A $7.50 coffee from your local café might be affordable compared to the price of your caffeine fix behind the wheel.

Innocently sipping your beverage, particularly a steaming hot one while steering, can be dangerous – and costly.

Drinking coffee, water or other drinks while driving isn’t against the law but the simple act of taking a sip of your drink means taking your hand off the wheel and dividing your attention between drinking while not spilling any and maintaining control of your vehicle. Doing this while driving could have disastrous consequences.

RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says drivers should always keep both hands on the wheel to maintain control of the vehicle as this allows them to respond more effectively in an emergency.

“Doing anything that takes your concentration away while driving, like drinking or eating, poses a risk to you and your ability to control the vehicle,” Charles says.

How your coffee can land you in hot water

In South Australia, you won’t be fined specifically for drinking or eating behind the wheel but if this causes you to drive without proper control of the vehicle, you can receive a $236 fine and $108 Victims of Crime Levy.

In fact, the consequence of consuming a hot beverage while driving can sting in more ways than one.

“When a hot drink is spilt, not only will it hurt, but your attention will be more on the pain and mess than on the road itself,” Charles says.

The secret to sipping safely

While it’s unlikely a driver would stop their car every time they want a sip (that wouldn’t be fun or safe), our advice is to enjoy your hot beverages off the road when you can. If your morning caffeine call is stronger than your favourite coffee beans, there are a few ways to get some sips in safely.

Forget flimsy paper cups; the ones that burn your hands before your tongue. Try a spill-proof travel mug with a secure lid; this will also keep your drink hot for longer, and it’s better for the environment.

Sneaking in a sip or two at the lights is generally acceptable but drink with caution.

“Your attention should remain on the road when you’re stopped at traffic lights as they can turn from red to green unexpectedly,” Charles says. 

Final word

So, what happens when you’re feeling particularly parched? Pull over.

“Enjoy your drink somewhere safely off the road and keep your beverage in the cup holder until you’ve reached your destination.”

Coffee, after all, tastes best when it’s sipped slowly.

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Those cold winter mornings have arrived in SA, and on occasion you might wake up to ice on your windscreen.

While it might be tempting to pour hot water over the windscreen, leave the kettle in the kitchen where it belongs. It can crack the windscreen leaving you with a nasty repair bill.

Instead, follow a few simple tips to clear the ice before you leave the driveway.

1. Start your car

Sounds straightforward, but starting your car and turning on the heater will help melt the ice on your windscreen. Begin with cooler air before turning the heater up to avoid sudden temperature changes that may damage the glass.

2. Use a de-icing solution

Buy some de-icing solution from the store and spray it on your windscreen. Avoid homemade concoctions – while they may melt the ice, they could also be corrosive to your car’s glass, paint, plastics and other delicate surfaces.

No de-icing solution on hand? You can use a little bit of room-temperature water to loosen the ice.

3. Give it a scrape

Use a plastic scraper or soft-bristled brush to gently scrape the ice off your windscreen. Don’t use anything metal, like a knife, as it could scratch the windscreen.

Avoid improvising an ice scraper. Keep the credit card in your wallet; it might seem like a good idea, but store-bought ice scrapers have a larger scraping area and handle so they’re easier to use.

4. Wipe it away

Once the ice is loose, use your windscreen wipers to clear any remaining slush or water. Don’t be tempted to use your wipers when the windscreen is icy as it could damage the blades.

Prevention better than the cure

If you want to avoid waking up to an icy windscreen, try to park your car in the garage or undercover whenever possible. If you’re unable to park undercover, try a windscreen cover or park facing the east so the sun will begin to melt the ice.

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It’s widely accepted that a brand-new car loses value the moment you drive out of the dealership. But how much? The figure depends on the vehicle you drive and how you look after it. Let’s find out more.

It’s quite a thrill to buy a brand-new car. You get a full manufacturer’s warranty, the latest tech and safety features, and no hidden problems from previous owners. Plus, the emotional benefits: your choice of colour and trim and that new-car smell we all love. Unfortunately, there’s a financial price to pay: depreciation.

