Your questions answered: Can I put tinsel on my car?

Questions about electric park brakes, opinions on e-bikes, and a chat about decorating your car with Xmas gear this week in Your Questions Answered.

Got an automotive question but you don’t know where to find the information you need? Never fear, email us here at editor@carsales.com.au.

Regarding electric hand/parking brakes. Do they physically apply the rear brakes or somehow lock the transmission?

I’ve always understood that if a driver suddenly becomes incapacitated the passenger should at least put the transmission in neutral, apply the hand brake and steer as best they can.

Does this still apply now that the hand brake lever has been replaced by a toggle switch? – David

Answer: Hey David, great question. Most electronic parking brakes still need a brake caliper in the mix, but not necessarily the rest of the braking system. The in-cabin switch connects to a small servo motor in the caliper – a rear one mostly – which will push the brake pad onto the rotor to lock it in place when you’re parking.

To your question about helping in the case of emergency, electronic park brakes can be used to stop a vehicle while in motion. When the switch is activated and held for a few seconds, most vehicles’ computers (though not necessarily all) engage all four brake calipers in a controlled, balanced manner. This brings the car to a stop with braking force somewhere between a firm stop and an emergency brake – without risking rear-wheel lockup or a spin.

Depending on the car, the computer could also potentially disengage forward drive, but your notion of knocking a vehicle into neutral is a wise one.

I know this site is for cars, but this is still a question about transportation; how much longer will the government not regulate vehicles with both registration and licenses?

My example is: if I rode an 80cc motorbike on the streets and foot paths, with no helmet, license or registration, I would be quickly pulled over by the police, fined, and have the motorcycle impounded.

However, e-motorcycles that ride through train stations and shopping centres are extremely dangerous since the speeds are far quicker than walking pace.

I am sure this needs further investigation and action. – Martin

Answer: Hi Martin, couldn’t agree more. In New South Wales, the rise of overpowered e-bikes and e-motorcycles goes back to a 2021 state decision to relax key regulations – essentially giving their importation a free kick.

By law, you can’t sell a regular bike without a bell and reflectors, but importers of these e-bikes didn’t have to inform the government of what they were bringing in – let alone the specifications.

I’m not talking about a proper pedal assist electric bicycle, which by law can only provide assistance up to 25 km/h, with a maximum of 250 watts, and the motor works only when you’re pedalling, not with a throttle or trigger.

If you or your child owns anything other type of electric bike, I’m sorry to tell you they’re illegal to ride anywhere but on private property.

Both the government and the police claim that they are tightening rules and ramping up enforcement to clamp down on what are essentially electric mopeds, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and I have a question… can I put Christmas tinsel on my car?

I know I can put antlers on, but what about red tinsel? – Mel

Answer: Hey Mel, Merry Christmas! Love to see a bit of Chrissy bling out on the road… but there are a few things to be aware of.

Adding some tinsel to your car is, in most cases, perfectly okay, as long as it’s well secured, doesn’t cover anything important like your lights or number plate, and won’t pose a distraction to other cars.

These same common-sense rules apply to things like Christmas flags, reindeer antlers, and the like; make sure they are well secured and won’t distract other drivers.

However, for other decorations like putting Christmas lights on your car? That is a hard no.

The long arm of the law takes a dim view (hah!) of fairy lights on vehicles, mainly because they can distract and dazzle other drivers.

Light emission levels are tightly regulated, and the additional glare of hundreds of Christmas lights will easily blow through those standards.

Especially red and blue Christmas lights! That could land you in serious hot water if it’s seen as mimicking an emergency vehicle.

Got an automotive question but you don’t know where to find the information you need? Never fear, email us here at editor@carsales.com.au.

The views stated in this advice column are advisory only. Questions may be edited for clarity and length.

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