Top five advice stories of 2018

An advice article from 2017 is the most popular story of its type on carsales.com.au in 2018.

'What is the difference between 4WD and AWD?' continues to be consumed by readers here and abroad and has notched up more than twice as many clicks as the next most popular story.

Other advice stories that attracted readers in large numbers explained automotive tech or pointed people in the right direction for purchasing a vehicle – whether by category or for regulatory reasons.

5. What medium SUV should I buy?

In a market segment as big as medium SUVs, there are more competitors than we could possibly evaluate together in the one comparison.

At last count there are 22 distinct model lines all battling it out in the segment. For buyers who simply want a relatively compact and practical family wagon in the SUV mould, it's a recipe for confusion.

Our advice article helps sort out the wheat from the chaff and brings together some of the more pertinent comparisons for the prospective buyer.

Advice on choosing a medium SUV

4. Sport mode explained

Another advice story that is still appealing to consumers who are a bit hazy on the whole subject of shift points and redlines – and where they come into play with automatic transmissions.

Phil Lord's story also explains that some brands of vehicle use enhanced sport modes that also optimise steering weight and feel, suspension (ride) calibration and actual power delivery and it was the fourth most read advice during 2018.

Sport mode explained

3. How it works: electric power steering (EPS)

Another story out of the vault. Originally published in 2016, this article helps throw some light on electric power steering, which does away with a conventional hydraulic mechanism driven directly from the engine.

Instead, electric power-steering systems are motor-driven, using electrical charge from the battery. Only when the steering wheel is turning does the EPS system use energy at all, unlike the older system, which is less efficient because it's always running.

Electric Power Steering explained

2. P-plate prohibited vehicles update

And still the oldies-but-goldies keep readers informed and entertained. This story for P-platers hails back to 2015. Hopefully those reading the article then will have obtained their licence by now – or be on a full licence even.

The story is a national round-up of the state laws prohibiting younger drivers from operating certain cars.

Advice for P-plate drivers

1. What is the difference between 4WD and AWD

Alan Swanson's straight-forward explanation of the various powertrain types has clearly struck a chord with carsales.com.au readers.

Not only does his story distinguish the off-road-type system (4WD) from the on-road type (AWD), he also touches on part-time versus full-time systems.

Advice for figuring out 4WD and AWD