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.
Five women in the automotive industry, all accredited members of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud Association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), talk to us about what they love and don’t love about the industry, and how they see the industry evolving.
– article courtesy of retail motoring industry organization (RMI)
CHANTEL STEYN had to leave her job in the government sector to join her husband at his Car Service City branch in Pretoria in 2018, after the business expanded rapidly within two months of opening. She bought her own Car Service City branch, also in Pretoria, a year later.
I’ve often been told ‘what do you know about vehicles?
– Chantel Steyn
The branch was awarded Best New Branch and Best Branch Overall in the franchise in 2019.
She was fortunate to experience full support from male colleagues and suppliers, but there is no doubt women are not seen as equals in the industry.
“I’ve often been told ‘what do you know about vehicles?’ when people find out what I do for a living. I tell them you don’t have to know everything about vehicles to manage a business well. Men tend not to take your opinions seriously until they get to know you and can see what you are contributing to the business.
“There is no glitz and glam, so you need to be a strong character. You have to remember customers are your bread and butter, so you must be competitive; always one step ahead of the rest when it comes to customer service and quality workmanship.”
Determined to set an example for women by being the best in her field, Chantel also wants to empower women to excel in the industry. She adds that she will always champion excellent customer service and quality workmanship.
“You are the creator of your own destiny, so never give up on your dreams,” she says.
Your dashboard provides information about the health of your car in the form of various warning lights. It’s a good idea to know what each of these lights represent so that you can have the issue attended to sooner rather than later.
Your dashboard provides you with lots of information about the health of your car. Usually, when you start your car, all the lights on the dash come on but after a short while they automatically turn off again.
Sometimes one or more of the lights do not go off, indicating a problem within the engine. It is helpful to know what the warning light represents so that you can communicate effectively with a qualified technician.
Here are a few common warning lights which commonly come on and need to be attended to.
1. CHECK ENGINE warning light
Meaning: Often, this light goes on after you’ve started the engine but turns off after a few seconds. If however, the light continues to glow or comes on when you are driving, your car is communicating that a service is required.
Required action: It’s alright to blue tick this message but you will need to attend to it within a day or two. Left unattended for too long, it will start blinking, at which point it would be highly recommended that you hightail it to your technician as soon as possible as flashing lights generally usually indicate a more serious problem, such as an engine misfire that could damage the catalytic converter.
Urgency: Moderate. Think of this as your toes pinching in your heels. You can grin and hobble as gracefully as you can across the room but make a beeline for the exit as soon as possible, and head for a maintenance workshop as soon as possible.
2. ENGINE OIL warning light
Meaning: This light indicates that either there isn’t enough oil in the engine, or that the oil pump is malfunctioning, (premium vehicles may have a separate light to warn that the oil level is getting low). Engine oil is important as it keeps engine surfaces lubricated, preventing unnecessary wear and tear to the metal components.
Required action: If you notice the oil light on while you are driving, pull over immediately. Driving with low oil pressure or low oil in the system can ruin your vehicle’s engine, leading to a breakdown and putting you and other road users at risk.
Level of urgency: Critical. This is one warning light that should not be ignored! Think of it as having spinach on your teeth
3. BRAKES SYSTEM warning light
What it looks like: A surprised circle holding its face.
Meaning: This light could indicate one of 2 things:
You may have left the parking brake on (sometimes there’s a separate light with a “P” in the circle).
There may be a problem with your brakes, such as loss of hydraulic pressure, low or leaking brake fluid, or excessively worn brake pads. Cars with antilock brakes have an amber or yellow warning light which usually says ABS across it.
Required action: It goes without saying that your brakes are an integral part of your vehicle. So should the brake warning light illuminate and stay on, your car’s braking performance will be severely affected putting you and other road users at risk.
Level of urgency: Life-threatening. Think of this as someone snatching your wig and making like Usain Bolt with it. In other words, get your vehicle to the repair shop rightnow!
4. ENGINE TEMPERATURE warning light
What it looks like: The letter E attached to a spoon floating in water
Meaning: If your engine is dangerously hot, usually from a loss of coolant, this symbol lights up.
Required action: If you are driving when this warning light goes on, pull over safely as soon as possible and shut off the engine to let it cool down. When the light has turned off, you can drive the car again, but keep an eye out for the light to come on as it most likely will until the problem has been fixed. Even if you have to pull over every so often to let the engine cool down, it’s worth the hassle to help prevent the engine from overheating. Keep in mind that a low coolant level means a leak is present which needs to be remedied as soon as possible. Otherwise, your car will eventually be low on coolant again and run the risk of the engine getting overheated.
