Car Advice

I drove an automated car for the first time… and came away scared

They’re widely touted as the future of motoring: self-driving cars. And while I love the thought of automated driving, my first experience left me wary.

Ford Ranger v Holden Colorado v Isuzu D-Max v Mazda BT-50 v Mitsubishi Triton v Nissan Navara v Toyota Hilux v Volkswagen Amarok

They’re as Australian as taking a day off for a horse race: Utes. With more buyers opting for something tough enough to put the tools in during the week but refined and practical enough to haul the family come the weekend, we pitted eight utes in the $50K class against each other to help you decide which one’s right for you

How much wiring is in your car

Ever wondered how complex your car is under its skin? Bentley has provided a fascinating insight

REVS check: why anything over $3.40 is too much

There are plenty of sharks circling the second-hand car market waiting to feed on the ill-informed and getting a simple REVS check – finding out if your car owes someone money – is one such place. Kellie Buckley’s simple piece of advice for those in the used-car market could end up saving you some money and give you added piece of mind.

What is a Fuel Cell?

David Bonnici explains what fuel cell technology is and how it works in cars, as Toyota gets set to begin testing its hydrogen-powered Mirai in Australia

What is high-octane fuel?

Confused about the different kinds of unleaded fuels available at the petrol pump these days? David Morley explains the meaning behind the numbers and how you can find out which one is the right one for your car.

How to tell if a car has rust

] It’s one of the biggest red flags when buying a used car. It’s also one of the trickiest problems to spot. David Morley provides some useful tips on how to spot rust in cars.

Coolest cars you can drive on your p-plates

Being on your provisional license doesn’t mean your car has to be boring.

What are Dampers, and how do they work?

You often read about dampers in car reviews, or maybe your mechanic has mentioned them in a service report. David Morley explains why they’re so important to the overall structure of a car’s suspension set-up .

Limited Edition models improve resale value

Some see the Limited Edition tag as little more than a marketing exercise, but when it comes to re-sale value, it may be worth shelling out the extra pennies at purchase time

Ski season – how to prepare for your drive

In the parts of Australia where the depths of winter turns us into human icy-poles, we have one positive outcome of Mother Nature’s wrath: the snow. But before you begin to drive your way kilometres above sea-level, here are a few things you should know.

What is stop-start technology?

It’s great if you want to do your bit in reducing emissions and fuel costs, but when it gets in peak-hour traffic, it needs to have its wits about it. David Morley takes a look at the pros and cons of stop-start technology

What is oil pressure?

David Morley explains what oil pressure is and its impact on your car’s engine

Digital Radio explained

First they took away our mixed tapes, then our CD players, and now the talk is all around digital radio.

Parent Travel Hacks: 5 tips to keep your car clean and fun on a family road trip

Avoid the rubbish-laden carnage and hours of clean-up that often accompanies a road trip with the kids, with these handy tips for long-distance travel

How many air-bags is enough?

There’s only so much protection you’ll get from air-bags, says David Morley, but for that extra peace-of-mind, and to avoid making a potentially costly mistake, here’s some tips about air-bags

Self-parking car technology - does it work?

Stephen Corby investigates whether or not self-parking vehicles live up to the hype.

Common mistakes you’re making with your child’s car seat

There’s nothing more important than your child’s safety. Here are some mistakes to avoid when installing and buying a car seat.

Top 5 most fuel efficient cars

Electric cars lead the way for fuel efficiency, followed closely by petrol-electric hybrids.

How does a supercharger work?

Supercharge me: David Morley explains how a supercharger boosts your engine’s power output.

What is a DSG transmission?

Wanted to know what DSG is, but were afraid to ask? David Morley explains the basics of direct-shift gearboxes; the good the bad and the what-you-need-to-know-when-buying.

6 Tips for driving in the rain

Marge, the rains are here! Winter has arrived in full force with temperatures dropping and the clouds pouring rain on our parade. Here are a few tips to stay safe while driving in the rain.

Parents find teaching kids to drive too stressful

Teaching learners to drive can be a stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to deter you from getting in the passenger seat forever.

Top 5 tips for teaching your kids to drive

Getting behind the wheel of a car with someone who has never driven before is a daunting experience. These tips will help you survive the ordeal – no increased heart rate necessary.