Roadside Assist
What’s your opinion on Nissan’s Qashqai e-power? Its claimed fuel economy is nowhere near Toyota’s comparable model. Prabaharan Manoharan, email
The Qashqai e-power hybrid small SUV goes on sale here later in the year and I fear this flagship model will cost more than $50,000 drive-away. It doesn’t need to be plugged in; instead, a three-cylinder petrol engine feeds a battery to power its 140kw electric motor. That’s unconventional for a hybrid and different to Toyota’s method. I’m testing Nissan’s X-trail e-power this week. Its in-town economy has been excellent but not as good as a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid’s.
MACHINE NOT LEARNING
Re: night driving, auto-dimming full beam headlights – unlike good drivers – don’t respond to approaching glare when cresting a hill. The result? A full blast of high beam in my eyes before their auto-dim kicks in.
Steve Stoyko, Uranquinty, NSW
Agreed. Many driver assist systems are smart and quick acting but certain conditions show their limitations. Drivers must remember they’re the ones in control. If auto-dimming headlights aren’t working perfectly on that dark country road, take charge and do it yourself. The same applies to cruise control, lane-keep assist and auto headlights.
ASSAULT ON BATTERY
I own an MG HS, bought new in July 2020. Its battery failed and MG won’t replace it for free, despite MG Australia saying its cars have seven-year warranties. The dealership claims the battery has a two-year guarantee. Who is right?
Paul Kemp, email
Car batteries are deemed a wear item – similar to tyres, brakes and light bulbs – and are only covered for two years. This is standard across car brands. It’s still an annoyingly early battery failure, though.
UNROADWORTHY STATE
Having moved from NSW to Queensland, I’m in disbelief at the poor roadworthiness of many cars. Queensland cars aren’t safety inspected unless being sold or had rego lapse. I’ve witnessed complete lights missing, tyres protruding from guards by several centimetres, bald tyres, no plate, polluting and very loud exhausts, cracked windscreens and rusted panels. Minimal highway patrols mean few cars are given defect notices.
Graham Watkins, Robina
As a fellow Queenslander, I agree, although when I was Sydney-based, I dreaded the inspection my increasingly rusty 1984 XE Falcon endured annually. Importantly, its lights, tyres and brakes were always roadworthy. I understand why most states don’t have mandatory inspections – look how remote many people live – but it relies on owners responsibly maintaining their cars. I’d prefer to see fewer expensive speed/safety cameras and vans and more patrolling police officers checking car roadworthiness as well as speed.
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