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Cylinder deactivation takes multiple engine cylinders out of play at low loads (by closing the valves and turning the injectors off). It saves a small amount of fuel when cruising on the highway. But Mazda's cylinder deactivation tech on the 2.5 SKYACTIV gasoline engine was the subject of a major recall in the US (and here in Australia). So, is buying a CX-5, Mazda3 or Mazda6 with this engine a mi...

If you're about to drop the big bucks and take ownership of a brand new car, here's a simple breakdown of how to run-in the engine, free of the myth and uninformed opinions formulated from the dark ages of automotive technology (the 1970s). GET 12% off OLIGHT torches after the sale: https://bit.ly/3pA9nYi Use the code AEJC for 12% off. Help support my independent reporting, securely, via Patreon:...

The new Landcruiser 300 V6 diesel engine will feature a so-called 'hot vee' - where the exhaust is in the vee between the cylinder banks, and the inlets are to the sides.   And this does have some technical benefits, like minimising lag and maximising efficiency. Merc, BMW and Audi have adopted some hot  vee engines.   But they are prone to heat-related problems, like excessive oil...

The motoring media is currently rather busy gushing over the new Toyota LandCruiser 300, desperate to keep the brand happy as an advertiser. But that means if you're a consumer, doing research and trying to decide if you will buy one, you are not getting the full story... GET 12% off OLIGHT torches after the sale: https://bit.ly/3pA9nYi Use the code AEJC for 12% off.   Help support my indepen...

Roll moments, roll centres, inertial loads, mass centres, roll axes - let’s step into the Ghetto Engineering lecture theatre. Please, take your seats, buckle in... OLIGHT FLASH SALE:  8pm 21 June to midnight 22 June Up to 35% off Olight Warrior Mini 2 and Olight Freyer torches: https://bit.ly/3pA9nYi GET 12% off OLIGHT torches after the sale: https://bit.ly/3pA9nYi Use the code AEJC for 12% o...

This one is not about cars - but this is an important video with far-reaching implications in the public interest. The FriendlyJordies YouTube channel is under attack - bizarrely - by the NSW deputy premier, John Barilaro. If you think we have a 'free speech' society, you need to watch this. Here's what happens if you say what you really think in this country. All I want to know is: Who's next? Wa...

An un-edited and unsolicited e-mail from an owner of a typical Chrysler 300C landed in my inbox.  $2000 for a water pump, on a Chrysler 300 with 40,000km on the clock - and no offer of assistance. (And they wonder why the brand is in trouble.) Here's what happened... Help support my independent reporting, securely, via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54778969 Graeme Gambold interview...

If you've got 3 kids and you just found out you're having twins ... transportation nightmare, right?  What's the best SUV for that?  The somewhat confronting answer for many is simple: No SUV will be as good as a Kia Carnival at this. My Carnival review: https://autoexpert.com.au/posts/2021-kia-carnival-full-australian-review-and-buyers-guide Current generation Carnival in detail: 2021 K...

Toyota has had 14 long years to get the upcoming 300 Series right. But once again, they've cemented its position as the King of automotive mediocrity. Toyota is drip-feeding information to whip up ongoing interest, and the media, thanks to bad advertising incentives and a short attention span, is just lapping it up. Nobody is calling Toyota out on their average effort with new LandCruiser, such is...

The new Kia Cerato is about to land in showrooms. So, if you're considering that popular SUV because everybody else is, you should consider saving thousands by getting the so-called small car, which in many instances, has more space. Download the official 2022 Kia Cerato press release and specifications here: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/8... You can now support these livestreams on Patreon...

This is the definitive vehicle dynamics deep-dive with industry expert Graeme Gambold. Graeme is a mechanical engineer with a 30-year pedigree in dynamics development, as well as being a competitive rally driver. He's the chief engineer at the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground, in addition to running Kia's local suspension development in Australia. Help support my independent reporting, securely,...

Politician versus environment: Victoria's unjust EV tax has passed through the upper house. (They're calling it a 'road user charge' because 'tax' is such a dirty word.) We are the only country in the world doing this - and it's because we lead the developed world in disgraceful environmental conduct.  In this report we meet one of the men who supported this bill - whose support was critical...

