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Archive for March, 2016

Freezing Out Smartkey Hijackers

smartkey2Smart keys are included as standard features in the majority of new models these days.  Keyless entry all seems so simple.  You walk up to the car with the smart key fob in your pocket or your handbag and hey presto! The car door unlocks itself just like that.  With the newer models, you don’t even have to press the button.  All you have to do is to walk within a metre of the car and a wee sensor inside the car will detect the presence of the fob and its unique electronic signal.

It’s convenient, especially if you’re struggling with lots of bags or a wriggly toddler.  However, there’s a downside: they can be hacked with a fairly inexpensive device (if you think I’m going to give you the full details of exactly how to get hold of the device, you’ve got to be joking!).

These smart key hacking devices sound like something out of James Bond or possibly MacGyver and operate using a very simple procedure. Instead of messing around trying to read your radio signal and nicking the code that’s transmitted from the fob to the keyless entry sensor (something the very sophisticated high-tech car thieves do), this hacking gizmo simply amplifies the signal coming from the fob.  This means that instead of triggering the unlocking mechanism when you’re close to the car, the fob will trigger it from a lot further away. A lot further away as in over 200 metres away.

This means that when you’re sitting indoors and your keys are hanging up on the hook where they usually live, they’ll be able to unlock the car when the car is sitting on the street.  Once the car’s unlocked, it doesn’t take a crim very long to hotwire your lovely new car and whizz off with it.  You have been warned.

Is there anything you can do to foil these smart key hijackers?  The first thing you can do is to use ordinary precautions such as keeping your car in a locked garage or at least behind a locked gate if all you’ve got is a lean-to.  This means that your car isn’t about to go walkies in the middle of the night when you’re asleep with the keys sitting safely on top of the fridge.  After all, if your car is parked somewhere insecure with bad lighting, it’s still vulnerable to low-tech attacks with the help of a crowbar or a lock-pick, either of the main door or the fuel cap.

The other thing you can do, at least according to a technical writer for the New York Times, is to keep your smart keys in the freezer.  I double-checked to make sure that this advice wasn’t in a piece put out on April Fools’ Day, so it seems to be fair dinkum.  Apparently, a freezer acts as a “Faraday cage”. These block the entry of electric or electronic signals from getting to what’s in the cage.  If you’ve seen those TV shows where someone sits inside a vehicle or a metal cage with lightning zapping around them, you’ve seen a Faraday cage.  Apparently, this is how shark cages for “diving with sharks” operations work as well – it’s thought that the metal interferes with the sharks’ ability to sense your electrical signals (and solid steel protects you from bites, of course).  But I digress…

The other Faraday cage that you are likely to have in your home is a microwave.  Ordinarily, a microwave’s Faraday cage stops the radiation that cooks your food leaking out and cooking you or whatever’s in the fruit bowl beside the microwave.

Therefore, here’s a couple of handy hints for these safer storage spots:

  • If you opt for the freezer, make sure your keys are dry (no raindrops) before putting them in.  Use gloves when you get them out.
  • If you opt for the microwave, be careful not to switch it on by mistake or you will fry (a) the keys and (b) the microwave.  Put the microwave where fiddly little fingers or kitty paws can’t switch it on by mistake.

Safe and happy driving,

Megan

PS: I’ve heard that surfers and the like hate smart key systems, thanks to the habit of hiding the keys somewhere near the car while heading off into the waves.  Now you know why surfers like to drive classic old Holdens and VW Kombis – it’s not just an image thing! http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/mgnovennye-zaimy-na-kartu-bez-otkazov-kredito24.html

A shifting landscape marks the beginning of 2016

It’s little surprise the start to 2016 has been busy for the automotive industry. While the fallout from the ‘Dieselgate’ scandal lingers, the industry has also shifted its attention towards an abundance of motoring issues. Here’s a roundup on the most pressing motoring issues from the first quarter of 2016.

Manufacturing

The year started with the US Department of Justice filing a $46bn civil lawsuit against Volkswagen for breaching environmental laws with its ‘cheat’ system that bypassed diesel emissions tests. Volkswagen’s CEO apologised to customers, and sales took a hit – six months after first making news, half a million US cars are still waiting for a solution. Renault was embroiled in a similar controversy, recalling a popular model after its emissions filtering system was found to be faulty.

Meanwhile, Ford pulled out of the Japanese and Indonesian markets following a lack of popularity and high local competition inhibiting sales. In keeping with the Asian theme, Hyundai declared it would take on BMW and Mercedes in the luxury segment through its Genesis G70.

