Guides & Maintenance

The Guides & Maintenance category is dedicated to practical how-to articles, buying guides and maintenance tips. Here you will find explanations of key car technologies, EV battery care, tire and brake advice, seasonal checks and step-by-step guides to help drivers keep their vehicles safe and efficient.

Tougher Emissions Rules for New Cars in Australia Take Effect
EV & Electric Cars, Guides & Maintenance, News

Tougher Emissions Rules for New Cars in Australia Take Effect

Starting December 1, new cars hitting the streets of Australia will have to meet stricter tailpipe emissions standards. It's a big change that could mean higher prices and more AdBlue usage.Key TakeawaysNew vehicles must comply with Euro 6d emission rules, which are now in effect.The cost of implementing these regulations may increase car prices by up to $1000 per vehicle.Fewer models without compliant engines will be available as imports slow down.With the new Euro 6d standards, Australia is catching up with Europe after a lag of fifteen years. This means cleaner air and less pollution from cars, but it also means manufacturers might have to raise prices on future vehicles due to added costs for emission-reducing technology.The introduction of AdBlue in diesel engines will be widespread a...
BYD Atto 1 Drops Below $25K, Becomes Australia’s Cheapest Electric Car
EV & Electric Cars, Guides & Maintenance, News

BYD Atto 1 Drops Below $25K, Becomes Australia’s Cheapest Electric Car

The BYD Atto 1 has set a new price benchmark in the Australian electric vehicle market by dropping below $25,000 for the first time. The compact city hatch is now available from just $23,990 before on-road costs.Key TakeawaysThe BYD Atto 1 starts at $23,990 and undercuts competitors like the Mazda 2 and Suzuki Swift by thousands of dollars.A Premium model with a longer range is priced from $27,990 before on-road costs.BYD's new entry beats out its own Dolphin Essential as Australia’s cheapest electric car.The BYD Atto 1 offers two variants: the base model and a Premium version. The standard variant boasts up to 310km of range on a single charge, making it suitable for daily commutes without frequent recharging stops.Competitors like the Mazda 2 and Suzuki Swift cost significantly more when...
Choosing the Right Family Car for Philadelphia’s Streets
Guides & Maintenance, News, SUV & Crossovers

Choosing the Right Family Car for Philadelphia’s Streets

Philadelphia’s driving landscape is a unique blend of narrow streets, tight parking spots, and unpredictable weather conditions. Choosing the right family car requires balancing practicality with maneuverability to ensure daily commuting remains stress-free.Key TakeawaysNarrow streets demand compact yet spacious vehicles like two-row SUVs or compact crossovers.Avoid low-slung sedans due to poor ground clearance; opt for moderate clearance to handle potholes and curbs.Fuel economy is crucial in stop-and-go traffic, favoring efficient powertrains over high-performance engines.Philadelphia’s driving conditions are challenging. Narrow streets often limit the size of vehicles that can be maneuvered comfortably. While a three-row SUV might seem ideal for large families, it becomes impractical wh...
Audi A3 PHEV Remains Unavailable in Australia Amid Uncertainty Over Petrol Price Parity for Hybrids
EV & Electric Cars, Guides & Maintenance, News

Audi A3 PHEV Remains Unavailable in Australia Amid Uncertainty Over Petrol Price Parity for Hybrids

The Audi A3 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) remains under evaluation by the brand's Australian division, with no immediate plans to bring it to local showrooms. This decision comes despite ongoing discussions about a range of upcoming models.Key TakeawaysThe A3 PHEV is still under consideration for Australia more than 12 months after initial talks began.Petrol price parity isn't guaranteed for future Audi hybrid models, as seen with the recent launch of the A5 and Q5 variants.Audi continues to evaluate a range of upcoming models including PHEV options.According to Audi Australia product manager Peter Strudwicke, discussions about bringing more plug-in hybrids to market remain ongoing. However, there's no update on the A3 PHEV at this time. The model is offered in Europe with two different hybrid sys...
BYD Denza B5 and B8 Tailored for Australian Market
EV & Electric Cars, Guides & Maintenance, News

BYD Denza B5 and B8 Tailored for Australian Market

Chinese automaker BYD is ramping up efforts to establish its premium sub-brand, Denza, in Australia. The company's engineers are working on-site to fine-tune the first two models, the plug-in hybrid off-road SUVs B5 and B8, for local conditions.Key TakeawaysDenza plans to adapt its vehicles specifically for Australian roads and customer preferencesThe company has sent Chinese engineers to Australia multiple times since July 2025 to gather feedbackBYD aims to make Denza the largest market outside China, with a focus on premium segments in AustraliaTo boost its chances of success, BYD is following Hyundai and Kia's strategy by tailoring models for local tastes. This approach includes adjusting vehicle settings based on Australian driving conditions.The B5 and B8 are Denza’s first vehicles to...
Nio Firefly Electric Car Confirmed for Australia, Arrival Uncertain
EV & Electric Cars, Guides & Maintenance, News

