As seen on:

SMH Logo News Logo

Call 1300 303 181

Australia’s Best New Car News, Reviews and Buying Advice

Archive for September, 2014

You Are Getting Sleepy… Very, Very Sleepy

tired driverIt’s about that time of year when a number of states start getting into Daylight Savings mode (New Zealanders did the change last weekend).  This peculiar hangover from Victorian England often leads to an increase in traffic accidents as the entire country (minus those sensible, sensible states that don’t bother with the whole palaver) goes through jet lag. Especially the springtime changeover where you have to get up an hour earlier than usual.

There has been some research into how the Daylight Savings changeover affects traffic responses.   found that accidents immediately after the springtime shift but accidents drop immediately after the autumn shift when the clocks go back.  According to these researchers, it’s the amount of sleep lost or gained that causes the change in patterns.  We tend to lose an hour of sleep during the spring shift but we get that precious extra hour to sleep in come autumn.  The researchers concluded that it’s fatigue and lack of sleep that causes the problem, not merely shifting our body clocks.

It’s not that people are falling asleep at the wheel, either.  Analysts and experts have commented that driving tired is as bad as driving drunk or under the influence of drugs when it comes to slowing your reaction times and preventing you from concentrating.  Unfortunately, the cops can’t do random breath testing to see how tired you are. Or perhaps fortunately – most of us don’t get the right amount of sleep.

Some car manufacturers are cottoning onto the role of fatigue in traffic safety.  Some of the latest models of Mercedes are able to tell by your driving style that you are getting a bit tired and will start alerting you.  This is all very well when it comes to getting tired during a long interstate drive when the white lines flickering through the darkness in a steady rhythm on a long straight road have their hypnotic effect on you, gradually lulling you into la-la land until the car bleeps at you suddenly.  However, it’s not so good for those times when you lose concentration for half a second at the traffic lights or at an intersection… although a lot of modern cars have fancy crash sensors that will detect this sort of low-speed problem and try to deal with it.

So what can we all do to improve our driving and reduce fatigue-related accidents?  We can’t all shift to Queensland or Western Australia where they don’t do the Daylight Savings thing.  And even in those states, fatigue-related accidents are still a problem.  The answer is not to be found inside our vehicles but inside our bedrooms.  If we all got the sleep we needed, we could probably avoid 20–30% of current accidents (according to the Transport Accident Commission ).

  • Have a set bedtime routine and stick to it. This programmes your body into knowing that it’s time to go to sleep.
  • Avoid “screen time” (TV, DVDs, laptops, smart phones) for half an hour before you plan on nodding off.  There’s something about those screens that stop you nodding off.
  • Go for calming, soothing activities as part of your wind down. In other words, don’t try doing your tax returns or drafting a letter to your lawyer last thing at night.
  • Watch the caffeine.  Yes, it helps jolt you up in the morning but it has quite a long half-life in your body, preventing good sleep.  It’s best to avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks after 3:00 p.m. just in case.  It’s also unwise to try to use coffee to keep you awake if you are doing a long, late drive.  It will work in the short-term, but you end up with a horrible cocktail of fatigue chemicals and adrenaline in your brain at the same time that makes you even more error-prone.
  • Save the bedroom for sleep, relaxing and sex. This means that having the home office in there permanently is a bad idea.

Safe and happy driving,

Megan

http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/lime-zaim-zaymi-online.html