Important: Never open the radiator cap on a hot engine. The radiator cap is designed to pressurise the system so that the water doesn’t boil as easily. Removing the cap from a hot engine will cause the coolant to start boiling and the steam will scald you badly.
Level of urgency: Critical bordering on ICU status. Treat this on par with not sucking on an entire packet of breath mints after eating garlic bread at lunch time!
5. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESP) warning light
What it looks like: A car that’s driven over a banana peel
Meaning: Many traction control systems will illuminate the warning light when the system detects a loss of traction, like in snowy or rainy weather. Typically the light is seen when the system intervenes to maintain traction. If the traction control light illuminates and stays lit without blinking, this means that the traction control system has been deactivated, and there is no traction control available.
Required action: The only way to properly resolve either of the above conditions is to have the vehicle properly diagnosed at a qualified repair shop. Always have the repair shop do a full computer systems scan.
Level of urgency: Critical but stable unless the rainy season has begun in which case, you should treat this warning as you would you phone with 1% battery life left in it.
Seeing one of your dashboard indicator lights pop up when you’re driving can be a little daunting, but by knowing what each symbol means you can save yourself from a lot of panic and money. Make time to familiarise yourself with your vehicle owners’ manual to acquaint yourself with the basics of its operational systems.
Wiper blades provide the driver with a clear view out of the windscreen and quickly and easily wipe away water, leaves, dust and even bird poo!
Because wiper blades are made of rubber, they naturally deteriorate over time, and have a rather short life span. They need to be replaced when you notice the following defects:
Streaking when they wipe away water
Unusual noises
Irregular movements
Ragged or cracked blades
Some modern cars have extremely technical wiper blade mechanisms and require the attention of a technician. For other cars though wiper blades are still quite basic and can be changed quickly and without much fuss. But before going into the step-by-step tutorial on how to do so, we first need to understand that wiper blades are generally made of three basic parts: the lower wiper arm that extends from the base of the windscreen, the metal or plastic blade attached to the lower arm, and the actual rubber blade which is the portion which is in contact with the windscreen.
Here are the basic steps to follow when changing a wiper blade.
Step 1: Raise the metal or plastic arm from the windscreen and allow it to stand unaided in its natural position which is at a slight angle to the windscreen. Make sure it soft-locks in that position as the wiper blade is spring-loaded and could easily snap back against the windscreen, pinching your fingers or damaging the screen.
Step 2: Unlock the old, damaged wiper blade: Look at the joining where the rubber portion of the blade meets the metal arm and identify the small plastic stopper holding the blade in place. Press the stopper and unhook the old rubber blade to separate it from the metal arm.
Note:
Use one hand to hold the wiper blade at all times to prevent it from snapping back against the windscreen
Protect your windshield with a folded towel just in case the arm accidentally snaps back while you attempt to change the wiper blade.
Some wiper blades may have pins rather than hooks
Step 3:Slide the new rubber wiper into the same end of the arm where you pulled the worn blade from and gently pivot the new wiper until the hook snaps into place to secure it. Slowly release the wiper blade back against the windscreen
Step 4: Repeat Step 3 to replace the other wiper blade.
Step 5:Test that you have replaced the blades properly and that they work, by allowing the reservoir water to run down the windscreen and turning on the wiper blades. They should wipe the water away noiselessly, and without streaking.
“The temptation of a new car can sometimes lure a buyer into a commitment that isn’t an ideal fit for their budget,”
– Ghana Msibi, WesBank Executive Head MotorING Division
WesBank has taken three of the most common purchase plans and simplified the jargon to help buyers choose the best payment plan for them.
Instalment finance
This is the most straightforward of all vehicle finance options. Monthly repayments are calculated on the purchase price of a vehicle minus whatever deposit is put down at the start of the deal.
Finance terms can be structured into time frames of between 12 and 72 months. The longer the term, the lower the monthly repayment will be, but be aware that interest will add up over longer terms and the total amount repaid to the bank will increase proportionally.
Instalment finance with a balloon payment
Similar to instalment finance, except a portion of the purchase price is set aside so that the repayments are calculated on a lower amount. Simply put, balloon payments are similar to deposits except they’re payable at the end of a term instead of at the beginning.