What’s depreciation?

Simply put, depreciation is the decline in your car’s value over time, and it hits hardest in the first few years. Depreciation applies to new and used cars, but new cars typically depreciate faster. When it comes time to sell, the price you’re offered may be considerably less than what you paid.

The idea that every car drops by a fixed percentage the moment it leaves the dealership is an oversimplification. Rather, driving away marks the start of a depreciation curve.

What affects a car’s depreciation?

Make and model

Well-known brands have a history of retaining value better than others. Think Toyota, Mazda, Ford, Hyundai, Subaru and Honda. Popular models like the RAV4, Hilux, Corolla, CR-V, Forester, Mazda3, Landcruiser and Ranger tend to hold their value reasonably well.

Conversely, luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Range Rover and Audi often depreciate faster given their high purchase price and maintenance costs.

Kilometres and condition

The more you drive, the faster your car depreciates; more wear and tear and possibly an expired warranty means more risk for the next buyer. Would you pay the same for a three-year-old Toyota Camry with 100,000km on the clock as one with 30,000km? You know the answer. Condition matters just as much. Dents, scratches, faded paint, bald tyres and a poor service history will cost you at resale.

Colour and configuration

White, silver and black cars hold their value better than quirky colours like purple, orange and light green, which reduce your pool of potential buyers. Buying a model with more features may help future-proof the car, ensuring it’ll have the tech and other extras that’ll appeal to buyers later.

Other factors

Market conditions play a role too. For example, COVID-19 new-car shortages pushed used car prices up, narrowing the depreciation gap.

Engine type also matters. Diesel and petrol vehicles depreciate faster in some markets, as electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity, while some EVs depreciate quickly as newer, cheaper models arrive.

So, what’s the real figure?

Research suggests that a popular, high-demand car’s value can drop by 10 to15 per cent as soon as you drive it home. For certain makes and models, that figure can climb to 35 per cent or more.

After three years, some mainstream cars retain 75 to 80 per cent of their value, while certain luxury sedans and EVs can drop to 50 to 60 per cent.

At the seven-year mark, a standard car with average kilometres may be worth about 40 per cent of its original purchase price.

Use the Australian Tax Office’s online tool to estimate the value of depreciating assets such as cars. Although it’s primarily for business tax purposes, it can give you a general estimate of your car’s depreciation.

How to boost your car’s resale value

Keep it serviced and clean

Keep up with servicing and maintain a stamped logbook, as buyers will pay more for a verifiable service history. Replace brakes and worn tyres, repair dents and scratches, and fix mechanical issues promptly.

Wash and wax your car regularly to maintain the paintwork and trim and keep the car in the garage if possible. Don’t smoke inside as the odour will put buyers off.

Keep the kilometres reasonable

Cars that are driven less depreciate slower, so try to limit your kilometres. However, don’t let your car sit idle for long periods as that can cause another set of problems. If you have more than one car, you may want to vary which you use for long and short trips.

Keep it simple

Choose neutral colours over bold or unusual ones and avoid aftermarket modifications, such as body kits, custom wheels and performance upgrades; most buyers prefer stock standard cars.

What have we learnt?

Depreciation is real but it’s not the dramatic, fixed drop you may have heard. Choose your car wisely, look after it and keep the kilometres down and you’ll get the best possible return at resale time.

Final note: depreciation is a key reason why buyers choose two to three-year-old, low-kilometre, mainstream models in good condition. The previous owner has already taken the depreciation hit, leaving a potentially significant saving for the next buyer.

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Hi-tech advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have added an extra layer of safety to motoring, but do these devices need to be serviced?

Introduced in the 1970s, the anti-lock braking system (ABS) is considered the first advanced driver assistance system.

By preventing brake lock-up, ABS allows drivers to maintain vehicle control under heavy braking. It was – and remains – an automotive game changer.

Since then, the development of high-tech motoring devices has increased exponentially. Modern cars are now bristling with cameras, sensors, lasers and all sorts of gadgets to make driving safer and easier.

