As seen on:

SMH Logo News Logo

Call 1300 303 181

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

Archive for July, 2017

Car Recall Over Dodgy Airbags

It’s good to get important safety information out there, particularly when some of the cars on our roads could be really quite unsafe.  Recently, there has been a Takata airbags recall due to some faulty airbag systems placed in certain modern cars of specific makes and models.

A US authority investigated for underlying faults present in airbag systems.  They had information that certain airbags had had a problem with the airbag inflators.  In order to confirm the fault was at large, they had a research and engineering firm Battelle perform testing on some airbags by test airbag inflators in their lab.  The results were quite alarming and showed that in Takata airbags there were airbag inflators that had deteriorated with age and, when they were deployed, the inflators exploded and shattered the casing material.  If there did happen to be an occupant behind one of these airbags in a car accident, then the hurtling material, set off like a grenade, would strike the seat occupants head and chest areas causing severe injury and in some cases death.

The airbag inflators contain ammonium nitrate propellants which can become volatile as they age when exposed to changing temperatures, humidity and moisture.  This volatility can cause them to explode and thrust shrapnel into both drivers and passengers inside the vehicle.  The flying debris has been known to puncture people’s eyes, face, neck and chest.  Faulty Takata airbags have also been linked to 18 deaths globally.

The results in the testing drove the car manufacturers (who had used Takata airbag systems in their cars) to reacall the vehicles to fix the problem.  This has been the biggest car recall in history, and there has been a waiting list for the replacement airbag.  A further investigation has also shown that some of the manufacturers have replaced the old airbag systems with similar systems that will end up with the same problem as they age, so the new device might not be a permanent fix. Not a very bright thing to do!

Choice investigators have said that millions of cars still have faulty airbags, and they want the car industry to do more to raise public awareness.  They also state that a number of car manufacturers — including BMW, Toyota, Mazda, Lexus and Subaru —have been replacing the airbags with like-for-like devices as a temporary fix – ultimately not fixing the problem.

Tom Godfrey, a spokesman for Choice, said that “Refitting vehicles with the same dangerous airbags still leaves people driving ticking time-bombs.”

If you think your car could be one of the 2.1 million Australian vehicles recalled, Product Safety Australia says that you should contact your local dealership or your manufacturer and find out if your car needs to have the airbags replaced.

At the time of writing, the list below names the makes and models of the known cars to be at risk of the fault.  This list is updated as new makes and models are recalled, so you can look up www.productsafety.gov.au for further details.

 

Make Year
BMW 3 Series E46 1999 – 2006
BMW 5 Series E39, 3 Series E46, X5 E53 2002 – 2005
BMW 5 series E39, 3 Series E46, X5 E53 Check PRA No.
Chrysler 300(LE/LX) 2005 – 2012
Chrysler 300C 2005 – 2010
Dodge RAM 2004 – 2010
Ferrari 458, California, FF 2008 – 2011
Ford Mustang 2006 – 2014
Honda Accord/CRV 2001 – 2002
Honda Civic 2001
Honda Accord 2001 – 2002
Honda Civic, CR-V, Jazz 2001 – 2003
Honda Jazz 2004
Honda Accord, CR-V, Civic, Jazz 2003 – 2004
Honda Accord Euro, CR-V, Civic, Jazz 2002 – 2009
Honda Jazz, CR-V 2005 – 2007
Honda MDX, Accord 2001 – 2006
Honda City, CR-V, Insight, Jazz 2006 – 2012
Honda City, CR-V, Insight, Jazz 2011 – 2014
Honda Civic, Legend, Jazz 2006 – 2012
Honda Accord Euro, City, CR-V, Jazz, Insight 2007 – 2011
Honda Legend, Odyssey, Accord, MDX 2003 – 2011
Honda Civic, Accord 2006 – 2011
Jeep Wrangler JK 2007 – 2012
Lexus SC430 2000 – 2003
Lexus IS 250, IS 250C, 350, IS F 2005 – 2011
Lexus IS 250, IS 350, IS 250C, IS-F, LFA 2011 – 2012
Mazda 2, B Series, BT-50 2006 – 2011
Mazda 2, RX-8 2003 – 2014
Mazda 6 2002 – 2003
Mazda 6, RX-8 2002 – 2004
Mazda 6 2002 – 2004
Mazda 6 2006 – 2009
Mazda 6, RX-8, B2500 ute/cab chassis, B2600 ute/cab chassis, BT-50 2002 – 2011
Mitsubishi GA & GB i-MiEV 2010 – 2011
Mitsubishi Lancer 2003 – 2008
Mitsubishi ML & MN Triton 2007 – 2014
Mitsubishi Pajero NS, NT, NW, NX 2007 – 2016
Mitsubishi Pajero NS & NT 2006 – 2009
Nissan N16 Pulsar, Y61 Patrol 2001
Nissan N16 Pulsar, Y61 Patrol Check PRA No.
Nissan N16 Pulsar, Y61 Patrol, D22 Navara, T30 X-Trail 2000 – 2004
Nissan N16 Pulsar, D22 Navara, Y61 Patrol, T30 X-Trail, A33 maxima 2001 – 2003
Nissan N16 Pulsar, D22 Navara, Y61 Patrol, T30 X-Trail, J31 maxima 2003
Nissan N16 Pulsar, D22 Navara, Y61 Patrol, T30 X-Trail, J31 maxima 2004 – 2007
Nissan D22 Navara, T30 X-Trail, J31 Maxima 2007 – 2008
Nissan D22 Navara, Y61 Patrol 2009 – 2012
Nissan D40 Navara 2008 – 2014
Nissan Tiida 2006 – 2012
Peformax Silverado, Sierra, Mustang 2007 – 2008
Subaru Impreza 2004 – 2007
Subaru Impreza, Forester 2008 – 2009
Subaru Tribeca, Liberty, Outback 2004 – 2009
Toyota Corolla, Avensis Verso 2000 – 2004
Toyota Echo, Rav 4 2002 – 2003
Toyota Corolla, Avensis Verso, Yaris 2003 – 2007
Toyota Corolla, Yaris, Avensis Verso 2006 – 2011
Toyota Corolla, Yaris & Rukus 2010 – 2012
Toyota Avensis Verso, Yaris 2007 – 2008
Toyota Echo, Rav 4 2003 – 2005
Toyota Echo, Rav 4 2002 – 2003

