Just how far can a stock-standard 4WD take you?

Just how far can a stock-standard Ford Everest 4WD take you? Ford took me to Tasmania to test my (very basic) off-road driving skills and find out.

THERE’S ALWAYS THAT defining moment in any adventure. As I stood beside a rocky, slippery creek bed, looking at the winding gravel track ahead, I thought, that’s not so bad. I can do this, I thought.

Until I realised it was that creek bed we’d be driving up, not the track.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-advice/just-how-far-can-a-stock-standard-4wd-take-you/ 

How to get a sports car out of the mud

An unexpected encounter with some soggy earth during a recent road trip was a reminder to always be prepared, but also, to make the best of what you’ve got …

How does a sports car even get into the mud in the first place, you might wonder.

Of course, a winery was involved. Like most of the population of Canberra, we took advantage of the recent long weekend to head for the (slightly) warmer shores of the coast.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/how-to-get-a-sports-car-out-of-the-mud/

Four tips for camping comfortably in your car

Don’t let a lack of equipment or commitment stop you from giving camping a try. With a bit of preparation and common sense, you can turn your car into a pretty comfortable little hotel room.

Recently I had the opportunity to spend a weekend driving on sand, alongside a great team of experienced 4WDers who are members of the Mitsubishi Pajero Club of Victoria.

About 30 minutes from the city of Portland VIC, past Warrnambool and not far from the South Australian border are the Portland Dunes. 

Amazing sand dunes with limited public access (you need to get permission from the Portland Dune Buggy Club), one of the benefits of the location is that the camping site where you can stay is, literally, a 30-second drive from the dunes.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/4x4/four-tips-camping-comfortably-car/ 

A simple guide to in-car etiquette: Part Two.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about good in-car etiquette for passengers – not messing with the controls, taking your rubbish with you when you go, and so forth.

But it’s just as important for drivers to be aware of how their behaviour impacts upon their passengers. A lot of talk about being a considerate driver focuses on courtesy toward those outside the car – but what about those inside?

So in that spirit, here’s Part Two, good in-car etiquette for drivers …

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/a-simple-guide-to-in-car-etiquette-part-two/

A beginner's guide to driving on sand dunes

 Photo by Robert Pepper / Practical Motoring.

Driving on different surfaces challenges both your driving skills and your ability to actively manage your motor vehicle and its features. Pursuing different conditions is, therefore, a great way to help build your skills and learn more about how your car works.

My first experience of driving on sand was in 2015 when Isuzu launched its iVenture Club with a trip to Moreton Island.

It was an incredibly valuable experience, where I learned a lot – and it was also a heck of a lot of fun.

Moreton Island is relatively flat, however, so I earned my sand-driving chops along the beaches and inland 4WD tracks.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/4x4/beginners-guide-driving-sand-dunes/ 

A simple guide to in-car etiquette - how many rules do you break?

Most of us understand the importance of good manners in everyday life – not least of all because we’ve had them drummed into us from a young age …

So why do so many of us seem to leave courtesy at the door when we step into an enclosed space like a motor vehicle? There’s has been plenty written about people behaving badly on aeroplanes, but what about in cars?

I wonder whether – when we’re learning all the important stuff about driving, safety and navigation – we shouldn’t be taking a lesson in motor vehicle manners as well. People who are more courteous inside the car might be better behaved on the outside as well, no?

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/a-simple-guide-to-in-car-etiquette/

Quick tips to maintain the value of your car

For many of us, our motor vehicle is the second greatest purchase we’ll make in our lives… here’s how to ensure you maintain the value of your car.

The interesting things is, we expect most of those other big financial commitments to pay off. We expect our homes to appreciate in value, and our education to pay off in other ways.

Not so with cars. For the most part, we actually expect to lose money on our cars.

For most of us, the cost of public transport would be less, so we’re paying for the comfort and convenience.

And we just hope to get enough time and use out of our car, before we inevitably lose it via sale or write-off.

