TALE OF THE TAPE
Re car servicing. Over the years I’ve taken my Holden Cruze, Mitsubishi Lancer and Hyundai i30 to the respective dealers for servicing. In each case I put hidden hacks, such as electrical tape over number plate lights, tyre valves and windscreen wipers, and took photos preservice. Afterwards, I asked if all components had been checked. “Yes” was always the reply, then I showed the photos and the existing hacks still in situ. Silence. Only Hyundai got full marks for the inspection. Clearly, motorists are not always given the service they’re paying for.
Dave Lardner, email
Your Sherlock Holmes skills are impressive, Dave. Sad that owners have to resort to such measures to test dealers’ honesty — but in some cases, clearly, it’s justified. I hope the dealers quickly reduced invoices for substandard inspections.
NUMBERS GAME
In recent items you’ve suggested the saving from using cheaper E10 fuel was negated by the lower octane rating than standard unleaded. I’ve noticed United service stations advertise the opposite: unleaded is 91 RON and E10 is 94 RON. Is this unique to United or an error? David Whiteman, email
We may have said the octane rating of E10 is lower than premium unleaded (95 or 98), but not sulphur-rich 91. United advertises its E10 as 95RON, which is the anomaly. Most E10 is 94 and therefore not suitable for cars requiring 95. It’s your choice. There are some findings that fuel economy drops using E10.
RATINGS CONFUSION
Re safe use of E10 95 RON from United servos.
Can I use it in my Renault Captur?
Emilio Scalzo, email
Your Renault demands pricier 95 RON fuel, and United claims 95 RON with its E10 fuel, so in theory you can use it. Put “E10 OK” in your search engine to check a car’s E10 suitability. If your car demands 95RON, typically the advice will be: “Sorry, we cannot say if your car is E10 compatible.”
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Last year I had a major health scare. As I use cruise control, I wonder what would happen if I had another episode (heart attack) — how would my wife stop the car? I’ve been told she can put it into neutral, then steer out of trouble. It’s impossible to reach over and turn off the ignition.
Gerald Hardman, email
First thing, put the auto shifter into neutral. This will disengage cruise control. Take control of the steering wheel, put hazard lights on (if there’s time) and, on the highway, steer into the breakdown lane when safe. Don’t try to turn off the ignition, or put the gear shifter into Park. You won’t be able to reach the brake pedal safely, so use the handbrake. If it’s a manual handbrake, start pulling up gently at first. If an electric handbrake, pull it on and it will gradually bring the car to a stop. I’d suggest finding a quiet stretch of road and practising for the scenario. My wife and I have just done so to research this answer.
WEAR’N’TEAR
Re stop-start tech — it’s not just the battery that suffers. Starter motors and ring gears cop it, too, and neither item is cheap to replace. Roger Baker, email
We’d hope stop-start set-ups were introduced with the best intentions (reducing CO2 and fuel use when stationary), rather than as a clever way to get cars performing better on official fuel consumption tests. Some manufacturers are dropping this tech, perhaps due to customer dissatisfaction with the cost of the repairs you mention. It may also be because of the introduction of a new fuel economy test (called WLTP), which gives far more realistic figures for real world driving.
UNWANTED PRIZE
I’ve won a brand new Jaguar XE R-Dynamic in a raffle, worth $75,000. It’s a beautiful car but I really don’t need it so was hoping to sell. I’d love to find someone to buy it so their name can go on the paperwork as a new car rather than a second-hand one. Any suggestions? Stephen Sharrock, email
Nice problem to have and shame not to keep it: the new XE’s a cracking car. The easiest option would have been to sell it to the Melbourne dealership where it’ll be delivered but I’ve learnt they lowballed you with an offer of just $48,000. As it was a hospital raffle, not a Jaguar Australia one, a Jag spokesman suggested you “contact the people that ran the raffle and see if they can mediate directly with the dealer they bought it from”. Don’t be afraid to list it privately yourself and don’t be tempted to take that offer for the sake of convenience.
EARLY WARNING
I’m really happy with my 2013 Kia Cerato except for its audible warning alerts for speed cameras, rail crossings etc. These warnings start about 700m before the hazard. I’d love to reduce the warning to about 100m instead but I’ve been told this isn’t possible, with the only solution being to turn the warnings off completely. It’ll probably stop me buying another Kia.
Bill Harris, email
I’ve asked Kia Australia and, yes, unfortunately there is no alternative to turning off the warnings. Your feedback is being passed onto Kia’s development engineers and perhaps your comments will lead to tech that can be customised.