Toolboxes: tailor-made versus off-the-shelf If you want a one-stop tool container that fits your equipment and your requirements, the best answer is to have one tailor-made.
How to wear out your tyres…without moving Know it or not, like it or not, the way to drive into and out of a parking bay affects how fast the tyre gets worn.
Tuk-tuks have design defects…on purpose! What the traditional tuk-tuk design offers is somewhere near the lowest common denominator for the motorised transport of goods and people.
Cross a deep pond but beware a fast river Before and above anything else, judge how fast the water is flowing. Because if you get that wrong you could be in life-threatening peril.
Spare a thought for long-haul truck drivers They are not driving overloaded or underpowered trucks at mkokoteni speeds by choice.
All or nothing: Saving the Jaguar brand The Jag image is undoubtedly “executive” and “fast”, with numerous championships in motorsport and candidacy for the most beautiful car of all time (in the E-type).
Self-drive in Kenya: A warning to overseas visitors Kenyan drivers develop a sixth sense that enables them to take evasive action, often in advance, in a way that is also predictable to others.
Here’s a to-know checklist for good drivers "Safe driving" means driving with full attention within the limits of your abilities.
‘Expressway’ is much more than just a name The distinction between our dual carriageways and internationally recognised motorways or freeways is more than just multi-lane size and smoothness.
How goes the plan to convert all cars to EVs? In Kenya, hybrids (which have jockey petrol engines to charge their EV batteries and can continue to run on one or both) are likely to lead the trend.
Cash flow versus traffic flow… The SGR was supposed to reduce road traffic by 1,000 lorries a day. It does not appear to have done so. Truck traffic does not seem to have decreased at all.
Is wheel-changing taught and tested? There’s a lot to learn about owning and driving a car beyond starting it, engaging gears, making it move, steering it, making it go faster, or slower, and how to stop.
Fuel station margins are well below retail norms Many other retail trades price at double and treble their costs – more than 10 times the margin of a fuel station forecourt.
Roller skaters on roads add to obstruction and hazard When skaters use paved footpaths, they should give way to all pedestrians. People walking in the street are not there to play dodgems.
What guzzles most battery power? Whenever possible, the engine should always be running (at low revs or a little higher to support the battery) when the winch is in use.
Sending a message to tailgaters If you deem it safe, you can send a gentle message by pressing your brakes enough to make the brake lights shine without actually slowing your car.
Tyre wear from back to front Wear at steady speeds is minimal. Acceleration (especially in more powerful cars) has a greater effect on the tyres on the drive wheels.
Head on collisions The severity of a collision depends on how fast you are going, how hard the object you hit is, and how quickly the crash will bring you from speed to a stop.
Do EV batteries discharge even when not being used? If you're storing your EV for long, leave it plugged in. The charging system will regulate what it uses, so its impact on your electricity bill will be negligible.
Don’t copy or try to ‘teach’ the clowns Those trying to overtake you are probably poor learners. They'll probably curse you, not review their behaviour.
Getting the most out of an old tyre is false economy For ordinary motoring the question is not tread or slick, but what “pattern” of tread will best serve your personal motoring conditions.
How difficult is it to drive an automatic car? Automatic cars save you the effort of pressing the clutch and shifting gears, and make it easier to reverse.
Does the weight of fuel affect the vehicle’s performance? Fuller tanks give you more security; if there is a national shortage, you have some margin to deal with the situation, not an immediate crisis.
How often should you change the engine oil? The oil's efficiency and longevity depend on the quality and condition of the oil filter and the cooling system, fuel injection and ignition timing.
Renewed pressure to ‘kerb’ young drivers …and the very old Insurance companies study statistics carefully and tailor premiums to risk levels for different cars and drivers.
