JUNE/JULY 2020
» Prizes and offers » Member benefits » Your feedback
Reaching out
Grinding to a halt
Why cars and car parts could soon be in short supply
Busy little minds
Put your kids to work on our road safety puzzles
PLUS 10 best winter home maintenance tips
How West Aussies are connecting through the COVID-19 crisis
Things have moved quickly. So have we. Let’s be honest. None of us really saw this coming. Who would’ve predicted that most of us would be working from home. Parents never expected to become stand-in school teachers. Or that standing away from others would be something we’d have to learn.
Our roadside assistance, auto services, finance, home security and insurance teams are operating, and we’ve implemented a range of measures to maximise their safety, as well as yours. No more handshakes, but loads more thumbs ups.. But despite all the changes, there are plenty of things that haven’t.
And let’s not go into the sudden importance we started placing on pasta, flour and toilet paper (even the rough stuff!)
Our roadside assistance call centre and patrols still operate 24/7.
Yet, somehow, this has become the new normal. For how long? No one’s sure.
Our Insurance claims teams are ready and able to assist you in every way they can.
What we can be sure of is that things have changed for everyone, including us.
And as a member organisation, we’ll continue to always be there for our members, and for the better of WA. That commitment remains as strong and as important today than ever before.
Today, many of our staff work from home. It’s been a quick transition, but everyone’s ready to continue delivering our essential services. We’ve also got a huge number of staff that aren’t working from home.
If you’d like to know more about how we’re responding to COVID-19, please visit rac.com.au or call us on 13 17 03.
RAC Local Marketplace provides in need of our support We’ve always been about giving back. But as things change, so do we. As a local WA member organisation, our members, but the wider WA community. That’s why we created RAC Local Marketplace.
this challenging time. More savings on everyday essentials, and more ways to help you enjoy time at home. So, now you’ve got the time, visit RAC Local Marketplace online.
RAMBWN0033
Discounted subscriptions
Support local and save at rac.com.au/marketplace
food delivery
... and more still to come
Editor Vanessa Pogorelic Graphic Designer Renee Smith
Your RAC magazine Jun/Jul 2020
Advertising Gail Raj (WA only) Tel. 08 9388 7844 gail@mediatonic.com.au Kerri Spillane Tel. 03 8520 6444 kerrispillane@hardiegrant.com Horizons® Published by RAC WA Cover photography Stewart Allen
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Powering up Finding ways to save energy
CAB audited as at September 2019 is 611,281 households
Our plastic wrapper is biodegradable
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Member lounge People, places and offers
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Member benefits RAC members save every day
Australia Post ISSN No 0810 8285. The opinions contained in this publication may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees. Advertisements in Horizons are the responsibility of the advertiser. No person should act or rely upon such opinions or advice and RAC accepts no liability for them. Any rewards or rights provided to a member cannot be transferred, assigned, sold or redeemed for cash. Inclusion of a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.
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Contact
facebook.com/RACWA @racwa rac.com.au editor@rac.com.au For deaf, hearing or speech impaired members: Emergency Roadside Assistance SMS number 0434 182 877 All queries relayservice.gov.au For more contact details, see page 81.
Roadside Assistance, Battery Services
Vehicle Condition Appraisals
13 11 11
1300 797 078
Membership, Motoring Advice, Insurance, Finance, Travel, Touring, Security Services
13 17 03
RAC Auto Services
1300 135 667 RAC Tyres
1300 651 042 Corporate Enquiries
9436 4111
June-July 2020 / Horizons
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Snapshot News from RAC
Production disruption Impacts on cars and car parts
Off the road Keep your unused car in shape
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House fire hazards The risks you could be missing
Driver etiquette Respect on our roads
Still here for you 115 years of serving our members
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Community spirit WA connects during COVID-19
Kids activities Puzzles for your little legends
Car or computer? The tech that’s driving your car
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Home security systems Why aren’t we using them?
Almost elecrtric Understanding hybrid cars
Motor news Everything on wheels
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Test drive Putting new cars to the test
Car doctor Your questions answered
The 10 best Winter home maintenance tips
RAC RESCUE
Horizons / June-July 2020
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We’ve always kept you moving. Now it’s essential. Priority breakdown service for frontline healthcare professionals & first responders Right now, we’ve never relied so heavily on the skills and efforts of our first responders and healthcare professionals across the WA community. We’ve never been more grateful for the work you do. So we’d like to say thank you. If you are a medical practitioner, nurse, paramedic, police officer or fire fighter, who is working on the front line, RAC is here to support you with a priority roadside assistance call out if you require help on the road. If you’re an existing roadside assistance member, we’ll prioritise your breakdown call. And if you’re
*Classic Roadside Assistance Terms and Conditions apply. Roadside Assistance is provided by RAC Motoring Pty Ltd MRB 723
not a member, we’ll still come to your rescue with a roadside assistance call out, at no cost, and get you back on the road. Because in our minds, if you’re not moving, we’re not moving any closer to eliminating the health situation we’re all facing. So, if you find yourself in a breakdown situation, please call us 24/7 on 13 11 11.
YO U R R A C
President’s message Working together through the tough times Through one of the most challenging times in Western Australia’s history, RAC continues to focus on providing the best possible support for our members and the community in this great State we all call home. The uncertainty caused by COVID-19 remains a constant in our lives, and the environment we are working and living in has changed in many ways. RAC’s role and responsibilities remain clear. We are here to support our members and our people, including continuing to speak out on the issues that matter, and ensuring the essential services we provide remain available whenever they may be needed. Together we have been through tough times before, and as a Club and as a community our history and our future are defined by the challenges we overcome and by the opportunities we embrace going forward. During this time, I have reflected on how RAC, its people and members, have always worked to make a difference. During the First World War for example, and with a small but everexpanding membership base, the Club provided local support including making our members’
Horizons / June-July 2020
cars available for military administration work. Club members also volunteered to transport wounded and unwell soldiers from ships to hospital upon their arrival at Fremantle port, and in 1915, RAC members donated £1000 to the British War Office in London where two military ambulances were purchased. The circumstances are certainly very different today. Our community has experienced the closing of state borders and restricted travel across regional boundaries. Even with the best advice being provided by Governments and health agencies there has been uncertainty for many. RAC has worked to provide some certainty including for our medical practitioners, nurses, paramedics, fire fighters and police officers, and acknowledge their amazing work by providing priority assistance to them in their time of need, and to ensure we can keep them moving during a breakdown situation.
This initiative also builds on the development and implementation of our COVID-19 Hardship Package which is being provided to directly support our members who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Through this package we are recognising that each member may be facing unique circumstances and we are working to assist and support them both personally and in the best way we can. To assist in providing this specialised service we have also established a Financial Hardship Team to provide dedicated support for our members. For more information please visit rac.com.au or call us on 13 17 03. These are just two recent examples that demonstrate RAC’s continued support for our members and our State. After 115 years, we are and will continue to be, here for you.
Jacqueline Ronchi
RAC President
Jacqueline Ronchi RAC Council Club Patron His Excellency the Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia President Jacqueline Ronchi Senior Vice President Professor Ross Dowling AM Vice President John Driscoll Members of Council Leanne Bishop Allan Blagaich Freda Crucitti Jill Darby Tony Evans Dalton Gooding Alden Halse Brian Hanson Emmerson Richardson Julie Wadley Jim Walker
RAC President
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YO U R R A C
Member feedback
@racwa editor@rac.com.au Sign up to receive RAC’s For the Better enews rac.com.au/racenews
An apology to our members We have received feedback from many members who were confused that the April/May edition of Horizons contained content related to activities that had, by the time of distribution, become restricted. Unfortunately, magazine production and distribution timelines are long. At the time of print and distribution many of the restrictions in place did not exist. With the situation surrounding COVID-19 developing so rapidly, some of the content in the April/May magazine did not reflect these new developments (including event cancellations and travel restrictions). We apologise for any confusion this has caused.
Where do you walk when there’s no path? A member has asked what rules apply for pedestrians travelling along a road where there is no footpath? If there’s a footpath or nature strip next to a road you’re walking on and it’s fit for use, then you must use it, according to the Road Traffic Code 2000 in WA. But what about where this just isn’t possible? In this instance, where practicable, you should keep to the far right-hand side of the road and travel facing oncoming traffic. If a vehicle is coming towards you on the same side of the road you must, if possible, immediately move off the road until it has passed. And if you have someone with you, walk single-file and not alongside one another. Stewart Allen
Roadside lesson My daughter was learning to drive, and we were halfway through the mandatory required supervised 50 hours. A couple of big lessons were learned when she drove through a roundabout, hit the curb and blew out a tyre. I saw this as a great time to show her where the spare tyre was and how to change it, which she did successfully. Lesson to me was that I did not check the pressure in the spare tyre which was half flat. The other valuable lesson was in this situation, she should call RAC Roadside Assistance. Ron Smith
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June-July 2020 / Horizons
YO U R R A C
Mandurah fuel In your article on fuel (Horizons February/March) you state the difference in price between the city and country is distance and competition which is true in most cases. But there has always been one instance where I believe we have been duded and that is Mandurah where we are as close or closer than say Wanneroo to the refinery, yet our price is at least anywhere between 5-12 cents dearer than theirs. I also would like to know how they can increase the price by 28-30 cents on Tuesday. They never sell fuel at a loss so they must be making up to at least 35-40 cents profit on the Tuesday. T E Ptolomey
When should you indicate? I agree wholeheartedly with Kathy Erickson regarding the non-use of indicators (Horizons February/March). But I also find many are unsure of the correct distance at which to start their indication. I see them being started from about three metres from the point of turn to anything up to 300 metres. This happened to me while I waited to enter a continuing road from a side street on my bicycle and was nearly hit by a driver continuing past the corner. I think the correct distance is 30 metres but would like to be corrected if it is not. Athol Gorn
From RAC: The cost of transporting fuel only becomes a slightly more influential factor in regional areas, where the distances are greater and where the volumes of fuel transported to these areas are much smaller, meaning fewer litres of fuel over which the cost of transporting it can be spread. In the Wanneroo area, there are still many more fuel retailers over a relatively small area compared to regional areas further afield. Therefore, the reason for Mandurah fuel prices being different from those in Wanneroo is more likely related to competition and other marketing strategies than distance. There are many factors that can influence fuel pricing at any one time. While the variation in petrol pricing with the weekly price cycle can be frustrating for motorists, you can also take advantage of this by filling up only at the low point of the price cycle (which in February 2020 moved from Mondays to Tuesdays) and avoiding filling up on the expensive days which, at the time of writing, were Wednesdays and Thursdays. RAC advises motorists to use Fuelwatch to find the cheapest fuel near them, regardless of which point the price cycle is at.
From RAC: In WA, there is no set distance at which drivers need to indicate in any given situation but drivers must provide ‘sufficient’ warning of their intended manoeuvre. The difficulty with this, as you have witnessed, is that adequate warning may depend on the circumstance and each individual’s perception. In summary, all drivers must use their best judgement to determine how long they need to indicate for, to ensure other road users have enough time to take appropriate action safely.
Send feedback and win Send us your opinions and feedback via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or email and you could win a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance. For assistance or more information call 13 17 03 or visit rac.com.au Terms and conditions on page 81. Published letters may be edited for style and length. While we try to respond to all letters we receive, a response cannot be guaranteed.
Please note: At this time the Horizons team is unable to accept feedback sent by post. Horizons / June-July 2020
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YO U R R A C
News in brief from the RAC and beyond
Don’t take risks on flooded roads The risks associated with driving on heavily flooded roads should never be underestimated, even in urban areas. If you’re faced with driving through a section of road that is heavily flooded, it’s always best to turn around and find another route if possible. Driving on flooded roads at night is especially dangerous as it can be even harder to gauge the depth. Water as shallow as 15cm can be dangerous to drive through, not just because of the damage it may do to your car but also the danger it may pose to you and others inside the car. The force of even slow-moving water pressing against your car can be
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To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, please observe any travel restrictions currently in place across WA.
much more powerful than you realise. In regional areas, water may also undermine road surfaces.
may also affect electric windows and door locks, which could become a safety issue if you get stuck.
Your vehicle’s maximum wading depth should be in the owner’s manual, but as a guide, if the water is deep enough to reach the bottom of the doors, don’t drive through.
If you have no choice but to drive through and you can gauge that the water level isn’t high enough to be dangerous, drive through slowly to reduce the chances of water being forced up into places it shouldn’t go.
You could risk damage to the engine and other major parts, and the car’s electrical systems. If water enters the engine, severe damage can be caused, which could require you to replace or rebuild the engine. Water
Once you’re through, apply light pressure to your brakes to test that they haven’t been affected, stick to a safe speed and remember to keep a good distance from any cars in front of you.