Closer to home, there were promising signs local manufacturing would be spared a lifeline. However, talks between Guido Dumarey (Punch International) and General Motors broke down after neither party could foresee a deal to operate the Holden manufacturing plant in SA.

Holden and Ford enthusiasts reflected on what might be, as both companies announced the final models in their respective Commodore and Falcon ranges. To round things out, the Mazda MX-5 claimed the ‘Wheels Car of the Year’ and also scooped up the ‘World Car of the Year’.

Safety

The biggest story of the quarter rested with Takata, a manufacturer of inflator parts found in airbags. While an ongoing issue, the manufacturer’s recalls exceeded 40 million vehicles worldwide following reports of faulty parts that could deploy metal fragments. Locally, the most prominent recall was that from Toyota, recalling 98,000 Rav-4’s due to potential seat belt issues.

Design ideas were at the forefront of the safety spectrum, with numerous manufacturers agreeing to implement auto emergency braking in most cars by 2022, and others working on particular solutions such as external airbags.

Technology

Autonomous cars took centre stage across the early motor shows of 2016 as manufacturers envisage a future of self-driving cars. Locally, Mercedes has taken the lead on the issue with driver assistance technology slated for next year. But it hasn’t been a one-way road, with two incidents of note (a near-miss involving the Australian Mercedes; and a Google car accident in the US) accompanying comments from Audi and Porsche that they won’t be adopting the technology any time soon.

Other initiatives included: BMW designing an all-camera rear-vision system; General Motors developing technology to alert drivers to check for children before exiting their car; Volvo’s plans to transition from a car key to a phone; and the Australian government promoting hydrogen powered cars.

Sales

Authorities acted on several issues across Australia, including several cases involving unlicensed dealers and odometer tampering. The start of 2016 also saw confirmation of a downward trend in Australian-made cars sold during 2015, with Ford sales slumping 11.6% (its worst performance in 49 years, and behind Mitsubishi for the first time) and Holden’s sales declining 3%.

Regulatory Issues

Parallel imports were the hot topic. As we previously wrote about, the Australian government paved the way to allow the direct import of new (or near-new) right-hand-drive cars from the UK and Japan. This decision has been met with mixed opinion, including opposition from dealer networks and luxury car manufacturers. Meanwhile, no changes are proposed to the luxury car tax, and Australia’s lemon laws remain a point of contention. http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/moneza-online-zaym.html

Private Fleet Car Review: 2016 Toyota HiLux WorkMate 4×4

2016 Toyota HiLux WorkMate 4x4 diesel profileToyota‘s HiLux has, like stablemate HiAce, been a staple of their light commercial range since Noah needed a ute to transport some wood. In a somewhat bewildering range, a driver can choose from a two door, a two door with extra room behind the seats, fours doors, petrol diesel, manual auto, two wheel drive, four wheel drive, ute, tray, a bare chassis, and one that will make breakfast and coffee for you (just jokes, it’s allergic to coffee).

A Wheel Thing had the pleasure of the company of the 4×4 dual cab ute WorkMate, with a tautly sprung chassis carrying a 2.4L diesel with self shifting transmission. Given its utalitarian focus, you’d be forgiven for thinking it would be a “meh” kind of car. Apart from the basic interior (understandable), the hard ride (for carrying stuff) and a slightly noisy donk, it was actually a bit of fun.2016 Toyota HiLux WorkMate 4x4 diesel console

There’s a pair of buttons in the centre console, marked Eco and Sports, with the WorkMate defaulting to Eco anyway. Using the Sports effectively provides an overboost and, in two wheel (rear driven) mode, will quite happily have the tyres thinking they’re at a dragstrip. Otherwise, in normal driving, there’s still the standard 400 torques at a ridiculously low 1600 revs to call upon. This rolls in nicely to the peak power of 110 killerwasps at 3400 revs.2016 Toyota HiLux WorkMate 4x4 diesel engine

Being a super low revver helps in consumption, with Toyota’s official figures quoting 8.8/6.4/7.3L per 100 klicks in the urban/highway/combined cycles from the huge 80L tank. Emissions are quoted as 203g/km.