Systems include adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, and autonomous emergency braking (AEB). AEB detects an imminent head-on crash with other objects, cyclists and pedestrians, and automatically applies the brakes to avoid a collision.

Some of this tech has proved so beneficial to road safety, its use has been enshrined in law.

Just like ABS became mandatory in 2003 for all new cars sold in Australia, AEB must be fitted to all new cars sold from March 2025.

So, once these devices have been installed in a vehicle, do they need to be maintained?

Does car tech need to be serviced?

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) represents the automotive service and repair industry, including vehicle workshops, tool and equipment makers, and training organisations.

Following consultation with industry experts, AAAA produced the ADAS –industry code of conduct, which has identified several situations where an ADAS device may need to be recalibrated.

Windscreen replacement

Some ADAS cameras and sensors are attached to the windscreen, and windscreen replacement can affect their alignment.

Steering, wheel alignment and suspension work

Adjustments to steering or suspension may affect the relative position of cameras and sensors in relation to the road.

After a crash

Even a minor vehicle crash could damage cameras and sensors or affect their alignment. If they’re removed and refitted during a repair they may need to be recalibrated.

Following modifications

Fitting accessories like bull bars and extra driving lights can affect the operation of some systems.

Vehicle maker’s guidelines

Some vehicle manufacturers may recommend checking ADAS calibration during a vehicle’s regular maintenance.

Poor ADAS function

If you notice a system isn’t working, or is operating erratically, it may need recalibration.

ADAS calibration requires system knowledge and specialised diagnostic tools and equipment, which can differ between vehicle makers.

Your vehicle technician should advise you if ADAS calibration is needed.

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When petrol anxiety gripped the nation, our Blue Mountains road trip went electric. It turned out to be the best decision we never made.

We’d planned the drive in a petrol car. Suddenly fuel availability had us anxious, so we swapped to a Kia EV5 and headed east.

What followed was 3140km from Adelaide to Katoomba and back, and one of the best road trips I’ve ever taken. Not despite being in an EV. Because of it. There’s a way people used to road trip before highways took over and towns became something you passed through rather than stopping in. Turns out hitting the road electric is a good way to rediscover it.

Pinnaroo: where the bakery used to be

The first thing you notice in an EV is where you stop. Not an edge-of-town servo, fuel up, leave. You stop in the middle of things. Main streets, near bakeries, outside local boutiques – because that’s where someone (RAA, in this case) put the charger.

The wide main street and grand buildings show what Pinnaroo once was. The bakery closed a couple of years ago. “Made a big difference to our town,” the locals said. The café is holding on. EV charging might just be the reason people stop by again.

Ouyen: the vanilla slice that earned its reputation

We stopped in Ouyen before tackling the Hay Plains – a long, exposed stretch of road where you don’t want to be guessing your range. Once declared home to Australia’s best vanilla slice, I’m not here to disagree. If you’re ever passing through, do yourself a favour.

Hay: what the highway doesn’t show you

My travelling companion David has driven through Hay at least twice a year for 40 years and never once stopped, the way you do when the destination is the point. But we needed to charge and the charger was on the main street. The rest was luck.

We found the Dunera Museum. Housed in the very carriages that brought wartime internees here in 50C heat, the museum tells the story of the almost 2000 British-based Jewish refugees shipped to Australia as ‘enemy aliens’ during World War II. Fifty-seven days at sea, straight onto a train, to a town in the middle of nowhere. A move that probably saved their lives. A story not widely known outside of Hay.

Put that charger at a highway servo and we’d have driven straight past Hay just like David had for 40 years. Instead, we stayed the night.

West Wyalong to Bathurst: from a bullock trail to a racing circuit

In West Wyalong, we plugged in and walked a block to the famously crooked main street, modelled on an old bullock trail. Excellent coffee, freshly made sandwiches. We shuddered to think what we’d have eaten at the highway servo instead.