The NSW Planning Minister is officially on the record telling us all how bad personal cars are. How they enslave us, make us unhealthy and sedentary, and how EVs are more efficient, but they are not the answer. No - I'm not joking. 12th Century, here we come, again, apparently. Help support my independent reporting, securely, via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54778969 Save thousands on a...

Ford has just filed a patent in the USA that will use cameras to beam roadside billboards into your car's infotainment display - together with special offers and calls to action. Welcome to automotive Hell. Help support my independent reporting, securely, via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54778969 Save thousands on any new car (Australia-only): https://autoexpert.com.au/contact AutoExper...

Fuel ‘going bad’. Spoiling in the tank. Thanks to COVID, lockdown and consequential driving inactivity. Oxidation, evaporation, sedimentation, instability, phase separation... been getting this question a lot, through COVID. Lots of cars sitting around, not doing much driving. And certainly fuel - petrol and diesel - both change chemically over time. But is this really something you need to worry...

Where does Ford Australia find the time? Honestly, this is some of the company’s finest external communications work to date. Download the Ford 'safety research' press release here: https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/1...   Help support my independent reporting, securely, via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54778969   Save thousands on any new car (Australia-only): https://autoe...

This report: The deep-dive into your comments & questions on hydrogen, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) and related issues, stemming from the recent Hyundai Nexo long distance driving world record.   About the Nexo world record: https://youtu.be/6qdUbKV1YmM   Help support my independent reporting, securely, via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54778969   Podcast (audio...

A hydrogen fuel cell powered Hyundai Nexo has set a new long distance driving record. From civilisation (or its rough equivalent in ‘Straya) all the way to the outback. Help support my independent reporting on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54778969 ​ Podcast (audio-only version, for listening in the car, etc.): https://anchor.fm/autoexpert ​ Save thousands on any new car (Australia-only)...

Ford can’t even get the basic specs on a limited edition 2021 Mustang Mach 1 right. Pretty embarrassing, considering that’s their job... Help support my independent reporting on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54778969 ​ Podcast (audio-only version, for listening in the car, etc.): https://anchor.fm/autoexpert ​ Save thousands on any new car (Australia-only): https://autoexpert.com.au/cont...

Several automotive companies in Australia swallowed millions in JobKeeper corporate welfare in 2020, despite returning multi-million-dollar profits in the same year. More taxpayer-funded welfare for the automotive industry, and a major regulatory failure by the Morrison Government. Help support my independent reporting on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54778969 ​  Podcast (audio-only...

If you own an electric vehicle (or you're thinking about buying one) here's how it's going to play out for long-distance driving in Australia. Help support my work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54778969 ​  Podcast (audio-only version, for listening in the car, etc.): https://anchor.fm/autoexpert ​  Save thousands on any new car (Australia-only): https://autoexpert.com.au/con...

The Victorian government has cooked up a sneaky Appeasement Burger on EVs - apparently there’s going to be subsidies now. And taxes. Which is of course intelligence-insulting and absurd. And don’t the lobby groups just love it? PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54778969 ​You can now support these livestreams on Patreon. Any support is sincerely appreciated. Save thousands on any new car (Aus...

If you're in the market for a new car right now, and if you're looking at end of financial year deals - you need to here this advice right now. PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54778969 ​You can now support these livestreams on Patreon. Any support is sincerely appreciated.   Save thousands on any new car (Australia-only): https://autoexpert.com.au/contact ​  AutoExpert discount r...

A full-day unlimited-lap thrash test, wet and dry, in the new pre-production prototype Hyundai i20 N. Is it as much fun as i30 N? Can you live with it, day to day? Let's find out… Save thousands on any new car (Australia-only): https://autoexpert.com.au/contact AutoExpert discount roadside assistance package: https://247roadservices.com.au/autoexpert/ Did you like this report? You can help support...

There are faster performance cars, and more expensive performance cars, and certainly more overtly ridiculous performance cars - but every time I drive an M3, I fall madly in love with it. This car is my kryptonite. It renders me powerless. Save thousands on any new car (Australia-only): https://autoexpert.com.au/contact AutoExpert discount roadside assistance package: https://247roadservices.com....