June-July 2020 / Horizons
YO U R R A C
Going the distance In the last half of 2019, the two RAC Rescue helicopters flew to a total of 474 incidents in WA. Here’s how they helped West Australians who found themselves in difficulty:
Metropolitan rescues
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Vehicle-related rescues
206
Regional rescues
RAC RESCUE
374
Total missions since 2003
7271
Total distance flown
103,521 km
The RAC Rescue helicopters are sponsored by RAC, funded by the State Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
Service station safety Although they’re part of our weekly routines, it is important to remember that service stations are storehouses for large quantities of highly flammable and hazardous chemicals. To stay safe while refuelling, there are some rules we all need to follow: Always switch off your vehicle’s ignition before refuelling. If you’re filling a portable fuel container, make sure it’s approved to carry fuel and that its capacity is no greater than 25L. To fill it, place it on the ground to discharge any static electricity. Never fill a fuel container while holding it or while it’s inside or sitting on any part of your vehicle. I f you spill fuel on the ground while refilling your car or a fuel container, let the operator inside know. Attempting to start your car and drive off while there is fuel spilled on the ground can be dangerous. Motorcycles and scooters should be placed securely on their stands before refuelling, with the rider dismounted. void using mobile phones and other electronic A devices while filling up. Ensure you’re not distracted while pumping fuel into your car. Children should stay inside the car until filling is completed. And remember it is against the law for children under 15 years of age to use a fuel pump. You should never smoke in or near a service station forecourt area.
Horizons / June-July 2020
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YO U R R A C
Keeping left - what are the rules? The ‘keep left’ rule is one that often confuses drivers, so here’s the definitive answer according to the Road Traffic Code 2000 (WA), regulation 113. On multi-lane roads, where there is more than one lane for vehicles travelling in the same direction, if the speed limit is under 90km/h you only have to keep left where there is a sign saying, ‘keep left unless overtaking’, otherwise you can drive in any lane.
You’re turning right or making a U-turn You’re overtaking The left lane is a special purpose lane, e.g. bus lane, slow vehicle turnout lane The left lane is a turning lane and you’re going straight ahead
On multi-lane roads where the speed limit is 90km/h or more, you do need to keep left, including on freeways.
You’re avoiding an obstruction
There are, however, some exceptions. If the limit is 90km/h or more and/or there is a ‘keep left unless overtaking sign’, you don’t have to keep left if:
You’re required to drive in a particular lane by appropriate signage (i.e. particular kinds of vehicles such as trucks) The other lanes are congested with traffic
Nominations for RAC Council Nominations for election to the Council of The Royal Automobile Club of W.A. (Incorporated) close at 12 noon on Friday 31 July 2020. Prospective nominees are referred to Rules 12.3(a) and (b) of the Club, which read: “12.3(a) Except in the case of retiring Councillors who are eligible and offer themselves for election or re-election under rule 12.3(c) and subject to rule 14.1(b)(ii), a person must be nominated by at least 25 Members who are Voting Members as at the date of lodgement of the nomination form. 12.3(b) The procedures to be followed in conducting the nomination process must be set out in the By-Laws, including the requirements for the nomination form and the date by which the nomination form is required to be lodged.” Eligibility requirements for nominees are set out in Rule 7.2 and in the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (WA). A copy of the Rules and By-Laws are available on the website: rac.com.au Nomination forms may be obtained on application to the Chief Executive, RAC, 832 Wellington Street, West Perth, from 1 July 2020. Nominations to fill three vacancies on the Council of the RAC will close at 12 noon on 31 July 2020. Subject to the Rules, retiring members of Council are eligible for re-election.
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Coronavirus – stay informed Please ensure you stay up to date with the latest information and health advice relating to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Follow Government advice on social distancing and good hygiene. This is especially important to help protect the most vulnerable in our community. The most current information is available from the Australian Government’s Department of Health. Visit health.gov.au If you have any concerns, you can also call the Government’s Coronavirus Health Information Line, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 1800 020 080.
June-July 2020 / Horizons
YO U R R A C
RAC COVID-19 response RAC’s commitment to serving our members and the wider community has never been stronger than it is today as we face an unprecedented health crisis. In the current environment, our highest priority is the health and safety of our people, our members, and all Western Australians. We understand this is a difficult time for many WA households. If you are experiencing or preparing for financial hardship, we’re here to help. Please call us on 13 17 03 to discuss your circumstances. We will continue to focus on the delivery of member services while closely monitoring advice from health authorities and adjusting our operations as needed.
Horizons / June-July 2020
To assist us, we would like to ask you to please access our online services where you can. Our phone lines and call centres may be busy during this time.
Insurance For members who need to make an insurance claim, visit rac.com.au/ claims. You may also use the myRAC online portal to make a claim or update your policy, at rac.com.au/myrac.
Motoring services Our Roadside Assistance Patrols and Auto Services centres are following the latest hygiene advice,
using social distancing, wearing protective gloves and using appropriate sanitising products. For the latest information on the operation of other RAC motoring services, check our COVID-19 response updates at rac.com.au.
Travel and touring For information about the operation of RAC Parks & Resorts in WA, visit racparksandresorts.com.au. For information on RAC Travel Insurance claims, check our COVID-19 response updates, under ‘RAC Travel’ at rac.com.au.
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MOTORING
PRODUCTION DISRUPTION How the COVID-19 crisis has impacted the supply of new cars and the parts needed in the cars we’re driving now. By Alex Forrest
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June-July 2020 / Horizons
MOTORING
Almost all car manufacturers and the suppliers that service them have been affected by the COVID-19 virus crisis. The three countries that send the biggest number of vehicles to Australia are Japan (334,075 in 2019), Thailand (271,120) and South Korea (150,630). In total, that’s approximately three quarters of all cars sold in Australia coming from these three countries. Changes to the production of these vehicles and the parts for them are therefore set to potentially have an impact on Australian motorists. Long before the outbreak of COVID-19, the demand for certain vehicles was already far outstripping supply. Take the Toyota RAV4 for example. Since it was launched in May 2019, many customers have had to wait months for their new RAV4 Hybrid. So while car supply issues are not new, the COVID-19 virus pandemic has brought a whole new set of potential changes to the availability of vehicles and vehicle parts. Some car factories have shut down, others have adapted their production lines to make medical products, while yet others are suffering parts shortages as their suppliers in the extraordinarily complex car-making supply chain begin to feel the effects of the pandemic.
While consumers considering buying a new car may postpone their purchase until after the pandemic has subsided, there will be an ongoing need to service and repair existing cars on our roads. Vehicle workshops will still need to access service items like oil filters, air filters, oils and all the latest computerised tools and data. So, let’s look at just how all of this could affect you.
Impacts on motorists Like any other business, car makers are keen to remain open for as long as possible while balancing their obligations around the health of their workers. But consumers should be aware that car makers will only announce bad news when it is absolutely essential, and sometimes not even then. With that in mind, here’s what a selection of car makers in Australia have said about their plans during the COVID-19 crisis. The list is in descending order of the total number of vehicles sold in Australia in 2019.
Toyota Toyota said its dealerships would remain open, with dealers continuing to provide essential vehicle service, sales and repairs in ways that prioritise customer health and safety, including increased cleaning and hygiene measures. Toyota is also pointing customers to digital platforms such as the MyToyota app and online service booking and sales, available through toyota.com.au and individual dealer websites (as at 23 March). Mazda Mazda said it has decided to adjust production at its facilities globally in consideration of difficulties in parts procurement, the plummeting sales in overseas markets, and the uncertainty of future sales. Mazda planned to suspend production for 13 days and operate daytime shifts only for eight days at its Hiroshima and Hofu plants in Japan between March 28 through to April 30. Similar arrangements are in place for its factories in Mexico and Thailand. Mazda has said it would abide by each of its export countries’ policies around preventing the spread of the virus.
For car makers, it is costly to buy and store large stockpiles of parts before they’re used in the factories that assemble vehicles, which is why manufacturers typically run very small stockpiles of components in their factory premises, with some components being delivered to factories only hours before they are needed. What that means is that most factories, if they haven’t already been shut down or redeployed, have a limited capacity to absorb any interruptions to their supply of car parts.
Horizons / June-July 2020
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MOTORING
Hyundai Hyundai was one of the early respondents to the crisis, and suspended production back in February. The company told Horizons that this was due to supply chain disruption directly caused by COVID-19 and was limited to Korea and China. By late March though, Hyundai said the supply issues impacting its operations in China and Korea had passed and all were back in operation.
Germany German-built vehicles make up the next biggest source of vehicles sold in Australia. A total of 84,166 vehicles from Germany were sold in Australia in 2019.
However, Australians also buy German-branded cars that are built outside Germany, such as the BMW X5 (South Carolina, USA) and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (South Africa). Include these, and the number of cars sold in Australia by the leading German brands from factories worldwide is 134,912. In March, Volkswagen Group suspended production at its factories for VW branded vehicles in Germany, Slovakia, Spain, Portugal and England. This includes factories which produce parts for these vehicles. BMW, which also includes the Mini brand, has said the spread of the
Corona virus has “stopped growth in vehicle sales worldwide,” and that “we now expect our worldwide deliveries to decrease significantly from last year”. However, BMW had yet to announce factory closures at the time of writing. Mercedes-Benz said it would suspend the majority of its production in Europe, as well as work being carried out in some of its offices, for an initial period of two weeks from 17 March, in line with recommendations of international, national and local authorities. While Mercedes-Benz had made no announcements at the time of writing about its plants outside Germany, it did say that global supply chains would not be able to be maintained to their full extent.
United States In the United States, the three major car makers there – Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) – had ceased production in the US at the time of writing. Meanwhile, Ford suspended production in India, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, Europe and South America. But Ford said its parts distribution centres would remain open to keep existing vehicles on the road, including those used by essential services. Ford, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Tesla, Nissan and General Motors have all either been approached about producing medical equipment or signalled their intent to move to the production of medical equipment. What all of this means for motorists in Australia in terms of access to vehicles and parts is hard to tell, but one thing that is certain is that unprecedented changes have already been made further up the supply chain, and changes of that size could well be felt by Australian motorists. Exactly how those changes flow down to the consumer level will be revealed down the road.
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June-July 2020 / Horizons
MOTORING
Pandemic pressures on fuel prices By the time fuel comes out of the pump and into your car, its price has been determined by some of the most complex and wide-reaching set of influences of almost any commodity. These include global geographic and political factors, the value of the Australian dollar, local and international tax rates, local competition and even the seasons. Now though, a major biological element has been added to the list of factors influencing fuel prices. The highly contagious COVID-19 virus has wreaked havoc on lives and economies worldwide, including fuel prices. The onset of the COVID-19 virus in Australia in early 2020 was among several reasons for the significant fall in our petrol prices. Leading up to the virus pandemic, demand for oil had already fallen by about 30 per cent, prompting Middle East oil producers to discount oil prices for customers in the US, Asia and Europe. Then, as the spread of COVID-19 began to prompt further lockdowns and restrictions worldwide, oil
Horizons / June-July 2020
production continued at rates that were too high for demand. In Western Australia, oil price reductions were initially evident in falls in the wholesale price for petrol, which is the price fuel stations pay for the fuel they sell to motorists. The retail margin is the difference between the wholesale price and the prices charged to motorists at fuel pumps. But this difference only represents part of the potential profit fuel retailers make on fuel, because the exact amount they pay for fuel and its delivery to them is not disclosed and could well vary between retailers and brands. While reductions in the amount consumers were paying for petrol in March 2020 were welcomed, the falls in wholesale pricing were, on average, markedly bigger than the reductions seen at the pump, indicating retailers weren’t passing on these price drops to motorists. Fattening their margins for the sake of profit could be why fuel sellers weren’t passing on discounts to motorists, but the unique situation COVID-19 has generated, means there are other reasons why retail margins are blowing out. For example, fuel retailers incorporating convenience
stores can often find selling other consumer goods more profitable than fuel. But with Federal Government guidelines to only travel when absolutely essential, these stores were likely seeing reduced foot traffic. With overheads such as electricity, staff and maintenance still needing to be covered, it stands to reason some fuel sellers may be looking to fatter margins to make up for shortfalls in the shop and at the pumps. Another reason is the potentially reduced volumes of fuel being sold due to lower demand for fuel in general. Early reports indicate that, while demand for petrol fell, demand for diesel remained relatively high. This is most likely due to the mining industry, heavy transport and other essential services continuing to operate during the COVID-19 crisis. Still, at the time of writing, Perth’s petrol price cycle continued, with some price hikes widening retail margins hugely. But even during unusual times, West Australians can continue to encourage healthy competition in our fuel market by using Fuelwatch to find the cheapest fuel near them and rewarding those retailers, while leaving the expensive ones alone.
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O U R S TAT E
Powering up your household savings Finding ways to save energy and other resources in your home has the double bonus of making a big difference to your household budget, and helping to bring down your carbon footprint. By Jane Hammond Households are responsible for nearly 20 per cent of Australia’s carbon emissions so what we do at home can have a big impact. Small changes, particularly to the amount of energy you use, can shrink your carbon footprint and save you a substantial amount of money. The Australian Government’s energy website energy.gov.au says a family of four can save around $760 a year by making a few simple changes. It says getting rid of a second fridge could save an estimated $172 a year while turning off a game console after use would save $193 a year. Using a washing line instead of a clothes dryer just once a week would result in a saving of $79 a year. Meanwhile a massive $315 a year can be saved on water bills by installing a 4-star water efficient showerhead, which would set you back around $150. While these costs are only approximate and depend on factors such as the age of your appliances and the size of your home, they demonstrate the sort of savings that are possible with little or no investment. Katy Daily from Renew, an organisation helping Australian households live
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more sustainably, says that while many of us have already embraced recycling and waste reduction, there are many other simple ways to reduce our carbon footprint at home. “Improving your energy use at home can save your wallet as well as provide you with more comfort,” Daily says. Bringing down your power use is one of the easiest ways to save money and can be done with a few basic changes in behaviour like switching off appliances at the wall or switching off lights when not in use. Daily says conducting a simple “energy audit” or review of your energy use can help you see where your energy is going and how much you might be able to save by changing the way you do things.