Nio Firefly Electric Car Confirmed for Australia, Arrival Uncertain

The Nio Firefly electric hatch has been confirmed for an Australian launch following its sighting on Melbourne roads and the filing of documentation to approve it for local sale. However, there is no set timeline for when orders will open or deliveries commence as the Chinese automaker continues to search for a suitable distributor.Key TakeawaysNio Firefly confirmed for Australia but no launch date announced yetPotential distributor still being sought by Nio, aiming for compliant market entryFirefly is expected to start from about $35,000 plus on-road costs if European pricing holds trueThe Firefly electric hatch competes with the VW Polo and BYD Dolphin in size and price range. It's designed to appeal to a broad audience looking for an affordable EV option. Nio’s Firefly brand has been ac...
Australia’s Most Expensive Toll Roads: CityLink Leads the Pack
Guides & Maintenance, News

Australia’s Most Expensive Toll Roads: CityLink Leads the Pack

The latest research from car insurance comparison website iSelect has unveiled Australia’s most expensive toll roads, with Melbourne’s CityLink topping the list at a cost of up to $12.25 per trip for its 22km stretch.Key TakeawaysMelbourne's CityLink is Australia's most expensive toll road, costing drivers up to $12.25 per trip.Sydney dominates the top 10 list with eight of its toll roads among the priciest in the country.Brisbane’s Go Between Bridge stands out as the costliest per kilometre at $13.50/km for a mere 300-metre stretch.According to iSelect's analysis, Sydney has eight of Australia's top ten most expensive toll roads, with the WestConnex M4 leading in revenue generation and price hikes. The WestConnex M4 is projected to earn $1.88 billion in 2025, marking a significant increas...
Lexus NX’s Shiftable Steering Wheel Buttons: A Novel Concept, but Not Without Flaws
Guides & Maintenance, News

Lexus NX’s Shiftable Steering Wheel Buttons: A Novel Concept, but Not Without Flaws

Lexus has introduced a unique feature in its latest NX model: shiftable steering wheel buttons. The system, known as Touch Sensor Controls, allows drivers to toggle between sets of functions on the thumb pads located on each side of the steering wheel. This innovation aims to increase functionality and reduce distraction by enabling up to 16 customizable commands from two touchpads.Key TakeawaysThe Lexus NX's Touch Sensor Controls offer up to 16 functions through two thumb pads, doubling the typical button capacity.Despite its promise of reducing distraction, the system requires significant cognitive effort and visual attention from drivers.Lexus has not confirmed plans for future software updates that could add more functionality to these buttons.The Touch Sensor Controls feature is desig...
Youngest Drivers Least Trusted by Aussies on Roads
EV & Electric Cars, Guides & Maintenance, News

Youngest Drivers Least Trusted by Aussies on Roads

A new survey reveals that Generation Z (1997-2012) drivers are the least trusted motorists in Australia, with 90% of respondents believing these drivers take the biggest risks. The study also found that distrust towards Gen Z is highest among Australian drivers compared to other countries like the UK and New Zealand.Key TakeawaysGen Z drivers are least trusted by 90% of Australians due to perceived risk-taking on roads.Distrust towards Gen Z is highest in Australia compared to other surveyed countries like the UK (88%) and New Zealand (84%).70% of global respondents believe age doesn't significantly impact driving behaviour, highlighting a generational divide in perceptions.The survey, conducted by Scrap Car Comparison, polled drivers across 18 countries to assess their trust levels toward...
Nissan Australia Eyes Chinese Models to Boost Sales and Market Share
EV & Electric Cars, Guides & Maintenance, News

Nissan Australia Eyes Chinese Models to Boost Sales and Market Share

Nissan Australia is set to introduce a range of new models sourced from China, including the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute, as part of its strategy to revitalize sales. The move comes after Nissan Oceania boss Andrew Humberstone acknowledged that sticking with traditional Japanese-made vehicles has not been effective in recent years.Key TakeawaysNissan Australia plans to import Chinese-built models like the Frontier Pro PHEV ute.The company aims to diversify its product range and source from China to boost sales.Humberstone emphasized that continuing with current strategies won't yield better results.Andrew Humberstone, Nissan Oceania's head, stated at the Navara preview event that the company needs a new approach. He said, “If we do the same thing, we get the same results. We need to do...