September 2, 2020 - Heels & Horsepower Magazine

10 Tips for driving safely in the rain

vuyi on September 2, 2020

Driving safely in wet weather requires an adjustment in your driving style. Here are our top-ten tips for minimising the risk of having an accident.

Slow down: You are more likely to have better control of your vehicle when you drive at a slower-than-usual pace. Also, reducing your speed gives you time to react in the event of any eventuality such as another car losing control.
Avoid large pools of water: When possible, avoid driving through large bodies of water as they could be covering potholes. Rather, opt to drive slowly at the shallowest part of the water (edge of the puddle) reduce your speed and drive cautiously.
Allow for extra travelling time: Plan ahead, be patient and prepare to arrive at your destination later than usual. Chances are that there will be a lot of slow moving traffic along your route.
Brake sooner and with less pressure: Gently braking reduces the chance of your tyres skidding while braking sooner allows for a longer stopping distance thereby minimising your chances of rear ending the vehicle ahead of yours.
Increase your following distance: The more space you have between your car and the one you are following the safer you are. Keeping a safe following distance is good practice even when driving in good weather.
Demist your windows and windscreen, using your demister function and not a piece of cloth, your sleeve or tissue! Switch on the air con as this will help clear the fog quickly.
Turn on your headlights: This increases your visibility to other motorists but can be dangerous if you use your high beams. Switching your headlights to ‘bright’ could blind other motorists as the extra light is likely to bounce off the water droplets, causing a distraction to on coming traffic.
Give trucks a wide berth: As a general rule, always pass large vehicles as quickly as possible. In wet weather though, the spray from their tyres can make it extremely difficult to see which is why passing them as soon as possible or only when absolutely necessary is imperative.
Don’t cross running water: Not only could the water be deeper than you think but it could be flowing faster than the eye can see. Attempting to drive through flowing water could result in your car being swept away thereby endangering the lives of everyone in it.
Pull over if visibility is low: If the downpour is so heavy that you can’t see ahead of you, pull over in a safe spot and wait it out. Remember to turn on your emergency lights so you are more visible to other motorists.

How to Avoid Car Jamming!

vuyi on September 2, 2020

Car Jamming is something every South African motorist should know about.

Through the use of a hand-held device car thieves can block the signal from a car and its remote without the motorist knowing – it’s an easy way for the car itself or the valuables in the car to be stolen.

Unfortunately insurers do not always provide cover for this type of crime and policies relating to car-jamming vary greatly. In order for a claim to be successful the insurer will in most cases request proof of car-jamming. This can be challenging unless security camera footage can be obtained supporting the claim.

It is an industry norm for an insurer to see visible signs of a forced entry into a car before covering valuables stolen from it. This is due to the fact that expensive portable items such as laptops and phones are high risk and the responsibility is on the insured to check their car is locked.

How to make sure you do are not the next victim:

First and foremost – Make sure your vehicle is locked before walking away from it – it only takes a few seconds.
Make sure that when you leave home or the office you have stowed all laptops or bags in the boot of your vehicle. Do not do this in the parking lot as you are advertising what valuables you have.
Lessen the appeal of your car by placing all valuables in the car out of sight in the cubby hole or under the seats.
Make sure your car can be identified with DataDot Microdots.
Fit the vehicle with additional security systems which include trackers, steering wheel locks, etc.
Do not leave bills, keys or remote controls in the vehicle.

Source: Data Dot

New entry-level Mercedes-AMG range set to attract lifestyle conscious drivers

vuyi on September 2, 2020

…the new Mercedes-AMG 35 4MATIC range is an extremely attractive offer for a young, active and lifestyle conscious target group…
– Selvin Govender, Marketing Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa

Mercedes-AMG has taken the wraps off its new Mercedes-AMG 35 4MATIC range. The new range offers an attractive entry point into the AMG stable for younger target groups looking for a high level of performance and style. The A 35 4MATIC will be available in South Africa in hatch, sedan and CLA 35 4MATIC formats.

“With its iconic design and agile driving dynamics, the new Mercedes-AMG 35 4MATIC range is an extremely attractive offer for a young, active and lifestyle conscious target group. These customers define their requirements very clearly: They expect exciting design from their vehicle alongside superior performance and inspiring handling characteristics. The new Mercedes-AMG 35 4MATIC range embodies just this attitude to life – and enables stepping into the fascinating world of AMG Driving Performance in a particularly emotional way,” said Selvin Govender, Marketing Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa.

Image courtesy of Motorpress
Image courtesy of Motorpress
Image courtesy of Motorpress
Image courtesy of Motorpress
Image courtesy of Motorpress

Magnificently designed inside and out

The design of the new range draws unmistakable influences from motor racing, adding characteristic AMG elements to the design idiom of the A-Class.

The interior of the Mercedes-AMG 35 4MATIC range features a combination of sporty design and sophisticated details, including the MBUX multimedia system, with its innovative operating and display concept. MBUX replaces the previous COMAND systems, and creates an even closer connection between the vehicle, driver and passengers.

Image courtesy of Motorpress
Image courtesy of Motorpress
Image courtesy of Motorpress
Image courtesy of Motorpress
Image courtesy of Motorpress

Technology

Needless to say, the Mercedes-AMG 35 4MATIC range also comes with trailblazing voice control, activated with the words “Hey Mercedes”. Thanks to artificial intelligence, MBUX recognises and understands nearly all sentences from the fields of infotainment and vehicle operation, even if they are expressed indirectly.

Driving Modes

On the road is where the new range comes into its own. Dynamism, agility and performance – these three attributes characterise the standard all-wheel drive of the new Mercedes-AMG AMG 35 4MATIC range. The variable AMG Performance combines the best possible traction with lots of driving fun, with torque distribution infinitely variable to suit the dynamic handling requirements.

Image courtesy of Motorpress
Image courtesy of Motorpress
Image courtesy of Motorpress
Image courtesy of Motorpress
Image courtesy of Motorpress

The five AMG DYNAMIC SELECT driving programs – Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport + and Individual enable a wide range of vehicle characteristics from comfortable to dynamic. They change relevant parameters, such as the response of the engine and transmission.

Race Track Ready

For those who fancy themselves on the racetrack, AMG TRACK PACE is also available as an option for the new Mercedes-AMG 35 4MATIC range. The virtual race engineer is part of the MBUX multimedia system and permanently records more than 80 vehicle-specific data points while driving on a race track. On top of this lap and sector times are displayed, as well as the respective difference for a reference time. After putting in some fast laps, the driver can use the data to analyse and, if necessary, improve their driving skills.