“Fortunately, there are flexible finance options for buyers to choose from. WesBank wants to ensure that all consumers fully understand what’s available so they can make smarter, more responsible decisions on their car-buying journey.”
– GHANA MSIBI, WESBANK EXECUTIVE HEAD of MOTORING DIVISION
Buyers must be cautious of the amount put into a balloon because they will be responsible for the lump sum once the finance term is finished. While it may be attractive to have lower monthly repayments because a larger chunk of the purchase price is placed into a balloon, the repayment of a balloon can be an unexpected debt as this amount will either need to be settled or refinanced at the end of the deal.
Guaranteed future value
Guaranteed future value, also known as GFV or any number of brand-specific titles, is becoming an increasingly popular form of vehicle finance in South Africa. It is important to note that a vehicle’s value begins depreciating (losing monetary value) from the moment it leaves the showroom floor. In line with this depreciation, a GFV plan calculates what the future monetary value of a vehicle will be if specific conditions of vehicle condition, mileage and maintenance are met. This future value is guaranteed at the start of the agreement.
This makes planning ahead easier as consumers know exactly what their car will be worth once the pre-determined contract term (usually between three and four years) is reached. The customer is given three choices at this point – they can either enter into another GFV deal and drive away in new vehicle, settle the outstanding amount and own the vehicle, or simply return the vehicle to the respective dealership and walk away (provided the driver didn’t exceed the allotted mileage and the vehicle is in an acceptable condition).
With a GFV plan, a consumer is essentially only paying for the use of the car. This is why it’s important to know more or less the distance the vehicle will cover during the GFV term. Consumers are liable for penalties if any conditions of the GFV agreement aren’t met.
Every WesBank-approved car dealership has a Finance and Insurance (F&I) executive to inform and assist consumers in their buying journey. The F&I can give you financially sound advice and explain what you can and cannot afford because their role is regulated by the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act as well as the National Credit Act (NCA).
Vehicle finance can be daunting and difficult to understand but that is not an excuse as information is readily available. It’s simply a matter of asking questions without fear and ensuring that you fully understand the terms and conditions of your vehicle finance contract prior to signing it.
The ever fluctuating petrol prices are beyond our control but practicing good driving habits could save you money
Motorists often underestimate the impact their driving style has on the fuel efficiency of their cars but the truth is that a few adjustments could make a huge difference. Here are a few useful tips to help motorists be greener and more fuel-efficient drivers.
Drive smoothly Aggressive driving such as rapid acceleration, speeding and braking can lower your fuel mileage significantly. So, accelerate smoothly, brake softer and earlier, and stay in one lane while it’s safe to do so. Not only do these driving techniques save fuel, they also prolong the life of your brakes and tyres.
Slow down Speeding wastes fuel. Aim for a constant speed. Driving at 90 km/h instead of 100 km/h can improve your fuel efficiency by 10-15%. Pumping the accelerator sends more fuel into the engine, emptying the tank faster.
Don’t keep your engine idling Today’s engines don’t need a warm up. Start the car immediately and gently drive away. Don’t leave your car idling. Prolonged idling increases emissions and wastes fuel. Turn the engine off whenever it is safe to do so, such as when stationary for more than 30 seconds, this avoids unnecessary energy consumption of an idle running engine.
Remove unnecessary cargo Reducing the amount of cargo you keep in your boot or on your back seat can improve your fuel efficiency as less energy is needed for acceleration. Try to travel as light as possible, keep only the most important items (like an emergency kit, jumper cables, a small toolset, and a small jack) in the vehicle.
Only use A/C on the highway Your fuel economy drops by up to 15% when you use the air conditioner at low speeds. So, if it isn’t too hot, turn off the air conditioner and roll down your windows instead. However, at 90 km/h or higher, using the air conditioner is preferable to opening windows because your vehicle has much lower wind resistance with the windows closed; and because the engine produces more power at higher revs, so it is able to run accessories like the A/C compressor more efficiently.
Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated: Incorrect wheel alignment and underinflated tyres lead to increased resistance between the tyres and the road. This makes your engine work harder than it ordinarily would, leading to higher fuel consumption, and increased wear on the tyres. Check your tyre pressure at least once a month and before and after a long distance drive. Alignment should be checked at least every six months, or after run-ins with potholes.