From there, the landscape began to shift. By Bathurst we were in different country entirely and motorsport enthusiast David marked the occasion by taking the EV around Mount Panorama at sunrise (within the speed limit, naturally).

Lithgow and the Blue Mountains:  glowworms and gorges

From Bathurst we travelled to Lithgow and along more than 50km of unsealed road into Wollemi National Park in search of a legendary glow-worm tunnel. If you brave the 200-metre pitch-black walk with nothing but a railing to guide your way, you’ll be treated to a spectacular starry ceiling of glow-worms. Getting there is not for the faint-hearted. Rough terrain, hand-carved tunnels, the kind of road that makes you wonder if you’ve made a terrible decision. We hadn’t.

And then, finally, Katoomba. For two days we walked thousands of steps on cliff edges and rode the world’s steepest passenger railway to views that stop you mid-sentence. Bonus points to the EV: descending the Blue Mountains, regenerative braking gave us another 30km of range. Not a trick any petrol car can manage.

Bowral and Goulburn: duck, platypus, sheep

Bowral is Don Bradman’s childhood home, though nobody wanted to talk about cricket. Unplugging the car after dinner at the local RSL, the EV community found us; Tesla drivers comparing notes and a retired Victorian couple who drive to NSW and Queensland. Strangers with a shared language, swapping stories around a charger in a car park.

Ten minutes down the road to Berrima, we found a Georgian village frozen in the 1830s, Australia’s oldest pub and the gloriously scenic Wingecarribee River where platypuses apparently outnumber tourists.

We pushed on to Goulburn and the Big Merino, which was relocated from the town centre to the highway in 2007 because no-one was seeing it. If there’s a better metaphor for this entire trip, I haven’t found it.

Wagga Wagga: the penny drops with an overnight charge

On a detour to a friend’s farm outside Yass, we heard of a farmer using a Tesla as their paddock vehicle. We thought of the Hay locals who’d told us EVs were “only for city folk”.

A quick hello to the dog on the tucker box at Gundagai before arriving in Wagga Wagga, home to an inland river beach that made Tourism Australia’s top 20 beaches. Our motel had a free overnight charger; we woke to a full battery and effectively saved $50 on the room rate. Find accommodation with overnight charging and the economics of EV travel shift completely.

Jerilderie: the one that got away

Jerilderie is where Ned Kelly locked up the local police, dressed his gang as officers and robbed the only NSW bank the Kelly Gang ever held up. The town is home to 17 Ned Kelly heritage sites, his Jerilderie Letter and a reportedly good bakery. We didn’t get to any of it.

The only charger was out of town with nothing around it. Impatient, we left without a full charge. A perfect example of the cost of poor charger placement and the opportunity that remains.

Wycheproof, Horsham and Dimboola: small towns, big lessons

Over the border in Victoria, Wycheproof surprised us. The world’s smallest registered mountain is here although at 43 metres, it’s easy to miss. What you can’t miss is the railway line down the middle of the main street; used by harvest freight trains since 1883, creeping through at 15km/h without boom gates or warning bells. And not a single accident in more than 100 years.

A high-speed charger sits on the main street too. We sampled the bakery during our 30-minute charge and were back on the road before you could say “Wycheproof”.

We took a detour to Horsham as Dimboola’s only charger was slow and we realised too late it was a 50-minute walk from our accommodation. Note: find the charger, then book the accommodation.

Dimboola’s Victoria Hotel is the kind of pub that makes you pull up a stool and cancel your plans – built in 1924, trailing grapevines, a grand vintage dining room and country welcome. The town will get a fast charger one day and more people will find their way to the pub.

Keith: last charge, long thoughts

Back into South Australia, we stopped at Keith for our last charge, inconveniently at a highway servo. We walked a kilometre to find coffee – a final reminder that the right charger in the right place matters.

As more people drive EVs and charging infrastructure catches up, these towns won’t just survive, they’ll have reason to thrive again. The wide main streets, the grand old buildings, the people and the stories, all waiting for travellers with 30 minutes to spend on a main street instead of five at a highway service station. Somewhere between the vanilla slice, the glow-worms and the Hay museum, we rediscovered how road trips used to feel, and why the towns lining these routes deserve to be part of them again.

