Michael McAleer answers your queries
From Liam Kennedy:
A lot of 4x4s on our roads seem to be fitted with metal bull bars. It was my understanding that EU rules ban manufacturers from selling vehicles with these prefitted as they can be lethal in any collision with a pedestrian, cyclist etc. So, are the drivers of these vehicle having the bull-bars fitted afterwards, and if so why isn't this practice also outlawed? And is there any rational reason for having them on your car if you're not planning to drive cross-country through Africa?
It's not illegal either here or within the EU to have bull bars on your car/truck. According to the Department of Transport there are currently no EU restrictions on such non-functioning decorative features on cars, though there is a draft EU directive on standards for frontal protection systems being prepared at present that is likely to ban these items from the front of vehicles.
While they may be useful additions when crossing the plains of Nairobi, they serve no purpose other than aesthetic when travelling down the Naas dual carriageway. Not only that, but they are very dangerous to pedestrians. Bearing in mind that the design of a modern car is such that the bonnet and windscreen should provide a cushion if a pedestrian is struck, these bars are dangerous as they block off this potential safety feature.
Similarly, in response to a letter we received some weeks ago about bonnet ornaments, these are also dangerous and potentially illegal as they also limit the cushioning effect of the bonnet and windscreen. The only safe ones are the spring loaded type mascots as used by Mercedes, for instance.
From Paul McCallig:
Recent columns have mentioned the likes of 'brake-by-wire' and drive-by-wire. What is that all about?
Both systems are based on the principle of replacing hydraulic or mechanical systems with electro-hydraulic or electronic control to give better responses.
Take brake-by-wire as an example. A normal system operates via a traditional vacuum and hydraulic system. When the brakes are applied in a 'brake-by-wire' system, sensors measure the speed and force of the driver's action on the pedal and relay this information to a control unit, along with data collected by other sensors on the car.
This information is immediately processed by the control unit which in turn generates separate signals to apply the correct braking force to each brake disc and hence the wheel.
An example of its effectiveness is that when braking on a bend, the control unit will brake the wheels at the outer side of the curve harder than those on the inner, thus increasing stability and reducing braking distance compared to a car with a more conventional braking system.
From Peter Clarke, Munster
I'm getting ready to trade in my car for a new one in January and I've visited two dealers in the last month or so. However, I'm confused as to whether I'm getting good value or merely the sales pitch.
One's offering me €700 more on my old car, but the other has hinted he might give me a discount on a new one, plus a few optional extras for free. Which is better?
Dealers have a certain margin to play with, and they'll either use a discount on the new car price or the trade-in value, or even a bit of both, to tempt you. What you need to decide is which deal is offering you better value at the net price.
Get a reasonable market price for your car and compare it to the offers from the dealers. Then see which one is offering you the best discount on the new car price.
Don't be fooled into simply thinking that the higher trade-in value is the best deal. It gets a little more complicated if you are looking outside the one brand, but again take discount and/or options into account.
However, remember with options that if you didn't want it to start with, does it really hold much value for you in the future. It might be listed at a value of €500, but you wouldn't have spent anything near that on the option in the first place so it's not really worth that to you.
Send your queries to
Motors Help Desk, The Irish Times, Fleet Street, Dublin 2 - or e-mail them to motorshelp@irish-times.ie