The choice between an illegal, worn out tyre and a safe tyre could be a matter of life and death especially when you consider the various terrains and conditions we drive on.
This is especially relevant when we get flash rains that make the road surface slippery or drive over spillings. Although second hand, worn out tyres appear to be a more cost effective solution, they reduce the performance of a vehicle by increasing stopping distances, raising the risk of skidding and increasing the risk of blow outs.
At the launch of Transport Month in October 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, “It pains me that our country continues to experience around 14,000 road deaths each year.”
“With over 60% of second hand tyres in South Africa deemed illegal, road users need to understand the dangers of driving using unsafe, worn out tyres. “Unsafe second hand tyres as well as worn out tyres are one of the major culprits that cause fatal consequences for road users, especially when one considers that the only component of the vehicle which, at any given point, makes contact with the surface of the road, is the tyre,” stated Darren Hayes-Powell, Group Managing Director at Goodyear South Africa.
Transport plays a critical role in sustaining our economy and commuting people to various destinations, therefore it is of utmost importance that we focus on the condition of tyres, the critical component that keeps the vehicle moving.
“It pains me that our country continues to experience around 14,000 road deaths each year.”
– President Cyril Ramaphosa
A simple tyre check at the end of each week will ensure you keep on top of the safety and wear performance of your tyres. As you park, move the steering wheel to the left or right to expose the front tyres when you exit the vehicle. This will give you easy access and view of your front tyres. It is also important you look at your rear tyres as they may also wear differently depending on how you drive.
These simple checks can ensure that you keep yourself, your passengers as well as the pedestrians around you safe as you drive.
Darren Hayes-Powell, concluded by saying, “Always make sure that your tyres are in good condition, that they are not worn out and if you are buying a second hand tyre, make sure that the tread wear indicator is visible, and it is below the tread across the whole tyre and there is no bulging on the side of the tyres. Adopt the habit of parking your car with the front tyres at an angle to make it easier to check their tread depth. This simple exercise, combined with a stringent quality check, can be the thin line between life and death.”
Ignorance is expensive, and that is evident by the number of female owned vehicles which end up requiring major and expensive repair-work. Being oblivious to the Check Oil warning light leads to severe or irreparable damage yet the solution is quite simple learn how to check the level of engine oil yourself.
Oil is to an engine what blood is to your body and without it, your engine would cease to operate. It also helps prevent dirt and residue build-up effectively prolonging engine life. When the level of oil in your engine is low the risk of friction caused by metal parts rubbing against each other increases which as you can imagine is not a good thing!
Avoid embarrassment and know where the latch to open the bonnet is!
Fuel station attendants are trained to check and top-up your engine oil, but instead of re-touching your make-up or catching up on social media, next time you stop to refuel, surprise the attendant, by checking your engine oil level yourself! Here’s how:
Avoid embarrassment and know where the latch to open the bonnet is! A surprising number of women simply don’t know and I’ve heard many husbands lament about receiving calls during meetings to give instructions. Similarly, practise physically opening and locking the bonnet in place else it might just fall on your pretty little head!
Depending on the type of vehicle, the dipstick is located towards the front of the engine or further back, towards the windscreen. Either way, it is usually easy to identify by its bright orange ring.
Carefully pull the dipstick out and note where the film of oil ends in relation to any one of the markers on the dipstick. These could be 2-pinholes or indentations on either or both sides of the dipstick. Some sticks have the words “Low” / “High” or “Min” / “Max” engraved into them.
Gently wipe off the oil using the paper available near the pumps and slowing insert the dipstick back into its holder. Ideally, a soft, lint-free cloth should be used and if you value the longevity of your engine you may want to keep one in a bag in your boot specifically for this purpose. Sometimes the dipstick gets stuck on the way back in, and you may have to firmly, but gently push it down or pull it out once more and turn it around before re-inserting it. Be aware that the dipstick is flexible so allow it to bend a little as it follows the curve of its container.
Hold the dipstick in place for a few seconds then gently pull it out and observe which marker the oil is at. The higher up the marker the oil is the less you need to worry about topping it up, however the further down the dipstick it is, the more likely your engine is in need of more oil.
NOTE: Before embarking on an engine oil check, read the car’s manual as some manufacturers instruct that oil checks and changes are to be done only by their accredited technicians.
There is much talk about child in-car safety and one of the most common ways to ensure the safety of your precious cargo is with the aid of ISOFIX fittings. But what exactly are they and how do they work?
