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© John Cadogan
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AutoExpert is all about cars from Australian automotive expert, journalist and engineer John Cadogan
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A huge proportion of people who tow 2 tonnes+ are doing so illegally - unwittingly, perhaps, but still illegally. I suspect the percentage of illegality grows considerably with the weight of the trailer, too.This has obvious legal and safety implications. And of course manufacturers are in an 'arms race' where 3.5-tonne tow capacity is not just the 'gold standard' - they know they're not selling as many cars as they could if they don't offer that.Compliance is not as straightforward as it sounds - so here's how you crunch the numbers to stay 'roadside weigh station ready'.
The '$75,000: Do the "right" thing' problem: You can buy a Tesla Model Y, or a RAV4 Hybrid + rooftop solar. One of these options will leave you 4 tonnes of CO2 better off.And it's not the option many people want it to be.
A viewer asked me recently an innocent, and seemingly simple, question: Why are EV fires in the news all the time, and yet power tool batteries (which use the same fundamental tech) are so ubiquitous and seemingly safe? The answer opens a wormhole into the non-linearity of complex systems and failure mechanisms.Prepare to bleed from the ears.
Volvo is recalling almost 35,000 EX-30 battery EVs globally (almost 3000 here in Australia) because the batteries mught just catch fire without warning.All you have to do to enter this lottery is charge to 100%, and see what happens.They don't actually have a fix. The 'fix' (if you can call it that) is to refrain from charging beyond 70%, indefinitely.But that's OK because ... net zero. Obviously.
We all paid $600 million in 2025 for EV sales to remain, essentially, stagnant. (Up 1.1 per cent over two years.)Unincentivised hybrids are selling their ta-tas off, however, and likewise unincentivised PHEVs are 'boom town'...
Kia's sales apocalypse with the Tasman continues - which is awesome news for you if you want a massive discount.
Brass hammers are A) more dense than steel, B) don't damage steel parts you're working on, C) don't spark (in combustible environments) and D) have excellent impact kinematics.They're a superpower in the home workshop, basically.Proving a point here: I made one in under a day, for under $100, without using special tools, and you can, too. So just get started.
Toyota has a reputation for never putting a foot wrong on mechanical design. Unfortunately that's a total myth - and here's just one glaring example...
Kia recently unveiled the new Seltos, which we'll see later this year. Decent little SUV - like its predecessor, only more modern. But the hype surrounding it: reputation-destroying trash (personal opinion).
Basically I think you should have a crack at metalwork - so satisfying. Plus, it's not that hard, or dangerous - provided you observe a few simple guidelines.
In the previous episode, my web editor, Scott Murray, uncovered the fact that the Tasman's bump stops seemed engaged during heavy towing he did (2.3 tonnes, with a download of 270kg - well within the towing envelope of the vehicle).I checked the setup in person, and the bump stops were, seemingly, engaged, and I confirmed the download by direct measurement.So I reached out to Kia Oz, and enquired. In this video I detail their response, which seems pretty legitimate.
Auto Expert web editor Scott Murray recently towed 2.3 tonnes from his place in Melbourne to my workshop in Sydney, return. (He was towing his Shitbox Rally Falcon up here so we could do some work on it.)One of the really interesting things about it was that with a towball download of less than 300kg (max is 350) the car was sitting on the rear bump stops.A totally surreal, WTF moment...
With the EVCX installed the hi-tech thief can get in and spoof your car ... and the throttle will not work. Bonus.Huge bonus.He won't be expecting that.
This Oricom smart leveller for caravans and motor homes gets the job done fast and easily - and it might even save your marriage, dude.
Ford would say the Ranger Super Duty is the ultimate Ranger. I would agree, except for the price, the additional mass and the fact that they've taken 30kW away from the 3.0V6's maximum power...
Most DIYers over-weld their projects, and all that additional heat tends to warp the job - sometimes catastrophically. It's better if a balance is drawn so that adequate strength is achieved without excess distortion.In this video, I give you some rules of thumb and perspective into how strong your welds are likely to be, so you can draw that balance better.WARNING: If you want to build jack stands, gantries, cranes, platforms - or anything else where 'failure' = 'death/injury': go to university, become an engineer, and get trained as a welder. If you don't want to do that, just build fun, practical stuff, such as work benches and rocket stoves (the world's still your oyster, and you probably won't die).
Kei trucks are compact, cheap and fun - but they can do things (including carry things) conventional dual-cab utes cannot.I took Brett Davis from Driving Enthusiast for a drive in my new Daihatsu Hijet to pick up a welding table that wouldn't fit into my dual-cab.
Nissan bangs on about Navara's rich heritage, but they've really just killed it. The 2026 model is actually just a rebadged Mitsubishi Triton. (Nissan is in the dumps financially - it's their only option.)
Have you ever spilled cutting fluid in an open container, all over the workshop floor? Make this spill-proof container today, and it'll never happen again.
KGM - the South Korean carmaker formerly known as Ssangyong - will launch a new battery-electric Musso in Australia. Here are the details.
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