Money saving tips – free or very low-cost changes A good way to start your energy audit is with the help of a plug-in power meter. This simple device measures the amount of energy each appliance in your house uses. Power meters can be purchased for around $25. A simple check with a power meter will show you which electrical goods are chewing up the most power in
your home. It will also let you know whether any of your older computers or TVs are energy ‘vampires’ – appliances that consume a lot of energy when not in use.
A family of four can save around $760 a year by making a few simple changes. Many newer household appliances also use a significant amount of energy while waiting on standby. Using a power board for electrical goods can make turning them off at the wall quicker and easier. Smart power boards can even be programmed to reduce energy use by switching appliances off automatically when not in use. These start at around $40. The seal on your fridge is another easy thing to check as part of your energy audit. If you can feel any cool air escaping from the fridge then you probably need to replace the seal. A new seal will cost around $60 and will extend the life of your fridge while also reducing its running cost. A similar check should be made on the oven seal. If air is detected coming out
June-July 2020 / Horizons
O U R S TAT E
of the oven during cooking, then the seal may need to be replaced. A new oven seal costs around $40. Another easy thing to check is whether your fridge has sufficient clearance on all sides to run effectively. It should have at least 5cm clearance at the back, sides and top. A typical family of four will open the fridge 20 times a day. Minimising the time the fridge door is left open will ensure it’s not wasting energy compensating for the loss of cool air caused by frequent or prolonged opening. Daily says making sure you cook multiple dishes while your oven is running is a free way to make the most of the energy it uses. For example, if you are baking lasagne, use the second shelf to bake some cookies. Water heating accounts for around 25 per cent of the energy costs in the average home. Savings can be made fairly easily by washing clothes in cold water and setting your hot water system’s thermostat to 50 degrees. This also ensures you won’t get scalded when you use a hot tap. You also won’t have to waste water using the cold tap to get the overall temperature down when you shower or wash your hands. Daily suggests wrapping pipes in insulating material to slow the loss of heat as another way of cutting your power bill. Other simple ways to cut power use include using a lid to cover your pots on the stove when bringing water to the boil for cooking; keeping window shades down and doors closed when not in use to save heating and cooling costs; and draught-proofing your doors, windows and skirting boards.
Small to medium investments Daily says halogen downlights, popular some years ago, should be avoided and replaced by the longer lasting and more economic LED lights.
Horizons / June-July 2020
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O U R S TAT E
Changing your halogen downlights to LEDs can be easily done by a licenced electrician and costs around $40 for each, plus labour. “LED lights use about one fifth of the energy of a halogen downlight,” Daily says. The compact florescent lights that replaced the old-fashioned iridescent lights should also be avoided. Compact florescent lights contain mercury which makes them hazardous if broken and a toxic contaminant if they end up in landfill.
“Improving your energy use at home can save your wallet as well as provide you with more comfort.” She says taking the time to choose energy-efficient appliances also helps bring down power consumption in the home. Appliances consume around 30 per cent of the home’s energy so choosing new appliances wisely makes good economic sense.
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Reducing your water use will also help save money and make your home more sustainable. Simple methods for cutting back on your water use include installing a dual flush toilet and low flow taps. The Water Corporation estimates that a dual flush toilet can save up to 90 litres of water a day or 33,000 litres a year over a single flush system. That’s enough water to fill a backyard swimming pool. Updating your toilet will cost around $400 including installation. Low flow taps work by mixing air with water flow to give the impression of full water flow. They start at around $11 and can make a huge difference to your home water use and the size of your water bill.
Larger investments in sustainable retrofitting Ken Higgins from Complete Enviro Solutions says four big ways to make a home sustainable are the addition of a rainwater collection system, a greywater diversion system, solar panels and a heat pump hot water system. He says all four elements can be added to a new home build for around $17,000 and while the additional costs seem high, the investments are quickly recovered in reduced power and water costs.
But there are also many ways to refit an existing home to make it more sustainable, solar panels being the most popular example. “It’s usually possible to retrofit existing homes with some sort of greywater system,” Higgins says. “The cost will be dependent on what changes are required to the existing plumbing, but a whole of home system could cost between $6000 and $7000.” Higgins says using an electric heat pump hot water system is a great way to maximise the use of solar panels on the roof. Heat pump systems cost around $2800 and work like a refrigerator in reverse. Daily says it’s important that consumers educate themselves about advances in technology so that when they are faced with an emergency purchase, such as a new hot water system, they’re aware of all the options and are well armed to make the right choice. From small-scale changes, such as smart power boards and switching off lights, to investing in big-ticket items like greywater irrigation systems, there are a variety of ways any household can make their home cheaper to run and more sustainable.
June-July 2020 / Horizons
O U R S TAT E
The Forever Project The Forever Project in Hamilton Hill is a renovated cottage that has set a new benchmark for sustainable living in WA. The house needs no air conditioning, very little scheme water and produces more electricity than its occupants can use. Owner of the cottage Chris Ferreira and his family renovated the home 11 years ago after deciding that it was better and cheaper to work with what they had rather than bulldoze the cottage and build a new eco-house. In doing so they prevented more than 38 tonnes of demolition material going to landfill. They also saved $1000 in tip fees and more than 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. The cost of the renovations was around half the cost of building a new home. Everything in the home, with the exception of the double-glazed windows, is recycled, refurbished, repurposed or upcycled, including the home laptops, clothes and white goods. It also boasts a greywater system, 5000 litre rainwater tank, chickens and a garden with fruit trees, vegetables and herbs. “Sustainability is about doing better with less. Less water, less energy, less consumption of materials, less waste,� Ferreira says.
Horizons / June-July 2020
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MOTORING
Maintaining your car when not in use Your car performs best when it’s used regularly, especially when it’s given a long, continuous run. This ensures it can reach its optimal operating temperature, which helps keep everything in good working order. If you’re not using your car very often or not at all for longer periods of time, a little bit of preventative maintenance can help keep it in shape while it’s sitting unused. If possible, take it for a drive once a week for about 30 minutes. This will allow your car to warm up and for fluids to circulate. Just starting it and letting it idle is not the best way to achieve this. But if that’s all that you can manage at any one time, at least press the brake pedal and give the steering wheel a twist in each direction while it’s idling as well. If you won’t be using it at all for two or more weeks, here are some things to keep in mind:
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Keeping your car under cover and protected from the elements is important, especially in winter. Try not to park on grass or lawn for long periods. This can help prevent moisture getting where it shouldn’t and will keep your lawn healthy too. Ideally your car should be kept in an enclosed or covered carport with good ventilation. If your car will be sitting idle for up to four weeks, make sure it’s parked on a flat surface with suitable wheel chocks under all four tyres. Once it’s secured with wheel chocks, release the handbrake. This is to prevent the brake friction material from fusing to the rotor (or drum) after a sustained
contact period. If it has an automatic transmission, put it in Park, and for a manual transmission vehicle, leave it in gear. Letting tyres go flat can damage them. Try to keep the tyres inflated to the correct pressures while the car is parked. For periods longer than four weeks, if you have the right gear, consider raising the car so the tyres are not touching the ground. Use axle stands for support. The weight of the vehicle resting on the tyres in the same position for a prolonged period can damage the tyres at the point where they’re resting on the ground.
June-July 2020 / Horizons
MOTORING
Petrol does have a shelf life so if you won’t be using your car for more than a month, leave a minimal level of petrol in the tank so when you do fill up, the older fuel will be diluted with fresh fuel. For diesel vehicles do the opposite. Fill the tank to prevent moisture forming inside the tank which can cause problems. Your car’s battery is probably the one component which may suffer most from lack of use. If your car will be unused for less than two weeks, we don’t recommend disconnecting the battery in a modern vehicle. Depending on the make, model and age, disconnecting the battery may result in losing some of your vehicle’s computer settings. If it’s going to be more than two weeks, ensure the battery is fully charged and if it has removable caps, check that the electrolyte level is correct. If in doubt, contact RAC or an automotive workshop for advice. If you’re going to be using a battery charger, the best type is a smart charger which detects how much charge is needed and stops when the battery has reached capacity. Before you start charging, make sure you have plenty of ventilation and no open flames around you. Battery gases are highly flammable and toxic.
Horizons / June-July 2020
Also check the battery case for cracks. Don’t charge it if you find damage. Always connect the charger to the battery before switching the charger on. And before you disconnect it from the battery, switch the charger off. If you find your battery keeps losing its spark even with regular charging, and assuming there’s nothing else wrong with the vehicle, it’s probably time to replace the battery. Batteries are more likely to fail when they’re either very hot or very cold so winter can take its toll on a battery that’s already close to the end of its serviceable life.
Warning signs that your battery might be about to fail include a grinding or clicking sound when you start the car, the car cranking slowly as it starts and the headlights appearing dim when idling but brightening when the engine is revved. Finally, if your car will be sitting unused for any period of time, give it a good clean, not just outside but inside as well, especially if you’ve had kids going in and out of it. And keep an extra eye out for any food scraps that may be left behind to avoid any nasty odours when you get back inside.
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in the kitchen, trying to be inconspicuous and hide the fact I wasn’t hearing well. Becky said I was really missing out, because everyone else was really enjoying themselves, talking and laughing together. Watching TV was also somewhat contentious because I needed the amplification set at level 80, with the rest of the family comfortable on 16. I was turning into someone who wasn’t hearing too well, yet failing to really recognise the signposts. I have golfing mates who are still in that place, admitting that they need to do something yet carrying on regardless. What ultimately sparked my interest in hearing aids, though, was Becky pointing out the link between hearing loss and dementia. That was the catalyst for me to seek the help. This was how I met Mel and Chris at Brad Hutchinson Hearing in Melville. They’re both very professional at their jobs and I have since let the boss know. There was no sense at any time of being pressured to buy, which was really refreshing, and I have no hesitation in recommending this company to anyone with hearing problems. Peter Shack
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O U R S TAT E
Housefire risks you may not have considered The number of fires that start in and around the home is declining in Western Australia, but the risk remains, and the causes are changing. By Vanessa Pogorelic
Horizons / June-July 2020
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O U R S TAT E
Driving past the remnants of a suburban home that has been gutted by fire, where adjacent properties stand untouched, is a stark reminder of the relentless and indiscriminate nature of housefires. Within minutes, a fire inside a home can engulf it completely, taking lives or, at the very least, destroying what has taken a lifetime to create. Fortunately, since 2001 there has been a downward trend in the number of structure fires attended by emergency services in Western Australia. In the 10 years to 2018, there was a 14 per cent decrease. Some of that decline is due to more reliable hard-wired smoke alarms which have enabled small fires to be contained by the householder before they spread, along with split system air conditioners replacing portable heaters. But as the layout of our homes and the things we put inside them has
changed, the causes and origins of housefires have also shifted. In the past, it was open fireplaces, misplaced candles and bar heaters that were among the most common causes of fires that originated in and around the home. Today, some of the more common household fire sources can be less obvious than a burning log falling from a fireplace. In 2018, electrical faults accounted for the highest number of housefires in WA, according to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES). “Candles, fireplaces and bar heater fires are a thing of the past,” says
Peter Jones, district officer of fire investigation and analysis at DFES. “Batteries and electrical appliances are some of our biggest problems at the moment and there are more and more appliances around your home that use rechargeable batteries - your phone or laptop, power-tools, lawnmowers.”
Safely charging your devices Jones says any rechargeable battery, big or small, can be a risk if mistreated or charged incorrectly. Rechargeable batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries, can pack a lot of power into a small package so they should always be handled with care. An impact which is powerful enough to damage the exterior of the battery could cause the chemicals inside to generate excessive heat leading it to ignite. Dropping one repeatedly could be enough to trigger this reaction.
Look after your smoke alarms Smoke alarms should be tested monthly and completely replaced every 10 years. Alarms need to be located in all sleeping areas of the home and in all paths of travel between sleeping areas and exits to the open air. It’s possible to have interconnected or linked smoke detectors which sound an alarm on all devices once one unit is triggered, to ensure the alarm is heard in all areas of the home.
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June-July 2020 / Horizons
O U R S TAT E
With many different battery chargers in the home, it can be tempting to use them across multiple devices. Jones warns that using batteries and chargers not specifically designed for a device can be a risk. “You should only use chargers that have been approved for use with that device and only use the approved batteries.” He also cautions against buying rechargeable batteries online from retailers located overseas as they could be of low quality.
Backyard blazes Fires caused by faulty or mistreated appliances continue to be among the leading causes of housefires, and appliance fires aren’t just confined to the inside of our homes.
Keeping rechargeable devices safe Treating the rechargeable devices in your home with care and charging them correctly will help keep them in safe working order. Repeatedly dropping a rechargeable battery or exposing it to an impact that could physically damage it could create a fire risk.
In WA, our love of the outdoors has led to an increasing number of ‘al fresco kitchens’ which are used year-round, including across the winter months with the aid of outdoor heating devices.
Using chargers and batteries that are not supplied or recommended by the device manufacturer should also be avoided.
“As we’ve increasingly moved our indoor living spaces to the outside of our homes, the areas of fire risk have also spread,” says RAC Insurance home claims manager, Glen Walker.
Keep devices and chargers away from anything flammable while they’re charging and avoid leaving devices on charge while you’re away from home.
When charging a laptop or phone, always leave it on a hard surface. Don’t, for example, charge a device on a bed or couch.
