LS3, produces 317 kW at 6000 rpm and 550 Nm of torque at 4600 rpm.Production of the LS3 will begin this month and should be available in April 2008. 

If you haven’t guessed, it’s the Toyota LandCruiser, which is now making a special appearance on a series of postage stamps now on sale.This is not just any old LandCruiser; it’s the FJ60 first released in 1985, which is part of Australia Post’s ‘Driving through the years’ pre-stamped envelopes.Since the first LandCruiser went on sale in the late 1950s it has sold over 540,000 units and continues to be a popular 4x4 choice.Other Aussie motoring icons to be found on stamps include the 1917 Model TT Ford Truck, 1956 Holden FE, 1961 Morris 850 and the 1976 Holden Sandman HX.The pre-stamped envelopes come in a set of five for three dollars, which is definitely cheaper than purchasing the real thing. 

Hoons and street racers with hotted-up cars will stand no chance of making a clean getaway from the super cop car known as the Caparo Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV).The RRV is a British-built sports car concept, which looks just like a Formula One car; the only difference being this one is made for the road as well as the track.Caparo claims the RRV would have a top speed beyond 300km/h, with such aerodynamic down-force that it could even travel through a tunnel upside down; a great feature for high-speed chases.The RRV is powered by a 428kW, 3.5-litre, V8 engine and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 2.5sec and 0-160km/h in just five seconds. It has a top speed of 320km/h.Remember the old-fashioned adjustable front and rear wings? The creators of the RRV have added similar technology to aid in aerodynamics.The RRV is just a concept model at present, developed by Mclaren F1 engineers and British supercar manufacturer Caparo. But if it ever hits the streets, speed hogs will be busy watching their rear-view mirrors for future cops' fast-approaching headlights. 

Self-checking your vehicle goes hand-in-hand with professional servicing of your vehicle. Doing a quick check regularly should keep any major problems at bay. Self-checking your car should enable you to notice any problematic signs earlier, which should prevent it from becoming major and costly. There are only 10 easy steps for a quick check.   Step 1: Engine Checking the engine should happen at least once a month. While the engine is cool use a dry cloth and wipe down the engine as well as the leads. You should also make sure your engine is steam cleaned at least once or twice a year. Spray down the engine with a degreaser and then pressure wash and steam clean it, a professional detailer can do this job for you. Step 2: Engine oil First, you need to warm up your engine. Make sure your car is on level ground, and then start the engine. Let the engine run for at least 1-2 minutes, then switch off the ignition. Take out the dipstick and wipe it clean with a lint-free cloth. Place the dipstick back into the compartment, and take it out to read the level of oil on the dipstick. If you are in doubt what the level of oil should be or what type of oil you should use, you can check the owner’s manual or contact your mechanic. Step 3: Radiator and coolant levels You must always keep in mind that the radiator can be hot. So you must never take the radiator cap off when the engine is warm. When taking off the radiator cap, prepare yourself by holding down the radiator cap with a piece of unwanted cloth, twist slowly making sure that nothing will burst out. The radiator should have a certain amount of coolant (antifreeze), check by looking at the level of coolant in the plastic container. The coolant should be between the top and bottom marks on the container.   Step 4: Battery The battery produces explosive gas and corrosive fluid so it is important that you are very careful when checking and handling the battery. You must not smoke anywhere near the battery or check the battery near flames or paint. Do not bring the battery fluid anywhere near your eyes, skin or clothes. The first step to battery checking is to tighten the battery leads if the leads are loose and make sure they are clean. Finally remove the battery cap to check the fluid level, there should be at least 5mm of fluid covering the metal plates. If the fluid level is low, you will need to refill it with distilled water. Step 5: Headlights When you are always the one driving your car, it is very rare you would notice if the lights are working. So it is important to take some time to check the light this includes the low beam, high beam, indicators, stop and reverse. In order to achieve the check you will need to have a second person with you so they can sit in the car and switch on the lights while you look. If you're alone you can test it by parking the car close to a wall or next to a mirror in the garage and watch the lights flash. Step 6: Windscreen washer You will need to find the windscreen washer bottle which is in the engine bay, if you are not sure you can check the owner’s manual. Fill the bottle up with clean water and ‘windscreen washing liquid,’ which you can purchase from your local petrol station or automotive retailer. Some people have been opting for a cheaper alternative like using normal dishwashing liquid, but be careful it could potentially harm your vehicle's paint or wiper blades. Step 7: Windscreen wipers Turn on the windscreen wipers and make note if it’s not working properly. If your windscreen wipers are cracked or aren’t working correctly you may need to replace it. You should also make sure the rubber is intact, if the rubber is falling off or scraping hard against the windscreen then its time you bought new rubber. The rubber can be easily removed and replaced. The windscreen rubber is fairly cheap and can be purchased at any automotive retailer. Step 8: Steering and brake Sit in your car without turning on your engine and press the brake pedal, to check if it’s loose. While the engine is still off place your hands on the steering wheel and try to point the tyres from side to side. This is to check how much free movement there is, the steering wheel shouldn’t move more than 50mm. If it does make sure you take it to the mechanic to have a look at it. Step 9: Wiring and hosing If you find any loose, disconnected or damaged wiring under your bonnet you should get this checked out immediately. Check that your radiator, heater hoses, fuel lines, pipes, brake lines and or power steering lines are not damaged. To do this just trace the pipe from one end to the other, and feel for any strains that may reveal a leak. Step 10: Tyres It is important to check your tyre pressure when your tyres are cold. You can check the pressure at your local petrol station but it is better to purchase a tyre gauge rather than using the one at the service station, which may not always provide an accurate reading. If you are unsure of the correct pressure for your tyres you may be able to find a tyre chart inside the driver’s door, glove box or owner’s manual under car specification. Check that the tyre treads are not worn out. The tread should be at least 1.5mm where the tyre touches the road. Look at your tyres carefully and make sure there is no visible damage such as a bludge or a hole.  

