Q: Why does BYD have different service costs between suppliers?

Question: We have been reading the news about being forced to pay MyCar for servicing for a BYD Atto 3 . One of the calculations we had was that EVs have lower servicing costs , whereas it seems from the BYD warranty statement that you need to go to MyCar if you want to retain your warranty. Are you aware of this? Is there a list of EV service centres where we are not going to be charged the equivalent of an ICE (internal combustion engine) service? – Dev Answer: Newcomer BYD has two main channels it recommends for servicing. One is the 30 MyCar centres dotted around the country (more will soon be able to service EVs) and the second is 10 BYD Service Centres, which are run by a large dealer group called Eagers. It’s only at the official BYD Service Centres where the capped price servicing stands; MyCar sets its own pricing, so it’d be worth calling to get a quote. That said, there is no requirement to have a BYD serviced at a MyCar outlet or a BYD Service Centre. All you have to do is have the vehicle serviced at the recommended service intervals by a trained mechanic to at least the same standard as that provided by the importer-backed service outlets. That means you can choose your own mechanic to do the servicing. Just make sure they follow the guidelines in the service book and keep a record of the work done.

Q: Can I use a separate generator to charge my EV while driving?

Question: Can you use a 10kvVA generator (like the ones connected to a Honda motor) driven by two rear wheels to charge your EV batteries while travelling along? If this is possible, I cannot see any range issues as long as the vehicle is moving. You could use a rectifier to change to DC and also run any accessories and a converter to run a 240V electric motor. Is this a possibility or am I living with the fairies? – Paul D Answer: It’s certainly possible, but there would be no benefit. EVs already have a large generator in the car – the electric motor/s. When decelerating or coasting the motor reverses the flow of electrons to create electricity rather than use it. And, yes, you could add another generator to capture electricity as you’re driving, but it would be a net loss in energy. You would need to create enough electricity to not only move the car but also keep the generator spinning. And you’d need to consume more additional electricity than you’d get in return by charging the batteries. Creating electricity to get the car moving then recapturing that energy to put back in the battery will result in lost energy along the way. EVs are efficient, but there are still losses, including in heat in the motor/generator and heat in the batteries. Short story is EVs have a lot of effort put into capturing any unused kinetic (moving) energy already and adding hardware would be detrimental.

Q: Do you need to cool down a modern turbo engine before switching off?

Question: Do turbos still need to be cooled down after you’ve been driving them a while? A mate of mine had a turbocharged car many years ago and he was constantly letting the engine run long after he stopped driving. Seems like a major hassle… I’m only asking because the next car I’m looking at is turbo-powered . – Geoff T Answer: Turbochargers have come a heck of a long way from those often unreliable ones we saw in the 1970s and ’80s. Advances in oil, cooling and engine management mean modern turbos typically last the life of the engine provided you get the car serviced regularly (that part is key, because turbos can go boom if you go skipping oil changes). Allowing turbos to cool – or idle down – was pretty much mandatory with older turbos. If you didn’t, they could start blowing smoke and eventually give up (with a lot more smoke). These days the car looks after all that for you. Many turbos are running very low boost pressures, so while they’re an essential part of the performance of the car, they run at much lower temperatures. Those that do get hot enough will use other methods to ensure the turbo doesn’t gunk up with oil or seize; some will continue spinning the turbo (almost silently) after you turn the engine off. So short story is there’s no need to go idling down turbos with modern engines. Advances and tech has taken the hassle out of it.

Q: How can I tell whether my German luxury car was built in Germany?

Question: How can I tell where my car is manufactured? I recently bought a German luxury car and assumed it was out of Germany. But one of my friends tells me it could be from somewhere else. I’m not particularly worried, just curious. – Kelly P Answer: If you buy a pair of socks, a cheap kids’ toy or a new computer it’ll usually have something stamped on it telling you where it was made. Not cars. While there are often advantages to letting consumers know where the car is from – a Rolls-Royce from Vietnam just wouldn’t have the same ring as one from Britain (which is where they’re all made) – there are also sometimes advantages in keeping people guessing. The big German brands all source cars from unexpected places. It could China, the US, Mexico or South Africa. But they’d prefer you to keep dreaming of the origins of the badge. There is a relatively easy way to figure it out (short of asking the dealer). Go to your car’s 17-digit alphanumeric VIN (vehicle identification number) , which is usually in one of the front door jambs or at the base of the windscreen on the passenger side (you’ll also find it under the bonnet). The first one or two letters/numbers (it can vary) is a code that shows where the car was built. Deconstructing the rest of the VIN isn’t easy, but see our article here for a full rundown .

Q: Should I buy a Porsche 911 or Jaguar F-TYPE?