You should also avoid overcharging or keeping devices with rechargeable batteries plugged into mains power.
Outdoor kitchens, which incorporate larger barbeques, are becoming more common, says Walker. “Unlike the old-fashioned brick barbeque which used to be down the very back of the yard, we’re now locating them even closer to the back of the home.” Walker says fire risks around barbeques often arise due to a lack of cleaning and general maintenance. “People tend to treat their outdoor cooking area with less care or caution than the kitchen inside their home. The message here is to ensure you clean in and around your barbeque regularly. “The kitchen remains one of the main areas where fires originate in the home, most often from unattended cooking, so you shouldn’t let your guard down just because you’re cooking outside.”
Horizons / June-July 2020
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O U R S TAT E
Other fire hazards you could miss Linseed and other oils commonly used to treat wooden outdoor furniture can self-ignite. This means they don’t even need an ignition source to catch fire. If you leave oily rags bundled up in a ball, enough heat can build up inside to set them alight. Spread oil-soaked rags out and leave them to dry before disposing of them.
The risk from ‘spare’ fridges Another appliance creating problems when placed outside the home is the refrigerator. In the past, where a refrigerator may have been used until it broke down and was then replaced, today it’s often kept as a spare fridge, says DFES’s Peter Jones.
Fewer house keys could save your life Modern open-plan home designs and flammable synthetic furnishings have sped up the rate at which a house can become engulfed in flames once a fire starts. Occupants inside a burning home often have as little as five minutes to escape.
“A fridge might be replaced while it’s still relatively new and in working order with an even newer, possibly bigger model. But the old fridge is kept and then placed outdoors in an entertainment area and that’s where it can overheat. Also, the coolants they use now in the newer fridges are more flammable than in old fridges.
The greater the number of keys you need to open doors and window locks, the more at risk you are.
“A lot of fires we attend are started by fridges in carports.”
“The smoke will be so thick that you can’t see. And if the power’s gone off you won’t be able to turn a light on to find keys. Ideally you should be able to open external doors from inside without the use of a key.”
Jones says that, while there has been a steady decline in serious housefires, new household devices and changes in consumer habits have created new risks that everyone should be aware of. “The general advise is that you should always turn off appliances that you’re not using. You don’t want to leave an outside light on for days. Use timers if you need lights on while you’re away. “The fact is, the longer you leave something on, the more chance there is of it getting hot and failing.”
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“It can be a problem trying to balance home security with fire safety,” says Jones. “In the past, it’s happened that people can’t get out because they need a key.
Having an exit plan prepared in the event of a fire is useful but not always practical, says Jones. “While it’s good to have an exit plan, when you wake up in the early hours and there’s a fire, you won’t have time to think about that. The quickest way out in the circumstances is always best way out.”
Overloading or piggybacking power boards with other power boards or double adaptors is hazardous. Dusty power boards are also a hazard if dust enters unused points and there is an electrical fault. Choose power boards with safety covers that close off any unused points. Clean the lint filter in your clothes dryer before every load and make sure there is a good amount of space around the dryer for ventilation. Never turn the dryer off and open the door before it has gone through its cooldown period. If you have halogen downlights make sure any insulation material in the roof is well away from the light and transformer. You should consider replacing halogen downlights with safer LED lights.
Fast fact In 2019, RAC Insurance dealt with an average of 36 claims for fire damage per month.
June-July 2020 / Horizons
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O U R S TAT E
The lost art of driver etiquette Once commuting around our city and suburbs goes back to normal, how can we change the way we communicate with each other on the road to make our journeys safer and more efficient? Right now, the daily commute and congested roads are a distant memory and it’s unlikely freeway congestion is on the list of ‘normal’ things we miss. But the same busy roads will be there when offices and workplaces reopen and with them the frustrations of being trapped in traffic for roughly an hour a day. According to the 2019 Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, between 2002 and 2017 the average commuting
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times for Perth workers increased 10 minutes to 59.3 minutes a day. As we near the 60-minute mark for our daily commute, we will begin testing the limits of a theory known as Marchetti’s Constant.
than 2.5km — about half an hour’s passage — while historic villages in places like Greece tended to be spaced 2.5km apart.
Throughout history, argued Italian physicist Cesare Marchetti in 1994, people have been willing to spend about half an hour commuting to or from whatever work they do.
Marchetti’s Constant has been used to understand the demands on urban planning. If the time we’re willing to spend commuting is constant, but the speed of our transportation increases, the urban footprint can cover a wider area.
From the centre of ancient cities to their walls, the radius was rarely more
Walking might cover 2.5km in half an hour but a bus can cover 10km in that
June-July 2020 / Horizons
O U R S TAT E
Glenn Weaver
time, a train about 20km and a private car 30km, so cities have grown and expanded in line with the efficiency of the transport on offer. The problem comes once the population grows. Without better planning to improve access to local jobs and a shift away from solo car travel, the daily commute slows and becomes greater than that half hour. In that case, Marchetti’s Constant is sometimes used to argue one of the causes of bad driver behaviour – suggesting that once we hit the 30-minute limit, our nerves begin to fray.
How frustration builds Bad driving and inconsiderate behaviour which can spill over into anger, have all been linked to the amount of time that we’re stuck in traffic. “There are a lot of sources of road user frustration, and long commutes and delays caused by heavy traffic certainly play a part, as well as things that might not even have anything to do with using the road,” says Sarah Macaulay, senior manager of public policy at RAC.
Horizons / June-July 2020
“There’s research to show that our mental state can impact how we drive — whether we’re angry about something else, annoyed by daily hassles or upset — so we need to be aware of how we’re feeling before we jump in a car and drive.
“People’s behaviours can change a little on the road and social norms can seemingly vanish.” “We also receive feedback from drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike that other road users can make them feel less confident and even intimidated when sharing the roads, which can contribute to frustrations and unsafe behaviours.” A study published by the Monash University Accident Research Centre last year found almost all drivers confessed to what might be called ‘minor’ aggressive behaviours, such as expressing annoyance (reported by
60 per cent) and sounding the horn in anger (70 per cent). More than 40 per cent reported that they had infrequently or occasionally followed a driver who was the target of their frustration so closely that it would be difficult to stop in emergency. A remarkable 30 per cent said they would chase another driver in anger, and one per cent of drivers said they would do both on a regular basis.
Frustration on a hair trigger The triggers for frustration can be a mixture of internal and external factors. The age, gender, personality and beliefs of drivers have all been linked to driver aggression by researchers, as have factors like the presence of road works or even outside temperature. But there is also ‘contagious discourtesy’, in which actions by others on the road are perceived as being a personal affront, prompting discourtesy in return. Queensland University researchers have found that the way drivers interpret events can also have an impact, including personalising discourteous
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O U R S TAT E
driving (“they cut me off on purpose”), catastrophising (“they could have killed me!”), and overgeneralising (“people are hopeless drivers.”) The researchers also found that road anger could be defused if drivers remembered the ‘common humanity’ of everyone on the road and tried to be more forgiving. “When you’re in your vehicle, it can seem like you’re in your own environment, somewhat separated from others,” Macaulay says. “People’s behaviours can change a little on the road and social norms can seemingly vanish. “But we need to be conscious of others around us, particularly vulnerable road users who are at greater risk in a crash, so we’re sharing that road space safely.” To avoid frustration, Macaulay says it is important that every road user thinks about the impact of their behaviour on others. “Following the road rules is fundamental, and a bit of courtesy can also go a long way in improving
the journey experiences of all road users,” she says. “If we’re weaving in and out of traffic, not giving other drivers and cyclists enough space or warning, we can cause a lot of frustration for other road users.”
Etiquette is more than common sense So, what are some of the common written and unwritten rules of the road that can reduce the level of angst among drivers? Merging is a key point of frustration, according to RAC members. A 2017 survey found almost half believed other drivers don’t know how to merge properly. Clashes frequently occur where cars otherwise separated by a dotted lane line need to go from two lanes to one. Australian laws require that where both lanes end and become one, the car that is in front has the right of way. Rather than rushing to be the driver ahead when approaching the merge point, good driving etiquette can smooth the merging experience.
Merging drivers should indicate early, keep a safe distance between their vehicle and the one merging in front of them and try to match the legal speed of the road or the other vehicles if slower, to reduce the risk of a collision.
“There’s a lot of sources of road user frustration, and long commutes and delays caused by heavy traffic certainly play a part.” When one lane ends, like on the freeway and highway on-ramps, the driver in the continuing lane has right of way. The driver changing lanes should try to get up to speed with traffic on the freeway or highway, indicate their intention to join the lane and move into the gap at the earliest and safest opportunity. A quick wave to acknowledge the efforts of the other driver once you’re safely in the lane won’t hurt as well.
Glenn Weaver
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June-July 2020 / Horizons
O U R S TAT E
Tailgating, or driving too close to the car in front, is another sure-fire cause of frustration. After speeding and failure to indicate, tailgating was the third most common road rule RAC survey respondents said they saw other drivers breaking. And it’s risky as well, as it can lead to rear-end crashes. RAC recommends applying the two-second rule, which represents the minimum time that should elapse between vehicles passing the same point on the road. It’s essential to remember though as driving conditions change, that time and therefore the distance needs to increase. Providing extra space in rainy, dark or wet conditions and on high speed roads is more considerate as well. The two-second rule will also not help if you are not alert. At 60km/h an alert driver will travel 25m in the 1.5 seconds they take to react, and another 20m once the brakes are applied. A driver who is not alert will travel much further. Another common source of frustration that links back to congestion is the habit some drivers have of blocking side streets and intersections, preventing traffic from moving through and creating queues. This issue spikes during peak periods, and the risk of gridlock increases. WA’s Road Traffic Code requires drivers not to enter what it calls a choked intersection, whether or not there is a set of traffic lights. This means not trying to cross the intersection if it means you will end up blocking other movements. You must also not stop your car with any portion of it obstructing access to and from a driveway, and the same goes for obstructing access by vehicles or pedestrians to a path. At some signalised intersections traffic gets a green light when pedestrians also have a green pedestrian signal – this is known as a ‘parallel walks’ crossing. You might see a flashing
Horizons / June-July 2020
yellow caution light to remind turning drivers that pedestrians have right of way. Don’t accelerate off as you get the green, instead turn with caution, and don’t creep forward as you wait to rush pedestrians off the crossing. Lastly, go easy on the car horn. Under the Road Traffic Code, the horn is allowed to be used to “warn other road users or animals of the approach or position of the vehicle” or as part of an anti-theft device — that’s it. Leaning on the horn to express your frustration of someone else’s driving is not covered, and its misuse carries a fine of $50.
Macaulay says that reducing discourteous behaviours on the roads can help quell overall frustration, which improves the safety of everyone. “There is evidence that suggests that both the victim and a perpetrator in a road rage situation are at a much higher risk of a crash, particularly if the road environment is quite complex,” she says. “We really want drivers not only to be conscious of their own driving practices, but also how these can impact other road users and put safety at risk.”
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YO U R R A C
From rough roads to smart cars On 1 July 2020, it will be 115 years since the club that would become RAC was inaugurated. On that day in 1905, around 40 vehicles gathered at Government House where the Governor, Sir Frederick Bedford, congratulated the club on its formation. He then rode in a car with Alfred Morgans, RAC’s first President, to the home of Richard Strelitz in Cottesloe. Later they drove back into the city to have afternoon tea at the Palace hotel. Here’s just a little of what has happened since then:
1905
1909
1915
On 1 July 1905, the Automobile Club of Western Australia is formally inaugurated at Government House.
The Club begins erecting warning and directional road signs across the State. This continues until 1975, when local councils take over.
The Club fundraises to purchase two ambulances for use on the Western Front and continues to raise money for the Red Cross throughout the First World War.
1911 The first road map of WA’s South West is produced to help members travel safely around the State.
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1926
1920s
1920
The RAC Road Patrol service is established, with the Club employing two mechanics to attend breakdowns.
RAC holds vehicle reliability contests where motorists are given an amount of fuel and a set route to drive for the day. The events help improve the efficiency of early vehicles which were very customisable.
To lobby for and coordinate the maintenance of roads throughout WA, the Club forms the Good Roads Association. The group is instrumental in introducing the Main Roads board in 1926, which goes on to become the Main Roads Department in 1930.
1930
1936
The Club’s member magazine, The Road Patrol (now Horizons), is first published.
After much lobbying from RAC, the first flashing railway signals are installed on the Perth to Albany road.
1928
1940
RAC establishes its touring department to advise members on the best routes to take when holidaying in WA and around Australia.
RAC becomes a depot for the distribution of wartime petrol ration tickets.
June-July 2020 / Horizons
YO U R R A C
1947
1957
1967
RAC Insurance Pty Ltd commences operations.
Roadside Assistance services are extended to 24 hours a day, and all patrol vans are fitted with two-way radios.
Emergency phones are installed on the Kwinana Freeway, with a direct line to RAC’s patrol service. In 1972 this service is extended to the Mitchell Freeway.
1955 The Club celebrates its 50th anniversary by opening a new two-storey building on Adelaide Terrace.
1966 After lobbying by RAC, the third-party insurance law is altered to allow spouse claims against partners in vehicle crashes where negligence can be established.
1989
1985
1970
RAC sponsors the Constable Care program and the Police Community Education Branch.
A new Roadside Assistance control room helps keep roadside response times to a minimum.
RAC Homeguard launches, offering home and contents insurance.