The post How an accidental EV road trip changed the way I travel appeared first on samove.com.au.

Our roads are full of intersections – T-junctions, crossroads, roundabouts, dog legs… you name it. See if you know the rules to safely negotiate these real-life SA intersections.

*Enter your answers, then click ‘see my results’ at the end to check your score.

1. The blue car is turning left onto Osmond Terrace but there's a red left-turn arrow shown. There's space in the left lane to pull up next to the red car, but the blue car would be stopped in a bike lane. Which of the following statements is most accurate?

A. The blue car can’t stop to turn left because it’d be blocking a bike lane

B. The blue car can stop to turn left, but only outside of peak times

C. The blue car can stop to turn left after giving way to cyclists

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2. Middleton has offset T-junctions where Mindacowie Terrace and Ocean Road intersect with Goolwa Road. In which order should the cars proceed?

A. Blue car, red car, yellow car

B. Yellow car, blue car, red car

C. Red car, blue car, yellow car

D. Yellow car, red car, blue car

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3. The blue car is turning at a Y-junction onto Mudla Wirra Road near Gawler. The red car is coming from the opposite direction and continuing straight ahead. Who must give way?

A. The blue car

B. The red car

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4. The blue car is turning right onto Penneys Hill Road at Huntfield Heights, where there's a green light but no arrow. The red car is turning left onto Penneys Hill Road with a green light and no arrow. Who must give way?

A. The red car

B. The blue car

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5. The blue car is turning right onto North Terrace. As it turns, the driver notices a red traffic light next to the tram line. Is the blue car required to stop at the red lights?

A. Yes, of course – they’re red lights

B. No, these particular red lights are for the eastbound traffic, including the red car, on North Terrace

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6. The red car is turning right from the right lane of James Schofield Drive onto Frank Collopy Court. Meanwhile, the blue car is turning right from the left lane of Western Link Road onto James Schofield Drive. Which car must give way?

A. The red car

B. The blue car

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7. The blue car on Tapleys Hill Road near Harbour Town is stopped in the left lane at the intersection with West Beach Road, where three lanes become two up ahead. There's also a red car in the middle lane. Once the lights turn green, what is the safest way for the blue car to complete a zip merge?

A. Minimise potential collisions by flooring it to get to the merge point first

B. Accelerate slowly, then stop to give way to all cars in the middle lane

C. Accelerate in an appropriate manner, giving way to the red car if it is in front at the merge point

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8. The red car is turning left into the left lane on Bookpurnong Terrace in Loxton. At the same time, a blue car is exiting the roundabout onto Bookpurnong Terrace. Which of the following is most accurate?

A. The blue car isn’t allowed to exit the roundabout at Bookpurnong Terrace

B. The blue car is allowed to cross into the left lane when exiting

C. The red car must come to a complete stop before turning onto Bookpurnong Terrace

D. The red car can proceed with care because the blue car must exit the roundabout into the right lane at Bookpurnong Terrace

The post Quiz: Intersection intuition appeared first on samove.com.au.

Earlier this year, we shared a list of five common habits that are quietly damaging your car. Here are five more, and what to do to avoid harming your vehicle.

Click here to read our original list of five car-damaging habits.

1. Frequent short trips

Cars aren’t engineered for repeated short trips. Without reaching the ideal operating temperature of 90C to 105C, your engine can’t fully lubricate moving parts, recharge the battery or burn off moisture. This can lead to oil sludge, carbon buildup, battery drain and premature catalytic converter wear. It’s bad news for your engine’s long-term health, and your wallet. The effect is worse on diesel engines, where short trips can block the diesel particulate filter – a very expensive repair.

Solution: If you can, take your car for a weekly 20 to 30-minute drive at highway speeds to get the engine to optimal temperature. If that’s not possible, change your oil more regularly or use a battery maintainer; ask your RAA Approved Repairer for advice.

