Roadside Assistance: Wild reason Toyota refused to fix car

Mechanics scared to touch your car? Need to put a barrel in the boot of a family sedan? We’ve got you covered.

Spider infestation under the bonnet? Cars that won’t stop beeping?

Our Roadside Assistance columnist Iain Curry can help solve your motoring problems. Send questions to [e-mail].

Spiders often like to make their home in cars.

ARACHNOPHOBIA

My Toyota dealer refused to service my car because there are spiders in the engine compartment. Can I spray insecticide on the engine? I live in the country and don’t know how to stop spiders getting into the engine bay. This is not a joke email. My car’s due its service.

Joan Riley, email

What?! A proper country dealer surely is used to the odd spider under a bonnet. To refuse you service is about as un-Australian as it gets. First, remove any build-up of leaves or twigs from the base of the windscreen, engine bay and boot surround – spiders enjoy making homes there. There’s an Aussie-made product – approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority – called RoadBlock, which “prevents spiders and ants setting up home in your vehicle.” This spray has apparently been tested and safe to use on all automotive surfaces, and offers three months barrier protection. Test it out, and perhaps recommend it to your spider-shy Toyota dealer too.

The Leyland P76 is an Australian classic.

A BARREL OF LAUGHS

Last week you said you recalled when every car brochure used golf clubs as the true measure of boot space. The worst I remember is the infamous Leyland P76, which showed a 44 gallon drum in the boot. I saw one in Leyland’s Adelaide showroom, but could never work out why you’d lug around an empty 44, or how you’d get a full one in or out of the boot!

Paul Buxton, Westbourne Park

South Australia? Barrel in the boot? I’m not even going to go there. I’ve checked online and indeed, a 44 gallon drum fits in the P76’s mighty boot. Some P76 owners keep a drum to illustrate the point at car shows. Ideally full of unleaded – P76 V8s drink at a rate of 17L/100km.

Hyundai recognises that customers are tired of beeping safety features.

GOODBYE, NANNY

I have two issues with my 2023 Hyundai Kona Premium. First, it starts beeping if it goes 1km/h over the speed limit. With cruise control set to the limit it still sometimes goes over, and distractingly beeps. Secondly, the air recirculation keeps automatically switching from inside air to outside air, meaning I breathe in city fumes. I’ve never experienced this in 54 years of driving. 

Margie Harvey, email

Hyundai’s overzealous speed warnings have met considerable criticism. A new software update launched in July, including quickly being able to disable speed limit warnings by holding the ‘Mute’ steering wheel button. The update can be performed as part of your next service, or if you’re tech-savvy, there are online instructions through Hyundai’s website and you may be able to update it yourself. As for recirculated air, this is likely your ‘auto dehumidify’ setting. According to the owner’s manual: “Recirculated air turns off automatically after about 5 to 30 minutes, depending on outside temperature, to increase cabin air quality and reduce windscreen misting.” It can be turned off through your Kona’s screen. Press the Set-up button, then select Vehicle > Climate > Automatic ventilation > Auto dehumidify. 

Nissan’s X-Trail e-power should have an ‘EV’ badge on the number plate.

NO SIGN

I bought a Nissan e-Power SUV from interstate and had to buy new number plates to register it in South Australia. When I received my new plates from Services SA, they lacked the blue ‘EV’ tag now required by law. I was told I had to get them myself. In Victoria they were provided with the plates, so I think SA should be more forward thinking.

Alex Blockow, email

Lots of South Australia stereotypes this week – again, I’m not going to go there. Good news is you can buy the little blue EV triangles for your plates – about $10 a pair – from auto stores like Repco and Supercheap. But you’re right, the government department knows which cars are electrified (hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric) when issuing plates, so should make customers’ lives easier and provide them with the blue triangles.

SUN SAFE?

I paid for ceramic window tint on my new car as it claims to block 99 per cent of harmful UV rays. I wanted extra protection as I’ve had two skin cancer surgeries on the right side of my face. In the summer I still feel strong sunshine through the driver’s window. How can I test the tint blocks UV rays?

Joy Allen, email

Raise your concerns with the car dealership or window tint company performing the work. Any professional organisation should have no qualms sharing laboratory test results with you, showing the efficacy of the tint at blocking UV rays. Google ARPANSA, a government agency helping protect Australians from, among other things, UV radiation. It tests films, like window tint, and issues test reports. Ask the tinting company if it has an ARPANSA report.

Apple AirTags are a great way to keep track of your goods. Photo: iStock

TRACKING SKILLS

Do you have informed opinions about the best vehicle tracking devices or systems for vehicles to enable faster recovery if they’re stolen? We don’t have a garage for our Subaru Outback.

Lloyd Siebel, Dingley

We’ve not conducted a group product test, so I can only speak from personal experience. Years ago I had a GPS tracker in my car, but subscription rates increased and I eventually got rid of it. On advice from another motoring journalist (who owns many vehicles) I now use an Apple AirTag in my car. These are only the size of a 20-cent piece and use a long-lasting skinny cell battery. On my iPhone’s ‘Find My’ app it tracks exactly where my car is – ideal should it get pinched. I bought a four-pack of AirTags for $145 and use the other three for my wallet, bike and suitcase. There are alternatives for non-iPhone users, including the Samsung SmartTag2.

EDUCATION FIRST

Re tailgating, Australia’s problem is our police don’t educate drivers. In the UK, police monitor traffic and if they see cars tailgating or hogging the overtaking lane they pull you over and give advice. This means better road etiquette and needs to be done here.

David Bishop, South Plympton

Agreed there must be better driver education. A speed camera doesn’t detect dangerous or idiotic driving, but will send you a fine in the mail a week later, showing you going over the limit by 5km/h. That’s revenue-raising, not stopping the offence at source. Having lived in the UK, I assure you their traffic policing is very similar. Ubiquitous speed cameras and officers quick to dish out fines rather than offer ‘advice’. A positive step by the UK is offering a speed awareness course (NSAC), where speeders attend the course as an alternative to a fine or licence points. A great education opportunity which would be excellent to have in Australia.

Originally published as Roadside Assistance: Wild reason Toyota refused to fix car