http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/moneza-online-zaym.html

Really Keen Young Drivers!

One of my brothers, when aged around 5, found the keys in the ignition of Dad and Mum’s car and proceeded to start the car up and drive off.  That’s what you do with cars, isn’t it?  Dad and Mum were having a rest in the house when this occurred, and thankfully Dad heard the engine and rushed outside to stop him before he got away!

But he’s not the only one.  Just recently, in America (Where else!), two brothers aged five and two took off in their mother’s 2005 Ford Focus and headed off to their Grandfather’s place.  Life at home must have been a little dull at the time.  Putnam County Sheriff deputies believe the toddlers might have teamed up to work the pedals and steer the steering wheel.  The end result was a crash in the ditch, quite a distance away from home.  The car was wrecked almost 5 km down the road, the boys unhurt.  Prior to the jaunt, the boys were playing outside the home when they found the car keys under the mat.

Another child (8 years old), and in America, recently drove his sister to McDonalds to buy some food from the drive through lane – paying for the food with his own piggy bank money.  The police officer’s, family friends and grandparents then stopped him from driving any further.

A good reminder, if you own a car, is to keep the car locked up and the keys in a safe place out of reach of little fingers!  If you don’t mind the kids playing in the car, then make sure the keys are hidden away.

If your kids love cars, give them a pedal car or electric car (kids size) to let their imaginations lead to healthy and safe outcomes.  Another thing you can enjoy with young kids who like to drive is to take them off the road in a car and let them steer with you in control and in the driver’s seat.  Who hasn’t let their kids drive up the driveway or around a paddock under supervision while seated on your knees in the driver’s seat?

Have any of you  been in a situation where you (when under 10), your siblings or your own children have sought to drive off in your parent’s car when aged well under the driving age?  Do share!  These days, Google helps to teach us to drive, and I suppose any bright kid can learn off Google! http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/online-zaym-na-kartu-payps.html

Mercedes-Benz Provides A Ute With The X Factor.

Mercedes-Benz Vans announced the new X-Class ute will launch in Europe in November 2017 with Australia and South Africa to follow early in 2018, as well as Argentina and Brazil at the beginning of 2019.

Diane Tarr, the Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia and New Zealand, said: “The high level of interest and anticipation in the lead up to revealing the new X-Class has been a reflection of just how engrained dual cab utes are in both the Australian and New Zealand culture. The fact is we love utes and we are showing a desire to incorporate this type of vehicle into our lives in more ways than we did in the past. Not just for work, but also increasingly for private use.

She also said: “The new X-Class finds the perfect balance between the stylish design expected of a Mercedes-Benz and the uncompromising robustness and functionality demanded of the category. As a result, with the X-Class, we can effectively provide a solution for trade and fleet customers, and we will find out just how far this category can evolve for private customers who need the vehicle to support their lifestyle.”

