The Canberra Reporter CanRep MAY2017 | Page 7

May 2017 THE CANBERRA REPORTER | 7 MOTORING E dited by ARNALDO DE LEON GOOD DRIVING CARS THE NEWS Spare a thought the motorcyclist MANY drivers are quick to pass judgement whenever a motorcyclist parks in a car slot, especially when it’s the last vacant slot left. For safety’s sake WATCHDOG ISSUES RECALLS ON SOME CAR MODELS By ARNALDO DE LEON SEVERAL recalls for safety measures have been issued for vehicles this month by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Among them were the Citroen C4 Cactus, Mitsubishi XB ASX, Outlander, NT and NW Pajero, Jaguar Land Rover LW and Mercedes Benz “C” Class. Citroen’s C4 Cactus had a non-compliance issue of an electrical relay’s internal component, which might disrupt starter function. The Mitsubishi XB ASX and Outlander had a door latch assembly precision problem which may cause doors to open unwillingly. The Mitsubishi NT and NW Pajero’s passenger front airbag may include metallic fragments upon airbag deployment. The Jaguar LW Land Rover’s front passenger airbag may not deploy when required due to a deviation in generant mix ratio. The bolt of the Mercedes’ C class securing the steering coupling has had an inaccurate tightening procedure during its production, which may loosen or detach from the steering shaft and cause loss of steering control. All of these affect only specific models of different production periods. It is advised that the public go to www.product safety.gov.au for a complete list of the models affected. Although most would be contacted by their dealers, an alternative would be to look up and match your Vehicle Identification Number online. n cars can see that there is someone occupying the space and avoid backing up on the bay with limited vision. Motorcyclists that park in car slots have to pay the parking ticket and display it in a prominent position on the vehicle. In Canberra, a maximum of three motorcycles can park legally in a single car parking slot, provided the arrangement of their parking To avoid lost ticket problems, did not block the other motorcycles riders are advised to write their for that parking space. registration number on the parking ticket and take a photo. The first of three motorcycles that will park are advised to park in Dedicated motorcycle slots are still the area that is nearest the exit of free of charge unless otherwise the parking bay so that on-coming stated. n Look, there’s no driver “Tesla Semi truck unveil set for September. Team has done amazing job. Seriously next level,” tweeted CEO Elon Musk. This announcement received mixed reactions from competing companies within the trucking industry, with Toyota launching a Hydrogen-powered Semi Truck and other companies rushing to upgrade their own product lines to match the upcoming operating cost differences that Tesla’s Semi truck would present. Musk said the truck would reduce cost of cargo and improve safety while making it fun to operate. This all-electric Semi truck will be capable of operating without a human driver. n ABOUT ARNALDO DE LEON: A petrolhead and detailing guru, he has spent a decade launching cars for industry leaders in The Philippines while studying software development. Today rides around Canberra in his fixie and can distinguish a titanium exhaust note brand from a kilometre away.