Safety

Why driving without a licence is a terrible idea

Say what you will about Volvo, but the Swedish brand is clearly happy to risk alienating customers in the interest of road safety.

Australia, you have a problem. It seems like a simple task, but reverse parallel parking (also known as parallel parking or reverse parking in different parts of the globe) intimidates many drivers. This can be from never having been shown properly how to parallel park, poor spatial awareness, or not

A few cool, wet mornings into the season and I've hopped into my friend's passenger seat, he's started the car, pulled away, and immediately the front windscreen begins to mist up. Like countless other drivers I've travelled with, he then proceeds to try almost everything to stop it fogging up. Everything, that is,

Learning how to change a tyre is a very important skill to have in Australia so you don't end up stranded by the side of a remote road. While it could seem difficult, it isn't hard to change a flat tyre on your own, so long as you follow the basic principles and remember these safety tips. Before you drive

At its most basic level, AWD is intended to maximise grip by transferring torque from a spinning tyre to the tyre with grip.Depending on the car, the system can be permanently on or it kicks-in "on demand" as the sensors detect wheelspin. The on-demand systems use less fuel because they are usually only driving one axle, but generally aren't as effective as permanent AWD systems.Neither system can or was designed to match conventional four-wheel drive systems off-road. 4WDs usually have a high and low range transfer case and the differentials can be manually locked for extreme off-roading. AWD was intended to optimise traction in regular low-grip driving situations such as snowy or icy roads.AWD systems use a centre differential to divide torque between the front and rear drive shafts. Common types of centre diffs include multi-plate hydraulic clutch, viscous coupling and Torsen units.The viscous coupling operates using a fluid housed inside a series of clutch plates that are attached to alternate drive shafts. The liquid (usually silicone-based) changes properties into a near-solid when subjected to shear stress that occurs when the rotational speed of the two shafts changes, effectively locking the diff.A multi-plate clutch is computer controlled and locks when sensors detect slippage between the drive shafts. The Haldex unit is a version of this and uses a hydraulic pump to depress a piston and lock the clutch when it detects slippage. Units such as the Torsen diff achieve the same effect using mechanical gearing.

Your new Mazda wants to watch you sleeping...

Volvo will introduce a speed limiter to every car it builds from 2020 as the brand moves to meet its target of no deaths in any of its cars from that year onward.

In years gone by it was common to see a heavy black cloud of smoke trailing behind vehicles powered by diesel engines, but that's a thing of the past with today's clean diesel engines. One of the ways vehicle manufacturers have been able to clean up the tailpipe of diesels is the use of a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).The DPF is fitted to new diesel-powered vehicles to capture the carbon particulates, soot, coming from the engine and preventing it from being released into the atmosphere and affecting our health.The DPF collects these nasty particulates as we drive along, and periodically they are superheated and burnt off in what is known as a 'regeneration' cycle.There are two DPF 'regeneration' cycles, passive and active.In the case of the passive cycle the DPF warning light comes on signaling the driver that he/she needs to drive the vehicle at a speed nominated in the owner's manual or higher to generate the heat required to burn off the soot.Regeneration can require an owner to drive at speeds above 50 km/h for upwards of 15 minutes to complete the cycle.Owners need to consult their owner's manual to familiarize themselves with this process.Should they ignore the signal, or fail to complete the cycle, they face the possibility of having their dealer conduct a 'forced' regeneration, which obviously costs money, or in an extreme case have to replace the DPF, which is even more expensive.Some DPFs have an active regeneration cycle in which extra fuel is injected into the engine to create the high temperatures required for burn-off. Other DPFs have an injector that injects either diesel fuel or an additive directly into the filter during the regeneration process.

Many people cause themselves unnecessary expense when something goes wrong with their car simply because they haven't anything handy to see them through until the problem can be fixed properly. Instead, they are forced to call a tow truck or even a mechanic to the scene facing a larger bill than normal down the track.This is not to say every problem that strands you by the side of the road can be fixed by something you have in your boot. Unfortunately, things aren't that simple. This is a list of items you are well advised to carry in the car at all times. Also, some of these remedies are designed as a temporary thing only. Always get your car checked thoroughly.SPARE TYRE Sounds too simple? You'd be surprised how people neglect their spare tyre, particularly on older cars. Then comes the day you need the spare and it's either flat as the tyre you want to replace or not even there.Remember, whenever you have a flat tyre, and you replace it with the spare, get the flat repaired or, if the damage is too bad, buy a new tyre. There's nothing worse than finding you need it and it's virtually useless to you. Also, when you check your tyre pressures check the spare's pressure as well. That will save you having to drive on a partially flat tyre for any distance.TYRE REPAIR KIT If you are unlucky you may have more than one flat tyre (it happens) or you get another flat before you've had time to fix the spare. There are several tyre repair kits on the market — some better than others. The simplest and cleanest is the one that comes in a pump can. It inflates the tyre enough so you can get somewhere to fix it properly. There are also patches and the like. But, whatever you prefer, always have one on hand.PVC TAPE Electrical tape will do. This is to be used if there's a leak or crack in one of the hoses or connection in the engine bay. This is definitely a temporary job. The tape can also be used if things fall of both inside and outside the car (purely cosmetic, of course).LEAKPROOFING SOLUTION This is used in the radiator if there is a small hole or crack. However, it won't be useful at all if the hole is the size of a one cent piece or more. That's a much bigger problem. But remember… leakproofing is a temporary solution. Have any cracks or holes properly repaired at the first opportunity.ANTI-FREEZE, ANTI-BOIL Your coolant should already have this in it but if you've neglected to do so, and you find yourself in very cold or very hot conditions, then these two may come in handy.WATER Always a good idea. Carry a plastic litre container full of water at all times, especially if your car isn't brand spanking new. It can be used for the radiator and also as window washer fluid.SPARE FUSES, BULBS Though you can get by for a short time without the right fuse or bulb it's advisable to carry spares. If you don't use the right fuse for a prolonged period you could blow a few more. Also, it's illegal to drive your car with a broken headlight, taillight and so on.OIL Again, not absolutely necessary but handy.