Top 5 car advice stories of 2017

The most confusing issues prove most popular.

Remember when choosing a new computer meant learning what a RAM was, how many GHz you need and how many inches of floppy is best?

Unfortunately, cars can still be a bit like that, with an endless array of numbers and specs that determine its suitability for your purpose.

This is where our advice content comes in, with simple explanations to your questions to help you make the right choice.

We’re not afraid to tackle the most confusing issues either, and its these stories that have proven most popular in 2017.

Can your car run on E5 or E10 ethanol blended petrol?

5. Can my car use E10 ethanol fuel?

Clearly the word has spread that ethanol isn’t the solution for all cars, with our E10 advice piece rounding off the top five advice pieces on CarsGuide this year.

If your car isn’t on the list, it’s a very good idea to avoid E10, and you should read between the lines before using it even if your car is. You also might be interested in what we’ve got to say about petrol prices, green cars, and budget cars.

The second-generation Q5 is due in Australian showrooms half way through 2017.

4. Best new SUVs arriving in 2017

As we’ve realised with our top five reviews of 2017, SUVs are hotter than ever at the moment. Further evidence is the fact that our piece highlighting the most exciting new SUVs of 2017 has been the fourth most popular advice piece this year.
Like all other bodystyles, we put a lot of effort into giving you everything you need to know about SUVs, which you’ll find via our SUV Buying Guide.

At the very basic level, fuel-efficiency refers to the distance you can travel on a amount of fuel.

3. Fuel efficiency explained

Australia may have just been forced to stop buying V8 Commodores at a record rate – because they stopped building them – but fuel efficiency is still a big concern in general.

Our piece explaining fuel efficiency was the third most popular advice piece on our site in 2017, largely due to the fact that it highlights the real cost difference higher fuel consumption can make, plus the difference types of fuel can make. You can also check out everything we’ve got to say about green cars, petrol prices and budget cars.

Buying a new or used car will also involve paying stamp duty.

2. Stamp duty for cars explained

The phrase ‘stamp duty’ has a similar ring to it as ‘tax’, which is ironic, because it is one.

Stamp duty is a part of every new or used car purchase, whether we like it or not, but how much you have to pay depends on what state or territory you live in and how much you’re spending.

Our piece explaining all the ins and outs of stamp duty proved to be our second most popular advice piece in 2017. Before you get to the stamp duty stage, you might appreciate our top five tips for negotiating with dealers, or our top 10 tips for buying a used car.

There are many terms when it comes to towing, but what do they all mean?

1. Vehicle weights explained: tare, kerb, GVM, payload and trailer figures

How many different things can be measured in kilograms? Lots, particularly when it comes to carrying or towing things with your car, SUV or ute.

The jargon is a minefield too, but it’s important to understand exactly what you’re dealing with to avoid serious safety, legal and insurance issues.

Our explanation of vehicle weights was the most popular advice story in 2017, probably because it forms a one stop shop for all these terms and figures. You can find anything else ute, commercial, SUV or towing related on their index pages.

What was your favourite CarsGuide advice story of 2017? Tell us in the comments.