Automobili Lamborghini Sydney Launches With Huracán Force

Lamborghini badgeHuracan right rearAfter its successful launch on September 19th, 2014, in Melbourne, the Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 is now available for orders at the Automobili Lamborghini dealership in Sydney. Located at 563 Parramatta Road, in the bustling inner suburb of Leichhardt, the Huracán sits proudly on display in the company of two of Lamborghini’s flagship models, the edgy Aventador.
Since being officially unveiled in February, there’s already over a dozen orders for the sleek missile, worth near half a million dollars in New South Wales alone, but don’t think it’s a matter of simply rolling in and plonking down a handful of bills. Lamborghini has a stringent order process in place for the Huracán, Aventador convertiblewith a (currently) planned production run of less than 3000 and will, effectively, build to order, rather than Huracan nosehaving a pool of vehicles.
Dealer principal, Dwyer Ogle, has over twenty years experience in premium brands, starting his career with the legendary British brand, Aston Martin. Dwyer’s enthusiasm for luxury motoring was evident, discussing the history of Lamborghini as easily as he shared facts and figures on the Huracán. Dwyer was also proud to be part of a launch drive in Italy, with a video showing him in the passenger seat of the 449kW rocket, being driven by a Lamborghini test driver at the Ascari circuit, clearly delighting in the experience.
The car itself, says Dwyer, is the most user friendly Lamborghini he has experienced. He likens driving the Diablo, first released in 1990, as a full on gym workout, with a heavy clutch and steering, whereas the lithe 1422kg Huracán has been worked over and smoothed over and massaged by parent company, Audi, to be as easy to use as the proverbial grandmother’s weekend shopping trolley. There’s hi-tech in the form of a magneto-rheological suspension Huracan frontsystem; a magnetic liquid fills the dampers and reacts to suspension changes in milliseconds, providing lightning sharp handling. The V10 engine is connected to a dual clutch, seven speed, gearbox and transfers power and torque to all four corners via the all wheel drive system. Dwyer grins as he explains that the naturally aspirated 5.2L engine’s torque, all 560 Nm of it, delivers an on tap, linear surge of acceleration and shakes his head in disbelief as he mentioned the car’s ability to remain flat and composed as it changes gear, under acceleration, on the banked curves at Ascari.
Dwyer’s backed up by Italian born Yvonne Buchreiter, Lamborghini Sydney brand manager; she smiles as she says “I’m Italian, where else would I work but for a great Italian car company?”. There’s warmth in both smile and handshake as she welcomes me in, excusing herself to look after a prior appointment, another Huracán interested party already there. She and Dwyer manage to make everyone feel part of the family within Huracan rearminutes of arriving and, as Dwyer demonstrates the vibrancy of the engine and exhaust, pointing out the subtle change in note as the computer ensures operating parts are warm and safe, there’s smiles all around.
As the car is being built to order, waiting time is not unexpected, in this case estimated to be around 12 months; however, as Dwyer points out, a Huracán buyer will take delivery knowing that the car has been built specifically for them, rather than dipping into a pool of stock.
After an hour of easy going, friendly and knowledgeable conversation, I take my leave, grateful for their time and wondering what Lotto numbers I need to pick.

Automobili Lamborghini Sydney can be found at 563 Parramatta Road, Leichhardt, New South Wales and cars are available at the four Australian dealerships; Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/migcredit-dengi-v-dolg.html

Classic, Vintage and Antique – How Can You Tell?

A decent slice of the driving population isn’t into new cars so much. OK, they might drive newer models to get from A to B and for general bread-and-butter driving. But when they drive for pleasure, they look to the past: to classics, vintages and antiques.  Sometimes, you may hear the word “veteran” bandied about.

When we hear the word “vintage” pop into our heads, we usually get mental pictures of something with big goggly headlamps, seriously sprung upholstery, a square top and big mudguards.  The Ford Model T would be a prime example.  When “classic” is mentioned, mental images get a bit more fluid, with some people thinking about traditional VW Beetles and others picturing big old American numbers.  Mention an “antique” car to the person on the street and he or she would probably give you a funny look.

So what makes a classic a classic?  What’s the definition of a vintage car?  Is it the age or the styling?

A Model T Ford from 1910: an antique or veteran car.

A Model T Ford from 1910: an antique or veteran car.

Defining veteran, vintage and antique cars is the easy part.  Veteran and Antique cars are the same thing: anything that was made before the end of World War 1 (that’s 1919 for those who don’t remember history lessons from high school).  A veteran car is something that was made between the wars, more or less: between 1919 and either 1925 or 1930, depending on which authority you listen to.  This means that the classic Beetle just misses out on being a vintage car, as it was first made in 1938.  Model T Fords, however, can be veterans or vintages, as they were produced from 1908 to 1927.

1926 Bentley: a vintage car

1926 Bentley: a vintage car

 

Defining classics is much harder.  Exactly how old a classic has to be to count depends on where you are and who you listen to, with 15 years old, 20 years old, 30 years old and 27–65 years old all being given as the age for a classic by various authorities, clubs and insurance companies.  However, there’s more to it than that.  A classic car has to have “collectible” quality and to be a true classic, it has to be in original condition.

1961 E-type Jaguar: definitely a classic

1961 E-type Jaguar: definitely a classic

Of course, the idea of what is considered “collectible” or desirable will vary from person to person.  This is where personal preferences kick in.  Obviously, luxury vehicles tend to make the grade (e.g. the E-type Jaguar  pictured here).  So do a lot of the big American muscle cars of the 1950s.  But when it comes to cars that were once your typical family drive, things get a lot more fluid.  A classic has to have a lot of sentiment attached to it in some form.  It has to be “iconic” in some way.  And that’s a quality that’s hard to pin down.