Question: Porsche 911 or Jaguar F-TYPE? I’ve long wanted a 911 but love the look of that Jag. – Andrew P Answer: Porsche 911 . Do not look pass go and do not collect $200. Yes, it’s easy to be tempted by the F-TYPE , but the 911 is faster, more engaging, more resolved and more rewarding. It’s also more practical (with surprising cabin and luggage space) and you have a vast array of options for performance and styling. Speaking of which, the 911 isn’t a bad looking car in our mind… Got a question but don’t know where to find the information you need? Email us at editor@carsales.com.au Find more of Your Questions Answered by carsales here

Question 1

Why does BYD have different service costs between suppliers?

Accepted Answer

Question: We have been reading the news about being forced to pay MyCar for servicing for a BYD Atto 3. One of the calculations we had was that EVs have lower servicing costs, whereas it seems from the BYD warranty statement that you need to go to MyCar if you want to retain your warranty. Are you aware of this? Is there a list of EV service centres where we are not going to be charged the equivalent of an ICE (internal combustion engine) service? – Dev

Answer: Newcomer BYD has two main channels it recommends for servicing. One is the 30 MyCar centres dotted around the country (more will soon be able to service EVs) and the second is 10 BYD Service Centres, which are run by a large dealer group called Eagers. It’s only at the official BYD Service Centres where the capped price servicing stands; MyCar sets its own pricing, so it’d be worth calling to get a quote.

That said, there is no requirement to have a BYD serviced at a MyCar outlet or a BYD Service Centre. All you have to do is have the vehicle serviced at the recommended service intervals by a trained mechanic to at least the same standard as that provided by the importer-backed service outlets.

That means you can choose your own mechanic to do the servicing. Just make sure they follow the guidelines in the service book and keep a record of the work done.

Question 2

What do I do when my key fob battery fails and I can’t start my car?

Accepted Answer

Question: Has your team ever researched what I think is an unmentioned issue in modern vehicles – battery failures in KESSY key fobs? I have a Skoda Karoq, and a friend has likewise. Both are 2019 models. Each vehicle has been almost faultless, with one exception: Both have failed to start because the battery in the key fob has given up. There is no way to start the vehicle other than by the starter button. The key fob itself has a flip-out key, but it is only for emergency use to open the driver’s door (which itself isn’t straightforward because the key ‘entry’ is hidden behind a cover on the door handle, which has never been explained by Skoda how to remove). Back to the battery problem. The handbook is silent on the matter, and all Skoda service says is replace the batteries frequently. What is ‘frequently’ isn’t stated. If, as both cars have done, they fail, without notice as it were, while out and about, in town say, one is completely stuck, and has to call for help, either from a family member with a spare key, or roadside assist. Do you know of any other people suffering keyless entry/start problems of this nature? – John G

Answer: We’ve certainly heard of the issue elsewhere John, even right here in the carsales office! Obviously one solution is to keep a spare battery in the glove box for those times the battery decides to pack it in. Granted, it’s not ideal – but it’s a solution of sorts.

We also contacted Skoda and they tell us the vehicle dashboard should give you a warning weeks before the battery dies completely. It sounds as though you may not have received those warnings, which could be worth asking the service department about.

When the battery is low (which could be low enough so that the car doesn’t automatically recognise it), Skoda says “the key needs to be held very close to the reader coil which is very close to the starter button on the steering column”.

Basically, if you use the key to push the starter button it should be close enough to trigger the start procedure, albeit relying on at least some (tiny) charge in the battery.

Question 3

Can I use a separate generator to charge my EV while driving?

Accepted Answer

Question: Can you use a 10kvVA generator (like the ones connected to a Honda motor) driven by two rear wheels to charge your EV batteries while travelling along? If this is possible, I cannot see any range issues as long as the vehicle is moving. You could use a rectifier to change to DC and also run any accessories and a converter to run a 240V electric motor. Is this a possibility or am I living with the fairies? – Paul D

Answer: It’s certainly possible, but there would be no benefit. EVs already have a large generator in the car – the electric motor/s. When decelerating or coasting the motor reverses the flow of electrons to create electricity rather than use it.

And, yes, you could add another generator to capture electricity as you’re driving, but it would be a net loss in energy. You would need to create enough electricity to not only move the car but also keep the generator spinning. And you’d need to consume more additional electricity than you’d get in return by charging the batteries.

Creating electricity to get the car moving then recapturing that energy to put back in the battery will result in lost energy along the way. EVs are efficient, but there are still losses, including in heat in the motor/generator and heat in the batteries.

Short story is EVs have a lot of effort put into capturing any unused kinetic (moving) energy already and adding hardware would be detrimental.