Of course, there are a few ways to minimise your losses and ease the impact on your hip pocket.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-advice/quick-tips-maintain-the-value-of-your-car/

What's the best piece of car advice you've ever been given?

It was Oscar Wilde who wrote, “I always pass on good advice. It is the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself.”

My Mum has never driven (barring a few exciting years riding a scooter in her youth) so growing up, my Dad was the go-to guy for advice about cars and driving.

And he is a very trustworthy source, having spent most of his life as a professional driver – ambulances, Commonwealth cars, hire cars, taxis, you name it.

Like any true enthusiast, he can chart the milestones of his life by the vehicles he’s owned (I came along during the Triumph years), and his – very crowded – driveway is currently home to no fewer than three of his beloved Holden Statesmans.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/whats-best-piece-car-advice-youve-ever-given/

How to market cars to women

This week I decided to offer some advice to those car marketers who sit around in their warehouse offices and decide just how a car will be marketed to women.

Most of our content here at Practical Motoring is aimed squarely at the consumer, but today, I’m writing for the information of car manufacturers and products.

And it’s an important topic because it really impacts upon the experience of owning and driving a car – for me, and for about half of our Australian population.

Earlier this year, Summernats raised – as it always does – a lot of questions and discussion around the place of women in the automotive world.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/how-to-market-cars-to-women/

When a woman goes to Summernats

“Gee, you’re brave …” That’s what the majority of friends, family and colleagues said, when I told them I was going back to Summernats. Alone.
Let's just ponder that for a moment. Why would that be the case? Why would it be considered ‘brave’ to go to one of Australia’s largest car festivals? Isn’t that just extraordinary in itself?

If you’re a car enthusiast, chances are you‘ve heard of Summernats. And if you’ve heard of Summernats, you’re aware of its reputation, which generally precedes it in all corners of the country, and indeed, the world.

It’s been many years since I’ve been to Summernats, but as a motoring writer now based in Canberra, I felt I had to give it another chance. And I was confident that attending during the daytime, armed with a Media Accreditation, would offer a very different experience to some of the dark nights (figurative and literal) that I spent there as a young woman.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/when-a-woman-goes-to-summernats/

What will it take to stop us killing ourselves on the roads?

Another Christmas holiday season, another wave of Australian families impacted by the tragedy of our – increasing – road toll.

Road safety experts have expressed concern about a spike in accidents and fatalities this year. From January to November 2016, 1185 people died on Australian roads – 75 more than the same period last year.

Between 23 December 2016 and 3 January 2017 – considered to be the ‘holiday season’ from a road safety perspective – 40 more people had died, up from 34 in the same period last year.

These numbers are even more remarkable when you consider that motor vehicles are safer than they’ve ever been (although we’ve written recently about whether car safety standards are actually as effective as they could be).

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/will-take-stop-us-killing-roads/

The car lover's New Year's Resolutions

Ah, the first days of the New Year. When we all promise ourselves we’ll be thinner, fitter, smarter and richer this year, than we were in the last.
Most New Year’s Resolutions relate to health and diet, work lives and relationships. But if cars are a big part of your life, you might like to think about including them in your goals for 2017.

Here are a few motoring-themed New Year’s Resolutions that I’ve been thinking about.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/car-lovers-new-years-resolutions/

Choosing the right car for you ... and why emotions matter.

With what seems to be an ever-increasing array of choices in the new car market, how do you actually make a decision? Jane Speechley wants to talk about emotions.

Okay, okay, before I lose half my readers with the mention of the ‘e’ word, let’s throw in some facts – quick.

According to a recent market study by the ACCC, nearly 1.2 million new cars were sold in Australia in the past year. That’s an increase of 3.8 per cent compared to the previous year, and the highest ever annual number of new cars sold in Australia. There’s a lot of choice.