The kerb weight is a surprise, at 2045 kilos. It just doesn’t look that heavy. But, it’s also 5330 mm long, yet doesn’t look it. It’s almost as tall as it is wide, at 1815 mm and 1855 mm and sits on a massive 3085 mm wheelbase.2016 Toyota HiLux WorkMate 4x4 diesel front

Driving the WorkMate with an auto makes driving it less complicated than blinking. Select Drive (after you’ve twisted the key) and that’s it. It’s a pretty well tuned slushbox but has a propensity for holding fourth gear on long downhill runs, someties needing a switch to manual mode to prod the gearbox into fifth. It’s smooth, quiet, almost imperceptible in changes in normal circumstances but tends towards an somewhat jolty change when pushed hard. When used manually it does feel as if the changes are crisper but there’s no extra urge. It’s smooth enough as it is anyways so the occasions for needing to shift manually would have to be special.2016 Toyota HiLux WorkMate 4x4 diesel front seats

It’s a mostly good ride, surprisingly, but does have a very taut rear end. It’s a live (non independent) axle, with good ol’ leaf springs and is suspended on gas shocks. The front features a double wishbone setup, again with gas shocks and wrapped in coil springs. There’s a good handling chassis attached to them, with some push on understeer in the dry. The steering was light, a little numb on centre but loaded up either side nicely. However, the tyres fitted, being a light commercial spec (Dunlop Grandtrek 265/65/17 on steel wheels), didn’t agree with wet weather and were more liable to (say this quietly) lose traction at the rear on a heavy accelerator and definitely didn’t like corners at moderate speeds.

Acceleration was better than leisurely, less than sporting; bear in mind this was fitted with a four wheel drive system (yup, including a low range transfer case), ideal for farmers for example, and therefore geared a little differently. There’s also the matter of its 3000 kilo towing capacity to consider and the two plus tonne cargo capacity.

The interior was….well… workmanlike, with function overcoming aesthetics. Pick a colour you lie, as long as it’s black and you’ll get the idea. Rubber mats, basic plastics, two cup holders in the console, no fancy look for the dash….it’s a work ute, after all. There’s plenty of room in the back seat but, again, it’s a work ute and probably would see more use with one or two people than anything else.2016 Toyota HiLux WorkMate 4x4 diesel front seat detail There’s a cloth trim for the seats, a dark grey combination contrasting with the lighter, almost bone upper trim. A pleasant surprise was the Auto headlights feature, one that A Wheel Thing feels should be standard, like airbags and ABS

The seats are somewhat slabby, lacking side support (it IS a 4WD, you need that) but do have enough cushion in the squab to not be too terrible to sit upon. Perched up as you are, it allows a good viewing position all round. You’ll also look at a somewhat anachronistic yet charming dash (with monochromatic dials for speedo and revs) design, a reminder of how things were, but sprinkled with a taste of the future. 2016 Toyota HiLux WorkMate 4x4 diesel dashThere’s rotary dials for the aircon’s airflow, fan speed and temperature AND a slide switch for fresh and recirculate. As Scotty said in a Star Trek film: “How Quaint.”

There is the now familiar oddly positioned touchscreen entertainment unit in the dash, which is lacking the satnav, oddly. This should be a given for the car’s target market. There is also a couple of steering wheel control buttons, including Bluetooth. There’s cruise control, auto up/down for the driver’s power window, and a reverse camera (which could have used some colour coding for the tailgate).2016 Toyota HiLux WorkMate 4x4 diesel tailgate2016 Toyota HiLux WorkMate 4x4 diesel auto headlight

The Wrap.
The appeal of the WorkMate isn’t just its drivetrain, but its basic approach to the world. There’s an interior you can effectively hose out, an uncomplicated dash, a splash of tech (which could use a bit more), its uncomplicated driving style. The low down and considerable amount of torque endows it with spirit and, mixed with Mother Nature’s tears, can raise the heartrate considerably.
There’s plenty of towing grunt, Toyota’s proven four wheel drive ability, room for four, and you’ll get Toyota’s standard 3 year/100, 000 kilometre warranty as well. At just over $51K, it’s a big ask but just try breaking one 🙂
2016 Toyota HiLux dual cab 4×4 specifications. will give you all you need to know.

 

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Car Review: 2015 Holden Commodore SV6 Sportwagon

With the Holden Commodore effectively the only local car Holden has built for some time (Cruze is a world car, not locally designed), the major changes the car has experienced have come at seemingly ever increasing gaps. Much like the HJ to HZ Kingswoods, changes were cosmetic or unseen, being located under the skin.