2. Riding the brake

Brakes work by converting movement into heat. Ride them too long and they generate heat faster than they can shed it. This causes brake fade, where the brake fluid boils and your brakes feel spongy and lose stopping power. Excessive heat can also warp rotors, glaze brake pads (making it harder for them to grip the rotors), and accelerate wear across the whole braking system.

Solution: When travelling downhill, drop to a lower gear and let the engine slow the vehicle rather than riding the brakes. When you do need to brake, use them briefly and firmly rather than applying constant light pressure. In an electric vehicle, increasing the level of regenerative braking gives the same effect.

3. Service delays

Delaying your car’s service might feel like an instant saving but it can cause major (and costly) problems later. Manufacturers’ recommended service intervals are already at the outer limits, so pushing beyond that is risky and may even void your warranty. A regular service means your oil is kept fresh, broken parts are replaced, safety is maintained and small problems are fixed before they become big issues.

Solution: Treat servicing as an essential budget item, not an optional one. Set aside a small amount each fortnight so the cost never catches you off guard. Also, set a phone reminder before you leave the workshop, so the next service date is on your radar.

4. Only using your air-con in summer

When it’s stinking hot outside, the air-con is usually the first thing on your mind after starting the ignition and putting your seatbelt on. But in winter, it’s often overlooked. Car air-con systems are designed to run regularly. Leaving them idle can dry out seals, wear the compressor prematurely, allow moisture and bacteria buildup and cause belts and hoses to crack. These are all potentially expensive fixes.

Solution: Run your air-con for at least ten minutes every couple of weeks, even in winter. Some cars run the air-con automatically when you select the demister, but if yours doesn’t, turn it on yourself. It’ll clear those foggy windows much faster too.

5. Leaving bird poo on your car

Bird poo contains uric acid. Over time, this can corrode your car’s paint and clear coat. The effect is worse in hot weather, as the combination of heat and acid can cause permanent staining in only a few hours. Along with the damage it causes, leaving bird poo on your car for too long makes it harder to remove.

Solution: Remove bird poo as soon as you notice it but wet or hose it thoroughly first. A damp microfibre cloth and detailing spray works wonders. Keep some cleaning gear in the boot if you regularly park under trees or near water. Regular waxing also helps by creating a barrier between the bird poo and your paint, buying you more time before damage occurs.

The post 5 more car-damaging habits appeared first on samove.com.au.

Chances are you’ve heard that leaving a child alone in a car can be catastrophic, especially on hot days. 

So, is there ever an acceptable time to leave them in a vehicle and, if so, at what age? First things first, RAA advises that a child should never be left unattended in a vehicle, even for those quick dashes into the servo to pay for fuel. However, it’s not actually illegal to leave a child alone in a car in South Australia. It’s a different story when the key is in the ignition or is left in the car. Children playing with the key can inadvertently lock themselves in the vehicle with you on the outside.

In South Australia, if a child under 16 years of age is in the car, and the driver is more than three metres away, the driver can be fined.

What RAA says 

Leaving children unattended under the age of 16 is never safe, even more so in summer.

RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says leaving a child alone in a car shouldn’t happen at any time of year. 

“Don’t be fooled by cooler weather,” Charles says. “The car’s interior can quickly rise, even in winter.” 

In the past four years, RAA has received more than 1600 callouts to help children locked in vehicles.

What you should do 

Get into the habit of unbuckling the little ones and taking them with you when you leave the car. If that sounds like a challenge, plan to do chores, like filling the tank, when the kids aren’t in the car.  

If the kids can’t be cared for by someone else, pay for petrol at the pump if you can, or buy groceries using click and collect. 

If you do accidentally lock a child, or even a pet, in the car, call RAA on 13 11 11 or get in touch via the RAA App. 

What happens if you see someone else’s child alone in a car? 

Look around for the owner of the car. If you can’t find them, call 000 for help. In some circumstances, SA Police may authorise forced entry to remove the child from the car if it’s safe to do so.

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