However, it would be fairly safe to list certain older family style vehicles as being sure-fire classics:  VW Beetles (as already mentioned), Minis , Kombis, Holden Kingswoods, Ford Cortinas and Fiat 500s would be my picks.  I’m sure there are lots more!

Picking what’s going to be a classic in the future is harder, although some enthusiasts have a go at trying to buy up “sleepers” and hanging onto them until they become classics.  This is a bit of a gamble, as they may never get that collectable quality to them.

It is usual for articles of this type to suggest lists of future classics.  I am not going to attempt this, apart from guessing that the hot sports cars of the 1980s and 1990s (Porsche Boxters , Nissan 350Z Roadsters , Mazda MX-5 , BMW Z4s ) will probably make the grade.  However, I will propose a couple of rules of thumb:

  • If it was your typical car driven by university students when you were a kid, it will probably be a classic when you’re middle-aged.
  • If you drooled over it as the latest luxury car in magazines, car yards and dealers’ windows when you were a kid, it will probably be a classic when you reach retirement.

Happy driving,

Megan http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/oneclickmoney-zaim-na-kartu.html

The Road Rules…Or Does It?

Across the globe, there’s commonality now that the internet is part of our lives and we can see that commonality in road rules. Red lights and Stop signs mean stop, green means go, roundabouts confuse. Yet, in real terms, driving on our roads really isn’t that complicated, as so many seem to think. Let’s have a look at some of the more basic rules.

Indication: this is one of the simplest, yet, seemingly, most misunderstood parts of driving. Inside each vehicle, attached to the steering column, will be a stalk, with two and sometimes just one fitted. Most Australian specification vehicles will have this on the right hand side, with an increasing number haviing it on the left. When moved up or down, an amzing thing happens: there’s a ticking noise that coincides with the flashing of an amber light at the front and rear of the car. This is called indicating and is intended to show other users of the road which direction you intend to go. Under New South Wales legislation:
What is changing direction?

(1) A driver changes direction if the driver changes direction to the left or the driver changes direction to the right.
(2) A driver changes direction to the left by doing any of the following:
(a) turning left,
(b) changing marked lanes to the left,
(c) diverging to the left,
(d) entering a marked lane, or a line of traffic, to the left,
(e) moving to the left from a stationary position,
(f) turning left into a marked lane, or a line of traffic, from a median strip parking area,
(g) at a T-intersection where the continuing road curves to the right—leaving the continuing road to proceed straight ahead onto the terminating road.indicators

(3) A driver changes direction to the right by doing any of the following:
(a) turning right,
(b) changing marked lanes to the right,
(c) diverging to the right,
(d) entering a marked lane, or a line of traffic, to the right,
(e) moving to the right from a stationary position,
(f) turning right into a marked lane, or a line of traffic, from a median strip parking area,
(g) making a U-turn,
(h) at a T-intersection where the continuing road curves to the left—leaving the continuing road to proceed straight ahead onto the terminating road.

As you can see, you’re required to indicate at pretty much any time you’re thinking of changing direction, including:

Example 1

Driver indicating change of direction at a T-intersection where the continuing road curves to the right and the driver is proceeding straight ahead onto the terminating road

Example 2

Driver indicating change of direction at a T-intersection where the continuing road curves to the left and the driver is proceeding straight ahead onto the terminating road

Another part of driving on the road involves understanding what three simple colours inside a box on top of a large pole are meant to do. These colours are green, red and amber and according to NSW Legislation: Stopping for a red traffic light or arrow
(1) A driver approaching or at traffic lights showing a red traffic light must stop:
(a) if there is a stop line at or near the traffic lights—as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the stop line, or
(b) if there is a stop here on red signal sign at or near the traffic lights, but no stop line—as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the sign, or
(c) if there is no stop line or stop here on red signal sign at or near the traffic lights—as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the nearest or only traffic lights,
and must not proceed past the stop line, stop here on red signal sign or nearest or only traffic lights (as the case may be) until the traffic lights traffic lightshow a green or flashing yellow traffic light or no traffic light.
And then: Stopping for a yellow traffic light or arrow
(1) A driver approaching or at traffic lights showing a yellow traffic light must stop:
(a) if there is a stop line at or near the traffic lights and the driver can stop safely before reaching the stop line—as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the stop line, or
(b) if there is no stop line at or near the traffic lights and the driver can stop safely before reaching the traffic lights—as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the nearest or only traffic lights, or
(c) if the traffic lights are at an intersection and the driver cannot stop safely in accordance with paragraph (a) or (b), but can stop safely before entering the intersection—before entering the intersection,
and must not proceed past the stop line or nearest or only traffic lights, or into the intersection (as the case may be), until the traffic lights show a green or flashing yellow traffic light or no traffic light.
So, again, it’s really not a hard thing to come to grips with.