As I’ve said before, one of the reasons I write about motoring is because your choice of vehicle has an enormous impact on your life. That why I think – contrary to what most experts will tell you – your car-buying decision should be driven by emotion.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/choosing-right-car-emotions-matter/

2017 Holden Astra review

Jane Speechley’s First Drive 2017 Holden Astra Review with performance, ride and handling, safety, verdict and score.
IN A NUTSHELL: Holden Has Its Sights Set Squarely On The Mazda3 And Volkswagen Golf With Its New Astra, Pitched As A Premium Sports Hatch.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-reviews/2017-holden-astra-review/

Australia's most annoying driving habits?

If only everyone else out there could drive as well as – obviously – the readers and writers of Practical Motoring, wonders Jane Speechley.

I love to drive (no surprise there) and as a result, I usually find I’m content enough when behind the wheel to tolerate most of the bad behaviour out there. Unless someone’s doing something really stupid and dangerous, they usually just get a ‘tsk tsk’ and pursed-lips, shake-of-the-head from me.

But yesterday, as I hit the brakes to avoid a driver who swung out left in front of me in order to turn right, I got to thinking. What are the driving habits that annoy us the most? I’ll start us off.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/australias-annoying-driving-habits/

What driving a sports car has taught me

After driving a series of very sensible cars, columnist Jane Speechley shares what she’s learned since stepping behind the wheel of the spirited and nimble Toyota 86.

The car you choose to drive says a lot about you, and arguably, a sports car makes a stronger statement than most. With impressive growth in the sports car segment (September VFACTS figures show sales are up 36% to 2,725 vehicles), it’s a statement that’s being made by a growing number of drivers.

In my last column, I wrote about my history with cars and how I came to purchase my current vehicle, a Toyota 86. With just over three years now behind the wheel of my first sports car, there’s a lot I’ve learned.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/driving-sports-car-taught/

The long and winding road to my Toyota 86

Image courtesy of Jay Bellchambers

Our new columnist, Jane Speechley, tells us about her history with cars and why she bought a sports car.

There are two early experiences that have particularly shaped my attitude towards cars.

To begin with, there was my first car, which is now (sentimentally) referred to as the Hyundai Deathtrap. A well-priced Excel hatchback from a seemingly well-established dealership, I thought I was making a sensible choice.

A little young and naïve, I didn’t notice the paint colour inside the engine bay was different to the exterior. Or that the white smoke coming from the exhaust wasn’t just due to the cold weather.

Yes, yes, I know – did I mention I was young and naïve?

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/long-winding-road-toyota-86/

A day with Team Isuzu D-MAX

Beyond the ‘Wow’ factor, what can the everyday motorist learn from Team Isuzu D-Max. Jane Speechley spent a day with them to find out.
If you've visited one of Australia’s many capital city or country agricultural shows recently, chances are, you’ve seen Team Isuzu D-Max in action.

An arena favourite, the team performs a range of exciting stunts, from bouncing off ‘kicker ramps’ to choreographed formation driving, and the ever-popular two-wheel balancing act.

They’re always a thrill to watch, but not surprisingly, behind these daring manoeuvres lies a great deal of skill and training. Crucial to a successful performance is maintaining control the car through precise management of speed, steering, distance and timing.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/car-advice/a-day-with-team-isuzu-d-max/

Isuzu I-Venture Club on Moreton Island

Isuzu launched its I-Venture Club for Isuzu 4WD owners, and our Jane Speechley headed to Moreton Island to get a taste of what Club members can expect.

“If I hear anyone say the word ‘SUV’ today, they’ll be chucked overboard.”

This early warning delivered by David Wilson, 4WD expert and licensed driving instructor of some 21 years’ experience, should be no surprise given he’s clearly not from the school of four-wheel-drives-that-never-actually-leave-the-road.

It is, however, a clear indication that I’m learning from folks who are serious about their sport, and that my first four-wheel-driving experience may not be an easy Sunday drive.

Read more at https://practicalmotoring.com.au/voices/isuzu-i-venture-club-on-moreton-island/