The word ISOFIX is derived from the words “International Safety Organization” (ISO) and “Fixation” (FIX). It is the international standard for attachment points for child safety seats in passenger vehicles. They are U-shaped brackets welded to the chassis of a car for the sole purpose of securing an ISOFIX compliant child seat or base. Almost all cars come standard with ISOFIX points. They are not optional extras nor can they be removed. Should the car owner not need to use them, they remain unobstructive and do not interfere with passenger seating comfort.
Why do I need them?
Prior to ISOFIX fittings and ISOFIX compliant car seats, there was a myriad of different sizes and shaped of car seats on the market. It can’t have been easy for parents to know which car seat was best for their child. ISOFIX however was designed to give parents peace of mind and security, and by virtue of their design, added protection for children in the event of an accident.
Does my car have them?
Most manufacturers mark the location of the ISOFIX fittings with either the words ISOFIX or a symbol. Some are covered with hard plastic flaps whereas others are covered by the upholstery of the vehicle. They are generally located either in the front passenger or rear seats.
How do I find them?
To identify them, push your hand through the gap where the backrest and seat meet and run it across from one end to the other. Within seconds you will come across the first metallic U-shaped fitting. Continue sliding your hand across the gap until you locate the second.
What do they do?
Those with more grey hair than they care to admit will remember a time when in-car child safety meant securing the car seat with the use of seatbelts and a prayer for the best! ISOFIX fittings however, keep the car seat firmly in place drastically reducing the possibility of your child tumbling out of his seat in the event of an emergency braking scenario.
Asides offering optimal safety, ISOFIX and compliant products include:
Ease of use
Quick and simple to install
Convenience
ISOFIX fittings in a car are so important that they have become major considerations in the car buying process. They minimise the risk of incorrectly installing a car seat and provide a solid and permanent connection between the car and the framework of the child seat. Should you be in the family way, ISOFIX compliant car seats are a bit pricey but then again, what price wouldn’t you pay to ensure your child’s safety?
At first glance: The new MINI John Cooper Works Clubman and MINI John Cooper Works Countryman
New 4-cylinder engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology
225 kW of power and 450 Nm of Torque
New 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission with integrated mechanical differential lock for the front wheel
New exhaust system with remarkable sound development
New bigger John Cooper Works sport brake system
MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive as standard
New LED headlights with Matrix high beam function and LED rear lights in Union Jack design in the new MINI John Cooper Works Clubman
Model-specific chassis design and coordination
I had been tormented by the question of which car to feature on the first-ever cover of this publication even through there were many to choose from. It needed to by something fun, sexy, dynamic with a powerful presence; but when I received my invitation to attend the launch of the latest MINI John Cooper Works Clubman and Countryman models to South Africa it was a wrap; problem solved. Not, only did the new MINI models meet all my Car-on-the-Cover criteria, these siblings were the most powerful derivatives in the brand’s sixty year history. Plus, it didn’t hurt that MINI is one my all-time favourite compact vehicles.
Over the years, MINI has mastered the market on nostalgia, then continuously added modern design twists to each new generation; and the latest John Cooper Works models are proof of just that. With short overhands, big scowling face and roundish headlights, the new JCW Clubman and Countryman are undeniable relatives of every MINI produced, since the 1950s.
As soon as I settled into the cockpit, I set about letting the MINI JCW Countryman off its leash. Ignition engaged, the little giant-slayer greeted me with a suggestive, gravelly exhaust note and it was love at first rev. Whoever had driven the Countryman previously had set the mood light setting to neon pink so when the car came alive the entire cabin lit up like an 80s disco ball causing me to blink a couple of times. The characteristic interior sports car flair of the Countryman is partly down to the John Cooper Works sports seats with integrated head rests, the John Cooper Works sport steering wheel with multifunction buttons and the John Cooper Works selector lever.
Armed to the roof lining with the latest tech and bling without being impractical. The toggle switches – for ignition, drive modes and stability control are located under the centre stack for safe and easy reach by the driver. An LED ring surrounding the 6.5” touchscreen interface, illuminates in response to drive mode selection and engine speed. The integrated Connected Media equipment is able to access numerous MINI Connected online services, including Real Time Traffic Information.