1993
1979
RAC and other state motoring organisations establish NCAP, which independently rates cars on their safety in a crash. The organisation is now known as ANCAP.
To mark WA’s 150th anniversary, RAC launches Operation Overland, a journey by car from London to Perth with eight drivers and four vehicles. The trip takes 12 weeks and also serves to promote WA to international travellers.
2003
2015
2016
RAC begins sponsorship of the RAC Rescue helicopters.
The RAC Electric Highway opens, the first of its kind in Australia, running from Perth to Augusta.
RAC begins trialing Australia’s first driverless and fully electric shuttle bus, the RAC Intellibus®.
®
2010 RAC is one of 11 organisations to participate in WA’s first electric vehicle trail and installs its first electric charging station.
2019 Project Road Smart is launched to bring the Club’s annual youth road safety event, bstreetsmart, to the regions.
2012
2013
Following more than 10 years of lobbying by RAC, the State Government directs 100 per cent of speed and red-light camera fines to the Road Trauma Trust Account to be spent on road safety.
RAC acquires its first holiday park, RAC Cervantes Holiday Park, to encourage more West Australians to holiday at home.
Horizons / June-July 2020
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YO U R R A C
Where’s the horse? Just a few years before WA’s first motorists formed their own motoring club, those strange contraptions they were so excited about had begun popping up in the most unlikely places. Back in the early 1900s, horse and cart ruled the dusty streets of WA’s country towns. So when a noisy metal box rolled into the Wheatbelt without a horse in sight, it was like an alien craft had landed. When the first automobile came to Beverley, south-east of Perth, in 1903, it was a spectacle that attracted people from all around. The strange gizmo arrived in a crate and locals crowded around and watched in wonder as this seemingly magical piece of machinery was driven out of a box. With huge leather drive belts and something that resembled a park bench for a seat, the 1901 ‘Benz’ – built before the merger of the two biggest vehicle manufacturers, DMG led by Gottlieb Daimler and Benz & Cie led by Karl Benz – was introduced to Beverley. “People couldn’t believe it – they’d never seen a car before,” says WA motoring historian Graeme Cocks. “It had a whole series of gizmos and levers you had to adjust to keep it going along.” This automatic horse and cart probably inspired the same sense of wonder and trepidation as today’s driverless cars. Although, unlike modern cars, the Benz would have been a great challenge to drive. The engine had to be cranked by hand to get it started, and it barely travelled faster than a horse, which was probably fortunate given its rudimentary brakes.
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ABOVE: Graeme Cocks with William De Lisle’s Benz while on loan at York Motor Museum.
Modern ‘luxuries’ such as headlights and a windscreen were non-existent, and it was fueled with naphtha - a mixture similar to dry cleaning fluid and petroleum. The Benz was the new toy of Avon Valley resident William De Lisle. He bought the car second-hand and drove it on Guernsey in the Channel Islands and through the UK before having it shipped to WA where it spent its early life in the Avon Valley.
Locals crowded around and watched in wonder as this seemingly magical piece of machinery was driven out of a box. Unlike today, cars were made oneby-one by machinists, which made them very expensive. De Lisle’s 3.5 horsepower, single cylinder Benz would have cost the average worker at the time around 10 years of wages. Cocks says that “cars were the plaything of the rich and the elite, and Willie De Lisle certainly wasn’t short of a few dollars.”
Stories about the Benz offers an insight into what life, and early motoring laws, were like at the turn of the century. “A lot of motorists got fined for speeding because the police didn’t like them going more than a few miles an hour in built-up areas,” says Cocks. De Lisle was caught driving the car at what was estimated as being its top speed, about 30km/h, on the Causeway in Victoria Park and was fined more than £7 - quite a large sum back then. His reckless driving offence earned him the labels “furious driver”, “plutocratic motor-hog”, and “bloated motor-car owning gold bug” in newspapers. While 30km/h may not seem fast by today’s standards, the Benz had no safety equipment at all and back then, the roads simply weren’t made for a contraption like this. “The roads were terrible in those days,” says Cocks. “It really would’ve been quite a bumpy ride.” In 1927 the Benz was accepted as a gift by RAC and restored. It took part in the State Centenary celebrations in 1929 and was then presented to the WA Museum.
June-July 2020 / Horizons
No matter what’s ahead, we’re here to keep you moving. While a lot of things have changed, a lot has stayed the same. We’re still using the roads. Our cars still need to be serviced. Our batteries can still run flat. And our tyres may still need to be changed. That’s why our roadside assistance call centre and patrols are still operating 24/7. Our Auto Services Centres are still repairing and servicing cars. And if you need a new battery or tyres, we can come to you. Your safety is at the heart of what we do. We’ve always been there to keep you safe on the road, but we’ve made some changes to keep you safe off it, too. Expect the same level of service, the same care, and the same attention to detail, but at a safe distance.
Roadside Assistance is provided by RAC Motoring Pty Ltd MRB 723. Auto Service is provided by RAC Automotive Services Pty Ltd MRB 935.
This means handshakes are out, but friendly waves are in. All our teams are following the latest health advice. We’re using protective gloves and we’ve put contactless hygiene measures in place that allow us to get the job done properly, and safely. When you call us, we’ll ask you a couple of extra questions, but it’s all to help us respond in the best and safest way possible. Whatever your motoring needs, we’re here for you.
If you’d like to know more about how we’re responding to COVID-19 please visit rac.com.au/motoring or call us on 13 17 03.
O U R S TAT E
STAYING CONNECTED From volunteer programs helping those in need to WA locals generating some community spirit from their homes, here are some of the ways we’ve all been trying to stay safe and connected during the COVID-19 health crisis.
Community relief “We’re running food relief for the City of Swan, packing boxes with food, nappies and formula received through community donations and a partnership with Foodbank. Once the boxes are packed, City of Swan volunteers and staff deliver them to people’s doors.” Sarah Patterson, Midlas - a not-for-profit community agency based in Midland servicing North East Metro Perth.
“Thank you Moora community for adopting us!!! These cool caps were made by a retired employee.” Jo Brophy, Moora District Hospital WA’s Adopt a Healthcare Worker group on Facebook has given the community a chance to offer help and relief to frontline healthcare workers.
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June-July 2020 / Horizons
O U R S TAT E
Teddy bear hunts and rainbow trails There were many rainbow trails and messages of hope and goodwill displayed in front yards and windows across WA. Kids out for some fresh air and exercise with their families were kept busy spotting fluffy toys and rainbows in neighbour’s yards.
Spreading some positivity on the rainbow trail in Bicton.
James Brooks and his kids were doing one image a day outside their home in Dianella. “The kids are usually the ones that come up with the ideas. We just wanted to make our home a little more fun for the kids and wrote happy messages for people walking by.”
“I rearrange my teddies every few days. It’s a fulltime job, ya know!” Melanie Smit, East Vic Park
Horizons / June-July 2020
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O U R S TAT E
Ocean Trethan from Warnbro, whose mum Dneika is in the Perth Bear Hunt Facebook group.
“My two boys went crazy outside our house. Stay safe everyone!” Michael Hume, Butler
Ben and Ria Merito with their kids Kyla, Harmony and Leevie stepped up to the teddy bear challenge at their home in Ocean Reef.
It wasn’t just teddies that were in the hunt, an array of soft toys were popping up everywhere.
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June-July 2020 / Horizons
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YO U R R A C
Puzzles for the kids RAC Little Legends Club® is a free and fun road safety program for kids. When they join the club, they get their own membership card with access to RAC’s great benefits and discounts. Start the journey with these puzzles.
For more fun resources and to join RAC Little Legends Club® for free, visit rac.com.au/puzzles
Maze
Word find Riding in the car is fun, but sometimes cars break down. The words below are things an RAC Patrol would look out for in a breakdown. battery engine help seatbelt brakes
Help Chip find his bike
car roadside hazard safety tyres
H R B S A F E T Y Z E L R H D R B E S S L H A Z A R D N E E P O K T N A Q G R A N K E E F A E I Y T O A S E V A L N T B B A T T E R Y E Y E C Y D T M R L S R L A R O A D S I D E T R D L V P O G H S V
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June-July 2020 / Horizons
YO U R R A C
1
31 29
3
28
30
2
24
25
27
22
23 5
4 7
21 20 19 18 17
26
6
14
8 16
15 13
9
12
10 11
Join the dots
Complete the picture of Flutter
Crossword
1
Help Ash answer these skateboarding questions 2
Down 1: always wear this on your head ______ (6)
3
3: protective arm pads go on your wrists and your ______ (6) 5: to get really good at skateboard tricks you need to do a lot of this ________ (8)
4
7: padding for your legs go here _____ (5)
5
8: y ou need to ____ across the road holding your skateboard when you cross ____ (4) Across 2: a skateboard has 4 small ______ (6)
6
7
4: ride your skateboard here, not on the road ________ (8)
8
6: when you cross the road you need to stop, look, listen and _____ (5)
9
9: don’t practice tricks here because cars may be reversing in and out of your house ________ (8) 10: a safe place to ride your skateboard _________ (9)
Horizons / June-July 2020
10
43
MOTORING
CAR OR COMPUTER? Our cars are already looking out for us in more ways than you may realise By Toby Hagon
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June-July 2020 / Horizons
MOTORING
Once, a keen car buyer would have lifted the bonnet, checked the engine and kicked the tyres. Today, car shoppers are increasingly pushing buttons and wanting to know how their gadgets can connect in order to decide on their next set of wheels. Today, modern cars can include six or more cameras, multiple display screens, their own SIM card to keep them constantly connected to the internet and smartphone apps to keep their owners informed. They can also help drivers avoid crashes, and that’s a big part of the tech push. Affordable new cars on the market today can already apply the brakes for you if you can’t or won’t, they can tell you when it’s safe to proceed if you’re not watching and the car in front has moved, and they can limit progress when you press the wrong pedal.
autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems that can automatically apply brakes to avoid a crash or reduce its severity.
High tech becomes mainstream Nowadays, such technologies are not limited to luxury cars. In fact, connectivity and advanced crash avoidance systems sometimes debut in more affordable mainstream models due to the scale that makes developing the technology cheaper.
They help keep you in your highway lane and warn you when it’s unsafe to change lanes. They can even tell when your gaze moves away from the road ahead or when you’re feeling too tired to drive safely.
Australia’s best-selling small car, the Toyota Corolla, has AEB as standard. So does our best-selling SUV, the Mazda CX-5. Teaming camera and radar technology, they can spot pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles and automatically perform an emergency stop. The Mazda’s AEB also works when reversing.
Radars are already common in our cars and are fitted as part of the
The upcoming Land Rover Defender has a mindboggling 85 computers
Horizons / June-July 2020
to control its various electronic components. They include adjustable air suspension, driver assistance systems, safety features and colour display screens for infotainment and instruments. There’s 4G (or 5G) connectivity keeping the car talking to the cloud, all the while protecting it with ‘multi-layer cyber security’. When venturing off-road, the Defender’s integrated multi-camera system even allows drivers to scan 360 degrees around the vehicle using an image on a high-resolution touchscreen that looks as though a camera is hovering above the car. BMW Australia’s product planning chief Brendan Michel says upto-date tech is critical to getting on customers’ shopping lists, particularly in the luxury market. “Seventy per cent of customer feedback says customers will not buy a car unless it’s got this type of technology on it,” he says of the new 2-Series Gran Coupe, which is priced from $47,990 and includes a fighter jet-like head-up display and reversing assistant that can back the car along exactly the same path it was driven in on – handy for snaking driveways.
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MOTORING
Doing things smarter Much of the electronic wizardry filtering through to modern cars has smartened existing functions, in much the same way as automatic transmissions made gear shifting easier and cruise control made freeway driving more relaxing. For two decades cars have been adopting windscreen wipers that detect rain and automatically switch on. While early iterations were patchy in their ability to adjust to the strength of the rain, modern versions are smarter, quickly adjusting the wiping speed accordingly. Recent Mercedes-Benz models can scan the road surface ahead for bumps. Rather than reacting to a bump, the system can ‘see’ changes in the road and adjust the suspension so it provides the best ride by the time the wheels get to it. Even door handles are getting smarter. Many cars now use their rear-facing radar to monitor approaching cyclists or vehicles, flashing or beeping to warn the driver not to open their door. In many modern Audis the car will temporarily disable the latching mechanism, delaying the door opening for a few seconds to avoid a bingle.
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Car keys are increasingly becoming redundant. The Tesla Model 3 can be opened and switched on with a smartphone. BMW and MercedesBenz have similar technology for use with certain smartphones equipped with NFC (near field communication) functionality. Individual drivers can even now be identified by the car. In some versions of the Subaru Forester, there’s an
infrared camera in the dash that recognises the driver then adjusts the driver’s seat, door mirrors, ventilation and the infotainment screen display for that person’s preferences. The Subaru camera technology also monitors the driver’s eye movements and face orientation, quickly warning if their attention isn’t on the road. The tech and gadgets employed by cars also go beyond the car itself.
June-July 2020 / Horizons
MOTORING
Smart cars meet smart phones Many brands now have smartphone apps to provide real time location data on the vehicle, meaning no more embarrassing laps of the carpark trying to remember where you parked. Remote access is another bonus if you need to unlock your car for a friend. Some owners of cars with this tech have even unlocked them for package deliveries when the car is at home but the owner isn’t. BMWs also have basic gesture control, allowing phone calls to be answered or the volume adjusted with a swipe or twirl of the hand. Those who are animated during their discussions may unwittingly make that ’80s one-hit wonder that little bit louder while trying to get their point across.