What does seem to be a source of confusion is when to indicate at a roundabout. In NSW the legislation states:
Giving a left change of direction signal when entering a roundabout
(1) This rule applies to a driver entering a roundabout if:
(a) the driver is to leave the roundabout at the first exit after entering the roundabout, and
(b) the exit is less than halfway around the roundabout.
(2) Before entering the roundabout, the driver must give a left change of direction signal for long enough to give sufficient warning to other drivers and pedestrians.
(3) The driver must continue to give the change of direction signal until the driver has left the roundabout.
Giving a right change of direction signal when entering a roundabout
(1) This rule applies to a driver entering a roundabout if the driver is to leave the roundabout more than halfway around it.
(2) Before entering the roundabout, the driver must give a right change of direction signal for long enough to give sufficient warning to other drivers and pedestrians.
(3) The driver must continue to give the change of direction signal while the driver is driving in the roundabout, unless:
(a) the driver is changing marked lanes, or entering another line of traffic, or
(b) the driver’s vehicle is not fitted with direction indicator lights, or
(c) the driver is about to leave the roundabout.

Going left

  1. Slow down and prepare to give way as you approach the roundabout.
  2. On approach you must be in the left lane unless otherwise marked on the road, and indicate a left turn.
  3. You must give way to traffic already on the roundabout if there is any risk of a collision.
  4. Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in the traffic.
  5. Stay in the left lane.
  6. Keep your left indicator on until you have exited the roundabout.
If you are turning right, use the right hand lane and indicate right as you approach the roundabout. Indicate left just before you reach your exit.

Going right

  1. Slow down and prepare to give way as you approach the roundabout.
  2. On approach you must be in the right lane unless otherwise marked on the road, and indicate a right turn.
  3. You must give way to traffic already on the roundabout if there is any risk of a collision.
  4. Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in the traffic.
  5. Stay in the right lane.
  6. You must indicate a left turn just before your exit unless it is not practical to do so.

When it comes to some styles of roundabouts, where there’s clearly a change of direction for one or two lanes, the same applies: INDICATE TO SHOW WHICH DIRECTION YOU ARE GOING.

When it comes to overtaking, it seems pretty simple: No overtaking etc to the left of a vehicle
(1) A driver (except the rider of a bicycle) must not overtake a vehicle to the left of the vehicle unless:
(a) the driver is driving on a multi-lane road and the vehicle can be safely overtaken in a marked lane to the left of the vehicle, or
(b) the vehicle is turning right, or making a U-turn from the centre of the road, and is giving a right change of direction signal and it is safe to overtake to the left of the vehicle, or
(c) the vehicle is stationary and it is safe to overtake to the left of the vehicle.
Naturally, don’t overtake a vehicle on the right if that vehicle is turning right.
When it comes to driving with our younger people, again, it should be simple, their safety is paramount and this is how it looks in NSW: If the passenger is less than 6 months old, he or she must be restrained in a suitable and properly fastened and adjusted rearward facing approved child restraint. If the passenger is 6 months old or older, but is less than 4 years old, he or she must be restrained in a suitable and properly fastened and adjusted:
Booster seat(a) rearward facing approved child restraint, or
(b) forward facing approved child restraint that has an inbuilt harness.
If the passenger is 4 years old or older, but is less than 7 years old, he or she must:
(a) be restrained in a suitable and properly fastened and adjusted forward facing approved child restraint that has an inbuilt harness, or
(b) be placed on a properly positioned approved booster seat and be restrained by either a suitable lap and sash type approved seatbelt that is properly adjusted and fastened, or by a suitable approved child safety harness that is properly adjusted and fastened, or
(c) if he or she is seated in a seating position in a part of the vehicle that is designed primarily for the carriage of goods:
(i) be restrained by a suitable lap and sash style seatbelt that is properly adjusted and fastened, or
(ii) have his or her hip restrained by a suitable lap type seatbelt that is properly adjusted and fastened, and have his or her upper body restrained by an approved child safety harness that is properly adjusted and fastened.

As stated, these are regulations for road users in NSW;( http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/subordleg+179+2008+fn+0+N) for your home state (and country, for that matter!), please look up the regulations for your area. http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/online-zaym-na-kartu-payps.html