Navigating the beautifully twisty roads of Mpumalanga it felt like I was in a remake of The Italian Job as the not-so-diminutive Countryman gobbled up the tarmac. As I built up speed I was thankful for the Heads Up Display (HUD) because there was no ways I was going to look anywhere but straight ahead. Unsurprisingly, the new John Cooper Works Countryman is very stable, without an inkling of a twitch to is nose. With foot pinned to the floor, my body relaxed into the ride although my adrenaline levels had spiked considerably and my attentiveness was sharper than usual.
Flowing through the long meandering curves and frequent sharp bends, the JCW Countryman’s, low-ride height, sharp handling and breath-taking burble worked in unison to deliver good ride quality and make each acceleration an immensely joyful occasion.
Like everything BMW-related, the John Cooper Works range of vehicles are happiest when showing off their powerfully raucous attitude so naturally, I knocked the gear shifter into Manual mode and the Countryman roared back in mutual glee. But of course, using the paddle-shifters is much more fun so, with Sport mode in play I made a commitment to the right pedal and was rewarded with 250Kw and 450Nm of tyre-frying vivacity.
Propelled by the concentrated power of it extraordinarily powerful 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine, with MINI TwinPower turbo, the John Cooper Works Countryman delivered an emotionally charged driving experience, sprinting from 0-100km/hr in 5.1 seconds. Even though the previous generation also gave an extreme driving sensation, the model has elevated that to a new dimension of pure, unadulterated fun. That said, it must be noted that for the first time with MINI vehicles, the maximum speed has been electronically limited to 250 km/h.
As the power source for extreme driving fun, I soon discovered that the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman features DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), which I came to appreciate for its ability to regulate the vehicle’s driving dynamics on loose terrain, and when taking bends with a sporty driving style. Also, the sport brake system has also been redesigned – another useful feature I called upon when a dedicated member of the traffic department leapt out from behind a cover of shrubs to ‘greet’ me.
WHAT I LOVE
WHAT I DON’T
Fantastic looks
Price. Yikes!
Comfy, sports seats
Perky 2.0-Litre engine
Paddle shifts which don’t compromise performance when in use
A woman has the ability to note that the left toe-nail of another woman 10m away is in need of a trim and colour fill but has difficulty seeing the SUV she reversed into in the parking lot. You laugh but you know it’s true.
90% of the information motorists need is received through the eyes, therefore it stands to reason that good vision is a prerequisite for safe driving.
Let’ s face it. If you can’t see properly, you can’t drive safely, it’s simple– Thembela Moyo
There are different types of visual functionality necessary for driving, and should any of these be impaired your level of safety on the road becomes automatically compromised. These are:
COLOUR VISION helps you identify things like traffic signals, different coloured road signs, indicator and brake lights.
DEPTH PERCEPTION is the ability to see things in three dimensions (length, width and depth) and to judge the distance of various objects in relation to where you are.
VISUAL ACUITY gauges how clearly you can see and visual field is how wide of an area your eye can see when you focus on a central point.
VISUAL FIELD is how wide an area your eye can see when you focus on a central point.
PERIPHERAL VISION enables you to see things to your left or right such as the sides of your car, animals, cyclists and pedestrians without the need to glance away from the road.
NEAR VISION is the ability to quickly and effectively adjust your focus from something far away such as the bend in road ahead, to something near such as the information on your dashboard.
It is incredible that the above (and more) work together almost instantaneously and to a large extent are the determining factors used in making critical driving decisions.
Asides driving distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, other reasons which affect our ability to see properly include:
Normal age-related degeneration
Glaucoma – a disease which damages the eye’s optic nerve leading to the development of blind spots in your central or peripheral vision
Macular Degeneration – a disease in which a part of the retina (called the macula) becomes damaged, causing loss to central vision
Diabetic Retinopathy – a disease in which high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina, depriving it of both central and peripheral vision
Cataract – a progressive clouding of the lens in the eye, causing halos around lights, blurry vision and difficulty in seeing properly in bad weather conditions, poorly lit environments and at night.
Nothing signals that we are aging quite like deteriorating eyesight which is one of the leading reasons most people avoid having their eyes tested. There is no shame in admitting that your vision isn’t quite what it used to be and thanks to modern technology, there are many corrective solutions for various eyesight deficiencies – which don’t involve thick unsightly glasses!
Please let me know how about your eyesight and driving experiences by leave a comment below and tagging @freshvisionopt on Instagram and hashtag #heelsandhorsepowermag
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