Horizons / June-July 2020
Modern systems even use artificial intelligence to learn a driver’s patterns, such as whether they dial a certain person or listen to a certain radio station at the same time each week.
In the near future we can expect more immersive infotainment, smarter connectivity and cars that are better at avoiding crashes. All this tech is only the start of an influx that will stretch beyond the car makers. Big brands including Nissan and Audi are readying Android Automotive for their cars. The all-encompassing control system can look after vehicle
functions and infotainment, and it will be open to third party app developers. As with smartphone apps, it will no doubt lead to new features we never knew we needed. Perhaps a system that knows to raise the garage door on arrival and alert your partner via an app that you’ll soon be home for dinner? Where cars once felt outdated within a few years, the car you buy now could actually get even better over time courtesy of automatic software updates. While a future where our cars do all the driving and thinking for us is still many years away, very soon we can expect more immersive infotainment, smarter connectivity and cars that are better at avoiding crashes. It’s all part of the high-tech influx that is fast changing how we all drive.
47
YO U R R A C
Flicking the switch on home security Why aren’t we using our security systems? While one in two people are concerned about how secure their home would be in the event of an attempted break-in, one in five of those with security systems aren’t even using them, leaving their homes at greater risk. Technology continues to play a part in the fight to keep our homes secure, but is often not used correctly or at all, the 2019 RAC Home Security Survey has found. Smart home security systems, which offer features such as live video streaming and home monitoring from a mobile phone app, had been adopted by 15 per cent of those surveyed. However, there was a low understanding of how the technology worked and therefore low usage among some householders. One in five people (21%) also said they didn’t usually activate their security system at all before leaving home. This is in spite of the fact that home alarms are still one of the key deterrents for burglars, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC). Meanwhile the use of social media platforms, such as Facebook, was potentially increasing the risk of home burglary, with one in three people reporting that they shared holiday stories and photos on their social media account while away, revealing that their homes were unoccupied.
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Research from the AIC, where offenders were interviewed about their behaviours, found that 78 per cent of burglars believed social media platforms were being used in order to target homes that may be unoccupied.
Burglary experiences As with the 2018 RAC Security Survey, having items stolen from the front or backyard was the most common home security incident. Those living on a corner or close to shops are most likely to have had items stolen from their yard in the past year, and those who reported living on a ‘busy road’ were most likely to have experienced a burglary at their current home at some time. While the 2019 survey found an overall decrease in the number of people who reported feeling unsafe within their home, one in two people (52%) were very or extremely concerned about how secure their home would be if it was targeted by a burglar.
Security tip Managing burglary risk with fire risk With most homes having keylocks on all windows, having an evacuation plan in case of an emergency is something all households should consider. In an emergency, such as a fire, windows and doors need to be opened quickly. Having many different keys could compromise your ability to escape quickly. It’s recommended that you have all windows openable with the same key, along with one key for all doors, to make it easier to evacuate if necessary. To find out about fire hazards around your home, see page 25. To assess how secure your home is and how to improve it, use the RAC Security checklist at rac.com.au/securitytips
June-July 2020 / Horizons
YO U R R A C
1 in 5 don’t usually activate
35% have experienced a home security incident.
people share holiday stories on social media while away.
34% keep spare
15% have smart home
1 in 3 don’t usually lock
their security system before leaving home.
house keys outside their home.
security, the main uses being:
Stewart Allen
45% live video stream 38% operation via mobile phone
Horizons / June-July 2020
1 in 3
valuables in a safe place while away from home.
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Thinking of investing? If you’ve been thinking about putting your money to work, find out more about investment opportunities with RAC Finance. » Fixed interest, fixed term investment » Minimum application $5,000 » Terms ranging from 6 months to 4 years
Call 1300 785 035 or search RAC Finance Investments for application options & the prospectus Investments issued by RAC Finance are not a bank deposit, are not guaranteed by RACWA Holdings Pty Ltd or the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc.) and carry risks including possible loss of some or all of the principal investment or interest. Details relating to investments issued by RAC Finance are contained in the RAC Finance prospectus which you should consider when making your decision whether to invest. Applications can only be made on the application forming part of the prospectus. Investments may only be made on the basis of an application form and prospectus which you should consider when deciding whether to invest. There is a risk that investors could lose some or all of their money. An investment in Secured Notes is not a bank deposit. Interest rates are subject to change without notice.
MOTORING
ALMOST ELECTRIC
Hybrid cars may be our stepping stone into the world of electric vehicles. By Alex Forrest Electric vehicles (EVs) have been positioned as the ideal way to reduce tailpipe emissions from our cars. But so far, their cost has proven a major barrier to them being taken up on a large scale – at least in Australia. While many consumers will wait for EV prices to come down, there is one type of low emissions car that offers more choice at a lower cost while generating zero range anxiety: hybrids.
Horizons / June-July 2020
Over the past 20 years, hybrid vehicles have quietly and steadily moved into market segments ranging from tiny city cars through to large seven-seater SUVs and luxury sports cars.
Nowadays, ‘hybrid’ means far more than just ‘Toyota Prius’. A range of hybrid SUVs are now available, as are plug-in hybrids you can recharge to go further on electricity alone.
They’ve also become more efficient, safer and more refined.
To help you understand the difference between a regular hybrid (HEV) and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), here’s a rundown of the different types of hybrids out there, plus a review of eight models that are frugal, mostly affordable and worth keeping in mind for future consideration.
And you’re also more likely to be able to buy one that suits your needs and your budget.
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MOTORING
Regular hybrids
Plug-in hybrids
Mild hybrids
The best-known example of a regular hybrid is the Toyota Prius. Regular hybrids have a petrol engine and a battery-powered electric motor. The electric motor allows the car to be electrically driven for short distances, and when accelerating or moving at higher speeds, the petrol engine kicks in to work with the electric motor.
Plug-in hybrids are similar to regular hybrids, with the exception that they have a bigger battery that can be charged from an external power source such as a household power socket or dedicated charging point.
Less common in Australia, mild hybrid vehicles have an electric motor but this only assists the internal combustion engine and does not propel the vehicle solely on electric power.
The petrol engine is also used to generate electricity to put back into the battery, so it can start up for that reason too. The electric motor can also be used as a generator when you’re braking. When you press the brake pedal, the electric motor is used to help slow the vehicle and the electricity produced from this helps charge the battery. This is called regenerative braking. Regular hybrids are also the most common type of electrified vehicle and are usually cheaper than plug-in hybrids.
Pros: Affordable, lots of choice in the used market, no need to plug in.
This means they can be driven purely on electricity for up to 60km, depending on the model and how it’s driven. If you need to go further between charges, there’s a petrol engine there to get you home and charge the battery in the process.
Pros: Ability to run almost entirely on electricity, providing you charge it, petrol engine limits range anxiety. Cons: Need to charge it regularly and if you don’t they can be thirsty. If you do charge it, you’re carrying around a petrol engine you’re not using.
Assistance provided by the electric motor helps reduce fuel consumption, but not as significantly as in other hybrids. Examples of mild hybrids include the Honda Civic Hybrid and some examples of the MercedesBenz C-Class.
Pros: Not carrying a large battery, usually look like a ‘normal’ car. Cons: Usually notably more expensive than the liquid-fuel-only equivalent, sometimes not much less thirsty.
Range extender electric vehicles The primary difference between range extender EVs and other hybrid vehicles is that the petrol engine is not directly connected to the wheels – it is only there to charge the car’s battery and doesn’t send drive to the wheels. These aren’t common in Australia either, but an example is the BMW i3, which can be optioned with a battery only, or a battery and range-extender petrol engine, which will chime in when your battery’s running low and your range anxiety is high.
Pros: Peace of mind of having an on-board back-up for the battery, better electric range than most other hybrids. Cons: Extra cost, sound of petrol engine when it’s on. Carrying the weight of the petrol engine when you’re running on battery only.
Cons: Engine can drone under acceleration, brakes on earlier models can feel stiff and have little ‘feel’ in the pedal.
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June-July 2020 / Horizons
MOTORING
Hybrids now available and coming soon
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
The Ioniq Hybrid is one of three different low emissions Ioniq variants being offered by Hyundai. The other two are a full electric version, and a plug-in hybrid which you can charge and then drive for short distances on electric power only. The Ioniq Hybrid is the cheapest of the Ioniq range at $38,592, but it still gets gear such as autonomous emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert and an eight-speaker sound system.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was launched in Australia in May 2019 and is one of the most compelling hybrid vehicles in the market thanks to its price and the good range of safety equipment that comes as standard. Only $2750 separates the hybrid from the petrol-only equivalent, while the rear footwell and boot are bigger than in the previous RAV4. Also, Toyota now finally provides the phonemirroring software Apple Carplay and Android Auto in the RAV4. When it arrived in the RAV4, this tech was a first for any Toyota in Australia. Oh, and there’s no diesel available anymore – the hybrid has taken up the slack there.
2020 Subaru XV and Forester E-Boxer
Toyota CH-R Hybrid
Subaru launched new hybrid versions of its Forester mid-sized SUV and XV small SUV in Australia in February 2020. Both the Forester and the XV use the same petrol/electric hybrid powerplant, which consists of a horizontally-opposed 2.0-litre petrol engine linked to an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. Together, the setup produces 110kW and in the Forester it uses 6.7L/100km in the regulation test. In the smaller XV, the hybrid system uses 6.5L/100km. A downside is that both the Forester and XV do not get a spare wheel – they have a puncture repair kit instead. Both are down on performance compared to their petrol-only siblings, but they’re also down on fuel consumption.
When the CH-R Hybrid small SUV arrived in Australia in November 2019, it became Toyota’s seventh hybrid model in the range. At the same time, the CH-R also received a minor update. The CH-R Hybrid is only available in the top of the range Koba specification, meaning the entry price for a CH-R Hybrid is higher, but the flipside is that you get more extras in addition to the hybrid capability. These include keyless entry and start, leather inserts on the seats and larger 18-inch wheels. Though it’s more than $41,000 drive away, the CH-R Hybrid is not only more economical than the regular CH-R, it also uses 91 RON unleaded and not premium 95 RON, which is needed in the other, non-hybrid CH-Rs. See our review of the CH-R Hybrid on page 58.
From $38,590 drive away
From $40,170 (XV) and $45,065 (Forester) drive away
Horizons / June-July 2020
From $39,800 drive away
From $41,300 drive away
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MOTORING
Toyota Prius
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
As the name that became synonymous with the term ‘hybrid’, the Prius continues to offer some of the most affordable low emissions motoring on the market. Today, it’s not the cheapest hybrid – its sibling, the Prius C, starts at $24,000 – but it is full of technology and it’s even been made somewhat fun to drive. The Prius starts at $36,590, but even the top of the range I-Tech variant ($44,050) costs less than the cheapest pure EV in Australia.
This is a mid-sized SUV you can plug in to a household power point or a fast charger and drive purely on electric power for up to a claimed 54km. You don’t have to worry if you run out of battery power though, because the on-board petrol engine will kick in to get you home. It has the practicality of a mid-sized SUV around town, combined with the capability to drive it almost exclusively as an EV – providing you charge it regularly.
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
2020 Volvo XC40 Recharge PHEV
When the new Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid arrives in Australia, it’ll be the first time an electrified Ford vehicle has been offered for sale down under. Ford claims that as a plug-in, the plug-in Escape will offer drivers the option of driving up to 50km on pure electricity. In the real world, that distance may turn out to be shorter, but even so, the car does promise lower running costs than a straight petrol version. But then the equivalent ST-Line non-hybrid model costs $15,000 less – something for prospective buyers to weigh up.
Volvo has said it plans to launch a plug-in hybrid version of its XC40 small SUV in 2020. Volvo has given the name ‘Recharge’ to all chargeable Volvos with a fully electric and plug-in hybrid powertrain. Later, a full electric XC40 will also be available, according to Volvo. That’s just the beginning though. Volvo’s plans are that over the next five years, the company will “launch a fully electric car every year as it seeks to make all-electric cars 50 per cent of their global sales by 2025, with the rest hybrids”. Pricing wasn’t available at the time of writing, but as a guide, the range-topping petrol-only XC40 T5 R-Design costs $56,990.
From $41,487 drive away
From $52,940 plus on-roads
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From $51,390 drive away
Not available
June-July 2020 / Horizons
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MOTORING
Motor news
By Alex Forrest
The latest news from the motoring world
It’s 40 years since… This year marks some significant 40th car anniversaries. In December, it will be 40 years since the beginning of production of the Delorean DMC-12 – the car from the Back to the Future movies. Closer to home, it’s been 40 years since a Holden Commodore won the Bathurst touring car race (then called the Hardie-Ferodo 1000) for the first time. Even closer still, 1980 was the first full year of operation for the York Motor Museum. It’s also been 40 years since Alan Jones won the Formula One World Drivers Championship, becoming the second Aussie to win it after Sir Jack Brabham. The original Audi Quattro also arrived in 1980, a car that would go on to dominate world rallying.
