Car Advice

Off-road L plates: Learning to cross rivers in a 4x4

The primal urge to ford rivers and streams must be tempered with a little car preparation and plenty of know-how

What’s a 48-volt car?

Car makers are working on 48-volt vehicles. Does that mean we will one day need to buy a bigger battery?

Off-road L plates: A 4x4 novice tackles sand at Fraser Island

In this first of three articles on the art of off-roading, Stephen Corby looks at the importance of tyre pressure and traction control

Do hybrids actually save you money?

Saving the planet may not necessarily mean saving money

Police targeting texting drivers more than 1km away

New technology means Canadian mounties will definitely get their man (and woman)

Child seats explained

Buying an ISOFIX seat for your kids brings parental piece of mind

Power versus torque

Owners can brag about their cars’ horsepower, but it’s torque that pushes you back in the seat when you accelerate

Good cars overlooked by new car buyers

Australian buyers are shunning some excellent cars and sticking with the big sellers.

Front-Wheel Drive versus Rear-Wheel Drive – Which is best?

Space-efficient FWD cars and ‘old-school’ RWD cars each have a place in the modern car park

What are suspension arms?

Critical for a smooth ride and accurate steering, suspension arms work in conjunction with your car’s springs.

What are ball joints?

Similar to human hip joints, ball joints in your car’s suspension allow a wide range of movement. But they do wear out…

Top 5 most powerful diesel engines

Looking for the efficiency of a diesel but don’t want to sacrifice power? These five powerful diesels will solve all your problems.

Suspension bushes explained

What are suspension bushes and why do you need them? David Morley explains.

Why you should buy expensive tyres

When it comes to buying tyres, avoid the cheap stuff. Spend the extra money for the expensive ones – it could just save your life.

Does bird poo stain car paint?

Parking under a tree can mean much more damage than just leaves in the air-vents

How rain-sensing windscreen wipers work

Part Star Trek and part geek-tech, auto wipers are coming to a car near you soon

Why do I need valve caps?

Ever thought of ditching the valve caps on your tyres? We don’t blame you. They’re dirty, fiddly and annoying. They’re also crucial.

Children left too long in infant capsules are at risk

New research suggests travelling with a child in an infant seat for too long can be deadly.

How to brake in an emergency stop

You don’t need to be a racing driver to know how to stop quickly. The wonders of modern car technology have your back.

How buying a bright car colour can affect your resale value

When choosing the colour of your new car, it’s worth keeping in mind what others might think of it when it comes time to sell

How to check your blind spots

Certain cars are easier to see out of than others, and this can have a drastic impact on how easy they are to drive. Corby explains why checking for blind spots is important.

Should I buy an SUV?

We’ve heard it over and over again: SUVs are on the rise. The fad has everyone wanting a chunk of these big hunks of metal, but the question stands: do you really need an SUV?

How far should you sit from the steering wheel?

Sitting in the correct driving position is critical for avoiding fatigue and remaining safely in control of your car. Here’s how to get the distance right.

How to set your car’s seat height correctly

Properly setting the height of your driver’s seat is important for comfort and safety. Here’s how to do it.