It’s much the same with the VY and VZ to VE, with noticeable but not massive external changes but the move to VF models was more radical and almost a nod back to the original VB Commodore. The VB featured long horizontal tail lights, a design that stayed through to the VL. The VF moved away from an almost triangular look, a look that started with the VY, going back to a set of elongated horizontal lights. The front end underwent a slightly less radical change, with the headlight surround changed to a more “eagle eye” look and the lower front bumper given deeper and more inset vents housing the LED driving lights.2015 Holden Commodore SV6 wagonfront profileBut all the way through, there was a wagon. The ute didn’t arrive until the VN model, however there was always the option of a wagon. With the recently released VF series 2, there’s been the same incremental changes from the VF, with subtle, almost unnoticeable changes unless you look hard. 2015 <strong><em>Holden Commodore SV6</em></strong> wagon tail lightThe Sportwagon’s tail lights are perhaps the biggest external change, with a more strongly defined design to the housing whilst when lit look more like the neon light style favoured strongly by some other brands including Kia. The front bar has also been given a subtle restyle, with the lower air intake widened and the corners indented. Stand away and you’ll miss the changes.2015 Holden Commodore SV6 wagon head lightUnder the lightweight aluminuim bonnet (which noticeably flapped around) beats Holden’s heart. There’s a muscly 3.6L twin cam alloy engine, which has a nice touch of rort when punched hard. It’s a willing revver, spinning easily around to the redline, throwing out 350 Nm of torque at 2800 rpm on the way to 210 kilowatts at a stratospheric 6700 revs. 2015 Holden Commodore SV6 wagon engineTo put that torque figure into perspective, however, most modern two litre engines with a turbo will twist out the same. Consumption is quoted as 9.0L of 91 RON per 100 kilometres from the 71 litre tank although Holden does say better distance per litre may be achieved from 95 and 98. Send it along a straight freeway and the six speed auto will settle in at just over 2000 revs, dropping that fuel consumption (from the average) to around the 8.3L mark if pedalled gently. Sitting just under the peak torque figure, it allows the Sportwagon to get some serious mid range acceleration when asked. It’s a superb highway cruiser, with minimal road noise intruding into the cabin and that ride has the passengers feeling as if they’re isolated from the outside.

The interior also has received a mild workover but you’d have to be an “anorak” to notice; there’s slightly different looking dials in the dash, but the centre monochrome screen remains. 2015 Holden Commodore SV6 wagon night dash2015 Holden Commodore SV6 wagon dashThere’s the same faux carbon fibre trim, the same oddly located fabric strip in the seats, the same touchscreen (with navitainment and radio apps such as Stitcher & Pandora)as the VF and the same acres of space inside the Sportwagon. 895L of cargo space greet the driver and there’s 2000 with rear seats laid flat.2015 Holden Commodore SV6 wagon cargo

Back outside, there’s some new alloys to wrap tyres with, with five spoked eighteens clad in 245/45 Bridgestone Potenza rubber. Being the tyres they are, along with the continual refinement of the suspension, there’s a brilliant ride and fantastic handling. Hit a bump and there’s minimal rebound. Punt it hard into a roundabout and there’s minimal roll and the nose goes where the steering wheel says, with the faintest hint of understeer.2015 Holden Commodore SV6 wagon wheel2015 Holden Commodore SV6 wagon rear profileBeing a wagon, there’s a touch more weight over the rear axle, but there’s no way of telling from the front right seat. It’s light, nimble, responsive, and highly unlikely to go Porsche by swinging the tail out. In fact, it’s one of the best handling cars one is likely to find on the road. Rebound is minimal yet there’s no hard bumps, with suspension nicely dialled in to provide a firm ride yet offer compliance enough to iron out the road to flatness.

Backing up the ride quality is one of the best balanced brake systems going. Touch the pedal, feel the bite, without too much grab straight away yet not lacking in feedback to the driver. It’s a firm yet communicative thing as you press further down, with increasing retardation and in a lovely, progressive manner.2015 Holden Commodore SV6 wagon rear seats2015 Holden Commodore SV6 wagon front seatsThere’s a 2915 mm wheelbase coupled with a 1592/1608 mm track front to rear helping with that stability. Those numbers offer leg room of 1074 mm for the front and 1009 mm for the rear, allowing for plenty of long distance driving comfort. To go with the comfort is safety: Holden have caught up with the 21st century and have added blind spot detection, reverse traffic alert, hill start assist, ISOFIX child seat mounts, front and rear parking sensors, even remote engine start with the automatic, plus there’s the auto park system, rear camera as standard and a full suite of airbags plus the traction control system. You’ll also get Holden’s three year warranty or 100,000 kilometres.2015 Holden Commodore SV6 wagon rear light

The Wrap.
Wagons are not a dying breed, thankfully. But the Commodore Sportwagon is, with around 18 months worth (at the time of writing) of manufacturing left. We can only imagine what the next model, and beyond, would have been like but, as it is, this model will be seen as the best of the last. Much like Ford sold out Sprint models and the forthcoming cessation of the Aurion and Camry locally as well, the final models will be a great swansong.

Head here for more info: 2015 Holden Commodore SV6 wagonPrivate Fleet Logo - widgetBTW 2016

 

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