Nissan’s engine lullaby Most parents of young children have taken a child for a drive in the car to get them to settle and go to sleep. Experts believe it is effective because of the gentle motion of the car along with the background sound of the engine. However, electric cars don’t have this engine noise and hence don’t have one of the critical ingredients required to send a youngster off to dreamland. Now, Nissan has addressed this by working with a sound expert to develop recordings that mimic the more hypnotic frequencies of the internal combustion engine, which electric motors don’t have. Nissan said about 70 per cent of parents believe it is the movement of the vehicle that sends their child to sleep, but research revealed the soothing sound frequencies are also a major contributor to children nodding off in the car.
From cork maker to car maker
Emoji jacket Ford has developed a jacket for cyclists that can communicate the cyclist’s mood using emojis. The jacket uses a large panel of LED lights and the cyclist can choose which emoji they want to show using buttons on the bike’s handlebars. The jacket was developed as part of Ford of Europe’s ‘Share the Road’ campaign. It can also be used as a direction indicator. The number of different emojis to select from is limited, with a frowning face and thumbs down being among the few negative emojis available.
Horizons / June-July 2020
The Mazda car company turns 100 this year, but it hasn’t been making cars all that time. The company began as a cork manufacturer in 1920, and back then was called Toyo Cork Kogyo Company. After beginning to build workshop tools in 1929, Mazda built its first four-wheeled passenger car in 1940, which was a one-off. In 1960, Mazda’s first production passenger car, the R360, arrived. The R360 has a strong link to Western Australia. In 1961, an R360 was driven more than 1400km from Perth to Esperance and back as a demonstration of its endurance. Mazda has added thin layers of cork parts to the interior of its MX-30 electric car to recognise its cork origins.
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MOTORING
Alex Forrest reviews the latest cars
Engine Features Safety Price
Specifications Engine: 1.8-litre petrol/ electric hybrid Power: 90kW combined petrol/electric Torque: Not available Claimed fuel economy 4.3L/100km Price: fr $41,300 drive away ANCAP safety rating
Toyota CH-R Hybrid Electrifying the drive systems of existing SUVs has been a hot trend among vehicle manufacturers lately. Hyundai and Subaru are among them and so is Toyota. Now, following the success of adding a hybrid system to its RAV4 in early 2019, Toyota has put a petrol/ electric drivetrain into its baby SUV, the wildly styled CH-R. The CH-R had already been available in overseas markets as a hybrid, but even though the electrified CH-R was late to the party in Australia,
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it’s pleasing we now finally have it as an option. Underneath that dramatic bodywork, you’ll find a similar hybrid system to that of the current Prius. That means it has a 1.8-litre petrol engine and nickel-metal hydride battery which powers an electric motor that can solely propel the CH-R at low speeds. When more power is needed, the electric motor works with the petrol engine to get you going, and when braking, the electric motor is used as a generator to recharge the battery. All of this runs through a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which
is good when the CH-R is being driven under a light throttle, but can make the engine revs flare under harder acceleration. Most of the time though, the CH-R’s performance is quiet and capable while being very light on fuel. Like almost all hybrids, its fuel economy is at its best when driven in traffic – exactly where most CH-Rs will be. Upgrades to the CH-R for 2020 include the smartphone mirroring capability of Apple Carplay and Android Auto, which will also be displayed on a larger eightinch infotainment screen (up from 6.1-inches).
Also for 2020, the CH-R gets revised front and rear lights and new alloy wheel designs for both the entry level CH-R and the premium CH-R Koba. Safety credentials are good across both model grades. There’s now also Toyota’s five-year warranty, which Toyota finally introduced at the beginning of 2019. Pricing has gone up slightly for the CH-R, but Toyota’s also added some value with better infotainment and phone connectivity and a hybrid option in what’s still a good handling and startlingly designed small SUV.
June-July 2020 / Horizons
Specifications Engine: 2.0-litre petrol Power: 110kW @ 6200rpm Torque: 180Nm @ 4500rpm Claimed fuel economy 6.8L/100km Price: fr $29,280 drive away* ANCAP safety rating
*S variant
Kia Seltos They’ll never admit it, but some cars are the envy of competing car makers, and there’s a good chance the Kia Seltos is one of them. While the Seltos isn’t a replacement for the larger Sportage, some buyers could and should consider the Seltos as an alternative depending on their SUV needs. The standard entry level drive away price for the Seltos is $29,280, but keep a look out for special offers, which are regularly available and could save you several
Horizons / June-July 2020
thousand dollars. If a special offer isn’t available, just say you want the special offer price anyway. That price is for the S model and from there, the range goes up to the Sport, Sport Plus and GT-Line. The Seltos’s responsive handling yet relatively supple ride is particularly impressive and has come as a result of the steering and suspension tuning work done by Kia in Australia to make the Seltos better suited for our roads and driving preferences. The interior is another area where the Seltos excels. Gauges are clearly
and simply laid out, and the infotainment screen is easy to navigate. Further, as head-up displays are increasingly being fitted to affordable cars, it is particularly unusual to find one where the display is clearly visible for drivers wearing polarised sunglasses. The Seltos’s head-up display is just as visible whether the polarised glasses are being worn or not. All Seltos variants get autonomous emergency braking (AEB), however the top two models (Sport Plus and GT-Line) get a
more sophisticated version which can detect cyclists. The complete safety kit can be had on the lower spec S and Sport models for $1000, which will also add active cruise control and driver attention alert. Annual servicing is affordable for both the 1.6 turbo and 2.0-litre non-turbo engines available in the Seltos, and there’s also Kia’s generous seven-year warranty. The Seltos is a spacious, good-handling and modern small SUV with appealing ownership credentials. Don’t buy a new small SUV without test driving this one.
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Specifications Engine: 2.4-litre turbo diesel Power: 133kW @ 3500rpm Torque: 430Nm @ 2500rpm Claimed fuel economy 8.6L/100km Price: fr $46,290 drive away* ANCAP safety rating
*GLS auto
Mitsubishi Triton Given three of Australia’s top five selling vehicles in 2019 were twin-cab utes, you might assume we suddenly have a whole lot more stuff to move around, and we’re taking it off road. But you’d be wrong. What’s happened is that twin-cab utes have become safer, more refined, better equipped and generally more appealing. Plus, when car-based Australian utes ceased production in 2017, suddenly there was another reason to look to twin cab utes.
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The Mitsubishi Triton was the fifth best-selling vehicle in Australia in 2019. When you include all Triton variants, more were sold than Mazda3s and Toyota RAV4s. The main reason for this is the strong value proposition offered by the Triton, despite its price having gone up slightly over the past 18 months. Its modern 2.4-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine will never feel underpowered in normal driving when carrying light loads, and it’s also a very light drinker. Adding further value to the ownership experience is the Triton’s warranty coverage. At the time of writing there
was a seven-year/150,000km warranty offer available, making the Triton unique among dual cab utes.
air circulator to the GLX+ models, where this had previously only come with the GLS and GLS Premium.
For the 2020 model year, Mitsubishi has made the locking rear differential standard in the mid-spec GLS and GLX+ Triton models (rather than just the top-of-the-range GLS Premium). This was more a catch-up addition given the presence of a locking rear diff in most of the competition. GLS and GLS Premium models get the electronically controlled Super-Select 4WD-II transmission, which provides drivers a wider range of transmission modes.
The Triton’s interior is comfortable and modern. Noise and vibration suppression is acceptable for a diesel ute, but not best in class. Small ergonomic issues like the lack of an audio volume twist knob (there are up and down arrows instead) and no numerical speed read out detract a little.
Also for 2020, Mitsubishi has added its interior overhead
But the Triton remains one of the best value utes on the market, enhanced by these most recent additions and Mitsubishi’s regular deals. The Triton GLS is the sweet spot for price and equipment.
June-July 2020 / Horizons
Specifications Engine: 1.3-litre turbo petrol Power: 117kW @ 5500rpm Torque: 260Nm @1750rpm Claimed fuel economy 6.3L/100km Price: fr $32,240 drive away ANCAP safety rating Not rated
Renault Kadjar Today, many French cars aren’t as French as they used to be. The Renault Kadjar small SUV, for example, is based on the same underpinnings as the Nissan Qashqai, and its 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine was developed in partnership with Mercedes-Benz’s parent company, Daimler. Also, the Kadjar itself is built in Spain. All this is good though, because it’s the multinational elements of the Kadjar that make it a better and more affordable vehicle. In the Renault range, the
Horizons / June-July 2020
Kadjar fills the gap between Renault’s tiny SUV, the Captur, and their midsized SUV, the Koleos. The car we road tested was a Kadjar Zen ($35,240 drive away), which sits in the middle of the Kadjar range between the entry level Life variant ($32,240) and the top of the range Intens ($40,240). What really stood out about the Kadjar was how easy it is to live with. Unlike some other small SUVs, the Kadjar’s perky little 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine makes all of its torque available from down low in the rev range (from
1750rpm), meaning it’s well suited to driving in the stop and go of urban areas. In other words, it’s just more fun to drive, especially given it has a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. That engine is also quite economical given its performance. In the regulated test, it’s rated at 6.3L/100km, but in the real world we found it used 7.0L/100km in urban driving. The downside is it needs premium 95RON petrol, so fuel savings you make on the road will be offset by the extra cost of premium. The interior is comfortable,
if a little plain, but storage for things like large drink bottles is a win in a small SUV, and there’s a good range of seating adjustments so it’ll suit households where it’ll be driven by more than one person. The Kadjar is only available in front-wheel drive – no all-wheel drive version is available. Safety credentials are good, with auto braking standard across the range, though that only works from low speeds. The fiveyear warranty is a big plus though. Overall, the Kadjar is worth checking out.
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R17205
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MOTORING
Ask the
Car doctor
Our experts answer your questions
Win free fuel Send us your question for the Car Doctor and if it’s published, you’ll receive a $50 fuel voucher to use at any Puma location Australia-wide, thanks to RAC Member Benefits. Email your questions to: editor@rac.com.au Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number with your question.
I drive a Toyota Prius C. The motor started missing and I had to get the blocked injectors replaced at great cost, countering any savings I made by having a hybrid car. What can I do to reduce the blocking of the fuel injectors? Trevor, Kingsley
up again once I release the brake pedal. I was told by the dealership that this was a type of fuel saving device. I just wonder if this will put undue strain on the ignition and engine in the long term, particularly if someone were to drive in peak hour conditions daily? John, Padbury
In the first instance, we would recommend seeking more than one opinion on both the diagnosis and the treatment of this issue. Secondly, the fuel injector issues your car’s been experiencing may be associated with the engine only running for short periods. While we appreciate this is the point of hybrid vehicles, extremely short run times may not be allowing the engine to reach full operating temperature, which could be contributing to carbon build-up in the combustion chambers, affecting the injector nozzles. Driving in situations that allow the petrol engine to fully warm up should help to an extent, but do also bear in mind that most vehicles require more maintenance as they cover longer distances.
The stop/start technologies common in newer cars have been designed by the car manufacturer to perform repeated starts and stops. This includes a battery designed for the job of more frequent engine starting, and a starter motor specifically designed for the job too. Before your car was put into production, prototype versions of it will have undergone significant performance and durability testing to ensure it is as reliable as possible by the time it goes into production. However, do be aware that batteries for cars with start/stop technology are often more expensive than regular car batteries.
My current vehicle has an automatic start/stop function where the engine will cut out when I come to a complete stop and then start
My question regards best practice for towing a caravan with our Landcruiser 200 Series. Should I leave the auto transmission in normal drive where it selects gears as per the manufacturer specified settings or, as some people have discussed,
Please note: At this time the
Horizons team is unable to accept Car Doctor questions by post.
If your question is chosen for publication, please allow up to eight weeks for delivery. See page 81 for terms and conditions of entry.
locking the transmission in the 4th of the 6 speeds as a maximum setting? In general towing usage, we leave the transmission to auto select and only override manually in special circumstances as needed, we also use the power button occasionally, such as taking off on a steep incline. Steve In most situations when going up hill or on level roads, it’s recommended to let the electronics controlling your Landcruiser’s transmission make the decisions on gearing, rather than manually shifting through the gears. This will help you achieve optimal fuel economy and, in some cases, safety. Descending long hills, especially in hot conditions, is one situation where you would want to use the gears manually, especially if you have a large caravan and are nearing the maximum recommended gross vehicle mass.
RAC members can take advantage of our Motoring Advice Line. If you have a motoring question, call 6150 6199 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm to speak to one of our experts.
Horizons / June-July 2020
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YO U R R A C
People, places, prizes and RAC news
The first aid training course that comes to you New technology developed by St John WA is now giving everyone the chance to learn life-saving first aid in their own home. First Aid Skills – Web is a St John Accredited web-based first aid training course unlike anything currently available, immersing you in real life first aid simulations from your computer.
You’ll learn skills like applying chest compressions, using your computer mouse to time the compressions and receiving a score based on your performance.
Included in the online program is a virtual assistant called Mia who makes things easy. Mia takes you through each step of the process from start to finish.
The online course covers all the first aid skills that replicate a standard one day training course, and includes dealing with anaphylaxis, asthma attacks, choking, bleeding, poisoning and seizures.
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The program is flexible so you can learn at your own pace and fit the training in with your own schedule. All online training adheres to stringent accreditation standards, with participants receiving a St John Accredited certificate on completion.
To find out more, call 9334 1233, visit stjohnwa.com.au/skills, or email firstaid@stjohnwa.com.au.