Question 4

How do I calculate depreciation on a new car?

Accepted Answer

Question: I’m looking at buying my first new car but am worried I stand to lose a lot of money in depreciation. I’m not expecting my car to go up in value, but equally I don’t want it to plummet. Is there a way to calculate exactly how much I stand to lose if I sell it in, say, six years? – Andrea H

Answer: Used car values work off supply and demand. The more people want a particular model, the higher the values will usually be. Tied into that is how many of that model were originally sold.

Ferrari supercars typically hold their value well, for example, because the company doesn’t sell many to start with. If Ferraris were priced as they are but thousands of them were sold each year then the used values would likely be a lot lower.

Various factors also contribute to a model’s desirability. High petrol prices, for example, can make big, thirsty cars less appealing – and I’m yet to find anyone who can accurately predict what petrol prices will do in a few months, let alone six years! Unreliability, poor aftersales support and even divisive styling can all negatively affect what a car may be worth (that is, how appealing it is as a used vehicle).

Then there’s the strength of the economy and other things no one could see coming, such as COVID.

So the short story is there is no 100 per cent accurate way to forecast exactly what a new car you buy today will be worth six years from now. It’s worth consulting RedBook.com.au to get an idea of how particular makes and models will likely fare going off past performance (using data from actual sales, RedBook lists values of all used cars).

Question 5

Is the Genesis G70 as good as a Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

Accepted Answer

Question: I was looking at a Mercedes-Benz C-Class but have also been considering the Genesis G70, which looks interesting. I’m wondering which you think is best and why? Do I stick with old faithful or try something new? – Richard Y

Answer: Genesis is the luxury brand of Hyundai, in the same way as Lexus is to Toyota. Genesis as a brand has only existed in Australia since 2017, so it’s still very young. There are some surprising cars in the Genesis line-up, with the GV70 and GV80 SUVs arguably the most impressive. The G70 sedan (there’s also a wagon) is also decent buying, especially if you go for the 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 (it’s the same engine used in the Kia Stinger). Strengths include outright performance, a long list of features for a sharp price and free servicing (with pick-up and delivery) for five years.

The Mercedes-Benz is more traditional and comes with a badge that reeks cred, but as you’ve no doubt discovered, it’s a lot more expensive. You have to shell out plenty to get one that gets anywhere near matching the performance of the Genesis V6. Plus servicing adds another $5450 for five years. Standouts for the C-Class include its superior in-cabin tech and immaculate presentation. It’s also refined and a lot more fuel efficient than the Genesis.

Forced to choose, there’s a temptation to go for the relatively known quantity of the C-Class, but if you’re not wedded to a brand you might be very happy in a G70.

Question 6

Do you need to cool down a modern turbo engine before switching off?

Accepted Answer

Question: Do turbos still need to be cooled down after you’ve been driving them a while? A mate of mine had a turbocharged car many years ago and he was constantly letting the engine run long after he stopped driving. Seems like a major hassle… I’m only asking because the next car I’m looking at is turbo-powered. – Geoff T

Answer: Turbochargers have come a heck of a long way from those often unreliable ones we saw in the 1970s and ’80s. Advances in oil, cooling and engine management mean modern turbos typically last the life of the engine provided you get the car serviced regularly (that part is key, because turbos can go boom if you go skipping oil changes).

Allowing turbos to cool – or idle down – was pretty much mandatory with older turbos. If you didn’t, they could start blowing smoke and eventually give up (with a lot more smoke).

These days the car looks after all that for you. Many turbos are running very low boost pressures, so while they’re an essential part of the performance of the car, they run at much lower temperatures. Those that do get hot enough will use other methods to ensure the turbo doesn’t gunk up with oil or seize; some will continue spinning the turbo (almost silently) after you turn the engine off.

So short story is there’s no need to go idling down turbos with modern engines. Advances and tech has taken the hassle out of it.

Question 7

How can I tell whether my German luxury car was built in Germany?

Accepted Answer

Question: How can I tell where my car is manufactured? I recently bought a German luxury car and assumed it was out of Germany. But one of my friends tells me it could be from somewhere else. I’m not particularly worried, just curious. – Kelly P

Answer: If you buy a pair of socks, a cheap kids’ toy or a new computer it’ll usually have something stamped on it telling you where it was made. Not cars.

While there are often advantages to letting consumers know where the car is from – a Rolls-Royce from Vietnam just wouldn’t have the same ring as one from Britain (which is where they’re all made) – there are also sometimes advantages in keeping people guessing.

The big German brands all source cars from unexpected places. It could China, the US, Mexico or South Africa. But they’d prefer you to keep dreaming of the origins of the badge.