Mercedes-Benz X-Klasse – Exterieur, Kabaraschwarz metallic, Ausstattungslinie PURE // Mercedes-Benz X-Class – Exterior, kabara black metallic, design and equipment line PURE

The Mercedes-Benz X-Class has been specifically developed for the changing requirements of the ute market in mind. The demand for midsize utes with typical passenger car characteristics and comfort features has been steadily on the rise for years. At the same time, the number of utes for private use is increasing. They are no longer viewed purely as “workhorses”.

There are three design and equipment variants to choose from as well as four or six-cylinder engines, rear-wheel drive and engageable or permanent all-wheel drive, a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed automatic transmission. It consists of a ladder-type frame, rear multi-link solid axle, front independent wheel suspension and coil springs on both axles. There’s also vented discs front and rear.

Mercedes-Benz X-Klasse – Exterieur, Limonitgelb metallic, Ausstattungslinie PROGRESSIVE // Mercedes-Benz X-Class – Exterior, limonite yellow metallic, design and equipment line PROGRESSIVE

Built on this platform, the distinctive X-Class design is available in three model variants to suit different lifestyles and work environments. Named “Pure”, “Power”, and “Progressive” The Pure is aimed at the more workhouse style environment, whilst the Progressive is more upmarket and mixes a touch of luxury and family oriented usage along with the ruggedness of the Pure. The Power will aim at the high end driver and market, where style and performance along with comfort are of high importance.

Mercedes-Benz X-Klasse – Exterieur, Beringweiß metallic, Ausstattungslinie POWER // Mercedes-Benz X-Class – Exterior, bering white metallic, design and equipment line POWER

There’ll be tech in the form of Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, and Active Brake Assist, plus M-B’s me Connect which allows owners to use their smartphones to track the vehicle’s location and even measure the fuel capacity without being in the vehicle.

Engines wise, select markets will see a 122 kilowatt petrol, a 2.2L diesel with 120 kW and a 2.5L diesel with 140 kW. Mercedes-Benz says there will be a 2.5L V6 diesel available in 2018 with 190 kilowatts.

Mercedes-Benz X-Klasse – Exterieur, Beringweiß metallic, Ausstattungslinie POWER, Hardtop und Side Bar (Mercedes-Benz Zubehör) // Mercedes-Benz X-Class – Exterior, bering white metallic, design and equipment line POWER, canopy and side bar (Mercedes-Benz accessories)

Deliveries to Australia are expected to start at the beginning of 2018 and pricing is yet to be confirmed.

With thanks to Mercedes-Benz for content. http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/otlnal-microzaimi.html

Jaguar Electrifies London With E-Pace.

Jaguar’s relentless onslaught with new models continues, with the forthcoming E-Pace giving an electrifying performance during its world premiere unveiling. Driven by professional stunt driver Terry Grant, the car was driven inside London’s ExCel building, one of a handful of venues big enough to accomodate the run up and structure that lead to the E-Pace being driven through a barrel roll. The incredible vision can be found here: Jaguar E-Pace barrel roll

E-Pace takes the Jaguar design philosophy of the “Art of Performance” to the next level with this world record setting drive. It also finalised over two years of testing across four continents to ensure the E-Pace would fit snugly into the Jaguar family.Powered almost exclusively by 2.0L diesels, with two different power outputs available at the top end from the 2.0L petrol engine, the E-Pace slots into the growing small SUV with an overall length of 4395 mm, stands 1649 mm tall, and will have a total width (including mirrors) of 2088 mm. The wheelbase will be 2681 mm, maximising interior room for the five seater vehicle. The differing power outputs will have the variants see 0-100 kph times from 10.1 seconds down to sub six seconds.

Jaguar’s also added some pretty handy tech. A 4G wireless system allows up to eight devices to connect, the TouchPro system on the 12.3 inch screen is packed with apps,  a Heads Up Display provides info and safety, torque vectoring and all wheel drive make for a great driving experience.

Jaguar also says: “Configurable Dynamics gives the driver even more control with individual settings for the throttle, automatic transmission, steering, and, where fitted, the Adaptive Dynamics suspension system. Adaptive Dynamics senses driver input, body and wheel movements and pre-emptively loads the suspension and chassis and adjusts the damping for improved roll control and agility in all conditions.

Pricing is currently slated to start from just under $50K plus on roads. Jaguar Australia will confirm pricing and specifications closer to launch. http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/sms-finance-express-zaimy-na-kartu.html