Do you have to accept your fate, or are there steps you can take to reduce what you spend on fuel? Fortunately, some simple changes to your driving habits can save you as much as a third of your monthly fuel costs. First, consider if your car is worth keeping; if it’s an older, fuel-inefficient car, the potential savings from changing how you drive may not amount to much. You might also consider whether it makes sense to convert your engine to LPG. However, for most car owners a simpler first step will be to change your driving habits. We sometimes forget that an under inflated tyre can decrease fuel efficiency as well as our safety. Check and top-up your tyre pressure to the manufacturer’s recommendations fortnightly and it will actually save you fuel. If it’s time for new tyres, you might want to consider Eco tyres which are designed to increase fuel efficiency. Before you even get into your car, make sure you preplan your trip, since planning means you’re less likely to get lost and waste petrol or getting side-tracked for that matter. If you can help it, try to avoid driving during peak hour. When the roads are congested, it means continuous stopping and slow driving, which means your car is consuming more petrol, compared to an off-peak run. Don’t leave your engine running when you first start up your car, as excessive idling will drain fuel. Once the engine is running it is best to drive off straight away however you should drive gently till the engine reaches its usual operating temperature. Driving with your windows and sunroof open plays a part in decreasing fuel efficiency. The amount of fuel wastage is far more than putting the air conditioner on, especially when you are cursing on the motorway. Remember the air conditioner decreases fuel so try not to use it too much. You may not realise that having a heavy foot and braking heavily can significantly increase your fuel consumption. Accelerate and brake more gently, you must take notice of the red light ahead and begin to slow the car down to a stop rather than braking when you are 50 metres away. Weighing down your car with a trailer or adding wind resistance with roof racks, big side mirrors or large spoilers will all increase your car’s fuel consumption. Extra weight can lessen your efficiency by approximately ”2% for every 45kg,” Nikki Watkins from Moneywise claims. So next time you jump into your car for a drive make sure you remove any extra baggage that may be in the boot or the backseat. Driving with the correct gear is another way of lowering fuel consumption. The Royal Automobile Club (RAC) says you should always drive in the highest gear possible without straining the engine, you should also think ahead, so you can drop gears gradually which will allow you to brake gradually. The RAC claims that this will increase fuel efficiency by up to a third. The type of car you drive also affects how much you will be spending at the bowser. For example a Ford Falcon XR6 with aV6 engine will cost you anywhere between $80 to $100 for a full tank compared to a 1.8L Toyota Celica which would cost you $50 for a full tank. While you are being more fuel-efficient minded don’t forget to make use of special offers such as the petrol discount receipts, and don’t forget to take advantage of more fuel efficient fuel mixes for instance, Shell’s recently announced New Fuel Economy Formula. Shell is hoping to set a good example for the fuel industry and to provide a more economical option for motorists. Shell’s new mix will be the same price as ordinary petrol, but the company claims it offers more kilometers to the liter. The new formula was recently tested by an Australian couple John and Helen Taylor; they previously set the world record for driving around the world with only 24 tanks of petrol. The couple drove a distance of 18,000km per year an average run for the Australian motorist. The Taylors managed to average 13.3km per liter, and along the way, they also managed to make an annual saving of approximately $450. Shell says the new formula fuel will gradually be introduced at Shell service stations nationwide, including Coles Express.