Safety

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.

Yet few motorists know how they work or how to maintain them.A battery has two terminals, one marked positive (+) and one negative (-) to which are connected to leads that run to the ignition, starter motor, lights and other electrical components.Inside the typical lead acid battery are lead plates in electrolyte liquid which creates an electro-chemical reaction to produce a charge to the battery terminals.These batteries can get a build-up of lead oxide on the terminals, which need to be cleaned for optimum performance. You should also keep the electrolyte topped up with de-mineralised water, not tap water or acid. Don’t overfill.Batteries are recharged by the alternator, which turns mechanical energy into an electrical charge. A failed alternator can allow the battery to go flat. In this case the battery can be recharged however fully depleted batteries will have a shorter life.Most modern car batteries are either absorbed glass mat or gel cell. These are sealed for life requiring no maintenance. When they go flat, you simply replace them.Electric cars and some luxury models use lightweight lithium-ion batteries (See image to the right), which use lithium-ion instead of electrolyte liquid to create the charge.

Subaru has launched a major 121,754-vehicle recall to fix a potential fault which can cause the brake lights to fail (though the brakes themselves will still work), with every Forester, WRX, Impreza and XV sold over a particular timeframe impacted.

PRIOR TO DEPARTURETyres: Check air pressure of your tyres, including the spare. Under-inflation is a leading cause of tyre failures and blowouts.Warnings lights: Ensure there are no vehicle warning and reminder indicator lights on and that any outstanding vehicle services have been performed.Checks: Ensure all weekly checks recommended in the owner's handbook have been performed:Batteries: Weak batteries can lead to breakdowns, possibly at the worst time and place.Brakes: An expert inspection can determine whether brakes are functioning properly with full braking capability.Windshield wipers: Old or worn windshield wipers can lead to poor visibility.Headlamps: Properly aimed headlamps are a must for optimal visibility.Oil: Change the oil and filter at recommended intervals to minimise engine wear and reduce the possibility of internal damage. Check the owner's manual for recommended intervals.Fluid levels: Improper fluid levels (coolant, oil, power steering, transmission, brake fluid and even washer solvent) can negatively affect vehicle performance, durability and safety.Belts and hoses: A broken belt or ruptured hose can cause costly engine damage and travel delays.Wheel alignment: Maintain correct front and rear wheel alignment. Incorrect alignment makes the wheels drag, which increases fuel consumption and causes uneven and premature tyre wear.Restrain loose items: Whenever possible, stow articles in the luggage compartment. Perhaps consider, if driving a wagon, fitting a cargo barrier to avoid loose objects entering the cabin. Check load capacity in the owner's manual.Mass distribution: Loading the vehicle changes the handling of the vehicle. After loading, be sure to take time to become familiar with the feel of the vehicle.Warnings: Ensure there are no vehicle warning and reminder indicator lights on.Towing: Check wiring, lights and towing hitch tyres and pressures (trailer tyre pressures should be higher than car tyres around 40PSI). Make sure caravans are loaded correctly, placing most weight forward of the trailer axle to ensure there is sufficient weight on the tow bar. This reduces sway.ON THE ROADDo not speed: Stay within the speed limits at all times.Power naps: Try to avoid driving at times when you would normally be sleeping. If tired or fatigued pull over and sleep for 15 to 20 minutes.Share the driving: If your passenger or passengers are licensed, share the drive. Change drivers at least every two hours.Safe distance: Leave a minimum two second gap between your vehicle and the one in front. If towing, driving four-wheel-drive or if it's raining increase to a four-second gap.Time: Accept that during the holiday period it may take a little longer to get to your destination.CHILD OCCUPANT SAFETYBack seat: The back seat is the safest place for children of any age. Where possible install the child restraint in the centre rear position.Child seats: Remember to use the child seat for all journeys, however short. A baby is not safe in your arms. Even in a minor crash, collision forces may tear the child from your grip. Where legally allowable, you may install a forward facing child seat in the front seat (without a side impact airbag), but always move the passenger seat as far back as possible.Child restraints: Fit child restraints properly. Follow instructions and make sure the capsule or child seat is firmly fitted, with minimal sideways or forward movement on the car seat. Don't use a child restraint that's been in a crash. The protective structure could be invisibly damaged. Every trip, make sure that the child restraint harness is properly adjusted, checking that only the thickness of two fingers can be inserted between the harness and the child's chest.Child safety: It's never safe to leave children in cars, particularly in summer when temperatures inside a closed car can quickly rise to more than 60C. Leaving windows open a little does not reduce the temperature enough.Concentrate: Make sure you keep your child occupied on long journeys (with soft toys, music and stories). A bored child can distract the driver, fiddle with buckles and wriggle out of position.Assistance: If you require assistance in the fitting of child restraints, contact your local state roads authority or auto club such as RACQ.Source: GM Holden and Murcotts Driving Excellence

The wild weather that has lashed much of Australia this summer has left an estimated 60,000 cars in need of urgent hail-damage repair, prompting the official automotive industry body to issue a warning to customers about dodgy repair jobs.