June-July 2020 / Horizons
YO U R R A C
Four things you shouldn’t do to your car in winter Cold, damp weather can be hard on your car, too. Here are some things you’ll want to avoid in order to keep it in good shape. If you find frost or even a thin layer of ice across your windscreen on a cold winter morning, don’t ever be tempted to pour hot water over it to clear it. Doing this will very likely to cause the glass to crack. Water straight out of a garden hose or tap is all you need. Avoid parking on grass in cold weather as condensation can collect on your car’s ignition parts which can cause current leakage. If you can, park your car in a garage or under cover to keep it from being exposed to damp conditions while parked.
WIN
If your car is a little sluggish to start on a cold morning, don’t keep trying to turn the engine over. If it doesn’t fire straight away, stop cranking it for a few seconds then try again. Once it’s started, don’t let it idle or rev it to warm up the engine – a modern car’s engine doesn’t need help warming up. The best thing you can do once it’s started is to just get going. You may be less inclined to get out of your car and check the tyres in winter, but this is absolutely not the time to ignore them. Tyre pressure and the condition of your tyres become even more critical on damp or wet roads, so keep an eye on your tyres’ tread depth and check the pressures fortnightly. During winter you should also be alert to any signs that your battery is failing. Cold weather puts extra strain on car batteries. When you do need yours replaced, call RAC Batteries on 13 11 11.
the ultimate home entertainment pack
Young driver workshops Keys for Life: A workshop for parents and young people is a program that was developed to help parents and their children learn to work together as a team during the process of learning to drive.
WA’s own high-speed internet provider Pentanet are now offering RAC members 5% off home and business internet services, plus the chance to win an amazing home entertainment pack valued at more than $1500.
Your prize includes: • Amplifi Instant premium router bundle • 65” Smart HDR 4K LED TV • Google Chromecast • 6 month subscriptions to Stan, Netflix and Disney+
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Each family receives a free pack providing essential information, checklists and a free set of L-plates. To find out more, visit rac.com.au/ learntodrive or call RAC Community Education on 9436 4471.
Enter the draw at pentanet.com.au/win-with-rac, plus join Pentanet’s Perthpowered internet to save 5%. See page 81 for competition terms and conditions.
Horizons / June-July 2020
Workshops are conducted in partnership with the Department of Education (Road Safety and Drug Education Branch) and are funded by the Road Trauma Trust Account. Workshops are presented by RAC in the metropolitan area and Road Safety and Drug Education Consultants in regional areas.
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“If you’re having trouble hearing, listen to the science. Not the sales talk.” – Sandra Bellekom B.Psych.,Dip.Aud., M.Aud.S.A.(CCP) CEO, Board Member and Audiologist Ear Science Institute Australia
Sales talk – it’s one of Australia’s biggest pet peeves. That’s why when you’re having trouble hearing, we ask you to listen to the science, not the sales talk. Lions Hearing Clinics are part of Ear Science Institute Australia, our world renowned research centre in Perth. While we’re checking your hearing in the clinic, our international team of scientists are in the lab, making incredible discoveries about our ears and hearing.
Since we’re completely commission free - and backed by our world renowned research - you can rest assured our recommendations are always wellinformed. You don’t need a referral to see us, but please do make an appointment. Call 1800 054 667 or visit our website at: lionshearing.org.au.
Our researchers share their findings with our clinicians - and that’s where the magic happens. Our clinicians use these latest research findings to assess your hearing, and recommend treatments or devices for your specific needs. Throughout your journey, we always put your needs and your care first.
Part of Ear Science Institute Australia
Make the most of the great everyday savings you get as an RAC member. Whether it’s discounts on travel, fuel, gas for your home, pharmacy, groceries, entertainment, dining or RAC products and services – RAC members save every day.
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Having Difficulty on the Stairs? Valid to 31/07/20
Maintain your independence, let Acorn Stairlifts keep you safe to enjoy your freedom!
GARAGE DOOR NEEDING ATTENTION?
• The only company to supply and install our own stairlifts • For straight or curved staircases • Indoor and outdoor lifts • Free home assessment • Fast installation • Safe and reliable
pp p New Doors pp p Replacements pp p Services pp p Spare Parts We install, repair, and service all makes and models of doors & motors
9303 9334
1800 239 169
Unit 1, 5 Quantum link, Wangara WA 6065
edenrocgaragedoors.com.au
CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE BROCHURE & QUOTATION
*must show or quote your RAC member number at time of booking. Discount applies to garage doors spare parts and servicing only. Offer expires 31/07/20.
» Members receive $100 off any new stairlift purchase
» Members save 10% off door spare parts and servicing*
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» Members save $640 78
25/3/20 4:17 pm
» Members get a free whirly bird on a full house gutter replacement* June-July 2020 / Horizons
and start saving today
Horizons
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Save up to 20% on our entire range!
valid until 31/07/20
08 9242 7333 www.motobility.com.au Mandurah - 2/17 Gordon Road Osborne Park - 19 Pearson Way Âť Members save up to 20% on motorised products
More discounts and special offers To see even more member offers across a range of categories, visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
Horizons / June-July 2020
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R16746
HCF Health Insurance with up to $400 cash back* That’s the power of membership Join or switch to HCF hospital and extras cover today
Call 1800 649 422 or visit rac.com.au/health *$400 cash back for Family, Couple or Single parent memberships. $200 cash back for Single memberships. Payment will be made by direct deposit up to 6 weeks after paying your first 3 months’ premium. You must not have been a HCF member 2 months prior to taking up the offer, must provide a valid email address and maintain their your policy after the 30 day cooling off period. Issued by The Hospitals Contribution Fund of Australia Limited ABN 68 000 026 746 (HCF), a registered private health insurer. RAC Insurance Pty Limited (ABN 59 094 685 882) receives a commission for RAC members it introduces to HCF and who take out an HCF health insurance product.
Terms & conditions Pentanet Win the Ultimate Home Entertainment Pack, page 65 The competition is run by Pentanet Pty Ltd (ABN 29 617 506 279). By entering the competition, the entrant agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions. Entries will be taken via the Pentanet website at pentanet.com.au. The competition opens from 12:01am on 7 May 2020, closing 11:59pm on 31 July 2020. Entry is open to current RAC members excluding employees of Pentanet and RAC, and their immediate families, including spouse, parent, child or sibling. Children under 18 must obtain parent or guardian permission to enter. The prize is outlined here and must be taken as offered: Amplifi Instant premium router bundle, 65” Smart HDR 4K LED TV, Google Chromecast, 6 months subscriptions to Stan, Netflix and Disney+. The prize is not exchangeable, transferable, redeemable for cash or for resale. Images used in the promotion of this competition are for illustrative purposes only, and do not represent the actual prize. Pentanet reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by Pentanet. The winner will be drawn at random at 3pm on Thursday 2 July 2020. The winner will be notified by email and/or phone within 1 hour of the draw. Incorrect email addresses or phone numbers will be disregarded and the prize redrawn. If the prize remains unclaimed four weeks from the date of notification of the winner, it may be forfeited and redrawn from the existing entrants. Participants may enter the competition once. The winner consents to a photo with the prize at the time of collection, which will be published online along with the winner’s name. Pentanet’s decision in relation to any aspect of the competition is final and binding on every entrant. No correspondence will be entered into. Personal information provided by an entrant to Pentanet for the purpose of entering the competition will be collected, used and disclosed in accordance with Pentanet’s Privacy Policy. A copy of the privacy policy is available at pentanet. com.au. Personal information collected will be kept strictly confidential and will not be sold,
reused, rented, loaned or otherwise disclosed to any third party otherwise than in accordance with the privacy statement and these Terms and Conditions. Car Doctor, page 63 Entrants may submit more than one entry. Up to three entrants (winners) will be awarded only one prize as follows: one $50 fuel voucher to use at any Puma Energy location Australia-wide. The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be notified by email, telephone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in June/July 2020 Horizons must claim their prize by 15 July 2020. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or RAC cannot make contact with the winner, the prize may be withdrawn at the absolute discretion of Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy and security statement and group privacy policy. Winning member comment, page 8 & 9 Entrants may submit more than one entry. One entrant (winner) will be awarded only one prize as follows: a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance valued at $183. If the winner already has Roadside Assistance, the Classic Roadside Assistance will be applied as credit to their account until their cover runs out. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be notified by email, phone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in June/July 2020 Horizons must claim their prize by 15 July 2020. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or RAC cannot make contact with the winner, the prize may be withdrawn at the absolute discretion of Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy and security statement and group privacy policy.
Contact us The Royal Automobile Club of WA (INC) 832 Wellington Street, West Perth GPO Box C140, Perth WA 6839 tel: 13 17 03 rac.com.au Member Service Centres – Metropolitan Carousel Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Hwy. Dianella Shop 20, Dianella Plaza, 360/366 Grand Promenade. Mandurah Shop SP037, Halls Head Central, 14 Guava Way. West Perth (Head Office) 832 Wellington St. Member Service Centres – Regional Albany 110 Albany Hwy. Bunbury Shop 32, Stirling Centre, Stephen St. Geraldton Shop 8, Stirlings Central SC, 54 Sanford St. Kalgoorlie 51-53 Hannan St. Travel Centres Applecross Shop 2, 14-16 Riseley St. tel: 1300 657 681 Carousel Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Hwy. tel: 9365 4700 Dianella Shop 20, Dianella Plaza, 360/366 Grand Promenade. tel: 6466 2300 Joondalup Shop T31, Lakeside Joondalup SC, 420 Joondalup Drive. tel: 9308 1600 Midland Shop 100, Midland Gate SC, 274 Great Eastern Hwy. tel: 6150 6468 Mandurah Shop SP037, Halls Head Central, 14 Guava Way. tel: 6150 6456 West Perth 832 Wellington St. tel: 9436 4830
Full terms and conditions for competitions available at rac.com.au/competitions
Save 20% on Stairlifts Choose from Straight Curved or Outdoor Mandurah - 2/17 Gordon Road Osborne Park - 19 Pearson Way Horizons / June-July 2020
08 9242 7333 www.motobility.com.au 81
YO U R R A C
Ten best
Do you have an idea for The 10 Best? Send your suggestions to editor@rac.com.au
Winter home maintenance tips and hacks Sealing in the heat A surprising amount of heat can be lost from your home through small gaps. If your windows and doors rattle it’s likely they have gaps that need sealing. This can be done with relatively inexpensive weather stripping. Caulk should also be applied to gaps in stationary sections around doors and windows, where the window and doorframe meet the wall.
Good gutter hygiene Remember to check and clean gutters regularly over winter. Use high pressure water to push leaf litter over the gutter’s edge but try to avoid pushing debris to the downpipe. It’s often more effective to clear them by hand, then give them a final rinse with the hose. A spatula and an old pair of kitchen tongs can help you get into tight spots to pull out leaves and other gunk.
Unsticking old drawers Old wooden drawers that slide in and out on wooden runners can often swell and get stuck when there’s moisture in the air. For a quick fix, grab a candle and rub it along the wooden runner and along the edges of the draw where it sits on the runner. Apply a good amount and repeat when the problem reoccurs.
Silence squeaky boards Squeaky floorboards can be annoying, but if it’s just a slight squeak, with no underlying problems, a bit of talcum powder can often stop the noise. Sprinkle some in the joins between the boards where the squeak is coming from, walk back and forth to work the powder in, then wipe off the excess with a damp cloth.
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Keep sliding doors moving When an old glass sliding door starts getting a little stuck in its tracks it might be due to a buildup of dirt along the tracks. To get it sliding smoothly again, remove any grime and dust on both sides of the tracks with a dry scrubbing brush, vacuum up the dislodged dirt, then apply a multi-purpose oil like WD40 to the tracks.
Inspect for good drainage Make sure rainwater easily drains away from all sides of your home. Garden beds shouldn’t be built up high against the outside wall above the damp-proof course. Also check that any paving running alongside the house drains water away from, not towards the walls.
Keeping things trim Keep foliage and tree branches trimmed back away from the sides of your home and clear of the gutters. If your garden shears aren’t long enough to reach higher branches for trimming, if you have PVC pipes wide enough to slip over the handles of your shears, they can create a handy extension.
Check chimneys and flues If you use a wood heater or fireplace, check the chimney or flue for cracks or gaps through which embers can escape. Outside your home, make sure there are no overhanging branches near the chimney. Buildup of residue inside chimneys and flues can block them and is combustible so consider using an additive with your fire to help clear this.
Quick glass chip repairs If you have a small chip or crack in a window in your home, for a simple temporary repair to keep the rain out you can plug it up with some clear nail polish. Apply enough coats to cover the crack or chip well, allowing each coat to dry in between.
Smoke alarm maintenance With a soft brush carefully remove dust and cobwebs from smoke alarm vents. An insect surface spray used around the unit can also help prevent insects nesting in or around the alarm, but be cautious not to spray the alarm itself. Remember to test your smoke alarms each month by pressing the test button on the unit until you hear a loud tone.
June-July 2020 / Horizons
Free roadside assistance cover for young drivers If you’re aged 17-21 we’ll give you one year of Standard RAC Roadside Assistance
$50 00
$20
*
Free
$3
0 Call 13 17 03
$80 $100
That’s the power of membership
rac.com.au/youngdrivers *First year free Standard Roadside Assistance only. Refer to the Roadside Assistance entitlements guide for more information. ^See rac.com.au/mb for details. MRB 723
rac.com.au
From the moment your bike leaves home M
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For the moment it leaves home rac.com.au/bikeinsurance rac.com.au/bikeinsurance Check the PDS to see if the policy is right for you.
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