Child-seat laws seem like one of those inarguable givens, like regulations forbidding you to murder your mother-in-law or to keep a killer whale as a pet.

A quick how-to on understanding road rules in every Australian state and territory.

A few months after buying my 2018 Hyundai Elantra from a Hyundai dealership, I noticed that the dash was displaying an "ECO" symbol and just thought I was driving the vehicle economically. When the symbol suddenly and without reason changed to "SPORT" I realized something was wrong after reading in the manual that "drive mode" option was not available in some models. My vehicle is obviously one that is not meant to have the feature because there is no "drive mode" selection button anywhere in the vehicle, but for some reason the car randomly selects a drive mode on its own. Hyundai dealership and customer support have not been helpful as they have informed me that it is an ongoing and unresolved issue in some models and that I simply have to "wait" until a fix is available. Thankfully my car has currently selected "normal" mode, which is acceptable, but I am concerned of safety issues of a car that randomly selects its own drive mode, especially considering the vastly noticeable difference of performance between economy and sports modes. Should I be concerned and/or should Hyundai have an obligation under warranty to address this issue immediately?

All new cars in the EU will be fitted with speed-limiting devices within three years, after a group of key European government officials voted overnight in favour of making a large number of safety measures mandatory on new cars by 2022.Among the measures set to become law are the compulsory fitment of AEB and lane-departure-warning systems, plus driver-drowsiness and attention warnings.But the one system on the approved list that will change driving forever, and the one opposed by both car companies and enthusiasts, is Intelligent Speed Assistance.ISA works by using traffic-sign-recognition cameras, or GPS data, to determine the maximum speed where you are driving, and then automatically restrict engine power and your speed to the prevailing limit.The push for this speed-limiting technology is being spearheaded by the European Transport Safety Council, which says the limiters will reduce crashes by 30 per cent, and save 25,000 lives within 15 years of coming into force.What is slightly worrying is that the ETSC has only recommended a “full on/off switch” - ie the ability to override the system by pushing the accelerator through some kind of detente - during the compulsory roll-out of the technology ”to aid public acceptance at introduction”.The safety body has indicated it will push for even stricter rules in the future, which would seem to indicate systems that are impossible to override.The ETSC has also suggested that “If the driver continues to drive above the speed limit for several seconds, the system should sound a warning for a few seconds and display a visual warning until the vehicle is operating at or below the speed limit again.”And, worryingly, mandatory data loggers would also be fitted to all new cars under the ETSC’s program.This means that, theoretically, even in a Porsche, if you exceed the speed limit at any time your car will, by law, beep and chime and flash lights at you until you stop doing it.And a data logger will record the fact that you did speed, for reasons that may not be in your best interests.Matthew Avery, director of research at Thatcham Research, said the vote result was "great news for road safety”."It's encouraging that a lot of the safety technologies proposed are already fitted as standard on many new cars. In fact, it's not now impossible to get a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating without AEB fitted as standard,” he said.”We would hope the proposed timeline of within three years could be more ambitious.”Avery also reprised the idea of intelligent speed assistance systems but added that the EU had ruled such systems must be overridable, saying: "Drivers like the vehicle to know what the set limit is, but also like to have ultimate control of their vehicle's speed".You really have to wonder how the Germans are going to respond to these rules.But you don’t have to wonder how warmly Australian safety authorities will welcome them, because we asked Samantha Cockfield, lead director road safety for Victoria’s peak safety body, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).Her organisation would support “mandating safety technology that can help people drive safely and reduce the number of people killed and injured on our roads”.“Speed remains one of the biggest factors in crashes on Victorian roads and while it is not always the cause of a crash, the speed of a vehicle at impact will always determine how badly people are hurt as a result,” Ms Cockfield added.“Technology such as ISA, when supported by appropriate setting of speed limits, can help people to slow down and drive at speeds that are safer, which will go a long way towards reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”

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